Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-23 i Cape Argus

Catch Puppet Power, the national tour by comedy duo Conrad Koch and Chester Missing, which is coming to The Drama Factory this week. Ahead of the show, Independent Media Lifestyle caught up with Koch to unpack his journey in the industry, especially with his socio-political commentary that has left Mzansi in stitches. When asked how the evolution of current affairs-driven comedy influenced his latest show, Puppet Power, he said: “With the rise of TikTok and other high-reach, high-impact social media, we as comedians have tools we never dreamed of. “And in this watershed moment in history as far as conversations on race and colonialism globally and in SA, and the influence of the billionaire class turning even Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa into puppets of sorts, the question of power,…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa was compelled to yield to the DA’s pressure to dismiss Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane to secure the Appropriation Bill’s passage today. Ramaphosa’s move comes ahead of the National Assembly’s vote on the Appropriation Bill, which allocates funding to each national department. The DA had threatened to withhold support for Nkabane’s departmental budget following allegations of misconduct and misleading Parliament regarding appointments to Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards. Following Nkabane’s dismissal, the DA’s spokesperson, Willie Aucamp, confirmed yesterday that they would vote with the ANC in every department, paving the way for the Appropriation Bill to pass without major challenges. The ANC, as well as ministers in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, have found temporary relief after Nkabane’s axing. This follows…

SOUTH African Reserve Bank (SARB) governor Lesetja Kganyago has strongly advocated for the country to lower its inflation target from 4.5% to 3%. Experts argue that a lower inflation target would improve price stability, reduce borrowing costs and enhance investor confidence in the long term. However, many feel it would entail some short term ‘pain’ for the sake of long-term gain. Yet tightening monetary policy could be a dangerous move in the current economic climate, warns Frederick Mitchell, chief economist at Aluma Capital. The US says it intends to impose a 30% tariff on South African goods, with threats of a further 10% tariff targeting BRICS countries. This could plunge many industries into crisis. Industries that rely on exports, such as vehicles, citrus and mineral commodities, are particularly vulnerable. These…

I admire the KZN police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s courage and boldness. Mkhwanazi has risked his career by exposing the damning allegations against the Minister of police, Senzo Mchunu. The KZN commissioner’s utterances have divided the nation. I don’t want to get into the argument of whether Commissioner Mkhwanazi was right by calling a press conference instead of reporting the matter to the national commissioner of police and the president. He has his reasons. That’s a topic for another day. ANC politician, Bathabile Dlamini, once said most of the members of her political party have smallanyana skeletons in the closet. Many of us treated her utterance as a joke. But it is becoming clearer by the day that she was telling the truth. The joke is on us. It is clear…

We fully agree with Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa”s clear and succinct statement to a television station: the cost of electricity in South Africa is “unsustainable” and is forcing many households into energy poverty. He elaborated further, explaining that the government was revising electricity tariffs. “It”s unaffordable,” Ramokgopa added. He summed up the situation by saying many poor people would rather buy bread than purchase electricity units. This is a sad reality faced by millions of South Africans every day. When those with a regular income complain about the cost of electricity, it is evident that the situation has spiralled out of control. We will not discuss the costs involved – the bottom line is that it is expensive. Before 2007, when Alec Erwin made his public declaration about…

Facing up to the haka for any rugby player is one of the highlights of their international careers. Equally, it is one of the most unnerving and Springbok Women’s forward Lerato Makua is certainly anxious about the prospect fronting up to the traditional pre-match Maori war dance ahead of the clash against the Black Ferns XV at Athlone Stadium on Saturday. “We’ve seen it (the haka) on TV and we don’t know how it feels when they’re doing it,” Makua told the media at UCT on Tuesday. “We know the nerves are going to be there. “It will be another experience that we’ve never experienced before. But we’re looking forward to it.” Makua should have nothing to worry about though. The Bulls Daisies utility forward, who hails from Mamelodi East…

If there’s one thing the Springboks have proven since lifting the World Cup for a record fourth time in 2023, it’s that they understand timing in the context of rugby — when they should peak, when to rest stars, and when to adapt. That is exactly why Bok guru Rassie Erasmus and his management should continue experimenting with combinations during this year’s Rugby Championship, rather than stopping and focusing on settled combinations, as he said they would. As the next edition of the Southern Hemisphere tournament begins, the world champions should resist the temptation to stick with a tried-and-tested core and instead double down on innovation. It will maintain the unpredictability of the team, it will continue to limit the analysis opposition can do on the team and certain players,…

In his debut novel The Customs Man, former customs official Zain Aboobaker offers an unflinching dive into the hidden world of smuggling, corruption and the deeply personal cost of doing the right thing in a compromised system. Set in modern-day South Africa, the story is as much a crime thriller as it is a commentary on the state of the nation – a place where justice is fragile, morality is tested and the boundaries between law enforcement and lawbreaking are often indistinguishable. At the heart of the story is a dedicated customs officer whose moral compass is tested when he becomes entangled in a web of organised crime, internal betrayal and administrative corruption. As he navigates a dangerous professional landscape, he is forced to choose between upholding the law and…

The Digital Law Co (DLC) has marked a pivotal victory in the ongoing struggle to protect South African children from digital exploitation. By securing a court order, DLC has compelled the tech giant Meta to actively participate in the fight against child pornography on its platforms. In a relentless two-week legal battle, Emma Sadleir and her dedicated team took on Meta, the parent company of Instagram and WhatsApp, in their quest to remove disturbing posts featuring children from public view. In the latest turn of events, DLC has secured a consent order, issued in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, in which Meta has agreed to work closely with DLC. This case arose in response to the widespread circulation of sexually exploitative material involving South African schoolchildren on Meta-owned platforms. Meta…

A 29-year-old man, Mthobisi Shezi, appeared before the Delmas District Court in Mpumalanga on Monday after allegedly purchasing a Toyota Fortuner sport utility vehicle (SUV) using fraudulent documents. The Hawks’ Secunda-based serious corruption investigation team and the serious commercial crime investigation unit arrested Shezi in KwaZulu-Natal. “The suspect allegedly purchased a Toyota Fortuner on credit by submitting fraudulent bank statements and fraudulent payslips to the finance institution in Delmas,” said Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Magonseni Nkosi. Shezi allegedly received the vehicle, worth R455 900, in October 2020. “Ever since the vehicle was driven out of the dealership, not a single instalment has been paid in the past five years,” said Nkosi. The financial institution turned to the Hawks, and an investigation led the team to Greytown, KZN, where Shezi was arrested…

After enduring the tragic loss of her grandchild, a 70-year-old Christinah Mahlangu was happy to receive a new home from the City of Tshwane and Palesa Coal Mine during a ceremony held in the Zithobeni Heights near Bronkhorstspruit area on Tuesday. In 2022, she suffered the traumatic loss of one of her grandchildren, who was brutally murdered and dismembered. Mahlangu’s grandchildren were on their way to school when the incident occurred, and the elder grandchild, a 15-year-old secondary school pupil, was the victim. Despite the pain, Mahlangu was overwhelmed with joy after receiving the house, simply saying, “I am very happy.” Her daughter, Thabi Kgomo, said Mahlangu’s health was severely impacted by the traumatic event. Kgomo explained that the family’s lives were turned upside down after the body was found…

THE owner of a Yorkshire Terrier named Triesie that underwent a cruciate ligament repair but was badly burnt on her other leg by a hot water bottle has been awarded emotional damages against Pierre van Ryneveld Veterinary Clinic in Pretoria. Riaan Nortje turned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, where he sued the vet for R400 000 for emotional distress. Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba granted the claim for emotional shock and ordered the veterinary clinic to pay the proven damages. Nortje also succeeded in his claim for travelling and related costs as he visited Triesie at the clinic following her injuries. The clinic was, in this regard, ordered to pay his proven damages. His claim for R103 800 in damages following his allegations that Triesie was bought as a…

Earlier this month, more than 3 600 scientists, activists, policymakers, and journalists gathered in Kigali, Rwanda, for the 13th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Science. It was the first time this major global event took place in an African city outside South Africa, marking a powerful recognition of the continent’s critical role in the global HIV response. The conference came on the heels of deeply concerning news: in January, the US government announced sharp cuts to funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a move that cast a long shadow over the global fight against HIV, particularly in Africa. The numbers are staggering: of the 40.8 million people living with HIV globally, over 26 million (65%) are in Africa. And more than half of all…

All year, the Kiwis have had an upper hand over the Proteas in white-ball cricket, and on Tuesday, the Black Caps further extended their dominance over South Africa with a comfortable seven-wicket victory in Harare. Right from the start of the year, when South Africa travelled to Pakistan for a Tri-Series against the hosts and New Zealand in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy, the Black Caps were dominant over the Proteas, beating them comfortably in the Tri-Series before going on to thrash them in the semi-final stage of the Champions Trophy. In Zimbabwe, a couple months after the Champions Trophy, New Zealand have beaten South Africa twice, securing a 21-run victory last week and a seven-wicket victory on Tuesday. Proteas opening batter Reeza Hendricks (41) and spinner Senuran Muthusamy…

WESTERN Province are dead-set on righting the wrongs of last season’s Currie Cup as they look to establish a more settled squad throughout the tournament this year. Their senior United Rugby Championship (URC) players won’t be involved in the competition as they start preparations for the new European season. Still, the Cape side will look for a settled squad that can take them far in the competition after limited success last year that had supporters in the Mother City worried. A marker will be laid on Saturday and the coaches will see exactly where the team is when they face the Bulls at the DHL Stadium in the Currie Cup opener. Forwards coach Brok Harris confirmed they will not have players going in and out of the team, while they’ve…

Samthing Soweto has opened up about the creation of his latest work and working with Sicelo on Ndandatho. Mdolomba’s sophomore album, Touch Is a Move: Good Morning, is a 17-track masterful blend of storytelling and music that takes listeners to the vibrant streets of Soweto in the 1990s through young Mdolomba’s point of view. The storytelling begins with the album art, featuring the Deda singer in his childhood home, where his family gathered for a prayer to wrap up the night. The album kicks off like a typical day in Soweto, narrated by a young Mdolomba and his brother, Bhut’Lungisa. The pair play a crucial role in capturing the energetic morning vibes, slowly transitioning into the reflective moments of the evening through the interludes included in the album. “The day…

THE EFF has welcomed the arrest of the four suspects linked to the murder of Oupa John Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody. This comes after the suspected killers appeared before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court yesterday following their arrest on Monday afternoon. Their matter was subsequently postponed to July 29 with reports that one of the suspects is a known businessman, identified as Katiso Molefe, while the rest are alleged hitmen. The police further allege that the suspects are linked to 10 other high-profile cases, including the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart. “The (police) team arrested four men between the ages of 45 and 60 in connection with the murder of a popular South African DJ, Oupa John Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody. Michael Pule, Floyd Mabusela, Mosa…

South Africa has positioned itself to take a leading role in shaping the future of entrepreneurship and innovation within the global start-up ecosystem. This was revealed on Monday by the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) at the StartUp20 (SU20) Midterm Engagement Meeting as part of the first-ever Global Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Ministerial Meeting organised by the International Trade Centre, the UN small business agency, in partnership with the South African government. Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni, said the Engagement Group was unwavering in its mission to propel innovation, digital transformation, and policy collaboration. Ndabeni said this initiative aims to forge robust connections between global start-up communities, ultimately better equipping local enterprises to navigate international markets.”We have identified five priority areas for the StartUp20 Engagement Group.…

NEITHER the Constitution nor freedom of expression protects a person who posts defamatory material concerning another on social media, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruled in turning down an appeal by a farmer after a Facebook post by him sparked death threats against an attorney. The dispute arose between Pretoria attorney Pieter Strydom and farmer Francois Harman after the latter accused Strydom in a Facebook post of targeting white farmers. Strydom, upset by the contents of the post, obtained an urgent interdict against Harman to stop harassing him. The high court found that Harman and his friends and followers on his Facebook account posted and published offensive and life-threatening defamatory statements concerning Strydom. Some of the postings were found by the high court to amount to a smear campaign.…

On behalf of SAFI (the South African Friends of Israel), I must share how deeply dismayed we are by the shocking absence of evangelical representation on the panel of “eminent persons” selected for President Ramaphosa’s R700 million National Dialogue. While the president insists the dialogue is meant to be citizen-led and non-partisan, the deliberate exclusion of evangelical voices, such as those of Pastor Bert Pretorius, who represents over 19 900 churches and half of South Africa’s Christian population, raises serious concerns about the inclusivity and legitimacy of the initiative. This glaring omission undermines the credibility of a process billed as a path toward national unity. Faith-based organisations have always been central to South Africa’s moral and political awakening, from resisting apartheid to fostering reconciliation. Ignoring their contribution today suggests this…

The current media debate around Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) has brought fresh attention to the policy’s impact on the economy – raising important questions about its effectiveness, costs and outcomes. This article engages critically with aspects of the debate, not to dismiss concerns, but to consider them alongside broader economic realities, the policy’s longer-term contributions and the context in which B-BBEE was designed to operate. An example from the debate is a recent study released by Solidarity and the Free Market Foundation (FMF), which arguably overlooks certain key economic implications of B-BBEE. Titled The Costs of B-BBEE Compliance, the report estimates that B-BBEE may reduce South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth by as much as 1.5 to 3% annually, potentially resulting in 96 000 to 192 000 fewer…

The Springboks’ dominance in world rugby currently owes much to their formidable pack of forwards, and they are arguably the most dominant in Test rugby at present. Following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, South Africa’s forward depth remains a key weapon of their success. While a handful of senior players and second stringers were absent during the mid-year Tests due to injuries and Steven Kitshoff retiring, others stepped up to the plate to stake a claim ahead of the Rugby Championship. We take a look at the depth in the forwards. Eighth man This is probably the position that the Springboks are ‘concerned’ with the most. While they have players that can fill the gap at any given time, they haven’t, over the four matches that started the season, found…