Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-01-08 i Cape Times

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has joined Mpumalanga province in declaring that it will not send branches to the party’s 113th birthday celebration in the Western Cape. This was confirmed by the provincial party spokesperson Mafika Mndebele yesterday. Ndebele said the party in the province had not planned to bus people to the rally, however, supporters can make their way to Cape Town if they wish. He cited the possibility of road accidents as a reason to not bus people from the province as they will travel 1600 km to Cape Town, adding it will be irresponsible for the party to take such risk and load people in buses. Mndebele, who is a member of the provincial legislature, said he paid for his flight to and accommodation in Cape Town…

THE Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) has defended itself against an allegation that it failed to act to prevent the downscaling of ArcelorMittal’s steel plant in Newcastle, stating that the intervention to avert the closure was deemed insufficient. The department said that its efforts were not enough to save the thousands of jobs that will now be lost as a result of ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa) plant's downscaling. Members of the Newcastle Growth Coalition said in a statement that they were extremely concerned about the impact this will have on numerous jobs, contractors’ livelihoods, and the general economy of the town, as ArcelorMittal is a major employer. In a statement, ministerial spokesperson Yamkela Fanisi said: “The minister notes with concern the notification by ArcelorMittal SA of the imminent…

A PHOENIX father was stuck unattended with a broken back and leg for more than half an hour after the water machines were allegedly shut off while he was going down the second highest slide at uShaka Marine World. Junaid Singh, 34, was visiting the water park with his family on Sunday when a thunderstorm started. He claimed at this point workers “informally” called on patrons to evacuate the water slides and “forced” people out of the park. Singh’s brother-in-law, Wahed Nazeer who was also at the park with his family, said that no proper announcements were made to ask people to leave the slides. “They just closed the slides and asked everyone to leave. Junaid was on the second highest slide at the time. He laughed and joked with…

At the dawn of the year 2025, dark clouds buried the warm African sun, leaving us with a gaping wound in our hearts. With no care or notice, the universe reminded us of the inevitability of death and that the eventuality of all human life is death. We have once again been reminded of our mortality when one of our own, the bone of our bones, a man of the people, Comrade Yusuf Bhamjee, was called to higher service. His demise reminds us that what matters is not the lengthy years we have lived but the impact we make in improving the human condition and development of humanity. We who were inspired by his sacrifices, astute leadership, and remarkable journey doff our hats in solemn remembrance of Cde Yusuf Bhamjee…

Some of the best-known global apparel brands procured cotton grown in Indian farms that employ child and bonded labourers, a report by a US-based rights group alleged yesterday. An investigation by Transparentem into the working conditions on 90 cotton farms in India’s Madhya Pradesh state between 2022 and 2023 revealed “widespread use of child labour and illegal adolescent labour”, the New York-based non-profit said. Transparentem said the “grave abuses” unearthed by its investigation “appear to be endemic to the region” and likely extended to other farms in the area. Under Indian law, children under 14 are prohibited from working in most situations, while those between 14 and 18 are barred from being employed in hazardous occupations. But a mix of lax enforcement and poverty means more than 10 million Indian…

MOSCOW: Russia’s defence ministry said yesterday its troops had inflicted heavy strikes on Ukrainian units in Russia’s western Kursk region, where Ukraine’s military reported an escalation in fighting in the previous 24 hours. Ukraine, which seized part of the Kursk region in early August and has held on to it for five months, launched a new offensive there on Sunday. Ukraine’s general staff yesterday reported 94 clashes in Kursk region for the past day. The US-based Institute for the Study of War said geolocated footage published recent Ukrainian advances in three areas north-east of the town of Sudzha. | Reuters…

ZAGREB: Croatian pupils returned to school yesterday after the winter break with tightened security measures in place after a seven-year-old was killed by an intruder last month. On December 20, the last day of school before the holidays, a 19-year-old man entered a primary school in the capital, Zagreb, and stabbed four students and a female teacher. One of the victims of the unprecedented attack, aged seven, died on the spot. The man, who authorities said had a record of mental disorders and was a former pupil at the school, wounded himself before being arrested. | AFP…

The start of a new year is like a blank canvas – an opportunity to set fresh goals, dream big and make changes that shape the next 365 days of your life. But let’s be honest: New Year’s resolutions can feel overwhelming. Many of us make lofty promises to ourselves, only to feel disappointed when life gets in the way. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The good news? A new wellness trend called the 75 Soft challenge is gaining popularity for its realistic and flexible approach to healthy living. Unlike its stricter predecessor, the 75 Hard challenge, which went viral in 2024, 75 Soft is designed to fit seamlessly into your everyday life. It’s about building sustainable habits without guilt or burnout. The 75 Soft challenge is a…

In a fast-paced world filled with dietary trends and ever-changing nutritional guidelines, scores of people across the globe grapple with food anxiety. This is a condition characterised by excessive worry or fear surrounding food choices, eating behaviours and health implications. For those affected, food anxiety can lead to stress, disordered eating patterns and a detrimental relationship with food. However, there is hope. Learning to manage food anxiety can lead to a healthier perspective on eating and an improved quality of life. Understanding food anxiety Food anxiety manifests in various forms. It ranges from pre-meal jitters to obsessive thoughts about calorie counting and ingredient scrutiny. This anxiety often stems from societal pressures, personal experiences or static messaging from influencers and celebrities. This makes it challenging to foster a positive relationship with…

Airlink has suspended its flights to Nampula, in Mozambique, after two Mozambican nationals filed a lawsuit against the airline. They pair brought the legal action for damages after they were removed from a Johannesburg flight. Airlink said the “unruly and threatening behaviour” of the two passengers in Johannesburg led to them being offloaded and their accompanying family members disembarking voluntarily. The airline, which is regulated by the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between South Africa and Mozambique, is a designated South African carrier, providing about 70% of scheduled commercial air travel between the two countries. Airlink said the damages claim was accompanied by a court application in Mozambique to have its aircraft seized pending the outcome of the claim. “In terms of the BASA, both states’ respective authorities are bound…

Animal welfare groups in Cape Town have voiced their concerns and shared the dangers faced by the rise of overbreeding, which has been putting a strain on their welfare efforts. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA reiterated its call for people to spay their animals and stop the rise of overbreeding, as the organisation shared a video of one of its inspectors being moved to tears by the weight of their work. The organisation said that Inspector Rudi Philander and his fellow inspectors have dedicated their lives to rescuing animals “but overbreeding has resulted in a crisis that they cannot rescue their way out of”. “They face the cruelty, the neglect, the endless flood of animals born into a world that doesn’t want them. With the birth of every unwanted…

The ANC has shockingly chosen the Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha as the preferred venue to host its 113th anniversary celebrations on Saturday. This went against a proposal by the Western Cape provincial leaders to move the rally to Boland, DHL or Athlone stadium. According to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, the national executive committee took a deliberate decision as part of rebuilding the ANC that they needed to reconnect with the people and go where they are. Mbalula told the media this week that the decision was taken because Khayelitsha is a big constituency of the ANC in the Western Cape. He was, however, confident that the disused Mandela Park Stadium’s open field with a carrying capacity of 22 000, will be filled to capacity by ANC members from Khayelitsha…

KHARTOUM: Humanitarian aid started distribution on Monday in the southern part of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, aiming to support over 80 000 war-affected people who have been grappling with dire humanitarian conditions amid the current civil war, a local volunteer group said. “Eight centres have been set up to distribute aid to thousands of residents in Al-Azhari, Al-Ingaz, Ed Hussein, and Mayo neighbourhoods, south of Khartoum,” Mohamed Kandasha, spokesperson for the South Khartoum Emergency Room, said. “This is the first time such aid has been distributed since the war broke out” in April 2023, Kandasha said, noting the aid distribution would last for three days. For the first time since the conflict erupted, the World Food Programme has managed to deliver a convoy of 28 trucks carrying food aid, including…

WINDOEK: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Namibia on Monday and hailed the “time-honoured friendship” between Africa and his country, which he called the continent’s “most reliable partner”. The Asian power’s first diplomatic visit of the year has traditionally been to Africa, the minister told a news conference in the Namibian capital Windhoek, in the presence of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. “This has become a fine tradition and a distinctive feature of China’s diplomacy, for 35 years straight without change or waver,” he added. Wang Yi’s itinerary this week takes him next to Congo-Brazzaville before a visit to Chad and Nigeria. | AFP…

CAIRO: The mother of British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah reached the 100th day of her hunger strike protesting her son’s continued imprisonment yesterday, according to her family. Laila Soueif, a 68-year-old mathematics professor, has called on the UK government to do more to secure the release of her son, a long-time dissident who has spent much of the last decade behind bars. “Unfortunately, the government seems to be waiting for me to be hospitalised before they act decisively to secure my son’s freedom,” she said in a statement. Her family said Soueif has survived on “black coffee, herbal tea and three packets of rehydration salts a day” since September 29. | AFP…

The Peninsula Schools Week hosted by Wynberg Boys’ High kicked off in the leafy southern suburbs yesterday, with Bishops facing the highly rated St Stithians from Gauteng at the Frank Reid Oval. Bishops won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat in familiar surroundings. After losing opener Thaafir Jaftha (1) cheaply with only 12 runs on the board, fellow opener Cameron Macbeth (22) buckled down with a painstaking knock off 67 balls. When he was dismissed, Bishops were a respectable 55/2. However, it was left to No 3 batsman James Qinlan (50) to bring impetus to the innings. He unfurled some attacking shots in an innings which included no fewer than10 boundaries and came off only 49 balls. The introduction of left-arm spinner Zaakir Hanslo into the…

Developers and web operations (WebOps) specialists face a challenging year as organisations strive to drive more value from their ICT investments, ramp up cloud migration, fortify cybersecurity, and address sustainability and environmental imperatives. Here are five software skills we believe will be essential in 2025. 1. Cloud development and operations From remote work to digital transformation, the cloud underpins almost every business’s IT strategy today. It allows businesses to rapidly develop and deploy market-ready systems while taking advantage of the inherent flexibility, scalability, and resilience of as-a-service computing models. Yet almost 100% of organisations say implementing cloud technology is tricky, with managing costs and wastage being among the most significant challenges. Digital experts who can help enterprises use and provision cloud-based services efficiently will be in high demand. These experts…

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has three departmental-owned executive vehicles equipped with blue lights that are valued at over R2.8 million. This was revealed in a Parliamentary response by Steenhuisen to questions by ActionSA’s Parliamentary leader Athol Trollip recently. In his question, Trollip asked Steenhuisen to provide clarity on the modes of transport he uses for his official duties in light of the fact that he had shunned the use of luxury vehicles fitted with blue lights in recent reports. Responding to this question and others related to executive vehicles, Steenhuisen confirmed that the modes of transport used by the Minister of Agriculture for official duties are executive vehicles or air transport owned by the department. “Yes, all the executive vehicles are fitted with blue lights and the appropriate signalling systems,”…

thousands of learners who wrote matric exams last year will know today whether their results will be published in the media next week or not. Judge Ronel Tolmay yesterday heard legal arguments by the Information Regulator (IR) pertaining to its submissions that the matter is urgent. The IR wants to interdict the Department of Basic Education (DBE) from publishing the 2024 matric results in the media. It maintained that the department has not obtained the go-ahead from the students that their results may be published and the department must issue the results via its SMS line or the learners can fetch it at the schools where they wrote the exams. Judge Tolmay, at the start of yesterday’s proceedings, made it clear that she will at this stage only hear arguments…

Ingredients: For the Tacos: 4-6 chicken breasts 15ml Cajun spice 250ml Smokey BBQ Sauce Handful of coriander, chopped Salt and black pepper, to taste 8-12 hard shell tacos 1 avocado, mashed Fresh coriander, to taste For the Spicy Mayo: 80ml Canola Mayo 45ml hot sauce Salt and black pepper, to taste Method: For the Tacos: Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper and Cajun spice and cook for about 15 minutes at 180°C in the air fryer. Once cooked shred the chicken and combine with the BBQ marinade and coriander, set aside until needed. For the Salsa: Combine all salsa ingredients, season to taste and set aside until needed. For the Spicy Mayo: Combine all ingredients, season to taste and set aside until needed. To Assemble: Mash the avo,…

Suspects are yet to be arrested in connection with the shooting of a five-year-old boy and two women who were caught in gang crossfire in Manenberg. The boy was walking to the shop with his father when he was hit in the head by a stray bullet. The two female victims aged 31 and 54 were sitting outside a house on Irvine Street. The boy was taken to Red Cross Memorial Hospital where he was stabilised. According to Manenberg police spokesperson, Captain Ian Bennett, the incident occurred at around 6.45pm. “It is alleged that the two ladies were sitting in front of an address in Irvine Street, Manenberg, and the five-year-old boy was walking with his father towards the tuckshop. “Shots were randomly shot towards males who were also walking…

The date June 19, 1913, marking the implementation of the Native Land Act, is upheld as the cut-off for land restitution claims in South Africa. While this date symbolises the formalisation of land dispossession under the Union of South Africa, it is an arbitrary and deeply flawed marker. The historical reality of dispossession began centuries earlier, with Jan van Riebeeck’s arrival in 1652 and the systematic theft of indigenous land. By excluding claims predating 1913, South Africa’s restitution framework disregards foundational injustices and perpetuates inequities. This paper argues for a restitution model that addresses the full scope of dispossession. The arrival of Jan van Riebeeck in 1652 marked the beginning of European colonial settlement in South Africa. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) established a refreshment station at the Cape,…

The quake hit at 9.05am, with its epicentre located in Tingri, a rural county known as the northern gateway to the Everest region, at a depth of 10km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre. The US Geological Service put the quake’s magnitude at 7.1. At least 95 people were known to have been killed and 130 injured on the Tibetan side, China’s state-run television reported six hours later. There were no reports of deaths elsewhere. South-western parts of China, Nepal and northern India are frequently hit by earthquakes caused by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Tuesday’s epicentre was around 80km north of Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain and a popular destination for climbers and trekkers. Winter is not a popular season for climbers and…

Singapore introduced legislation yesterday to safeguard clans and business associations linked to racial groups against foreign inter- ference. If passed, the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill will allow a “competent authority” to designate such organisations as “race-based entities”. The organisations would then have to disclose foreign and anonymous donations, foreign affiliations and their leadership composition. The government can also impose a restraining order to stop an entity from accepting donations from a foreign principal, prohibit anonymous donations or require the entity to return or dispose of donations. In a media statement, the home affairs ministry said: “Singapore is vulnerable to external actors exerting malicious foreign influence to exploit race or undermine our racial harmony, to achieve their agenda. Organisations that promote the interests of a racial group or sub-group are…

PARIS: The situation of three French citizens held in Iran is worsening with some being detained in conditions similar to torture, France’s foreign minister said yesterday, adding that future ties and sanctions lifting would depend on their fate. “The situation of our compatriots held hostage in Iran is unacceptable; they have been unjustly detained for several years, in undignified conditions that, for some, fall within the definition of torture,” Jean-Noel Barrot said at a conference of French ambassadors. “I say to the Iranian authorities: our hostages must be released. Our bilateral relations and the future of sanctions depend on it.” | Reuters…