Indice dei contenuti per 2024-11-08 in Cape Times

Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini said that he would do everything in his power to protect the land of the Zulus in what appeared to be a response to having to account to government officials on matters regarding the Ingonyama Trust. King Misuzulu, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Premier Thami Ntuli were the main speakers at an event to mark yesterday’s unveiling of the 12m statue of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona at the airport in Durban named after him. In 2010, a R3.2 million sculpture of King Shaka surrounded by cattle was unveiled at the airport but the late King Goodwill Zwelithini demanded that it be removed and replaced as it did not reflect the warrior stature of his great-grandfather. The king said King Shaka and his generation had provided lessons on the…

Base 4 tbsp butter, melted in the microwave 1½ cups almond flour 4 tbsp xylitol Filling 2 tbsp gelatine 2 tbsp cold water 1 cup double-cream yoghurt 8 tbsp lemon juice 200g strawberries, hulled 2 cups fresh cream 70ml boiling water Whipped cream and fresh strawberries, to serve (optional) For the base Mix the butter with the flour and 1½ tbsp (22½ ml) of the xylitol until combined. Press down in a 20cm springform tin, then refrigerate. For the filling Dissolve the gelatine in the cold water and set aside to bloom for 5 minutes. To a blender or food processor, add the yoghurt, lemon juice, strawberries and the remaining xylitol and process on high. Whip the cream until stiff. Add the boiling water to the gelatine mixture and, with…

ALMOST 11 000 schools in the country are without a single flushing toilet and 383 schools do not have access to running water. The Eastern Cape led in the number of schools without flushing toilets at 3 785, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 3 700 and 2 533 in Limpopo. Northern Cape had the least number of schools without flushing toilets with 62 and 85 in the Western Cape. However, Western Cape Education (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said assessments by their infrastructure team indicate that all schools in the province have flushing toilets and meet the minimum norms and standards. Only three provinces were reported to have all their schools with running water – Gauteng, Western Cape and Northern Cape. This was revealed by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube in a…

The Great Hippopotamus Hotel Alexander McCall Smith Loot.co.za (R279) Abacus In the latest chapter of Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi embark on a new case that reveals surprising truths. In the rolling hills just outside Gaborone, surrounded by a grove of acacia trees, lies The Great Hippopotamus Hotel. With spacious rooms overlooking the Botswanan countryside and fine and loyal staff, the hotel has served as a refuge to weary travellers for many years. But a sudden series of misfortunes threatens to ruin the hotel’s reputation. An unlucky diner suffers from food poisoning, laundry mysteriously vanishes from the drying line, and a scorpion stings a guest. One mishap follows another, leading to the unsettling conclusion that these incidents may be more than…

Mauritius will vote on Sunday in an election overshadowed by a wire-tapping scandal that has rocked the Indian Ocean archipelago amid fears that rights are eroding in one of Africa’s biggest success stories. The legislative poll comes as the country celebrates the historic deal last month that saw Britain relinquish sovereignty of the remote Chagos Islands to Mauritius following a long-running legal dispute. But Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth’s hopes of an easy re-election were battered when secretly recorded phone calls of politicians, diplomats and journalists began to be leaked online in October. The authorities responded last week by banning social media until after the election. But an uproar from the opposition and local media forced an embarrassing climbdown within 24 hours. Mauritius, a country of 1.3 million people, has seen…

Russia is preparing this weekend to show off its vision of a “multipolar world” aimed at countering Western hegemony with a large gathering of African foreign ministers. The meeting in Sochi, southern Russia, comes after last month’s BRICS summit of leading emerging economies in the south-western city of Kazan. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have turned their backs on former colonial power France since coming under military rule following a string of coups since 2020 and have pivoted towards Moscow. Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group or its successor, Africa Corps, now support several African governments. In 2023, Russia delivered more than $5 billion in arms to Africa. Top Russian companies such as diamond miner Alrosa, metals giant Rusal and energy major Lukoil have major investments in the region. Russia…

Budapest: The leaders of France, Germany and Poland called on Georgia yesterday to quickly probe “numerous irregularities” during a recent parliamentary poll won by the Russia-leaning ruling party but contested by the pro-Western opposition. The EU countries’ leaders said they would not be able to support the ex-Soviet republic’s ambitions to join the EU unless it showed it was serious about carrying out necessary reforms. The EU and the US blasted “irregularities” in the vote, while the ruling Georgian Dream party’s opponents have accused it of putting the Caucasus country on a pro-Kremlin track. | AFP…

BEIJING: China’s President Xi Jinping yesterday congratulated Donald Trump on his US presidential win and urged both nations to find the “right way to get along”, as looming US tariffs threatened to return them to the days of a trade war years ago. Stable, sound and sustainable China-US relations serve the interests of both, Xi said, adding that the international community would expect the two powers to respect each other and co-exist peacefully”. Xi also called for strengthened dialogue to properly manage differences. Ties hit a new low after clashes over trade and security, and the future of Taiwan and the South China Sea. Trump’s win could revive issues from his first presidency, when he started the trade war in 2018. | Reuters…

Children, elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable “ISOLATED” cases of food poisoning have also been recorded in the Western Cape, igniting calls for the public to remain vigilant about food sources and handling. “The Western Cape Government Health and Wellness (WCGHW) can confirm a few isolated instances of suspected food poisoning present at healthcare facilities across the province. However, the WCGHW cannot confirm the source of these cases, as this responsibility lies with municipal Environmental Health authorities. We urge the public to direct specific queries or concerns about food safety sources to Environmental Health,” said provincial Health Department spokesperson Dwayne Evans. While the department did not confirm the number of incidents, Evans said their health surveillance network showed “no significant” confirmed trend linked to…

THE Western Cape Safety Plan came under fire from opposition parties in the provincial legislature who claimed it failed to address high levels of crime. This follows mass murders where 15 people were killed last month. In the span of a few days, seven people were gunned down in Bishop Lavis, five people shot and killed in Atlantis and the bodies of three people with gunshot wounds found in Site C, Khayelitsha. A debate in the legislature started with a moment of silence requested by National Coloured Congress (NCC) MPL Dawayne Jacobs for people killed in the shootings, including more than ten children. “The provincial department working with the City embarked on the so-called Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (Leap) officers. There are currently 1 040 officers deployed in the metro,…

The Human Bridge Ian Fuhr and Nina de Klerk Loot.co.za (R235) Tracey McDonald In The Human Bridge, Ian Fuhr, the founder and CEO of the South African beauty chain Sorbet, teams up with co-author Nina de Klerk to present a compelling call for racial healing in South Africa. Released in August 2024, The Human Bridge was born from Fuhr's extensive knowledge as a Race Relations consultant, a role he embraced during the transformative years of the ‘new South Africa’ in 1991. He describes this period as both challenging and rewarding. The authors aim to guide individuals from various cultures, religions, and races on a personal journey towards racial healing. Acknowledging the past is essential, and the authors remind us that we often overlook its long-lasting effects. While structural changes have…

According to a recent report by PEN America, Ellen Hopkins emerged as the most commonly banned author in US schools last year, with 523 instances of bans affecting 19 of her books. She was closely followed by Sarah J. Maas, who faced 481 bans across 22 titles. The most frequently banned book was Jodi Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes, which encountered 98 bans across more than 50 districts. This novel, published in 2007, highlights the events surrounding a school shooting, with objectors often citing a particular page that depicts date rape. Picoult said in a telephonic interview, “The book doesn’t fit the definition of porn by any means. But what it does do is encourage kids to perhaps think differently than their parents do. And I think that’s terrifying for certain individuals…

It feels like just the other day that the Proteas stared down India in the T20 World Cup final in Bridgetown, Barbados. June 29 at the Kensington Oval was a historic moment as it was the first time that a senior South African men’s team had reached a World Cup title decider – following in the footsteps of their female counterparts, who had done so on home soil in the shortest format of the game in 2023. The Proteas bowled well in the first innings, restricting India to 176/7 in their 20 overs, with Keshav Maharaj claiming 2/23 and Virat Kohli scoring 76. Even a bad start, with the early loss of the wickets of Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks, didn’t dampen their spirit as the South Africans clawed their…

Japanese automaker Nissan yesterday announced 9 000 job cuts as it slashed its annual sales forecast, saying it was taking urgent measures to tackle “a severe situation”. The company reported a 93% plunge in net profit in the first half as chief executive Makoto Uchida told reporters that weak sales in the North American market were a major factor. Nissan and its domestic rivals are also struggling to stand their ground in China, as fast-growing electric vehicle firms backed by Beijing race ahead. “Facing a severe situation, Nissan is taking urgent measures to turnaround its performance and create a leaner, more resilient business capable of swiftly adapting to changes in the market,” a company statement said. “Nissan will cut global production capacity by 20% and reduce its global workforce…

BEIJING: China’s successes in striving for modernisation by crafting a development model serve as “a great lesson” for Ethiopia’s journey towards prosperity, a senior official from Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party (PP) has said. Bikila Hurisa, the head of public and international relations of the party, said China reached its level of development by pursuing a modernisation path that suited its own characteristics and by tapping into its human capital. Engagements with Chinese counterparts had helped better understand China’s development initiatives, ranging from urban planning to rural development projects, he said. A PP delegation visited China recently. | Xinhua…

Brasília: The Brazilian Amazon experienced its smallest amount of yearly deforestation in nearly a decade, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s government reported this week, in line with its promise to combat forest loss. Deforestation fell by 30.6% in the year-to-year period beginning in August 2023, according to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). During that time, 6 288km2 of forest were destroyed, which the INPE said was “the lowest result in the last nine years.” Over the last century, the Amazon rainforest has lost about 20% of its area to deforestation due to agriculture, logging, and urban sprawl. | AFP…

“I’m a sore loser!” That was Proteas T20I captain Aiden Markram’s frank assessment of himself. Based on this evidence, it would be safe to assume that the ICC T20 World Cup final defeat to India earlier this year still rankles with Markram. The skipper, though, is determined to move on. It hasn’t been the easiest of tasks, as the Proteas have won just one out of six T20 matches since that fateful June day in Barbados. This has left Markram still searching for that elusive bilateral T20I series victory. “As a captain, it hurts your pride, and I have a lot of pride wearing this badge,” Markram said in Durban yesterday ahead of the first T20I against India today at Kingsmead (5pm start). “I want to win games and series…

Hedge funds have become an important tool for retirement funds looking to secure their members’ long-term goals while managing risk. As traditional investments face challenges from global economic changes and high volatility, hedge funds offer a unique way for retirement funds to diversify their existing investment strategies and manage risk. Key considerations: 1. Manager selection and portfolio construction The success of a hedge fund allocation largely depends on choosing the right manager and constructing a well-balanced portfolio. Different hedge fund managers have unique styles, strategies, and expertise. Often, hedge fund managers may employ all, or some, of the strategies available across the hedge fund toolkit. The dispersion of returns between these managers can be wide, so manager selection is a very important consideration. 2. Manager diversification Hedge funds tap into…

THE Matzikama municipality has referred recommendations back to the office of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell regarding the investigation into the irregular appointment of Heinrich Koopman. A forensic investigation spearheaded by Bredell found that the appointment of Koopman – the son of current Matzikama deputy mayor Amelia Job – deviated from the requisite local government frameworks and failed to comply with the Recruitment and Selection Policy. The report recommended that Koopman be removed from his position as an Administrative Official and the position be readvertised. The investigation report stated that while Koopman applied for a job at the municipality, declared his relationship with Job, and the selection panel was aware of this relationship; however, there was insufficient evidence to conclusively prove nepotism in the appointments.…

SOCIAL Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has blamed the R4 billion underspending in the R350 Social Relief of Distress grant on a mismatch between projections and actual spending on the grants that were disbursed. “There will be no consequence management that will be taken by the Department and South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) against officials as the underspending was a result of a mismatch between projections and actual spending. “There is no wrongdoing by any official,” she said. Tolashe made the statement when she was responding to EFF MP Mazwikayise Blose, who asked about underspending of R4 billion allocated for the social relief grant. Blose enquired about the factors that led to the significant underspending and plans in place to ensure that underspending, especially for critical social support programmes like…

HIGHER Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane said work is underway to move the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) out of its headquarters in Cape Town and set up regional offices in provinces. “The NSFAS legal services unit is in the process of finalising a thorough review of the current lease agreement for the Cape Town offices. “The review aims to assess options, including the possibility of reducing the number of floors being rented or alternatively initiating a full termination of the lease,” Nkabane said. She was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Letta Mathlodi Maseko, who enquired about details of the termination of the current lease agreement for NSFAS offices. Last month, Nkabane told the standing committee on public accounts that NSFAS was paying R2.5 million per month for…

RUDIE van Rensburg’s latest crime novel is a cleverly written, disturbing tale that kept me up at night. The book reaches into Cape Town’s dark web and the underworld of paedophilia painting a picture of the hidden evil. The story is divided into two parts: the first covers the early years of Ursula Liebenberg, known as “Ugly Ursula” in school – a girl with a mean streak who commits her first murder in high school. Her first taste of revenge involves crushing rat poison into sandwiches for two classmates who stole her lunch. But it only escalates from there. After a traumatic childhood that leaves her damaged and angry, Ursula is taken in by a farmer who exploits her. When she plots his murder, she ends up inheriting his estate,…

The nervous system reset Jessica Maguire Loot.co.za (R280) Bluebird Press The Nervous System Reset by Jessica Maguire is more than a scientific textbook on how the nervous system is supposed to work – it is a manual for learning how to listen to your body. The book focuses on chronic stress and trauma of the body, and how our responses to these traumas affect our physical and emotional well-being. “The nervous system isn’t broken, it is trying to protect you,” writes Maguire. She notes that a dysregulated nervous system is amplified when we feel powerless. To help overcome this Maguire encourages practical exercises, such as mindful walking, yoga, breathing exercises, and creative outlets like drawing or journaling. Another essential part to having a regulated nervous system is the vagus nerve,…

SA must be careful not to compromise children’s rights in pursuit of fiscal stability Children in South Africa are caught between two powerful narratives about how best to employ the use of state resources to achieve social and economic progress. This was demonstrated in the recently presented Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to Parliament. The MTBPS represents the government’s effort to keep ordinary citizens, the markets, and the broader development community in the loop regarding its fiscal and macro-economic thinking and how changes in these variables may impact the upcoming budget in 2025. It is both an accountability and transparency exercise and remains a global benchmark for budget transparency. So what are these big stories and how are children affected? The one story, as told in the MTBPS…

Israel conducted air strikes on Hezbollah’s main bastion in south Beirut yesterday, with one raid hitting an area near Lebanon’s only international airport. The pre-dawn raids came after Hezbollah claimed a slew of attacks on Israel, including a missile strike targeting a military base near Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport. The health ministry said Israeli strikes on the Bekaa Valley and the densely populated ancient city of Baalbek in east Lebanon, where Hezbollah holds sway, killed 40 people. Hezbollah and Israel have been at war since late September, when Israel broadened its focus from fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip to securing its northern border. Hezbollah began low intensity strikes on Israel last year, in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack. The strike near…

Police in Mozambique fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Maputo yesterday after the main opposition leader called for a demonstration against election results. The southern African nation has been rocked by violence since an October 9 vote, won by the Frelimo party which has been in power for almost 50 years. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who said the results were false and that he won, called for a mass protest yesterday. “We are on the verge of a unique historical and political transition in the country,” he said, adding that he could not disclose his whereabouts other than to say he was not in Africa. The Mozambique Bar Association warned there were “conditions for a bloodbath” yesterday as a heavy security presence was seen across the capital. Several…

DUBAI: Dubai’s Emirates Group announced half-year profits of $2.5 billion yesterday, citing robust demand despite conflicts in the Middle East. The airline group, operating from the world’s busiest airport for international traffic, has faced regional disruptions due to the conflicts, but has expanded its network elsewhere. Pre-tax profits of 10.4bn dirhams ($2.8bn) in the six months to September were a record for the group, but were subject to the United Arab Emirates’ new 9.0% corporate tax for the first time. Emirates also increased flights to eight destinations in Europe, Africa and Asia. Group revenue rose 5% to $19.3bn. | AFP…

BEIJING: Chinese telecoms firm Huawei announced a hackathon in early December to encourage Kenyan software developers to create innovations that could boost the digital economy. The Huawei AppCube Hackathon, scheduled for December 2-6, invites young innovators to develop solutions for e-commerce, virtual learning, and enhanced connectivity. Huawei Kenya reaffirmed the company’s commitment to digital transformation in East Africa through new products and innovations. The event will take place at Huawei’s office in Nairobi, bringing together developers and mentors to explore transformative mobile and cloud-based applications. | Xinhua…