Table of contents for 2023-09-15 in Cape Times

THE significant roles that individuals, communities, groups, and companies play in the management of heritage was recognised at the 10th annual Golden Shield Heritage Awards. This was during an illustrious ceremony at the Artscape Theatre last night. The National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC) in partnership with the Artscape Theatre, said the awards marked a decade of working with various provincial departments and local authorities to restore the pride of heritage practice. The Lifetime Achievement was bestowed on Professor Pitika Ntuli and Thembinkosi Wakashe. Ntuli served as director at the Sankofa Institute for the African Renaissance and was a Fellow of the Mapungubwe Institute, among many other fellowships. He was awarded the Arts and Culture Trust – Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, and the City of Joburg named him…

‘Banks cannot be a law unto themselves’ IN WHAT has been hailed a victory for media freedom and the livelihoods of thousands of employees in the black-owned Sekunjalo-related companies, the Equality Court sitting in the Western Cape High Court has interdicted Standard Bank from shutting the accounts of the businesses, including Independent Media. “Standard Bank is interdicted until Wednesday 11 September, 2024, or final determination of the applications pending in the High Court … and in the Equality Court … whichever occurs first, from closing the applicants’ banking accounts held with it for the reasons stated in its termination notices dated 25 April 2022, 7 July 2022 and 26 July 2022. “In order to ensure the timeous exchange of papers and sufficient time for allocation to a judge for hearing,…

AFTER what appeared to be an attempted kidnapping in Lavender Hill this week, community and children’s rights activist Lucinda Evans has called on residents to come forward with information and remain vigilant. Evans, also the director of the anti-gender-based violence organisation Philisa Abafazi Bethu, raised the alarm about the incident when she was informed of the 11-year-old boy’s ordeal on Wednesday. “The boy is too traumatised to remember each detail of the incident, but we want to find who did this to our child. “We cannot accept this to happen to our children. I am taken aback by the brazenness of what has happened. “The little boy is a learner at the Prince George Primary School and his family is also too traumatised to speak at the moment. “We have…

Children of the storm Cavan Barry Loot.co.za (R544) Children of the Storm tells the story of a young man, Twelve, living in a perpetually rainy town. He is poor; an orphan who spends his days as a runner, clearing the debris left in the wake of the pummelling storms. When a supernatural light explodes uncontrollably from his own hands, with deadly consequences, Twelve is labelled a murderer but is rescued from certain death by a stranger. He embarks on a journey of discovery, leading him to both love and war. He has to make decisions that affect not only his life but the future too. A century later, reclusive translator Callah receives Twelve’s leather-bound diary and finishes the quest that he had started. They are linked through time by their…

Cupcakes and Couscous – From my kitchen to yours Teresa Ulyate Loot.co.za (R329) Human and Rousseau For those not in the know: Teresa Ulyate is not only a popular blogger with a site that has the same name as the title of this book, but a highly accomplished cook, recipe developer and content creator. This beautifully produced volume is testimony to the accessible and often innovative dishes that grace the pages. Colourful food photos look so tempting that you’ll want to rush off and rustle up her creations or eat them right off the page. What I loved is that she mingles the traditional tried and trusted recipes with simply lip-smacking new ideas – from fried eggs for breakfast served with a hollandaise sauce and accompanied by roast tomatoes, to…

‘Those hoping for a finality should not hold their breath yet’ It was one of those pieces of news that was simultaneously stunning and utterly expected: President Cyril Ramaphosa formally removed Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane from the Public Protector’s office just weeks before her seven-year term expired in mid-October. The removal follows the September 11 impeachment vote in a special sitting in the Cape Town City Hall, concluding the parliamentary process of the inquiry into her fitness to hold office. No doubt, Mkhwebane and the CR17 group have been embattled almost from the start of the president’s tumultuous five-year-long reign. Mkhwebane took over from Advocate Thuli Madonsela, who – whatever criticism levelled against her – was popular with the staff and many South Africans because “she was not incompetent”. That is…

Hussein Mohammed was driving his minibus south of Sudan’s capital when his blood ran cold at the sight of a paramilitary convoy advancing into areas so far largely spared from the war. Since the brutal conflict erupted in April, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – which evolved from the Janjaweed militia accused of atrocities in Darfur – has gained control of much of Khartoum from the regular army. The fighting has seen 2.8 million people flee the capital, UN data shows, but now many of them who headed south to the neighbouring state of Al Jazira fear the RSF’s notorious fighters are moving into their safe haven. Mohammed watched in horror as dozens of RSF vehicles drove through the town of Al Maseed on Monday evening, eventually setting up…

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron will attend a Catholic mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Marseille next week, the Élysée presidential office said yesterday. The question of Macron’s attendance at the September 23 service in the Mediterranean city’s Velodrome stadium has been controversial in secular France, where the government has been pushing to bar in schools the abaya garment worn by some Muslim women. Francis is to give a speech outside the Notre Dame de la Garde church in which he will hail migrants lost at sea trying to reach Europe. | AFP…

MOSCOW: The Kremlin expressed concern yesterday that tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh were increasing, as Armenia’s prime minister described the situation in the blockaded territory as “critical”. Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of massing forces around Karabakh, which Baku has effectively blockaded since December 2022, causing acute hunger in the region. A deal struck to unblock roads to the territory last weekend has yet to take full effect. Karabakh is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but is populated by ethnic Armenians.| Reuters…

Sanaa: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels are to fly to Saudi Arabia for the first publicly announced visit since a Saudi-led military coalition opened hostilities against them in 2015, government and diplomatic sources said yesterday. A Western diplomat in Yemen confirmed the Houthis’ visit, saying that it may take place “today”, (Thursday), or within the next two days. Ali Al-Qhoom, a member of the Huthis’ political council, also announced the visit on X. Yemen was plunged into war when the Huthis seized control of the capital Sanaa in September 2014, prompting the Saudi-led intervention the following March. | AFP…

THE impeachment process of Western Cape High Court Judge President John Hlophe is expected to be back on the parliamentary agenda after being in abeyance for two years. The National Assembly programme committee yesterday decided that the matter should be referred to the justice and correctional services portfolio committee. This came days after Freedom Under Law (FUL) gave National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula until September 18 to table the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) report for consideration, and threatened to take legal action if she did not. Briefing the committee, National Assembly Secretary Masibulele Xaso said there was no legal impediment in proceeding with the matter. He said the committee should manage the matter within its powers. “Rules allow for committees to determine their programme,” Xaso said. DA chief whip Siviwe…

AS COLOURED people in the Western Cape only held 6.1% and 8.2% of top and senior management positions in the province respectively, the Department of Employment and Labour said its proposed sector-specific Employment Equity (EE) targets would assist the majority population to be fairly represented. This comes as the department ended its National Employment Equity Roadshow in partnership with the CCMA in Cape Town recently. Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) chairperson Tabea Kabinde expressed dissatisfaction about the under-representation of coloured people in the province – the majority population in the Western Cape. “The setting of sector-specific EE numerical targets will assist the coloured community to be represented equally in all sectors of employment in the Western Cape,” she said. “According to official statistics coloureds only occupy 6.1% and 8.2% of…

AFTER more than 500 letters sent and countless pickled fish, food parcel and gift drives, later relentlessly challenging the local government over service delivery and highlighting the plight of the most vulnerable while fighting for homes and better roads, retired policeman and long-time activist, Ottery resident, Keith Blake is hanging up his community sword, at the age of 65. “I want to thank my wife Tina, who was my counsellor and support base, and my family, the City of Cape Town officials, the media and other community activists and leaders. “This is the final countdown for me as I put my community sword in it's sheath. God Bless,” said Blake. For 13 years, Blake has been committed to touching lives and changing his community. Some of his most notable causes…

Loot Tania James Loot.co.za (R249) Harvill Secker A historical novel set in the eighteenth century: the story of a young artist coming of age, and an exuberant heist adventure that traces the bloody legacy of colonialism across two continents and fifty years. Abbas is just seventeen years old when his gifts as a woodcarver come to the attention of Tipu Sultan, and he is drawn into service at the palace in order to build a giant tiger automaton for Tipu’s sons, a gift to commemorate their return from British captivity. His fate – and the fate of the wooden tiger he helps create – will mirror the vicissitudes of nations and dynasties ravaged by war across India and Europe. Working alongside the legendary French clockmaker Lucien du Leze, Abbas…

Hillary Flies to the Moon Gary Revel Jongleur Books The Adventures of Hillary the Little Ladybug children’s book series weaves a tapestry of experiences designed to intrigue, educate and inspire young readers. Hillary’s exciting escapades have included saving other ladybugs from a praying mantis, meeting Bigfoot, exploring a haunted castle, vacationing in Malibug Beach, going on a nuclear submarine ride, entering a mystery cave and traveling on an alien spaceship into outer space. In the latest book, Hillary Flies to the Moon, Hillary the Little Ladybug is admiring a full red moon when she begins to dream about flying through the night sky. Hillary passes over Ladybug Lake, marvels at the stars and wonders what it would be like to be the first ladybug on the moon. Flying faster than…

Just when we thought it’s all smooth sailing for the Springboks so far at the Rugby World Cup, they got rocked by a massive blow yesterday. Talismanic hooker Malcolm Marx was ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a serious knee injury. And what makes it worse is that he didn’t even get hurt during last Sunday’s 18-3 victory over Scotland in Marseille – it was friendly fire during a training session in Toulon on Wednesday that saw the big No 2 go down, and now out of the tournament. Marx is so much more than just a hooker. While he is outstanding in his primary duties of throwing the ball into lineouts, hooking the ball out in the scrums and controlling the ball at the back of…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet X owner Elon Musk on Monday in Silicon Valley, reports said yesterday. X, formerly known as Twitter, has seen a dramatic increase in hate speech since Musk bought the site last year and loosened safeguards around content moderation. Last week, Musk said that US ad revenue had declined by 60%. The meeting is the latest step in a campaign by Musk’s Jewish friends and allies to stave off the mounting criticism surrounding the increase in antisemitic speech on X, the report said. Civil rights groups, including the Center for Countering Digital Hate and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), have issued findings that the volume of hate speech on X has grown dramatically under the stewardship of Musk, who is also the CEO…

DUSSELDORF: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is “deeply touched” by her new Nigerian nickname. The former actress has joined her husband Prince Harry in Dusseldorf, Germany for the Invictus Games – which the 38-year-old royal founded in 2014 for sick, injured, and wounded service personnel and veterans – and she has been given a new moniker by the Nigerian team. The couple were presented with a plaque from Nigeria’s chief of defence, and her new nickname is Amira Ngozi Lolo. Amira is a warrior princess from a legend, while Ngozi means “blessed” and Lolo translates to “royal wife”. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met with competitors from the Nigerian team, marking the first time the nation has competed in the games. Organiser Derek Cobbinah said after Meghan discovered her own…

JERUSALEM: Israel’s customs authority said yesterday it found 16 tons of material used for rocket production during an inspection of a shipment from Türkiye headed to Gaza, which the ruling Hamas group dismissed as a fabrication. The customs authority said, in July, it had stopped for inspection, two containers carrying 54 tons of what were meant to be bags of plaster. A lab test confirmed some of the bags contained ammonium chloride, used by groups in Gaza “to produce rockets that are eventually launched towards Israel”. In Gaza, Hamas described the report as “lies” and a pretext to tighten the blockade on Gaza. | Reuters…

THE appointment of advocate Kholeka Gcaleka as the next public protector has again been postponed to a date still to be confirmed. This, after a venue could not be confirmed, while some MPs will be out of Cape Town on September 21. The appointment of Gcaleka as the preferred candidate for the top position was initially to have taken place on September 11, the same day now axed Busisiwe Mkhwebane was voted out of office. Yesterday, National Assembly Secretary Masibulele Xaso said the Cape Town City Hall was not available on September 21. “We are exploring other possibilities in terms of venues,” Xaso said. He added that the date clashed with some portfolio committee meetings that would see MPs travelling. These include the standing committee on the auditor-general and the…

SOCIAL grant recipients may have to brace themselves for further delays in receiving their money, as the Postbank yesterday said it was not able to promise that another system glitch would not occur, resulting in the delay of grant payments. As Postbank yesterday found itself in disarray following the resignation of chairperson Thabile Wonci and several board members, who cited hostility from Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele, the state-owned entity’s chief executive, Ntomboxolo Mbengashe, said she could not guarantee that another glitch would not affect thousands of grant recipients. “We have a commitment to ensure that something like this does not happen again, but having said that, with my experience in banking, things like this do happen. “I cannot stand here with an understanding of how technology works and say 100%…

THE listeria class action litigation involving consumers and Tiger Brands has ground to halt, as both parties await documents from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in order to go to trial. In an update to clients, class action litigant representatives Richard Spoor Inc Attorneys (RSI), together with LHL Attorneys, said their “long fight to achieve justice for the hundreds of persons affected by the listeriosis outbreak” continued. The outbreak of listeriosis experienced in the country in 2018 was the largest outbreak of listeriosis ever reported worldwide at the time, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. The outbreak was declared in December that year, and out of 134 traced patients, 61 died, the WHO said. However, in attending to pre-trial preparations, both parties subpoenaed documents from the NICD to…

Elon Musk Walter Isaacson Loot.co.za (R399) Simon & Schuster When Elon Musk was a child in South Africa, he was regularly beaten by bullies. One day a group pushed him down some concrete steps and kicked him until his face was a swollen ball of flesh. He was in the hospital for a week. But the physical scars were minor compared to the emotional ones inflicted by his father, an engineer, rogue, and charismatic fantasist. His father’s impact on the boy’s psyche would linger. He developed into a tough yet vulnerable man-child, prone to Jekyll-and-Hyde mood swings, with an exceedingly high tolerance for risk, a craving for drama, an epic sense of mission, and a maniacal intensity that was callous and at times destructive. At the beginning of 2022, after…

An extract from Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka’s book, Walking with Gorillas, in which she tells her story of becoming a wildlife vet and the convergence of care for the wild and the people who live in and around it. Within the first year of setting up the Gorilla Research Clinic, we discovered that the Nkuringo gorilla group in the southern sector of Bwindi that was spending a lot more time in community land had a much higher parasite burden than the gorillas in the northern and eastern sectors of Bwindi and were likely picking up parasites from the local communities that have less-than-adequate hygiene. This discovery resulted in UWA recruiting twice as many members of the Human and Gorilla Conflict Resolution (HUGO) Team, a group of community volunteers who safely herd…

TODAY people around the world celebrate the International Day of Democracy. South Africa, once celebrated as a beacon of democracy and reconciliation, finds itself in a winter of discontent with a great Constitution but a dysfunctional government. Over the past 30 years the country has faced many challenges that have chipped away at the bedrock of its democracy, leaving us on unstable ground. Corruption is at the forefront of these issues. The corruption in the government, epitomised by the state capture scandal during Jacob Zuma’s presidency, has not only eroded public trust in political institutions and bred a culture of voter apathy, but has also diverted resources away from essential public services, exacerbating poverty and inequality. Economic inequality looms large, with South Africa earning the distinction of being the most…

A global aid effort for Libya gathered pace yesterday after a tsunami-sized flash flood killed at least 4 000 people, with thousands more missing – a death toll the UN blamed in part on the legacy of years of war and chaos. The enormous surge of storm water burst two upstream river dams late Sunday and reduced the city of Derna to an apocalyptic wasteland where entire city blocks and untold numbers of people were washed into the Mediterranean. “Within seconds the water level suddenly rose,” recounted one injured survivor who said he was swept away with his mother in the late-night ordeal before both managed to cling onto and scramble into an empty building downstream. “The water was rising with us until we got to the fourth floor, the…

Experts have fanned out in India’s southern state of Kerala to collect samples of fluid from bats and fruit trees in a region where the deadly Nipah virus has killed two people and three more have tested positive. The state is battling its fourth outbreak since 2018 of a virus for which there is no vaccine, and which spreads through contact with the body fluids of infected bats, pigs or people, killing up to 75% of those infected. Samples of bat urine, animal droppings and half-eaten fruit were collected from Maruthonkara, the village where the first victim lived, set beside a 121ha forest home to several bat species. Fruit bats from the area had tested positive for the Nipah virus during an outbreak in 2018, the state’s first. Nearly 800…

COPENHAGEN: A luxury cruise ship that ran aground this week in a remote Greenland location with 206 people on board was pulled free by a fishing trawler yesterday, a passenger and Denmark’s armed forces said. The Ocean Explorer cruise vessel had since Monday been stuck in mud and silt in the Alpefjord national park, some 1 400km north-east of Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. The Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command confirmed that the ship had been pulled free by the Tarajoq, a trawler and research vessel. The ship was taken to a port to assess any damage, while the passengers were flown home, said owner SunStone Maritime Group. “There have not been any injuries to any person onboard,” SunStone said. | Reuters…

ISTANBUL: An American caver rescued after being trapped underground in southern Türkiye for 11 days said yesterday that he was blessed to be alive after suffering a gastrointestinal bleed while 1 040m deep, but that he would go on exploring caves. Mark Dickey, 40, was rescued early on Tuesday after being trapped in the Morca cave in Mersin province’s Taurus Mountains. He was transferred to Mersin City Hospital, where he is receiving treatment. More than 150 cave rescuers from Türkiye, Croatia, Italy and other countries worked to rescue Dickey from Turkey’s third-deepest cave, and Dickey said he had never lost hope. | Reuters…

KESHAV Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi roared out of Centurion after Proteas training yesterday in a bright red sports car. The sound of the high-revving internal combustion engine reverberated throughout the empty stadium. Not quite what you would expect from two bowlers whose craft relies on skill and guile, rather than muscle power and speed. Both were excellent in the Proteas’ victory over Australia in the third one-day international in Potchefstroom on Tuesday, where they once again showcased their potential value at the upcoming 50-over World Cup in India. “We have done well as a unit when two spinners have played in the past. The last wicket presented some turn, and we utilised that with the spin,” Maharaj told reporters yesterday ahead of the fourth ODI today (1pm start). The pair…