Table of contents for 2024-10-25 in Cape Times

The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) has taken a transformative step in supporting black female entrepreneurship in South Africa by finalising a significant investment in Makwande Supply and Distribution. Established in 2009 and based in Alrode, Gauteng, this 100% black woman-owned company has seen remarkable growth, highlighting a commitment to safety and sustainability in the competitive field of petroleum logistics. With depots spreading across Mpumalanga, Free State, and Limpopo, the NEF’s financial backing marks a pivotal moment in the company’s journey, bolstering its operational capabilities in a rapidly evolving market. After the NEF funding in May last year, Makwande has not only maintained its workforce but has also created new employment opportunities within the community. Nona Chili, the owner of Makwande, expressed her gratitude for the NEF’s support. “This investment has…

Unilever Plc’s sales growth is accelerating as CEO Hein Schumacher’s turnaround of the maker of Hellmann’s mayonnaise gathers pace. Revenue increased 4.5% in the third quarter, beating the 4.3% expected by analysts, the maker of soap and stock cubes said Thursday. Consumers are buying more of its brands again with volumes up for the fourth consecutive quarter, it added. Unilever’s shares rose as much as 3.7% in early trading. The stock is up about 27% since the start of the year. The performance is “testament to the extent to which Unilever has been rehabilitated,” RBC analyst James Edwardes Jones said in a note. The Magnum maker is in the middle of a shakeup, which includes a spinoff or sale of its ice cream business and a cost-cutting initiative that will…

DA once again decries ANC’s ‘continued unilateral’ decision-making THE rift between the main coalition partners in what they termed the Government of National Unity (GNU) deepened yesterday when the DA once again accused the ANC of not consulting other parties about the National Dialogue date following Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s announcement. Speaking ahead of the GNU’s Clearing House Mechanism meeting in Cape Town, a platform to resolve policy disagreements and any disputes, Mashatile said the first National Dialogue will be held on Reconciliation Day. Mashatile said there would be a special Cabinet meeting next week to deal with issues of the National Dialogue. “The reason why we will have a special meeting of the Cabinet is because of the time frames in terms of proposals. The first sitting of the…

Western Cape High Court Judge Mark Sher has found that given Zane Killian’s previous conduct in attempting to destroy material evidence and that state witnesses and members of the investigating team have been threatened, it would not be in the interests of justice for him to be released on bail. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the high court’s decision to dismiss Killian’s second attempt to be released on bail, NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said yesterday. Killian together with 14 co-accused is facing 124 charges, including racketeering, money-laundering and gang-related contraventions of the Prevention of Organized Crime Act, 24 counts of the unlawful interception of electronic communications, 19 counts of corruption-related offences, four counts of murder, fraud, extortion and kidnapping. His co-accused include alleged gang boss Nafiz Modack, Ziyaad Poole,…

Forgiving what you can’t forget Lysa Terkeurst Loot.co.za (R235) Thomas Nelson In the month of mental health awareness, Lysa TerKeurst’s Forgiving what you can’t forget, serves as a reminder on the path towards forgiveness. Forgiveness can be difficult, particularly when the person who hurt you isn’t remorseful. TerKeurst begins by reflecting on how resentment can weigh us down, making it difficult to move forward and experience joy. She also addresses something crucial: how we sometimes pretend to forgive - what she calls "posturing". Recognising this cycle is a crucial step toward healing. Although the book is rooted in Christian teachings, its lessons offer valuable insights for anyone grappling with unresolved pain. To help guide you, she takes a practical approach by breaking down the process into real and manageable steps,…

IN A victory that resonates with hope and promise, the Rev Mzwandile Molo who hails from Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, has been elected as the general secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC). This esteemed organisation, a beacon of faith and social justice in South Africa, plays a vital role in advocating for the marginalised and fostering unity across diverse communities. Rev Molo’s election marks a significant moment, not just for the SACC, but for the nation as a whole. His journey, marked by resilience, dedication, and a deep-rooted commitment to serving others, embodies the spirit of transformation and progress that South Africa strives for. Rev Molo’s story began in the humble township of Bongolethu, a place far removed from centres of power and privilege. Growing up in this…

Italian priest Davide Marcheselli has been fighting for years against Chinese companies illegally mining gold in the town of Kitutu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He says mining has spoilt the town which lies in South Kivu province, polluting rivers and destroying fields. Hundreds of foreign companies, most of them Chinese-owned, mine gold in the mineral-rich province often without permits and without declaring profits, according to local authorities. For a long time, civil society groups and members of the church in Kitutu, have been the only people taking a stand against the powerful mining businesses, who often have friends in high places. “From the deputies, to the village chief, everyone receives something (from the companies), money or shares (in businesses),” Marcheselli said. In July, South Kivu governor Jean-Jacques Purusi…

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks yesterday in Qatar, a key mediator in the Gaza war, as he sought to build momentum for a ceasefire after Israel’s killing of the leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza. US officials had described Sinwar as intransigent in negotiations brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt on a ceasefire that would also see the release of hostages from Gaza. After meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Blinken flew to Saudi Arabia and then Qatar, where he was to seek assessments of where Hamas stood on a truce. Blinken “discussed renewed efforts to secure the release of the hostages and end the war in Gaza” with the Gulf state’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the State Department said. He…

ABUJA: Nigerian President Bola Tinubu reshuffled the cabinet on Wednesday, sacking five ministers and appointing new ones. The ministers of education, tourism, youth development and women’s affairs as well as the minister of state, housing and urban development were sacked, Bayo Onanuga, a senior spokesperson for the president, said after a cabinet meeting. Tinubu appointed new ministers, and redeployed some officials from one ministry to another, which are subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate. | Xinhua…

Tokyo: New Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s snap election gamble could backfire on Sunday, with his ruling party at risk of losing its majority for the first time in 15 years. Ishiba took office and called an election less than a month ago after a tough contest within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has governed for all but four of the last 69 years. “This is an attempt to create a new Japan that will drastically change the nature of Japanese society,” he said. Polls suggest the LDP could fall short of the 233 lower house seats needed for a majority for the first time since 2009. They hold 256 seats. Polls suggest that even with its junior coalition partner, the Komeito party, Ishiba will be unable to form…

SMALL Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has conceded that there were no effective regulations on spaza shops whether owned by South Africans or foreign nationals in the country. Ndabeni-Abrahams said her department would introduce legislation in Parliament that will include reserving certain sectors of the economy for South Africans. “In South Africa as things stand we do not have effective regulation of spaza shops whether owned by South Africans or non-South Africans,” she said. Ndabeni-Abrahams said the Business Act gave authority to municipalities to issue permits. “As the department responsible for the sector we are bringing legislation to Parliament to ensure we are able to give ourselves some authority to be able to issue certain directives when it comes to licensing,” she said when she was responding to oral questions…

DESPITE people sleeping outside some South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) branches, they are allegedly still being turned back home with no assistance. This as the agency in the Western Cape is dealing with a backlog in disability grant applications. Among those who have been impacted is 60-year-old Faku Thahla from Old Crossroads, who said he has been making attempts to apply for a disability grant for his child who is mentally challenged. “The first time I was turned away the queue was very long. In any case, lines are always long there because the facility caters for a number of areas on Tuesday including Samora, Marikana so people are often sent back home. Wednesday only the Philippi area is assisted and sometimes all people are helped even way before…

1 packet (100g) Safari Dried Mango Strips 1 cup double cream plain yoghurt 320g white chocolate, melted, if dipping OR 160g white chocolate, melted, if drizzling ½ packet (50g) Safari Flaked Almonds Line a large baking tray with baking paper and set aside, ensuring the tray fits in your freezer. On a chopping board, chop the Safari Dried Mango Strips into small pieces. Add the mango and yoghurt to a mixing bowl and mix until combined. Using a tablespoon, divide the mixture into 8 portions, ensuring the clusters are spaced apart. Freeze for 2-3 hours or until completely solid. Once frozen, drop the frozen clusters, one at a time, into the melted chocolate and use a fork to lift it out and drain the excess chocolate. Alternatively, drizzle the melted…

THE provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) is investigating allegations that a four-year-old child was sexually assaulted by an official at an early childhood development (ECD) centre in Mfuleni. According to police spokesperson Wesley Twigg, a 66-year-old man was arrested on a charge of rape last week. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed the accused appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrates Court on Tuesday, and the case postponed to October 29 for a formal bail application. “The State will oppose his bail application,” Ntabazalila said. According to information, the family reported the alleged incident to police after taking the child for medical assessments. DSD spokesperson Monique Mortlock-Malgas said: “The Western Cape Department of Social Development is investigating the allegations of assault of a child, and will render psychosocial…

Francois Badenhorst, known as Francois Van Coke, is a prominent figure in the South African rock scene, hailing from Brakpan, Gauteng. Van Coke first captured the public's attention as the charismatic frontman of influential bands Fokofpolisiekar and Van Coke Kartel, setting the stage for a uniquely successful solo career. His claim to fame reached new heights with the release of his self-titled debut album in April 2015, featuring the unforgettable ballad "Toe vind ek jou" alongside artist Karen Zoid. The track made waves by simultaneously topping the South African iTunes Store album and single charts. Following the success of his debut, Van Coke continued to evolve as an artist, releasing his second album, Hierdie is die Lewe, in 2017. He collaborated with a variety of artists on Francois van Coke…

The Lantern of Lost Memories Sanaka Hiiragi Loot.co.za (R 189) Picador One photograph, one treasured memory, one chance to go back ... In a cosy photography studio in the mountains between this world and the next, someone is waking up as if from a dream. A kind man will hand them a hot cup of tea and gently explain that, having reached the end of their life, they have one final task. There is a stack of photos on their lap, one for every day of their life, and now they must choose the pictures that capture their most treasured memories, which will be placed in a beautiful lantern. Once completed, it will be set spinning, and their cherished moments will flash before their eyes, guiding them to another world.…

AFTER a fun-filled few weeks of supporting the Proteas Women cricket and Springbok Women rugby teams, the original trail-blazers for women’s sport in South Africa, Banyana Banyana, are back on the world stage this week. The Proteas Women nearly became world champions last Sunday, but despite being beaten by New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final in Dubai, they still made us proud. Coach Desiree Ellis’ Banyana side brought Mzansi joy last year when they became the first South African senior team to reach the knock-out stages of a World Cup, reaching the round of 16 in Australia and New Zealand. They produced a remarkable effort in the group stages following an opening 2-1 defeat to Sweden as they fought back to draw 2-2 with Argentina, before beating Italy…

Georgians vote tomorrow in watershed elections, with a union of pro-Western opposition forces facing off against a ruling party accused of democratic backsliding and shifting towards Russia. Brussels has warned the October 26 vote will be crucial for the fate of Georgia’s fledgling democracy and its long-held aspiration for European Union membership. Opinion polls indicate opposition parties could get enough votes to form a coalition government to supplant the ruling Georgian Dream party, controlled by powerful billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. The current government says it wants to win a supermajority in parliament to allow it to pass a constitutional ban on the pro-Western opposition. “Georgia’s traditionally fractured opposition forces have managed to forge an unprecedented united front against Georgian Dream,” said analyst Gela Vasadze at Georgia’s Strategic Analysis Centre. “But if…

ANKARA: Four people were killed and 14 others wounded on Wednesday in a terrorist attack at the production facility of Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc (TUSAS) in Ankara, the Interior Ministry said. Three of the injured were in critical condition. Two terrorists had been “neutralised” by security forces immediately after the attack targeting the key defence complex on the outskirts of Ankara. According to footage published by the NTV, “several terrorists” came to the central gate of the complex on board a taxi and began shooting at the guards with machine guns. The outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has claimed responsibility for similar actions in the past. | Xinhua…

SANA’A: The US-British naval coalition launched two airstrikes on the Houthi-held Yemeni airport in the port city of Hodeidah late on Wednesday, the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported. Local residents said that they heard two loud explosions and saw glowing flames rising from the airport. No further details or casualties were reported. The airstrikes came a day after the Houthis said that they had launched what it called a hypersonic ballistic missile towards Tel Aviv. The airport has been closed since late 2014 when the Houthis seized control of several northern cities, including Hodeidah. The Houthi group has been targeting Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. | Xinhua…

There’s a new addition to South Africa’s range of Shariah-compliant collective investment schemes – the Satrix MSCI World Islamic Feeder exchange traded fund (ETF) listed on the JSE this week. It brings to 31 the number of retail unit trusts and ETFs (29 and two, respectively) from South African asset managers that invest according to Islamic principles. The ETF tracks the MSCI World Islamic Index, which measures the performance of large- and mid-cap Shariah-compliant companies across 23 developed-market countries. Of the 1 410 companies in the broader MSCI World Index, the MSCI World Islamic Index represents 362 of them. Yusuf Wadee, head of exchange traded products at Satrix, said: “We are proud to launch South Africa’s first Shariah-compliant ETF with offshore exposure, providing investors with a unique opportunity to access…

PARLIAMENTARIANS heard yesterday that the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Bill, barring the two suspended clauses, was dependent on Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube preparing a presidential minute for a proclamation to enable its operation. This emerged yesterday when the National Assembly programme committee received an update after enquiries were made to the Presidency since President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended two clauses dealing with language and admission to allow for consultation among interested parties and the Government of National Unity partners. Secretary to National Assembly Masibulele Xaso said Ramaphosa’s parliamentary counsellor Gerhard Koornhof advised National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza that Ramaphosa and Gwarube were working on the two clauses. “The idea is to provide an opportunity for interested parties to engage on this matter and seek a solution. Consultation will be…

CALLS for the reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC), amid criticism that it lacks neutrality and does not act in good faith when it comes to conflict zones, has been a key discussion at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. The summit was attended by leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, as well as new members from Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. More than 40 000 people have been killed in Gaza since Hamas launched an attack in Israel in October last year, killing more than 1 200 Israelis and foreign nationals. Conflict in Africa has also persisted in the Sudan and in the Sahel and Great Lakes region. President Cyril Ramaphosa, during the BRICS Summit outreach and heads…

WHILE the Portfolio Committee on Police has welcomed a police multi-disciplinary extortion intervention, possible funding challenges have also been noted. A preliminary report was tabled to the committee where seven separate extortion classifications affecting different sectors and communities were identified. This included the construction sector where construction mafias disrupt construction sites by invading them and demanding money or a stake in development projects. “Transport sector taxi drivers or owners approach scholar transport and demand a share, per load. In municipalities, groupings storm into boardrooms while Bid Evaluation Committee meetings are in session and demand tenders and threaten supply chain management officials. “In the security sector, security companies involved in government and private businesses are targeted by groups demanding up to 30% of the contracts or threats are made to security…

Now You Suffer Gareth Crocker Loot.co.za (R199) Penguin It’s no spoiler to say that Detective Ruben Ellis wants to die. He’s lost his wife, and in the most horrific circumstances his daughter Kayla. The only reason that Ellis has not killed himself is that he has a mission before he takes his own life; and that is to track down the man who kidnapped and murdered his little girl. His partner Zander Malan is not living his best life either. His marriage is about to implode, and he is distraught about losing his wife Angela. His friendship with Ellis is a deep one, born out of mutual respect and the ability to see through each other’s coping mechanisms: if you can say that either men are coping. Now You…

Mothers face unprecedented challenges, judgement while carrying society’s care burden ON International Day of Care and Support (October 29) we recognise that mothers have a revered place in families and history. They ensure reproduction, their bodies host the foetus, birth children and provide sustenance and care, without which the infant would die. But why are they still subjected to judgement and hyper-surveillance if they are so important? Recently, a mother expressing breast milk at a Starbucks coffee shop in Cape Town was asked to cover up so as to not offend other customers. A social media storm ensued. Public comments included that she should have expressed in the bathroom, covered up, expressed at home before going out, or just stayed at home. Some people argued that while breastfeeding in public…

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on BRICS countries to work for high-quality development of greater BRICS co-operation this week. Xi made the remarks when addressing the 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin chaired the summit. During a small-group meeting, Xi welcomed new members to the BRICS family – which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates – and invited many countries to become partner countries. Stressing that the world was undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, marked by new trends of multipolarity and the risks of a “new Cold War,” Xi said BRICS countries should take proactive steps towards openness, inclusiveness and win-win co-operation, conform to the general trend of the rise of the Global South,…

Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC halted shipments to a customer this month after its semiconductors were sent to China’s Huawei, a Taipei government official said, potentially breaching US sanctions. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is the world’s largest contract manufacturer of chips used in everything from Apple iPhones to Nvidia’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence hardware. Huawei, the world’s leading equipment maker for fifth generation mobile internet networks, has been embroiled in a tech war between Beijing and Washington. The US slapped sanctions on Huawei in 2019, and expanded them the following year, over fears its technology could be used for Beijing’s espionage operations. Huawei denies the allegations. The sanctions cut Huawei off from global supply chains that gave it access to the US-made components and technologies crucial to manufacturing powerful AI systems.…

LILONGWE: A prolonged fuel shortage is disrupting business in Malawi as the country has run out of foreign currency reserves, forcing fuel importers to stop their operations. Since June, the government has managed to allocate only $37 million every month, failing to meet the required $51m for the monthly importation of the commodity, Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu said this week. Consequently, fuel delivery in the country has been suspended for about 10 days, he said. Kunkuyu said that $50m had been secured from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa to help ease the country’s fuel shortage. | Xinhua…

WASHINGTON: Democratic presidential nominee Vice-President Kamala Harris responded this week to an interview with Donald Trump’s former White House chief of staff, John Kelly, who asserted that Trump met the definition of a “fascist”. Kelly told The New York Times that his former boss “prefers the dictator approach to government” and that he had no understanding of the US constitution or the concept of the rule of law. “Donald Trump is increasingly unhinged and unstable,” Harris said. Kelly said the former president would seek to rule like an authoritarian if he returned to the White House. He cited Trump as having told him Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler “did some good things”. | Reuters…