Table of contents for 2025-08-29 in Cape Times

South Africans continue to face persistent financial strain, with the country’s sluggish economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic offering little relief to households, according to the online research firm infoQuest. The data says that despite initial hopes that the post-pandemic period would bring improved financial stability, the reality for many remains unchanged. High unemployment, salary increases that lag behind inflation, and a weakened rand have contributed to stagnant household incomes, while the cost of living continues to rise. This has created an environment in which families are compelled to make difficult decisions simply to meet basic needs. In August 2025, infoQuest, in partnership with customer experience consultancy Decapod, surveyed to assess the financial well-being of South Africans and the strategies they are employing to cope. The study, which interviewed 300…

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) has initiated a new monthly discussion series aimed at fostering gender equality and sustainability within the music and entertainment industry. The inaugural session, held during Women’s Month, focused on “Future-Proofing the Industry for Women: Creating Sustainable Change.” The discussion convened prominent women from various sectors of the arts, including musicians, cultural practitioners, and festival organizers. The event was met with an overwhelmingly positive response, with participants praising the forum for providing a secure and open environment to share experiences and devise strategies for a more inclusive future. Attendees described the session as “inspiring and long overdue,” with some noting that “having these conversations at the highest level of the industry is the first real step to change.” Shaakirah Adams, Head of the Cape…

THE delays in starting the Madlanga Commission into criminality, political interference and corruption of law enforcement allows those implicated to interfere with evidence and intimidate witnesses. This is according to some experts and opposition parties, who raised concerns about the impact on the safety of witnesses and whistleblowers. On Tuesday, the Commission announced that its hearings, initially set to begin on September 1, 2025, will no longer commence on the set date. This was due to delays in the procurement of essential infrastructure by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCD). This resulted in Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi suspending the department’s Director-General, Advocate Doc Mashabane, and the Deputy Director-General responsible for ICT in the department, Jabu Hlatshwayo, for their lack of due diligence in ensuring that…

The Muizenberg resident released his second book titled Apartheid of the Heart: Affirmative Action and Me, last week. His book is edited by Charmaine Hess and is self-published. Around 30 guests attended the launch, where they were also entertained by classical music and poetry by Cameron Chetty. Simpson, originally from Bloemfontein, currently works as an entrepreneur and business consultant, promoting a brand of lifestyle products. He said it was important for him to work on this book as he felt he needed to fix “some things within myself.” “I believe it was a conversation that I was working on with myself. I believe that it is not unique to me; there is a platform for many South Africans who are in the minority who want answers for a lot of…

Ground zero. That’s where the Springbok Women’s team will be starting when they face Italy in their crucial Rugby World Cup encounter against Italy on Sunday. The Boks are chasing a historic first-ever spot in the quarterfinals, and victory over the higher-ranked Italians would secure a passage to the playoffs, regardless of the final Pool D encounter against France. Swys de Bruin’s team are brimming with confidence after their 66-6 demolition of South American debutants Brazil in their tournament opener, but are fully aware that the Europeans pose an altogether different challenge. “It was a great start. “It's just a sad thing about our sport, knowing that whatever we have done in the last weekend does not matter this weekend. “[We're] reminding ourselves to start back from zero again,” said…

AT times, the excitement of the country when a prodigious youngster makes waves in domestic cricket could spell the end of a senior player’s career. The fans can be quick to forget what the senior player has done for the country in the past and be swallowed by the endless possibilities that a young cricketer brings with their rise. The same happened when the 17-year-old wicket-keeper batter Karabo Meso showcased her talents in provincial cricket. While the youngster was scoring centuries for fun in high school, many were already earmarking Meso to succeed Sinalo Jafta in the Proteas Women’s squad. Following Lizelle Lee’s retirement, Jafta took over as the main wicket-keeper, but lacked the batting pedigree that Lee had during her time. As a result, when Meso showed far better…

Two teenagers accused of the attempted hijacking and attempted murder of three DA Members of Parliament have abandoned their bail application. Lisolethu Klaas, 18, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, made their second appearance in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court yesterday. The matter was postponed to September 25 for further investigation. Both remain in custody. The pair were arrested following an attack on August 19 near the intersection of New Eisleben and Govan Mbeki Roads in Philippi. Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron and his colleagues Lisa Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell were ambushed when bricks were hurled at their vehicle and its windows smashed. Cameron described the ordeal as “horrific”. “They threw bricks at the vehicle. I managed to hit one of them,…

Orlando Pirates will travel to Gqeberha aiming to build on their recent winning momentum when they take on Chippa United in the Betway Premiership at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday (3pm kickoff). This fixture has historically been dominated by the Sea Robbers, who won all three meetings last season, including a 3-1 victory over the Chilli Boys in the Nedbank Cup semi-final hosted at the same venue. Both teams enter this clash in contrasting form. Chippa have again been unsettled by coaching changes, with Sinethemba Badela, who began the season as head coach, lasting only two matches before parting ways with the club with Morgan Mammila taking charge of the side in their latest loss (1-0) against Richards Bay FC on Tuesday. Pirates, on the other hand, have…

One suspects that the average South African couldn’t give two hoots about the Kansas City Chiefs. After all, in the world of sport – whether the Americans would like to admit it or not – American football doesn’t really resonate with many outside of the US. For sure, there will be an enthusiast here and there amongst us, but almost exclusively the talk of weekly sporting debates will be soccer, rugby and cricket – in that order – with an odd reference to Akani Simbine or the Proteas senior netball team thrown in for good measure. Perhaps the latest defeat of Dricus du Plessis will also make a talking point. Nonetheless, the recent engagement of tight end (who knows what that is and, to be honest, I couldn't be bothered)…

Liverpool and Manchester City will both come up against Real Madrid in this season's Champions League, while title-holders Paris Saint-Germain were handed a daunting set of opponents in Thursday’s draw — including Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid will host City at the Santiago Bernabéu and also face Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield, setting up two of the standout fixtures of the league phase. Arne Slot’s Liverpool, who topped the league phase last season only to be eliminated by PSG in the last 16, will also host Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, and Qarabag of Azerbaijan at Anfield. Their away matches will be no less challenging, with trips to Inter Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt, Marseille, and Turkish champions Galatasaray on the cards. City, the 2023 Champions League winners, will…

This Women’s Month, we celebrate the strength, grace, and brilliance of women across South Africa. While we honour achievements and raise our glasses to progress, there’s one powerful act that deserves just as much attention: drafting your Will. A Will is more than paperwork. It’s a deeply personal and empowering tool that protects what matters most, honours your journey, and ensures your legacy lives on. Here are seven meaningful ways to think about estate planning: Your Will is your voice, use it A Will isn’t just a legal document. It’s your voice, your values, and your final say. It ensures your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected. Think of it as the last chapter in your story, one only you can write. You don’t need millions…

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has referred the finding of gross misconduct against suspended Judge Nana Makhubele to Parliament, paving the way for possible impeachment proceedings. This follows the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) endorsing the decision taken by the Judicial Conduct Tribunal (JCT), which found Makhubele guilty of gross misconduct. Maya notified National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza of the findings by the JSC in a letter dated August 1. “The purpose of this letter is to refer to the National Assembly a finding by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) that Judge T.A.N. Makhubele of the Gauteng Division of the High Court is guilty of gross misconduct as contemplated in section 177 of the Constitution, to enable the National Assembly to consider the finding and make such decision as it may consider…

As a field officer with the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) Birds of Prey Programme (BoPP), Danielle du Toit works alongside nearly 100 farmers to make the landscape safer for vultures. Du Toit grew up on a livestock farm in the Camdeboo Conservancy near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. After completing a diploma in Game Ranch Management, she returned home with a desire to contribute to conservation efforts behind the scenes. During her studies, she met Kuda Maoneni, a falconer from Zimbabwe whose deep respect for raptors left a lasting impression on her. “He showed me just how incredible raptors are and he treated them with reverence and respect and I guess I learned from his example," she said. A local initiative led by neighbouring farmers and supported by the EWT…

Ashwell Prince may have arrived in England with one eye still closed after the long flight from Sydney and the other squarely focused on his trip to Anfield to watch his beloved Liverpool face off against Premiership rivals Arsenal on Sunday, but the Proteas batting coach was pretty clear about the approach he wanted his charges to adopt in the upcoming three-match ODI series. Prince was adamant that his batting unit, which failed to register an individual century in the recent Australian series, would resist any temptation to curtail their attacking instincts. Instead, they would be looking to possibly even go harder when the opportunity arises. “Yes, maybe a little bit disappointing that nobody went on to score 100, but to be honest, the focus is more making an impact,”…

As the countdown begins for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has made a bold inclusion in his final 23-man squad: young and promising Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi. At just 19 years old, Mbokazi is already carving a name for himself and is reportedly viewed by Broos as having the potential to shine on European soil. Having quickly established himself as a central figure in the Pirates’ defence since his promotion in January, Mbokazi has been instrumental in the club’s pursuits this season. In addition to his surge in performance, he has also been appointed one of the deputy captains for the current campaign, leading the team with composure and skill on several occasions. His remarkable journey has seen him traverse the…