Table of contents for 2023-11-30 in Cape Times

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Naspers investment outside China starts to make profits

NASPERS’S 15% half-year revenue growth was more than double its peers and core headline earnings was more than doubled, increasing by 112%. The stronger performance was due to improved e-commerce and higher profits from Naspers’s Amsterdam-listed subsidiary Prosus’s 25% investment in the very large China internet group, Tencent, the results showed yesterday. Naspers’s directors said yesterday in results for the six months to September 30 that the fundamentals of its e-commerce businesses were improving. The “meaningful improvement” in profitability had enabled the group to bring forward its Prosus’s e-commerce profitability target by six months to the second half of the 2024 financial year. Core headline earnings a share, a key indicator of operating performance, rose to 454 US cents (R84.65) for the six months, more than double 214 US cents,…

3 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

exxaro has widened its critical metals ASSETs search to greenfield assets

EXXARO Resources was expanding its search for critical mineral assets to greenfield projects, the mining company said yesterday, as it pursued its strategy to diversify away from coal. Exxaro, one of South Africa’s top coal producers, also has interests in iron ore and renewable energy. The company plans to acquire manganese and copper assets, both minerals considered vital for the global transition from polluting fossil fuels to cleaner energy. The miner was among several firms that were interested in buying Botswana’s Khoemacau copper mine, which holds one of Africa’s largest copper deposits. The $1.88 billion (R35bn) mine was eventually sold to Chinese miner MMG. Exxaro’s chief growth officer Richard Lilleike, who is leading the miner’s mergers and acquisitions drive, told analysts that while the company was still interested…

1 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

vukile PROPERT FUND HAS increaseD ITS guidance after strong INTERIM PERFORMANCE

VUKILE Property Fund has increased its guidance for the full financial year after another strong interim performance that saw the half-year dividend lifted by 10% to 52.1 cents. In South Africa’s low eco- nomic growth environment, it has become exceedingly rare for listed groups to increase their earnings guidance, let along one in the real estate investment trust sector, which has also faced severe headwinds from structural changes in the retail and office property markets, the high interest rate environment, and slow Covid recoveries in some instances. Vukile’s funds from operations (FFO) from the consumer-focused real estate invest- ment trust of 85c per share was up 5.2%. Guidance for the full year increased to FFO growth of 4% to 6%, compared with a previous forecast of 3% to 5%…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

lasting city legacy: Sea Walls project unites powerful art with conservation

The inaugural Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans public art project in Africa has left a lasting legacy for ocean conservation and community activism in Cape Town. PangeaSeed Foundation’s Sea Walls South Africa, presented by the Save our Seas Foundation, saw 18 mural artists, including four from overseas, adorn the walls of 16 buildings around the city with powerful works on important ocean topics - from the scourge of plastic pollution to the need for community action to protect ocean livelihoods. In the lead-up to a week of painting, the artists and visiting team were treated to some of the natural treasures the Cape has to offer. This included watching the sunset from the top of Table Mountain, a visit to the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Centre and a beach…

3 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Average cost of a Household Food Basket R478 more than a year ago

The November 2023 Household Affordability Index, which tracks food price data from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries, showed that in this month, November, the average cost of the Household Food Basket is R5 314.63. Month-on-month, the average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R17.05 (0,3%), from R5 297.58 in October to R5 314.63 in November. Year-on-year, the average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R478.67 (9.9%), from R4 835.96 in November last year to R5 314.63 in November 2023. Mervyn Abrahams, the Programme Co-ordinator at the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD), said the food items which increased in price in November by 5% or more, including eggs (18% - 60 eggs [2x30 egg tray] increased on average by R29.73…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Meyiwa accused never assaulted – SAPS head

The lead investigator in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has denied police officers ever assaulted any of the accused during their investigations. Brigadier Bongani Gininda, who is also the head of the SAPS National Cold Case Unit, became the lead investigating officer in the case of murdered footballer Meyiwa in November 2018. He told the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, yesterday that accused number one and two had never been assaulted by the police. The court is currently in a trial-within-a-trial to determine the admissibility of alleged confessions made by Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya and Bongani Ntanzi, two of the five accused in the October 2014 murder of the former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper. Meyiwa was gunned down at his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s Vosloorus home during a suspected armed robbery. Gininda,…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Flower and herb shortbread biscuits

1½ cups unsalted butter, at room temperature 1¼ cups granulated sugar 2 tsp salt 3 large egg yolks 2 tbs pure vanilla extract 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups mixed edible flower petals and tender herbs Sugar, for sprinkling In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and salt on medium speed until combined. Add the yolks and mix until combined and then add the vanilla and stir until just combined. Add the flour and mix on low speed until the dough comes together in a ball. Place the dough on a large sheet of parchment paper. Place another piece of parchment on top and roll out the dough until it’s about 5mm thick. Remove the top piece of parchment paper…

1 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

De Winton’s golden mole returns from the grave – thanks to eDNA science

A BLIND mole with an iridescent coat sheen that “swims” through sand and has been lost to science since 1936 has been rediscovered, thanks to a team of conservationists and geneticists from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the University of Pretoria. The De Winton’s golden mole, native to South Africa, is the 11th of the world’s most wanted lost species to be rediscovered since the Search for Lost Species launched in 2017. A research paper, “Environmental DNA from soil reveals the presence of a ‘lost’ Afrotherian species,” published this month in the scientific journal Biodiversity and Conservation, describes the find. The EWT-led team used a burgeoning technique, never used before, to detect golden moles: environmental DNA (eDNA). After collecting more than 100 soil samples in June 2021 from beaches…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

City groups, activists stand side by side with Palestine

AS THE world observed International Day in Solidarity with the Palestinian People yesterday, the South African BDS Coalition, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Cape Town (PSC Cape Town), coordinated campaigns across the city and province. In 1977, the United Nations’ (UN) General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Thirty years earlier, the UN Assembly had adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine. In light of a city still suffering from the legacy of apartheid, the collective said they recognised their political, moral and human responsibility to stand in solidarity with Palestine, and with oppressed people everywhere. Throughout the day, various events took place showcasing solidarity with Palestine. The morning started with a demonstration at Modderdam High…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Science guides Japan in dealing with ‘ALPS-treated water’

THE claims in the article titled “Japan persists in dumping nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean” published on November 22 (The Cape Times) is based on factually and scientifically incorrect understanding of the issues related to the water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS). First, let me stress that there are two different types of water at the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (TEPCO) FDNPS site, which the author fails to distinguish. One is “contaminated water”, generated at the site and yet to be treated. The other is “ALPS-treated water”, which has been treated through a filtration process known as Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) until the concentration of radioactive materials other than tritium is below the regulatory standards. The treated water is then diluted more than 100 times…

3 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

‘Carbon capture, storage’ tech debated

High in remote mountains in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, a new plant will soon take atmospheric CO2 and pump it into rock – part of controversial attempts to target planet-heating emissions without abandoning fossil fuels. Using novel technology developed by Omani start-up 44.01, the solar-powered plant will suck carbon dioxide from the air, dissolve it in seawater and inject it deep underground, where it will mineralise over a period of months. The new site on the Gulf of Oman is funded by state oil giant ADNOC, whose CEO Sultan Al Jaber is president of the UN’s COP28 climate talks and chairman of Masdar, a renewable energies company. The first CO2 injection is expected during COP28 which starts today in nearby Dubai, and where the debate over hydrocarbons will be…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Lawrence aims to stay patient in his SA Open title defence

Thriston Lawrence may be enjoying the “holiday vibe” back home, but he will be going all out to defend his South African Open title this weekend. The 26-year-old from Mbombela claimed his first SA Open crown last year at the same Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate course where the event will start today. Lawrence produced rounds of 64, 67, 67 and 74 to finish on 16 under par and edge Frenchman Clement Sordet by one stroke. He nearly claimed a ninth professional victory last week at the Joburg Open, held at Houghton Golf Club, but had to settle for a tie for seventh spot on 10 under after a final-round 75, with Dean Burmester shooting a 64 to end on 18 under and secure a three-shot triumph. “It’s still…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Steel industry appeals to have scrap metal policy reversed

The country’s major steel maker has also been weighing its options on a large steel plant being built in Zimbabwe AFTER shutting down its long steel manufacturing at Newcastle and Vereeniging, ArcelorMittal South Africa said yesterday it would grow its flat steel business through import replacement and localisation as Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to reverse South Africa’s scrap metal policies. ArcelorMittal South Africa on Tuesday announced that it was axing 3 500 jobs at its long steel businesses, citing weaker economic growth, poor logistics and erratic infrastructure. Amid widespread concern over the closure of the Vereeniging and New- castle long steel operations, ArcelorMittal South Africa CEO Kobus Verster insisted yesterday that the issues that had contributed to the winding…

3 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Competition Commission pushes for Coca-Cola SA employee settlement

THE COMPETITION Commission of South Africa wants former SABMiller employees to be paid entitlements under the Zenzele Employee Share Ownership Programme to bring finality to the issue and to help the former workers who are faced with a tough economic situation. The Competition Tribunal of South Africa heard submissions on the merits relating to a settlement agreement signed by the Competition Commission, the South African Breweries and the chairperson and trustees of the SAB Zenzele Employee Share Trust. This became necessary after the Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa lodged a complaint with the Commission in 2020, alleging a breach of a condition to the 2017 merger which saw the Coca-Cola Company South Africa acquire the interests of Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa. AB InBev exited as a shareholder…

3 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Manufacturing sector confidence lifts slightly, in spite of bleak outlook

Manufacturing companies in South Africa have remained more pessimistic regarding expected business conditions for the next 12 months due to tough trading conditions emanating from constrained electricity supply and logistical challenges at the ports. The Absa Manufacturing Survey, released yesterday, showed that confidence in the manufacturing sector has improved slightly to 26 points in the fourth quarter. This was the highest level the Absa Manufacturing Survey has been in 2023, even though it remained firmly below the 50-points mark, which sepa- rates expansion from contraction. The confidence index ranges between zero and 100, with zero re- flecting an extreme lack of confidence and 100 extreme confidence where all participants are satisfied with current business conditions. Absa Relationship Banking’s head of manufacturing sector, Justin Schmidt, said although trading conditions remained tough,…

3 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

A rhythmic homecoming to Cape Town unveils the ‘heartbeat of Africa’

A pulsating celebration of South African culture has returned home as Drumstruck, hailed as an interactive theatrical masterpiece, echoes the vibrant rhythm of Africa at Silvermist Organic Wine Estate in Cape Town. The captivating show has traversed the globe, enchanting audiences from New York to Japan, and now hitting local shores after nearly two decades. Warren Lieberman, the show’s producer and co-creator, orchestrated the return to South Africa post-pandemic, recognising the yearning for connection after isolating times. “Drumstruck harnesses the unifying power of rhythm, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of togetherness,” said Lieberman. Under the guidance of director and co-creator Kathy-Jo Ross, Drumstruck’s recent stint at Silvermist garnered unanimous acclaim, igniting online conversations, with rave reviews praising its soul-stirring essence and contagious jubilance. The show, now in its…

1 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

DA motions for dissolution of eThekwini Council

THE DA yesterday formally submitted a motion for the dissolution of the eThekwini Council to Speaker Thabani Nyawose, with the opposition party saying this was the only way to deal with the city’s infrastructure crisis. The motion is under Section 34 of the Municipal Structures Act, which is a “caretaker provision” that allows the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in the province to appoint one or more administrators to ensure the continued functioning of the municipality until a new municipal council is elected. If the motion is to succeed it must be debated at Council and be passed by a two-thirds majority and only then can new by-elections be held in eThekwini. The provincial Cogta has unsuccessfully tried to implement a Section 154 intervention in the municipality…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Links between gangs and cops laid bare in judgment

Alleged links between some police officers and gangsters were once again detailed in a recent Western Cape High Court judgment involving two men convicted of killing seven people in a Khayelitsha mass shooting. The details emerged when Judge Daniel Thulare convicted Gcinithemba Beja and Fundile Maseti on seven counts of murder and three attempted murder charges following a shooting at a tavern in Site B, Khayelitsha, in March 2020. The judgment details how a witness during the trial testified that many people knew and informed the police that the two were (protection) fee collectors from businesspeople. “However, the cases got cold as some people were scared for their lives to make formal statements to the police. It has to be mentioned that there were witnesses who made statements to the…

3 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Sacred remains of Sutherland Nine finally laid to rest

THE sacred remains of the Sutherland Nine were finally laid to rest in the Roggeveld Karoo, back in the land of their San and Khoi ancestors in the Northern Cape. Eight of the six San and three Khoi people had been unethically removed from their graves on the nearby Kruisrivier farm nearly 100 years ago and given to UCT between 1926 and 1931 by medical student Carel Gert Coetzee, who lived on the farm. The remains included five men, two women, and two children – a boy and a girl. The ninth, whose older remains were dated to the pre-colonial period, was excavated during roadworks in the Northern Cape. He had been buried in the nearby mountains. In 2017, these human remains were discovered during an audit conducted by Professor…

4 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Legal battle over child ends in Concourt

THE Constitutional Court has spoken the last word on the fate of a now 6-year-old child whose mother died, following a tug-of-war between the child’s aunt and her father. The child’s mother came from Britain to South Africa for cancer treatment, but she died while here. Her last wish was that her daughter be taken care of by her (the mother’s) sister. The father, however, wanted his child returned to him in Britain. The tug-of-war between the aunt and the father dragged on for several years, after the Western Cape High Court at first ordered the child’s return to the UK. This ruling was overturned on appeal, but the Constitutional Court has now ordered that the child be returned. Up to now the child, identified as E, lived with her…

3 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Public protector’s office defends decision to pull out of Bredell case

The Office of the Public Protector of South Africa (PPSA) decided not to defend a review application pertaining to Local Government MEC Anton Bredell’s breaching of the Code of Ethics as it would be taking a risk in relation to another possible adverse finding with a costs order. GOOD Party’s Brett Herron claimed the PPSA had “budgetary constraints” and said this was the reason why the PPSA did not oppose Premier Alan Winde and Bredell’s challenge of the adverse findings. However, the PPSA confirmed to the Cape Times that while they were confident with the findings they had made, a possible cost order “swayed the opinion in favour of erring on the side of caution”. The PPSA found Bredell guilty of breaching the Code of Ethics in October 2021 when…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

India’s G20 Presidency: the dawn of a new multilateralism

Narendra Modi Today marks 365 days since India assumed the G20 Presidency. It is a moment to reflect, recommit, and rejuvenate the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. As we undertook this responsibility last year, the global landscape grappled with multifaceted challenges: recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, looming climate threats, financial instability, and debt distress in developing nations, all amid declining multilateralism. In the midst of conflicts and competition, development co-operation suffered, impeding progress. Assuming the G20 Chair, India sought to offer the world an alternative to the status quo, a shift from a GDP- centric to human-centric progress. India aimed to remind the world of what unites us, rather than what divides us. Finally, the global conversation had to evolve – the interests of the…

4 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Trapped workers ‘lived like brothers’

Hope that they would be rescued soon kept workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in India strong through their 17-day ordeal, some of the men said yesterday after their rescue. All 41 men were rescued. They were taken to a specialist hospital in Rishikesh city after spending the night at a makeshift medical facility in the small Himalayan town. Doctors said they were all doing well but would need long-term support. The men had lights in their confinement area and service pipes were used to push in oxygen, water, food, medicines and also to talk to them, and allow them to speak to their families. They went for daily walks and did yoga in the 2km stretch of the highway tunnel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the men by…

1 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

‘Group of death’ delivers as PSG, Newcastle and AC Milan all stay in hunt

When the Champions League draw was made, Group F always looked like being too close to call – and it will duly go right down to the wire, with French aristocrats Paris St Germain still in control of their destiny, but only just. Manager Luis Enrique breathed a massive sigh of relief on Tuesday night as Kylian Mbappe struck home a penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle United, who had been on the brink of a memorable double. The visitors were desperately defending the lead given to them by Swedish striker Alexander Isak midway through the first half, but suffered heartbreak when Tino Livramento was harshly adjudged to have handled as an Ousmane Dembele pass bounced off his chest…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

SARB flags six micro and macro challenges to financial stability

THE SOUTH African Reserve Bank (SARB) has flagged six micro and macroeconomic challenges, including intensified load shedding, as key risks to domestic financial stability in the short-, medium-, and long-term. The SARB said yesterday that the sharp repricing in government debt, capital outflows and declining market depth and liquidity, insufficient and unreliable electricity supply, intensification of geopolitical risks, remaining on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist for longer, as well as further deterioration of household and non-financial corporate (NFC) buffers were the main risks to the country’s financial stability. SARB’s lead macroprudential specialist, Dr Herco Steyn, said the financial sector’s exposure to government debt increased markedly over the past decade, while at the same time the fiscal position and the credit rating of government debt deteriorated. Steyn said…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Pepkor’s annual earnings take strain amid challenging SA environment

Philippa Larkin philippa.larkin@inl.co.za EARNINGS in Pepkor, the owner of household brands PEP, Ackermans, Tekkie Town, Buco and Incredible, took a knock for the year ended September 30, 2023, amid a challenging operating environment in South Africa with consumers under severe financial strain. Headline earnings per share fell 8.7% to 149.1 cents. Headline earnings of R5.5 billion was in line with expectations, negatively impacted by elevated debtors’ costs and net finance costs. Despite this, the board declared a cash dividend of 48.1c per ordinary share payable to shareholders on January 22, 2024. This was down nearly 13% from the prior year’s 55.2c per share dividend. Pepkor CEO Pieter Erasmus said: “Consumers in South Africa have continued to experience severe economic and social challenges during this reporting period. The result…

3 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Sibanye to cut nearly 300 jobs at US ops after palladium price fall

Diversified miner Sibanye-Stillwater said on Wednesday that it would cut 287 jobs at its US platinum group metals (PGM) operations to reduce costs as metal prices declined, adding the move would not significantly affect production. The price of PGMs, mostly used by automakers to curb emissions, have declined significantly over the past year amid concerns over global economic growth. The palladium price has plunged nearly 40% this year, particularly hit by weak demand in China, while primary metal platinum is down 14%. Last year, the Johannesburg miner announced the restructuring of its palladium-dominated US operations in anticipation of a fall in palladium prices and because of the impact of inflation on costs. The restructuring was expected to affect approximately 100 Sibanye-Stillwater employees and 187 contractors, Sibanye said in a statement.…

1 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

SboNdaba Dance invites public to unwind in festive park jol

THIS FESTIVE season, SboNdaba Dance has invited the public to relax, unwind and enjoy a lazy summer afternoon with a free performance in some of the most beautiful parks in the city. SboNdaba Dance is based in Observatory at the Observatory Methodist Church. The group’s artistic director, Sbonakaliso Ndaba is an award-winning choreographer in the African Contemporary idiom while the company features 15 youth, all dancers from townships of Cape Town including Philippi, Gugulethu, Eerste River and Langa. The season has been directed with the assistance of company members and Outreach Teachers: Lusindiso Dibela, Sinazo Mxeli, Sive Stali, Clayton Jannike, Akhona Mpoza, Mthetheleli Dlakavu and Lolwethu Sdumo. SboNdaba Dance has had an exciting year, after recently returning from the AfroVibes Festival in Holland and a week of performing on different…

1 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

At least 23 000 students are double-dipping at Setas

AUDITOR-GENERAL Tsakani Maluleke has found that more than 25 000 students enrolled for learnerships at multiple Sector Education and Training Authority (Setas) at the same time during the 2022-23 financial year. Maluleke found that the tourism course has the highest number of students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme at TVET colleges. The audit, which focused on the optimal use of resources within the higher education sector, also found “ghost” students as beneficiaries of learnership programmes at Setas and possibly fraud. Maluleke said her office conducted data analytics across TVET colleges to check an opportunity to improve the quality of expenditure. “South Africa invests significantly in the sector. “It is hoped that the investment will help young people to realise their dreams and ambitions but also equip them…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

BUDGET CUTS WILL BITE STUDENTS

R2 billion cut will result in a shortfall of R749.2 million at TVETs and R1.1bn at universities ABOUT 86 712 students relying on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) could be left unfunded in the 2024 academic period, increasing to 120 976 students in the 2025 academic period. This emerged yesterday when the entity and other stakeholders including Universities South Africa (USAf) briefed the National Assembly’s portfolio committee on higher education over the readiness of the higher education sector for the 2024 academic year on the back of the National Treasury’s budget cut which will have ripple effects. Acting NSFAS CEO Masile Ramorwesi presented a preliminary report where the entity stated everything was functional and progressing well in relation to the 2024 applications. About 81 069 university students were…

3 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Settle your water debt or else – Mchunu

Defaulting municipalities could have their equitable share allocations withheld if they fail to pay up the outstanding R26.7 billion owed to water boards and the Water Trading Entity. That is the warning Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu gave, confirming that his department would engage municipalities through the intergovernmental relations framework to recover the outstanding debt. “The total amount in outstanding debts is owed by municipalities to water boards and the department’s Water Trading Entity as at the end of September 2023 was R26.7bn. “The water boards are currently owed R18.3bn and the Water Trading Entity is currently owed R8.4bn by the municipalities,” he said. Mchunu was responding to parliamentary questions form DA MP Leon Basson, who asked about the total amount in outstanding debts owed by municipalities. Basson…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Man who fell from moving train wins bid to claim damages from Prasa

A man who fell from a moving train in 2001 has been successful in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in his bid to claim damages against the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa). This comes after the SCA overturned a Western Cape High Court order in a case involving the prescription period for the appellant’s claim. The SCA’s ruling centred on whether the three-year limit of prescription started immediately after the incident or extended post-impediment. Acting as Denzil John Reyners’s curator, the appellant advocate Christo Bischoff argued against Prasa’s prescription plea, asserting the inapplicability of section 12 of the Prescription Act due to the client’s mental defects which resulted from the accident. Bischoff argued that section 12 was not applicable as the mental defects sustained by his client…

2 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

2024 VOTE WILL SINK OR SAVE SOUTH AFRICA

THE voter registration weekend and the subsequent political party campaigns, in particular by the ANC, have given South Africans a glimpse of the cheap politicking they will be subjected to in the run-up to next year’s crucial election. Using the face of Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya in its campaign to claim credit for empowering women in the judiciary, the ANC demonstrated its long-lost morals and credibility, the core foundations upon which its founding fathers and mothers built the organisation. No apology can justify why it opted for this embarrassing route, which not only undermines Justice Maya’s name but brings un- necessary attention to the judiciary, which has to be and – be seen to be – impartial at all times. Thankfully this new low did little to damage…

1 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Israel, Hamas, seek new deal

Israel and Hamas were negotiating through mediators yesterday over another potential extension of the Gaza truce, with hours left to reach a deal before fighting was due to restart after a six-day pause. Families of Israeli hostages were informed yesterday of the names of those due to be released later in the day, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported – the final group to be freed under the truce unless negotiators succeed in extending it. Gaza’s Hamas rulers published a list of 15 women and 15 teenagers to be released from Israeli jails in return. For the first time since the truce began it included Palestinian citizens of Israel, as well as residents of occupied territory. A Palestinian official said that despite a willingness on both sides to prolong the truce,…

3 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Willemse wants to do ‘something special again’ for the Stormers

After four defeats in a row, it is understandable if Stormers fans are worried about their favourite team. But one of the men who can help bring them back on track, Damian Willemse, says now is not the time to panic. John Dobson’s team could easily have won all four games on their European tour, but went down 20-9 to Glasgow, 20-17 to Benetton, 10-3 to Munster and then 31-24 to Cardiff last weekend. They should be able to get back to winning ways in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Zebre in Stellenbosch (7.15pm kick-off), although they can’t afford to underestimate the Italian side despite the 61-19 thrashing they received from the Lions at Ellis Park last weekend. But the Stormers need to sort out a number of issues…

3 min

Cape Times|2023-11-30

Previous pain drives mature Stellies’ bid to end their cup semis hoodoo

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker says they are banking on their maturity to help them end their semi-final curse in the Carling Knockout Cup after enduring pain in previous tournaments. Stellies will play in their third successive semi-final, against Richards Bay in uMlazi on Saturday (3pm kick-off), having failed to win the last two in the Nedbank Cup and MTN8. But a lot has happened since the heartbreaks to Sekhukhune United and Orlando Pirates, and Stellies are in the form of their lives in domestic football. They beat Chippa United and Polokwane City in regulation time in the last 16 and quarter-final of the ‘beer cup’, while they are also fourth in the DStv Premiership standings. Stellenbosch’s fourth place was consolidated with a 3-0 win over neighbours Cape Town Spurs…

3 min