Table of contents for 2024-11-19 in Cape Times

In recent weeks, a surprising trend has emerged on TikTok: using saliva as a treatment for acne. While many enjoy exploring new beauty hacks on social media, some ideas are downright odd. Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting about 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24. Though often associated with teenagers, it can occur at any age, becoming less common as people grow older. Today, many people turn to social media for skincare advice instead of consulting dermatologists. This has led to a rise in "skinfluencers", who share tips and tricks for tackling acne and acne scars. One of the latest viral trends involves using saliva to treat acne. This idea gained traction after actress Tamannaah Bhatia mentioned it in a 2021 interview…

In a shifting tide of cultural norms, women in South Africa are boldly stepping into the world of brewing and beer appreciation, challenging long-held stereotypes that have relegated female consumers to the sidelines. The notion of a woman at the pub ordering a stout or pilsner might perplex some but, for many, it marks a confident declaration of ownership in a field historically dominated by men. The Craft Beer Association of South Africa and its parent, the Beer Association of South Africa (Basa), are spearheading initiatives to break down long-standing gender stereotypes about beer consumption. Their efforts are underscored by a vision of promoting responsible alcohol consumption while ensuring that the economic benefits of the industry can be shared by all, particularly women. “Beer drinking is not only a social…

WITH over 160 000 non-profit organisations at risk of de-registration due to compliance issues, concerns have been raised that requirements often pose significant challenges, especially for grassroots organisations with limited resources and lack of support from government. The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) confirmed there are 30 914 registered NPOs operating across multiple sectors in the province including social services, health, environment, law and advocacy, and education and research. However, 17 364 are non-compliant. Nationally, as of October 2024, there were 295 052 registered NPOs, of which, 167 103 are non-compliant. According to DSD, the biggest contributors to non-compliance were failure to submit annual reports and organisations not adhering to the provisions of their own founding documents. “In anticipation of the phased deregistration process, the WCDSD’s Institutional Capacity…

Western Cape initiation forums have expressed satisfaction in preparations for the 2024 summer initiation season. The summer season for Ulwaluko, a traditional initiation rite officially began in the province on November 1 and is expected to conclude on January 31, 2025. Western Cape Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (WCPPIC) member and Somagwaza Institute chairman Sikelala Zokufa said they were expecting between 1500 and 2000 initiates who were going to go through the rite of passage to transition from boyhood to manhood. “Ahead of this season meetings and preparations were made including the training of traditional initiation surgeons and all other relevant people in order to be ready. “We also had consultations with parents and community leaders as part of awareness. There is a lot that we learned during the Covid-19 pandemic…

We need technology which can treat human waste using minimal water and energy TODAY, on World Toilet Day, we have to learn from the recent consequences of climate events, both floods and droughts, that disrupt a key element of modern civilisation and health – sanitation. Many people in the circumstances highlight a water crisis, yet the issue of sanitation is downplayed. The consequences of a long period of constipation is a bigger crisis as many of us, urban dwellers (who cannot practise open defecation), have come to realise in recent times. Blessings to the “fire pools” and ponds which have helped us through the poop crisis, which has also been exacerbated recently due to the failure of infrastructure and the interruption in water supply. On the back of the challenge…

After a year of cancelled projects, broken turbines and abandoned lease sales, the global offshore wind industry no longer has much chance to hit the targets set by governments in the US, Europe and elsewhere, marking a setback for efforts to fight climate change. The technology forms a big part of government strategies to advance renewable energy and decarbonise the global power industry because it can generate vast amounts of electricity near densely populated coastal regions. Reuters spoke to 12 offshore wind companies, industry researchers, trade associations and government officials in six countries to come up with a global picture of the state of the industry and its outlook. It found soaring costs, project delays and limited supply chain investment were hobbling installations. “We’re pretty far away from these targets,”…

Russia’s Sirius Federal Territory has hosted the symposium “The Role of the State, Science and Society in the Development of Socioeconomic Cooperation between BRICS+ and European Countries and Organisations”. The event was geared towards opening “a new page” in relations with constructive socio-political forces in Europe. It was essential for European countries to seek constructive co-operation with Russia, said one of the guest speakers, Alexander von Bismarck, the founder of Bismarck Dialog, a Russian-German public project. “We (Germany) are in the best position to talk to the Russians because we have been friends for so many years,” he said. “We had many conversations together and we need this for the BRICS future.” Within the framework of the Russian presidency of BRICS, the Sirius federal territory played host to the symposium.…

COLOMBO: Twenty-one cabinet ministers were sworn in before Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday. He won the September 21 presidential election. The new cabinet ministers were chosen among the 159 members of parliament from the National People’s Power (NPP) elected in the November 14 parliamentary election. This is the first time a political party has won two-thirds of the majority in parliament since the introduction of the proportional representation system. Dissanayake said people had voted for the NPP twice – in September and this month – to change the political and economic trajectory of Sri Lanka. | Xinhua…

LONDON: Two masked men broke into Britain’s royal Windsor Castle estate last month and stole two vehicles from a barn, the Sun newspaper reported yesterday. King Charles and his wife Camilla were not in the estate at the time of the incident, but Prince William and his family were believed to be at Adelaide Cottage, part of the Windsor Castle estate, the Sun reported. The men used a stolen truck to break through a security gate at night and then scaled a six-foot fence, the paper said. Local police said officers were called to a report of a burglary on Crown Estate land in Windsor, west of London, just before midnight on October 13. No arrests have been made yet. | Reuters…

JOHANNESBURG - Bjorn Fortuin is leading a takeover by a group of left-arm spinning all-rounders on the South African domestic first-class circuit. Over the past weekend, there was a plethora of southpaws that made a significant impact with either bat or ball. In Fortuin’s case, he struck his second successive century from No 8 following his 116 off 95 balls against the Titans the previous weekend. His follow-up 120 off 140 balls against North West was equally good. Elsewhere in the country, George Linde was the mainstay of the Western Province’s batting effort against the Warriors at Newlands with scores of 152 and 57. His fellow WP teammate Kyle Simmonds also chipped in with 68, while bagging match-figures of 8/134. The Warriors’ Test incumbent Senuran Muthusamy struck 55 in the…

South Africa stands at a critical crossroads. With 8.3 million unemployed people as of mid-2024, losing our top tech talent to international markets isn’t just a “brain drain” — it’s a direct threat to our country’s economic future. The latest State of the Software Developer Nation report by OfferZen paints a stark picture: without bold, data-driven innovation, South African businesses risk irrelevance in a world increasingly defined by intelligence and technology. As the global demand for tech skills surges, the challenge for local businesses is clear. Retain software developers, adopt data-centric strategies, and compete on a global scale—or fall behind. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the responsibility lies with all of us — business leaders, policymakers and innovators alike. South Africa’s developer workforce is world-class. But our failure to…

THE National Treasury has developed a regulatory framework for the use of consultants by state organs that require accounting officers to develop a reasonable remuneration framework to determine the fee structure for consultants. This as R1.3 billion has been spent by the local government sphere on the use of consultants to compile financial statements. Responding to parliamentary questions from ActionSA MP Alan Beesley, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said there was a regulatory framework for consultants, which was contained in the Municipal Cost Containment Regulations, that was promulgated in 2019. “Regulation 5 requires municipalities to appoint consultants only after conducting a needs assessment which confirms that the affected municipality or municipal entity does not have the requisite skills or resources in its full-time employ to perform the function. “These regulations further…

Struggling consumers oppose Eskom’s proposed tariff increases, plead with Nersa PUTTING food on the table or keeping the lights on is the dilemma confronting citizens as the rocketing electricity prices leave South Africans with little to make ends meet. This emerged when the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) kicked off public hearings in the Western Cape yesterday where submissions were made mostly in opposition to any electricity increases amid ongoing economic upheaval. Eskom is applying for total revenues of R446 billion for FY2026, R495bn for FY2027, and R537bn for FY2028. This translates to proposed average price increases for Eskom direct customers of 36.15% (April1, 2025, to March 31, 2026), 11.81% (April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027) and 9.10% (April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2028). Eskom maintains…

Local Government MEC Anton Bredell will consider legal options to ensure that the Matizkama municipality complies with its obligations, if no action is taken regarding the irregular appointment of Heinrich Koopman. This was according to Bredell’s office after the municipality referred recommendations, including that Koopman – son of deputy mayor Amelia Job – be removed from his position as an Administrative Official and the position be re-advertised, back to Bredell. A forensic investigation found that Koopman’s appointment deviated from the requisite local government frameworks and failed to comply with the Recruitment and Selection Policy. 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; there was insufficient evidence to conclusively prove nepotism…

HARDLY had the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned in its Fiscal Monitor on Putting a Lid on Public Debt at the World Bank/IMF Group autumn meetings in Washington DC in October 2024 that global public debt is very high and is expected to exceed $100 trillion (93% of global GDP) in 2024 and to keep rising through the end of the decade (approaching 100% of GDP by 2030), finance ministers and chancellor of exchequers the world over are at it again. In his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to the National Assembly at the end October, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana lamented that “debt has risen too fast and is too high. We must better manage our debt. We are anticipating that government debt will reach more than R6.05 trillion, or…

Floodwaters submerged hundreds of houses in the northern Philippines yesterday after water released from a dam following Typhoon Man-yi caused a major river to break its banks. Packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 185km/h, Man-yi slammed into Catanduanes island late Saturday, and the main island of Luzon on Sunday afternoon. The sixth major storm to batter the Philippines in a month dumped heavy rain, smashed flimsy buildings, knocked out power and claimed at least eight lives. The national weather service had warned of a “potentially catastrophic” impact from Man-yi, which was a super typhoon when it hit, but President Ferdinand Marcos said yesterday it “wasn’t as bad as we feared”. As people cleaned up yesterday, floods began hitting communities in the north after water from Magat Dam was released, causing…

Police in central Thailand said they barricaded themselves in their own station over the weekend, after a menacing mob of 200 escaped monkeys ran riot on the town. The human inhabitants of Lopburi have long suffered from a growing and aggressive monkey population and authorities have built special enclosures to contain groups of the unruly residents. But on Saturday around 200 of the primates broke out and rampaged through town, with one posse descending on a local police station. Police captain Somchai Seedee was concerned the marauders could destroy property including police documents. Traffic cops and officers on guard duty were being called in to fend off the visitors, the Lopburi police said. While Thailand is an overwhelmingly Buddhist nation, it has assimilated Hindu traditions and lore from its pre-Buddhist…

Berlin: Yemen’s Houthi rebels have threatened to hit vessels of German shipping firms passing near the Red Sea or using Israeli ports, the German shipowners’ association VDR said yesterday The Houthis have waged a campaign against international shipping to show solidarity with Hamas, firing drones and missiles at ships in the Red Sea, a vital route for international trade. One email from the Houthis warned German shipowners of “a naval blockade on the Israeli enemy”. The US and other countries have deployed military vessels to help shield shipping from Houthi strikes and carried out repeated air strikes on rebel bases in Yemen. | AFP…

SINGAPORE: The founder of collapsed Singaporean oil trading firm Hin Leong Trading Pte Ltd was sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison yesterday for cheating global bank HSBC and abetting forgery. Lim Oon Kuin, known as OK Lim, 82, was convicted on two counts of cheating and one of instigating forgery in May. The convictions were over the bank’s disbursement of $111.7 million (R2 billion) in March 2020 as payment for two oil sales contracts that prosecutors said were fabricated. The trader purported to have entered into the contracts with China Aviation Oil (Singapore) Corp Ltd (CAO) and Unipec Singapore Pte Ltd. | Reuters…

As we move beyond October, a month dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, we carry forward the stories of strength and resilience that inspire us all. One such story is that of Sharney Blackway, a remarkable South African content creator and young mother. Blackway has bravely faced the battle against cancer not once, but twice, showcasing incredible courage and determination. Her journey sheds light on the harsh realities of battling a rare and aggressive form of the disease and illustrates how such adversity can ignite profound personal transformation. Blackway, who had previously juggled the everyday hustle of family life while working full-time for minimum wage in Johannesburg, never imagined that a seemingly routine check-up would lead to a life-altering diagnosis. Married to her high school sweetheart and raising a…

In recent years, the culinary world has been swept away by an unexpected ingredient: seaweed. Long celebrated in Asian cuisine, the oceanic wonder is catching the attention of home cooks and chefs in South Africa. From its diverse flavours to its plethora of health benefits, seaweed is a versatile ingredient that deserves a prominent place in your cooking arsenal. It is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Rich in iodine, calcium and iron, it offers nutritional benefits that are hard to rival. Moreover, its umami flavour elevates dishes, adding depth and satisfaction without heavy spices or salt. This can be beneficial for those looking to explore healthier cooking methods. Types of seaweed to use Before diving into recipes, it’s essential to know the types of seaweed available. Some of the…

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana has outlined several measures that have been put in place to balance the need for social spending with the need to rein in the public wage bill. Godongwana said the majority of non-interest spending, which was around 60%, was spent on the social wage, which was dominated by various social spending programmes, such as education, health, social security and employment support. In the largest sectors, such as education and health, most of the spending is on wages, especially for nurses and teachers. In this regard, majority of the wage bill is embedded within the social wage, Godongwana said. The minister, however, said the wage bill was set during a negotiation process. “The National Treasury is working with the Department of Public Service and Administration to achieve…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has described the Stilfontein mine in North West as a “crime scene” which remains precarious, uncertain and potentially volatile. He has urged law enforcement to deal with the situation where scores of illegal miners remain underground at the old gold mineshaft, in a peaceful and safe manner. More than 1 000 miners have surfaced and have been arrested, while others initially refused out of fear of being apprehended. However, police working with the army under Operation Vala Umgodi blocked water and food from being delivered to the miners, forcing more to resurface, while others could not as they are reportedly weak and ill. Ramaphosa said law enforcement authorities have information that some of the miners may be heavily armed. “It is well established that illegal miners are…

A bride to be who had her dream shattered by the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 to get married at her dream venue, has been engaged in a legal battle to get her money back from the venue where she was due to get married. Roxanne Maher was due to get married on March 28, 2020, at the Avianto wedding venue in Muldersdrif. But two days prior to the event, the government announced a national lockdown. By then, Maher had already paid the full amount of R63 000 to the venue. Although she had signed a binding agreement with the venue that the amount would not be returned to her if she did not abide by the contract, Maher said matters were out of her hands as due to unforeseeable…

Over 33% of South African women aged 18 years and older had experienced physical violence in their lifetime, according to a new study. The first South African National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Study: A Baseline Survey on Victimisation and Perpetration was handed over to Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga yesterday. The study released by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), provided insights into GBV prevalence, risk factors, and impacts across South Africa, forming a foundation for targeted solutions. “Nationally, when we asked all women about their experiences of physical violence, we found that 33.1% of all women aged 18 years and older had experienced physical violence in their lifetime. This translates to an estimated 7 310 389 women who have experienced physical violence in their lifetime,”…

South Africa stands proudly on the world stage, thanks to the incredible performances of its national teams, Bafana Bafana and the Springboks. These two teams have consistently demonstrated resilience and skill, making them formidable forces in international competitions. While the Springboks have solidified their place as the best rugby team in the world, Bafana Bafana are making strides to reclaim their status among Africa’s elite football teams. Under the leadership of inspirational captain Siya Kolisi, the Springboks exude prowess and unity. Their recent triumph in the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France was not merely a momentary success, it was a testament to their superior performance and dedication. The team’s post-World Cup dominance also proves their exceptional capabilities. Rassie Erasmus deserves accolades for transforming the Springboks into a cohesive and…

Global holiday home rental company Airbnb has urged Barcelona’s mayor to rethink a widening crackdown on short-term rentals, arguing that it only benefits the hotel sector while failing to address overtourism and a housing crisis. “The only winner from Barcelona’s war on short-term rentals is the hotel industry,” Airbnb’s head of Policy for Spain and Portugal, Sara Rodriguez, wrote in a letter to Mayor Jaume Collboni sent over the weekend and seen by Reuters. Barcelona city hall did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In June, Collboni announced a plan to shut all short-term rentals by 2028 to contain soaring rents for residents. The measure is being challenged in courts. Airbnb argued in its letter that none of Barcelona’s earlier measures that had imposed strict limits on new…

MOSCOW: The Kremlin said yesterday that Russia would respond to what it called a reckless decision by outgoing US President Joe Biden’s administration to allow Ukraine to fire US missiles deep into Russia, which it said would draw the US directly into the conflict. Russia has warned that this would raise the risk of a confrontation with the US-led Nato alliance. The New York Times said the US move was partly in response to the reported arrival of North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region to help repel a Ukrainian incursion. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that any conventional attack on Russia aided by a nuclear power could be considered to be a joint attack on Russia. | Reuters…

DAKAR: Expectations were growing that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s party would win Senegal’s Sunday legislative elections after two opposition leaders conceded while votes were still being counted. The heated campaign period had revived concerns about unrest. Faye, who is seeking a clear parliamentary majority to implement his promised reform agenda, urged the electorate to remain calm. The main threat to the ambitions of Faye’s Pastef party is the unexpected alliance of two opposition parties, including the Republic party. Top priorities for Senegalese voters were jobs and the economy. | Reuters…