Table of contents for 2025-01-28 in Cape Times

WHILE I acknowledge and welcome the ceasefire that aims to bring an end to the ongoing indiscriminate killings of innocent lives in Gaza, hopefully this change will craft a permanent solution towards alleviating the humanitarian crisis and suffering that Palestinians, the indigenous people of the Holy Land, have faced since 1947. As I reflect on the scenes of Israeli settlers being released by the resistance fighters, I am sure most people are confused at the scenes, as the Israeli regime and its supporters have promoted a narrative that these resistance fighters are terrorists who commit violent crimes. Instead of seeing evident signs of torture, hunger, starving and frail individuals, the hostages emerged in much better condition than most Israelis expected in complete contrast to Palestinian prisoners released from apartheid Israel’s…

THE ball is now in the court of the City’s Planning Appeals Advisory Panel (PAAP) to recommend the future of a six-storey hotel development planned to be built less than 20 meters from South Africa’s oldest mosque, Auwal Masjid in Bo Kaap. The building has drawn widespread criticism from the residents of the historic area, with the Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association (BKCRA) expressing concern over the building’s design towering over the heritage residential homes next to it, parking space and the impact on the sound of the Muslim call to prayers. BKCRA’s Osman Shaboodien said: “It is a very big protruding building on a small plot among buildings that were built in the 1800s and that’s besides the Auwal being in the same block. So you have this new…

In an age where education is the cornerstone of societal progress, the Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education (MTBBE) initiative announced by the Department of Basic Education last year is a beacon of hope for improving learning outcomes in our schools. This decision garnered widespread support from language and education experts, who hailed it as a significant step towards empowering mother tongue speakers. The advantages of learning in one’s first language are well-documented; studies show that students who receive instruction in their mother tongue tend to grasp content more easily, leading to better academic performance overall. However, an investigation – highlighted in the pages of our publication – reveals that the roll-out of this crucial programme appears to have hit several snags. Union representatives have informed us that implementation will occur only…

Both engines of the Jeju Air 089590.KS plane that crashed last month contained duck remains, according to a preliminary report yesterday, with authorities still trying to determine what caused the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil. Although it is rare for such preliminary reports to go beyond factual details, the report gave no indication about what might have led the aircraft to land far down the runway without its landing gear deployed, highlighting the lack of immediate clues after the plane’s black boxes stopped recording four minutes before impact. The six-page report released by South Korean authorities a month after the crash said both engines of the Boeing BA.N 737-800 jet contained DNA from Baikal Teals, a type of migratory duck that flies to South Korea for winter in…

Montpellier: French police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old who refused to give up his phone to two teenagers in Paris, police said. The boy was leaving a football training session at the weekend in southern Paris when the two demanded his phone, the prosecutor’s office said. When he refused, one stabbed him in the shoulder and the boy died in hospital. Suspects aged 16 and 17 were arrested after a friend of the victim helped identify them, the prosecutor’s office added. Both had appeared in court last October accused of violent theft. Paris police prefect Laurent Nunez yesterday said one suspect had admitted to “the attempted extortion and deadly knife blow”. Nunez told RTL radio that overall there had been a fall in of youth delinquency…

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s market regulator said yesterday it would allow foreign investment in listed companies that own real estate within Islam’s two holiest sites of Mecca and Medina, as the Gulf country looks to attract investment. The move will allow foreigners to invest in firms whose revenues rely on the Islamic pilgrimage, one of the top revenue sources for the oil-rich kingdom. Saudi Arabia’s market watchdog, the Capital Market Authority, said the move aimed to attract foreign capital and provide liquidity for present and future projects. Saudi Arabia has said it aims to welcome 30 million pilgrims for Haj and the year-round pilgrimage umrah annually by 2030. In 2019, it earned about $12 billion from the two pilgrimages, according to official data. | Reuters…

Irish teams are known for their 'dark arts' in rugby games, whether it's their national side or clubs. So it is no surprise Leinster pulled the stunt of shouting in the line-outs against the Stormers this past weekend in their United Rugby Championship (URC) encounter in Dublin. While the Capetonians were outplayed in the second half, not being helped by the loss of their game driver Manie Libbok and line-out ace JD Schickerling, the acts of certain players from Leinster at the line-outs did not sit well with the Cape side and their captain Deon Fourie. The shouting and calling numbers not on their throw happened constantly, and you could see the bemused looks on the faces of the Stormers players when they had to throw in. They didn't know…

In an age where health consciousness is on the rise, reducing one of the leading culprits of obesity and chronic diseases – sugary beverages – is more pertinent than ever. The impact of these sugary drinks on our health can be alarming, contributing to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and dental problems. With many South Africans consuming far more sugar than the recommended daily limit, it's time to take action. By making informed decisions, gradually altering your intake and embracing healthier substitutes, you can successfully reduce your consumption of sugary beverages. Not only will you steer clear of health risks associated with excessive sugar intake but a revitalised lifestyle awaits, brimming with vitality and well-being. Armed with these strategies, you’re now ready to take control of your health, one…

A CIRCULAR from the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal shows that the department has directed the implementing of teaching and learning in mother tongue languages for some grades. Pupils in Grade 4 are expected to start learning through Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education (MTbBE) at the beginning of this school year. The circular, issued in December last year and signed by the Head of Department, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, confirmed that MTbBE must be implemented at the start of this school year. It directed school governing bodies to lay the groundwork in preparation. Some teacher unions say that the rollout of the programme is very limited, with only a handful of schools participating in the initiative across the province. This marks the realisation of a decision announced by the then Minister of Basic…

COUNCIL Speaker Felicity Purchase has been accused of using her powers to shield fellow DA councillors JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg following the decision to move the first City council meeting of the year to a virtual meeting. In an email seen by the Cape Times, Purchase told councillors Thursday’s meeting was moved online after they were informed of alleged “planned disruptions”. “The Office of the Speaker has been advised of planned disruptions to Council proceedings, and, given that Thursday’s meeting will - amongst other matters, table the Adjustment Budget report as well as other important reports relating to service delivery - the decision has been made to hold Thursday’s meeting virtually. “Staff complements from various departments will assist with the logistical and technical arrangements regarding this change and will…

FROM the corridors of political power to the boardroom of multi-billion rand private and public institutions, a multitude of names in our lawless country have lost public favour over the past two decades. Today senior ministers in government have added their names to our hall of shame. Over the past 20 years as a democratic rainbow nation, careers were upended, the fall from grace has become a tsunami of monumental proportions. Power and prestige does not last forever, and in many cases over the past decade, it has been graphically proven that it can dissipate in the blink of an eye. In an age of social media, those who have done wrong are more vulnerable than ever. Rock bottom is littered with famous faces. Many of our political leaders appear…

As the Gaza ceasefire takes hold, Israeli forces turn to Jenin – a regular target seen as a centre of Palestinian resistance Just two days after a shaky ceasefire took hold in the Gaza Strip, Israel, on January 21, launched a large-scale incursion of the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. Soldiers raided hundreds of homes in the West Bank city in what the Israeli military called a “counterterrorism” operation, aiming to reassert control there. Many analysts have suggested the raid is an attempt by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appease far-right members of his coalition who oppose the ceasefire deal. Whatever the motive, the offensive has been devastating for many of the camp’s residents. The Israeli military has destroyed infrastructure, closed entrances to local hospitals and forcibly…

The besieged Congolese city of Goma was rocked by heavy artillery fire yesterday as France warned the regional capital was on the brink of falling to militia fighters and Rwandan troops. The M23 armed group and Rwandan soldiers entered Goma’s centre on Sunday night after weeks of advancing on the main city in DR Congo’s mineral-rich North Kivu province. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the Rwanda-backed offensive “must stop”, expressing his country’s solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo “as Goma prepares to fall”. With international pressure mounting for an end to the battle for Goma, Kenya announced that Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame had agreed to attend a summit in the next two days. M23 fighters and 3 000 to 4 000 Rwandan soldiers…

The head of the World Food Programme in Afghanistan says the agency can only feed half the millions of Afghans in need after cuts in international aid and an impending freeze in US foreign funding. Many people were living on just “bread and tea”, WFP country director Hsiao-Wei Lee said. Afghanistan was tipped to the brink of economic crisis in 2021 as the Taliban took over and all development and security assistance to the country was frozen, with restrictions also placed on the banking sector. Since then humanitarian aid – aimed at funding urgent needs through non-profit organisations and bypassing government control – has filled some of the gap. But donors have been cutting steadily in recent years, concerned by Taliban restrictions on women, including their order that Afghan female…

MOSCOW: The Kremlin said yesterday it was still waiting for “signals” from the US about a possible meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and newly-inaugurated US counterpart Donald Trump. The leaders of both countries said they were ready for contact but neither side has indicated when. “So far, we have not received any signals from the Americans. The readiness remains. The same readiness, as we have heard, remains on the American side,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. The nearly three-year Ukraine conflict has plunged relations between the two nuclear powers to their lowest levels. Trump told reporters last week he was willing to meet Putin “immediately” to reach a deal to end the fighting. Putin recently praised Trump as a “smart” and “pragmatic” man, saying the conflict might not have…

Self-care has become a buzzword in recent years – and for good reason. In a world rapidly spinning on the wheels of deadlines and distractions, self-care has risen to prominence, not merely as a trendy topic but as an essential practice for maintaining our mental and emotional well-being. Social media is brimming with self-care rituals, from elaborate skincare routines to yoga retreats in exotic locations. While these posts are inspiring, they can also put undue pressure on us to "perform“ self-care rather than genuinely experience its benefits. Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive or Instagram-worthy. In fact, the simplest practices are often the most effective. The key is to find what works for you and consistently make time for it. This practice lies in discovering what resonates with you…

Jazz lovers, the wait is over! Early bird ticket sales for the highly anticipated Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) officially open today. Africa’s Grandest Gathering takes place on April 25 and 26 at the iconic Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). For over two decades, CTIJF has set the stage for a world-class celebration of jazz. This year promises to be no exception as the festival delivers a bold new vibe that blends the timeless legacy of jazz with fresh, trailblazing talent from across the globe. Expect a stellar line up of international and local artists performing a variety of jazz and jazz-inspired music that will captivate both devoted festinos and first-time attendees. General admission festival tickets give audiences access to Kippies, Manenberg, and Moses Molelekwa stages.…

POLICE are investigating a case of defeating the ends of justice lodged against DA Federal Council chairperson, Helen Zille. National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams opened a case at Cape Town Central Police Station yesterday. This comes after concerns were raised following comments by Zille claiming prior knowledge of the raids conducted at the offices of Safety and Security boss and DA’s deputy federal chairperson JP Smith, and Mayco member for Energy Xanthea Limberg’s offices at the civic centre on Friday. SAPS spokesperson André Traut confirmed a case was opened and is under investigation. “This office can confirm that a defeating the ends of justice case was registered this morning at Cape Town Central police station. The circumstances are being investigated,” Traut said. “The identities of the parties concerned cannot…

WEDNESDAY’S Cape Times is to be congratulated for presenting the excitement of UCT’s astrophysicists about a phenomenon whose history they’ve rediscovered. It stimulates our brighter young ones to take more interest in studying science. As with most of my articles on this topic, I’d like to try to put the story in simple English for the lay public. Using tidal theory (refer to an excellent simple explanation by Dr Mike Hunt long ago, in which he uses gravitational gradients as his necessary ingredient) it is easy to simplify curvature of plasma emissions near supermassive black holes as they munch their lunch of any inconveniently close-by gravitational morsels like neutron stars or white dwarves. But allow me to take you back to motor cars of the last century, and the excitement…

I AGREE with Charles Thomas (Letters, 27 Jan) that "tit-for-tat" exchanges should be avoided, but since your good newspaper allows us to exchange views on facts and feelings, let's have a look at the facts about unemployment. I think we can agree that it wasn't as bad in 1994 as it is now, and there are at least three reasons for that: 1. Unions: Labour law was changed, and became skewed in favour of the worker - this sent a message to would-be employers that there was discrimination against them, which has been proven by unreasonable demands, strikes, and damage to workplaces. 2. Racial quotas - this was anathema to decent employers after seeing the condemnation of apartheid by most of the world, and posed the risk of losing skills…

The Rwanda-backed M23 rebellion has been at the centre of attention in recent years. However, eastern DRC is home to more than 100 other armed groups, which are a major source of instability too. The question of their demobilisation has haunted the country ever since the end of the Second Congo War in 2003. In 2022, the government decided to form an alliance with armed groups to fight their common enemy, the M23 and its Rwandan backers. At around the same time, it launched an initiative to create an army reserve, known as the Reserve armée de la défense (RAD). The creation of the reserve army allows the government to reward armed group allies with integration while bringing them under institutionalised control. But will this actually work? Our past and…

Masses of displaced Palestinians began streaming towards the north of the war-battered Gaza Strip yesterday after Israel and Hamas said they had reached a deal for the release of another six hostages. The breakthrough preserves a fragile ceasefire and paves the way for more hostage-prisoner swaps under an agreement aimed at ending the more than 15-month conflict, which has devastated the Gaza Strip and displaced nearly all its residents. Israel had been preventing Palestinians from returning to their homes in northern Gaza, accusing Hamas of violating the terms of the truce, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said late Sunday they would be allowed to pass after the new deal was reached. Crowds began making their way north along a coastal road on foot yesterday morning, carrying what belongings they…

Japan’s Fuji Media 4676.T said yesterday its chairperson and the head of its TV unit would step down immediately amid a probe into alleged sexual misconduct by a celebrity TV host. The scandal, which has led to an exodus of advertisers and investor calls for a management shake-up, has also raised concerns about the exploitation of women in Japan’s entertainment industry. In December, Japanese magazines accused Masahiro Nakai, a TV host and leader of the former boy band SMAP, of sexual misconduct. | AFP…

PARIS: Thirty-seven suspected terrorists, including suspected members of Islamic State, have been arrested across east Africa over the last two months, the global police body Interpol said yesterday. Interpol, which is headquartered in France, said the arrests had been made during November and December during operations conducted jointly with the pan-African police body Afripol. The arrests come as concerns mount over a possible resurgence of the ISIS militant group, after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. On New Year’s Day, 15 people were killed after a US Army veteran flying an Isis flag from his truck swerved around makeshift barriers and drove into crowds in New Orleans. Interpol said the operations in Africa had resulted in the arrests of 17 people. | Reuters…

Stellenbosch FC will be the toast of the Cape Winelands on Tuesday evening as they prepare to host Kruger United FC in a Round of 32 match in the 2025 Nedbank Cup competition. Kick-off is set for 7pm at the Danie Craven Stadium, marking the first home game for Stellies in months. Fans have been eagerly anticipating the chance to see their heroes in action following a remarkable season thus far. Stellenbosch recently made their debut in the CAF Confederation Cup, where they have defied expectations by reaching the quarter-finals, overcoming several seasoned teams along the way. Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker expressed his excitement about returning to their home ground, emphasising the significance of the occasion on Monday evening. "Yes, I am very excited firstly because we're playing at…

Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United career seems all but over after manager Ruben Amorim said he would rather put the club’s 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital on the bench than the England striker because of his perceived lack of application. Rashford hasn’t been in a Manchester United matchday squad for more than two months and Amorim was critical of the forward in his comments after United’s narrow 1-0 win over Fulham on Sunday night, when he missed out again. “It’s always the same reason (why Rashford is not playing), the reason is the training, where I see what footballers should do in training, in life and everyday. So, if things don’t change, I will not change. It’s the same situation for every player. If you do the maximum, if you do…