Weekend Argus Saturday 2026-02-21

When Scorpion Kings describe the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) as “more than a festival, it is a cultural movement”, they are not offering a throwaway line. They are defining the moment. As the 23rd edition of the annual opens on March 27, that sentiment will come alive on the Kippies stage, where the duo are set to deliver one of the weekend’s most anticipated performances. For decades, the festival has served as a meeting point for eras and influences. Rooted in jazz, it has evolved into Africa’s Grandest Gathering and has become a space where heritage and innovation come together in a celebration of music. In 2026, that evolution takes another step forward as amapiano enters the conversation in a powerful way. “For us as Scorpion Kings, bringing…

THE National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, and the custodian of the South African Film and Television Awards, has revealed nominees for the 19th Annual Saftas. As with any awards nomination list, the reactions to the Saftas19 have been mixed, with critics having their own opinions about it. Only one actor from Inimba, Zenande Mfenyana, received a nomination, with many critics feeling that lead actors Sisa Hewana and Lunathi Mampofu were snubbed. Hit shows such as Umkhonkha – The Curse and My Brother's Keeper, produced by Rhythm World Productions, are not on the nomination list, meaning that they did not submit any content for consideration. The Saftas are open to all South African citizens and official permanent residents to submit…

The BBL era for Cardi B is being downsized. The 33-year-old American rapper candidly shared that she plans on reducing her butt implants after her Little Miss Drama tour wraps. Following their surprise performance of their song Safe on Monday, February 16, during Cardi B’s Los Angeles stop, R&B singer Kehlani commented on the “big” size of the rapper’s butt backstage, which prompted Cardi B to share the news. “You have so much ass! That was the most ass I’ve ever seen,” Kehlani said in disbelief. The rapper replied: “After this tour, I’m taking some out. I don’t want to hear nobody say anything for three months, I’m going to Colombia. Nobody hit me up, I’m taking this a** out!” Cardi B has been candid about her history with cosmetic…

The digital dating scene has shifted from swiping right for love to navigating a high-tech minefield. We’ve moved past the era of grainy photos and obvious typos. Today, scammers use Agentic AI, autonomous digital personas that don’t just chat but build deep, emotionally complex lives designed to mirror your perfect partner. “February usually brings a sense of quiet optimism,” shares Nairah Dinah, a development manager at Sumsub. “People tend to open up emotionally more at this time of year. While we know online dating isn’t new, moments like this, when we are feeling open-hearted, can create space for scams that don’t appear to be scams at all.” In SA alone, deepfake fraud skyrocketed by 269% in 2025. When a match looks real, sounds real, and is constantly available to validate…

Body contouring procedures like liposuction and tummy tucks are more visible than ever, driven by social media transformations that often focus on dramatic results while leaving out the medical reality behind them. To better understand what patients need to know, IOL spoke to Professor Chrysis Sofianos, a leading aesthetic surgeon, about what truly happens before, during, and long after these procedures. His message is clear. Surgery is not the shortcut many people believe it to be. These are major surgical procedures, not quick fixes One of the biggest misconceptions is that body contouring surgery offers instant results with minimal effort. In reality, these are major medical procedures that require proper planning, clearance and recovery. “Surgery is not the endpoint. It is the beginning of a recovery journey,” he explains. Patients…

Durban and Johannesburg are facing severe water crises. In Johannesburg, infrastructure collapse has caused nearly 45% of water to be lost before reaching taps. Suburbs like Midrand, Westdene and Parktown have gone from 10 days to over five weeks without water. A recent strike by Johannesburg Water staff slowed repairs further. An Intergovernmental Water War Room now coordinates with Rand Water and national departments to restore supply. In Durban, post-flood damage combined with high temperatures and increased demand has left areas like Springtown and Umhlanga with low pressure or no water. Failing wastewater plants, algae in treatment works and pipeline upgrades have also worsened the situation. Residents are learning to adapt to prolonged outages, including finding ways to cook when taps run dry. Cooking without a steady water supply requires…