Table of contents for 2026-01-13 in Cape Argus

A new year, a new you? Or maybe not. Unfortunately, New Year's resolutions tend to be doomed from the start, with a 2024 Forbes study citing that the average New Year's resolution lasts only 3.74 months. While many of us tend to make wellness-related commitments at the start of each year, goals related to the health of our finances, particularly insurance, are equally important and may even be easier to achieve than giving up chocolate for a year. Your contract with your short-term insurance company is automatically renewed every year. But a lot can happen in a year. Despite this, people tend to simply allow their contract to ‘tick over’ without scrutinising it to check they’re still adequately covered. This proactive step will protect your assets and may reveal opportunities…

A School Governing Body (SGB)’s decision to keep learners at home during 2020’s Covid-19 pandemic was ruled as correct and just by a ruling of the Labour Court last week when Heathfield High principal Wesley Neumann was vindicated. On Sunday, the Special Action Committee–Education (SAC-E) and the GOOD party held a celebratory session at Oude Molen in Pinelands, attended by his legal team, radio personalities and retired principals. Neumann’s lawyer, advocate Vernon Seymour, revealed claims of corruption and how Neumann had been vindicated. “We then wrote to Brian Schreuder, the then head of department, I said perhaps if you have a full-on briefing on what is happening at Heathfield High School, we might be able to resolve the dispute amicably,” he said. “There was a teacher at Heathfield High who…

THE Bishop Lavis community has been rocked by a brutal murder where a man was stabbed several times in the head and face. Police were called to the crime scene in Sky Road just before 7am yesterday, where the body of the man was found. Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said they were trying to determine the motive behind the attack. Earlier reports on social media circulated that the man had been stoned, but police quickly disputed that information, citing that he had been stabbed several times. “Bishop Lavis police registered a murder case following the discovery of the body of a male on Monday, January 12, at 6.55am on the field in Sky Road, Bishop Lavis,” Van Wyk explained. “He sustained multiple stab wounds to his head and…

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s January 8 statement delivered in the North West at the weekend was unusually candid, bordering on confessional of failures. For the first time in years, the ANC leader openly acknowledged what millions of South Africans have long lived with – that the governing party’s failures in service delivery, governance, economic growth and job creation have alienated communities and hollowed out public trust. Over the past five January 8 statements, Ramaphosa has returned to the same core promises: fixing local government, ending load shedding, restoring water security, creating jobs, fighting corruption and renewing the ANC. Progress has been uneven at best. On electricity, there is a measurable improvement. After years of crisis, Eskom’s operational stability has improved, and private power generation has accelerated. Load shedding, once crippling, has…

Residents of Dunoon are being urged to ensure their children are fully vaccinated following a rise in measles cases in the area, as the Western Cape experiences an increase in vaccine- preventable diseases. The recent measles outbreaks in Dunoon form part of a broader trend across the province and the country, where declining childhood vaccination rates are placing public health at risk, according to a statement by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness. Health authorities warn that reduced immunisation coverage has contributed to outbreaks of measles, rubella and diphtheria, highlighting serious gaps in community immunity. According to the statement, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has intensified its immunisation efforts since October 2024, with a strong focus on protecting young children from serious and potentially life-threatening…

The Stormers’ “desperately disappointing” performance against Harlequins has thrown their Champions Cup campaign into sudden jeopardy, forcing the Cape side into must-win mode for their final pool clash against Leicester Tigers on Saturday in Cape Town. Following their capitulation in London on Sunday, where they were thrashed 61-10 by their hosts, the encounter at the DHL Stadium has become critically important if the Stormers are to secure a home playoff in the Round of 16. There is, of course, a scenario in which the team could be knocked out of the tournament altogether should they lose without picking up any points, while both the Tigers and La Rochelle collect five points from their respective final clashes. However, it is not something the Cape side will think about. While they lost…

There are football clubs in crisis, and then there is Manchester United – a club so committed to chaos that even pressing the reset button somehow involves scrolling backwards. With Ruben Amorim’s tenure now filed neatly under ‘it seemed like a great idea at the time’, the familiar question is being asked at Old Trafford: who next? And more worryingly, who again? Because whenever United wobble, the temptation grows to bring back a “safe pair of hands” – a former manager, a known quantity, a nostalgic comfort blanket – to “steady the ship” on an interim basis. José Mourinho. Ole Gunnar Solskjær, even the whisper of Erik ten Hag’s name will probably re-emerge if someone leaves the lights on too long in Carrington. It would be insanity, however comforting…

A NEW year is here, with the start of the new year offering an ideal opportunity to take stock of your life and make changes. If you want to take your career to a new level, January is an ideal time to plan a job search. It gives you a few weeks to prepare for February, when the recruitment cycle generally starts to pick up. Here are a few tips to get job-ready in 2026: 1. Set your direction for the year If you know you’re ready for a change, the beginning of January is the time to make your plans. Think about your goals and what it will take to achieve them. What roles, industries and companies excite you? Are there any concrete steps you can take to make…

The number of South African titles on the global streaming platform Netflix is growing, and in 2026, viewers will be treated to more local productions. Netflix South Africa has announced several titles that are on the 2026 slate, and they have audiences ready to set their reminders. New to the slate is 180, a gritty thriller anchored by a strong Black male lead. The film stars some of the country’s most respected acting talent, Desmond Dube, Fana Mokoena, Prince Grootboom, Warren Masemola and Bongile Mantsai. The film explores the pressures of everyday South African life through the story of Zak, a reformed gangster whose attempt at a quiet life is shattered by a single, life-altering incident, which puts him on a path of revenge. Dube is no stranger to Netflix…

Takunda Muchweni is flying the flag high for Jan Kriel School in Kuils River, having been recognised as one of the top 42 learners in the country. The release of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results saw some of the country’s top achievers share their stories of resilience and determination. Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube celebrated the Class of 2025 during her annual breakfast event in Fairlands, Johannesburg, yesterday morning. Takunda’s story is testament to the strength of the human spirit, as she navigated her educational journey while overcoming significant obstacles due to her disability, including a recent hospital stay. Her mother, Tamari Muchweni, speaking on the challenges her 18-year-old daughter had to face, revealed that resilience paved the way for Takunda’s academic achievements. “We are really beyond excited,…

ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji says the ANC cannot campaign effectively while it continues to deploy “lazy” councillors, mayors and ministers, warning that communities are frustrated and losing confidence in the party. Speaking at the Peter Mokaba Memorial Lecture on Friday, Malatji said voters and communities were tired of public representatives who failed to deliver services and were disconnected from the people they were meant to lead. He added that citizens wanted visible improvements in their daily lives, which could only come from decisive leadership. Malatji said the ANC’s declining support reflected growing frustration. “Our people do not understand anymore. They have responded. They have given us 40% of their support, and gave 60% to all different political parties that don’t represent the interests of our people,” he said.…

THE Western Cape Mobility Department has launched a pupil transport safety drive ahead of schools reopening tomorrow. With more than 3 500 registered scholar transport operators, and over 6 000 operating licences across the province, the department will be offering free vehicle checks for scholar transport operators from today until January 16. Centres around the province will be open between 8am and 3pm. The checks will be carried out by qualified examiners and will focus on key vehicle safety components, including tyres, brake lights, suspension and wipers. If any defects are found, motorists are encouraged to have them repaired as soon as possible. City of Cape Town chief director of traffic management Maxine Bezuidenhout urged parents and guardians that if they were making use of pupil transport services that…

On Christmas Day, my mom, Maureen Cloete, aged 76, left to visit her sister in Delft with a driver and two children, 11 and 11 months old. While on the R300, their tyre burst, and they were left stranded. Thankfully, help arrived immediately. Regional Inspector Nicky Heynes, along with officers Rageema Van Der Schyff, Chad Papier, and Lincoln Faulmann from the Philippi escort unit, came to their rescue. I am so grateful that my mom and the children were safe and unharmed. In a place where you often hear frightening stories about the R300, I just want to say thank you to these constables. They are truly our modern-day superheroes. We are so glad for their swift response and want to make sure their bravery is recognised. Law Enforcement Officer…

Sunrisers Eastern Cape coach Adrian Birrell has stressed that his team remains steadfast on finishing in the top two after the Betway SA20 group stages. The two-times champions currently top the table with 19 points with three matches remaining – Paarl Royals have four – but stumbled against Durban’s Super Giants in a thriller at St George’s Park on Sunday. The victory would have ensured qualification for the playoffs and entrenched their position at the summit, but now they have allowed the chasing park to close in with just four points separating first and fourth. The two sides finishing first and second after the group stages are assured of a place in Qualifier 1 at Kingsmead on Wednesday,mJanuary 21 with a possible straight entry to the final at Newlands. “It…

FEW FIGURES in South African football have been as visible, as debated and as misunderstood as Bobby Motaung. For over three decades, his presence at Kaizer Chiefs has symbolised authority to some, nepotism to others, and continuity to those who understand the inner workings of the club. ‘Bobsteak’ has been praised, vilified, caricatured and scrutinised – often without context. Yet when the son of Amakhosi boss Kaizer Motaung speaks of his role, the language he uses is not that of power, but of service. “We are custodians,” he says. “We are serving.” That he does not say ‘I’ but rather ‘we’ goes smack against the general notion he is a spoilt son of the boss who sees the club as a “family business” in which his word holds sway. That…

The Africa Cup of Nations has reached the semi-final stage and a tournament devoid of shocks now offers up two mouthwatering ties with hosts Morocco looking to see off the challenges of their fellow continental heavyweights. Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, Victor Osimhen’s Nigeria and Sadio Mane’s Senegal all remain in contention to win the trophy in Rabat next Sunday, even if home advantage still makes Morocco favourites. World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, Morocco are Africa’s top-ranked team and approach tomorrow’s semi-final against Nigeria in the capital defending an unbeaten record since losing to South Africa at the last AFCON. Walid Regragui’s side have conceded just one goal in five matches in the ongoing tournament and doubts about their ability to handle the enormous pressure of playing at home were blown away…

The new year is here, and many will be looking to improve their finances, but the real question is, where do you start? The first step is simple: know where you stand. When it comes to financial planning, knowledge is power, and understanding your current financial position is the foundation for a better 2026. 1. Start with a financial check-up Just as you would review your health, you need to review your finances. This is not a DIY exercise. Book a meeting with a financial advisor to assess your current plan and whether it is still correct and adequate. A proper review will help you build a realistic budget and prioritise your spending between necessities, nice-to-haves, and contributions to your future. A good benchmark is to allocate 50% to 60%…

Teyana Taylor’s star has never shone brighter. Over the past year, the multi‑talented entertainer has marked one of the most remarkable seasons of her career, earning major nominations, landing high‑profile acting roles, and reestablishing her voice in music. From commanding the big screen to delivering critically acclaimed performances on television and in film, Taylor is proving that her creative evolution is in full swing. The multi-hyphenate star has become a stand-out of the current awards season thanks to her performance in One Battle After Another. Her role in the film has earned her a Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actress, marking a breakthrough moment in her acting career. The film’s cast has also received recognition during the awards circuit, further cementing Taylor’s place among Hollywood’s rising acting talents. Her…

FESTIVE-season policing in the Western Cape delivered significant seizures of illegal firearms, drugs and counterfeit goods, but Police Oversight and Community safety MEC Anroux Marais said the gains would mean little without stronger, sustained action this year. In December, one of the largest drug busts was made, an estimated street value of R3.6 million were seized in George. From early December last year, intelligence-driven operations targeting known gangs and criminal networks led to the seizure of more than 80 illegal firearms and ammunition of various calibres. Officers attached to the Western Cape Government’s Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) confiscated at least 15 additional firearms during the same period, with numerous arrests for illegal possession. “Each illegal firearm taken out of circulation represents at least one potential life saved,” Marais said,…

Power utility Eskom says South Africa has entered 2026 with its most stable and reliable electricity system in five years. The utility, which has in the past faced widespread criticism over persistent load-shedding, said it has added 4 400 megawatts of capacity, improved maintenance across its coal fleet, and reduced emergency outages through its multi-year Generation Recovery Plan. Last week, Eskom reported that the country had gone 238 consecutive days without load-shedding. As of today, that streak has grown to 241 days. “The results of Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan that commenced in April 2023 have enabled South Africa to return from the holiday break to a structurally stronger system entering 2026 than in five years, with an additional 4 400MW of capacity available compared to this time last year" Eskom…

An international wildlife organisation has sounded the alarm over the City of Cape Town’s plan to capture two free-ranging chacma baboon troops from the Cape Peninsula and confine them inside a one-hectare enclosure, warning the move could lead to stress, violence and animal deaths. Animal Survival International (ASI), which operates in more than 10 countries with a focus on Africa, says the proposal raises serious animal welfare and environmental concerns and may have begun before all required legal and environmental processes were completed. ASI campaign director Luke Barritt said demanded urgent reconsideration. The organisation warned that Cape Peninsula baboons are socially complex wild animals that depend on large areas of mountainous and fynbos habitat. ASI said the proposal would place two separate baboon troops into the same enclosure. ASI…

Scientists at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) have developed a low-cost, highly sensitive, rapid screening test that could significantly improve the early detection of cancer, tuberculosis, and long Covid-19 - all considered as major public health challenges in South Africa. Developed at UWC’s SensorLab, the new rapid electrochemical sensor promises faster and more affordable screening, offering hope for earlier diagnosis, improved patient outcomes, and reduced pressure on the country’s already strained healthcare system. In the latest study published in the international journal Bioelectrochemistry, researchers from UWC and the University of Ghent in Belgium report that the device can detect even hidden Covid-19 infections by identifying extremely small amounts of the virus’s spike protein in blood samples. The sensor was able to pick up concentrations as low as 0.04…

Every few years, when South Africa is struggling and the national mood is raw, the same idea resurfaces in the Western Cape dressed up in new language, polished by social media, and sold as “democratic self-determination.” Today it is called Cape Exit. Yesterday it had other names. The substance, however, has not changed. Let us say this plainly and without euphemism: this debate is not new, it is not progressive, and it does not represent the people of the Western Cape. It is an old politics of withdrawal repackaged for a new generation and Capetonians have consistently rejected it. CAPEXIT and its supporters speak loudly, but democracy is not measured by decibels. It is measured by numbers, mandates, and consent. Here are the facts: • In the most recent national…

Marques Ackerman has opened the batting in two matches for Durban’s Super Giants this season, and on both occasions, he’s walked out with cricketing royalty. In the first instance, Ackerman was partnered with New Zealand legend Kane Williamson, and the opening pair got the Super Giants off to a flyer with 39 runs being struck within the first four overs. The left-hander was the aggressor in the partnership with 27 runs off just 17 balls. “Yeah, very special walking out with him. I had a few dot balls and I mean, just his calmness and stuff in reiterating what good options are was really helpful,” Ackerman said of Williamson. At St George’s Park on Sunday, he had a new partner in Proteas T20I and Super Giants captain Aiden Markram. But…