Table of contents for 2025-12-31 in Cape Times

Four men clinging onto their ski-boat at the edge of the Grootdraai Dam spillway were brought to safety in a dramatic rescue operation on Monday. NSRI Witbank and NSRI Gauteng duty crews were activated after 7pm following a request for urgent assistance from police divers reporting four men trapped with their ski-boat hovering at the edge of the Grootdraai Dam spillway in Standerton, Mpumalanga. “It appears that the four men may have experienced motor mechanical failure to their ski-boat and they had drifted to the edge of the dam wall - at the spillway - that threatened to wash them and their boat over the wall in heavy flowing water with an approximately 40-metre drop into the Vaal River,” the NSRI said. NSRI Witbank launched the NSRI rescue craft Harveys…

WHEN I was in primary school, I learned from a TV documentary about Africa that the world's first human heart transplant was performed by South African doctors in Cape Town on December 3, 1967. I also knew from the documentary that several outstanding South African scientists had proudly won the Nobel Prize, covering fields such as physiology, medicine and chemistry. I was deeply impressed by the high level performance of science and technology advancement in South Africa. Supported by a well-established and globally integrated research system, South Africa possesses distinct scientific advantages in fields such as astronomy and space science, medicine and public health, genomics and bioinformatics, mining technology and materials science, renewable energy and climate science, securing its leading position in Africa with the most complete scientific research…

“Strong on the outside, breaking on the inside,” is how Wendy Figlan described the reality that shaped The Beauty and Battle of a Single Mom, a deeply personal book that turns quiet survival into a shared voice. From the opening pages, Figlan writes with honesty about motherhood lived in tension, holding strength and heartbreak at the same time. Her book is not framed as a guide or a lesson but as lived truth, told plainly, for women who rarely see their inner lives reflected with care. The book captures the weight of single motherhood without softening it. Figlan writes from years of carrying her story quietly, raising a child, working and managing emotional wounds that had little space to exist. “For years I carried my story quietly, balancing strength with…

Tanzania and Cameroon elections reveal rising political pressures Autocratic leaders in Africa like their numbers to be in the high 90s, it appears. In October, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan won a highly dubious 98% of the presidential vote, perpetuating the ruling party’s grip on power to 60 years. During the same month, Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who has ruled the country since 1982, secured an unprecedented eighth term in office. It will allow him to serve until he turns 99. In neither case were elections deemed free or fair, and in both cases protests and severe government crackdowns followed. Yet, while the outcome was ultimately the survival of incumbent governments, these elections are quite telling about the changing fortunes of autocracy in Africa. “How Autocrats Compete” showed how Tanzania…

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper this week ordered an urgent review into what she said were “serious information failures” in the case of a British-Egyptian activist who was awarded citizenship despite “abhorrent” past social media posts. Alaa Abdel Fattah this week apologised over the resurfaced posts in which he called for violence against Zionists and police, as opposition lawmakers urged the UK government to revoke his citizenship. The posts, dating back to 2010, came to light just days after Abdel Fattah returned to Britain following years of diplomatic efforts by London to secure his release from detention in Egypt. Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously said he was “delighted” he had been reunited with his loved ones. His office has now said he was unaware of the tweets until after he…

DAKAR: Media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on the junta that seized power in Guinea-Bissau last month for “safeguards for journalistic freedom” in the small west African country. The army in the coup-prone nation seized power on November 26 after ousting outgoing president Umaro Sissoco Embalo in the wake of a presidential vote. The military then suspended the electoral process and announced it was taking control for a period of one year, and this month published a “charter” laying out a legal framework for the transition. But, according to media watchdog RSF, the military leaders have told all media outlets in the country “to co-operate in order to avoid disseminating information and messages inciting violence and civil disobedience, on pain of immediate closure”. “Media executives have said they…

WHEN JP Pietersen came through at senior level at the Sharks in 2006, the backline coach was Ricardo Loubscher, who would guide Pietersen through his long career in Durban. Loubscher, now the backline coach of the Lions, is up against the player he helped mould and who is now in the coaching hot seat at the Sharks. The Lions visit the Sharks on Saturday at 3.30pm, in what will be Pietersen’s third match in charge since taking over from John Plumtree. Loubscher says he is not surprised that the Sharks won their first two matches under his former prodigy. “JP was always a passionate Sharks player, and I am not surprised that since he took over, the Sharks are on the up,” Loubscher smiled. “The body language of the players…

BAFANA Bafana secured a dramatic 3-2 victory against neighbours Zimbabwe on Monday evening, in an electrifying Group B clash at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The outcome propelled Bafana Bafana into the knockout stages, where they will face the second-placed team from Group F. This will be either Cameroon, Ivory Coast, or Mozambique. This five-goal thriller showcased the resilience of the South African side, particularly after a strategic substitution proved to be a game-changer. South African coach Hugo Broos made a pivotal decision at half-time, substituting Yaya Sithole for Bathusi Aubaas. The decision followed a frustrating first half, where Sithole had squandered two promising header opportunities — misses that cost Bafana crucial momentum leading into the second half. With the match tied at 1-1 at the break,…

POLICE have confirmed they have begun tracing the parents and guardians of the children filmed drinking alcohol in a video that has since gone viral on social media. The video, which appears to have been taken during Christmas celebrations, shows young children, some of them under 10 years of age, consuming alcohol in the presence of an adult woman. The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development said the video highlights a disturbing trend that must be addressed with urgency. “Allowing children to consume alcohol undermines their development and exposes them to a myriad of dangers, including addiction, health issues, and potential legal repercussions. It is troubling to witness adults facilitating such behavior, which sets a poor example and normalises dangerous actions,” said social development MEC Bukiwe Fanta. Her department…

POLICE have sounded the alarm following a rise in drink-spiking cases at nightlife hotspots as the festive season draws to a close and New Year celebrations continue across the country. According to SAPS, criminal syndicates are using young women to target men at taverns, nightclubs, concerts and other places of leisure. Several cases have been reported in provinces including Gauteng and the North West, where men who left drinking spots with women they had just met were later robbed and, in some instances, killed. Police say the syndicates operate in organised groups, with young women allegedly sent into nightlife hotspots to identify potential victims while accomplices monitor their movements nearby. Once a target has been selected, the woman approaches the victim and often suggests leaving together to another venue, a…

The Moonlit Maze Zoe Marriott Loot.co.za (R393) Headline Publishing Zoe Marriott has made a career of writing young adult fiction but with The Moonlit Maze, a novel that took her ten years to write, she has successfully branched out into adult fiction, with a magical twist. How many of us have felt that phenomenon of ‘déjà vu’? You’ve been here before, you know that person and yet, they aren’t part of your landscape at all. It’s a different matter when these people and places enter your dreams, become so real that they inhabit your waking hours, push you to explore a ruined house, to try and draw the story from the very earth and wrecked stones that remain, and the local myths that swirl. It’s a maze of secrets that…

While speeding remains a primary cause of road fatalities – highlighted by a driver recently clocked at 245km/h on the N1 – the alarming death toll among pedestrians is an increasingly urgent challenge this festive season. Alcohol is a significant factor in these fatalities. Intoxicated pedestrians are highly vulnerable due to impaired judgement, often leading to jaywalking or walking on dangerous roads at night. Studies indicate that alcohol is implicated in approximately half of all road deaths in South Africa, with pedestrians accounting for a large proportion of these victims. Of the 34 deaths recorded in the Western Cape in a week , 14 were pedestrians, highlighting the continued vulnerability of people walking on our roads during the festive season. Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku points out that: “Far…

US President Donald Trump warned Iran of fresh strikes and said Hamas would have “hell to pay” if it fails to disarm in Gaza, as he presented a united front with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week. Speaking at a news conference with Netanyahu in Florida, Trump threatened to “eradicate” any attempt by Tehran to rebuild its nuclear programme or ballistic missile arsenal following US and Israeli strikes earlier this year. Trump also downplayed reports of tensions with Netanyahu over the second stage of the fragile Gaza ceasefire, saying that Israel had “lived up” to its commitments and that the onus was on Palestinian militant group Hamas. “If they don’t disarm as they agreed to do, then there will be hell to pay for them,” Trump told reporters at…

MOSCOW: Russia accused Ukraine this week of having fired dozens of drones at one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences, an accusation that Ukraine called a “lie” aimed at undermining US-led efforts to end the war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who does not typically announce drone strikes, said Ukraine had fired “91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles” at Putin’s home in the Novgorod region between late Sunday and this week, all of which were shot down. “Given the complete degeneration of the criminal Kyiv regime, which has shifted to a policy of state terrorism, Russia’s negotiating position will be reconsidered,” Lavrov said, without elaborating or providing evidence for Russia’s assertions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called Russia’s claim “a complete fabrication” designed to undermine the peace process, but US President Donald Trump…

SINCE the 2025 AFCON began on December 21, the continental showpiece has delivered its fair share of subplots, incidents, and talking points. As AFCON enters the knockout phase, we examine five key talking points. Free entry initiative AFCON host Morocco adopted an innovative approach to enhance matchday experiences and address low ticket sales. Applicable to fixtures with lower demand, fans were admitted to stadiums free of charge 20 minutes after matches began. In one case, the DR Congo versus Benin crowd doubled from 6 703 to 13 073. The move highlights Morocco’s proactive approach to enhancing the fan experience. It addresses the logistical challenges of hosting large-scale events, positioning the nation as a progressive leader in African football. Zidane snubs France The move took world football by storm after Luca…

THE Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA) has dedicated its victory against the City to every citizen who believes that their traditions were not for sale. “The judiciary has sent a clear message. The City of Cape Town is now compelled to fulfil its constitutional duty. They are required to assist the CTMCA and ensure compliance, shifting the focus away from private developers and back to the people of this city,” the association said in a statement yesterday. The CTMCA hauled the City to the Western Cape High Court challenging its refusal to issue permits for venues to host the Tweede Nuwe Jaar (The Second New Year) and related cultural celebrations. Their application was brought on an urgent basis on Saturday and heard before the Western Cape High Court on…

A Murder in Paris Matthew Blake Harper Collins Memory – it’s a fickle thing. It can be used, abused, warm, comforting, traumatic, repressed, buried or controlled. But what if suddenly a flash of memory returns, is a shocking revelation, seemingly forgotten for 80 years, vividly exhibiting the power of recall. The new novel by Matthew Blake, A Murder in Paris is a finely paced psychological thriller using memory, psychotherapy and secrets carried through generations, in a chilling and tangled story. Ah Paris, city of romance, gracious old buildings, history, intrigue, the arts. A wander through the streets can take you back centuries and Blake teases all these things into his narrative. A famous painting “Memory”, hanging in the lobby of the luxurious hotel Lutetia, broken romances, nefarious individuals, powerful friends,…

The effective planning and delivery of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in South Africa is severely constrained by the lack of reliable data. Intellectual disability is characterised by significant limitations in: • intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem solving) • adaptive behaviour (a range of everyday social and practical skills) which originate before the age of 22. Developmental disabilities are a diverse group of chronic conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behaviour areas. Intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and fetal alcohol syndrome are some of the conditions. South Africa measures disability at population level using the Washington Group Short Set of six functional questions. This ensures international comparability. But it doesn’t adequately capture intellectual and development disabilities. This is because the questions…

China launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter aircraft and navy vessels around Taiwan yesterday for a second day of live-fire drills aimed at simulating a blockade of the self-ruled island’s key ports and assaults on maritime targets. The two-day war games, code-named “Justice Mission 2025”, began Monday and were slammed by Taipei as “highly provocative and reckless”. China claims Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory and has refused to rule out military action to seize the island democracy. Journalists in Pingtan – a Chinese island that is the closest point to Taiwan’s main island – saw a volley of rockets blast into the air yesterday at around 9am, leaving trails of white smoke. At least 10 rockets were launched in quick succession, each sending a booming sound reverberating…

The US hit and destroyed a docking area for alleged Venezuela drug boats, President Donald Trump said this week, in what could amount to the first land strike of the military campaign against trafficking from Latin America. The US leader’s confirmation of the incident comes as he ramps up a pressure campaign against Venezuela’s leftist President Nicolas Maduro, who has accused Trump of seeking regime change. “There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs,” he told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida as he hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “So we hit all the boats and now we hit the area, it’s the implementation area, that’s where they implement. And that is no longer around.” Trump would not say…

SAO PAULO: The metropolitan region of Sao Paulo, the most populated urban area in Brazil, is facing an emergency in its drinking water supply, authorities said this week. According to authorities, the current water crisis is the result of an intense heat wave, a sharp rise in consumption, and a persistent drought that has left reservoirs at critically low levels in the South American area with around 20 million inhabitants. The crisis came amid structural changes in the sanitation sector. In 2024, the Sao Paulo government privatised the Basic Sanitation Company of Sao Paulo State (Sabesp), the largest publicly owned sanitation company in Latin America, which since August has applied overnight cuts to drinking water service. According to a Sao Paulo state government release, data from Sabesp show that water…