Mark Davids, a Senior Superintendent in Cape Town’s Fleet Management Department, was honored for his three decades of public service at the Corporate Services Directorate of Cape Town’s city administration. Davids has climbed the ranks since starting over 35 years ago as a minor plant operator and is now responsible for mentoring and training the latest generation of mechanical plant operators. He attributes his success to hard work, dedication, adaptability, and openness to feedback, and aims to pass on his knowledge and skills to junior staff.
The story of St Lucia’s Unyielding Vigor is one of tragedy and heroism. A local teenager was lost to the sea, but a 14yearold boy was saved by a brave hero. Rescue teams and police divers worked tirelessly to find the missing teenager, while a separate incident saw a man lost to the waves in Struisbaai North. Amidst the grief, the St Lucia community showed their resilience and solidarity, reminding us that the strength of humanity can triumph over even life’s most tumultuous currents.
James Blunt is set to tour South Africa in 2024 to promote his latest album “Who We Used To Be.” The tour will begin in Cape Town on September 12 and continue in Pretoria on September 14. Fans can purchase tickets starting from December 1, 2023, on Ticketmaster.co.za, and Blunt’s new album sees him teaming up with gifted producers to enhance his musical style. The Grammynominated artist is known for his soulstirring lyrics and unique vocal quality and is excited to get back on tour and share his new tracks with his fans.
The upcoming AC Milan vs. Borussia Dortmund match in the Champions League is set to be an exciting encounter, with veteran striker Olivier Giroud playing a crucial role for Milan. With his eight goals this season, Giroud has proven to be an integral part of Milan’s attacking strategy. Milan’s dependence on Giroud was highlighted in their recent game against Fiorentina, where their makeshift attacking line struggled without him. Meanwhile, Dortmund’s defensive resilience in Europe has been a cornerstone of their campaign, with this match being an opportunity for them to solidify their standing.
James Blunt, the acclaimed artist, is set to make a highly awaited comeback to South Africa after nearly a decade. He is known for his unique vocal quality and modern, melodious soft rock music and will be promoting his latest album “Who We Used To Be” during his global tour in 2024. Fans eagerly anticipate his performance at the Grand Arena, GrandWest, on Thursday, 12 September 2024, in what is expected to be a night brimming with melodic soft rock tunes.
The Manyane Game Lodge project has financial issues due to inadequate monitoring and evaluation, escalating irregular expenditure, and unaccountedfor assets. The project’s budget has surged to an alarming R71 million, and an extra R24 million is needed to complete the project. The Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism, in collaboration with the Department of Public Works, has pledged to resolve the problems and deliver a thorough report to the committee. The ongoing probe highlights the critical need for accountability, transparency, and sound financial management in public ventures.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, a titan in the hiphop industry, is facing allegations from a woman who claims he leaked explicit photos of her after an incident in 1991. This is not the first time allegations have been made against the mogul, and it is starting to undermine his career, with Macy’s withdrawing support for his clothing line. The music industry is on the brink of a similar reckoning to that of the film industry following the Weinstein scandal, with the allegations against Diddy casting an unsettling shadow over his empire.
Late in November, a disheartening event occurred under the observation of the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH). Three nurses from the Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital were suspended due to allegations of subpar patient care. This incident has accentuated the importance of upholding the principles of healthcare, patient empathy, and serviceoriented nursing in South Africa.
The South African legal system is witnessing a remarkable bond of empathy and solidarity between June Steenkamp, the mother of deceased Reeva Steenkamp, and Rob Matthews, who lost his daughter to a violent crime. Despite facing injustice, the families are resolute in their quest for justice, with Matthews fighting to prevent the release of his daughter’s killer, and Steenkamp refraining from opposing Pistorius’s parole hearing. This unique kinship forged from shared tragedy underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the necessity of robust victim representation in the justice system.
The K9 unit in Mossel Bay is a new addition to the Western Cape Government’s K9 units, which aims to fight crime and illegal activities in the province. Composed of expertly trained Belgian Malinois dogs and their handlers, the Mossel Bay unit has already made significant progress in ensuring the safety of the area. Collaborative efforts between the K9 units, Rural Safety Units, and the South African Police Service have resulted in multiple arrests and seizures of illegal substances and wildlife. The unwavering commitment of the units and community support is key to a safer Western Cape.
Tennis legend Roger Federer and renowned opera singer Andrea Bocelli shared a night of mutual admiration and emotion in Zurich’s music auditorium. Bocelli dedicated his final moments on stage to Federer, praising his precision, achievements, and class. The evening ended with a heartfelt embrace, leaving an everlasting impact on everyone who witnessed it.
Deon Fourie, a Springbok rugby player, went on a journey from his hometown to France to diversify his rugby experience after unsuccessful attempts to join the national team. His time in France changed him as a player, and he returned to South Africa in 2021 to wrap up his career. He unexpectedly received a national team callup in July 2022, which shows his perseverance and dedication to the game. His journey is a story of aspiration, adjustment, and ultimate victory, inspiring athletes to dare to dream, remain resolute, and ultimately, triumph.
Jobs Connect, Cape Town’s employment initiative, has been recognized by Tamil Business Warriors for its use of technology to connect job seekers with employers. The digital platform offers a userfriendly solution for job hunting, including creating a digital CV and customized job searches, and has already registered and assessed almost 100,000 individuals. Jobs Connect also helps businesses manage recruitment while focusing on regular operations. The platform’s success stories and partnerships with training facilities demonstrate its effectiveness in aiding job seekers and connecting businesses with potential candidates.
Forest Whitaker’s nonprofit organization, the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), has built a stateoftheart basketball court in Athlone, Cape Town to promote social development and enhance the quality of life for residents. The court will host 20 junior teams and provide free services such as computer training, mental health support, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, business skills, and entrepreneurship. This project stands as a symbol of community, opportunity, and hope, a beacon for youth development, and a triumph for Athlone and its surrounding regions.
The Hawks held a press conference to showcase their accomplishments in fighting crime during the second quarter of the 2023/2024 fiscal year. The event was a display of the organization’s commitment to transparency and accountability, as they provided insights into National Priority Offences, highprofile cases, and victories achieved by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. The conference highlighted the importance of media in promoting public awareness and partnerships, and the Hawks’ dedication to working collectively to tackle crime.
Jaroslav Silhavy, the coach of the Czech national football team since 2018, has announced his resignation. Despite leading the team to the quarterfinals of Euro 2020 and securing a spot in Euro 2024, Silhavy faced criticism for erratic performance and a recent scandal involving several players. His future had been uncertain since a defeat in October, and the nightclub incident proved to be the tipping point. Silhavy plans to support the team as a spectator during Euro 2024.