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Cape Town News
The trial of ‘Mr X’ reveals the dark and dangerous underworld of Cape Town. Mr X worked as a debt collector for entrepreneur Mark Lifman and his story portrays his journey from an insurance agent to becoming an enforcer in Lifman’s criminal empire, filled with threats and physical violence. The trial focuses on the murder of Brian Weinstein and the power struggles between Lifman’s faction and a rival group, providing a glimpse into the hidden world beneath the city’s glamorous facade. The trial highlights the resilience of justice in the face of danger and lawlessness.
Experience the wonder of a family of Common Hippopotamus living in the heart of Cape Town’s False Bay Nature Reserve. These hippos have been shaping the wetland ecology under the City’s Biodiversity Management team’s vigilant supervision since 1981, and their survival and thriving are a tribute to the relentless work of conservationists. Hippos are native to Africa and face multiple threats, including habitat loss, poaching, humanwildlife conflict, climate change, and uncontrolled trade, making the City’s commitment to preserving this distinct population all the more crucial.
A Significant Milestone: Western Cape High Court Greenlights New Road Construction for Masiphumelele
The Western Cape High Court has approved the construction of a new road connecting Masiphumelele to the wider Noordhoek area, which will provide better access to essential amenities and emergency services, reduce traffic volumes, and counteract flooding risks. The road project, which had been delayed for almost eight years, is expected to bring relief to the community and enhance mobility and selfdetermination. While there were environmental concerns, the City has committed to mitigating any harmful impacts on wetlands and leopard toads, and the project is seen as a beacon of hope for a brighter future.
South Africa has made significant progress in sustainable forest management since the 1996 White Paper on Sustainable Forest Management. The government has shifted its focus to enabling communities to control their forests, promoting community involvement in forestry through the Commercial Forestry Masterplan and transferring 27 plantations throughout the country. Ongoing support is provided to communities by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, ensuring the sustainability of these plantations while empowering local communities. This transfer represents a commitment to sustainability, community empowerment, and justice for future generations.
The South African Reserve Bank has seized over R60 million in assets and cash from Berdine Odendaal, the partner of the late Markus Jooste, who had profited from Jooste’s illacquired wealth. Despite legal battles and appeals, the Reserve Bank forfeited the confiscated assets, illuminating the significant impact of regulatory oversight and ethical business behavior. This serves as a warning to others wielding power, highlighting the significance of ethical behavior in business transactions, and the repercussions that follow breaches of these principles.
South Africa has launched 19 Community Forestry Agreements (CFAs), marking a significant stride towards community empowerment and sustainable forestry practices. The agreements exemplify the government’s pledge to inclusive growth and efforts to deter plantation crimes such as timber theft. The government will provide continued support through a postsettlement support program to guarantee successful community ownership and management of the plantations. The CFAs lay the groundwork for new market opportunities while catering to the sector’s additional fiber requirements and are aligned with the Forestry Sector Masterplan.
The Ancient Olympic Games were more than just sports; they were an epic saga of religious devotion, social integration, and cultural celebration. For over a millennium, these games captivated the Greeks and served as a symbol of democracy and unity. The events were marked by unique traditions such as nudity, oil lathered wrestlers, and a coin toss for the first blow in boxing. Although the games have been dormant for centuries, their legacy lives on through the modern Olympic Games, a global celebration of sportsmanship and physical excellence.
On April 23, 2024, two security contractors were killed while guarding City of Cape Town employees during a sewer pipe repair operation in Philippi, South Africa. The incident has affected City services in parts of Philippi and led to the extension of tactical response and security escort services to all staff and contractors working in the area. The City has launched an antiextortion campaign, including a 24/7 hotline and reward system, calling on residents to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to promote peace and progress in their communities. The City has also spent over R8.5 million on private security escorts due to the increase in attacks on staff during working hours.
A new exhibition in Woodstock, called “Abantu Abasha”, showcases the skills and innovation of 20 upandcoming artists while emphasizing the commercial aspect of the art sector. The exhibition functions as the climax of an inventive capacitybuilding training initiative and offers a platform for networking opportunities. The theme prompts artists to address social issues through their creations and cultivates a community characterized by shared experiences and collective growth. Visits to the exhibition are strictly by appointment only.
Jacques Kallis is not your average cricket star. He not only excelled on the cricket field, but he also made smart financial decisions, making him one of the wealthiest cricketers in the world. His net worth ranges from $25 million to $70 million, and he has invested in properties, businesses, luxury cars, and philanthropic ventures. Kallis is a wellrounded individual who balances his professional and personal life with ease, serving as a source of inspiration for many.
The 2024 Prescient Freedom Paddle is an exciting competition that showcases the best of women’s paddling talent, with reigning champions Michelle Burn and Saskia Hockly facing tough new challengers like Candice Starr and Kira Bester. This event is all about inclusivity and diversity, with a range of different paddlepowered crafts allowed in the race. Expect a thrilling competition and a celebration of the sport’s diversity and inclusivity, as the women take on a 27kilometer ocean race around iconic Robben Island.
Siya Kolisi, the captain of South Africa’s Springboks rugby team, shared a heartwarming video on Instagram that captured a typical weekend at home with his family. The video showcased his wife Rachel and their two children, Nicholas and Keziah, enjoying board games and impromptu dance routines. The Kolisi family’s dedication to charity work and connectedness to their roots adds to the charm of their authentic family dynamic.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is concerned about outdated videos that are being shared on social media, causing panic and mistrust in the institution. The SAPS is urging citizens to verify the accuracy and recency of the information they share to promote responsible sharing that contributes positively to society. Sharing misinformation can cause fear, suspicion, and mistrust towards essential public services, and being a responsible citizen means being mindful of the impact of the information we share.
South Africa’s tourism industry offers boundless opportunities for young minds, according to Minister Patricia de Lille. Speaking to senior students in Mitchells Plain, de Lille outlined the many career paths and training programs available, including bursaries, internships, and youth skills development initiatives. The minister also stressed the importance of government support in nurturing talent and bridging the skills gap in the expanding sector, which encourages creativity and offers global exposure and opportunities for personal growth.
The 2024 Africa’s Travel Indaba is set to showcase the best of the continent’s travel experiences and honor PanAfrican tourism. With over 990 exhibitors from 26 African nations and more than 1,000 buyers from 36 nations, the event is one of the top global travel and tourism trade exhibitions. It plays a vital role in the tourism sector and the wider economy, injecting R1.2 billion into the South African economy and generating or maintaining 2,295 jobs. This year’s theme, “Unlimited Africa,” aims to challenge dated perceptions of Africa and highlight the continent’s growth and boundless potential.
The South African Senior Track and Field Championships in Pietermaritzburg showcased the country’s budding talents and experienced competitors from April 2023, 2024. Key highlights included young phenom Benjamin Richardson outshining Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk in the 200meter final and Bayanda Walaza signifying his potential by finishing second in the men’s 100meter final. Many athletes also qualified for the Paris Olympics, revealing the depth and breadth of talent in South African athletics and signaling a promising future for the sport in the country.
