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Law enforcement commended for major abalone bust

Location: News

Law enforcement commended for major abalone bust

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has welcomed the confiscation of over 250 kilograms of abalone in the City of Cape Town.

The City of Cape Town’s Special Operations Unit, Law Enforcement, and the Internal Investigations Unit, successfully intercepted a major poaching operation on Thursday.

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the entire team who contributed in any way to the successful operation in Hout Bay.  Thanks to their swift and coordinated efforts, supported by the cutting-edge capabilities of the City’s Eye in the Sky, they managed to successfully stop the  abalone poaching operation. 

“The integration of technology with on-the-ground responses allowed them to track and apprehend suspects in real-time, leading to the confiscation of abalone, a valuable resource that would have otherwise been stolen from our natural environment. This bust represents the kind of proactive, intelligent policing that is crucial in the fight against poaching and other forms of organised crime,” the Minister said on Friday.

George said the arrest of a 22-year-old suspect, who is now in custody at Hout Bay Police Station, highlights government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the city’s natural resources and ensuring the safety and well-being of communities.

“We are also grateful to the officers who, despite facing unwarranted hostility from some members of the community, remained focused on their mission. Such acts of bravery and professionalism exemplify the standard of service we expect from our law enforcement teams.

“This operation, though successful, serves as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by illegal poaching in our coastal region. I hope this success will deter others from engaging in the illegal exploitation of our resources and will encourage all Cape Town residents to stand together in support of law enforcement efforts aimed at protecting their city,” George said. -SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Fri, 01/17/2025 - 11:11

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Cape Derby’s Big Hitter

Location: Sport

Rising star Lhuan-dre Pretorius is fast making himself an instant Betway SA20 hero, scoring a second blazing half-century Rising star Lhuan-dre Pretorius is fast making himself an instant Betway SA20 hero, scoring a second blazing half-century in Paarl Royals’ Cape derby win over neighbours MI Cape Town at Boland Park on Wednesday evening. Pretorius smashed …

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KG Doing KG Things

Location: Sport

Kagiso Rabada’s masterclass inspired MI Cape Town to derby victory over rivals Paarl Royals at Newlands. The sun was gloriously setting over the awe-inspiring Table Mountain. A sold-out Newlands was painted in blue and gold. The expectation was palpable in the air. Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada to share the new ball against Joe Root …

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Top matriculant Rayyan Ebrahim humbled by his achievement

Location: News

Top matriculant Rayyan Ebrahim humbled by his achievement

Top academic achiever in the country, 19-year-old Rayyan Ebrahim, from Pinelands High School in the Western Cape, has expressed overwhelming pride and gratitude for being able to bag that honour.  

Brimming with excitement, Ebrahim was announced as the overall top achiever by Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, during the official release of the NSC results on Monday evening.

Ebrahim's stellar academic performance includes nine distinctions and an impressive aggregate of 97.57%. He achieved 99% in Further Studies Mathematics (Standard), 100% in Physical Science, 97% in Mathematics, Computer Applications Technology (CAT), and Afrikaans, as well as 98% in Accounting.

Pinelands High School celebrated Ebrahim’s accomplishments in a Facebook post, highlighting that he placed in the Top 1% of candidates for Further Studies Mathematics (FSM) Standard (Calculus and Algebra) in South Africa which is “a phenomenal achievement!” 

The school said Further Studies Mathematics (FSM) is a rigorous academic subject administered by the IEB as part of the new IEB International Secondary Certificate and is certified separately from the NSC qualification.

He also obtained 95% A* in Further Studies Mathematics (Extended), Further Studies, 86% A in Mathematics – Matrices and Graph Theory and 99% A* in Further Studies: Mathematics Standard (Calculus & Algebra). 

Speaking to SAnews, the top student described the moment his name was announced as surreal.

He said that when his name was announced he felt like he just didn't register what was happening, however he focused on going up to the stage in disbelief.  

“I just felt so overwhelmed, and I was really in disbelief regarding the announcement of being the top achiever in the country. But yeah, I am just so humbled by the achievement, and so grateful to be recognised for my hard work,” he said. 

Reflecting on his matric journey, Ebrahim admitted it was a challenging year, marked by high expectations and moments of self-doubt. 

“My matric year was quite a tumultuous one. It was overwhelming at times and I tended to put a lot of pressure on myself to do well, and so I just had to constantly affirm myself that, you know, my best was good enough.

“I constantly just did my best and relied a lot on the support from my family and my friends who always wished me well and affirmed that I could do well,” he said. 

Ebrahim explained that his study routine involved waking up early in the mornings to study, which is when he was the most productive. He also made use of online resources, like study guides, YouTube videos, for those concepts that he was struggling to understand. 

“I also used to tutor my friends as well, in Maths during holidays. And we'd work through past papers together, and we would just brainstorm ideas and try to teach other new ways of approaching the problem,” he said. 

Looking ahead, Ebrahim plans to study Data Science at the University of Cape Town. He is drawn to the interdisciplinary nature of the field, which combines mathematics, programming, and statistics to extract insights from data.

He said that he chose the course because of his love for Maths and the fact that it is relevant to the needs of the country. 

“I'm so excited about getting into a dynamic career field that is so relevant to the needs of South Africa. My love for Mathematics and its relevance to the country’s future inspired my choice,” he explained. 

Advising the matric class of 2025, the student emphasised consistent effort and a balanced life for success.

“Matric is a very challenging year. It's very long and busy, but if you just work consistently throughout the year, and you stay on top of your work, and by the time you reach your final exam, you will be more than well prepared. 

“I think it's important to live a balanced life while you're studying. So, there is always time to make for your family, or exercising and enjoy your matric year, while also getting the marks that you want,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM
Wed, 01/15/2025 - 15:24

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De Lange Is New SAREO Chairperson

Location: Sport

The South African Rugby Employers Organisation (SAREO) elected Ettienne de Lange of the Valke as their new chairperson at their annual meeting held in Cape Town last month. De Lange, who has been involved in the Valke’s structures for 25 years, takes over from SWD’s Veda Manie, who held the position for the last two …

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Reinach to Boost DHL Stormers

Location: Sport

Double World Cup winning Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach will boost the DHL Stormers squad when he joins the fold ahead of the 2025/26 season. The experienced Reinach, who has 39 Springbok caps to his name, will make his return to South Africa at the end of the current season having played in England and France …

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Scam Alert Targeting Aspiring Traffic Officers

Location: News

The Western Cape Mobility Department is aware of fraudulent activities involving individuals being scammed into paying fees to attend the provincial Gene Louw Traffic Training College. Unscrupulous scammers, operating via social media, falsely claim to represent the college and request payments of R150 for registration forms and a further R3,000 for enrolment. In late 2024 …

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Smiles From Newlands Faithful.

Location: Sport

Player of the Match Kagiso Rabada starred as Cape Town M1 outfit record their second win to send the Newlands faithful home with smiles on their faces. MI Cape Town returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 33-run victory over neighbours Paarl Royals in the first instalment of the Betway SA20 Cape derby at Newlands. …

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Determination pays off for top achievers

Location: News

Determination pays off for top achievers

Despite coming from a financially poor background, without parental support, matric learner Thobeka Langa has proven that determination and hard work can change your outcomes.

Aged 17, Thobeka from Rustenburg, North West, was among the country's 2024 matric top achievers, who were honoured by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube during a Ministerial Breakfast held in Randburg, Johannesburg, on Monday.

The 39 top achievers were honoured ahead of the announcement of the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results, which takes place later today.

Speaking to SAnews on the sidelines of the event, Thobeka admitted that she was not expecting to be among the top achievers, especially after a challenging Physics exam.

“It has been a really rough journey, and after writing that Physics Paper, I really thought that all my chances of coming here were shattered, but God had other plans,” said an elated Thobeka.

Thobeka, who is a social grant beneficiary, will be studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Pretoria. She said her dream is to be among those who make an impact in the world. 

She emphasised the importance of education as a means of opening up doors to a brighter future.

“As SASSA [South African Social Security Agency] grant beneficiaries, we are often undermined. Having grown up without both parents, I really thought that I would not become anything, but here I am now.

“This is confirmation, clarification, fulfilment, and coming to an end of a marathon. After completing my studies, I will be a qualified engineer, probably specialising somewhere. Maybe I will still be in South Africa or abroad. Who knows?” an optimistic Thobeka said.

Another top achiever, Nqubeko Bekwa from Emzamweni High School in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, said he could not believe that he was among the top students.

The 19-year-old, who will be pursuing his Actuarial Science studies at the University of Cape Town, maintained that in life, there are no miracles, but “one must push hard, have a vision and be disciplined” in order to see positive results.

“You must work hard, even though you feel tired and sleepy. I could not sleep at night because I wanted to be here, and once you change your mind set, everything just happens without any struggle,” Bekwa said.

According to the Department of Social Development, out of 882 336 registered learners who sat for the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, 697 502 are social grant beneficiaries, representing 79% of registered learners.

“Out of this number, 1 068 of the learners were children who were in conflict with the law during their schooling years,” the department said in a statement.

Gwarube and Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule will announce the NSC results for the class of 2024 in Johannesburg at 6pm. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Mon, 01/13/2025 - 13:29

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Free vehicle inspections for Western Cape scholar transport operators

Location: News

Free vehicle inspections for Western Cape scholar transport operators

With schools across the country due to reopen, the Western Cape Mobility Department is offering free vehicle safety inspections for all scholar transport operators in Cape Town and Beaufort West.

“As schools across the Western Cape prepare to reopen on 15 January 2025, the provincial Mobility Department is once again offering free vehicle safety inspections for all scholar transport operators in Cape Town and Beaufort West. The initiative is part of the department’s ongoing commitment to ensuring safe and reliable transportation for learners,” it said in a statement.

The inspections will take place on 13 and 14 January 2025 at the Gene Louw Traffic Training College in Brackenfell, Cape Town, and at the Beaufort West Vehicle Testing Centre.

“These free inspections will focus on key safety components, including: tyres; brakes; lights; suspension; CV joints; electrical systems; exhaust systems; wipers; [and] licence discs etc,” said the department.

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said the initiative is a vital step in preventing accidents and breakdowns.

“Ensuring the safety of our children begins with the vehicles that transport them every day. This initiative is a vital step in preventing accidents and breakdowns by addressing potential safety risks before learners return to the classroom. We urge all operators to take advantage of these free checks and join us in prioritising safety on our roads. Let’s work together to build a culture of care and accountability in scholar transport,” said the MEC.

The inspections will take place between 8:30 and 3pm over the course of the two days.

Operators unable to attend the inspections at Gene Louw can contact the Department via the Gene Louw Traffic College, on  021 983 1500 or Jacqueline.Tweedie@westerncape.gov.za and arrangements will be made for an inspector to assess vehicles at a convenient date, time and location.

Scholar transport operators outside of Cape Town and Beaufort West may use the same contact details to enquire about the availability of similar services in their area.

The provincial department added that the initiative is not a full roadworthy test, but a vehicle inspection to test the fitness of vehicles.

“By participating in this free inspection, operators are contributing to safer roads and a safer journey for learners,” it said.

For further inquiries or to schedule an alternative inspection location, operators can please contact the department on 021 983 1500. -SAnews.gov.za

Neo
Sun, 01/12/2025 - 11:59

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Free Vehicle Inspections

Location: News

As schools across the Western Cape prepare to reopen on 15 January 2025, the provincial Mobility Department is once again offering free vehicle safety inspections for all scholar transport operators in Cape Town and Beaufort West. The initiative is part of the department’s ongoing commitment to ensuring safe and reliable transportation for learners. The inspections …

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50 Looms for Schickerling

Location: Sport

Lock JD Schickerling will become the latest player to reach 50 caps for the DHL Stormers in the Investec Champions Cup clash with the Sale Sharks at DHL Stadium on Saturday. The imposing second row forward will join the likes of captain Salmaan Moerat, fullback Warrick Gelant, hookers Joseph Dweba and Andre-Hugo Venter and loose …

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Mayor mourns five-year-old killed in Manenberg gang shooting

Location: News

Mayor mourns five-year-old killed in Manenberg gang shooting

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the city mourns five-year-old Ameer Abrahams, who was shot and killed during a gang-related shooting in Manenberg, while on the way to a local tuckshop with his father on Monday. 

“The city is today in mourning, together with the Abrahams family, following the passing of five-year-old Ameer. We feel the extreme pain as parents ourselves, and we stand with the family in demanding justice for this young life lost in such horrific circumstances,” Hill-Lewis said in a statement on Thursday. 

Two other women reportedly sustained injuries in the same shooting.

Hill-Lewis has commended the swift action of the police, which led to the arrest of three suspects.

The Mayor said the city continues to offer its full support in the pursuit of justice for these shootings.

Member of Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security,  JP Smith said the city would continue to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) and its Safety and Security Investigation Unit (SSIU) has passed on information received from Manenberg residents. 

“The city stands ready to assist SAPS whenever requested for investigations into gang, gun, and drug crime through our investments in safety technologies, such as gunshot detection in the Manenberg area and others, CCTV, Automatic Number Plate Recognition, and eye-in-the-sky aerial surveillance,” Smith said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Thu, 01/09/2025 - 12:30

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Strand: Teenager Deceased

Location: News

At 14h30, Wednesday, 8 January, CoCT (City of Cape Town) Strand lifeguards initiated a search for a teenager reported missing at the beach in Strand – between Topaz apartments and the Strand Pump Station. As a precaution NSRI Gordons Bay and the CoCT water rescue network was activated. NSRI Gordons Bay rescue swimmers responded while …

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Call for social cohesion to end gender-based violence

Location: News

Call for social cohesion to end gender-based violence

The Minister in The Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has reiterated her call for social cohesion to end gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Chikunga’s call comes after another brutal murder of a woman by her boyfriend.

Aged 25, Shana Balie’s lifeless body was found in her boyfriend’s home in Wallacedene in Kraaifontein, Cape Town, on 26 December 2024. 

Her family last saw her on Christmas Day.

It is alleged that Balie was beaten to death by her boyfriend, Jonathan Gewindt. Her lifeless body was found by the police buried in the backyard, where her boyfriend was renting.

Gewindt has since confessed to the killing and is expected to appear in Blue Downs Magistrate Court on Thursday.

Chikunga has strongly condemned Balie’s brutal murder.

Chikunga said the persistence of GBVF reflects deeply ingrained societal norms and structures that perpetuate male dominance, and reinforce misogyny, gender hierarchies and power imbalances within families and communities.

“This leads to female subordination and systemic inequalities that lead to violence against women and girls.”

The Minister maintained that addressing cultural and legal dimensions, is essential for fostering a just and equitable society in which gender norms do not perpetuate violence and inequality.

"We must act decisively to address not only the immediate instances of GBVF but also the structural, cultural, and systemic factors that perpetuate violence against women and girls. Our efforts must be centred on empowering women and fostering a society free from all forms of gender-based violence,” she said.

Despite the government's policy commitment to end GBVF, Chikunga said South Africa continues to experience the scourge and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) which stems from GBVF.

“The persistently high rates of GBVF victimisation and perpetration, despite existing legislative frameworks and policies, suggest the need for a comprehensive approach that does not only address the immediate instances of violence, but also includes a focus on women and girls to tackle the underlying structural and systemic factors that trap them in these circumstances,” Chikunga said.

The Minister is expected to visit the Balie family home on Thursday, to reaffirm her commitment to ensuring justice is served for the victim, and to provide further reassurance to the grieving family. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 01/09/2025 - 11:47

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