Cape Town - Interesting Articles

Looks like a war zone, but no ... 'just' protest action on the N7.


Army deployed in Dunoon after violent protests
https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/army-deployed-in-dunoon-after-violent-protests-33749230
1 October 2019

Cape Town – Protest action on the N7 south-bound at Malibongwe Road and the N7 north-bound at Plattekloof Road in the Dunoon area led to the freeway being closed in both directions on Tuesday between Malibongwe Road and Killarney Avenue.

But at 8am the City's Traffic spokesperson, Richard Coleman, said the N7 had been reopened in both directions, easing the traffic chaos, with the debris having been cleared.

Tyres had been burning in the road and there were also reports of a car having burnt out on the N7. Protesters also placed stones on the road and there were also reports of vehicles being stoned.

The army was subsequently deployed in the Dunoon area on Tuesday morning to help bring the situation under control.

[...]

On Friday, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith had promised an extended crackdown on minibus taxi drivers and operators over protest action in Dunoon.... "Taxi drivers and owners believe that they should not be fined or arrested for offences and that the City should engage them first in discussions about these offences. This is a preposterous proposal."

Edible crockery made in Cape Town
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/edible-crockery-made-in-cape-town
3 Oct. 2019

"A Cape Town factory will be producing an innovative new product to ship over to foreign countries such as Germany, Belgium and Dubai. Called Munch Bowls, these alternatives to the usual styrofoam and plastic plates, are vegan and completely green.

“They taste like Provita,” says inventor Georgia de Kock.

Munch Bowls come in three different sizes – 250ml bowls, 100ml saucers and 30ml canapé containers – and come in plain and sweet flavours. They have a shelf life of at least 15 months and “can hold any foods, including hot soups, for more than five hours, while maintaining their crispness”.

The product is vegan and free of artificial preservatives, flavouring, yeast and genetically-modified products."

Increased direct flights from Cape Town to Hoedspruit
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/increased-direct-flights-from-cape-town-to-hoedspruit
7 Oct. 2019

"[Airlink] has added additional direct flights between Cape Town and Hoedspruit.

Hoedspruit in Limpopo is an incredible destination teeming with wildlife. It truly is a South African bushveld escape.

To help alleviate the demand for flights over the December and January period, Airlink has added the following flights:

Departing Cape Town at 9.45am and arriving in Hoedspruit at 12.55pm. Return flight departing Hoedspruit at 1.05pm arriving in Cape Town at 3.55pm.

24 Dec 2019
26 Dec 2019
27 Dec 2019
28 Dec 2019
29 Dec 2019
30 Dec 2019
31 Dec 2019
2 Jan 2020
3 Jan 2020
4 Jan 2020
6 Jan 2020

Hoedspruit is an easy-access destination for the country’s top private game reserves. It is also in close proximity to Orpen Gate which is an access gate to the formidable Kruger National Park.

Train goes up in flames at Glencairn station
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/train-goes-up-in-flames-at-glencairn-station
7 Oct. 2019



Emergency services were alerted to a train alight at Glencairn station near Simon’s Town this afternoon.

According to Fire and Rescue Services, at present three carriages are alight and they are currently on scene trying to douse the blaze.

At this point it is uncertain whether the fire is due to sabotage or an accident.

The City’s Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that two carriages were severely damaged in the fire and another slightly damaged. They managed to extinguish the fire at 4.06pm with no injuries reported. The scene has since been handed over to PRASA.

It's not on fire - it's just a carriageful of vapers.

UCT brings home World University Rugby Cup
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/uct-brings-home-world-university-rugby-cup
7 Oct. 2019

The University of Cape Town’s Ikey Tigers rugby team have proven themselves yet again emerging victorious as this year’s World University Rugby Cup winners.

UCT’s squad achieved a winning streak, beating the University of British Columbia in Canada (40–0), Bordeaux University in France (52–0) and a combined New Zealand Universities team (33–14) in the group stages.

They brought the cup home with their final win against Bordeaux University with 17-3 at Kamiigusa Stadium, Tokyo. This is the second World University Rugby Cup win for the team. The university’s squad managed to win in 2015, when they beat Trinity College Dublin.

Game of Thrones actor spotted in Cape Town
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/game-of-thrones-actor-spotted-in-cape-town
8 Oct. 2019

"Iain Glen, the actor most famously known for playing Ser Jorah Mormont in popular television series Game of Thrones (GoT), was spotted at the popular Beluga Restuarant last night. It is unknown whether he is here to film a new project, or just enjoying Cape Town’s sights and sounds.

Rumour has it, the actor may be in town to shoot the remake of Black Beauty, expected to be released in 2020. Glen will star alongside Kate Winslet and Mackenzie Foy.

Glen has been spotted in the Mother City before, living here temporarily during the filming of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter in 2015, where he played the film series’ villain Dr Alexander Isaacs/Tyrant."

Cape Town chef awarded Michelin star
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/cape-town-chef-awarded-michelin-star
8 Oct. 2019

"After wowing Somerset West’s residents at Benguela on Main, South Africa’s very own Jean Delport has achieved top honours as a chef in Sussex when his team at Restaurant Interlude was awarded their first Michelin star.

The primarily South African team received the amazing news on Monday, October 7, 2019 when the United Kindom’s Michelin guide’s Twitter announced its latest winners. This honour is a first for the restaurant and chef Jean Delport."

ConCourt rules Stellenbosch University to use English first
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/concourt-rules-stellenbosch-university-to-use-english-first
10 Oct. 2019


The Constitutional Court has ruled that Stellenbosch University’s policy that makes English the institution’s main language is reasonable and must remain in place. During the ruling, the university said it had initially made the move to provide equal access to all its students and promote a multilingual culture.

The language policy has been in place since 2016, but has remained a source of contention at the university as some opine that it is unconstitutional and promotes erasing Afrikaans at the educational establishment.

The case was brought to the Western Cape High Court by the President of the Conviction of the Stellenbosch University and an organisation called Gelyke Kanse (meaning equal chances). The applicants believe that the policy is an infringement on the rights of Afrikaans-speaking students.

How ironic that the group called Gelyke Kanse is fighting against it!

Plastic brick invention to launch in Cape Town
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/plastic-brick-invention-to-launch-in-cape-town
9 Oct. 2019

" new invention created by Donald Thompson, the CEO of The Center of Regenerative Design and Collaboration (CRDC) can turn any plastic (clean or dirty) into sustainable building materials and is looking like a hopeful solution to the dire plastic pollution problem in South Africa – starting with Cape Town...

The EcoArena Pre-Conditioned Resin Aggregate (PRA) and Ecoblock is an innovative environmentally-friendly product which incorporates regenerated waste plastic particles combined with a standard sand-cement mixture to produce a highly resistant, durable cement or cement block.

This cement block has been tested in Costa Rica for the past two years with great success. CRDC is also collaborating with international US chemicals giant Dow to further develop the EcoArena in a bid to develop a lead initiative for the alliance to end plastic waste.

The CRDC’s managing partner Deon Robertse says a pilot plant will launch in Cape Town by November 2019 and a full-scale factory can be expected in the first half of 2020."

What Cape Town’s pink trees represent
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/what-cape-towns-pink-trees-represent
9 Oct. 2019



The Pink Trees for Pauline (PTFP) organisation, in collaboration with The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is adorning Cape Town’s trees with pink ribbons to promote and raise funds for breast cancer awareness during the month of October.

Pink Trees for Pauline, a non-profit organisation launched in 2012, was inspired by founder Carol-Ann van Jaarsveldt’s losses. Carol-Ann lost both her mother and grandmother, both named Pauline, to breast cancer. She was moved to do something that would make a difference, and thus Pink Trees for Pauline was born to raise breast cancer awareness.

nitially, they sold material to the public for R20 a metre and encouraged them to wrap all the trees in Graaf Reinet, where Carol-Ann is from, with the pink fabric. Since then, the movement has grown momentously and reached more parts of the country. In 2017, 100 towns across the country participated, and 80% of the funds were used in aid of improving the quality of life of those living with cancer within the participating towns.

In 2018, they ran their first ‘Doek with a Difference’ campaign in association with CANSA, which has achieved great success. In this campaign, members of the public were encouraged to purchase the pink material or a doek to support cancer awareness.

“Through the success of the 2018 Pink Tree’s campaign, CANSA was able to purchase a variety of medical equipment that our patients need, while receiving treatment and fighting cancer,” says Gerda Strauss, CANSA Head of Service Delivery.


“It is the support of this wonderful campaign that has allowed CANSA to do even more for our patients. We encourage the public to support us again this year with the wrapping of trees or wearing their trendy ‘Doeks’. This is motivation enough to get everyone involved with this cause. The “Doek with a Difference” initiative will run until 31 October 2019. All used material will be recycled by CANSA,” Strauss continues.

To support this important cause, you can purchase a doek/scarf or the material, available in pink or green, for R70 from any CANSA Care Centre country-wide.

Beach weather? Coming soon, Cape Town
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/beach-weather-coming-soon-cape-town
9 Oct. 2019

[Temperatures will rise slowly but surely] "and Wednesday will be the hottest day Capetonians have experienced in a while, bringing the city a high of 27°C and a low of 16°C. Higher temperatures are on the cards for more inland areas."

And I just can't resist posting this gorgeous pic, by PixaBay

Fireworks banned for Cape Town
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/fireworks-banned-for-cape-town
13 Oct. 2019

The City of Cape Town has decided to forego designated sites for fireworks this year, according to an official statement by Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Even though discharging of fireworks is not allowed in terms of the Community Fire Safety By-law, the City has made an exception to accommodate the festivities of Guy Fawkes, Diwali and New Year’s Eve in previous years.

However, a number of factors lead to the City changing course this year, including, the cost associated with running the sites, which include deploying staff and resources, including Law Enforcement, Metro Police, Traffic and the Fire and Rescue Service, and the growing public sentiment opposing the use of fireworks.

Hooked said:

Fireworks banned for Cape Town
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/fireworks-banned-for-cape-town
13 Oct. 2019

The City of Cape Town has decided to forego designated sites for fireworks this year, according to an official statement by Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Even though discharging of fireworks is not allowed in terms of the Community Fire Safety By-law, the City has made an exception to accommodate the festivities of Guy Fawkes, Diwali and New Year’s Eve in previous years.

However, a number of factors lead to the City changing course this year, including, the cost associated with running the sites, which include deploying staff and resources, including Law Enforcement, Metro Police, Traffic and the Fire and Rescue Service, and the growing public sentiment opposing the use of fireworks.

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Last year I watched a full blown firework go straight into the crowd. I'm surprised it took them this long.

New Barnyard Theatre opens in Tyger Valley
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/new-barnyard-theatre-opens-in-tyger-valley
13 Oct. 2019


To celebrate its opening in the Tyger Valley Shopping Centre, The Barnyard Theatre are running a promotion with half price tickets for pensioners, as well as a special discounted price on Sundays.

Currently showing is Smash Hit Radio, an incredible selection of chart topping radio hits from the last 60 years. Get ready for a blast from the past with music by world famous musicians, from Louis Armstrong to Ed Sheeran, Elton John to Lynyrd Skynyrd, and UB40 to Bob Segar. They’re all there!

On Fridays and Saturdays, tickets are R165 per person and on Sundays, R125. Kids under 12 enter free and pensioners get 50% off.

Now showing until October 20. For more info or tickets, visit The Barnyard Theatre.

Play real life Cluedo in Cape Town
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/play-real-life-cluedo-in-cape-town
14 Oct. 2019

"Cape Town will transform into a unique real life game of Cluedo this December thanks to the one-of-a-kind outdoor detective game CluedUpp, coming to the Mother City this festive season.

CluedUpp murder-mysteries unfold virtually via an award-winning app that is entirely self-guided. The special event happening in Cape Town on December 14, 2019 is expected to attract 100 detective teams.

This is the moment all the crime and investigation fans out there have been waiting for. Assume the role of the detective and test your abilities of solving a mystery in real life.

Participants will be transported back to the 1960s streets of London. The game will be called “The Latest Krays” and will challenge “detectives” to solve the case of the double murder of the world famous Kray twins.

CluedUpp Games are an independent British games studio that boasts over 250 000 detectives in more than 25 countries across the world.

Each ticket counts for a team of six adults and children under 16 can play for free. All you need to do is download the app and follow the prompts to the crime scene.

The detective adventure will take place across Cape Town and will begin at 10am and 1pm, ending before 5pm. Currently the game is only available in English.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to unravel the mystery, grab your ticket here.

City backtracks on fireworks designation area
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/city-backtracks-on-firework-designation-are
15 Oct. 2019

Following a statement that there will be no designated areas available for fireworks from now on, the City has released another statement saying that there will, in fact, be a designated area for the upcoming Hindu festival, Diwali.

While many have welcomed the decision to not have the designated sites, individuals within the Hindu community have expressed their dissatisfaction about the impact this will have on Diwali later this month. Hence, in the spirit of respecting this Hindu cultural tradition, the City has, in consultation with interested parties, decided to make available the parking lot at Athlone Stadium on Sunday October 27, 2019, for Diwali celebrations.

While there have for years been calls to ban fireworks outright, the City has clarified that it does not have the power to do so and that a ban as such would only be able to be implemented by national government.

What’s more, is that any person who wishes to use fireworks may apply for a permit to do so.

“Organised fireworks displays can still be applied for, because the City has not imposed a ban on fireworks – we have simply decided not to have designated City sites this year."

Western Cape radioactive hotspots
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/western-cape-radioactive-hotspots
15 Oct. 2019

"A recent report by the National Nuclear Regulator has raised concerns regarding possible hotspot areas that could expose residents to radioactive gases and two of them are in the Western Cape.

When radium or uranium is broken down into soils, rocks or groundwater, it produces a radioactive gas called “radon”. This toxic by-product can make its way to homes in particles carried by the air.

South Africa has had a long history with pollution as a result of mining and it seems the problem is getting worse.

Area such as the Karoo and Paarl have been identified as a threat to locals. In the Karoo, left over mine waste is still affecting the area, with houses built on old stockpiles of uranium ore expected to experience the worst effects of the substance. In Paarl, geological formations are a risk for radon exposure. The natural phenomenon could have negative impacts on human health.

Radon is known to build up in homes when it is unable to disperse. Tiny particles of radon are known to attach themselves to dust particles which can be easily inhaled by humans, breathing in atoms that are decaying and emitting alpha radiation that can cause DNA damage.

oughly 3% to 14% of lung cancer cases have been linked to radon exposure. Radon is thus the second most common cause of lung cancer, after smoking cigarettes. Most cases of lung cancer caused by radon are due to exposure over longer periods to low or moderate concentrations of the toxic by-product....

#ImStaying starts crowd funding for small businesses
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/imstaying-starts-crowd-funding-for-small-businesses
16 Oct. 2019

"The Capetonian man behind the #ImStaying movement and group has announced that the group will be around funding to support local businesses and after the suggestions of its members. [sic]

Since its launch on September 7, 2019, #ImStaying has managed to transform into a hub of positivity and acceptance. Almost 700 000 members have shared their unique South African stories. #IMSTAYING shows no signs of slowing down, with over 18.2 million posts, comments and reactions in the last 28 days...

With the success of the platform, the #IMSTAYING team has decided to broaden their mandate. It is in the process of formalizing an NGO to implement a number of initiatives. These will be aimed at helping to stimulate the economy through SME businesses and job creation...

To raise funds for their various initiatives, #IMSTAYING has partnered with donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy to appeal to South Africans to make a difference.

With the launch of their first project on the 14th of October, #IMSTAYING has already raised a total of R44 027.41 with contributions from 32 donors...

You can support #IMSTAYING on BackaBuddy by donating here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/imstaying

Everyone is so patriotic about staying, but offer them a job overseas and a plane ticket to get there and then let's see the patriotism!

NICD denies listeriosis outbreak
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/nicd-denies-listeriosis-outbreak
17 Oct. 2019

"Despite previous reports that listeriosis had made its way back to the Cape, The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) is cautioning the public not to panic, as these numbers do not indicate a return as the bacterium causes a sporadic number of cases annually.

“The number of cases reported since the official end of the 2017/2018 listeriosis outbreak is well within (and in fact, below) the expected range for sporadic disease,” the NICD said in a statement."

I really enjoy these articles. Thanks for posting them here.

Chickenstrip said:

I really enjoy these articles. Thanks for posting them here.

Click to expand...

My pleasure @Chickenstrip - and thanks for the feedback - much appreciated!

Cape Town from a sidecar
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/cape-town-from-a-sidecar
17 Oct. 2019

"If you’re bored of driving your car or tired of cycling up and down hills, but are an avid sightseer, this might be just the thing for you. Cape Sidecar Adventures make exploring the Cape an especially fun and adventurous activity.

From the get go, the lively bunch of drivers are friendly and helpful, clothing you to look the part (even giving away free neck buffs) and making sure you are comfortable. You get all the coolness of driving a bike without having to actually drive the bike, giving you the feeling of being chauffeured around like back in the old days.

My particular trip started in Sea Point and headed to Cape Point, which is a beautiful route indeed. Passing Clifton and Camps Bay, we drove along Chapman’s Peak Drive and entered the reserve to savour the stunning scenery from a different perspective.

As friendly as all the drivers were, my favourite member of the crew was Brody, the dog. He is well trained, wears his buff and goggles and sits perfectly upright in his own sidecar. With the sun on my face and the wind in my hair, I could easily imagine that I was on holiday.



At Cape Point, we cruised down to the Cape of Good Hope landmark ... At the top, more splendid views awaited us. Climbing up to the iconic lighthouse gives you an almost 360 degree view of the ocean.

Cape Point especially welcomes South African citizens, even offering a lowered entry fee of R76 instead of the whopping R303 international visitors have to cough up.

[My comment: Oh WOW! Now THIS is something that I want to do!!!]