Cape Town - Interesting Articles

Rare Blue Moon on the rise this October
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/blue-moon-on-the-rise-for-halloween
23 Sept. 2020

"The month of ghosts and ghouls just got even spookier. This year, a Blue Moon will light up the night sky on October 31 for the first time in decades.

There are two different definitions of a Blue Moon. Mostly, it refers to the third full moon in a season that has four full moons. This is known as a seasonal Blue Moon, and has nothing to do with the moon actually being blue, but more because it is quite rare.

It is also understood as the second Full Moon in a month with two Full Moons. There are typically 408 seasonal Blue Moons and 456 monthly Blue Moons, which means that it occurs roughly every two to three years although a seasonal Blue Moon is less frequent that a monthly Blue Moon.

What makes this phenomenon even more special is the fact that it will be visible to the entire world, not just parts of it, for the first time since World War II in 1944.

According to Time and Date, the moon should be visible in Cape Town from 4.49pm. Simply walk out your door and it will be shining in the sky. Mark your calendars!
 
CT dad who lost his job makes motorists smile with witty placards
https://www.all4women.co.za/2111325...job-makes-motorists-smile-with-funny-placards
8 Oct. 2020

Let's do lunch.jpg
Lusindiso Malgas (Image source: Instagram @sign_diso)

"Using witty placards, a Cape Town dad brought some cheer to people at traffic lights in the vicinity of Table View
Lusisindo Malgas and his signs are a familiar sight at the traffic lights along the R27, which passes through Dolphin Beach, Table View and Sunningdale.

“Need petrol 4 my Porsche”, “Let’s do lunch, u buy” and “Will cut Malema’s hair for R20” are on some of the signs he holds.

Malgas’s upbeat demeanour is also infectious, despite the fact that he lost his job as a packer and misses his children, who had to be sent to their grandmother in the Eastern Cape.

When he realised he would have to beg for money, he decided to add a sprinkle of humour to an otherwise bleak situation.

How will I survive?
“When I lost my job, I was like what am I going to do? How am I going to survive? All I know is how to make people laugh and how to talk to people. I had no choice but to work and put food on the table,” he told BackaBuddy.

Many people sleep at one of the intersections he stands at, and some play chess to pass the time or walk through traffic to ask for spare change.

A BackaBuddy campaign to help Malgas, with a fundraising goal of R250 000 for a house in Khayelitsha, was set up with the help of Brendan Cottle who was moved by Malgas’s story.

Cottle explained that Malgas would like to buy a house for himself and his children. He wants to move out of Du Noon because it is not safe there, and relocate to Khayelitsha.

He also hopes to transfer his placard wit to a T-shirt range.

Watch a Quest Films video of Malgas’s story or donate to the fund for his house here.

 
Cape Town festive lights switch-on cancelled
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/cape-town-festive-lights-switch-on-cancelled
18 Oct. 2020

"The City of Cape Town has taken the decision to cancel the annual Festive Lights Switch-on Event for 2020. The iconic free, open air concert draws a crowd of approximately 100 000 people annually and sets the tone for Cape Town’s festive season.

“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the extension of the National Disaster Management Act restrictions on the number of people allowed at public gatherings, it was important to pause the event for the safety of all those who would be involved in the concert,” said Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith..."
 
Water restrictions lifted in Cape Town from November
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/water-restrictions-lifted-in-cape-town-from-november
20 Oct. 2020

"After months of residents calling for an end to water restrictions following the dams reaching full capacity, the City has officially decided to lift restrictions and lower tariffs from November 1.

The decision was reached on Tuesday, October 20 when the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee (Mayco) unanimously supported the City’s decision to lift water restrictions in Cape Town and to move to the lowest tariff, being the no restriction, water-wise tariff...

What residents need to know about water tariffs:

– City water costs on average 4c per litre in comparison to R10 per litre for shop-bought bottled water
– Based on the first 10 500 litres of water used + 15mm meter the average bill will be R411,99 on the no restriction, water-wise tariff. This is compared to R785,38 under the Level 6B tariff at the peak of the drought.

What residents need to know about the no restriction, water-wise restriction level:

– The water restrictions are lifted under this level but permanent regulations as outlined in the Water By-law still apply, regardless of the restriction level as Cape Town is situated in a water-scarce region

– For more information about the no restrictions ‘water-wise’ restriction level and the permanent regulations that still apply, please visit: http://www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater or http://resource.capetown.gov.za/doc... summary table - Comparison of all levels.pdf

More information about the City’s Water Strategy can be found here: http://www.capetown.gov.za/general/cape-town-water-strategy
 
Hyatt to take over Hilton hotel in Cape Town
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/hyatt-to-open-cape-town-hotel-2020-10
21 Oct. 2020

“The American hotel giant Hyatt will open its first establishment in Cape Town – in the same location abandoned by another US behemoth, Hilton.

In July, the American hotel group Hilton announced that it would stop operating the Hilton Cape Town City Centre hotel in Buitengracht Street, after nine years. It gave up its operating contract and handed the property over to its owner, Millat Properties.

Millat announced on Wednesday that it has entered into an agreement with Hyatt. The hotel group will manage the 137-room property, which will be known as Hyatt Regency Cape Town. Millat has committed to “extensively refurbish” the hotel before it will reopen in December 2020.”
 
3.5-magnitude earthquake felt throughout Cape Town
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/3-5-magnitude-earthquake-felt-throughout-the-cape-town/
17 Nov. 2020

Residents of the Cape were awakened by a rumbling at around 12.25am on Tuesday [November 17], and it was confirmed shortly after that a 3.5-magnitude Earthquake shook the city.

According to the Earthquake Event Page, the quake hit 41km south of Saldanha, at a depth of 5km. Residents from Paarl, all the way to Tokai and Hout Bay said they felt the shake for at least 10 seconds.

[My comment: Who felt this? It woke me up but I thought it was the Navy doing night training again and I just went back to sleep. However my brother, who lives just a few kilometres from me, said his house was shaking. This is the second earthquake within a few months. This one occured in my region (Yzerfontein to Saldanha is about 43km). ]
 
3.5-magnitude earthquake felt throughout Cape Town
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/3-5-magnitude-earthquake-felt-throughout-the-cape-town/
17 Nov. 2020

Residents of the Cape were awakened by a rumbling at around 12.25am on Tuesday [November 17], and it was confirmed shortly after that a 3.5-magnitude Earthquake shook the city.

According to the Earthquake Event Page, the quake hit 41km south of Saldanha, at a depth of 5km. Residents from Paarl, all the way to Tokai and Hout Bay said they felt the shake for at least 10 seconds.

[My comment: Who felt this? It woke me up but I thought it was the Navy doing night training again and I just went back to sleep. However my brother, who lives just a few kilometres from me, said his house was shaking. This is the second earthquake within a few months. This one occured in my region (Yzerfontein to Saldanha is about 43km). ]
My pool cleaner woke me up when turning on at three in the morning. This earthquake that reportedly shook Cape Town must have preferred staying out of Brackenfell.

Regards
 
Groot Constantia Sauvignon Blanc named best in world
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/groot-constantia-sauvignon-blanc-named-best-in-world
1 Dec. 2020

... "Groot Constantia’s 2019 Sauvignon Blanc won the prestigious International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy at the 2020 International Wine Challenge (IWC).

The prestigious competition selects the best wines from around the world. Wines are judged based on their vintage, region and faithfulness to style, according to Groot Constantia. Each winning wine is sampled on three separate occasions by a panel of at least 10 judges, comprised of leading international wine experts.

The entrants to the international awards have to qualify by winning a Gold medal at the IWC. These gold medalists then go head-to-head in a final round of tasting by the judges. From there, trophy winners are chosen...

This year is the first time in 10 years that the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc hasn’t been awarded to either the Loire in France or New Zealand."
 
South Africa’s first Green School to open in Cape Winelands
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/south-africas-first-green-school-to-open-in-cape-winelands
24 Nov. 2020

"Green School, a Bali-based environmental school, will open its first South African location in the Western Cape in 2021.

Green School offers a new model of education, focused on the natural environment, engagement with the local community and hands-on experience.

Founded by John Hardy, it was first established in Bali in 2008 and centres on sustainability through the learning environment, curriculum and co-curricular activities. It has since opened locations in New Zealand and Mexico.

“Green School is a special place that has, over the last decade, proven that a new model of education is not only possible, but essential,” reads their website.

“It has taught us that a wall-less environment opens minds in ways no concrete box ever will; that true understanding only comes from hands-on experience instead of remote learning; that an authentic engagement with the local culture and community is incredibly enriching; and shown us time and time again that humanity’s progress starts from a child’s curiosity.”

South Africans Alba and Herman Brandt sent their three daughters to the Bali school, and were so impressed by the standard of education that they decided to establish Green School South Africa. Experienced educator Andy Wood will head the South African branch.

The school is currently being built in the Cape Winelands, and will be powered by its own solar-generated electricity. The campus is situated on eight hectares of land overlooking the mountains between Paarl and Franschhoek, where indigenous and vegetable gardens, orchards and grain fields will serve as outdoor extensions of the classrooms.

Water for the school will be extracted from the river and the borehole will be replenished by rainwater. The carbon and water neutral school will produce more energy than it consumes.

It will open in January 2021, and caters to pre-school students as well as grades 1-8."
 
V&A Waterfront launches new drive-in cinema experience
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/va-waterfront-launches-new-drive-in-cinema-experience
24 Nov. 2020

"Ster-Kinekor is pleased to bring back the drive-in option to offer families a great outdoor movie experience from the comfort of your vehicle. The first Ster-Kinekor drive-in experience, in partnership with V&A Waterfront will kick off on Friday, November 27 at 7pm with the screening of new release Jiu Jitsu.

“We’ve got some of the greatest movies that’ll be lighting up the night-sky (and daytime too, coz that’s how we roll) at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. The drive-in cinema will consist of a state- of-the-art LED outdoor movie screen, which will allow us the best picture resolution for the day and night screenings; simply use your car radio to tune into the FM radio frequency and voila, you’re set to go!” the cinema said in a statement.

The ticket price will be a flat rate of R250 per car for new releases and R220 per car for older films, limited to private passenger vehicles only and one passenger per seat. An addition of just R100 will include snacks of popcorn and sodas delivered in sealed bags for health and safety purposes.

“Your snacks can be pre-purchased online with your ticket and will be ready for collection at the venue,” Ster-Kinekor said. “The first screening takes place from Friday, November 27 at 7pm, and additional screenings are scheduled on Saturdays at 3pm and 7pm, Sundays at 2pm and 6pm as well as Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm throughout the festive season.”

There are movies for everyone – kids and family films include Scoob, The Incredibles, Toy Story and the new release 100% Wolf.

“For others who like some action we’ve got Avengers: Infinity War and Jiu Jitsu starring Nicolas Cage and Frank Grillo – a new action Sci-Fi movie about an ancient order of expert jiujitsu fighters who face vicious alien invaders in a battle for Earth every six years,” Ster-Kinekor said.

Details on the movie line-ups will be posted on www.sterkinekor.com.

For more information visit www.sterkinekor.com or sterkinekor.mobi.

For all queries, call Customer Care on 0861-Movies (668 437)
 
Ten Cape beaches awarded Blue flag status
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/ten-cape-beaches-awarded-blue-flag-status
30 Nov. 2020

"The Mother City boasts beautiful beaches wherever you turn, and ten of them have just been honoured for their excellence. Ten Cape beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), thanks to their internationally accredited standards and facilities.

Following a national audit of beaches submitted for assessment by each local municipality, WESSA used 33 criteria to determine if each beach meets the level of service excellence required for Blue Flag recognition.

Each beach is measured in four categories: Environmental Education and Awareness, Water Quality, Environmental Management, and Safety Services. The individual criteria allow for an in-depth analysis of a variety of areas of competence, which include:

– Universal access (for the disabled, elderly and mothers with young children)
– Control of domestic animals (such as dogs on beaches)
– Availability of interpretive signage
– Effective waste management

The following City beaches have qualified to fly the Blue Flag this season:
– Bikini Beach
– Camp’s Bay
– Clifton fourth beach
– Fish Hoek
– Llandudno
– Melkbosstrand
– Mnandi
– Muizenberg
– Strandfontein
– Silwerstroom
In addition to the 10 beaches that received Blue Flag status, the City of Cape Town received a special 10-year award recognition for Silwerstroom’s strand.

The Blue Flag Season will run from December 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021 for Bikini Beach, Clifton Fourth beach, Fish Hoek, Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Mnandi and Silwerstroom.

Camps Bay, Muizenberg and Strandfontein will have an extended season until March 31, 2021. The Blue Flag applicable times at all of these beaches is from 10am to 6pm daily..."
 
https://www.capetownmagazine.com/solar-eclipse

"If you’re in Cape Town on 14 December 2020, you’ll be able to observe a partial solar eclipse for the first time since 2017. While we’ll only be able to see a partial solar eclipse, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Pucón, Chile. The event where the moon lines up perfectly between Earth and the sun, referred to as “totality”, will last for approximately 126 seconds and will be available to the world via live stream.

WHAT TIME IS THE 2020 SOLAR ECLIPSE IN CAPE TOWN?
The partial solar eclipse in Cape Town will last for one hour and one minute starting at 6:51pm. The visible partial eclipse will reach its peak at 7:43pm creating a crescent shape out of the sun. It will end 10 minutes later at 7:53pm when the sun sets in its partially eclipsed state.

WHERE TO WATCH THE PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE IN CAPE TOWN?
Since the solar eclipse will be happening during the later part of the evening, we suggest heading to your favourite sunset spot to really take it in. You can hike Lion’s Head or Kloof Corner Ridge, drive up Signal Hill, or grab your swimming costume and picnic blanket, and head out to Camps Bay and Bloubergstrand beaches for a seaside viewing experience.

IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS FOR SOLAR ECLIPSES
Never look directly at the sun without adequate protection, even during a partial eclipse. It will do permanent damage to your eyes. Please make sure that you get your hands on a pair of ISO-certified eclipse glasses so that you can safely watch the event."
 
South African paraplegic athlete completes 8km Robben Island swim
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-to...egic-athlete-completes-8km-robben-island-swim
21Dec. 2020


"Alwyn Uys has just become the first paraplegic athlete to conquer the grueling 8km Robben Island to Blouberg ocean crossing.

On December 11, Uys bravely made the 8km journey through the choppy seas, after a tough 12 weeks of training. He set off at about 6am, and was accompanied by his trainer Keith Jansen in a support boat. Jansen was on hand to monitor and feed Uys every 30 minutes. He completed the trip in three hours and three minutes.

“In the ocean, you are at the mercy of all the elements,” Uys told the Daily Maverick. “I thought I’d be okay, but there was a strong current and I had to fight against [it] the whole time,” said Uys.

At about the 5km mark, the current was its strongest and Uys felt as if he was standing still, forcing him to work even harder. Uys also struggled to retain body heat, meaning the risk of hypothermia was high in the 16° waters.

Uys grew very demoralised throughout the swim, but pushed through to complete the tough journey.
Back in 2014, Uys (36) narrowly escaped death after being involved in a motor vehicle accident that left him paralysed from the waist down. While this could be enough to deter anyone, Uys decided to make the most of his accident and push to become even stronger despite his disability.

“I remember waking up next to the side of the road, everything was blurry but I could make out a figure standing over me telling me to lay still. I tried to get up, but there was just nothing, no movement from the chest down. Just a fiery pain throughout my body, as I got crushed by my car rolling over me,” Uys told Good Things Guy.

“Maybe, just maybe, everything of my past was preparing me for this life I am living now, disabled yes, but only physically. I realised that to fully embrace this new life and everything that it held for me, I had to let go of my past, of what happened to me and leap into the unknown of this new life, and what a life it has proven to be.”

Uys is no stranger to being a trailblazer. In June 2019, he became the first paraplegic South African to complete a half Ironman and in June 2020 he became the first male para-athlete in the world to do the virtual Comrades in a racing wheelchair.

While many other people with disabilities have completed the Robben Island to Blouberg swim, Uys is the first paraplegic to do so.

Up next, Uys will focus on completing the full Ironman in 2021.

Uys’ upcoming documentary “Against All Odds” captures his intense training and Robben Island swim. The documentary is expected to be released in late 2021."

Uys.jpg

 
‘Only in Melkbos’ car video leaves many confused
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/only-in-melkbos-car-video-leaves-many-confused
19 Dec. 2020

Melkbos.jpeg

"In the most bizarre video shared on a few Facebook Cape Town groups and Twitter on Friday, December 18 – a driver is videoed trying to get a Zippy Smart Car up a flight of stairs. The incident allegedly unfolded in Melkbos, but there are few details to find out more about what exactly transpired, and why the driver was so persistent in the quest to get the car up the stairs.

A woman holds on to the gate, casually talking on her cellphone, with no regard to what is happening right next to her. In a picture also shared on the comments section in one of the posts, you can see a man posing with what looks like the very same car in the video. This time he is smiling about his accomplishment.

Melkbos 2.jpeg

 
Cape Town International Jazz Festival postponed to 2022
https://www.capetownetc.com/entertainment/cape-town-international-jazz-festival-postponed-to-2022
31 Dec. 2020

"The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has been postponed to 2022 because of the second wave of COVID-19 infections.

“We were optimistic that we would be able to host the festival again in 2021. Sadly, we find ourselves in the midst of a dreaded second wave of Covid-19 infections, the impact of which, by all accounts, will be felt deep into 2021. It is for this reason that we have decided to postpone the festival to 2022,” said CTIJF Festival Director, Billy Domingo to IOL, in the wake of the postponement..."
 
Western Cape confirms 35 cases of mysterious child illness
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/western-cape-confirms-35-cases-of-mysterious-child-illness/
14 Dec. 2020

"A mysterious child illness called multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been reported across the Western Cape. According to the provincial Health Department, there have been 35 confirmed cases since June.

MIS-C in children is a condition that causes inflammation in different parts of the body like the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

When it first began emerging in late April/early May, MISC-C or IMS-TS was initially compared to Kawasaki-disease and toxic-shock syndrome. However, studies have revealed it is a new, distinct illness of its own.

In May, the CDC officially announced that MIS-C and COVID-19 are linked.

While accurate numbers for private centres and other state hospitals are not readily available, Chris Scott, an associate professor at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and Paediatric Rheumatology’s head of division confirms that Tygerberg Hospital is facing roughly 35 cases. The cases range in severity.

The CDC warns that MISC-C can be serious and even deadly in children, but most who are diagnosed will recover with medical care. Symptoms to look out for in your child include:

– persistent fever
– irritability or sluggishness
– severe abdominal pain
– diarrhoea
– vomiting
– rash
– red or pink eyes
– enlarged lymph node gland on one side of the neck
– red cracked lips or red tongue
– swollen hands and feet

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Faculty of Health Sciences have joined forces with other paediatric specialists to gather and analyse data to help understand the illness better."
 
This apartment on Clifton could be yours for R170 million
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/insider-the-r170-million-clifton-apartment-2021-1
10 Jan. 2021

Clifton.JPG

[Pics of interior on above site]

"At an asking price of R170 million this is now the most expensive home listed in South Africa, say estate agents RE/MAX Living: a two-level apartment in a building nestled into the side of a cliff above a Clifton beach.

It comes with five bedrooms, as long as you are willing to sacrifice the gym, parking for seven cars, direct access to the beach, and security shutters that will seal it up at the touch of a button.

If that sounds good, just keep in mind that it will cost you some R90,000 per month, after the purchase price, to pay for the building levy and the rates and taxes on your seaside home.

The apartment is the Eventide building, completed by design firm SAOTA in 2009..."


 
LISTEN | First recording of South African killer whale 'singing'
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/t...africa-from-a-chatty-male-in-false-bay-2021-1
27 Jan. 2021

"The sounds of a "chatty" killer whale have been recorded in South Africa for the first time, off Fish Hoek in False Bay on Tuesday.

The sounds were captured by researchers Tess Gridley and Simon Elwen from Sea Search, a non-profit based in Muizenberg that focuses on research and conservation of marine mammals along the coasts of South Africa and Namibia. The pair were tipped off by local whale watchers.



 
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