CapeTalk’s top 10 trending articles of the week
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FILE: A fight broke out on a flight to Bali. Picture: @witchtrain/Instagram screenshot
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1. WATCH: Flight descends into chaos as passengers brawl over reclined seat
A Jetstar Airways flight to Bali descended into chaos when an argument between two passengers escalated into a full-on brawl.
The two men were fighting over a reclined seat.
As their fight escalated, one man climbed over the other seats to try and hit the man he was arguing with.
2. More pain for South Africans who shop at Shein and Temu
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has issued a notice of intention to update all customs concessions, including reduced taxes and simplified clearance processes.
Global online giants like Shein and Temu could be among the hardest hit.
For years, they’ve benefitted from a simplified customs process – originally introduced in 2007 – that allowed companies to import shipments under R500 with a low, flat 20% duty rate.
3. Meet Nicky Jafta who grew a R350 grant into a small farming business with a R20,000 turnover
Nicky Jafta from De Novo in Kraaifontein used the government’s R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant during the Covid pandemic to start a vegetable farming business which has now grown into a flourishing small enterprise.
Jafta received help from the South African Institute for Entrepreneurship (SAIE) where he completed his certificate in Backyard Food Garden Training in 2023.
Jafta explains he initially used the grant money to buy seeds and compost to plant a veggie garden to feed his family. Now he is thriving as a microscale farmer
4. Flamingo Vlei residents evacuated after raw sewage floods homes
Several homes in Flamingo Vlei had to be evacuated due to a crappy situation – raw sewage flooding their homes after a failure at the Table View East Sewer Pump Station.
Tobie van Rhyn, whose home was affected, says that five houses have been 'destroyed' by the deluge, with about 5cm of sewage wreaking havoc.
He expresses frustration, claiming that residents have not received any feedback from the City of Cape Town or their councillors
5. WATCH: Parts of Cape Town flooded
It was a week of heavy rain in the mother city, with several areas experiencing flooding.
Residents took to social media to share pictures of the disastrous state of the roads.
6. SA’s boat builders devastated by tariffs: ‘Some export 100% to the US’ – SABBEX
US President Donald Trump has imposed more than 30% tariffs on South African goods entering the United States.
With a 30% tariff, our locally manufactured boats become drastically less competitive in the US market, threatening contracts, revenue, and future investment.
The US is one of our biggest markets for leisure crafts, with more than 50% of our boats being exported there.
7. 'DA overplayed its hand in the GNU' – Oscar Van Heerden
In the latest stumbling block – the national budget – Van Heerden argues that "the DA overplayed its hand and the party's hypocrisy was exposed."
According to him, this occurred in two ways: first, by negotiating political issues unrelated to the budget and using blackmail tactics against the ANC; and second, by creating the impression that their sole focus was on VAT.
Van Heerden questions why the DA introduced so many unrelated political issues into the debate if the VAT increase was truly the main concern.
8. Two Oceans Marathon organisers apologise to runners who didn't receive a medal
The organisers of the Two Oceans Marathon have apologised to qualifying runners who didn't receive a race-day medal.
Runners took to social media with a range of complaints about the 2025 event, including the lack of adequate water points, limited toilet facilities, and no medals for qualifying runners who finished the race before the cutoff.
Over 30,000 runners participated in the Ultra Marathon and 21-kilometre races this weekend.
9. ‘We’re bringing social housing to the centre of the city’ - Alan Winde, WC Premier
Cape Town is making strides in providing affordable housing.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Infrastructure MEC Tertius Simmers have unveiled the first of three inner-city, mixed-use housing developments.
The housing is well-located and aims to bridge the spatial divides.
10. Future of GNU: 'The ANC is stuck between a rock and a hard place' – analyst
The future of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) is shrouded in uncertainty, and the stakes for the nation's stability have seldom been higher.
Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast told Africa Melane that the ANC finds itself 'stuck between a rock and a hard place'.
If the party distances itself from the DA, he warns there will likely be pushback from market forces.
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