CapeTalk top 10: These are the articles you loved the most this week
From tips for conquering the Cape Town Cycle Tour, to the loss of beloved actress Crystal-Donna Roberts... these were your top stories.
FILE: McLaren supercar crashes at speed along High-Level Road in Sea Point/Fresnaye. Picture: @_ArriveAlive/X screenshot
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1. WATCH: Reckless driving case opened after ‘despicable’ McLaren crash - Sea Point Ward Councillor
On Saturday (1 March) morning, Sea Point was buzzing after scenes from a "dramatic" high-speed car crash, reports Kiewit.
A McLaren 570S coupe, valued at around R3 million, was speeding along High Level Road in the Sea Point, Fresnaye residential area.
Nicola Jowell, Sea Point's Ward Councillor has spoken to the South African Police Service (SAPS) about the incident, and a case of reckless driving has been opened with investigations to follow.
2. Cape Town ‘one step closer to commuter rail oversight’ - GroundUp
An amended Service Level Plan between the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and the City of Cape Town was signed off on 21 February.
This means the City can finally take steps towards playing a management role in commuter rail in Cape Town.
The plan has been years in the making and aims to make commuter rail a more efficient and effective means of public transport.
3. National Minimum Wage: 'Many employers choose to ignore it' - Cosatu
As of 1 March 2025, South Africa's new minimum wage is R28,79 per hour.
Employers are legally required to pay their workers this minimum amount and are prohibited from compensating employees below the National Minimum Wage.
The government states this measure aims to protect vulnerable workers from unreasonably low wages by establishing a baseline across most sectors.
"We see many employers just choosing to ignore the minimum wage completely," says Matthew Parks, Cosatu’s Parliamentary Coordinator.
4. SASSA confirms grant payment dates for March 2025
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed grant payment dates for March 2025.
- Older Persons Grant – 4 March
- Disability Grants – 5 March and 6 March for
- Children's Grant – 6 March
5. Rachel Kolisi quits as Kolisi Foundation CEO
The Kolisi Foundation was founded by Siya and Rachel Kolisi in March 2020 with a vision to change narratives of inequality in South Africa.
After her split from Springboks caption Siya Kolisi, it seems that Rachel is hanging up her hat as the foundation's CEO.
Rachel’s departure from the foundation was shared on social media by Justice Desk, an anti-gender-based violence (GBV) non-governmental organisation (NGO) on Friday, 28 February.
6. 11 tips to make it through Cape Town Cycle Tour like a champ on Sunday
The Cape Town Cycle Tour is more than just a race – it’s a celebration of endurance, passion, and cycling culture and it all takes place on Sunday, 9 March.
Liezel van der Westhuizen and Cape Town Cycle Tour legacy riders share their top tips for the race:
- If you're using a single-speed bike with just one gear allowing you to use the same gear and cadence in any terrain, be aware of your pace throughout the race.
- Ensure your bike is in top condition before the race.
- Hydrate and fuel - hydrate accordingly a day before the race and eat small energy-boosting snacks throughout the race.
- Pace yourself so you're able to master Chapman's Peak and Suikerbossie.
- Practice climbing and descending with your bike safely.
- Dress for the weather.
Know your route: know where the route ends and begins and plan your parking accordingly - it's recommended to park your car at the end of the race and cycle to the start as a warm-up to the race. - Recovery is vital - eat a nutritional meal after the race, stretch those legs the day after the race to keep them moving - just lying down might not be a great idea.
- Cryo By Coco offers two free sessions in their icy cryo chamber. Each session involves putting yourself in an ice chamber for three minutes which helps aid muscle relaxation, anti-inflammatory and more.
- Enjoy the ride and get involved in the gees and vibes of the day.
7. Trump orders permanent end to USAID funded HIV projects in SA: 'It'll have a long-lasting impact'– Bhekisisa
Last week, US president Donald Trump ordered the immediate shutdown of USAID-funded projects being run by HIV organisations in South Africa, as their grants were permanently terminated.
Mia Malan, Editor-in-Chief of Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism says that Trump's decision will have a 'long-lasting impact', regardless of any potential private sector intervention.
Even if the private sector steps in, it will not be able to provide a full grant to replace the vast amount of funding needed for these programmes, she says.
8. Nightmare N2 commute: 'We don't need a high-speed train, just the reliable service PRASA is working on'
While the distance between Somerset West and Cape Town is just 58 kms, the drive can be a time-consuming nightmare during rush hour on the N2.
Imagine cutting your possibly hours-long commute to the Cape Town CBD to 50 minutes with a reliable rail service, or even just 20 minutes with the introduction of a high-speed train.
Professor Jan Havenga from the Department of Logistics at Stellenbosch University says that the most important factor is for the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA) to get the Metrorail service back to doing what it is supposed to do.
9. SA actress Crystal-Donna Roberts (40) has passed away
Beloved actress Crystal-Donna Roberts has passed away at the age of 40.
Roberts was known for her role in the 2017 film ‘Krotoa’, which won her a South African Film and Television Award for best actress.
She also stared in ‘Arendsvlei’, ‘Swartwater’ and ‘7de Laan’.
10. R&B legend Angie Stone (63) dies in car crash
Angela Laverne Brown, popularly known as Angie Stone, has passed away at the age of 63.
Reports indicate that the R&B icon and neo-soul pioneer died in a car accident on Saturday.
Stone had a remarkable career in music, earning Grammy nominations, collaborating with music legends, and taking on notable acting roles.
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