Friday, 13th of February, 2026
Today’s Headlines
- Is the army returning to cape flats after SONA?
- Woodstock pizza beats Rome and New York on world list!
- Community demands answers after Manenberg police shooting.
- The red and yellow heroes keeping Clifton beaches safe.
- Cape Town spurs open 2026 academy registrations.
- Jazz, bubbles and valentine’s romance take over Bree Street.
- Partly cloudy skies and strong swell expected tomorrow.
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Army deployment talk returns to the cape flats after state of the nation address.
Talk of soldiers supporting police in the Western Cape returned to the national agenda after President Cyril Ramaphosa raised gang violence in the cape flats during the state of the nation address in Cape Town. The President said he has instructed the minister of police and the south african national defence force to develop a tactical plan for possible deployments in the Western Cape and Gauteng, aimed at tackling gang violence and illegal mining. He did not announce a confirmed deployment date, but signalled that planning is under way.
The political reaction was immediate and divided. Some government of national unity partners welcomed the move in principle, arguing that communities living with daily shootings need urgent reinforcement and a more integrated law enforcement response. Others questioned whether another “task team” style approach will translate into real safety on the ground, pointing to past interventions that did not deliver lasting change. Opposition voices also argued that weak local governance and long-running failures in policing capacity remain core problems that soldiers alone cannot solve.
Alongside crime, the President also escalated another national crisis with direct implications for Western Cape agriculture. He classified the foot and mouth disease outbreak as a national disaster, describing serious economic damage through export bans, trade restrictions and herd devastation. Government plans include vaccinating a national herd of 14 million cattle, requiring 28 million vaccines over the next 12 months, with central procurement of vaccines and a task team reporting monthly to the President.
For the Western Cape, these announcements land in a province balancing two pressures at once, community safety in gang-affected areas and the protection of rural livelihoods tied to farming and exports. The political test now shifts from speeches to action, whether the tactical plan becomes visible “boots on the ground,” and whether the disaster response contains the livestock outbreak quickly enough to protect jobs and markets.
Source: Daily Maverick – Nonkululeko Njilo, Suné Payne and Victoria O’Regan; Daily Maverick – Cyril Ramaphosa
Woodstock pizza lands on a global best list and puts cape town back in the spotlight.
Cape Town’s food scene has scored another international nod after Pizza Connection in Woodstock was named on time out’s list of the 18 best pizzas in the world for 2026. The local pizzeria ranked at number 11 and is the only Cape Town entry on the global roundup, placing it among cities with deep pizza traditions and fiercely competitive restaurant cultures.
The pizza singled out by editors is “the capetonian,” a wood-fired creation using san marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, pancetta, red onion and avocado, finished with extra virgin olive oil. The mix reflects a familiar Cape Town pattern, respecting classic techniques while leaning into a local twist that feels bold without becoming gimmicky.
Time out’s write-up highlighted that the base is central to the restaurant’s reputation. The dough is made with organic, chemical-free imported flour and natural yeast, then developed through a multi-stage 48-hour fermentation process. That slow method aims to deliver a napoli-style crust described as airy and blistered, with the option of a crunchier roma-style base for customers who prefer a firmer bite.
For Woodstock, the recognition is also a neighbourhood story. A local favourite has become a global talking point, reinforcing how Cape Town’s smaller culinary hubs are increasingly competing on an international stage, not only through ambience and branding, but through technical process, consistency and craft.
Source: Cape {town} etc – Tauhira Ajam
Manenberg family demands answers after fatal shooting linked to alleged police violence.
Anger and grief have gripped Sea Rose Street in Manenberg after a police shooting left one woman dead and multiple residents injured, according to family members and community witnesses. The deceased, Shanell Thiro, was allegedly shot in the leg and later died in hospital, with relatives describing her as a breadwinner and a mother whose death has shattered the household.
Witnesses claim the incident began when officers approached a group who were sitting outside socialising. Residents allege the situation escalated rapidly, with claims that some people were assaulted before gunfire broke out, leaving several victims wounded. Family members say they tried to engage officers during the incident, but the confrontation ended in chaos and injuries, including to the deceased’s father, who reportedly sustained a gunshot wound.
Residents say the shooting has deepened fear in a community already shaped by gang violence, where policing is often described as uneven, either absent from high-risk zones or overly aggressive when it arrives. Several community members have called for an independent investigation, arguing that accountability and clear documentation are essential when lethal force is used in residential areas.
Police spokesperson Captain Ian Bennett stated that police had no record of a murder or police shooting in the area and urged residents to ensure the incident is formally reported. Community leaders say they will continue to push for clarity, full case documentation and oversight, while the family mourns and demands justice.
Source: Athlone News – Phiri Cawe
Clifton’s red and yellow lifeguards clock thousands of hours to keep beaches safe.
Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club volunteers put in 2,052 hours on duty across Clifton beaches during the busiest holiday stretch, when tens of thousands of beachgoers arrived for peak summer conditions. The season included long patrol shifts, medical call-outs and constant water surveillance, driven largely by young volunteers who train throughout the year.
Over the past three months, the team treated 30 medical incidents and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation twice. In one case on 4 January 2026, a young boy was pulled unconscious from the shorebreak at Clifton 4th Beach and revived within minutes after coordinated CPR on the sand. In another incident, an elderly woman collapsed on the beach stairs, with lifeguards beginning CPR and using an automated external defibrillator before emergency services arrived, restoring her pulse before she was transported.
The club emphasises that the “quiet work” often matters most, preventative actions that stop emergencies before they happen. That includes warning swimmers away from rip currents, discouraging dangerous rock jumps and monitoring inexperienced children near the shorebreak. These interventions rarely make headlines, but they reduce drownings and serious injuries on some of the city’s most crowded beaches.
As Cape Town moves into the latter part of summer, the message from lifeguards remains practical, swim between the flags, listen to instructions and treat the ocean with respect. The red and yellow suits are visible on the sand, but the real protection is the training and vigilance behind them.
Source: GoodThingsGuy – Savanna Douglas
Cape Town Spurs open 2026 academy registrations under new development model.
Cape Town Spurs have opened registrations for the 2026 academy season and say the programme will now operate under a high performance development centre structure. The club describes the change as a long-term investment in youth development, aimed at maintaining elite coaching standards while strengthening the pathway from junior football into professional opportunities.
The academy is positioning itself as a structured development environment focused on technical skill, tactical understanding and broader learner support. Registrations include the first touch programme for boys and girls aged 6 and 7, which introduces core football fundamentals in a controlled and age-appropriate setting designed to build confidence and love for the game early.
The club also argues that youth academies play a wider role in the Western Cape, providing routine, discipline and opportunity for children who may not have access to stable sporting environments. When structured correctly, development programmes can support community outcomes as much as sporting success, especially when linked to education and mentorship.
Cape Town Spurs say their model is designed to be self-sustaining, with resources reinvested back into the programme. With families looking for credible development systems, the registration drive is likely to attract strong interest ahead of the new season.
Source: Cape Town Spurs F.C. – Staff Reporter
Jazz, bubbles and valentine’s romance take over bree street at the blue room.
Cape Town’s valentine’s day calendar includes a late afternoon and evening option on Bree Street, where the blue room is hosting a combined dinner and live music experience. The venue’s speakeasy-style lounge setting is positioned as a more intimate alternative for couples looking to avoid larger, crowded restaurant floors on one of the busiest nights of the year.
The line-up includes live jazz by kimtjie and friends, with guests able to attend for the show or book a pre-show dinner from the grub and vine kitchen upstairs. The dinner package includes a complimentary glass of bubbles and a three-course meal, building a full evening around music, food and a relaxed city atmosphere.
The event runs from 6pm to 10pm on 14 February 2026. With limited seating, it is expected to book out quickly, especially among couples looking for a central-city date night that feels curated rather than rushed. For visitors and locals alike, Bree Street’s location makes it easy to extend the evening into the surrounding restaurants and late-night venues.
For Cape Town’s hospitality sector, valentine’s weekend is also a key trade period, and events like this reflect how venues are packaging experiences, not only meals. Live music, controlled seating and set menus help create a predictable, premium night out, while still keeping the tone warm and personal.
Source: InsideGuide – Staff Reporter
Financial Markets:
Partly cloudy skies, no rain, and a powerful swell for Saturday.
Saturday, 14 February 2026 is forecast to be partly cloudy throughout the day in Cape Town, with a high of 22° and a low of 17°. Paarl will be warmer at 27° with a low of 14°, while Stellenbosch is expected to reach 22° and drop to 12°. Rain probability is 0%, with humidity at 70%, indicating mild but slightly heavy air conditions.
Winds are forecast from the south south east at 20 kilometres per hour, which may bring a cooler feel along the coastline and on exposed city routes. While there is no rain expected, the combination of cloud cover and wind can keep temperatures feeling lower than the inland highs, especially during early morning and after sunset.
Sea conditions are the key caution point. A 3.1 metre south west swell with a 13-second period indicates strong wave energy, especially at exposed beaches. Tide times are high at 01:56 and 13:59, and low at 07:57 and 20:10. Sunrise is 06:21 and sunset is 19:39, with an ultraviolet index of 11, classified as extreme.
Anyone heading to the beach should treat the ocean as hazardous, even if the sky looks calm. Strong swell can produce powerful shorebreak and rip currents, and the extreme ultraviolet level means sun protection remains essential, particularly around midday and early afternoon.
Source: SAWS – South African Weather Service
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TODAY’S NEWS SOURCES:
Provincial News – Daily Maverick – Cyril Ramaphosa
City News – Cape {town} etc – Tauhira Ajam
Crime Report – Athlone News – Phiri Cawe
Feel-Good Friday – GoodThingsGuy – Savanna Douglas
WP Sports – Cape Town Spurs Football Club – Official Statement
Local Events – InsideGuide – Event Listing
Weather Forecast – SAWS – South African Weather Service
MONEY MARKET SOURCES:
Currencies: FNB FX – FirstRand Bank Ltd
Commodities: Goldbroker.com – Gold Broker Ltd
Crypto Market: Binance.com – Binance Holdings Ltd
CTNews will continue to track these stories and bring updates as new information becomes available. For the latest bulletin remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel and visit ctnews.co.za for daily coverage and special features
Chief News Editor: Mark Botes-Lashmar
Written by: CTNews team
Publisher: Cape Town News
Region: Cape Town and Western Cape, South Africa
Contact: editorial@ctnews.co.za
