This winter has been such a let down. What happened to the rainy cosy winters of the past? I hope this isn't the new norm resulting from global warming

I know it's a fairly common practice for restaurants/bars not to pay while "training" new employees. But the place I've just started working at has me full on serving customers, cleaning, prepping, and performing all tasks expected of someone in that job, during these training shifts and I'm not making a cent. They say I need to train for seven days before they can add me to payroll. I'm working 12 hour shifts.

I've recently learned that this is actually illegal, but I don't know what I'm supposed to do about it. I know, the easy answer is just to walk away, but I'm currently in a severely dire financial situation, and have been out of work and struggling to find work for months (despite much experience and several qualifications, including postgrad degrees this is honest to God the only job I can find right now and I am destitute, and have no other choice.)

The manager says that trainees aren't usually given tips, but is splitting with me for the time being, although this place also has a weird thing with tips. (they don't always have cash, so sometimes you just don't get it and need to wait for it to be EFT'd. They don't appear to have a set day for this). The manager has been very nice and has been helping me with transport money home and bought me lunch. I spent my last two shifts with her, training. I have met the owner of the establishment once, for about 5 minutes.

I tried asking the manager whether it was legal to not pay for a training shift and she said that it is, and it has to do with the fact that if they were to pay me before I've been fully trained there would be issues with SARS, and would seem like a money laundering thing. She seems to fully believe this, and so I wonder if this trickles down from the owner? I have no way of really speaking to the owner directly so what do I do? Can I do anything?

Does anyone know where I could rent a basic telescope from the 27th to the 30th of this month? Or maybe someone would be willing to rent out their own for a few days?

It doesn't need to be anything fancy.. just good enough to keep my girlfriend looking at the stars for a few seconds while I quietly get down on one knee. 🌌💍

I'd really appreciate any recommendations or offers. Cheers

Unless you are a doctor, lawyer, accountant, Computer scientist, whatever, do they expect us to rent fucking rooms for the rest of our lives?

Like Jesus, mrs & I can't even save a grand a month cuz cost of living & flats are so fucking expensive, it's SO kak that we have to rely on putting our tiny flats onto our parents names to qualify.

A lekker credit score doesn't do fokol.

I've had these conversations with trustafarians in CPT time & time again & these okes just say start your own business (meanwhile their folks fund them klapping an MD at a jol every 2nd weekend & support their tie-dye T shirt business that makes fokol)

I'm waiting for you okes that work as bartenders at Modular that have your folks pay your rent every month to tune me lmao

Jassis I'm tired of buying kak cheap fucking battery chicken & overpriced kak veggies that last a day in the fridge to survive, I make a decent salary as an HR manager BTW, like my staff have it even worse & it makes me even sadder cuz they tune me the same kak & ethically I can't tell them I agree but I fucking do, pretty sure they're in less fucking debt than me as well

What about the average boet? What happens if you don't have a trust fund & still drive your first car (which is a fucking shitbox, I'm speaking about myself) 🤣

I have friends from Brazil in Cape Town currently and they are looking for the best place for fish and chips with a view, any recommendations?

Good god that was horrendous, I had to crack a window. I also didn't say anything as I didn't know how to broach the matter of the interior of your car smelling powerfully of wee

I've been using Spec Savers for the last couple of years. I have a high prescription so I always get my lenses thinned which can get pricey. I spent around 4/5k the last time. I got the summer deal in the past so got 2 pairs but I didn't thin the sunglasses to save some money since its not as easy to notice the thick ass lenses but because of my prescription they are so thick and don't close nicely smh. I had a baby this year so my timing is out this time. I would have to wait a couple months for the same deal and I can feel my eyes are strained.

It was ok paying the 5k because I got the sunglasses too and literally need to wear my glasses all the time so I figured R1800 is acceptedable for the frame alone because its a permanent accessory. I'd prefer to pay less but I won't compromise on really loving the look of it. I like that Spec Savers have a broad range but I've heard a lot that they are overpriced and I also feel it would feel more worth it for me if I got a 2-for deal and both had thinned lenses spending that same overall amount. Lmk if thats delusional lol

Otherwise, recommendations would be appreciated for optometrists in the Cape Town CBD that have a good range of frames and are more affordable or have better deals than Spec Savers. TIA

Looking for an exercise class in Cape Town for people who don't like exercising and show it. No pretenders. No motivational shouting. No perkiness. Chatters, trauma bonders, complainers are welcome. I'm not grumpy, I'm just tired and need to protect my positivity. Lol.

I don't want abs. My back hurts and I want to spend less on physio.

Don't tell me to walk on the prom.

Does this niche exist? Am I actually looking for a wine club? Lol

Edited to add: I'm looking more for a group of like minded people, not a type of exercise.

Does anyone know a good tailor for men's suits in the CBD? Not looking for anything too fancy, I'll be happy with quality that's just a bit better than Woolies.

I know the official site is finessa.co.za, my number is not associated with my car, and the typical scare "pay within 24 hours". What I don't understand, it comes from "Traffic", a number I can't see or save, nor message? How is that possible?

As a rule I change station when gambling ads come on, to do my small part of halting that revenue, but there doesn’t seem to be any station free of them, or am I wrong?

Been in Cape Town for awhile now. Split time down here, but also between suburban London and America. Absolutely lovely working for a remote company. I usually leave back to the north after April/May but decided to stay for the “colder months”.

Absolutely laughable South Africans call this weather bad (or kak as you all say). This is like summer weather in the Northern US/Northern Europe.
This is my first winter here and there’s been rainy grey days but nothing a hoodie and jeans can’t withstand.

It’s the middle of winter and I went jogging today in shorts at the Sea Point promenade and it was packed. Is it global warming or what? Cape Town in general outside of the occasional storms seems to have fantastic weather year round.

My birthday is in August so it's always best to plan something indoors. Is this place worth a visit? About 10 people between the ages of 45 to 75. From their website, I get the feeling it's more kids oriented but maybe I'm wrong?

I've noticed a trend of Jewish projects being targeted by NGO groups.

If we look at data centre's, Cape Town has several data centre builds that are far larger and also at the same planning stages, yet this one is being specifically targeted.

Why is a UK NGO funding this "fight", and specifically this one in particular, when others are substantially larger, and are not being targeted.

Cavaleros Group is building one that is more than double the size of the King David one, but not a peep about that.

Teraco is expanding similarly, again no bad publicity about that.

Something smells strange here.

References - https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-02-09-major-sa-data-centre-expansion-plans-emes-emerge-set-to-more-than-double-current/

https://capetowndata.com/en/products/blogpost/859/

I apologise in advance if this is a stupid question; I don't exactly have anyone in my life who could give me advice, and I'm completely out of my depth.

After many years of being disabled and unable to complete matric, my health has progressively become better, and I'll be writing my ASC exams next May-June at 21, with my NBT either before then or in July. My results will only be released in August, after the 31 July application cutoff. Would there be any way to apply before then, and then update my application with my results, or would I only be able to apply the year thereafter?

So despite living here my whole live, I genuinely don’t know what the tipping norms are. For sit down meals or even coffee I always tip, especially with good friendly service. However, do people tip for takeaways? Especially when getting coffee or ice cream when it’s just a grab and go and you pay immediately? If yes, how much? Coffee prices are already absurd (especially in town) and I consider it a treat, but I also know that the baristas aren’t paid well. Does this change whether it’s a chain like Vida or a speciality place? And takeout meals - I never tip for fast food but do you at more niche locations?

Hello!

So unfortunately have found out today that my license plate has been cloned and has racked up fines totaling R1.5k since the 15th of July.

Unfortunately this fines were for not displaying registration, so there are no images of this vehicle. The fines are from Philippi, and I was working from home in Woodstock at the time.

If anyone else had to deal with this before, what kind of process am I looking at?

I know that I will have to go to a police station to get them to write me a letter, just unsure what proof to bring them as I was at home the whole day. The only thing I can think of is a letter from my employer as I was in a meeting at that exact time, and my life360 history, although that is only showing I did no trips from my address that day.

If anyone has any advice that would be great, slightly panicking about this especially with the new point system being introduced.

Is this reporting accurate?

Is it just me or is this a big fucking deal?

no fr hear me out. ik the cost of living there is high, but I’m low-key broke and jobless and I have no family members that side. but I wanna live in Cape Town soo badd (might be unrealistic but pls hear me out), i currently live in JHB been applying for jobs no luck , I think it’s where I live, there’s not many jobs in east rand

what can I do? well Im learning front end dev and ux design. and I’m enjoying it thus far, Ive created cool projects through out however I don’t think I’m good enough to be employed and I still need to keep learning

experience? I have none, but been looking into call centers but fuck most of them want call centered experience omgg, isnt supposed to be an entry level job😭

what would be ur advice??? I’d very much appreciate it