Latest news with #Klaas
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
TV review: Amsterdam Narcos is one of the most enjoyable docs this year
Amsterdam Narcos (Sky Documentaries and NOW) is brilliant. The three-part documentary rattles along, telling how Amsterdam became the corner-stone of the illegal drug trade in Europe, through the people who made it happen and people who tried to make it stop. It would make at least three brilliant movies. The first episode is the story of an unlikely partnership that cornered the hashish market. He's Klaas Bruinsma, the grinning son of a wealthy businessman. She's Thea Moear, a glamorous woman from the wrong side of the tracks. Thea does all the talking here, because Klaas was gunned down outside the Amsterdam Hilton at the height of his powers. It's riveting because she acts as if they had cornered the tulip market in Amsterdam. So when Klaas went to the bad side and started cutting off his rival's lips before torturing them to death, Thea flashes her enigmatic smile and said he did what he had to do. The support act is Manchester dealer Paul 'One Punch' Doyle. He didn't get his nickname from moderate drinking at the Christmas party. Paul was disappointed that Klaas took to cutting off people's lips, describing it as un-Christian. It's the funniest thing I've seen on telly for a while. The second episode is the best movie idea. This time Johan and Brenda Toet end up making millions of ecstasy pills in the 1980s. They are both alive, magnetically good looking into their 60s. They are caught red-handed in their drug factory, Johan takes the fall, signs a form agreeing to co-operate, gets released, and they disappear to Portugal and have a son. Johan changes his ways but is re-arrested and goes to jail. There is something in the smiling, positive way they tell their story. And then we learn why. Johan found Jesus in jail, as did Brenda waiting for him outside. They started a ministry and now travel the world spreading the word. I love Johan and Brenda. I think maybe it's their white teeth. Support act here is Ilja Reiman, a street kid who stole ecstasy from a group of eastern spiritualists and started Multigroove, a massive party night in Amsterdam. He's as magnetic as the other two. That's the thing about Dutch people — they tell it like it is. There are a few British gangsters here too, but they have British reserve and sense of understatement. The Dutch make the best former drug-dealers. One of the most enjoyable docs I've seen this year.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Klaas balances motherhood and cricket as Proteas target World Cup glory
Masabata Klaas credits her mother's support for helping her balance parenting and international cricket. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Masabata Klaas is one of the few players in the Proteas Women's side who are juggling motherhood and the high demands of international cricket. The 34-year-old has been playing at the highest level for almost 15 years, having made her international debut in 2010, making her a member of the experienced group in the Proteas Women's side. Her experience comes with responsibility, as she has to set the standard for the youngsters coming through — a feat that can be very demanding for any player, let alone a parent. However, Klaas told Independent Media that the presence of her own mother in her life allows her to continue chasing her dream of representing the country at the highest level. 📸 Day 1 at Training Camp Before diving into the intensity of preparations for the upcoming season, our Proteas Women kicked things off with some fun and games, making use of recreational activities to strengthen team bonds and build connections. 💚🏏#WozaNawe — Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) July 29, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Her dream has evolved from representing the country to being an inspiration and example to her daughter that it is possible to be a parent and have a career simultaneously. 'Balancing cricket and being a parent is not easy, but in my case it is a lot better because I still have my mum in my life, who's helping me with a lot of things in terms of looking after my daughter and making sure that I also carry on with what I love, which is cricket,' Klaas said, in an exclusive interview. 'After giving birth, you just need to stay at home for a couple of months, if not years. But I was lucky — I had to sit out for about a year, with the help of my mum.' Klaas is one of the few active Proteas players who knows how tough life was before the South African women's domestic structure turned professional two years ago. She said that in the pre-professional era, they did not have fitness trainers or nutritionists to help them prepare for what was required at international level. Now, with women's domestic cricket heading into its third professional season, Klaas believes the transition from domestic to international cricket has become much smoother. 'Back then, players did not have someone to help them with fitness or nutrition. However, after the structure was made professional, players have access to a gym and to professionals who help them with their fitness,' said Klaas. 'The new structure also makes the job of the national coach much easier because, when you get selected to the national team, you have to reach the requirements. "With the professional structure now, it's a lot easier because the girls are well conditioned and understand what is required in a professional set-up, in terms of fitness and understanding their game in depth — which is what is needed in international cricket. 'Whereas back then, such things were not there — that's why a lot of players struggled to get to the national team, because when they got there they were overwhelmed by the intensity, purely because they had not been introduced to that kind of intensity at domestic level.'
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Overstrand Municipality elects Archibald 'Archie' Klaas as its first black mayor
Archibald 'Archie' Klaas was elected as the new Overstrand mayor. Image: Supplied The Land Party has declared the election of Archibald 'Archie' Klaas as Overstrand Municipality's first black executive mayor a direct result of its growing influence and pressure on the Democratic Alliance (DA) to transform leadership in the historically exclusive council. He took the position following the resignation of Dr Annelie Rabie in March. In a bold statement following Klaas's appointment during a Special Council Meeting on May 12, 2025, Land Party spokesperson Asavela Sithonga said the milestone was not an act of progressive governance, but a calculated response to shifting political tides. 'This appointment is not a DA initiative rooted in transformation,' said Sithonga. 'It is the outcome of consistent pressure from the Land Party's presence and the demands of the people of Overstrand.' Sithonga said that since its formation, the Land Party has challenged what it describes as systemic racial bias and political inertia in the DA-led municipality. For years, she alleged, the DA operated with little resistance, helped by muted opposition from ANC councillors. The rise of the Land Party has disrupted this dynamic, forcing the DA to respond with unprecedented decisions. 'The election of both a black executive mayor and deputy mayor is historic in Overstrand,' said Sithonga. 'But we are not swayed by symbolism. Our support must be earned through real change.' While welcoming the appointment of Mayor Klaas, the Land Party made it clear that his record will be scrutinised. The party criticised Klaas' previous tenure in the Overberg District Municipality, as deputy mayor and later as Speaker, for being overly theoretical and mired in procedural delays. 'We need results, not rhetoric,' Sithonga added. 'Overstrand residents are tired of long meetings with no outcomes. Mayor Klaas must now demonstrate leadership by implementing solutions that uplift the most neglected communities.' The Land Party has pledged to hold the new administration accountable, insisting that transformation must be more than window-dressing. Their focus remains on service delivery, spatial justice, and the improvement of socio-economic conditions in areas like Zwelihle, where Klaas himself was born and raised. Meanwhile, the DA's Western Cape leader, Tertuis Simmers, welcomed the appointment, calling Klaas an experienced and capable leader. 'Archie Klaas brings a wealth of governance experience and embodies our commitment to clean and excellent service delivery,' Simmers said. 'Overstrand has consistently ranked among South Africa's best-performing municipalities, and we are confident he will continue that legacy.' Municipal Manager Dean O'Neill also extended his support, stating: 'Mayor Klaas has deep community roots and a strong public service record. We look forward to working together to maintain and strengthen the municipality's service levels.' Klaas, whose political journey began in 2016 when he was first elected as a councillor in Overstrand, said he intends to build on the municipality's progress while addressing its ongoing challenges. [email protected]
