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IOL News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Capetonians celebrate fandom and pop culture at Cape Town Comic Con
Two attendees dressed up as Saber Ride and the Star Sheriffs characters at Cape Town Comic Con. Image: Cape Town Comic Con/Facebook Capetonians' pockets are definitely a little lighter after going all out for not only their costumes, but also their purchases, for all things pop culture related at the biggest nerd festival in the city, Cape Town Comic Con. The four day event, which began on May 1 and wraps up on Sunday, May 4, was sold out in its entirety, and had many attendees dressing up in their favourite characters. The convention also showcased just how much Cape Town loves celebrating their favourite shows, movies, anime, games, comics, and cosplay (costume play). Cathy Chadwick, 55, who had a four-day pass to the convention, was kitted out in her Maleficent cosplay on Saturday, and said that it had taken her a year to pull together, from its conception to finalising the full costume. Cathy Chadwick, 55, who had a four-day pass to the convention, was kitted out in her Maleficent cosplay. Image: Theolin Tembo/Independent Newspapers 'It's taken me a year, from conception to cutting it out, glueing it together, having the wrong glue, and then having to re-glue everything. It is such a learning curve, figuring out what products to use. 'This (her wings) are made out of aerothene, there were 1480 feathers, but I've lost quite a few. This is really my first cosplay that I've built on my own… Diablo (the bird) is made out of newspaper and sticky tape, the back feathers on him are made out of hadeda feathers,' Chadwick said. She joked that she does blame her son for getting her involved in cosplaying as he 'dragged me along'. 'I am a crafty person by nature, and this keeps me out of mischief. Sitting at home at night, and making costumes… I just absolutely love it. 'Yesterday I came as Pitbull, the rapper, and people ignored me, but I had to change into my (Lord of the Rings) Witch-king of Angmar costume, and then as I was walking around… the attention that I got?! When people come up and ask you for a photograph? Wow,' Chadwick said. 'It is such a compliment to me… It is a compliment to the hard work, the sacrifice, and the bleeding fingers.' Byron Waterwitch, 34, came to the convention cosplaying as former hitman, Taro Sakatomo from the anime, 'Sakamoto Days'. Image: Theolin Tembo/Independent Newspapers Byron Waterwitch, 34, came to the convention cosplaying as former hitman, Taro Sakatomo from the anime, 'Sakamoto Days' who runs a convenience store that just came out at the beginning this year. 'I started coming and dressing up last year as Harry Potter characters, and then next year we're contemplating coming as the Powerpuff Girls. 'It is fun to indulge, you don't get many of these types of conventions here, it's a super big culture in America, but we get many. We kind of just get one a year, and it's nice to see some familiar faces,' Waterwitch said. 'We got the actors of One Piece last year, and this year, we have the villain of Star Wars, Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid).' Alongside McDiarmid in attendance at the convention this year was American actor, Michael Trucco, known for his performances in 'Battlestar Galactica', and 'Law and Order: SVU'. Other people spotted at the convention included comedian and actor Siv Ngesi as well as MMA fighter and UFC champion, Dricus du Plessis. The City's Community, Arts and Culture Development Department also supported 10 young artists to showcase their talent at Comic Con Cape Town. Artists had to complete a training programme which helped them to prepare to exhibit their creations at the event. The Emerging Artists Programme supports artists by providing them with opportunities to help them develop their skills, show their work, and earn an income. In March and April this year, the 10 artists from communities across the City were selected to take part in a workshop series to prepare them to exhibit at Comic Con Cape Town. Mayco Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham said: 'Art is a powerful tool to express, learn and share and we are delighted to see the enthusiasm for the artists who completed the training. 'Through this programme, we're not only creating platforms for young artists to thrive, but we're also contributing to a unique and inclusive, creative arts sector in the City of Cape Town. The Emerging Artists Programme creates spaces for peer-to-peer learning and networking among artists and the City will continue to provide support.' The workshops focused on creating original work inspired by pop culture, their history and their community, and creating products for merchandise at the Cape Town Comic Con. [email protected]
IOL News
29-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
China's robust counteraction to US tariffs: Aiming to protect global trade
The Chinese Consul General, You Wenze, speaks to Independent Newspaper's journalist, Theolin Tembo, about trade tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers 'China has hit back hard against the United States' tariffs, not only to safeguard our own interests and legitimate rights, but also to safeguard the international trade system with fairness and justice.' This was how Chinese Consul General in Cape Town, You Wenze, articulated China's strong response to the United States' significant escalation in its ongoing trade conflict with not only China, but also other key trading partners. On April 2, 2025, the United States (US) imposed a sweeping set of "reciprocal tariffs", including a 34% tariff hike on Chinese imports. In response, China firmly rejected these measures, reaffirming its commitment to free, fair, and multilateral trade practices that benefit all nations. Wenze explained that the imposed tariffs severely infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, severely violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, severely undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system, and severely disrupt the global economic order. He said that the Chinese government has strongly condemned such a move, calling out the US 'reciprocal tariffs' as not being true 'reciprocity' but rather a bargaining tactic of the US to force other countries to accept the trade terms unilaterally set by them. 'China is committed to opening even wider to the world. We're confident, we're determined, and we have the ability to do the things that are good for Chinese interests, and that are good for the interests of developing countries,' Wenze said. The Consul General added that it is precisely because of China's resolute countermeasures in the face of the escalating tariffs that the administration of US President Donald Trump has been changing its mind. 'By adopting firm countermeasures, China not only safeguards our own interests, our own development, but also safeguards international trade and order, international fairness and justice.' The Chinese Consul General, You Wenze, speaks to Independent Newspaper's journalist, Theolin Tembo. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers 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. 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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 ✕ Recently, Trump made headlines stating that he has been in communication with China regarding the tariffs, but this was quickly dispelled by the Chinese government. 'We've heard a lot of misinformation from the Trump administration, including how China and the US have undertaken dialogue on this trade war, but so far, there is no such meeting to discuss the reduction or elimination of the tariffs. 'President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Foreign Ministry have denied this irrevocably. No such phone conversation has occurred as of this stage,' Wenze said. 'We do not make trouble, but we're not intimidated by it. We'll fight to the bitter end, and when it comes to negotiation and dialogue, the door is wide open.' Wenze explained that China is an ancient civilization, being a land of propriety and righteousness, and that the Chinese people value sincerity and good faith. 'Since the beginning of trade friction between China and the US in 2018, China has been committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation, and has engaged in multiple rounds of economic and trade consultations with the US to stabilise bilateral economic and trade relations. 'In contrast, the US has continuously tightened export control, escalated sanctions against Chinese enterprises, and repeatedly violated its obligations under the agreements between the two sides,' Wenze said. 'Recently, the US has imposed tariffs on China under various pretexts, with the cumulative tariff rate reaching as high as 145%. For some individual Chinese goods exported to the US, the cumulative tariffs under various designations have even reached 245%. The US has instrumentalised and weaponised tariffs to a completely irrational level. 'We do not provoke trouble, nor are we intimidated by it. Pressuring and threatening are not the right way in dealing with China,' he said. The Chinese Consul General You Wenz. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers Wenze added that although the US has announced a 90-day pause on high reciprocal tariffs on some of its trading partners, it is only a small symbolic step and does not change its essence of seeking its gains through trade blackmail. 'Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise cannot earn respect. No one can remain unscathed in the face of the impact of unilateralism and protectionism. 'Developing countries should stand on the side of fairness and justice on the issue of 'reciprocal tariffs', stand on the historically correct side, and defend international economic and trade rules and the multilateral trading system,' Wenze said. 'Tariff conflicts are not the end of the world. Developing countries should seize the opportunity to reduce their dependence on foreign countries and cultivate and enhance their domestic innovation capabilities.' He added that countries need to stand together and work together. The Consul General commended South Africa for how it has handled the matter. 'China and South Africa are two great nations. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries, our relationship has developed very, very fast. 'China has made significant investments in South Africa, like the First Automobile Works (FAW) South Africa plant that has added an investment of R200 million in the Coega Special Economic Zone of the Eastern Cape Province, and the Longyuan De Aar Wind Power Project has cumulatively produced 5 400 gigawatt-hours of clean energy. 'In 2024, the total trade volume between China and South Africa reached $52.46 billion, accounting for nearly 20% of the total China-Africa trade volume. South Africa is one of the top destinations for Chinese investment in Africa.' The Chinese Consul General You Wenze. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
