City Vision E-edition 12 February 2026

Kids inspired to read

KAYLYNNE BANTOM

About 200 learners from four primary schoolsacrossthe city enjoyed amorning of fun and storytelling in celebrationofWorld ReadAloud Day (WRAD) atthe Iziko Museum on Wednesday4February.

The event aimed to foster alovefor readingamong learners from schoolsin Gugulethu,Lentegeur, Mfuleniand Goodwood

The learnerswere treated to aguided tourofthe museum and storytelling sessions ledbyvarious readers, including Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

WRAD is observed annually to promote literacy, storytelling and aculture of reading.

asubsidiary of Novusmedia.

Theglobal campaign encourages individuals,families, schoolsand communities to read aloudtogether and celebrate the transformative power of stories.

The event was organised by Nal’ibali, with support from City libraries and the Iziko Museum. Nal’ibali is anational campaign that encourages childrentodevelop alovefor reading through storytelling

CarolTitus, Nal’ibali provincial coordinator, said the venue was intentionally chosen as it speaks directlytothis year’s theme, “Unlocking MagicThrough Stories –AJourney of Hope and Adventure.”

“Childrenshould have the opportunities and the spaces to want to readoutside of schooling environment.”

This year’s read-aloudstory, entitled “A newfriend”, which wasread by Hill-Lewis, encouraged inclusivity.

Titus said the book wasfirst published in sign languagebefore being translated into the country’s12officiallanguages.

Shedescribed the messagethe book aims to portray. “The story speaks about adeaf childmaking friends with ahearing-abled child. We want kidstoknowthat anyone is important,” explainedTitus

Titus said this yearNal’ibali hadset an ambitious nationalgoal: to reach 4million children acrossSouth Africa to readto during this month.

“We don’t only want them to read for one day, but to develop alovefor reading that they would want to read throughout the year. Most children don’t know the museum. We areatthe museumtolet them knowthatthere are stories beyond ourselves.”

Hill-Lewissaidthe City hadmorethana hundred public libraries across the Metro where young Capetonians cangoand enter aworld of imaginationand adventure, and acquire the oneskillthat will setthemup forlife.

“In ourcountry where poor literacy hold so many children back from fulfilling their dreams let’sall do whatwecan to encouragemore reading,especiallyreadingaloud to our children.”

Dr Bongani Ndhlovu, Executive Director: Core FunctionsatIziko MuseumsofSouth Africa,saidmuseums arespacesofwonder, engagement and imagination “By combiningstorytelling with explora-

tion we hope to inspirea lifelong loveof readingand show ourchildrenthatknowledge, heritageand magiccan be discovered in many forms.”

Sibahle Matebe,a Grade3 learner,at BongaPrimary School in Gugulethu,said sheisfondofbooks

“I like books andI like readingbecause it’sinteresting. Ilovebooks filled with pictures.”

Lolo Msizi, ateacher at Bonga, said readingunlocks children’sminds “Wedoreading at school according to the learners’ abilities. We encourage parents to read to their children.”

Titussaid childrenwho read regularly aremorelikely to developstronglanguage, comprehensionand critical-thinking skills “Kidswho read cangoanywhere.The more you read the more you will be exposed.Wewanttotellkidsand their familiesthatwords andvocabulariesare important.”

Bursariesavailable fordeserving students

servicesand incorporates a work-back agreementensuring adirecttransition from graduation into employment.

thulani.magazi@novusmedia.co.zaor

unathi.obose@novusmedia.co.za

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gurshwin.heinze@novusmedia.co.za

alexandra.fortuin@novusmedia.co.za

thulani.magazi@novusmedia.co.za

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The Shoprite Group, one of SouthAfrica’s leading retailer,has opened applications for its2026 bursary programme, offering financial support and aguaranteedpathway into employment forambitious students in retail business management, accounting,supply chainand logistics, and biological andagricultural sciences.

The bursary covers tuition, accommodation andamonthly grocery allowance. It also provides well-being support

“This bursary programme is aboutconverting potential into long-term careers,”says Lindsey Joseph, HeadofGroup Talent Solutions. “By linking funding directlytoemployment, we arestrengthening our talent pipeline and delivering measurableimpact where it matters most –jobs, skills and economic participation.”

ThorisoSethosa,a bursary graduate,joinedthe Group after the retailer fundedher BAcc (CAstream) degree. She is currently completing her charteredaccountant training programme, rotating across key business unitstodevelop the skills required to qualify as aCA(SA)and progresswithin the organisation. “The Shoprite bursary didn’t just fund my studies –itgavemeaccessto the industry anda clear pathwayinto acareerIcan grow

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TheShoprite Groupbursary programme is helping to uplift lives by supportingeducation, building workplace-ready skills,and creating long-term career opportunities

Applications close on Sunday 31 May.

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Amakrwala mawahlukanenokunyhukulana

Umcimbi wamakrwala uyafuna ukuqwalaselwangoba amanyeawo awakwazi ukuziphatha.Iqhelekile ke lonto yokubakusoloko kukho iqaqobana lamakrwalaelingobholela ecaleni

Kule mpelaveki idlulileyoeJunxion Mall, e-Philippi, ndiphazanyiswe kukubonaamanyeamakrwala esanyelisa elinye ikrwalaebelizihambela. La makrwala ebehamba eligquba encokola,kodwa kubonakala ukuba bathetha ngelinye ikrwalanebelizihambela lodwa.Ndive elinye ikrwalakula makrwala likhwazaeli ebelizihambela lilibiza ngemofi.Imofiligama apha elithi lisetyenzise ekuhlaleni nelibhekise ikakhulu kubantu abathandana besisiniesinye. Baye oontangandini bahleka, nto leyo endithe ndakuyijonga ndaziva ndingathandi Eneneni elakrwala liyelaqhubeka lahamba alabahoya. Ndibone abantwana abangamantombazana, nawo ebezihambela nekubonakala

ukuba alivile elikrwalalikhwazayo, kwaye nabo abathandanga.Ndibave bembombozela begxeka la makrwala. Ndizibuza ukuba kantiabantwana besibayalela ntonixakanti bazakuphinda babekwazizoneenjubaqa aphaesithubeni. Eneneni bayasihlaza kekona, ngoba ayithi lonto xa bezibonabengconobonamabahambe besanyelisaabanye abantu. Akwabasinobafundisaabantwanabethu kwangoku basebatsha ukuba akukhonto

igwenxa xa ngaba umntu ezikhethele ukuphila ngohlobo elithandwanguye. Ayikho imfuneko yokuba umntu ade abize omnye umntu ngamagamanokuba kuphantsikwaso nesiphinaisizathu. Uloyiko lwamlelokubabasebancinci abafanakwayebasezozala nabo. Futhi ke akakho umntu olaziyo noqinisekileyo ukuba ikusasa lakhelizakubanjani.Okubalulekileyo kukuzifundisa ukuphila naye wonke umntu osemhlabeni nokuba unjani na Ndiyayiqonda ke ukuba la makrwala asakhula mhlawumbi ngokuyakuhamba ixesha azakufunda nto nawo atshintshe ngokwasengqondweni Nathi singootata masingadinwa kukusoloko sithetha nawo oko siwabonisaimpilo. Aphoibuhlungu khona ke kukuba abazali baboabayaziukuba oonyana babobahamba benyhukrula abantu bebayuca aphaesithubenibengcolisa igama lamadoda. Bafananganikheniziphathekakukhle Umntu makazaziukuba woluke ntoni na

Langamural is asymbol of unity

UNATHIOBOSE

Asymbol of love, peaceand unity. This is how Langa residents havedescribeda newly-unveiledmural.

The paintingisonthe wall of theJohnson NgwevelaCommunityHall at the corner of King Langalibalelele Drive and Church Street.

The mural visually symbolises the bid to promote inclusivity and create asafer space for members of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual (LGBTQI)+ community, members of Langa LGBTQI+ Pride and the Langa Centenary Committee and other organisations. It was unveiled on Saturday 7Februaryas part of Langa LGBTQI+ Cultural Pride campaign.

The director of Langa LGBTQI+ Pride Anele Gqasana described the painting as asymbolof love and unity, and of aconducive space created for Langa’s LGBTQI+community.

“After we had the Langa LGBTQI+ CulturalPride in2023 we decided to continue to look after our members and to create a safe space for them. This launch is part of our campaign to educate the community and to show our visibility. This mural promotes inclusivity in our community regardless of what people’s sexual orientation or colour is.”

He described Johnson Ngwevela hall as being at the centreof Langa’s rich history. “Langa isa tourist destination. The vicinity

in whichthe hall is located is the tourist hubofthe area, with the GugaS’thebe Cultural Centre directlyopposite.”

AlfredMagwaca, Langa Centenary Committee member, said

the township is the only onethat openly welcomesthe LGBTQI+ community. “Langa is aplace that accepts people forwho they are without anydiscrimination. The mural is unveiled to sym-

boliselove, peace andunity.” He praised the City for its support and expressedthe community’s gratitude for giving the wallof such acrucial facelift

Yoliswa Mbelwa,LGBTQI+ com-

munity member, described the event as awatershed moment. “Sucha statementunderscores the unity of ourarea, especially in terms of mutualacceptance andgetting to knowone another.”

Some of thepanellists From left:ViwePutuma, bakery owner; Dr Sunshine Myende, NYDAchair; Paul Mashatile, deputy president and AyasangaBen,young personfrom Khayelitsha

PHOTO:UNATHIOBOSE

Mashatilepromises actioninKhayelitsha

UNATHIOBOSE

Unemployment, crime and extortion tookcentre stage on Tuesday10Februarywhen Deputy PresidentPaul Mashatile met with young people during the Presidency Youth Engagement programme at Thusong Centrein Khayelitsha.

The gathering was organised by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) to give young people an opportunity to speakopenly about some of their challenges

ThokozileQalanto, the Khayelitsha BusinessForum (KBF)secretary, called for the shake-upofthe provincial policetop brass, includingthe removalofMaj-Gen Them-

bisilePatekile,the Western Cape Police Commissioner. He blamed himfor allegedlyfailing to tackle crimeinKhayelitsha.

Qalanto said crime hindered developmentinthe area.“We fully supportthe NYDA programme. It provides opportunities foryoung people. However, we believe that thereislittle that Patekile is doing tofightextortion in our communities. He failed dismally. He must go,”saidQalanto.

Thegovernment needs to pump more moneyinto the young people’sorganisations to uplift them

Ayoungbusinesswomanfrom Mfuleni, ViwePutuma who sells bread, told Mashatile that she struggledwithextortion.

She said she wasvisited by unknownmen demanding money from her business and she now fears for her life.

“I was visited by unknown men, andthey demandeda protection fee. They said Imust give aR1from every loaf that Isell,” said Putuma. Mashatile conceded that crime remains the country’s biggest challenge, with extortion affecting almost every community. He promised to engage with the Minister of Police to find asolution

“The Minister of Police has atask teamthatislooking specificallyat extortion to make sure thatthe peopleare safe. Peopleneed to report these kinds of incidents to the officers,” said Mashatile.

Langatourguidesask forcrackdownon unregisteredoperators

UNATHIOBOSE

Members of Langa tourguides aredemandingthatall the unregisteredtourguidesstop operating in the area,stating that theyhavenopermission to do so.Theyare accusing the illegal operators of tarnishing theirbusiness.

The guidesescortand educate tourists about Langa Tour guide AlfredMagwaca appealed for unityand claimed thereweremanyoperators who worked withoutpermits. “Tobe aqualifiedtourguide you must have acardand badge with your numberonit. Andyou always carrythemwherever yougosothatthe tourists can see you,” he said,addingthat unregisteredtourguidescannot claim from an insuranceif anythingwrong happens to the tourists Magwaca said the objective is to protect the imageofthe industry.

Fellow tourguide Zamile Makupula accusedthe unregistered tour guidesofcreatingmisery forregisteredtourguides. He said at times theycompleteasingle jobbecause of unregisteredtourguides. “We have more than20registered

tourguidesinLanga.Not all of us geta job. Sometimesyou can complete aweekwithoutgetting anytourists.You must be well-knowntohaveregulars,” said Makupula. He stated thattheyare intending to revive the Langa TourismForum Oneofthe unregistered tour guides, whorefusedtobe named for fear of harassment, said he hasbeeninthisbusiness for almostthree years.

“After Ilostmyjob as atour operator, Idecided to be atour guide because Ialready hada bitofknowledge about the job,” he said

He stated thatitisnot easy to do atourguide course dueto associated costs.

“Itisnot as if some of us don’t wanttoberegisteredbut the course is too expensive

“For example,I’m currently doing an onlinecourseatCape Academy of GuidingServices in Pinelands whichisabout three months long.

“The whole course costsR7 000. AndI am left with few modulesfor practicals.Imust pay R3 000 upfront to complete it,”heexplained, addingthat he started the course midlast year.

Dumpedhospital linenshocker

UNATHI OBOSE

The Ward 73 councillor, SandileMartin, has urged the community to report any suspicious activityhappeningin the area to the police. The remarks came after the residents of Zwelitsha discovered hospital laundry dumpedonthe cornerof Zwelitsha and Linge streets, inNyanga,on Wednesday 4February.

The items include patients’ clothesand theatremedical staff. Martindescribedthe incident as shocking, the firsthehad come across in thearea.

“It looks as if the clothes werestolen somewhere and dumpedhere. It seemsto have all the signs of robberyattachedtoit. Criminals are tarnishing theimageofour community. Nyanga has been in the media for wrong reasons and the criminals want to makeitworse,”said Martin

He appealedtothe police to find the criminalsand urged the community to stand up against criminal activities

Samantha Lee-Jacobs, communications officerofthe Klipfontein MitchellsPlain Substructureofthe Department of Health and Wellness,said the department had expressed itsgratitude to vigilant community members for alerting it to the matter

“While our teams couldnot locate the

Thehospital linen thatwas dumped at the corners of Zwelitsha and Lingestreets in Nyanga

PHOTO:SUPPLIED

linenwecan, from the footage provided, confirmthis didnot contain anymedical waste.Due to the nature of servicesoffered at the local healthcentre we canconfirm thesegowns didnot originate from the NyangaCommunity Day Centre.”

Shesaidthe department wasengaging with its contractors to ascertainhow this occurred andtoprevent it from happening infuture

Guards ambushedinGugulethu

UNATHI OBOSE

Gugulethu police are investigating amurder and attemptedmurder followingthe fatalshooting of asecurity officeronthe of Mjodo and Gre hs

Shack firedestroys25homes and leaves 76 homeless

UNATHI OBOSE

At least 25 shacksatRRsection in Site B, Khayelitsha,burned down andleftmore than70people homeless on Friday 6February. The cause of the fire is unknown at this moment.

Fire victim Phaphama Vikilahle (34) said the shackfirestarted around 08:00 just after the children went to school. Shesaid the flames came outfromone of herneighbour’s shacks

Ward 89 councillor Khayalethu Gxasheka said theyare busy assessingthe situation. He said he requested City officials andother humanitarianorganisationstohelpthe victims

“Weare still doing an assessment. Most of the shackownerswereatworkwhen the fire started.Weare still waiting for everyone to come backsothatwecan geta full report. Currently we have 25 affected shacks and76homeless people,” he said Gxashekaemphasisedthatnoone would move to acommunity hall.

“The fire started in the fourth shackfrom mine. Idon’tknowiftherewas anybody inside. Iwas unabletotake outall my belongings because the flamesspread so fast. Anditwas difficult to go betweenthe shacks because everyonewas runningup anddown,” said Vikilahle Shesaid shedoesn’t knowwhere sheis goingtosleep.

BaxterGardensoldiesconcert

Golden Oldies Concert on the Lawn returns to Baxter Gardens on Saturday 14 February for aValentine’scelebrationof music, memory and community.

GoldenOldiesConcert, whichwillstart from 17:00 to 19:00, invites audiences to gather under the estate’s magnificent historic treefor an afternoonoftimeless music,picnic cheer and shared nostalgia.

Launched three years ago in the gardens of the Baxter Theatre, Golden Oldies was createdto champion seasoned performers who are too often sidelined as “unmarketable” to younger audiences

To counter that bias, veteran artist and producer Terry Fortuneinitiatedthe project to reignite the careers and recognition of artists manyhad prematurelywritten off.

Now age 77 and still in fine voice, Fortune has produced 77 showsfeaturing 77 artists,drawing audiencesfromall walks of life to CapeTown’s most prestigious stages,includingArtscape, the Baxter and Kirstenbosch Gardens—and, importantly, delivering immense joy to retirement homes across the Cape.

The line-up features an array of musical legends, including Thembi Mtshali, Leslie Kleinsmith, Don Vino Prince, Willie Van Zyl and The Black Ties, with picnichosting by audience favourites Euodia Samson andBasil Appollis.

. Tickets available via Webtickets (Purchase an extra ticket to gift aseattoaresident from aretirement home).

Experiencethegenesisofa newerainperformanceart

Internationally-acclaimed choreographer Gregory Maqoma brings hislatestcreation to theBaxter Theatre this month with the world premiere of Genesis:TheBeginning andEnd of Time, an innovativedance opera blending movement, musicand poetry. The groundbreaking productionruns for five performances only fromWednesday 18 to Saturday 21 February, with evening shows at 19:30and aSaturday matinéeat 15:00.

Genesis follows Maqoma’scritically-acclaimedBaxter seasons of Exit/Exist (2023 aFleur du Cap Encore Awardwinner), and Cion: Requiem of Ravel’sBolero (2024).

The new work promises avisceral exploration of creation, transformation andexistence’s infinite cycles.

“The Baxterhas been more thanavenue,” said Maqoma, “it’s been apartnerin my journey as adancer and choreographer. Theirsupport allows me to confront time itself in Genesis;its violence,its grace and its invitation to begin again.”

Creative team

The production features an acclaimed creative team. Live music will be performed by MthwakaziChosi, Annalyzer, Yogin Sulaphin and XolisileBongwana,

with musicaldirection by Nhlanhla Mahangu. Poet Anelisa Phewa delivers powerfulspoken word elements,whilethe librettocomesfromcelebrated writer Karthika Nair.Design elements include costumes by Jacques vander Watt (Black Coffee Fashion),lighting by Oliver Hauser andset designbyWilly Cesar.

Maqomaisthe founder andCreative DirectorofVuyaniDance Theatre, established in1999, and the director of Gregory MaqomaIndustries.

Renowned forhis collaborativevision, hehas produced world-class work thathas toured to over 100 cities across five continents. Hisrecent accolades include the FrenchGovernment’s Chevalier de l’Ordre desArts et des Lettres (2017), WorldDance DayAuthor(2020) andin2024 alone, the Fleur du CapEncore Award, an Olivier Award nomination,and multiplenational honours

Following its Cape Town run, Genesis transfers toJoburgTheatre from Thursday 19toSunday 22 March.

Contact Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or emailcarmen.kearns@uct.ac.za fordetails. . Book atWebtickets online or Pick nPay stores.

Carnivalto upliftspirits

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

All roadslead to the GreenPoint Fan Walk next month as the CapeTown Carnival makes its dazzling return on Saturday21March.

Nowinits 16th year, the carnival will bring together over 1500 performersina vibrant celebration themed “Follow Your HeART.”

Adding to the excitement, this year’s event spotlights 12 “Champions” from Cape Town’screative scene including singer Anslin Gysmanand local actor Natasha van der Merwe, DJ Ready D, graffiti artist Rizah Potgieter, and designer Stephen van Eeden.

Speaking to City Vision’s sisterpublication People’s Post,Van der Merwesaid being part of the Cape Town Carnivalisan honour.

“Tobeseen, recognised as aperformer, andfor my story to be acknowledged in this way is something Inever imagined. I’mbeyondgrateful and cannot waittobe part of this incredible celebration.”

She said spectatorscan lookforward to a bold,vibrant performance.

“I’ll be championing afloat with Anslin Gysman,sothe two of us will be doing a medley mix, of someSouth African Music, hits from across the globe, andyou might even hearone of my own singles to getthe crowd going.It’s a lekker uplifting high-energy vibe and I’mexcited to be sharingthe special day with Anslin, the supporters, andfriends of Cape Town Carnival.”

Vander Merwe said she hopes audiences willtake away exactly what this year’s themeembodies: to followyourHeART

“That goes foryour dreams, goals,ambitions or things you wanttoachieve in your life. It doesn’t just have to be something creative. Whatisyour dream? Followit, don’tgive up andIhopepeople feel inspired andentertained.” Shesaid inspiring even oneperson to pursuetheir dream or followtheir HeART would make it all worthwhile.

Vander Merwe believes events like the carnival areimportant forthe arts because they make creativity visible,accessible, andalive.

“Theytake artout of theatres andgalleries andplace it into the streets, where everyone canexperienceit. Dance, music, costume, storytelling,and culturebecome something shared, notexclusive. Artstops beingsomething you observe from adistance andbecomes somethingyou feel.”

Sheadded thatcarnivals create platforms for artists to be “seen andcelebrated”.

“Theyvalidate the work, the discipline, andthe stories behind performers, often opening doors to newopportunities and remindingartists thattheir voicesmatter. On abroader level, theypreserveculture while allowing it to evolve.”

According to Van derMerwe, acarnival remindspeople thatart is “not extra, but essential”

“Theyhonourwhere we come from while giving artists the freedom to reinterpret, collaborate, andinnovate.

“Ina world thatoftenfeels fastand divided,events like thisbring people together through joy, colour, rhythm, andshared experience.”

NovusMediapublishes CityVision, a proudprint mediasponsor of theevent

StandingoutfromMetcrowd

Zingara performerKevin Ellisand Zingara Managing PartnerTracy Maltmanposed on stage at the Cape Town MetonSaturday 31 January after winning the Best Dressed Couple award forthe second time, having first claimed the title in 2007.

Ellis, originally from Durban, haswon multipletimes across various categories at the annual event, with Maltmanand his partner, Gareth Greaves. This year’s theme, “A Symphony of Style”,inspired a theatricalfashion look conceivedbyEllis.

Theoutfitwas createdbyGreaves, a stage manager on The RoyalCountess Zingara,currently showing at Century City. Ellis, who is also part of Zingara’s costuming team,helped conjure astriking ensemblefeaturing feathered headdresses, hand-paintedfabrics and eclectic details, including musicalnotes stitched into the trouser legs.

“We arethrilled to have won again,” said Ellis. “The Met is ahighlight on ourcalendareachyear, andit’s always exciting to take on the creative challenge of finding a unique waytostand out from the crowd.”

. Catch Kevin andGareth andhostof extraordinary performers in person at The Royal Countess Zingara,atthe mirror tent at Century City until Sunday 17 Maywith allbookingsthroughboxoffice@zingara.co. za and 021 891 0448.

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