City Vision E-edition 26 February 2026

Co ch lesson

Youthshould useSETAs forskills, jobs training

UNATHIOBOSE

The deputy ministerinthe Presidency

Nonceba Mhlauli urged young people to takenote of theSectorEducation andTraining Authorities (SETAs)and utilisethem wisely.

She was addressingaCommunity Youth Service Outreach organisedbythe offices of bothcouncillors (ward 114 and 108) at Mfuleni CommunityHall on Tuesday 24 February

The event wasattendedbyvarious government departments and organisations, includingthe National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).

The event targeted mostlyunemployed youthfrom Mfuleni and surroundingareas.

Mahlauli said the aim of the event wasto bring services closer to the people

“I know most of you are not working, others are not evenstudying. We arehere today to assistyou. Thosewho don’thave identity documentscan make ittoday,because the Department of Home Affairs is here. And those who can’t afford to go to varsities, we have our SETAs that arehere to assist you,” she said, adding that itis never too late to go to school

She clarifiedthat the primaryroleofthe SETAsistoempower peoplewithskills.

Mhlauli is adamant that there arejobsopportunities, but people need to follow the right channel.

“If you can lookatmyFacebook page. Ipost the vacanciesevery day.The issue that we have is that young people don’t

Independent ElectoralCommission(IEC) localelectoral project officer, SandileKulatalkswith the DeputyMinisterinthe Presidency, NoncebaMhlauli, with light shirt; whilethe NYDAdeputy chair Bonga Makanya,foldingarms; andWard114 councillorEnerstMadikanelook on PHOTO:UNATHI

know where to go when they arelooking forjobs,” she said.

Bonga Nakanya, deputy chair of the NYDA, said their agency is there to assist youngpeople in their businesses. “If you want to open abusiness or have abusiness, butyou need funds. Youcan come to us.We arehere to support you. We support allkinds of businesses,” he said.

Ward 108 councillor Nkosiphendule Limbo described the event as oneofits kind, saying it is rare to have such initiatives in communities. “We want the minister to motivate and encourage young people totake note of the SETAs. Our aim is to seeyoung people owning companies and

being their ownbosses instead of sitting at home doing nothing.Wewant to seethem equipped with skills,”saidLimbo,adding thatthe programmeisthe beginning of many more initiatives.

Okuhle Jiya (27) describedthe event as useful. She said she completedher matric in 2016 and since then she hasbeensearching forwork.

“It is greattohavesuch initiativesinour communities. We learn newthingsevery day. The SETAsare encouraging us to register andupload our curriculum vitaes into their sites so they can keep in their database. They willbeabletocall you if there is ajob,” said Jiya

PhilippiEast mankilledafter arsonattack

UNATHI OBOSE

Philippi Eastpoliceregisteredacaseof murder andarson following an incident on the corner of Sheffield Road andSomi Crescent, Lower Crossroads, whereanunknown manwas gunned downaftersetting aSomali-owned shop alightonFriday 20 February

Provincial policespokesperson Const NdakheGwala said the officersresponded to acomplaintand on arrivaltheyfound a shop in flames

“Accordingtoreports, an unknown man came to the store around 12:30 demandingmoney from the newowner.Whenthe shopkeeper refusedthe deceasedthrew a petrolbombinto the shop andfledonfoot. Hisbodywas found afew metres away with gunshot wounds to the upper body, faceand arm.”

Shesaid circumstancessurroundingthe incident were under investigation andno arrests hadbeenmadeyet.A community leader whospoke on condition of anonymity for fear of harassment said the incident was extortion-related.

“The issueofextortion in ourcommunities is aproblem,” acommunity leader said.“It is all over. Friendsofthe shop owner saythe deceasedhad gone to the shop to collectmoney andthe shop owner refused, thenout of anger the deceased torched the shop.”

He said it was notclear whothe shooter was.

He urgedthatthe law take its course and no stone be left unturned

Second suspect appearsincourt

UNATHIOBOSE

Asecond accusedinthe Marikana tavern massshootingappeared in the Athlone Magistrates’Court on Monday 23 February charged with nine counts of murder, two counts of robberywithaggravating circumstancesand attempted murder.

On Saturday17January, 10 people were shot,nine diedand one wasinjured during ashootinginMarikana. (“Shebeenmass murder accused abandonsbail application,” City Vision,5February 2026).

NationalProsecuting Authority (NPA) Western Cape spokesperson EricNtabazalila said the 20-year-old would appear in court again on Monday 2March for abail hearing.“He has opted to defend himself

against theschedule-6 charges he is facing,”hepointedout, adding that his co-accused, Bheki Manxiwa, had abandoned his righttoapplyfor bail andhis case had been postponed to Thursday 16 April.

Acommunity leader described the second arrest as “greatnews” andpraised the officers fordoing agreat job

“Thearrestgives us hope. We want the suspects to tell us the truth. We want nothing butthe truth. Who instructed them to go aroundcollecting money from the local shops? Whogives them guns to shootpeople? We want them to rotinjail. They don’t deserve to stay in the community.”

The leader said the law must take its course and, judging by the ageofthe accused,there were possibly people recruitingthem to commit these deeds

FROMPAGE1

Atotalofeight families were occupying the Luyolo Community Hall in NY126, for eightyears, in whatwas meanttobeatemporary accommodation.

The families arepartofa groupoflocal residents who illegally invadeda pieceof land adjacent to the NY116 Stadium next to hall in February 2018 and erected shacks there. They eventuallyagreedtomoveto the hall after their temporary structures were demolished numerous times, hoping to getpermanent structuresafterwards.

Now, eight years later, Khanya Nontolwana,co-opted member of the GSC, said the facility wasconstructedfor recreational purposes, but has becomea permanent residence forthe eightfamilies.Hesaid hundreds of children who used the hall to practise karate and other recreational activities now had no access to it. The community has also been unable to use the hall forpublic gatherings. “We’ve been engagingthe City forabout five yearsbut nothing is happening,and the matter remains unresolved,”Nontolwana said He highlighted the “appalling” living conditions of the eightfamilies.“The hall is vandalised,partiallyburntand is filthy. The ablutionfacilities arenot working. Women andmen share the same space and areonly separated by acurtain.”

Nontolwana said numerous meetings hadbeen held among the City officials, including Mayco member for community servicesand healthFrancineHigham, to addressthe matter, but nothing came of them despite certain time framessuggested by the City andGSC. “Last year we presented the state of facilities in andaround Gugulethu to the City, of whichLuyolo formspart, and we requested the removal of families to an alternative venue.The City haspromised to move thembut nothing has happened.

“This is amatter of accountability. These people arebeing denied theirbasic human rights. We also want to push the agenda of recreation in Gugulethu butour hands aretied.”

Oneoccupant whogaveher name only as Nomaphelo said sheand othersthere were desperately in need of shelter. Shesaid a totalofthree childrenhad sincebeenborn at the facilityand were growing up in inhumanconditions.“We arelivingheredue to circumstances. We were all bornand raised in Gugulethu;wemoved onto the landbecause we could notlivewith our families. We arebegging for places to live.” Nomaphelo said the City hadpromised the occupants shelter in June or July last year.“We even filled relocation forms,but we arestill here.Our livingconditions are appalling,the roof is leakingand when it rainswatercomes in.Wehavetomop-up thewater. Oursafety is alsocompromised; thugs runtothisfacilitywheneverthey areintrouble. Thetoilets arenot working. This place smellsand we have to clean and scrubthe toilets with waterevery day.”

Ward 40 councillor Bongani Ngcombolo dismissedclaimshehad moved people to the facility. “Sports andRecreation handlescommunity halls andasa councillor I can’tmovepeople into this facility.”

He said numerous meetings hadbeen held to resolve the issue. “But the City of CapeTown is draggingits feet. Thesepeople saytheyare willing to move into temporary structures.”

Luthando Tyhalibongo, City spokesperson, said:“The City’s Human Settlements Directorate officials arecommunicating with the eightfamilies. Theirteams have identified possible relocation areasand are conducting required assessments.”

This was dismissedbythe GSCinan emailonTuesday23February (theeighth anniversary of the occupation).“While humanitarianconsiderationsare acknowledged, [theCity]cannotoverridethe constitutional andstatutory obligationtoensure public facilitiesserve their intended purpose for the broader community

“The community of Section 3has exercisedpatience in good faith... We expect transparency,urgency anda concrete plan of action.”

Healthservicereturntonormal aftera‘partial’poweroutage

UNATHIOBOSE

Nyanga Community Health Centreis operating as usual after being partially affected by an electricity outage caused by vandalism.

Since Friday 13 February the clinic experienced electricity problems that impacted service delivery at the facility.

Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness spokespersonSamantha Lee-Jacobs saidthe outage was linked to adamagedelectricity infrastructureinthe community

“The City has since repaired these faults Electricity supplytothe NyangaCDC has beenfully restored. We can confirmthat services continued as normalduring the poweroutage.

“Staff continued to provide services, and there was power supplytothe fridges to ensure thatthe temperature of themedication was not affected,” said Lee-Jacobs. She addedthat despite the partialoutage, the facility did not experience any major servicedisruptions and no patients were diverted to other healthcarefacilities.

However, asecurity officer atthe clinic, who spokeoncondition of anonymity as she is not authorised to speaktothe media, saidthe electricity problems beganonFriday13February and worsened on Monday 16 February.

“The clinic started having electricity problems on Friday. It was on and off until Sunday 15 February.

“On Monday 16 Februarythe electricity wentoff completely until Wednesday, 18 February,” she said.

She claimed that severalpatients were turned awayduringthe outage, particu-

larlythose seeking appointments. Only patients collecting chronic medication were assisted.

Resident Bukelwa MangefromLusaka said she was turned away by security at the entrance due to the electricity issue.

“I wantedtomakeanappointmentbecauseI have asharp pain in my back. I hopedtosee the doctormaybe Friday 20 February,” said Mange.

Ward 37 councillor Sandile Martin condemned the vandalism, saying criminals areputting lives of the people at riskby targeting electricity infrastructure.

He urged residents to take ownership of their communityand protect public infrastructure.

On Wednesdaymorning(18 February) City Vision visited the clinic to see what the community referred to.

Many people who came to make appointments were turned away by the security officers at the gates.

We thenwentinsideand saw the patients sittingatthe receptionand lights were off.

NPO

victims to talk

UNATHIOBOSE

Community members of Khayelitsha, Lingelethu West and the surrounding areasconverged on the Masiphumelele DevelopmentCentre in Khayelitsha fora gender-based violence(GBV) awareness programmeorganisedbyUmtha Welanga on Friday20February

Among those attending the event were the provincialDepartment of Social Development (DSD), ThuthuzelaCareCentre andother non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Thedirector of UmthaWelanga, Vivienne Mciteka, said the aimwas to enlighten the community about the social ills facing them

She said her non-profitorganisation (NPO)focuses on providing family-support programmes, home-based care andassistance to orphans and vulnerable children.

Mciteka described UmthaWelanga as a pillarofthe communitythataimsatbringing servicescloser to the society.

“We are talking about various topics which includes HIV/Aids,Lesbian,Gays, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual (LGBTQI)+ communityand other social illsthat we encounter in oursocieties.We areeducatingthe community andtryingto create aplatform forpeople to speak out.”

She said UmthaWelanga worked closely with DSD. “Most of the young people we dealwith arereferred by the local schools Others come voluntarily. If we seethey have abig problem we referthemtothe provincialDepartment of Social Development.”

“There aredifferent kinds of GBV, including verbal, physical, financial, sexual andemotional,” shepointedout.“Don’tallow yourpartner or spousetoabuse you Once he or shebeats you go andreport it to the policestation or come to us.Wewill assist you.”

Sagela said many people stayinabusive relationshipstokeepthe familyintact, hide the violencefrompeople outsidetheir home by concealing the bruises

Sheadvised victims to apply for protection orders againsttheir abusers

“You cancometous. We won’t judgeyou Evenifyou wanttoleave yourmarriage, butyou don’t knowhow.You cancome andtalk to us,wewilladvise you.”

Lingelethu-WestPolice Station spokesperson SgtXoliswa Nyalambisa said the station is there to assist everyone whohas aproblem.

Shedismissed the myth thatofficers laugh at menwho openGBV casesatthe station

“Wehaveprofessional people whoare well trained to deal with vulnerable individuals. Thereisnosuch thing as officers laughingatpeople whocometoopencases at the station,” said Nyalambisa

Sheadded thatsince theystartedengagingmoreactively with communities, the numberofmen opening casesatthe police station hasbeenincreasing Resident NomfusiLwandle described the event as an eyeopener, onethatencouraged many to speak out.

“I once hada boyfriendwho used to beat me.Iopeneda case againsthim,and he was arrestedand jailedfor three months. w

Winterinitiativeshiftsgearsaswetandcoldweatherlooms

Winter ne fer (NPOs) vul 31 cr tions helps by beddi su en dig shelters cr inc winter. through gra er ca (NGO) clients.

core to cludesat

Muslim burialsat risk?

NAMHLAMONAKALI

Aproposeddigital death-certificate system by the Department of Home Affairs hasraisedfears it could delay Muslim burials andinfringe constitutional religiousrights.

Theproposal mayrequire an electronic death certificate to be issued beforeburialcan take place. Religious leaders warnthiscould causedelays after hours, on weekends and duringpublic holidays

In Islam burial must take place as soon as reasonably possible, oftenwithin 24 hours of death.

TheMuslim Judicial Council of South Africa(MJC-SA)has raised seriousconstitutional concerns,saying administrative requirementsmustnot interfere with religious obligations.

It said delays caused by office closures, technical failuresor processing backlogscould force grievingfamiliestopostpone burials or risk beingtreatedas lawbreakers.

“Thisraisesconcernsrelating to religious freedom, human dignity andthe rights of religiouscommunities to practise their faith.” the councilstated.

TheMJC-SA said anyblanket administrative rule thatprevents timely burial mayconflict with constitutional protections, including Section 15 on freedomofreligion andSection 31 on cultural andreligious practice.

Religious leadersare calling forsafeguards,including after-hoursprocesses or emer-

gencyexemptions, to ensure burials canproceed without delay.

Home Affairs spokesperson

Thulani Mavusosaid:“Currently, whereimmediate burial is required for cultural or religious reasonsand aHome Affairs officeisnot openor available,a notice of death form(DHA 1663) is completed by amedical professional. This allows the burial to proceed, with formalregistration done once the department’s reopen.” He said this accommodation would continue. “Thisprinciple of accommodatingthe need for immediate burial will be fully retainedand will extend to digital channelsunder development.”

Thedepartmentsaid the proposed changes areintended to improve compliance with death-registrationlawsand prevent fraud.

Mavusosaid inaccurate records occurwhendeaths are notregisteredbeforeburial, leaving deceasedpeople recordedasbeing alive

“Thisopens the doortoacts of fraud, identity theft andundermines the integrity of the country’s civilregistry.”

Mavusosaid future practices would be implemented in a manner thatfully upholdsthe religious practice of burying immediately or burial shortly afterdeath. Wording would be clarified in the finalpolicy, Home Affairs said TheMJC-SA said it mayopposeany provisionsimpeding promptburial, whichburial societies saypresentslogistical challenges

A Crabeater seal visitsCape waters

Artistready to inspirepatrons

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Follow your heart. That’s the theme of the 16th Cape Town Carnivaland it’s exactly what makeupartist Jemma Fourie pours into her craft.

Fourie has been chosenasone of the “champions”for Cape Town’s biggest event, taking place on Saturday21March at the GreenPoint Fan Walk.

Fourie will join other creatives which include singer Anslin Gysman, local actor Natashavan der Merwe, DJ Ready D, graffiti artist RizahPotgieter, and designer Stephen van Eeden

Carnival organisers say people can look forward to acelebration of diversity as over 1000 performers and 10 colourful handcrafted floats are set to dazzle spectators.

Fourie said thetheme resonates deeply with her love for creativity and self-expression.

“I share my love for all things self-expression, beauty and life, especially in regard to makeup artistry. My creativity andlove forthe arts, whether on paper or on faces, is what drives me. This from ayoung age translated into finding that samecommunityonline and sharing each step of my journey there.”

Fourie, who is also asocial media content creator, said shefeels honoured to take part in this year’s event.

“Itfeels inspiring. It always does. Every time you walk into aroom that is connected to Cape Town Carnival, you are walkinginto a

Brasse vandie Park securesvictory away from home

Shane JacobsofFNRangersFootballClubsecures the ball betweenhis legs to blockoff an attack by Moegamat

day21February.Brassevan die Park beat the hometeam2-0 PHOTO:RASHIEDISAACS

Riverlycontinueson the fields

ImathipaRethabileofNelson Mandelahigh school winning the girls under 14 hundred meters sprints duringthe FalseBay Zone championship heldatVygieskraal on Saturday21February duringthe FalseBay Zone championship heldatVygieskraal Stadium on Saturday21February

PHOTOS: RASHIEDISAACS