City Vision E-edition 30 April 2026

No tofmoney erson

at least 108 drivers,the highestcount for the year in the Western Capethusfar, were arrestedlastweekfor drivingunder the influence of alcohol.

Theseirresponsible driverscould have caused seriousharmtoother people.Weall knowthe dangers associatedwith alcohol anddrunk driving, butbecause someone hassuccessfully navigatedhis or herway home in the past theyare ofteninclined to believetheyare safe drivers.

Thefactispeople whoare drunkdonot realise their mistakes anditissimply foolishtothink theyare good driverswhen you aredrunk.Thisamounts to stupidity of the highestorder Roads arethere to be used andshared responsibly. Thefactthatsomeone hasdriven or gotten home safe while drivingunder the influence doesnot mean you theyare master drivers. It takesseconds for an accident to happen.

To all the road users, let’sput the value of life to the foreinall thatwedoon ourroads.There is no amountofmoney thatisworth someone’s life. Yes, we are aware of izinkabi andtheir handlers who putprice tagsonpeople’s lives,but in reality no amountofmoney equatestoaperson’slife. Thinkabout all those mothers andfamilieswho overthe years have lost their loved oneonour roads.Losingsomeoneisaneternal wound. To all the drivers andeveryoneusingour roads,you have a role to playinturning the death tide on ourroads.Whenyou getinto yourvehicleagain,bepresent andrememberthat it takesseconds to getinto an accident, a momentthatcould forever alteraperson’s entire life. Exercisecaution anddrive all the other cars around you

ngintoabyss

ment that couldalsoalign with ourbeliefs and ideologies,which couldbecomeproblematic if onebecomes trappedinloop contentthat strokesour egos withoutalsochallengingusto think.

Hating andtrolling remain as popularasever, andinthe commentssectionsusers canbeseen trying to competefor thewittiestcomment or thenastiestremark, lambasting someonefor theirhaircut or outfitchoice.

Thesad realityisthatCEOsofthese social-media platformscaremorefor profit than bullying, as more commentsmeanmore traction as engagement helpsa post to keep appearingonpeople’stimelines despitehow the insultshavehurtthe victim’s mental health

It appearswecan become so numb lookingat allthe chaoticnews, especially with theendless updatesofdestroyed hospitals, schoolsand destructionand bloodshed plaguing theMiddle East

Theirony of allthisisthatpeopleare killing oneanother in Hisname, of doingGod’s work, andweremainastonishedathow contentcreatorsuse thesetragicwarstofueltheir political agendasand endlessmudslinging.All thewhile thelateJohnLennon’santhemofpeace,“Imagine”,springs to mind,a familiar tune that seems to fall on deaf areas. So Ipraythatwestart usingthese toolsto reflectonourselves more closely, insteadofbecoming more andmoreabsorbedinthe endless dramaand oceanofcontent informingushow to live andwhattolike.

As theGermanphilosopher FriedrichNietzschefamouslysaid: “And if yougazelong into theabyss, theabyss also gazesintoyou.”

Xhosateacher on literacy mission

UNATHIOBOSE

Inanefforttopromote literacyCape Town High School isiXhosa teacher Aphiwe Sigadi, from Khayelitsha,has starteda book club at the schooltosupport learners

The 29-year-old, who is passionate about the arts, began workingatthe schoolin 2024. After seeing there wasnoschool libraryhedecided to establish abookclub.

“I have beenpassionate about writing from an earlyage, even whileI wasstill at primary school. Iused to write poems Yearslater, in 2019, Iformedthe Backto School organisation, where Iworked with young artists, mentoring them on how to write poetry. We evenpublished several collections.”

After graduating from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) with a Bachelor of Education (BEd) in2022 Sigadi worked on acontractbasisatseveral schools, the idea of startinga book clubgestating in hismind.Itstarted manifesting at SilverLeaf Primary School inDunoon “There Iwas planningitwithanother teacherwhen my 12-month contract expired, having taught there from June2022 to June 2023.”

But during his next contract post,atMontevideo Primary SchoolinMontana,his dreambecame areality

“My contract wasa nine-month one,but I managedtostart abook clubbeforemoving on to Cape Town High School in the City Bowl.After my contract periodended in March 2024Iwas offered apermanent post there, which began the following month.”

Sigadi said CapeTown High had nolibrary, even though there wereclassrooms therethat could be used for this purpose He organised agroup of learners into a book club.

“I started the book club in May2024 with

30 learners. Iapproached individuals and organisations to donate books. Nowwe have afully-fledged library at the school, andthe number of book club members has grownto64.”

He addedthat acquiring more books has also enabled the schooltodonate some to other schools, particularly in underprivileged communities.

Lastmonth at least 500 books were donated to New Eisleben High SchoolinCrossroads, and earlier this month about1 000 weregiven to to Silver Leaf school

According to Sigadithe goal is to donate books to at least 10 schools before the end of theyear.

“I’m trying to promotereading among youngpeople. Many learners don’t fail theirexams because they are incapable; sometimesthey simply don’t understand the language. By engagingwith books more they will improvetheir reading and writingskills. By understanding English better their marks willimprove and they willbe able toexpress themselves more clearly.”

He also pointed outthat somecommunities weresoheavily affected by crime that learnerswere unabletouse locallibraries. Schools, hesaid, areoften the safest places inthese communities

Cape Town High isiXhosa teacher AphiweSigadi (29),who established abook club at the school, is nowgiving back to thecommunitybydonating books to township schools

PHOTO:SUPPLIED

Cityimpounds digger loaders

UNATHIOBOSE

Two digger loaders wereimpounded by the CityofCape Town onFriday 17 April, after it was discovered they were being used for illegal sand mining Wayne Dyason, the City’sLaw Enforcement spokesperson, said on Thursday16 April officers had responded to ongoing complaints about illegal sand mining in the Khayelitsha loa wi day and ma rem er the tion resp bo spati Andrews regulated assessment gi men to affect vices. pliance cation Tow ty on

outauthorised access or infrastructure approval.Headded thatmining wastaking placebetween houses without measures to protect their structural andfoundational integrity.

Andrews further warned thatexcavating deep holes in loosesand withina residential areaposed asevere safety risk. As the site was not secured residents andanimals risked fallinginto these pits, whichcould lead to injur rdeath.

Heritagesiteorholiday stay?

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Ever wondered what it wouldbeliketo spend the night on Robben Island?

Thatcould soon become areality should Robben Island Museum (RIM)move aheadwith plans to turn about 100 former prison-guard houses into overnight tourist accommodation.

The plan has gained mixedreactions from the public and heritagegroups.

RobbenIsland was declared aUnited Nations Educational, Scientifical and Cultural Organisation (Unesco)World Heritage Site in 1999 forits profound cultural significance.

RIM said in apress statement it has embarkedona project to “meaningfully repurpose” former guards’ houses into accommodation facilities as part ofits commitment to sustainable tourism development and responsible heritage management.

It said the houses will adaptively be reused to servecontemporary social, economic, and environmental objectiveswhile “preserving their historicalintegrity.”

“The conversion of the guards’ houses into accommodation supports economic sustainabilitybygeneratingrevenue that contributes to the museum’slong-term financial viability.”

RIM said it doesnot believe thatconverting the houses will undermine the site’s universal heritage value.

According to RIM, income fromovernight stays helps subsidise conservation work, educational programmes,and the ongoing maintenance of the site, reducing relianceonexternal fundingsources

“Thisapproach ensures thatheritage resources actively support their own preservation. From asocialsustainability perspective, the repurposing of these buildings contributes to inclusive heritage use.”

It further said that the accommodation provides space for researchers, teachers, artists-in-residence, students, andstaff who areengaged in heritage,memory work,and dialogueabout democracyand human rights.

By reimagining historic infrastructure forpresent-day usethe museum ensures the island remains alivingheritage site, onethat generateseconomicvalue, fosters social transformation andrespects environmental limits, while preservingthe powerful historical narratives embedded in itsbuilt environment.

According to RIM, relevant permitshad been received to embark on this project and that stakeholder engagement had been conducted.

However, RIM did notrespond to City Vision’s sisternewspaper People’s Post’s queries about this stakeholder engagement that took place or thegroups that were consulted during the process.

Ash Müller, property media professional, saidfromadevelopment standpointthe concept is viable,but only under specific conditions

She added that such projects required adelicate balance struckbetween “commercial feasibility” and strict “heritage conservation”

“The existingstructures provide astrong foundation thatcan reducenew-build impact, but the costofcompliantrestoration, infrastructure upgrades, andongoing maintenance can be significantly higher thaninconventional developments.”

She added that viability hinges on positioning and believes it must be alow-density,high-valueoffering rather thana “mass-tourism product”

“If executed withsensitivity andclear conservation guidelines it can enhancethe island’s narrative rather than detract from it.However, viabilityisless about maximisingreturns and more aboutachieving

sustainable,purpose-driven use.”

Müller said thebiggest challenges when repurposing historic buildings for tourism and hospitality use, especially on aWorld Heritage Site, are both “technical and philosophical”.

“You aredealing with ageing structures that mustbeupgraded to meet modern safety, accessibilityand service standards, often withoutaltering their original fabric. Logisticsonanisland add another layer of complexitytoconstruction, utilities and ongoingoperations.”

Shesaid cultural andhistorical integrity mustalso be considered.

“RobbenIsland is notjust aheritage site; it is aplaceofprofound national and global significance.Any intervention must be guided by respect for its legacy, ensuring commercial activity does not overshadow or dilute its meaning.”

Müller said heritage-based accommodationcan be financially sustainable when it

offers aunique, “deeply contextual experience that justifies premium pricing.” She added that revenue alone shouldn’t be the sole objective.

“These projects work best when they operate within abroader funding ecosystem, potentially including public-private partnerships, grants, and conservation funding. If approached correctly, accommodation can become asupporting mechanism for preservation rather than the primary driver.”

Müller explained that the success depended on maintaining the site’sintegrity while creating an experience that is “both respectful and economically resilient.”

Durbanville Heritage Societysaidina statement that it is not against the restoration of the homes to the former condition, “provided that it remains authentic and preserves the historical period and stays true to the original character of the island prison.”

Twokilled,threeinjuredin BrownsFarmshooting

UNATHIOBOSE

Nyanga policehaveregisteredtwo counts of murder andthree counts of attempted murder following ashootingincident on Tuesday 21 April, at Eyadini informalsettlementinBrowns Farm. Theincident occurred at approximately 16:00.

Provincial police spokesperson,CaptFC vanWyk, confirmedthat two men, aged 30 and 40, were shot and fatally wounded, whilethree others were injured. Theinjuredvictims were transported to hospital fortreatment.

“Nyanga policeresponded to ashooting incident at the mentionedaddress.Upon arrival, officers found onedeceasedperson insidea shackwith agunshot wound to the head. Thesecond victimwas found afew metres away, also with gunshot wounds to the head. Thethree injured victimswere takentohospital,” said Van Wyk.

He added thatthe circumstances surrounding the shooting arestill under investigation,and the motive for the attack

remainsunknown at this stage.“The suspects fledthe sceneand have notyet been arrested,” he said

Acommunity leader,who asked to remain anonymousfor fear of harassment, said the victims were at ashebeen when the shooting occurred. He described the incident as horrific.Hesaid oneofthe deceased was awoman.

“Unknown menentered andrandomly openedfireonpatrons. Awoman was shot multiple times anddiedinside the shebeen.Anothervictim was alsoshot several times. He tried to escape butcollapseda fewmetresawayand died. Three otherswereseriouslyinjured. We will not speculate andwillleave the matter to the authorities,” he said

He added thatcrimeremainsaserious concerninthe area andappealed for the deploymentofthe army to assist the police

Anyonewith information about the incident is urgedtocontactCrime Stopon 08600 10111 or usethe MySAPS mobile application anonymously

Safety, supporta national right

AsSouth Africa marked 32 years of FreedomDay yesterday(27 April), the National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) called for an urgent national reflection on whatfreedom truly meansfollowing the declaration of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF)as anational disaster.

“This classification formalises what shelters across the countryhave witnessed for years –that domestic violence isnot aprivate matter, but anationalemergency affecting thousands of families every day,” said Greer Schoeman, NSMSA board member. “It also signifies that the scale of harm facing women and children is comparable to any other national crisis. Why then are traumatised survivors still expected to navigate complex legalsystems, often without support?”

NSMSA is is anon-profit organisation established in 2008 at aconference of shelters nationally and currently consists of78 shelters spread across all nine provinces

Protectionorderscritical

According to NSMSA, applying fora protection order often requires an unrealistic level of recall, clarityand emotional readiness from individuals in crisis.Many womenarrive at court having just fled violence, often in shock, without documentation and without assistance.

Across South Africa, shelters–supported by NSMSA –provide immediaterefuge,

safety planning, psychosocial careand practical support to survivors escaping abusive homes. These services frequently serveasthe first point of safetyfor women andchildren who have nowhere else to turn. National crime statistics from indicate 5400 womenare murdered annually in SA, while 63 000 domestic violence cases reported annually continue to demonstrate the scale andurgency of the crisis andthe need for stronger protection mechanisms for survivors of domestic violence, said NSMSA.

Survivor-centredsupport

Schoemanemphasises that while protection orders remain oneofthe most criticallegal tools available to survivors of violence, the process of accessingthem must be grounded in survivorsafety and support.

“In the current context we must be clear aboutwhatworks. Safety andsupport must always come first. Before survivors are expected to engage with the justice system, the prioritymust be securingimmediatesafety for women and their children. Thatmeans effectively amplifying GBV helplines and strengthening referral pathways so survivors are connected to community-based services without delay.”

The classification of GBVF as anational disasterplaces responsibility on all sectors,including policing, justice services andsocialsupport systems, to respond

Applicationsforfellowship closethisweek

Grade 12 learners who display academic excellence and entrepreneurial potential have until Thursday 30 April to applyfor TheAllan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship Programme.

The programme gives matriculants who have always dreamt of making adifference in theircommunityorwanted to explore acareer as business owners.Successful candidates gain access to needs-based university funding, entrepreneurial mindset development and the support of personal industry mentors.

Through these combinations of resources, networks and development opportunities, Candidate Allan GrayFellows are empowered to generateideas,launch ventures and grow purpose-driven businesses that make atangible impact.

Requirements:

. South African citizenship

. Currently in Grade 12 in the yearof application

. Aminimum of 60%inpure mathematics or 80%inmathematical literacy for finalGrade11results

. Aminimum average of 70% forfinal Grade 11 results (excluding life orientation)

. An intentiontostudytowards a commerce, science, engineering, law, humanities, arts, or healthsciences degree (excluding medicine, veterinary science, anddentistry) at oneofthe followingpartneruniversities: University of the Western Cape, UniversityofCape Town,Stellenbosch University, University of KwaZulu Natal,University of the Free State,University of Pretoria, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, University of Johannesburg,Wits University or TSiBA. Visit www.allangrayorbis.org to download an application form, or to applyonline.

Lateapplicationsopenfor GradeR,1and8to17May

Following the closure of applications for Grade R, 1and 8learnersfor the 2027 academic year, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) says parents who missed the deadline will have until Sunday 17 May to apply as part of its late application process.

According to the WCED, atotal of 166 144 parentsapplied for their children before the Tuesday 14 April deadline. However, alllate applications will only be considered by schools after the applications received during the on-time window have been considered.

Schools will now apply their admissions policies to all the applications they received during theon-time window. The outcomes of these applications will become available online fromThursday 28 May, and parents must confirm their choice of placement or schoolbyMonday 15 June.

Parents who receive multiple offersof acceptance but do not select one of those offers by Monday 15 June will be automatically confirmed to their top-ranked

in acoordinated andurgent fashion. For shelters this recognition reinforces their role as essentialcomponents of the country’ssafety infrastructure. Despite this, shelters acrossthe country continue to operateunder chronic funding constraints. Many arerequired to respond to increasingdemandwhile working with limited resources,supporting survivorswho often arrive traumatised, displaced and in urgent need of protection.

Systemgapsundermineprotection

“We also need to scale up proven community models,” added Schoeman. “Programmessuchasthe [MOSAIC TrainingServiceand Healing Centre’s] court-support modelshowwhat effective, survivor-centredsupport lookslike. They reduce caseattritionand help women navigate complex legal processes. It is unreasonable to expect awoman, often traumatisedand displaced, to manage this process on herown.Even modest investment in court-support services can significantly improve outcomesacrossthe criminal justice system.

“Finally, every policestation must have aproperly functioning victim-friendly room. Completingaprotection order is not an administrative exercise, but adeeply personal and often retraumatising process. Thecurrent gap of approximately 90 victim-friendly rooms in police facilitiesisnot aminor infrastructure issue.

Even where these rooms exist quality and accessibility remain inconsistent, and this must be addressed as part of the national response to GBVF.”

TheNSMSA emphasises that public awareness remained one of the most significant barriers to safety. “Many individuals remain unaware of theirrightsorthe steps required to access protection,” she said. “Public education is essentialtoensure survivors understand the protections available to them...”

Strongerlaws,sharedresponsibility

Thegender-justice organisation noted that recent amendments to SouthAfrica’sdomestic-violence legislation have strengthened available protections, including broader definitions of domestic violence and additional mechanisms aimed at improving survivor safety. Legal reform alone cannot address the crisis without accessible support services and informed communities.

TheNSMSA has urged SouthAfricans to recognise that freedom is not measured only by constitutional rights, but by the safetyand dignity experienced in everyday life. For many survivors the ability to live without fear is the most meaningful expression of freedom. In acountry where GBVF has been formally recognised as a national disaster, ensuring access to protection, safetyand support is not optional –itisanational responsibility.

Lwandlehostelresidents celebratehousingupgrades

UNATHIOBOSE

Hostel residents in Lwandle arerelieved after their homes were upgraded by the City’s Department of HumanSettlements

Theproject,which began in November 2023, wascompleted on Friday 24 April.It involved the upgrade of 43 rentalunits.

One beneficiary SindiswaMpulampula said she wasthrilled with the newlookof her home.

“They replaced the asbestos roof with IBR zinc sheets and installed anew ceiling. It is nowneatand warm.Inolongerstress when it rains becausethe roof is solid,” explained Mpulampula

The mother of three said sheinherited the house from her parents andhad lived there forover 30 years.

“WhenI arrived here in 1992 Iwas still young.I grew up in this house. Both my parents died and left it to me.”

Another beneficiary NosisiMtambeka, praised the ward councillor for the initiative.

She said she had been worried thather

housemay notberenovated.

“Thisisthe firsttimewehavea councillorwho works for everyone.Inthe past leaderswereselective. If theydidn’tknow you or yourfamilytheywouldn’t assist you.Iamproud of my housenow,which used to leak whenever it rained.” Ward 86 councillor XolaniDiniso said Block Sixwas the last of the 43 units identified for renovation.Heemphasisedthat the projectwas spearheadedbythe national Department of Human Settlements and implemented by the City. “Weare replacingall asbestos roofs in the hostels. We arealsoinstalling newceilingsbecause we cannot replace the roof andleave the ceilingunchanged.”

He added thataninvestigation by the nationaldepartmentfound many residents were suffering from tuberculosisdue to exposuretoasbestos materials. Theaim was to restore the dignityofresidents by improving their livingconditions. He noted the hostels hadbeenbuilt in the apartheid eraand were more than50years old

choice.

Parents whowish to transfer their child toadifferentschool for Grades2– 7or 9–12next year duetorelocation will have the opportunity to submit atransfer request between Monday3August and Monday 17 August.

The WCED urges parents who have applied to inform thedepartment if their contact details changed, to ensure the correct details when the outcomesof applicationsare made available

Provincialeducation minister David Maynier said parents are responsible for applying foraplace at aschool for their child.

“There are still 1441 current Grade 7learners in theWestern Cape whose parents have notyet appliedfor aplace in Grade 8next year.

"We urge parents to apply immediately, to help us plan for aplace in aschool for their child next year.

“We have made help available for parents,sothere really is no reason not to apply,” saidMaynier.