DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette – E-Edition – 15 April 2026

Housing committeeelected

Barend Williams

Hope and optimism filled Strand Town Hall on Saturday (11April) as representatives were elected to the Rusthof Housing Development’s Project Engagement Committee (PEC), with officials announcing construction beginning within amonth.

The CityofCape Town allocated abudget of R84 million forthe project, which is currently at tender phase.Construction starts with earthworks, followedby 363 housing units once rivercanalisation is complete, withcompletion expected by 2028.

The packed town hall brought beneficiaries from three wards, Ward 86 (Lwandle and parts of Nomzamo), Ward 100 (Gordon’s Bay and Strand) and Ward 85 (Nomzamo and Strand),together. Subcouncil proportional representatives Kurt Oliver and Judy-Ann Stevens attended alongside Ward86councillor Xolani Diniso.

Family membersofbeneficiaries, the

generalpublic, forums andnon-qualifyingpersonswere excluded fromthe meeting. Nonzuzo Jacob, acting Subcouncil 8manager, explained this was to ensureonlybeneficiaries would be selected forthe PEC.

Project managerYumnah Amien, who wasappointed six months ago, acknowledged that getting the project off the ground took longer thanexpected. She explainedone of the main reasons was that residents of an informalsettlement on the designated project site refused to relocate

However, Amien confirmed construction would commence within amonth for adurationoftwo years. “I hope the projectwill be afruitful one,” she related.

Before the electioncommenced Mbuthokazi Kubashe of the City’s public participation departmentspoke to those in attendance about the importance of selecting the right representatives.

“ThePEC is the link between the City andthe community. If it fails the project fails,”she pointed out.

During the electionWard 100 resi-

dents raised concernsthat some people mightbeineligible to attendthe meeting, saying “theyknowwho lives in their community”.

Diniso explained thatbecause housing applications had been made decades ago, applicants who originally appliedin Rusthofmay have since movedbetween the three wards

Oncethis was resolved,the wards were divided and representativeswere elected, with the entire beneficiary pool then selecting the six PECmembers.

Subcouncil chairpersonChantal Cerfontein thanked officials for ensuring a fair process. “It shows that no matter which political party onerepresents, we canwork together as ateamfor the greater good of ourcommunities,” she said.

The elected representatives are:NontsikeleloBartman andSimphiwe Puthi (Ward 86); BeverlyDamonse andHannelise de Lange(Ward 100); andLiezelWilliams andAlistair Robertson (Ward85). Damonseexpressed her delightat being elected. “We willlay the first brick andmakesure the finalstone is set,” she said.

The Broadlands Park resident, whohas been acommunity leader for 30 years, said the community hasgrown tired of project leaders who are unable to fulfil their obligations.

Puthi, on the waiting listfor more than 20 years, is ecstatic aboutthe project.“It is timefor us to do the rightthing for all the beneficiaries,”heshared.

Stevens said projects such as this help alleviate Cape Town’shousing crisis ThePEC willhold its firstmeeting this Saturday (18 April).Afterwards,the committee willmeetwith City officials forproject updates monthly.

Many still out in thecold

Yaseen Gaffar

Afast-movingfireswept through the RastaCampinformal settlementinSir Lowry’s Pass on the afternoon of Saturday 4April,destroying homes and leaving dozensofresidents homeless

Theemergency call was received around14:20, reporting structuresalight in the settlement. TheCityofCape Town’s Fire andRescueServiceresponded by deploying crewsfromthe SirLowry’s Pass,Strand, Macassar andBelhar stations to combat the flames

Firefightersbattled the blaze for nearly two hoursunder difficultconditions. Jermaine Carelse,spokesperson for the Fire andRescue Service,confirmed that the firewas successfully containedbefore it could spread further.

“By16:14, firefightersextinguished the blaze thatdestroyed an estimated 12 structures andleft40persons displaced,” Carelse said.“No injuries were reported andthe causeisunknown.”

Whilenolives were lost, the aftermath hasdisplacedresidents,manyofwhom lostall their belongings andclaimthey arebeing left in the cold.

Local resident PetroleneAlberts expressedthe growing desperation among those affected. Shenoted thatmany families have nowhere to turntoasthe wintermonths approach.

“The displacedneedassistanceand have nowhere to go,” Alberts said. “We’ve been trying to engagethe City to provide temporaryshelter, butweare notgetting anypositive response.”

Respondingtothe community’s concerns, the City clarified thatwhile they provide immediate “soft relief”,the provision of housingmaterials falls under national jurisdiction

Carl Pophaim,Mayoral Committee member for Human Settlements, confirmedthatthe City hascompletedits initial assessment.

“The City’s Informal SettlementsDepartment hasconcludedthe data verification process to confirmthe number of affectedhouseholds,” Pophaimexplained. “The verified information has been formally submitted to the national DepartmentofHuman Settlementsfor consideration andassistancewiththe provision of building materials to the affectedhouseholds.”

Pophaimadded thatCity teams including human settlements,disasterrisk management, andfire andrescue focus on data verification,soft relief(blankets, foodand hygiene kits), debris clearing andsafety assistance. “The national HumanSettlements Departmentisresponsible for assisting the affectedresidents with building kits,”Pophaim said.

“The national ministry is responsible for emergency reliefand funding in terms of issuingbuilding kits to the affectedresidents afterfires or floods,” he said

This week Alberts said thatthe community received avisit by MP Sindiswa Masumpa, whosympathised with the families andassured thatgovernment will provide some sort of assistance.

“Weare still in need of buildingmaterials, food, mattressesand blankets,” said Alberts

She canbecontacted on 071213 5595.

Not so sweet Soet River makeover

BarendWilliams

Astorytelling NPO swapped cameras for shovels as Make aChange tackled the polluted Soet River head-on.

Nearly 50 volunteers removed approximately 10 tons of litter during the six-hour clean-up on Saturday 11 April, filling 330 bags with waste.

The organisation wasfounded by Tyron McKinnon,Andrew Forteand Deanvan Schalkwyk in 2020,with the aim of telling the storiesofotherNPOs through social media. But this time, the organisation became the story by tackling one of Helderberg’sbiggest environmentalconcerns.

Theinitiative startedwhen Van Schalkwyk simply looked aroundhis community. “I am aresident of Die Bos,whichisonly twoblocks away from the river. Idrive down Onverwacht Roadfive timesaweek and have beenseeingthe pollution issues the riverhas been facing for years,” he explained.

The trio answered acallfrom the City of Cape Towntotackle issues in their local communities, leading to athree-waypartnershipfor theclean-upseries.

The partnership forms part of the City’s Waterand Sanitation Directorateinitiative, which awardedR3,5 million in grant funding to 22 community-based organisations acrossCape Town to improve environmental conditions within the communities they serve (“Funding for cleanups,” DistrictMail &Helderberg Gazette,18 February).

The projects were selected based on their individual merits, including their abilityto address water pollution in priority hotspot areas

The municipality prioritised practical, short-term interventions that could be implementedbetweenFebruary andJune thisyear.

Saturday’s clean-up targeted the waterway onthe borderofLwandle and Strand on the right side of Onverwacht Road, where waste has been accumulating. “The mainaim of ourfirst clean was to getthe waterway open and return with amuch larger volunteer force to remove the rest of therubble, as well as work at unblocking under thebridge,”said Van Schalkwyk.

“This should bring back flow to the river and help waste makeits wayinto the City litter trap, which is tended five days a week.”

Despitethe success, Make aChange believes the Soet River needs more than periodic clean-ups. “I feel there is alack of education around litter and theimpact. Thereisanimpression that the waterway is an easy waytodispose of waste,”said Van Schalkwyk.

He implores those living nearwaterways to care moreabout their surroundings,as theproblem extends beyond thesection they cleaned.

The roadtoSaturday’ssuccess wasn’t easy. Funding, equipment sponsorship andfinding committed volunteers posed challenges.

“Wehope ourcontent of this first effort doeswell so thatwecan direct individuals

to ourBack-a-Buddy campaign or to donate directly to our efforts. Ialso put acallout to other local business owners –ifyou have the means to help, please do,”hesaid Make aChangewill host their second clean-up on Saturday 9May, followed by the finalone on Saturday 13 June.

Ifyouwouldliketogetinvolvedorknowmore abouttheinitiative,callVanSchalkwykon 0741930011.

Doodstiltotdat Reeceopstaan Doodstil totdat

BarendWilliams

Week 3: Opvoeding en ontwikkeling

Dis 05:00 in dieMeyer-woning. Alles is doodstil.Skielik gaan die televisie aanendie gebrul van “Impi ya masolider” vul die huis –skerp en onverbiddelik in die vroegmôre-stilte.

Vir die meeste gesinne sou dit ’n moeilike manier wees om wakker te word, maar vir Megan en Renaldo Meyer asook hul ander twee kinders beteken dit net een ding –hul 14-jarige seun en broer, Reece, is wakker en gereed om diedag aan te pak

LANGPADNAANTWOORDE

LEWE METOUTISME IN DIE HELDERBERG, ‘n vyf weke reeksdeur DistriksPos &HelderbergGazette

daar is sekere dinge waarmeehy nie meer gemaklik is nie, want hy is nou groot,” verduidelik Megan.

TRANSFORMASIEOPWIELE

Die 15 minute lange busrit na Rusthof Olso vir leerders met spesiale onderwysbehoeftes verteenwoordig ’n daaglikse transformasie.

Dit was egter niealtyd so maklik nie. Reece se reis na hierdie punt wasgevul met jare van onsekerheid en uitdagings. Hoewel hy vroeë tekens vanoutismegetoon het –hykon op 18 maande nie praat nie en was sensitief vir lig –issy ouers meegedeeldit was “’nontwikkelingsvertraging”.Nájare se toetse is vlak3-outisme en apraksieuiteindelik in2018op sesjarige ouderdom by hom gediagnoseer. Vandag kommunikeer Reece deur Makaton-gebaretaal, ’n kommunikasieprogram wat diegene met apraksie help omhul gedagtes oor te dra.

DIEOGGENDSTRYD

“Hy word altyd wakker met’nplanen weet presies wat hy vir daardie dag wil dra,” sê Megan. “Dan begin die stryery oor die feit dat hy nie daardie spesifieke uitrusting vir die dag kandra nie en dat hy sy skooluniform moet aantrek.” Hierdie daaglikse stryd oor sy skooluniform is net een aspek vanReece se normale oggend. Ná sy oggend-selfversorging –waar hy sy tande borsel, hoewelhy glad nie van die sensasie hounie –vat hy sy AXE-spuitbusenverlaat die badkamer in ’n wolk van testosteroon-rook “Ek sou nie sê dit is rebels nie, maar

“ReecieBoy” is sy ma se kind, maar as die bussedeure oopgaan en hy sy voete op die skoolgrond neersit, is hy “Reece die Rizzler”.

Tania Louw, diedepartementshoof van die skool se outisme-eenheid, verduidelik dat leerders geïndividualiseerde ondersteuningsplanne volg.

“Ons hooffokus is datons kinders in hul toekomstigelewe onafhanklik moet wees,” sê Louw.

MEERASNETSKOOLWERK

Dr. Monique de Wit vandie Universiteit Stellenbosch en ’n kollega, Naomi Beth Conolly, beklemtoon gespesialiseerde onderwys gaan verder as net akademiese vakke.

“Ditvorm ’n kind se ontwikkeling,welstand, veiligheid en lewensgehalte direk,” verduidelikhulle.

Kommunikasievaardighede, motoriese ontwikkeling en geletterdheid word alles geïndividualiseer.

Vir Reece is rekenaar-tyd die hoogtepunt vansyskooldag. Tydens ruskansmaak hy grappiesmet sy vriende, maar wanneerjuffrouTania rekenaar-tydaankondig, is daar net een ding in sy kop.

FAMILIEWATAANPAS

Die Meyer-gesin het geleer omhul lewe rondom Reece se behoeftes te struktureer. Albei ouers is sportafrigters en Reece pasbyhul roetines in: Maandae enWoensdae sokkeroefening saam met sy ma; Dinsdae en Donderdaerugby by dieGustrouw-sportterrein saam met sy pa.

Op die rugbyveld is hy in sy element. Met diegrasonder sy voete. die wind in sy hare en die son op sy vel is dieoefen-sessies sy eie Nuweland,waar hy nooit bangisin die aanval nie.

Aande word gekenmerk deurgesinstydvoor die tele-

Reecesegestruktureerde dag: Vanvroegmôre-rugbykretetot aandkyk-keuses

visie. Reece kies altydrugby-oorlogskrete virdie gesin se kyktyd en vertel sy dag deur Makaton-gebare met sy mond wat’n “T” vorm wanneer hy vanjuffrou Tania praat

UITDAGINGSENGROEI

Nieelkedag is makliknie.Soms word Reece oorgestimuleer en raak hy uitgeput.

“Ons kan op ’n moeilike dag siendat iets homontstel het en ons kan hom nie verstaan nie. Hy sal’nstryery begin en soms kom daar ’n punt waar hy begin skree,”verduidelik Megan.

Maar Reece is ook nou ’n tiener en dit beteken meer aanpassing. Sy stemisbesig om te breek en hy voel nie altyd gemaklik om sy ma se hand vas te hounie.Vir Megan is dit ’n goeie teken –dit bringhom nader aan onafhanklikheid.

DROMEINSWART

Reece het duidelike toekomsvisies. Elkeoggend raak hy vasgevang in die wêreldvan begrafnisse op YouTube, gefassineer deur diekiste en blomme,maar veraldeur die swartpakke. Hy siennie net deftigekerkdrag nie–hysien sy drome.

Soms trek hy sy swartpak aan en boots ditnadat hy ’n begrafnis uitvoer. Dit is meer as net spel –dit is sy beroepsvoorbereiding.

Met vier jaar oor by Rusthof Olso fokus Megan op haar seun se toekoms.

“Ekdink hy is aanstelbaar en sy droom is natuurlikom’nbegrafnisondernemer te wees,” sê sy hoopvol Kundiges sê dieontwikkeling van kommunikasie en onafhanklikheid in selfsorg kan baie help. “Maar virsommige mense met outisme beteken onafhanklikheidnie om

ReeceMeyer word elke dagwakker met ’n hartvol rugbytrots.

ReeceMeyer vertel sy ouers elkedag ná skool vansyervaringsbyRusthof Olso.Regs: Ma Megan

alleen te woon nie, maar eerder in ondersteundeleefomgewings,” verduidelikhulle Vir dieMeyer-gesin gaan ditoor meer as net Reece se diagnose–dit gaan oor’n seun wat elke dag opstaan met ’n plan, wat van “Reecie Boy” na “dieRizzler”transformeer, en wat droom van ’n toekomsin ’n swartpak.

Volgendeweek:Volwassenesmetoutismese onafhanklikheid-ervarings.

R24,99 R59,99

R24,99 R59,99

R24,99 R59,99

R19,99

Feesvierders (van links) is eerw. Emmanuel Gabriel (Sencit-bestuurder)eneerw. Ralph Afghan (Sencit-kringsuperintendent) saam met die vereerde personeel, Ruth Booysen (10 jaar), WillyEngelbrecht (30jaar)enSharon vanSchalkwyk (20jaar)

Langasems vereer

Vyftig jaar vandiens is dieafgelope Saterdag (11April)bydie Sencit Resthaven-tehuis virbejaardes gevier –nie netdie tehuis se mylpaal nie, maarook die toewyding van langdienende personeel.

Die tehuis het die “Sencit-50ste tee-viering” gehou, waar inwoners en personeel die fees kon geniet,insluitend’noptrede in lewende lywe deur Kruger en Tutu (MattKruger en Warren Tutu).

Tydens die viering het die bestuurook tyd afgestaan om personeel te vereer, van wie sommige al langerasdie helfte vandie tehuis se bestaan daar werk

Ruth Booysen en Zoliswa Xabi is albei vir 10 jaar diens vereer, Frances van Wyk vir 15 jaardiensenSharon van Schalkwykvir 20 jaardiens.

Dietehuis en sy inwoners hetnie ’n spesiale vrywilliger vergeetwat hulle al byna 30 jaar bystaan nie.

Willy Engelbrecht was half “geskok” om erkenning te ontvang virsy30jaar

Ralph Afghan oorhandig Sharon vanSchalkwyk se 20-jaar-dienssertifikaat.

diens, maar is daaraan herinner –hoeweldie meeste vrywilligers graagwil help, hethulle nie die tyd nie, terwyl Engelbrecht eenvoudig die tyd maak. As deel vandie viering is ’n 50-jaarkoekaan die tehuis geskenk, waaraan die inwoners en personeel gesmul het.

Girls’ brigade puts in hard yardsfor 90thcelebration

The1st Somerset West Girls’Brigadetook“walking in faith”literally,hosting a5kmfun walk fortheir 90th anniversaryonSaturday11April.Held at Somerset West PrimarySchool,theevent welcomedparticipants of allages,symbolisingnine decades of ministry.Through God’s graceand dedicated women from Church Street Methodistchurch congregation,the companyhas served young girls in Somerset West for90years.Junaidan Gabriels claimed victoryinthe funwalk,but the real inspiration came from 90-year-oldKathyMartin,who conquered the fulldistancealongside participantsaquarter of her age.Thecelebrationwas filledwith laughter,praiseand gratitude forthe remarkablelongevityofthis Christian ministrythat develops younggirls holistically through spiritual enrichment,education,physical activities and service.

LEFT:The team behind Saturday’ssuccessful5km celebration (fromleft) areValerieGordon, Felicia Visser,ArleneLeaner, Marina Sylvester,Rowena Durr and Cassandra Gabriel. Absent: Michele Harilal

BELOW:KathyMartin(90)(seatedleft)andIna Cornelius(79)(seatedright)showedthat90yearsof Girls’Brigademeanswalkinginfaithatanyage.With them(backfromleft)areMarinaSylvester,Cassandra GabrielandRowenaDurr.

Diary|Dagboek

SATURDAY18APRIL

SomersetWest:ParelValleiHigh School’sDramaticArtsDepartment presentsMockingbird,bringingHarper Lee’sPulitzerPrize-winningnoveltolife onstageatTHEPLAYHOUSETHEATRE. Theeducationalproductionservesas avaluablecompaniontotheGrade10 Englishhomelanguagesetwork,offering audiencesapowerfultheatricalexperienceofthemodernAmericanclassic.The storyfollowsrespectedlawyerAtticus Finch,whoinstilsvaluesofkindness andempathyinhischildrenbutfaces hisgreatestmoraltestwhenheseeks truthinatowndeterminedtohideit.The adaptationbyDarrylSpijkerssupports highschoollearners’studyofthenovel whiledeliveringcompellingdramathat resonateswithcontemporaryaudiences. DirectedbyCelesteGroblerunderthe guidanceofSpijkers,theproductionfeaturestalentedyoungperformersincluding AlistairJones,CarliErasmusandWilliam leRoux.Theproductionwillbeperformed overfiveshows,witheveningperformanceson18,20,22and23Aprilat19:30.A specialmatineewilltakeplaceonSunday 19Aprilat15:00

MAANDAG20APRIL

Strand:DieCHRISTELIKEAFHANKLIKHEIDSDIENS,ofChristiansAgainst Drugs(CAD),nooimensewatprobleme metmiddelafhanklikheidhetnahul byeenkomsom19:00indiekerksaalvan dieNGkerkStrandMoedergemeente,op diehoekvanBirkenhead-enFaganstraat RigallenavraeaanGerrieby0733363119 ofWernerby0828260972

THURSDAY23APRIL

Get ready forthe highly-anticipatedBeach Battle,anultimatehybrid functional fitness eventtakingplace on STRAND BEACHon SUNDAY 26 APRIL. OrganisedbyTITAN EventsatStrand Surf Lifesaving Club,the competition combines 10strength stations with 500m runs between each,designed to test participants’ strength, endurance andfitness. It features various strength challengesincludingtireflips, burpees, net crawls,farmer carries,sandbag carries andsledpulls.Participants compete in categories includingElite male/female forcompetitiveathletes, Funfor recreational challengers, andTeamdivisions forpairsworking collectively. Elitewaves begin at07:30,with Funparticipants starting from08:00 in 10-minuteintervals.The eventoperatesona first-come, first-servedbasis, with timing penalties forincomplete challenges. Open to ages 17 and above,entryincludes auniqueBIB number, custom medal, on-sitemedics andprofessionalmarshalling.Registration is from 07:15 on event day. Winners earn the covetedtitles of King, Queen,or Team of the Beach in this unforgettable beachside fitness challenge.

marketisheldatSouthey’sVinesinMain Roadfrom09:00to14:00.It’stheonly marketdedicatedtolocalhandcraftsof everyform,witheachcreatormanning theirownstall.Thereisplentyofsafe parking.PhoneLesleyon0835909197or emailinfo@countrycraftmarket.org.

TUESDAY28APRIL



Strand:JointheSummerDrumClub atGORDON’SBAYYACHTCLUBfrom 18:15to20:30foranenergeticdrummingsession,organisedbyKunshuisArt CollaborationWorkshops.ThecostisR150 forgeneralparticipantsandR130foryacht clubmembers,withtheaddedbenefitof a25%discountonbeverages.Nofood willbeserved.ContactErikaviaWhatsApp on0828240642.A50%depositorfull paymentisrequiredwhenbooking

SATURDAY2MAY



Gordon’sBay:LaceupforTheFalseBay 10kmwhichstartsfromGORDON'SBAY PRIMARYat07:30.OrganisedbyFalseBay50andBalwinSport,theeventpromisesrunnerstheperfectchancetoenjoy coolair,stunningcoastalviews,andchase personalbestsalongthescenicFalseBay route.Theracestartsandfinishesatthe school,whereparticipantswillfindwater tables,snacksandplentyofsupport.To enter,visithttps://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=7545.

SUNDAY3MAY

Talk on great whitesharks

Renownedshark researcher Alessandro de Maddalena will present apublic lecture at the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West at 18:30 on Thursday 23 April.

De Maddalena, thefounder of the Shark Museum in Simon’s Town, will present an in-depth exploration of one of theocean’s most iconic predators, thegreat white shark.

Drawing on over 15 years of fieldwork and photography from expeditions in False Bay, Gansbaai and Mossel Bay, the talk will examine thebiology andpredatory tactics of these apexpredators, as well as their behaviour in thewild.

SATURDAY25APRIL

SomersetWest:It’sCOUNTRYCRAFT MARKETtimeagain!Thefamily-friendly

SomersetWest:EricMcLaren,aSomersetWestresidentandseasonedFishRiver Canyonhikingguide,willlaunchhisbook, ThirtyTimesDown,atSAGE&THYMEat 18:00.AdmissionofR50includessnacks; cashbaravailable.Thebook,aguideto theFishRiverCanyon,willalsobeavailableforpurchaseataspeciallaunchprice ofR250.Reserveyourplacebycalling Antonon0825773305.

Stellenbosch:Jointhecelebrationof WorldAccordionDayattheDROSTDY THEATREforaspecialconcertthemed “FromParistoStellenbosch”at15:00.This musicaljourneywillshowcasetheaccordionalongsideotherfreereedinstruments includingbandoneon,concertinaand harmonica,performedbytopprofessional accordionistsfromtheCapeTownandtalentedyoungstudents.FeaturedperformersincludeMonikaStuchlikfromZamar, StanislavAngelov,LorenEhlers,Andrevan Vuuren,andLouisVerwey,Ticketscanbe bookedviaWebtickets

It will also explore their interactions withhumans, therole of ecotourism and thegrowing threats to their survival.

De Maddalena is ashark researcher, lecturer and author whose work is dedicated to advancing theunderstanding andconservation of sharks. As founder of theShark Museum, he hasspent decades studying shark behaviour and sharing his knowledge through lectures, publications, and expeditions, combining scientific insight withapassion for public education.

Theevent forms part of the

SmallTalX series, which brings specialists and curious audiences together in engaging, accessible talksonscience, nature and culture. SmallTalX hosted itsfirst event at theHelderberg Nature ReserveinMarch, when geologist Nick Norman spokeabout similarities between South African and South American birdlife. Tickets are R170 for adultsand R160 for pensioners and students, and include aglass of wine and aQ&A session with thespeaker. Booking is essential,asseatsare limited.

Reservationscanbemadebyemailingsmalltalx.info@gmail.com,via WhatsAppon0734218879oronline atwww.smalltalx.info.

HBeremp 64se Morkel

the ing minu to continued la team on ered Carstens (19-0). scrum minute to Solomons was ute, bagging to decided at han for con half-time. same tacking ing fo five-pointe atel thr the tuin Vis tally, Damon sec (31-27).