DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette – E-Edition – 27 May 2026

Show up to Move ForMore

JameyGordon

What if aworkout could change someone’s life –not just your own?

This is the powerfulquestion driving MoveFor More, acommunity movement harnessing the energy of fitness, human connection and collective action to raise funds and awareness for survivorsof rape and gender-based abuse.

Founded by Emma Buys from Gordon’s Bay and three fellow participants, Move For More is usingtheir preparation for Hyrox Cape TowninAugust as aspringboard for something far greater than aphysical

saulted. “A large part of what inspiredthe campaignwas my own experience, which deeply impacted the way Iviewedsafety, resilience and the importance of support systems,” she shares.

Rather than allowingthatpain to define her, she chose to channel it into purpose. “Move ForMore became away of turning pain into purpose –reminding people that movement canrepresent strength,resilience, community andhope,even after difficult experiences.”

The four-person team came together through their sharedenvironment at Virgin Active TheSanctuary, where all four work and train. Whatmakes the collabo-

the biggest challenges has been balancing the physicalpreparation with theemotional responsibility of the campaign. We’re notonly preparing for arace, we’re trying to build something meaningful to makea difference in people’s lives.”

SUPPORTSSURVIVORS

That difference centres on theJes Foord Foundation, which Buys first encountered during her school years at St Mary’s DSG. It supports survivors of rape and gender-based abuse while driving education, awareness andprevention –work Buys describes as tangible andcommunity-focused. Funds raised will go directly to-

E-hailing ‘robbers’arrested

BarendWilliams

Two e-hailing ambushes withinfivehours ended in fourarrests in Gordon’s Bay in the earlyhours of last Thursday (21May).

Warrant Officer Suzan Jantjies, Somerset West policespokesperson, says the first incident took place at 20:25 on Wednesday 20 May, when a24-year-old woman requested an e-hailing servicetotakeher home. Twomen allegedly stopped the vehicle along Old Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, forced open the vehicle’s door and got in.

Jantjies saidone suspect sat on the woman’s lap andthreatened herwitha firearm while the other sat behindthe driver, who was alsothreatenedwith aknife.

After robbing the woman ofher cellphone, money and headphones, they drove around briefly before dropping the victim off.

Hours later, aStrand man’s early-morning e-hailing ride turnedinto akidnapping

Crime in brief

SomersetWestpolicearresteda27-year-oldman forpossessionofdrugsafterfindingMandraxtablets inhishomeonFriday22May.OfficersactedoninformationaboutdrugsataresidenceinCareyPark.A searchofthepremisesuncovered103Mandraxtablets hiddeninacupboard.Thesuspectwaschargedwith possessionofdrugsandhassinceappearedinthe SomersetWestMagistrates’Court.Thecaseremains underinvestigation.

and armed robbery when his vehicle was ambushed. Around 02:00, the 27-year-old boarded avehicle bound for his Gordon’s Bay workplace. The driver stoppeda short distance into the trip, allowing three other mento enter.

The attackers pulled agun on the man anddemanded his wallet and cash. He toldthem he hadmoney at work,and they drove tohis workplace. There, the man alertedsecurity, leading to the arrest of allfourbyGordon’s Bay police.The group comprised of three menaged28, 29 and 19, anda16-year-old boy, whom detectives of thetwo police stations have also linkedto theSomerset West incident.

The suspects appearedinthe Somerset West Magistrates’ Court on Monday (25 May) on charges of robbery with afirearm, followed by appearances in the Strand Magistrates’ Court on charges of kidnappingand armed robbery relating to the Gordon’s Bayincident.

SomersetWestpoliceareurgingresidentstocheck whethertheirmissingbicyclesareamongunclaimed propertyheldatSomersetWestPoliceStationinMain Road.ThefirstisablackSpecializedRockShoxbike foundabandonedonMonday2MarchinTheInterchangenearBuildersWarehouseHelderberg. Thesecondbicycleisablack,blueandyellowTitan RacingbikeabandonedintheSomersetWestarea onWednesday29April.Policeprovidednospecific locationofthediscovery.Thosewishingtoclaimeither bicyclemustprovideproofofownership.CallWarrant OfficerCharnelleSylvesteratSomersetWestPolice Stationon0218501306

Police ‘attacked’

IshmaelMabena

Police officers were attacked by community members during ashutdown operation that turnedviolent in Grabouw.

One officer sustainedaheadinjury andacaseofpublic violence andassault wasopened.

The attack occurred when the Caledon public order police were closing an illegal establishment in the Covid informal settlement on Sunday (24 May). This according to an officialpolice source.

The incident is reported to have taken place at 16:35. “The officers asked the people [atthe shebeen] to leave; as they split in separate directions, they started throwing stones and bottles at the police, leading to one of them getting hurt on the head,” the source said

The injured officer subsequently received medical treatment.

More establishments were closed down, the ownerswere arrested and liquor licences were confiscated during the operation.

According to astatement by Grabouw Police Stationcommander, Colonel Winston Coetzee, police officers were carrying out their duties in service of the lawand in protectionofthe community, when they were attacked.Heasserted the perpetrators were acting unlawfully and protecting the business interests of the

shebeen owners. “Such acts of violence against law-enforcement officers are unacceptable, cowardly and adirect attack on the authority of thestate and the rule of law,”Coetzee said.

Behind the uniform and before thelaw police officers are “human first”. “They are fathers and mothers who belong to afamily,”Coetzee said. “They are not things that you can willingly throw objectsat.”

He added that Grabouw police remains committed to reinforce operations against illegal liquor establishmentsinthe area as well as bringing all criminal activities associated with them to justice, in accordance with thelaw. “We will not be intimidated or deterred by criminal elements seeking to undermine policing efforts. Any attack on police officials will be investigated and those responsible will face the full might of the law.”

Meanwhile, he has recognised and commended the “bravery, professionalism and dedication of our members who continue to place their lives at risk in the fight against crime”.

Said Coetzee: “We further call on the community to support thefight against crime by reporting illegal liquor trading and criminal activities, and by working together with the police to restore peace and safetyinour areas.”

Apublic violence and attack on police case docket was opened and is currently on record.

Overgrowth ‘a threat’

YaseenGaffar

Growing frustration over the maintenance of municipal verges and pavements has reached boilingpoint in Strand, withresidentsclaiming that overgrown vegetation is now asignificant threat to public safety Concerns havebeencentered on verges Fagan, Kerk, De Vos and SarelCilliers streets. In these areas,residents report that trees and shrubs have reclaimed the pavements,forcingpedestrians including children and the elderly to walk in thepath of oncoming traffic (“Citymum on neglect of trees”, DistrictMail &Helderberg Gazette,13May).

Despite the loud community outcry, the CityofCape Townhas stated that no formal complaints havebeen recordedfor these specific locationsprior to recent enquiries.

Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee member for Community Services andHealth, said:“No service requestshave beenlogged forovergrown trees and shrubs at the mentioned streets. The recreation and parks department acknowledges the concerns raised and will conductafull inspection of the specified areas to determine theextent to which it is deemed as being overgrown.”

The City admitted that the maintenance of Strand’s tree-rich

environment is acomplex task. High-risk treeson main roads and arterials are prioritised, particularly those infected with the PolyphagousShothole Borer (PSHB).

While the City maintains trees onresidentialpavements as and when required within budget availability, the department relies heavily onthe public to actas their eyes and ears

“The department relieson residentstolog service requests so that work canbeassessed and prioritised accordingly,”

Higham noted, adding that while the Strand area’s largetree-asset base placesasignificant demand on the budget,effortsare being made to ensure efficient service delivery.

Residentslooking foranimmediate trim may have to wait afew moreweeks. Oncethe conditional assessments ofthe trees in Fagan, Kerk, De Vos andSarelCilliers streets are concluded, awork programme will be scheduled.

With the City’s financial year ending in June, Higham indicated that the anticipated clearing will most likely be scheduled for the new financial year, which starts on 1July.

The Cityurged residents not to rely on social media or word-ofmouth for municipalissues, but rather log servicerequests online at www.capetown.gov.za

Rowover‘rawsewage’

YaseenGaffar

Atensestandoff is developing between Strand residents and local authoritiesover persistent pollution at the De Ruyter Street pump station.

While community members insist that raw sewageisactively flooding the facility, the City of Cape Town hasclarified that the stormwater station is fighting an upstreampollutionbattle.

Residents living nearthe facility have reported an escalation in stagnant, foul-smelling water pooling in the vicinity, which many believe is linked to the ongoing Trappies bulk sewer infrastructure upgrades nearby.

Confronted with mounting complaints and video evidence captured by residents overthe past weekend, Mayoral Committee member for Water andSanitation, Zahid Badroodien, sought to clear the air regarding the station’s technical design.

“The De Ruyter Street pump station is an automated stormwater pump station, nota sewer pump station,” Badroodien stated. “It receives water from the stormwater system andhelps to prevent flooding. The City is notaware of any recent sewer overflows that could have impacted the station

directly, and there are no technicalfailures at thesite.”

Badroodien confirmed that the station is currently in full working order, using atwo-pump system comprising one active duty pump and one backup standby pump.

While recent heavy rains put the infrastructure to thetest, operations remained stable.

“The branch is aware of a foreign object that has entered the pump station, which may have affected thestandby pump

Technicians havebeen assigned to investigate, butthis is not affecting regular operations.” Badroodien added that no additional capital funds havehad to be redirected toward repairs at thesite.

Despite theCity’s assurances that facilityitself is functionally sound, municipal officialsconcede that thereal issue lies further up theline.

Following abarrage of reference numbers and complaints filed by thecommunity, Water and Sanitation teams launched a wide-scale field investigation last Monday (18 May).

Teams monitored and inspected several surrounding roads, including Herchel,Enslin, Union, Joubert,Faganand Thompson streets.

While inspectors found no active sewer overflowsonthose streetsduring thelayout inspection, theCity is treating thecontaminated stormwater seriously

“The water thestationreceives originates upstream, which can see various contaminantsentering theflow from multiplesources,”Badroodien explained.

Badroodien stressed that the Cityisactively rolling out initiatives to steadily track downand seal off any illegal or accidental pollution streams.

Sewagenightmare

Yaseen Gaffar

Alocal property owner says acontinuoustwo-year battle with raw sewage overflows has exceeded the worst-case scenario, leaving her property deteriorating, tenantsinconvenienced and insurance companies refusing to cover the ongoing damage.

Sharifa Daniels, the co-owner of 6Naomi Street in Strand, has voiced deep frustration over what she describesasa lack of viable solutions and

transparent communication from the City of Cape Town.

According to Daniels, the residentialproperty has been repeatedly inundated with sewage, acrisis that is now actively destroying the home’s market value and structure.

“We are so tired of trying to appease our tenants and their neighbours for asituationthat is not our doing and beyond our control,” Danielssaid.

“What exactly is the answer to this sewerage issue that is escalating by the hour?”

NO COVER

The financial toll has escalated significantly. Daniels revealed thattheirprivate insurance company has officially removed the ongoing sewage issuefrom theirpolicy coverage

“The insurance company doesnot even want to cover thisissue in ourpolicy anymore, so we’ll sitwith the expenses if the matter can be fixed. In the meantime, we dutifully pay our rates and taxes.”

Responding to calls to address the crisis, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, acknowledged the severity of the situation at the Naomi Street address, attributing it to arapidlyfailinglocal network.

“The City’sWater andSanitation Directorate is aware of the ongoing sewer overflow

incidents affecting the property at 6Naomi Street,” Badroodien said. “The issue is linked to repeated collapses on the upstream sewer line, which have resulted in temporary surcharging at the head-of-line property.”

Badroodien revealed the staggering scaleofthe structural failure, noting that eight separate sewer collapses occurred on this specific section of the networkbetween July2025 and Maythis year alone.

“These incidents are associated with ageing sewer infrastructure and have required repeated reactive maintenance interventions whilelongerterm rehabilitation planning is underway,” Badroodien explained

Following recent photos captured by the ownersshowing continuous, active sewage spillsacross the property two weeks ago, Badroodien confirmed that the City finallyestablished acontractor on-site on Friday 15 May to address the latest twocollapses.

BOUGHT APUMP

To mitigate the immediate hazardtothe residents, emergency interventions being deployed includeapurchase order issued to installtwo mobile pumpsdesigned to relievethe current sewer overflows caused by the structural collapses, and the City claims

it is actively monitoring the conditions at 6Naomi Street whilethese emergency repairs are carried out.

According to Badroodien, a long-term rehabilitation project is currently being finalised to upsize the entire affected sewer pipeline section.

“The anticipated commencement datefor thisproject is the beginning of July2026,” Badroodien confirmed.

“While the City will contin-

ue to respond to any interim collapses as they occur, the rehabilitation project is the intended permanent solution to address the structural failures on thisline and reduce the recurrence of overflows at affected properties.”

According to the resident, although the pumps wereset up, thishas not solved the problem at 6Naomi Street and the sewer water is still flowing strongly.

Salute to basin’s‘quiet’ champions

TheHelderberg's unsungheroes stepped intothe spotlight on Friday 22 May, recognised at the City of Cape Town’s annualSubcouncil 8Conferment of Civic Honours Awards

Leadersand workers acrossthe eight different wards in the basin, alongside civil servants responsiblefor thecontinued functioningofthe Helderberg, gathered at the Strand Town Hall to receive certificates in recognitionof their hard work and dedication.

The event openedwith aspeech from Chantal Cerfontein, councillorfor Ward 85 andsubcouncil chairperson, who described community organisations,volunteers, officials and staff as the “true unseen heroes” of the Helderberg and urged any unrecognised contributors to come forward

Civic honours were bestowed upon the following recipients from thedifferentwards:

–Ward 15 (Somerset West and Parel Vallei): MonicaBuitendag (Heartlands Baby Sanctuary); Amanda-Lea Jones (PatchHelderberg Child Abuse Centre); Reinet le Roux (ACVV), Jo Swart (Somerset West Night Shelter); Mel Potter (VictimSupport) andCaptain Anneke vander Vyver (Somerset West police).

–Ward 84 (Bizweni, Somerset West, Sir Lowry’s Pass andpartsofStrand): Marie-ClaireKnoop (The Barking Ark Animal Welfare Organisation) and Edward de Villiers (Sir Lowry’s Pass Mission Grounds Ratepayers’ Association).

– Ward 85 (Nomzamo and partsof Strand): Don Mthobela (CAM Foundation); Dave Walker (The Soet River Catchment Management Forum, Green-

ways Golf Estate); MoeniebaGallie; Rabia Roman; and Mofolo Ramothathaki –Ward86(Lwandle and Nomzamo): Yandisa Magagana (Look At GodMusic Academy).

–Ward100 (Gordon’s Bayand partsof Strand): Helene Wilson(Gordon’s Bay Business Association).

–Ward109 (Croydon, Faure, Firgrove and Macassar): Beverley Adriaanse (Yaro Community Based Project); Na-eema Samuels (HouseofGrace); Katherine Louw (New Purpose Feeding Scheme); Chris Janneke and Relebogile Diphoko (RheinmetallDenel Munition Macassar Community Centre; Sammy Louwand Phia Louw (M-HelpSoup Kitchen); Felicity Solomons; Shaheen Waggie; and Pastor Mark Baatjies. Lisa Starr, founder of the Helderberg

Ocean Awareness Movement, received acertificate for her work across ward 83 and 85, while Gertruida Hendricks fromOasis Helderbergwas recognised forher workacross the basin.

STAFF HONOURED

City officials were also honoured acrossseveral departments.

–Water and sanitation: Brandon Stevens; Gavin Daniels; Mbongeni Matiwane; Bakang Moagisi Gasealahwe;MfundoMatiwane; Ntombikhona Precious Kuboni;and Hakeem Abed.

–Electricity services: Andy Crouse and Wesley Barthus. –Urbanmobility: Carlo de Vries and Rodwin Biggs –Economic development and investment: Duncan Alcock.

–Urban waste management: George Nokonongo; NcedoMcani; and Antonie Oktober –Recreation and parks: Gideon du Plessis and Rafiek Khan (Recreation Strand); Ziyanda Rigala; Kerchel Jaftha and Norman Sedze (ParksStrand); Sipumelele Mbusi, Phumzile Tyandela and Monwabisi Siqwayi (CityParks Somerset West); and Pieter Appel (City ParksMacassar).

The gathering also heard from proportional representative (PR) councillor Helourine Seyffert,while Councillor Kurt Oliver delivered aword of thanks and Councillor JudyAnn Stevens handed over flowers to thestaff.

Acting subcouncil manager Nonzuzo Jacob and PR councillor Vuyokazi Matanzima closed the event.

SoundsofCCR revived

Fansofrock band Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) are in for atreat as Creedence –A Clearwater Revival Tribute brings some of the band’s most iconic hits to The Drama Factory at 19:30 on Saturday 20 June.

After back-to-back soldout showsinCape Town, audiences have been more than impressed by the show, with an avid CCR giving it five starsand commenting: “Just absolutely incredible My husband and Iare huge CCR fans.IfIclosed my eyes, that was John Fogerty singing and playing (and we’ve seen him live.) All four musicians gave a brilliantperformance.”

Creedence –AClearwater Revival pays homage to the brilliant songwriting and success of the great American band

The show features afull band madeupoftop Cape Town musicians: Armand de Vries on vocals and guitar; Dave Goldberg on keyboards and vocals; Dieter Stutz on bass;and Francois Steyn on drums and vocals.

In 1968, CCR exploded onto the scenewith their self-titleddebut album, unleashing araw,electrifying sound.

By 1970, the biggest band on earthwas nolongerThe Beatles, but CCR.

Creedence enjoyedsignificant popularity in South Africa, with theband’s single“Proud Mary” reaching the number oneonthe charts.

The show is produced, marketed and directed by Rainbow Dust &Music Inc, comprisingSkye Wilsonand Monique Sher.

Wilsonhas enjoyedrecent success with the Rumours of Fleetwood Mac tribute show as

Thefour-piece band comprising (from left) Dave Goldberg, Dieter Stutz ,Armandde Vries and Francois Steyn will bring the sounds of Creedence Clearwater Revivaltolife on TheDrama Factorystage on Saturday 20 June

producer, lead vocalist, acoustic guitarist and musical director, while Sher hasbeenanagent and producer for over30years.

She hasmost recently been booking and marketing an array of top tribute shows, including Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, Mark Hazepresents Masters of Rock,A Queen Experience and ACSNY Experience,amongothers.

. Tickets forCreedence–A ClearwaterRevival TributecostR350 each and cansecurelybebooked online at www.thedramafactory.co.za.

Dagboek |Diary

THURSDAY 28 MAY

Somerset West: ARTSTUDIO@15 in Upper MountainRoad offers aweekly openstudiofor adults everyThursdayfrom09:30 to 12:00,and 18:00 to 20:30.Aimed at beginner and intermediatepainters, participants cantakeunfinished work or start something new under the guidanceofartist and teacher MarusaSheel. Basic paints, easels,brushes, tea, coffee and biscuits areprovided; participants areasked to take their owncanvas and preferred paints. Cost is R200 Thestudioalsooffers weekly Young Artists classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays,Painting the Word workshopsonSaturdays or Tuesdays,and privatelessons foradults and childrenbyappointment Formoreinformation or to RSVP, contact Sheel on 084 7054828or marusa.mason@gmail.com.

MAANDAG 1JUNIE

Strand: Die CHRISTELIKE AFHANKLIKHEIDSDIENS,ofChristians Against Drug, nooi mensewat probleme met middelafhanklikheid het na hul byeenkoms om 19:00 in die kerksaal vandie NG Strand Moedergemeente, op die hoek van Birkenhead- en Faganstraat.Bel Gerritby073 336 3119 of Werner by 082826 0972 vir nog inligting of navrae

SATURDAY 6JUNE

Exploration geologist and co-author of Geological Journeys,Nick Norman (pictured), willaddress U3AHelderbergon WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE at the DutchReformed church in Somerset West at 10:00. Invoking Sherlock Holmes, Norman traces the remarkable journeys of treesand birds acrossvast oceans, proving thatevenwide seas arenobarrier –a theme drawnfromSouth African geologist Alex du Toit’slandmark work, OurWandering Continents.Free formembers; R20 forvisitors. For enquiries call Deniseon072 211 1173

WEST

UNITARIANFELLOWSHIP gathers at the meeting room at VonkeHouse, 121Lourensford Road at 10:00 for“HowIslam Came to the Helderberg”,a talk in which historian EbrahimRhoda traces the spreadofIslam from Cape Town to MosterdBay during the colonial period. Forenquiries, phone Rev Roux Malan on 084 6795466 or

ChangesonlocalshoresduringrecentCapestorms

Thefiercewinterstormsystemthathammeredthe WesternCapewithfloodingrain,gale-forcewindsand massiveseasacoupleofweeksago,reshapedsectionsofthe Capecoastlinealmostovernight

FormanyresidentsitwasanotherbrutalCapewinter coldfront.Forfishermen,itwassomethingelseentirely:a coastlineresetbutton.

Betty’sBaywasproperlybattered,withrecordedwind speedsofupto148km/h.Rainfallestimatesacrosspartsof theWesternCaperangedfrom100mmtomorethan 200mmincertainregionsduringthestorm.

Barometricpressuredroppeddramaticallyasthe low-pressuresystemmovedovertheCape,withreadings closeto994mbrecordedbyanglersalongthecoastlineat thepeakofthesystem–anunusuallylowpressurereading thatwouldnormallysignalsevereweatheranddifficult fishingconditions.

Despitetheheavyconditions,fishwerestillcaught.

Duringarecenttaggingtripheldrightinthemiddleofthe stormwindow,wehadnochoicebuttofishinthoseconditions–bravingsandstormsfollowedbyicyrainandwinds exceeding100km/h.BasedoneverythingIhavebeentaught andlearntovertheyears,Iwouldnormallyhaveexpected thebitetobeveryquiet.Instead,weweresurprised

Whitesteenbras,belman,kob,musselcracker,galjoen andavarietyofotherspecieswerelandedandsuccessfully taggedduringthetrip.Sixty-sevenfishweretaggedona singleday,withmorethan217fishtaggedoverthecourse ofthetrip,provingonceagainthattheseadoesn’talways followtextbookrules.

Therearenohardandfastrulesinfishing.Alowbarometerdoesn’talwaysmeanbadfishing.Ahowlingstorm doesn’talwaysmeandeadwater.Sometimestheroughest conditionsproducethemostrewardingsessions,particularly

LINE &SINKER

foranglerswillingtoreadthewaterratherthansimplytrust apressurechart.

Marineconditionsalongourshorelineandinshoreareas changedramaticallyduringsuchstorms,andcanhavea long-lastingimpactontheareaswefish.Hugeswellsand turbulentsurgestripsandbanksapart,exposehiddenreef structureandwashopengulliesandguttersthatmayhave beenburiedforyears.

Entirebeachformationscanshiftinasingletidecycle, withpreviouslyshallowandfeaturelessareassuddenly developingdeepchannels,holesandcurrentlinesthat concentratebaitfishandcreateentirelynewfeedingzones forbothfishandfishermen.

Alongourcoast,stormseasoften“clean”rockyreefs byremovinglayersofsettledsandandopeningfeeding zonesforspeciessuchasgaljoen,whitesteenbrasand musselcracker.Crayfishbeds,musselbanksandredbait coloniesareexposedanddamagedinthesurge,releasing enormousamountsofnaturalfoodintothewater–drawing shallow-waterspeciessuchasgaljoenandwhitesteenbrasin

tofeedondislodgedredbaitandotherfoodsources. Belmanandwhitesteenbrasthriveonshallow,softbreakingsandbankswheredislodgedworms,mussels andprawnsaresweptthroughgulliesandshorebreaks. Musselcrackermoveintofoamyreefzoneshuntingcrabsand shellfishsmashedloosebyheavywaveaction Kobareclassicdirty-waterpredators–afterstorms,when thesurfturnsbrownandvisibilitydrops,theyusediscoloured waterascoverwhilehuntingmulletandbaitfishtrapped innewlyformedchannelsclosetoshore.Iwitnessedthis firsthandlastweek.Twomulletsuddenlycameleapingfrom thewater,followedcloselybyakobinpursuit.Iwatchedits backbreakthesurfaceasitturnedhardonthebaitfish,its tailkickingclearofthewaterbeforedisappearingintothe brownsurfmetresfromtheshoreline Manyanglersbelievefishbecomeinactiveduringlow barometricpressurebecauserapidatmosphericchanges affecttheirswimbladdersandfeedingbehaviour.Whilepressurechangesinfluencefishing,thereisstillagreatdealto learn.Watercolour,oxygenlevels,tide,swelldirection,current movementandbaitactivitycanalloutweighapoorpressure reading,asconditionsduringthisstormdemonstrated. AsdamagingandfrustratingasaCapestormcanbe,for fishermentherearealwayspositives.Newholes,sandbanks, exposedrockandfreshlyuncoveredmusselbedsallpresent freshopportunitiesforanglers.Iamexcitedtogetbacktothe wateranddiscoverwhatnewholesandguttershaveformed, andwhichtrophygaljoenorbigwhitesteenbrasmayalready havemovedin.

Besafethiswinterandremembertopractisecatch-andrelease.Weneedtosavesomefishforthefuture.

.VisitFishingRepublicat73BeachRoad,Strand,Shop 6,HelderbergCentre,forthebestfishingadvice,tackle andbait,orcall0725524400.

Alexanderaims for20thComrades

Strand Athletics Club has launched a“RoadtoComrades” series highlighting clubmembers who are tacklingthe legendary and gruelling ultra-marathon this year.

Among those featured is local resident Lisa Alexander. For her, the iconic event is far more than just arace –itisa deep-rooted familylegacy. Alexander is preparing to take on the gruelling distance for a milestone 20th time.

Her journey with the “Ultimate Human Race”began in childhood, heavily inspiredbyher parents.Her latefather, Gerald, completed the race 15 times, while her mother earnedeight medals “As ayoungchild,Iwas at the finish every year and sawBruce[Fordyce]win his ninth,” Alexander recalls.

Watching the raw emotion at the finish line –especiallythe dramaticfinal 11-hourcut-off gun –sparked alifelong dream.

At age 22, sheran herveryfirstUp Run alongside her father, followedbya Down Run the following year. These are moments she still deeply treasures.

Finishing 20 ultra-marathons requires immense mental and physical fortitude. Alexander notes that the one thing only Comrades runners truly understand is

to run.

what it means “to reach your limit andthen to push past it”.

She draws strength from her family;her husband, four children andparents remain her greatest motivation,and their pride keeps her moving forward.

Throughout her running career, her late father served as her dedicated seconder, supporting her through every majormilestone.Over her extensive Comrades journey, Alexanderhas developed afew distinct race-dayhabits.

Hergo-to pre-race meal is aplate of pancakes, andshe strictlyadheres to a classicrunning superstition:never open or wear the officialrace shirt until you have crossed the finish line.

While she does not haveasingle favourite running song, she admitsthatthe iconic Chariots of Fire themesongnever fails to move her to tears

Of allher finishes, her absolute favourite remains the 2018 Down Run, where sheachieved apersonalbest of 08:38 –a milestone she never dreamedpossible.

Whenasked to summarise her 20-year journeyina single word, Alexander chose “fulfilment”, the ultimate achievement of something deeplydesired . To read more inspiring profilesonStrand Athletics Club members, follow theclub’s official Facebook page

NielRaathofSomerset West Hockey Club (left) battles forpossession with TreGilbert of Maties 2(Victorians) during aWestern ProvinceHockey League clash at ParelValleiHigh School on Saturday 16 May. Raath, who wasrecentlynamed to the South African squadfor the upcoming FIH

delivered