DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette – E-Edition – 5 August 2026
Nuwerolstoelevir sesStrand-inwoners s
Ses Strand-inwoners kannou vryelikbeweeg nadathulle nuwerolstoelevan die Stad Kaapstad ontvanghet.Die subraad 8-voorsitterChantal Cerfonteinhet Woensdag 22 Juliedie rolstoelenamens die burgemeester, Geordin Hill-Lewis, aan die groep oorhandig. Cerfontein is deurgemeenskapsledeoor die dringende behoefte genader.Die begunstigdes is Sheldon vanBeulen,SerandaJacobs, Abel Samuels,Clive Solomons, Tony Ruiters en Elizabeth Rule.Omdie oorhandiging te vier, hetCerfontein ook bederfpakkies uitgedeel. Agter(vanlinks) is Angela Jantjies, Nadia Jonas, Edward Olivier, die wyk 85-raadslid Chantal Cerfontein, Geronivan Jantjiesen Mark Sambambasaam met die sesrolstoelontvangers. Voor:Seranda Jacobs, Sheldon vanBeulen, ElizabethRule, CliveSolomons, Tony RuitersenAbel Samuels Foto:Emsie Meyer
BitterheidoorSoeterus
Yaseen Gaffar
’nWarm struweling oordie veiligheidenbehandeling van bejaarde inwoners byHuis Soeterus in Strand hetontstaan.
Die Kaapse Onafhanklikheidsparty (Capexit)en’nplaaslike klaer eis dringende ingryping van owerhede weens bewerings van ernstige mishandeling, terwyl die bestuurvan die tehuis die bewerings skerpas“ongegronden skadelik” verwerp.
Die beweringsisaan die lig gebring
ACVV staan ferm teen alle bewerings
deur Francois Olivier tesamemet Capexitseproporsionele verteenwoordigende raadslid, Karl Bodin. Olivier, wat sy moeder uitdie tehuis verwyder het ná klagtes van aanranding, het ’n polisiedossier van meer as 100 bladsye met verklarings en mediese verslae vanverskeie inwoners en familieledesaamgestel. ’n Strafsaak is amptelikbydie Strandpolisie ingevolgedie Wet op OuerPer-
sone aangemeld.
Volgens die klaer beweersommige inwoners onlangsesterfgevallebydie tehuis houverband metdie voortdurende mishandeling.Kommer heersoor ’n personeellid watnabeweringontslaan is nadatsyasfluitjieblaser teen dietehuis se bestuur opgetree het.
“Ek het my eie moeder uitHuisSoeterus verwyder weens wat na bewering methaar gedoen is,” het Olivier gesê
“Sedertdien hetekeen verklaringná dieander van inwonersenhul familie versamel, metdieselfdestorie oor mishandeling.Alwat ek vra, is dat die owerhede ditbehoorlikondersoek.
“Die inwonersvan Huis Soeterus is verskrik. Hulle is oud, hulle is broosen hulle hetgeenstem tensy onsnamens hulle praat nie.”
Diesaak hetverderinkritiek teen die departement van maatskaplike ontwikkeling(DSO) verskerp. Dít volgop’n vergaderingbydie DSOseSomersetWes-kantooropWoensdag 15 Julie. . Volg op bladsy2.
Skool in huis erginbrand beskadig
JameyGordon
“Aan almal wat gehelp het en goeie wense gestuur het –dit is ongelooflik.”
Hierdie dankbetuigingkom vanLeopold van Huyssteen,die hoofvan die Natural LearningAcademy, watbeklemtoon het dat die skoolgemeenskapsedankbaarheid is groot viralmal, insluitend die personeel en leerders, wat bereid is om skouer aan die wiel te sit,vorentoe te beur en mekaar te ondersteun onderdie omstandighede wat gevolg het nadat die skool se gebou in Kylestraat, Strand,invlammeopgegaan
het en groot skade gely het.
Van Huyssteen onthouhyhet verlede
Dinsdag (28Julie) om 20:00 ’n oproepvan ’n onbekende nommerontvang
Oudleerders, wat toevallig langs die gebou woon, het kontakgemaak metander oudleerders wat sy nommergehad het. Die nommer hetherhaaldelik gebel, en toe hy antwoord, vra die persoon of hy bewusis dat die gebou brand.
Op die vraag wat op daardie oomblik deur sy gedagtes gegaan het, hetVan Huyssteen gesê: “Omeerlik te wees –’nmens dink nie. Ek het my dadelik totbydie gebou gehaas en probeer om die vlamme
te blus. Kortdaarnahet die buurtwagen brandweer op die toneel aangekom.”
Volgens JermaineCarelse, ’n woordvoerder vir die Stad Kaapstadsebrandweer-en-reddingsdienste, is die voorval om 20:50 aangemeld.
“Brandweerspanne van die Strand-, Sir Lowry’s Pass- en Somerset-Wes-brandweer was op die toneel. Teen 23:35het brandweerlui die vlamme geblus wat die dak verwoes en die binnekant van die gebou ernstig beskadig het. Dit was ’n huis wat in klaskamers omgeskep is. Geen beserings is aangemeld nie en die oorsaak is onbekend,” het Carelse gesê.
Volgens VanHuyssteen het die gebou, wat vyf klaskamers huisves, ernstige skade opgedoen –grootendeels omdat dievlamme deur die dak versprei het. Brandbestryders moes die plafonne verwyder om die vlamme te blus. Boonop het water dieou houtplankvloere, wat nou oplig en buig, sowel as kaste beskadig.
“As jy jou kanindink,het ons vinnig planne gemaak maar ons is heel oukei onder die omstandighede.”
Die Natural Learning Academy het op sosiale media bevestig almal is veilig en die nooddienstevir hul vinnige reaksie bedank CO
Fosteringareading culture
DistrictMail &Helderberg Gazette is callingonthe Helderberg community to help put books intothe hands of children who need them most.
The newspaper is proud to announce the launch of itsfirst-ever Readers are Leaderscampaign, acommunity-driven initiative runningfrom Augustto October that aims to build alibrary at a deserving school or educare centre inthe basin.
The concept is simplebut powerful: readers nominate aschool or educare centre in needofalibrary, the community ralliesbehind the causebydonating children’s books, and local businesses lend their support through contributions. At the end of October the DistrictMail & HelderbergGazette team will roll up their sleevesand build afullystocked library at the winning school.
“We believeour responsibility goes beyond reporting the news,wemust be part of shaping the future,”sayseditorial publisherTasminCupido. “Literacy is the foundation on which everychild’s future is built, and right now, too many children are being left behind because they simply don’t have accesstobooks. Readers are Leadersisour way of turning that around.”
VERYURGENT NEED
The need could not be more urgent. Statisticsshow 81% of Grade 4learners in South Africa cannot read with comprehension, astark reminder that the country’s literacy crisis is not an abstract problem but areality in classrooms daily. Many schoolsdonot havefunctioning libraries; in some cases libraries exist in name only; rooms without books, without
alibrarian and withoutthe resourcesto ignite alove of reading in the children. Forthese children, alibrary is not aluxury. It isagateway to abrighter future.
The Readers are Leaders campaign is built on the belief that change starts with ordinary people doingextraordinary things together.“We’ve seen timeand again what happens when acommunity comes together aroundasharedgoal. A school library is more thanaroom full of books; it’s asymbol of hope, aplace whereachild can discover that they matter and that theirfutureisworth investing in.”
DONATE OLD CHILDREN’SBOOKS
So, dust thechildren’sbooks your own family has outgrown anddonate them to the cause. Every book, from picture books fortoddlers to chapter booksfor young readers, will findanew home and anew pairofeagerhands.
Local companies can getinvolved throughdonations, whether by funding bookshelves, contributing towards new books or sponsoring paint, everycontributionbrings the visionclosertoreality
To nominate aworthyschool, send your motivation as to whyyou believe the school should be selected. Themost deserving nomination will be selected and the ’Mail team will build alibrary on-site at the endofOctober.
Donations can be droppedoff at the newspaper's office at 37 Mynhardt Street, GantsCentre,orcollection can be arrangedbycalling Cupido on 021841 4261. .Formoreinformation on the campaign or to nominateaschool,send an email to districtmailhelderberg@novusmedia.co.za or tasmin.cupido@novusmedia.co.za
Appeal forhelp
The Nomzamo community is rallying behind affected familiesafter afatal shackfirewhich claimed the lives of three children on Saturday night (1 August), withWard86councillor Xolani Diniso urgentlycalling for donations.
According to spokesperson Michael Abrahams, the City of Cape Town’s Fire &Rescue Service received acallat23:50, reporting astructure alight in the Pholile Park informal settlement.
“Crews from Strand andSir Lowry’s Pass fire stations responded and extinguished the fire. Three male minors sustained fatal burns. The cause of thefire is not yet known,”said Abrahams.
In apost on Facebook on Sunday,Diniso shared that apparently more than two shacks burnt down, leaving more than 10
Learners inspired forthe future
people displaced. He said thethree children, aged 10, 11 and 12, were from three different families and lived in different shacks.
“We humbly ask for your donations to help our brothers and sisters start afresh,” Diniso said. “Mostly needed are school uniforms, clothes, blankets, mattresses and ready-made food.”
The councillor also appealed for help withfuneral arrangements, noting that the parentsoftwo of thedeceased are unemployed.
“We will never abandon our people,no matterwhat.Wewillbefound among our people during difficult times," Diniso said. .DonationscanbedroppedoffattheWard 86councillor’sofficeattheLwandleMunicipal Offices.Formoreinformation,phoneDinisoon 0840550615.
Grade7learnersatAltena PrimarySchool explored future career paths, from firefighting to journalism, during acareer dayhostedbyStrandpoliceand the CommunityPolicing Forum (CPF). Theevent,heldinthe school’s hall on Friday 31 July, aimed to motivatelearners as theyheadtowards the final months of theirprimaryschool careers. In attendance were ajournalistfrom DistrictMail &HelderbergGazette,CPF volunteers, police officers from the localprecinct, firefightersand security officers from FidelityADT,representatives from privatephoto-sharing app Swizil and representatives from the provincialDepartment of Social Development. Learners engagedwith the various professionals, received motivationalspeeches,visited information booths and participated in an open-floor Q&A session. The event ended with theGrade 7s receiving afirst-hand demonstration from firefighters on howtheyprepare forand extinguish fires. Pictured areacting CPFchairperson LillianAlbertynwith Strand police’sConstable MandyFrans andSergeantZiyaad Julies, who brought career insights
to Altena Primary School learners.
LewesStreetsewage issueahealth hazard
Aresident of LewesStreet in Somerset West has beenbattling a persistentsewageissue forover a decade, caused by acollapsed sewer pipe outside 14 LewesStreet
The problem has led to repeated blockages andspillages, creating asignificanthealth hazard.The collapsehas even caused an electricalbox to sink into the pavement due to soil subsidence.
The long-time residentKevin Cumminssaid sewage spills into the street, stormwater drains and hisproperty. “This is aserious health hazard!”
He claims the matterremains unresolved despite numerous reports to the City of Cape Town’s Waterand Sanitation Department.
Acase logged on 9May 2024 was closed within five hours, yet no assistancewas rendered for aweek. This occurred after jet cleaning of the collapsed line pumped sand further down, blocking sewer line running through his property. It was eventually attended to on 17 May,without any disinfection at the site. Voice notes from aprevious resident corroborate the long-standing natureofthe problem.
Cummins said temporary fixes have only worsened the situation.
“Instead of replacing the infrastructure, they’ve reliedonshortterm solutions,” he said.
He also criticised municipal decisions, noting that aLand Use Management objection flaggedthe
failing infrastructure, yet aluxuryhigh-density development was approved on the same site. “The sanitation report even states the infrastructure is adequate!”
The issue hasimpacted the community, withresidents and children exposedtohealth risks.
Cummins is callingfor the sewer lineto be permanently replaced.
“In aprovince that claims ‘it works,’ [residents] should notbe experiencing theseunacceptable service delivery issues,”hesaid.
On enquiry, Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committeemember for Water and Sanitation, said the servicerequest was logged on 9 May 2024and ateamunblocked theline and disinfected the area on 17 May. He attributed the blockage to sand accumulation and root ingress, noting only two servicerequestsin five years.
Badroodien said the sewer network hassufficientcapacity for normal household flows, but recurring overflows are caused by vandalism, tampering with manholes and foreign objects in the system. He added that long-term upgrades form part of the City’s planning, but repeatedvandalism underminesrehabilitation efforts.
“Protecting critical sanitation infrastructure is essential for reliable service delivery,” he said.
Local youth took to the shorelineonFriday 31 July, turningenvironmental awareness into direct action duringa communitybeachclean-up at theHelderberg Marine Protected Area (MPA).
The event was hostedtomark WorldMarineProtected Areas Dayunder the unifying theme, “Protect Our Oceans,Protect Our Future”.
Theinitiative, which ranfrom 09:30 to 13:30, brought municipalrepresentatives, community activists and local youth together. Organised by the City of Cape Town’sSmart Living team in collaborationwith the Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement (Hoam), the event highlighted the importance of protecting fragile coastal ecosystemsfromwasteand pollution.
Ahighlight of the day wasthe active participationoflearners of Christmas TintoPrimary
School. Equipped with collectionbags, the young volunteers rolled theirsleeves up to clear litter from the sand, showing environmental care’s impact
“There was fortunatelyvery littletoclean as active andregu-
lar community participationhas ensuredthatthe MPAremains largely spotless," said LisaStarr of Hoam. “Educationand connection is key to respectfor the environment, as only when you understand will you protect.”
Learners from Christmas TintoPrimarySchool rolled their sleevesupfor the clean-up of the Helderberg Marine ProtectedArea.
Dean Marais vanMacassar, die jongsteseunvan Deon en SandraMarais, is op Saterdag 18 Julie metAdrianné van Pretoria-Noord, die enigste dogtervan Sybrand Slot en Ina Oosthuysen,getroud. Dean is ’n akteur,bekend virsy rollein die rolprent TheHeart is aMuscle en die Afrikaanse telenovela Arendsvlei,terwyl Adrianné’nlaerskoolonderwyseresenook ’n aktrise is.
handoverofdonations,rein-
Hospitalbringsjoy
Helderberg Hospital shared the spirit of giving by donating essentialitems to residents at the Zandvliet Care Centre in Macassar.
The gesture brought smiles to residents and servedasa reminder of the importanceof compassion, kindness andcommunity.
The donation was made possible through contributions from Helderberg Hospital management and staff, who cametogetherto support the carecentreand its residents.
Speaking at the event, Zandvliet Care Centre manager Lynn Nicholls reflected on the growthofthe facility’s transitional careservice.
“Ourtransitional care service started in 2018, offeringonly palliative care.Since then we have grown significantlyand are proud of the rehabilitation work our team is doing. We look forward to receivingmore patients from Helderberg Hospital and helping to reduce pressure on hospital
services.”
She explained thefacility had initially accommodated 60 older people, but hadsince expanded.
The transitional care programme now provides patients with up to six weeks of care andrehabilitation before they return home or move to long-term care.
The facility currently cares for around 140permanent residents and25 patientsin thetransitional care ward. Helderberg Hospital andZandvlietCareCentre continue to work closely together, with patientsregularly referred between thetwo facilities to ensure themost appropriate care.
“We would like to thank Sharon Leo, thehospitalCEO, and the staff of Helderberg Hospital for bringing smiles toour residents. Todayhas beena wonderful day, and we truly appreciate your kindness and generosity.”
Leo said the donation reflected the hospital’s commitment to caring for people beyond clinical treatment. “I amhere today with Helderberg Hospital management
and staff because this is our gift to you,” she said.
“This is aboutmore than clinicalcare.Ithighlights the importance of building strong relationships within ourcommunity andreminds us thatweare all human.Every member of staff played apart in making these donations possible, andIwould like to thank them fortheir generosity andsupport.”
Theevent highlighted the strong partnership between Helderberg Hospital and Zandvliet Care Centre, demonstrating how working together canimprove the lives of senior citizens andpatients requiring transitionalcare.
As Mandela Month has come to an end, the donation serves as a reminder that even small acts of kindness canmakea meaningful difference. Through their generosity, compassion andwillingness to give,Helderberg Hospital staff honoured Nelson Mandela’s legacy of service andshowed that caring extended far beyond the walls of ahospital.
Bejaardes kryvlerkevan hoop vir ‘KersfeesinJulie’
Hierdie vroue is agtvan sowat200 bejaardes van75jaar en ouer watSaterdag(1 Augustus) deur die plaaslikeorganisasie WingsofHope tydens ’n “KersfeesinJulie”geleentheid so bietjie bederf is. Die geleentheid is by die St.John’s-kerkinStrand gehou,waar gastemet ’n smaaklike maaltyd, musiek, geskenkies en samesyn in ’n lewendigeatmosfeer geniethet.WingsofHope bestaan al agtjaar en werk aktief binne die gemeenskap om hulp, ondersteuning en hoop te bied. Die organisasie word deurMichelle Prinsloo bestuur,wat haar al 35 jaar aan weldadigheid toewy. Die organisasie bied verskeieprogramme,insluitend skoolverwante hulp, ondersteuning virmenseinnood, vrouesessies, kinderprogramme,’nsopkombuis, welsynsdienste, toegang totsielkundigesorg, naskoolse sorg en lewensvaardighede.Agter (van links) is Milly de Waal (91), Fatima Latief(93), Doreen Finger (89) en Kariema Rhoda (90). Voor: Irene April (90), Katrina Carolus(87), Annie KotzeenGawaLatief.Hulle wasdie oudstebejaardes by die geleentheid. Foto’s JameyGordon
HelderbergHospital management andstaff joined the ZandvlietCareCentre team to celebratethe
forcing their shared commitment to compassionatecareand strongcommunitypartnerships.
TyronPrinsloo,Lucinda Sevan, Shanaaz Fanie,DelanauxSmit,Michelle Prinsloo en Brenda Roos (voor)was regomdie bejaardestebederf.
