DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette – E-Edition – 6 May 2026

Gesin eiserkenning ná 2018-voorval

JameyGordon

’n Ontploffing het verledeDinsdagoggend (28April) by Rheinmetall DenelMunition (RDM) se depot in Reedweg, Somerset-Wes,geboueen mense in omliggende gebiede laat sidder.

Die RDM-woordvoerder Lindi Rabopape het bevestig ’n brand hetongeveer 09:50uitgebreek. Nooddienste en RDM se eie spanne is vinnig ontplooi om die situasie te bestuur. Geen beserings is aangemeld nie. ’n Ondersoeknadie oorsaak sal gedoen word sodra die gebied veilig verklaar word.

Gemeenskapslede, veralinaangrensende gebiede soos Macassar en Paardevlei,het ’n skokgolf gevoel, terwyl foto’s op sosiale media rook en vlamme in die verte toon.

Vir vele families het die voorval pynlike herinneringe ontketenaan die verwoestende ontploffing van 2018, toe agt werknemers hul leweverloorhet.

’n Familie vanStrand dra steedsdie las van verlies nadat ’n geliefde glo tydens die 2018-ontploffingbeseer is en laternabewering aan komplikasies wat hulle direk aan die voorval koppel, oorlede is.

Haroon Middleway het op 28 November verlede jaar sy dogter, Shafeeka Naidoo, verloor. Die 76-jarige pa glo hoewel kanker as amptelike doodsoorsaak aangegee is, die inwendige beserings veroorsaak het watsy volgens homindie ontploffing opgedoen het.

Volgens die familie het die 49-jarige in ’n naburige gebou gewerk waar sy ammunisieverpakking hanteer het toe die ontploffing gebeur het. Sy hetaanvankliknie die volle impak gevoel nie.

“Sy het nie sommer die pyn gevoelnie, maar die nag het sy begin bloed opgooi en toe begin pyn,” vertel haar moeder

Die beseringswas volgens die familie ernstig en inwendig.“Haar hele binnedele het seergekry,”verduidelik familielede.

Benewensdie aanvanklike swelling en pyn vandie voorste borswand, hetsy jare later ’n gewas in haar rug ontwikkel.Die mediese gevolge daarvanwas volgensdie familie so ernstig dat sy nie weerkon werk nie.

SKULD OP 2018-ONTPLOFFING

Die familie glodaar is ’n verband tussenNaidoo se latere siekte en haar vroeëre beserings, hoewel mediese oorsaaklikheid kompleks kan wees. In haar finale fase het sy aggressiewe behandelinggeweier. “Sy wou nie deur die strawwe behandeling gaan nie,”onthou haarfamilie metbegrip.

Syhet uiteindelik hospies-sorg ontvang, waar sy haar laaste dae in ’n omgewingvan waardigheid en vrede kon deurbring

Die familie is vanmening datnalatigheid by die ontploffing betrokke was en beweer nie alle inligting word openbaar gemaak nie. Hulle eis erkenning en vergoedingvir wat hulle as ’n werksverwantesterfte beskou.

“Net haar kinders. Want hulle is sonder ’n ma,”sêMiddlewaytoe hy gevra is wat geregtigheid vir hulle sou beteken.

Oor die oorledene onthouhaarfamilie haarasiemandwat “baie liefwas vir andermense en omgegee het vir ander mense”.

Haar moeder sê sy huil steeds wanneer mense haar sien en oorNaidoo uitvra, “wantsywas ’n mense-mens”.

INLAS: Naidoo se amptelike RDM-werknemerskaart

Die familie se boodskap is duidelik: hulle eis erkenning van verantwoordelikheid en billike vergoeding vir die hartverskeurende verlies wat hul kleindogters, 23 en 19, en ’n agterkleinseun sonder ’n geliefdema en ouma gelaat het.

onderwerp van amptelike ondersoeke, waarvan die uitslae ’n openbare rekord is. Die departement van arbeid het ’n openbare ondersoek na die voorval op 3September 2018 by RDM uitgevoer en die direkteur van openbare vervolging het op 22 Augustus 2023 besluitomnie verdere vervolging na te streef nie. RDM neem sy verpligtinge tenopsigte van die gesondheid en veiligheid van sy werknemers en die omliggendegemeenskap baie ernstig op en het bestendig in ooreenstemming met sy regtelike en regulatiewe verantwoordelikhede opgetree.

“Met betrekking totdie verwysde gesondheidsaangeleenthede is RDM nie in ’n posisie om kommentaar te lewer oor individuele mediese omstandighede nie, aangesien die aangeleenthede wat geopper is, vertroulike werknemer- en persoonlikeinligting behels.

“RDM kanbevestig dat ondersteuningsmaatreëls beskikbaar gestel is aan werknemers wat deur die voorval geraak is, insluitend toepaslikefisieke en emosionele bystand in ooreenstemming met toepaslikebeleide en regulatiewe vereistes.

OPREGTEMEEGEVOEL

RDM het metnavraagsy“opregte meegevoel” aan die familie van Naidoo weens hul destydse verlies uitgespreek. “Ons is bewus daarvan dat dit ’n diep moeilike tyd vir haar geliefdes is,” het ’n verklaring gelui “Diebevindinge wat met die 2018-voorval verband hou, was die

“In soverre die familie van Naidoo enige formele eise of bekommernisse wil opper, stel RDM met alle respek voor dat hulle dit deur die toepaslikekanale doen, waar sodanige aangeleenthedeop ’n behoorlikeengestruktureerde wyse hanteer kanword.

“In hierdie stadium is RDM ongelukkig nie in ’n posisie om enige verdere kommentaar oor die aangeleentheid te lewer nie.”

Van bladsy 1.

Volgens sy ma was Jacobs’npassievolle en kranige rugbyspeler wat op hoërskool en later in klub- en raakrugby uitgeblink het. Die Strand-rugbyklub het innige meegevoel betuig: “Dit is met skok en hartseer dat ons vanoggend verneem het van die tragiese dood van een van ons oud-spelers, Raymian-John Jacobs, ook bekend as Pottie. Onssal altyd sy terggees en lag onthou, en dan sal ons harte weer glimlag –want vir ’n kortrukkie het God jou vir ons geleen, en in daardie kort tydjie van jou lewe het jy diep spore in ons harte getrap. Sag rus, ou seun, en staan op in Godse glorie!”

Die Watsonia Warriors het in hul medelye Jacobsas’nvoorbeeld van “moed en kameraadskap” beskryf. “Sy onverwagse heengaan laat ’n leemte in ons gemeenskap. Onsbied ons innige meegevoel met sy familie en geliefdes. Mag die herinnering aan Raymi se onwrikbare gees en toewyding aan sy mede-Warriors ’n mate van troos bied in hierdie tyd van rou.”

Most Wanted-raakrugbyspan het ’n KI-gegenereerde beeld deur 8th Avenue Touch Rugby gedeel: “In liefdevolle herinnering aan ’n ware held –vir ewig in ons harte. Slegs 21 jaar oud, maar sy nalatenskap strek verder as woorde. Sy glimlag was warm, hy was goedhartig, sy aard was onselfsugtig, en sy passie was die spel. Hy was nie bloot ’n spanmaat nie –hywas familie. Sy teenwoordigheid het ons opgehef, sy gees het ons saamgebind en sy herinnering sal ons vir altyd inspireer. Dankie vir die kosbare herinneringe, die gelag, die lewenslesse, en die liefde.”

•In’nafsonderlike voorval het ’n 25-jarige vrou op Saterdag 2Mei ook die slagoffer van ’n noodlottige steekvoorval in Nomzamo geword.

Die Lwandle-polisie het omstreeks 23:30 op die voorval in Ndzuzostraat gereageer. “Daar word beweer dat die oorledene deur haar kêrel wreed gesteek is ná ’n stryery by hul woonplek.

“Die 32-jarige verdagte is in hegtenis geneem en sou na verwagting op Maandag 4Mei in die Strand-landdroshof verskyn,” het ’n polisieverslag aangedui.

.Enigiemandmetaddisioneleinligtingoor diemisdadewordaangemoedigomdieLwandle-polisieby0218452060of0860010111te skakel.

Renaminghonoursheritage

In an address to council on Freedom Day (Monday 27 April),acting mayour of CapeTown and Mayoral Committee member forSpatial Planning and the Environment,Eddie Andrews, announced two significant renaming proposalsand asweepingpushfor affordable housing reform.

He told the meeting, heldinthe City Hall, Ben FriedmanPlain wouldbe renamed Strand Muslim Square, adding that it’s adecisiongrounded inboth historyand reconciliation.

“Ben Friedman Plain stands in an area shaped by the long-standing presence of the Strand Muslimcommunity, whose heritage stretches back over two centuries. Importantly, this processhas been characterised by cooperation, supported by the Muslimcommunity,endorsed by civic and faith-based organisations, and undertaken with the supportofthe Friedmanfamily themselves,” Andrews said Therenaming reflects what he called Cape Town’s unique traditionofinterfaith coexistence.

“Cape Town is acity whereMuslim, Christian,Jewish and other faith andcultural communities do not simply co-exist, but have,over generations, built relationshipsofrespect, partnershipand shared belonging. Thisrenaming reflects that reality.”

DistrictMail &HelderbergGazette previously reported that the Cityinitiated apublic-participation process in August 2024onthe possible renaming (“Historic Strand square set to be renamed,” 14 August 2024).

The application was submitted by Firgrove historian EbrahimRhoda and Feisal Daniels, supported by Professor DoriaDaniels, on behalf of the local Muslim community.

The public-participationperiod was

extended following technicaldifficulties that had preventedresidentsfrom submittingcommentsvia mobile devices. The comment period, initially settoclose on 30 September2024, was shifted to 1-31 October that year, followedbyapublic meeting scheduled for that Novemberin Strand(“Square rename consult ongoing,”23October 2024)

HERITAGENOT ERASED

The proposal is rootedinreconciliation and restorative justice, acknowledging the injustice of forcibly removing people fromanarea because of theirrace and background, in this instancefrom the Strand CBD underthe Group Areas Act, despite a200-year heritage that two mosques,which still anchorthe square today, are an ongoingreminderof–Nurul Anwar, Market Street andNurul Islam.

The firstplaceofworship in Strand, the MarketStreet Mosque, was built on the square itself.

Notably,Barry Friedman, grandson of the late eponymous augustfigure. consulted hisfamily andexpressed support forthe renaming, provided their own heritage was not erased.The applicants reciprocated by proposingthe nearby traffic circle be namedBen Friedman Circle

Theproposal has been endorsed by the StrandMuslim Council, NurulIslam and Aneeqah Congregation, Rusthof Methodistchurchand theMuslim Judicial Council.

Business ownersborderingthe square raisedno objections.

The renaming process follows aformal City route: the Public Participation Unit compiles public comments, theNaming Committee reviews and makesrecommendations to theexecutive mayor,and counciladoptsthe final decision

Aside from theStrand Muslim Square proposal, the Naming Committeeisalso consideringrenaming Belhar Drive to John van der Rheede Drive, honouring an educator, communityorganiser and civic leaderwhose decades of service shaped thecommunities he served. Andrews said therenamingwould permanently embed Van der Rheede’s contributioninto the fabric of thearea.

Both proposals will come before councilfor adecision

FREEDOM DAYREFLECTIONS

Speakingfrom within the Nelson Mandela Exhibition, Andrews drew acontrast between Cape Town’s governance record andthe strugglesfacingother major cities.

“The promise of freedom is measured in whether it is upheld by capable institutions, accountable leadership and outcomes that people can see and feel,” he said, adding thatoverR2,1 billionin ratesreliefreflected theCity's commitment to financially pressed households.

Andrews placed affordable rental hous-

ing at thecentre of theCity’s response to agrowing housing crisis, identifying what he calledthe “missing middle”–residents whoearn toomuch to qualify forsubsidies buttoo little to enter the property market,including teachers, nurses and young professionals

“The question is whether it happens in an unregulated,unsafe andinformalway, or whether we step in to enable,guide and formalise it,” he pointed out.

The City is advancing itsAffordable Rental Units programme alongsidethe newly launched LocalPlanning Support Office to turn informal housing activity into compliant,bankable development

SW-staatsaanklaer tree af

JameyGordon

Die Somerset-Wes-streekshof het verlede Woensdag (29 April) van die staatsaanklaer Karien Theron,wat die tuig ná meerasdrie dekades neerlê, afskeid geneem.

Theron het 35 jaar van haar lewe aan die regstelsel toegewy. Voor haar aanstelling by die plaaslike hof, het sy in Strand, Stellenbosch, Kuilsrivier en Bellville gewerk. Dit was ’n roeping wat haar gevorm het –nie net as

regsgeleerde nie, maar as mens.

Eenvan die mees blywende lesse wat Theronuit haar loopbaan dra,isdat mense niealmal dieselfde is nie. Baie van die beskuldigdes voorhaar het uit haglikeomstandighedegekom –armoede; verwaarlosing; gebrek aangeleenthede. Tog, soos ’n vroeëre landdroshaar laat besef het, hetduisende jongmense presiesdieselfde agtergrond en hetnooit die padvan misdaad ingeslaannie. Dit het haar geleer om altydmet empatie en begrip na elke saak en elkemens te kyk.

Theron het by diegeselligheid gesê sy het reedshaar finale saak afgehandel en haar laaste werksdag souDonderdag (30April) wees.

Van al diesake wat sy oor die jarehanteer het, bly een veralby haar –’nmoordsaak in Faure, wat in haar hof beland het. Die beskuldigdehet sy eie vrou vermoor en elke bewys moes noukeurig voor diehof geplaas word.

Hy is uiteindelik totlewenslange gevangenisstrafgevonnis –’nuitkoms wat die erns van diesaak weerspieël het.

“Dit voel ongelooflik,” deel Theron oor hoe ditvoel om uiteindelik af te tree. “Ek sien daarna uit om nie meer onder volgehoue druk te wees nie en weer tydvir myself te hê.”

Theron sê sy wil onthou word as iemand watempaties,professioneel en regverdig was–“iemand wat haar werknadie beste van haar vermoë gedoen het”.

Sy het altydwaarde geheg aan diegesprekke met slagofferfamilies en getuies,omdat hierdie mensedikwels oor die hoof gesien wordindie groter prentjie van dieregstelsel. Haar raad aan enigeen wathierdie beroep wil betree, is eenvoudig: Jy hoef nie

SersantLintheaMcKay(hofordonans), KarienTheronenMelissaQesha(hoftolk).

dieskerpste juris te wees nie, maar jy moetmet mensekan werk.

Empatieendie vermoë om te luisterenteverstaan waar iemand vandaan kom, is nie opsioneel nie –dit is noodsaaklik. Vir diegene wat wonder wiedie vrou agter dietitelis? Buite die hof is Theron’nveelsydige vrou met ’n ryk persoonlike lewe. Sy woon alleen in Gordonsbaai en het op ’n plaas in Tulbagh grootgeword. Sy het drie susters, hoewel sy onlangs diehartseer verlies van haar jongste suster, wat aan kankeroorlede is, moes verwerk. Akademies het sy aan dieUniversiteit Stellenbosch studeer en grade soos BA Juris, BA Regte,LLB en ’n LLM behaal. In haar vrye tyd reis sy graag

Ná 35 jaar se onwrikbaretoewyding aan geregtigheid, groet Karien Theron, die staatsaanklaer vandie Somerset-Wesstreekshof,’nwelverdiende aftrede

saam metvriende. Sy lees,hekel, doennaaldwerk en kook met genot.

Theronlaat haar werkmet ’n geruste hart in diehande van haar kollegas,Hestia Grobbelaar, Deidre HindleyenDenzil Sass, ervareamptenare wat al lank in diehowe staan “Die gemeenskap moet nie huiwer om metaanklaerste praat nie. Sulke gesprekke maak sake in diealgemeen makliker en gladder. Aanklaers het groot verantwoordelikheid om te dra, maar dieverhoudingmet die publiek bly ’n noodsaaklike deel van ’n gesonderegstelsel.”

Blowinginthe wind...

Residents and visitors to Gordon’s Bay shores can expect to see heavy machinery on local beaches, as the City of Cape Town started itsannual dune maintenance andrehabilitation programme on Monday (4 May).

Theproject, scheduledtorun until the end of the month,forms part of abroader initiative to manage coastal windblown sand and maintain the ecological integrityof the False Bay coastline.

The annual earthworks are aresponse to the natural accumulation of sand caused by wind and tidal processes. To manage this,the City usesfrontal nets placedatthe “toe” of the dunes to trap sandbefore it migrates into infrastructure or residential areas.

Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and Mayoral Committee member for Spatial Planning and the

Dune maintenanceunderwayatFleur Park beachinGordon’sBay

Environment, said the process is essential for the long-term health of thebeach.

“These netswill be lifted and thecleanaccumulatedsandwill be placed backinto thesea below the low water mark,” Andrews ex-

plained. “The purpose of the annual earthworks is to return windblown sand to the sea and back into circulation.”

The work will be carried out using an excavator and articulated tipper truck, both of which will be visible on the beach throughout the month.

Beyond sand management, these dune systems serve acritical environmental purpose, acting as a reservoir that replenishes the beach during and after significant erosion events such as winter storms.

Andrews described dune rehabilitation as astrategic investment in the City’s naturalinfrastructure. “Dune rehabilitation is the most cost-effective andpragmatic approachtoprotect andrehabilitate ecosystemsand ecological infrastructure. When fully functional, these systems help to create quality coastal spaces for all of us.’’

Strand se werklosesmaakskoon

Subraad 8het die twee-voëls-een-klip-beginsel gebruik om tydelikewerk aan werklosesvan Strand te verskaf en die Soetrivierkanaal skoon te maak. DieStadKaapstad se Uitgebreide Openbare Werkeprogram-span (EPWP) het op Maandag 13 April met werk aan die Soetrivierkanaal begin. Die projek strek vanBroadway-boulevard, tussen die Morkel’s Cottage- informelenedersetting en Allan BoesakVillage af metBoundaryweg langstot by die Onverwachtpad. Die EPWP-span is uit wyk 85 gekies. Die EPWP is ’n vennootskapsprogram tussen die nasionale regering en die Stad,wat tydelikewerksgeleenthede aan werklosesverskaf om armoede te help verlig.

City admin’slast hurrah

Cape Town mayorGeordin Hill-Lewis and MayoralCommitteemember forWater andSanitation Zahid Badroodien brokeground on the R4,7billion upgradeof theMacassar Wastewater Treatment Works(WWTW) earlylast month ,the final mega-project of the current administration’sterm. Theupgrade willmore than doublethe facility’sprocessing capacity, from 34 million litres perday to 80 million litres perday,equipping the Helderbergtoaccommodate rapid growth over the next 20 years. Beyond scale, the project prioritises sustainabilityand technology. Theupgraded facilitywillgenerateits ownpowerfrom biogas, repurpose treatedeffluent forirrigation and employadvancedUVdisinfection and biological nutrient removaltoprotect the EersteRiver.Modernised facilitieswillalsodeliver moredignifiedservicetosurrounding residents in Macassar.Civil workscommenced in October2025, with mechanical and electrical installations scheduled formid-2027.A CommunityOpenDay washeldinlate last year to ensuretransparency and localinclusion. “This major upgradewill provide thousandsofjobsfor the localMacassarcommunity, greatlyimprove

Newtalentonstage

TheImibala Trust successfully brought communities together through musicand performance with its sold-out production, Best in the West –ACelebration of Helderberg Talent,held at The Drama Factory on Friday24April.

The event showcased apowerful cross-sectionofemerging talent from acrossthe basin, spanning communities from De Hoop Primary School to Macassar, Lwandle andbeyond.

Carefullyselected through an audition process hosted at the Imibala Trust, the performers represented the depth of untapped talent in the area, with audition days drawingcrowds of hopefulyoungartists whofilled the streets for achance to be part of theproduction

The Somerset West-basedNPO is dedicated to uplifting youth througheducation,arts and community development. Working closely with local schools and underserved communities, Imibala provides access to resources, mentorship andstructured programmes that empower young people to discoverand develop their talents.

Hosted by South Africanartist and former Idols South Africa finalist David Fourie, the evening delivered adynamic mix of music and dance, all staged in aprofessional theatreenvironment.

Fourie,who launchedhis own career through anational platform,continues to playa key role in mentoringand creat-

ing opportunities foremerging performers

The production featured a diverseline-up ofacts –Aclisia Lottering, Tashe Adams,Macassar violinist Matthew du Toit, hip-hop dancer Caleb Daniels, South African gymnast Charly Massyn (DeHoop Primary);The ImibalaChoirfeaturing learners from Siyanyene High; 12-year old Phia (De Hoop Primary); 12-year-oldAnelle, who celebrated herbirthday on stage witha standing-ovation performance, and Iviwe from Kuyakhanya Productionsintroducing the Amadombolo dance style.

Theevening also featured the Yes-Ya-Yebo cast, internationally recognisedfor their five-star reviewsatthe 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Each performerbrought auniquestorytothe stage, reflectingthe diversity and resilience of theHelderberg

community.These stories were united in apowerful finale performance of “Paradise Road”, performed by the full cast,with renownedartist Patrick van Blerk also attending.

Throughinitiatives such as Best in the West andthe Yes-YaYebo Productions division, the trust creates meaningful platformswhere emerging artists can perform in professional environments, gain exposure and buildpathways into the creative industries.The organisation remains committed to bridging communities andunlocking opportunity throughthe arts.

Following the success of the sold-out showcase plansare already underway to expand Best in the West,with anew partnership in development with Lourensford Wine Estate aimed at growing the production into an even larger celebrationof regionaltalent.

PROMOTION:MATRICULANT OF THE YEARCOMPETITION

Jong Helderbergse robotika-span

DieHelderbergserobotikaspan AutoNova,’nbondgenoot vandie Texpand-robotikaspan, hetvroeër vanjaar die eersteentweede plek in die eindrondevan die FTC- Suid-Afrikaanse nasionalekampioenskap behaal en vir die wêreldkampioenskap in Houston, Texas, gekwalifiseer.Die plaaslikespan moes deur die seisoen ’n robot,wat die seisoen se uitdaging konbemeester,bou en programmeer.Indy die robot (regs) moes in ’n wedstryd vir die eerste30sekondes outomatieswerk en daarna twee minutemet ’n afstandbeheerder bestuur word.Die doelwit vandie kompetisie was om so veel artefakteasmoontlik in die kwalifiserende ronde te skiet.Indie laaste 20 sekondesvan die kompetisie moes die robot in die korrekte ruimteparkeer.Die wenspan,wat vanWoensdag29April totSaterdag2Mei in die VSAhul staalgewys het,was (bo,van links) MarlisaTroskie,Martin Troskie,Rynhardt Visser,EnzoCirillo, Simeon Visser en CalebFilter.

Impactful opportunity awaitsentrants

SiskaMartin

Formorethan 40 yearsthe Matriculant of theYearcompetition hasbeenmakingadifferenceinthe livesof hundreds of young people whohavestarted their career path at the University of the Free State(UFS)

This year it will be no different,with the45th competition starting thisweek.

Notonlyisitthe launchofthe 2026 competition, butthe UFSisalso excited to welcome NovusMedia as anew media partner forthe competition.

NovusMedia, asubsidiary of Novus Holdings, hasanational footprintof36 free local newspapers,anationalnewspaper, Die Papier,and astrong digital and socialmedia presence.

All articles aboutthe competition will be publishedinthese printedpublications, as well as on their websites,inaddition to being available to read forfreeon the national websitenovanews.co.za

Onceagain, multi-talentedmatriculants from alloverthe country canenter the competition, whichwas wonby Kiara Subramanian last year,now aformer learner of the Eunice High School in Bloemfontein.

She said she wouldalwaysbegrateful forwinning the competition

“Not justbecause of the title,but becauseofthe people it broughtintomy life. It allowedmetoconnect with such inspiring,kind and drivenindividuals, many of whom Inow gettowalk this journeyofstudying medicine with.”

Forher it became farmoremeaningful thanacompetition;itextendedtofriendships,supportand ashared understanding that “wewereall striving toward something bigger than ourselves”

“Looking back,Ithink what the competition reallytaughtmeisthe importance of connection and encouragement.

“It showedmehow powerfulitistobe surroundedbypeople whouplift and

The vice-chancellorand principal of theUFS Prof Hester C. Klopper,with the2025 winner of the Matriculantofthe Year competitionKiaraSubramanian. Photo: CharlDevenish motivate you.

THISISHOW YOUENTER

Matriculants from across thecountry whoare leadersand achieversinacademics,cultureand sport, and whoplan

to studyatUFS next year,can enterthe competition. Bursaries and prizemoneytotalling about R500 000 areupfor grabsfor the top25participants,thankstosponsors includingUFS StudentRecruitment

Services,the Kovsie AlumniTrust, Forvis Mazars,Absaand Pick nPay PrellerWalk. Learnersmay enterthemselvesorbe nominated by their schools, with forms signed by theprincipal and bearing the official school stamp

Atotal of 25 semi-finalistswill be selected,fromwhich 14 finalistswill advancetothe final roundfrom5to7 OctoberinBloemfontein.

Thewinnerand finalistsreceive prize money,bursaries and gifts, while semi-finalistsare also awardedprizes and bursaries

Entries close on Friday 31 July Scan theQRcode above, download the entry form, complete it and send it via emailtoLinda Greyling on greylinl@ufs.ac.za.She canalso be contacted formoreinformation

sponsor), Hannes Cronje,Delon la Vita,Tim Beardmore and Alan du Plessis(Suzuki Marine,sponsor).

High-stakesanglers haul in

Thewatersoff Gordon’s Bay were transformed into ahigh-stakesarenaofskill and enduranceasthe Gordon’sBay Boat Angling Club (GBBAC) hosted the 2026 Black Pearl Offshore Classic.

The event officially started with an opening function on Friday24April, drawinga massive turnoutthat underscored its growingprestige in the anglingcommunity.

By the time the closi fu tio wrapped competition as of and crews

to the Gotcha cons

itude to the skippers, anglers, families, volunteersand supporters who contributedtothe memorable atmosphere, and to all sponsors whose generous contributions made the extensive prize pool and functions possible.

Awin with pure Freedom Daygrit

Champion paddlerKiraBester delivered amasterclass in grit and determination over the Freedom Day long weekend,completing aremarkable double by winning boththe national ocean racingtrials and the prestigious Prescient Freedom Paddle around RobbenIsland, all while racing underthe weather.

The reigning 2024 and2025 world ocean racing champion opened her weekend with acommandingperformance in Saturday 25 April’strials on False Bay, crossing the line in 1:34:32, afull minute ahead of her soon-to-be race partner,Melanie van Niekerk. It wasaperformance that signalled the Strand resident’s intent as she chases athird consecutive world title Monday 27 April’s Freedom Paddle, however, proved afar more gruelling affair. Bester andVan Niekerk arrived at Robben Island first andappeared to havethe race under control, only to find themselvesunder fierce pressure from an exciting young

LOST OR DESTROYEDDEED

NoticeisherebygivenintermsofRegulation 68 of theDeeds Registries Act, 193, of the intention to apply for the issue of acertified copy of DeedofTransfer No T80725/2001 passedbyCITYOFCAPETOWNinfavour of SOPHIAJACK,IdentityNumber 510110 0066 08 4, Widow,inrespect of ERF8521 SOMERSET WEST,Inthe City of Cape Town, Division Stellenbosch, Western Cape Province,whichhasbeenlostordestroyed. Allinterestedpersonshavingobjectiontothe issueofsuchcopyare hereby required to lodge such objection in writing with the RegistrarofDeedsatForeshorePlace, 2RiebeeckStreet, Cape Town CBD, within twoweeksfromthedateofpublicationofthis notice.

HEUNIS LAW, 1Haarhof Street,Bene, Somerset West,7130 Tel: 021851 1555 email:lesley@heunislawgroup.co.za NM10057340-DP060526

international pairing – under-23 world champion Rosie Edwards of theUKand KwaZulu-Natal’s Saskia Hockly, themixed doubles world champion.

“We got to theisland first and we thought we had dropped them, but at about the18th kilometre they suddenly popped up on our inside,” said an exhausted Bester after therace. “Withtheir shorter line around theisland we just putthe hammer down and it was ahard grind.”

The defending champions dugdeep and held on, crossing thefinish line at the Oceana Power Boat Club in awinning time of 2:20:20, just 79 seconds ahead of Edwards and Hockly, withHolly Smith and Jade Wilson rounding out thepodium in third.

ForBester thevictory was made allthe more impressive by thefact that she was battling illness throughout therace. “I’ma bit sick at themoment so I’m feeling abit broken now,” she confessed ruefully.

Withtwo dominant performances, Bester cements her status as theworld’spremier women’socean paddler.

Woensdag,6 Mei2026

BergeannihilatesUWC

Yaseen Gaffar

The local rugby landscape shifted significantly this past weekend as high-scoring affairs and narrow escapes dominated Super League action in the Western Province.

Helderberg RugbyClub sent aclear messagewith adominant 52-13 demolition of UWC at Charles Morkel Stadium in Strand on Saturday 2May. Thevictory wasasclinicalasitwas necessary, propelling Berge to eighth place on the SuperLeague Alog with 11 points.

Theysit mid-table in seventh,tied on points with False Bay, settingthe stagefor amouth-watering fixture this comingSaturday (9 May). If Helderberg can maintain the offensive flair shown against UWC, atop-six finish is firmly in their sights.

The battlefor supremacybetween Macassar andAll Saints rugby clubs continues unabated, with both sides maintaining their perfect starts to the season– four wins from four matches–in Super League B.

The MC Boys showed Hamlets no mercy, cruising to a38-10victory. They currentlyoccupy topspot on the log, backed by acommandingpoints difference of +58. The Olla Boys had a far tougher day at the office,narrowly edging out Goodwood 39-36 in ahighoctane thriller. Though level on 19 points withMacassar, theysit in second place on the log.

St George’s, currently in11th place with seven points, will be looking to use their upcoming fixture against Young Peoples as aplatform to climb out of the bottomhalfofthe table.

Sir Lowrians secured ahard-fought 14-8 win over Langa in Super League C, keeping them in eighth placewith 11 points. They now turn their attention to aclash withCaledonianRoses, looking to solidify their mid-tablestanding.

It was atougher weekend for the rest of the local contingent. Raithby Universals fell 26-18 to log-leaders Rangers, leaving them stranded in 13th place with three points.

Strand RFC remainin14th placewith two points after a26-12loss to Gardens,

Club rugbyaction heatsup

while Strand United suffered anarrow 20-24 defeat against Atlantis, remaining in 15th place with two points. The fight for survival and mid-table dominanceresumes this weekend. Sir Lowwillaim to capitalise on their momentum against 12th-placed Caledonian Roses. United face amassive challenge against ninth-placed Eersteriver as they searchfor their first win of the season. Meanwhile, RU take on stragglersLanga in what promises to be acrucialbattle

. Results from Saturday 2May:

–SLA: Helderberg 52-13 UWC.

–SLB: AllSaints 39-36 Goodwood; Macassar38-10 Hamlets.

–SLC: Rangers 26-18 Raithby; Strand United 20-24 Atlantis; Sir Lowrians 14-8 Langa; Gardens 26-12 Strand RFC.

. Fixtures forSaturday9May:

–SLA: False Bay vs Helderberg.

–SLB: MacassarvsHands &Heart;St George’s vs Young Peoples.

–SLC: Sir Lowrians vs Caledonian Roses, Strand United vs Eersteriver, Raithby vs Langa