Eikestadnuus - E-Edition - 22 January 2026

46 Years at your

021887

Veiligheidonderdieloep

Yaël Malgas

“Be careful!Here are people around and they are evil.”

Só waarsku ’n werker by die begraafplaas in Onder-Papegaaiberg nadat PietdeKoker(77) die afgelope naweek vermoedelik vir sy selfoon naby se seun se graf doodgesteek is.

Die gebrek aan sekuriteit by die begraafplaas is ná De Koker se dood onder die loep. Inwoners van die buurt is veral onsteld omdat klagtesoor die toename in misdaad oor die jareopverskeieplatforms genoemis.

Die Stellenbosch-polisie bevestig polisiebeamptes is Saterdag (17Januarie) om 15:45 na die begraafplaas ontbied, waar ’n sekuriteitswag De Koker uitgewys het. “Hy het op sy linkersy gelê en daar wasbloed aan sy bolyf,” het kapt. Nathalie Martin,’npolisiewoordvoerder, gesê.

Paramedicihet die oorledene, wat met ’n steekwond aandie borsgevind is, op die toneel dood verklaar.

VASGEHAAK

Volgens Liezel Vermeulen, De Koker se dogter wat in Onder-Papegaaiberg woon, het haar pa elke keer wanneer hy in Stellenbosch was, by haar boetie se graf gaan draai.

“Ons het plannegehad om die middag tydensdie rugby te braaienekhet nie veelgedink toe hy nieopdaag nie. Ons het geweet hy gaan graf toe en sou sy broer in die hospitaal besoek

“Tyd was nie sy baas nie en aanvanklik het ons gedink hy het by sy broer vasgehaak, maar toe die wedstrydreeds begin het,het ons hom gaan soek,” verduidelik sy.

Die gesin het vermoedDe Koker het dalk van sy geliefde

‘Klagtes valopdoweore’

motorfiets afgeval.

Vermeulen sêsyenhaar man het besluitomdie roetetery wat haarpanahulle soury. By die begraafplaas het hulle op polisiebeamptes afgekom en haar pa gekry.

“Indié stadiumhet onsnog geen verdere terugvoer oor die saak vandie polisie ontvang nie, maar ons kon [Woensdag] sy motorfietsgaan haal. Hy was baie liefvir sy motorfiets en wou niks hoor omdit op te gee nie.”

Benewenssyliefde vir motorfiets- en fietsryhet hy volgens Vermeulen daagliks kilometers veropdie strand in Strand gestap,waar hy gewoon het. Vermeulen sê geen afskeidreëlings is nog getrefnie,maar hul afskeidvan hom sal ’n viering wees en nie ’n begrafnis nie.

“So maer soos wat hy was, was hy baie lief virkos,dus sal daar gewisbaie kos moet wees. Ditishoe hy dit sou wougehad het.”

OPDOWEORE

Volgens AndréPelser, die

voorsitter van die Stellenboschgemeenskapspolisiëringsforum (GPF), is De Koker se moord veral ontstellend omdat verskeie ingrypingsdalk sy dood kon voorkom het. “Hoe hartseerdat ’n pa wat gereeldsyseun, wat op driejarigeouderdomverdrink het, se grafkom besoek, dit oorkom,”meenPelser.

Misdaad in Onder-Papegaaiberg is lank reeds ’n probleem metdie rooftogte vanselfoneen fietse wat byna daagliks plaasvind

Pelser sê bydraend totdie uitdaging is die plakkers wat hulle onderdie Adam Tas-brug tuisgemaak het, mensewat met hondeindie Papegaaiberg-natuurreservaat diere jagendie heining om die reservaat wat stuk-stuk weggedra word.

“Die GPFhet hierdie kwessies herhaaldelik geopper, soos gesien kanword in onsnotules, wataan alle belanghebbendes versprei word en op die Middedorp- WhatsApp-groep geplaas word.

“Dit is duidelik datkameras, veilige omheining,patrolliesen

vinnigereaksiesnoodsaaklik is,”verduidelikhy. Die reservaatword ookdeur voetgangers as ’n deurweg tussen Khayamandi, diedorpen Onder-Papegaaiberg gebruik By navraag hetdie munisipaliteit gesê daarisbestaande en voortgesette samewerking saam metCapeNature, inwoners en rolspelers,wat sekuriteitby die reservaat betref. “Verskeie veiligheidsmaatreëls is reedsbespreekenwaarmoontlikingestel. Munisipale wetstoepassers patrolleer diebetrokke gebied deurlopend, soos ookander dele van diemunisipale gebied watgereeld aandag en sigbare patrolliesgeniet,” verduidelik StuartGrobbelaar,’nmunisipale woordvoerder

“Die munisipaliteitisbewus vandie tragiesevoorvalenwil graagons innige meegevoel betuig aandie familie, vriende en geliefdeswat deur hierdie hartseergebeurtenisgeraakis.

“Misdaadisongelukkig’n werklikheid oordie landheen en raakSuid-Afrikaners daagliks.Die polisie ondersoek tans die moordendie munisipaliteit werk ten volle saam in die ondersoek. Soos nogaltydsal enigeondersteuning en inligting totons beskikking beskikbaar gestel wordomdie saak te help bevorder.”

PLANNEVORENTOE

Christiaan Rust is aandie stuur van ’n groepinwonerswat ’n Onder-Papegaaiberg-spesiale aanslaggebied (SAG) wil stig. Hy sê misdaadvoorkoming en toeganglike,veilige staproetes is vandie hoofredesvir die beplande SAG.

Rust sê in diebestekvan slegstweemaande was daarin sy straat alleen drie rooftogte helder oordag.

“Met diestigting van die anderSAG-gebiede in die

groterStellenbosch was een van diebekommernissedat misdaad vanuitdie middedorp na Onder-Papegaaiberg skuif en ditispresies wat gebeurhet Rooftogte is algemeen,maar dievlakvan geweld neem toe,” verduidelik hy DieJonkershoek-SAG is in 2015 gestig en diemiddedorphet verlede jaar sy SAGamptelik op diebeengebring.Inwoners van “Stellenbosch-suid”, wat onder meer Brandwacht, Dalsig, Die BoordenKrigeville insluit,het ookplanne om ’n SAGtestig. Rust sê diebegraafplaas in Onder-Papegaaiberg het’n brandpunt virmisdaad geword en ’n omheining,goeie ligte en sekuriteitswagte by die begraafplaas saldaadwerklik help om diebuurt veiligertemaak. Rust sê ná dienaweekse moord is inwonersveral senuweeagtigoor die toenemende misdaad. “Die dae dat onswag virdie polisie of die regering om onsveiligtehou,isverby,” meen hy Pelser stemsaam en sê ondersoek salnou ingestel wordna diekoste van private sekuriteitswagte en kameras virdie area.

DieStellenbosch-polisie ondersoek ’n saak van moord;geen arrestasie is noggemaaknie.

Doors of AanHet PadClinic nowpermanently closed

Locals who once frequentedthe Aan Het PadClinic in Long Street for their healthcare needs will permanently have to visitthe Cloetesville Community Day Centre (CDC)

This as the provincial Department of Health and Wellness announced the permanentclosure of the facility, following its initial temporary closure amid ongoing shootings in the Cloetesvillearealast month (“Clinic closeddue to violence”, Eikestadnuus,11December 2025).

In astatement the department saidthe decision to close thefacility wasmade “due to ongoingconcernsfor staff and patientsafety”. It, however, assured patients theywill still haveaccesstothe “full package of care” at the Cloetesville CDC.

“We cannot expect patients to take responsibility for their health by regularly visiting their clinic for support, if it means they have to come here in these dangerousand threatening conditions,” said Handri Liebenberg, director of the CapeWinelands district. “Despiteour bestefforts to strengthen security at the clinic and workingclosely with role-players like [the police] andmunicipal law enforcement, we areprioritising the safety and well-beingofeveryone who usually attended theclinic.”

TheAan Het Pad Clinicmainlyoffered preventative and chroniccare to patients; this service has now movedto Cloetesville CDC, while the dispensing of chronic medication previously offered at Eikestad Hall has also beenmoved

Patients who collectedtheir chronic medication fromEikestad Hallare advisedtoreport to the Pharmacy Entrance at the CDC from 08:00 to 09:00

from MondaytoThursday to collect their medication. TheHealth Hub, an outreach service will continue at the Eikestad Hall.Mothers andtheir babies cancontinue visiting the hub from 08:00 to noon on Tuesdays.

The Koelenhof Mobile Clinic will continueits outreach work to farms and, if needed, these patients willbereferred to Ida’sValley Clinic. Chronic patients willalsoattend doctor’sappointments at Ida’s ValleyClinic or Cloetesville CDC.

Healthcare staff previously based at Aan Het PadClinic are nowpart of the teams at CloetesvilleCDC andIda’s Valley Clinic, whilesecurity measuresat the CDC will also be strengthened. Furthermore, modifications willbe madetothe CDC to improve patients’ waitingexperience and additionalconsultation rooms andother facilities will be addedtothe facility in due course.

Sister Luceille Esau, CDC operational manager, said staff there were happy to have their AanHet Padcolleagues at the CDC,united in the resolvetogive patients the best possible care

“Wekindlyask that ourpatients to work with us during this transitional period. Please attend your scheduled appointments; this is oneofthe ways we can functionasefficientlyaspossible.”

Acommunity meeting about the service changes willbeheld soon

“I would like to reassure youthatwe are committed to serving the Stellenboschcommunity with quality healthcare services,” Liebenberg added “Weare deeplygrateful to ourstaff for their agility andthank the community for their understanding andsupport as we take on this service change.”

Kabels eis27-jarige

RasaadAdams

Sowat twee weke nadat ’n hond weens beweerdeonwettige kragverbindings in Lanquedoc doodgeskok is, moesdie familie van Dilene Mert verlede Dinsdag (13 Januarie) op ’n tragiese wyse van haar afskeidneem toe sy glo op dieselfde plekmet lewendige kabels in aanraking gekom het.

Hoeweldie Groot Drakenstein-polisie nogdie omstandighede om haar dood ondersoek, het Mert se familie gesê die spesifieke gebiedword deur plaaslike mense as ’n deurweg gebruik, maar dit het gevaarlik geraak weens onwettigekragverbindings te midde van informele strukture wat hier opgerig is.

Volgens kapt. Francois Ross, die bevelvoerder van die Groot Drakenstein-polisiekantoor, is beamptes Dinsdagoggend omstreeks 10:00 na die toneel ontbied.

Ross het nie uitgebrei oor hoesydood is nie, maar sê Mert is op die toneel deur paramedicidood verklaar.

“Die omstandighede wordnog ondersoek. ’n Geregtelike doodsondersoek is geopen. Die 27-jarige vrou is geïdentifiseer en haar familie is ingelig,” sê Ross.

Mert se tante, Christalina Kana, by wie sy gewoon en grootgeword het,sêdie familie sukkel steeds om sinvan die gebeure te maak

“Almal het verskillende weergawes; daar is so baie stories. Ons wil eintlik weer by die polisie uitkom, wantons weet selfnog niewat werklik gebeur hetnie.

by hulle grootgeword.

“Sy was ’n baie liefdevolle mens. Soos die meestevan ons het sy ook maar haar dinge gehad, maar sy het altyd rondom die huis gehelp. Hoewel sy nooit haar eie kinders gehad het nie, was sy baie lief vir kinders. Lanquedoc het haar as Lienkie geken. Haar dood trefons almal en sy gaan gewis gemis word.”

Stuart Grobbelaar, ’n woordvoerder vir die Stellenbosch-munisipaliteit,het by navraag gesê: “Die munisipaliteit is bewus van die voorval en is diep bedroef datso iets gebeur het

“Onwettigekragverbindings bly’ngroot uitdaging in sommige gebiede. Dit is uiters gevaarlik,diefstal van infrastruktuur en stel onskuldige inwoners se lewe en eiendom in ernstige gevaar.

“Die munisipaliteit se kragspanne, saam met wetstoepassing, besoek hierdie gebiede gereeld om inspeksies uit te voer, onwet-

Brandlyne by Franschhoek bewaak

Yaël Malgas

Brandbestrydersissteeds besig om aktiewe brandlynewat in die berge bo Franschhoek brand, tebeheer.

Brande woed sedert die begin van die maand in die gebied.’nRookwolk hangsedert Woensdag 7Januarie oor Franschhoek nadat ’n veldbrand in Wemmershoek,agter die Langrug- informele nedersetting, uitgebreek het Nou spook brandbestrydersmet nog ’n brand wat die afgelope Saterdag (18 Januarie) ontstaan het. Volgens Jo-Anne Otto, ’n woordvoerder vir die Kaapse Wynland-distriksmunisipaliteit (KWDM), het diebrandbestrydingspanne Dinsdagnag’n uiters moeilike nag beleef, waartydens onder baie uitdagende omstandighede opak-

tiewe eiendomsbeskerming gefokus is “Laatdie aand [Dinsdag20Januarie]het ’n skielike opvlamming in die omgewing van die Three Streams-plaas voorgekom, aangevuur deur baiesterk wind wat by tye tussen 50 en 80 km/h gewaai het.Helikopters is ontplooi om bystand te verleen, maar moes weens die erge rukwind onttrek word,”het sy verduidelik.

Tydens sy besoek aan Franschhoek verlede Donderdag (15 Januarie) het NarendSingh, dieadjunkminister van bosbou, visserye en dieomgewing, brandbestryders geprys virhul werk om die “ikoniese wynlande”te beskerm

Teen Woensdagoggend het vuurlyne hoog op in ontoeganklike terreinbo die Bergrivierdamgebrand.’nVierde vuurlyn het in dieberggebied bo Fran-

Popular Sunday market to return to vibrantDorpStreet

Yaël Malgas

After months of back andforth,organisers of the popular Dorp Street Sunday Markethave announced it will return this Sunday (25 January)

The popular market’s return comes after it was closedbyStellenboschMunicipality, despite it being ahub with more than 80 vendors andplentyof visitorsonSundays.

In November 2024, the municipality explained themarketdid not meetthe necessary municipal bylaws. At the time it cited the unsuitabilityofthe street as atrading area,lackof parking and consideration forother road users, among other reasons.

“Over the past year we did research and regularlyfollowed up with council members, members of thepublic aswell as municipal departments,” said the market’s Leani Breedt. “In December we metwith mayor JeremyFasser, who expressedhis support forre-opening the market and seta date.”

Breedtand DanneelStone, owner of the Adam& Eve Collab, are the co-founders of the market, which they established after the Covidlockdown in 2020.

Breedt said the team,including the vendors, areexcited about the market’s re-opening this weekend.

“The vendors havebeenextremely supportive and can’t wait to see their regular clients again.Unfortunately, not all the vendors will be joining us immediately,but around 60% of the original vendors willrejoin themarket on arotational basis.”

At the time of its closing the market offeredmorethan vendorsa weekly

trading space.

Following the initial closing, apop-up marketwas held in the CasaCerveza courtyard. Later, the Market in the Stellenbosch Gardens wasestablished in thebotanical gardens on Saturdays. Now, with the necessarymunicipal eventsguidelines in place, the market is good to go. Breedtsaidmuch of the original DorpStreet Sunday Market’s formatwill remaininplace.

“The market retains it special, joyous atmosphere where, in partnership with localbusinesses, we provideaspace for entrepreneursand smallbusinessesto showcase theirproducts,” shesaid.

“Visitors can continue to show appreciation for unique products and enjoy a wonderfulday out together with friends and family at local restaurants and shops in Dorp Street as well as therest ofStellenbosch town.”

About the returnofthe market Stellenbosch municipal spokespersonStuart Grobbelaar said: “The municipalityreceived an application for thisevent and we are handling it as per our processes, andengaging withthe organisers.”

Breedt said would-bevendors had been placedonadatabasefor when the marketwas back up and running. “This means there is excitement about brand newexhibitorsand artistsbeing showcased. New activities and collaborations lie aheadthanks to the local-business visitsweconduct weekly, particularly businesses such as CasaCerveza.”

The Dorp Street Sunday Market will be aweekly market and is the perfect waytocombat the Sunday “scaries”.

 Visit the Dorp Street Sunday Market’s social mediapages formoredetails.

schhoek, tussen dieKaapse Wynlanden Overberg-distriksmunisipaliteite, gebrand.

Intussen is ’n CapeNature-brandbestryder(42) Saterdagoggend (17Januarie) suksesvoluit dieStettynskloofberggebied tussen Franschhoek en Du Toitskloof deur lede van die Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) gered. Volgens ’n verklaring van die WSAR het diebrandbestryder Vrydagaand ’n beenbesering tydens brandbestryding opgedoen. Sy wasin’nafgeleë berggebied en weens die terreinendonkerte kon sy nie onmiddellik gehelp word nie.

Nadat sy en haar span op die berg moes oornag, het ’n klein reddingspan Saterdagoggend met ’n reddingshelikopter vertrek om diebrandbestryder op te pik.

’n Paramedikus het noodsaaklike behandeling op die toneel toegepas, waarna die beseerde brandbestryder per helikopter na ’n nabygeleë landingsone vervoer is. Van daar is sy na ’n hospitaal geneem.

Inwoners naby die brandgebied word gemaan om deure en vensters toe te hou vir die rook en om sporten sosiale aktiwiteite in die geraakte gebiede te vermy, aangesien skielike veranderings in vuurgedrag gevaarlik kan wees.

“Die spanne het ook hul opregte dank en waardering uitgespreek vir die onbaatsugtige ondersteuning en skenkings uit die Franschhoek-gemeenskap. Hierdie ondersteuning maak ’n tasbare verskil en dra grootliksbytot spanmoraal onder moeilike omstandighede,” het Otto gesê.

Sê oordag sonder motors in Kerk-enAndringastraat

Yaël Malgas

Stellenbossers het steeds tyd om kommentaar te lewerop’nvoorgestelde eksperiment van die Young Urbanists in ’n poginig om meer voete in diedorptekry.

Die Kerkstraat-Sondag-eksperiment is ’n voorstel van dié gemeenskapsgroep om diebekende straat en ’n gedeelte van Andringastraat vir 12 weke op een dag per week te sluit met dieoog om verkeer in die dorp te verminder en meer inwoners te kry wat te voet in die sakekern beweeg

Die Young Urbanistshoop om in samewerking met dieStellenboschmunisipaliteit dataintewin oor die lewensvatbaarheid vanminder voertuie in Stellenbosch se dorpsgebied.

Verkeersprobleme is jare lank reeds’nkopseer virStellenbosssers, met diemunisipaliteit wat oor die jaremet verskeie voorstelle gekom het om verkeersknope en ’n tekort aan parkering diehoof te bied.

Die Kerkstraat-eksperiment is nie die eerste vansysoort nie. Die Young Urbanists het die afgelope jaar saam met dieStad Kaapstad gewerkomBreëstraat in Kaapstad vir verkeer te sluit. Sonder voertuie wat diestraat gebruik het, het inwonersenbesoekers die kans om sport in diepad te speel, piekniek te hou en selfs saamlees-sessies in die padenopdie sypaadjie te hou.

Deel vandie Kaapstad-eksperi-

ment was ook om die straat meer fiets-vriendelik te maak.

Lae-koste materiale soos veilige paaltjies en betonplate wat maklik verwyder kan word, word gebruik om ’n versperring tussen fietsryers, wat die fietsrystrook gebruik, en verkeer te skep. Die plaaslike munisipaliteit en die Wes-Kaapse departement van mobiliteit het dieselfde strateindie dorp verlede Oktober gesluit vir die gebruik van fietsryers en voetgangers. Die gewilde Stellenbosch Street Soirées, wat in die somer deur die Stellenbosch-wynroetes aangebied word, volg ’n soortgelyke model met besoekers wat een Woensdag in die maand tussen 18:00 en 20:00 in die straat kan kuier en plaaslike wyne kan proe.

Sakelui, inwoners en die breër gemeenskap het nog tyd om hul insae te lewer voordat ’n voorstel aan die munisipaliteit voorgelê word vir ’n besluit om die eksperiment in te stel. Die munisipaliteit het by navraag gesê die sluitingsdatum vir kommentaar is Vrydag 20 Februarie. Die hoop is dat die verlengde kommentaartydperk ’n wye reeksperspektiewe, werklike ervarings en praktiese oorwegings uit die gemeenskap sal verseker.

 Besoekdie Young Urbanists South Africasesosialemediablaaie vir ’n skakel na die openbaredeelname-vraelys of die Stellenbosch-munisipaliteit se Facebookblad vir nog inligting.

High praisefor SWPS class of 2025

Somerset WestPrivateSchool (SWPS) proudlycelebrated anotheryear of exceptional academic achievement, with its matric class of 2025 achieving a100% pass rate in the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) National Senior Certificate examinations for the 28thconsecutive year.

In addition, the cohort achieved a100% Bachelor’s passrate, meaning thatevery learner qualifies for degree study at university

These reflect theachievementsof26 full-time Grade 12 candidates, aswell as astrong post-matric group,highlighting SWPS’sability to supportlearnersat different stages of their academic journeys. Collectively,learners achieved three A-aggregates, 53 A-symbols, 85B-symbols andanimpressive 13 A-symbols in mathematics.

In recognition of outstanding academic performance, the school awarded atotal of R99500 to its top achievers.Academic performanceacrosssubjectsremained consistently strong, with leading averages in information technology (84%), mathematicalliteracy (83%), engineering graphics and design (82%), visual arts(77%), Afrikaansfirst additional language (76%), history(75%),computer applicationstechnology (73%),mathematics (73%), English home language (71%) and businessstudies (70%).

Dux learner Adam du Toit achieved an outstanding 86,86% average,including an exceptional 95% in mathematics. Reflecting on his experience, he described SWPS as aschool that challenged himtostrive for excellencewhile developing astrong work ethic TamaiahMubaiwa followed closely with an average of 85,86% and wasplaced in

the top 1% nationally for life orientation in the IEB examinations. She credited the supportivelearning environment and dedicated teachers for inspiringher to pursue acareer in medicine.

Ruben Vorster achievedanaverage of 80,14% and earnedthe prestigiousMathsman Award after achieving an exceptional 97% in mathematics, placinghim in the top 1% nationally for mathematics in the IEB examinations

Adefining strength of SWPSisits

intensive post-matric programme, which allows learners to take on new subjectsby completing Grade 10, 11 and 12 in asingle academic year, or to improve existing results significantly, reopening and further strengthening access to competitive tertiary pathways.

Zahni Smit exemplifiesthis pathway, completing physical sciences as anew subject and achievinganoutstanding 89%. She now planstopursue further studies in occupationaltherapy or sport science.

SWPSprincipal Morné Coetzer praised the learners and teachers for their resilience, dedication and perseverance, noting that theseresults reflect the strength of personalised teaching, small classes,and aschool culture that believes in both excellence and second chances. “As SWPS celebrates 28 consecutive years of a100% passrate, it continues to prepare learners with the confidence, discipline, and academic foundation required for success in higher education and beyond.”

Holm en Webb skittermet balen kolf

Die eerstekrieketspan vanPaul Roos Gimnasium het die afgelope Saterdag (17Januarie) ’n ses-paaltjieoorwinning oor sy eweknievan die Hoër Landbouskool Boland in Wellingtonbehaal. Die tuisspan het eerste gekolf en is vir 160 lopies uitgeboul. James Holm wasmet 5/30 die Stellenbossers se beste bouler.’nHonderdtal deur Janko Webb (100) het dietuisspan se wegtot dieoortuigendeoorwinning gebaan

Eerste treë vir nuwe

Dienuwegr.8-leerdersvan Paul Roos Gimnasium het verledeweek meer as net ’n berg versit. Hulle het totbydie eerstekruisgestap waar die skool se onderhoofleiers Psalm 121voorgelees het.Daarna het die hoofseun Daniel Whitehead virdie nuwelingedie PRG-embleem geleer en hulle het self die pieke, soos op die embleem getoon word,gesien.

Driebobaas-matrikulante

Die Hoërskool Stellenboschsebestematrikulantevan 2025 spog metpuik uitslae in die nasionalematriekeksamen. Die skool se drie topleerders is, vanlinks, Jana Kotzé(tweede plek), Marinus Toerien (eerste) en Kaylee Botha (derde). Marinus, watook die skool se Dux-leerder is, se raad aan vanjaar se matrikulanteis: “Benut elkegeleentheid en genietjou laaste skooljaar tenvolle.Die tydvlieg verby, daarom is dit belangrik om jou tydwys te gebruik. Leef ’n gebalanseerde lewe,gee jou besteinalles wat jy aanpak en sluit die somvan 12 jaar se harde werk op ’n hoogtepunt af –sonderenigespyt.” Met ’n 93,17%-gemiddelde vir sy eindeksamen weet Marius gewis waarvanhypraat.Jana het’n gemiddeldevan 90,33% behaal danskyhaar ses A’s, en Kaylee hetvyf A-simboleopgelewer om haar ’n 89,33% gemiddeldetegee.

Nuwegesigte in dieklaskamer

Paul Roos Gimnasium het vanjaar agtnuwepersoneellede verwelkom. Vanlinks(agter) staan Pine Pienaar (kommersiëlebestuurder),Riley Golding (geskiedenis),Francois Malan(inligtingstegnologie)enAdamTaljard (wiskunde). Voor: Bianca Jansevan Vüren(wiskunde en lewensoriëntering),Roné vanWyk (rekeningkunde en ekonomiese- en bestuurswetenskappe), JanelkéJansenvan Rensburg(wiskunde) en Jeanette Schoeman(Afrikaans).

‘Collaboration crucial’

Access to basiclearningtools

such as stationery remains a criticalfoundation for quality education

Thisback-to-school period, a collaborative effortbetweenEdu Invest, powered by Wesgro, and Checkers is raisingawareness of the importanceofeducation resources, while mobilisingcitizens and businesses to support learners in need.

By supporting the Checkers’ Act forChange Back-to-School Campaign, EduInvest is enabling others to play an active role in strengthening education outcomes.

Shopperscan donate from as little as R5 to theAct For ChangeFundatany Checkers tillpointorpurchasea limited-edition ActFor Change exam pad, with proceedssupporting Meals on Wheelsindistributing essentialstationery to learners in need.While effective teaching is essential, learnerscannotfully participateinthe classroom without accesstobasictools suchaspens, exercise books and exampads.

Thisinitiativehighlightshow access to stationery supports learnerdignity,confidenceand performance,and demonstrates howeveryday actionsbycitizens,supportedbyresponsible businesses, canmakea meaningfuldifferenceduring the back-to-school period

“Accesstobasic learning resources suchasstationery is fundamental to quality education.Campaignslike thisdemonstratethe power

of collaboration in supporting learners,particularlyduring the criticalback-to-school period. I wouldliketothank Checkers, EduInvestand themanyother businesses contributing to stationery drives across the province,”saidprovincialeducation ministerDavidMaynier

“Ialsoencourage citizens to make asmalldonation,sothat together we canequip learners withthe stationerythey need.”

WesgroCEO Wrenelle Stander added: “Educationisthe foundationofa thriving economy. ThroughEdu Invest, we are committedtomobilising private sector investment andcorporate socialinvestmenttostrengthen theeducation system. This collaboration with Checkers demonstrateshow awareness, collectiveactionand accessible giving mechanisms canempowerboth businessesand citizens to supportlearners in practical andmeaningfulways.”

TheShoprite Group’s chief sustainability officer, Sanjeev Raghubirsaid: “We arecommittedtorolling up oursleeves and to actfor change.Wefirmly believethatstrongcollaboration betweenthe private andpublic sectorscan play acrucial role in helping our children develop into theleadersoftomorrow.

“Byproviding them with the necessary toolsfor their educational journey,wecontribute to unlockingtheirpotential.”

 To find out moreabout howyou canmakeadifference,visit www.wesgro.co.za/eduinvest or www.shopriteholdings.co.za.

Pavethe literacy way

If you would like to get more booksfor your primary school or local after-school project, you nowhavethe chance to win oneof2000 library trolleys!

Forthe fifth year, Oxford University Press Southern Africa (OUPSA), in partnership with Avbob, is invites the public to nominate primary schools and education-focused NPOs for its Road to Literacy (RTL)campaign.

As part of the 2026 campaign 2000 trolley libraries, each stockedwith 500 CAPS-aligned books, willbedonated to help nurture alifelong love of reading amongyoung learners.

SouthAfricans have until Tuesday31March to nominate schoolsand education NPOs thatwould benefit from mobile trolley libraries containing quality books and high-impact resources.

“Speaking to educators who have received trolleyshas shown me just howtransformative this initiative is,” said Karen Simpson, managing director of OUPSA

“We arecommitted to publishing in all 11 official written languages, andthis campaign helps us getthose books directly into the hands of learners who need them most.”

Nakedi Pilane, executive directorofbusiness development andfinancial servicesatAvbob, said this year’sproject is the

forthe Road to Literacyinitiative.

Scan theQRcode formore on theRoadtoLiteracy initiative.

primary schools acrossSouth Africa.

Its purpose is to equipteacherswith versatile ready-to-use classroom libraries andgive learnersregular access to age-appropriate engagingbooks

Anyonecan “Nominate to Educate”– parents,teachers, principals,learners, alumni, community membersand even NPOsare welcometonominate worthy recipients

Nominees should be under-serviced public primary schools or education-focused NPOsthatwilluse the trolleylibrary to strengthen reading in the foundation andintermediate phases.

most ambitious to date.“Two thousand trolleylibraries mean an additionalone million books in the hands of young readers

We have seen howa single trolley canchangethe energy of a classroom andthe confidence of alearner,” sherelated.

Launched in 2022, Road to Literacy is apublic-participationcampaignthatmobilises communities to contribute in the efforts to empowerlearners at primary-school level with relevant reading resources in all 11 official writtenlanguages. This is donebyincreasing access to reading materials to

Theinitiative complements Avbob’s broaderliteracyinvestments,including its Container Library programme, whichconvertsshipping containers into fully-equipped libraries thatserve learnersand communities by transforming theminto welcoming, functional spacesthatmakebooks accessible to all

Anomination could be the difference betweena learner who strugglestoread anda reader whorealisesall the opportunities thatliteracy unlocks  Visit www.avbob.co.zafor more information on the Road to Literacy (RTL)campaignand nominate a worthy school or NPO.

Success forCallingAcademy

Foundedin2018 with the vision of providing top-quality educationtolearners from low-income communities, Calling Academyshoneinthe 2025National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.

The school, locatedoff thePolkadraai Road, achieved an outstanding overall pass rate of 98,3%, with aBachelor’spass rate of 61% and adiploma pass rate of 97%.

Strong results werealso recorded across so-called gateway subjects. Learners with mathematics achieved an 85% pass rate (43% participation), the pass rate for physical science was 94% (28% participation),and learnerswho satfor the accountingexam achieveda 92% pass rate (21% participation).

Furthermore, learners whotook computer applicationstechnology had a 91% passrate (100% participation), while thosetaking life science(30%participation) all passed their last Grade 12 exams with 100% pass rate.

A100% subjectpass rate was also achievedinvisual arts, mathematical literacy,Afrikaansfirst additional language, isiXhosafirstadditional language, history, life orientationand tourism

Principal, Raoul Hammansaidthe school’s motto “Making everyeffort to confirmour calling” andits emphasison

“being great in littlethings” significantly contributedtothe 2025 Grade 12 results

The top achiever,Zachary Philander, averaged 81,3% andwillstudy towardsa BComm degree in management science at Stellenbosch University (SU) this year.

Arecent SU study exploredthe success of Calling Academy, where the focus is alsoonthemes such as faith, purpose, family and community impact.

Thestudy concluded thatthe school supports learner progressionbeyond meeting basic needs.

The Master’s study by Jemma Visser examinedfactors influencing learner progression andshowed that outcomes associatedwith higherorder psychosocialneeds were evident.

According to Dr Lieschen Venter, the study leader, the fact thatboth foundational and emotional needs are addressed at Calling Academy offers a“replicable model for sustainable, equitable education inSouth Africa andother developingcontexts”.

The results, takenwith many other success stories, demonstrate the school’s compellingvision is being realised.

TheCalling Academy Stellenbosch has twoadditionalhighschools– onein Kroonstad (opened in 2022) and another in Paarl (opened last year).

BridgeHousedux LiamKruger achieved10subjectdistinctions andfeatured on theIEB’s Outstanding Achievement List

RahelHartmann achievedseven distinctions, leading to herinclusion on the IEB’s Outstanding Achievement List

MadisonGeorge achievedeight distinctions and made the IEB’s CommendableAchievement List

Perfect pass rate forBridgeHouse

Thematric class of Bridge House College achievedaflawless pass rate in the 2025 Independent Examinations Board (IEB) examinations, with the Franschhoek school achieving this feat for the29th consecutive

subject distinctions. Madison George ranked in the top 5% in five subjectsand achieved aLevel 7inlife orientation, which led to her inclusion on the IEB’sCommendable Achievement List. hermore eight individual subject

KANTOORBESTUURDERPOS

ACVV STELLENBOSCH

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DieACVV funksioneer as 'n nie-winsgewende organisasie(NPO) en ontvang 'n subsidie vandie Departementvan MaatskaplikeOntwikkeling(DSD),waarvoor daaraandiedepartmentgerapporteerword.

Vereistes: Relevantekwalifikasieinkantoorbestuurofadministrasie •Minimum5jaartoepaslikeervaring •ErvaringindieNPO-ofmaatskaplikeontwikkelingsveldsalinugunstel •Goeiekennisvanadm nistrasie,finansieleenvoldoeningsvereistes •Goeieorganisasie-,kommunikasie-enrekenaarvaardighede •Fasiliteringsvaardighedetovfunksies,lede-enjaarvergaderings •TaalvaardiginAfrikaanenEngels •Geldigebesturrslisensie •Polisie-enKinderbeskermingsregisterklaring PersoonlikeEienskappe: •Hoëvlakvanintegriteitenbetroubaarheid •Aandagaandetailengoeietydsbestuur •Vermoëomonafhanklikesowelasin'nspantewerk •Goeieinterpersoonlikevaardighede •Vermoëomonderdruktefunksioneerenverskeietakegelyktydigtehanteer •Toewydingaanmaatskapl keontwikkelingengemeenskapsdiens

Stuur'nvolledigeCVengesertifiseerdeondersteunendedokumentenaontvangs@acvvstell.org.za

Sluitingsdatum:7Februarie2026

Navrae:MevCMoolman—Tel0218833015

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Varsity rugbyset to return

Anotherunforgettable“RugbyThat Rocks”season beckons, as the FNB Varsity Cup andFNB Varsity Shield tournaments return next month to showcasestudent-rugby talent. TheVarsity Shield startson Friday 13 February andVarsity Cupon Monday16February, the clearest pathways in SA rugby,61former playershaving gone on to Springbok glory. These remainplatforms for assessingnew blood.

FNB Varsity CupCEO Francois Pienaarsays this is “aboutopportunityand giving young playersthe platform to test themselves. from student rugby to the highestlevel of the game” The2026 seasonopens with FNB UCTastitle holdersand FNB Varsity College competing under the newEmeris brand name. FNB Maties meet