People’s Post Athlone/Lansdowne E-edition 14 July 2026

ATHLONE|LANSDOWNE

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

ELCKEWTOWN

ELCto free hea service

KAYLYNNEBANTOM KAYLYNNE.BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

The EarlyLearningCentre(ELC) in Kewtown, Athlone, will launch afree monthlychildren’scliniconSaturday18July, giving parentsand caregiversaccess to developmentalscreenings, therapyservicesand professional advice at no cost

Theinitiativeaimstoidentifychildren’sdevelopmental,behavioural andlearningneeds early whileaddressing long waitinglists at public facilities andthe high cost of privatecare.

Shamsunisa Dalwai,principal of thefacility, said thecentreisa foundational earlychildhood developmentinstitution establishedin1972. Shesaiditcurrently serves about120 children from Kewtown, Bridgetown,Athlone,Nyanga, Gugulethuand surrounds Dalwai said theclinicaimstomakespecialised services more accessibletofamilieswho areunable to affordprivate healthcare or face lengthy waitingperiods in thepublicsector.

“The need to addressthe developmental, learning andbehavioural needsofyoung children hasbecomeincreasinglyimportant,” said Dalwai

Shesaidthe clinic will be operated by students from theUniversityofCapeTown(UCT) and theUniversityofthe WesternCape. They will be assisted by professional nursingstaff It will runfrom11:00 to 13:00and will take placeoncea monthona scheduleddate.

“Wewanttoprovide free access to specialised services whilecreatinganenvironment where caregivers andparents betterunderstandthe differentfactors that influencea child’sdevelopment,” shesaid.

Dalwai addedthatthe ELCaimstorecruit volunteerswho will provideservicestothe community at themonthly clinics.

“There arenot enough services like these available. Stateclinics have long waitinglists, andiffamiliesgotoprivate facilities,the costs areoften toohigh,”she explained.

SERVICESAVAILABLEATTHECLINICWILLINCLUDE:

. Occupational therapyscreeningand advice

. Speechtherapy

.Developmentalscreeningfor children aged threetosix years.

. Play therapy.

Dalwai said during thelaunch, parentsand caregivers will have theopportunitytoparticipateinactivitieswiththeir children andlearn more abouthow theclinicwilloperate in the future.

“Wewillalso providesoupand breadonthe day. We encouragepeopletocomeand see what we have to offer becauseitisimportant to monitoryourchild’s development,”Dalwai concluded.

. Formoreinformation call 021 6379144.

Walkfeedsneedylearners

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

For some children,the first meal they eatafter the weekendisthe breakfast waitingfor them at school on Monday morning.

As preparations getunder wayfor this year’s Blisters forBread charitywalk, schoolsbenefiting from thePeninsula School FeedingAssociation’sfeeding programme say theinitiativeisimproving attendance, academic performanceand thelives of vulnerable children

Blisters forBread in association with LuckyStarwilltakeplace on Sunday 16 August at theGreen PointCommonSportsGrounds

Theannualevent,organised by thePeninsula School FeedingAssociation(PSFA), raises funds and awarenesstocombatchildhood hunger in theWestern Cape

Samantha Williams, secretary andfeedingco-ordinatoratHJ KronebergPrimary School in Maitland,saysthe school hasbeen abeneficiaryfor about18years

“Overthe years, we have seen an improvementinacademics becausethe learners arebeing fed. We also hada problem with

learnerattendance,especially on Fridaysand Mondays.

“But we have foundwiththe inceptionofthe feedingprogramme thoseare nowour ‘bigger’ days becausethe children come to school on aFridaybecause that is their last meal andthenona Monday it is their firstmealsince Friday.”

Shesayswhile thefeeding programme only caters forneedy learners,theydonot excludethose whosefamiliesfacetemporary financialhardship.

“Wehavea mottoatour school that we don’tturna hungry child away.”

Williamssaysthe school has about200 learners on theprogramme butsometimes they feed up to 590children. “Manyofour learners travel from areaslike Makhaza, Khayelitsha, Philippi and JoeSlovo (Milnerton). They take thebus or taxi earlyinthe morning so when they arrive at school there is at leastwarmporridgefor them.”

Having witnessedthe impact of thefeedingprogramme firsthand, Williamsencouragesthe community to take part in theannual fundraiser.

“I shareevery Blisters forBread

WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT SCHOOL THERE IS AT LEASTWARM PORRIDGE

poster,and Iencourage my family to enter. We promotethe eventin ournewsletters.Wewantpeopleto come alongand support theevent becausethe feedingprogramme makesa huge difference forour kids.”

Williamschallenged other schoolstoenter andensurethe eventisa success.

“Wealsoencourage thelearners andtheir parentstotakepart. We call on thecommunity to support Blisters forBread,it’sa fun event andthe benefitisthe satisfaction of knowingyou have done something worthwhile.”

Participants canchoosebetween a10kmwalkstartingat07:30 and a5km walk starting at 08:00. Entrycosts R125 perperson, whichcan provide23childrenwith anutritiousbreakfast andlunch forone day.

Entriesare limitedto10000 participants,and registrations closeatmidnightonSunday2 August.Onlyonlineentries will be accepted

OperationsreturntonormalatHomeAffairs

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Foreignnationals seekingassistancehavebeen urgedtocontact theirembassies or consulates after theDepartmentofHomeAffairs endedits temporaryvoluntary repatriation programme and reopened theEpping Refugee ReceptionOffice to thepublic.

At theheightofthe operation, over 2000 Zimbabweansrelocated from outsidethe Zimbabwean ConsulateinDistrictSix andwere housed at theEpping facility,as authoritiesprocessedvoluntary repatriation requests aheadof anti-immigrationprotestson Tuesday30June.

Theoffice reopened forits regularHomeAffairs services on Monday6 July afterover3 200Zimbabweanand Malawian nationals

were processedand transferredto theMusinaRepatriationCentrein Limpopo.

Thedepartmentsaidina press statementapproximately1 800 Zimbabweans, includingwomen andchildren, arrivedatthe Epping Refugee ReceptionOffice on Sunday21June.

They were laterjoinedbyMalawianswho also requestedvoluntary repatriation

“Following coordinatedefforts by theDepartmentofHomeAffairs, theCityofCapeTown, civilsociety andfaith-based organisations to facilitate thetransferofthose requesting voluntaryrepatriation, thetemporary operationatthe Epping Refugee ReceptionOffice concluded,”readthe statement.

Thedepartmenturged foreign

nationalsrequiring assistance to engage directly with theirrespective embassiesorconsulatesand to utilisenormalimmigration processesadministeredbythe Department of Home Affairs

PremierAlanWinde expressed hisgratitude to everyone involved in theoperation,sayingtheir effortshelpedprevent unrest in the province

“Weare deeply grateful to every individual andorganisationthat played aroleinensuringa safe, dignified andorderly process. I also want to thankour mediators whoworkedhardtodefuse tensions

“You played an importantpartin ensuring unrest didnot eruptin ourprovince.

“I am also deeply grateful forthe

engagementsour International RelationsDirectorate initiated with affectedforeign missions,” he said AliSablay, Gift of theGivers spokesperson,saidthe organisation sawtothe humanitarian needsofthe thousandsofpeople. He said theirteamprovideddaily hotmeals, bottled water, toiletries, baby care packsand otheritems they required “Weconstructed shelters for theinclement weather, especially forthe womenand children and teamsassisteduntil thelastpeople were putonthe busand takento Musina Repatriation Centre “The organisation also provided them with snackpacks…wenever left untilthe last person wason thebus.”

Prideandprejudiceseemstocloudoursociety

bloodshed

“Imagine allthe people,living life in peace.”

Perhapsthese lyrics have sparked afamiliarmelodyfor whoever’s reading.

This evergreen seventiestune, “Imagine”, from former Beatles band leader John Lennon, has become an anti-war anthem for peace, justice, equality andmost importantlyempathy,a word whichseemstobedeafenedand bludgeoned in this “age of outrage” we find ourselvesnavigating.

He wasshotfourtimes in the back by a“fan” afterheautographedhis albumand died afew metres from hishotel in ManhattanonDecember8,1980.

Thesong“Imagine”,released during theVietnam war, which killedoverthree million young men, children,mothers and fathers, is accompaniedbya soft pianoand gentle melody and sounds like aprayerorpleafor understandingina time of senseless

During thewar,despite thenews reportscommentingonthe latest batchofdeathsand destruction, many youngmen were draftedand sent in droves like bullets in an assembly line

Tragically thesonghas become an idylliclamentfor asociety wherewecan allrespect andcare foreachother regardless of skin colour,culture or creed.

Civilrightsactivists Martin Luther King Jnr, whopreached peaceand non-violence in his questto fightracesegregation and inequality,was assassinatedalong with MalcolmX

As if thecallfor basicdignity and equalrightsissooutrageousit couldleadtodeath

Ironically theauthorof Utopia, SirThomasMore, also lost his head forhis visionsfor afuture society.

He wasbeheadedin1535for treason, afterherefused to accept King HenryVIII as theSupreme Head of theChurchofEngland Thenovel criticised greed, power andsupported women’srightsand religiousfreedom,duringa conservativetimeinthe 16th-century underthe king’s reign.

Even musicallegendBob Marley whoseprotest songssupported peace, freedom and“OneLove”, wasshotbut survived apolitically motivatedassassination attempt aheadofthe 1976 generalelection in Jamaica.

This acthowever only fueledhis desire to continue singingabout thestruggletoloveinanunsympathetic world.

Thesedaysapathyand cynicism have become apopular camouflage to endure thewidespreadhate, violence,intolerance andpropagandainfiltrating ourpsyches wherever we go

Whetherdoom-scrolling on our cellphones, listeningtothe news on ourcar-radiosorevenstopping fora quickcatch-upatwork, we’re flooded with thelatesttragicnews.

Once againwe’ll hear about thelatestair missile strike in the MiddleEast, theprice of petrol and goodsskyrocketingagain,the unrestricted plagiarism of AI models regurgitatingartworksand voices, allfor thesakeofprofit.

Thesedaysthe integrityofthe newsroom hasalsobeen more importantinthe wake of various influencersreporting on news and publishing theirpieces, oftenwith

theirown agendas, withoutmuch considerationfor verifyinginformation in thehopes of increasing followers andmonetisingtheir content.

Lately,the popularity of “rage-baiting” is also sadtowitness too, you’ve probably seen many videos of people manipulating each otheruntil an argument or violent fightoccurs

Research showsalgorithms financially reward angerwhich createscognitive urgency, compelling userstocomment,correct,or shareinreal-time,which allboosts engagement andvirality. Ireadthatthe primitiveparts of ourbrain,the amygdala,scan theenvironment forthreats and processnegativeinformation significantly faster than positive experiences.

Prideand prejudiceseemsto cloudour societyevenmoreso thesedays, whilethese algorithms, theseheartless systemscapitalise andadvertise on anycontent that canshackle theviewers in an endless loop that keepstheir profits high andour attentionspans low. Andso“Imagine”,a song of hope, remainsmorerelevantthanever in 2026

BelmorP Tutu Kind

AVRILFILLIES

The Kind HeartBench in theplayground at Belmor PrimarySchoolin HanoverParkencouragesthe learnerstopause,breathe andconnect.

Thebench wasdonated by theDesmond and Leah Tutu Foundation andwas unveiled on Tuesday16JunebyLeahTutuand herdaughterMpho.

Thebench is acommunity mental health initiativethatpromoteskindnessand asafespace at theschool

Sincethe unveilinglearnerstakea moment to pauseand have afriendlychatduringbreak time,which Charnelle Arendse, deputy principal, is sure is exactlywhatthe late Archbishop Tutu wouldhaveloved

At theunveiling hisdaughtermentioned how much herdad lovedtochatand this vibrantly coloured benchsparksmeaningfuldialogue.

“Atthe unveilinglearnersgatheredwith visiblecuriosity andadmirationand nowduring breaktime, they approach thebench excitedly, readingthe plaque andlingering nearby.Overall, thereactionblended respectfor theTutus’ legacy with authenticinterestinthe benchasa welcomingspace,” shesays.

AccordingtoArendse,communication skills areessentialfor academic success, personal growth andemotional well-being andmatters forlearner development. Clearspeakingand active listeninghelplearnersparticipate in class, collaborate on projects andexpress needs or concerns

Social communication supportspeer relationshipsand reducesisolation;ithelps learners regulate emotions andseek help when stressed Strong communication contributestomental health by enabling learners to name feelings, access support andbuild friendshipsthatbuffer againstanxiety andloneliness.

“Teacherscan enhancecommunication skills with modelrespectful communication by demonstrativeactivelistening andturn-taking They should teachexplicitskills with lessons on giving feedback,using ‘I’statements, asking open questions, andnon-verbalcues. Teachers should create structured opportunities, like pair-share,small-group discussionsand roleplaysthatrotatepartnerssothatall voices can

Kitchenreadytose

AVRILFILLIES

Approximately600 people will attend theannual outreach Soup andSandwiches, aWinter Offering, of thenon-profitorganisation(NPO) Children of theLight (Colt) on Sunday 19 July at theSamaj Centre in Athlone.

Thepeopleare allfromthe informal settlementsinand around Athloneand Lansdowne, whosechildrenattend theColtEducare Centre in Athlone.

“Thisyear’sevent is especially significant as it marksthe CentenaryofMotherYogeshwari, whoselifewas dedicatedtoselflessservice and caring forthose in need.Inher honour,volunteersfromAnandaKutir Ashrama, Colt andthe SamajCentrewillprepare anddistributethe soup andsandwichestothe people,” says Anika Singh, spokesperson forColt.

TheEducare provides free, qualityeducation,healthcareand welfareservicestothese children whoare between threeand sixyears of ageand theirfamilieswho live in theinformal settlements in andaroundAthlone andLans-

ARE YOU INTERESTED

Freewaybridgefinallyfinished?

Cape Town’s famously incomplete Foreshore Freeway Bridge,popularly knownasthe “bridge to nowhere”,could finally move closer to completion afterconstructionwas abandoned 50 yearsago,accordingtoCapeTownMayor GeordinHill-Lewis.

In an interviewonKfm radiostation on Wednesday1 July,hesaidthe City of Cape Town was preparingtounveilits firstproposed designsfor completing theunfinished structure in September, markingwhatcould become a significant milestoneinone of thecity’slongest-running infrastructure sagas.

that thetwo sideswouldn’tlineup.

It says anotherreasonisa shopkeeper refusingtosellhis shop,which stood wherethe flyoverwould pass, andconstructionhad to be stopped.

Thestructure consists of massive,elevated reinforced concrete rampsthatend abruptly, leavingseveral bridge stubshanging in mid-air.

“Weare well on ourway to completing the famous incomplete highways in Cape Town,” Hill-Lewisannounced.

He confirmed that theproposeddesigns will be released as part of apublic-participation process.

“InSeptember we will releaseour first designs, so it stillhas alongway to go when it comestoconstruction.

Drugsales,extortionfundsdeeds

NAMHLAMONAKALI

In Hangberg andImizamo Yethu, gang structuresreportedly financecommunity projects andpositionthemselvesaslocal problem-solversbuildingloyalty andmakingitsocially costly forresidents to cooperatewithpolice. This is oneofstartling revelationscontained in theGlobalInitiativeAgainst Transnational OrganisedCrime (GI-TOC),a Geneva-based research organisation whichtrackscriminal networks worldwide, report WesternCapeGang MonitorIssue9 whichwas publishedrecently. Extortionand protection racketsrun alongside thegoodwill, read thereport.

Children areallegedlyrecruited as runners, lookouts andcouriers, pulling thenextgenerationintothe same criminal economy, the GI-TOC shared with People’s Post Behind this,accordingtothisnew intelligencereport, is acriminalentrepreneurbased in Hangberg knownas“Boksie”. GI-TOC says Boksie controls thenetwork that hasturned Hout BayHarbour into acocaine gateway. Accordingtothe organisation,the majority of poaching operations in theHoutBay area arealsoallegedlycontrolledbyhim,operating in associationwiththe Terrible Jostersgang, a WesternCapegangaffiliated with the28s “‘Subsistence’ poachers areallegedtobe ‘taxed’orextortedfor theircatch,and ‘poaching schedules’ arereportedlyinplace to ‘regulate’ poaching operations,” GI-TOC said Boksie’s networkallegedlydecides whogoes to sea, when,and underwhatterms.Those who operateoutside that arrangementreportedly face consequences.Researchers believethis same scheduling also functions as thelogistics operationfor offshorecocaine retrievals

Small, fast boatscollect cocainepackages droppedfromlarge containervessels in international waters,bringingdrugs ashore under thecover of routinepoachingruns.

Ward 74 councillorRoberto Quintas, who represents Hangberg andImizamo Yethu, told People’s Post theGI-TOCreportwas “fairlyreliable”based on hisown experience andinformation received from thecommunity over time He said fear wasthe single biggest barrier to progress. “Peoplefeel they know thoseinvolved anddue to relationshipsasfamily, friendsor neighbours areunwilling to come forward. Thereisveryobvious fear aboutcomingforward with informationaswitnesseswillbeat risk of retribution,”explained Quintas. Theharbour’s location alongthe coast, poor security andporousaccess had, he said,allowed criminalstocreatewhathedescribed as a“nogo blindspot” forauthorities Quintassaidhehad been pushingfor the re-imagining of Hout BayHarbour since2018,

tablinga motion that calledfor privatesector investment,job-creatingbusinesses, retail, hospitalityand fish marketstobring life and activity to theprecinct. Theprinciple,hesaid, wassimple: abusy, well-litharbour with many eyes on it is harder to exploit.

“Myovertures to national government from 2018 until2023wereoutrightignored,” he said.Onlyin2023did theNationalDepartment of Public Worksand Infrastructure began engaging stakeholders,. He said he anticipated that once thedepartmentopenedthe harbour to privatesectorinvestment, therewould be “resistancefromthose whodonot wish eyes on andbusynessinthe area”.

“Interviewswithgangmembers andpolice officialsbothindicated that Hout Bayisa major pointofentry forcocaine into SouthAfrica,” GI-TOC stated People’s Post submittedenquiries to Lt Col Siyabulela Vukubi,spokespersonofthe Directorate forPriorityCrime Investigation. He said: “The Hout Baymatterisunder investigation and, becauseofits sensitivenature, cannot comment further”.

TheHoutBay Neighbourhood Watchdeclined to comment Enquiriestothe Department of Forestry,Fisheriesand theEnvironment,TransnetNational PortsAuthority remain outstanding.

“Progressshouldbemeasuredbythe weakeningofgangs’recruitment,incomegeneration, territorial controland community support,not by arrestsand seizures alone,”GI-TOCwarned.

Councilextendstimetocomment

NAMHLAMONAKALI

Residentshavebeen givenmoretimeto comment on acontroversial City of Cape Town developmentproposalafter thepubliccomment deadline wasextendedtoFriday7 August

TheCityisproposing ahigh-densitymixedusedevelopment of 6700 residentialunits, alongsideindustrialand commercialspaces, on land that includes the116-year-oldKingDavid MowbrayGolfClub(KDM)

TheoriginaldeadlineofMonday6 July was criticised as insufficientgiven thescale and implications of theproposal.

KDMhas welcomed theextension.Atthe same time,the SouthAfrican Disabled Golf Association(SADGA) hasformally writtento

Deputy MayorEdwin Andrews, urging theCity nottoproceed with theplan.

“Thiswillimpactnot just Pinelands, butmany otherpeople. Just thinkofthe gridlock on the N2,nexttowhich this high-density development will be built,”KDM chairMikeFlaxsaid.

“Overdecades,KDM hasdeveloped theaccessibility,experienced staff,adaptivefacilitiesand cultureofinclusion that ourmembers including adults andchildrenwithphysical, hearingand intellectualdisabilitiesdependon. Beneficiaries includenofewer than sevenschools,”SADGA boardchair EnverHassensaid.

“RelocatingSADGA will underminedecades of progress in growingdisabledgolfinSouth Africa,” he said KDMdoesnot oppose affordablehousing but questionswhether this is theright site

“Thisdevelopment will only deliver30% housingnot social housingwhile themajority of thesiteisopenedtomarket-priced private development. This risksthe permanentlossof high-functioning public assets with enormous valuetosurrounding communities,” Flax said

TheForeshore Freeway Bridge,or“Cape Town’s Unfinished Bridge”, wasbegun as an endsection of then-named EasternBoulevard highway, nowrenamed Nelson MandelaDrive, in theCapeTownCBD,towards Green Point. That sectionand itsconnectingturns were reconstructedfurther down towardsthe docks. Conceptualised in the1960s to alleviatetraffic congestion,constructionbegan in the1970s and abruptly halted in 1977, andsources aredivided on thereasons Onewas that theroads authorityhad runout of money, another– theGardenApartment website– says construction andengineering teamshad made acalculation error, meaning

We stillhavetofundthisveryexpensive operation.”

Hill-Lewissaiditwas crucialthatthe work be completed.

“Thatintersectionasyou come off theelevated freeway as youcomedownintothe City is the busiestintersectioninthe wholeofCapeTown, so we need an intervention thereand that is the only intervention possible, so afternearly50 yearssince thebridges were builtweare going to startthe processofgetting them done.”

“The extensionto7 August recognises that reality. We thankthe City formakingthe process fairer,” he said KDMissaidtoattractatleast 25 000 visiting golferseachyearand is regarded as acornerstoneofcommunity life,heritageand inclusive sportinCapeTown.

Theproposeddevelopment wouldalsomean theend of the128-year-oldClyde Pinelands Football Club,the oldest non-amalgamated football club in SouthAfricawhose fields support youthdevelopment andgrassrootssport SADGA, whichishostedatKDM andregards it as thehomeofdisabledgolfinSouth Africa, said no otherCapeTownclubcould absorb its members.

Humanityfest launches with a procession

ArtscapeTheatre litupfor thelaunch of the20thedition of theWomen’s Humanity Festival on Wednesday8 July as guestgatheredatthe Chandelier Foyer, marking70years sincethe historic 1956 Women’sMarch andcelebrating Artscape’s own55thanniversary.

Theevening opened with avibrant arrival procession by WomenUnite,led by Thandi Swaartbooi,followedbya moving welcomeperformance,while Ingrid Jones, co-founder and Editor-in-ChiefofMikatekoMedia,reminded theaudiencethatchangeisnot createdbyone heroic individual butbycommunities that refusetostopcaring, that acttogetherand keep walkingtogether.

NancyRichardsand thewomen of Woman Zone unveiled theirbeautiful Everywoman textileartwork,a poignant tributeto55years of Artscape’s story.

Guests were treatedtoexcerptsfromtwo brand-newArtscapeproductions premiering this Festival season – KomFietnaSaam and Bottelnek Breek Bek

Underthisyear’stheme,“WomeninAction |Vroue in Aksie| AbafaziKwintshukumo,” theFestivalcalls on everyone to move beyond remembranceintomeaningful action on gender-basedviolence(GBV),disabilityinclusion, LGBTQIA+ rights andwomen’s leadership TheFestivalwillcontinuethroughoutAugust featuringa rangeofactivitiesincluding dance, music, film,exhibitions,publicdialogue, workshopsand community activism underthe theme“APlace ForAll”

FESTIVAL CALLSON EVERYONE TO MOVE BEYOND REMEMBRANCE INTOMEANINGFUL ACTION

Artscape CEOMarlene le Roux welcomed singer,songwriterand producer Jimmy Nevis whoannounced theperformance of hisanthem “Prey”,a rallying cryagainst SouthAfrica’sGBV crisis,following theannual Women’sHumanityWalkfromthe Cape Town CivicCentreto Artscape on Women’sDay,9 August

Le Roux said theFestivalisabout transformingremembrance into responsibility

“Gender-basedviolencecontinues to devastate ourcommunities andpersons with disabilities remain marginalised.The LGBTQIA+ community facesongoing threatsand women’s leadership is stillthe exceptionratherthanthe norm.These arenot abstract concerns butare thedaily realitiesofpeopleweknowand people whodeserve better.

“The arts give us thelanguagetotellthese stories honestly,toholdupa mirrortoour society andtospark theconversations that lead to real change

“Thisiswhy Artscape,asa home forthe arts, carries aresponsibilitythatgoesbeyondentertainment;weuse ourstagesand ourplatforms to confront theserealities andtoamplify the voices of thosewho aresooften silenced.”

.Formoreinformation check www.artscape co.zaand tickets canbepurchased viaWebtickets.

Kirstenboschbringsfree winterfunforfamilies

Winter Wondersprogramme is back at the Kirstenbosch National BotanicalGardenuntil Monday 20 July.The programme startedon Saturday 27 June andoffersfamiliesa mixof creative andoutdoor activities during theschool holidays

Children aged 17 andunder enterthe garden freelyfor thedurationofthe programme.Familieswho have notbooked in advancecan also secure afreeticketatthe Kirstenbosch ticket office on arrival.

“WinterWonders is aboutcreatingmeaningful,memorable momentsinnature, especially forfamiliesduringthe winter school holidays,” says SarahStruys, Events andTourism Manager at Kirstenbosch.“With free entryfor children andactivitiesthatcombine creativity,culture andenvironmental learning,wecontinueto make Kirstenbosch aspace wherefamiliescan spendtimetogetherwhile connectingwith nature.”

SOMETHINGFOREVERYCHILD,EVERYDAY

TheHappy by Nature area runs dailyand offershands-onactivitiesfor youngervisitors. Children cantakepartinpot-a-plant sessions, wheretheyplant theirown indigenous plants to

take home.Rockpaintingtables, acosynature corner with achalkboardwalland building blocks,and aself-guided scavengerhunt throughthe nursery— completedwitha parent —round outthe dailyprogramme

RHYTHM,ARTANDGUIDEDWALKSATMOYO

From Tuesdays to Fridays, visitors canjoin marimbaand drumming sessions, trysandart, or take part in guided garden walksatMoyo restaurant

Theguidedgardenwalks aredesignedfor children aged sixto12and runbetween 12:00 to 13:00. Each walk ends with acomplimentary hotchocolate at Moyo.Groupsmeet at the restaurant.Today (14July),a guided bird walk suitable forall ages will be ledbyFelicityEllmore from theCapeBirdClub.

Visitors canexplore thegarden’sscenicwalkingpaths, find aquiet picnic spot,orwarmup with amealatMoyo, Fynkos or Vida eCaffé. TheBookshop andGiftShopare offeringdiscounts throughout theschool holidays

Spotsonthe guided garden walksmustbe booked in advanceonDineplan. . Formoreinformation,contact gianpaolo@ botsoc-kirstenbosch.org.za.

CapeTownbreakstourism records—butnotdomestic

HowNow BrownCow,creators of acclaimedproductions such as My Name is Lucy Barton, Expelledand Constellations, presents theSouth African premiereofTony andOlivier Award-winning gripping legal drama Prima Facie.WrittenbySuzie Miller, this production is directed by director Neil Coppen (Isidlamlilo/The FireEater; Animal Farm; TinBucket Drum), with Danica De La ReyJones (Hunting JessicaBrok; Unseen; ForColored Girls) in the role of Tessa, a brilliant young barrister,who climbsher way up from workingclass origins to the topof her game.Prima Facie willbeperformed at TheBaxter Studio from Tuesday4to Saturday29August,beforetransferringto the BarneySimon at the MarketTheatre from Thursday17September until Sunday 4 October.BookingsthroughWebtickets PHOTO:SUPPLIED

Cape Town’s tourismsectorhas recorded a landmark year,witha newreportrevealing record visitornumbers,revenue andjob creation across thecity.

Cape Town Tourism’s2025EconomicValue of Tourismreportshows thesectorgenerated approximatelyR24,5 billion in direct tourism spendlastyear, with R19billion of that coming from internationalvisitors.

Tourismaccountedfor 6,3% of thecity’stotal grossvalue addedand sustainedmorethan106 000 jobs.“Tourismisone of themostpowerful toolswehavefor creating jobs anddriving economicgrowthinCapeTown,”saidMayco memberfor economic growth andtourism James Vos. “These resultsshowthatour strategy is working. By focusing on theright marketsand campaignsthatconvert interest into bookings, we areseeing stronger growth in international visitornumbers andspending.”

Data from theAirportsCompany of South Africa (ACSA) showed arecord11,1million twowaypassengerstravelledthrough Cape Town InternationalAirport last year,with approximately3,3 million beinginternational passengers, a7%year-on-yearincrease.

Foreignovernight visitors reached1,44 million,staying an averageof9,5 nights and spending around R1 390per day. Topsource marketsincludedthe United Kingdom(UK), whichalone accountedfor over 210000 visitors,followedbythe United States of America

(USA), Germany, theNetherlands,Franceand Australia.

Vossaidthe City’s newTourism Framework 2030 aims to increase visitorspendingtoR34 billion anddoubletourism jobs to over 200000 by theend of thedecade. “CapeTowndoesnot standstill. We invest,innovate andcompete My ambition is to seetourism create opportunities in everycommunity andsupport more jobs across ourcity.”

However, thereporthighlighted asharp contrastindomestictourism performance. Local tourismspend fell approximately32% from R8 billion in 2024 to R5,5 billion last year,despite domestic overnightvisitor numbersremaining closetointernational figuresataround1,42 million.The averagestayfor domestic visitors droppedfrom5,2 nights to 4,4nights, with dailyspend decliningtoR882

To counterthe declineindomesticspend, Cape Town Tourismhas launched threeinitiatives, accordingtoCapeTownTourism CEO EnverDuminy.

Adomesticcampaignencouraging localtravel underthe tagline“Youdon’t need aholiday,you need My Cape Town”; aregionalpartnership with Zimbabwe andNamibia that hasalready grownarrivals by 17%; andthe “One Small World” internationalbrand targetinghigh-value long-haultravellers.”

“Wedonot wait forconditionstochange, we go outand create them,” he concluded.