People’s Post Athlone/Lansdowne E-edition 16 June 2026
AVRIL FILLIES
The Athlonepolicecelebrated Child Protection Week (markedinthe last week of May) with Leliebloem HouseinCrawfordonWednesday 10 June by talkingtothe 60 children about theirrightsand bullying.
Theevent coincidedwiththe renovationsat thehomebyHeart FM as part of theradio station’s campaign of 16 Days of Activism leading
up to YouthDay,today (16June)
Thehomecelebratesits 158thbirthdayand is thethird eldest youthcarecentrethatcares for children from theage of four yearsto18years
What wasalsospecial aboutthe eventwas thepresenceofsomeoftheir former children, JamesHendricks,PatriciaLangenhoven and Jerome Pannel,who grew up in thehomeinthe 70s. Thetriowillbeatthe unveilingofthe new Leliebloem Housetoday “Bullyingisrifeinour schoolsonthe Cape Flatsand schoolsinAthlone arenoexception ChildProtectionWeek focusesonending violence againstchildrenand promotingtheir safety andwell-being. Theweek is also an an-
nual campaign in SouthAfricaaimed at raising awarenessofchildren’srightsasoutlinedin theConstitutionand theChildren’sAct,and protecting children from abuse, neglectand exploitation.The children paintedtheir own placards andlined BelgraviaRoadtocreate awarenesstomotorists andpedestrians,” WO Zita Norman,spokespersonfor Athlonepolice, explains Shespoke aboutthe zero toleranceattitude thepoliceinAthlone will applytoprotect youth againstcrime andthe children couldask questionstomakeitaninteractive session “I explainedwhatitentails by highlighting that we won’tentertain substanceabuse and
carryingofdangerous weaponstoschools. We also won’ttoleratebullyingatschools, whether at primaryorhighschool.Another no-nois youthgamblingand gangsterismand we’llhave zero tolerancetounderagedrinking. Therestof theday we enjoyedwiththe children,” shesays.
Children from Leliebloem House in Crawford lined Belgravia Road with their placards with WO Zita Norman, spokesperson forAthlonepolice. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
Gold Awards for CapeTownTourism
CapeTownTourism (CTT) has achieved internationalrecognition afterscoopingthree Gold Awards at theInternational TourismFilmFestival Africa (ITFFA).
Theawardsceremonyheldatthe Bannister HotelinBraamfontein, Johannesburg,on Wednesday10June, sawCTT take tophonours in threecategories: Gold for Go AllOut Cape Town (Pride Tourism),Goldfor My Cape Town:Armani“Mr Poppins”Minani (BestEpisodeofa TourismCampaign),and Gold for My Cape Town (BestTourism Campaign 2026). Foundedin2019byCarolineUngersbockand JamesByrne,the ITFFA is theonlyfestivalof itskindonthe Africancontinent It recognises excellenceintourism-related film andvideo contentacrossplatforms,from broadcastcommercials anddocumentaries to social mediacampaigns anddestination storytelling
“Three Gold Awards at theITFFA,thisis everything,” shesaid. Brookesaddedthatthe campaignsare rooted in real people rather than idealisedimagery.“Go AllOut Cape Town and My Cape Town weren’tbuilt around postcard momentsbut around people —the grit,the warmth,the complexity that makesCapeTown unlike anywhere else on earth.”
Shesaidthe recognitionbelongs notonlyto thecreativeteams butalsotoresidents who shared theirstories.“This one’sfor everyCapetonian whoappeared in frontofour cameras andtrusted us with theirstory.”
JamesVos,Mayco member foreconomic growth andtourism,saidthe achievement
strengthensthe city’s global tourismposition. He describedthe awards as a“powerful endorsement” of strategicinvestmentindestination marketing.
AccordingtoVos,campaigns of this calibre help driveinternational interest,increase visitornumbers,and support jobs across the tourismvalue chain.
“Tourism remainscentral to Cape Town’s economic growth strategy,” he said,adding that thefocus nowisonexpanding thebenefits of tourismtomorecommunities andconverting interest into bookings andeconomicopportunity
Ungersbock praisedCapeTownTourism for itsauthentic approach to storytelling,sayingthe campaignsstood outfor theiremotional depth andclarity of message.“From theboldenergy of Go AllOut Cape Town to thedeeply human storytelling of My Cape Town,their filmscaptivatedaudiences andjudgesalike,” shesaid. Byrne, whoisalsothe festival director,added that they hadset anew benchmark. Theorganisation “knows whoitis, tells itsstory with confidence, anddeliversworld-class creative execution.”
TheITFFA recognises outstandingtourism filmsthatinspire global audiencestoexplore destinations.CapeTown’striplegoldvictory positionsthe city notonlyasa sought-after travel destinationbut also as aleaderinhow places arecreativelyand authentically represented on theglobalstage
At last,fouryears later, themostbeautifulgameinthe worldreturns to pitthe best football playersagainst each other andcrown thebestfootballing nation whogetstoliftthatlegendary golden trophy at this year’s FIFA WorldCup
This time thetreasured tournament takes placeonNorth American soil,inthe ageof unprecedentedtechnological innovation with Artificial Intelligence(AI), PresidentTrump’s second term,conflictinthe MiddleEastand an immigrationcrisiswhich hassparked much debate recently,especially in SouthAfrica.
This year theWorld Cupisdescribed as the largesttournamentinhistory featuring48 teams. However, much controversyhas tainted thehypeand joythe tournament is meantto bringtomillionsacrossthe globe. Reportshavehighlighted theinsanecosts of flight tickets, hotelaccommodation,transport, visa barriers, security crackdowns allofwhich arecompoundedbythe rising inflationrates andpetrolpricesthatshows no sign of slowing down in themidst of theIranwar Despiteour financialchallenges,the arrivalof theWorld Cupstill carries breathless andiconic momentswhere homesorbarsare filledwith friendsand families whocongregateonmatch days despitea busy week
Throughthe ages,you’llsee thelatenights, thesnacksand beer bottles adorning thetables whilefansshout at thetop of theirlungs upon hearingthe netcrack at alast-minute goal when allhopeseemed lost.It’swonderous to see sports’profoundeffects to galvaniseand pacify acrowd as if theplayers arethe conductorand thefansare theorchestra,liketheir heartstrings arebeing pluckedbyevery tackle,unfairreferee call, skillorcareer-shattering injury Let’snot forget thepoetryofthe commentators whonarrate andbreathe life into these matchesand immortalisemoments as deftly as renowned broadcasterPeter Drurydid when Si-
In 2022 Drurysaidthismomentwas from his favouritefootball matchheevercommentated on,calling it amomentthat“transcendedsport andmeant so much forthe worldthatthis humble boyfromSowetoscoredthe goal of his dreams”. Ican stillrecallthe carnival feverthat hummedinthe airduringthe 2010 WorldCup that graced ourshores. Shakira’sWakaWaka andTkzee’sBafanaanthemserenaded theCape thoseyears.I wasinGrade 11 that time andrecall fond momentsdebatingwithschool friends aboutwho we thoughtwould conquerthe cup andwhich playerswould make history.
Thoseyears Spain’s firstelevenseemed as impervious as SpartantroopswhilstI supported Netherlandsinthe final, watching sadlyinmy bright orange topasSpain clearlyoutclassed theDutch You’ll oftenhearexcitementspeakingwith SouthAfricanswho recalledwhatitfeltlike goingtogames during the2010World Cup. Andyet theseiconicmoments of sheer entertainment stillreverberate yearslater
Ican remember watching in disbelief, the greatest WorldCup finalin2022whenArgentina andFrancebattled it outtillpenalties and Lionel Messi finally silenced thecritics and lifted thetrophyinQatar.Thistournamentwas also drenched in scandaland tragedyasmany of thebuilderswereenduringharsh working andlivingconditionsand many died whilst constructing thestadiums. Sadlyitseemsthere’s always adarkcloud of mistreatment,violenceand corruptionblanketingeachFifaWorld Cup.
Recently aSomalianreferee, Omar Artan, was denied entrytothe United States andprevented from officiatingatthisyear’stournament. Research showsSomalia is oneof12countries on atravelban list introduced by America’s presidentDonaldTrump last year
StillI hope this year’s WorldCup canstill be asourceofhopeand community with differentraces,culturesand religionswho canstill appreciate agreat matchoffootball no matter whichteamwesupport or anthem we sing
AJOURNO’SVOICE
KEANAN HARMSE
Postnat
The MowbrayMaternity Hospitalrenovationhas closed its50-bedpostnatal ward, forcingthe facility to transfer caesareanmothers to military andother facilities andsend low-risk mothershomejustsix hoursafter anormalbirth.
Renovationsatthe hospital began on Monday 12 Januaryand will continueuntil 2028
Thehospitalrenovates oneward at atime, andProvincialEmergency MedicalServices(EMS) transports patients whomeet specificclinical criteria to facilities whereMowbrary MaternityHospitalmidwivescontinue theircare.
EMStransfers caesareanmothers, together with theirnewborns, to one of threehospitals:2 Military Hospitalatthe WynbergMilitaryBase, Mitchells PlainHospital, or FalseBay Hospital Clinical needsand eligibilitydetermine whichfacilityeachmothergoes to.The Mowbrayfacilitywillnotify families before anymovetakes place. Afterdischarge,the hospital will
TheMowbray MaternityHospital renovation has closedits 50-bed postnatal ward,forcing the hospital to transfer caesareanmothers to militaryand other facilities. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
EliteRugby Sports Academyalsoparticipated in the tournament. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
Tournamentchangeslives
AVRILFILLIES
The fifthannual Junior PrimarySchool Youth RugbyTournamentwas held on Friday 29 May as part of thesportsagainst crimeevent at Rio Grande PrimarySchool in Manenberg. The tournament coincidedwiththe openingofthe rugby fields by former Springbokhooker Dale Santon on behalf of theSouth AfricanRugby Legends.
Thejuniorteams consisting of boys andgirls from theschoolsput theirskills on display. Theteams representedatthe tournament were Downville PrimarySchool,Rio Grande Primary School,EdendalePrimary Schools, EliteRugby Sports Academyand an InvitationalXVcombinedfromPhoenix High School,Manenberg High School andManenberg School of Skills TheSARugby Legendspartnered with Just Planting Seeds, SeaHarvest,Supersport, ManenbergPoliceStation andRio Grande Primary School
Theyoung rugbystars ranout on the field with immensepride andhonourand they showed theirskills as if they areplaying in front of thousandsofsupportersataninternational stadium.
Just Planting Seed,a well-knowngirls team from Manenberg, putrugby in thecommunity on themap afterwinning alltournaments they participated in andhaveproducedsix Junior Springbokgirls.Theyinvestedinanalready growingsport in Manenberg.
With theofficial openingofthe fields at Rio Grande Primaryyouth rugbyand sports initiativesspark hope andencouragestalenttoshow
theirskills on thenew fields
In apowerful displayofcommunity spirit, teamwork,raw talent andhours of dedicated training,the youthtook to the field, turning asimplesports fixtureintoa masterclassof passion anddedication.
Acontingentofdedicated teachers stood on thelineascoaches andmanagersencouraged theirteams from thetouchline
Theplayers tackled, defended andscoredtries as if they arelayingthe foundation forRugby’s Greatest Rivalrybetween theSpringboksand theAll Blacks,kicking off in August.Blood, sweatand tearswereleftonthe rugby field butthe teamsplayedwithpassion to scorethe winning try.
Santon says thetruestars of theday were the rugbyplayers whoplayedtheir hearts outon the field.
With everysprint, pass andstrategic play, they displayeda high leveloftalent, passion anddetermination that captivated everyone in attendance
Capt IanBennett, spokesperson forManenberg police,saysthe tournament wasmorethan just agame. Theevent served as avital platform foryouth development, changing mind sets, showcasing howsportscan unitea community andgiveyoung people apositive, constructive stagetoshine
Winners of theday were theDownville u-13 Boys andu-13Girls wontheir sections and ManenbergHighu-17Girls theseniorsection TheInvitationalXVwas crownedthe winners of thePlate Challenge.
Jason Poleman hands out the medals to Downville PrimarySchool as winners of the u-13 Boys competition.
LaunchofCapeTown softball tourneybook
AVRILFILLIES
After nearly 15 yearsoftoiland turmoil,NooreNacerodienfromAthlone,the highestdecorated softball official in theWestern Cape,islaunching hisphoto book of the11thJuniorWomen’s Softball WorldChampionshipof 2011 in Cape Town on Sunday 28 June in Athlone.
He wasthe vice-president of Softball South Africa andisaninternational umpire.Tocompile thebook he dealtwithenmityand jealousy buthefeltthe achievementofhosting the first Women’sSoftballWorld Championship on Africansoilwas worthall theobstacles he hadto face to compilethe book
TheCityofCapeTown, Department of Culture andSport andthe mediawereanintegralpart of theChampionshipfromthe startofthe bidding processin2003.The late BrianGaffney played apivotal role in therelationshipbetween mediaand softball. Following himwas Rashied Isaacs, oneofthe best sports photographers around,whose work is fully displayedinthe book
“I wasinstrumentalinbringingthe World Championship to Cape Town in 2011. I first went to Chinawithother officialstobring the tournament to SouthAfricain2006,but that failed.I sawthatasa smallsetback butitdid notdeter me in bringing thechampionshipto Cape Town.I then went to Manilla in thePhilippinestobid forthe eventand amongststiff competitionweweresuccessful in securing the tournament for2011,”hesays.
Aftersecuringthe tournament thethenDirectorofSport in theCity, Gert Bam, puthim in charge to organise thetournament.
“Itwas always my dreamwhenwegot Turfhall Softball StadiuminAthlone as aregionalfacilitytohosta worldevent andthatdream was
AT THATTIME THE EVENT WASDESCRIBED AS ONE OF THE BEST THEWORLD HAS EVER HAD
realised in 2011 when we hosted theevent.At that time theevent wasdescribed as oneofthe best theworld haseverhad.Despite theissues experiencedatthattimeinsoftballinSAI could manage to gather photos,newspaper clippings, chatting to provincial andnationalplayers and thebook took me closeto15years to complete “Itisa photobook,withsomenotes andinteresting articles within andamongst thephotos. Thebook consists of 220 pagesand over 1300 images.Ittook me this long as Icover every aspect of theevent,fromthe bidinChina to Manilla andthe finalevent.I am inviting special people to theevent andcannotopenthe launch to everyone as Ican only caterfor so many “I looked at whowereall involved on theLocal Organising Committee, thevolunteers, Cape Town playersand management of theteam. This collection, of over 1300 images,preserves thememories, moments, andmilestonesof atruly historic event– the firstofits kind on Africansoil– andstandsasa tributetothe athletes, officials, volunteers, organisers,sponsors, contributors,service providersand supporters whomadeitpossible. They arethe people Iam inviting.Oncethe launch is done we’llgopublic andsellthe book,althoughI won’tmakeany profit, butthe proceedswillgointosport development.Itwon’t necessarily be softball, it can be anyother sportdevelopment.The proceeds won’tgointoanybody’s back pocket or bank account, it will be used forsport development,” he says
Youth asked to register and vote
The SouthAfrican LocalGovernment Association(Salga) is urging young people to turn YouthMonth into action by registeringtovoteand taking ownershipoftheir future in this year’s localgovernmentelection.
Salgasaidwithvoter apathy rising andtrust in democratic participationunder strain,the upcoming voterregistrationweekend on Saturday 20 andSunday21Juneisa crucialchancetoget on theroll, update details, andstepbackinto thedemocraticprocess that shapes everyday life
Accordingtoa recent Public OpinionResearch by Government Communication andInformation System (GCIS),South Africa approaches this year’s localgovernmentelectionamid “entrenchedpublicpessimism andactive democratic disengagement”,asthe public lose motivation forparticipating in voting
Thestudy says 62%ofunregisteredvoters have no intentionofregistering to vote,with only 38%ofunregisteredrespondents saying they areopentoregistration.
SalgaYouth Commission chairLucky Sele said:“What is worryingisthe fact that over 60%ofnon-registeredyouth aged 18–34donot
OVER 60% OF NONREGISTERED YOUTH
AGED 18–34 DO NOTINTEND TO REGISTER
intend to register,representingmillionsofpotential first-time or second-timevotersabsent from therolls.”
TheIndependent ElectoralCommission (IEC) recently unveiled itscampaignfor this year’s
localgovernmentelectionunder themessage “Get Up,ShowUp, Vote”which hasidentified youngpeopleasa priority audience in efforts to strengthen democratic participation. Salgabelievesthatlocal democracywillonly be strengthened when youngpeoplechooseto participateactivelyinshaping thecouncils, prioritiesand decisionsthataffecttheir dailylives “Young people cannotaffordtobeabsent from decisionsthataffectjobs, servicedelivery, accountability andthe futureoftheir communities,” concludedSele.
This year’s election will be held on Wednesday4 November.
As SouthAfricacommemoratesYouth Day today(16 June), questionsremainabout the role,ambitionand activism of today’syoung people.While theyouth of 1976 arerememberedfor theircourage anddetermination in the fightagainst apartheid, some oldergenerationsbelieve today’syouth arelessdrivenand committedtosocialchange.
To explorethese perceptions, People’s Post askedyoung people whethertheybelieve their generation is unfairly judged,and invitedolder SouthAfricanstoshare theirviews on whether today’syouth arelessambitious or simply navigating adifferentset of challenges and opportunities.
. LorinMitchell said shehas respect forthe youthof1976because they “put their livesonthe line”for abetterfuturefor today’s generation “I don’tthink my generation necessarily lacks drive; we’rejust fighting completely different battles.Backthen, theenemy wasclear and rightinfront of them.Today,we’re dealingwith amassive surgeofunemployment, thecost of living is waymoreexpensive,and trying to breakintoa worldthatfeelsstacked againstus economically andstill trying to become ourown person whilenavigatingthrough life.Ittakes a differentkindofgrittokeeppushing forward when thefuturefeels this uncertain. We’restill driven to change things;we’re just trying to survivethe system we inherited first.”
. Shanaas Johnson said:“We aregrowing up with differenttoolsand pressures, student debt,housing costs, weak economy, social media. Idon’t thinkweare less driven.I think thebattlefieldchanged andit’smoredifficult to have things like jobsecurityand buying a house. So,I’d say: notlesscommitted, just committeddifferently.”
. Joanne Meyer said:“Idon’t thinkitis aboutbeing more or less ambitious, butrather that theambitiontoday maylook different. It canbeseen as less collectiveand more individual. Many youngpeopleare highly motivated
andare making deliberate decisionsabouttheir future- prioritising development, stabilityand wellnessand leveraging technology.Young peopleare seekingsustainable growth,meaningful work andcareer/lifebalance andintegration Theirambitionisverymuchpresent.”
. AaminahMuhamud said:“Ithink this idea comesfromcomparing twoverydifferent realities, anditdoesn’t tell thefullstory.The youthof1976foughtina visibleand united way, whiletoday’s youthfacechallenges like unemployment,inequality,and limited opportunities. Young people todayare still driven andhungry forsuccess. Many are eagertofurther their educationand build skills,but they don’t always have access to theopportunities they need.I thinkit’s nota lack of commitment, butoften a lack of opportunity. Theresilienceisstill there, andwiththe right support,theycan create meaningful change.”
Thespiritofyouth activism is stillalive,it simply looksdifferenttoday.It’sall aboutperspective,and it begins with parenting, whereby parentsare failingtoteach theirchildren (teens) howtogrow. Idon’t believetoday’s youthare less driven than theyouth of 1976 Thedifference is that we face differentchallenges.Manyyoung people arepassionateabout creating change,but they arealsoaffectedby issues such as unemployment,poverty,crime, substanceabuse,and negative influences within some communities.”
. Judith Baxolile Gwala said:“They are ambitiousbut in differentwayscause they do theirthingsindifferentways, butifyou look at what they are fighting for, they also want freedom andtobeheard ,and if they arenot listened to they find away of fighting forwhat thinktheyare deserving, howdothey fight they wouldblock somethings that they know it will make whoeverisincharge. They stillforce things.”
. KwakhanyaZweni said:“Ibelieve today’syouth arejustasdrivenasthe youthof 1976.Wefacedifferentchallenges,but we are stillpassionateabout creating change.Weuse differenttools, such as technology andsocial media, to raiseawareness, supportour communities,and fightfor abetterfuture.
. Joslau Baron said:“Ithink that today’syouth maynot be ‘lessdriven’,but we definitely have it alot easier than theyouth of 1976.Thatwas during theyears of apartheid. Andthatwas acompletelydifferenttime. Thereweredifferent rulesand expectations from certainpeople. Youth, especially youth of colour,wereforcedto fightand even diein thenameofchange. They hadtofacediscriminationand mistreatment.Theydidn’thave access to theopportunitiesand lifestyles of the whitecommunity
“There weren’tthatmanyjobsand different ways of income like thereistoday.Peoplewere forced to work in ordertosurvive.Young or old, they were focusedonsurvivaland freedom.So, do Ithink we arelessdriven? Yesand no.But only becausethe youthofthattimefoughtfor theyouth of ourtime. They shed theirblood, sweatand tears.
Forustohaveaccess to opportunities, freedom, andchangethattheywerebannedfrom most of theirlives.The youthoftoday still have battles to fightsure. Butwedon’t have to paywithblood.And ourvoicesare more easily heard.
“The youthof1976foughtharderand hada heavierprice to paythanwhatwehave. We are less driven if youcompare us to 1976.But that’s only becausenot even half of what they hadto do,isexpectedorneeded from us.”
. Kian Jordaan said:“Idon’t thinkit’sfair to sayyoung people todayare less driven than theyouth of 1976.Backthen, theyouth were fighting apartheidand standing up againstvery clearand seriousinjustice,which took alot of bravery. Today’syouth deal with differentproblems,and they also show theirdrive in different ways Alot of it happens throughsocialmedia, community action,and speaking outonissues they care about. It mightnot always look the same as protests in thepast, butthatdoesn’t mean there’slesscommitment. In theend,each generation responds to thechallenges of itsown time,and both have shownthatyoung people canpushfor change.”
. Ambervan Rhyn said:“Idon’t think youngpeopletoday arelessdriventhanthe youthof1976. Thechallenges aredifferent, but thedesirefor change is stillthere Theyouth of 1976 fought forpolitical freedom andequal education, whiletoday’s youthare tackling issues like unemployment,mental health,inequality, climatechange, andaccess to opportunities.”
Everygenerationexpressesits activism in ways that reflectthe timestheylivein.
. ChristineKaye said:“Idon’t thinkambition is somethingthatbelongs to onegeneration or another. Everygenerationhas people whoare driven to make adifference Theyouth of 1976 facedverydifferentchallenges to thoseyoung people face today, and theirresponsereflectedthe timestheylived in Today’syouth aresimplygrowing up in a differentworld with differentchallenges and opportunities.
Everygenerationhas people whowantto create change,and hopefully each generation leaves things betterfor thenext.”
Lorin Mitchell
Shanaas Johnson
Joanne Meyer
Aaminah Muhamud
Judith Baxolile Gwala Kwakhanya Zweni
Joslau Baron Amber vanRhyn
Kian Jordaan
Christine Kaye
COLLEGIANSFLYTO DRUBBINGOVERRFC
Samieravan Rooyen of CollegiansRugby FootballClub(RFC) acrobatically dots down herteam’sthirdtry leaving Ameera DanielsofRocklands RFCasamerespectatorduring aWestern ProvinceRugby Union (WPRU)Super League match playedatthe Rocklands Sports groundsonSaturday 13 June.Collegians wonthe Mitchells plain derby19-0 PHOTO:RASHIED ISAACS
