People's Post| Athlone | Lansdowne| E-Edition 16 September 2025

Substance

The Heideveld Safety Cluster Schools under the guidance of Rosdien Desai, chair and coordinator, hosted a substance abuse awareness campaign on Wednesday 10 September at his school, Heideveld Primary School

South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) and the Manenberg police were also part of the campaign which was a preventative measure to keep the youth safe

The Safety Cluster Schools consist of the nine schools in Heideveld, including Cathkin High and Heideveld High, and only Vanguard Primary and Cathkin High were not present at the campaign

“Within the cluster we look at things impacting the schools in the Heideveld area One of the things we picked up in the cluster is the drug abuse among children which is rife within the communities we serve Some of the learners are not necessarily using drugs but they have seen it or are in company where others are using drugs and the campaign was a preventative measure, ” says Desai

He says the campaign was also to make aware those who are experimenting with drugs of the dangers and how they will impact their lives

As the coordinator of the cluster he also deals with other safety aspects within the school environment and beyond in Heideveld

“We do look at the behaviour of the learners at our schools and if we pick up the anti-social behaviour of the learners we intervene We picked up a handful who were not looking well and we do a drug test which is part of our safety policy at our schools, if we think children are using drugs, are

g

learners use dagga and other substances that are even stronger Look, whatever symptoms you find in the community, schools are not exempt or immune to what is happening in the community which they serve So basically if drug abuse is a problem in the community, it spills over to our schools, irrespective of age Drug and substance abuse have become common within schools across the Western Cape, irrespective of the socio-economic differences that prevail

p g y, says Desai.

Capt Ian Bennet, spokesperson for Manenberg police, shared his sentiment about substance abuse among the youth ”Manenberg police have a duty to combat substance abuse which often leads to GBV .To contribute to the upliftment of youth contact 021 699 9400,Sector 1,Sgt Percy Keyster on 082 379 1636, Sector 2,Capt Tshomi on 079 894 1479, and Sector 3,Sgt Natasha Landers on 082 379 1535

Kites take to the sky again

The Cape Town International Kite Festival will return this year with renewed spirit and a powerful theme, #CourageToFly

Now in its 31st year, the festival has become a symbol of hope, resilience and unity, and this year it celebrates the bravery it takes to face life’s challenges, particularly in relation to mental health

For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival will take place over two full days – on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26

October

It will also be hosted at a new venue, the Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery

Since 1994, the Festival has been organised annually by Cape Mental Health as part of its mission to raise awareness of mental health and promote resilience

Each kite that rises into the air serves as a reminder of freedom, creativity and the courage it takes to seek help, speak openly, and support those on their mental health journeys

This year ’ s theme was chosen against the backdrop of recent global challenges – from political and social instability to the lingering effects of the pandemic – all of which have contributed to rising rates of anxiety, depression and

other mental health conditions

In South Africa, an estimated 16,5% of the population lives with a mental disorder, and the stigma attached to these conditions remains a significant barrier to treatment and recovery

Cape Mental Health CEO Prof Ingrid Daniels, emphasises that it takes remarkable courage to live with a mental health condition, to rise above stigma, and to continue along a recovery journey despite the inevitable challenges

“Like a kite soaring against strong winds, people living with mental health conditions inspire us all to hold on, rise above, and find strength to persevere, ” says Daniels

For Daniels, the return of the full two-day festival is not only an opportunity for families and communities to come together in celebration, but also a way to honour that resilience

This year ’ s festival will feature a spectacular showcase of kites from both local and international participants, alongside entertainment for all ages, kite-making workshops, food vendors and an amusement park for children It is designed to be a safe and joyful family outing, while also carrying a deeper message about the importance of mental health in building

WITH RENEWED SPIRIT AND A POWERFUL THEME, #COURAGETOFLY

a resilient society

The festival continues to expand its reach beyond the two-day celebration through initiatives such as the EduKite competition for schools, community fly events and a variety of inclusive activities that ensure children and adults of all

abilities can participate

For those unable to attend, Cape Mental Health encourages support through its BackaBuddy campaign, with all funds raised going directly to its essential free services across the Western Cape

These services enable individuals and families affected by mental health conditions to access the care and assistance they need, ensuring that the festival’s impact extends far beyond the colourful skies of October . For more information,follow @ CTKiteFest on social media.

‘ThinkyourHealth,ThinkyourPharmacy’

NAMHLAMONAKALI

As blossoms return and the air warms, many in the community are shaking off winter’s chill and embracing spring Along with sunshine and flowers come seasonal health challenges, particularly for those with allergies, asthma, or sensitive immune systems

September marks Pharmacy Month, a time to acknowledge the pivotal role pharmacists play in the healthcare system This year ’ s theme, “Think Health, Think Pharmacy , One Profession, Many Roles”, underscores the diverse contributions of pharmacists beyond dispensing medications

The theme aligns with the global campaign by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), highlighting pharmacists as accessible healthcare professionals integral to achieving Universal Health Coverage Olwethu Mbulawa, a University of the Western Cape (UWC) Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate and practising pharmacist, embodies this multifaceted role From managing chronic conditions like asthma and sinusitis to promoting spring health awareness, Mbulawa is committed to making healthcare more accessible, especially in underserved communities

AVISIONROOTEDINCOMMUNITY

Mbulawa’s aspiration to establish a pharmacy in the townships stems from a deep-seated passion for community service She believes that accessibility to healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege “Pharmacy is not just about dispensing medicine; it’s about being a trusted healthcare partner in the community,” she asserts Her vision includes providing comprehensive care, from medication management to health education, ensuring that individuals have the resources they need to lead healthier lives

ADDRESSINGSEASONALHEALTHCHALLENGES

As spring ushers in seasonal changes, Mbulawa emphasises the importance of managing conditions like asthma and sinusitis She advises individuals to monitor pollen levels and adjust their medications accordingly “Spring can be a challenging time for those with respiratory conditions,” she notes “It’s crucial to stay informed and proactive in managing these conditions to maintain well-being ”

BRIDGINGTHEACCESSIBILITYGAP

Accessibility remains a central theme in

Mbulawa’s work She highlights the disparities in healthcare access, particularly in rural and township areas, and advocates for mobile clinics and telehealth services to bridge these gaps “We need to bring healthcare to the people, not wait for them to come to us, ” she emphasises Her commitment to this cause is evident in her active participation in community outreach programmes and health education initiatives

THEROLEOFPHARMACISTSINCOMMUNITYHEALTH Pharmacy Month serves as a reminder of the critical role pharmacists play in community health Beyond medication dispensing, pharmacists are educators, counsellors, and advocates for health equity As Mbulawa’s work demonstrates, their impact extends far beyond the pharmacy counter, influencing public health outcomes and fostering healthier communities

As we observe Pharmacy Month, it’s essential to recognise and support the diverse roles pharmacists undertake in enhancing healthcare accessibility

Individuals like Mbulawa inspire a collective effort towards a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system, where everyone has access to the care they deserve

“Which Xhosa men are loyal?”, “Xhosa men ayabheda” and “Xhosa men will show you flames”, these are just some of the remarks that still reverberate through my mind from a recent Big Breakfast Show on Radio R2000

As I drove to work recently, I laughed my lungs out as some listeners berated Xhosa men for perceived dishonesty I did not laugh because I agreed with them I laughed at how they vented over very dangerous and false perceptions about Xhosa men Labelling someone or a certain group of

people due to a previous encounter or limited knowledge is rather reckless, quite frankly, misguided We cannot paint the entire nation as something because of one or two people There is also another prominent Xhosa phrase among women: “amadoda zizinja” (all men are dogs) I am yet to understand why this has been allowed to spread like wildfire Men seem to have no issue with this statement Yes, many guys fit this description or even something worse than a dog Any man who rapes a woman is, without a doubt, a dog A man who commits gender-based violence (GBV) is also a dog and he does not deserve to live among people South Africa has a population of over 64million Recent data by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) indicates that men make up 49% of

the population (approximately 31,1 million people) Out of this number there are many good men The percentage for murderers and rapists probably is less than a percent I know of many men, Xhosas to be exact, who are opposed to any form of violence against women Without blowing my own horn, I can safely say I am in that group I hate any form of violence against women or females I often tell my sons that they must respect women and rebuke any action or comment that borders on GBV I want them to become better men when they grow up, hence I drill this into their minds I also show a lot of respect to their mother and demand more from them

I am now glaring at my grave and I can safely say I never raised a hand to any woman I hate men who exploit women ’ s vulnerability

Women are there to be loved and cherished As men, we are meant to support and offer them comfort Yet, we are the first to harm them However, this does not mean all men go out there to harm women Equally, someone cannot bash every Xhosa man because of their past I generally take offense when someone makes baseless claims against another person In every situation, you have good and bad individuals In this day of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when non-existing things can be turned into existence, we ought to be careful about what we do and say, not to polarise further an already fragile society Not all men are dogs and not all Xhosa men ayabheda There are many good men out there, people need to look at the right places

School break with a difference

AVRILFILLIES

Break-time at Edendale Primary School in Manenberg has another meaning for learners than running around, kicking a ball or chasing your friends. Aspiring engineers, architects, project-managers and researchers are developed at the school during break-time.

Learners can now challenge their friends or foes with a reading contest, how to build their own trucks and cars from cardboard boxes and other discarded items, and construct their own buildings or toys with Lego blocks

“In our social context we need to show learners how to play, work as a team, share resources, waiting your turn and teach them respect for each other as well as the principal The school is situated in a disadvantaged community but the teachers try to

help them to think outside the box,” says Jasmine Petersen, department head foundation phase at the school

“There are general rules for games as well as life, which speaks to our human spirit and nature At the school we try to enhance those aspects that will make our learners apply the skills needed to show real empathy in a community that operates on survival instead of building dreams,” she says

Despite limited funds the school has made a positive impact by creating a reading tree, play hub with Lego blocks, self-made dominoes and other games for learners during break time

“These initiatives have given learners a safe and engaging space to play, read and interact, helping to develop creativity, social skills, problem-solving abilities, and a love for learning, while also building a sense of joy and community within the school,”

Petersen says

Working with the Lego blocks not only helps the learner with hand-eye-coordination but also see the end product of what he/she visualised when building with the Lego blocks

THE SCHOOL HAS MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT WITH A READING TREE,LEGO PLAY HUB, DOMINOES AND GAMES DURING BREAK TIME

FLansdownersjoinforcesforpoorestofpoor

AVRILFILLIES

The two informal settlements in Lansdowne, Flamingo and Little Paradise, benefited from the Hygiene Drive of the Lansdowne Community Policing Forum (CPF) on Saturday 6 September

The initiative, which formed part of the Women’s Month campaign, went beyond hygiene packs; the residents of the two communities received a meal, and party packets were handed out to the children, spreading joy alongside much-needed assistance

“The initiative was brought forward by Sameera Hamid (spokesperson), Shanaaz Jattiem (treasurer) and Zuhair Moosa (CPF coordinator), and was fully supported by the exco, which worked tirelessly to make it a reality,” said Naz Mohidin Karodia, CPF chair

Support came from across the community, with donations from neighbourhood watches, security companies, councillors, exco members and local businesses, like N&S Distributors, Wholesun Bread, Quality Bakery

Lansdowne and Protea Silkscreen Printers

“One of the highlights was the contribution from 11-year-old Tyler Thomas, one of the youngest members of the community, who donated items as part of his birthday wish He donated toiletry packs, which was heartwarming to see ”

This initiative was further supported by Lansdowne police, sub-district CPF deputy chair Sandy Schuter, district Sgt Yolanda Murray and Mark Kleinschmidt, local councillor

“This drive showed the true power of unity,” said Karodia “Together we can bring real change to our community The Lansdowne CPF looks forward to hosting many more events and initiatives that bring the community together and continue building a safer, stronger and more united Lansdowne

“Looking ahead, we are planning further hygiene drives and feeding initiatives, along with safety awareness programmes and educational programmes for our community We

want to educate the community on their rights and what protocols to follow in different situations, and this will be done in partnership with our stakeholders and community ” The Lansdowne CPF covered the broader Lansdowne area and surrounding communities, where we continue to face challenges such as gangsterism, substance abuse, unemployment and other social economic struggles that affect daily life, Karodia said

Jimmy’s comeback: A fresh start

KAYLYNNE BANTOM

KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

Life on the street is all about survival, finding shelter, staying safe, and figuring out where your next meal will come from, all while trying to hold on to your dignity in a world that often looks the other way

No one knows this better than 65-year-old, Jimmy Frans, because for over 15 years this was his reality on the streets of Camps Bay

Frans used to collect tins to make a living

He stayed at shelters multiple times, but his struggle with alcohol kept leading him back to the streets

He regards winter months without food and shelter as his toughest times

“During winter when it started raining and you don’t know where to sleep, that was the hardest of times,” he explained

But being a believer, he held on to hope that someday his fate would change

“I always stayed positive and I always prayed and asked God for strength to carry me through ”

Jimmy’s prayers were answered in April last year when he met Ryan Rudy, operations director for ignisive, a Camps Bay based organisation which aims to reintegrate people living on the streets in Camps Bay into society

Rudy encouraged Frans to seek assistance, he accepted the offer and was placed at The Haven Night Shelter in Napier Street, Green Point

Since then, Frans has courageously taken daily steps to transform his life

He said he agreed to the offer

SEEING WHERE HE WAS AND WHERE HE IS NOW...

because he was ready to leave behind the constant hardship and hunger

“It wasn’t a difficult decision to make because I knew if I go to a shelter, then I would get a job I didn’t feel like sleeping outside anymore

One day you have, the next day you don’t have anything to eat ”

Frans still remembers his first night in the shelter “It was a good feeling

The first thing I did was take a nice warm shower and that first night sleeping on a bed was nice ”

Soon after, Frans joined the ignisive Community Steward and Reintegration Project, where he worked as part of the field operations team, which is supported by the Camps Bay City Improvement District (CB CID)

He learned new landscaping skills and helped maintain Camps Bay’s greenbelts and common areas the same community where he once searched bins for cans

Frans also received support to overcome challenges with alcohol and later moved into second-phase shelter living at Moira Henderson Haven in Woodstock

His commitment didn’t go unnoticed, and he was promoted to team leader in the Field Operations Project In March this year, he was offered a permanent job as a landscaper at a local business

Frans believes meeting Rudy was a divine intervention

“It was only God who sent Ryan Everything changed, I got a job and a

shelter ”

He encourages others to seek assistance and take any opportunity to rebuild their lives

First, you need to beat your substance abuse and then you must change your life Only then can you move forward I love gardening I am happy with my new job ”

In celebration of his 65th birthday last month (August) Frans, a passionate rugby supporter, got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Springboks take on the Wallabies at Cape Town Stadium

This was thanks to the CB CID who wanted to make his birthday extra special

A day Frans will carry with him for years to come

“I was so happy when I heard I got a ticket to go and see the Springboks play live I only see them on TV It was dream come true And I will remember it for the rest of my life,” he explained

Fiona Fiona Bosch, reintegration manager at ignisive, said: “Jimmy is doing amazingly He used to collect tins for a living Seeing where he was and where he is now is a real transformation ”

She said Frans’ journey was not easy, but he was determined to leave his old life behind

“It took him some time to get out of his habits, at the beginning when he started working, he used to still search in bins to collect tins He used to tell us, ‘It’s hard because that was my bread and butter’”

Andrew Tulloch, ignisive operations manager, said his bond with Jimmy started over their love for rugby

“I had the privilege of watching Jimmy grow He has gone from strength

to strength He is such a hard worker and a humble person I was privileged to go with him to the Springbok game and seeing him enjoy the opportunity to watch the game ”

Tulloch said Frans’ story is proof of what is possible when communities, businesses, organisations, and government entities form collaborations

“Our organisation is all about responsible giving We teach our clients to take accountability for their lives and to take responsibility for making the necessary changes We are there only to guide and support and encourage along the way ”

Tulloch said Frans is an inspiration

to many

“Jimmy has made the necessary changes to better his life I hope that he has the opportunity to realise more of his dreams I am pushing for him to see a Stormers game, he hasn’t seen them play yet

“He would always tell me stories of going to Newlands Stadium when he was young ”

Fueled by hope, prayer, and determination, Frans now wakes up to a life he truly looks forward to

“I want to thank everyone who helped and inspired me They all played a big role in my life,” he concludes

Newhopon,hopoffbus

KAYLYNNE BANTOM

To boost tourists’ experience of the inner city, City Sightseeing Cape Town (the Red Bus) launched its new Urban Safaris tour which will enhance inner city travel and showcase the beauty of the Mother City in a whole new way

Capetonians and visitors will soon have the chance to hop aboard a leopard print-covered bus for a unique safari-style tour

The bus will travel from Long Street through the inner city and East City, offering a fresh perspective of Cape Town with a live guide

The tour includes trips to the Castle of Good Hope, District Six Museum, South African Natural History Museum, and Company’s Garden, among others

On Friday 12 September, members of the media and selected guests got a sneak peek as Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis unveiled the service

Claus Tworeck, City Sightseeing South Africa chief executive officer (CEO), said the service will be available early next month (October), in time for the tourism season

“Cape Town is made up of many layers, including art and culture and the people who live in the city and on the streets We want to peel back those layers and get visitors, both local and foreigners, to experience, taste, smell and see Cape Town You’re not going to see anything that you see on a normal tourist post card You will see things off the beaten track ”

Tworeck said they are ready to welcome visitors

“People can get off at any stop and the next tour bus will collect them again It will provide complete flexibility to the visitor to learn from the tour guide on the bus and then decide whether they want to get off the bus and explore and have fun ”

He added that the buses will depart from City Sightseeing Cape Town office based at 81 Long Street

Hill-Lewis expressed optimism about the latest offering He believes the new addition will help revitalise tourism in the inner city, an area he says has struggled to recover since the Covid-19 pandemic He hopes the unique experience will attract

more visitors and bring renewed energy to Cape Town’s urban centre

Hill-Lewis says safety in the inner city remains a priority as it is used by over a million people daily

“The work that we have done on safety in the inner-city benefits everyone and it’s much safer since we have deployed the 100 full-time law enforcement officers here We still have work to do, it’s not where we want it to be Since we have cleaned up a lot of homeless encampments in the inner city a lot of these camps have now moved to other areas And we are working on that ”

Hill-Lewis says the City is ready for a bumper tourism season

“I am confident that we will smash the 1,5 million visitors mark which will be a first for Cape Town That will be special for our city Our job numbers have gone from 90 000 to 110 000 people working in tourism in Cape Town ” Calvyn Gilfellan, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Castle of Good Hope, explained the significance of the launch at the Castle

“Launching it at the spot where the enslaved people were freed years ago is important in a process of inclusivity and recolinisation and making it an inclusive space for more people to engage with history and culture ”

From Saturday 13 September City Sightseeing also added stop number 25, the Hout Bay-Sentinel Precinct, as a new stop on its Mini-Peninsula Blue Tour Route

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Reagues e e co tested

Villager sent SK-Walmers packing by 44-31 in the first semi-final of Super League A and Hamiltons limped to a 35-34 victory over Durbell in the other match

However, all eyes were on the match between Primrose and Belhar in Super League B, which Primrose won by 46-34

In the other match, Franschhoek eventually progressed to Super League A after six attempts to gain promotion when they beat Kraaifontein 33-18

In Super League C, it was one-way traffic in the match between Young Peoples and Violets with the team from Paarl winning by 56-13, while All Saints were too strong for Gardens, winning their contest by 45-19

The finals and play-offs will be held on Saturday 20 September at City Park

All the losing semi-finalists will play against each other and the team that finished 13th on the log

In Super League A, it is Helderberg and in Super League B Hamediehs who will await the winner of SK-Walmers vs Durbell and the winner of Belhar vs Kraaifontein, respectively

With the results of the semis Franschhoek and Primrose are promoted to Super League A next year, All Saints and St Georges in Super League B and Hands & Heart and Kylemore in Super League C The three teams at the bottom of Super League C - Eersterivier, Strand United and Caledonian Roses, drop to the Zonal Sections, which are Northerns, Southern and City Leagues Rugby fans can be assured of another treat on Saturday and must come early for a good spot at City Park