People's Post Athlone/Lansdowne E-edition 25 November 2025

Chief Heat Officer will help to Beat the Heat

ANAMHLAMONAKALI

s the world grapples with rising temperatures and extreme heat events linked to climate change, the City of Cape Town has announced the appointment of Albert Ferreira, as its first Chief Heat Officer

Ferreira, who is also the City’s Manager for Resilience and Climate Change, will lead initiatives to raise public awareness and strengthen the City’s heat response measures as part of its Beat the Heat programme and broader Heat Action Plan

“Cape Town’s Climate Change Action Plan addresses various climate hazards including droughts, fires, floods, and storms The specific focus on extreme heat as a growing public health and urban planning challenge highlights the need to treat it with the same urgency as other climate hazards,” said Ferreira

In the hottest months, some parts of the city experience temperatures above 35°C The highest temperature on record for last year was

44,6°C, recorded at the Royal Cape Yacht Club in the Foreshore, the hottest yet for Cape Town

The Beat the Heat programme, introduced during the summer of last year, focuses on communities most affected by high temperatures, including Atlantis, Mamre, Dunoon, Joe Slovo and Sir Lowry’s Pass Village

The initiative is implemented by multiple City departments, including Environmental Management, Risk and Resilience, and Disaster Risk Management

Cape Town joined the international City Champions for Heat Action (CCHA) network last year, making it one of only three African cities, alongside Freetown and Kisumu County, to be part of the global partnership

“Albert’s appointment forms part of this international collaboration Chief Heat Officers across the world aim to unify city responses to extreme heat, accelerate protection measures, and reduce the risks and impacts of heat, especially for vulnerable communities,” said Gareth Morgan, the City’s Executive Director for Future Planning and

HIGHEST TEMP IN CITY LAST YEAR WAS 44.6°C

Resilience

The United Nations (UN) issued a Call to Action on Extreme Heat in July last year, urging governments to prioritise protecting vulnerable groups, workers, and communities while strengthening economic and social resilience

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis joined other CCHA mayors in endorsing the call

The South African Weather Service has issued a warning of extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions expected over the Bergrivier and Matzikama municipalities, with daytime temperatures forecast to reach the 40s Residents are urged to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses

TIPSTOBEATTHEHEAT:

. Drink plenty of water, spray bottle or damp cloth to cool down

. Seek shade or visit air-conditioned public spaces such as

libraries or shopping centres

of

. Wear lightweight, loose clothing and a wide-brim hat

. Limit outdoor activities to early morning or late afternoon

. Watch for signs of heat-related illness such as nausea, dizziness, or fainting, and seek medical help immediately

. Check on family, neighbours, and friends, especially those at higher risk

. For details and downloadable tools on heat safety,visit capetown gov za or access the City’s Beat the Heat educational materials site.

MyCiTiupdatestomodernvalidationtech

The City of Cape Town has announced plans to replace its current validators in its buses and at the stations from the beginning of December until the end of January next year

According to the City, these devices will be able to support modern and convenient payment methods in future The replacements will be done in phases, starting on Tuesday 2 December until Friday 30 January next year, if all goes as planned

“Our validators at the MyCiTi stations and on the buses are reaching their end of life and much like a mobile phone that needs to be replaced after a certain period, we now need to replace these validators with the modern version For now, the new single validators are only replacing the old separate “IN” and “OUT” machines on the buses and streamlining the boarding process for commuters,” said the City’s Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas

All work is planned for after hours and during off-peak times to minimise the disruption for commuters

As of Tuesday 2 December, commuters will notice replacement validators are activated at one station gate in the Stadium; Granger Bay; Refinery; Sandown and Janssens stations Around Thursday 4 December replacement validators will be activated on the first ten buses

Customers may encounter a mix

of old and new validators while the installations are still under way and commuters are encouraged to use the old separate IN and OUT validators At stations, customers should continue to tap in and tap out on any old validator or replacement validator in order to enter or exit These devices are also being used to replace info terminals at all stations where commuters view their card balance and transaction history

I am trying to be gentler with myself...

We all want to belong From the moment we take our first steps into school, society teaches us that our worth is tied to achievement, to being someone, doing something, building something We grow in years, in experience, in titles Somewhere along the way that hunger for belonging becomes tangled with the need to feel enough through what we do or produce I have come to realise that I’m married to work Not in the romantic sense, but in the way it occupies my thoughts, dictates my moods and defines my sense of worth For many of us this relationship starts innocently We pour ourselves into our studies, our first jobs and the careers that follow We tell ourselves it is ambition, that this is what success looks like Then life shifts From my observation the children one raises grow into their own people The career ladder one has climbed so relentlessly begins to feel less like an ascent and more like a treadmill One morning one wakes up

and wonders who one is outside of one ’ s job title, outside the roles one has played so diligently for years I see it all around me Friends who feel lost when they are not working Parents who struggle to rest because they do not know who they are beyond their families Colleagues who measure their worth by their productivity And I see it in myself too I often say I am married to my work, half as a joke, half as a confession Work gives me purpose and stability It keeps me focused But it also keeps me busy enough not to think too much about the deeper, messier parts of life

That is the danger, I think , when we start confusing doing with being When our sense of worth is tied to what we do rather than who we are

My generation was raised in a world that celebrates hustle and glorifies busyness We were told to dream big, work harder and never settle We internalised those messages until slowing down began to feel like failure It has become normal to answer emails at midnight, to skip rest days and equate exhaustion with success

But what happens when the career slows down, when the children grow up or when the titles fade? What happens when the thing that

once defined one becomes partly redundant, has partly outlived its use value?

That question haunts me sometimes Because I do not want to wake up one day and realise that I built my life entirely around my work, that I poured so much into becoming someone that I forgot simply how to be

Work, like parenthood, can be a beautiful calling It gives purpose, structure and sometimes even meaning But it can also become a hiding place , a convenient distraction from the quieter work of being human There is safety in emails, meetings and deadlines

There is clarity in schedules and targets The messiness of inner life, loneliness, grief, uncertainty, can always wait for later

Except “later” always comes It comes when the office lights dim and the house is quiet It comes when promotions lose their thrill, when children leave home or when one ’ s body reminds one it has limits even when one ’ s will does not It comes when one finally has time and the silence asks “Who are you now?”

I am learning that belonging comes from connection, to ourselves, to others and to moments that have nothing to do with ambition Sometimes that looks

like a quiet walk after a long day

Sometimes it is laughing with friends without checking one ’ s phone Sometimes it is doing absolutely nothing and realising one is still enough

That recognition takes practice For me it has meant setting boundaries that once felt impossible, saying no to late-night deadlines, taking weekends to reconnect with family and picking hobbies up that do not have outcomes or evaluations It means making peace with stillness, an uncomfortable task for those of us conditioned to measure our days in productivity I do not have the balance figured out yet, far from it But I am beginning to understand I cannot keep defining myself by what I do There has to be more There has to be room to breathe, to grow, to change

So I am trying Trying to be gentler with myself Trying to measure my days not by how much I achieve, but by how present I am Trying to build a life that is full, not just busy

Because when the noise fades and the accolades mean less what will matter most is whether I still recognise myself Whether I can belong to me, not to my work, not to anyone else, but to the quiet truth of who I am becoming

R Diabetes drive gets momentum

‘Let’s keep going’ for change

A

Don’t just dump IT, phones, appliances

As Black Friday (28 November) and Cyber Monday (1 December) approach, ERA NPC is urging consumers and businesses to focus on responsible e-waste recycling

The Claremont based non-profit company aims to help producers meet their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations in a simple, efficient, affordable, and trackable way Ashley du Plooy, chief executive officer of ERA NPC, said: “We urge the public to responsibly recycle their old and unwanted electrical and electronic appliances before purchasing new ones, helping to mitigate the looming e-waste crisis ” South Africa is facing a critical challenge, often described as a “ticking time bomb” by industry commentators like MyBroadband, as the volume of electronic waste continues to mount The statistics are concerning: “The Surmounting Mountains of E-waste 2025” report highlights the exponentially growing quantity of electronic and electrical waste being generated in the country This waste stream is the fastest-grow-

ERA E-WASTE DROP-OFF BINS AT MAJOR RETAILERS PICK N PAY AND MAKRO

ing globally, and inadequate disposal practices, such as sending e-waste to landfill, risk contaminating soil and water with hazardous toxins like lead and mercury Du Plooy said this Black Friday and Cyber Monday millions of new products will be sold, inevitably leading to the discarding of older devices By preparing for new purchases through responsible recycling, South African consumers and businesses can actively prevent a surge of harmful e-waste from entering the environment

RESPONSIBLERECYCLING:

Consumers and businesses have a clear role to play Instead of hoarding or disposing of old devices improperly, ERA NPC encourages the public to use their extensive collection network Examples of small electrical appliances to recycle: Small household appliances: Toasters, kettles, hair dryers, blenders, vacuum cleaners, old cellphones, laptops, keyboards,

monitors, printers

CONSUMERELECTRONICS:

Remote controls, digital cameras, headphones, old DVD players

HOWYOUCANGETINVOLVED:

Locate your nearest official ERA e-waste drop-off bin at major retailers including Pick n Pay and Makro Du Plooy stresses the long-term significance recycling responsibly

“Our e-waste recycling habits now ensure the future of our children tomorrow By making a conscious choice to recycle your old appliances today, you are directly protecting our environment and conserving valuable resources for the generations who will inherit this country Responsible disposal is not merely an option; it is an obligation to our future ”

. Find your nearest ERA e-waste bin using the location map on ERA’s website: https://eranpc co za/for-the-public/find-an-ewaste-drop-off-location/

Withgrowingdiabetesrisk,healthychoicesstartyoung

is a group of diseases characterised by

With more residents getting tested for diabetes, the City’s Health department has welcomed the trend but cautions that screening must go hand in hand with healthier choices, especially among younger people

World Diabetes Day is commemorated annually on 14 November Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of South Africans and is the second leading cause of death in the country, behind tuberculosis According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2022, 14% of adults aged 18 years and older were

living with diabetes, an increase from 7% in 1990

More than half (59%) of adults aged 30 years and over living with diabetes were not taking medication for their diabetes in 2022 Historically, diabetes is associated with older persons, but recent trends show that Type 2 Diabetes is starting to affect younger persons

Francine Higham, Mayco member for community services and health, said more people in their 20s are diagnosed with diabetes and the cause is often the choices they made

as teenagers

“Healthy food choices and regular physical activity can greatly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes You’re not too young to start making better choices for your health ” In the past financial year, the number of diabetes screenings at City clinics in the 18 to 44 age group rose by just more than 4% to 132 518, with 425 new diabetes clients . For more information visit your nearest City Health clinic: https:// www capetown gov za/Departments/ City%20Health%20Department

Impulsive spending a threat to consumers

As South Africans gear-up for Black Friday on 28 November, the National Financial Ombud (NFO) urges consumers to think twice before swiping their way into a financial hangover

While seasonal discounts may offer short-term appeal, the long-term consequences of overspending on credit, including high-interest debt and depleted savings, can undermine essential financial goals and lead to post-holiday hardship

The NFO has also cautioned that digital fraud tends to spike during the year-end holiday season

Nerosha Maseti, Credit and Banking Division Lead Ombud at the NFO, said Black Friday, known for massive sales and long lines, is a shopper’s adrenaline rush with jaw-dropping discounts, limited-time offers and the thrill of snagging the perfect deal “But beneath the buzz lies a financial minefield Swipe-happy spending can spiral into credit-card chaos and lurking digital scams are ready to pounce when vigilance slips To win the day truly, smart shoppers arm themselves with a plan, stay sharp online and keep their budgets on lockdown After all, the best deal is one that doesn’t cost your peace of mind ”

IMPULSIVESPENDING

Many South Africans use credit to fund Black Friday purchases, but impulsive spending can lead to unmanageable debt Maseti said the risks of such expenditure include high-interest credit card balances or short-term loans, depletion of savings

intended for essential goals like home ownership, education or emergencies and financial strain after the holiday season, when unexpected credit card or loan repayments become due, leaving consumers with limited funds for essential living expenses

She advised consumers to set a spending budget and stick to it; prioritise long-term financial goals over seasonal bargains; and keep credit balances low

CREDITCARDFRAUD

The NFO also sounded the alarm on a surge in credit-card scams Fraudsters tend to zero in on Black Friday shoppers using non-bank and store-branded credit cards, especially those tied to big-name retailers

“These criminals contact cardholders by phone,” Maseti warned, “impersonating representatives from these companies, and deceive unsuspecting consumers into revealing their confidential One-Time Pins (OTPs) to make unauthorised purchases at large merchants, leaving victims responsible for fraudulent charges

“While this scam has been known in traditional banking circles for many years its rising prevalence in the nonbank credit card market is deeply concerning The NFO is worried such fraud will escalate over Black Friday with high transaction volumes and increased consumer activity

“It is crucial for cardholders to remember that no legitimate company will ever ask them to share confidential information such as card numbers, passwords, or OTPs ”

DISCOUNTEDAIRLINETICKETS

A recent case investigated by the NFO revealed a new trend, with the consumer losing R120 000 after responding to a social media advert offering discounted airline tickets

After submitting her phone number and email via a link she was contacted through WhatsApp and instructed to download an app from the Google Play Store to access promo codes Though the link appeared secure the app was fraudulent and embedded with malware

Soon after installation the consumer ’ s phone began overheating and behaving erratically The unexpected activation of the camera ’ s green light raised immediate concerns On checking her banking app the consumer discovered two unauthorised transactions and swiftly reported the incident to both her bank and the police

Despite her prompt action within just 27 minutes after the transactions,the bank denied liability, citing that the payments had been authorised via selfie-authentication on her trusted device The consumer escalated the matter to the National Financial Ombud (NFO), seeking a full refund Following investigation the NFO found that the funds had already been utilised before the fraud was reported, leaving no opportunity for recovery Also, the bank provided evidence that biometric authentication was used to approve the transactions

Based on the specific facts of the complaint, it was evident that the compromise originated from the consumer ’ s interaction with a fraudulent third-party app, which contained malware capable of remote access

and biometric simulation

Maseti said no proof was provided that the transactionshad taken place as a result of maladministration or safety and security failures on the part of the bank “By downloading the fraudulent app, the consumer essentially handed over her phone,” she said, “including all the information stored on her phone, to the criminals and this resulted in the fraud The NFO accordingly could not conclude that the bank was liable for the consumer ’ s loss ”

ANTI-FRAUDTIPS:

. Never share your OTP with anyone, even if they claim to be from your credit provider . End suspicious calls immediately and contact your credit provider directly using an official phone number and not the number provided by the scammers

BESCEPTICALOFSOCIALMEDIAPROMOTIONS

. Verify legitimacy: Check official airline websites or verified social media accounts before engaging . Avoid sharing personal info: Never post your phone number or sensitive details publicly

THINKTWICEBEFOREDOWNLOADING APPS

. Use trusted sources – only download apps from verified developers with strong reviews and a high download count

MONITORYOURBANKACCOUNTS CLOSELY

. Check transactions daily, especially after suspicious activity . Report fraud immediately to your bank and file a police affidavit if needed . Consumers facing challenges are encouraged to contact the NFO on tel: 0860 800 900 or email: info@nfosa co za

Readersabout ‘BlackFriday’

As the nation gears for another Black Friday spending, People’s Post reached out to Capetonians to get their take, plans and preparations for the day.

. Jamie Adams believes Black Friday is out of touch with the realities of the society “Even the country and its economic deficiencies I am most certainly not shopping on Black Friday, because firstly, the cost of living is so high I can’t even think about buying anything but food and bare essentials, and most of the items in sale at the Black Friday specials are not even some of the basic essentials So instead of hyping up one day of the year retailers should try and make goods more affordable and accessible throughout the year ”

. Ruwayda Thomas said Black Friday is not worth the hype “Many ‘deals’ aren’t actually deals, stores often advertise small discounts as if they’re massive Black Friday deals, which creates pressure and one spends more to ‘ save ’ Black Friday makes people forget the December holidays, food, gifts, travel, January school fees or budgeting stress You feel the ‘saving’ now, but get the financial stress later ”

. Esther Julius: “I don’t go with the hype pertaining to ‘Balck Friday’ because I feel it may be just a strategy to draw customers However, if you plan well you cannot go wrong Stick to a budget and create a list of what you actually need to avoid overspending Research items beforehand to confirm they are a good deal and use secure, reputable retailers for online or in-store shopping Don’t make impulsive purchases or fall for ‘too-good-to-be-true’ deals without verifying them first Avoid making emotional purchases or using a personal loan to finance your shopping spree ”

. Avumile Dywili: “For me Black Friday is mostly hype Every year you see people rushing, but the discounts are not that impressive I do not think it is worth stressing over I am

skipping it completely this year because I would rather save for December ”

. Luvo Totana: “I think Black Friday can be worth it, but only if you go in with a plan

Sometimes the specials look big, but when you compare prices it is not always a real saving I am only buying small things I actually need, such as toiletries I am not planning to overspend this year ”

. Gloria van Niekerk: “Black Friday depends on your shopping habits If you have a bit of extra cash available all good and well If not, don’t borrow to spend

“To get the most value from this shopping experience research the prices ahead of time Do concentrate on items you really need and be strategic about such

“For me personally, it’s a no, no Shop with your head, not your heart ”

. Camiellah Petersen: “I believe it is worth it because you safe alot of money and can buy your holiday shopping for less I will be in the line when open this year ”

. Cathy Stevens: “People get so excited when they hear there’s Black Friday sales My view on this is that it’s just a money-making story; the prices are no different from normal prices If it’s half price then I would say yes, it’s worth running for But for me it’s a ‘ no story’ People go mad shopping for Christmas and spending money on unnecessary things Life is so difficult nowadays where money is concerned ”

. Nicole Jacobus: “Black Friday is upon us as is festivity As the Grassy Park Community Policing Forum we want to urge our community to be extra cautious at shopping malls, at the shops

“To our older folk: go with someone who can assist you and do not ask any strangers to do so at the tellers, the banks and so on As we know, this is the crazy season As a precautionary measure it’s best to take a relative when going shopping I also know shopping centres have long queues ”

cock mantis shrimps ub-shaped forelimbs nd even shatter glass

s Aquarium today

‘Ou Ses’ short film hits big screen

Winners of the different leagues in the rugby competitions of the Western Province Rugby Union attended the awards evening on Wednesday 19 November at Kelvin Grove in Newlands

The event brought to a conclusion the official 2025 season and clubs can now concentrate on pre-season training before the festive season, a short break, before it is back to full training in January

The event was a combined celebration of winners of 2024 and 2025 as no trophies were handed out last year

This meant that last year ’ s winners could only pose with the trophy

Special awards were handed out to

Grant Albertyn of Kuils River Rugby Club and Neels du Toit of Helderberg Rugby Club who both passed on Not only clubs were rewarded for their efforts on the rugby field, but referees received awards and Council members received their blazers

In attendance were Stormers players Seabelo Senatla, Warrick Galant and Connor Evans, and management who handed out the trophies to all the recipients Clubs in the distribution areas of People’s Post who were honoured included Villager, Hamiltons, Primrose and Caledonian Roses Villager topped Super League A, while Hamiltons and Maties received

g

iltons in the quarters and beating College Rovers in the semi-final, they lost in the final to Naka Bulls The two teams were commended for their efforts in the competition