People's Post Athlone/Lansdowne E-edition 27 January 2026

Tuesday, 27 January2026

WESTERNCAPEPOLICEAWARDS

Tel:021 9106500 |Email: news@peoplespost.co.za |Website: www

Bennettshinesaft

Hestandsinawe andamazement of thegoodness of Godoverthe four decadesserving in thepoliceservice afterhereceivedhis awardatthe auspiciousoccasion of theWestern Cape Provincial Prestige Awards on Saturday 17 Januaryatthe CenturyCityConference Centre.

This is howCaptIan Bennett from Athlone, spokesperson forManenberg police,describes thehonourbestowedonhim forhis dedicated servicetothe communities of theManenberg Policing Precinct andManenberg police

“The awardisthe acknowledgementofthe culminationofGod’s fruition of aperfect ordination in serviceofhis people.Myillustrious career spansacrossfourdecades of loyaland dedicatedservice with passion forcommunity engagement andtransparent communication shines as my beacon of hope forcommunities Iwould like to believethatI made asignificant impact beyond traditionalpolicingwhich is somethingtruly special,”hesays.

Thepast20years in corporatecommunicationsand thelast15years in corporatecommunicationsinManenberg.Tothe community of Manenberghis name is synonymous with the police stationand outreach projects foryouth in thepolicingprecinct.

“I standand look back andbythe Graceof GodI know that policing became aministry. My career path hasbeen influenced by women whichled me on ajourney of beautiful memories of success. This journeytookmeona life of hands-on lessons. From my wife Juleen foralways trusting me becausewithout awife’strusts andprayers things canbecomehectic. Life is andhas no assurances,but when youhavea womaninprayer, nothingisimpossible.

“SuperintendentLavonaJanuari,my firstfemale stationcommander at Athlonepolice, the womanwho believed in me in setting my course of success, to Anne Ntebifor introducingme to public speaking andAunty Rose Foster for teaching andshowing me kindness,”hesays. In 2021,hebecameanamputee, whichwas a life-changingexperienceand wasintroducedto anotherwoman,Bridget vander Merwe, direc-

Capt IanBennett, spokesperson forManenberg police, whoreceiveda of theYearfor 2024-2025, with Brig JayceNaidoo,Station Commander

torofre-able centre fordisabilities.

“Through herassistance andbeliefinmeand herother residentsatthe centre Icontinueto servetothisday as an active police officerinthe Police Service. Godhad aplanand an amazing senseofhumourwhenheintroducedmetoher IrealisedthatI have purposeand that is the powerofservice,’’Bennetsays.

He believes hisservice to Manenbergdemonstrateda profound commitmenttomorethan just lawenforcement butthatheembodieda ministry of inspiration.

“Mycoremotivationstems from adeep-rooted belief that thecommunity hasa rightto know what police officers areachieving.I understood that behind everystatistic is astory of dedication,riskand triumph. Imeticulously reported newsworthy incidents, from theinitial crimetothe successful investigation, prosecution andconviction. Ihavejustnot disseminatedinformation,I fostered transparency and accountability,thisiswhatmyaim is “Thisgoesbeyondjustreporting on news-

worthy articl thetirelesse building publ of theirwork. cationshavet tive role,” he By consiste impactful inci cial link in fo organisation proactiveapp of collaborat arenot just an part of them

“Thisrecip shared goalsa effective crim safety.I am in thepoliceand an unbreaka frontisthe mo

“God haso purposeand at is to be of

Carnivalrestoresyouth’shope

THULANIMAGAZI

“I

wouldratherwalkthe streetsofCrossroads nakedthanseeing this groupdying down,” this is howLoyisoCasiwesummed up hisloveand passion for ImbumbaCross Dancers, oneofmanygroupsthatwill take part in this year’s Cape Town Carnival on Saturday 21 March.

Over 1500 performers will showcase theirtalentunder the theme“FollowYourHeART”on theGreen PointFan Walk in an explosionofcolourand entertainment during the16thedition of the carnival

Casiwe,one of theleaddancers at theannual carnival,endured many yearsofheartache and hatred before hiselevation to the topofthisyearlyspectacle.And he attributes hisresilienceand rise to hisformerteacher andmentor Nolufefe Racula

The22-year-old joined agroup of youngdancers whilehewas a learneratQingqaMntwana Primary School at OldCrossroads under theguidanceofRaculawho honed hisdance movesand skills

Littledid he know that this would draw theire of certaincommunity members.

“Peoplehated me andI waseven calleda ‘moffie’,” he tells People’s Post

Thesedid notdeter hisfocus as he tirelesslystrived to be thebest at dancing.

Todayheisthe beacon of hope to many youngpeopleinhis community.“Noweveryoneloves me Most people want to be part of the group,”hesays, explaining that he workswith60young people between theagesof11and 18.The dancersare nowpreparing for this year’s festival on Saturday 21 March.

“Weencourage thechildren, especially theboys, to remain hum-

bleand be confident in themselves

Forinstance, at my ageI stillwash dishes at home andmostofthem thinkI am lyingwhenI tell them that.Crime will always be there, butthere is certainlychangeinour community”explainsCasiwewho shares ahouse with hismother, grandmotherand five siblings “There is also unityamong allour membersand youcan seethatthey choosetheir friendscarefully.”

Despitehis resilience and fighting spirit,challenges remain Casiwe says whiletheir focusis always on theCapeTownCarnival, they also performatcommunity events.“Most of thechildrendo nothavemeans to buyclothes for ourperformancesand Ihaveto buyfor them from thelittlemoney Imakefrommypart-time jobs

“Lastyear, IboughtthemT-shirts to participateinlocal events,” he says,expressing gratitudetothe carnival organisers forsupporting thegroup annually to participatein theevent

“Theysupport us with theclothes andthatiswhere we gettosee people from othernations,” he explains butcalls for“supporters” to ensure thegroup continuesits work in society.

Explaining themotivebehindthe group, Racula tells People’s Post that shegrewupina family that lovedmusic.She also pays homage to hermotherwho instructed her to remain loyaltoall thechildren.

“I lovedsinging from ayoung age andI wasinspiredbymymother whowas amusic conductor. Before shedied(in 2009), sheinstructed me to take care of thechildrenand help them in music,”she says Racula hasbeen part of theCape Town Carnival sinceinception and haswitnessedits evolutionover theyears.“Ioncedancedwith them,but my attire wasdifferent anda bitlonger,”she says Shepraises thegroup fortransformingchildreninCrossroads “I always availmyclass to the

Everystorybuildstheworldwewanttosee

lighter.

Hi partner. Breathewithme (inahale,hold, exhale).

Icallyou partnerbecause Ido notsee youasjusta reader,I see youassomeone walkingwithme, we’vedonesosuccessfully in the last year,wemight as well keep walking, walkingisanevent,and alleventshappenwitha reason, this walk,thoughunexplainable, hopefully leadsustogentlepaths When Iask youtobreathe with me, it is an invitation to pause, notto perform. Andright now, that pause feelsmoreimportant than ever

So heypartner .welcome to 2026 ,thisismy firstcolumnfor theyearand Ihopetoshare many “hey partner” momentswithyou When oftenasked whereI’m from Ialwaysjokinglysay I’ma citizenofthe worldand Decemberprovedjustthat, Ispent most of it on theroad, between cities, between communities Zwelethemba in Worcester, Mdantsanein East London,New Brighton in Port ElizabethlastlyKwaNokuthulain PlettenbergBay Theroads blurredunder the wheels, townsand townships passing like pagesina book Icould notput down.And as Itravelled, I realised that notevery storyhas a headline.Somejustmakethe heart

Inoticed somethingthatstayed with me.Inmanyhomes and streets, people wouldkeep quietat thefaceofinjustice or quietlyshare theirthoughts, theirfrustrations, theirhopes,but ofteninhushed tones.

They spokecarefully,sometimes as if testingwhether it wassafeto be heard. Ithenrealisedpeopleare notsilentbecause they do notcare. They areoften silent because, over generations, they have been taught that theirvoicesdonot matter. Taught to doubttheir worth, to normalisebeing ignored, to survive quietly. Butinsomespaces, I’ve seen somethingdifferent, somethingquietly revolutionary, people speaking up,insisting to be seen,to be heard, to matter.

In Zwelethemba, Imet agrandmother tendinga community garden.Her handsweredarkened by soil andsunlight, hervoice soft but firm.She told me shestarted thegardenfor thechildrenasa safe placetoplay, to learn, to feel proudoftheir surroundings.Itwas notonthe news.Itdid notgoviral Yetwatchingthe children harvest vegetables,their laughter spilling over thefencesand into thestreets, Ifeltthe powerofsmall victories. It is thekindofstory that reminds youthisiswhatmatters

In Mdantsane, Iobservedsomethingelse, aquiet revolution in the ordinary.A groupofneighbours haddecided to cleantheir streets

forChristmas,not becauseanyone askedthemto, notbecause it wouldberecognised, butbecause it matteredtothem, to theirchildren,totheir senseofdignity.One person picked up aplastic bottle, anotherswept thedust, afew planted flowersalong thekerb. By theend of theafternoon,a street that hadfeltforgottennow looked aliveagain.Care, it seems, is contagious.

Andthenthere wasNew Brighton. Here,I witnesseda younglady starta readingcircleinher back yard.Itbegan with threechildren anda fewbooks. It wasa beautiful sighttobeholdasthe children’s eyes lightupwithstories from distantworlds. Smallactslikea book,a smile, amomentofshared attentioncan ripplefurther than we imagine.

Even in PlettenbergBay,KwaNokuthula, Ifound moments that reminded me of resilience.A groupoflocal artistshad revitalised homesfor low-income residents. They were young, loud, andunapologetically joyful.With each brushstrokethe houses told newstories of hope,colour, and possibility December reminded me that thesemoments,quiet as they may be,are everywhere in gardens, streets, back yards, neighbourhoodsand kitchens.Theyare about connection, resilience,and humanity. They arevictories of everyday life.Theydonot make headlines.

They do not fill news reels. But they remind us that healingbegins when we speak, when we act, when we notice each other.

Your voicematters toowhether youliveinthe marginsorthe suburbs. Youdonot have to shout to be heard. If somethingfeelswrong in your community,knock on thedoor of amedia house. Asktospeak to ajournalist. Shareyourstory Becauseinjustice thrivesinsilence, andeverydayvictories thrive when they areacknowledged. Reflecting on 2025,I noticeda pattern;our worldmoves quickly. Ourfeedsscrollendlessly. We click, share, react, andmoveon. Butlifeisnot in thefast-forward. Life is in thepause.Inthe gentle moments, theordinaryactsof kindness, theconversations that aretenderand truthful.Before we chasethe new, let’slook back at what made us pause, smile, or rethink.

So,partner,I invite youto breathewithme. Notice thesmall victoriesaroundyou.Speak up when youmust. Celebratewhen youcan.Connect when it matters.And remember theseare the momentsthatshape us,the stories that matter, thevictories that do notalwaysmakeheadlines but lightour hearts nonetheless. Trusttoday.Walkgentlyknowing that everysmall act, everyshared story, everyvoice raised in care, builds theworld we want to see.

Policerequire public assistance

AVRILFILLIES

Warrant OfficerZitaNorman, spokesperson forAthlone police, is appealingtothe community to getinvolvedwithtwo importantprogrammesatthe stationtomakea difference in thecommunity

“Weasked forvolunteerstojointhe Victim Support Room.You should be between21and 60 yearsold.Inthe past year ourvolunteersdid an amazingworkinthe Victim Support Room (VSR)and Iwishtocontinuewiththisproject People cancometothe stationtoapply,” she says TheVSRsatpolicestationsare designed to providea safe andsupportiveenvironment for victimsofcrime.These roomsare equippedto handle sensitivecases,including gender-based violence (GBV), childabuse,sexualoffencesand domestic violence

“The roomsare equippedtotakestatements in private, ensuring thevictim’sdignity and privacy. Theroomsare staffed with trainedpolice officialswho ensure that victimsare treated with respectand dignity. TheVictimEmpowerment Programme (VEP)isa keyinitiativethat worksinpartnership with non-governmental organisations(NGOs)and Community Based Organisations(CBOs)toimprove services for victimsofcrime andviolence. TheVEP aims to assist allvictims in coping with their traumatic experiencesand circumstances. If youwantto help afamilymember, friend or neighbour, who arevictims of crimeand want to make acontribution or adifference in theperson’slife, then youare welcometoapplytobea volunteer,” Norman says

AthlonePolice Station spokesperson Zita Norman says the VEP is designed to offer support to victims.

PHOTO:SUPPLIED

IF YOUWANT TO HELP FAMILY,FRIEND OR NEIGHBOUR

To getyouth more involved in thecommunity in outreach programmes, sheisseeking learners in Grade8 andGrade 9fromschools in theAthlone vicinity to join theAthlone Police Junior Programme “One of thebiggest successeswas theSpiritual CrimePreventionProgramme whereweengagedclergyofall denominationstoassist our community.Weare allfamiliarwiththe high crimerateinAthlone.Withour programmes we want to make adifference in ourcommunity butespeciallywiththe youth,”she says TheJuniorProgramme dealswithbullying at school as well as othertraumaathome.

Contact WO ZitaNorman on 082378 9018 or Sgt Shandre Japhtaon021 6979238/39 forinformationonvolunteeringfor the VSR.

Citylaunchescustomerservice

ResidentsofHanover Park were the firsttosee thelaunchofthe official newbig,boldand lime customer servicebus at theCivic Centre.The TitleDeedBus will be visiting residentsinthe metrotohelpthemwith, amongothers, council rental andmunicipal accounts,title deed servicesand informal andbackyarderservices.

Carl Pophaim, Maycomemberfor thehuman settlements,officially launched thebus on Wednesday22January andinhis speechhe said thenew initiative sent themessage to housingbeneficiariesnot to miss thebus andto getonthe TitleDeed Expressasthe City continuesits drivetocreatemorehomeowners.

“The buswillbevisitingresidents door-todoor andneighbourhood to neighbourhood to help with allqueries.Thisisanamazing milestoneweare reaching andyet anotherimprovement to ourhuman settlements servicedelivery

offering. With this mobile servicewenot only meet ourresidents wheretheyare,weare also launchingour TitleDeedsExpress campaign This busisabout access andweare making sure HumanSettlementservicesfeel reachableand responsive forresidents,” he said Pophaimaddedthathis department wasmakingthisyearanother exciting oneand they were readytoassist as many residentsaspossible.

“Weencourage beneficiariesinolder City housingdevelopments, whodonot have their titledeed,tocontact theCity. To really drive progress, we will soon take ournew Human Settlements busintoall areasofthe metro. Residents areremindedthatCityhousing services arefree. If anypayment is requested, beneficiaries areadvised to verify directly with theCity's HumanSettlements call centre on 021444 0333,”hesaid.

Latelegendaryplaywrighthonoured

AVRILFILLIES

TheoE Davids,a writer,producer anddirectorfromBridgetown, was instrumental in creating ThePark, a film tributetothe late James(Jimmy) Matthews, whichwas airedonSaturday 10 Januaryand streamed online.

“I grew up knowingand seeing Matthewsin theAthlone area donninghis famous black –Che Guevaralike– beretand blackleather waistcoat. He wasfrequentlyseen clutching booksorcarryinga leathersling bag, walking to andfromthe libraries, schoolsand thepost office.Manya dayyou will find himhappily typing away on hisportabletypewriterunder theMulberry tree in hisgarden.

“Hewas aregular motivational speakerand facilitatorofmanyfreewriting andpoetry sessionsatthe institutions of learning and creativity in ourarea,”hesays.

DAVIDSWASAGREATADMIREROFMATTHEWS' WORK.

“Thatwas notthe only thingabout himI admired. Ialsoadmired hisvalues, integrity, moral standardsand ethics as apolitical activist, prolificwriter, fitnessguruand humanbeing He washardworking,disciplined,goal-oriented, experimental,committed, positive and

displayeda steady naturalartisticand personal growth

“I will always hold himinhighesteem.Filmmaking is nota one-manshow– it is acollaboration. Therefore, we aredeeply humbledand honoured that allour collectivetalents andthe powerofthe Almighty couldbring JamesMatthews’ vision to fruition,” Davids says

The film is basedonthe popularbook of the same name writtenbyMatthews, aworld-renowned Cape Town born poet-author-political activist Matthews, wholived in Silvertown,passed away on 7September 2024 aged 95 years. The film wassupported by theNationalFilmand VideoFoundation(NFVF)and SABC Matthewswas apublisher,who produced five booksofpoetry, acollectionofshort stories, anovel andananthology of poetry,which he edited.His workswereamong the firsttobe bannedbythe then apartheidgovernment, and he wasanimportant voiceofdissidenceduring averydifficult time in thecountry Hisworkwas translated andpublished overseas.“Culturally,his deathrepresentsthe endofanera.Matthewshas been aliteraryand cultural institutioninCapeTownand an icon In SouthAfrican literature he is part of agenerationofpioneeringblack writerswho truly establisheda traditionofresistancewriting in

HAPPILYTYPING AWAY UNDER THE MULBERRY TREE

the1950s,1960sand 1970s,”hesays, Thedecisiontobring thestory from book to screen wasundertakenbyDavidsafter he completeda successful participationinthe very rewardingSABC/NFVF/SEDIBAscreenwriters andproducers programme “Thisprogramme wasprior to Matthews passing.After completion of theprogramme we collaborated on writingand honing the screenplay.One of themainchallenges of adapting adescriptive book storytothe prescriptivevisualmediumof film washow to stay true to thebook. At thesametimewehad to create high-concept moving images that impart knowledge, is informative, entertaining and evokeemotionsinits viewers. The film wassuccessfully shot on 35 mm with Arriflex cameras andwiththe help of theSABC, NFVF,FilmLab, Cinegate Afrika,BridgetownTheatre Company, residentsofAthlone,Silvertown, Bridgetown, Garden Village,townships andresidents of thePinelands suburb andmanylikeminded creatives,"Davidssays.

Rugbylegends in high spirits

AVRILFILLIES

The last twoplayers of Lansdowne RugbyFootballClub(RFC),winners of theNorthernUnion 1956 championship of theCityand Suburban Rugby Football UnionatCityParkinAthlone, Frederic “Faggy”(86)and Hendrick de Hahn (96) from Belthorn Estate,are in good health andenjoyingtheir freedom Faggy wasthe captainofthatvictorius team andhedid notonlywin thetrophybut also the player of thematch,upcomingplayerand most promisingplayer.

“I canstill remember some of my teammates of that momentousday.TheywereJames Fabe, Kenny Fabe,JoeyGeorge, QuintonMuller, CharlesMarais, StanleyPatience(drowned), AllieFredericks, MaynardWessels,KallieSeptember,Raymond George,Ali Mosesand my brother, Hennie. During the1960s,Lansdowne RFCappliedand succeeded in joiningCityand Suburban Rugbyfootball Unionwhere their prowessgainedthemmanytrophies,”hesays. Outstandingplayers whopulledthe blue and whitehooped jersey over theirheads include RogerGeorge, MauriceHimro,JohnBull, JacobusFredericks, Gerard Peters,Cassiem Ryklief, PatrickPeters, Kenneth Donkie Ford,Keith Lentoor,Ben Groepies,HermanAbrahams, Les Peters andmanyothers. Although most opponentsfearedLansdowne they were also careful of clubslikeProgress, Perseverance,Universals, Thistles,Primroses,Retreat,Excelsior,Police andHewat Training College, he reminisces “Every year allthe clubsand theresidents of Athlonelookedforward to theAnnual Super8 Tournament whichtook placeoverthe Easter

AT THE FAMILYDAY WE SHAREDOUR EXPERIENCES

weekend. Teamsfromasfar as Port Elizabeth, nowGqeberha, travelledtoAthlone andfrom thoseplayers representing theirclubs or province laterbecamemembers of theformerSA RugbyUnion (Saru) team underEbrahim Patel.

ThelastSuper 8was wonbyUniversalsfrom here captainedbyWayne McKay, nowresident in NewZealand,” De Hahn says He hasfondmemoriesofa bustling,busyand family-orientedannual City Fair whereeach club’s representative competed in theMissCity Fair Beauty Pageant. “The only competition metedout wasbetween thedifferentrugby and softball clubswho calledCityParktheir home ground whileraising funds forthe upkeep of the City andSuburbanRugby Football Union. City Park is theonlystadium ownedbythe union andisnot part of amunicipality,”hesays.

Before thefestive season Lansdownehosteda family dayand both brothers enjoyedthe catchup with oldfriends andfoes.

“Atthe family daywesharedour experiences andwhatCityParkmeans to each andeveryone whoset foot on thepitch as we feel theyoung playersoftoday should know ourhistory and theplayers whocamebeforethem,”DeHahn says

As both Faggy(85)and Hennie(95)now enjoyretirementFaggy remainscommittedto theLansdowne RFCorganisingthe committee raisingfunds forthe underprivilegedthistime collectingstationery, school wear andfunding fornerdy pupils

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Honouringthe spirit of thoseforciblyremoved from District Six, andthe enduring musicofDr DavidKramerand thelateDrTaliepPetersen, From HanoverStreet takestothe Artscape Theatrestage next month.

This landmark concertmarks 60 yearssince theforcedremovalsfromDistrictSix andruns from Tuesday10toSunday15February.

Forthe firsttimeeverthe original performers of Broetjie in District Six: TheMusical,Jody Abrahams,Loukmaan Adams, Alistair Izobell andEmo Adams, reunite, this time as producers.

This year also marks20years sincethe passing of thelatePetersen, whoseworkwith Kramer shaped themusical identity of theatre andgavea voicetoa community whorefused to be forgotten.

On 11 February 1966, District Sixwas declared whites only underthe GroupAreas Act, resultinginover60000 residentshavingtoleave the neighbourhood,manyofthemforcibly, in one of themostpainful chapters of Cape Town’s history.

Speaking to People’s Post,Izobell said Kramer andPetersenpaved theway forhim andmany others in theentertainment industry “Theyweresuchanincrediblepartofmylife. If thereissomething Iamdoing,producing or writingDavid will getinvolvedand say, ‘You can’tembarrass me like this by writingthisor that.’ We arehis children.And thesamewith Taliep.”

He said he felt humbledtobepartofhistory

“Proud is nota word that satisfies theemotion andconnectionbetween us,it’sanenormous spaceofgrace.There areveryfew momentsin historywhere we as asociety gettolivethrough aperiodofthingsthatwas part of ourfootprint in ourlives.David hasbeen servingpeopleentertainmentfor more than 50 years. AndTaliep foraslongashewas alive.”

Izobell reflectedonthe legacy,friendshipand asharedhistory

“The four men, Jody Abrahams,Loukmaan Adams, EmoAdams andI,get to relive apiece

of work that startedour careers40years ago, with menwerethe most on theAfrican continent at onepoint

“Weget to commemorate thesepeoplewho were forcibly removedfromtheir homes. The four of us have kept themusic andthe stampof Davidand Taliep alivefor four decades.”

Izobellsaidnow,60years on,the pain of the forced removals stilllingered.

“Itwas theftona grandscale from araceof people wholived there. It’s aboutcommemoratingthose people whosurviveditall andmore, andsayingthiswillnever happenagain.”

He said audiencescan look forwardtoa fun-filledshowthattakes them on atripdown memory lane

“Itisnot District Sixthe Musical,but acelebrationofthe spirit of people whocomefrom District Sixand themusic that Davidand Taliep wrote.”

Kramer said he wasproud of thefourfor continuingtokeep hisand Petersen’s musicalive

“I am very proudofthem. They allgrewupin frontofmyeyesand they have broughta whole lotofyoung people along. So thereisa lotof hope forthe talent of Cape Town,and we need to celebrateourselves andrelyonthe young talent to do that.”

Ticketsare almostsoldout and areavailablevia webtickets.

TPubliclibrariesareleading providersofcivicsupport

With thenew year off to agoodstart,City librariesare supportingeveryonefromearly readerstojob seekersand entrepreneurs throughfreedigital resources.

Accordingtothe City,over24000 newmembers have signed up in thelastsix months in its 102publiclibraries Librariesloanout books, audiobooksand DVDs,provide free access to computersand the internet throughSmartCape,and host arange of programmesdesignedtosupport learning, developmentand opportunity.

From pram jams fornewbornsand toddlers, to readingpogrammesinthe EarlyChildhood Development(ECD) phaseand beyond,study support forolder learners andemployment readinessprogrammesfor adults Francine Higham,Mayco member forcommunity services andhealth, said librariesare welcoming, safe andinclusive spaces that offer free support to residents.

“While membership is notrequiredtovisit libraries, it does allowresidents to borrowmaterial to read at your leisure, or forstudy purposes,and opensaccess to allour digitalresources From booksand studyspace to SmartCape computersand skills programmes, ourlibraries arethere to give everyone ahandup.”

LIBRARIES’IMPACTBYNUMBERS:

SinceWednesday 31 December last year City librarieshad atotal membership of 253075 SinceJulylastyearatleast 24 127new members have joined Cape Town’s libraries. Between July andDecember, librariesrecorded 3925 718visits.

In thelastthree months of last year,libraries circulated 1105 896items,ieitems checkedout by usersacrossall servicepoints.

In the2024-’25 financialyearlibraries recorded a4%increaseinthe number of visitors accessing theinternetvia SmartCape, from 423811 to 441 451.

People aged 26+accountedfor 52%ofusage, with thoseagedbetween 13 and17accounting for13%

Signingupasa member is quickand easy –youjustneed an identity document andproof of address.

Adults areabletosignupchildrenfor membership on presentation of therequired documentation. Forin-person applications,membershipisactivatedimmediately, whichmeans newpatrons receivetheir librarycardonthe spot andare able to borrowmaterialonthe same day. Applications canalsobecompleted online.In such instances, newpatrons have immediate access to allonlineofferings,and have to collect theirlibrary card within sevendays. . Online applications canbemade here: https://opac.capetown.gov.za/

Magic college opens to thepublic

TheCollege of Magicwillhavetwo open days on Saturday 7and Saturday 14 February to welcomenewcomers into aworld of learning, performanceand personal growth

TheseOpenDaysare auniqueopportunityfor prospectivestudentsand families to engage directly with theCollege’s world-classcurriculum andsupportivelearningenvironment Entrance is free butbookingisessentialas spaces arelimited

THEOPENDAYEXPERIENCEINCLUDES:

. Ahands-onbeginnermagic workshop

. Aguidedtourofthe iconic MagicMansion

. An overview of Course 1and meet-andgreet with instructors

Thecollege,internationally respectedfor its rigorous andtransformativemagic education, also aims to expand itsbeginnercourses next month. TheCollege of Magic’sstructured beginnercourses usemagic as apractical tool to developconfidence, communicationskills, discipline andcreativethinking. Theseskills consistently translateintosuccess on stage, in school andinlife.

Last year thecollege featured in global superstar magician DavidBlaine’sDisney+ television series

During production,College of Magicstudents met, interacted with andlearntdirectlyfrom Blaine,gainedrareinsight into professional standardsatthe highestinternational level. That experience didnot remain theoretical. Students went on to deliverhighlysuccessful public performances at localtheatresand most recently,duringthe festiveseasonatthe V&A Waterfront.These real-world outcomes demonstrate thestrengthofthe College’s training modeland itsability to preparestudentsfor genuineperformance environments Accordingtothe College,these experiences accelerate learning in ways no classroom alonecan achieve. Students gain confidence throughresponsibility, resilience throughlive performanceand perspectivebyengagingwith mentorsatthe topofthe industry “Magic is an idealplatformfor learning essentiallifeskills.Our beginner courseshelp

students discover confidenceand communication abilitiestheynever knew they had,”said DavidGore, Training Director of thecollege “The Open Days areyourchancetosee firsthand what makesour programeffective and inspiring.”

TheOpenDayswilltakeplace between 10:30 and11:15 at theheCollege of Magic, 215Imam HaronRoad, Claremont.

. To secureyour spot,emailinfo@collegeofmagic.comorWhatsApp to 062519 1177

SUBSTITUTEDSERVICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTHAFRICA (WESTERNCAPE DIVISION,CAPETOWN) Case No 2025-030265.Inthe Ex Parte application between : THE STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICALIMITED (Applicant)and MERLE PILLAY ID 7510090142085(FirstRespondent) andRONNIE JACOBS ID 710720 5254 08 5(Second Respondent) In re:the Application between: THE STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICALIMITED (Applicant) and TO: MERLE PILLAY ID 7510090142085,anfemale, whosefull andfurtherparticularsare to Applicant unknown with chosendomicilium citandiet

Hope

Tingo y1 eb y. Thecompetitionsremaina pathwayfor playersprogressing into professional rugby. Tournament organisers say61formerVarsity Cupand Shield playershaverepresented the Springboks sincethe competitions were estab-

yo gp ye yCup aysb aboutgivingyoung playersthe platform to test themselves,” he said FNBUCT will enterthe season as defending VarsityCup championsfollowing theirwin over FNBMatiesinlastyear’s final. Head coach

RobbieFleck said theteamwould aimtobuild on last season’s campaign despitelosingseveral players. “Wewould like to go back-to-back and be the firstUCT team to achievethat,”Fleck

ep gr ,w y McLarensaidthe team waslookingforward to competingatVarsity Cuplevel forthe firsttime. Fixtures forthe 2026 season have been released,withticketinformation expected to be announcedsoon