People’s Post Claremont/Rondebosch E-edition 12 May 2026

CLAREMONT |RONDEBOSCH

Tuesday, 12 May2026

Squatterstrounce

The University of Cape Town (UCT) says it is studying aWestern Cape High Courtjudgement whichdismissedits applicationtoevict former students occupyinga university-owned parkinglot, findingthatevictionprotectionsunder thelaw applied.

Therulingwas deliveredonWednesday 29 Apriland stated that eviction protectionsunder thelaw applied.

Thedispute aroseafter occupantsfromthe Philip Kgosanastudent residenceinMowbray were removedfollowing an eviction orderinitially grantedinJunelastyear. That orderwas lateramended by agreement

in August,givingthe students untilDecember last year to vacate thepremises.

When theoccupantsfailedtoleave,the Sheriff executed theevictionand theirbelongingswere movedtoa UCT-ownedparking area near the hockey fields

Some of theformerresidents then erecteda tent andbegan living therewithout permission UCTreturnedtocourt seekingenforcement of theamended eviction orderand relyingonthe commonlaw remedy of reivindicatio,which allows property owners to reclaimpossession of theirproperty.

Theuniversityargueditwas entitled,asowner,toimmediatepossession of theland.

However, thecourt foundthatthe Prevention of IllegalEvictionfromand Unlawful Occupation of Land Act(PIE) applied.

TheAct giveseffecttosection 26(3)ofthe Constitution,which protects people from being evictedfromtheir homeswithout acourt order

afterall relevant circumstancesare considered Acentral question before thecourt waswhether theparking lothad become a“home”for the occupants, whichwould triggerPIE protections.

Thecourt rejected UCT’sargumentthatthe occupantshad forfeitedtheir protectionsby breachingundertakingslinkedtothe earlier eviction order. It foundthatPIE protectionsare notoptionaland cannotbebypassedthrough agreementorbreach.

On thefacts,the courtheldthattwo respondentshad establishedthemselvesinthe parking area andhad no alternativeaccommodation Eviction,itfound,would render them homeless, meaningPIE requirements hadtobefollowed.

Thecourt ruledthatUCT couldnot rely solely on ownershiprightsorthe earlierorder to remove them

In relation to otherrespondents,including awoman andher minorchildrenand another individual,the courtfound they were no longer

occupyingthe site at thetimeofthe hearing. It thereforefound no basisfor eviction or interdict relief,adding therewas no evidence of an intention to return unlawfully.The applicationwas dismissed, with no orderastocosts UCTspokespersonand Senior Managerfor Mediaand Social MediaElijahMohololasaid theinstitution hadnoted theruling.

“The University of Cape Town notesthe judgment handed down by theWestern Cape High Court. Theuniversitywillconsiderthe ruling andthendetermine itsnextsteps in lightofthe court’s findings,” he said

Blood supplyrunsshort as cold months set in

The WesternCapeBlood Service(WCBS)iscalling on thepublictoprioritise blood donation during winter, aperiodwhensupplyistraditionally understrain.

AccordingtoWCBS, whilewinter oftenleads to adecline in blood donations, thehospitaldemandfor blood remainsconstant.

“Winterisone of themost difficult periodsfor maintaininga stable blood supply as aresultof coldsand flu, andschool holidays,”

says Marike Carli, Public RelationsManager at WCBS. “When donation levels drop,itplacesa strain on ourstock andultimately affects patients whodependon

blood everyday.Thisiswhy we areencouraging donors to remain consistent throughout winter, rather than delaying or skipping donations.”

Asingleblood donation takes approximately30minutes andcan save up to threelives.However, only asmall percentage of eligible individualsdonateregularly,makingdonor retentionand consistency particularly importantduring high-riskperiods such as winter

In addition to encouragingblood donation,WCBScontinues to drive itsExtra Drop Initiative,which givesdonorsthe opportunityto extend theircontributionbeyond thedonationitself.

Throughthisinitiative, donors

BLOOD DONATION ONLYTAKES 30 MINUTES

maychoosethatWCBSdonateR15 to theselectedcharitableorganisations, therebyamplifyingtheir support forvulnerablecommunities across theWestern Cape Thenew beneficiariesfromMay untilAugustare PhilisaAbafazi BethuWomen’s Centre,supportingvulnerablewomen and children throughempowerment programmesand essentialservices, andStJoseph’sIntermediatePaediatricCare, providingspecialised

medicalcareand rehabilitation forchildrenwithcomplex health conditions

Blood donation centresacrossthe WesternCapeare open

Donors must be between 16 and 75,weigh 50kg or more,beingood generalhealth, andleada safe sexuallifestyle.Donorsare advisedto eata substantialmealwithinthree to four hoursbeforevisitinga clinic andtoincreasetheir fluidintake before,during, andafter donation Blood donation only takes30 minutesofyourtimeand youcan donate blood every56days. .Formoreinformation or to find your closest blood donation clinic, please visitwww.wcbs.org.za,or send aWhatsApp to 060 5497244.

Hundreds of walkersare expected to lace up forthisyear’sBlistersfor BreadCharity Family FunWalkin support of thePeninsula School FeedingAssociation(PSFA), with proceedshelping to feed vulnerable learners across theWestern Cape

Theannualevent will take place on Sunday 16 August,offering participants achoicebetween 5km and10kmroutesstartingfrom StephanWay in GreenPoint and finishingatthe Green PointCommonSportsGround.

Organisers saythe R125 entryfee perpersonwillenablethe PSFA to providemeals to 23 vulnerable learners fora day.

Entriesare limitedto10000 participants across both distances, with theclosing date setfor Sunday2 August

Refreshmentstationsand medicalsupport will be availablealong theroute andatthe finish area to assist participants.Walknumber collectionwilltakeplace on Saturday15August, from 09:00to17:00 at selected Sportsmans Warehouse branches,including V&AWater-

emailaddressand cellphone numberduringregistrationwillreceive confirmationdetails andcollection

informationahead of theevent . Theevent is online entry only.To enter visitwww.psfa.org.za

Classroomsare stillfilled with dreamers

notafford.

Returningtomyold school recently broughtbackmemoriesI hadnot thoughtabout in many years.

Ihad droppedmynephewoff for theday,and as Iwalkedpastthe playground,the classroomsand thefamiliarcorridors,a wave of nostalgiahit me.ItfeltasthoughI hadsteppedbackintomyyounger self’s world, aworld filledwith hope,dreamsand determination.

Irememberedsitting in those smallblueclassroom chairs,staringout thewindows andimagininga futurefar biggerthanthe community Igrewupin. Even as a child, Isomehow knew therewas more to life.I knew educationwas thekey that couldunlockopportunities beyond my circumstances. Icomefroma disadvantaged background wheremoney was oftentight.Myparents worked hard to make ends meet,and there were many things we simply could

Iwas neverthe childwho arrived at school wearingthe latest fashion on civvies day. Irememberdays when paying school fees felt impossiblefor my parents. Yet, despite thestruggles,theynever allowed our financialsituation to become an excuse formissing school

Educationwas non-negotiable in ourhome. My parentsconstantly reminded me that no onecould take knowledgeawayfromme. They believed educationwas the onething that couldchangethe directionofmylife. Lookingback now, Irealise thesacrificesthey made to ensure my sister andI had that opportunity. They maynot have been able to give us material things,but they gave us discipline, encouragementand areasonto strive formore.

My wayofthankingthemwas simple,I worked hard.I studied, respectedmyteachersand made sure Iachievedgood marks becauseI understood what wasat stake. Iknewthatevery test passed andevery report card improved broughtmeone step closer to a betterfuture.

TodayasI watchlearnersmaking theirway to school in themorning, Icannothelpbut feel concerned.

On some days it is already08:30 andsomeare casually strolling to school with no senseofurgency.Somelook disengaged and uninterested.Itmakes me wonder what haschanged.Haveour young people become disconnected from thevalue of education? Or arethey simply overwhelmedbythe realities they face daily?

Today’slearnersare growingup in aworld filledwithdistractions, social pressuresand uncertainty. Many areexposed to unemployment,violence, povertyand social mediainfluences that caneasily make educationfeel less important. Forsome, it maybedifficult to dreamabout thefuturewhen survival feelslikethe priority

This is whymotivationcannot come from schoolsalone.Parents,communities,teachersand mentorsall have aroletoplayin shapingyoung minds. Children need to seeexamplesofperseverance.Theyneed encouragement andguidance. Most importantly, they need hope

We cannotexpectyoung peopletovalue educationifsociety itself appearstoundervaluetheir potential. Sometimesall it takesis oneteacher,one family member or oneopportunitytoinspire achild to believeinthemselves. Iwishthose in powerwould take up that challenge. Howmanyleadershavewalkedthrough thehalls of theirformerschoolsand asked themselves what they coulddoto create lastingchangethere?

Buildmoreschools, more librariesand saferspacesfor learning Invest in thesefutureleaders and give them areasontobeexcited abouteducation

Create opportunitiesthatmake learners eagertoget to school becausetheycan seea futurewaiting forthembeyondthe classroom,a future filledwithpossibility,dignity andmeaningful work

As Ileftthe school groundsthat day, Irealisedthe classroomsare still filledwithdreamers, children with untappedpotential waitingto be nurtured

Thechallengeismakingsurethey do notlosesight of thosedreams before they even begin.

Studymaps CT air pollutionhotspots

NAMHLAMONAKALI

AnewUniversityofCapeTown(UCT) studyhas foundthatmorethan 40%ofCapeTownresidents are exposedtohighorveryhighlevelsofair pollution,raising concerns aboutenvironmentalinequalityand public health risksinthe city.

Publishedinthe journal GeoHealth,the research presents the firsthigh-resolution mapof airpollution risk across themetro

It showshow pollution exposure overlaps with social vulnerability, with theworst-affected areaslargely concentrated in informalsettlementsand historically disadvantagedcommunities

Thestudy estimatesthatabout 1,9million people,or40,3% of Cape Town’s population, live in high-tovery-high-riskzones

Lead researcher Dr MerylJagarnathfrom UCT’sDivisionofEnvironmental Health said thesecommunities face multiple pressures. “Residents in thesecommunities face com-

poundedchallenges such as poor housing conditions,limited access to healthcare and proximitytopollution sources,”she said Sheaddedthattraditional airquality monitoringoften focusesonlyonpollutant levels, withoutaccounting forthe social conditions that shapeexposureand health outcomes

Theresearchteamusedsatellite data from the European SpaceAgencytomeasure pollutants includingnitrogendioxide,sulphur dioxide, ozoneand particulatematter. This wascombinedwithdemographic andsocio-economic data,aswellasinformation on housing, infrastructureand land use, to identify hotspots

UCTresearchers worked in collaboration with theSouth AfricanNationalSpace Agency,with funding from theNationalResearchFoundation

The findings highlightCapeTown’sentrenched spatialinequality, with pollution risk closelylinkedtohistoricalpatternsofsegregation anddeprivation

“Asone of themostunequal cities in South Africa,CapeTown’spatternsofsegregation and

MissionBlueatWesterford

EMISSIONS FROM

deprivationcontinuetoshape both exposure to environmentalhazards andcommunities’ abilitytorespond to them,” said Jagarnath. Thestudy recommendstargetedinterventions such as reducing emissionsinhigh-risk areas, improvinghousing andinfrastructure, expandinggreen spaces andstrengthening public health planning forpollution-related diseases

Responding to the findings,MafokoPhomane, Senior EnvironmentalHealthManager from Groundwork Friendsofthe Earth, anon-profit environmentaljustice organisation,saidthe resultsreflectbroader national challenges

“These findings arehighlysignificant in the SouthAfrican context. Ourcitiesare economic hubs whereemissionsfromtransport,industri-

al activity,manufacturing, wasteburning and agriculturecontributetoair pollution,” said Phomane.

He addedthatSouth Africa alreadyhas Air QualityPriorityAreas,including theVaal Triangle,Highveldand Waterberg-Bojanala, whichhighlight regionswithhighemissions andpopulationexposure.

Phomanesaidair pollution remainsa major public health concern, linked to respiratoryand cardiovascular diseaseand thousandsofpremature deaths annually in SouthAfrica. He emphasised theneed forstrongerenforcementofair qualitylaws, cleanerenergy solutions, improved public transport, and expanded health surveillancesystems to track pollution-related illness.

Thestudy also points to widerimplications forother Africancitiesfacingsimilar patterns of environmentalinequality. “Bymakingvisible thespatial distribution of airpollution risk and itsintersectionwithsocialvulnerability,this studyprovidescriticalevidencefor advancing environmentaljustice,” Jagarnathsaid.

Newroadrules forschools

NAMHLAMONAKALI

The City of Cape Town hasapproved arevised TrafficCalming Policy aimedatexpanding safety measures forpedestrians,cyclistsand people with disabilities

Thepolicywas adoptedbyCouncil on Thursday30April this year

UrbanMobilityPortfolio Committeechair MikhailManuelsaidthe revisedframework represents asignificant shiftfromthe 2016 policy,particularlyinhow andwhere traffic calmingcan be implemented.

“Thisisthe most responsive trafficcalming policy that Councilhas come across.Itputs people over cars,” he said

Expanded scopefor schoolsand pedestrian zones

Akey change is theextension of trafficcalmingeligibility beyond streetsdirectlyoutside schoolstoinclude connecting roadsleading to schools.

“Where trafficcalming couldonlybeimplemented previously in thestreet whicha school is actually in,now trafficcalming canbeimplemented in astreet leadingtoa school,” Manuel said

TheCityhas seta target of implementing trafficcalming measures at 60 schoolsper financial year,upfrom50. Schoolsmustberegistered with theWestern Cape EducationDepartment (WCED) to qualify.

Thepolicyalso allows interventionsinareas that have become highly pedestrianised dueto land usechanges,including raised crossings andintersections whereappropriate.

WIDERRANGEOFINTERVENTIONSALLOWED

Underthe revisedframework,the City may deploy abroader setoftrafficcalming tools, includingspeed humps, raised pedestrian crossings, mini trafficcircles,roadnarrowing andsurface changes.

TheUrban Mobility Directoratewillissue technicalguidelinesand assess allapplications basedonsafety, feasibilityand cost Temporarymeasuresmay also be introduced on certainroutesbut must be removedonce normal trafficconditionsare restored

APPLICATIONPROCESSAND IMPLEMENTATION

TheUrban Mobility Directoratewilllead theassessmentand implementation of traffic calmingrequests, whilewardcouncillors may nominate streetsthrough sub-councilprocess-

NOWTRAFFICCALMING CANBEIMPLEMENTED IN ASTREETLEADING TO A SCHOOL

es,providedthere is evidence of crashhistory or seriousincidents

Thepolicyalsoallows privatefunding of traffic calmingprojects, subjecttoCityapproval. Other departments, includinghuman settlements andspatial planning,are required to incorporate trafficcalming considerations into new developments

Requests canbesubmittedtotransport.info@ capetown.gov.za.

MIXEDREACTIONCONTEXTANDUNANSWERED QUESTIONS

TheCitysaysthe revisedpolicyisa response to community demand forsafer streets, followinga public participationprocessesthatbegan in 2023

However, thepolicydocumentdoesnot outlinespecificbudgetallocationsortimelines forrollout across allareas,and implementation capacity will rest with theUrban Mobility Directorate.

MarcelaGuerrero Casas, co-founder of Local Southanorganisationfocused on advancing sustainableand liveable cities across theGlobal Southand amemberofthe WorldEconomic Forum, welcomed thepolicyasa positive step butcautioned that implementation wouldbe key.

“Itisencouraging to seethe City taking a proactiveapproachtoroadsafetyand addressinggapsinthe previous policy.The focuson schoolsand vulnerable road usersisa clear strength,but implementation should notrely only on engineeringsolutions

“Community knowledge, informal street use andlived experience must also inform decision-making, particularly in areaswhere crash data maybeincomplete.

“The target of 60 schoolsper year createsan importantbenchmark,but success will depend on site complexity andwhether theCityadopts flexible,pilot-based approaches that canbe tested andscaledeffectively,” shesaid.

Guerrero Casasaddedthatwhile public-private partnerships couldaccelerate delivery,the City wouldneed to ensure interventionsare prioritisedaccording to need rather than communities’ability to co-fundprojects.

Bussheltersoffer learnerssafety

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

KAYLYNNE.BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Waitinginthe blazingsun or pouringrainfor school transportisa thingofthe past formany learners,thankstoKensingtonScholar Transport (Kenstra).

Thenon-profitorganisation(NPO),founded sevenyears agotopromote safe scholar transport, haserected shelteredwaiting areas at twoKensingtonschoolswiththe support of generous donors

BasedinKensington, thegroup does farmore than transportlearners. It also supportscommunity initiatives, includingfood distribution forvulnerableresidents andanannual sanitary drivefor learners

Miriam Hendricks, chairofKenstra,saidthe groupconsist of about13drivers

“Wehad thevisiontobuild shelters because when we gettothe schoolsour children are soakingwet becausethere isn’tsufficientshelter forthemtowait.

“Withthe help of some of thebusinessesinthe area we were able to putupour firstshelter in June last year at KenmerePrimary School.”

Sheexplained thedesignofthe shelterwhich cost aboutR35 000 to erect. “Itlookslikea carportand is bigenoughtoaccommodate a fewlearners.”

Hendrickssaidtheywereabletoerect their second shelteredwaiting area at Windermere PrimarySchoolinApril this year

“Withthe help of donors,weevenmadesome benchesfor kids to sitonaswell. It waswell received by theschool.The children arealso usingitduringbreak time or when teachers have classesoutside,theyuse as theshelter as a spacetowork.”

Hendricksexplained that they wouldliketo

need of funds.She appealed to residentsand businessestoget involved

“Peoplecan either donate material or cash Or they cansimplysupport ourfundraising initiatives. We have more schoolsinthe pipeline,but we need funds.The driversmustfork moneyout of theirown pocket,orweapproach businessesinthe area.”

Rodney Page,principal of Windermere,said theshelter is beneficial forthe school as learnersmusteitherwaitinthe scorchingheatorin therainfor theirtransport

“Manyofour learners arefromoutside the area.Sometravelasfar as Langaand Gugulethu. They must wait in thehot sunor on rainydaysthe area wheretheyhavetowait is wetand muddy.Sometimes the fieldand flooded as well.”

Page said theshelter is alreadymakinga huge difference

“The timing of this projectwas perfectand just in time forwinter. We will have less absent learners becausetheywon’t getsickwhile standing in therain. They even erectedbenches so nowlearnerscan sitand wait.”

Theprincipal expressedhis gratitudetothe team.“Theschool hasa good relationship with themembers of Kenstra. They arealsoadvising otherscholar driversabout ensuring theirvehicles areroadworthy. They aredoing amazing things in theareaand forschools. We cannot thankthemenoughfor this projecttheyhave completedatthe school.”

Hendrickssaidlastyeartheir annual sanitary towelinitiativesaw them distributing over 1000 sanitary towels to schoolsinthe area

“It’snot just aboutdriving learners to school, thereare many otherthingsthatwedointhe community,” sheconcludes

Codetaconsiders taxi fare increases

KEANANHARMSE

The Cape Organisation forthe Democratic Taxi Association(Codeta)has raised concerns aboutthe impact of recent fuel pricehikes on commuters andtaxioperators,warning that fare increasesmay become unavoidableas costscontinuetorise.

Codeta spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana told People’s Post theassociationwas under growingpressure,operators alreadyfeeling the strain of higher fuel prices

“Weare really worriedabout thepetrolhike andhow it is goingtoaffectcommuters.The people whoare goingtosuffer most arethose in ourcommunities.Evennow,aswespeak,we areina very tightcorner.”

This follows last week’s fuelincreases,where a litreofdieselrosebyR5,27 andpetrolbyR3,27 alitre

TheDepartmentofPetroleum andMineral Resourcesreportedlyattributethe increasesto rising internationalcrude oilpricesdrivenby ongoingtension between theUnitedStatesof Americaand Iran

Thedepartmentsaidthe closureofthe Strait of Hormuz anddamagetocrucial infrastructure hadaffectedcrude-oil supply.

Middledistillateprices, whichinclude diesel andparaffin, increasedmorethanthe petrol prices duetohigherdemandand reducedsupplyfromthe PersianGulf.

Thesefactors contributedR2,04 perlitre to petrol prices,R4,96 perlitre to diesel andR4,21 perlitre to illuminating paraffin. Thegovernment hasextendeda R3 decrease in thegeneral fuel levy forpetroland aR3,93 reductionfor diesel in an efforttocushion consumersfrom thefullimpactofthe increases.

OPERATORSALREADY FEELING THESTRAIN OF HIGHERFUEL PRICES

Whileno finaldecisionhad been made on raisingtaxifares Tumana confirmed discussionsona possible increase to addresssome concerns raised by many operatorswerelikely to take place.

“Weare consideringraising taxi fares, although we don’talwaysthink it is theright solution.The government is notsteppinginto assist us andweare left with very fewoptions.”

People’s Post reachedout to theSouth African National Taxi Councilfor comment butithad notresponded at thetimeofgoing to print.

Cost-of-drivingcrisisdeepens

Thesharp fuelprice hike that took effecton Wednesday, hasdeepened SouthAfrica’s cost-of-living crisis,withmotorists nowfacing record-highpetroland diesel prices driven by globaloil disruptions.

Petrol hasincreased by R3,27per litreand diesel by R5,27, pushingpricestoabout R25,80 for95unleadedand R26,52 for93, whilediesel hassurpassedR30 perlitre forthe firsttime duetothe MiddleEastconflictand theclosure of theStraitofHormuz.

Neil Roets, ChiefExecutive OfficerofDebt Rescue,warnedthatthe increase signals“imminent disaster”for SouthAfrican households alreadyunder financialstrain.

“The realityisthatthe latest petrol pricedisasterexposes theextentofa fardeeper cost-ofliving crisis,drivenbythe fuelprice increases, higher electricityand watertariffsand ongoing food inflation, whichhas pushed people to the very limits of their financialresources.Thisis deeply concerning.”

He said theincreases arealready impacting dailylife, with higher transport, food andliving costs.

THEKNOCK-ONEFFECT

Findings from theSpendTrend26report, whichcombinesdatafromVisaand Discovery Bank,showthatmostfuelpurchases aredriven by thenecessity of dailyroutinessuchascommuting to work,school runs anderrands.

Accordingtonew data from Discovery Insure,South Africanmotorists have already significantly cutbackonpetroland diesel use, following thesharp increasesofApril,buying 35%lessfuelinApril compared to March. Data showsthattrips takenare down 10%, andthe totaldistancetravelleddroppedby9%.

Thecountry’s agricultural industry,which mostly runs on diesel,isamong thehardest hit by thejumpinfuelprices, andthiswillhave devastatingconsequencesfor consumers, especially thoseinthe lower-income range.

“The spiralling oilpriceshavetriggereda severe economic impact in SouthAfrica, creating a‘cost of survival’crisisfor consumersand heavilytaxingthe agricultural sector.Thisis

becausefuelprice hikesare raisingproduction costsand drivingupfood prices,” notesRoets

ALTERNATIVESOLUTIONS

Roetssaidwhile thepetrolprice hikesmay be outofour control, thereare practicalwaysto stretchevery litrea littlefurther:

1. Oneofthe most practicalsolutions is carpoolingwithfriends or colleagues, as this canhavea significant impact on monthlypetrol costs, freeing up much-needed income

2. Useofloyalty cardstocombatrecord-high prices:focussing on “double-swiping” usinga fuelstation’s rewardscardintandemwitha partneredbankorgrocery loyaltyprogramme to earn twolayersofpointsorcashbackona single transaction, cansavea meaningful sum of moneyevery month.

3. Motoristscan adoptefficientdriving habits such as reducing consumptionbymaintaining asteady100km/hhighway speed,avoidingthe heavyfuel-surgeofstop-starttrafficthrough bettermomentummanagement, andgrouping multiple errandsintoa single ‘loop’toensure theengineoperatesatits most efficienttemperature

4. Fuel efficiency canbeimprovedbyremovingempty roof racksorbikecarrierstoreduce wind drag andclearingout unnecessary weight from theboot

Roetsadvised consumerswho cannotbreak free from their financialconstraints to seek help from aregistereddebtcounsellorwho canassist them to manage their financialpredicament

TurningSA high school learners into virtual investors

Coronation is bringing investingintoSouth Africanclassroomswitha national challengethat turnshighschool learners into virtualinvestors, giving them hands-on experience in building financialskills, exploringfuturecareers,and competingfor R120 000 in prizes

Open to allhighschool learners in SA,the Coronation TopInvestorChallenge: Schools Editionisa fun virtualinvesting experience designed to build financialconfidenceata youngage

Running from Monday 1JunetoFriday31 July,the challengeisdesignedto fitaround school schedules. Learners have the flexibility to participatewhenitsuits them during this period andmakeinvestmentdecisions at their ownpace.

This competitiongives learners theopportuni-

ty to step into theroleofaninvestorthrough a virtualsimulationgame, whichtheycan play on aphone,tablet, or computer

Each team receives avirtual potofmoney to invest.Along theway,participantsare showna series of shortvideosimagining howthe world mightchangeinthe future. Basedonthese scenarios, they decide wheretoallocate their money, learning as they go

Theteamwhose portfolioshows thestrongest growth by theend of thechallengeisdeclared thewinner. Thechallengeisfreetoenter,with learners participatinginteams of twoto five members. Thereisnolimit to thenumberof teamsa school canenter

No priorknowledge of investingisrequired.

Thechallenge is designed to meet learners wheretheyare,introducing keyeconomic,

financial, andinvesting concepts in apractical andengagingway.While playing, participants build financialliteracy, developconfidencein managing money, andlearn aboutanindustry they maynot have come across before “Webelieve that understandinghow investingworks is avaluablelifeskill,”saysKirshni Totaram, Global Head of InstitutionalBusiness at Coronation.“This challengeisabout building that foundation,while also openingthe door to possibilities that mayhavepreviouslyfeltout of reach.”

In addition to thelearningexperience, participantscompete forsubstantial rewards. Thetop-performingteamnationally will win R60000 in Coronation investment vouchers, shared equally amongteammembers.These vouchers aredesignedtohelplearnerstake

their firstrealstepintoinvesting,givingthema financialheadstart in life

Thewinning team’s school will also receive R60000.

Beyond theprizes, thechallengeofferslearnersa valuable addition to theirCVs,demonstrating initiative,teamwork, andaninterestin financialdecision-making

“The idea is simple.Wewanttogivemore youngpeopleaccess to thekindofknowledge andopportunitiesthatcan change howthey thinkabout moneyand theirfuture,”says Totaram. “For some,thismay be their firstexposure to investing. Forothers, it couldbethe beginning of acareer in investment management

.To enter registeronwww.coronation.com/enza/institutional/topinvestor/

Constructionsectorplacingincreasedpressureoncompliance

TheWestern Cape’s growingconstruction sector is placingincreased pressure on compliance, with industry leaderswarning that gaps in oversightcould have financial, legal andsafetyconsequences.

Theprovinceadded42000 construction jobs in thethird quarteroflastyear, accordingtothe WesternCapeGovernment.

Afurther 22 000jobswerecreated over the past year,Premier Alan Windesaidinthe recent Stateofthe Province Address.

“Thislevel of activity is translatingintoreal compliance challenges,” says PetraDevereux, ExecutiveDirectorofthe Master Builders AssociationWestern Cape (MBAWC).

“Morecontractors areenteringthe market, includingfromother provinces. Whilethis signalsa strong economy, it also raises the risk of non-compliance withoutconsistent oversight.”

Construction in SouthAfricaoperateswithin amulti-layered regulatory framework.

Contractorsare required to register with the Construction Industry DevelopmentBoard (CIDB),maintaintax compliance with the SouthAfrican RevenueService andmeet

labour andsafetyrequirementsset by the Department of Employment andLabour. Forresidential projects,registrationwith theNationalHomeBuildersRegistration Council(NHBRC) is mandatory.

In theWestern Cape,contractors must also comply with theBuildingIndustryBargaining Council(BIBC), whichregulates wages, benefits andworking conditions

“The BIBC is notjusta regulatory requirement,itisa cornerstoneoffairlabourpracticesand industry stability.

Forcontractors,complianceisessentialto operatelegally,compete fairly,and deliver projects withoutdisruption,”saysDevereux. However, compliance extendsbeyond registration anddocumentation

It requires approved health andsafetyplans, appointedsafetyofficers,regular risk assessments andstrictenforcement of personalprotectiveequipment on site

Contractorsmustalsocomplywiththe Unemployment InsuranceFundand Compensation forOccupational Injuries andDiseases Actrequirements, whilemaintaining accurate financialrecords andtax compliance

Wherethese measures arenot in place, risks escalate

Non-compliantcontractors mayfacedelayedpayments, disputes with subcontractors or projectabandonment

Health andsafetyfailurescan result in injury,fatalitiesorsiteclosuresbyauthorities

Labour violations mayleadtostrikes or legalaction, whiletax non-compliance can result in penaltiesand reputational damage

Theimpactisnot limitedtocontractors

Developers,architects, projectmanagers andprincipal agents mayfaceproject delays, insurancecomplications andincreased costs if compliance is notverified during procurement

Subcontractornon-compliancecan also affectthe main contractor’s liability.

“Complianceisa fundamental safeguard forthe entire construction ecosystem,”says ChandréAbrahams, chairofthe MBAWC MarketingCommittee.

“Wecontinuetosee unrealisticpricing expectations,particularlyaroundlabour, shapingcontractorbehaviour

“Insomecases,thisdrivesnon-compliance in ordertoremaincompetitive

Theindustrymustmoveawayfrompurely cost-drivenprocurement toward compliance-drivenproject delivery,” says Abrahams Industry bodies such as theMBAWC continue to support membersand promote adherencetostandards,while workingwith regulators to strengthen oversight.

“The MBAWCremains firm in itsposition that compliance andprofessionalismare non-negotiable,” says Devereux.“Ourroleis to support membersinupholding thesestandardsand to work with industry stakeholders to ensure that compliance is notonlyexpected butconsistentlyenforced.”

As thesectorexpands,the focusisshifting towardssustainability, with consistent complianceseen as critical to maintaininggrowth andprotectingall stakeholders involved

“Every role in theproject chain, from quantity surveyorstoproject managers andprincipalagents, hasa responsibility to ensure that contractorsare fully compliantbefore appointment.” Procurementpractices remain aconcern in thesector.

AVRIL FILLIES

The football community from theCapeTownTygerberg LocalFootball Association wasshocked on thepassing of MogamatSalie Davids (58) from Holy CrossSoccerClub in Bellville on Friday 8May in May.

Davids wasa much-respected coach andover-50 player.Hepassedaway on the fieldinthe fixtureagainst Fish Hoek in Bellville Duetohis passing all fixtures of Holy Crosswerecancelledoverthe weekendtoattend hisfuneral in the Muslim TraditiononSaturday9 May. Davids,known as CoachSalie amongthe juniorsatHolyCross SoccerClub, wasa deeply respected member of thecluband thebroader football community.His humility, kindness andgenuine love forthe game left alasting impact on everyonewho hadthe privilegeofknowing him, particularly themanyyoung playershecoached andmentored throughthe years.

“The past threeyears he played for Holy Crosswhile coaching thejuniors. He hada heartattack just after half-timeand collapsed.There wasno medics on the fieldand membersof