People’s Post Claremont/Rondebosch E-edition 14 April 2026

14%decrease inWCape Easter road deaths

The WesternCaperecorded a14% decrease in road deaths over theEaster period,with19fatalitiescomparedto22lastyear.

Theprovincialgovernment attributes thedecline to increased visiblepolicingand stricter law enforcementacrossmajor routes

Trafficofficers stoppedand checked44555 vehicles andmade 149arrestsduringthe period.Of these, 108werefor drivingunder theinfluenceofalcohol

In a firm stance againstcorruption,two motoristswerearrested in Citrusdaland Worcesterfor allegedlyattemptingtobribe traffic officers

In aseparateincidentnear Laingsburg,a driver wasarrested forallegedly assaulting atraffic officer, drivingunder theinfluence, failingtoprovide hisnameand address, andresisting arrest

Nationally,Transport Minister BarbaraCreecyreporteda 10% decrease in road fatalities between Januaryand mid-March, indicatinga positive trendahead of the Easter period

FinalEasterroadstatisticsare yet to be released

Despitethe improvement, theWestern Cape Government remainsconcerned that pedestriansand passengerscontinueto accountfor most fatalities

WesternCapeMinisterof Mobility IsaacSilekusaidhe observed encouragingcompliance at roadblocks over theweekend, butwarnedthatserious offences persist.

“Thispastweekend, Ijoinedtrafficofficers at variousroadblocks

A36,1% DROP IN DUIALCOHOL ARRESTS

andwas encouraged by theoverall compliance from most motorists. However, therewerestill serious concerns,including driversgetting behind thewheel underthe influence,bribing andassaulting traffic officers,and allowing unlicensed driverstooperate minibustaxis carryingpassengers,”hesaid.

Sileku addedthatthe reduction in fatalities showsthatenforcement efforts arehavinganimpact.

“The decrease in fatalities is an encouragingresultand showsthat stronger enforcementbyour traffic officers andbetterbehaviour by road usersare making adifference

“Thisincludesa 36,1%dropin drivingunder theinfluenceofalcoholarrests, suggestingthatconstantvisible policing is effectively discouraging riskybehaviour.”

Atotal of 108motorists were arrested fordriving underthe influence, with thehighest alcohol readingrecordedinVredendal at 1,46 mg/l,morethan five timesthe legallimit

Trafficofficers also removed293 unroadworthy vehicles andidentified 1778 unlicensed vehicles

Adverseweather conditions on Good Friday,particularlyalong theN1and in Cape Town,did not disruptoperations.

Authoritiesalsouseddronesto monitorpedestrianmovementand public transportareas

However, nine pedestriansand sevenpassengerslosttheir lives,

with many incidentsinvolving pedestrianswalking on high-speed roads, oftenunder theinfluenceof alcohol.

Although totalarrestsdroppedby 29%, indicating some behavioural improvement, officialswarnthat speeding, reckless andnegligent driving, notwearing seatbelts, and drivingorwalking underthe influence remain majorrisks

ChiefDirectorofTrafficManagement Maxine Bezuidenhout urged road userstotakeresponsibility.

“Our high-visibilityapproach is working, butroadsafetyisa shared responsibility.Weurge residentsand visitors to wear seatbelts, neverdrink anddrive, avoidwalking whileintoxicated, andalwaysfollowthe rulesofthe road,” shesaid.

Thestruggletomaketellingthetruthsafe

underconditionsofanonymity

Awitness referredtoonlyas “Witness D” appeared before the commission underprotective arrangements

Thereisa familiar moment in SouthAfrica’spublichearings

-a witnessshiftsuneasily, pauses mid-sentence,and offersfragments insteadof certainty.

It is ofteninterpreted as evasiveness.

Butinmanycases,itreflects somethingmorecomplex

Thepressure of speaking in a system wheretruth cancarry consequencesfar beyond thehearing room

Parliamentaryinquiries andcommissionsofinquiry aredesignedto uncoverfacts

In principle, witnessesare grantedlegal protection fortheir testimony, ensuring that what is said in thesespacescannotbeused directly to prosecutethem.

In practice,thatprotectionis incomplete

Testimonymay be shielded in a narrowlegal sense, butits effects arenot contained.

What is said in acommitteeroom canstill triggerinvestigations, expose relationships, shiftpolitical attention, andrippleintoenvironmentsfar beyond Parliament

Therecentproceedings of the Madlanga Commission have again broughtthistension into focus, particularly throughevidencegiven

Theuse of anonymityisnot procedural detail

It is asignalthatdisclosure carries risk

It acknowledges acentral contradictionthattruth-telling in formal settingsisnot always aneutral act.

SouthAfricansoften assume that silenceorhesitationinsuch forums stemsfromfearofprosecution.But thereality is oftenmore layered.

Formanywitnesses, therisk extendsbeyondlegal exposure

It includes retaliation, reputational damage,and thedestabilisation of networks that once provided protection or influence.

In systemsshapedbypatronage, politicalcontestationand institutional overlap, thoserisks arenot theoretical. They arelived realities. This does notabsolve witnesses of responsibility to be truthful.Accountability dependsontestimony that is accurate,consistentand complete

Withoutit, oversightmechanismslosetheir effectiveness. Butitdoescomplicatethe assumption that fulldisclosureis simply amatterofwillingness. Thereisalsoa psychologicaland environmentaldimension that is frequently overlooked in public interpretation of testimony. Memory is nota fixedrecord.

It is shaped by stress, isolation, time andcircumstance.

Witnesseswho areincarcerated, underinvestigation,ortestifying from restrictiveconditionsmay experience real difficultyrecalling events with precision.

Yetpublicexpectation often assumesclarity,coherence and completeness.

This createsa gapbetween what is demanded andwhatisrealistically available.

Commissionsand parliamentary committees continue to rely on the principleoffulldisclosure.

Butthe environmentinwhich that disclosure is produced often undermines itscompleteness.

Theresultisnot necessarily deception. It is oftenfragmentation

This tensionsitsatthe heart of SouthAfrica’saccountability architecture

On onesideisthe expectation that public hearings will reveal the fulltruth of complexnetworksof wrongdoing

On theother is asystemthat cannotfully protectevery witness from theconsequencesofwhat they reveal

Even when legalprivilege applies, it does notextendtoall outcomes

Testimonycan stillguide investigations, shapemedia narratives, or shiftpolitical andlegal scrutiny onto individualsand institutions in ways that aredifficult to predictor contain.

This is whyinquiry processes oftenproduce partialnarratives

rather than complete accounts

Theissueisnot only whether witnessesare willing to speak. It is whetherthe conditions in which they speakallowfor fulland unguardedtestimony

If SouthAfricaisserious about strengtheningaccountability,it must confront this structural gap directly

Howare witnessesprotected beyond thehearing room? What safeguards existwhen testimonyintersectswithongoing investigations?

Andhow caninquiry processes balancetransparencywiththe real risksfaced by thosecalledto speak?

Thesequestions arenot abstract

They go to thecredibility of the country’soversight institutions

Untiltheyare addressed, commissionsand parliamentary inquirieswillcontinuetoproduce incomplete truths

Notbecause truthisabsent, or becausewitnessesare necessarily unwilling,but becausethe cost of fulldisclosureremains high in a system whereconsequencesare difficult to contain.

SouthAfrica’schallengeisnot alackoftestimony.Itisa framework that stillstruggles to make truth-telling safe enough to be complete

Untilthatchanges,the country will continue to hear fragmentsof truthinroomsdesignedtoproduce clarityand mistakethose fragmentsfor thewhole story.

Golf dayshinesthe light on gaps

NAMHLAMONAKALI

The Cape Mental Health CharitableGolfDay at Rondebosch Golf Club on Thursday 9April brought together 32 playerstoraise fundsand awarenessfor accessiblementalhealth services in thegreater Cape Town area.

Theevent featured eightfour-ball teamsand formed part of efforts to addresspersistentgaps in mental healthcare across SouthAfrica. Organisers highlightedthatone in four people in thecountry will requirementalhealthcareat some pointintheir lives, yetonlyone in 10 has access to adequate services

Barriersinclude affordability,stigma, limited informationabout mental health andchallenges relatedtoaccessibility

Cape Mental Health workstobridgethese gaps througha rangeofservices. Theseinclude free counselling,psychosocialrehabilitation support groups andcontinuousfollow-up care

Theorganisationalso provides social work home visits andoffersspecial educationand care services forchildrenwithintellectual disabilities

Additional programmesinclude skills training workshopsand learnershipopportunities for adults with intellectualdisabilities,aimed at promotingindependenceand social inclusion.

Theorganisationalso focusesoneducation andadvocacy, providingaccessible mental health informationand runninganAccess to Justiceprogramme

This initiative supportspersons with intellectual disabilities whorequire assistance when navigating thecourt system

Thegolfday is oneofCapeMentalHealth’s keyfundraising initiatives.

It is designed to combinesport with community engagement whilegeneratingfunds for ongoingprogrammes.

Sponsors included Agency 7, Rondebosch Golf Club,RGC Chiropractic Health Centre,Ama-

Residents in the southern suburbs areinvited to join acommunity knitting driveinClaremont, where volunteerswillcreateblankets for those in need

FROMPAGE1

homelessness” by FrancescaVisagé, examines theCity’slegal andinstitutional responsibilities in addressing homelessnessand howmunicipal frameworks respondtothe issue.

Together thestudies framehomelessnessasa complexissuerequiring coordinated, multi-sectoraland long-terminterventions

EXPERTRAISESGOVERNANCEANDPOLICYGAPS

Dr NobukhosiNgwenya,urban plannerand developmentpractitionerwhose research interest focusesoncommunity-led planning,of theUniversityofCapeTownsaidhomelessness in Cape Town persistedlargely duetounclear responsibility amongspheres of government, resultinginfragmentedand uncoordinated responses.

“Thisgovernancegap is closelytiedtothe question of whosebudgetthe response to homelessnessshouldcomefrom,”she said, adding that municipalities have oftenhad to take on responsibility throughsocial-development departmentsdespite homelessnessbeing amulti-sectoralissue.

Ngwenyasaidthe city’s approach hadalso been shaped by aconservativepolicyand bylawframework,including regulationsgoverningstreet-based activity

Shenoted such frameworks hadattimes criminalised homeless people,contributingto further marginalisationevenwhere amendmentshavebeen introduced

Whileshe describedthe City’s Street People Policy andthe 2024 Strategy to Reduce Rough Sleepingasimportant developments Ngwenya said implementation remained limitedby restrictiveshelter models

“Safespacesand shelters oftencamewith strict conditions that separate couples, exclude pets andimposerigid entryand exit times.”

Sheaddedthatthe biggest gapwas thelackof transitional housingbetween shelters andlongterm accommodation

“Oncepeopleleave shelters they areexpected to be fully independent, butmanycannot sustainprivate rentalsand endupbackonthe streets.”

Ngwenyaarguedthisreflecteda broadergap in both municipaland national housingpolicy, whichdoesnot adequately providepathways from temporaryaccommodation into stable, long-termhousing

U-TURNPROGRAMMEAPPROACH

U-turn Homeless Ministries says itsprogramme combines immediatesupport with structured rehabilitation,including therapeutic services,skills developmentand work readiness training

Theorganisationsaidabout 80%ofparticipants whocompleteits programme remain stably housed andemployed.

Chiefprogramme officerLisevan denDool said thefocus is on long-termchange.

“Whenyou providestability,rehabilitation andskills developmentpeopleare able to rebuildtheir lives,”she said “Weknowwhatworks,but we need theinvestment to scaleit.”

U-turn says itsClaremont ServiceCentre provides access to basicserviceswhile linking individualstolonger-term support

FUNDINGANDCLAIMS

U-turn hasalsohighlighted what it describes as thecostofongoing crisis management in addressing homelessness.

Theorganisationhas citedanestimated annual spendofR744million relatedtohomelessness in Cape Town

BUSINESSINVOLVEMENT

Theinitiativealsoincludesparticipation from business leaderswho saytheywanttounderstandthe realitiesfaced by people living on the streets.

ColinYoung,Chief ExecutiveOfficerofUrban Growth,saidhis companypreviouslysupported individualswho movedoff thestreetsand later joined thebusiness.

He said theexperienceshowedthe potential forlong-term impact when support is sustained

PUBLICPARTICIPATION

Membersofthe public canalsotakepartby purchasing virtualtickets andspendinga night outdoorswhile raisingawareness through social media.

Whilethe initiative focusesonawareness and fundraising,researchfromthe University of Cape Town andthe University of theWestern Cape,along with expert analysis,suggeststhat addressing homelessnessrequiressustained intervention,improvedcoordination andlongterm structural solutions.

LIVEDEXPERIENCE

BrandonManzoni,a former homeless person, says safety washis biggest dailyconcern while living on thestreets.

“You’reconstantlyworried aboutgetting robbedorassaulted. Findinga safe spaceto sleep wasthe biggest thing.”

He describeda dailystrugglefocused on survival, including findingfood,shelter andways to cope

“A typicalday wasjustgetting up and figuring outwhattodo, whereI wasgoing to eat, where Iwas goingtosleep andwhether that placewas safe.”

Manzonisaidhomelessnessisoften misunderstood

“Whenpeoplesee homeless people,all they seeisthe person there. They don’tsee thesuffering behind it.”

He addedthata lack of awarenessofsupport services kept himonthe streetslonger.

“I hadnoideaplaceslikeU-turnorother programmesexisted.I wastotally oblivious.”

Manzonisaidstrongersupport systemscould make asignificant difference

“Ifthere were more programmesand safe spaces,itwould change things hugely.A lotof thetime, Ijustneeded someonetotalkto.”

Getting energy using waste

AUniversity of Cape Town doctoral studyhas foundconfectionery wastecould be repurposed into bioenergy, supportingwaste reduction andrenewable energy goals.

Dr CarolNgwenya,who recently completed herPhD in Chemical Engineering, investigated whethercarbohydrate-rich confectionerywaste canbeusedfor bioenergyproductioninstead of beingsenttoa landfill.

Herresearchevaluated thefeasibility of producingbioethanol, biobutanol andbiogas usingdifferentmicrobial systems. The findings showed thesewaste streamscan be successfully convertedintoenergy, particularly when processesare optimisedand microbesare adapted to thesubstrate

WASTEASARESOURCE

Titled “The feasibilityofrenewablebioenergy production from carbohydrate-richwaste streams: confectionerywaste as acasestudy”, thestudy responds to growingcalls fora sustainable bio-basedeconomy in thecountry “Carbohydrate-rich wastestreams generated by food processing industries areoften discarded despitetheir high energy potential,”said Ngwenya.

Thestudy aligns with national strategies such as theWaste Research,Development and Innovation (RDI)Roadmap andthe Integrated Resource Plan

COMPARINGBIOENERGYPATHWAYS

Akey componentofthe research wascomparingdifferentbioenergy conversion routes using thesamewaste material

EVALUATEDTHEFEASIBILITY OFPRODUCINGBIOETHANOL, BIOBUTANOLANDBIOGAS

By analysingbioethanol, biobutanol and biogas production,Ngwenya identified how variousmicrobial systemsperform depending on thecomposition of thewaste stream

This approach provides guidance forindustriesand innovators when selectingsuitable waste-to-energytechnologies.

OPPORTUNITIESFORINDUSTRY

The findings highlightthe potentialfor entrepreneursinthe waste-to-energysectorto developpractical,scalablesolutions

Converting confectionerywaste into bioenergy couldreduceenvironmental pollution,improve wastemanagementand contribute to renewable energy generation

Here such technologies mayalsohelpdiversify energy supplywhile supportinga transition to a more resource-efficienteconomy

Ngwenyagraduated from UCT’sFaculty of Engineering& theBuilt Environmenton Monday 30 March.

PhDinChemical Engineering graduate,Dr CarolNgwenya, investigatedif wastecanbe usedforbioenergy

PHOTO:SUPPLIED

‘Werescue and rebuildlives’

‘Real changecomesfromaction’

NAMHLAMONAKALI

The Rotary Club of Newlands is helpingyoung people connect with theenvironment throughpractical learning experiences, whilecontinuingits support forcommunity projects across theMotherCity.

At ameetingheldonMonday30March at theCaptain’s Cabin, membersheard updates on ongoingworkinvulnerablecommunities, includingefforts linked to community activist LucindaEvans andher organisation PABin Lavender Hill.

Theorganisationcontinues to provideearly childhood developmentsupport andsafespaces forchildreninanareawhere many families face dailychallenges

Memberssaidthiskindoflong-term support remainscentral to theclub’s work

Theclubisalsofocused on giving young people real experiencesinlearning. Througha partnershipwithNatureConnect,learnersrecently took part in twomarine-basededucation programmes.

The firstprogramme took placeinNovember last year at theTwo Oceans Aquarium,where learners were introduced to oceanhabitats, marine life andresponsible seafood choices. Thesecond, on Saturday 7Februarythis year,gavelearnersthe chance to take part in a hands-on workshop andsnorkelling sessionat Millers Point.

Formany, it wastheir firsttimeseeing marine life up close.

Learners describedhow theexperience changedthe waytheysee theocean,shifting from somethingrecreationaltosomething that is part of everyday life andworth protecting Theclubsaidthese kindsofprojectsare importantbecause they give youngpeople confidence, knowledgeand exposure to possible futurecareers, especially in scienceand environmental fields

Flu shotsurged afterearly onset

DESIRÉERORKE

The public is urgedtovaccinate againstinfluenzaasthe fluseason hascommenced earlierthanusual, theNationalInstitute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) recently announced.

This year’s influenzaseasonbegan in the second week of March, with therespiratory syncytialvirus (RSV)seasonstartingsimultaneously. Theconcurrent onsetmeans clinicians couldpotentially seea high burden of patients with respiratoryillnessinmedical facilities in thecomingweeks.

“The fluseasonisdeclaredwhenthe rate from theNICDsentinelsurveillanceexceeds thedefinedlevel forthe season to startand is sustainedfor twoconsecutive weeks. While this year’s season hasstarted earlierthanin recent years, it is similartolastyear’s, when the season startedinthe week of 24 March,” says NICD spokesperson Vuyo Sabani

VACCINESAVAILABLEFROMAPRIL

Vaccinesare nowavailable at pharmacies for interested individuals.

“The earlystart to theseasonmeans that this year,the vaccine is only becoming availableas theseasonisgetting started, so membersof thepublicwho fall into groups at high risk for severe influenzaare urgedtoget theirvaccines as soon as possible,”saysSabani.

“Influenzavaccination is recommended to protectagainst infectionand severe illness. Ideally,the influenzavaccine should be administered priortothe startofthe influenza season as it takesabout twoweeksfor an adequateimmune response to developfollowing vaccination.” However, it is nottoo late to vaccinate once theseasonhas begun.

“High-risk groups includepregnantwomen, individualslivingwithHIV,those with chronic conditions such as diabetes,lungdisease, tuberculosis,heart disease, renaldisease, andobesity,older individualsabove 65,and children undertwo yearsold.These groups should seek medicalhelpearly if they develop respiratorysymptomswhich arenot resolving,” says Sabani

“RSV

IS THE LEADING CAUSEOFBRONCHIOLITIS AND LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACTINFECTIONSIN YOUNG CHILDREN”

—VuyoSabani

Thepublicisurged to vaccinateagainst influenzaas thefluseasonhas commenced earlierthan usual, the National InstituteofCommunicableDiseases (NICD)recentlyannounced. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

InfluenzaA (H3N2),A (H1N1) pdm09and influenzaB,accordingtothe NICD arecommon seasonal influenzastrains

“The majority of people with influenzapresent with mild illness, whichusually resolves within threetoseven days.However,influenzamay causesevereillness, leadingtohospitalisation or possiblydeath,especially amongstthose at risk,while RSVisthe leadingcause of bronchiolitis andlower respiratorytract infections in youngchildrenand canleadtosevereillness in infants. It is highly contagious,primarily spreadingthrough respiratorydroplets.”

CitybeginsEskomsplit

DESIRÉERORKE

Moving away from reliance on Eskom’srising electricitycosts,the City maybecomethe first municipality in SouthAfricatoprocure electricityatscale from licenced energy tradersand aggregatorsatbelow Eskomrates

Anew Energy Trader Tender aims to procure 500MWthrough PowerPurchaseAgreements (PPAs) spanning oneto10years from avariety of powergenerationtechnologies, including solar.

Accordingtothe City,itspendsapproximately 70%ofits tariff income to buybulkenergyfrom Eskom.

“Asbyfar thegreatestinput cost,itisvital to find meanstoreducethe impact of Eskom on electricitycosts andsubsequentconsumer tariffs.

“Thisisthe latest pioneeringstepweare takingtoprocure cleanand affordableenergyfrom theopenmarketand to reduce ourrelianceon Eskom’sveryexpensive power,”saysMayco member forenergy, XantheaLimberg

'AHEADOFTHECURVE'

“The City remainsahead of thecurve,adaptingtointernational best practicesand South Africa’s transitioningenergylandscape through amix of inhousesolutions andgreater private sector collaboration

“This500 MW tender is oneofmanynovel interventionsaligned to ourlandmarkenergy strategy,and implementedunder thefocused MayoralPriorityProgramme.” LimbergencouragesNersa-licencedenergy tradersand aggregatorstosubmittheir proposalsunder this tender as theCitylooks to acceleratepower procurementinthe open market at affordableprices.

PROCUREMENTPROGRAMME

“The City of Cape Town is the firstmunicipalitytolauncha procurementprogramme of this scaleand ambition,increasinglypositioning our City as an energy leader in theSouth African localgovernmentcommunity

“The tender also enablesthe City to participate in theSouth AfricanWholesale Electricity Market,asbidders mayprocure energy from SAWEM.

“Weinvitesubmissionstosupport ourgoals of reliable,affordableand carbon-neutral energy,” says Limberg.

Tender detailssay oneormultiplebidders will be selected as part of apanel,where asecondaryprocess will be followedfor submission of financialoffersbythe panel, subjecttooperational requirements

Work orderrequestswillbesenttothe panel, andofferswillberankedfromhighest to lowest Each PPA will be up to 10 years, with the first powerdeliverytobemadenomorethan36 months afterthe signing.

Bidders will then providepriceslower than theequivalentEskom Time-of-Usetariff,includingall relevant charges.

Only electricitytraders registered with theNational Energy RegulatorofSouth Africa (Nersa), or undergoing registration,shall be admitted to thepanel to ensure regulatory compliance andsafeguard both consumersand theCityin perpetuity

Thetenderermay also notprocure energy or powerfromthe City’s existing generating plant contracts, whichincludesexistingSmall-Scale EmbeddedGenerationplantsand remunerated at theexistingCityfeed-inrates;orthatispart of an existing tender process. Tendershaveuntil Wednesday13May to respond.

GoldAnchorplanforGrangerBay

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

CapeTown’smaritimeeconomy is setfor aboostwitha R230 million investment in anew Superyacht Marina at theV&A Waterfront, part of abroader precinct expansionthataims to strengthen thecity’spositioninthe global oceaneconomy

Themarina, expected to be completedin Octoberthisyear, will be locatedatone of theSouthernHemisphere’soldestworking harbours

V&AWaterfrontCEO Graham Wood said the projectrespondstoa growingdemandand adds that superyacht visits have grownsteadilysince 2009 “Wewelcomed35vessels in the2024-'25 season alone. Many stay forextendedperiods, sixmonths, sometimesa year,because Cape Town offersa unique mix: world-classtourism, reliable marine services andaccess to adventure cruising routes that simply don’texist in traditional yachting hubs.”

Themarinaforms part of awider precinct expansionthatincludesthe Cape Town EDITION, therefurbished InterContinental TableBay Cape Town andthe East Pier Helistop It is also expected to create jobs andeconomic activity across marine services,maintenance, provisioning andhospitality sectors, with adedicated conciergeoffice forvessels andcrew.

TRAFFICCONCERNS

People’s Post spoketothe Mouille PointRate-

WE WELCOMED 35 VESSELS IN THE 2024-’25 SEASON ALONE,SOME STAYING6 MONTHS OR LONGER

payers’Association(MPRA)toget theirinput on thedevelopments.

Jane Meyer, MPRA coordinator, said theassociation’sprimary concern, as with most new developments,isthe increase in trafficboth during construction andinthe long term

“The roadsinand around theprecinctremain thesamedespite thesignificant increase in people andtrafficcreated by thenew developments.”

TheMPRAisurgingthe City to exploresolutionstoeasetrafficcongestioninand around thearea.

“Completingthe unfinished highwaywould be oneway,asthiswould directly andpositively influencetrafficintoand outofthe V&Aand surrounding suburbs,”explained Meyer.

INDUSTRYSUPPORT

Wood said themarinawould servetwo purposes:hosting 40-90m superyachtsduring peak season andsupportingcommissioning andexportstaging forCapeTown’scatamaran manufacturingindustryinthe off-season.

AndreBlaine, Executive: Marine &Industrial Property at theV&A Waterfront,saidthe facility is more than aleisure marina

“Itcreates sustaineddemandfor fuelsuppliers, provisioning companies, marine engineers, crew training facilities andlogistics operators. It supportslocal manufacturerswho need berthingspace forcommissioning. Anditpositions Cape Town as acredibletechnical hub, notjust abeautiful harbour.”

Wood highlightedthe high-value tourism modellinkedtothe project.

“A superyacht visitgenerates exponentially more economic activity pervisitor than mass tourism.”

Blaine addedthatthe economic impact is significant.“They source freshprovisionsatscale They employ localmarinecontractors forrepair work.The spendissubstantial,the volume is manageable,and theeconomicbenefitstays local.”

ThemarinawillpursueGoldAnchoraccredi-

tation andinclude environmentalmanagement systemsaligned with theWaterfront’ssustainabilitycommitments

LANDRECLAMATION

Thepublicwas invitedtocomment on a proposed land reclamationproject in Granger Bayatthe V&AWaterfront, whichclosedon Wednesday18March

Theproposalinvolvesreclaiming3,81haof land:0,80hafor coastalprotectioninfrastructure,1,47hafor public spaces andamenities, and1,54hafor mixed-usedevelopment

Plannedfeaturesinclude water- andlandbasedpublicamenities,a coastalwalkway, landscaped promenade, tidalpools, pedestrian paths, open spaces,a slipwayand a fixed quayside

During construction thedevelopment is expected to create closeto27000 jobs over a 20-yearperiod.

In response to whetherresidents believethese benefits will be felt by surrounding communities,Meyer said shewelcomedthe jobopportunities theproject will bring. “Webelieve oursuburbwillbenefitinmanyways, such as increaseddemandfor property from renters andbuyerswanting to be closer to that area, thepotential forjobsand theprecinct’sgeneral multi-facetedofferings.Asfor theincreased work opportunities, thebenefits will be wider than just theimmediateneighbourhood.” Wood is settoengagewiththe residents during theMPRA’sannual generalmeetingon Thursday 14 May.

he nals take placea 6:00 on emai

Beyond competitions,manyofthose that

Lumenocityfestivalbrings Company’sGardentolight

TheCompany’s Garden in Cape Town was transformedintovibrant canvas of lightand soundfor theannual Lumenocity festival

Thefestival, whichtook placefromThursday 9toSunday12April,brought thegardens to life each eveningwithlarge-scale installations, projection mapping, andinteractive works that merged art, technology,and play inviting visitors to exploreart in anew way. Everypiece wascreated by SouthAfrican artists, designers, andstorytellers to create beautiful displays that illuminate thenight sky. Festivalgoersenjoyed live performances,interactiveexhibits, andfood from localvendors