People's Post Claremont/Rondebosch E-edition 19 May 2026

RedCrossmarks70th withburnpreventioncall

Afterthe storm... is notmerelyamoment

alterthe course of ordinary days

Butbeyondthe tragedythat makesheadlines lies thequieter aftermathsomanyfamiliesnow face

We oftenspeak aboutstorms as if they endwhenthe rain stops. Theskies clear. Roads reopen.Schoolsresume.

Official updatesassure us that life is graduallyreturning to normal Andinmanyways, it does Butbehindthose updates, in homesacrossthe affectedareas, anotherreality is unfolding. Because“afterthe storm” is not amoment. It is along, unequal processofrebuilding. Last week’s severe weatherleftits mark across theWestern Cape Families were displaced, homes were damagedand livesweredisrupted in ways that cannotbemeasuredbyweather reportsalone

In Wynberg, thestorm turned fatalwhenane-hailing passenger PhathiswaMkhunjulwalosther life aftera tree fell on thevehicle In Zwelethemba, Worcester, a life wasalsolost. Ourchildrenare traumatisedand will live to tell thetaleofwhattheyexperienced as thedisastertorethrough their community

It wasa devastatingreminderof howquickly severe weathercan

It is theaftermath that begins when emergencycrews leave. When the floodwaterdrains. When thetelevisioncameras move on.Whenthe work of rebuilding begins.Weoften measurerecovery by therestoration of systems. If roadsare clear, if powerisrestored andifschools areopen, we assume normalityhas returned Butsystems canrecover farmore quicklythanhouseholds. Aschool canreopenwhile alearner returns to ahomewitha leakingroof Aparentcan report forwork whilequietly calculatingthe cost of replacinga soaked mattress.

Aneighbourhood canappear functionalfromthe outsidewhile families inside arestill trying to salvageclothing, documentsand whatever pieces of normal life remain

This is wherethe true cost of a stormreveals itself.Not in dramaticheadlines.But in quietliving rooms. In damp blankets.Inthe uncertaintythatsettles long after thecloudshavepassed.

Butbehindthe official updates andreopenedroads,recoverydoes notarrive at everydoorstep at the same time.For many families,the

stormisnot over when therain stops.

Aroof is stillgone. Amattressis stilldamp. Achild is stilltryingto sleep in aroom that no longer feels secure

Andthe question that remains is adifficult one: canour people affordwhatcomes after?

Becauserecoveryisnot only aboutrepairing walls or clearing debris.Itisabout replacingwhat waslost.

Furniture. Clothing.Important documents. Asense of safety.For some,support comesquickly.For others,itcomes slowly.And for many,itmay notcomeatall.

That is theuncomfortable truth severe weathercontinues to expose.The rain mayfallacross thesameprovince, butrecoveryis rarely experiencedequally

Forsomehouseholds, insurance claims are filedand repairsbegin within days

Forothers, rebuilding depends on borrowedmoney,the generosity of neighbours or simply learning to live with thedamagefor longer than they should have to

This is whereinequalitybecomes visibleinits most practicalform. Notinstatistics. Notinpolicy statements

Butinwho canreplace what was lost,and whocannot. Thereisalso an emotionalcostthatoften goes

unseen.Childrenreturntoschool carryinguncertainty

Parentsattempttocreatecalm whilecarryingprivate anxieties aboutrepairs they cannotyet afford.

Teachers aretaskedwithrestoringroutine andstability forlearners, even whileknowing some are returningfromhomes stillmarked by disruption

This emotionallabourforms part of recovery too. Becauserecovery is notsimplyabout rebuilding structures It is aboutrebuildingstability Predictability.Security. Thethings that make ahomefeel like home

My heartiswithevery family across theWestern Cape now facing that difficult work

Thequiet,exhaustingtaskof beginning again. Oftenwithlimited resources. Oftenwithnoclear timeline forrelief. Andoften whilethe worldhas alreadymoved on.Thisiswhat happens afterthe storm. Notclosure.Not instantrecovery. Nota neat return to normal Butthe long,unevenprocess of rebuilding Untilrecoveryisexperienced more equally across ourcommunities,“normal”willremain somethingrestoredquickly for some andpainfully outofreach for others

Scores leftwithoutpower supply

NAMHLAMONAKALI

Back-to-backstormsonSunday10 andMonday11May left 97 streets across Ward 59 withoutelectricityfor up to four days,ashighwinds snappedoverheadcablesand halted repair work across suburbsincluding Newlands,Rondebosch, Claremontand Kenilworth

At thepeakofthe outages, 28 separate faults hadbeen recorded across theward, with streets in Newlands,Rondebosch, Sunnybrae Estate, Claremont, theKenmararea, UpperClaremont andKenilworthall affected.

Ward 59 councillorMikhail Manuel,who provided regularupdates to residentsina WhatsApp community groupseen by People’s Post,saidhighwinds initially forced repair teamstosuspend overhead cablework.

“Atpresent,the teamshavestopped doingall overhead cablerepairs duetohighwinds.They arefocusingtheir attentiononmakingsure anyfallenwires aren’t live,” Manuel stated on Monday evening.

Thesecondstorm preventedteams from carryingout meaningful repairsthe followingday “Yesterday’s focuswas giventoturning off poweronfallenoverheadcables, in an effortto make areassafe,”Manuelwrote thenextday, Tuesday.

SECONDSTORMPREVENTED TEAMSFROMDOING

daythree,and dayfourinsomeinstances,ofno power, whichissevere,”Manuelstated.

TRADERSCOUNTTHECOST

Informal traderssaidthe storms dealta heavy blow to theirlivelihood,compounding thepower outageswitha sharpdropinfoot traffic.

SheltonMorimo, whosells artworks near RondeboschCommon, said thedisruptionaffected farmorethanjustdaily sales.

“Trading dependsonfoot traffic. During the storms,peoplestayindoors, andweloseentire days of sales. It affects everything,frombuying materialstosupportingour families,” Morimo said

CITYRESPONDSACROSSTHEMETRO

Maycomemberfor energy XantheaLimberg said thescale of thestorm damage hadresulted in longer restorationtimes across themetro, with Ward 59 amongthe southern area’s worst affected.

TheCitylogged6 161electricity servicere-

Retiredlensman‘tofocusonfun’

AVRILFILLIES

Policeare depicted in movies and sometimesinreallifewiththeir finger on thetrigger when they burst into homesorofficestryingtodefusea crimescene.CaptPietSmit, aretired provincial photographer andprominent face across allWestern Cape police stations,prefers his finger on thetrigger triggerofa camera.

“I retiredafter 37 yearsthisyearatProvincial CorporateCommunication andLiaison after joiningthe police on 24 December 1986.I’ve seen andexperienced thebad,veryemotional anduglysideoflife. Nowisthe time to enjoy thegoodsideoflife,”hesays.

Thehighlightsofhis career were in 2015 when he wasawarded thewinnerofthe WesternCape

ashot

SMITHAS THE ABILITY TO TURN MOMENTSINTO MONUMENTS

Prestige AwardasAdministrativeEmployee of theYearand winning theNationalPrestige AwardasEmployeeofthe Year in 2016

“Mylovefor photographystarted in 1987 when Iperformed duties at the flying squadand dogunitinMaitlandwhere Itook sportand action pictures.I latertransitionedtoCorporate Communication andLiaison untilI retiredin Marchthisyear,”hesays.

At hisfarewellfunctionatCattleBaron on Friday27March hiscareer wasdescribed by Brig Novela Potelwa, police spokesperson,asone that offered himopportunitiesbeyondSouth Africa’s borders, travelling to severalcountries, whileshowcasinghis incredible talent

“His body of work canbedescribed as attractive andmasterful.Heleavesnot only as adecorated member butasa storytellerwho preservedthe historyofthe police throughhis lens,” shesaid.

During hiscareer of more than threedecades he captured photographsduringclandestine operations,surveillanceoperations, crimepreventionoperations, sports events on provincial, national andinternational levels.Hecaptured newsworthy events forinternaland external publications,and waspresent at drug,abalone and firearmseizures.

Hisother hobbies include fishing, diving and outdoor activities with hisfamily. Stillonhis bucket list is a fishingtriptoHentiesbaai,scuba diving in variouslocations,underwaterand wildlife photography.

Othercolleaguespresent at hisfarewelldescribedhis capturingofanimage as amoment in time that cannever be turned back.Soifyou missedit, it is gone forever.

Capt IanBennett, spokesperson forManenberg police,who sawSmitinactiononhis visits to theManenberg Precinct,saysthe photographer sees what others don’tsee andwhenthe camera clicks amomentiscaptured.

“Whatthe photographer sees throughhis lens, is the fleetingglance, thequiet sorroworthe unspoken joy. Smit hasthe abilitytoturnmomentsintomonuments andistestament that a memory wasmadevisible.May hisnew journey bringhim mirrorlessshutterspeed,ISO,aperture,clicksand aperfect picture,”hesays.

In hisfarewellspeechSmitthanked hiswife andtwo children fortheir support. He expressedgratitude forhis yearsinthe police service, saying it wasmorethanjusta work “Theywereabout people,experiences,growth

andmemoriesthatI will carry with me forthe rest of my life.One thingI have always believed is that discipline andrespect areamong the most importantvaluesinlife. Discipline keeps youfocused,groundedand committed, while respectshapeshow youtreat others,how you carry yourself,and howyou approach everyresponsibility entrustedtoyou.I have also always believed that wherever you find yourself,you should trytomakea meaningful contribution, no matterhow small, becausethatishow we make adifference,” Smit said He wasprivilegedtoworkwithdedicated colleagueswho throughthe yearsbecamefriends They shared busy days,difficult moments, deadlines, pressure andalsolaughsalong the way. Theseare thethingshe’ll remember most

RetreatECDroofseverelydamagedinstorm

KEANANHARMSE

School roofscollapsed andfences were damagedatPhilisa Abafazi Bethucentre, severely affecting servicesrenderedatthe facility

PhilisaAbafazi Bethu(Xhosafor “HealOur Women”), anon-profit organisation (NPO)withcentres in Retreatand Lavender Hill, offers shelterand comforttovictims of gender-based violence (GBV)and runs an earlychildhood development centre (ECD).

On Monday 11 May, theNPO was severely damagedinthe stormand is nowappealingfor donations.

TheNPO wasfounded in 2008 by LucindaEvans whoalsosupports victimsofGBV,domesticabuse and children throughsafehouses, legal/ counselling support andcommunity empowerment.

During thestorm,the school alarm wasactivated afterthe safehousegate andthe ECD’sroofblewaway, living thevictims vulnerable Evansrecalls

Thechildrenweresenthomebefore thestorm worsened,she adds

“The gate just flew open andthe alarmwentoff.I need weldersto come and fixthe gate as well as someonetoinspect themotor of thegate.

“The rail is completely broken.I also need 20 polesand 60 Vibracrete slabsto fixthe wall of thechildren’s warehouse.

“Weare worried aboutthe security,” shesaid.

So farPhilisa hasachievedthe halfwaymarkoftheir fundraising target whichisR30 000, to repair theirfence througha donation by the Rotary Club of Newlands

“The entire fencecaved in butwe

haven’treceivedany help yetwiththe gatesfor thesafehouse whichisstill a priority forus,”she said EarlierinMarch,Philisa celebrated thelaunchoftheir YoungMinds Academy(Pyma)and alarge part of this facility wasalsodamaged in the storm.

Largesteel sheetsthatformedpart of theceiling were flungintothe playground sectionofthe academy. Youngminds is an initiative that wasdeveloped througha collaboration between Pyma,the Rotary Club of Newlands andCoca-Cola Peninsula Beverages(“Pymaopens newECD in Retreat”, People’s Post,31March)

“Yoursupport will help us restore safety,rebuild security andcontinue offeringhope,”she said . Formoreinformation contact Evans on 073424 4665.

S Lookafter,andcheckyourhearing

NewheartforformerSA-bornWalesrugbyplayer

When Rhys Thomas (43) answered hisphone at 07:00a fewweeksago,hereceivedlife-changingnewsfromCapeTowncardiac surgeonDr WillieKoen. Therewas aheart availableto replacehis damagedone,and hislong-awaited transplant wouldtakeplace that morning. Previously aprofessional rugbyplayer, South AfricanbornThomasrosethrough theranks as atalentedproptoplayfor theWales national rugbyunion team.However,atjust29years old in 2012,his rugbycareer wascut shortafter he suffered amassive heartattack during training “You neverexpectthistohappentoyou,and then boom,ittakes youdown,”saysThomas. Despiteundergoingtwo heartsurgeries in the United Kingdom(UK), he wasleftwithendstageheart failure, physically ashadowofwhat he hadbeen as aprofessional sportsman. Later, doctorsinthe UK fitteda battery operated left ventricularassist device (LVAD) to help his

heartpumpblood around hisbody.

“Thisinterventionboughthim time,but not qualityoflife. Forsomeone wholived forsport, beingtetheredtobatteries andunabletoswim or shower normally is survival,not living,” commentsKoen.

In 2019,after yearsofharrowing battles with depression andaddictionfollowing thelossof hisprofession andidentity, compounded by his fragilephysicalcondition,his friendsrealised that Thomas needed urgent help to stop his self-destructive behaviour.

They intervened and flew himtothe Netcare AkesoStepping Stones in Cape Town,which offersin-patienttreatment forthe dual diagnosisofaddictionand underlying mental health conditions.Thomasdescribes hisstaythere as transformative,sayingithelpedhim getbackon theroadtorecovery.

Thomas hadlived in theUKfor 24 years.

“I wasonthe transplant list therefor eight years. Ihad alot of medicalcareinthe UK,but ultimately IlefttocomehometoSouth Africa becausethe UK doctorshad concerns around performing thetransplantsurgery andmy chancesofsurvivalafterwards. When I finally left theUK18monthsago,I hadtoleave my children there. My youngest is just 19 years old, so it wasnot adecisionI took lightly,”says Thomas Thomas nowlives in Cape Town permanently andhas founda newcareer workingasa breathwork practitioner

“I work with clientsinvarious ways,sometimesassistingthemthrough transformational momentsintheir livesand helpingthose who arelooking forchange. I’malso oneofthe co-foundersofSaunahaüs,a wellnessfacilityin Cape Town.”

Thomas’s health continuedtodeteriorate “I wasfeelingterrible. Iwas breathless, andI couldn’t walk very far. I’dbeen usingthe LVAD formanyyears,but towardsthe enditjustfelt very different. I’dhad afew issues with it over thelastyear, andI hadtogotohospitaltwice We knew themachine wasonits last legs “I then turned to Dr Koen forhelp. Ifeltthe time wasright andthathewas thedoctorto getmethrough thetransplantsurgery.Itwas a toughdecisiontogoahead with thetransplant, butI trustedmygut.”

Goingbacktothatmorning,Thomaswas alreadyatworkwhenthe call from Koen came “Hesaid, ‘Can youget to thehospitalby10:30?’ Iwas incredibly nervous, butexcited.I gotto thehospital, went fora shaveand shower,and spentthose last minutespraying andmeditatingwithmypartner,Kez Green.

“Mynextmemorywas waking up in thesurgicalICU twodayslater with my children around my bed. It wassospecial.Itwas my thirdopen heartsurgery,and Iknewthe transplant came with challenges.The wayI envisioned it was that if Iwokeupand sawmychildren, Iwould know Ihad made it.”

Thomas pays tributetoKoenand histeam at theNetcare Christiaan BarnardMemorial Hospital.“ThethingsDrKoendid during the surgerywereamazing.There wastwo inches of scar tissueinmychest cavity,and he managed to getthrough that.The team wasjustfantastic.”

Koen says thethick scar tissueinThomas’s chestfromhis previous surgeriespresented a unique challenge, butthe transplant hadbeen a success. “I wassotouched when Iheard about thedifficult journeyhehad walked to reachthis pointthatI felt compelledtohelphim.” Koen is concernedthatpatientsacross

SouthAfricaare dyingwhile waitingfor heart transplantsbecause of acriticalshortageof organdonors. He repeatedly sees this tragedy unfolding: “PeoplelikeRhys, whocould return to normal lives, working, raisingtheir children, contributing to theircommunities andtheir country, areinstead dyingonwaiting lists.”

Theshortagepersistsacrossall sectors. “It’s notjustabout resources; doctorshesitateto raiseorgan donation with grieving families Medicalteams arefocused on fighting to save livesinthe ICU(IntensiveCareUnit) and emergencydepartments,and when that battle is lost,navigatingculturalsensitivities around donation becomesanother challengeduringan alreadydevastating moment

“Asa country, we must thinkabout what we candoabout this.You must talk to your family if it is your wish to donate your organs.InSouth Africa,yourfamilymakes the finaldecision, and if they don’tknowyourwishes, people diewaiting. We need to normalisethese conversations. Onedonor cansaveseven lives, butonlyifyour family knowsthat’swhatyou wanted.Somany patients couldhavea chance forrealhopeif more donororganswereavailable,” he explains Thomas wantstohonourthe manwhose hearthereceived. “After theoperation,I was able to hold my oldheart in my hands. It wasa very emotionalexperience. Afterwards,I cried theentireday.Itwas arelease Ineeded,but also areckoning with what someonehad given me.” He joinsKoeninurgingSouth Africans to register as organdonors. “A stranger’s family, in theirdarkest moment,chose to save my life That generosity deserves to be honoured by living well.”

Speaking from hishome, Thomas said that although histimeinhospitalfeltlong, it was necessary preparationfor thechallenges ahead. “There’s agreat deal that needstohappen. I need alot of medication to stabilisemycondition andtogivemyselfthe best possiblechance of alonglifewiththisnew heart. I’mprepared forthat, andI’m lookingforward to taking things gently andslowly.”

He said he wasgoing forwalks of afew hundred metres each dayand wasfeelingwell. “Not only didmypartner,Kez,movehouse at sixmonthspregnantwhile Iwas in hospital,but she’sbeen my rock.She’s so supportive. Ihave such huge respectfor howshe’s held everything together.It’sbeen awhirlwind fewweeks, butI feel incredibly grateful andlucky.Havinga new heartfeelslikea dream; Ihavetopinch myself I’mgetting used to feelingmyheart beatingin my chest. Icouldn’thavedreamed of abetter outcome. At last,I feel like Ihavea futuretobe really excitedabout.”