People’s Post Claremont/Rondebosch E-edition 23 June 2026

CLAREMONT |RONDEBOSCH

Rondeboschresidents saytheywere neverinformedabout alarge-scale residentialdevelopment approved forthe Tannery Park site on Belmont Road,and aredemanding to know why they areonly findingout now.

Ross Demolition hasbeen workingalong BelmontRoad, tearingdownthe Tannery Park office complexbetween Main Road andLiesbeek Parkway.

No developernoticeboard hasbeenerected at thesiteand no public announcement hasbeen made aboutwhatisplanned, residentsclaim Formanyresidents,the firstsignthatsomethinghad changedwas thesight of excavators andthe soundofstructurescomingdown.

“Peopleare wonderingwhatthe intention is forthissite, as thereisnothing easy to find searchingonline,”saidKas Chandramohan, founderand co-ordinator of theRondebosch BelmontZonecommunity group.

“Normally,a developerwould erecta large notice boardadvertising theproposeddevelopment.There is currentlynosuchinformation

Mayorjoins Blisters call

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Withthe annual Blisters forBread less than two months away,organisersare appealingtoCapetonianstosignupbeforethe deadline on Sunday 2August.

Theiconiccharity fun walk which is organisedbyPeninsula School FeedingAssociation(PSFA)will take placeonSunday, 16 August,at theSea PointPromenade With only 10000 spotsavailable, walkersare encouraged to enter forjustR125, whichwillhelpfeed 23 children with breakfastand lunchfor aday.The fundraising eventhas been fighting childhood

hunger for58years.Itoffersa 5km or 10km route, with medals and refreshments forall participants

The10kmwalkwillstart at 07:30while the5 km walk starts at 08:00.

Entertainmentincludestop artists Paxton,StevenLee Lewis, and SketchyBongo,plusfood stalls and family activities

PetrinaPakoe,directorofPSFA, says theevent is atestament to theassociation’ssharedcommitment to ensuring that everychild receives nutritious mealsdaily “Hundred percentofthe entryfee that entrants paygoestowards the feedingofthe children within our schools. Iwould like to encourage

FUNWALK IS A FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE FOR FEEDING CHILDREN

each andeveryonetocomeout, bringthe family andfriends.It’s nota race;it’sa fun walk.Let us uniteagainst childhood hunger.”

MayorGeordin Hill-Lewis, who will be joiningthe walk,urged Capetonianstosupport thewalkand feed theneedychildren.

“Itishardtothink of amoredeservingcause than feedinghungry school children in ourcity, andI

look forwardtojoining thousands of Capetoniansinthe Blisters for Breadwalk.” Hill-Lewisencouragedfamilies andschoolstolaceupand support “thisworthycause”.

“There hasnever been abetter reason to lace up your running shoesfor a5 or 10km walk that will have aprofoundeffectonthe livesofmanyyoung Capetonians. TheCityofCapeTownisproud to support Blisters forBread,and we areverygrateful forthe wonderful work thePSFAdoesinour city and hasbeen doingfor many decades.” .To enter visitwww.psfa.org.za. Forenquiries,get in touch with Top Eventsatinfo@topevents.co.za

Cablewaytoshutdownforroutineservice

TheTable Mountain Aerial Cableway Company(TMACC) will temporarilysuspend operations at theiconicTable Mountain for an annual maintenanceperiod, from Monday 27 July to Sunday 9 August

Thetwo-week shutdown forms part of thecompany’s longstanding commitmenttosafety, reliabilityand world-classoperational standards.

TMACCsaidina statementthe closurewillallowits skilledtechnicalteamtocarry outa comprehensiveprogramme of scheduled inspections, mechanical upgrades, andessentialmaintenance work on therotarycable carsystem.

This annual processisa critical componentonthe company’s operationalcalendar, ensuring that allequipment,infrastructure, andsafetysystems arethoroughly assessedand serviced before abusy summerseasonlater in theyear.

TheTable Mountain Aerial Cableway,which firstopenedin 1929,remains oneofSouth Africa’s most visitedtourist attractions,

welcomingthousands of localand internationalvisitorsannually

Therotarycable cars,which offer 360-degree viewsduringthe ascent anddescent,are subjecttorigorous internationalsafetyprotocols makingannual maintenancenot only routinebut essential.

TMACCsaidalternative ways to experience TableMountain, includingseveral well-maintained hiking trails,willremainaccessibletothe public throughout themaintenance period,weather permitting Forthose celebratingbirthdays in July or August,the TMACC hasconfirmed that thetimingof theclosure will stillallowsufficienttimewithinbothmonthsto redeem acomplimentary birthday return ticket

Visitors areadvised to check theofficial websitefor termsand conditions relating to thebirthday ticket offer

Book ticketsinadvance through theofficial TableMountainAerial Cableway websitetosecureyour spot

FeesMustFall:Manywereborn-free.Nonefeltit

ingfor acommunity newspaper, readingnewsfor acommunity radiostation when Fees Must Fall arrivedatits peak

In 20 years’ time,the same memorandum we carried to the apartheidgovernmentwillbe carried to us.”

On 16 June 1976 twelve-yearoldHectorPieterson was shot by apartheidpoliceon thestreetsofOrlando West, Soweto.

SamNzima’s photograph captured what followed: Hector’s body cradledinthe arms of Mbuyisa Makhubo, hissisterAntoinette Sitholerunning alongside, her mouthopenina scream that has neverreally stopped. Approximately 566learnerswerekilled. Notyet oldenoughtovote, to ownproperty, to move freely throughthe countryoftheir birth. Buttheyunderstood,withextraordinary clarity, that thesystem shapingtheir liveswas wrong, and that silencewas no longer aform of survival

Politics were notforeign in my home.I grew up sitting at my grandmother’sfeet,listening to her describe an eraI hadnot livedbut somehowalready felt.She sang the strugglesongs andI wouldchant along, understandingthe weight Historywas nothandedtomeina classroom.Itlived in hervoice Icarried that into journalism, arriving at Cape PeninsulaUniversity of Technology (CPUT) doinga shortcourseatthe time,freelanc-

Idocumentedand interviewed studentactivists thesameage as thechildrenof1976. Many were born-free. None felt it

This YouthDay,watchingNetflix’s documentary TheTrialsof WinnieMandela,which airedin April, Ifound myself pulledback into that conversation

Born-freecarries both promise andparadox

We were supposedtobethe dividend of sacrifice made flesh. Instead, many of us inheritedthe debt of unfinished business.

Thedocumentary streamsinto over 190countries on an American platform

SouthAfrican memory now reachessubscribers whohave neverheard of Brandfort. Who tells thestory andfor whom is notseparatefromthe story. But beneaththe production,publisher Palesa Morodu raises thequestion threadingthe series:how do we hold political figuresaccountable whileacknowledging theviolence andpressure of thesystems they operated within?

Onemomentstoppedme. Winnie recalls telling Tata Nelson Mandela during thetransition: “I begged tata andtoldhim this is adummy freedom we aregivingtothe people

Thestudentsof1976alsocarried amemorandum. Shot at for demandingdignity in theirown language,their ownschools, their owncountry

Half acentury later, youngSouth Africans arestill marching.Still writingmemorandums.Still being told to wait

Before shebecamethe symbol the documentaryexamines, Winnie Madikizela wasa social worker,the firstqualified Blackmedical social worker at BaragwanathHospitalin Soweto.She encounteredapartheid notasideologybut as case files. As mothers. As children shaped by a system that haddecided what they were worth.

Thedocumentary holdsher resilience andher ruptureinthe same frame, anddoesnot look away from theTruth andReconciliation Commission (TRC)hearings of 1997

ThelateArchbishopDesmond Tutu addressedher:“Ibeg you, Ibeg you, Ibeg youplease. You area greatpersonand youdon’t know howyourgreatness wouldbe enhanced if youweretosay sorry, things went wrong, forgiveme.”

Herresponsewas partial: “I am saying it is true,thingswenthorriblywrong.” Yearslater shesaid: “Tothisday Iask Godtoforgive

me fornot forgivinghim.I wasn’t goingtosay sorry as if Ihad been responsiblefor apartheid.”

Thedocumentary does notresolvethis. It exposesthe question underneath what does accountabilitylook like fora person shaped by extraordinaryviolence, inside systems designed to breakher?That does notexcuse. It contextualises Thereisa difference ourpublic discourserarelymakes room for. Shewas notwithout flaws. But shewas notreducible to them.She was, in herown words, “a product of themassesofmycountry and theproduct of my enemy”.Not a villain.Not asaint.A productof environmentshapedbyapartheid violence,liberationstruggleand gendered scrutiny On YouthDay,thisiswhatwe owethe generation of 1976.Not candlelightvigils. Honestyabout whetherthe countrytheygave theirlives to buildhas been built, andrealreckoning with whyso many youngSouth Africans remain locked outofthe economy, the politicalprocess anda dignified future.

What happens to thewarnings carried by theyoung?

What happens to womenwho refusetobesoftened?

Andwhatdoesitsay aboutour democracyifitstill struggles to answer thechildrenwho marched into bullets,askingsimplytobe free?

FROMPAGE1

This wasthe only informationresidents said they could find that raised thealarm “Ifthisisa 681-unit apartmentbuilding, then thereisdefinitely aneed forthe current Rondeboschownerstobereassuredthatthe City of Cape Town hasensured that thedevelopment will notresultinadditional problems within ourarea,”Chandramohansaid.

People’s Post couldnot independentlyconfirm whetherRawsonPropertyGroup remains thedeveloper or whetherthe 681-unit figure reflects thecurrent proposal.The Grouphad notresponded to amedia enquiryatthe time of publication.

'THELASTTHINGTHISAREACANHANDLE'

Theuncertainty hasfrustratedresidents across theneighbourhood,severalofwhom came forwardtoshare theirconcerns.

Colleen Knox,chair of Rudson Park,saidshe hadreceivednowarning of either thedemolition or what wasplannedfor thesite. “Tomyknowledge we were notformally notified or consulted. The firstI heardofit waswhenI drovepastand sawthe demolition happening,” Knox explained. “I can’tspeak for allour residents, butthe last thingthisarea canhandleismoreresidential blocks andmore traffic. It’s alreadyverybad here in themornings,and over summerweoften have no water on theupperlevelsofour building.Nearby blocks aresufferingfromthe same issue, so much so that they installeda waterpressure metertodocumentthe dropsinpressure.” Knox said aCityofficial hadtoldresidents that supplywas beingreduced to protectageing pipes. “The city is throttlingour waterpressure andsupplytoavoid burstpipes becausethe existing infrastructure is old. So if it can’thandlewhat’salready built, I’mnot sure whymore developmentisbeing allowed,”she said Sharon Rust,manager of GrosvenorSquare retirement facility afew blocks from thesite, said thedemolitionhad come withoutany prior communication “Wewerenot advisedofthe developmentor demolition at anystage.The noiselevel has been quitedisturbing, particularly as we did notknowwhatwas taking place,”Rustsaid.

“Thisisa relatively peaceful neighbourhood with anumberofold agehomes in thearea.”

Rust said trafficwas alreadya pressing concern. “There is alreadychaos with allthe schoolsinthe area.Trafficmanagementis goingtobea nightmare. Developers need to understand that elderlyresidents areparticularlysensitive to disruption of this nature,” she said Margriet Wienand, whohas livedinthe Rondebosch area for27years,saidyears of developmenthad alreadystretched thesuburb’s capacity

“Infrastructureisalready strained,trafficis diabolical.I seethe need forstudent housing, buthow arewegoing to accommodate these units? This is an immensedevelopment,” she said.“Thereshouldbea meetingwithcityofficialsand developers.Wehaven’t been consulted.Nomeetingwhatsoever. Ihad to find out viaGoogle what’s happening.”

Chandramohan said theconcernspointed to a widergap in howdevelopment decisionsreach thepeoplemostaffected.

“Our concernisthata developmentcan meet building andzoningrequirementswhile the cumulative impact on localservicesisnot fully considered,” shesaid. “Wealready experience trafficcongestionfromMainRoadtoLiesbeek Parkwayduringpeakperiods,and watersupply issues aremostnoticeableduringtimes of high demand.”

Shesaidher concernwas notwithdevelopment itself.“Idonot object to development on this site.Ithas been used forindustrial andbusinesspurposesfor many years, from Mossop’sTannery throughtoTannery Park My concerniswhether theimpactonsurroundingpropertiesand localinfrastructurehas been adequately assessedaspartofthe approval process,”Chandramohansaid.

COUNCILLORRAISESINFRASTRUCTUREALARM

Ward 59 councillorMikhail Manuel hasindicatedheispreparedtopushfor development approvalsinRondeboschtobepausedifwater infrastructure cannothandlethe additional demand In amessage to theRondeboschBelmont Zone WhatsApp groupinDecemberlastyear,

Manuel said he hadraisedthe issuewithsenior City officials.

“I’vepassedonthisnotetothe senior officials as well, andmadea specialpoint that water officialsneed to give accurate commentson thebuildingdevelopment applications if the pipescan’t handle additional pressure without bursting,” Manuel said He pointedtoa precedentelsewhereinthe city.“In theMilnerton area,development approvalshavebeen paused untilthe Potsdamwaste watertreatment plantupgrade is complete.Ifour waterpipes infrastructure can’thandlethe additional pressure,thenI will gladly push fora similarapproach forthe Rondebosch area,” he said Addressing hisDecemberstatement about pushingfor adevelopment pause, Manuel said Rondebosch wasnot in thesamepositionas Milnerton.

“IfRondeboschfaced thesamecapacityconstraints,I wouldgladlyargue forsimilar conditions, as thecaseinMilnerton,tobeplacedon developmentapplications. However, Rondeboschdoesnot face thesameconstraints,” he said

THECITYRESPONDS

EddieAndrews,the City’s deputy mayorand Maycomemberfor spatialplanning andenvironment, confirmed that adevelopment application forthe Tannery Park site wasapproved in August 2023,witha finalnotification letter issued in October2023.

Andrewssaidthe approved developmentis not681 units, as residentshad feared,but 505 dwelling unitscomprising458 studio units, 38 one-bedroom units, sixtwo-bedroom unitsand threethree-bedroomunits alongwithshops, restaurants, andancillary workspaces.The applicationinvolvedrezoningthe property and anumberofdeparturesfromthe Development Management Scheme relating to parking, building height,coverage, and floor space. Councilapprovalwas also required because thesitefalls within aHeritageProtect Overlay Zone

Ademolitionpermitwas issued by theDevelopment Management Department on Wednesday18March,Andrews said On thequestionofpublicparticipation,

Andrewssaidthe applicationwas advertised in February andMarch 2022. “One letterof conditionalnoobjection andtwo objections were received.The applicationwas advertised in themedia,bynotices to neighbours,tothe civicorganisationand by meansofanon-site notice,” he said Andrewssaidinfrastructurecapacitywas considered as part of the2023approval.A developmentchargeofR11 232531,58in2022 values,subject to annual escalation is payable by thedeveloper forbulkservicesupgrades. Thedeveloper is also required,atits owncost, to realignStation Road,convert aone-way section to two-way, upgradethe StationRoadand QueensRoadintersections with BelmontRoad to left-in, left-out,and improvethe Liesbeek Parkwayand BelmontRoadintersectionwith dedicatedleft-turn lanes.

Andrewsconfirmed that asubsequent applicationhas been submittedtoamend the approved developmentproposing to change the land usefrom flatstoa boarding house, with an amendeddevelopment design.Nodecisionhas been made on that application.

He said theCity’sRondeboschMainRoad revitalisation plan is unrelatedtothe Tannery Park development. “The applicationwas approved in 2023,longbeforethe Rondebosch Main Road revitalisation plan wasproposed,” Andrewssaid.

TheCity’sresponseanswers severalofthe questionsresidents raised,but leaves others open People’s Post is pursuing thefollowing: Whetherresidents in theimmediateareareceived theneighbour notification theCitysays wassentin2022, andwhy so fewresponses were received;

WhetherRawsonPropertyGroup is stillthe developer; What thepending amendmenttochangethe approved flatstoa boarding housemeans for theproject andfor thesurrounding neighbourhood; Whetherthe infrastructure conditions imposedin2023are sufficientinlight of residents’ ongoingwater pressure complaints People’s Post will update this report as information becomesavailable

Claremont bus station progress

The City of Cape Town says constructionofthe newMyCiTibus stationinClaremont is progressingwell, with theinstallationof583 concrete pilesnow complete eight months afterthe site washandedover to contractors.

Accordingtothe City,the pilesformthe foundation on whichthe stationbuilding, andany futuredevelopment aboveit, will be supported Thenew stationisbeing builtonClaremont Boulevard, between HawthorneRoadand NewryStreet.

Construction teamsare nowcapping the pilesand have begunconcretecasting for lifts, stairwells andcolumns on theground floor,accordingtothe City

“Teams arebusycapping the583 massive concrete pilesthatformthe stationfoundation,and have startedconcretecasting forthe lifts, stairwells andcolumns on the ground floorB,” said RobQuintas,Mayco member forurban mobility

DESIGNED TO GROW UPWARDS

TheCitysaysthatoncethe stationisoperational,commuters in Claremontwillhaveaccess to five different public transportoptions within a120-metre footprint: MyCiTi,Golden ArrowBus Service(Gabs), theUniversityof Cape Town (UCT)shuttle, rail services from theClaremont railwaystation,and theminibus-taxi facility in RalphStreet

GREENFEATURES PLANNED

Quintassaidthe investment extendsbeyond thestation,withupgradesalsoplannedfor roadsinthe immediatearea, includingClaremont Boulevard, theStanhopeBridge, Imam HaronRoadand PalmyraRoad.

“I also want to sincerelythank thelocal community andresidents fortheir ongoing

THE NEXT CHALLENGE WILL BE THE INSTALLATION OF A STORMWATER PIPE

support andpatience,”saidQuintas TheCitysaysthe stationshouldbeoperationalbyMarch 2028,ifconstruction proceedsaccordingtoplan.

TheClaremont ImprovementDistrictsays it hasbeen engaging localbusinessesand workingwiththe City to manage thedisruption caused by theconstruction, acknowledgingthatpedestriantrafficalong Claremont Boulevardhas been themostaffected

AbdulKerbelker,Executive Managerofthe ClaremontImprovement District Company (CIDC),saidthe organisation hasrun public awarenesscampaigns andengaged directly with contractorstoimprove signagewhere sidewalkshavebeen closed

“Itisfrustrating,but we work with theCity to mitigate difficultiesduringthe construction phase, particularly around trafficand congestion

“Pedestriantrafficalong theBoulevard is most affected,and we have done public awarenessworkand engagedwithcontractors around signagetomakepedestrians awareofclosedsidewalks,” said Kerbelker.

He said theCIDCfirmlysupportsthe City’s vision forresidential developmentand air rights abovethe newstation

“Thisisplanning fora more densefuture, with residentialopportunitiesinthe centre of Claremont.

“Aninvestmentofthisscale landingin Claremontcan only attractfurther public and privateinvestment.

“The vision is amorewalkable, saferspace, enhanced by public transportinvestment,” said Kerbelker.

RestoringurbancanopyafterPSHB

NAMHLAMONAKALI

Wynberg residentsturned outtoplant 15 newtrees in Maynardville Park on Tuesday, 16 June,inresponse to theongoing environmental threat posedbythe Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer(PSHB)Bettle.

In thepastfew months,the park has encountereda PSHB Bettleinfestation.Twelveofits historic English Oaks have hadtoberemoved after falling victim to thePSHBBeetle, an invasive speciesthathas been spreadingthrough theWestern Cape's tree population with devastatingeffect. Thereisnotreatment.Oncea tree is infected,itcomes down

Last week's eventwas organised by theFriends of Maynardville Park (FOMP),a community groupset up to protectand improvethe park,in partnershipwiththe City of Cape Town's recreation andparks department

Workingthrough theCity'sAdopta-Tree Programme,volunteershelped plant15indigenousreplacement trees underthe guidance of trainedparks staff.Natasha Franchitti,founding member of FOMP,saidthe turnout hadexceeded expectations."It was lovely to seesomanyfamiliescoming together,young andold,tohelpplant trees," shesaid. "Itwas areally fun morning filledwithlaughteraswe allworkedtogethertoplant forthe future of ourpark." Children worked alongsideparents andgrandparents, many of them long-timeparkusers whohave watchedthe EnglishOaksdisappear Forsomeofthe youngervolunteers,

VOLUNTEERSHELPED PLANT 15 INDIGENOUS

it wastheir firstexperienceplanting atree.

Park management representative LuyandaMjuleni andher team from therecreationand parksdepartment were on hand throughout,guiding volunteers. TheWynberg Rotary Club,Four& Twenty Café andBOS Teakeptvolunteersgoing with refreshments.Thatthe eventfellon YouthDay was, forFranchitti,entirely appropriate. "The trees plantedon Tuesdaywilltakedecades to reach fullheight; thechildrenwho dug them in will grow up alongsidethem" shesaid.

Maynardville Park hasmorework aheadofit. FOMP is fundraising

to repair andupgrade thepark's ablution facilities,which areinpoor condition, andisdevelopingplans for heritage andeducational information boards.Regular community clean-up days arealsobeing planned. Thegroup will continue to work with theCityonimproving thepark's accessibility,safetyand long-term sustainability and, if Saturday's turnoutisany indication,itwillnot be shortofwilling handswhenthe next projectcomes around .Residents who want to getinvolved, volunteer or makeadonation can e-mail friends@friendsofmaynardvillepark.org.za or follow FOMP on Instagram.

S Youngster a‘newsymbolofhope’

SevenSteps learners getsafetransport after busgift

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Learners at SevenSteps Academy forthe Deaf in Zonnebloemwillnow travel to school safely andcomfortably afterthe school received abus

donation valued at R1,4 million, replacingthe school's oldbus

Thevehicle wasdonated by the SouthAfrican Muslim Charitable Trust(SAMCT),a non-profitorgan-

isationthatprovidesfunding assets, services andother resourcestoapproved public benefitorganisations

SevenSteps is theonlyoralacademic combined school forDeaflearners in Cape Town

Faried Boltman, an SAMCTrepresentative, said afterlearningthat learners facedsignificant barriers becauseofunsafe, unreliable,orunaffordabletransport,the organisation decidedtointervene

"The logisticscrisisatSeven Steps Academyfor theDeafdirectlyundermined thepropereducation and overallwell-beingofits learners

"We, at theSAMCT,believe that a newand dedicatedbus wouldoffer safe,accessibletransport,drastically improvepunctuality andattendance, whilst also relieving financialpressure on thefamiliesoflearnershere."

Marina Paioni,actingdeputy principalatthe academy, said atotal of 112 learners from variousareas around Cape Town areregisteredat theschool.

Selfcareunderthespotlight

Michael-Daniel Bam(17), former Junior MayorofCapeTown, handed out14soccerkitsfor u-7girls in Heideveldaspartofhis contribution in celebratingYouth DayonTuesday 16 June

In hisspeechhetoldthe kids their future is importantand begins now, andwithhis foundation he wantsto walk theroadwiththem.

He wasone of theyouth Manenberg police used to create positive role models forthe currentyouth.He emphasised that self care forboth girlsand boys should be part of their dailylives,because if youfeel good, youwilldogood

“These youngsoccerstars canstand with prideonthe fieldofplaybecause Cape Town’s youthmatters.The resilience of theyouth of Manenbergis also showninthe social mediavideo of TyriqueDavidsfromManenberg

High,doing hishomeworkonthe street corner of Peta Court, andwho is giving newmeaning to sitting on a street corner

“His sitting on thestreet corner captured theattentionofa community worker.Sitting on street corners hasalwaysbeen synonymous with badthings, buttoday ayoung man captured theheartsand mind of the community of Manenberg, by giving a newmeaning of hope andrespect for sitting on astreetcorner,”hesays.

BamsaysTyrique wassurrounded by agroup of youngsters andwere studying forexams,withtheir school booksopeninfront of them.Heis contributing towardsthe changing thefaceofManenberg andisan exampletoall matriculants at schools in thearea.

“Every youngpersonhas dreams andchallengesasobstacles that make things seem difficult.Thisyoung-

ster,unknowingly,changed theway people seethings. Hisdream is to earn enough moneytoprovide forhis siblings,ashis momand dadare no longer together,and he hastotake care of them.His dreamistostart his ownbusinesswhenhe finishes school andwillneed allthe assistance he can get,”Bam says With thehelpofothers, thecommunity canhelpTyrique’s vision of athrivingbusinesswitha lucrative turnover,becominga reality.

Capt IanBennett, spokesperson for Manenbergpolice, says Cape Town’ youthiscelebratedonYouth Dayand it starts here in Manenberg. He says thepolicestation will ensure that changing thefaceofManenberg will startbycelebrating theyouth,right here andright now, in Manenberg. . Formoreinformation on howto help Tyrique youcan contact Manenbergpoliceon021 6999400

"Mostofour learners must travel to school usingpublictransport.Becausetheycan't hear,theywearhearingdevices.Someofthemhavebeen muggedbecause muggers mistake theirhearing devicesfor earphones."

Shesaidthe 46-seaterbus is a welcomerelieffor theschool,astheir previous buswas frequently unreliable

"Thisbus is alifesaver.Now we have access to reliable transportfor ourlearnerstoand from school."

Paioni said most learners come from disadvantagedbackgrounds and that theschool continuestostruggle with alackoffunding

"Weare so appreciative to the SAMCTfor this generous donation Fundingissoimportant forschools butyet noteasytoget.Weare grateful that they (Trust)chose us."

Boltmansaidthe school does amazingwork, encouragingthe learners to be independentand to developa senseofresponsibilityfor themselves andrespect forothersinthe environ-

ment

"Itstrives to ensure learners here successfully acquireskills of learning andcommunication andenjoy experiencesthathavethe effectofexpandingtheir critical thoughtprocesses andallowfor asense of appreciation of theworld around them."

He addedthatthe academyisdedicatedtothe protection andeducation of itsdeaflearnersand,therefore, safe transporthad remained an "insurmountable challenge"

"Webelieve this reliable newschool buswillprovide safe andaccessible transportfor deaf learners,especially thosefromouter lyingorhigh-risk areas, improvingattendance and punctualitylevels.

“Weare confident that ourgesture will contribute towardsthe keyprincipleofpromoting equity anddignity, ensuring that everychild,regardless of socio-economic background,has improved access to aquality and inclusiveeducation," concluded Boltman.

TearsopensWhatsApp vetshop

Club knitsfor cancer survivors

NAMHLAMONAKALI

The LionsClubofTokai has donated40handmade breast prostheses to the Breast Clinic at GrooteSchuur Hospital,a projectthe club says is deeply personal,having lost oneofits ownmembers to breast cancer in 2021

Theprostheses, knownasKnitted Knockers,are handmade from naturalmaterials anddesignedtobesoft, lightweightand comfortableenough to wear in aregular bra. They are intended as an affordablealternative forwomen whohaveundergone mastectomies or lumpectomies and cannotaccess traditionalsilicone prostheses Club spokesperson Mark Roussouw said theinitiativegavemembers a meaningful waytorespond to areal need “Wewereinspiredbythe projectas it provided us with an opportunityto assist womenwho hada mastectomy or lumpectomy,withanaffordable prosthesis that is more practicalthan asiliconeone,” said Roussouw

Theproject came together aftera friend of theclubdonated asupply of KnittedKnocker kits,accordingto Roussouw.The club hadoriginally plannedtomakeits firstdonationin Octoberlastyear, to coincide with Breast Cancer AwarenessMonth,but theknitting processprovedfar more

INTENDEDASANAFFORDABLEALTERNATIVE FORWOMENWHOHADMASTECTOMIESOR LUMPECTOMIES

challengingthananticipated

“The knitting of theitemproved alot more cumbersome than we envisaged. Outofall theknitters we consulted, only club member Mchele Smithended up doingthe knitting as

it is notaneasything to knit,” Roussouw explained. Smith’sefforts produced approximately60Knockers. The first40 were handed over to theBreastClinic at Groote Schuur Hospital on Tues-

day, 9June, with theremaining 20 to be distributedinOctober as part of theBreastCancerAwareness Month. Jill Rumbelow arranged personalised labels foreachprosthesis, and club member Lynette Davids joined thehandoveratthe clinic Roussouw said theclubhopes to continue theproject beyond October, butthatthiswilldependonsecuring funding to purchase more kits “Wewillwelcome anydonations as well as anydonor or sponsorwho wouldliketopartner with us to instil theproject as a flagship club project,” he said

SchotscheKloofflatresidentslamenttheirwaterwoes

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

TheCityofCapeTownand the SchotscheKloof Body Corporateheld ameetingonWednesday,17June, to resolvethe growingwater woes at the SchotscheKloof flats, betterknown as the191-unitsectional titlescheme.

Accordingtoreports,someresidentshavereportedlybeen without running waterfor thelastmonth after themunicipalityrestrictedsupplyto thebuilding’sbulkwater meters due to unpaid debts.

Accordingtothe City,the Schotsche Kloof Body Corporate’soverdue debt currently stands at R17million,with an averageR170000 monthlybilland only R50000 totalpaidtodatethis year

In apress statement, theCityannouncedthatwater supplyhad been restricted in lightofthe “unsustainable accumulating debt,non-payment”and thebodycorporate “not honouringpayment agreements”. Standpipes,inclose proximityto fire hydrants andresidential units have been installedtoensureeach blockhas access to water, theCity stated “The body corporatehas repeatedly made falseundertakingstothe City andhas notcollected or paid over monthlywater bills from unit-holders forunclear reasons.

“The body corporatefurther neglectedtoprovide promised information to register pensionerand

indigent beneficiaries, with theCity proceedingtogodoor-to-door to ensure allwereregistered,”readthe statement.

ButaccordingtoAboebakar Diedericks,one of thetrustees of thebody corporate, they have been in backand-forthmeetings with theCityfor severalyears

Diedericks claimedthatthe City had sold theunits to residentsona bulk watermeteringsystem.

He said the191 flatsonlyhave16 watermeters.

“Itisdifficult fora body corporate to switch off thewater of defaulters, becausetheymakeuse of abulk watermeteringsystem. Andthe majority of tenants, of whichmost arepensioners, arepayingtheir water andlevies.”

Diedericks claimedthe debt has ballooned to R17million largelydue to accumulatedinterest.

Butitisresidents whocontinueto bear thebrunt Oneresident, whowishedtoremain

anonymous, said nothavingwater is a“majorinconvenience”.

“I am nearingmy80s,and Ilive alone. HowmustI walk to thetap andcarry thewater.Somehouseholdsstill have that oldpullchainsin thetoiletand forthatyou need water. Iamsofrustratedand Idon’t know what to do.”

Theresidenturged thebodycorporate to reachout to residents, who areinarrears, forthe mattertobe addressed.

Anotherresident, whoonlyintroducedhimself as Aziz,saidhehas been living in the flatsfor thelast75 years.

“Itisstipulatedinthe Constitution that waterisa basichuman right. If ourwater gets cutoff,thenwemust walk adistancetothe outsidetap “Thenwealsohavetocarry these heavywater containers up thestairs.

“Wecan’t take abathora shower or even do ourwashing.”

Foranother resident,Isghaak Benjamin, notbeing able to take regular showersand having to walk to the taps,isa “big inconvenience”

TheCitysaidithas assisted with indigent andpensioner rebate applicationsfor thosewho qualify.

“Morethantwo-thirdsdonot qualifyfor indigent benefits as they earn more than R7 500per month. Like people with similarincomes across themetro,these residentsshouldbe paying forservicesrendered,”read thestatement However, Diedericks claimedthat “noneofthe pensioners qualifyfor therebates”due to thebulkwater system

He said they will remain in talks with theCitytorestore thewater supply.

SchoolSportsZoneflightsschoolsports

NovaNewslaunchedthe SchoolsZone,a dynamicdigital home forschool news,sport, achievement, andcommunity stories across SouthAfrica, on YouthDay,Tuesday, 16 June,a daythatcelebratesyoung people as powerful agents of change

The SchoolsZone features adedicated site for school sports in the School Sports Zone Centraltothe launch is theincorporation of thebeloved SchoolsThatRock websiteintothe NovaNews SchoolsZone Formorethan11years, SchoolsThatRock hasbeen SouthAfrica’strusted platform for celebratingschool achievements,cultural milestones,sportingexcellence, andextraordinary learnerstories,givingschoolsa powerful na th fo si So Ro ph ac ha ce th

EVERYSCHOOL HASA STORYWORTH TELLING, EVERYLEARNER HASAN ACHIEVEMENT WORTH CELEBRATING

By joiningthe NovaNews ecosystem, Schools That Rock nowreaches asignificantly larger national audience throughNovaNews’s389,000+ active users, 1million+Facebook followers,and distribution across 21 community newspaper titles

“The launch of the SchoolsZone and School

RugbyFactory NovaNews’s weekly schoolsrugby vodcasthosted by Andy Daniel,with10,000+ subscribersin just twomonthsand episodes exceeding54000 views. Proudlysponsored by Bossa Restaurant Group, the33-episodeseriesbroadcastsacross YouTube, Facebook,Instagram,TikTok, andall NovaNews channels

“Together, let’scelebrate everyschool,every achievement, andevery community that makes SouthAfricaextraordinary,” said GiliomeeRossouw . Send stories,achievements,photos,andvideos to DustinWetdewich,National Digital Sports Editor:dustin.wetdewich@novusmedia.co.za

CapeTown salutes music legend

Tributescontinuetopourin forgloballycelebratedjazz pianist, Abdullah Ibrahim whodiedonMonday15Juneat theage of 91

Thecomposerand anti-apartheid activist’s musicalspannedninedecadesand transformedthe landscape of SouthAfrican andinternational jazz.

His finalpublicperformance took placeonthe Rosies Stageatthe Cape Town InternationalJazzFestivalin March, in what hasbeen describedas ahistorichomecomingmomentfor theCapeTown-born musician

Born Adolph JohannesBrand on 9 October1934inKensington, Ibrahim learnedpiano from theage of seven underthe guidance of hisgrandmother,Margaret, whofounded a localbranchofthe AfricanMethodist Episcopalian church

Growinguponthe fringe of District Six, he wasshapedbya heterogeneousmix of religionsand music that wouldlater define hisdistinctive sound.

At 15,Ibrahim beganperforming as avocalistbeforetransitioning to pianowithbig bandsincluding the Tuxedo Slickers andthe WillieMax Orchestra.

When he wasrefused entrytothe University of Cape Town’s College of Musicbecause of hisrace, he pursued independentstudy,reading extensively at thelocal public libraryand acquiringthe latest jazz recordsfrom visiting American soldiers at Cape Town’s dockside during WorldWar II.

This earned himthe nickname DollarBrand amongsthis friends.

In thelate1950s,Ibrahim formed theDollarBrand Trio and, in 1959, co-founded TheJazzEpistlesalongside Hugh Masekela,KippieMoeketsi,Jonas Gwangwa, Johnny Gertze andMakayaNtshoko

Their1960 recording, Jazz Epistle Verse1,becamethe firstjazzalbum by SouthAfrican musicians, achievingpopularitywithbothblack and whiteaudiences

That same year,hebegan alifelong partnershipwithSouth African vocalist andcomposerSathima Bea

cardoMacke ie,Weste Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs andSport, addedthathis musiccarried “the soul

Ma na Umari, andhis ch dren, pianistTsakweand hip-hopartist Jean Grae

SouthAfrican comedy favouriteKurt Schoonraad is bringing hishit one-manshow Funny Side Up back to thestage,thistime with aperformance at theBaxterTheatre until Saturday 27 June

Packed with freshmaterial, relatablestories andKurt’sunmistakablestyle of observational humour,Funny Side Up promises audiencesan eveningoflaughter, honestyand much-needed escapism.Fromthe everyday chaosofSouth Africanlifetorelationships,socialhabits, ageing,pop cultureand everything in between, theshowtakes familiar experiencesand turns them into comedy that feelsbothpersonaland universal.

“Funny Side Up is really aboutholding onto your senseofhumournomatterwhatlife throws at you,”saysSchoonraad.“People have been througha lotoverthe last fewyears,and sometimeslaughteristhe onething that helps us breatheagain

That’s what this show is about, forgetting your problemsfor awhile andjustenjoyingyourself.”

Thereturnofthe show feelsespecially meaningful forSchoonraad,whose historywiththe Baxter Theatrestretches back over twodecades It wasonthe Baxter stagewhere he firstperformed hisdebut one-manshow, Punchlines, helpingestablish stand-up comedy as amajor part of Cape Town’s entertainmentscene

“The Baxter hasalwaysfeltlikehome,”he says.“Alot of memories were made on that stage, andcomingbackwith Funny Side Up againfeelslikea full-circle moment.”

Knownfor findingcomedyinthe ordinary, Schoonraad’s storytelling stylecontinues to resonate with audiencesacrossgenerations.His comedy doesn’trelyongimmicksortrends, it comesfromreallife, sharpobservationsand the strangelittlethingsSouth Africans allrecognise

Audiencesattendingthislatestrun canexpect ashowthatfeelsupdated andmorepersonal, whilestill carryingthe energy andunpredictabilitySchoonraad hasbecomeknown forover theyears

“There’s definitely amorematureperspective now,”hesays. “But Istill enjoybeing ridiculous when themomentcalls forit. Ithink thebalance worksbecause people want honesty, but they also want to laughproperly.”

Despitethe evolutionofcomedyoverthe years, Schoonraad believes audiencesare still lookingfor onesimplething,connection.

“Peoplewanttofeel good again,”hesays. “Comedyhas always broughtpeopletogether, especially in SouthAfrica. We laughdifferently here.There’s somethinguniquelySouth African about findinghumourindifficult situations.” Ticketsavailable viawebtickets.