People’s Post Claremont/Rondebosch E-edition 28 April 2026

Declining vaccination aworry

Arise in measlescases across the WesternCapehas raised fresh concerns aboutdeclining childhood-vaccination ratesand growinggaps in community immunity.

Health officialswarnthatthe spread of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, rubella anddiphtheriaposes aserious public-health risk,withefforts intensified to protect children andprevent further outbreaks.

An increase in measlesoutbreaks hasbeen reported in theBelharand Delftareas,withover 20 casesreportedsince thestart of this year

TheWestern Cape Department of Health and Wellnesssaidthe increase in measlescases wasnot unique to theprovince, as SouthAfrica faceda declineinchildhood-vaccination uptake, whichposes aserious risk forpublichealth andthreatens thecountry’s efforts to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases

Thedepartmentfurther said thedecline contributedtomultipleoutbreaks of measles, rubella anddiphtheriaacrossthe province,signalling seriousgapsinpopulationimmunity

SinceOctober 2024,the department has ramped up itsimmunisation efforts to protect children from seriousand life-threatening vaccine-preventable diseases

It hasimplemented an early-warningand -responsesystemtothese outbreaks, which includes strengtheningcoordination of the response,intensifyingdisease surveillance, clinical management of casesand community engagement “Targetedvaccination outreaches will be prioritisedinthe areaswhere we seea rapidincrease in measlescases,” thedepartmentwrote

in astatement

PROTECTCHILDRENFROMMEASLES

Measlesisa highly contagious diseasethat infectsthe respiratorytract.Symptomsinclude high fever, rash,runny nose,conjunctivitisand coughing

Health-carepractitioners candiagnose measlesonsigns andsymptoms, anda blood sample collected forlaboratorytesting

Parentsare urgedtolook outfor measles symptoms andkeep theirchildrenhomewhen they have oneormoreofthese symptoms to curb thespreadofthishighlycontagious disease.

Should achild runa fever, feel sleepyorstruggletoeat parentsare urgedtotakethemtothe nearestclinicimmediately. Potentialcomplicationsofmeasles includepneumonia,diarrhoea, braininfection andblindness.

Complicationsare more seriousinthose who catchmeasles as younginfants (under 2years of age) andinchildrenwho aremalnourished. Free childhood vaccinesare availableatall public-healthfacilities, andcatch-updoses can be givenifa childhas misseda vaccination Vaccinesare also availablethrough private-sectorfacilitiesand private-public partnerships.

Applicationsforfellowshipclosethisweek

Grade12learnerswho displayacademicexcellenceand entrepreneurialpotential have until Thursday 30 Apriltoapplyfor TheAllan Gray OrbisFoundationFellowshipProgramme Theprogramme givesmatriculantswho have always dreamt of making adifference in their community or wanted to explorea career as business owners.Successful candidates gain access to needs-baseduniversityfunding, entrepreneurialmindset developmentand the support of personal industry mentors. Throughthese combinations of resources, networks anddevelopment opportunities,

CandidateAllanGrayFellows areempowered to generate ideas, launch ventures andgrow purpose-driven businessesthatmakea tangible impact

Requirements:

. SouthAfrican citizenship

. Currently in Grade12inthe year of application

. Aminimum of 60%inpuremathematics or 80%inmathematicalliteracyfor finalGrade 11 results

. Aminimum averageof70% for finalGrade 11 results(excludinglifeorientation)

. An intentiontostudy towardsa commerce, science, engineering, law, humanities,arts, or health sciences degree (excluding medicine, veterinary science, anddentistry)atone of the following partneruniversities: University of theWestern Cape,UniversityofCapeTown, Stellenbosch University,UniversityofKwaZulu Natal, University of theFreeState,University of Pretoria,RhodesUniversity, Nelson Mandela University,UniversityofJohannesburg, Wits University or TSiBA. .Visitwww.allangrayorbis.org to downloadan application form,ortoapplyonline

LateapplicationsforGrR,1and8to17May

Following theclosure of applications forGrade R, 1and 8learnersfor the2027academic year,the WesternCapeEducation Department (WCED) says parentswho missedthe deadline will have untilSunday17May to applyaspart of itslateapplicationprocess.

Accordingtothe WCED,a totalof166 144 parentsapplied fortheir children before the Tuesday14April deadline

However, alllateapplications will only be considered by schoolsafter theapplications received during theon-time window have been considered

Schoolswillnow applytheir admissionspolicies to allthe applications they received during

theon-time window

Theoutcomesofthese applications will become availableonlinefromThursday28May, andparents must confirm theirchoiceofplace by Monday 15 June

Parentswho receivemultipleoffersofacceptancebut do notselectone of thoseoffersby Monday 15 June will be automatically confirmed to theirtop-rankedchoice.

Parentswho wish to transfer theirchild to a differentschoolfor Grades 2– 7or9 –12next year duetorelocationwillhavethe opportunity to submit atransferrequest between Monday 3 August andMonday17August.

TheWCEDurges parentswho have appliedto

inform thedepartmentiftheir contactdetails changed, to ensure thecorrect detailswhenthe outcomes of applications aremadeavailable Provincial educationministerDavid Maynier said parentsare responsiblefor applying fora placeata school fortheir child.

“There arestill 1441 current Grade7 learners in theWestern Cape whoseparents have not yetappliedfor aplace in Grade8 next year.We urge parentstoapplyimmediately, to help us plan fora placeina school fortheir childnext year

“Wehavemadehelpavailable forparents so therereally is no reason nottoapply,”said Maynier.

Techno-savs,don’tgazetoolongintoabyss

Theconsequence of toomuch convenienceseemstobea topic that mayholdanominous future fornot only thecurrent butfuture generationsifleftunchecked Thesedaystechnologyand our cellphoneshavestreamlined the activities that used be laborious andtime-consuming. Thereare countlessapps, with some newonesbeing createdas we speak, that caneasilyoffer us shortcutstopurchasegroceries, clothing or offer us opportunities to date newpeopleorprovide us alifttoworkoranevening outon thetown.

Thebreakneck speedsofinternet access at shopping malls,cafes andplazashavealsoprovidedus so much opportunitytoanswer emails,conduct Zoom meetings or

provideusa spot to download and stream an albumorserieswe’re binging. Sure theseinnovations wouldsound like autopiatomost whogrewupinthe ’60s with their ears closetotheir radiosetsfor the latest instalment of theirserialor to hear what wasonthe hitparade, or theircounterpartsa decade later whowould trytowatch asitcom from aneighbour’s window

Thosedaysthe TV sets were tiny compared to today’s, with their 4K ultra-realisticresolutions Thescary part of ourfast-paced modern ageisthe length of time we spendstaring at ourcellphone screensand promptingour tasks andstaying productive,thatwe neglectour physical well-being, not to mentionour spirituallives Late-night doom-scrolling in ourcomfy beds watching endless streamsofbite-sizedcontent are strainingour eyes andmakingus insomniac, as we entertainourselves to funny videos andother sourcesofdopaminehitsthatform

ourpersonaluseralgorithms. What is importanttoknowhere is that we arespoonfedcurated content, news andentertainment that couldalsoalign with ourbeliefs andideologies, which couldbecomeproblematic if one becomestrappedinloop content that strokesour egos withoutalso challengingustothink Hating andtrolling remain as popularasever, andinthe commentssectionsusers canbeseen trying to competefor thewittiest comment or thenastiestremark, lambasting someonefor theirhaircutoroutfitchoice.

Thesad realityisthatCEOsof thesesocial-mediaplatforms care more forprofitthanbullying, as more commentsmeanmoretraction as engagement helpsa post to keep appearingonpeople’stimelinesdespite howthe insultshave hurt thevictim’smentalhealth. It appearswecan become so numb lookingatall thechaotic news,especially with theendless

updatesofdestroyed hospitals, schoolsand destructionand bloodshed plaguing theMiddleEast, site of theholiest places associated with ourmonotheisticfaiths. Theirony of allthisisthatpeople arekilling oneanother in His name,ofdoing God’swork, andwe remain astonished at howcontent creators usethese tragic wars to fueltheir politicalagendas and endlessmudslinging.All thewhile thelateJohnLennon’santhemof peace, “Imagine”, springstomind, afamiliartunethatseemstofallon deaf areas. So Ipraythatwestart usingthese toolstoreflectonourselves more closely, insteadofbecomingmore andmoreabsorbedinthe endless dramaand oceanofcontent informingushow to live andwhat to like

As theGermanphilosopher FriedrichNietzsche famously said: “And if yougazelongintothe abyss, theabyss also gazesinto you. ”

GFROMPAGE1

“Itwas just so impressive to seethem outthere sleepinginthe wet. People wholiveonthe streetsdon’t have a choice,” he said Underwood said theexperiencealso createdempathy amongparticipants, many of whom were experiencing prolongedexposuretocoldand sleep deprivationfor the firsttime. “You only getabout oneortwo hoursof sleep.You realisehow toughitmust be dayafter day,”hesaid.

He addedthatthe initiative also reflects U-turn’s broaderambitionto scaleits modelnationally,although he acknowledged thechallenges in growingparticipation

“It’smuchharderthanI thoughtit wouldbe. Most people don’twantto sleep outside, andthat’sunderstandable,” he said Despitethis, he said thelong-term vision is to expand theinitiativeinto awider national movement,aligning with awarenessdayssuchasWorld Homeless Day.

“Ifwecan gettoa national scale, even smallcontributions wouldmake ahugedifference,” he said Underwood addedthatthe organisation’s message remainsfocused on action

“Wecan do somethingabout homelessness. We just need urgency, intention andinvolvement,” he said U-turn says itsprogrammesare designed to providestructuredpathways outofhomelessness, combining immediatesupport with rehabilitation andskills development.

Theorganisationsaysabout 80%of people whocompleteits programme remain stably housed andemployed. Thesleep-out hasbecomeanannual fundraiser, with organisers saying this year’s rain-soakededition reinforced both theurgency andcomplexityofaddressing homelessnessin Cape Town

Safety,supportanationalright

AsSouth Africa marked 32 yearsof Freedom Dayyesterday (27April), theNationalShelter Movement of SouthAfrica(NSMSA) called foranurgent national reflection on what freedom trulymeans following thedeclaration of gender-based violence andfemicide (GBVF) as anationaldisaster.

“Thisclassification formalises what shelters across thecountry have witnessedfor years–that domestic violence is nota privatematter, buta national emergencyaffecting thousands of families everyday,” said Greer Schoeman, NSMSAboard member.“It also signifies that thescale of harm facing womenand children is comparable to anyother national crisis.Why then aretraumatised survivorsstill expected to navigate complexlegal systems, oftenwithout support?”

NSMSAisisa non-profitorganisationestablishedin2008 at aconferenceofshelters nationally andcurrently consists of 78 shelters spread across allnineprovinces

PROTECTIONORDERSCRITICAL

AccordingtoNSMSA,applying fora protection orderoften requires an unrealisticlevel of recall, clarityand emotionalreadiness from individualsincrisis. Many womenarrive at courthavingjust fled violence,often in shock, withoutdocumentation andwithout assistance

Across SouthAfrica, shelters –supported by NSMSA– provideimmediate refuge, safe-

ty planning,psychosocialcareand practical support to survivorsescapingabusive homes. Theseservicesfrequentlyserve as the firstpoint of safety forwomen andchildrenwho have nowhereelsetoturn. National crimestatistics from indicate 5400 womenare murdered annually in SA,while 63 000 domestic violence casesreportedannually continue to demonstrate thescale andurgency of thecrisisand the need forstrongerprotectionmechanismsfor survivorsofdomesticviolence, said NSMSA.

SURVIVOR-CENTREDSUPPORT

Schoeman emphasises that whileprotection orders remain oneofthe most critical legal toolsavailable to survivorsofviolence, the processofaccessing them must be grounded in survivor safety andsupport

“Inthe currentcontext we must be clearabout what works. Safety andsupport must always come first. Before survivorsare expected to engage with thejustice system,the priority must be securing immediatesafetyfor women andtheir children.Thatmeans effectively amplifying GBVhelplines andstrengthening referralpathwayssosurvivors areconnected to community-based services withoutdelay.”

Theclassification of GBVF as anationaldisasterplacesresponsibilityonall sectors, including policing,justice services andsocialsupport systems, to respondina coordinatedand urgent fashion. Forsheltersthisrecognition reinforces theirroleasessential components of thecountry’ssafetyinfrastructure. Despitethis, shelters

LEGALREFORM ALONE CANNOTADDRESS THE GBVCRISIS WITHOUT ACCESSIBLE SUPPORT.

across thecountry continue to operateunder chronicfunding constraints. Many arerequired to respondtoincreasingdemandwhile working with limitedresources,supportingsurvivors whooften arrive traumatised, displacedand in urgent need of protection

SYSTEMGAPSUNDERMINEPROTECTION

“Wealsoneed to scaleupprovencommunity models,” addedSchoeman. “Programmessuch as the[MOSAIC Training Serviceand HealingCentre’s] court-support modelshowwhat effective,survivor-centredsupport lookslike. They reduce case attritionand help women navigate complexlegal processes. It is unreasonabletoexpecta woman, oftentraumatised anddisplaced,tomanagethisprocess on her own. Even modest investment in court-support services cansignificantly improveoutcomes across thecriminaljustice system “Finally,every police stationmusthavea properly functioning victim-friendlyroom Completing aprotectionorder is notanadministrativeexercise, buta deeply personal and oftenretraumatisingprocess. Thecurrent gap

of approximately90victim-friendly roomsin police facilities is nota minorinfrastructure issue. Even wherethese roomsexist qualityand accessibility remain inconsistent,and this must be addressedaspartofthe national response to GBVF.”

TheNSMSA emphasises that public awareness remained oneofthe most significant barriers to safety.“Many individualsremainunaware of theirrightsorthe stepsrequiredtoaccess protection,”she said.“Public educationisessential to ensure survivorsunderstandthe protections availabletothem. ”

STRONGERLAWS,SHAREDRESPONSIBILITY

Thegender-justiceorganisationnoted that recent amendments to SouthAfrica’sdomestic-violence legislationhavestrengthenedavailable protections, includingbroader definitionsof domestic violence andadditional mechanisms aimedatimproving survivor safety.Legal reform alonecannotaddressthe crisis withoutaccessiblesupport services andinformed communities

TheNSMSA hasurged SouthAfricansto recognisethatfreedom is notmeasuredonly by constitutional rights,but by thesafetyand dignityexperienced in everyday life.For many survivorsthe abilitytolivewithout fear is the most meaningful expression of freedom.Ina countrywhere GBVF hasbeen formally recognisedasa national disaster,ensuringaccess to protection,safetyand support is notoptional –itisa national responsibility

Thedaymustremindusofthemanychallengesandrights

Priortoyesterday’s Freedom Daycelebrations, People’s Post took to thestreetstoget asense of what Capetoniansthink aboutthe day. Theday marksthe country’s firstdemocraticelections in 1994,a historic turningpoint that endedapartheid andushered in hopesoffreedom,equality anda betterlifefor all. More than threedecades later, theday remainsa commemoration and amomentofreflection on howfar thecountry hascome—andhow faritstill hastogo. To capture theseviews on theground, we spoketoour readersand asked: HasFreedom Daybrought real change to your community,ordoyou feel thereisstill alongway to go?

. Patric Solomons said:“FreedomDay celebratesour non-racial democracywhere every childand adultisequal before thelaw andhave theirrightsprotected.The daymustremindus of themanychallengesand rights violations ourchildrenand vulnerable groups stillface. It must inspireustoend thesystemicproblems that hamper transformation to endpoverty,

inequality,and improvethe advancementof theblack childand family:prevent andreduce crimeand corruption andimprove security for all. Ourcurrent challengefor children is rooted in thesocialeconomicsystems of exploitation anddispossession of thepoorand enrichment of multinationaloperationsand business, and maintainingwhite wealth andlandamassed during thecolonialand apartheidexploits. freedomsgainedare easily lost if notprotected, implementedand enjoyed.

. Graham Daniels said Freedom Daymust be both acelebration anda call to action.“In ourcommunity,there hasbeen progress. More people have access to services,and residentsare more awareoftheir rights andresponsibilities. Thereisa stronger senseofcommunity voice andparticipation.However,the realityisthat many stillfacedaily struggles,unemployment, crime, housingshortages andinconsistentservice delivery.For some,the promiseoffreedom hasnot yettranslatedintomeaningful change

in theireverydaylives.”

. KevinAlexander said:“We stillhavea long waytogo, although we cannow celebrate ourmanygreat constitutional rights that we neverhad before.Weare stilleconomically oppressedand stillexperiencemanyhardships andchallenges of violentcrimes, drug abuse, gender-based violence,gangsterism,joblessness andchild abuse. Theaboveconditionsare nothingtocelebrate.”

. PeterHarmse said:“In communities it changedfor theworse kids dropping outof schoolsand gangsterismincreased with no control.”

. KhodaniMafadza said:“Freedom Day hasbrought some change,but formanyrural communities thejourney is not finished.People nowhavethe righttovote, to speakfreely, and to be treatedequally underthe law. That is real progress compared to thepast. Butinmany villages, problems like poverty, poor roads, lack of jobs,and weak schoolsstill remain.Soyes,

Freedom Dayopenedthe door forchange, but thecommunity stillwalks alongroadtosee thosepromisesfully in dailylife.”

. LuciaEarl said:“We have come along waysince democracy, butthere is stillmoreto be done.Itwillnot change overnight. Communities must do more to support people in need, especially thoseexperiencinghomelessness.”

. QaqambaFalithenjwa said:“Freedom Dayhas broughtopportunities, especially for youngpeople, butunemploymentremains a bigchallenge. We arefree, butmanyare still strugglingtoaccess thoseopportunities.”

. Leon Wildschut: “There’s stilla long waytogo! Therehas been change to access to basicservices. We have made bigstrides in addressing thewrongsofapartheid,but Ithink we have stagnatedunder ourcurrent government.Our underprivilegedcommunities are stillfacingeconomicstruggles.Unemployment, biginequalitygap,poor spatialplanning,safety, educationremains aissue.”

UCTsecuredaccreditationfor aDoctorofMusicdegree

TheUniversityofCapeTown(UCT) hasreceived accreditationfor anew Doctor of Music (DMus) degree, allowing musicianstopursue doctoral studythrough performanceand composition as formal research

Offered throughthe SouthAfrican College of Music, thequalification marksa shiftin howcreativeworkisrecognisedwithinhigher education. Theprogramme positionsartistic output as centraltodoctoralstudy,aligning SouthAfricawithinternational approaches to practice-based research

Prof Andrew Lilley, director of thecollege, said thequalification addressesa long-standinggap in doctoral pathways forprofessional musicians. He said previous structures often required atraditional PhDmodel that didnot fully reflectthe nature of performanceand composition.“This createsa spacewhere performersand composerscan pursue doctoral study throughwhattheydobest, making music,” Lilleysaid.

Dr Esthea Kruger,headofkeyboardstudies, said theaccreditationfollowedyears of development andcollaboration within theinstitution

Shedescribed theapproval as asignificant milestoneinher academic career

Theprogramme allows candidates to structure research around theirown artistic practice,integratingcreativeoutputwithacademicinquiry

Kruger said many localmusicians previously hadlimited doctoral optionsand oftenpursued studiesabroad. Sheaddedthatthe DMus

offered alocally grounded yetglobally competitive pathwayfor advanced study.

Thequalification is expected to strengthen postgraduate progression within thefaculty,linking master’s anddoctoralstudy more directly

UCTsaidthe degree reinforces itscommitment to recognisingcreativepracticeasa form of knowledgeproductionwithinthe arts

Oldiesgethomelylove,care

NAMHLAMONAKALI

At theheart of Grassy Park sits an elderlyday care that is anything butordinary, ahomebasedspace whereolder residentsspend their days together in comfort, companionshipand care outsideofa traditionalold agehome. Leap of FaithElderly DayCareoffersolder residentsa structured andwelcoming environment wheretheyreceive dailysupport,shared mealsand companionship, withoutthe institutional settingofa residentialfacility. Thecentrewas startedbyHoutBay resident Estherline Meyerinresponsetowhatshe describesasa growingbut oftenoverlooked need, olderpeoplelivingalone at home,withlimited interactionorstimulation

“There is aneedfor them to socialisewith theirpeers. Most elderlyare left at home alone with littleornostimulation forthe mind and

body,” Meyersaid.

Rather than functioning as an oldage home, thecentreoperatesduringthe dayasa safe, home-likespace whereroutine,careand connectionformpartofeverydaylife. Meyer describesitasa “homeawayfromhome”

Inside thecentre, theday is builtaround shared meals, conversation andsimpleactivities that keep residentsengaged andconnected Thefocus is on dignity, presence andsocial well-beingratherthanclinicalcare. “Weprovide them with safety,somewarmmeals and greatcompany,” Meyersaid.

Sevenelderly people attend thecentredaily Allare mobile,using walkersorcrutches whereneeded,and areabletomanagetheir ownpersonalcare.

Thecentrealsoaccommodatesclients living with dementia,offeringa stable andsupervised environment.

Meyersaidsomestruggletoleave at theend of theday

“Theyenjoy each other, andsomeofthemare reluctanttoleave in theafternoon.Theyalways saytimegoestoo quick,”she said Families,she added, have noticedpositive changesinmood andoverall well-being.

Behind thedaily routine, however, thecentre facesongoing financialpressure

As anon-governmentalorganisation(NGO), thecentrereliesoncommunity supportand at timesprovidescarewithout payment.

“The main challengeislackoffunds to pay fortheir fees.AsI am an NGO, Idotreat some clientsinthe communityfor free,” Meyersaid.

Thecentrecontinues to operatethrough donationsand sponsorships,which help sustainit andallow more elderlyresidents to attend Meyersaidevensmall contributionsmake ameaningfuldifference in keepingthe centre open to thosewho rely on it

Foundation aids ruralchildren

The MichaelDanielBam Foundation basedinClaremont,inpartnership with atop retail store, provided school clothing andfood parcelsto36

GradeR learners at BonnievalePrimary School as part of awintersupport drive.

Theschool, locatedinBonnievaleinthe BreedeRiver Valleyabout 180kmeastofCape Town,was thefocus of theoutreachaimed at easing pressure on families during thecolder months,whenhousehold expenses increase and income formanyrural families become more strained

Learners received school shirts andshoes to help ensure they canattend school with dignity andadequateclothingduringwinter.

Food parcelsdistributed on theday included basicstaples such as rice,maize meal (pap), beansand peanut butter, providingshort-term nutritionalsupport to households facing financial pressure

Bonnievalefalls within theLangeberg Local Municipality,a largelyagriculturalregionwhere official statistics show unemployment at about 14,4%, with youthunemploymentat20,2% Around 12%ofhouseholdsreporthavingno income,highlightingthe levelofvulnerability in some communities.

Many families rely on seasonal or informal work,particularlyinfarming,which contributes to inconsistent earnings throughout theyear.

TheFoundationsaidits work focuseson earlychildhood developmentand support for under-resourcedcommunities,witha particular emphasis on improvingdignity,access to basic resourcesand learning readinessfor young children

Bam, founderand head of projects at the

MORE THANJUST PROVIDING

RESOURCES;

IT

IS ABOUT SHOWING THEY ARE SEEN ANDVALUED

foundation,saidthe initiative wasdesignedto go beyond material assistance

“Thisinitiativeisabout more than just providingresources;itisabout showingthese young learners they areseen andvalued, so much so that agroup of youngpeopletravelledfrom Cape Town to spendtimewiththem,”Bam said He addedthatpartnershipswithorganisationssuchasPEP stores play acriticalrolein enabling outreach into smallertowns andrural schools.

“Weare incredibly grateful to PEPstoresfor making this possibleand helpinguscreatea meaningful impact whereitmatters most,” he said

Beyond thedistributionofclothingand food, thevisit also createdanopportunityfor engagement betweenvolunteersand learners

Children at BonnievalePrimary School took part in activities,interactedwithvisitorsand spenttimeina positive,supportiveenvironment during theoutreach.

Teachers at theschool welcomed theinitiative, noting thebenefitofadditional support for learners during thewinterperiod.

Thefoundationsaiditintends to continue similaroutreachprogrammesacrossthe Breede RiverValleyand surrounding ruralareas, focusing on earlychildhood support andwinter relief in communities wheremanyhouseholds continue to experience income insecurity and limitedaccess to resources.

SunnySeville in theArtscape

CapeTownOpera returnstothe grandeur of theclassicrepertoirewitha dazzlingnew production of Georges Bizet’sbeloved opera Carmen from Tuesday19toSunday31May at theArtscape.

Oneofthe most popularand electrifying worksinthe operatic canon, Carmen promises an unforgettabletheatricalexperienceasCape Town Opera(CTO) brings together astellar cast,brilliantorchestration andvivid staging that re-imaginesBizet’s timeless tale of passion, freedom andfate.

Directed by acclaimedtheatre-maker StevenStead this newproductionset in 1931/’32 transports audiencestoSeville,Spain,where desire,jealousyand destinycollide with tragic inevitability.

Thetitlerolewillbe sungbythe magnetic CTOhousesoloist NonhlanhlaYende

PHOTO:MARK DOBSON

Animalsheltermarks30years withgaladinnerfundraiser

MdzanandaAnimalClinicand Shelterwill host itsthird annual gala dinnerand auction on Saturday 9May at 18:30atthe TwoOceans Aquarium,celebrating threedecades of service to Khayelitsha’sanimals andcommunity.The milestoneevent comesasthe organisation reflects on 30 yearsofproviding veterinary care,animal-rescue services andcommunity educationprogrammesinone of Cape Town’s largesttownships

STAR-STUDDEDEVENINGPLANNED

Thefundraising eventwillfeature renowned broadcasterPippa Hudson as host,withrespectedauctioneer GuyMcDonaldleading alive auctionofexclusive itemsand experiences. Entertainmentwillinclude aperformance by theIsibane Se Afrika Choirduringthe predrinks reception.

DESIRE,JEALOUSY AND DESTINY COLLIDE WITH TRAGIC INEVITABILITY

From theopening bustle of thecigarette factory to theexhilaratingspectacle of thebullring, Bizet’smusic pulseswithSpanish colour and dramatic intensity. Aficionados will recognise of a’ ti ni elodie fr th of thedevoted Micaëla, whilebaritoneConroy Sc ti he ch is ticbullfigh rE illo

Guests will enjoya two-course dinnerwith complimentarywineand dessert.

Eventorganiser andfundraiserKelly Arendse said theannual gatheringbringsanimallovers andsupporterstogetherfor ameaningful cause.

“The funds raised on thenight enable us to

continue theveryimportant work we do in the community of Khayelitshaand beyond,” she said

THREEDECADESOFIMPACT

Sinceits establishmentMdzananda hasprovidedessentialveterinaryservicestoa community whereaccess to animal health care is oftenlimited.The organisation’s work includes emergencyanimalrescue, preventative care and educational-outreach programmes.

Allproceedsfromthe gala will directly support theseservices, ensuring continuedcarefor animalsinneed across Khayelitsha.

Ticketsare availableatQuicket at https:// www.quicket.co.za/events/369665-mdzananda-gala-dinner-auction/ or by contacting fund@mdzananda.co.za.

Theorganisationisalsoseekingcorporate sponsors andpartnersfor themilestone event.

“Joinusfor an eveningofcelebration,connectionand compassion as we honour 30 years of impact,” Arendsesaid, “and we look ahead to afutureofcontinued care forthe animalsof Khayelitsha.”