People's Post Constantia/Wynberg E-edition 03 February 2026
The WesternCapeGovernmenthas withdrawn eviction noticesissued to twofamiliesinNarunaEstate, Plumstead, aftera legalchallengerevealedthe department hadmisinterpretedits own housingpolicies.
Thenotices,rescinded on Thursday 29 January, wouldhaveforcedthe Fisher andStroebelfamiliesfrom homestheyhaveoccupied forover 30 yearsfollowing thedeathsof theirparents,who were theoriginal tenants.
LegaladvocacyorganisationNdifuna Ukwazi representedthe families afterthe WesternCapeDepartment of Infrastructure (WCDoI)claimed tenancycould notbetransferred to
adultchildrenwhenthe main tenant dies –a policy interpretation that proved to be incorrect.
Naruna Estate,a 164-unit low-cost provincial rental development, has adocumentedhistory of disputes between residentsand government authorities.
Many of theestate’sresidents have livedthere forovertwo decades.
Adecadeago,tenants faceda controversialrelocationproposal from theWestern Cape Department of HumanSettlements that would have movedresidents earningbelow R3500per monthtoPelican Park
This sparkeda legalbattlewhenresidents,supported by NdifunaUkwazi,
ly ag pr therentalpolicydocuments they hadbeen seeking, butthe current case suggestsongoing problems with policy implementation andcommunication
“Initiatingevictionproceedings againstlong-term residentsinbreach of clearpolicyguidelineswas an alarming overreach, showinga flagrantdisregard of dueprocess,”said Inga Dyantyi, an attorney at Ndifuna Ukwazi’s LawCentre.
When they requestedcopiesofthe rental policy citedasjustification for theireviction, thedepartmentrefused andinstead required them to submit aformalPAIArequest
Afshaa Fisher,whose family has livedinthe estate foroverthree
Thelegal intervention revealed what NdifunaUkwazicalled“systemic failures in statehousing administration”, includingthe useofeviction threatsastactics andthe absenceof clearpolicycommunication forthe families
Hadthe evictionsproceeded,the families couldhavebeen rendered homeless or relocatedtoless-resourcedareas such as PelicanPark, accordingtothe organisation
Thedepartmentmustnow conduct what NdifunaUkwazidescribes as a“fair,transparent,and participatory eligibilityassessment” with the families
TheNarunaEstateResidents Associationcontinues to advocate for tenants’ rights at thedevelopment, whichoperatesunder theWestern Cape Government’s social housing frameworkfor households earning between R1 850and R22000 per month.
Fisher said herfamilywas initially told by theWestern Cape Government that thetenancy couldnot be transferredtoher as an adultchild afterher mother’s death.
Sheclaimed that shewas told she wouldhavetovacatethe home she hadlived in formorethan30years Fisher describedthe ordeal as “disheartening”, saying officialsused ‘false andmisleading’ information againstfamilieswho hadlived on the estate fordecades
efunding vailable
ROSS KEY AREAS,INCLUDING ATURE,FILM,LANGUAGE TION
requests at least24– 48 hoursbeforethe deadline
Late applications will notbeconsideredafter deadline
.Thecriteria and categories forfunding,as well as application forms,areavailableonline at https://www.westerncape.gov.za/cas/service/ arts-and-culture-funding
asonsofchange
consideringitwas theheightofapartheid Isaw hereyesgleamed as sherecalledher fond childhood memories of aforgottenversion of Piketberg, whereshe wasborn.
Sheenthusedwithchildlike delightasshe told me abouther mother’s love forbakingcakes At theage of 23 shegot married,asmostof ourgrandparentsand parentsdid at that time, andstarted herlifeasa furrier when shemoved to Diep River.
However, notlongafter theirmove, tragedy struck when she, herhusband and12-year-old daughter,wereforciblyremoved andordered to move to Fairways duetothe GroupAreas Act. Hervoice wasstirring and filledher lounge with ahauntingwisdom. Shewas theyoungest of four siblings,all of whom have passed, andas Ilistenedtoher,I wondered what theweightof herlifefeltlike.
To comprehend thethought of witnessing so much change,tragedy,a WorldWar andcountless advancements in technology
From theradio,tothe television,the faxmachines,computers,cellphones, theInternetand nowArtificial Intelligence(AI).
Andyet as Irelived themisty momentsof herlifewithher,I couldnot detect an ounceof worry,regret, spiteorbitternessofeitherthe past or presentage in hervoice
Of course,she felt hurt beingdisrespectedand overlooked as an upcoming andyoung female evangelist by some of herpeersinthe 70’s,but shetook this criticismasfueltofeed herdedication,tolivea life honouringJesus Christ and remainingperseverant
Sheisa mother to five children;her eldest daughter sadlydiedwhenshe wasforty Sheexperienced no chronicillnessesnor any addictiontoalcohol or smoking.
Hersharp andinfectioussense of humour was evidentasshe told me whyshe neversmoked. “I’lltellyou exactlywhy Inever smoked!I bought apackofcigarettesand told myself, ‘today I’ll smokethem!’and that nightthe strangestthing happened,”she told this story with Oscar-worthy gestures andpassion.“As soon as Iput thecigarette to my lips,it flew out of my mouthand landed on the floor andfrom that dayon, IsaidI’llnever smokeagain,” she laughedasshe clappedher handsand closed hereyesgleefully
Sherecovered in hospital forten months only to endure arupturedvein.
Andyet she’sstill standing,still laughing and baking trifles forChristmas andtakingUbers fora weekly shopping
When theinterview ended, Ifelta tremendous senseofgratitude to be alive.
Hergrit, determinationand never-say-die attitude will always remain with me wherever Igo.
Before Ireached my car, sheheldmyhand andlooked me in theeye andsaidshe sees a prosperous futurefor me
Theinspiration,the lessons we need to help us mature andappreciate thepresent,can come from theelders.
They arethe ones whohavesuffered andenduredlikegreat towering trees with deep roots anchoringthemselvesthrough theseasons of rain,heatand uncertaintylifethrowsusaswe tackle 2026 andthe yearsbeyond.
NAMHLAMONAKALI
The suspension of basketball and volleyballrecreationalhub programmesatHangbergSportsand Recreation Centre hasraisedquestions from both theHoutBay HurricanesBasketballCluband thelocal community.
In astatement sent to People’s Post,the Hurricanessaidtheywereinformedthatthe recreational hubprogramme at Hangberg had been suspended“withoutprior consultation with community organisations”
Theclubhas reportedly operated from the facility formorethan five yearsunder theCity of Cape Town’s Recreational HubProgramme, providingstructuredafter-school basketball activities,holiday programmes, andyouth developmentinitiatives forover100 children andyoung people from Hangberg andthe wider Hout Baycommunity.“Theseprogrammeshave offered mentorship andstructuredrecreational opportunities,”the club said TheHurricanesclaimed they hadnot received aformalexplanation outliningwhy theprogramme wasdiscontinued, when thedecision wastaken,orwhy community partners were not consulted. Theclubalsoraisedconcern abouta newlyenforcedfacilitybookingprocess, which it said “resultedinaccess beingdeniedtothe centre”and wasimplemented withoutadequatecommunication or transitional support fororganisations that hadoperatedunder the previous framework.
“The timing of theenforcement followed engagement around theabsence of holiday programmesduringthe recent school holidays,” theclubadded. “The result hasbeen the suspension of basketball, volleyball, andother community-based activities at thefacility.”
TheHurricanessaidthe suspension affected children andyouth whoreliedonorganised sportfor structureand recreation,particularly in acommunity facing socio-economic chal-
Recreation Marketgives cookwings
AVRILFILLIES
Cookingtraditional Malay andIndiancuisine for locals of Simon’sTown startedata weekend market at AmlayHouse Heritage Museum for Mishkaah Saal
“Initially Ionlysold my rangeofspicesatthe weekendmarket. The organisers then encouraged me to bringakhni or biryani– traditionaldishes enjoyedatfunctions andSundaylunches in many Cape Malayand Indian homes. Isoldout in record time
Simon’sTownresidentMishkaah Saal withKim Bagley at the weekend market. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
“After that,I introduced Indian street food such as PavB,a type of chickenroll. Afew months laterSpice EtcopenedinWickboom Lane andafter threeyears we movedbackto AmlayHouse Heritage Museum,right whereit allstarted,” shesays.
Saal lovessharing thespace with Nawaal Sadien from Bluecherry Thrift andtheyhavea wonderful workingsynergy
“Weusedtocallourselves Simon’sTown’s best-keptsecret– butwe’dlovefor that to change.The localcommunity supportsusdaily andregularly chooses us forfunctioncatering. My love forcooking comesfrombothmymaternal andpaternalgrandmothers. They were excellent cooks, andthatlovenaturally filtered down to my momand aunts. My dadwas a baker, so Iguess it’s in thegenes. My cookingis afusionoftraditional Cape Malayand Indian cuisine,”Saal says GrowingupinWoodstockand then moving to theSouthernSuburbs,Sundays arekoesister days andshe is keepingthistradition alive.
“Our shop hasbecomea meetingand connectingplace fora wonderfully diversegroup of people
“I want to thankthe community of Simon’s Town fortheir continuedsupport.Welook forward to making many more beautiful memories together,” shesays.
Llandudno fire
affectsone house
Firefighters battled avegetation fire in Hout Bayand aboveLlandudno on Wednesday28January,withCity firefighting resourceswithdrawn in the earlyhours of Thursday
Fire andRescueServicesspokesperson
Jermaine Carelsesaidthe fire in theHoutBay Valleywas firstreportedatapproximately13:15 on Wednesdayasvegetationalight. “Later,we were alertedtoslopesalightabove Llandudno,” he said Carelsesaidthree helicoptersweredeployed to water-bomb theheadofthe fire above Llandudno,withtwo remainingactiveuntil last light. An Incident Command Post was establishedatthe Hout BayFireStation,with operations on thegroundcoordinatedbythe Incident Management Team (IMT). “Thiswas
avery fluidsituation,withthe wind proving challenging,”Carelse said He said City firefighting resourceswithdrewat approximately02:00 on Thursday
“Interms of property damage only onehome wasaffected.”
Carelsealsoconfirmed no injuries were reported andsaidthe causeofthe firesremained unknown. He said firefighting crewswould conductinspections everythree to four hours on Thursday andlook outfor any flare-ups.
Asuspect whowas foundonthe affectedproperty,allegedly attempting to stealitems
Venomousslugswashup
KEANANHARMSE
Beach-goersare urgedtopractisecaution as reportscirculatedofseveral Blue Dragon slugs washed ashore on Muizenberg BeachonThursdaymorning 29 January.
Sightingsofthese seaslugs were documented in theDeep SouthReport(DR), issued on the group’sFacebookpage.
Blue Dragon slugsscientifically knownas Glaucusatlanticus,are highly venomous,measure under3 cm,contain wing-likelimbs and displaydistinctive bright-bluecolouring Authoritiesstressthese marine slugsremain extremelyvenomousafter death, posing serious risk to anyone whotouches them
TheCityofCapeTownconfirmed theslug sightingsconducted asiteinspectionatMuizenberg Beachthatmorning “Our coastalmanagementofficialsidentified five Blue Dragon SeaSlugs anda significant number of blue bottles.Our teamswillcontinue to monitorthe coastlinefor anychanges.The presence of thesespecies is anatural,common phenomenon driven by warmer summerwater temperatures andthe prevailing south-easterly
winds,”saiddeputymayor andmayco member forspatial planning andanvironment,Eddie Andrews. Anyone stungshouldimmediatelyrinse the affectedareawithseawateronly, neverfresh water. Hot-waterimmersionataround45°Cfor 2090 minutescan help reduce pain Medicalattentionshouldbesoughtifsymptoms worsen or signsofallergic reaction develop.
Blue Dragon slugsare known to be extremely venomous
