Carnival to upliftspirits
AKAYLYNNEBANTOM
ll roadsleadtothe Green PointFan Walk next monthasthe Cape Town Carnival makesits dazzling return on Saturday 21 March.
Nowinits 16th year,the carnivalwillbring together over 1500 performers in avibrant celebration themed “FollowYourHeART.”
Adding to theexcitement, this year’s eventspotlights12“Champions” from Cape Town’s creative sceneincluding singer Anslin Gysmanand localactor Natashavan derMerwe,DJReady D, graffiti artist RizahPotgieter,and designer Stephenvan Eeden.
Speaking to People’s Post,Van derMerwe said beingpartofthe Cape Town Carnival is an honour
“Tobeseen,recognisedasa performer, andfor my storytobe acknowledged in this wayissomethingI neverimagined. I’mbeyond grateful andcannotwaittobepart of this incredible celebration.”
Shesaidspectatorscan look forwardtoa bold,vibrant performance.
“I’llbechampioning a floatwith Anslin Gysman,sothe twoofus will be doinga medley mix, of some SouthAfrican Music, hits from across theglobe,and you mightevenhearone of my own singlestoget thecrowd going. It’s a lekker upliftinghigh-energy vibe andI’m excitedtobesharing the specialday with Anslin,the supporters, andfriends of Cape Town Carnival.”
Vander Merwesaidshe hopes audienceswilltakeawayexactly what this year’s themeembodies: to followyourHeART
“Thatgoesfor your dreams, goals, ambitionsorthingsyou want to achieveinyourlife. It
MORE THAN 1500 PERFORMERS
doesn’tjusthavetobesomething creative.Whatisyourdream? Followit, don’tgiveupand Ihope people feel inspired andentertained.” Shesaidinspiring even onepersontopursuetheir dream or follow theirHeART wouldmake it allworthwhile.
Vander Merwebelievesevents like thecarnivalare importantfor theartsbecause they make creativityvisible,accessible, andalive “Theytakeart outoftheatres andgalleries andplace it into the streets, whereeveryonecan experience it.Dance,music,costume, storytelling,and culturebecome somethingshared, notexclusive Artstops beingsomething youobservefroma distance andbecomes somethingyou feel.”
Sheaddedthatcarnivals create platformsfor artiststobe“seen andcelebrated”
“Theyvalidatethe work,the discipline,and thestories behind performers,often openingdoorsto newopportunitiesand reminding artiststhattheir voices matter. On abroader level, they preserve culture whileallowing it to evolve.”
AccordingtoVan derMerwe,a carnival remindspeoplethatart is “not extra, butessential”
“Theyhonourwhere we come from whilegivingartists thefreedomtoreinterpret,collaborate, andinnovate.Ina worldthatoften feelsfastand divided, events like this bringpeopletogetherthrough joy, colour,rhythm, andshared experience.”
NovusMedia publishes People’s Post, aproud printmedia sponsor of theevent
Bursariesavailablefordeservingstudents
TheShopriteGroup,one of South Africa’s leadingretailer, has opened applications forits 2026 bursaryprogramme,offering financialsupport anda guaranteed pathwayintoemploymentfor ambitiousstudentsinretailbusiness management,accounting,supply chainand logistics, andbiological andagriculturalsciences.
Thebursary covers tuition, accommodation anda monthly groceryallowance.Italsoprovides well-beingsupport services and
incorporates awork-back agreement ensuring adirecttransition from graduation into employment within thecompany “Access to educationalone is not enough.Thisbursary programme is aboutconvertingpotential into long-termcareers,”saysLindsey Joseph,HeadofGroup Talent Solutions. “Bylinking funding directly to employment,weare strengtheningour talent pipeline anddeliveringmeasurableimpact whereitmatters most –jobs, skills
andeconomicparticipation.”
ThorisoSethosa,a bursarygraduate,joinedthe Groupafter theretailer fundedher BAcc (CAstream) degree. Sheiscurrently completing herchartered accountant training programme,rotatingacrosskey business unitstodevelop theskills required to qualifyasa CA(SA) and progress within theorganisation.
“The Shoprite bursarydidn’t just fundmystudies –itgaveme access to theindustryand aclear pathwayintoa career Ican grow
in,” says Sethosa. “Itplacedmein adata-driven environmentthat’s equipping me with theskills Ineed formyfuture, notjustmy firstjob.”
TheShopriteGroup bursaryprogramme is helpingtoupliftlives by supportingeducation,building workplace-readyskills,and creatinglong-term career opportunities forthe youth.
Applications closeonSunday31 May.
. Visitwww.shopriteholdings.co.za formoreinformation.
Irecentlyfound myself in asituation wherelifehung in thebalance.Someone I caredabout needed immediatemedical attention. In a moment,drivenbyfearand desperation, we rushed to the nearesthospital, aprivate institution.
We hadnomedical aid. We knew theoddswereagainst us.Still, when deathfeelsclose,logic takes abackseat. Walkingintothe receptionarea, Iexplained that this wasa medical emergency.
In that moment,I became acutely awareofaninvisible line that dividespeopleinmedical crises:
thosewhose medicalaid opens doors, andthose whosesuffering must firstbeassessedagainst a balancesheet
Thereceptionistcalmlyexplained that aconsultationwitha doctorand an electrocardiogram, a non-invasive,painlesstesttomeasure theheart’s electrical activity, wouldcostapproximatelyR10000 This amount,I wastold, hadtobe paid upfront, before anyone would even assess thepatient
We left andwenttoa private generalpractitioner(GP), who then assessedand referredustoa statehospital. Butthe divide becomeseven clearerina statehospital. Time stretchesendlessly. Hourspass whilepaindeepens. Wardsare so overcrowdedthatpatientslie on floors, bodies againstwalls and hardened benches. Doctorsmovefrombed to bed,
visiblyexhausted,somehaving missedlunch,othersnearing the endofimpossiblylongshifts.
They treateveryone: stab wounds,psychiatric patients,the chronically illunder onestrained roof,all hoping theirnames will be callednext.
Here,“non–code red” patients wait more than twelve hours, sometimeslonger, learning the hard waythaturgency is relative when resourcesare scarce
Security guards,hardenedby constant chaos, enforceorder with littlepatienceorcompassion,as though authorityisthe only thing keepingthe system from collapse.
This is nota storyabout individual failure. It is aboutsystemic inequality
In theory,healthcareisa human right. In practice,itisa privilege. Onethatmirrors oureconomic divides.
Privatehospitals boastefficiency, comfort, andimmediacy, butonly forthose whocan affordit. Public hospitalscarry theweight of themajority, underfundedand overwhelmed, relyingonoverworked staff to hold together a system that is quietlyfailing Themostdisturbingtruth is hownormalisedthishas become We expect statehospitals to be chaotic. We excuse thelongwaits We accept that sufferingwillbe prolongedifyou cannotaffordit. Untilweconfrontthe realitythat access to timely,dignified medical care dependslargely on financial status,these divideswillcontinue to widen.
Thesad truthisthatinmoments of emergenciesand desperation, survival in ourhealthcaresystem oftencomes down to what youcan afford, nothow urgently youneed help
KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Natasha vander Merwe says being part of theCapeTownCarnival is an honour.
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
A Kolisibuilding communityspirit
NewHomeAffairstoopen
Aproposalcurrently before theCitycould seeanappointment-only Home Affairs Office establishedatthe Cape Town CivicCentre, improvingaccess to essentialservicesfor residents.
If theplanisapproved theDepartmentof Home Affairs will enterintoa formal lease agreementwiththe City to secure thespace Upon conclusion of thelease,the Department will be grantedearly occupation in orderto commenceinternalconstructionand operational readinessactivities.
Theitemisscheduled to be submittedto Councilfor considerationand approval in March.
TheresaUys,Mayco member forcorporate services,saidonceestablished,thisoffice will enhanceservice delivery by providingresidents with streamlined, appointmentbased access to keynationalgovernmentserviceswithina centrally locatedCityfacility.
“The CivicCentreisideally locatedwithgreat
access to public transportservices, such as the MyCiTi busservice,Station Deck minibus-taxi facility,and Cape Town stationatits doorstep; andprovidesvisitorswitha safe anddignified environmentfor conducting theirbusiness.”
TheCity’sPropertyTransactionsDepartment is busy finalising thelease agreement.
JamesVos,Mayco member foreconomic growth,said: “Thistransaction demonstrates good governance
“Byoptimisingour property assets,weensure that City-owned land andbuildings areleveraged in away that delivers thegreatestpossible benefittocommunities,supportseconomic activity,and unlockslong-term valuefor residents.”
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreibersaid theestablishment of anew office demonstrates theircommitmenttodeliveringfor thepeople of Cape Town
More informationwillbeavailable once this item hasservedbeforecouncil
Apatient at the RedCross WarMemorial Children’sHospital in Rondebosch with acongenital heart defect
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
CongenitalHeartDefect awarenesstakescentrestage
AVRILFILLIES
To mark Congenital HeartDefect(CHD) Week, whichstarted on Saturday 7Februaryand concludes on Saturday 14 February,the Children’s HeartDisease Research Unit (CHDRU)atthe RedCross WarMemorialChildren’sHospitalin Rondebosch is hostinga small, patient-focused celebrationfor children andfamiliesintheir care
Theevent aims to bringmoments of joyand normalityintothe hospital environment, with activities such as colouring-in foryoung patients andthe distribution of healthyapples to promoteheart-healthy habits
“Congenitalheart disease(CHD) meansthat achild is born with aproblem in thestructure of theirheart.Thiscan happen when theheart does notforminthe usualway during pregnancy. CHDisthe most commontypeofbirth defect andaffects babies from allbackgrounds,” says LaylaRyklief,spokespersonfor theunit. CHDisnot caused by anything amotherdid or didnot do during pregnancy. It happens randomly andthere is no clearreasonwhy one childisaffectedand anotherisnot “SomechildrenwithCHD mayshowsymptoms such as difficultyfeeding, poor weight
gain,fastorheavy breathing, sweating during feeds, getting tiredeasily, or abluishcolour around thelipsor fingers. Otherchildrenmay look well at firstand only be diagnosedlater, whichiswhy specialisedheart care anda follow-up aresoimportant,” shesays.
Whilefood choicescannotprevent congenital heartdisease,theyencourage heart-healthy habits from ayoung age.
“Thisincludeseatingfruitsand vegetables, limiting highly processedfoods, andencouragingappropriatephysicalactivityaschildren grow.CHD Week is aboutraising awareness, supportingfamilies, andrecognising thehealthcare workerswho care forthe children,” Ryklief says CHDRUwillbepreparing care packages for thenursing staff whoworktirelesslywithchildren living with congenital heartdisease
“These nurses play avital role notonlyin medicalcare, butalsoinsupportingpatients andfamiliesthrough long andoften challenging journeys.Thisgesture is away of recognisingtheir education, compassion andongoing commitmenttochildrenwithheart disease. The CHDWeek is to celebratethe healthcare teams whomakea difference everyday,” shesays.
CansaRelay forlifeMitchells Plain(CRFLMP) heldits 12 hour fundraisng eventatWestridgeHigh School on Saturday 07 February.Leading theCANSAsurvivors lapofhonourare left,MichaelWilliams, Amarah Wilson, Debbie Baartman, AwaatiefFish, SkyDaniels, RobinLewis and Vivian vander Schuur the CRFLMP event chair. PHOTOS: RASHIED ISAACS
Mitchells Plain Fitness Fusion wasone of theteams that supported the event.
Team Ribbonofhope supported theevent.
TAFELBERG NASIONALE PARK EN TAFELBERG NASIONALE PARK MARIENE
BEWARINGSAREA: KENNISGEWINGAAN BELANGHEBBENDE PARTYE
Neem asseblief kennis dat SANParke tans besig is met die hersiening van die Tafelberg Nasionale Park (TNP) bestuursplan, asook die ontwikkeling vanTafelberg Nasionale Park Mariene Bewaringsarea (TNP MBA)bestuursplan,intermevanartikels39,40en41vandieNasionaleOmgewingsbewaringWet:Wetop BeskermdeGebiede(WetNo.57van2003).Hierdiebestuursplannesalasbasisdienvirdiebestuurvan diebogenoemdeparkenmarienebewaringsgebiedgedurendedieperiodevanaf2027tot2036.
DieWetvereisdatallebelanghebbendesdiegeleentheidgegeemoetwordomkommentaarteleweropdie inhoudvanhierdiedokumente.ElektronieseweergawesvanhierdiebestuursplannesalopSANParkese webtuistewww.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/draft_plans_public_comment.phpbeskikbaarwees vanaf09Februarie2026.
Hierdiedokumentekanookbydievolgendelokalebesigtigwordvanaf09Februarie2026.
Belanghebbendes is welkom om enige van die ondergenoemde publieke informasie sessies by te woon, waarmeerinformasiebekomeninsettegegeekanword.
Belanghebbendeskan ook geskrewe kommentaar elektronies stuur aan:
AndréSpies Eposadres:andre.spies@sanparks.org
Tel:012-4265212
Die sperdatum vir insette is 03April 2026.
NOTICE TO TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONALPARKAND TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONALPARK MARINE PROTECTEDAREASTAKEHOLDERS
NoticeisherebygiventoallinterestedandaffectedpartiesthatSANParksisdevelopingthemanagement plan for the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (TMNP MPA) and reviewing the management plan for Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) in terms of sections 39, 40 and 41 of the National Environmental Management: ProtectedAreasAct, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) (NEM: PAA). The purpose of these management plans is to guide the management of the national park and MPAfor the period2027–2036.
The NEM: PAArequire that interested or affected persons be given the opportunity to comment on these management plans.To facilitate participation, electronic versions of these draft documents will be available from 09 February 2026 on the SANParks website www.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/draft_plans_public_comment.php.
Therespectivedocumentsmayalsobeviewedatthefollowinglocationsfrom09February2026:
Stakeholdersarefurtherinvitedtoattendanyofthepublicinformationsessionslistbelowwhereinputson thedraftdocumentsareencouragedandmaybesubmitted.Themeetingdetailsare:
Stakeholdersarewelcometosubmitwrittencommentselectronicallyto:
AndréSpies
Email:andre.spies@sanparks.org
Tel:012-4265212
Theduedateforcommentsis03April2026.
