People’s Post Constantia/Wynberg E-edition 12 May 2026

Tuesday, 12 May2026

Wynberg Girls’ High School came alivewithmusic,dance and cultural prideduringits annual Ubuntu Cultural Evening, Ubuhle Nobuqhawekazi(Beauty andHeroism), hosted by theschool’s Ubuntu Society. Theevent celebrated identity,resilienceand belonging, bringing together about250 performersand more than 500learners, teachers andsupportersfromneighbouringschoolsfor an eveningdedicated to cultural expression and unity. It wasorganised by teachers andlearner leaderswithinthe Ubuntu Society. Theannual

is year’s emeencouragedlea erstorec ognise beauty notonlyinoutward appearance, butincourage,kindness, resilience andcultural pride.

Theprogramme featured adiverse line-upof performances,including Umxhentso, Umjivo, poetry,drama,choir performances,Dance Sportand aculturalfashion show

LearnerAngel Enochsaidthe eveningcarried amessage that challenged traditionalideas of beauty.“True beauty lies in heroism,”she said Thetheme also paid tributetowomen whose strength andleadershiphelpedshape SouthAfrica’s history, includingAlbertina Sisulu,WinnieMadikizela-Mandelaand Miriam Makeba Theirlegacy, organisers said,continues to in-

learners to expressthemselvescreat ely.

Oneofthe highlights of theevening wasthe cultural fashionshowcase, introduced five years agobyHeadofCulture DaynaPearce. Pearce said theinitiativewas createdtobring differentculturestogetherwhile educatingcommunities abouttraditional attire andthe songs associated with each culture.

This year’s showcase featured Zulu,Indian, Khoi andSan representation,reflecting the school’s continuedcommitmenttoinclusivity andculturaleducation

Anotherstandoutmomentwas aguest performance by BuyelekhayaTraditional Dances, whichbrought energy andculturaldepth to the programme

Theperformance wasmet with enthusiastic applause from theaudienceand addedtothe celebratoryatmosphereofthe evening.

Forlearner Awethandwa Qwede, theevent reflectedthe impact of theUbuntuSociety beyond thecelebration itself.“It is very dear to my heartbecause Ifeel celebrated andexperiencea strong senseofbelonging,” shesaid.

Qwedesaidthe societycreates aspace where learners canembrace theirculturesand feel representedwithinthe school environment.

Sheaddedthatitalsoallows learners to feel included andcomfortable expressing whothey are, both at school andbeyond.

Blood supplyrunsshort as cold months set in

The WesternCapeBlood Service(WCBS)iscalling on thepublictoprioritise blood donation during winter, aperiodwhensupplyistraditionally understrain.

AccordingtoWCBS, whilewinter oftenleads to adecline in blood donations, thehospitaldemandfor blood remainsconstant.

“Winterisone of themost difficult periodsfor maintaininga stable blood supply as aresultof coldsand flu, andschool holidays,”

says Marike Carli, Public RelationsManager at WCBS. “When donation levels drop,itplacesa strain on ourstock andultimately affects patients whodependon

blood everyday.Thisiswhy we areencouraging donors to remain consistent throughout winter, rather than delaying or skipping donations.”

Asingleblood donation takes approximately30minutes andcan save up to threelives.However, only asmall percentage of eligible individualsdonateregularly,makingdonor retentionand consistency particularly importantduring high-riskperiods such as winter

In addition to encouragingblood donation,WCBScontinues to drive itsExtra Drop Initiative,which givesdonorsthe opportunityto extend theircontributionbeyond thedonationitself.

Throughthisinitiative, donors

BLOOD DONATION ONLYTAKES 30 MINUTES

maychoosethatWCBSdonateR15 to theselectedcharitableorganisations, therebyamplifyingtheir support forvulnerablecommunities across theWestern Cape Thenew beneficiariesfromMay untilAugustare PhilisaAbafazi BethuWomen’s Centre,supportingvulnerablewomen and children throughempowerment programmesand essentialservices, andStJoseph’sIntermediatePaediatricCare, providingspecialised

medicalcareand rehabilitation forchildrenwithcomplex health conditions

Blood donation centresacrossthe WesternCapeare open

Donors must be between 16 and 75,weigh 50kg or more,beingood generalhealth, andleada safe sexuallifestyle.Donorsare advisedto eata substantialmealwithinthree to four hoursbeforevisitinga clinic andtoincreasetheir fluidintake before,during, andafter donation

Blood donation only takes30 minutesofyourtimeand youcan donate blood every56days. .Formoreinformation or to find your closest blood donation clinic, please visitwww.wcbs.org.za,or send aWhatsApp to 060 5497244.

Hundreds of walkersare expected to lace up forthisyear’sBlistersfor BreadCharity Family FunWalkin support of thePeninsula School FeedingAssociation(PSFA), with proceedshelping to feed vulnerable learners across theWestern Cape

Theannualevent will take place on Sunday 16 August,offering participants achoicebetween 5km and10kmroutesstartingfrom StephanWay in GreenPoint and finishingatthe Green PointCommonSportsGround.

Organisers saythe R125 entryfee perpersonwillenablethe PSFA to providemeals to 23 vulnerable learners fora day.

Entriesare limitedto10000 participants across both distances, with theclosing date setfor Sunday2 August

Refreshmentstationsand medicalsupport will be availablealong theroute andatthe finish area to assist participants.Walknumber collectionwilltakeplace on Saturday15August, from 09:00to17:00 at selected Sportsmans Warehouse branches,including V&AWater-

emailaddressand cellphone numberduringregistrationwillreceive confirmationdetails andcollection

informationahead of theevent . Theevent is online entry only.To enter visitwww.psfa.org.za

Classroomsare stillfilled with dreamers

notafford.

Returningtomyold school recently broughtbackmemoriesI hadnot thoughtabout in many years.

Ihad droppedmynephewoff for theday,and as Iwalkedpastthe playground,the classroomsand thefamiliarcorridors,a wave of nostalgiahit me.ItfeltasthoughI hadsteppedbackintomyyounger self’s world, aworld filledwith hope,dreamsand determination.

Irememberedsitting in those smallblueclassroom chairs,staringout thewindows andimagininga futurefar biggerthanthe community Igrewupin. Even as a child, Isomehow knew therewas more to life.I knew educationwas thekey that couldunlockopportunities beyond my circumstances. Icomefroma disadvantaged background wheremoney was oftentight.Myparents worked hard to make ends meet,and there were many things we simply could

Iwas neverthe childwho arrived at school wearingthe latest fashion on civvies day. Irememberdays when paying school fees felt impossiblefor my parents. Yet, despite thestruggles,theynever allowed our financialsituation to become an excuse formissing school

Educationwas non-negotiable in ourhome. My parentsconstantly reminded me that no onecould take knowledgeawayfromme. They believed educationwas the onething that couldchangethe directionofmylife. Lookingback now, Irealise thesacrificesthey made to ensure my sister andI had that opportunity. They maynot have been able to give us material things,but they gave us discipline, encouragementand areasonto strive formore.

My wayofthankingthemwas simple,I worked hard.I studied, respectedmyteachersand made sure Iachievedgood marks becauseI understood what wasat stake. Iknewthatevery test passed andevery report card improved broughtmeone step closer to a betterfuture.

TodayasI watchlearnersmaking theirway to school in themorning, Icannothelpbut feel concerned.

On some days it is already08:30 andsomeare casually strolling to school with no senseofurgency.Somelook disengaged and uninterested.Itmakes me wonder what haschanged.Haveour young people become disconnected from thevalue of education? Or arethey simply overwhelmedbythe realities they face daily?

Today’slearnersare growingup in aworld filledwithdistractions, social pressuresand uncertainty. Many areexposed to unemployment,violence, povertyand social mediainfluences that caneasily make educationfeel less important. Forsome, it maybedifficult to dreamabout thefuturewhen survival feelslikethe priority

This is whymotivationcannot come from schoolsalone.Parents,communities,teachersand mentorsall have aroletoplayin shapingyoung minds. Children need to seeexamplesofperseverance.Theyneed encouragement andguidance. Most importantly, they need hope

We cannotexpectyoung peopletovalue educationifsociety itself appearstoundervaluetheir potential. Sometimesall it takesis oneteacher,one family member or oneopportunitytoinspire achild to believeinthemselves. Iwishthose in powerwould take up that challenge. Howmanyleadershavewalkedthrough thehalls of theirformerschoolsand asked themselves what they coulddoto create lastingchangethere?

Buildmoreschools, more librariesand saferspacesfor learning Invest in thesefutureleaders and give them areasontobeexcited abouteducation

Create opportunitiesthatmake learners eagertoget to school becausetheycan seea futurewaiting forthembeyondthe classroom,a future filledwithpossibility,dignity andmeaningful work

As Ileftthe school groundsthat day, Irealisedthe classroomsare still filledwithdreamers, children with untappedpotential waitingto be nurtured

Thechallengeismakingsurethey do notlosesight of thosedreams before they even begin.

From left areDelene Roberts, managerof Sisters Incorporated, PaulaLang, president of the Lions Clubs International,and Gail Darling, Cape Town Lions Club member,during the handoverofMother’s Daygiftbagsatthe Kenilworth-based shelteronThursday 7May

Sisters getgifts on Mother’sDay

NAMHLAMONAKALI

The LionsClubofCapeTownmarked Mother’s Daybydonating20gift bags to womenatSisters Incorporated, aKenilworth-basedshelter providing accommodation,counselling and support services to womenand children affectedbygenderbased violence (GBV), on Thursday 7May,ahead of Mother’s DaycelebrationsobservedonSunday10 May.

Theinitiativewas aimedatbringingcomfort andencouragement to womencurrently staying at theshelter

Membersofthe club spentpartofthe week carefully packingthe gift bags,each filledwith pamperingitems intended to make recipients feel appreciatedand remembered on Mother’s Day.

Thehandoverformedpartofthe club’s continuedcommitmenttoserving vulnerable communities across Cape Town

Gail Darling, amemberofthe club,saidthe donation wasabout recognisingthe resilience of womenrebuildingtheir lives.

“Mother’sDay canbea deeply emotionaltime forwomen whoare navigating difficult circumstancesorwho maybeseparated from loved ones,” shesaid.

“Wewantedtooffer asmall tokenofkindness to remind them that they areseen,valuedand supported by thewider community.”

Darlingsaidthe club wasgrateful forthe opportunitytoworkalongside theshelter and hopedthe gesturewould bringsomecomfort “Actsofcompassion do nothavetobegrand to make adifference.Sometimes it is thesmallestgesture that remindssomeone they arenot alone. We hope thesegifts addeda littlejoy to theirMother’sDay.”

Club presidentPaula Lang said thehandover reflects theorganisation’sbroader focuson practicalcommunity support

Beyond theMother’sDay initiative, theclub

20 carefully curated gift bags to the KenilworthbasedshelteronThursday7May as part of a Mother’sDay initiativeaimedatbringing comfort and encouragement to womencurrentlyrebuilding their lives. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

HANDOVERFORMED

PARTOFTHECLUB’S

COMMITMENTTOSERVE VULNERABLECOMMUNITIES

runs severaloutreachprojectsacrossthe metro.

Theseinclude food donationstosix shelters, collectingspectaclesfor residentswho cannotaffordeyewear,donatingbeanies,booties andmittens to MowbrayMaternity Hospital, hostingbingo sessionsfor senior citizens in Thornton,supportinganeducare centre in Brooklynthrough sandwich drives andcreating handmade clothdolls forchildreninneed

Theclubalso hostsa bi-monthly book sale in Gardensand delivers freshfruit andvegetables to varioussheltersevery month.

Theexpandedoutreachfollows themerger of theformerPinelands branch,established in 1961,withthe original Cape Town club,charteredin1957asthe city’s firstLions club

Residents interested in supporting futureinitiativesorjoining the club’s volunteer efforts can contact the organisation on 076683 5040.

Lionscommunityimpactup withnewmembersandvision

NAMHLAMONAKALI

TheLions Club of Tokaihas welcomed three newmembers whilecelebrating thecontinued success of acommunity eye-care partnership that is changing thelives of children from disadvantaged communities.

Thenew members, KerstinMerker, Lisa Storeyand Tina Schubert,wereofficially inducted during theclub’sgeneral business meetingon Tuesdaylastweek,5 May.

Club spokesperson Marl Roussouw said the organisation wasexcited to welcomethe trio into itsgrowing networkofvolunteers.

“Weare delightedtowelcome Kerstin, Lisa andTinatothe Lionsfamily.

“Their energy,compassion andcommitment to servicewillstrengthenour efforts as we continue to support thecommunities we serve, ” said Roussouw Shesaidthe inductionmarkedanimportant milestonefor theclubasitcontinues to expand itsoutreachinitiatives across thesouthern suburbs.

COMBATINGAVOIDABLEBLINDNESS

“Our newmembers join at an exciting time as we buildonprojectsthatare making atangible difference in people’s lives. Lionsisabout service,connectionand creating lastingimpact,” shesaid.

Theclubalsousedthe occasion to reflecton thesuccess of itspartnership with Vision Works Optometrists,which hasbeen providingaffordable corrective spectacles andeye-caresupport to children sinceMarch last year

TheinitiativesupportsLions ClubsInternational’s Vision servicepillar, aimedatcombatingavoidable blindnessand promotingaccess to bettereye health

Workingincollaboration with LionsBrightSightand Westlake PrimarySchool,the project hashad ameaningful impact on children in the Tokaicatchment area

Sinceits launch,86childrenhavereceived spectacles andcorrectiveeye care,while 74 children have undergoneprofessional eyetests Afurther 10 children were provided with eye dropsaspartofthe intervention

Roussouw said theinitiativedemonstratesthe valueofcommunity partnerships

ONGOINGSUPPORT

“Access to clearvisioncan dramatically improvea child’sconfidence, learning abilityand overallquality of life.Thisproject showswhatis possiblewhenschools, healthcare professionals andservice organisationscometogetherwitha shared purpose,”she said Theclubcreditedthe success of theprogramme to thededicationofVisionTeam membersChris Smith, Michelle Smith, Jill Rumbelow,Maureen Lawrence andChristiane Beretta-Savoia, as well as theongoing support of Vision WorksOptometrists.

SpecialthankswerealsoextendedtoWestlake Primaryprincipal Tracey Petersen forher continuedsupport of theinitiative.

Roussouw said theclubremains committed to expandingits servicefootprintand ensuring more children have access to thecaretheyneed

Fireand Rescue take abow

Sirens blared,hoses sprayedand crowds gathered as Capetoniansgot afront-row seat to the braveryand skillofthe City’s firefighters during theannual InternationalFirefighters’Day commemoration

Dozens of residentspackedthe Wesfleur Sportsground on Saturday 9May fora behindthe-scenes look at theFireand Rescue Service, with live demonstrations,emergency vehicles andinteractive displays showcasing thedepartment’s work,staff andequipment

Thecommemoration startedwitha cavalcade throughthe streetsofAtlantisand wasfollowed by exhibitions, live displays,sport andgames JP Smith, Maycomemberfor safety andsecurity,expressed hisgratitude to therescuepersonnelfor theirdedicationand commitment.

He appealed to Capetonianstoberesponsible andhelpreduce fires.

“Thank youtoeveryonewho came to support ourstaff memberswho runtowards danger withouta second thought. We recognisetheir braveryand selflessnessand salute theirdedication andteamwork. Let’shonourthembydoing ourbit to help reduce theriskof fires.”

‘Making impact’ when it matters

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Being a firefighterisoften defined by urgency, danger andphysical endurance. Butfor FirdousSeat, a firefighterfromMaitlanditisalsoabout commitment, purposeand breaking barriers in ademanding male-dominated field.

On InternationalFirefighters Day, commemorated annually on 4May,her storyreflects the realitybehindthe statistics:thousands of emergencycall-outs each year andthe emergency personnelwho show up everytime.

Seat,based at WynbergFireStation,said when youngershe always knew shewanteda career that involved servingpeople.

“I’vealwaysbeen drawntoroles whereone canhelppeopleina real,hands-onway andmy ssi fo fi fighti st tedwhenI be

FORSEAT,BEING ABLE TO SHOWUPAND HELP IS WHAT MAKESTHE EXPERIENCE MEANINGFUL.

knowingyou were there, that youshowedup anddid your jobwhenitcounted is what stays with you. ”

TheCityofCapeTownsaidina statementits Fire andRescueServicesresponded to 30 302 incidentsbetween Tuesday1 Maylastyearand Wednesday29April this year

This is an increase of 454incidents compared to thesameperiodthe year before Accordingtothe City,vegetation fires, motor-vehicleaccidents, pedestrian accidents, informal residential firesand formal residential fi tedf thebulkofr

Codetaconsiders taxi fare increases

KEANANHARMSE

The Cape Organisation forthe Democratic Taxi Association(Codeta)has raised concerns aboutthe impact of recent fuel pricehikes on commuters andtaxioperators,warning that fare increasesmay become unavoidableas costscontinuetorise.

Codeta spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana told People’s Post theassociationwas under growingpressure,operators alreadyfeeling the strain of higher fuel prices

“Weare really worriedabout thepetrolhike andhow it is goingtoaffectcommuters.The people whoare goingtosuffer most arethose in ourcommunities.Evennow,aswespeak,we areina very tightcorner.”

This follows last week’s fuelincreases,where a litreofdieselrosebyR5,27 andpetrolbyR3,27 alitre

TheDepartmentofPetroleum andMineral Resourcesreportedlyattributethe increasesto rising internationalcrude oilpricesdrivenby ongoingtension between theUnitedStatesof Americaand Iran

Thedepartmentsaidthe closureofthe Strait of Hormuz anddamagetocrucial infrastructure hadaffectedcrude-oil supply.

Middledistillateprices, whichinclude diesel andparaffin, increasedmorethanthe petrol prices duetohigherdemandand reducedsupplyfromthe PersianGulf.

Thesefactors contributedR2,04 perlitre to petrol prices,R4,96 perlitre to diesel andR4,21 perlitre to illuminating paraffin. Thegovernment hasextendeda R3 decrease in thegeneral fuel levy forpetroland aR3,93 reductionfor diesel in an efforttocushion consumersfrom thefullimpactofthe increases.

OPERATORSALREADY FEELING THESTRAIN OF HIGHERFUEL PRICES

Whileno finaldecisionhad been made on raisingtaxifares Tumana confirmed discussionsona possible increase to addresssome concerns raised by many operatorswerelikely to take place.

“Weare consideringraising taxi fares, although we don’talwaysthink it is theright solution.The government is notsteppinginto assist us andweare left with very fewoptions.”

People’s Post reachedout to theSouth African National Taxi Councilfor comment butithad notresponded at thetimeofgoing to print.

Cost-of-drivingcrisisdeepens

Thesharp fuelprice hike that took effecton Wednesday, hasdeepened SouthAfrica’s cost-of-living crisis,withmotorists nowfacing record-highpetroland diesel prices driven by globaloil disruptions.

Petrol hasincreased by R3,27per litreand diesel by R5,27, pushingpricestoabout R25,80 for95unleadedand R26,52 for93, whilediesel hassurpassedR30 perlitre forthe firsttime duetothe MiddleEastconflictand theclosure of theStraitofHormuz.

Neil Roets, ChiefExecutive OfficerofDebt Rescue,warnedthatthe increase signals“imminent disaster”for SouthAfrican households alreadyunder financialstrain.

“The realityisthatthe latest petrol pricedisasterexposes theextentofa fardeeper cost-ofliving crisis,drivenbythe fuelprice increases, higher electricityand watertariffsand ongoing food inflation, whichhas pushed people to the very limits of their financialresources.Thisis deeply concerning.”

He said theincreases arealready impacting dailylife, with higher transport, food andliving costs.

THEKNOCK-ONEFFECT

Findings from theSpendTrend26report, whichcombinesdatafromVisaand Discovery Bank,showthatmostfuelpurchases aredriven by thenecessity of dailyroutinessuchascommuting to work,school runs anderrands.

Accordingtonew data from Discovery Insure,South Africanmotorists have already significantly cutbackonpetroland diesel use, following thesharp increasesofApril,buying 35%lessfuelinApril compared to March. Data showsthattrips takenare down 10%, andthe totaldistancetravelleddroppedby9%.

Thecountry’s agricultural industry,which mostly runs on diesel,isamong thehardest hit by thejumpinfuelprices, andthiswillhave devastatingconsequencesfor consumers, especially thoseinthe lower-income range.

“The spiralling oilpriceshavetriggereda severe economic impact in SouthAfrica, creating a‘cost of survival’crisisfor consumersand heavilytaxingthe agricultural sector.Thisis

becausefuelprice hikesare raisingproduction costsand drivingupfood prices,” notesRoets

ALTERNATIVESOLUTIONS

Roetssaidwhile thepetrolprice hikesmay be outofour control, thereare practicalwaysto stretchevery litrea littlefurther:

1. Oneofthe most practicalsolutions is carpoolingwithfriends or colleagues, as this canhavea significant impact on monthlypetrol costs, freeing up much-needed income

2. Useofloyalty cardstocombatrecord-high prices:focussing on “double-swiping” usinga fuelstation’s rewardscardintandemwitha partneredbankorgrocery loyaltyprogramme to earn twolayersofpointsorcashbackona single transaction, cansavea meaningful sum of moneyevery month.

3. Motoristscan adoptefficientdriving habits such as reducing consumptionbymaintaining asteady100km/hhighway speed,avoidingthe heavyfuel-surgeofstop-starttrafficthrough bettermomentummanagement, andgrouping multiple errandsintoa single ‘loop’toensure theengineoperatesatits most efficienttemperature

4. Fuel efficiency canbeimprovedbyremovingempty roof racksorbikecarrierstoreduce wind drag andclearingout unnecessary weight from theboot

Roetsadvised consumerswho cannotbreak free from their financialconstraints to seek help from aregistereddebtcounsellorwho canassist them to manage their financialpredicament

TurningSA high school learners into virtual investors

Coronation is bringing investingintoSouth Africanclassroomswitha national challengethat turnshighschool learners into virtualinvestors, giving them hands-on experience in building financialskills, exploringfuturecareers,and competingfor R120 000 in prizes

Open to allhighschool learners in SA,the Coronation TopInvestorChallenge: Schools Editionisa fun virtualinvesting experience designed to build financialconfidenceata youngage

Running from Monday 1JunetoFriday31 July,the challengeisdesignedto fitaround school schedules. Learners have the flexibility to participatewhenitsuits them during this period andmakeinvestmentdecisions at their ownpace.

This competitiongives learners theopportuni-

ty to step into theroleofaninvestorthrough a virtualsimulationgame, whichtheycan play on aphone,tablet, or computer

Each team receives avirtual potofmoney to invest.Along theway,participantsare showna series of shortvideosimagining howthe world mightchangeinthe future. Basedonthese scenarios, they decide wheretoallocate their money, learning as they go

Theteamwhose portfolioshows thestrongest growth by theend of thechallengeisdeclared thewinner. Thechallengeisfreetoenter,with learners participatinginteams of twoto five members. Thereisnolimit to thenumberof teamsa school canenter

No priorknowledge of investingisrequired.

Thechallenge is designed to meet learners wheretheyare,introducing keyeconomic,

financial, andinvesting concepts in apractical andengagingway.While playing, participants build financialliteracy, developconfidencein managing money, andlearn aboutanindustry they maynot have come across before “Webelieve that understandinghow investingworks is avaluablelifeskill,”saysKirshni Totaram, Global Head of InstitutionalBusiness at Coronation.“This challengeisabout building that foundation,while also openingthe door to possibilities that mayhavepreviouslyfeltout of reach.”

In addition to thelearningexperience, participantscompete forsubstantial rewards. Thetop-performingteamnationally will win R60000 in Coronation investment vouchers, shared equally amongteammembers.These vouchers aredesignedtohelplearnerstake

their firstrealstepintoinvesting,givingthema financialheadstart in life

Thewinning team’s school will also receive R60000.

Beyond theprizes, thechallengeofferslearnersa valuable addition to theirCVs,demonstrating initiative,teamwork, andaninterestin financialdecision-making

“The idea is simple.Wewanttogivemore youngpeopleaccess to thekindofknowledge andopportunitiesthatcan change howthey thinkabout moneyand theirfuture,”says Totaram. “For some,thismay be their firstexposure to investing. Forothers, it couldbethe beginning of acareer in investment management

.To enter registeronwww.coronation.com/enza/institutional/topinvestor/

Constructionsectorplacingincreasedpressureoncompliance

TheWestern Cape’s growingconstruction sector is placingincreased pressure on compliance, with industry leaderswarning that gaps in oversightcould have financial, legal andsafetyconsequences.

Theprovinceadded42000 construction jobs in thethird quarteroflastyear, accordingtothe WesternCapeGovernment.

Afurther 22 000jobswerecreated over the past year,Premier Alan Windesaidinthe recent Stateofthe Province Address.

“Thislevel of activity is translatingintoreal compliance challenges,” says PetraDevereux, ExecutiveDirectorofthe Master Builders AssociationWestern Cape (MBAWC).

“Morecontractors areenteringthe market, includingfromother provinces. Whilethis signalsa strong economy, it also raises the risk of non-compliance withoutconsistent oversight.”

Construction in SouthAfricaoperateswithin amulti-layered regulatory framework.

Contractorsare required to register with the Construction Industry DevelopmentBoard (CIDB),maintaintax compliance with the SouthAfrican RevenueService andmeet

labour andsafetyrequirementsset by the Department of Employment andLabour.

Forresidential projects,registrationwith theNationalHomeBuildersRegistration Council(NHBRC) is mandatory.

In theWestern Cape,contractors must also comply with theBuildingIndustryBargaining Council(BIBC), whichregulates wages, benefits andworking conditions

“The BIBC is notjusta regulatory requirement,itisa cornerstoneoffairlabourpracticesand industry stability.

Forcontractors,complianceisessentialto operatelegally,compete fairly,and deliver projects withoutdisruption,”saysDevereux. However, compliance extendsbeyond registration anddocumentation

It requires approved health andsafetyplans, appointedsafetyofficers,regular risk assessments andstrictenforcement of personalprotectiveequipment on site

Contractorsmustalsocomplywiththe Unemployment InsuranceFundand Compensation forOccupational Injuries andDiseases Actrequirements, whilemaintaining accurate financialrecords andtax compliance

Wherethese measures arenot in place, risks escalate

Non-compliantcontractors mayfacedelayedpayments, disputes with subcontractors or projectabandonment

Health andsafetyfailurescan result in injury,fatalitiesorsiteclosuresbyauthorities Labour violations mayleadtostrikes or legalaction, whiletax non-compliance can result in penaltiesand reputational damage

Theimpactisnot limitedtocontractors Developers,architects, projectmanagers andprincipal agents mayfaceproject delays, insurancecomplications andincreased costs if compliance is notverified during procurement

Subcontractornon-compliancecan also affectthe main contractor’s liability.

“Complianceisa fundamental safeguard forthe entire construction ecosystem,”says ChandréAbrahams, chairofthe MBAWC MarketingCommittee.

“Wecontinuetosee unrealisticpricing expectations,particularlyaroundlabour, shapingcontractorbehaviour

“Insomecases,thisdrivesnon-compliance in ordertoremaincompetitive

Theindustrymustmoveawayfrompurely cost-drivenprocurement toward compliance-drivenproject delivery,” says Abrahams Industry bodies such as theMBAWC continue to support membersand promote adherencetostandards,while workingwith regulators to strengthen oversight.

“The MBAWCremains firm in itsposition that compliance andprofessionalismare non-negotiable,” says Devereux.“Ourroleis to support membersinupholding thesestandardsand to work with industry stakeholders to ensure that compliance is notonlyexpected butconsistentlyenforced.”

As thesectorexpands,the focusisshifting towardssustainability, with consistent complianceseen as critical to maintaininggrowth andprotectingall stakeholders involved

“Every role in theproject chain, from quantity surveyorstoproject managers andprincipalagents, hasa responsibility to ensure that contractorsare fully compliantbefore appointment.” Procurementpractices remain aconcern in thesector.

Anewspaper

A newspaper that passes through hands.

Legend dies on the field

AVRIL FILLIES

The football community from theCapeTownTygerberg LocalFootball Association wasshocked on thepassing of MogamatSalie Davids (58) from Holy CrossSoccerClub in Bellville on Friday 8May in May.

Davids wasa much-respected coach andover-50 player.Hepassedaway on the fieldinthe fixtureagainst Fish Hoek in Bellville Duetohis passing all fixtures of Holy Crosswerecancelledoverthe weekendtoattend hisfuneral in the Muslim TraditiononSaturday9 May. Davids,known as CoachSalie amongthe juniorsatHolyCross SoccerClub, wasa deeply respected member of thecluband thebroader football community.His humility, kindness andgenuine love forthe game left alasting impact on everyonewho hadthe privilegeofknowing him, particularly themanyyoung playershecoached andmentored throughthe years.

“The past threeyears he played for Holy Crosswhile coaching thejuniors. He hada heartattack just after half-timeand collapsed.There wasno medics on the fieldand membersof