People's Post Constantia/Wynberg E-edition 24 February 2026

Artist readytoinspire

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Followyourheart.That’s thetheme of the16thCape Town Carnival andit’s exactlywhatmakeupartist Jemma Fourie poursintoher craft.

Fourie hasbeen chosen as oneof the“champions” forCapeTown’s biggest event, taking placeonSaturday21March at theGreen Point FanWalk.

Fourie will join othercreatives whichinclude singer Anslin Gysman,local actorNatasha van derMerwe,DJReady D, graffiti artist RizahPotgieter,and designer Stephenvan Eeden.

Carnival organisers saypeople canlook forwardtoa celebrationof diversityasover1 000performers and10colourful handcrafted floats areset to dazzle spectators

Fourie said thetheme resonates deeply with herlovefor creativity andself-expression

“I sharemylovefor allthings self-expression,beautyand life, especially in regard to makeup artistry.Mycreativityand love for thearts, whetheronpaper or on faces, is what drives me.Thisfrom ayoung agetranslatedinto finding that same community online and sharingeachstepofmyjourney there.”

Fourie,who is also asocialmedia contentcreator,saidshe feels honoured to take part in this year’s event.

“Itfeelsinspiring.Italwaysdoes. Everytimeyou walk into aroom that is connected to Cape Town Carnival,you arewalking into a room fullofpassionatecreatives

“Everyoneloves what they create,and thecollaboration only strengthensthat. It is thedream

setupfor anycreativefromany field, whereyou cannotonlyrun wild,but uplift oneanother.”

Shesaidworking with the“FollowYourHeart”theme hasshaped herapproachtousing makeup to complete andenhance each look

“I designed amakeuplook for oneofthe lead performers,taking alookatthe costumingand float creation to make somethingcohesive.I believemakeup, especially in itsextravagant,genderbending,

charactercreatingformallows dancersand performers to step into theircharacter (oreventhemselves)and embody thepassion they feel.”

Fourie said shewants people to leavethe eventfeelinginspired.

“I wouldlovefor audiencesto feel seen andinspired. Ithink the carnival is so rich in festivitiesand theartsthatitreminds theviewer of what they arecapable of notonly in theirown capacity,but when we

collaborate with oneanother as well.”

NovusMedia,publishersof People’s Post,isa proudprint mediapartner of theevent

THISYEAR’S THEME FORGREEN POINT IS:FOLLOW YOUR HEART

SANParkssuspendsindemnityatTMNP

TheSouth AfricanNationalParks (SANParks) announcedonFriday 13 February that it hassuspended theindemnity andverification form requirementatTable Mountain National Park (TMNP) with immediateeffect.

This announcement came just days afterSANParksstatedthatit

will be implementing theindemnity andverification form requirement process.

“The measurewas introduced to strengthen verification andgovernanceprocesses.

“However,SANParksacknowledgesthatits implementation led to operationaldelaysand visitor frustration. “Wehavelistenedto theconcernsraisedbyvisitorsand tourismpartnersand have acted decisively,” theentityexplained in itsstatement

“Overthe next twelve months, SANParks will implementa fully digitisedidentification document (ID) andpassportverification system at park gates, including high-speed scanning technology to ensure accurate compliance while delivering aseamlessvisitor experience,” thestatement read During this transition,gate operations will continue without theindemnity form requirement, SANParks concluded.

Adecadeago,which seeminglyfeels like alifetimeago, Ican recall an indescribable senseofwonderand curiosity Ihad as achild

Thesimplesensation of allowing my paintbrush to slideand slowly danceacrossa blankcanvas, was so therapeuticand always remains apowerfultool to expressmyself andthe weight of theworld forme. At theage of four,surroundedby action figures, crayonsand blank sheetsofpaper,I discovered that soon as Icould sketch ahouse,a garden anda fewstick figures, I knew Ihad founda passion that felt rewardingand soothing Despitethe breathless rush of earlymornings, trafficjamsand tightschedules at school wherewe would flocktoour classroomslike obedient farm animals, shifting from economicsclass to biology, Ifound drawingtobeanendless

escape from thechaos that parades outsidethose homesaswellasthe stress that haunts ourconscience. WhetherI wasdoodlingonmy exam pad, reimaginingfamous Dragonball Zcharactersand occasionally catching thewrath of some of my teachers whowould ripapart adrawing Iwas obsessing over and chuckitinthe bin, IknewI hada gift,a refugefroma pollutedworld that no-one couldtouch or defile Howeversad Imay have felt at seeing my artworkbeing rippedto shreds in frontofmyclassmates as an angsty adolescent,I quickly understood thebeautyofart still eludes some whomay be navigating thecurrentsofwealthand work andthe stress of theirown tumultuous personal lives. Often, creativesare misunderstood,labeled as “uncompromising” or “unfiltered”withattimes littlecaretounderstanding the depthofthe waywethink and feel andhow it enriches ourart At timesI wouldstruggletofocus on subjects such as accounting or mathematicswhich Ifound uninterestingand woulddaydreamand

doodle,creatinga colourful world before my eyes that gave my young life ameaning,a purposeonmy ownterms.Often theyoung aren’t allowedmanyliberties to pursue their“hobbies”ascareersand thus fall back into safercareer choices, hencetheyhushtheir inner-child in ordertogrowupand to find a jobthatcan sustaina living anda roof over theirheads.The fears, responsibilities andburdens our parentscarry to providefor us as theirchildrenisunderstandable, butsometimes theirfears forus canslowlyswallowus, leavinglittle confidenceinour dreams they can’tenvisionaswedo.

Therefore, themereact of pursuingour goalsisa silent andat timesloudprotest againstthe cold reality, innerdoubtsand critics in ourfamiliesand friends. And yetI foundthata resilientspirit, adedicationand passion to your craftcan open doorsovertimeyou mayhavethought wouldn’t open foryou

In this ever-shiftingworld where Artificial Intelligence(AI)isspeedingupour livesdespite beingsold

us as tool to lightenour loads, it’s becoming evidentit’sa shortcut to boosting profitby floodingthe market with content. Whether it’s photographs, musicor film,I find AI generatedart toopolished, radio-readyand commercial. It’s nauseating with littlecarefor tasteordeeper curiosity. Ilovethe word saccharine, an expression forwhensomething is excessively sweet or when someoneis“too-polite”, as ametaphorfor exploring this golden ageoftechnology wherewecan “prompt” ourideas andsatisfy ourego’s with aclick of abutton. Eating toomanysweet treats cannotonlydecay your teeth andcause headaches, butcan lead to diabetes anddeath

In this case,it’scrucial we protect that childlikewonderwhenone coloursbeyondthe borders, when “those mistakes”becomea signature of beinghuman before we ignore ourindividuality,our brand, in thepursuit of profitand before we know it,becomingpartofthe AI-slopinthe fear of missing out on thelatestgoldrushofthe 21st century.

Youngartistsfindtheir voiceatCTArtFair

NAMHLAMONAKALI

Youngartists from Lalela’s Hout Bayprogramme drew strong interest at theCapeTown ArtFaironFriday20February, wheretheir work explored themes of generosity,identity andpersonalstorytelling

Thenon-profitorganisation(NPO),which provides after-school arts educationtoyoung people from under-resourcedcommunities, showcaseda curatedselection of learnerartworksatBoothI3duringthe three-dayevent

Amongthose featured were JoyceNyamana, Nyasha Dzamara, DealmaxNyatsapfu and LeticiaZidana.

Theirpiecesattractedsteadyattentionfrom visitors

TheartworksformedpartofLalela’s“Selfless Stories” curriculum, whichencourageslearners to reflectongivingand receiving, both towards themselves andothers, andhow theseexperiencesshape theirworldviews.

Lalela contentmanager Danielssaidthe themehelps youngpeopleprocess theirexperienceswhile building confidencethrough creative expression

“Art givesour learners alanguagetoexpress what they sometimescannotsay in words,” Danielssaid. “Through thecurriculum, they begintounderstandtheir ownstories,their value andhow they connecttoothers.”

Acentral featureofthe standinvited visitors to contribute to an interactiveartwork by writingreflectionsongenerosity.

Thehandwrittennotes were addedtoa collective mosaic that grew throughout theweekend, symbolisingcommunity,empathy andshared humanity

Thebooth also showcasedLalelascarves featuring original artwork.

Each scarfincludesa tagtelling thestory of theyoung artist or thecurriculumthatinspired thedesign.

Accordingtothe organisation,all profits from salesare reinvested into itseducational arts programmes “Whentheysee theirworkdisplayed in spaces like this,itshiftshow they seethemselvesand what they believeispossible,”Daniels said Learners also participated in peer-led Kids 4 Kids Toursguidedbyinterns

YouthfromHoutBay,Masiphumelele,Bertha Retreatand Philippi Village took part,alongside learners from theZeitz MOCAAyouth programme

RockingFutureopensstudypaths

NAMHLAMONAKALI

Learners at twosouthernsuburbs schools received career guidance andstudy information during recent visits by theRocking Future programme,a national initiative aimedatpreparingschoolleavers forlifeafter matric RockingFuturevisited Norman Henshilwood High School in WynbergonThursday12 February andSansSouci Girls’ High School in Newlands on Monday 16 February,connecting learners with tertiary institutions,training providersand career resources.

Organisedby3RC,a programme within RockingFuturethathas been running for26years, focusesonhelping SouthAfrican learners make informed decisionsabout theirfuturestudies andemploymentoptions

Accordingtoorganisers, many learners feel uncertainabout career choicesdue to limited exposure to opportunitiesand thecountry’s high youthunemploymentrate.

Thecareer exposaim to addressthisbyproviding direct access to information, guidance andsupport

RockingFuturefounder KayCheytanov said theinitiativecontinues to have astrongimpact in schools.

“Thisjourney hasbeen nothingshort of spectacular. Thelevel of engagement from (learners) and(teachers)exceedsour expectationsyearafter year,” shesaid. “The feedback is overwhelmingly positive,affirmingthe expo’s role in shapingfuturecareers.”

Cheytanovsaidlearnersoften arrive at the exposunsureabout theiroptions.“Choosinga career path canbedaunting, especially forthose whodonot know what opportunitiesexist,” she said “Weaim to give them clarity, confidence andpractical informationsotheycan make informed choices.”

At theexpos,learnersengaged with representatives from universities,collegesand skills training organisations, andreceivedthe Future Guide magazine,which contains information

on courses, bursaries, career pathways and job-readinessadvice.

Grade11learner Saeed Nathersonsaidthe expo helped himunderstandavailable study options.

“ItopenedmyeyestocareersI didnot know aboutbefore,”hesaid. “Now Ifeel more confident aboutplanning what Iwanttodoafter school.”

Anotherlearner,Alyssa Geland,saidspeaking directly to institutions made adifference

“Ithelpedmesee what subjects Ineed and what stepstotakenext,”she said Teachers said theinitiativeprovidesvaluable exposure,particularlyfor learners whomay nototherwise have access to career guidance resources.

In addition to in-personevents, theprogramme also offersa three-dimensionalonline career expo platform,allowing participants to exploreinstitutionsand career information virtually if they cannotattend physically

TheRocking Future tour is currently visiting schoolsacrossCapeTown, with organisers aimingtoreach thousandsofmatriclearner before theend of this year

Threechargedfor killingawoman

NAMHLAMONAKALI

Three suspects have been arrested andcharged with murder following thediscovery of afemalebody in Hangberg last week,police confirmed.

Thebodywas foundonMonday17 February at around 18:40inanabandonedhouse near theSea View Flats in theSeaview area

Police said thevictimwas in an advanced stateofdecomposition.The identity of thedeceasedwillonlybe confirmed once necessary testshave been concluded.

Thepoliceconfirmed that threesuspectshad been arrested in connection with the incident

Theaccusedappeared at theWynberg Magistrates’ CourtonFriday20 February

COMMUNITYINSHOCK

Thediscovery hasleftthe Hangberg community deeply shaken

Residentsdescribed theincident as disturbing andexpressedconcern over abandonedbuildings in thearea, whichtheysay canattractcriminal activity

“The Hout BayCPF recognises the shockand trauma caused by this discovery,” said Loyiso Skoti, chairofthe Hout BayCommunity Policing Forum (CPF). “Weare organising trauma counselling services foraffectedcommunity members, families,and those directly impacted.Further detailson

CONCERN OVER ABANDONED BUILDINGSINTHE AREA

howtoaccess theseserviceswillbe shared once finalised.”

Skotiurged residentstoavoid speculationorspreading unverified information. “Wecommend thepolice forthe swiftactiontaken in effecting arrestsand urge thecommunity to allowthe legalprocess to unfold.We call forcalm, cooperation, andrespectfor thedignity of thevictimand theaffectedfamilies,”hesaid.

PUBLICASSISTANCEENCOURAGED

Authoritiescontinuetoappealto anyone with informationthatcould assist detectives

Residentscan contactCrime Stop on 0860010111 or report anonymously usingthe MySAPS App.

TheCPF said it wouldcontinue workingclosely with thepoliceand otherstakeholderstosupport safety andhealing

Community safety structures are also expected to engage with residentstoaddressconcernsaround abandonedpropertiesand prevent further incidents.

Thearrest of thethree suspects and theongoing investigationunderscore theurgentneed forvigilance and cooperationtokeep Hout Baysafe.

Studentsturnteachers

KEANAN HARMSE

KEANAN.HARMSE@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Two former learners turned music teachers from Masi Violin Outreach aremakinghistory as they begininternationally recognised Suzuki Teacher Training this year,marking asignificant milestonefor theMasiphumelele-based community musicprogramme

Ayabonga Tshemese andOnkeMbopha, whoeachstarted learning violin throughthe outreach programme over adecadeago,left forJohannesburgonFriday20Februaryto undertakeSuzukiLevel 1teacher training,an internationally respectedqualification focusing on musicpedagogy, childdevelopment,and the

STRUCTURED TEACHING METHODS,TONE DEVELOPMENT,AND ENSEMBLELEADERSHIP

stressing aboutthe financialsideofit, I’mforever grateful,” he said, Tshemese (26) said he is excitedtolearn new techniques andimpartthese lessons to his learners

“Thiswillenablethemtoengagewitheducators from across SouthAfricaand learnfrom experiencedSuzukiteacher trainers.Thisisthe firstmoduleand there’ll be four throughout the

COMMUNITYSUPPORTNEEDED

Masi Violin Outreach hasexpressedgratitude to generous sponsors making this opportunity possible, whilealsoappealing forcommunity support toward travel andaccommodation costsfor theJohannesburgtrainingsessions. Thosewishing to supportTshemeseand Mbopha’s journeycan find more informationat www.masiviolinoutreach.co.za or emailmasiviolinoutreach@gmail.com

PROGRAMMEEXPANSION

Theorganisationwillalsowelcome 35 new violin learners this year andactivelyseeksinstrument donationsfromcommunity members

AyabongaTshemese and OnkeMbophaseen as young violinists. PHOTOS:SUPPLIED

with unused violins. “Instrumentdonations play avital role in making access to musiceducation possible,”Monynoted . Formoreinformation,contact Nadiah Monyat masiviolinoutreach@gmail.com.

CrabeatersealvisitsCapewaters

Anunusual visitorfromAntarctica wasspottedalong theCape’scoastline last week.A female crabeater seal,a speciesseldomseen in South Africanwaters, wasinitially sighted at BadenPowellDrive andlater in the Strand area.

Following areportedsightingofa crabeater seal alongthe coastline, Helderberg Ocean Awarenessand theCityofficialswereprompted to respond.

Theareawas cordoned off to protectboththe seal andthe public,ensuringthe animal had adequate spacetorestundisturbed

Subsequently,a coordinatedmarinewildlife response team comprising MartineViljoen, Marine Wildlife Team Manager, TwoOceans Aquarium Foundation;YinhlaShihlomule, Top predator coordinator; andZafar Monier,MarionIslandsealer; respondedto flippertag and vaccinate theseal.

This remarkable animal hastravelledan estimated4 500kmfromher Antarctichome, journeying even further than thesouthernelephantseals that have visitedCapeTownshores in recent years.

“Weare so luckytohavethese amazing animalsvisit ourshoreline.Weappeal to all membersofthe public to please leavethem alone, respecttheir space, andviewthemfrom adistance. They don’tneed help,food,orwater –the best we candofor them is give them peaceand space,”saysGregg Oelofse, Coastal andEnvironmental Managerfor theCityof Cape Town With Crabeaterseals, thereisalwaysheightened concernwhentheyare observed ingesting sand.Asa speciesnot naturally adaptedto SouthAfrican coastalconditions, such behaviourmay reflectstressordisorientation. Tragically,sandingestion canleadtoserious gastrointestinal complicationsand hasbeen recognised as acause of mortalityinindivid-

ualvagrant seal species. Thereisnoimmediateconcern forthisindividualseal, however expertswillcontinuetomonitor herfor any change in behaviourorcondition

ARAREOPPORTUNITYFORLEARNING

Vagrantseals appearingalong theCape coastlineunderscorethe importance of public awarenessand establishedsafetyprotocols for thebenefitofbothwildlifeand people

This sighting serves as apowerfulreminder: Crabeaterseals arenot just distantAntarctic curiosities.

On rare occasions, they appear alongour shores,offeringa unique opportunitytoobserve andlearn abouta speciesverydifferentfrom ourfamiliarCapefur seals.

CONSERVATIONINACTION

As aprecautionary measure, theteam administered arabiesvaccination to theseal. This formspartofa broadersealvaccination studycurrently beingimplemented forCapefur sealsand othervagrant seal species, including elephant seals.

Giventhatcrabeater sealstravelvastdistances andinteractwithnumerousmarinespecies in theSouthernOcean,vaccination is aproactive step to reduce potentialdisease transmission risks.

Theteamalso flippertaggedthe seal foridentification purposes

“Flippertagging provides auniquevisual identification,allowing individual sealstobe recognised over time.Thishelps confirm whether repeated sightingsinvolve thesameseal rather than differentanimals,particularlywhen asealhauls outatmultiplelocations alongthe coastline,”saidViljoen,MarineWildlifeTeam Manageratthe TwoOceansAquarium.

As this rare Antarctictravellerrests alongour coastline, themessage is clear: Admiration from adistanceisthe greatest kindness we canoffer By respecting herspace,weensurethatthis

Basking in the summer sun on thebeach. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

RESPECTTHEIR SPACE

BY

STAYING AT LEAST20 METRESAWAY

extraordinaryvisitor’s journeyremains astory of wonder,not harm

SAFETYFIRST:GUIDELINESFORVIEWINGWILDLIFE

Thepublicare urgedtofollowthese important safety ruleswhenencounteringseals or other

marine wildlife:

. Respecttheir spacebystaying at least20 metres away;

. Observebarriers– remain behind any cordoned-off areas;

. Do notpourwater over theseal, as this causes unnecessary stress;

. Minimise noiseand movement to keep the environmentcalm;

. Keep dogs on leashestoprevent unexpected animal interactions.Safety first: Guidelines for viewingwildlife.

TAdvertise your

Curre ly clubsare entangledi endlies locally as well as interprovincialahead of the league start.

Thecurrent league structurefor Super LeaguesA to Cremains with theinclusion of an extrateamineachSuper league as the16th team,based on rankings afterlastyear’sclub rugbyseason.

Thethree teamsfromSuper Cwho were relegatedtothe regionsfor this year will remain in SuperC with theinclusion of thewinner, runners up andplay-off winnerofthe Promotion League of last year

At theend of the15round-robin matches, teamswillberankedaccordingtotheir position,and this will determinethe structurefor next year’s competition.

Thetop team in each SuperLeaguewillbethe league winner. Therewillbea separate competition made up of topeight (President Cup) andbottomeight play-offs(Challenger Cup) foreachSuper League.Thiscompetition will be played on aknockoutbasis with no bearingon theseedingfor next year

At theend of this season thebottomthree clubsinSuper League Cwillberelegated to the Regional Leagues(Paarl, City,Northernand Southern).

Thetop team in each Regional League will be promoted to theSuper League C.

Allclubs ranked from 1to48, basedonresults in this year’s club rugbyseason, will be seeded in four newleagues next year,consistingof12 teamseach(SuperLeagueA,B, Cand D)

At regional level, thereare four leagues: Southern,Central,Paarland Northern Regional competitions will be played on a double round, home-and-awaybasis,withthe topteamineachregioncrowned league winners andpromotedtoSuper League D. Regional leagueswillcommenceonSaturday21March 2026,and clubsare required to fieldatleast a firstand second team,withthird teamsoptional.

At theend of thecurrent season,the bottom four teamsinSuper League Cwillberelegated to theregionalleagues.However,shouldthe PaarlRegionwinnerdecline promotiontothe newSuper League D, only thebottomthree teamswillberelegated

Teamsplaying in thedifferentleagues are: SuperLeagueA: Villager, Hamiltons, FalseBay,Helderberg, SK-Walmers,Van derStel-Evergreens,Durbell, Tygerberg, Ikeys,Maties, Uni-Mil, KuilsRiver, Brackenfell, UWC, Franschhoek andPrimrose SuperLeagueB: AllSaints, Belhar,Bellville,Collegians, CPUT, Goodwood,Hamediehs,Hamlets,Hands & Heart, Kraaifontein, Macassar, NTK, St.Georges,Vineyards,Violets andYoung Peoples SuperLeagueC: Atlantis,BusyBee, Caledonian Roses, Delft, Eersterivier,Gardens,Kylemore, Langa, Pniel-Villagers,Raithby-Universals, Rangers, Scottsdene Central, SirLowrians, Strand, Strand United andWatsonia