CONSTANTIA |WYNBERG
VOLUNTEERSLAUNCH PROGRAMME
Twentyvolunteers rolled up their sleeves at Justine’s EducareCentreinHangbergas non-profit organisation Menschofficially launchedits Volunteer Programme 2026 earlier this month. Read moreonpage3. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
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electricitymorethanthree months after adevastating fire displacedhundredsof people
Themarch movedfromthe informal settlement to theHoutBay Librarybeforeresidents gathered at theHoutBay Sports andRecreation
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stroyed175 households andleftnearly1 000 people homeless.
“Asa community leader anda business owner, Icould notstand asidewhile my community suffered,” Lucassaid. “I wouldnot have it any otherway,evenifitcosts me business.”
Residentsclaimed theprolonged outage
hadforcedfamiliestorelyoncharcoaltoheat waterand keep warm inside poorly ventilated structures,increasingfears of another fire or possiblehealthrisks
“Homes liecoldtothe core,” Lucassaid.
“Atnight,individuals lightcharcoalinbadly yo ly resident caring forhis wife,who is living with tuberculosis.“Hout Bayresidents,thisisyour fightalso. Humanrightsare beingviolated,” Lucastoldprotesters. “Excuseafter excuse,and this is noton.”
Choose schoolby15June
Thousands of Western Cape parentswho appliedfor GradeR,1 and 8placementsfor next year have untilMonday15Juneto confirm aschool
TheWestern Cape Department of Education(WCED)releasedthe outcomes of theon-time admissionsapplications on Thursday 28 May. Thedepartmenturged families nottopanic if they do not receiveanimmediate offer
DavidMaynier,Ministerfor Educationinthe WesternCape, said schoolsdetermine theoutcome of admissionsbased on theiradmissionspolicies.
“Atthe pointwhenoutcomesare firstreleased, asubstantial number of learners will have received multiple offers. Forexample,last year more than 40 000 learners hadmultiplesuccessful outcomes at variousschoolsand were ‘double parked’onthe system.”
Mayniersaidwiththousands of learners holdingmultipleoffersat once theadmissionsprocess was expected to shiftsignificantly in theweeksahead as spaces beginto open up across schools.
“Itisimportant to note that more than 46 000 learners received two or more offers, andastheir parents confirm theirchoiceofschool more than 64 000 places will stillopen up to be offered to otherparents.”
WHATTHISMEANSFORPARENTS
LEARNERSWILL BE PLACEDASPLACES BECOME AVAILABLE
Maynierstressedthatthe admissionsprocess continues well beyond theinitial releaseof results, with significant movement in placements expected in thedays andweeks that follow.
He said many learners whoare notplacedimmediatelywillbe accommodatedlater as spaces become available, with schools contacting parentsdirectlywhen newopeningsoccur.
ACTIONSFORPARENTS
Parentswho received multiple offers areurged to accept oneschool immediately. This helpsfree-up places forother learners
Parentswhose children have notyet been placed areadvised to constantly engage with theschools they appliedtoand ensure their contactdetails arecorrect
Accordingtothe department,the admission processisstill active, many placements will stillbe finalised. Maynierurged parentsto remain patient, saying thedepartment closelymonitored placements andremainedcommittedtoensuringevery learnerisaccommodated.
He said further communication andsupport wouldbeprovidedto families throughthe remainderof theadmissionsprocess.
Abahambeorabahlale?AfricaDayexposesus
AJOURNO’SVOICE
On social mediatimelines andinstreetconversations,a phrase hasbecomeshorthand forSouth Africa’s current tension:“Abahambe?Abahlale?”
Should they leave, or should they stay?Itisa question that has gained momentum alongsidethe “March andMarch”protestsin recent weeksinGauteng andnow in Cape Town thepastweekend, wheredemonstrators have called forstricterimmigrationenforcement,tighter border controland, in some cases, theremoval of undocumented migrants.Atthe same time,itsitsuncomfortably against Africa Day, marked on 25 May, whichwas meanttoaffirm unity, solidarity andsharedbelonging across thecontinent.The contradictionisdifficult to ignore
Translated from Zulu “Abahambe?” means“Should they leave?” and“Abahlale?” means“Should they stay?” On thesurface,itisa binary question.Inreality,itreflects amorelayered struggleover belonging, legality,economicpressure andidentityina countrystill shaped by inequality andhistorical displacement
This year’s Africa Daytheme, focusedonwater security and sustainablesanitationunder the AfricanUnion’s Agenda 2063, speaks to along-term vision of shared infrastructure andcollective survival across borders. Howeveronlineand offline, the dominant mood is oftenshaped less by continentalunity andmore by scarcity,frustration andfear.
The“Marchand March” protests have been framed by organisers andsupportersasa response to unemployment,strainedpublic services andcompetition forlimit-
ed opportunities. In communities wherejobsare scarce andservice delivery inconsistent,frustration hasfound avisible target.Migrants,particularlythose without documentation, areoften placed at thecentreofthatanger.Yet even within that anger, distinctions are frequently lost Concerns aboutimmigration policy arenot automatically the same as hostilitytowardforeign nationals. Butinthe speed and heat of public discourse, those linesblureasily. That is where “Abahambeorabahlale” becomes more than aphrase. It becomesa filter throughwhich people sort others into categories of belonging or exclusion.
SouthAfrica’sunemployment crisis,inequalityand uneven access to housingand healthcare arereal pressures. They shapehow people interpretevery additional strain on public systems. However, Idonot thinkmigration is theroot cause of thesestructuralproblems. It is onevisible expression of awider regional realityshapedbydisparity, conflictand uneven development across thecontinent.A recent conversation with my father on Africa Daybrought this into sharper focus. He wished me a“Happy Africa Day, ntombam,”beforeunpackingits meaning. He reminded me that this dayemerged from the liberation era, when Africanstates supported oneanother in struggles againstcolonialism andapartheid That historyisnot symbolic alone; it shaped theideathatAfrican futures areinterconnected,not isolated Former presidentThabo Mbeki hasrepeatedlywarnedthatpoverty across thecontinent remainsdeeply entrenched,a reminder that the promiseofAfrican unitystill exists alongsidepersistenteconomic hardship.His reflection echoes the gapbetween Africa Day’sideals andthe livedrealities that continue
to define much of thecontinent
That conversation made clearthat present-dayrealities nowsit alongside that legacy in uncomfortable ways In SouthAfrica, thegovernment is oftenexperienced notas astabilising forcebut as asource of frustration. Servicedelivery protests,risinglivingcosts and persistent unemployment shape howcommunities respondto anything perceivedasadditional pressure.Migration becomesone of thosepressure points becauseit is visible, immediateand politicallycharged.The question,then, is notonlywho belongs, butwhat belongingmeans in asociety where many alreadyfeel excluded from economic participation. If my observationsserve me right“Abahambeorabahlale” captures that tensionina wayofficial language oftencannot. It is raw, direct and emotionally loaded.But it is also reductive. It flattens acomplex mix of documented migrants,undocumented migrants,refugees,longterm residentsand citizens into a single forced choice
It also raises adeeper question aboutgovernancewhether enforcement alonecan addresswhatis fundamentally an economic and structural challenge. Border controlmay respondto legality,but it does notcreatejobs. Deportationmay signal political action,but it does notresolve failingservicesoreconomicstagnation.Atthe same time,dismissing public frustrationwould miss the point. Theseconcernsare rooted in livedexperience. Theriskliesnot in recognisingthatfrustration,but in howeasilyitcan be redirected into exclusionary narrativesthat harden over time
Thereisanother layertothisconversationthatlives almost entirely online.Morethanjustcreating content, as aMillennial Igoonto social mediatoengage. That is a
worldonits own; aworld fullof voices,opinions, threads, clips, counterarguments andoutrage cycles that move faster than my reflections.
In that space, youare constantly pulledintopositions.You areexpected to declarewhere youstand, to pick asideand respondquickly andvisibly.But if youdonot know whoyou are, andifyou do not standyourground, youcan easily getlostinthe discourseitself. It is notjustabout beinginformed. It is aboutbeing anchored.Without that grounding, everytrend becomespersuasive, everyargument feelsurgentand everycomment sectionstartstofeel like truthrather than noise. Thedangerisnot only misinformation,but fragmentation,the loss of personal clarity in asea of competingcertainty That dynamicmatters here because“Abahambe or abahlale” is notonlya street-level question It is also adigital one. It circulates, sharpens andpolarises in real time.Socialmedia does notmerely reflectpublicopinion;itintensifies it,often stripping away nuance in theprocess.
Africa Day, in contrast,asksfor somethingslower. It asks formemory, contextand an awarenessof shared historiesthatare notalways visibleina scrolling feed SouthAfricanow sits between thesetwo worlds:the immediate pressure of economic hardship andthe longer arcofcontinental connection. Theprotestsrepresent urgency. Africa Dayrepresents intention. Social mediaamplifies both,often withoutdistinction Andinthe middlesitsthe question Abahambe or abahlale?There are no simple answers. Butthere is awarning embedded in howthe question is asked. When societyreduces complexrealities into binaries,itmay feel like clarity.But it oftencomes at thecostof understanding.
NAMHLA MONAKALI
David Maynier says schoolsdetermine the outcome of admissions applications basedontheir admissions policies. PHOTO:KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Menschr
NAMHLAMONAKALI
Atotalof20volunteersrolledup theirsleeves at Justine’sEducare Centre in Hangberg as Mensch, anon-profitorganisationfocusingon social impact andvolunteering, officially launched itsVolunteer Programme2026 earlierthismonth.
As part of thelaunch, volunteersspent Sunday 17 Mayrefurbishingthe earlychildhood development centre alongsidepartner organisations FundaKunye andLoveina Bowl
They assisted with structural improvements andupgrades, includinganoutdoor rebuild, the addition of shadecloth,and therefurbishment of indoor andoutdoor learning spaces
“Wehelpedwithanoutdoor structural rebuild, addedshade cloth, refreshedthe space inside andout,and spenttimewithanincrediblecommunity,” theorganisationexplained Therefurbishment formed part of the firstsession of theMenschVolunteer Programme2026, asubsidisedservice-learninginitiativeaimed at encouragingactivecommunity involvementand social impact.The programme,valuedatR5 000 perparticipant,began with an orientation eveningonThursday7 Mayand includes four Sunday volunteeringsessionsbetween Mayand June,endingwitha graduation eveningcoming up on Thursday 11 June.Menschisgrounded in theJewishconcept of TikkunOlam, meaning“repairingthe world”.The modelcombines hands-on volunteeringwithguidedreflection andlearningtopromote long-termcivic engagement andsocialresponsibility
Each session focusesona differentsocial issue, includingearly childhooddevelopment, food security,homelessnessand youthdevelopment.The programme is designed to connect learning with practicalactionincommunities Networkco-odinator Jodi Ramsay said theinitiativeisabout making impact more accessibleand grounded in real relationships. “Wewanttoshowthatmeaningfulchange
FROMPAGE1
Lucascalledonthe widerHoutBay community to support fire victimsand hold theCity accountable.
“I askedall membersofthe public to join us to hear what plansare in placetoelectrify acommunity of 175households: mothers, children, domestic workers, gardeners, dogwalkers and people that work in your homes,”hesaid.
“Aninjurytoone is an injury to all, and ImizamoYethu fire victimshave, since24 February,been living in injury.”
Ward 74 councillorRob Quintassaidseveral administrative andoperational challenges had delayedthe restorationprocess.
AccordingtoQuintas,the City firstneededto conductdisastermanagementverification processes, includingconfirmingwhether affectedresidents were registeredCitycustomers andcheckingthe legality of electricity meters
“Thatprocess takestime,”hesaid.
Quintassaiddelayswereworsenedbytwo severe cold fronts that caused widespread electricityoutages across Cape Town,impacting the availability of contractors.
“A contractor hasnow been appointedand work should beginonceresolutions arereached with community leadership structures,” he said He addedthatdisagreements regardinglocal labour allocationsalsoslowedprogress.
“Whenworking with communities,weengage with community structures anddevelopment forums,but no groupcan dictatewho gets work or howmanypeopleare employed.Labour processesmustbefairand compliant,”Quintas said He also criticised what he describedasdisruptionsand interference facedbyCityofficialsand contractorsattemptingtoaccess thesite.
“Weneedtobeabletocometositewithout prevention andinterferencebypeoplewho claimtohelpthe community buthaveno interest in ensuring theworkisdonecorrectly,” he said
Quintasacknowledgedresidents’frustrations butdeniedthatthe City hadabandoned the community
“Noone hasforgottenabout them.Weneed to followthe necessary administrative processes andensure fiscal responsibility when public moneyisspent,” he explained.
Quintasfurther notedthatmarches and protests should followthe required legalprocedures, includingproviding notice andobtaining permitswhere trafficdisruptions areexpected.
Unwelcome ‘big school’ approved
NAMHLAMONAKALI
Bergvliet residentshavebeenleft stunnedafter learning theCityof Cape Town hasalready “approved” thecontentious high-capacity secondary school with construction nowfreeto proceed.
TheproposedTokai High School on Erf 1061 is plannedfor up to 1100 learners on a 3,87-hectare plot alongthe Bergvlietresidential interfaceinWard73.
Thedisputabledevelopment hasset tongues wagging sincecomingtolight in Marchand residents have held protests againstthe proposed development(“Megaschool plan opposed”, People’s Post, 24 March)
However, theirefforts have been in vain
Ingrid vanden Berg,a member of the BergvlietVoluntary Association(BVA),saysthe announcement came during an online meetingwithwardcouncillorEddieAndrews on Wednesday21May
Thecommunity hadunderstood theproject wasstill in itsplanning andpublicengagement phases,she says to People’s Post Vanden Berg says residentshavesince continuedengagingthe WesternCapeEducation Department (WCED) andthe City of Cape Town, raisingconcernsovertraffic, environmental impact,and thescale of thedevelopment STRUGGLEFORINFORMATION
Vanden Berg says akey flashpoint wasthe community’s efforttoaccess theproject’s TrafficImpactAssessment(TIA).She says two requests submittedunder thePromotion of Access to InformationAct (Paia) were refused before an appeal to theOmbudsman whoruled in thecommunity’s favour finally securedthe document’s release.
Thedocumentprovidedwas adraft,Van den Berg says,raising questionsabout whether approvalshad been grantedonincomplete sy gi age, gsay
Bergvliet residents have been left stunned after learning theCityofCape Town has already “approved”the contentious high-capacity secondaryschool with construction nowfreeto proceed.
A Warofwords eruptoverKirstenbosch
Storm Bayfinallydredged
TheCityofCapeTownhas reacheda significant milestoneinits long-termrestoration of Zeekoevlei,withdredgingworkinthe Storm Baysection nowcompleteafter 10 months of operations
Theproject,which beganinJunelastyear, marked the firstdredgingofthe vlei in 42 years. A floating suctiondredger anda team of 15 personnelstarted work at StormBay in theFalse
BayNatureReserve to remove sediment that hasaccumulated over decades. Sinceoperationsbegan,approximately 207 000 cubicmetresofsedimenthavebeen dredgedfromStorm Bay. Earlierthismonth,the dredgerwas relocated to Home Bay, wherea further 157000 cubic metres of sediment will be removedaspartof thenextphase of theproject Accordingtothe City,the overalldredging ed in early
Newbuilding for CHSAopened
Cco member ,Eddie tofthe rotecting
Ca de aims forgold
Atotalof13talentedbasketball playerswho representedWestern Province (WP) andSouth African (SA) in variousBasketballcompetitions in thepastwillbeinactionasSAElite from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June at the Soweto Uprising Basketball Tournament in Gauteng.
Lead by thededicated coachShafiek Allie, whohas more than 30 yearsexperienceinbasketball, theteamislookingforward to show the otherteams what Capetoniansare made of Thegroup previously representedWPin2023 in u-15 andin2024inu-17atthe same venue in Gauteng, andatthe SA Championship in Cape Town last year
Alliewitnessed first-hand theprofoundimpact basketball canhaveonyoung livesand he
establishedthe SA EliteBasketballTeamatthe American InternationalSchool in Constantia He spentmorethana decade coaching kids andiscurrently theheadcoach of theWPu-17 team
TheSAElite team is oneoftwo teamsfrom Cape Town,the otherteambeing HotShots Basketball team
“Basketballhas been alifelongpassion for me.Growing up,I facedmyown challenges, butthe game provided me with opportunitiesI neverthought possible.
“Ittaughtmediscipline, teamwork and resilience,valuesI strive to instil in my players everyday.Thispersonaljourney fuelledmy
desire to create apositivespace foryoung athletes,leading to thefoundingofSAElite,” he says
At SA Elitetheir mission is clearand heartfelt.Keep kids off thestreetsand engagedin sports,providing them with aconstructiveoutlet. They support theeducation of theathletes, ensuring they achievethe grades necessary for university admission.Theyalsomoldthe basketballplayers into remarkable youngmen who cancontributepositivelytosociety andachieve theirdreams.
“Since ourofficial launch on Sunday 29 Marchwehaveproudly welcomed over 60 membersfromvarious backgrounds, including Gugulethu, Langaand Thornton.Webelieve in inclusivityand have createda safe andsupportiveenvironment whereevery player canthrive at ourhomeinConstantia. Theschool allows us to offer high-quality coaching andfacilities, fosteringbothathleticand personal growth,” he says Allieisexcited to participateinthe Soweto Uprising tournament forthe thirdtime.
At hispreviousclubMontana VikingsBasketball Club,the team achieved ahistoricvictory in 2024 by beingthe firstsidefromCapeTown to wingold.
“While we aimfor succession on thecourt, ourgreater goal is to provideour playerswith exposure to university coaches, helpingthem secure opportunitiesfor higher education. Forthe upcoming tournament I'll be taking 13 talented playerswithme, many of whom have alreadyrepresented WesternProvinceteams andsomeevenatnationallevel.Their dedication andhardworkinspire me to continue pushingfor excellence, both in basketball and academics,”Alliesays.
At SA Elite, they also recognisethe importanceofcommunity.Theyengagewiththeir playersand theirfamiliestoensurethatthey arenot just developing athletes,but responsiblecitizenswho canmakea difference in their communities He trulybelievesinthe powerofbasketballto change livesand hope to repeat thesuccess of 2024 in bringing thegoldbacktoCapeTown.
