People’s Post Constantia/Wynberg E-edition 7 July 2026

CONSTANTIA |WYNBERG

‘Blis ’n

justawalk

PAXTON FIELIES,STEVEN LEE LEWIS AND SKETCHY BONGO HEADLINE THE ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

forBread walk as ameaningful initiative that promises plenty of fun forparticipants.

“I’m superhonouredtobeperformingat Blisters ForBread.Thisisanamazing initiative, andit’salsogoing to be asuper fun dayfor everyone,” says Bongo.

Paxton says sheisexcited to return,encouragingCapetonians to come outintheir numbers andsupport thelong-running initiative

“I am so honoured to be performing at the Blisters forBread CharityFun Walk this year This will be my second time andI know this year will be even bettersocomeout in your numbersand celebratethiswonderful initiative with us.”

LewissaidperformingatBlistersFor Breadis always special.

“I love everything aboutit, theinitiative, the people andthe good vibes. Ican’t wait to seeall thebeautiful people in Cape Town andmake more amazingmemoriesand experiences.”

identity,unity

sporting ymbolof

sonMandetcould heal geswhere next etes learn as disciveranceand growingup munities see nd women anddeteredifficult

eldbeunityand r. of sport ebrated also ns.Losing requires continuous Bafana’s nded the

dreamoflifting atrophy, butitalso showed howdeeply SouthAfricans care abouttheir national team

Thepainofdefeatisevidenceof thepassion andunity that football continuestoinspire

As anation, we should continue investinginschool sport, community facilities andathlete development.Sportingsuccess does nothappenbychance. It requires proper planning,funding andsupport from government,businesses andcommunities.Itrequiresusto recognisesport as an investment in social cohesion rather than merely entertainment.

Thetruevalue of sportcannot be measured by trophies alone. Itsgreatestachievement lies in its abilitytounite people,inspire hope andremindusthatweare stronger together than apart.

Sportmay notsolve everyproblemSouth Africa faces, butitcontinues to give us reasonstobelieve in oneanother andinthe nation we arebuildingtogether.

Despitethe reductionatthe pumps, motorists arestill paying aboutR6,18 more perlitre for inland 95 unleaded petrol than they were at the startofthe year,leaving many with littlefinancial breathingroom

Debt Rescue CEONeilRoets,one of SouthAfrica’s topdebtcounselling companies, says fuel prices influence farmorethanwhatmotorists payatthe pumps.

“Theyfilter throughthe entire economy, affecting transportcosts,food prices,logistics,municipal servicedeliveryand ultimately householdcashflow.While theJulyreduction is welcome, it is simply toosmall to offsetthe cumulative inflationarypressure consumers have absorbed over recent months.”

Roetssaysconsumers rarely experience inflation as isolated priceincreases.Instead, financial pressure builds cumulatively as multiplecostincreases occursimultaneously, steadily reducing disposable income

He says theongoing MiddleEastcrisis, volatile global fuelprices, andthe loomingdomestic impact of theElNiñoweather pattern on food production,threatens to spikedomesticfood inflation andstrainagriculturalinput costs, significantly raisingthe threat of second-round priceeffects

UNCERTAINOUTLOOK

AccordingtoRoets,the outlook beyond is uncertainwithrenewed attacksinthe MiddleEast recently raisingthe risk of higher international oilprices.

A Lionsgive

FROMPAGE1

Thereportarguedthatenforcement-only approaches cannot succeed withoutintelligence-ledinvestigationsintogangleadership, finances, andfirearmand drug supplychains, coordinatedacrosspolice, port authoritiesand fisheries officials.

“Progressshouldbemeasuredbythe weakeningofgangs’recruitment,incomegeneration, territorial controland community support,” the report read,“notbyarrestsand seizures alone.” GI-TOC is calling forprecision,multi-agency operations focusedonHoutBay’s harbour infrastructure Withoutthis, theorganisationwarned, the harbour’sroleasa drug gatewaywillonly deepen TheWestern Cape Gang Monitor IssueNo9 waspublished by theGlobalInitiativeAgainst TransnationalOrganised Crime.

Keygang infrastructureand routes in Hout Bayand surrounding areas. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

Genealogyforum to exploreDNA test results

TheCape FamilyResearchForum (CFRF) willhost itsmonthly meetingonSaturday11Julyat15:00 at theMuhammadiyahSchool Hall, 103Batts Road, Wynberg.

TheCFRF is aCape-based non-profitorganisation dedicated to genealogyand familyhistory research. Its monthlygeneral meetingsbringtogether researchersand enthusiasts with ashared interest in tracingtheir familyroots.

Allmembers of the publicare welcome to attend . Admission costs R20.For enquiries,call Mogamat Kamedien,PROofthe CFRF,on 082827 6180

School celebrates 70th anniversary

AVRILFILLIES

Ex-learners andteachersfrom Wittebome High in Wynberg celebrated the70thanniversaryof theschool on Saturday 27 June at the school

Wittebome wasthe first high school established in Wynbergin1956, in thebuilding whichusedtohouse John Graham Primary School.The school hasservedthe Wynberg community as well as many othercommunities across thepeninsula,asitisthe closesttothe Wynbergexchange.

“Wittebome hasenjoyed many success stories andhas hada hand in thedevelopment of prominentex-learners such as thelateHishaam Mohamed, whoservedthe JusticeDepartment, well-knownphotographerand musiclover Rashid Lombard, whopassedrecently. We also have nurtured Dr ClintCupido, whoisthe Head of PalliativeCareatVictoriaHospital andfamouspianist,Ralston vander Schyff OurAlumniAssociationiscurrently chairedby author DarylHenning,who pennedhis autobiographical novel Rainbows behind theDoor, whichfeaturesthe school andthe significant impact of educatorsonthe author’s life,” says ClariceFortuin,the first female principal.

Theschool setupa number of events to celebratethe milestone.

TheWittebome AlmumniAssociation was launched on February 14 andonSaturdaythe Almumnihostedits formal event, aTeacher Appreciation Daytohonourstaff past and present. Invitedguestsincludedchairpersonsof past andpresent School GoverningBodiesand learners in theformoftheir RCLchair andconsumerstudies learners whohostedthe tables

Henning wasthe master of ceremony andentertainedthe guests with extracts from hisnovel whichfeaturesteachersofthe school,notably ZakkieAdams whowas thephysics teacher. He praisedthe teachers forthe influence in hislife,

whileFortuin welcomed theguestsbacktothe school andthanked them fortheir contribution

TheRCL chair, Alvine Tchala,thanked her teachers forgoing aboveand beyond thecallof duty in theircarefor allthe learners

Honoured guests were CecilBlows,longest servingstaff member,deputyprincipal and well-knownathlete from hisera whotaughtat Wittebome since1968,Virol Esau,principal from 1996 to 2018,Helen Williams, deputy principal, MarleneHendrickse, consumer study teacher, SulemanTimol,economics teacher, Sylvia Thomas,history teacherand Mogamat Kamedien,local Wynberghistorian andneigh-

bour of theschool.

“Thiswas notthe only celebrationofour 70th birthday.The Classof1993 is hostinga fundraiseratWynberg Sports club on Saturday 29 August anda formal celebrationwillbeheld on Saturday 10 October, thedetails will follow

shortly. Allex-learners arewelcome to join the alumni,toget involved with thecelebrations andassist theschool,” Fortuinsays. Ex-learnerscan contactthe school viaemail wittebome.high@gmail.comorvia the Facebook page

Muizenbergyouth makeasplash

KEANANHARMSE

Ateam of tenlocal volunteersare ensuring that youngboysand girls in Muizenberg areequippedwith theswimming andsurvivalskills they need andtohelpcurbthe number of drowningstakingplace on Cape Town's beaches.

This initiative is knownasthe National Sea Rescue Institute's(NSRI)SurvivalSwimming Programme andiscurrently taking placeatthe Muizenberg MunicipalSwimmingPool

Children andadultsare taught four essential skills whichinclude:breathcontrol,orienting in water, floating, andmovingatleast fivemetres to safety,all in ashort 20-minutesession at no charge to theparticipants.

Thegoalistoequip vulnerable individuals, especially children under"14,withthe skills needed to surviveiftheyfallintodeep water.

At thebeginning of 2020,the NSRI launched itsSurvivalSwimming Programme, whichwas inspired by severalstories involvingchildren drowning ametre or twofromsafety.

Qualified NSRI instructorsand trainedvolunteersleadthese classes.

During the2025-'26festive season,the City of

Cape Town recorded fivefatal and23non-fatal drowningsalong itscoastline

Allfatal incidentsoccurredoutside of designatedbathing zones, with zero fataldrownings reported at municipalswimming poolsor patrolled, lifeguardedbeaches

People's Post spoketoMuizenbergSurvival Swimming School Coordinatorand volunteer, Matthew Guiney on hislovefor teaching swimming lessons forthe localyouth in Muizenberg

Afterspending40years as ateacher,hesays thefocus is on simple butessential skills

"After 40 years, andI just felt Icould tryand give back abit.I'vealwaysbeen involved in coaching sportand lifesaving

"The aimistoteach littlekidsfromthe ageof six, basically,and we'vehad quitea fewadults as well, on what to do if youfallintowater so that youdon't drown.

"That'swhy it's calledsurvivalswimming.It's notreally competitivestrokeswimming,but we teachthemhow to hold theirbreath, howto float,how to gettothe side,because most of the littlekidswho drownare within fivemetresof theside,"hesays.

Guiney says boys areparticularlyvulnerable.

"Ona hotday,the boys just jump inandthey endupdrowning,"heexplains.

Theprogramme is open to children from the ageofsix,althoughadultsare also welcometo participate.

Families only paythe R5 entrance feeto access Muizenberg Pool,while thesurvival swimming lessons themselves areoffered free of charge

Around 10 adultvolunteerscurrently assist with coaching,alongside severalyounger volunteers, includinghighschool learners

Youngpeoplecan become volunteer coaches from theage of 16 afterreceiving thenecessary training

Guiney says theexperiencenot only teaches valuable lifesaving skills butalsoencourages youngpeopletogivebacktotheir communities

Prospectivecoaches do notneed to be expert swimmers,ascoachingtakes placeinshallow water.

.Formoreinformation and to getinvolvedinthe programme phone Guineyat083 408 5932.

Woodland caper at Joseph Stone

She’s bold,she’s clever andshe’s coming to Cape Town TheCunning LittleVixen,CapeTownOpera’s (CTO)latestfamily-friendly production, promises athrilling woodland adventure packed with stunning costumes,physical theatreand unforgettablecharacters when it opensatthe Joseph StoneAuditorium in Athlonethismonth

Performances will take placefromTuesday 21 to Friday 24 July at 11:00, with two dailyshows on Saturday 25 andSunday26Julyat11:00 and14:00. Aimedatfamilies, learners andfirsttime operagoers,thisquirkyand fun production blends engaging storytelling,physicaltheatre, striking animal costumes andimaginative visualstooffer an accessibleand memorable introduction to opera. TheEnglish adaptation by theCTO’s recently appointedLibrettist in Residence, Alan Olejniczak,bringsfresh clarity to this much-loved tale,while JanHugoserves as musicaldirector.

TheCunning LittleVixen marksthe operatic directorialdebut of FionaduPlooy,whose work as movement director hascontributed to acclaimedproductions like Tosca, Suor Angelica and Le nozze di Figaro

Theaward-winning creative team includes Tara Notcutt(AssociateDirector),Maritha Visagie(costumedesign),Clanelle Burger (masks andmake-up), Kieran McGregor (set andlightingdesign),and Cleo Notcutt-Williams(choreography). Audiencescan also

THE MUSICAL IS ABOUT ASPIRITED YOUNG FOX DETERMINED TO LIVE FREELYINTHE

look forwardtoperformancesbyCTO House

Soloists Nonhlanhla Yendeand Conroy Scott, whorecentlystarredinCapeTownOpera’s acclaimed Carmen,asthe Forester andthe Forester’s Wife

Joiningthemare membersofthe Cape Town OperaChildren’sChorusasdragonflies, fox cubs,crickets, hedgehogsand frogs, bringing additional colour anddelight to this woodland adventure. At itsheart TheCunning LittleVixen follows aspiritedyoung foxwho is determined to live freelyinthe forest.Onher journeyshe encounters an arrayofanimals andhumans, learning aboutfriendship, courage, love andthe wondersofnature.

Filledwithhumour, warmth andadventure, thestory celebrates theideathatkindnessand braverycan be just as powerful as craftiness. With memorablecharactersand universal themes this is atheatrically thrilling experience forchildrenand adults alike, servingasa welcoming gatewaytoopera fora newgeneration of theatregoers .Tickets cost R80 per personand areavailable through Webtickets.

FOREST. Musicloversinforatreatwith

Singer-songwriter Magé Troskieperformed at

Saturday4July. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

SpierWineFarmisturning apopular one-weekendmusic experience into a three-weekendwinterseries, with over 40 localmusicians settoperform at TheRoutesof Sound untilAugust.

Following thesuccess of theintimatemusicevent over thepasttwo years, thefarmis hostingperformancesonthree weekends until Saturday 22 August.The performances started on Saturday 3July.

PresentedbyBrett Bailey andThird World Bunfight, theevent offersaudiences aunique journeythrough diversemusical performances in cosy,atmospheric settingsacrossthe estate Guests will experience differentperformances paired with Spier’saward-winning Creative Blockwines in some of thefarm’smostdistinctive spaces,beforegathering fora vibrantfinale concert.

Each weekendfeaturesa completely different line-upofestablished andemergingtalent. ThefirstweekendfeaturedJohannesburg-based folk singersTubatsi andChosi, Afrikaanssinger-songwriter Magé Troskie, blues-rock musician Cheyenne Hill, Mickey Struwick (Likethe Mouse) andFreddy Lalendle (Ntu2ko)

ThesecondweekendfromFriday31Julyto Saturday 1Augustfeaturesindigenousinstrumentalistand singer SkyDlala,Afrikaans

poet-musicianRFKI, SouthAfrican-Peruvian singer Mano andother performers

Thethird weekendonFriday21and Saturday22Augustshowcases renowned musician Lungiswa Plaatjies,folkduo Dead Dungarees, balladeer Maya Grey andadditional artists, includingMuneyi.

TheRoutesofSound conceptplays on the ideasofboth“routes”and “roots”,the pathways to musicaldiscovery andthe pleasure of experiencing musicinits most elemental form:unplugged, intimate andupclose.Music hasalwaysbeen at theheart of Spier, andthe farm haslonginvestedinthe careersofSouth Africanartists

Guests areencouragedtoarrive earlyand enjoya meal before theperformancesbegin at 19:30. Warm clothing andcomfortable walking shoesare recommended

Performances take placeatthe Yellowwoods Lounge from 19:30to22:00 on Fridaysand Saturdaysacrossthe threeweekends

TicketscostR300per person andinclude wine tastings alongthe route. Theevent is strictly forguestsaged18and older. ContactSpier on reservations@spier.co.za for accommodation enquiries. . Forthe detailedline-up,visit www.spier co.za/blog/routes-of-sound-2026 or book tickets through Webtickets.

ArtscapelaunchesWomen’sHumanityFestivalon8July

Theannual Artscape Women’sHumanity Festival (WHF)willtransform Cape Town into apowerful platform fordialogue, healing, activism andartisticexpression underthe theme APlace ForAll,withthe sub-theme: Women in Action,Vroue in Aksieand AbafaziKwintshukumo, starting with thelaunchtomorrow evening(8July) Thefestivalcoincides with twosignificant milestones;ArtscapeTheatre Centre’s 55th anniversaryand the70thcommemoration of thehistoric1956Women’s March.

Running throughout Women’sMonth,the festival brings together theatreproductions, dance, music, exhibitions, film, intergenerational conversations, workshopsand public discussionsthatchallengesilence,celebrate resilience andadvocatefor asociety whereall citizens areequal

WOMEN'SHUMANITYWALK

Thefestivalwillonceagain host theAugust9 Women’sHumanityWalkfromthe CivicCentre

to theArtscapecomplex

This year’s walk will also honour Sophie Williams-De Bruyn, oneofthe leadersofthe historic 1956 Women’sMarch.The shortened version, less than 100m,ofthisiconicwalk will be accessibletoPersons with Disabilities Following theWalk, allparticipantswillgather on thePiazza stepsfor amomentofsilence, riptapefromtheir mouths andshout “stop thesilence”, symbolisingthe need to breakthe silencearoundwomen’s voices.Thiswillbe followedbyaninterfaithblessing WomanZone’sEverywomanProject is workingontwo textileartworkstocommemorate the55years of theArtscapebuildingand 70 yearsofthe Women’sMarch.“In aworld where exclusion, violence andinequalitycontinue to silencemanyvoices, theArtscapeWomen’s Humanity Festival remainscommitted to creating aspace whereevery person feels seen,heard andvalued. This festival is about humanity,dignity andcollectivehealing.The Marchtothe UnionBuildings made apowerful

statementagainst allodds,thousands of women risked theirlives to protestagainst theDompas. We must askourselves:where arewetoday? Personswithdisabilitiesremaininvisible and excluded.Pro-women workingenvironments areyet to become thenorm. Andthe LGBTQ+ community remainsunder threat.Augustis ourmomenttoreflectonhow farwehavecome andhow farwestill need to go in realising thehuman rights forall that areembeddedin ourConstitution.”The Festival continuesto standasone of SouthAfrica’sleading cultural movementsadvocatingfor equality,inclusivity andsocialchangesaysMarlene le Roux,CEO of Artscape Theatre.

FESTIVALHIGHLIGHTS

Bottelnek Breek Bek,the ground-breaking novelbyaward-winning Dianne Du Toit Albertze,makes itsway from page to stageat Artscape.Joinusfor theofficial book launch,. Discussion is ledbyExecutive Producer MarleneLeRoux.

KomFietnaSaam is avibrant andheartfelt SouthAfrican theatreproductionthatcelebrates community,resilience, humour,and therichspiritofAfrikaansstorytelling.The DivaliciousDames show sees drag-mimeartists Ramsay Davids andMartinNeethlingtakeaudiencesona nostalgictripdownmemorylane. ABFABisbackbypopular demand;its more than aperformance,it’sa showcase of thebest Drag QueensinSouth Africa.Bones is adocumentarythatexploresthe repatriation of theremainsofSara“Saartjie”Baartman andthe fight, fuelledbya poem by thelateDiana Ferrus, to return hertoSouth Africa in 2002 Thefestivalwillalsofeature acriticalpanel discussion with SabrinaWalter. Falling Forwardisthe unfoldingdocumentary of awoman whohas lived, loved, learned, fallen andrisen againand again. Thandi Swaartbooi, of theall-female ensemble WomenUnite,will host atraditional marimbaproduction. . Formoreinformation check www.artscape co.zaand ticketscan be purchased viaWebtickets.

CT 61st theatreawardsrevealed

The winners of the61stCapeTown TheatreAwardspoweredbyCapeTalk were announcedatan intimate,elegant ceremony at TheBaxter TheatreonSunday(5July)

Formerly knownasthe FleurduCap Theatre Awards,the Awards have recognised artistic excellenceinthe performing arts sector formore than sixdecades

Embarkingonthe next eraofits existence, the oldest theatreawardsinthe countryhavea new name –the Cape Town TheatreAwards. Anew non-profitcompany (NPC)has also been established forconvening theAwardsinthe future.

“Weare sincerelygrateful to Distelland Heineken Beveragesfor enabling us to honour Cape Town creativesfor 60 years,”saysAfrica Melane,chair of theCapeTownTheatre Awards Panel.

“Weextenda heartfeltthank youtoCapeTalk forsupportingthe Awards.The stationand Primedia Broadcasting hold theviewthata thriving performing arts sector is essentialto acosmopolitancitylikeCapeTown, andthis resonateswithus. Thesupport enablesusto navigate theevolution of theAwardsgoing forward.”

“Withthe wealth of outstandingtalentwe have in theWestern Cape –anincredible65 productionswereeligiblefor considerationin 2025 –competition wasstiff.Wesaluteour theatre makers andencourage them to keep pushingthe boundaries andovercomingobstacles to continue creating theirwork. We congratulate allthe nominees andwinners,” says Melane.We

FORMERLYKNOWN,FOR SIXDECADES,AS THE FLEUR DU CAPTHEATRE

AWARDS

also extend aheartfelt thankyou to Boschendal whocameonboard as apartner this year,” he says

Theeligibleproductions included sevenoperas,three children’s productions(twomusicals andone opera),24student productionsand 55 othermainproductions,five of whichwere musicals

The2025LifetimeAchievement Awardwas presentedtoNigel Vermaas,who wasrecognisedfor hisimmensecontributiontothe performing arts andbroadcastingasanactor, director,and writer forstage andradio dramas Vermaas is also adocumentary makerand host of an arts andjazzradio show,all this with his instinctiveand dramatic flair

Thefulllistofwinners of the61stCapeTown TheatreAwardsare: Awardfor most promisingstudent:Scarlett Pay| LAMTA

Best newSouth Africanscript: Isidlamlilo/The Fire Eater| Neil Coppen& MpumeMthombeni

Best newdirector: Samuel Jumat| ’n Pandok se Liefde

Best theatreproductionfor children and youngpeople: MoanaJr- SonwaSakubaInstitute forthe Performing Arts (SSIPA)

Best performancebyanensemble: Cats |

Nigel Vermaas wasawarded aLifetime AchievementAward at the 61st Cape Town TheatreAwards, poweredbyCapeTalk. PHOTO:JEFFREY ABRAHAMS

Best performanceina revue, cabaretor one-person show:Mpume Mthombeni| Isidlamlilo/TheFireEater

Best performancebya supportingactor in a musicalormusic theatreshow: CarloDaniels | RandallSimons| Colleen TheMusical

Best performancebya supportingactress in a musicalormusic theatreshow: TankisoMamabolo| Matron Mama Morton |Chicago Best performancebyanactor in amusical or musictheatre show:JonathanRoxmouth| Billy

Flynn| Chicago

Best performancebyanactress in amusical or musictheatre show:Cindy AnnAbrahams| Grizabella |Cats

Best puppetrydesign: Adrian Kohler and William Kentridge| FaustusinAfrica! Best lighting design:Isidlamlilo/The Fire Eater| Tina Le Roux

Best setdesign: Isidlamlilo/TheFireEater | Greg King

Best costumedesign: Cats |JohnNapier

Best sounddesign, original music, soundscape or live performance: Isidlamlilo/TheFireEater |Tristan Horton

Best performanceinanopera -male: William Berger |Bluebeard |Bluebeard's Castle

Best performanceinanopera-female: Siphamandla Moyake |Judith| Bluebeard'sCastle Best performancebya supportingactor in a play:AlbertPretorius |Caliban |The Tempest Best performancebya supportingactress in a play:Carla Smith| Laura| Speelgoed vanGlas| TheGlass Menagerie

Best performancebya lead actressina play: RolandaMarais| Hedda |Hedda Gabler

Best performancebya lead actorina play: BenAlbertyn| Tom| Speelgoed vanGlas| The GlassMenagerie

Best director:NeilCoppen| Isidlamlilo/The Fire Eater Best production:Isidlamlilo/The Fire Eater |Empatheatre in associationwithThe Baxter TheatreCentreand theNationalArtsFestival Awardfor innovation in theatre: Shakespeare SchoolsFestivalSouth Africa

Lifetime achievementaward:Nigel Vermaas