AyoungFishHoeklearner decidedtodoher part in assistingthe families that lost theirhomes during thedevasting Masiphumelele fire and deliveredthe goodsonWednesday28January
TheMasiphumelele blazereportedly ragedfor four hoursand displaced1 124people, including302 children and50infants,from382 households on Tuesday20January
ju tbya at allthe heartwrenching images circulatingonsocialmedia.Itreally affectedmeand Ifelthelpless. When thepleafor donationsfor Tearsand Living Hope wasbroadcast Iknew this is whereI wasgoing to make a difference andtakeaction,”she tells People’s Post
FROMHELPLESSNESSTOACTION
Theurgetohelpthe families overwhelmedNortier onenight and affectedher so much that shestruggled to fall asleep anddecided to plan adonationdrive
“Itsimplyoverwhelmed me one nightasI tossedand turned.I drafted apleawhich IthenpostedonmyInstagram platform,calling on allfellow (learner)ofFishHoekHighSchool,
ws kindness
overwhelmed Nortier
staff,family, friendsand followers to join handsand donate whatever they areabletoevenifitmeant ascoop of pellets from your ownpets’ food container,”she says
COMMUNITYRESPONSE
Afterdiscussing herplanwith teachers,the school announcedthe collectiondrive,providing Nortier’s classroom as adonationpoint
Eventually theschool’spassages andclassroomswerelined with bedding,towels, animal food,clothing, kitchenware, personal hygieneitems, shoesand more
“I wasoverwhelmed with the response of collected donationsat school,the donationsdropped at my
“My firstchallengewas getting people to believethisisnot ascam, butanhonestproject to help,” she explains
As donationsaccumulated, space became theprimary challenge.
SUCCESSFULHANDOVER
Thedrive concludedonWednesday 28 JanuarywhenNortier carefully sorted theheaps of donationsinto designated bags “Mondayafternoon Icamehome andcarefully worked my waythrough themountainofdonations,classing andbagging each item into adesignatedbag forclothing, linen, shoes, kitchenware, personal hygiene, etc,” sheexplains. RepresentativesfromTears and Living Hope visitedher home to collect thecontributions
Living Hope in Fish Hoek is afaithbasednon-profitorganisation(NPO) dedicatedtocommunity development,tacklingpoverty,disease,and supportingeducation andhealth programmes.
Grade 11 learner Megan Nortier with the heapsof donations she received which included items such as clothing, linen, shoes, kitchenwareand personal hygiene. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
ReadyDturning tables
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
The name ReadyD brings to mind legendaryturntables, packed dance floorsand nearly four decadesof influenceinthe musicindustry.
Deon Daniels, betterknown as GrandMaster ReadyD,has been entertaining forthe past 39 yearsand wasformerlypartofgroupslike Prophets of Da City andBrasse VannieKaap. ReadyD wasselectedasone of 12 champions forthe 16th editionofthe Cape Town Carnival taking placeinGreen PointonSaturday21 March.
JayDouwes, Cape Town Carnival Chief ExecutiveOfficer, says theinitiativecelebrates individualswho arealready making adifference andusing theirstories to inspireothersthrough thecarnival’ssub-themes.
This year over 1500 performers will showcase theirtalentunder thetheme “FollowYour HeART.”
Danielssaysbeing raised in amusic-filled home ignitedhis passion forthe art.
“Wewerelucky to have ahi-fi with arecord player andthat’show Icould relate to thevinyl When Isaw aHip Hopmusic videofor the first time Iwas blownawaybythe fact that someone wasscratchingrecords.Inthatsamevideo there were kids breakdancing anddoing graffiti art.”
He says that whilehis career hashad many highlights,startinga non-profitorganisation (NPO), sharinghis knowledgewithyoung peopleand travelling theworld standout as some of hisproudestachievements.
Danielssayshehas also been actively involved in theradio industry forover17years
“I have produced musicfor TV andmovies. When Istarted,I didn’t know on what journey this role wasgoing to take me.All Iknewwas that Iwantedtoshare this skillofmakingmusic
OVER 1500 PERFORMERS WILL SHOWCASETHEIR TALENT UNDER THETHEME
‘FOLLOW YOUR HEART’
with as many people as possible.”
He believes hiscraft cannever be fully replaced by artificial intelligence(AI).
“WhenI speakabout scratching Imeanyou arebringingmoreofa humanelement into the music. Howyou executethe scratching techniquehas gottodowithyourexpression.AIcan also scratchbut youare able to tell if it’s human or artificial.”
Danielssaysbeing aDJisa skill.
“You must be able to read thecrowd andthe energy andcreatethe energy as well andtake people on ajourney.”
AccordingtoDaniels,staying eagertolearn andexperimenting with musicare what keep himmotivated
Danielssayshefeelshonouredtobepartof thethisyear’sCapeTownCarnival. He made aguest appearance with localrapperYoungsta CPTinlastyear’sevent
“I am excited. It givesmeanopportunityto participateinsomething that Ifeel is specialfor Cape Town.Being giventhe freedom to do what Idoand representthe cultureand bringsome additional elements to thecarnival. We will be bringing custom cars to theevent –torepresent theroadsafetyprogrammesour organisation does.”
He says audiencescan look forwardtobeing takenona hip-hopjourney
Danielsencouragesaspiringcreatives to believeinthemselvesand to be committedtotheir craft. “Build your ownpresence. Youngpeople arebeing exploitedbecause they arehappy to play at acluband getpaidverylittlefor value.
“Don’t undervalue yourself.Bepreparedfor late nights andremembernotwo events arethe same.”
Novusmedia,which publishes People’s Post, is aproud printmedia sponsorofthe carnival
ArtsandCulturefundingopportunitiesavailable
TheDepartmentofCulturalAffairs andSport in theWestern Cape invitesapplicationsfor its annual arts andculture funding Fundingisavailable across keyareas,includingculturaltourism,literature, film,language promotionand preservation,and theperformingarts. Applications will closeonMonday9 Marchat 23:59.
RicardoMackenzie,the WesternCapeMinisterofCulturalAffairs andSport,says: “The arts andculture sector playsa crucialrolein theWestern Cape in creating jobopportunities, bringing visitors to ourprovinceand growing ourlocal economy. We have awealthoftalent in ourprovinceand we arecommittedto supportingour localartists andorganisations in this sphere to ensure they cancontinuetheir work.”
Applicants areencouragedtosubmittheir requests at least24– 48 hoursbeforethe deadline Late applications will notbeconsidered. .Thecriteriaand categories forfunding,as well as application forms,areavailableonline at https://www.westerncape.gov.za/cas/service/ arts-and-culture-funding
Toagewithgracethroughseasonsofchange
expect from someonewho just turned 100. Shesat in hercouch whilst herwalkerstood at her knees
Theseare wordsfromFreda Naidoo, agreat-grandmother from Fairways that Irecentlyinterviewed fora storyuponreaching 100years of age.
Aweek later, I find herwords of advice forthose wishingto live ahealthy andprosperouslife stillechoand intrigue my mind whetherI’m drivingtothe office or daydreamingonthe balconyofmy apartment.
During theinterview,I found myself dumbstruck at thesheer optimism andinfectioussense of humour Naidoo displayedasshe shared herstory As Iapproached herhome, Isaw herexoticallydecorated porchwith shrubs whilst agroup of cats layon herstoep in theafternoon sun. Upon introducingmyself, she greeted me with theutmostrespect andenthusiasmone wouldnot
Once Iswitchedonmyvoice recorder andthe interviewunfolded, Ifelttransported to asimpler time wherethe flow of life wasallowed to move at amoremoderate, yet oppressive pace,considering it was theheightofapartheid
Isaw hereyesgleamed as she recalledher fond childhood memories of aforgottenversion of Piketberg, whereshe wasborn. Sheenthusedwithchildlike delightasshe told me abouther mother’s love forbakingcakes
At theage of 23 shegot married, as most of ourgrandparentsand parentsdid at that time,and started herlifeasa furrier when she movedtoDiepRiver
However, notlongafter their move,tragedy struck when she, her husbandand 12-year-olddaughter, were forcibly removedand ordered to move to Fairways duetothe GroupAreas Act.
Hervoice wasstirring and filled herloungewitha haunting wisdom. Shewas theyoungestoffour siblings,all of whom have passed, andasI listened to her, Iwondered what theweightofher life felt like To comprehend thethought of witnessing so much change,trag-
edy, aWorld Warand countless advancements in technology
From theradio,tothe television, thefax machines,computers, cellphones, theInternetand now Artificial Intelligence(AI).
Andyet as Irelived themisty momentsofher life with her, I couldnot detect an ounceofworry, regret,spite or bitternessofeither thepastorpresent ageinher voice.
Of course,she felt hurt being disrespected andoverlooked as an upcoming andyoung female evangelist by some of herpeersinthe 70’s,but shetook this criticismas fueltofeed herdedication, to live alifehonouring JesusChristand remainingperseverant
She is amotherto five children; hereldestdaughtersadly died when shewas forty. She experiencednochronic illnessesnor anyaddictiontoalcohol or smoking.
Hersharp andinfectioussense of humour wasevident as shetold me whyshe neversmoked. “I’lltell youexactly whyI neversmoked! Iboughta pack of cigarettesand told myself,‘todayI’llsmoke them!’ andthatnight thestrangestthing happened,”she told this storywithOscar-worthygestures andpassion.“As soon as Iput the cigarette to my lips,it flew outof my mouthand landed on the floor
In herninetiesshe wasstruck by aQuantum taxi whiletrying to crossthe road, flungoverthe vehicle, crackedher skulltwice and suffered abrokenhip
Sherecovered in hospital forten months only to endure aruptured vein
Andyet she’sstill standing,still laughing andbakingtrifles for Christmasand taking Ubersfor a weekly shopping When theinterview ended, Ifelt atremendoussense of gratitudeto be alive.
Hergrit, determinationand never-say-dieattitude will always remain with me wherever Igo. Before Ireached my car, sheheld my hand andlooked me in theeye andsaidshe sees aprosperous futurefor me
Theinspiration,the lessons we need to help us mature andappreciatethe present, cancomefrom theelders.
They arethe ones whohavesufferedand enduredlikegreat toweringtrees with deep rootsanchoring themselves throughthe seasons of rain,heatand uncertaintylife throws us as we tackle 2026 and theyears beyond
AJOURNO’S VOICE
KEANAN HARMSE
DJ Ready Djoinedbymayor GeordinHill-Lewisand other performers whowilltakepart in theCape Town Carnival. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
Venomous
KEANANHARMSE
Beach-goers areurged to practise caution as reportscirculatedofseveral Blue Dragon slugswashedashoreon Muizenberg BeachonThursdaymorning 29 January.
Sightingsofthese seaslugs were documented in theDeep SouthReport(DR), issued on the group’sFacebook page
Blue Dragon slugsscientifically knownas Glaucusatlanticus,are highly venomous,measure under3 cm,contain wing-likelimbs and displaydistinctive bright-bluecolouring Authoritiesstressthese marine slugsremain extremelyvenomousafter death, posing serious risk to anyone whotouches them
five Blue Dragon SeaSlugs anda significant number of blue bottles.Our teamswillcontinue to monitorthe coastlinefor anychanges.The presence of thesespecies is anatural,common phenomenon driven by warmer summer water temperatures andthe prevailing south-easterly winds,”saiddeputymayor andmayco member forspatial planning andanvironment,Eddie Andrews, TheGoodHopeSociety forthe Prevention of CrueltytoAnimals (SPCA) said it wasinformed of theBlueDragonslugs on Muizenberg Beach on Thursday “However,wedonot have theexpertise and/ or manpower to deal with an incident like this
We have reported it to City of Cape Town’s CoastalManagementteam(whom we have a closerelationshipwith) andtheyare looking into thematter.
“Shouldtheyneed ourassistance we will most definitely be there,”saidSPCAInspectorate Supervisor RudolphPhilander
Naturally occurring marine life events do no-
OceanViewSAPSmembers andMetro Police discoveredanextensivedagga cultivation operation at aCapri Sunnydaleresidence. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
Daggafarmer, teenarrested
Twoseparatepoliceoperationsacrossthe WesternCaperesultedinsignificant arrestson Wednesday28January with authoritiesseizing dagga cultivationequipment andanillegal firearmincoordinatedlaw enforcementefforts OceanViewpoliceand MetroPoliceexecuted asearchwarrant at aCapri Sunnydale residence on Wednesdayafternoon at approximately 15:45, uncovering an extensivedagga cultivation operation.
Officers discovered dagga plants,sophisticated cultivationequipment,and an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be proceedsofcrime at theBerry Road property
A43-year-old male suspectwas arrested for dealingindrugs
VRYGRONDRIFLEINCIDENT
In an unrelatedincident, Public OrderPolice membersarrested a19-year-old suspectfor possession of an unlicensed firearmduringroutine patrolsinVrygrondearly Wednesdaymorning At approximately04:30,officers spottedthe suspectcarryinga suspicious object in Berry Road
Upon seeing themarkedpolicevehicle,the suspect fled into anearbyyardand threwthe object onto ahouse roof Police investigationrevealedthe discarded item wasa .22calibre rifle, whichwas immediatelyconfiscated andbooked as evidence
Thesuspect wasscheduled to appear in the Muizenberg Magistrates’ Courtona charge of unlicensed firearm.
Guests ‘happy’ with Miller’s Point
Nearly500 Cape Town residentshave reportedly spoken outinfavourof preserving Miller’sPoint’s natural characterwhile improvingbasic services, following an online survey conducted by theCity’sCoastal Management branch.The comprehensivesurvey, completedby490 participants,revealed overwhelming support formaintaining thebeloved coastalsite’sexistingcharm whileaddressing deterioratinginfrastructureand accessibility concerns
TheCity’sCoastal Management branch says it will take thefeedback into accountasit develops along-term vision forthiscoastal conservancythatislocated alongthe FalseBay coastline, afew kilometres southofSimon’s Town
“A totalof490 participants completedthe survey with 25%ofthemindicatingtheyvisit Miller’sPoint everyweek andnearlyhalf(45%) indicating they visitedMiller’sPoint at least once amonth
“Nearly90% of participants travel more than 5kmtoreach thesite. We areblown away by the huge interest residentsshowedinthissurvey,” said Deputy Mayorand Maycomemberfor spatial planning andenvironment EddieAndrews “Clearly this area is very closetovisitors’ hearts anditisalsogreat to seethatthe farmajority do notwantfancy additionsorchanges,but simply want us to improveorrepairwhatis alreadythere,and to addressuniversal access so that thosewho have specialneedsoruse wheelchairs canalso visitwithease.”
Themajorityofparticipantsgothere for leisure, or forlaunching boats, accordingtothe
Cityopensapplicationsfor youthartsprogrammes
Youngaspiringartists have an opportunityto gain exposure andexperiencethrough theCity of Cape Town’s Emerging Artist Programme, with applications forthisyearclosing on Friday 13 February
Throughthe City’s partnershipwiththe InvestecCapeTownArt Fair,fouremergingartists areshowcased everyyear— andinrecent editions,those artistshavesoldout,proving that when pathways arebuilt,young people will take them
Theprogramme is forearly-career artists seekingpractical skills,mentorshipand exhibition experience –only25slots areavailable An exhibition to showcase theartwork will be held in May, providingparticipantswithan opportunitytoput into practice what they have learnt during training andofferinga chance to sell theirartwork
ARTSAWEH!
Meanwhile, theArtsAweh! programme continues as afreecreativeafter-school initiative forlearnersaged five to 17,offeringactivities includingdrawing,painting, photography, hiphop,dance,performance,poetry, clay and beading.
Theprogramme hasprovedincrediblypopular,with64819 engagementsrecordedfor theperiodNovember2024toJunelastyear. During that period,3 173learnersparticipated at 13 facilities andthe programme created36 employment opportunitiesthrough theExpanded Public WorksProgramme (EPWP)
This year’s programme startedatvarious venues in Mfuleni, PelicanPark, HanoverPark andAthlone on Thursday 8January,and has alreadyreached over 2000 youngpeople. Additional venues will be addedinthe coming months,withthe programme concluding on Tuesday26May
Participants canattend thefreeprogramme from MondaystoFridays between 14:00and 17:00. Participants aresuppliedwithall materi-
An exhibition to showcasethe emerging artists’ artwork will be heldinMay,providing participants with an opportunitytoput intopracticewhat they have learnt during training and offering achanceto sell their artwork
alsand artsupplies. Upon completion,artwork will be exhibitedatvarious City facilities “Artsprogrammeslikethese give young people safe spaces to learn, expressthemselves andbuild confidencethrough creativity.We have seen greatappetite in thepastfor these programmes, andI’m hoping this year will be no different. Iencourage learners andaspiring youngartists to make themostofthese platforms, andI am lookingforward to seeing their creationsatthe exhibitionsstage,” said Mayco member forcommunity services andhealth, Francine Higham
APPLICATIONS
. Emerging Artist Programme:Send an email to emerging@capetown.gov.zaorvisit https://www capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/ Arts-and-culture/artists-programme/emerging-artist-programme . Arts Aweh! Programme:Contact Aleeyah. Baker@capetown.gov.za
Alook at the emptyshells of thetortoises that were poached PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
