F(“Eight murders in a week”, People’s Post 26 August) In light of this, Western Cape police commissioner, Lt Gen Thembisile
KAILIN DANIELS
KAILIN DANIELS@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
Save a Fishie, an environmental organisation, is calling on ocean lovers to join the Great Global Nurdle Hunt This month-long campaign aims to tackle one of the most dangerous forms of plastic pollution silently invading the shores nurdles.
These tiny, lentil-sized plastic pellets are the building blocks of almost all plastic products, from water bottles to car parts
Though small (typically less than 5 mm), their environmental impact is massive
Nurdles are considered microplastics, and because of their size, they often slip through the cracks of standard waste management and environmental monitoring systems Millions of nurdles end up in our oceans each year, either through industrial spills, poor handling, or improper waste disposal
Once in the ocean, they pose a deadly threat to marine life
"Nurdles, being mistaken for food by marine animals, are ingested
with grave consequences," explains Zoë Prinsloo, founder of Save a Fishie
"They clog digestive systems, cause internal injuries, and release harmful toxins that threaten entire marine ecosystems "
During Save a Fishie's recent Coast to Coast Campaign in August, volunteers found nurdles on 41 of the 111 beaches they visited: a stark reminder of how widespread the problem is "
They just keep washing up on our shores," Prinsloo said
"We managed to remove thousands, but that's only a drop in the ocean This is an environmental crisis that's largely invisible to the public "
The Great Global Nurdle Hunt is in full swing and will continue until Friday 31 October
Prinsloo said while all forms of waste will still be collected, the spotlight this month is firmly on nurdles And people don't have to join a formal clean-up to make a difference All they do is:
. Head to your nearest beach anytime during October
. Look out for nurdles – they're
small, usually translucent or pale-coloured pellets
. Collect and store them safely
. Record your findings: count the nurdles and make a note of where you found them
. Bring them to Save a Fishie, or
connect with the organisation to find out how to contribute
.For more information on how to join the Great Nurdle Hunt,send an email to info@saveafishie co za
With immunisation rates for children under 1 year dropping in 2024/2025, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is urging parents to make vaccinations a priority
Provincial data shows coverage has decreased to 67,4%, which is a 27,6% drop from the provincial expected target of 95% immunisation coverage
This leaves thousands of infants unprotected against serious diseases such as measles, polio, tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus
Low immunisation rates have immediate consequences, such as the department providing mass vaccination due to a recent measles outbreak in Khayelitsha, where 60 cases were confirmed as of Monday 6 October
Measles can be life-threatening, particularly in children who are not immunised Declining coverage also weakens herd immunity, making outbreaks more likely and placing vulnerable children at risk
Dr Heather Finlayson, senior specialist in
Infectious Disease at Tygerberg Hospital, said the World Health Organisation’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) celebrated 50 years in 2024
Finlayson said globally, vaccination prevents four million deaths each year
“The South African Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) protects children from diseases that can cause school absence, hospitalisation, or death ”
She said vaccines not only protect children who receive them but also those who are too young or medically vulnerable
“When rates drop below 95%, outbreaks of measles and diphtheria appear Vaccines are safe, well-studied, and essential for building healthy children and communities Even a small drop in vaccination coverage can undo years of progress, ” explained Finlayson
PARENTSAREURGEDTO:
. Visit their nearest clinic to check their child’s Road-to-Health Booklet
. Ensure all scheduled vaccines are up to date
. Bring children who have missed doses for catch-up immunisations
. For more information or assistance,contact or visit your local clinic,and our healthcare providers will assist with immunising your child at no cost
and shops quietly stock Christmas decorations in the corners
for the year to end? Perhaps the answer lies in gentleness
It’s only October, but my body insists it’s already December The emails pile up, the deadlines loom, and yet I catch myself staring at the screen longer than I should, chasing sentences that don’t want to be found
The mistakes are petty, a misspelled name here, a missing comma there, but they feel heavier than they are Maybe it’s just fatigue
Maybe it’s the slow weight of a year that’s stretched all of us more than we planned for Does it feel that way to you too? Like the year has run ahead, leaving you slightly behind? Each month came and went, fast enough to blur, yet heavy enough to drain
It’s a strange tension, time moving quickly, but the body moving slowly And here we are, with less than three months left, but already counting down as if the year were over October is always a turning point It reminds us that the year is almost done, yet not quite Schools begin to speak of exams, offices whisper about leave schedules,
You see it in the malls, in the bright reds and golds peeking out on shelves, in the adverts that already hint at festive sales The reminders are subtle but sure, the finish line is somewhere up ahead
Even nature seems to know the rhythm The days stretch longer, the heat settles into the evenings, and there’s a certain shimmer in the air that signals summer is arriving whether we are ready or not
The purple bloom of flowers a seasonal clock we can almost set our moods to But fatigue doesn’t care about the calendar It sneaks in early It shows up in the form of writer’s block, in afternoons when focus slips through our fingers, in mornings when the snooze button wins It lingers in the sighs between tasks, in the half-written lists, in the quiet thought: “Just three more months ” Yet the truth is, these are not empty days They still matter They still carry weight They still hold possibility
How do we honour them when we are this tired? How do we stay present when the temptation is to switch into autopilot and wait
To treat ourselves not as machines that failed to keep pace, but as humans who have carried much
To forgive the slip-ups, the missed calls, the drafts left unfinished
To recognise that being weary is not weakness; it is evidence that we have been engaged, that we have been present, that we have given of ourselves in ways that left a mark Because alongside the fatigue, there are still signs of life
Small joys that interrupt the haze: laughter at lunch with colleagues, the sight of flowers blooming in unexpected corners, the unexpected kindness of a stranger The way music can lift a dull morning, or how a simple walk can quiet the noise in the mind October carries its own gifts, if we ’ re willing to notice them
Maybe this is the invitation of these last three months to hold both truths at once To admit we ’ re tired and still be open to what the year can offer To rest when we can, but also to dream again, even if only in small ways
A new notebook bought A phone call made A promise kept to yourself These, too, are victories worth
noting So as the year tilts toward its end, I find myself asking, what unfinished thing still deserves my attention? What small habit of care can carry me into December stronger than I feel now? What new chance might still arrive before the fireworks and countdowns? The temptation is to think it’s too late That if it hasn’t happened yet, it won’t But life doesn’t work that way
Opportunity doesn’t follow the calendar It shows up unexpectedly, in October, in November, in December, in conversations, in ideas, in second chances So yes, we might be tired Yes, the cursor blinks longer before the words appear Yes, mistakes creep in more often But fatigue is not the whole truth of who we are We are also resilient We are still showing up, still moving forward, still holding hope We are still making space for laughter, still pausing to notice beauty, still daring to believe that tomorrow can surprise us And even now, less than three months before the curtain comes down on 2025, the truth remains: Unyaka uyaphela kodwa akukapheli mathuba (The year may end but the opportunities are still there)
KEANAN HARMSE
KEANAN HARMSE@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
Muizenberg High celebrated its star athletes during the school’s annual sports awards evening on Wednesday 1 October
Shene Franzen, spokesperson for the school, said the awards honours athletes who have excelled and performed at the highest standard across various competitions throughout the year
Grade 12
learners Sbahle Gabiso and Egide Nsabiyumva were named this year ’ s Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year
Gabiso says she grew up in a township where she found it hard to fit in with her peers but says she formed a “friendship” with sports
She first fell in love with soccer before training in various other sports such as cricket, netball, hockey and basketball
“As someone who is not academically strong, my achievements in sports have given me a sense of purpose and direction To know that there is something I am good at and can achieve goals in makes me happy ” Nsabiyumva says he initially started playing soccer where he discovered his love of the game and wanted to pursue it and develop his skills
“Then I discovered basketball and it was love at first sight I started playing in Grade 7 and I made the choice to go all in, and it has proven to be a really good decision because of all the achievements ” He says he was surprised that he won the coveted Sportsman of the Year award
“I was not expecting to win it at all I heard my name, I just had to take a minute to take it all in After walking down the stage, I truly took it all in and was so grateful and it made me
even more hungry to improve and become even better ”
In August this year five of the school’s learners, Azeerah Kemp, Amba Ngoy, Janelda Mayu, Thabisa Mswenya and Asathandwa Zozo, also scooped the top prize at the annual Coronation Women’s Day Top Investor Challenge that took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Saturday 23 August
School principal Marlene Oliver says she is immensely proud of the learners, coaching staff and their achievements “We pride ourselves on our extensive sport and extra-mural activities The catering was done by our hospitality learners as well as the decor I am so honoured to be serving such a brilliant team and we do everything in our power to support, promote, recognise and acknowledge all efforts by our learners This event left all in awe ”
It’s matric ball season, and Grade 12 learners across the country are celebrating the end of their school journey in style with glamorous outfits, memorable moments, and lifelong friendships on full display.
For many, the matric dance is more than just a formal event it's a rite of passage, marking the transition from high school to adulthood After years of hard work, exams, and latenight study sessions, the event offers learners a well-deserved evening of joy, celebration, and reflection
People’s Post asked readers to send us photos of their special day
KAYLYNNE BANTOM
KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
The red carpet was rolled out at the Artscape Theatre on Tuesday 7 October, as the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport honoured the province’s top talent in arts, culture and heritage
Under the theme “Journey from Darkness into Light: Thrive”, the evening was a celebration of creativity and contribution, recognising artists, linguists, librarians, and heritage custodians for their lasting impact across the Western Cape (WC) Winners were crowned across a range of categories, including Excellence in Performing Arts Award, a project that promotes South African Sign Language or the marginalised indigenous languages of the Western Cape, The Best Friends of the Public Library and Ministerial Commendations Renowned musician Loukmaan Adams was one of the recipients of a Ministerial Commendation, while Dr Isaac Balie was one among those who received a Ministerial Legacy award for his lifelong contribution in his field
Thandi Swartbooi, founder of the all-female ensemble Women Unite, was also recognised for her pioneering work in preserving indigenous dance and music, and empowering communities through the arts
Jabaar Mohamed, provincial director of DeafSA Western Cape, won the Project that Promotes South African Sign Language or the Marginalised Indigenous Languages of the Western Cape category for his TV show called Accessibility with Jabaar Speaking to People’s Post, Mohamed said the award is more than just a “trophy”
“It’s a recognition of years of advocacy, passion, and belief in my media platform Accessibility with Jabaar TV talk show on Cape Town TV It represents the roots of inclusivity for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Disability communities because that’s where true community begins ” Mohamed said it’s a powerful reminder that accessibility matters, and that voices expressed through South African Sign Language (SASL) are
“finally being seen and valued”
“I dedicate this award to everyone who continues to break barriers and create equal opportunities for all
to do more This award doesn’t mean I’m done; it’s just the beginning
There’s still so much I’m planning ” The Best Friends of the Public Library award went to the Friends of the Central Library Mike Klink, chair of the Friends of Central Library, said: “It takes a lot of work to build relationships in the library ecosystem This win is not just about my leadership but about my team and everyone contributing We encourage people to come to the Central Library to see what the friends of the library are doing They are welcome to partner with us to create more creative and innovative ideas ” Ricardo Mackenzie, provincial minister of cultural affairs and sport, said art is the mirror and heartbeat of society “It captures our shared struggles and triumphs, reminding us that creativity is both our refuge and renewal
The theme speaks to the spirit of our province, a spirit that refuses to be defeated by hardship and instead transforms it into hope, beauty, and understanding “When we celebrate our artists, we celebrate resilience, imagination, and the belief that through culture, we move forward ”
