People’s Post False Bay E-edition 16 June 2026

Younglearner’s quest

Atjust17years old, Westlake learner DiegoCornelius is alreadyemergingasa strong youthvoice in his school andcommunity,balancingan impressive list of leadership roleswhile building agrowing youthdevelopment initiative aimedatempoweringothers.

TheGrade 12 learneratNormanHenshilwood High School says hisjourney beganwhenhe wasintroducedtothe PrescientFoundation ScholarshipProgramme (PFSP) in Grade7 PFSP is ayouth initiative launched in 2018 to provideacademicand sports scholarships, paired with mentorship,for high-potential learners from Grade7 to 12

Thescholarship’s message he firstencountered— “You areMadefor More”— hassince become aguiding belief in hislife.

GrowingupinWestlake, he says,shapedboth hisresilienceand hiscommitmenttogiving back “Itshowedmethe challenges people face,but also thepotential that exists in ourcommunities.Thatinspiredmetobecomepartofthe solution.”

ForDiego,the scholarshipwas notonly financial support,but aturning pointthatintroduced himtomentorship, guidance andthe belief that hiscircumstances wouldnot define hisfuture. “I’m aGrade 12 learnerand thefounder of the RaisingLeaders of TomorrowFoundation,”he explained.

“A majorturning pointinmylifewas receivinga scholarshipthrough thePrescient Foundation

“Their support,mentorshipand belief in me opened doorsthathelpedshape theleaderI am today.”

Diegosaid.

Today, Diegoholds multiple leadershipposixp

Gold Awards for CapeTownTourism

CapeTownTourism (CTT) has achieved internationalrecognition afterscoopingthree Gold Awards at theInternational TourismFilmFestival Africa (ITFFA).

Theawardsceremonyheldatthe Bannister HotelinBraamfontein, Johannesburg,on Wednesday10June, sawCTT take tophonours in threecategories: Gold for Go AllOut Cape Town (Pride Tourism),Goldfor My Cape Town:Armani“Mr Poppins”Minani (BestEpisodeofa TourismCampaign),and Gold for My Cape Town (BestTourism Campaign 2026). Foundedin2019byCarolineUngersbockand JamesByrne,the ITFFA is theonlyfestivalof itskindonthe Africancontinent It recognises excellenceintourism-related film andvideo contentacrossplatforms,from broadcastcommercials anddocumentaries to social mediacampaigns anddestination storytelling

Cape Town Tourism’sChief MarketingOfficer Briony Brookessaidthe awards affirm thecity’s commitmenttoauthentic storytelling

“Three Gold Awards at theITFFA,thisis everything,” shesaid. Brookesaddedthatthe campaignsare rooted in real people rather than idealisedimagery.“Go AllOut Cape Town and My Cape Town weren’tbuilt around postcard momentsbut around people —the grit,the warmth,the complexity that makesCapeTown unlike anywhere else on earth.”

Shesaidthe recognitionbelongs notonlyto thecreativeteams butalsotoresidents who shared theirstories.“This one’sfor everyCapetonian whoappeared in frontofour cameras andtrusted us with theirstory.”

JamesVos,Mayco member foreconomic growth andtourism,saidthe achievement

strengthensthe city’s global tourismposition. He describedthe awards as a“powerful endorsement” of strategicinvestmentindestination marketing.

AccordingtoVos,campaigns of this calibre help driveinternational interest,increase visitornumbers,and support jobs across the tourismvalue chain.

“Tourism remainscentral to Cape Town’s economic growth strategy,” he said,adding that thefocus nowisonexpanding thebenefits of tourismtomorecommunities andconverting interest into bookings andeconomicopportunity

Ungersbock praisedCapeTownTourism for itsauthentic approach to storytelling,sayingthe campaignsstood outfor theiremotional depth andclarity of message.“From theboldenergy of Go AllOut Cape Town to thedeeply human storytelling of My Cape Town,their filmscaptivatedaudiences andjudgesalike,” shesaid. Byrne, whoisalsothe festival director,added that they hadset anew benchmark. Theorganisation “knows whoitis, tells itsstory with confidence, anddeliversworld-class creative execution.”

TheITFFA recognises outstandingtourism filmsthatinspire global audiencestoexplore destinations.CapeTown’striplegoldvictory positionsthe city notonlyasa sought-after travel destinationbut also as aleaderinhow places arecreativelyand authentically represented on theglobalstage

Hopefullythistournamentcanstill beasourceofhopeandcommunity

phiweTshabalalascoredthe WorldCup opener in 2010 andsaid: “goalfor SouthAfrica! Goal forall Africa!BafanaBafanahavepoppedthe firstcork! SipTshabalala!”

In 2022

At last,fouryears later, themostbeautifulgameinthe worldreturns to pitthe best football playersagainst each other andcrown thebestfootballing nation whogetstoliftthatlegendary golden trophy at this year’s FIFA WorldCup

This time thetreasured tournament takes placeonNorth American soil,inthe ageof unprecedentedtechnological innovation with Artificial Intelligence(AI), PresidentTrump’s second term,conflictinthe MiddleEastand an immigrationcrisiswhich hassparked much debate recently,especially in SouthAfrica.

This year theWorld Cupisdescribed as the largesttournamentinhistory featuring48 teams. However, much controversyhas tainted thehypeand joythe tournament is meantto bringtomillionsacrossthe globe.

Reportshavehighlighted theinsanecosts of flight tickets, hotelaccommodation,transport, visa barriers, security crackdowns allofwhich arecompoundedbythe rising inflationrates andpetrolpricesthatshows no sign of slowing down in themidst of theIranwar Despiteour financialchallenges,the arrivalof theWorld Cupstill carries breathless andiconic momentswhere homesorbarsare filledwith friendsand families whocongregateonmatch days despitea busy week

Throughthe ages,you’llsee thelatenights, thesnacksand beer bottles adorning thetables whilefansshout at thetop of theirlungs upon hearingthe netcrack at alast-minute goal when allhopeseemed lost.It’swonderous to see sports’profoundeffects to galvaniseand pacify acrowd as if theplayers arethe conductorand thefansare theorchestra,liketheir heartstrings arebeing pluckedbyevery tackle,unfairreferee call, skillorcareer-shattering injury

Let’snot forget thepoetryofthe commentators whonarrate andbreathe life into these matchesand immortalisemoments as deftly as renowned broadcasterPeter Drurydid when Si-

Drurysaidthismomentwas from his favouritefootball matchheevercommentated on,calling it amomentthat“transcendedsport andmeant so much forthe worldthatthis humble boyfromSowetoscoredthe goal of his dreams”. Ican stillrecallthe carnival feverthat hummedinthe airduringthe 2010 WorldCup that graced ourshores. Shakira’sWakaWaka andTkzee’sBafanaanthemserenaded theCape thoseyears.I wasinGrade 11 that time andrecall fond momentsdebatingwithschool friends aboutwho we thoughtwould conquerthe cup andwhich playerswould make history.

Thoseyears Spain’s firstelevenseemed as impervious as SpartantroopswhilstI supported Netherlandsinthe final, watching sadlyinmy bright orange topasSpain clearlyoutclassed theDutch

You’ll oftenhearexcitementspeakingwith SouthAfricanswho recalledwhatitfeltlike goingtogames during the2010World Cup. Andyet theseiconicmoments of sheer entertainment stillreverberate yearslater Ican remember watching in disbelief, the greatest WorldCup finalin2022whenArgentina andFrancebattled it outtillpenalties and Lionel Messi finally silenced thecritics and lifted thetrophyinQatar.Thistournamentwas also drenched in scandaland tragedyasmany of thebuilderswereenduringharsh working andlivingconditionsand many died whilst constructing thestadiums. Sadlyitseemsthere’s always adarkcloud of mistreatment,violenceand corruptionblanketingeachFifaWorld Cup.

Recently aSomalianreferee, Omar Artan, was denied entrytothe United States andprevented from officiatingatthisyear’stournament. Research showsSomalia is oneof12countries on atravelban list introduced by America’s presidentDonaldTrump last year

StillI hope this year’s WorldCup canstill be asourceofhopeand community with differentraces,culturesand religionswho canstill appreciate agreat matchoffootball no matter whichteamwesupport or anthem we sing

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“Itshowedmehow many youngpeoplejust need achance— to be seen,tobeheard,and to realisetheir potential.”

Thefoundationfocuses on leadership development, mentorship,careerexposureand community engagement

Diegosaidthe most rewardingpartisnot the scaleofprojects, butthe personal growth he sees in others

“The impact I’mmostproud of is seeing youngpeoplegrowinconfidenceand beginto

Giving learners away forward

Dirtydozendiversdisrupted

An intelligence-driven enforcementoperation ledbythe SouthAfrican National Parks (SANParks) EnvironmentalCrime Investigation (ECI)unit, on Tuesday9 June,resultedinthe arrest of 12 suspects forattemptedabalone poaching in theCapePoint sectionofTable Mountain National Park (TMNP)

ThesuspectsweredetainedatSimon’s Town police Station, wherea criminal case wasformally opened

They appeared in theSimon’s Town Magistrates’ CourtonThursday11June, facing chargesrelated to attemptedillegalharvesting of abaloneand trespassing within aprotected area

Theoperation wascarried outonthe evening of Tuesdayaspartofongoing follow-up investigationsintoa broadercaseinvolving illegal marine resource exploitation alongthe Western Cape coastline.

Accordingtoauthorities,SANParksECI teams actedoninformation andintercepted twosuspiciousvehiclesenroute to theCapePoint

Thevehicleswerestoppedand searched before thesuspectscould enterthe protected marine environment.

During thesearch, officers discovered a substantialquantityofdivingequipment,which wasbelievedtohavebeen prepared forillegal abaloneharvesting.

Theequipment indicatedthatthe grouphad been fully equippedfor underwater collection activities,which were strictly prohibited within theprotected area

All12individuals were arrested on site and takenintocustody

Thedivingequipment used in theattempted operationwas seized by authorities.

SANParks confirmed that thearrestsformed part of awider intelligence-ledstrategyaimed at disrupting organisedenvironmental crime networks targetingmarineresources within TMNP andsurrounding coastalzones

SANParks spokesperson JP Louw described theoperation as asignificant success,noting that it hadprevented acoordinatedgroup from entering theparkand carryingout illegalharvestingactivities.

lengealong theCapecoastline,drivenbyhigh demand forthe marine resource in illegaltrade networks

SANParks andpartner lawenforcement agencies continuedtointensify patrols, surveillance, andintelligenceoperationsinknown hotspot areas.

TheCapePoint sectionofTable Mountain National Park,which formed part of aUnescorecognised naturalenvironment,was considereda high-riskzonefor marine poaching duetoits biodiversity andproximity to urban centres.

SANParks stated that continuedcollaboration between enforcementunits,policeservices, and environmentalagenciesremainedessentialin curbingillegalexploitationofmarineresources

Theorganisationalsoencouragedthe public to report suspicious activity to supportongoing conservation efforts

SANParks emphasised that such interventions were critical in protecting vulnerable marine speciesand maintainingecologicalbalance within SouthAfrica’scoastal ecosystems

Environmentalauthorities reiterated that abalonepoachingremaineda persistent chal-

equipment,which wasbelievedtohave

Battle of the Bands: HighSchool EditionatMasque Theatre

TheMasque TheatreinMuizenbergisshining a spotlight on Cape Town’semergingmusicaltalentas it hoststhe second Battle of the Bands:HighSchool Edition today(16 June) at 14:30

Following asold-out debut last year,the annual upliftment initiative, presented in collaboration with InterlaceUplift,bringstogether highschool bands from acrossthe Deep Southwho have been mentored by professional musicians inpreparation fortoday’sperformance.

Interlace Uplift is adynamic localmusic and youth development initiativespearheaded by the performance group Interlace in collaboration with the Masque Theatre. Theinitiativeinvited bandsfromlocal high schools to audition foraplace on stage, with three groups ultimatelyselected to take part in an intensivementorship programme Over the past weeks, the young musicians were coached by activeindustryprofessionals,helping

themrefine their sound, strengthen their stage presence and build confidenceahead of their live performance

InterlaceUpliftfounder Mark Mwabasaid last year’s edition delivered “roof-raising performances” from schoolsinMuizenberg, Fish Hoek and Westridge, with participants walking away with valuableexperienceand prizes,including professional photo shoots.

“This year we areexcited to welcome another

round of amazing bands from the Deep Southand surrounds,”Mwaba said, adding that the initiative continues to support and developthe next generationofmusicians.

He said the young performers were guided by experienced mentors, including drummer and pianist Michael Honeyman, guitarist Timothy Wolffaardt and bassist Fredrick Muller.

Ticketsare availablevia Quicket,with entry priced at R150 forgeneral admission and R100 forstudents.

Youth asked to register and vote

The SouthAfrican LocalGovernment Association(Salga) is urging young people to turn YouthMonth into action by registeringtovoteand taking ownershipoftheir future in this year’s localgovernmentelection.

Salgasaidwithvoter apathy rising andtrust in democratic participationunder strain,the upcoming voterregistrationweekend on Saturday 20 andSunday21Juneisa crucialchancetoget on theroll, update details, andstepbackinto thedemocraticprocess that shapes everyday life

Accordingtoa recent Public OpinionResearch by Government Communication andInformation System (GCIS),South Africa approaches this year’s localgovernmentelectionamid “entrenchedpublicpessimism andactive democratic disengagement”,asthe public lose motivation forparticipating in voting

Thestudy says 62%ofunregisteredvoters have no intentionofregistering to vote,with only 38%ofunregisteredrespondents saying they areopentoregistration.

SalgaYouth Commission chairLucky Sele said:“What is worryingisthe fact that over 60%ofnon-registeredyouth aged 18–34donot

OVER 60% OF NONREGISTERED YOUTH AGED 18–34 DO

NOTINTEND TO REGISTER

intend to register,representingmillionsofpotential first-time or second-timevotersabsent from therolls.”

TheIndependent ElectoralCommission (IEC) recently unveiled itscampaignfor this year’s

localgovernmentelectionunder themessage “Get Up,ShowUp, Vote”which hasidentified youngpeopleasa priority audience in efforts to strengthen democratic participation.

Salgabelievesthatlocal democracywillonly be strengthened when youngpeoplechooseto participateactivelyinshaping thecouncils, prioritiesand decisionsthataffecttheir dailylives “Young people cannotaffordtobeabsent from decisionsthataffectjobs, servicedelivery, accountability andthe futureoftheir communities,” concludedSele.

This year’s election will be held on Wednesday4 November.

Newchallenges,samedetermination:Youthreflectsonfuture

As SouthAfricacommemoratesYouth Day today(16 June), questionsremainabout the role,ambitionand activism of today’syoung people.While theyouth of 1976 arerememberedfor theircourage anddetermination in the fightagainst apartheid, some oldergenerationsbelieve today’syouth arelessdrivenand committedtosocialchange.

To explorethese perceptions, People’s Post askedyoung people whethertheybelieve their generation is unfairly judged,and invitedolder SouthAfricanstoshare theirviews on whether today’syouth arelessambitious or simply navigating adifferentset of challenges and opportunities.

. LorinMitchell said shehas respect forthe youthof1976because they “put their livesonthe line”for abetterfuturefor today’s generation “I don’tthink my generation necessarily lacks drive; we’rejust fighting completely different battles.Backthen, theenemy wasclear and rightinfront of them.Today,we’re dealingwith amassive surgeofunemployment, thecost of living is waymoreexpensive,and trying to breakintoa worldthatfeelsstacked againstus economically andstill trying to become ourown person whilenavigatingthrough life.Ittakes a differentkindofgrittokeeppushing forward when thefuturefeels this uncertain. We’restill driven to change things;we’re just trying to survivethe system we inherited first.”

. Shanaas Johnson said:“We aregrowing up with differenttoolsand pressures, student debt,housing costs, weak economy, social media. Idon’t thinkweare less driven.I think thebattlefieldchanged andit’smoredifficult to have things like jobsecurityand buying a house. So,I’d say: notlesscommitted, just committeddifferently.”

. Joanne Meyer said:“Idon’t thinkitis aboutbeing more or less ambitious, butrather that theambitiontoday maylook different. It canbeseen as less collectiveand more individual. Many youngpeopleare highly motivated

andare making deliberate decisionsabouttheir future- prioritising development, stabilityand wellnessand leveraging technology.Young peopleare seekingsustainable growth,meaningful work andcareer/lifebalance andintegration Theirambitionisverymuchpresent.”

. AaminahMuhamud said:“Ithink this idea comesfromcomparing twoverydifferent realities, anditdoesn’t tell thefullstory.The youthof1976foughtina visibleand united way, whiletoday’s youthfacechallenges like unemployment,inequality,and limited opportunities. Young people todayare still driven andhungry forsuccess. Many are eagertofurther their educationand build skills,but they don’t always have access to theopportunities they need.I thinkit’s nota lack of commitment, butoften a lack of opportunity. Theresilienceisstill there, andwiththe right support,theycan create meaningful change.”

Thespiritofyouth activism is stillalive,it simply looksdifferenttoday.It’sall aboutperspective,and it begins with parenting, whereby parentsare failingtoteach theirchildren (teens) howtogrow. Idon’t believetoday’s youthare less driven than theyouth of 1976 Thedifference is that we face differentchallenges.Manyyoung people arepassionateabout creating change,but they arealsoaffectedby issues such as unemployment,poverty,crime, substanceabuse,and negative influences within some communities.”

. Judith Baxolile Gwala said:“They are ambitiousbut in differentwayscause they do theirthingsindifferentways, butifyou look at what they are fighting for, they also want freedom andtobeheard ,and if they arenot listened to they find away of fighting forwhat thinktheyare deserving, howdothey fight they wouldblock somethings that they know it will make whoeverisincharge. They stillforce things.”

. KwakhanyaZweni said:“Ibelieve today’syouth arejustasdrivenasthe youthof 1976.Wefacedifferentchallenges,but we are stillpassionateabout creating change.Weuse differenttools, such as technology andsocial media, to raiseawareness, supportour communities,and fightfor abetterfuture.

. Joslau Baron said:“Ithink that today’syouth maynot be ‘lessdriven’,but we definitely have it alot easier than theyouth of 1976.Thatwas during theyears of apartheid. Andthatwas acompletelydifferenttime. Thereweredifferent rulesand expectations from certainpeople. Youth, especially youth of colour,wereforcedto fightand even diein thenameofchange. They hadtofacediscriminationand mistreatment.Theydidn’thave access to theopportunitiesand lifestyles of the whitecommunity

“There weren’tthatmanyjobsand different ways of income like thereistoday.Peoplewere forced to work in ordertosurvive.Young or old, they were focusedonsurvivaland freedom.So, do Ithink we arelessdriven? Yesand no.But only becausethe youthofthattimefoughtfor theyouth of ourtime. They shed theirblood, sweatand tears.

Forustohaveaccess to opportunities, freedom, andchangethattheywerebannedfrom most of theirlives.The youthoftoday still have battles to fightsure. Butwedon’t have to paywithblood.And ourvoicesare more easily heard.

“The youthof1976foughtharderand hada heavierprice to paythanwhatwehave. We are less driven if youcompare us to 1976.But that’s only becausenot even half of what they hadto do,isexpectedorneeded from us.”

. Kian Jordaan said:“Idon’t thinkit’sfair to sayyoung people todayare less driven than theyouth of 1976.Backthen, theyouth were fighting apartheidand standing up againstvery clearand seriousinjustice,which took alot of bravery. Today’syouth deal with differentproblems,and they also show theirdrive in different ways Alot of it happens throughsocialmedia, community action,and speaking outonissues they care about. It mightnot always look the same as protests in thepast, butthatdoesn’t mean there’slesscommitment. In theend,each generation responds to thechallenges of itsown time,and both have shownthatyoung people canpushfor change.”

. Ambervan Rhyn said:“Idon’t think youngpeopletoday arelessdriventhanthe youthof1976. Thechallenges aredifferent, but thedesirefor change is stillthere

Theyouth of 1976 fought forpolitical freedom andequal education, whiletoday’s youthare tackling issues like unemployment,mental health,inequality, climatechange, andaccess to opportunities.”

Everygenerationexpressesits activism in ways that reflectthe timestheylivein.

. ChristineKaye said:“Idon’t thinkambition is somethingthatbelongs to onegeneration or another. Everygenerationhas people whoare driven to make adifference Theyouth of 1976 facedverydifferentchallenges to thoseyoung people face today, and theirresponsereflectedthe timestheylived in Today’syouth aresimplygrowing up in a differentworld with differentchallenges and opportunities.

Everygenerationhas people whowantto create change,and hopefully each generation leaves things betterfor thenext.”

COLLEGIANSFLYTO DRUBBINGOVERRFC

Samieravan Rooyen of CollegiansRugby FootballClub(RFC) acrobatically dots down herteam’sthirdtry leaving Ameera DanielsofRocklands RFCasamerespectatorduring aWestern ProvinceRugby Union (WPRU)Super League match playedatthe Rocklands Sports groundsonSaturday 13 June.Collegians wonthe Mitchells plain derby19-0 PHOTO:RASHIED ISAACS