People’s Post False Bay E-edition 28 July 2026

EntriesclosethisSunday

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Entries forthe Blisters for BreadCharity Family Fun

Walk closeatmidnight on Sunday 2August, giving supportersa chance to make adifference forchildrenlike thoseatStAgnes Primary School in Woodstock, where many learners rely on school mealseachday.

Theannualfundraiser, organised by thePeninsula School Feeding Association(PSFA)inassociation with LuckyStar, will take placeon Sunday 16 August,atthe Green PointCommonSportsGrounds

Oneofthe people ensuring those mealsreach learners is Heather Kannemeyer. Shepreparesfood forabout 85 children at theschool everyweekday.

Kannemeyerarrivesatthe school at around 06:30daily to begin preparingbreakfast before serving porridgebetween 07:30and 08:00.

Lunchisservedat10:30

Shesayswatchingchildrenenjoy awarmmealeachday is what keepsher motivated.

“Itfeelsgreat cookingfor the children becauseyou cansee some children don’thaveanythingand arehungry. It givesmea senseof satisfaction knowingthatthere’s

ENTRYCAN PROVIDE 23 CHILDREN WITH BREAKFAST,LUNCH

somethingfor them to eat.”

PrincipalElesiaKolbe said the school hasbeen abeneficiarysince 2003

“Through this valued partnership, ourlearnersreceive nutritious mealsthathelpensuretheyare betterequippedtofocus,learn and

succeed in theclassroom.”

Kolbeadds that theimpactofthe PSFA extendsfar beyond providing food

“Ithas contributedtoimproved concentration, betteracademic performance, increasedschool attendance,and happier,healthier learners.For many children,the meal they receiveatschool is the only nutritious meal they will have that day.”

She encourages Capetoniansto support theinitiativeand help raisevital funds

“Byparticipating in theBlisters

forBread FunWalk, youare helpingtomakea meaningful difference in thelives of thousands of learners.Every step takenhelp to ensure that children cancome to school with hope,ready to learn andbuild abrighterfuture.” Participants canchoosebetween a10kmwalkstartingat07:30 and a5km walk starting at 08:00. An entryfee of R125 canprovide 23 children with anutritious breakfastand lunchfor oneday Entriesare limitedto10000 participantsand will only be accepted online

Toxicologyunittospeedupinvestigations

Forfamilieswho have lost aloved onetoanunexplained or sudden death, forensic toxicology canbe thedifference between questions andclosure

TheWestern Cape Government’s Forensic Toxicology Unit is now betterequippedtoprovide that closure, having become the first provincial public forensic toxicology laboratory in SouthAfrica to achievecoveted international accreditation.

Following asuccessful assessment by theSouth AfricanNational AccreditationSystem(Sanas) the unit wasformally grantedISO/IEC 17025accreditation as aforensic laboratory

Theaccreditation covers twocritical areasoftesting:the detection of carbon monoxide poisoningand theidentification andmeasure-

ment of drugsinforensicspecimens

Thesetests support investigations involving fires, poisonings,suspected drug overdoses, andsudden or unexplaineddeaths.

WesternCapeMinisterofHealth andWellnessMireille Wenger said:“This accreditationprovides independentassurancethatthe toxicology evidence produced by ourteammeetsinternationally recognised standards, strengtheningconfidenceinthe resultsused by ourforensicpathologists, police investigators, prosecutorsand the courts.”

Shesaiditreflectedthe skilland dedication of a“highly specialised team”and supportstheir ability to providea forensic servicethat families andthe justicesystemcan trust.

TheUnitforms part of theWesternCapeDepartmentofHealth andWellness’ Forensic Pathology Serviceand supportsmedico-legal deathinvestigationsacrossthe province

By locating toxicology scientists within theForensicPathology Service, testingand interpretation canbeintegrateddirectlywiththe work of forensic pathologists and medico-legal investigativeteams

Theaccredited testswerealready beingperformed before accreditation wasgranted

However, this achievement provides independentconfirmation that theunit’smethods andquality controls meet rigorous international standards. Accredited methods undergoextensive validation to assess accuracy,precision,sensitivity, specificity andreliability

Thelaboratoryalsoparticipates in regularinternational proficiency testingand ongoingquality control.

BronwenDavies, ChiefForensic Toxicologist andScientificManager of theUnit, said this accreditationismorethana technical achievement; it’s apromise of quality, reliability, andcontinuous improvement.

Wenger said forensic pathology sits at an importantintersection between health andjustice

“Thisworkhelps us understand howand whypeopledie,supports investigations wherenecessary, andhelps identify emerging risks to public health.Thisachievement is an importantvoteofconfidence in thequality of forensic science beingdelivered in theWestern Cape public sector.”

Successshouldnotcomeatourwell-being

over time,“potentially placingour mental andphysicalwell-beingat risk”.

We live in aculture that often celebrates beingbusy. Long hours, packed schedules, and theability to jugglemultiple responsibilities arefrequently seen as signsofsuccess. Whileambitionand hard work arevaluable, thereisa pointwhere constant productivity stopsbeing admirableand starts becoming harmful

Burnoutisnolongera rare experience reserved forhigh-powered executives;ithas become awidespread realityaffecting students, parents, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, andemployees across everyindustry.

An occupational therapistand Centre of PsychotherapyExcellence(COPE)manager at Netcare Akesodescribes burnoutasthe stateofour internal resources becoming chronically depleted

Burnoutismorethansimplyfeelingtired aftera demandingweek It is astate of emotional, mental, andphysicalexhaustioncausedby prolongedstress.

It canleave people feeling detached from theirwork, overwhelmedbyeverydaytasks,and disconnected from thethingsthat once broughtthemjoy

Unfortunately, becauseweare so busy,these warningsigns oftengo unnoticedbecause slowingdown is seen as asignofweaknessor failure. Ibelieve oneofthe biggest reasonsburnout hasbecomeso commonisthatwehavenormalisedpushing ourselvesbeyond healthylimits.

We wear exhaustion like abadge of honour,believing that success requires sacrificing rest,relationships, andpersonalwell-being. Social mediaoften reinforces this narrative by praising hustle culture, making it seem as though everyone else is achievingmore

with less sleep andfewer breaks

In fact,the “three hoursofsleep doesn’taffectme” trendhas gone viralonTikTokand Instagram. In thevideos, people joke that they are fine aftergetting very littlesleep,while acting confused, exhaustedoroverlydramatic.

Whileitmakes fora good laugh, health expertssay that regularly gettingtoo littlesleep canaffect your thinking,memoryand immune system over time

Oneofthe most importanthabits we candevelop is checking in with ourselvesregularly

Taking afew momentseachday to ask, “How am Ireally feeling?” canrevealwhenstressisbeginning to outweigh resilience

Checking in with yourself also createsspace formeaningful action.Itmight mean taking ashort walk,setting clearerboundariesat work,askingfor help,speakingto atrusted friend,orsimplyallowing yourself to rest withoutguilt –things I’mstill learning Often, when youshare your experienceswithothers, you’ll dis-

coverthattheyare facing thesame challenges

Thesesmall decisionscan prevent stress from escalating into fullblownburnout.Self-awarenessis notselfish;itisanessentialpartof maintaininglong-term health and productivity

Employers, schools, andcommunities also have aresponsibility to create environments where well-beingisvaluedasmuchas performance. Encouragingopenconversations aboutmentalhealth, promoting realisticworkloads,and respecting personal time canmakea significant difference Preventing burnoutshouldbea shared responsibility rather than an individual struggle. Success should notcomeatthe expenseofour well-being. Burnout remindsusthatwecannotpour from an emptycup.Bychecking in with ourselves, listeningtothe warningsigns,and prioritising balanceoverconstantbusyness, we canbuild healthier, more sustainable lives.

Voortrekkerat NavalMuseum

KEANANHARMSE

Visitorscan nowlookforward to unearthing afascinating historyof an iconic vesselthattrained sailors from disadvantagedbackgrounds and competed in numerous Cape to Rioraces at theSouth AfricanNavalMuseumin Simon’sTown.

Almost twoyears to theday of therelocation of theDaphne-classsubmarine SASAssegaai themuseumhas addedanother iconic vessel to itscollection– thelegendary racingyacht Voortrekker

Chiefofthe Navy Vice-Admiral MondeLobese approved thetransferearlier this year,and on Friday 17 July theyacht wasmoved from the SailingCentreinWestYardtothe NavalMuseum annexnearColePoint

MOVINGTHEVESSEL

Theoperation,led by Rear-Admiral Hanno Teuteberg(Ret) andCommander John Martin (Ret), involved liftingthe yachtbycrane onto aspecial cradle andlow bedtrailer,then transporting it viaSimon’s Town Main Road, throughEastYard, to its finaldestination

Themove, supported by theFleet MaintenanceUnit, ArmscorDockyard, SailingCentre, NavalMuseum, andFalse BayYacht Club personnel, took most of theday butwas safely executed.The RoyalCapeYacht Club andSA OceanRacingTrust refurbished thecradle crucialtothe move

HISTORY

The Voortrekker wasbuilt in 1967 by Thesens of Knysna to competeinthe 1968 Observer Single-HandedTransatlantic YachtRace. Designed by Ricusvan de Stadtand originally riggedasa ketch, theyacht waslater re-rigged as aracingsloop by BrianLello When no financialbackers emerged Dr Anton Rupert guaranteed theR35 000 construction

It hasbeen berthedo ts hard out-of-water location at theSailing Centre in theWestYard of theNaval Base Simon’sTownfor thelastfour years, he said “Following theChief of theNavy’sapproval it hadtoberelocated to theNaval Museum’s annex, wherethe SubmarineMuseum SAS Assegaai is also located. Themoveinvolved thelifting of theyacht by crane, onto aspecial cradle andthenontoa low-bedtrailer.This involved theuse of aheavy lift craneand aNavy rigging team.” Once restored to astaticdisplay condition

thepublicwillbeabletoviewthe yachtatclose quarters,withtechnical andhistoricinformation incorporated into thedisplay Visitors will learnabout theworkingsofa sailingyacht,fromthe purposeofthe massive keel to howsailors navigatedthe oceans in the pre-GPSera

An importanttheme will be thehistory and legacy of sailinginthe Navy,including itspotentialfor youthdevelopment andtraining. With the60thanniversaryof Voortrekker’s historic 1968 victoryapproachingin2027-’28 therefurbishment andhistoricresearchfor a supplementaldisplay arewellunderway, ensuringthe yacht’sremarkablestory is preservedfor generationstocome.

RePAWposed at ArtPoint Gallery

KEANANHARMSE

The annual RePAWposed TEARS ArtExhibition andAuction,hosted by NoordhoekArt PointGallery, returned on Saturday 25 July andwill continue untilFriday31July, inviting the public to experience anew artcollection of worksstraightfromthe shelvesof TEARScharity shops.

TEARSAnimalRescueisa non-profitorganisation (NPO)based in Sunnydale Foundedin1999, theNPO rescues, rehabilitates,and rehomesabandoned,abused, and injuredcompanion animals. TheNPO also operates aveterinaryhospitaland mobile clinics providingfreesterilisation andsubsidisedcare forlow-incomecommunities

Each year,artists andmembers of thepublic arechallenged to select athriftedpaintingand transformitintosomething completely newby adding theirown artistic vision

Theexhibitionfeatures40one-of-a-kind pieces,eachcarryingnot only acreativestory but also thepromise of making arealdifference

This eventwillculminate in aliveauction on Friday from 18:00atNoordhoekArt Point Gallery on NoordhoekMainRoad, whereevery rand raised is donatedtoTEARS to support its ongoingrescue, rehabilitation,and rehoming work.Attendanceisfree, with bidding available both in person andvia telephone.

Over theyears,the exhibition hasbecomeone of thegallery’s most anticipatedannual events, consistently raisingmorethanR50 000 for TEARS.

This year,organisershopetosurpass R60000, providingevenmoresupport for animalsinneed.

Anew chaptertothisyear’sexhibitionare sevenveryspecial guestartists

Rescue dogs Patra, Bullet,Demi, andEvalyn, together with playful puppies Lady Freckleton, Lady Wigglebutt, andBear, swappedkennels

overlooked canbecomesomet ng ulye traordinarywhensomeone sees theirpotential.” Fellowpainter WendyScheeperssaysshe is

epro ng at beauty canemergefro he unexpected,she added. .Fordetails visitwww.noordhoekartpoint.co.za

T3 2for we are more than

International ballet at Artscape

CapeTownwillhost115 youngballetdancers from SouthAfricaand abroad when the13thSouth AfricanInternational BalletCompetition (SAIBC)takes placeatArtscapefrom Tuesday4 to Thursday 6August.

Thecompetition will featuredancers aged nine to 22 competinginClassicalBallet, Contemporary, Choreographicand Ensemble categories. Amongthe competitorsare 2025 gold medallist Greisell Lastre Casuso from Cuba, BolshoiBalletAcademy graduate Luna Helm andJohannesburg’sJaydenSamuels

FoundedbyDirkBadenhorst, artistic director of Mzansi Ballet, theSAIBC is theonlyinternational balletcompetition of itskindinAfrica. He said theevent continuestoprovide young dancerswithvaluableperformance experience, internationalexposureand career opportunities

“The standard of entriescontinues to grow everyyear, andweare delightedtowelcome such an outstandinggroup of youngdancers to Cape Town

SOUTH AFRICANS WILL PERFORM ALONGSIDE GLOBAL CONTEMPORARIES.

“Itisespecially exciting to seesomany talented SouthAfricansperformingalongside gifted dancersfromaroundthe world. The SAIBCisabout inspiringone another, building friendships, celebratingexcellenceand creating opportunitiesfor thenextgenerationofballet artists.”

Thecompetition will be judged by an international paneland concludeswitha Gala PerformanceonThursday6 August,showcasingthis year’s winners alongsideprofessional dancers from SouthAfricaand abroad

Ticketsfor theelimination rounds on Tuesday4 August at 18:00, Wednesday5 August at 14:00and 18:00, andthe finals on Thursday 6 August at 10:00start at R150,while gala tickets cost R285 . Tickets areavailablevia webtickets.

MobilePlanetariumbrings universedirectlytolearners

Thousandsoflearnersinrural andunderserved communities across SouthAfricawillsoon have thechancetoexplore theuniversewithout leavingtheir schools, thanks to the launch of theIziko Mobile Planetarium.

Theinitiative, launched by IzikoMuseums of SouthAfricawithsupport from Amazon,will bringaninflatable planetarium, virtualreality technology andinteractive scienceeducation directly to schoolsand libraries, making space sciencemoreaccessibletoyoung people who have limitedaccess to such resources. Inside theinflatable dome learners will enjoy360-degreedigital storytelling,while the10high-tech VR headsets will allowthem to explorenight skiesand naturalecosystems interactively, in an engaging manner.

Theprogramme will also emphasiseAfrican indigenous astronomy, honouringthe continent’s rich cultural heritage,and will be ledby IzikoMuseums’dedicated outreach team and

scienceeducator.

Allshows, filmsand hands-on activities are alignedwithschool subjects to enhancescience literacy andinspire alifelongpassion forSTEM careers.

Dr BonganiNdhlovu,actingchief executive officerofIziko Museums, said theirmission hasalwaysbeen to make heritage andscience accessibletoall.

“PartneringwithAmazonenables us to overcome physical barriers. We arenot just waiting forthe public to visitthe museum;weare bringingthe universe directly to theirdoorsteps.”

Starting with initialpilot testing, this programme is poised to launch an inspiringcommunity-outreachtour, expandingeachyearto connect with thousandsofeager younglearners across thecountry Ndhlovuencouragedschools, librariesand community organisationstostayengaged with theirupcomingschedule.

Cape Town audiencesare the firsttoexperience award-winning comedian DalinOliver’snew stand-up show, StuckinDubai,asitlaunches itsnationaltouratthe Baxter Theatre, whereit will rununtil Saturday 1August. Thefestivities kicked off on Tuesday21July.

Although itstitle suggestsairport chaosthe show is ultimately aboutlife’sunexpecteddetours, thebeautyofembracing uncertaintyand discoveringthatsomeofour best storiescome from themoments we neversaw coming

Andfor this Capetonian therecouldnt be a betterplace to begin.

“There’s somethingincrediblymeaningful aboutstartingthistourinCapeTown. This is home.It’swhere Ifound comedy,where Ilearnt my craft, wherepeopletook achanceonme before anyone knew my name

“Tokickmybiggest tour off with theaudience that hassupported me from dayone is really special. Ican’t thinkofa betterplace to start this journey.”

Thenationwidetourrepresentsanother major milestonefor Oliver,whose career hastaken himfromteachingclassroomstoselling theatresout both locally andinternationally

Butdespite thegrowing list of achievements he believes StuckinDubai represents adefining chapterinhis career

“I’vetouredbefore, butthisfeelsdifferent,” he said.“This is my biggest tour yet, both in termsofthe number of cities andwhatthe show meanstomepersonally.Every year youwantto become abettercomedian, abetterstoryteller anda betterperformer.I genuinelyfeel this is my strongestshowyet,and Ican’t wait to share it with audiencesaroundthe country.”

AfterCapeTownOliverwilltake Stuckin Dubai to theatres,artsfestivals andvenues across SouthAfrica, includingthe Hilton Arts

Festival,Kimberley,Bloemfontein, St Francis Bay, Knysna,Sedgefield, Paarl, Durban,Johannesburg, Strand,KuGompo City,Gqeberhaand Stellenbosch.“Oneofmyfavourite things about touringisdiscovering howdifferentevery audience is.Eachtownhas itsown personalityand rhythm,but laughter hasthisincredibleway of bringing everyone together.“Whetheryou’re watching in Cape Town,Johannesburgora smalltownyou’venever visitedbeforewe’re all laughing aboutthe same humanexperiences That’s what makeslivecomedysospecial.” . Ticketsare availablevia venue ticketing platformsand at www.dalinoliver.com

One-ActPlayFestival2026 atMasquetooffergreatfare

Four brand-newSouth Africanplays will make theirstage debutatThe Masque’s annual OneActPlayFestival, showcasing theworkoflocal playwrightsKudzaiMhangwa,Lindy Wilson, SavannahSteyn andClive Myburgh.

ThefestivalrunsfromThursday20Augustto Saturday 22 August at theMuizenbergtheatre

Everyplayonthe programme hasfollowed auniquedevelopment journey— from script submission,through staged readings and feedback sessions, to afully realised theatrical production

Each performancewillalsobefollowedbya hosted discussion with theplaywrights,directors,and cast,givingaudiences ararebehindthe-scenes insightintothe creative process.

“Every newplaybeginsasanideaona page,” said festival producer Faeron Wheeler

“Our play-reading programme giveswriters theopportunitytoheartheir work,refine it throughfeedback andultimatelysee it performed before aliveaudience. It’s an incredible opportunityfor both emerging andestablished playwrights.

“There aresomanystories waitingtobe told.The festival celebrates localvoiceswhile also giving audiencesthe chance to discover newplaywrights andstories told from afresh perspective.”

An Unexpected Guest,writtenbyWilsonand directed by KaulanaWilliams, is setin1965 America, wherethe arrivalofa former anti-apartheid activist at thehomeofnewlyweds

Mark andJustine Rutherford forces long-buriedtruthstothe surface.

This thoughtful dramaexploresloyalty,identi-

ty andthe lastingimpactofpolitical struggleon personal relationships

• BottleService,writtenbySteyn anddirected by Andrea Grant, is aheartfelt comedy about twofathers whoformanunexpectedfriendship after findingthemselvesstrandedtogetherata Mommy andMeclass. Filledwithhumourand warmth,the play explores modern fatherhood, chosen family andthe life-changingmoments foundineverydaychaos

•Lady Marmalade,writtenbyMhangwa and directed by TanyaSmith,isa quirky comedy inspired by thelegendofa famous dancer who returnstoperform one finaldance each year afterher death.

When ghosthunters,scepticsand curious onlookersgatherina lonely graveyardmystery, humour andunexpectedtwistssoon beginto follow.

TheBlack Bird,writtenbyClive Myburghand directed by Kerith Coulson, follows ayoung couple whoretreat to aremotebirdhide, only to find themselves trappedwithanelderly birdwatcherconvinced aterrifyingcreatureis huntingthemfromabove

As fear andsuspicion take hold,reality begins to blur in this haunting explorationofthe things we fear losing most

Thescheduleisasfollows:Thursday20August at 19:30features TheBlack Bird and Bottle Service;Friday21Augustat19:30 features An Unexpected Guest and Lady Marmalade;Saturday22Augustat14:30 features An Unexpected Guest and Lady Marmalade;and Saturday 22 August at 19:30features TheBlack Bird and BottleService

TheIzikoMobile Planetarium willbring interactive space-scienceexperiences to thousands of learners.

PHOTO:SUPPLIED