People’s Post False Bay E-edition 7 July 2026

Youth make asplash

A“Boysjustjumpinto damsanddeepbits... endupdrowning.”

MatthewGuiney

they fall into deep water.

At thebeginning of 2020,the NSRI unched itsSurvivalSwimming Programme,which wasinspiredby severalstories involvingchildren drowning ametre or twofromsafety. Qualified NSRI instructorsand ainedvolunteersleadthese classes.

FIVEFATALITIES

During the2025-’26festive season, theCityofCapeTownrecorded five taland 23 non-fataldrownings ongits coastline.

Allfatal incidentsoccurredoutside designated bathingzones,with zero fataldrownings reported at mucipalswimming poolsorpatrolled, feguardedbeaches

People’s Post spoketoMuizenberg Survival Swimming School Coordinarand volunteer,Matthew Guiney on hislovefor teaching swimming ssons forthe localyouth in Muizenberg Afterspending40years as ateacher,hesaysthe focusisonsimplebut essentialskills

“After 40 years, andI just felt I couldtry andgivebacka bit. I’ve always been involved in coaching sport andlifesaving.

“The aimistoteach littlekidsfrom theage of six, basically,and we’ve hadquite afew adults as well, on what to do if youfallintowater so that youdon’t drown.

“That’swhy it’s calledsurvival swimming.It’snot really competitive roke swimming,but we teachthem howtoholdtheir breath,how to float, howtoget to theside, becausemost of thelittlekidswho drownare with-

in five metres of thesideofwater,” he says Guiney says boys areparticularly vulnerable to drowning incidents.

“The statistics areshockingona hot day, theboysjustjumpintodamsand deep bits,you know,and they endup drowning,” he explains

Theprogramme is open to children from theage of six, although adults arealsowelcome to participate.

Families only paythe R5 entrance feetoaccess Muizenberg Pool,while thesurvivalswimming lessons themselves areoffered free of charge

NEEDVOLUNTEERS

Theprogramme relies entirely on volunteers.

Around 10 adultvolunteerscurrently assist with coaching,alongside severalyounger volunteers, including high school learners

Youngpeoplecan become volunteer coachesfromthe ageof16after receivingthe necessary training

Guiney says theexperiencenot only teachesvaluablelifesavingskills but

also encourages youngpeopletogive back to theircommunities

Theprogramme is currently seeking additional volunteers.

Prospectivecoaches do notneed to be expert swimmers,ascoaching takesplace in shallowwater where both volunteersand children can stand.

“I’vegot about10volunteers, all adultpeople, although I’ve gotsome from Grade10toMatric. I’ve hadtwo boys from Steenberg High,who’ve become some of my best coaches. As long as youturn16, youcan become a coachthere.You gettrained,you get theskill that’s avaluableskill forthe youngsters to learn,”hesays. Thoseinterestedinhelping will receivetrainingbeforejoining theteam. Guiney believes everychild who learns thesesurvivalskills gainsmore than confidenceinthe water—they gain knowledgethatcould oneday save theirlife.

.Formoreinformation and to getinvolved in the programme phone Guiney at 083408 5932.

‘Blisters’not justawalk

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

SomeofCapeTown’sbiggest musicaltalents will lend theirvoicesto the fightagainst childhood hunger as Paxton Fielies, Steven LeeLewis and SketchyBongo headline theentertainment lineup forthisyear’sBlistersfor BreadCharity Family FunWalk.

Blisters forBread,inassociationwithLucky Star,willtakeplace on Sunday,16August, at theGreen PointCommonSportsGrounds Theannualevent,organised by thePeninsula School FeedingAssociation (PSFA),raises much-needed funds andawareness to help combat childhoodhungerinthe WesternCape.

Annually,thousands of participants lace up theirwalking shoesinsupport of theinitiative, whichhelps providenutritiousmeals to vulnerable children across theprovince.

Participants canchoosebetween a10kmwalk starting at 07:30and a5km walk starting at 08:00.

Entrycosts R125 perperson, an amount that canprovide 23 children with anutritiousbreakfast andlunch forone day.

Entriesare limitedto10000 participants,and registrationsclose at midnight on Sunday,2 August

Only online entrieswillbeaccepted In addition to thewalk, onecan enjoylive entertainment, food stalls andactivitiesfor all ages,makingita fun-filledmorning outfor families whilesupportinga worthy cause.

SouthAfrican producer andperformer Bongo says he is lookingforward to bringing theenergy to this year’s event, describing theBlisters

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.”

Financialpressurepushinginflationhigher

Consumersbattlingmounting financialpressure arebeing urgedtoseek professional debt counselling,withexperts warningthatthis month’sfuelprice cutistoo smalltooffsetthe rising cost of food,electricity andessentials that continue to squeezehousehold budgets.

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 little financial breathingroom Debt Rescue CEONeilRoets,one of SouthAfrica’s topdebtcounselling companies, says fuel prices influencefar more than what motorists payatthe pumps.

“They filter throughthe entire economy, affecting transportcosts,food prices,logistics,municipal servicedeliveryand ultimately householdcash flow.While theJulyreduction is welcome, it is simply toosmall to offsetthe cumulative inflationary pressure consumers have absorbed over recent months.”

Roetssaysconsumers rarely experience inflationasisolatedprice increases. Instead, financialpressure 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 inflationand strain agricultural inputcosts, significantly raisingthe threat of second-round

Consumers areurged to seek debt counselling.

priceeffects

This is particularly damaging becausehousholds have littleopportunitytoadjusttheir spending

UNCERTAINOUTLOOK

AccordingtoRoets,the outlook beyond is uncertainwithrenewed attacksinthe MiddleEast recently raisingthe risk of higher international oilprices. “Consumers oftenunderestimate how quicklyinternational events reachthe household budget.A sustainedincreaseinglobaloil prices rarely remainsconfinedtofuel. It steadily filtersthrough supplychainsintotransport, food production,retailpricesand ultimately the cost of almost everyessentialproduct consumerspurchase,”Roets points out.

He says thescenarioisalready grim forthe manonthe street,and thereisgrowing concern

aboutthe abilityofSouth Africanhouseholdsto absorb anyfurther financialshocks. Theseconcernsare also reflectedinDebtRescue’songoing consumer research,which monitorshow economic developments influence consumer financialbehaviour andhousehold resilience

AccordingtoRoets,the latest findings indicate that many consumersnolongerhavesufficient financial flexibilitytoabsorbevenrelatively modest increasesinessentialmonthly expenses

FOODPRICESDRIVINGINFLATION

Food prices arethe largestsinglecontributor to inflation, andwithmultiplethreats to food production andaffordability looming, this is easily thetop concernamong lower-income households.“Food inflationisfundamentally differentfrommostother formsofinflation becauseconsumers have almost no abilityto postpone or avoidit. As food consumes an increasingly larger shareofhousehold income, financialresiliencedeterioratesrapidly This hasa disproportionate impact on lower-income households,where food already accounts fora larger shareofmonthly expenditure.Itforcesfamiliestomakeimpossible sacrificesinbasic nutrition, whichultimatelyaffectshealth, well-beingand long-term financial resilience,” Roetspointsout He urgedconsumers with financialdistress to find help from aregistereddebtcounsellor before “debtbecomes unmanageable”.

Sportisasourceofhope,pride,identity,unity

Canada in thelast32ofthe competition,which sawthembowing outofthe tournament,servesasa perfectexample.Asthe finalwhistleblew, millionsofSouth Africans experiencedthe same feelingof heartbreak

Sportisoften describedasa game,but formillionsofpeopleitismuchmorethanthat. It is asourceofhope, pride, identity andunity

In SouthAfrica, whereour historyismarkedbydivisionand inequality,sport hasrepeatedly proven itsability to bringpeople together in ways that politics and social programmesoften cannot. It remindsusthatdespite our differences, we sharecommon dreams andemotions.

Just afew weeksago,the nation celebrated when Bafana Bafana made SouthAfrican football history by reaching theFifaWorld Cup knockout stages forthe firsttime when they defeated SouthKorea 1-0intheir finalgroup game

Theirdisappointing defeat to

In that moment,wewerenot dividedbylanguage, religion or social status.WeweresimplySouth Africans supporting ourteam. This is theuniquepower of sport. It createsmoments where differencesdisappear,evenifonly fora while. It allows strangersto celebratetogether, comfortone anotherand believeinsomething biggerthanthemselves. Whetherit is football, rugby, cricket, athletics or netball, sporthas theability to unitecommunities around acommonpurpose SouthAfricahas witnessedthis powerbefore. The1995 Rugby WorldCup remainsone of the greatest examples of sportpromoting national unity. When the Springboks lifted theWebbEllis

Cup, it wasmorethana sporting victory. It became asymbolof reconciliation Former PresidentNelsonMandela understood that sportcould heal wounds andbuild bridgeswhere wordsalone couldnot Sportalsoinspiresthe next generation.Young athletes learn valuable life skills such as discipline, teamwork,perseveranceand respect. Many children growingup in disadvantagedcommunities see successful sportsmenand women as proof that hard work anddetermination canovercomedifficult circumstances. Forsome, thesports fieldbecomesa placeofopportunityand hope rather than despair. However, thepower of sport should notonlybecelebrated during victories. Defeat also teachesimportant lessons.Losing remindsusthatsuccess requires resilience,patienceand continuous improvement. Bafana Bafana’s recent loss mayhaveended 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.

Projectb

KEANANHARMSE

MasiViolinOutreachhas officially launched theLegacyTour2026–an alumni-led communitytour, a newinitiativethatwillbring live music, educationand community engagement to venues across Cape Town.

Thetourisproudly supported by theCityof Cape Town throughits Grants-in-Aidprogramme andaimstocreatemeaningfulprofessional opportunitiesfor theorganisation’s alumni whilemakingmusic more accessible to diverseaudiences

Running from July to December this year,the Legacy Tour will visit12community venues, includingschools, retirement homes, healthcare facilities andcommunity organisations.

Masi Violin Outreach is anon-profitorganisation (NPO)thatgives free violin lessons to kids in theMasiphumelele township

Theproject helpsyouth buildconfidence, stay outoftrouble,and connect with othermusicians.

Rather than stagingconventionalconcerts, the programme hasbeen designed to foster participationthrough live performances,interactive workshopsand opportunitiesfor audiencesto engage directly with themusicians.

Thetourcelebratesthe journeyofseven Masi Violin Outreach alumni (AyabongaTshemese, Onke Mbopha,Sikholiwe Hlahla,Thembelihle Teyisi,Busiswa Qaba,Sokhululeka Vukuvi and Milisa Ndlebe)who firstbegan learning the violin as children in Masiphumelele.

Having developedintoaccomplished performers, educatorsand role models,theynow return to communities across Cape Town to share theirskills,inspire youngpeopleand demonstrate the transformative powerofmusic

Theseven alumni representmorethan80 yearsofmusical experience throughthe Masi Violin Outreach programme

Many of themusicians startedtheir performancecareersbybusking in shopping centres andappearingatlocal community events

Today, they performprofessionally at functionsand events across Cape Town whilealso teaching thenextgenerationofMasiviolinists. Throughthe Legacy Tour,theyare extending theirimpactbeyondthe concertstage by bringingmusic directly to communities whereitcan offer joy, connection andinspiration

Confirmed andproposedtourpartnersinclude Fish Hoek SouthAfrican AssociationofRetired Persons(FHSAARP),CarlisleLodge,Bridges forMusic,Sinethemba, Oakley House, Hokisa andthe RedCross WarMemorialChildren’s Hospital

Masi Violin Outreach founderNadiahMony said theinitiativerepresentsanimportant milestoneinthe organisation’s developmentand reflects itslong-term commitmenttocreating sustainableopportunitiesfor youngmusicians

“The Legacy Tour is aboutsomuchmorethan performances.It’sabout creating meaningful professional opportunitiesfor ouralumniwhile usingmusic to bringpeopletogether. Watching theseyoung musiciansreturntocommunities as confident performers,teachersand role models is oneofthe proudest momentsinMasi Violin Outreach’s journey,”she said Hlahla describedthe tour as aninvestmentin thefutureofyoung musicians.

“Wewould like to expressour sinceregratitudetothe City forits generous support of ourtourand itscontinued investment in the developmentofyoung people throughthe Masi Violin Outreach programme

“Wehopethisopportunitywillinspire the next generation of participants to remain

Club historyunpacked

TheFish Hoek Valley Museum invitesthe community to an engaging talk by founding Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club member CliveDuffellonThursday, 9 July, at the Fish Hoek Libraryside hall

Drawing on first-hand experience, Duffellwill sharethe inspiring storyofhow theclubgrewfroma smallvolunteer group operating from abeach hutin 1957intoone of South Africa’sleading surf lifesaving organisations. Doors open at 17:00,withthe presentation starting at 17:30. EntryisR20 formembers and R30 forvisitors. Annual membership is valued at R50 per person. Allfees arecashonlyand maybe paid at the museum or at themeeting.

Formoreinformation contact musuem curator SueMaude at curator.fishhoekvalleymuseum@ gmail.com.

Policeintervene to save neglected pony

KEANANHARMSE

Aneglectedponyissafeand receivingurgentcareafter ajoint intervention by theCapeofGoodHopeSPCA in Grassy Park,the police and theCityofCapeTown’sLaw EnforcementAnimalControl AuxiliaryUnitonTuesday 30 June.

At approximately14:40 Cape of Good Hope SPCA inspectors respondedtoa requestfor assistance from Maitland Police Stationat VoortrekkerRoad.

Officers hadarrested suspects who were allegedlyfound in possession of suspectedstolenproperty, including aponythatappeared to be in poor condition.

On arrival, former SPCA ChiefInspectorJacoPieterse, whowas operatingasa volunteer forthe City’s law enforcement, noticedthatthe pony wasunderweight with itsribsand otherbones clearlyvisible,indicating apoor body condition.

He also observed multiple wounds on variousparts of thepony’sbody, consistent with allegedneglect and inadequate care

Basedonthese findings,the inspectorformedthe opinionthatthe pony hadsuffered unnecessary pain, distress andneglect

Theponythat wasrecovered in Maitland wasfoundtobeunderweight with its ribs andother bones clearlyvisible. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

SPCA COMMENDED MAITLANDPOLICE FORRECOGNISING THE PONY’SNEEDS.

TheSPCAthenrequested additional chargesbeconsideredagainst the suspects underthe AnimalsProtection Actaswellasrelevantprovisions of theCityofCapeTown’sAnimal KeepingBy-law.

Theponywas immediatelyseized by theSPCAand transportedtoits HorseCareUnit, whereitisreceivingveterinarytreatment,nutritional support andrehabilitation.

“Wecommend Maitland police for recognisingthatthe pony required urgent welfareinterventionand for

contacting theCapeofGood Hope SPCA withoutdelay,” said SPCA spokesperson BelindaAbraham “Wealsoextendour appreciation to theCityofCapeTown’sLaw EnforcementAnimalControl Auxiliary Unit fortheir prompt response and assistance at thescene.”

TheSPCAhas also worked extensively with theCityonthe proposed redrafting of theanimalkeepingbylaw, Abrahamadded.

“The revisedbylaw,which is expected to go outfor public participation soon,aimstointroduce stricter regulation andoversight relating to workinganimals,including working equines.”

TheUniversityofCapeTownhas retained itspositionasAfrica'stop university,placing 184thinthe world in thelatestQSWorld University Rankings

Therankingsplace UCTamong thetop 12%ofmorethan1 500 institutions assessedglobally by Quacquarelli Symonds(QS).

Vice-ChancellorProfMosaMoshabela said theresultreflectedthe hard work of staff andstudents.

"Our research mission remains rooted in generating high-quality, relevant knowledgethatmatters to ourpeoplefor Africa andthe world," Moshabelasaid.

UCT'sstrongest performancewas in InternationalResearchNetworks, whereitplaced31stglobally an indicatormeasuring therichnessand diversityofaninstitution's international research partnerships Theuniversityalsoimprovedits rankingintwo keyareas.Its Employment Outcomes indicatorclimbed to 40th in theworld,reflecting the employabilityofUCT graduatesand theirimpactintheir fields.Its AcademicReputationranking improved to 179thglobally UCTscoredthe highestoverall rank amongall SouthAfrican universities in theQSlist, andtoppedthe country in Academic Reputation andSustainability. TheQSrankingsplace particular weight on theperceptions of academicsand employersworldwide,combinedwithresearchimpact, internationalengagementand graduate outcomes —makingthema keybenchmark of global institutional

UCTisonceagain

standing

The2027rankingsare basedon 2024 data submittedinFebruarythis year Moshabelasaidthe resultsreflect aconsistentefforttofulfilUCT's Strategy 2030

"Weare embedding innovation and entrepreneurship into thefabricof theinstitution to builda future-orienteduniversitythatprioritises academic excellenceand combines research intensitywithsocietalimpact," he said

WhileUCT leadsthe continent, theuniversityisactivelyidentifying areasfor improvement, including addressing data gaps andexpanding employer survey response pools.

"While rankings do notdefine who we are, they do provideuseful externalbenchmarks,"Moshabela said In SeptemberthisyearUCT will host theTimes Higher Education WorldAcademicSummit, alongside theUniversityofBristol.Itwillbring together global leadersinhigher education, research,policy, business andcivil society.

A UpgradestoMuizenbergseawall

Muizenberg’sbeachfront upgrades areexpected to be completed inDecember this year,according to the CityofCape

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 and firsttime 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 FOREST.

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.

Singer-songwriter Magé Troskieperformed at TheRoutesofSound

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 vibrant finale concert.

Each weekendfeaturesa completely different line-upofestablished andemergingtalent.

The firstweekendfeaturedJohannesburg-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.

RESOUNDING VICTORYFOR WALMERS

BreytonKlein of Primrose RugbyFootball Club (RFC) keepspossessionof theballas MueezDamons of Schotschekloof Walmers puts hisbody on the line to stop him during aWestern ProvinceRugby Union(WPRU) Super Aleague game played at the Greenpointtrack on Saturday 4July.

Walmers from Bo-kaap wonthe muchanticipated derby in front of5000 supporters by 45-17 PHOTO:RASHIED ISAACS

Designing safe spaces

Withthe 2026 basketball tournament done and dusted,the focusshifts nowtopromote thegameinthe broaderCapeTown.

Theboysofthe Soweto Basketball Academyforfeited theirgameinthe finalatthe sixthAfrican Grassroots HoopsBasketballtournamenton Sunday 21 June at theGermanInternationalSchool in theCapeTown CBD. They hadtocatch a flight back to Johannesburgand Duep Basket-

ball Academywas crownedasthe winners In thegirls sectionSowetoBasketball Academywon

This year’s tournament welcomed talented teamsfromacrossSouth Africa,including teamsfromCape Town,Botswanaand otherregions, allcomingtogethertocelebrate the game of basketball andcompete at thehighest youthlevel Fans sawpowerhouseteams such as Soweto Basketball Academy, MontanaVikings Basketball Club, Duep Basketball Academy, Hout Bay Snipers, Eagles Basketball Club and Dirurubele Basketball Academy.

Thediversity of teamsand playingstylesmadethe YouthClassica unique experience that showcased

theincrediblegrowthofgrassroots basketball in SouthAfrica. Andthe standard of competition continuestorise.

Last year,SowetoBasketballAcademyput on an outstandingperformance, winning both theboys’ and girls’ championshipstocompletean impressive double In thegirls’division, Montana Vikings finished as runners-upafter ahard-fought final, whileinthe boys’ division,BulldogsfromOcean View earned second placeafter an exceptional tournament run.

Lerato Matyityilili ,spokesperson forAfrican Grassroots Hoops, says beyond thescoresand trophies, what excitesthe organisation most is seeing youngpeoplefromdifferent

YOUNG PEOPLE COME TOGETHER,BUILD FRIENDSHIPSAND CREATEMEMORIES

communities come together,build friendshipsand create memories that will last alifetime. That is what AfricanGrassroot Hoopsisall about: usingbasketballtounite,inspire andcreateopportunitiesfor thenext generation FoundedinNovember2014by Giovanni Freeman andVincent Ntunja AfricanGrassrootsHoops hasalwaysbeen more than avision andbrand,thataimstobring the

transformative powerofbasketballto Africa,one childata time,she says “Our goal is simple yetprofound, to placea basketball in thehands of everychild we encounterand ignite within them therealisation that this ball symbolises boundlessopportunities.We firmly believeininstilling playersand coachesa mindsetthat knowsnolimits- thebeliefthatthe skyisonlythe starting point.

“Peoplecan also support us through crowdfunding,becomesponsorsor partners,volunteer theirtime, or simplyhelpusspreadthe word.Every contribution helpsuscreatesafe spaces andmeaningful opportunities foryoung people,” shesays. .Visittheir social mediaplatforms for moredetails