People's Post Grassy Park/Retreat E-edition 10 February 2026

Carnivaltouplift spirits

AKAYLYNNEBANTOM

ll roadsleadtothe Green PointFan Walk next monthasthe Cape Town Carnival makesits dazzling return on Saturday 21 March.

Nowinits 16th year,the carnivalwillbring together over 1500 performers in avibrant celebration themed “FollowYourHeART.”

Adding to theexcitement, this year’s eventspotlights12“Champions” from Cape Town’s creative sceneincluding singer Anslin Gysmanand localactor Natashavan derMerwe,DJReady D, graffiti artist RizahPotgieter,and designer Stephenvan Eeden.

Speaking to People’s Post,Van derMerwe said beingpartofthe Cape Town Carnival is an honour “Tobeseen,recognisedasa performer, andfor my storytobe acknowledged in this wayissomethingI neverimagined. I’mbeyond grateful andcannotwaittobepart of this incredible celebration.”

Shesaidspectatorscan look forwardtoa bold,vibrant performance.

“I’llbechampioning a floatwith Anslin Gysman,sothe twoofus will be doinga medley mix, of some SouthAfrican Music, hits from across theglobe,and you mightevenhearone of my own singlestoget thecrowd going. It’s a lekker upliftinghigh-energy vibe andI’m excitedtobesharing the specialday with Anslin,the supporters, andfriends of Cape Town Carnival.”

Vander Merwesaidshe hopes audienceswilltakeawayexactly what this year’s themeembodies: to followyourHeART

“Thatgoesfor your dreams, goals, ambitionsorthingsyou want to achieveinyourlife. It

MORE THAN 1500 PERFORMERS

doesn’tjusthavetobesomething creative.Whatisyourdream? Followit, don’tgiveupand Ihope people feel inspired andentertained.” Shesaidinspiring even onepersontopursuetheir dream or follow theirHeART wouldmake it allworthwhile.

Vander Merwebelievesevents like thecarnivalare importantfor theartsbecause they make creativityvisible,accessible, andalive “Theytakeart outoftheatres andgalleries andplace it into the streets, whereeveryonecan experience it.Dance,music,costume, storytelling,and culturebecome somethingshared, notexclusive Artstops beingsomething youobservefroma distance andbecomes somethingyou feel.”

Sheaddedthatcarnivals create platformsfor artiststobe“seen andcelebrated”

“Theyvalidatethe work,the discipline,and thestories behind performers,often openingdoorsto newopportunitiesand reminding artiststhattheir voices matter. On abroader level, they preserve culture whileallowing it to evolve.”

AccordingtoVan derMerwe,a carnival remindspeoplethatart is “not extra, butessential”

“Theyhonourwhere we come from whilegivingartists thefreedomtoreinterpret,collaborate, andinnovate.Ina worldthatoften feelsfastand divided, events like this bringpeopletogetherthrough joy, colour,rhythm, andshared experience.”

NovusMedia publishes People’s Post, aproud printmedia sponsor of theevent

Bursariesavailablefordeservingstudents

TheShopriteGroup,one of South Africa’s leadingretailer, has opened applications forits 2026 bursaryprogramme,offering financialsupport anda guaranteed pathwayintoemploymentfor ambitiousstudentsinretailbusiness management,accounting,supply chainand logistics, andbiological andagriculturalsciences.

Thebursary covers tuition, accommodation anda monthly groceryallowance.Italsoprovides well-beingsupport services and

incorporates awork-back agreement ensuring adirecttransition from graduation into employment within thecompany “Access to educationalone is not enough.Thisbursary programme is aboutconvertingpotential into long-termcareers,”saysLindsey Joseph,HeadofGroup Talent Solutions. “Bylinking funding directly to employment,weare strengtheningour talent pipeline anddeliveringmeasurableimpact whereitmatters most –jobs, skills

andeconomicparticipation.”

ThorisoSethosa,a bursarygraduate,joinedthe Groupafter theretailer fundedher BAcc (CAstream) degree. Sheiscurrently completing herchartered accountant training programme,rotatingacrosskey business unitstodevelop theskills required to qualifyasa CA(SA) and progress within theorganisation.

“The Shoprite bursarydidn’t just fundmystudies –itgaveme access to theindustryand aclear pathwayintoa career Ican grow

in,” says Sethosa. “Itplacedmein adata-driven environmentthat’s equipping me with theskills Ineed formyfuture, notjustmy firstjob.” TheShopriteGroup bursaryprogramme is helpingtoupliftlives by supportingeducation,building workplace-readyskills,and creatinglong-term career opportunities forthe youth.

Applications closeonSunday31 May.

.

Visitwww.shopriteholdings.co.za formoreinformation.

Irecentlyfound myself in asituation wherelifehung in thebalance.Someone I caredabout needed immediatemedical attention. In a moment,drivenbyfearand desperation, we rushed to the nearesthospital, aprivate institution.

We hadnomedical aid. We knew theoddswereagainst us.Still, when deathfeelsclose,logic takes abackseat.

Walkingintothe receptionarea, Iexplained that this wasa medical emergency.

In that moment,I became acutely awareofaninvisible line that dividespeopleinmedical crises:

thosewhose medicalaid opens doors, andthose whosesuffering must firstbeassessedagainst a balancesheet

Thereceptionistcalmlyexplained that aconsultationwitha doctorand an electrocardiogram, a non-invasive,painlesstesttomeasure theheart’s electrical activity, wouldcostapproximatelyR10000 This amount,I wastold, hadtobe paid upfront, before anyone would even assess thepatient

We left andwenttoa private generalpractitioner(GP), who then assessedand referredustoa statehospital. Butthe divide becomeseven clearerina statehospital. Time stretchesendlessly. Hourspass whilepaindeepens. Wardsare so overcrowdedthatpatientslie on floors, bodies againstwalls and hardened benches. Doctorsmovefrombed to bed,

visiblyexhausted,somehaving missedlunch,othersnearing the endofimpossiblylongshifts.

They treateveryone: stab wounds,psychiatric patients,the chronically illunder onestrained roof,all hoping theirnames will be callednext.

Here,“non–code red” patients wait more than twelve hours, sometimeslonger, learning the hard waythaturgency is relative when resourcesare scarce

Security guards,hardenedby constant chaos, enforceorder with littlepatienceorcompassion,as though authorityisthe only thing keepingthe system from collapse.

This is nota storyabout individual failure. It is aboutsystemic inequality

In theory,healthcareisa human right. In practice,itisa privilege. Onethatmirrors oureconomic divides.

Privatehospitals boastefficiency, comfort, andimmediacy, butonly forthose whocan affordit. Public hospitalscarry theweight of themajority, underfundedand overwhelmed, relyingonoverworked staff to hold together a system that is quietlyfailing Themostdisturbingtruth is hownormalisedthishas become We expect statehospitals to be chaotic. We excuse thelongwaits We accept that sufferingwillbe prolongedifyou cannotaffordit. Untilweconfrontthe realitythat access to timely,dignified medical care dependslargely on financial status,these divideswillcontinue to widen.

Thesad truthisthatinmoments of emergenciesand desperation, survival in ourhealthcaresystem oftencomes down to what youcan afford, nothow urgently youneed help

Neumann schoolhas

KEANANHARMSE

The legalbattlebetween theWesternCapeEducation Department (WCED) andformerHeathfield

High School principalWesleyNeumann continues, with pamphletsannouncing hisreturntoworkonFriday30Januaryreportedlydistributed at theschool declared to be falsebythe WCED

This comesinthe aftermathofhis Labour Courtvictory aftera five-yearlegal battle, the judgeorderinghis reinstatementwithbackpay extendingtohis “unfair” dismissalinOctober 2021 (“Victoryfor firedteacher”, People’s Post, 13 January2026)

Neumannwas dismissedfor allegedmisconductand insubordinationafter allegedly refusingtoallowchildrenbacktoschool after theCovid-19pandemicin2020

He wasexpectedtoreturntohis position this month, butthe WCED’s appeal hasautomatically suspendedthe courtorder In itsappeal theWCEDarguesthe Labour Courthad committed“multiple legaland factual errors”whenreviewing theEducation Labour RelationsCouncil’s (ELRC) arbitrationaward that hadupheldNeumann’sdismissal.

PAMPHLETCONTROVERSYSPARKSMINISTER’S CONCERNS

Responding to pamphletsissuedatthe school, WesternCapeEducation Minister David Mayniersaidhewas “deeply concerned” that an allegedgroup of “Neumann supporters” reportedly handed pamphletsout to learners announcing hisreturn.

“The group’sactions caused distress anddisruption, andclearly demonstratetheydon’t care aboutthe best interestsoflearners. In terms of section18(1) of theSuperiorCourtsAct,the Labour Courtjudgmentissuspended,which meansthe ordertoreinstate is suspended.

“Hehas nowappliedfor an exceptiontothis rule,and thejudge haspostponed thematter becauseMrNeumann’sattorney bungledtheir application.

“Sohewillnot be able to return to hisposition next week,” explainedMaynier

Thepoliceand theCity’slaw enforcement were allegedlypresent at theschool on Monday morning2 February to “ensurethatteaching

Suspecteddrugd

A36-year-old suspecteddrugdealerwas arrested in Parkwood on Friday morning, 23 January afterpolicesaw himtossa bagout of awindow as they were abouttoraidthe premises

Thedramaticarrest unfolded at approximately 07:00whenmembers of theGrassy Park sector policing groupexecuteda search warrant at apropertyinCuckooCrescentfollowing a

Challenges inspireyoung learner

TAFELBERG NASIONALE PARK EN TAFELBERG NASIONALE PARK MARIENE

BEWARINGSAREA: KENNISGEWINGAAN BELANGHEBBENDE PARTYE

Neem asseblief kennis dat SANParke tans besig is met die hersiening van die Tafelberg Nasionale Park (TNP) bestuursplan, asook die ontwikkeling vanTafelberg Nasionale Park Mariene Bewaringsarea (TNP MBA)bestuursplan,intermevanartikels39,40en41vandieNasionaleOmgewingsbewaringWet:Wetop BeskermdeGebiede(WetNo.57van2003).Hierdiebestuursplannesalasbasisdienvirdiebestuurvan diebogenoemdeparkenmarienebewaringsgebiedgedurendedieperiodevanaf2027tot2036.

DieWetvereisdatallebelanghebbendesdiegeleentheidgegeemoetwordomkommentaarteleweropdie inhoudvanhierdiedokumente.ElektronieseweergawesvanhierdiebestuursplannesalopSANParkese webtuistewww.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/draft_plans_public_comment.phpbeskikbaarwees vanaf09Februarie2026.

Hierdiedokumentekanookbydievolgendelokalebesigtigwordvanaf09Februarie2026.

Lokaal

Athlone Openbare Biblioteek, h/v Dobsonweg en Klipfonteinweg,Athlone Atlantis Veeldoenige Sentrum, Christopher Strarkstraat,Atlantis Bellville Openbare Biblioteek, Carl vanAswegenstraat, Bellville Bloubergstrand Openbare Biblioteek,Andre Fosterweg, Bloubergstrand Kaapstad Sentrale Openbare Biblioteek, h/v Parade en Darlingstrate, Kaapstad Claremont Openbare Biblioteek, Library Square, Wildernessweg, Claremont Darling Gemeenskapsaal, Colestraat 1, Darling Grassy Park Openbare Biblioteek, Markplein, Grassy Park Gugulethu Openbare Biblioteek, J.Z. Ndalisostraat, Gugulethu Houtbaai Openbare Biblioteek, Melkhoutsingel, Houtbaai Kalkbaai Fisherman's Flats, Kalkbaai Langa Openbare Biblioteek, h/v WashingtonstraatenMendilaan, Langa Mamre Openbare Biblioteek, Hoofstraat, Mamre Mamre Gemeenskapsaal, Hoofstraat, Mamre Masiphumelele Openbare Biblioteek, Motopengstraat, Masiphumelele MowbrayOpenbare Biblioteek, Hoofstraat 31, Mowbray New World Foundation Gemeenskapsaal, Grindallaan, LavenderHill Peace and Mediation Forum kantoor,Salamanderweg, Houtbaai hawe Rocklands Openbare Biblioteek, h/v Parklaan en Spineweg, Rocklands SANParksBoulders kantoor,Kleintuinweg,Simonstad SANParks Kloofnek kantoor,h/v KloofnekwegenSeinheuwelweg,Kaapstad SANParksTokai Manor kantoor,Tokaiweg,Tokai Seepunt Openbare Biblioteek, Hoofstraat 8, Groenpunt Simonstad Openbare Biblioteek, St Georgesstraat, Simonstad Town Centre Public Library, Symphony Walk, Mitchell's Plain Tokai Openbare Biblioteek,Tokaiweg,Tokai Vishoek Openbare Biblioteek, Central Circle, Vishoek Wynberg Openbare Biblioteek, Maynardville, Wynberg Belanghebbendes is welkom om enige van die ondergenoemde publieke informasie sessies by te woon, waarmeerinformasiebekomeninsettegegeekanword.

Park Datum en tyd Lokaal TNP 23 Februarie om 09:00 Masiphumelele Gemeenskapsaal, Myezaweg 1, Masiphumelele, Vishoek

24 Februarie om 09:00 SuidAfrikaanse Nasionale Parke, Kaapse Navorsingsentrum,Tokaiweg,Tokai

25Februarie om 09:00 Houtbaai Openbare Biblioteek, Melkhoutsingel, Houtbaai

02 Maart om 09:00 Wynberg Burgersentrum, h/v Byrneslaan en Rosmeadlaan, Wynberg

04 Maart om 09:00 Woodstock Gemeenskapsaal, Pleinstraat, Woodstock

05Maart om 09:00 Virtuele MSTeams vergadering Vergadering ID: 346 660 171 922 35 Kode: dH9jE698

10 Maart om 09:00 Blouberg Burgersentrum,Andrew Fosterstraat, Bloubergstrand

10 Maart om 09:00 Rocklands Burgersentrum, Parkweg, Mitchells Plain

12 Maart om 09:00 Grassy Park Burgersentrum, h/v 5de Laan en Victoriaweg, Grassy Park

13 Maart om 09:00 Athlone Burgersentrum, h/v Klipfonteinrylaan en Jan Smutsrylaan,Athlone

TNPMBA 23 Februarie om 16:00 Masiphumelele Gemeenskapsaal, Myezaweg 1, Masiphumelele, Vishoek

24 Februarie om 16:00 SuidAfrikaanse Nasionale Parke, Kaapse Navorsingsentrum,Tokaiweg,Tokai

25Februarie om 16:00 Houtbaai Openbare Biblioteek, Melkhoutsingel, Houtbaai

02 Maart om 09:00 Wynberg Burgersentrum, h/v Byrneslaan en Rosmeadlaan, Wynberg

04 Maart om 09:00 Woodstock Gemeenskapsaal, Pleinstraat, Woodstock

05Maart om 09:00 Vishoek Burgersentrum, Central Circle, Vishoek

10 Maart om 16:00 Blouberg Burgersentrum,Andrew Fosterstraat Bloubergstrand

11 Maart om 16:00 Virtuele MSTeams vergadering Vergadering ID: 323 307 669 865 12 Kode: 5qF7Pz9J

12 Maart om 16:00 Grassy Park Burgersentrum h/v 5de Laan en Victoriaweg, Grassy Park

13 Maart om 16:00 Athlone Burgersentrum, h/v Klipfonteinlaan en Jan Smutslaan,Athlone

Belanghebbendeskan ook geskrewe kommentaar elektronies stuur aan:

AndréSpies

Eposadres:andre.spies@sanparks.org

Tel:012-4265212

Die sperdatum vir insette is 03April 2026.

NOTICE TO TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONALPARKAND TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONALPARK MARINE PROTECTEDAREASTAKEHOLDERS

NoticeisherebygiventoallinterestedandaffectedpartiesthatSANParksisdevelopingthemanagement plan for the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (TMNP MPA) and reviewing the management plan for Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) in terms of sections 39, 40 and 41 of the National Environmental Management: ProtectedAreasAct, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) (NEM: PAA). The purpose of these management plans is to guide the management of the national park and MPAfor the period2027–2036.

The NEM: PAArequire that interested or affected persons be given the opportunity to comment on these management plans.To facilitate participation, electronic versions of these draft documents will be available from 09 February 2026 on the SANParks website www.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/draft_plans_public_comment.php.

Therespectivedocumentsmayalsobeviewedatthefollowinglocationsfrom09February2026: Venue

Athlone Public Library,c/o Dobson and Klipfontein Roads,Athlone Atlantis Multi-purpose Centre, Christopher Stark St,Atlantis Bellville Public Library,Carl VanAswegen St, Bellville Bloubergstrand Public Library,Andre Foster Rd, Bloubergstrand CapeTown Central Public Library,c/o Parade and Darling Streets, CapeTown Claremont Public Library,Library Square, Wilderness Rd, Claremont Darling Community Centre -1Cole St, Darling Fish Hoek Public Library,Central Circle, Fish Hoek Grassy Park Public Library,Market Square, Grassy Park Gugulethu Public Library,J.Z. Ndaliso St, Gugulethu Peace and Mediation Forum office, Salamander Rd, Hout Bay Harbour

Hout Bay Public Library,Melkhout Crescent, Hout Bay

Kalk Bay Fisherman's Flats -Kalk Bay

Langa Public Library,c/o Washington St and MendiAvenue, Langa Mamre Public Library -Main Rd, Mamre

Mamre Community Centre -31Main Rd, Mamre

Masiphumelele Public Library,1572 Motopeng St, Masiphumelele

Mowbray Public Library,31Main Rd, Mowbray

New World Foundation Community Centre -GrindalAvenue, Lavender Hill

Rocklands Public Library,c/o ParkAvenue and Spine Rd, Rocklands

SANParks Boulders Office, Kleintuin Rd, Simon'sTown

SANParks Kloofnek Office, c/o Kloofnek and Signal Hill Rd, CapeTown

SANParksTokai Manor Office,Tokai Rd,Tokai

Sea point Public Library,8MainRd, Greenpoint

Simon'sTown Public Library,StGeorges St, Simon'sTown

Town Centre Public Library,Symphony Walk, Mitchell's Plain

Tokai Public Library,Tokai Rd,Tokai

Wynberg Public Library,Maynardville, Wynberg

Stakeholdersarefurtherinvitedtoattendanyofthepublicinformationsessionslistbelowwhereinputson thedraftdocumentsareencouragedandmaybesubmitted.Themeetingdetailsare:

Park Date and time Venue

TMNP 23 Februaryat09:00 Masiphumelele Community Hall, 1Myeza Rd, Masiphumelele, Fish Hoek

24 Februaryat09:00 Cape Research Centre, SouthAfrican National Parks Tokai Rd,Tokai

25 February at 09:00 Hout Bay Library,Melkhout Crescent, Hout Bay

02 March at 09:00 Wynberg Civic Centre, c/o ByrnesAveand RosmeadAve, Wynberg

04 March at 09:00 Woodstock Community Hall, Plein St, Woodstock

05 March at 09:00 Virtual MSTeams meeting Meeting ID: 346 660 171 922 35 Passcode: dH9jE698

10 March at 09:00 Blouberg Civic Centre,Andrew Foster St, Bloubergstrand

10 March at 09:00 Rocklands Civic Centre, Park Rd, Rocklands, Mitchells Plain

12 March at 09:00 Grassy Park Civic Centre, c/o 5thAveand Victoria Rd, Grassy Park

13 March at 09:00 Athlone Civic Centre, c/o Klipfontein and Jan Smuts Drives,Athlone

TMNPMPA23February at 16:00 Masiphumelele Community Hall, 1Myeza Rd, Masiphumelele, Fish Hoek

24 Februaryat16:00 Cape Research Centre, SouthAfrican National Parks, Tokai Rd,Tokai

25 February at 16:00 Hout Bay Library,Melkhout Crescent, Hout Bay

02 March at 16:00 Wynberg Civic Centre, c/o ByrnesAveand RosmeadAve, Wynberg

04 March at 16:00 Woodstock Community Hall, Plein St, Woodstock

05 March at 16:00 Fish Hoek Civic Centre, Central Circle, Fish Hoek

10 March at 16:00 Blouberg Civic Centre, Andrew Foster St, Bloubergstrand

11 March at 16:00 Virtual MSTeams meeting Meeting ID: 323 307 669 865 12

12 March at 16:00 Grassy Park Civic Centre, c/o 5thAveand Victoria Rd, Grassy Park

13 March at 16:00 Athlone Civic Centre, c/o Klipfontein and Jan Smuts Drives,Athlone,

Stakeholdersarewelcometosubmitwrittencommentselectronicallyto: AndréSpies

Email:andre.spies@sanparks.org

Tel:012-4265212

Theduedateforcommentsis03April2026.