People’s Post | Grassy Park| Retreat| E-Edition 14 October 2025

14 October 2025

PEDESTRIANSAFETYINITIATIVE

The blind and visually impaired residents in Grassy Park were honoured during a pedestrian safety initiative held at The League of Friends of the Blind (Lofob) on Tuesday 7 October It was organised by the Western Cape Government and attended by the City of Cape Town Traffic Services, the Lofob members as well of the police

To mark the occasion a new blind safety road sign was erected near First Road Lofob is a non-governmental organisation that caters to the needs of blind and visually impaired individuals They have been based in Grassy Park since 1933 Ward 72 Councillor Kevin Southgate opened the event by highlighting the need to raise awareness among motorists about the needs and rights of visually impaired individuals

"The initiative is a testament to your commitment, minister, in ensuring mobility is inclusive and accessible to all The unveiling of this visible signage to enhance road safety and accessibility for the blind and the visually impaired," he said Benita Peterson, Manager of Youth and Adult Services at Lofob, spoke about the unique and daily challenges that impact the safety of the blind "These are some of the key issues that impact our clients through interviews: firstly they mentioned that in some areas there are no pavements, no roads, there are no tactile markings, there's construction, litter, potholes, open drains, land holes and parked cars on walkways which all create safety hazards and impede independence ” She also mentioned there's a lack of b will also be great to have more tactile pavements," she said KEANAN

New signage for safety

rop puts kids at risk

PROVINCIAL DATA SHOWS COVERAGE HAS DECREASED TO 67,4%

Fastenoughtoblur,yetheavyenoughtodrain

shimmer in the air that signals summer is arriving whether we are ready or not

It’s only October, but my body insists it’s already December The emails pile up, the deadlines loom, and yet I catch myself staring at the screen longer than I should, chasing sentences that don’t want to be found

The mistakes are petty, a misspelled name here, a missing comma there, but they feel heavier than they are Maybe it’s just fatigue

Maybe it’s the slow weight of a year that’s stretched all of us more than we planned for Does it feel that way to you too? Like the year has run ahead, leaving you slightly behind? Each month came and went, fast enough to blur, yet heavy enough to drain

It’s a strange tension, time moving quickly, but the body moving slowly And here

we are, with less than three months left, but already counting down as if the year were over

October is always a turning point It reminds us that the year is almost done, yet not quite Schools begin to speak of exams, offices whisper about leave schedules, and shops quietly stock Christmas decorations in the corners

You see it in the malls, in the bright reds and golds peeking out on shelves, in the adverts that already hint at festive sales The reminders are subtle but sure, the finish line is somewhere up ahead

Even nature seems to know the rhythm The days stretch longer, the heat settles into the evenings, and there’s a certain

The purple bloom of flowers a seasonal clock we can almost set our moods to But fatigue doesn’t care about the calendar It sneaks in early

It shows up in the form of writer ’ s block, in afternoons when focus slips through our fingers, in mornings when the snooze button wins It lingers in the sighs between tasks, in the half-written lists, in the quiet thought: “Just three more months ”

Yet the truth is, these are not empty days They still matter They still carry weight They still hold possibility

How do we honour them when we are this tired? How do we stay present when the temptation is to switch into autopilot and wait for the year to end? Perhaps the answer lies in gentleness

To treat ourselves not as machines that failed to keep pace, but as humans who have carried much

To forgive the slip-ups, the missed calls, the drafts left unfinished To recognise that being weary is not weakness; it is evidence that we have been engaged, that we have been present, that we have given of ourselves in ways that left a mark Because alongside the fatigue, there are still signs of life

Small joys that interrupt the haze: laughter at lunch with colleagues, the sight of flowers blooming in unexpected corners, the unexpected kindness of a stranger The way music can lift a dull morning, or how a simple walk can quiet the noise in the mind October carries its own gifts, if we ’ re

willing to notice them

Maybe this is the invitation of these last three months to hold both truths at once To admit we ’ re tired and still be open to what the year can offer To rest when we can, but also to dream again, even if only in small ways A new notebook bought A phone call made A promise kept to yourself These, too, are victories worth noting So as the year tilts toward its end, I find myself asking, what unfinished thing still deserves my attention?

What small habit of care can carry me into December stronger than I feel now? What new chance might still arrive before the fireworks and countdowns?

The temptation is to think it’s too late That if it hasn’t happened yet, it won’t But life doesn’t work that way Opportunity doesn’t follow the calendar It shows up unexpectedly, in October, in November, in December, in conversations, in ideas, in second chances

So yes, we might be tired Yes, the cursor blinks longer before the words appear Yes, mistakes creep in more often But fatigue is not the whole truth of who we are We are also resilient We are still showing up, still moving forward, still holding hope We are still making space for laughter, still pausing to notice beauty, still daring to believe that tomorrow can surprise us And even now, less than three months before the curtain comes down on 2025, the truth remains: Unyaka uyaphela kodwa akukapheli mathuba (The year may end but the opportunities are still there)

Helping the youth through sport

KEANAN HARMSE

KEANAN HARMSE@NOVUSMED A CO ZA

The Zandvlei Athletics Club (ZAC) is calling on young people to join its juniors programme

The club aims to develop and support the youth in underserved areas where they often face a lack of opportunities, positive role models and safe spaces, explained chair Waleed Allie ZAC is open to both serious and leisure runners as well as walkers

ZAC operates in Steenberg, Lavender Hill and Vrygrond and is described as more than just a running club - it’s become a “community lifeline” by Allie

“Running is one of the most accessible sports in the world It requires minimal equipment and can be done virtually anywhere

“But at Zandvlei, it’s not just about physical fitness, it's about building mental resilience, teamwork, and life skills By using athletics as a vehicle,

Four-year-old dies after shooting

KEANAN HARMSE

KEANAN HARMSE@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

Hanover Park residents are living in fear following yet another deadly shooting

A four-year-old boy, who was wounded by a stray bullet in Monray Court on Wednesday 8 October, died in hospital a day later.

Col André Traut, provincial police spokesperson, said swift action by the police led to the arrest of two 17-year-old suspects shortly after the incident

"Suspects believed to be linked to gang activity opened fire in public, injuring the young child in the process ”

According to police the victim was transported to a medical facility for treatment where he later succumbed to his injuries

Provincial police spokesperson Sgt Wesley Twigg confirmed that the suspects currently in custody will face a murder charge

Western Cape police management has expressed outrage at the incident and reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating gangsterism and protecting the most vulnerable members of society

Anroux Marais, Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, condemned the murder and called for an end to the violent crimes

"This senseless violence must stop My heart breaks for the family of this young boy, and for all families who have lost children to gang violence ” Marais said disregard for human life

THISMUSTGOBEYOND BRINGINGTHESE SUSPECTSTOBOOK

cannot go unchallenged

“These thugs show a total disregard for the very communities that raised them

“Our children are paying the price of their callous acts It is unacceptable that our children are being caught in the crossfire of gang violence I strongly condemn this heinous act and commend the police for their rapid response, " she says

Marais has urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served, not only for the victim and his family but also for the safety and wellbeing of the broader community "The investigation must go beyond bringing these suspects to book We need to know who enabled these young individuals to get their hands on a firearm The source of that weapon must be tracked down, and those responsible must be held accountable It is tragedies like this that highlight the desperate need for police to be better resourced,"

She appealed to communities to support law enforcement by reporting information that could lead to further arrests and the recovery of illegal firearms

"We cannot allow criminal elements to continue terrorising our neighbourhoods with impunity I urge residents to stand with us and assist the police in rooting out gangsters ”

From the classroom to red carpet

It’s matric ball season, and Grade 12 learners across the country are celebrating the end of their school journey in style with glamorous outfits, memorable moments, and lifelong friendships on full display.

For many, the matric dance is more than just a formal event it's a rite of passage, marking the transition from high school to adulthood After years of hard work, exams, and latenight study sessions, the event offers learners a well-deserved evening of joy, celebration, and reflection

People’s Post asked readers to send us photos of their special day