People's Post| Grassy Park | Retreat| E-Edition 16 September 2025

ABookworm aimshigh

Cassidy

young reader from Lotus River is hoping to clinch her second title at this year’s national book competition taking place later this month

Cassidy Hendricks (10) is a Grade 4 learner at Ferndale Primary School and enjoys spending her hours after school reading her favourite books

She also enjoys reading at old-age homes and schools in her neighbourhood

In 2023, she won first prize in the provincial and national SA Literacy Association’s annual reading competition in the category of English First Language Grade 2 She was the only primary school learner to compete from the Western Cape, and competed against learners from other provinces

In 2022, she walked away with second prize in the national reading competition

Hendricks told People’s Post that she is looking forward to competing at this year ’ s championships

“This is my third time participating at this

Grassy Park residents tackle gender-based violence (GBV) as

year ’ s Literacy championships but it’s the first time it’s taking place online via Google Meet

My book of choice I’m reading is Charlotte’s Web by E B White

“I’ve also read over 350 books this year, many of which I’ve re-read,” explains the young bookworm She says her goal is to win the competition for the second time Western Cape Premier Alan Winde also paid the young avid reader a visit at her home to celebrate World Literacy Day on Saturday 6 September

During his visit he wished her the best of luck as she takes part in the reading championships “On World Literacy Day, I want to introduce an inspiring young reader I recently had the privilege of meeting With the incredible support of her grandparents and community, she has already achieved so much

Kites take to the sky again

The Cape Town International Kite Festival will return this year with renewed spirit and a powerful theme, #CourageToFly

Now in its 31st year, the festival has become a symbol of hope, resilience and unity, and this year it celebrates the bravery it takes to face life’s challenges, particularly in relation to mental health

For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival will take place over two full days – on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26

October

It will also be hosted at a new venue, the Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery

Since 1994, the Festival has been organised annually by Cape Mental Health as part of its mission to raise awareness of mental health and promote resilience

Each kite that rises into the air serves as a reminder of freedom, creativity and the courage it takes to seek help, speak openly, and support those on their mental health journeys

This year ’ s theme was chosen against the backdrop of recent global challenges – from political and social instability to the lingering effects of the pandemic – all of which have contributed to rising rates of anxiety, depression and

other mental health conditions

In South Africa, an estimated 16,5% of the population lives with a mental disorder, and the stigma attached to these conditions remains a significant barrier to treatment and recovery

Cape Mental Health CEO Prof Ingrid Daniels, emphasises that it takes remarkable courage to live with a mental health condition, to rise above stigma, and to continue along a recovery journey despite the inevitable challenges

“Like a kite soaring against strong winds, people living with mental health conditions inspire us all to hold on, rise above, and find strength to persevere, ” says Daniels

For Daniels, the return of the full two-day festival is not only an opportunity for families and communities to come together in celebration, but also a way to honour that resilience

This year ’ s festival will feature a spectacular showcase of kites from both local and international participants, alongside entertainment for all ages, kite-making workshops, food vendors and an amusement park for children It is designed to be a safe and joyful family outing, while also carrying a deeper message about the importance of mental health in building

WITH RENEWED SPIRIT AND A POWERFUL THEME, #COURAGETOFLY

a resilient society

The festival continues to expand its reach beyond the two-day celebration through initiatives such as the EduKite competition for schools, community fly events and a variety of inclusive activities that ensure children and adults of all

abilities can participate

For those unable to attend, Cape Mental Health encourages support through its BackaBuddy campaign, with all funds raised going directly to its essential free services across the Western Cape These services enable individuals and families affected by mental health conditions to access the care and assistance they need, ensuring that the festival’s impact extends far beyond the colourful skies of October . For more information,follow @ CTKiteFest on social media.

‘ThinkyourHealth,ThinkyourPharmacy’

NAMHLAMONAKALI

As blossoms return and the air warms, many in the community are shaking off winter’s chill and embracing spring Along with sunshine and flowers come seasonal health challenges, particularly for those with allergies, asthma, or sensitive immune systems

September marks Pharmacy Month, a time to acknowledge the pivotal role pharmacists play in the healthcare system This year ’ s theme, “Think Health, Think Pharmacy , One Profession, Many Roles”, underscores the diverse contributions of pharmacists beyond dispensing medications

The theme aligns with the global campaign by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), highlighting pharmacists as accessible healthcare professionals integral to achieving Universal Health Coverage Olwethu Mbulawa, a University of the Western Cape (UWC) Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate and practising pharmacist, embodies this multifaceted role From managing chronic conditions like asthma and sinusitis to promoting spring health awareness, Mbulawa is committed to making healthcare more accessible, especially in underserved communities

AVISIONROOTEDINCOMMUNITY

Mbulawa’s aspiration to establish a pharmacy in the townships stems from a deep-seated passion for community service She believes that accessibility to healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege “Pharmacy is not just about dispensing medicine; it’s about being a trusted healthcare partner in the community,” she asserts Her vision includes providing comprehensive care, from medication management to health education, ensuring that individuals have the resources they need to lead healthier lives

ADDRESSINGSEASONALHEALTHCHALLENGES

As spring ushers in seasonal changes, Mbulawa emphasises the importance of managing conditions like asthma and sinusitis She advises individuals to monitor pollen levels and adjust their medications accordingly “Spring can be a challenging time for those with respiratory conditions,” she notes “It’s crucial to stay informed and proactive in managing these conditions to maintain well-being ”

BRIDGINGTHEACCESSIBILITYGAP

Accessibility remains a central theme in

Mbulawa’s work She highlights the disparities in healthcare access, particularly in rural and township areas, and advocates for mobile clinics and telehealth services to bridge these gaps “We need to bring healthcare to the people, not wait for them to come to us, ” she emphasises Her commitment to this cause is evident in her active participation in community outreach programmes and health education initiatives

THEROLEOFPHARMACISTSINCOMMUNITYHEALTH Pharmacy Month serves as a reminder of the critical role pharmacists play in community health Beyond medication dispensing, pharmacists are educators, counsellors, and advocates for health equity As Mbulawa’s work demonstrates, their impact extends far beyond the pharmacy counter, influencing public health outcomes and fostering healthier communities As we observe Pharmacy Month, it’s essential to recognise and support the diverse roles pharmacists undertake in enhancing healthcare accessibility

Individuals like Mbulawa inspire a collective effort towards a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system, where everyone has access to the care they deserve

“Which Xhosa men are loyal?”, “Xhosa men ayabheda” and “Xhosa men will show you flames”, these are just some of the remarks that still reverberate through my mind from a recent Big Breakfast Show on Radio R2000

As I drove to work recently, I laughed my lungs out as some listeners berated Xhosa men for perceived dishonesty I did not laugh because I agreed with them I laughed at how they vented over very dangerous and false perceptions about Xhosa men Labelling someone or a certain group of

people due to a previous encounter or limited knowledge is rather reckless, quite frankly, misguided We cannot paint the entire nation as something because of one or two people There is also another prominent Xhosa phrase among women: “amadoda zizinja” (all men are dogs) I am yet to understand why this has been allowed to spread like wildfire Men seem to have no issue with this statement Yes, many guys fit this description or even something worse than a dog Any man who rapes a woman is, without a doubt, a dog A man who commits gender-based violence (GBV) is also a dog and he does not deserve to live among people South Africa has a population of over 64million Recent data by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) indicates that men make up 49% of

the population (approximately 31,1 million people) Out of this number there are many good men The percentage for murderers and rapists probably is less than a percent I know of many men, Xhosas to be exact, who are opposed to any form of violence against women Without blowing my own horn, I can safely say I am in that group I hate any form of violence against women or females I often tell my sons that they must respect women and rebuke any action or comment that borders on GBV I want them to become better men when they grow up, hence I drill this into their minds I also show a lot of respect to their mother and demand more from them

I am now glaring at my grave and I can safely say I never raised a hand to any woman I hate men who exploit women ’ s vulnerability

Women are there to be loved and cherished As men, we are meant to support and offer them comfort Yet, we are the first to harm them However, this does not mean all men go out there to harm women Equally, someone cannot bash every Xhosa man because of their past I generally take offense when someone makes baseless claims against another person

In every situation, you have good and bad individuals In this day of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when non-existing things can be turned into existence, we ought to be careful about what we do and say, not to polarise further an already fragile society Not all men are dogs and not all Xhosa men ayabheda There are many good men out there, people need to look at the right places

Librarians promote early reading

TFROM PAGE 1

“And more success awaits her! Cassidy will represent the Western Cape in this year ’ s South African Literacy Association reading competition Her story shows how a love for books and reading can open doors to endless possibilities We are backing her all the way and I look forward to seeing her shine,” he wrote on his Facebook page

Hendricks’ grandma Brenda Tommy is immensely proud of her granddaughters achievements so far

“She has been consistently achieving 100% in her mathematics and her natural science She gifted the church for all our ladies at our women ’ s circle that was launched on Women’s Day a bottle of spring water and she had a custom-made label for the water bottles She also gifted two bespoke hand painted tiles which she got a design for She has to paint the tiles which she does as a little income for herself,” Tommy said

Hendricks also launched a cycling initiative with the help of Fairmont High School earlier this year “A few months ago, with the help of Fairmont

High, she launched Cassidy’s cyclists because she couldn’t ride a bicycle and the school’s cyclists came to assist with a demonstration which was a fun event for all ages at our church because she had gifted them with a paddle for the Cape Town cycle event in March She also scored 88% for the SA Literary Association’s final round which took her through to the finals,” Tommy said

I City gears up for 1st hill climb

Newhopon,hopoffbustoexplore

KAYLYNNE BANTOM

KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

To boost tourists’ experience of the inner city, City Sightseeing Cape Town (the Red Bus) launched its new Urban Safaris tour which will enhance inner city travel and showcase the beauty of the Mother City in a whole new way

Capetonians and visitors will soon have the chance to hop aboard a leopard print-covered bus for a unique safari-style tour

The bus will travel from Long Street

through the inner city and East City, offering a fresh perspective of Cape Town with a live guide

The tour includes trips to the Castle of Good Hope, District Six Museum, South African Natural History Museum, and Company’s Garden, among others

On Friday 12 September, members of the media and selected guests got a sneak peek as Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis unveiled the service

Claus Tworeck, City Sightseeing South Africa chief executive officer (CEO), said the service will be available early next month (October), in time for the tourism season

“Cape Town is made up of many layers, including art and culture and the people who live in the city and on the streets

“We want to peel back those layers and get visitors, both local and foreigners, to experience, taste, smell and see Cape Town You’re not going to see anything that you see on a normal tourist post card You will see things off the beaten track ”

Tworeck said they are ready to welcome visitors

“People can get off at any stop and the next tour bus will collect them again It will provide complete flexibility to the visitor to learn from the

tour guide on the bus and then decide whether they want to get off the bus and explore and have fun ”

He added that the buses will depart from City Sightseeing Cape Town office based at 81 Long Street

Hill-Lewis expressed optimism about the latest offering He believes the new addition will help revitalise tourism in the inner city, an area he says has struggled to recover since the Covid-19 pandemic

He hopes the unique experience will attract more visitors and bring renewed energy to Cape Town’s urban centre

Hill-Lewis says safety in the inner city remains a priority as it is used by over a million people daily

“The work that we have done on safety in the inner-city benefits everyone and it’s much safer since we have deployed the 100 full-time law enforcement officers here We still have work to do, it’s not where we want it to be Since we have cleaned up a lot of homeless encampments in the inner city a lot of these camps have now moved to other areas And we are working on that ”

Hill-Lewis says the City is ready for a bumper tourism season

“I am confident that we will smash the 1,5 million visitors mark which will be a first for Cape Town That

will be special for our city Our job numbers have gone from 90 000 to 110 000 people working in tourism in Cape Town ”

Calvyn Gilfellan, chief executive

officer (CEO) of the Castle of Good Hope, explained the significance of the launch at the Castle

“Launching it at the spot where the enslaved people were freed years ago is important in a process of inclusivity and recolinisation and making it

an inclusive space for more people to engage with history and culture ” From Saturday 13 September City Sightseeing also added stop number 25, the Hout Bay-Sentinel Precinct, as a new stop on its Mini-Peninsula Blue Tour Route

The Blue Route will feature two convenient stops in this dynamic area, inviting even more passengers to experience the stunning beauty and rich culture that Hout Bay has to offer

Jimmy’s comeback: A fresh start

KAYLYNNE BANTOM

KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

Life on the street is all about survival, finding shelter, staying safe, and figuring out where your next meal will come from, all while trying to hold on to your dignity in a world that often looks the other way

No one knows this better than 65-year-old, Jimmy Frans, because for over 15 years this was his reality on the streets of Camps Bay

Frans used to collect tins to make a living

He stayed at shelters multiple times, but his struggle with alcohol kept leading him back to the streets

He regards winter months without food and shelter as his toughest times

“During winter when it started raining and you don’t know where to sleep, that was the hardest of times,” he explained

But being a believer, he held on to hope that someday his fate would change

“I always stayed positive and I always prayed and asked God for strength to carry me through ”

Jimmy’s prayers were answered in April last year when he met Ryan Rudy, operations director for ignisive, a Camps Bay based organisation which aims to reintegrate people living on the streets in Camps Bay into society

Rudy encouraged Frans to seek assistance, he accepted the offer and was placed at The Haven Night Shelter in Napier Street, Green Point

Since then, Frans has courageously

taken daily steps to transform his life

He said he agreed to the offer because he was ready to leave behind the constant hardship and hunger

“It wasn’t a difficult decision to make because I knew if I go to a shelter, then I would get a job I didn’t feel like sleeping outside anymore

One day you have, the next day you don’t have anything to eat ”

Frans still remembers his first night in the shelter “It was a good feeling

The first thing I did was take a nice warm shower and that first night sleeping on a bed was nice ”

Soon after, Frans joined the ignisive Community Steward and Reintegration Project, where he worked as part of the field operations team, which is supported by the Camps Bay City Improvement District (CB CID)

He learned new landscaping skills and helped maintain Camps Bay’s greenbelts and common areas the same community where he once searched bins for cans

Frans also received support to overcome challenges with alcohol and later moved into second-phase shelter living at Moira Henderson Haven in Woodstock

His commitment didn’t go unnoticed, and he was promoted to team leader in the Field Operations Project In March this year, he was offered a permanent job as a landscaper at a local business

Frans believes meeting Rudy was a divine intervention

“It was only God who sent Ryan Everything changed, I got a job and a shelter ” He encourages others to seek assistance and take any opportunity to rebuild their lives

First, you need to beat your substance abuse and then you must change your life Only then can you move forward I love gardening I am happy with my new job ”

In celebration of his 65th birthday last month (August) Frans, a passionate rugby supporter, got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Springboks take on the Wallabies at Cape Town Stadium

This was thanks to the CB CID who wanted to make his birthday extra special

A day Frans will carry with him for years to come

“I was so happy when I heard I got a ticket to go and see the Springboks play live I only see them on TV It was dream come true And I will remember it for the rest of my life,” he explained Fiona Fiona Bosch, reintegration manager at ignisive, said: “Jimmy is doing amazingly He used to collect tins for a living Seeing where he was and where he is now is a real transformation ”

She said Frans’ journey was not easy, but he was determined to leave his old life behind

“It took him some time to get out of his habits, at the beginning when he started working, he used to still search in bins to collect tins He used to tell us, ‘It’s hard because that was

my bread and butter’”

Andrew Tulloch, ignisive operations manager, said his bond with Jimmy started over their love for rugby

“I had the privilege of watching Jimmy grow He has gone from strength to strength He is such a hard worker and a humble person I was privileged to go with him to the Springbok game and seeing him enjoy the opportunity to watch the game ”

Tulloch said Frans’ story is proof of what is possible when communities, businesses, organisations, and government entities form collaborations

“Our organisation is all about responsible giving We teach our clients to take accountability for their lives and to take responsibility for making the necessary changes We are there

only to guide and support and encourage along the way ”

Tulloch said Frans is an inspiration to many

“Jimmy has made the necessary changes to better his life I hope that he has the opportunity to realise more of his dreams I am pushing for him to see a Stormers game, he hasn’t seen them play yet

“He would always tell me stories of going to Newlands Stadium when he was young ”

Fueled by hope, prayer, and determination, Frans now wakes up to a life he truly looks forward to

“I want to thank everyone who helped and inspired me They all played a big role in my life,” he concludes

Masquechildrenputonclassic

TThe youth club offers monthly hangouts and optional weekly drama classes

nd sharpen their acting chops The heatre established a youth club to elp young people aged between ight to 18, to learn theatre skills, uild confidence, ignite creativity and ncourage self-expression The club lso offers monthly hangouts, optionl weekly drama classes and news bout children’s shows happening in ape Town

Down The Rabbit Hole will mark he youth club’s very first production

People’s Post spoke with some of the oung cast members who are tackling his year ’ s production

Casey-Ann Kruger (14) hails from ish Hoek and says she had no prior nterest in acting and the dramatic rts at all

“At the time, I was into storytelling more with writing and art My mother oined The Masque the same year we moved and my interest in performing lowly increased every year until I tarted acting this year ”

Ivangely Joubert (12), Capri esident, says she also dabbles in hotography and cooking, apart from er love for acting

“I officially started acting when I was nine My first experience on stage was when I was at the South African Championships of Performing Arts where I received four silver medals and got into the World Championships to represent South Africa After that I got a few roles in TV shows

I played Natalie Dormer’s younger

self as young Edie in White Lies and Hope Harting in the Netflix series ”

Charlie Mee (15) from Plumstead says he has been learning how to project his voice and to use articulation for this upcoming role

“What I found challenging was trying to find the right voice for my character learning how he acts The community definitely would benefit from the theatre as most movies are pirated, but you can’t pirate theatre!”

The play’s director and Mowbray resident Melanie Horn shares her inspiration and history with the theatre

“My great passion has always been for the theatre I first discovered this when I was in Standard 2 and my teacher started a drama club I can remember her lessons clearly to this day I first became involved at The Masque when I was at high school, playing a small role on stage ”

Over the years she says she has volunteered in many capacities

“I’ve arranged the schedule for bar volunteers, I’ve done stock-taking, I’ve helped with marketing, admin and currently, I am heading up the Play Reading Programme I’ve been running drama classes through Spotlight Youth Theatre for many years, and last year I started teaching drama on a Monday afternoon at The Masque

“The bulk of my work hours are spent as the trainer the Western Cape Forum for Intellectual Disability, so it’s interesting straddling these two different worlds,” she says She chose to adapt Alice in Wonderland because there are many interesting roles and small important messages throughout it

“Most of all, it allows the performers

to have a lot of fun One of my favourite things has been seeing the intergenerational relationships happen

“Our youngest performers are eight years old and our oldest are 15 I think that the children benefit enormously because they get to grow in confidence and explore new ideas and form relationships outside of their school, so they aren’t stuck in one way of the world seeing them It allows them to express a different side of themselves,” she says

Christine Kaye, head of community at the Masque, says: “Our schooling system doesn’t always cater for kids who aren’t sporty or academic, and the theatre is such a safe, creative space for those who lean more towards the arts,”

Down the Rabbit Hole is on 10 and 11 October at 19:30 with a matinee on 11 October at 14:30 Tickets cost R150 for adults and R120 for under 18s and pensioners (60+) Bookings can be made at Quicket

KEANANHARMSE

Alocal ocean activist says the amount of microplastics and litter he sees on Kommetjie and Long beach is a concerning sight

People’s Post spoke with Wave One Hundred activist and Kommetjie resident Frankie Albright, who says this issue needs urgent addressing

He also shared several photos of the microplastics they’ve encountered during beach clean-ups at the two beaches over the past weeks

“I’m a 57-year-old TV producer that has been working in London but recently returned home to live in Kommetjie where I’ve been shocked to see the amount of plastic accumulating on our beaches In winter, the storms ground it down into minute microplastics that leaves a horrific trail along the waterline as the tide draws out each time,” he explains

After he started noticing endless amounts of litter over the months he realised a bigger initiative was needed than hosting local beach cleans

On Saturday 13 September, Albright started a collaboration with the Kommetjie Ratepayers Association He brought a human wave of one hundred people to Long Beach to tackle the problem with kitchen sieves

Ocean View community leader Vasco Vigis brought 50 cadets who lead with a marching band Ocean Pledge Charity was on hand to encour-

age people to make pledges to reduce throwaway plastics

Albright says Imhoff resident George van der Schyff will be taking the plastics to CRDC (Centre for Regenerative Design and Collaboration) for recycling into building aggragates so that it will not end up being dumped into landfill Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews says the City is aware of this ongoing challenge surrounding litter and microplastics on beaches, said the

“The City is aware of this ongoing challenge, the Bokraamspruit enters the sea on Long Beach, Kommetjie This river unfortunately has a lot of litter including plastics thrown into it especially in the upper reaches where it is channelised As a result, especially when it has rained, large amounts of small plastic can be discharged and is evident on the beach area at Kommetjie where the river crosses the beach We ask residents and visitors to not litter as this has long-term negative effects on marine life,” says Andrews Local surfers were also encouraged to join the clean up by Roddy Torr of Kommetjie Surf shop who has sponsored the event

“In recent years the environmental agenda has been fraught with anxiety for children who are constantly being shown photos of dying turtles, whereas this is a way to empower them by introducing them to an activity that will make an actual difference and educate them about what is happening to the plastics we so carelessly discard,” Albright said

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