People’s Post Grassy Park/Retreat E-edition 23 June 2026

PARK |RETREAT

Inspiring the youth

enager from Lavender ll, Aqeel Parsons, hopes inspirea community of aders, despitethe hardip heyface.

Parsons(17)isone of five siblings, whosayshis life hasbeen shaped by thevibrant,yet challenging, environment of Lavender Hill, acommunity knownfor itsresilienceinthe face of adversity.

He currently liveswithhis uncleand previously attended HillviewPrimary School

He is also amemberofthe EarthchildProject (EP),a non-profitorganisation(NPO) operatinginunder-

resourcedschoolsinareas such as Lavender Hill andKhayelitsha among others

Foundedin2007,EPoffersholistic complementaryeducation,focusing on yoga,mindfulness andorganic gardening.

Parsonssaysheispassionateabout hiseducation andenjoysreading booksinhis sparetime.

Outsideofschool,healsoenjoys singingand dancing.

“I believeincontinually learning andgrowing,and Ienjoy activities that help me expressmyselfand build confidence.

“Growing up in Lavender Hill has shaped whoI am andhas motivated me to work hard towardscreating opportunitiesfor myself andothers,” he explains

Mayorjoins Blisters call

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Withthe annual Blisters forBread less than two months away,organisersare appealingtoCapetonianstosignupbeforethe deadline on Sunday 2August.

Theiconiccharity fun walk which is organisedbyPeninsula School FeedingAssociation(PSFA)will take placeonSunday, 16 August,at theSea PointPromenade With only 10000 spotsavailable, walkersare encouraged to enter forjustR125, whichwillhelpfeed 23 children with breakfastand lunchfor aday.The fundraising eventhas been fighting childhood

hunger for58years.Itoffersa 5km or 10km route, with medals and refreshments forall participants

The10kmwalkwillstart at 07:30while the5 km walk starts at 08:00.

Entertainmentincludestop artists Paxton,StevenLee Lewis, and SketchyBongo,plusfood stalls and family activities

PetrinaPakoe,directorofPSFA, says theevent is atestament to theassociation’ssharedcommitment to ensuring that everychild receives nutritious mealsdaily “Hundred percentofthe entryfee that entrants paygoestowards the feedingofthe children within our schools. Iwould like to encourage

FUNWALK IS A FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE FOR FEEDING CHILDREN

each andeveryonetocomeout, bringthe family andfriends.It’s nota race;it’sa fun walk.Let us uniteagainst childhood hunger.”

MayorGeordin Hill-Lewis, who will be joiningthe walk,urged Capetonianstosupport thewalkand feed theneedychildren.

“Itishardtothink of amoredeservingcause than feedinghungry school children in ourcity, andI

look forwardtojoining thousands of Capetoniansinthe Blisters for Breadwalk.” Hill-Lewisencouragedfamilies andschoolstolaceupand support “thisworthycause”.

“There hasnever been abetter reason to lace up your running shoesfor a5 or 10km walk that will have aprofoundeffectonthe livesofmanyyoung Capetonians. TheCityofCapeTownisproud to support Blisters forBread,and we areverygrateful forthe wonderful work thePSFAdoesinour city and hasbeen doingfor many decades.” .To enter visitwww.psfa.org.za. Forenquiries,get in touch with Top Eventsatinfo@topevents.co.za

Cablewaytoshutdownforroutineservice

TheTable Mountain Aerial Cableway Company(TMACC) will temporarilysuspend operations at theiconicTable Mountain for an annual maintenanceperiod, from Monday 27 July to Sunday 9 August

Thetwo-week shutdown forms part of thecompany’s longstanding commitmenttosafety, reliabilityand world-classoperational standards.

TMACCsaidina statementthe closurewillallowits skilledtechnicalteamtocarry outa comprehensiveprogramme of scheduled inspections, mechanical upgrades, andessentialmaintenance work on therotarycable carsystem.

This annual processisa critical componentonthe company’s operationalcalendar, ensuring that allequipment,infrastructure, andsafetysystems arethoroughly assessedand serviced before abusy summerseasonlater in theyear.

TheTable Mountain Aerial Cableway,which firstopenedin 1929,remains oneofSouth Africa’s most visitedtourist attractions,

welcomingthousands of localand internationalvisitorsannually

Therotarycable cars,which offer 360-degree viewsduringthe ascent anddescent,are subjecttorigorous internationalsafetyprotocols makingannual maintenancenot only routinebut essential.

TMACCsaidalternative ways to experience TableMountain, includingseveral well-maintained hiking trails,willremainaccessibletothe public throughout themaintenance period,weather permitting Forthose celebratingbirthdays in July or August,the TMACC hasconfirmed that thetimingof theclosure will stillallowsufficienttimewithinbothmonthsto redeem acomplimentary birthday return ticket

Visitors areadvised to check theofficial websitefor termsand conditions relating to thebirthday ticket offer

Book ticketsinadvance through theofficial TableMountainAerial Cableway websitetosecureyour spot

FeesMustFall:Manywereborn-free.Nonefeltit

ingfor acommunity newspaper, readingnewsfor acommunity radiostation when Fees Must Fall arrivedatits peak

In 20 years’ time,the same memorandum we carried to the apartheidgovernmentwillbe carried to us.”

On 16 June 1976 twelve-yearoldHectorPieterson was shot by apartheidpoliceon thestreetsofOrlando West, Soweto.

SamNzima’s photograph captured what followed: Hector’s body cradledinthe arms of Mbuyisa Makhubo, hissisterAntoinette Sitholerunning alongside, her mouthopenina scream that has neverreally stopped. Approximately 566learnerswerekilled. Notyet oldenoughtovote, to ownproperty, to move freely throughthe countryoftheir birth. Buttheyunderstood,withextraordinary clarity, that thesystem shapingtheir liveswas wrong, and that silencewas no longer aform of survival

Politics were notforeign in my home.I grew up sitting at my grandmother’sfeet,listening to her describe an eraI hadnot livedbut somehowalready felt.She sang the strugglesongs andI wouldchant along, understandingthe weight Historywas nothandedtomeina classroom.Itlived in hervoice Icarried that into journalism, arriving at Cape PeninsulaUniversity of Technology (CPUT) doinga shortcourseatthe time,freelanc-

Idocumentedand interviewed studentactivists thesameage as thechildrenof1976. Many were born-free. None felt it

This YouthDay,watchingNetflix’s documentary TheTrialsof WinnieMandela,which airedin April, Ifound myself pulledback into that conversation

Born-freecarries both promise andparadox

We were supposedtobethe dividend of sacrifice made flesh. Instead, many of us inheritedthe debt of unfinished business.

Thedocumentary streamsinto over 190countries on an American platform

SouthAfrican memory now reachessubscribers whohave neverheard of Brandfort. Who tells thestory andfor whom is notseparatefromthe story. But beneaththe production,publisher Palesa Morodu raises thequestion threadingthe series:how do we hold political figuresaccountable whileacknowledging theviolence andpressure of thesystems they operated within?

Onemomentstoppedme. Winnie recalls telling Tata Nelson Mandela during thetransition: “I begged tata andtoldhim this is adummy freedom we aregivingtothe people

Thestudentsof1976alsocarried amemorandum. Shot at for demandingdignity in theirown language,their ownschools, their owncountry

Half acentury later, youngSouth Africans arestill marching.Still writingmemorandums.Still being told to wait

Before shebecamethe symbol the documentaryexamines, Winnie Madikizela wasa social worker,the firstqualified Blackmedical social worker at BaragwanathHospitalin Soweto.She encounteredapartheid notasideologybut as case files. As mothers. As children shaped by a system that haddecided what they were worth.

Thedocumentary holdsher resilience andher ruptureinthe same frame, anddoesnot look away from theTruth andReconciliation Commission (TRC)hearings of 1997

ThelateArchbishopDesmond Tutu addressedher:“Ibeg you, Ibeg you, Ibeg youplease. You area greatpersonand youdon’t know howyourgreatness wouldbe enhanced if youweretosay sorry, things went wrong, forgiveme.” Herresponsewas partial: “I am saying it is true,thingswenthorriblywrong.” Yearslater shesaid: “Tothisday Iask Godtoforgive

me fornot forgivinghim.I wasn’t goingtosay sorry as if Ihad been responsiblefor apartheid.”

Thedocumentary does notresolvethis. It exposesthe question underneath what does accountabilitylook like fora person shaped by extraordinaryviolence, inside systems designed to breakher?That does notexcuse. It contextualises Thereisa difference ourpublic discourserarelymakes room for. Shewas notwithout flaws. But shewas notreducible to them.She was, in herown words, “a product of themassesofmycountry and theproduct of my enemy”.Not a villain.Not asaint.A productof environmentshapedbyapartheid violence,liberationstruggleand gendered scrutiny On YouthDay,thisiswhatwe owethe generation of 1976.Not candlelightvigils. Honestyabout whetherthe countrytheygave theirlives to buildhas been built, andrealreckoning with whyso many youngSouth Africans remain locked outofthe economy, the politicalprocess anda dignified future.

What happens to thewarnings carried by theyoung?

What happens to womenwho refusetobesoftened?

Andwhatdoesitsay aboutour democracyifitstill struggles to answer thechildrenwho marched into bullets,askingsimplytobe free?

LotusLionsmaul competition Caring andsharing session

KEANANHARMSE

Apair of brothers representing Lotus LionsVolleyball Club (LLVC) and HeathfieldHighSchool proved theirmettleatthe Cape Town Volley-

FamilySupportfor Schizophrenia willhostits upcoming supportgroup meeting on Monday29June at 19:00,offeringfamiliesand carers of peopleliving with schizophrenia asafeand supportivespace to connect,share, and seek guidance. Thesession,themed “Caring and Sharing”,is designedtogiveparticipantsthe opportunitytoask questions, sharetheir personal experiences, and gain

perspectivefromothers navigating similar challenges. Themeeting willbefacilitated by Leigh Haselau and Wasima Fisher Caring foraloved one withschizophrenia canbe an isolating and emotionally demanding experience. Themeeting willbeheldonline . Getthe link at www.familysupport.org.za/ meetingsorbyemail mail@familysupport.org.za

FROMPAGE1

Hisjourney with EP blossomedfromthe time he firstjoinedinGrade 1through theorganisation’s Living Classprogramme

“Herewelearntyogaand organicgardening.I have been part of Earthchild Projectfor approximatelyeight yearsnow.EPhas played asignificantroleinmypersonaldevelopment.Ithas helped me buildconfidence, developleadership skills,and find my voice,”headds

Sincethenhehas developedintoone of the youngmentors at EP’s YoungLeaders programme andhopes to inspirethe next generation

“Growing up in Lavender Hill,I have seen many challenges in my community,includinggangsterism,drugaddiction, andteenage pregnancy. Theserealities canbedifficult to witness, buttheyhavemotivated me to become part of thesolution. EP hasgiven me thetools andsupport to lead by exampleand help create positive change foryoung people around me,” says Parsons.

TheYoung Leadersprogramme assistsits memberswithenhancing theirleadership skills,values, community engagement, and personal growth

Hisshort andlong-term goal is also to help addresssomeofthe challenges facedbyfamilies in hiscommunity by supportingaccessto essentials such as food,clothing, andtoiletries. “Alongside my work as ayoung leader,I am also part of theGen AChangemakersinitiative. Together,wewantedtodosomething practi-

caltohelpfamiliesinour community whoare facing difficult circumstancesthiswinter. Ihave seen howmanyfamiliesstrugglewithfood insecurity andother basicneeds. Througha GenA Changemakers Winter Fundraiser,we hope to supportfamiliesidentified throughlocalschoolsand community networks,aswellas organisationsthatcarefor vulnerable children,” he says He also serves on theRepresentativeCouncil of Learners (RCL)athis school

"Inthisrole, Ihelprepresent thevoicesof learners andadvocatefor issues that matter to them.Itisa responsibility that allows me to contribute positively to my school community andsupport fellowlearners,”hetells People’s Post “One of my greatest goalsistostudy at Stellenbosch University andpursuea career in theculinaryindustry. Iaspiretobecomea head chef on acruiseship, whichwould allowmeto travel theworld,experiencedifferentcultures, andcreateexceptional dishes forpeoplefrom many differentbackgrounds.I am excitedby theideaofexploring newplaces, challengingmyself, andbuildinga successful future throughhardworkand dedication.I want to provethatyoung people from communities like Lavender Hill canachieve greatthingswhen they aregiven opportunitiesand believein themselves.”

.Thoselooking to assist the GenAChangemakers Winter Fundraisercan visitthe following website: https://www.givengain.com/campaign/ gen-a-changemakers-winter-fundraiser.

Learner launches fund forathlete

KEANANHARMSE

AyoungtalentedLotus Rivergymnast,Saarah Bosch, hasinspireda fellowyoung learner, Cassidy Hendricks,tosponsor hertriptoSaldanha when shecompetesata WesternCape Provincial Gymnastics Championships (WCPGC)onSunday16August

Saarah is an eight-year-old gymnast, whohas alreadywon an impressive collectionofgold medals andqualified forthe WesternCape gymnastics trials earlierthismonth,bringing herone step closer to herdream of oneday representing SouthAfrica.

WCPGCoffersathletesthe oppurtunityto earn theirprovincialcolours andqualify forthe Gymnastics SouthAfricaNationalChampionshipsonThursday24September Hermother, RushanaBosch,previouslysaid that,despite growingupina community often affectedbygangviolenceand crime, Saarah has remained focusedonher goals. However, as asingleparent, it hasbecome a financialstraintosustain allthe entryfees, transport, accommodation,trainingcosts and mealswhile travelling

Thefamilyhopes to raiseR5000 to cover transportation andmeals associated with her participationinthe WCPGCand otherupcomingcompetitions.

However, oneday when Cassidy read about Saarah’s journeyingymnasticsinthe People’s Post andkickstarted afundraisertoassist her with thetravelling costs, hergrandmother, Brenda Tommy, recalls Cassidy attendsFerndalePrimary School, whileSaarah goes to Buck Road Primary School

“Sofar she’sraisedR500for Saarah andgifted herwitha goodie bagoftoiletries, anew towel andsnacksaswellasa school blazer anda new school dressand pullover,”saidTommy

SHE LEFT ALETTER IN WHICHSHE WROTE: DEAR SAARAH,DON’TBEAFRAID. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Theday Cassidy droppedoff thegoodie bagon Wednesday17June, shelefta letteramong the itemsshe donatedtowards Saarah,inwhich she wrote: “DearSaarah,don’t be afraid.Anything is possible. Believeinyourself.”

Cassidy’s grandfather, Chris, hasalsoraised funds forSaarah by selling hisfamoustripe and trotters curry andrice, with afew orders from herfriends,Tommy adds

Upon hearingand receivingthe donations, Boschwas overjoyed.

“Wewould like to saythank youtoaunty Brenda andCassidy forthe donationsand goodie bags!Thank youfor thewords of encouragement forSaarah,wereally appreciate it,” she said

To gain more funding momentum,Cassidy andTommy have forwardeda requesttoWard 65 councillorDonovan Nelson,Premier Alan Windeand afew sponsors,who assisted Cassidy previously

“We’re also goingtobehavinga rafflenext monthaswellasanother food sale,which will go towardsSaarah’s competitionexpenses. She competes in many competitions andconstantly needsassistance.Her momisonmaternity leavecurrently andtheylivewithher grandfather,” Tommy added.

Boschalsocredits Saarah’s grandfather, Robert Bosch, whohas also played avital role in funding Saarah’s journey.

. To contributecontact RushanaBosch at 062775 7131.

Twomore‘gang’ shootings

Western Cape anti-gangunitdetectivesare investigatinga deadly shootinginLotus Riverthatleft four mendeadand anotherseriously injuredonThursday18June, in what police believeisa gang-related attack

Accordingtopolicereports,the incident occurredatapproximately22:30 on thecornerof Nita andOlgastreets.

Five menwerereportedlysitting outsidea residentialblock of flatswhena vehiclecarrying severaloccupantsapproached thearea.

Thesuspectsallegedlyexitedthe vehicleand opened fire on thegroup before fleeing the scene.

Four men, aged between 32 and44, were declared dead at thescene

A fifthvictimsustained seriousinjuriesand wastransported to amedical facility

In response to theshooting, police have increaseddeployments in theareatoprevent furtherviolenceand reassure residents.

Grassy Park police have opened murder and attemptedmurdercases forinvestigation,while anti-gangunitdetectivescontinuetosearchfor theculprits.

NOARRESTS

No arrestshavebeen made

Preliminaryinvestigationssuggest that the attack waslinkedtoongoing gang activity,a persistent challengefacingseveralcommunities across theCapeFlats

Grassy Park Community Policing Forum (CPF)chair,NicoleJacobus sayresidents should practice cautionwhentravelling on Nita Street

STARKREMINDER OF DEVASTATING IMPACT CRIMINAL GANGSHAVEON COMMUNITIES

Shesaysthe streetshas become ahotspot for shootings

WesternCapeMinisterofPoliceOversight andCommunity Safety Anroux Marais strongly condemnedthe latest wave of gang-related violence in Grassy Park andManenberg

TheLotus Rivershootingoccurredonthe same dayasanother violentincidentin Manenberg, wherea youngman waskilledand severalothers, includinga police officer, were injured.

Marais describedthe shootings as astark reminder of thedevastating impact criminal gangscontinuetohaveoncommunities across theprovince.

“I condemnthese senselessactsofviolencein thestrongest possibleterms,” shesaid, adding that no community should have to live under theconstantthreatofgun violence or suffer the loss of lovedonesatthe handsofcriminals or gangsters.

Theministeralsocalledonthe police to use everyavailable resource to identify,apprehend andsuccessfully prosecutethose responsible. Shealsourged lawenforcement agencies to strengthen strategies aimedatdismantling gang networks,recoveringillegal firearms and targetinggangstrongholds,potentially with support from theSouth AfricanNationalDefenceForce

KEANANHARMSE

PelicanParkHighSchool learnerMateo Pinto (14) hasbeen selected to representSouth Africa at theWorld Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) u-15 Baseball WorldCup in Mérida, Mexico,fromFriday25September to Sunday 4 October

TheGrade 8learner’s selectionmarks amajor achievementfor both theschool andthe wider PelicanParkcommunity,withteachers, family andfellowlearnerscelebrating hissuccess.

Mateosayshis baseball journeybegan at the ageofninewhenhejoinedthe Grassy Park CrusadersBaseballClub.

Although he also enjoys soccerand currently playsfor StrandfonteinAffiliated Football Club, baseball quicklybecamehis passion

He startedplaying thebaseballduringthe Covid-19 lockdown afterbeing invitedtoattend training sessionswhenorganised socceractivities were restricted

“I wasinvited to go to baseball training becausewecouldn’tplaysocceratthe time.After that,I nevermisseda season andhaveplayed ever since,”saidMateo Baseball runs in thefamily, with hisbrother andtwo cousinsalsoactivelyinvolvedinthe sport.

Over theyears,Mateo hasparticipatedin five national tournaments, representing teamsfrom theu-9 to u-15 agegroups.

Oneofhis most memorableachievements came in theu-12divisionwhenhis team wona national tournament andearnedthe opportunity to competeinPoland.

“Thatwas thebesttimeofmylife,”hesaid.

Beingselectedfor theSouth Africanu-15Boys Baseball Team is anotherdream come true for theyoung athlete. It felt like adream come true NowI must just do my best andtrain hard,” he told People’s Post Balancingschoolworkand sportcan be challenging, especially with training taking place

threetimes aweek, butMateo remainscommittedtobothhis academic andsportinggoals Lookingahead,hehopes to competeoverseas andplayinMajor League Baseball (MLB)inthe future.

To help coverthe costsassociated with the internationaltournament, Mateoand hisfamily have establisheda crowdfunding campaign andwelcome sponsorshipsupport from the community

Shariefa Clark, principalatPelican Park High School,praised thelearner’s achievement.

“Weare immenselyproud of Mateo. He is a learnerofexcellenceand an inspirationtoour community.Heiskeepingboththe PelicanPark andSouth African flags flying high,” shesaid.

T CapeTown salutes late music legend

NovaNewslaunchedthe SchoolsZone,a dynamicdigital home forschool news,sport, achievement, andcommunity storiesacross SouthAfrica, on YouthDay,Tuesday,16June, aday that celebrates youngpeopleaspowerful agents of change

The SchoolsZone features adedicated site for school sports in the School Sports Zone Centraltothe launch is theincorporation of thebeloved SchoolsThatRock websiteintothe NovaNews SchoolsZone

Formorethan11years, SchoolsThatRock hasbeen SouthAfrica’strusted platform for celebratingschoolachievements, cultural milestones,sportingexcellence, andextraordinary learnerstories,givingschoolsa powerful national voice. FoundedbyChristo du Randtin 2009 with thecommunity newspaper KRANT in Bloemfontein,followedbythe SchoolsThat Rock websitein2015, theplatformhas grown into oneofSouth Africa’s largestschool news destinations.“Over thepastelevenyears, SchoolsThatRock haspublished thousandsof articles andphotos— atruedigital archiveof prideand achievement,”explained Du Randt.

“Every story, everysmile,and everyvictory hasreinforcedthe vision:every childhas asuccess storyworth sharingwiththe world.

“I am proudtocontinuewiththislegacyon theNovaNewsplatform.”

By joiningthe NovaNews ecosystem, Schools That Rock nowreaches asignificantly larger national audience throughNovaNews’s389,000+

active users, 1million+Facebook followers,and distribution across 21 community newspaper titles.Atthe heartofthe School Sports Zone is TheRugby Factory— NovaNews’s weekly schoolsrugby vodcasthostedbyAndyDaniel, with 10,000+ subscribersinjusttwo months andepisodesexceeding54000 views. Proudly sponsoredbyBossa Restaurant Group, the 33-episodeseriesbroadcastsacrossYouTube, Facebook,Instagram,TikTok, andall NovaNewschannels

“Together, let’scelebrate everyschool,every achievement, andevery community that makes SouthAfricaextraordinary,” said GiliomeeRossouw

. Send stories,achievements,photos,and videos to Dustin Wetdewich,NationalDigital

BayviewCup ‘26launched

LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY

Withschools closingonFriday26 June,all roadswillnow lead to StrandfonteinSportsGround, Strandfonteinfor this year’s editionof theu-16Bayview YouthCup

forces,” he said BayviewFCexecutive membersEbenand PetraLoff paid tributetoRodriguez at the ceremony “Mark, you’ve been more than achairperson— acoach,manager,you’vebeen afather,