People's Post Grassy Park/Retreat E-edition 24 February 2026

GRASSYPARKSAPPEALSFORALASTINGSOLUTIONTOCRIME

CPFwelcomesthear

KEANAN HARMSE KEANAN.HARMSE@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

The Grassy Park Community Policing Forum(CPF) says thedeployment of thearmyonthe Cape Flatsisa welcomeaddition in curbingcrime but feelsmoreneedstobedonetosafeguard residents.

WesternCapePremier Alan Windealso welcomed theplanneddeploymentofthe South AfricanNationalDefence Force(SANDF) to support theSouth AfricanPoliceService in tackling gang violence,after PresidentCyril Ramaphosaannounced theinterventionduring hisState of theNationAddress(Sona)atCape

Town City Hall on Thursday 12 February

TheCPF is awarethatthe army brings much-needed relief andsafer streetsbut “soldiersare nottrained forcommunity policing, andlasting safety requires abroader strategy.”

TheCPF is stillcalling foranincreaseinpolice visibility,capacityand resourcesaswellas greatersupport forCPFstomobilisecommunities andyouth developmentprogrammesto divert youngpeoplefromgangs In lightofthis, People’s Post spokewithNicole Jacobus, chairofthe CPF, whosharedher thoughts on thematter.

“I welcomethe support of thearmyfor our police services,but thequestionisfor howlong will they be in ourcommunities.Itshouldn’t be announcedwhenthe army is goingintothe area;wemustprotect theelement of surprise,” shenoted

TheCPF hopesthe deployment woulderadicate gangsterismfromtheir communities

“Wesee on adaily basishow many people have been killedoverthe past fewmonths, so we hope this will make adifference in ourcommunities andsee adecreaseingangviolence andsee thearmyworkwithour police andthe City of Cape Town’s metrolaw enforcement. We also want to know howthe army will work with ourlocal CPFs andneighbourhood watches. Theremustbesomepartnership beingbuilt,” shesaid.

Jacobusurged residentsnot to attack or interfere with thesoldiers.

“We’ve seen thepleafor thearmytocomein sincelastyear, so nowwemustworkand co-operatewiththeir instructions

“Tothe community Iask them to getinvolved with theirCPFs, gettoknowthe leadership so

that we canholdthe police forceand thearmy accountable. We must also be awareoftheir protocolsastheyare doingtheir best in our communities,” shesaid. TheCPF is awarethatthe army brings much-needed relief andsafer streetsbut notes that theirroleistemporary andsaysthat“soldiersare nottrained forcommunity policing, andlasting safety requires abroader strategy”. People's Post reachedout to theSteenberg Community Police Forumfor comment butthey couldnot respondbeforethe time of publication

Artist readytoinspire

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Followyourheart.That’s thetheme of the16thCape Town Carnival andit’s exactlywhatmakeupartist Jemma Fourie poursintoher craft.

Fourie hasbeen chosen as oneof the“champions” forCapeTown’s biggest event, taking placeonSaturday21March at theGreen Point FanWalk.

Fourie will join othercreatives whichinclude singer Anslin Gysman,local actorNatasha van derMerwe,DJReady D, graffiti artist RizahPotgieter,and designer Stephenvan Eeden.

Carnival organisers saypeople canlook forwardtoa celebrationof diversityasover1 000performers and10colourful handcrafted floats areset to dazzle spectators

Fourie said thetheme resonates deeply with herlovefor creativity andself-expression

“I sharemylovefor allthings self-expression,beautyand life, especially in regard to makeup artistry.Mycreativityand love for thearts, whetheronpaper or on faces, is what drives me.Thisfrom ayoung agetranslatedinto finding that same community online and sharingeachstepofmyjourney there.”

Fourie,who is also asocialmedia contentcreator,saidshe feels honoured to take part in this year’s event.

“Itfeelsinspiring.Italwaysdoes. Everytimeyou walk into aroom that is connected to Cape Town Carnival,you arewalking into a room fullofpassionatecreatives

“Everyoneloves what they create,and thecollaboration only strengthensthat. It is thedream

setupfor anycreativefromany field, whereyou cannotonlyrun wild,but uplift oneanother.”

Shesaidworking with the“FollowYourHeart”theme hasshaped herapproachtousing makeup to complete andenhance each look

“I designed amakeuplook for oneofthe lead performers,taking alookatthe costumingand float creation to make somethingcohesive.I believemakeup, especially in itsextravagant,genderbending,

charactercreatingformallows dancersand performers to step into theircharacter (oreventhemselves)and embody thepassion they feel.”

Fourie said shewants people to leavethe eventfeelinginspired.

“I wouldlovefor audiencesto feel seen andinspired. Ithink the carnival is so rich in festivitiesand theartsthatitreminds theviewer of what they arecapable of notonly in theirown capacity,but when we

collaborate with oneanother as well.”

NovusMedia,publishersof People’s Post,isa proudprint mediapartner of theevent

THISYEAR’S THEME FORGREEN POINT IS:FOLLOW YOUR HEART

SANParkssuspendsindemnityatTMNP

TheSouth AfricanNationalParks (SANParks) announcedonFriday 13 February that it hassuspended theindemnity andverification form requirementatTable Mountain National Park (TMNP) with immediateeffect.

This announcement came just days afterSANParksstatedthatit

will be implementing theindemnity andverification form requirement process.

“The measurewas introduced to strengthen verification andgovernanceprocesses.

“However,SANParksacknowledgesthatits implementation led to operationaldelaysand visitor frustration. “Wehavelistenedto theconcernsraisedbyvisitorsand tourismpartnersand have acted decisively,” theentityexplained in itsstatement

“Overthe next twelve months, SANParks will implementa fully digitisedidentification document (ID) andpassportverification system at park gates, including high-speed scanning technology to ensure accurate compliance while delivering aseamlessvisitor experience,” thestatement read During this transition,gate operations will continue without theindemnity form requirement, SANParks concluded.

Adecadeago,which seeminglyfeels like alifetimeago, Ican recall an indescribable senseofwonderand curiosity Ihad as achild

Thesimplesensation of allowing my paintbrush to slideand slowly danceacrossa blankcanvas, was so therapeuticand always remains apowerfultool to expressmyself andthe weight of theworld forme. At theage of four,surroundedby action figures, crayonsand blank sheetsofpaper,I discovered that soon as Icould sketch ahouse,a garden anda fewstick figures, I knew Ihad founda passion that felt rewardingand soothing Despitethe breathless rush of earlymornings, trafficjamsand tightschedules at school wherewe would flocktoour classroomslike obedient farm animals, shifting from economicsclass to biology, Ifound drawingtobeanendless

escape from thechaos that parades outsidethose homesaswellasthe stress that haunts ourconscience. WhetherI wasdoodlingonmy exam pad, reimaginingfamous Dragonball Zcharactersand occasionally catching thewrath of some of my teachers whowould ripapart adrawing Iwas obsessing over and chuckitinthe bin, IknewI hada gift,a refugefroma pollutedworld that no-one couldtouch or defile Howeversad Imay have felt at seeing my artworkbeing rippedto shreds in frontofmyclassmates as an angsty adolescent,I quickly understood thebeautyofart still eludes some whomay be navigating thecurrentsofwealthand work andthe stress of theirown tumultuous personal lives. Often, creativesare misunderstood,labeled as “uncompromising” or “unfiltered”withattimes littlecaretounderstanding the depthofthe waywethink and feel andhow it enriches ourart At timesI wouldstruggletofocus on subjects such as accounting or mathematicswhich Ifound uninterestingand woulddaydreamand

doodle,creatinga colourful world before my eyes that gave my young life ameaning,a purposeonmy ownterms.Often theyoung aren’t allowedmanyliberties to pursue their“hobbies”ascareersand thus fall back into safercareer choices, hencetheyhushtheir inner-child in ordertogrowupand to find a jobthatcan sustaina living anda roof over theirheads.The fears, responsibilities andburdens our parentscarry to providefor us as theirchildrenisunderstandable, butsometimes theirfears forus canslowlyswallowus, leavinglittle confidenceinour dreams they can’tenvisionaswedo.

Therefore, themereact of pursuingour goalsisa silent andat timesloudprotest againstthe cold reality, innerdoubtsand critics in ourfamiliesand friends. And yetI foundthata resilientspirit, adedicationand passion to your craftcan open doorsovertimeyou mayhavethought wouldn’t open foryou

In this ever-shiftingworld where Artificial Intelligence(AI)isspeedingupour livesdespite beingsold

us as tool to lightenour loads, it’s becoming evidentit’sa shortcut to boosting profitby floodingthe market with content. Whether it’s photographs, musicor film,I find AI generatedart toopolished, radio-readyand commercial. It’s nauseating with littlecarefor tasteordeeper curiosity. Ilovethe word saccharine, an expression forwhensomething is excessively sweet or when someoneis“too-polite”, as ametaphorfor exploring this golden ageoftechnology wherewecan “prompt” ourideas andsatisfy ourego’s with aclick of abutton. Eating toomanysweet treats cannotonlydecay your teeth andcause headaches, butcan lead to diabetes anddeath In this case,it’scrucial we protect that childlikewonderwhenone coloursbeyondthe borders, when “those mistakes”becomea signature of beinghuman before we ignore ourindividuality,our brand, in thepursuit of profitand before we know it,becomingpartofthe AI-slopinthe fear of missing out on thelatestgoldrushofthe 21st century.

Visitors willhaveaccess to acomprehensiveprogramme coveringessential topics such as: municipal structures, council operations, subcouncils, wards, ward committees,and communityroles within the broader CityofCape Town framework. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

SteenbergCommunityForum expandsfreelocalgovernment trainingprogramme

KEANANHARMSE munity organisationsand residentsthrough

HeathfieldHigh soarsinathletics

KEANANHARMSE

HeathfieldHighSchool made aspectacularcomebacktocompetitive athletics, provingtheir mettleatthe Southern Zone Athleticscompetition’s ASection at Green PointStadium on Wednesday11February, aftera lengthy absencefromelite-level competition.

Theschool’sathletesdelivered exceptional performances across multiple events,earning praise from principalNadia Aanhuizen, who highlightedtheir “hardwork, dedication and fortitude” throughout theday’s competition.

Team captainJamielMarcusled by example, claiming firstplace in theu-19100 msprint.

Thevictories continuedwithKazadiNiemabu’s impressive double triumphinboththe 400 mand 800m races, whileReinedi Tufinama securedthe 1500 mtitle

Rising star Sachin Davidson showcasedhis potentialbywinning both u-14 100m and200 mevents, signalling abrightfuturefor the youngathlete

Thegirls’contingentprovedequally formidable, with Zayaan Ling taking victoryinthe 100 mand delivering strong performances in the 200m

NokulungaMbele impressedspectators throughout theday with consistently competitive racing across multiple events

Fieldeventssaw Tristian Petersen claim first placeinthe u-19 JavelinThrow

Theday concludedwithexcellencefrom Heathfield’srelay teams, as theu-19squad delivereda thrilling victoryinthe finalevent, capping off an outstandingday of competition.

THISSIGNALSA PROMISING FUTURE AS THE SCHOOL CONTINUESTOGROWFROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Aanhuizenextendedgratitude to sponsors andsupporterswhose contributionsmadethe successful return possible.

“HeathfieldHighhas come alongway,” she noted, expressing optimism aboutthe school’s athleticsprogramme

“Thisachievement signalsa promisingfuture as theschool continuestogrowfromstrengthto strength andreach even greaterheights in the yearsahead.”

L-ICE FLAKE

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT WEBTICKETS • COOLERBOX: Rl00 {CANS ONLY) FOOD ALLOWED FREE• FROM 10AM TILL 7PM NO UNDER 18s

SpayDayon birthdayfortwo

KEANANHARMSE

The Animal Rescue Organisation (ARO)iscelebrating four decades of enrichingthe livesofthe animals andcommunities they servebylaunchinganambitious birthday fundraiser to mark theorganisation’s40thanniversary andalsothe 39th birthday of Lindsey Concer,headoffundraising

Thefundraising drive, timedtocoincidewith Spay Daytoday (24February),aimstoraise R21 450tofund39animalsterilisation procedures, onefor each year of theorganiser’s life “Thisyear, AROturns 40 –a milestonethat fills me with pride,”Concertold People’s Post “OnTuesday 24 February,not only will Ibe celebratingmy39thbirthday, butI also want to make it trulymeaningful.”

Thecampaigncombinespersonalcelebration with ARO’scoremission of preventinganimal crueltyand overpopulation throughsterilisation programmes.

ADDRESSINGCRITICALNEED

Sterilisationrepresentsthe cornerstoneof ARO’sanimalwelfare strategy,addressing root causes of animal sufferinginlocal communities.

“Itisthe most effective waytoprevent cruelty, neglect, andoverpopulation,”she explained. “Every sterilisationsaves countlesslives and reducessufferingfor animalswho mightotherwise face hunger,disease,orabandonment.”

Theprocedure provides long-termbenefits beyond immediateanimalwelfare,helping control straypopulations andreducingpressureon animal shelters andrescueorganisations

MILESTONE CELEBRATIONS WITH PURPOSE

COMMUNITYIMPACT

ARO’sfour-decade presence in animal rescue hasestablished theorganisationasa vitalcommunity resource

Thesterilisation programme directly impacts localanimalpopulations whileeducating communities aboutresponsible petownership

“Yourdonation, no matterthe size,will directly fundsterilisation procedures that give animalsa healthier, saferfuture,”she said

CALLFORSUPPORT

Thecampaigninvites community membersto contribute toward theR21 450target, emphasising that donationsofany amount make a meaningful difference

“Let’s make this birthday aboutmorethan candlesand cake –let’s make it aboutlife, compassion,and hope,” sheconcluded . Formoreinformation email Concer at lindsey@ animalrescue.org.za.

TheAnimal Rescue Organisation is celebrating its 40thanniversary

PHOTO:SUPPLIED

EdwardAvenue housingplan

‘progressingsteadily’

TheCityofCapeTownhas begunhanding over completedhomes to beneficiariesatits Edward Avenue Breaking NewGroundhousing project in Ottery,Grassy Park,marking asignificant milestonefor 124qualifyingfamilies. The development, whichinitially facedconstruction delays,isnow progressing steadily with completionexpectedbyJunethisyear, accordingto City officials.

PROJECTBACKONTRACK

“I am elated to seethe excellent progress beingmadeonsite. This projectinitially experienceddelaysbut is nowfortunately on track,” said Maycomemberfor humansettlements, Carl Pophaim.

“Overthe next fewmonths, we will hand over allthe homesinthisproject to thequalifying beneficiaries. Construction is expected to be completedbyJune, if allgoesaccordingto plan.”

Thehandoverrepresentsa meaningful achievementfor families

COMMITMENTTOHOUSINGDELIVERY

Pophaimemphasisedthe City’s ongoing commitmenttohousing delivery across Cape

Town’s metropolitan area

“The City remainscommittedtocompleting this projectand to advancinghousing delivery in areasacrossthe metro,”hesaid. He extended gratitudetovarious stakeholders whocontributed to theproject’s progress.

“Wethank theOttery community,Human Settlements officialsand allproject partners fortheir cooperationinmakingprogresshere,” said Pophaim.

FAIRSELECTIONPROCESS

TheCityensured transparency in beneficiary selection, following establishedprotocols to preventirregularities

Beneficiarieswereselectedaccordingtothe City’s HousingAllocation Policy andHousing NeedsRegister, ensuring fair andtransparent distribution of housingopportunities. This selectionprocess prevents queuejumping andensures homesare allocatedtothose who qualifyunder SouthAfrican housinglegislation

TheEdwardAvenueproject represents part of theCity’sbroader Breaking NewGround housinginitiative, aimedataddressing housing backlogs whilecreatingsustainable communities with proper infrastructure andamenities

Students turn teachers

CrabeatersealvisitsCapewaters

Anunusual visitorfromAntarctica wasspottedalong theCape’scoastline last week.A female crabeater seal,a speciesseldomseen in South Africanwaters, wasinitially sighted at BadenPowellDrive andlater in the Strand area.

Following areportedsightingofa crabeater seal alongthe coastline, Helderberg Ocean Awarenessand theCityofficialswereprompted to respond.

Theareawas cordoned off to protectboththe seal andthe public,ensuringthe animal had adequate spacetorestundisturbed

Subsequently,a coordinatedmarinewildlife response team comprising MartineViljoen, Marine Wildlife Team Manager, TwoOceans Aquarium Foundation;YinhlaShihlomule, Top predator coordinator; andZafar Monier,MarionIslandsealer; respondedto flippertag and vaccinate theseal.

This remarkable animal hastravelledan estimated4 500kmfromher Antarctichome, journeying even further than thesouthernelephantseals that have visitedCapeTownshores in recent years.

“Weare so luckytohavethese amazing animalsvisit ourshoreline.Weappeal to all membersofthe public to please leavethem alone, respecttheir space, andviewthemfrom adistance. They don’tneed help,food,orwater –the best we candofor them is give them peaceand space,”saysGregg Oelofse, Coastal andEnvironmental Managerfor theCityof Cape Town With Crabeaterseals, thereisalwaysheightened concernwhentheyare observed ingesting sand.Asa speciesnot naturally adaptedto SouthAfrican coastalconditions, such behaviourmay reflectstressordisorientation. Tragically,sandingestion canleadtoserious gastrointestinal complicationsand hasbeen

recognised as acause of mortalityinindividualvagrant seal species. Thereisnoimmediateconcern forthisindividualseal, however expertswillcontinuetomonitor herfor any change in behaviourorcondition

ARAREOPPORTUNITYFORLEARNING

Vagrantseals appearingalong theCape coastlineunderscorethe importance of public awarenessand establishedsafetyprotocols for thebenefitofbothwildlifeand people

This sighting serves as apowerfulreminder: Crabeaterseals arenot just distantAntarctic curiosities.

On rare occasions, they appear alongour shores,offeringa unique opportunitytoobserve andlearn abouta speciesverydifferentfrom ourfamiliarCapefur seals.

CONSERVATIONINACTION

As aprecautionary measure, theteam administered arabiesvaccination to theseal. This formspartofa broadersealvaccination studycurrently beingimplemented forCapefur sealsand othervagrant seal species, including elephant seals.

Giventhatcrabeater sealstravelvastdistances andinteractwithnumerousmarinespecies in theSouthernOcean,vaccination is aproactive step to reduce potentialdisease transmission risks.

Theteamalso flippertaggedthe seal foridentification purposes

“Flippertagging provides auniquevisual identification,allowing individual sealstobe recognised over time.Thishelps confirm whether repeated sightingsinvolve thesameseal rather than differentanimals,particularlywhen asealhauls outatmultiplelocations alongthe coastline,”saidViljoen,MarineWildlifeTeam Manageratthe TwoOceansAquarium.

As this rare Antarctictravellerrests alongour coastline, themessage is clear: Admiration from

RESPECTTHEIR SPACE BY STAYING AT LEAST20 METRESAWAY

adistanceisthe greatest kindness we canoffer By respecting herspace,weensurethatthis extraordinaryvisitor’s journeyremains astory of wonder,not harm

SAFETYFIRST:GUIDELINESFORVIEWINGWILDLIFE

Thepublicare urgedtofollowthese important

safety ruleswhenencounteringseals or other marine wildlife:

. Respecttheir spacebystaying at least20 metres away;

. Observebarriers– remain behind any cordoned-off areas;

. Do notpourwater over theseal, as this causes unnecessary stress;

. Minimise noiseand movement to keep the environmentcalm;

. Keep dogs on leashestoprevent unexpected animal interactions.Safety first: Guidelines for viewingwildlife.

TCurre ly clubsare entangledi endlies locally as well as interprovincialahead of the league start.

Thecurrent league structurefor Super LeaguesA to Cremains with theinclusion of an extrateamineachSuper league as the16th team,based on rankings afterlastyear’sclub rugbyseason.

Thethree teamsfromSuper Cwho were relegatedtothe regionsfor this year will remain in SuperC with theinclusion of thewinner, runners up andplay-off winnerofthe Promotion League of last year

At theend of the15round-robin matches, teamswillberankedaccordingtotheir position,and this will determinethe structurefor next year’s competition.

Thetop team in each SuperLeaguewillbethe league winner. Therewillbea separate competition made up of topeight (President Cup) andbottomeight play-offs(Challenger Cup) foreachSuper League.Thiscompetition will be played on aknockoutbasis with no bearingon theseedingfor next year

At theend of this season thebottomthree clubsinSuper League Cwillberelegated to the Regional Leagues(Paarl, City,Northernand Southern).

Thetop team in each Regional League will be promoted to theSuper League C.

Allclubs ranked from 1to48, basedonresults in this year’s club rugbyseason, will be seeded in four newleagues next year,consistingof12 teamseach(SuperLeagueA,B, Cand D)

At regional level, thereare four leagues: Southern,Central,Paarland Northern Regional competitions will be played on a double round, home-and-awaybasis,withthe topteamineachregioncrowned league winners andpromotedtoSuper League D. Regional leagueswillcommenceonSaturday21March 2026,and clubsare required to fieldatleast a firstand second team,withthird teamsoptional.

At theend of thecurrent season,the bottom four teamsinSuper League Cwillberelegated to theregionalleagues.However,shouldthe PaarlRegionwinnerdecline promotiontothe newSuper League D, only thebottomthree teamswillberelegated

Teamsplaying in thedifferentleagues are: SuperLeagueA: Villager, Hamiltons, FalseBay,Helderberg, SK-Walmers,Van derStel-Evergreens,Durbell, Tygerberg, Ikeys,Maties, Uni-Mil, KuilsRiver, Brackenfell, UWC, Franschhoek andPrimrose SuperLeagueB: AllSaints, Belhar,Bellville,Collegians, CPUT, Goodwood,Hamediehs,Hamlets,Hands & Heart, Kraaifontein, Macassar, NTK, St.Georges,Vineyards,Violets andYoung Peoples SuperLeagueC: Atlantis,BusyBee, Caledonian Roses, Delft, Eersterivier,Gardens,Kylemore, Langa, Pniel-Villagers,Raithby-Universals, Rangers, Scottsdene Central, SirLowrians, Strand, Strand United andWatsonia