People’s Post Grassy Park/Retreat E-edition 26 May 2026

GRASSY PARK |RETREAT

Tuesday, 26 May2026

Hajargetshero’swelcome

KEANAN HARMSE KEANAN.HARMSE@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

“She’s very sadbecause thebabiesdidn’tget theirformula,the children of Gaza arestill starving Motherslikemeare stillcrying to feed theirchildren.”

Thesewerethe relieved wordsof Ottery mother Gadija Ahjum, finally hearingthe voiceofher daughter, HajarKagisoAl-Tha’irah Ahjum-Mathee (22),who wasdetained andkeptunder harrowing conditionsatKtzi’ot prison,a largeIsraeli military andciviliandetention facility locatedinthe NegevDesert. Ahjum-Mathee wasamong agroup SouthAfrican delegatesdelivering humanitarian aidaboardthe Global SumudFlotilla(GSF) in theMediterranean Seawhenitwas intercepted by theIsraeli navy on Monday 18 May. Thegroup wasreleasedfrom prison last week.After enduring four days of lost contactthe impassioned human-rights activist calledher mother back to sayshe wassafeand coming back home

On Saturday 23 Mayshe received ahero’swelcome at theCapeTown InternationalAirport,where family membersand crowds gathered,their Palestinian flagsheldaloft showing theirsupport forher andother Global SumudFlotillaactivists

The flotilla is acivilian-ledhumanitarianmaritimemission aimedat delivering aid, includingbabyformula andmedical supplies, to Gaza in defiance of ablockadeinforce by the navy Ahjumtold People’s Post sheand herfamilywereoverjoyed andshed tearsonseeing herdaughterand her unmistakable smileasshe entered theboardinggates andrushedto

embracethem.

“I’m absolutely elated to have herback! At theairport therewere crowds we hadnever anticipated andwegot so many messages on our phones praising theirsafereturn, from Cape Town andelsewhere in the world, wheremanyhad mobilisedin support,which left us speechlessand overwhelmed.”

Ahjumsaidher daughter came home utterlyspent from thewhole ordeal andwas lookingforward to relaxing at home

“Theyare humanitarians; they had no sharpobjects whatsoever on the boat.There were no weapons! It was literally diapers, waterand medical supplies, andyou know what they did, they dumped it.WhenI look at HajarI cansee she’sbruised,” said Ahjum.

Ahjumsaidshe sawa livestream videoofher daughter’s andfellow crew’s captureunfoldonTuesday 19 May, aday that forher wouldremain

ahauntingmemory. “Wesaw Hajar on theboatasitwas happening,and it’s oneofthose things oneshould neversee as amotherora parent.”

Ahjum-Mathee’sfamilywatched the interception whilespeakingtoher on thephone.“We were readingprayers

go on,” he othe elated Theday thenewsspreadofthe flotilla activists’ releaseAhjum–Mathee publisheda videoconfirmingshe was aliveand well despitehaving“afew bruises”

“TohearHajar is coming home makesusveryhappy,but thebigger causetheywentthere formuststill go on,” Ahjumsaid. “Palestiniansmust be free. They arestill waitingfor their humanitarian aid. Afterthe activists

Gadija Ahjum

hadhad theirmedicalsweheard they were goingtobeaccommodatedata hotelinTurkeybefore flying forJohannesburg. They arebruised andthe extent of theirinjuriesvary, butthey areadamant nowmorethaneverthis legalsiege on Gaza be broken and humanitarian aidmustgothrough.” In avideo released by Hilaal TV on Saturday 23 Mayonits Facebook page Ahjum-Mathee shared herthoughtsonthe ordeal:“This mission wasproof that theZionist regime’s brutalityknows no limit. Ithink almost everyone of the450 participants whowerekeptinany oneofthe prisonswas violated and brutalised.The testimonieshaveyet to come out. It wasa very difficult experience,but we areheldtogetherby theprinciplesPalestiniansteach us

Kangaroo care promoted

Hospitals across theWesternCapeare promoting Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), asimplebut effective method that helpsimprove outcomes forpremature and lowbirthweight babies.KMC involves prolongedskin-toskin contactbetween aparent andbaby.

Thepracticehelps stabilisea newborn’stemperature,breathing andheart rate,while supporting weight gain,breastfeedingand braindevelopment

“KMC reducesmortality and infectionrates whileimproving temperatureregulation, weight gain,and cognitivedevelopment,” said Sister MelanieHolland,NursingManager at MowbrayMaternity Hospital

“Skin-to-skincontact and breastfeedingserve as powerful formsofpainrelief, providing importantneuroprotective benefits during this vulnerable stageof development. Importantly, KMC is notonlyfor mothers, fathers areencouragedtoparticipate,as closecontact with alovingparent helpsregulatea baby’s heart rate,breathing andtemperature, strengthensbonding,and supports healthybrain development.”

Prematurityremains oneofthe leadingcausesofinfantcomplicationsworldwide,and healthcare workersare placingrenewed emphasis on earlyinterventions such as KMC.

Prof Gugu Kali,headofthe ClinicalUnit: NeonatologyatTygerberg

KMC IS NOTONLY FORMOTHERS,AS FATHERSCAN ALSO HELP BOND

Hospital,described KMCasa cornerstoneofneonatalcare.

“KMC is an essentialpartofour neonatal care package, whichhas been showntoimprove outcomes forpreterm andlow birthweight babies.Wepractisebothintermittent andfull-time KMC, and we encourageparents to do it as soon andasoften as possibleafter birth.”

At RedCross WarMemorialChildren’s Hospital,KMC is embraced as both aclinicalinterventionand afamily-centredphilosophyof care.“KMCisnot just aclinical model; it is aphilosophyofcare that places dignity, compassion, andfamilypartnership at the centre of everything we do,” said MitziFranken,HeadofNursing at RedCross

Formanyfamilies, KMCoffersa waytoplayanactiveroleincaring fortheir baby during an emotional andoverwhelmingtime.

Louise Galant,a mother of twins from Villiersdorp, born on Saturda 14 March, said theexperiencewas meaningful.The twinswereborn weighing just 870g and950 g. “I love bondingwiththem. It makesour bond stronger andalso helpsthemgrowquicker,” shesaid.

GrooteSchuur Hospital hasalso strengthened itsKMC services,

offeringparents emotionaland psychologicalsupport.“KMC formspartofa holistic care model that supportsboththe medicaland

emotionalneedsoffamilies,”said CindyLouw, OperationalManager of thehospital’sNeonataland KMCUnit.

BravethecoldforNSRIWinterSolsticeSwim

As thewintersolsticeapproaches,the National SeaRescueInstitute (NSRI) is calling on South Africans to bravethe cold andtakepartinits annual Winter Solstice Swim,a nationwide fundraising initiative aimedatsupporting lifesaving rescue operations andwater safety programmes

Theswimwilltakeplace on Sunday 21 June, markingthe longestnight of theyear.

Theinitiativeencouragesindividuals,teams, andcommunities to host theirown plunge events andraise funds forthe rescue organisation

Participants areinvited to take theplungein thesea,tidal pools, swimming pools, dams,or even throughanice bucket challenge, joining agrowing traditionthatunitescommunities across thecountry in supportofthe NSRI

VOLUNTEERSONDUTY

NSRI volunteersremainondutythroughout theyear, readytorespond at amoment’snotice, even in theharshestwinterconditions.

AccordingtoNSRIspokespersonCraig Lambinon,the initiative reflects both thededicationofrescuecrews andthe importance of public supportinsustainingtheir work “NSRIvolunteersare on duty year-round, readytospringintoactionata moment’s notice,evenonthe coldestday of theyear,” Lambinon said

He addedthatthe Winter Solstice Swim gives thepublica meaningful waytocontributetothe organisation’s mission “Eachyear, teamsofNSRIvolunteersfrom ourrescuebases bravethe plunge to raisefunds fortheir station. This year we challengeyou to organise awintersolsticeplungeand help

support ourlifesavingwork,”hesaid. Participants areencouragedtocreatefundraisingcampaigns andrally friends, family,and colleaguestoget involved.Every contribution helpsensureNSRIcrews remain equipped, trained, andready to save lives.

SAFETYFIRST

. Neverswimalone

. Avoidrough or unsafe conditions

. Always have a flotationdevicenearby . Know whotocallinanemergency

.Moreinformation is availablevia the NSRI official websiteand fundraising platform GivenGain. Formoreinformation on organising your Solstice Plungeand the taxbreaksyou’ll getfromyourdonation,contact Renee on 021 4344011 or renee@ searescue.org.za

Empathymattersintimesofbloodshed

OftenI find myself dreading to hear thedevastating detail of family membersrecalling harrowing momentsoftheir children,brothers, sisters or motherswho were either senselesslymurdered, missingorwereviciously injured in an attack or hijacking.

It’s even worsehearing afather saya courtsentenceof100 years couldnever bringbackhis 10-yearold-daughter that waskilledtragically whileshe wasplaying outside with herfriends in thestreetafter school.Whenthese sadaccounts arereadonlineorwhenvideosare circulatingonsocialmedia where citizens arewatchingrobberies un-

fold helplessly, thecynical amongst us in societywould just sigh and say“well that’s just life nowadays in SA”under thegovernanceofthe ANC. This oceanof“content” we witnessevery minute canquickly drainone of anycrumb of optimism in aworld wheremore people prefer to commentand complain insteadofcontributing andcollaborating in ahealthy way. Some mightsay what’s theuse of even voting when it seemsour localpoliticians andparties arelike walkingthrough arevolving door whereone only encounters corruption andfalse promises Themereact of caring is as precious as an endangered species in atimewhere conversationsand discourseonnewsstories feel like amud-slingingmatch where“narratives” areconstantlyshiftingand argumentsare centredonfascist viewsonreligion, race,geopolitics

andthe list keepsgrowing.This week Ifelta personal call to action listeningtoa mother from Ottery tearfully remember what thelast telephonic conversation with her daughter aboard theGlobalSumud Flotilla soundedlikebeforeshe wasdetainedbythe Israelinavy. Igaspedatthe horrorofseeing armedofficers capturingand detainingsomeone’s daughter on alivestreamvideo.The sadness, angerand exhaustion in hervoice resonatedwithmeand Ifelther pain.I canonlyimagine how terrified andupset Iwould be not knowingifmysisterorbrother wasalive,starvingorworse,being tortured Theirony is,weare more connected than ever with technology andsocialmedia that thethought of notbeing able to message or call ourloved ones,isoften ablessing we take forgranted.The fact that instantcommunication is always

availablewiththe push of abutton canseem like ahellish nightmare when this convenienceisrobbed from us in acrucial time when we need to know amissing person’s whereabouts.

It’s dreadfully sad, andeven more so when thesebrave souls bringing baby formula, food and toiletries,enduringthe merciesof theocean,are captured,taunted, tortured,scapegoated andpainted as “terrorists” andtroublemakers To hear amother’sdesperate cry to hear anywordorconfirmation of herdaughter’ssafetywas such acoldblooded reminder of how cruel, violentand unforgivingthe worldoutside canbe.

Empathyfor ourfellowbrothers andsisters matters more than ever in an agewhere bloodshed andthe threat of bombskeep clouding us in adarknessthatappearsinvisible, butitisa sickness we need to cure andsee before it’s toolate.

Newcampaign offersyouth hope

KEANANHARMSE

The official launch of the45Futures Initiative on Saturday 16 Mayin Schaapkraal,exactly onemonth before YouthDay,highlighted theimportance of empowering youngpeople beyond YouthMonth celebrations.

Hosted at OasisReach forYourDreams, theevent focusedonuplifting youththrough discussionsaroundmentalhealth, education, artificial intelligence(AI)and personal development

Theprogramme aimedtoequip youngpeople with knowledge, encouragementand access to opportunitiesthatcould positively influence theirfutures

Founderofthe initiative andGrassy Park resident Simone Borez, said theproject was inspired by herdecisiontocelebrate apersonal milestonedifferently.

“I recently turned 45,and insteadofcelebratingmyself, Ichose to invest in thenextgeneration,” shesaid.

Borezexplained that community upliftment hadalwaysbeenclose to herheart andthatthe initiative wasbornfroma desire to create hope andopportunitiesfor youngpeopleinlocal communities

Shesaidhosting theevent at OasisReach for Your Dreams wasintentional becauseofthe work theorganisationcontinued to do within communities andits involvementasthe home of theSouth AfricanHomelessFootballTeam.

Borezalsosharedthather involvementwith theMotor Industry Staff Association(Misa)had strengthened herpassion foryouth empowerment.Through servingonthe organisation’s YoungWorkers Forumand Women’sForums, shehad gained greaterinsight into thestruggles facing many youngpeople.

Theprogramme coveredseveral issues affectingyouth,including mental health awareness,

Rotaryhelps PABECDrebuild

KEANANHARMSE

Repairsare currently underway at PhilisaAbafazi Bethuafter severe stormdamageleftthe facility’s earlychildhood development (ECD)centreand safehouseexposed and vulnerable earlierthismonth

On Monday 11 May, strong windscausedextensivedamagetothe Retreat-basednon-profit organisation (NPO), blowingawaythe ECD centre’s roof,damagingperimeter fencingand collapsingsurrounding walls(“Retreat ECD damaged”, People’s Post,19May).

TheNPO appealed to thepublicfor donationstoassist with urgent repairsfollowing the storm.

Foundedin2008 by LucindaEvans,Philisa AbafaziBethu —meaning “HealOur Women” in Xhosa— operates centresinRetreat and Lavender Hill.The NPOprovidesshelter and support to victimsofgender-basedviolence (GBV), domestic abuseand vulnerable children throughcounselling,legal support, community outreach programmesand safehouses.Italso operates an ECDcentre.

Following thestorm damage,the NPO received support from theRotaryClubof Newlands,which haspartnered with Philisafor more than adecade.

AccordingtoRotaryClubofNewlands member Terry Lancaster, theclubimmediately mobilisedresources afterassessing theextentof thedamage.

“Our Rotary Club is theRotaryClubofNewlandsand we have been assistingPhilisa Abafazi Bethufor about12years andhavedonea number of projects with them,” said Lancaster. EarlierinMarch,Philisa celebrated thelaunch of theYoung MindsAcademy (Pyma),which wasdeveloped througha collaboration between

USING FUNDSPUT ASIDE IN THEIRDISASTER MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT

Pyma,the Rotary Club of Newlands andCoca-ColaPeninsula Beverages(“Pymaopens new ECDinRetreat”, People’s Post,31March).

Lancasterexplained that both recently completed projects suffered considerable damage during thestorm

“The ECDhad roof damage and, usingthe builders whohad only recently completed thenew building,the damagestothe roof were fixedand improved on in case of further storms,” he said

He addedthatthe baby safehousesustained extensivedamage, with surroundingwalls collapsingand leavingthe property exposed.

“NewlandsRotaryassessedthe damagesand, usingfunds putaside in theirdisastermanagement account, employed builders to replace thedamaged walls andsafeguard thechildren again.”

Repair work is currently ongoingand expected to be completedwithinthe next week

LancastersaidRotarymembers areregularly visiting both sitestomonitor progress andensure repairsmeet therequiredstandards

TheRotaryClubhas also assisted theorganisation in reaching thehalfway mark of its R30000 fundraising target to repair damaged fencingand infrastructure

Despitethe setbackcausedbythe storm, Evanssaidthe organisation remainscommittedto continuing itsservicesfor womenand children in vulnerable situations

. Formoreinformation or to assist,contact Evans on 073424 4665.

Builders assisting with repairing the walls that were badlydamaged in the storm on Monday11May

Emergencycampaignraises R150ktowardCHSA

KEANANHARMSE

Christel HouseSouth Africa (CHSA) hasrecently raised more than R150 000 throughits EmergencyFlood andWinterReliefCampaign, surpassing itsoriginalfundraising target as support continuestoreach vulnerable families affectedbystormsand floodingacrossCape Town

Theschoollaunchedthe emergencycampaign earlierthiswinterinresponsetosevereweather conditions that left many learners andtheir families facing floodedhomes,damaged structuresand ongoinghardshiponMondayMay 11. (“Christel Houseemergency flood winter relief launched”, People’s Post,19May).

CHSA is anon-profit, no-fee school in Ottery; it wasestablished in 2001 to transformthe livesofvulnerablechildrenfromdisadvantaged communities

Hosted throughGivenGain,the initiative initially aimedtoraise R100 000 to provideurgent relief andwintersupport to families living in high-riskcommunities,particularlythose in informal settlements where floodingremains a recurring challengeduringthe colder months GivenGainisanorganisationthatenables non-profitorganisations (NPOs) to boosttheir fundraising income with toolsthatempower theirsupporterstofundraise on theirbehalf.

“Sofar,47familieshavebeenidentified to receivesupport,withour Social Services team workingtirelesslytodistributeblankets, food hampers, warm clothing,and structural assistance fordamaged homes. Thanks to the incredible generosity of ourdonor partners andsupporters, we raised over R150 000! The GivenGaindonationpageisnow closed,” said

FROMPAGE1

We leavehundredsofthousands of Palestinians hostages whoare beingbrutalisedinsomany more ways andworse than us.Eventhoughwe failed in ourmission to deliverthe humanitarian aidwewillback.”

People’s Post reachedout to Ahjum–Mathee foraninterview butthe mother indicatedthat shewas notina rightstate of mind Ahjumrecalledher daughter’s extensivejourneyintoactivismand theirfamilylife.

Ahjum–Mathee is also apostgraduatestudent from theUniversityofthe WesternCape (UWC).

Sherecalledhow thefamilyhad oftenattended theannual Al Quds (Islamic name for Jerusalem) marchesduringRamadaan since Ahjum–Mathee wasa baby “Mydaughtercomes from afamilythathas

school spokesperson MeganLosper. Sheaddedthatthe school will sharemoreupdatesnextweek on thesupport provided,with aspecial focusonthe structural repairsand assistance deliveredtoaffectedhomes “Thank youtoevery person andorganisation whodonated,shared, andsupported ourfamilies during this time.Thiscampaignreminded us just howpowerful community canbewhen people come together to help oneanother,” she said

herdaughterhad appliedtojointhe flotilla “It’squite arigorousprocess. They don’tjust accept people randomly becauseofthe nature of themission

“Whenshe eventually told me shehad been accepted Iwas shocked. It wasn’t made public forsecurityreasons.”

Theuniversityhas sincevoicedstrongsupport forAhjum–Matheeand theother detained delegates.

UWCspokespersonGasantAbarder confirmed theuniversitywas awareofthe flotilla interception.“As youcan imagine, it is rather difficult to make contactdirectlywiththe student at themoment.

“There areacademics on campus whoare closetoher andwho continue providingupdates.”

Theuniversityissued astatement reaffirming itscommitmenttohuman rights,dignity and global justicewhile calling forthe safe release of alldetainedparticipants.

TheDesmond Tutu Centre forReligionand Social Justicealsopubliclybackedthe UWC PalestinianSolidarityAssociationand calledfor theimmediaterelease of Ahjum–Mathee and theother delegates.

QuotingArchbishopDesmond Tutu,the centre stated:“If youare neutralinsituations of injusticeyou have chosen thesideofthe oppressor. ”

TheSouth AfricanJewsfor aFreePalestine (SAJFP)condemned thereporteddetention of the flotilla activistsand calledonthe South Africangovernmenttointervene

Prof Kelly Gillespie of UWC’sDepartment of Anthropology describedAhjum–Matheeas “one of themostcommitted, principled and joyful students”she hadworkedwith.

Animal activists take to theroad

KEANANHARMSE

Two determined animal activists tackledthe 42,2 km Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on Sunday 24 May dressedinanunusual costume, an SPCA rescue vehiclesuit, allinaneffortto keep real rescue vehicles on theroad.

Theactivists MuhammedAsgar Dalvie and MuhammadSanglay launched the“Putsome Petrol in OurTank” campaign to raiseR42 000 forthe Cape of Good Hope SPCA,the amount needed to fuelone SPCA Inspectorate vehicle fora fullyear.

Dalvie hailsfromLansdowne whileSanglay is from Rondebosch East

Thecampaignhighlighted thecriticalrole SPCA Inspectorate vehicles played in respondingtocases of animal cruelty, neglectand emergenciesacrosscommunities,accordingto SPCA spokesperson BelindaAbraham

Thepairare no strangerstotacklingmarathonstosupport neglectedanimals

“Dalvieand Sanglayare twoCapeTown friendswitha habitofrunning theSanlamCape Town Marathon in costumes forthe Cape of Good Hope SPCA,” said Abraham. “Since 2018 they have racedasa five-personsausage dog (Worsie),a rooster(CaptainCrow-a-lot),seals, squirrels,and – in 2026 – atwo-personfoam SPCA rescue vehiclenamed Bokkie.”

Last year,theytrained to run42,2kminthe Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in theirBokkie costume, a2 mfoamreplica of an SPCA vehicle, however, this venturewas cutshort dueto harshwindconditions.

“ThenCapeTown’swindarrivedwithother plans,”Abraham said.“The2025marathonwas cancelledbeforethe race even began, leaving thepairwithunfinished kilometres andfunds stilllefttoraise forthe SPCA Inspectorate fuel fund. Now, they arebackto finish themarathon they nevergot to start.”

This time thepairattempteda Guinness

“Weweresuccessful in reaching ourfundraisingtargetwhich wasour main objectivefrom thestart,” Sanglayexplained

Artscape marks bigmilestone

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Music,colourand celebration filled theArtscapeashundredsgathered to mark the55thanniversaryofthe artfacilityonTuesday 19 May.

Thecelebration also featured theunveiling of Becoming Artscape –A PlaceReborn, a memory wall honouringthe people whoshaped itslegacy.

Speaking at theevent,Marlene le Roux, chiefexecutive officerofthe Artscape,said: “A countrywithout theheartbeat of artisa country withouta soul.Thisbuildingisvibrating with thecolourful diversityofour country.”

Le Roux said sheisoverwhelmed by thesupport of everyone whocametocelebrate

“I am overwhelmedand emotionalbecause people came from fartocomeand be part of this.Wethought we wouldonlyhave500 people,but thousandscameout.Thiscelebration is about30years of ourdemocracy andour constitution andthe Artscape is builtonthose pillars.”

Reflecting on theartscentre’stransformation sinceapartheid,the Le Roux highlightedhow theonce-segregated spacenow embraces diversevoicesand community-drivenstorytelling Le Roux describedartsasa powerful vehicle fortelling thestories of people,while also makinga significant contribution to theeconomy, with artistscontributing4%tothe country’s GrossDomesticProduct (GDP).

“The narrative should change.Artists are professional people andthe countryishungry forliveperformances. Forthe next 55 yearswe want to seethatartists have theirplace notjust at Artscape butatevery institution.”

Sheexpressedher gratitudetoher staff and said each member played apivotal role Thecelebration marksa series of events that

ACOUNTRY WITHOUT THEHEARTBEAT OF ART IS ACOUNTRY WITHOUTA SOUL

will take placeatthe facility over thenextfew months.These will includea career expo on Saturday 6June.

Le Roux encouraged youngpeopletoattend “Wewanttodemystify theartsand sayitis possibletohavea career in thearts.”

Le Roux thankedgovernmentpartners, staff andthe public fortheir continuedsupport of Artscape andits programmes.

Francine Higham,Mayco member forcommunity services andhealth, congratulatedthe team on 55 “remarkableyears.”

“Whatstandsout aboutthismilestone is notonlylongevity,but transformation.From beginningsthatreflectedexclusion,Artscape hasbecomea placewhere people from allbackgroundscan gather,connect andtellstories and experience therichnessofsharedhumanity.”

Shenoted that athrivingcityneeds“thriving cultural spaces”.

“Spacesthatinspire youngpeople, bringcommunities together andhelpusimagine somethingbiggerthanourselves.”

RicardoMackenzie,Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs andSport,calledonthe private sector to support thearts.

“Weneed more organisationstoplaytheir part.Pleaseinvestinthe arts so that in thenext 55 yearsweprotect more than just theArtscape. Thereare many of ourcommunity artfacilities that need support, particularly in our film industry.But we cannotdoitonour own. ”

BigBandJazzFestivalat Baxteropenstomorrow

Forthe 26th consecutiveyear, theBaxter TheatreConcert Hall in Rondebosch will ring with thesound of jazz when theBig Band Jazz Festival openstomorrow(27 May) andruns untilSaturday30May

Performances beginat19:00 each evening. “It’sa celebration! TheCapeTownBig Band Jazz Festival is back andcelebrating its26thanniversary,”saidAnn Barr, festival organiser.

Twenty-six bigbands will take to thestage over thefournights, with ensemblesdrawn from junior schools, high schools, universities andcommunity bandsacrossCapeTown. Ticketsrange from R100 forlearners, students and senior citizens,toR180for adults.The festival wasfounded by thelateDennisBarr, andinthe yearssince hispassing it hasgrown into one of SouthAfrica’smostrespected platformsfor

youngmusical talent

This year’s programme includes an all-star alumni band ledbyProfMikeCampbell, featuringguest trumpeterGordonVernick from the United States of America. “Wealsowelcome the Bavarian YouthJazzEnsemblefromGermany whowillbejoining us,” Annsaid.

Thefestivalispresented in collaboration with theUniversityofCapeTown, theSouth African College of Musicand theBaxterTheatre

Ticketsare availablethrough Webtickets, at Pick nPay ticket outletsand at theBaxter BookingOffice

. Formoreinformation,visitwww.ctbigbandjazzfest.co.za or follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram and YouTubeatctbigbandjazzfest. Emailctbigbandjazzfest@gmail.comorphone Barr on 082451 3696

Musicians perform at the Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival, which celebrates its26thanniversaryatthe Baxter TheatreConcert HallinRondeboschfromtomorrow (27May)toSaturday30May.

WGRUVDanceCompany’snew production “Highlights”willtour Johannesburgbeforeconcluding its runin Cape Town at the Homecoming Centre from Wednesday 26 to Saturday 29 August.The programmepresents acurated selection of contemporaryand classical worksbyinternationally acclaimed choreographers alongside newcreations by the company’sown artisticteam. Throughexpressivemovement,precision,

Two Ethiopianathleteswerecrowned thewinners of theCapeTown Marathon on Sunday 24 Maywhen they wonthe men’sand women’stitles respectively in aracewhere threeofthe four course recordswereshattered.

MohamedEsa wonthe men’selite race in a time of 2:04:55and he shatteredthe course record of 2:08:16makingthe marathon the fastestonthe Africancontinent

Esa’scompatriotDeraDidaclaimed thewomen’s titlein2:23:18

In thewheelchairdivisionDavid Weir of GreatBritain dominatedthe men’sraceashe poweredtoa 1:30:20win,loweringthe course record from 1:32:09. Whilethatrecordwas still sinkingin, thewomen’s wheelchairrecordwas absolutely obliterated, with Switzerland’sManuela Schartakingthe record down from 1:52:58

to 1:43:25. This bodeswellfor theevent,which is nearing thecompletionofPhase 2ofthe candidacy processtobecomeanAbbott WorldMarathon Majors (AbbottWMM) event.

Therace, whichisalready considered Africa’s premiermarathon, will then bringAfricaits firstMajor

Theracealsofeaturedits biggest international contingent to date,withsome8 500international entries.

Thestacked men’selite fieldincludedEliud Kipchoge,the former two-time WorldRecord-holder, two-time OlympicMarathon Champion andwinnerof11Majors. He chose Cape Town as his firstofficial marathon race on Africansoil, andthe firststopfor hisEliud’s Running Worldtour, whichwillsee himtackle aseriesofseven marathonsacrossall thecontinentsoverthe next twoyears,toinspire people

THREE OF THE FOUR COURSE RECORDSWERE SHATTERED IN ABOUNCE BACK EVENT AFTER LAST YEAR’S

DISASTER

to lead healthierlives whileuniting theworld throughrunning

He finished 16th in 2:13:29, greeted by adoringfansfromstart to finish

“I have runall theMajorsinthe world, but Sunday 24 May2026isthe daythatI believe theCapeTownMarathonwillbecomeand Abbott WorldMarathonMajorsevent.I believe that allAfricansshouldbeproud of this race, andthatweare creating areallegacyfor Africa by making theCapeTownMarathona World

Major,”hesaid.

ClarkGardener, CEOofthe Marathon, describedthe race as very importantfor the organisers following last year’s cancelledevent “I thinkitwas really greattobouncebackwith an eventona perfectday,withgreat organisation,and an incredible eliteresult, with so many newrecords.Itwas nota perfectevent,and we’vealready learnt some valuable lessons,but overall, we’resuper proudthatwehavesomany happy participants andsupporters.

“Thatincludesall ourinternational participants,and theoverall feedback from them hasbeen impressive -theyloveCapeTown, they love SouthAfrica, they love amarathon in Africa -sowecan be supperchuffed as a team aboutthe delivery of this event. We look forwardtojustsoaking it allin, andseeing what that meansfor us in twotothree weeks’ time,” Gardnersaid.