People’s Post Grassy Park/Retreat E-edition 31 March 2026

Abright future awaits 14-yearoldKendraErinAbrahams, a high-achieving learnerfromLotus Riverwho hasbeen selected fora prestigiousAcademicAchievers Tour to the United Kingdom(UK)and Scotland later this year

Heracade cexcellencewas further recognisedather school’s recent awards ceremony, whereshe received five subjectawardsand a meritaward

ForAbrahams, whowas born in HanoverPark andnow livesinLotus River, theopportunity represents farmorethanjusttravel.

“WhenI foundout Iwas selected,I was everyday,” shesaid.

Thetourwillexposelearnerstosomeofthe world’smostrenownedinstitutions, including University of Oxford,UniversityofCambridge, University of Edinburghand Queen Mary UniversityofLondon.

Participants will attend lectures,explore historiccampusesand engage with global academic

“I’veonlyeverseen places like that on

want to experience it in real life andimagine myself studying thereone day,”Abrahamssaid.

BreakthroughinTBfight

Nearly40000 people were tested fortuberculosis(TB)inFebruary this year,the WesternCape Department of Health and Wellnesssays.

This is thehighest monthly figure ever recorded in theprovince, markinga majorbreakthroughin the fightagainst thedisease

Theincreasesignals an intensified push to find andtreat TB early. Between 2023 andlastyear, annual testingspikedfrom207 496 to 356331,anincreaseofnearly 150000 testsinjusttwo years, as efforts ramp up around WorldTB Daycommemoratedon24March

TB remainsone of SouthAfrica’s most seriouspublichealthchallenges

AccordingtoStatisticsSouth Africa,TBisthe fifthleading underlying naturalcause of deathin thecountry

Mireille Wenger,provincial health andwellnessminister, emphasised theimportanceofputting theneedsofthe most vulnerable firstinthe fightagainst TB

ShesaidTBispreventable and curable, andnoone should be left behind becauseofwhere they live or theircircumstances

CelebratingWorld TB Daywith a flagship eventinCaledon the

FIFTH NATURAL CAUSEOFDEATH

department in partnershipwith theNationalDepartmentofHealth andthe SouthAfrican National AIDS Council, marked theday by bringing together residentsand servicepartners, drawingover3 000 people

In thebuild up to this eventand underthe theme“Yes, youand I canbeatTB”,healthcareteams, partners andcommunities across theprovincehosteda rangeof outreach events,takingscreening, health educationand support directly into communities

TheseincludedTBscreeningsin Khayelitshaand Eerste River, and educationsessionsatschoolsand in Kraaifontein.

Between Aprillastyearand Februarythisyear, more than 48 000 people were diagnosedwithTBin theWestern Cape

Nearly half of thesecases were amongyoung adults aged 25 to 44, thoseinthe most economically active yearsoftheir lives.

Accordingtothe department, only 90%(approximately43200) of thosediagnosed with TB during this period startedtreatment, despitetreatment beingfreeand

effective Wenger said clinicsoffer combinedTBand HIVservicesbecause thesediseasesare “deeply interconnected” Throughinitiatives such as the Closethe Gapand EndTBcampaigns,the department continues to expand testing, strengthen linkagetocare, andsupport patients to remain on treatment.

Theseefforts aregroundedin partnership, bringing together government,civil society, the privatesectorand communities in asharedresponse.

Wenger encouraged residents to seek care earlyand remain on treatment.

Conformityismistakenfor righteousness

Thegrief is familiar

Iwrote astory on aGender-basedviolence(GBV) case before aboutThandokazi(not herrealname) whoreached out, hadher partnerarrested andleftanabusive partner only to meet someonewho mirroredthe same controlling behaviour.

Theactorschanged,but thestory felt identical.

Hello partner! Life hasa wayof repeatingitself. That is thelens throughwhich Ioften view the world, theideaof“same script, differentcast”

Icomefroma placewhere storiesare livedbeforetheyare told.Where laughter,heartbreak, survival,and loss sharethe same stage. Wherelifedoesnot move in straight linesbut in loops. The scenes change.The faceschange. Butthe patternsreturn.

This is what unsettles me Iworry abouthow harm becomes normalised,how silenceprotects injustice, andhow culturecan quietlyteach people to endure what they should be empoweredto challenge.

Iworry aboutthe cycles in our communities andthe ways human behaviourrepeats across homes, streets, institutions,and generations.

This is whyI pick up my pento observe, to reflect, andtounderstand.

WHENVIOLENCEBECOMESROUTINE

GBVisa script ourcountry knowstoo well.

Across SouthAfrica, storiesof womenattackedintheir homes, survivorsseekingjustice,and grieving families dominate headlineswithpainful regularity

Communities gather,outrage rises, promises aremadeand then thepattern returns. Theperpetratorsare different.

Thesecyclesare notrandom. They grow from patriarchy, inequality,economicstrain, anda culturethatstill struggles to confrontabuse directly Violence is learned. Silenceis learned. Powerimbalancesare learned.

In my community,conversations with friendsand family echo the same national story. Someone always knowssomeone.A neighbour.A cousin.A colleague

Recognisingthe pattern is uncomfortable, butnecessary.We cannotinterrupt what we refuseto name.Through my writing, Itry to hold up amirrornot to sensationalisepain, buttomakerepetition visible.

LOVEREPEATSWHATWEDONOTHEAL

Love carries itsown reruns People often find themselves drawntothe same kindsofpartners emotionally distant, controlling,unpredictable,orunavailable.Differentnames.Familiar wounds

Ourearliestlessons aboutlove come from what we seeathome, what we aretaughtinfamilies, and what culturequietly rewards. Who to love.Whentomarry.Whatto tolerate.Whattoforgive Theseexpectationssettledeep Butloveisnot only repetition;it is also possibility.Eachnew relationship offersa moment of recognition,a chance to say: “Not this again.”A chance to setboundaries. Achancetochoosedifferently. Reflection is what turnsexperience into growth

Still, onetruth matters:what worksfor onepersonmay notwork foranother.Survivalstrategiesare personal.Healing is personal.Our experiencescan guideand inspire, buttheyshouldnot become universal instructions

Lessons aremeant to lightthe path,not dictatethe journey.

FAITHBETWEENHEALINGANDHARM Churches andfaith communities hold complicatedroles in ourlives

They offer prayer,counselling, food support,belonging,and spaces wherepeoplesearchfor meaning. They help people survive grief, addiction, andhardship. Formanyfamilies, faithisa lifeline

Butfaith spaces canalsoecho society’srigid scripts. Gender rolesare reinforced Harmful relationshipsare sometimespreserved underthe language of forgiveness. People are urgedtoenduresufferingquietly Conformity is mistaken forrighteousness.

Thesemessagesare rarely loud, buttheyare powerful

Yetfaith spaces arealsocapable of transformation.Support groups, trauma counselling,community activism,and open conversations aboutabuse arereshaping what care lookslike. Whereawareness grows, choicesexpand.

This is wheremyreflection becomesurgent. Pain canteach.Survivalcan inspire. Testimonycan strengthen others

Butnoone person’s livedexperience should become doctrine

We arenot thestandard. People canlearn.Peoplecan be moved. People canaspireto change

Butlives aretoo complexfor onesize-fits-all answers.

WHENSOCIETYRECYCLESSTRUGGLE

Thesamescripts appear beyond ourpersonallives

Povertypassesfromone generation to thenext. Under-resourcedschoolslimit opportunity. Youngpeopleinheritbarrierstheydid notcreate. Workplaces reproducecultures of harassmentand marginalisation.Political speechesrecycle old promises in newlanguage. Theactorschange, newleaders, newmanagers, newpolicies. Butthe storylinefeelsfamiliar. What lookslikeindividualfailure is oftenstructuralrepetition. Systemsshape behaviour. Environments shapechoices.History

lingersinthe present. Writingabout thesecyclesis my wayoftracing thethreads.If we seethe pattern clearly, we can begintochallengeitdeliberately.

AWARENESSCHANGESTHEENDING Thandokazi’s storydid notend whereitbegan At first, shefelttrappedina familiar loop.But with support and guidance,she learnedtorecognise earlywarning signs. Shenamed controlling behaviour. Sheset boundaries.She chosedifferently. Theactorschanged.Her awareness changedthe script Notevery storyoffersneatclosure.However recognitioncreates possibility.Reflection creates distance.Choicecreates change Life’s reruns arenot always signs of failure. Sometimestheyare lessons waitingtobeunderstood

WHYIKEEPWRITING Iwrite becauseitpains me to watchthe same storiesunfold. Iwrite becauseitunsettles me howoften we recognisepatterns only aftertheyhurtusagain Iwrite becauseI am concerned abouthow culturequietly,persistentlyscripts livesbeforepeople realisetheyhaveoptions “Samescript, differentcast” is more than an observation. It is a meditation on humanbehaviour, culture, power, andchoice. My pen is my witness. My reflection.My quietformofresistance. People canlearn from thesestories.Theycan find comfort, warning, or courageinthem. They can feel seen.Theycan feel inspired Butthisisnot arulebook Life mayhandusfamiliarplots, butthe endingsare not fixed. Each newface, each newmoment, is an invitation to responddifferentlyto interrupt harm,toquestionnorms, to breakcycles. Awarenessgives us language Couragegives us movement Reflection givesusdirection Even when theactorschange, we stillholdthe powertorewrite the narrative

Pyma opens newECD in Retreat

KEANANHARMSE

Alocalcommunity activist hopesthe launch of hernew EarlyChildhood Development(ECD) centre which officially opened in Retreatlastweek will foster positive change in hercommunity andupliftthe youth.

This centre,dubbedthe PhilisaYoung Minds Academy(Pyma), basedatthe PhilisaAbafazi BethuFamilyCentreinStrauss Road,was unveiled on Wednesday25March

Theinitiativewas developedthrough acollaboration between Pyma,the Rotary Club of Newlands andCoca-Cola PeninsulaBeverages, alongwithother community partners PhilisaAbafazi Bethu(Xhosafor “HealOur Women”)isa non-profitorganisation(NPO) foundedin2008 by LucindaEvans

BasedinLavenderHill, it supportsvictims of gender-based violence (GBV), domestic abuse, andchildrenthrough safe houses,legal or counselling support,and community empowerment. Theacademy aims to providea safe,structuredand nurturinglearningenvironment for children,particularlythose from vulnerable backgrounds.

In addition to earlylearning, thecentrewill offer specialisedsupport forchildrenwho have experiencedtrauma, helpingtoaddressthe long-termeffects of violence andinstability oftenfaced in surroundingcommunities

ThenamePhilisa means“ to bringtofruition”, reflecting thecentre’smission ofnurturing youngpotential fora positive future reality. The facility caters for70childrenbetween theages of threeand five

Each childreceivesearly childhood education andtwo mealsa day, ensuring both learning support andbasic nutritionina safe environment.The centre hasanestimated annual operationalcostofR800000.

At thelaunchEvans said shewas thrilledto

Grade3learnersexplore

KEANANHARMSE

Grade 3learnersfromPerivalePrimary School enjoyedaneducational andinteractive outing to theSave OurSeasShark EducationCentrelast week

Theexcursion took placeovertwo days,on Monday 23 andTuesday 24 March, giving learners theopportunitytoexplore marine life anddeepen theirunderstanding of ocean conservation

During theirvisit to theKalkBay-based centre,learnerswereintroducedtoa varietyof topics,including oceanpollution,differentsea creaturesand theimportant role sharks play in maintaininga healthymarineecosystem.The experience formed part of theschool’s ongoing efforts to providemeaningful,hands-onlearningbeyondthe classroom

Oneofthe highlights of thetripwas theinteractive touchpool,where learners were able to gently handle andobserve selected marine species up close. This hands-on experience sparked excitement andcuriosity amongthe learners, many of whom were engaging with such sealife forthe firsttime.

Grade3 learnerJoelChikhoswe said:“Iliked when we touchedthe starfish andwhenwe played Bingo. We also learnt much more about Sharks andwhy we need them on ourplanet.”

Teachers accompanying thegroup said the outing wasbotheducational andenjoyable, with learners showinggreat enthusiasm

FROMPAGE1

Despitethe excitement,the opportunitycomes with asignificant financialchallenge. Thetotal cost of thetourisR82 000, covering travel, accommodation andprogramme fees.Through savingsand fundraising efforts,the family hasraisedR31 000, leavinganoutstanding R51000.

“Asparents,you neverwantyourchild to miss outonanopportunitylikethisbecause of money,” they said.“We’vehad to make sacrifices andstretch ourselves, butseeing howhardshe hasworkedkeepsusgoing.”

They describe Abrahams as disciplined, focusedand determined —qualities shaped by herupbringingincommunities oftenfaced with social challenges

“Growing up in HanoverParkand LotusRiver taught me to stay focusedand work hard fora differentfuture. It made me stronger,” Abrahams said

Beyond academics, Abrahams is actively involved in leadership andcommunity activities, servingonher school’s Representative CouncilofLearnersand participatinginchurch outreach programmes. Shealsoenjoysnetball, swimming andcreativepursuits.

“Thisisnot just abouthelping onechild,” they said.“It’s aboutinvesting in potentialand showingyoung people that it is possibletorise abovecircumstances.”

Abrahams agrees.“Thankyou forsupporting me andmydream,” shesaid. “I promiseto make themostofthisopportunity.”

Donationscan be made viaher BackaBuddy campaign

.To support Abrahams'scampaign,visit: www. backabuddy.co.za/campaign/academic-achievers-scotland-and-england-tour-2026

Ward 67 seniors to Robben Island

KEANANHARMSE

Twentyseniors from as farasPelican Park,Phumlaniand LotusRiver were recently treatedtoanall-expenses-paidtriptoRobbenIslandand allreceivedgoodie bags filledwithtreats andtoiletries.

Forsomeofthe senior citizens,thiswas their firsttimeembarking on theseastowards the historic island

Themembers also received asun hatand a snackpackuponarrivalatRobbenIsland.

TheoutingonWednesday 25 Marchwas spearheadedbyWard67councillorGeraldine Gordon in partnershipwiththe City’s Parksand Recreation department

Gordon said that many of theseniors in the community have notlefttheir residentialareas in alongtime.

“Our seniorshavebeen around during the timesofMandela,sowewantedtogivetheman experience that they’veonlyreadabout.Now that they canexperienceall thehistory that they’vebeen told aboutand Iwantedtogive them that opportunity,”she said Thetriptook ayear’sworth of planning,Gordonadded.

“I’m elated to take them on this momentous trip.It’sgreat to seethe excitement on their facesbecause 95%ofthemhavenot been to RobbenIsland, so it’s aprivilege

Up to 10 volunteersalsoassisted with the planning of thegoodie bags andmeals that were handed to theseniors on theday

To kickstartthe initiative,Gordonsentout an invitation throughWard67’sWhatsAppgroup, whichsoughtthe oldest senior citizens in the ward to join theouting.

Thefactthatthe seniorswould visitRobben Island wasa surprise whichwas only revealed later.

People’s Post spokewithtwo senior citizens,

SoiréeforthirdDrBeryl Botmanbiography

Author andformereducation specialist Dr Beryl Botman will launch herthird autobiographical book andpodcast series at theArtscapeTheatre on Monday 13 April.

Shewillunveil When TwoBecomeOne,published last year,alongside herpodcast series On HerWay with BerylBotman during aCelebration Soirée.

Award-winning musicduo Lynelle Kenned andStefanLombard will perform, joined by renowned jazz musician RamonAlexander Popularradio andTVpresenter andactress LyntjieJaarswillhostthe event.

MarleneleRoux, ChiefExecutive Officerof Artscape,willdeliver thewelcome Botman is thewidow of thelateProfRussel Botman,the firstblack rector of Stellenbosch University.She previously publishedtwo autobiographical booksreflecting on loss and griefafter herhusband’s death: With-(out) You/Sedert diedood onsskei and Still, Love Remains/Steedsbly dieliefde

Together,the twonon-fictionbooksreflect five yearsofgrieving. In herlatestbook,Botman enters into an imagined conversation with her late great-grandmother.

Shereflects on thejoysand sorrows of her25year marriage, highlighting momentsfromtheir engagement andwedding to their firstroadtrip and finaloverseasjourney

Shealsowritesabout celebrations,threats, births anddeaths. Thenarrative focusesonthe eighteen-month periodsatthe beginning and endofthe relationship

Herpodcast series OnHer WaywithBeryl Botman builds on themes of loss andgrief explored in herearlier books. In thefollow-up series, BerylinConversationWith…,she speaks to significant people in herlifewho offer meaningand support

Thediscussions exploreguests’ passions, interestsand social impact.Episodesare available on Facebook,Instagram,YouTube andSpotify Guests includeRoxanne Botman,Catherine SaintJudePretorius,Belinda Jackson, Marlow Valentine, Ilse Botman,Kennedand Le Roux Topics include“Re-inventing acareer”, “We arenot ourjobs”,“Apastorwho cares”,“In-law love”and “SoulSisters”.

Kennedand Lombardhaveworkedtogether forovera decade.Their collaborationbegan during theUnitedKingdom (UK) tour of Cape Town Opera’s Showboat

They have appeared in productionsincluding OrpheusinAfrica by DavidKramer, Valentines underthe Stars andcommunity gala concerts by theCapePhilharmonicOrchestra

Theirperformanceshavetaken them to venues includingthe NamibDesert, Hillcrest Quarry,CasaLabia in Muizenberg andthe Klein KarooKlassiqueinOudtshoorn.

They also performedinthe undergroundcaves of theGüray CeramicMuseuminCappadocia,

Author and formereducation specialist Dr Beryl Botman willlaunch herthirdautobiographical book and podcast series at the Artscape Theatreon Monday 13 April at 18:30 PHOTO:SUPPLIED

Turkey

Last year,the duoreceiveda kykNET Fiësta Awardfor Ontban (Unbanned) as Best Music-Driven Production across SouthAfrican arts festivals.

Alexanderisa regularperformer at theannual Cape Town InternationalJazzFestival. He hasworkedwithleading localand international jazz musicians, includingHubertLaws, KhayaMahlangu, RobbieJansen, ErrolDyers, McCoyMrubata andTerumasaHino. He has released twoalbums, Picnic at Kontiki and Echoes from Louwskloof Alexanderheads thejazzdivisionatStellenbosch University andworks as acurator, producer andmusical director at arts festivals across SouthAfrica. “Telling my storyinmy ownvoice, firstinwriting andthenthrough podcasting,brought perspectives from older andyounger audiencesalike.Thiscalls fora celebration. Asoiréeisthe rightway to honour my podcastguestsand launch my latest book to readers,”saidBotman.

. FordetailscallBotman on 082829 2442 or email beryl.botman60@gmail.com.

Jazz fest offered avariety forall

azz

Jfilledthe airasthousands of jazz enthusiastsmoved from onestage to thenext, spoilt forchoicebyanimpressive line-upofbothlocal andinternational artistsovertwo nights during this year’s Cape Town InternationalJazz Festival (CTIJF).

TheFestival, held on Friday 27 andSaturday 28 March, offered somethingfor both younger audiencesand soulful oldsouls alike.

Thebuild up to thefestivalsaw variousmaster classesbyartists includingthe popularfree jazz concertheldonGreen Market Square on Wednesday25March

On Friday,the Rosies Stageauditorium filledupquickly as spectators seized therare opportunitytosee 91-year-oldlegendary pianist AbdullahIbrahim perform.

Wheeled onto thestage in awheelchair, Ibrahimtookthe audience on amovingjourney, evokingnostalgia anddeep emotionas he played some of hisbeloved andtimeless compositions

At theMoses Molelekwastage audience were captivated by thesoulful sounds of Rorisang Sechele, aSouth Africanvocalistand songwriter from Pretoria

Laterthatevening JacobCollier,anEnglish singer,songwriter, multi-instrumentalistlit up thestage with hisinnovative approach to music, blending jazz, pop, classical, andmore.

Sipho“Hotsix”Mabusetook theaudience

INTERNATIONALJAZZ FESTIVALENTERTAINED YOUNGANDOLD

straight back in time with histimelesshits, getting thecrowd on theirfeet as they sang and danced along.

OtherperformersincludedmodernjazzpowerhouseYussefDayes whoappeared with The YussefDayes Experience,Maliansinger-songwriter FatoumataDiawara andthe CTIJFJazz Orchestra.

Localartists whomadetheir debuts at thefestivalincludedKeziahMeyers, whosestage name is Lordkezand GugulethustarSiveMarasha, popularlyknows as Luukhanyo.

Speaking to People’s Post,Luukhanyosaid: “Thiswas exciting notonlyfor me butfor everyonethathas been involved in my journey. This is abig opportunity. Threeyears ago, this was oneofour goals… Having theluxurytobeon thestage is nothingshort of ablessing.”

Percussionist, singer,and performerSheilaE returned to thefestivalstage afterfew years. GeorgiaJones,directorofthe festival,describedthe eventasa festival forthe people “Thisyearwewantedtocreatea newexperience sonically.Welooked at nostalgiabringing in theold andthe new. Andcreatinga platform forartists that areyet to jump to otherinternational festivals.”