People’s Post Grassy Park/Retreat E-edition 4 August 2026

PSFA beneficiariesscore vital sporting vouchers

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

The countdowntoone of Cape Town’s biggest charitywalks is underway, with just 11 days to go before thousandsofparticipantslaceupfor the annual Blisters forBread CharityFamily FunWalkinGreen Point.

Thefundraiser, organisedbythe Peninsula School FeedingAssociation(PSFA)inassociationwithLucky Star,takes placeonSunday 16 August at theGreen PointCommonSports Grounds.

Entriestothe walk closed on Sunday 2August

On Tuesdaylastweek,28July, People’s Post visitedtwo long-standingbeneficiaryschools to witnesshow thePSFA’sfeedingprogramme continuestomakea difference in thelives of theirlearners.

Thetwo beneficiaries, Spurwing Primary School andForestHeights PrimarySchool,both in EersterRiver,alsoreceiveda R1 000 Sportsman’sWarehouse gift vouchereach, to buysport equipment.

Spurwing hasbenefitedfromthe programme for33years.Principal Hadley Wentzelsaidthe programmeplays apivotal role.“We cansay with pridethatweappreciate what thePSFA does forthe school.Itisnot just aboutgiving them food,itisabout restoringtheir dignity. So much thoughtgoesintothe menusthatare chosenfor thechildren. Thefeedingschemealso hasa bigimpactonthe children’s academics.”

Grade2 teacherBronwyn Kaysaidmany learners rely on themeals they receiveatschool “The feedingschemehas ahugeimpactonour children.Wedon’t always know theircircumstancessothe food they receiveisimportant.It allows theirbrainstoopenup. When thekids return from thefeedingscheme, they arealways hypedupand happybecause they just hadfood, youcan seethe change in theirpersonality.”

Kitchenstaff member Angeline de Vos, who hasworkedatthe school for15years,saidpreparing mealsfor thelearnersisrewarding

“I love howthe kids’facelight up when they receivetheir food.And when they aredone, they wouldcomplementusfor thenicefood.It makesmyheart happyknowing youare feeding achild whoperhaps hadnothing to eatthe nightbefore.”

THE PSFA’S FEEDING PROGRAMME CONTINUES TO MAKE ADIFFERENCE IN THE LIVESOFLEARNERS

Forest Heightshas also been aPSFAbeneficiaryfor 33 years.

Francine Julius,who hasworkedinthe school’s kitchenfor 16 years, said servingthe learners is more than just ajob

“The children areimportant to me.I feel happy that Ican preparefood forthem. Many of them come from homeswhere there’snothing to eat."

PrincipalChris du Plessissaidthe feeding scheme provides avital safety netfor many families

“Our learners come from diversebackgrounds wheresomeparents arestruggling. Theschool is theonlyplace wheresomeofthemcan receivea warm andnutritiousmeal.”

Participants canalsocollect theirracenumbers at selected Sportsman'sWarehouse stores across thecity.

‘Thingsfallapart’:LearningfromclassicsasSA’scentreslips

My father hasa habitof handingmebookswithan instructionratherthana recommendation. “Readthis,”he says.“Then tell me what you think.”

Theassignmentcameintwo parts: William Butler Yeats’s TheSecondComing andChinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Nearly acentury separatesthe twoworks Yettheyask thesamequestion: what happenswhenthe ties bindinga community together beginto break?

Yeatsgaveone of themost famous linesinEnglish literature: “Things fall apart; thecentrecannothold.”Hewrote it in 1919,after WorldWar I. Societiesdonot fall only from outsideblows.Theyfall becausethe moralcentreholding them together growsweak. Achebe took that line nearly 40 years laterasthe titleofhis 1958 novel. Hismaincharacter,Okonkwo,is crushedbycolonialism.Yet Things Fall Apart also showsa society alreadycrackingbeforeEuropean rule arrives. Colonialismspeeds up thecollapse. It does notcause everycrack Societiesbecomeweakwhenthey lose theability to adaptand keep

people’s trust. That question feels closetohomenow SouthAfricaisnot afailedstate Yetthe gapbetween what theConstitutionpromisesand what people live throughishardtoignore. Servicedeliveryfailures, broken localgovernmentand fading trust have made people’s faithweaker than theinstitutionsthemselves. Governmentschange. Trustis harder to rebuild.

On Friday 24 July,the Western Cape High CourtgavePresident CyrilRamaphosa acourt order haltingParliament’simpeachment processoverthe PhalaPhala scandal.

On Monday 27 July,Ramaphosa accepted thesuddendeparture of Advocate Andrea Johnsonashead of theInvestigating Directorate againstcorruption(IDAC), theunit setuptochase complexcorruption cases. Johnsonsaidshe facedwhat shecalledunprecedented attacks on heroffice.The Presidentholds up theprocess meanttoholdhim accountable. Theanti-corruption chiefwalks outthe door Meanwhile, 63%ofSouth Africa’s municipalities arein financialtrouble, accordingtoNationalTreasury figures. Police face what experts call asystemincollapse. TheGovernmentofNationalUnity,formed afterthe AfricanNationalCongress (ANC) lost itsmajorityin2024, strainsunder budget fights and public quarrels between theANC

andthe Democratic Alliance (DA) RamaphosawarnedonMonday that government is readytotake over waterservicesfromfailing municipalities.Thata president must threaten action to deliver cleanwater says enough Yeatssaw this coming when he wrote: “The best lack allconviction, whilethe worstare fullofpassionateintensity.” Loud certaintyoften pays betterthancareful truth.

Former presidentJacob Zuma, nowleading theuMkhontoweSizweParty,spent thelastweek of July tightening hisgriponthe party. He scrappedhis presidential task team,took away hissecretary-general’s powers andremoved everyparty official’s access to the party’sbankaccounts Zuma stillowesthe stateabout R29million in legalfees andis fighting to keep histax records hidden.His partymembers in the KwaZulu-Natallegislature face claims of faking medicalreports to getstate-paiddrivers He holdsloyalty throughforce of personalityand anger. He gives certaintywhere care is needed and rage wherethought is needed

Achebe understood something today’sleaders forget.Institutions draw theirstrengthnot from laws alonebut from shared habits of trust. Communities last because people believethe rulesare worth following,evenwhenfollowing them is hard.Whenthatbelief

fades, thefallisnot sudden. It showsinlowered hopes, accepted failureand cynicism.Peoplestop seekingaccountability because they no longer believeitpossible. This maybewhatYeats meant by “the ceremony of innocence” Notinnocenceasfoolishness, but thehabitsand values that show asociety stillcares aboutjustice, accountability anddutytoothers. Once thosehabitslosemeaning, building them againisfar harder than keepingthem.

In the firstquarter of this year, 3,9million SouthAfricansbetween 15 and24had no education, work or training.Socialcohesion researchersscoredthe country56 outof100.

When I firstspoke to my father aboutYeats andAchebe, their images felt farawayand their warnings seemed hollow. Time has made them feel less like oldtexts andmorelikemirrors of today. Both writersremindusthat strong leadersorwrittenlaws alonedonot hold societiestogether.Theylastbecause enough people keep believinginstitutions matter, truthmatters andself-restraintisworth defending. ThequestionYeats leaves is not whetherthingscan fall apart. They always can. Themorepressing question is whetherpeoplestill seethe centre whileitslips and whethertheyhavethe will to hold it before historyrepeats itself

A Localstars

HWCnow requires assesment

Daughterremembers mom’swarmth

TLIEZL COPHAM BELIEVES HER MOTHERWOULD HAVE FORGIVEN THE MENWHO SETOUT TO KILL OTHERS.

theRussianslooklike.”The family communicatedwiththe menthrough sign language, broken Englishand Ackermann’sschoolgirl German “Theyshowedusphotographs of theirfamilies andtheir work in Antarctica.Theygaveus Russian chocolateand Soviet Union(as the

on latervoyages andbecamefamilyfriends By 1993 Ackermannwas learning Russian; Copham recently founda notebook with Bible phrasestranslatedintoRussian THEFRONTPEW Ackermannsat in thefront pewneara door at

“Forgiveness does notmakewhathappened right, nordoesitmeanthatjustice doesn’t matter,”she said.“That is why, 33 yearslater, Iremembermymom,Marita, as someone wholived life,alwayspointingotherstowards knowingthe love,mercy andsoul-saving grace of JesusChrist.”

APSheritagestatus under review

KEANANHARMSE

HeritageWestern Cape (HWC)has confirmed thedeclaration of the historic buildingsofthe now-defunctAthlone PowerStation (APS)as aProvincialHeritageSite, following a nomination by Docomomo,aninternational organisation dedicated to the conservation of significant modern architecture.

Aftera thorough public-participation process, includingextensive engagement with theCity of Cape Town,the HWCCouncil resolved to declarethe historic buildingsand theirimmediate surroundingsa protectedsite.

This does notencompass theentirepower stationsite, however; itsextentisdetermined in consultation with theCitytobalance heritage conservation andfuturedevelopment potential. Commissioned in 1962 anddecommissioned in 2003,the APSisrecognisedfor itsstriking red-facebrickmodernist design,its now-demolished chimneys andcoolingtowersand its architecturaland technicalsignificance.

Designed by architectWilliam John Henry Gregory, it is notableasanearly exampleof sustainableindustrialdesignin SouthAfrica, particularly forits pioneeringuse of recycled wastewater forcooling.

Thefamouscoolingtowersweredemolished viacontrolledimplosion on 22 August 2010

Following thedeclaration,the City lodged an appeal with theHeritageAppealsTribunal (Hat), an independentbodyappointed by the office of theWestern Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs andSport Hatdismissedthe City’s appeal andadditionally placed theentiresiteunder provisional protection fortwo yearsunder Section29ofthe National Heritage ResourcesAct

THECITY OF CAPE TOWN IS NOWSEEKING AJUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE HWC DECLARATION.

This provisionalprotectionallowedtimefor furthernegotiation between theCityand HWC regardingsiteboundariesand amanagement plan that wouldoutline routinemaintenance activities notrequiring heritage permits. This approach followsa precedentset in the declarationofGreen PointCommon, also a City-owned property

SANParksplants 1000 localshrubs to bolster Boulders

SouthAfrican National Parks(SANParks) in partnershipwiththe SANParks Honorary Rangers– TableMountainRegion, hasrecently planted1 000 Tetragonia decumbensshrubsat theBouldersPenguin Colony in Simon’sTown as part of an ongoinghabitat rehabilitation initiative

Theseedswerecollected from Boulders and germinated at theCapeofGoodHopeNursery before beingreplanted at thecolony.

Commonlyknown as dune spinachorsea spinach, Tetragoniadecumbens is an indigenous coastalshrub foundalong SouthAfrica’s coastline. Beyond itsedibleleaves, thespecies playsa vitalecologicalroleinmaintaining healthycoastal ecosystems

Theplantingproject is aimedatrestoring and stabilisingthe colony’s naturalhabitat

Theshrub helpsbindand strengthen sand dunes, reducing erosionand creating favourable conditions forthe growth of otherindigenousplant species. Theseefforts contribute to ahealthier,moreresilient environmentthat supportsAfrican penguins andother coastal wildlife.The initiative underscoresSANParks’ continuedcommitmenttobiodiversityconservation,habitat restoration, andthe long-term protection of oneofSouth Africa’s most significantAfrican penguinbreedingsites.Boulders Beach, situated within TableMountainNational Park,isinternationally recognised as acritical conservation area forthe critically endangered Africanpenguin

Theshrubs helps bind and strengthen sand dunes, reducing erosion and creating favourable conditions for thegrowth of other indigenous plant species

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TheCityisnow seekinga judicial review of the HWCdeclaration as it interprets theCouncil decision to includethe entire erf. HWCstatedthatthe declarationcovered only theportion of thesiteonwhich thehistoric buildingsare situated It hasextendedofferstoresolve thematter outsidecourt,but thesehavenot yetbeen accepted XantheaLimberg,Mayco member forenergy, said thefeasibility studyfor repowering and repurposingthe APSsitewas being finalised andwilldetermine variousoptions formixed-

China Town �ery Founder'sLegac Mandela DayWin

500 families received essential wintersupplies as the community paidtributetothe lateMr Shu-ingLiou, oneofChina Town's founders, on what wouldhavebeen his 88th birthday

Cape Town,South Africa

On Sunday,19July,China Town Otteryheld itsannual winter donation,continuing a longstandingMandela Daytradition.Asin previous years,500 needyfamilies from Ottery and surrounding communitieswereidentified by alocal community leader to receive support

Each family receiveda bucket filledwithsoup mix, afleece blanket,instant noodles, soap, and porridge, proudlysponsored by China Town. The TsuChi Foundationalso contributed a10kg bagofricefor every family. China Town extendsits thanks to Captain KeithBlake forhis role in organising theevent and securingsponsorsfor awarmmealfor al attendees. Thanksalsogotothe many China Town tenants who donatedmoneyand sponsored cups, YasmineAbrahams from the Jabulani Foundation formakingwarmsoup, Sue Festeralong withher husbandCraigand themany volunteers from theWetton Soup Kitchen formaking andserving food and Wayne Mealing from MealingRecyclingfor donating money towards additionalviennas and sweets. Ottery Sasolalsotookpart, donating chipsand sweetstothe community's children, whoperformeda moving rendition of theSouth African National Anthem. Allthese contributions helped to make theday possible and memorable We also thank theGrassyParkSAPS, community watch,and ZoneSecurity for ensuringthe safety of theeventand the communityatlarge.Our appreciation also goes tothe Ottery Boyz MCC Biker Club for their meaningfulsalute in honour of Mr Liou

This year's eventcarriedspecial significance, as it honoured thelateMrShu-ing Liou, oneof thefounders of ChinaTown. Mr Liou initiated thecommunity donations many yearsago driven by agenerosityand commitmentto giving back that knew no bounds.Hepassed away on 15 May, andthisyear's donation coincidedwithwhatwould have been his88th birthdayon17July.Inhis memory ChinaTown unveiled aplaqueonthe wall witha beautiful picture of Mr Liou His impactonChina Town andthe Ottery communityremainslasting andprofound.In hishonour,the Parkwood Love Connection Seniorssanga heartfelt rendition of "You Raise Me Up." China Town remains committed to continuing this legacy of giving back to thecommunity

About China Town

usedevelopment

Shenoted that aprotractedcourt action and otherlegal processeshavehamstrung faster implementation of thesite’snextiteration HWCemphasisedthatthe heritage protection does notprohibitdevelopment of thesite. Instead, it ensuresthatany developmentappropriatelyconsiders andrespectsthe heritage valueofthe historic buildings. Adaptive reuseofthe buildingsina sustainable wayremains entirely possible, andthe declarationneed notimpedethe City’s broader plansfor green energy initiativesonthe site

CChinaTownoperatesretail centresacross Cape Town,including Ottery, Parow,and SableSquare, each home to acommunity of local traders and smallbusinesses.Beyondretail, ChinaTownhas along-standing traditionof community involvement,including itsannualMandela Daywinter donation supportingfamilies in need,asummerdonation, afamily FunDay in Parow andregularAsianFoodMarketsatSableSquare www.chinatownsa.co.za

Learnersearntheirbadges afternumerouschallenges

KEANANHARMSE

Perivale PrimarySchool learners earned their badges in theWinterAnimalChallengefor MathsCurriculumOnline(MCO) on Tuesday 28 July,completinga series of mathschallenges that tested theirskills andperseverance.

LEARNERSSHARETHEIREXPERIENCES

Grade3 learnerHopeAnnies (10) said the challengewas toughbut rewarding. "Itwas challengingbut Itried my best to do it over and over again,"she said Hope,who enjoyednetball anddrama,said thekey to doingwellwas to work hard and complete allthe BrainQuest tasksrequired. Fellowlearner Joel Chikokwe,whose favouriteactivitiesare soccer, arts andcrafts, said he learnt that if he kept trying he couldachieve his goals.

"I have hadtoattemptall theBrain Quest again,"hesaid.

Grade4 learnerAmaarah Benjamin (10), wholikes swimming andarts, said shefeltvery proudafter completing Term 1withtwo badges andthen finishingthe animal challenge.

"I hadtokeeptryingand do my MCO,"she said MwayiMetipa(10), in Grade4,saidhelikes helpingthe environmentand doingartsand crafts

He said he learnt to keep trying andthathe mayreach hisgoalor find anotherway "IfI gotsomewrong Iwilljustdoitagain and again."

Grade5 learnerNaeemaJordan(11),who lovesgoing places andmakingcontact with friends, said thelessonwas to keep trying and nevergiveuponyourselfand your goals.

"IfI gotsomequestions wrongI redo it.Ask forhelptoredothe question."

BUILDINGMATHSSKILLS

School teacherand spokesperson Nicolene Langer said MCOisa mathsprogramme done from Grade3 to Grade7 on acomputerorcellphone, helpinglearnersstrengthentheir maths skills andassistingthemwiththeir systemics.

"The learners learnt some mathsskills on the gradeand challenges that they need to do," she said

Heathfield High is topperformer

Help our fluffyfriends find homes

Toshine thespotlight on thousands of pets that areabandoned or in need of newhomes, People’s Post has teamed up with TEARSAnimalRescue to help some of thesefour-legged pets getnew homes. Once amonth we will publishseveral dogs andcatsupfor adoption

TEARSisa pro-life non-profitorganisation (NPO)established in 1999 to rescue,treat, rehabilitate,reunite andre-home lost,abandoned, abused andneglected companionanimals andtoeducate petownersand theyouth living in thefourunder-resourced communities.The NPOremains theonlyfacilityinthe Cape Peninsula’sfar Southavailable sevendays perweek,including an after-hoursmobile clinic servicefrom16:30 to 19:00withlimited veterinarycare. TEARStreatshundredsofanimals forvarious conditions,illnessesand injuries

TEDDY:

Teddy is asweet,affectionateboy whois strugglinginthe kennelsafter beingreturnedto TEARSthrough no faultofhis own. Poisoned by burglars in hisprevioushome, he nowlongs forlove, security andhuman companionship. Acalmforever or long-termfosterhomewill help this gentle soul trulyshine.Could yoube Teddy's second chance?

TODD:

Todd, an Africanis-Lurchermix,has spentalmost seven yearsinthe TEARSkennels,making himtheir longest-stayingdog.Surrendered as apuppy,he’sgrown into agentle, intelligent boywho thriveswithother dogs andneeds apatient, experiencedhome. Once he trusts you, his loyaltyisunwavering. Couldyou give Todd the foreverhomehe’sbeenwaiting for?

SUMMER: Summerisanaffectionate, energetic young

mixed-breed lookingfor an active family to call herown.Raisedina home from puppyhood, she’sgreat with children,loves otherdogs, and thrivesoncompanionship.Still learning,she’ll flourish with continuedtraining, structure, and plenty of adventures.Ifyou’relookingfor a fun-lovingbestfriend, Summerisready to meet you!

NIKITA: Nikita is aloyal,intelligent eight-year-old

lookingfor thesecondchanceshe deserves Returned afterher family moved, shecame back to TEARSunderweight butstill fulloflove. Sheneedsa patienthomewhere shecan build trustather ownpace. Bright,affectionate, and playful,Nikitaisready to blossomintoa devoted lifelong companion.

GRACIE: Gracie is aplayful ginger girl whodiscovered

UE,TREAT,REHABILITATE, E,ANDRE-HOMEPETS

sonality afterraising herkittens anddevoted mama,she’s nowa -lovingadventurerwho turnseverygame.Fullofsass, affection,and rgy, Gracie will keep youlaughing yful antics.Ifyou’relookingfor a gs joyand excitement,Gracieis eet you!

POLKA:

playful,affectionategirlwho’s embraced hersecondchanceafter raisingher kittens.Oncea devotedmama, she’snow full of life—hopping,bouncing, andshowing off her delightfully quirky personality. With hersweet nature,funny antics,and soulful eyes,Polka is guaranteed to keep yousmiling.Ifyou’relookingfor acat whobringsendless joyand laughter, Polkaisready to danceintoyourheart

MAC:

Macisa sweetyoung girl with ahugeheart, waitingfor someonetosee beyond herFIV diagnosis. Affectionate, gentle,and happiestwith humancompanionship,she longsfor aloving home whereshe canfeel safe andcherished FIVdoesnot define her—shecan stilllivea long,happy life with theright care.Mac is ready forher second chance

ZUKO: Zuko is ahandsomeginger-and-whiteboy with abig personalityand an even bigger heart. Playful,affectionate, andfullofcuriosity.Like anyspiritedyoungster,hecan be alittlefeisty andwillthrivewitha confident,patient adopter whocan providelovingguidanceand clear boundaries.Inreturn, Zuko will reward you with endlesslaughter, loyalty, andlove.

This WeeksSpecials

Exhibition features women withdisabilities

TCape Town Opera’sacclaimedproduction of Georges Bizet’s Carmen comes to

Kinekorfromnextmonth.

CapeTownOpera’s‘Carmen’ onsomeSter-Kinekorscreens

Cape Town Opera’ssold-outproductionof Carmen is making theleapfromstage to screen,givingcinemaaudiences across South Africa thechancetoexperienceBizet’s timeless masterpiecefromSunday23August.

Building on theresoundingsuccess of last year’s nationwide cinema screenings of Cape Town Opera’s Aida,thislatestcollaboration offersaudiences anotheropportunityto experience world-classSouth Africanopera in spectacularcinematic style.

BasedonProsper Mérimée’s1845novella and setin1930s Seville,Spain, Carmen is agripping storyofpassion,freedom,desireand jealousy At itsheart is Carmen,a fiercely independent womanwho wouldratherdie than betray her ownnature.

With itsunforgettablemusic,explosive drama andiconiccharacters, Bizet’smasterpiece remainsone of themostperformed andcelebrated operas in theworld

Itsirresistible Spanish-inspired score, emotional intensityand compelling storytelling make Carmen as thrilling for first-time operagoers as it is fordevoted fans

Filmed during aliveperformance at Arts-

cape,thisvisually stunning production stars Nonhlanhla Yendeinthe titlerole, alongside Lukhanyo Moyake as DonJosé, Vuvu Mpofuas Micaëlaand Conroy ScottasEscamillo They arejoinedbythe Cape Town Opera VocalEnsemble, theCapeTownOpera Children’s Chorus andthe Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestraunder thebaton of TimMurray, capturing allthe power, intimacy andexcitementof live theatreonthe bigscreen Directed by Steven Stead, theproduction features setdesignbyGregKing, costumes by MarithaVisagie,lightingbyFaheem Bardien andchoreographybyNaoline Quinzin. Screenings take placeatvarious Ster-Kinekor cinemasonSunday23, Tuesday25, Saturday 29,Sunday30Augustand Tuesday1 September at thefollowing venues:V&A Waterfront,Blue Routeand Somerset Mall (CapeTown),Garden RouteMall(George), Rosebank Nouveau, and Cresta (Johannesburg),Brooklyn(Pretoria), Watercrest (Hillcrest,KwaZulu-Natal)and Baywest(Gqeberha).

. Bookingscan be made in person at the cinemas or online via:https://www.sterkinekor.com/f/ cape-town-opera-presents-carmen/678

Dancewithlifeandpurpose

Cape Town danceloverswillhavea chance to experience ablend of contemporary and classicalballetwhenindependent dance companyWGRUV brings itslatestproduction, Highlights:Tracing theLine,tothe District SixHomecomingCentrefromThursday27to Saturday 29 August

Theproductionfollows thecompany’s successful 2026 season opener, Juxtapose,which toured Johannesburgand Gqeberha earlierthis year

Describedasa celebrationofchoreographic excellence, Highlights:Tracing theLine featuresa carefully curatedprogramme combining audience favourites with newworks performed by WGRUV’sdancers

Theproductionshowcases choreography by internationally acclaimedJessica Lang, alongsideworks by Jesse Obremski,Michael Trusnovecand WGRUVfoundersHolly Gruver andLex Gruver

Together,the performances exploremovement throughline, colour,weightand emotion,

blending contemporary storytelling with classicalballettechniques.

“Wewantedtooffer ouraudiences an experience at thetheatre that fills them,” said WGRUVartisticdirectorHolly

“Eachworktracessomething,a gesture, a story, an emotionand together they form aline from thestage to theheart.Thisisdance with purpose. Dancethatleavesyou more alivethan when youarrived.”

FoundedinBryanston,Johannesburg, WGRUVisa contemporary balletcompany dedicatedtocreatingoriginalproductions that combineSouth Africanand international choreography.Aspartofits Cape Town visit, thecompany will host aspecial dressrehearsal forstudentsand school groups on Thursday 27 August at 16:00, followedbya question-and-answer session with thedancers.Student tickets cost R99. Public performances will take place on Friday 28 August at 19:00and Saturday 29 August at 15:00. . Ticketscan be booked through Webtickets.

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