People’s Post Grassy Park/Retreat E-edition 16 June 2026

GRASSY PARK |RETREAT

KEANANHARMSE KEANAN.HARMSE@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Residents of Grassy Park andthe Princess Vlei Forum(PVF),who fought formorethana decade to preserve Princess Vlei from aproposed shopping-malldevelopment,celebrated thelaunchofthe Princess Vlei Park CirculatoryTrail with aribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday10June.

Thelaunchofthe R10,2million trailhighlightedwhatcan happenwhencollaboration between theCityofCapeTownand entities such as thePVF,a community-based groupthat

fought to conserve thevleiand itssurrounding wetlands,and localcommunities takesplace

The4,23kmparktrail includes restingplaces with seatingand litterbins, anda number of boardwalks andbridges wherepeoplecan get closer to thewater’s edge

Princess Vlei is abreedingsitefor theendangeredWestern LeopardToad(Amietophrynus pantherinus).

Speaking at theopening,Ward72councillor KevinSouthgate reflectedonthe journeythat ledtothe creation of thetrail.“Many yearsago Princess Vlei became thefocus of significant public debate when proposalsweremadeto developa shopping mall on thesite.

“The community respondedwithpassion anddetermination,not simply by opposing the development, butbyputting forwarda positive

vision forthe futureofthistreasured space. ”

Southgatesaidthisvisionevolved into the People’s Plan forPrincessVlei, developed throughthe ImaginePrincessVleicampaign, grounded in conservation,recreation, heritage andcommunity ownership.

Over theyears improvements at thesitehave included anew entranceway, pavedparking areas, picnic facilities,children’splayareas,a lookoutplatformand ongoingindigenousvegetation restoration, he pointedout

“The openingofthiswalking trailismorethan theunveiling of anew pieceofinfrastructure. It is acelebration of what canbeachievedwhen communities,civic organisationsand government work together towardsa shared vision,” he said

Maycomemberfor community services and health Francine Higham describedPrincessVlei as “a placeofmemory, heritage,biodiversity, recreation anddeep community meaning.

“Tosupport thelong-term activation andsafety of Princess Vlei we arepleased to announce that theCitywilldeploya dedicatedranger presence in theareafromJulythisyear.” TOPAGE4

Organisations battle to keep up

KEANANHARMSE

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is appealingfor assistance from the community afterexperiencinga majordecline in winter adoptionsand an increase in admissionsthisyear.

Winter adoptionsatthe SPCA fall by an averageof14%,saidSPCAspokespersonBelinda Abraham.

“Inthe worstmonth recorded over thepast threeyears they droppedbymorethan30% Fewerpeopleadopt in winter

“Overthe past threeyears that pattern has been consistent;June, July andAugustare reliably ourlowestadoptionmonths, while November,Decemberand Januaryare our strongest.”

Last month, theSPCAheldanoperation in whichtheyrescued 24 dogs from abackyard breedingpropertyinDunoon (“Quitea harrowingday”, People’s Post,2 June).

An averageof75unwantedand strayanimals enterthe SPCA’s care daily, Abrahamadded. “Someare foundwandering thestreetsinjured or ill. Some aresurrendered by people whocan no longer care forthem. Andmanyare brought to theSPCAbyother animal welfareorganisations.”

In recent weekstwo mass animal rescuesadded another74animals to theSPCA’sintake.

“Fifty were rescuedduringCapeTown’ssevere storm,”Abraham added.

Some were cold andsoaked. Some were chainedinthe elements.Othershad triedto find shelterunder whatever rubbletheycould “Thisiswhy thewinterdecline in adoptions matters,” said Abraham.

“Weare stilladmitting an averageof75animals aday.Thena stormhappens,ora major crueltycase, andmanymorearriveatonce. When feweranimals arebeing adoptedthe operationalpressuresbuild very quickly.”

TheSPCAisalsoseekingblankets, drydog

ment,gives them time to decompress and builds some resilience enabling them to cope in theenvironment forlonger.”

Allvolunteersare invitedtoa mandatoryorientation session, during whichtheylearn more aboutthe lawthatgoverns ourworkand are givenanimalhandlingtrainingbyour onsite behaviourist

“Every animal shelterinCapeTownisfull,” Abrahamsaid, “there is genuinelynowhere for animalslefttogo. We areinthe throes of apet overpopulation crisis,and as theonlyorganisation with apolicytonever turn anyanimal away.The animalsneed homesnow.The inclementweather won’tstopsoon.Our cruelty response won’tstop. What we areaskingisthat theadoptions don’tstopeither,”Abraham said

.Formoreinformation contact Belinda Abraham at comms@spca-ct.co.za

Activists sharetheir experience

KEANANHARMSE

The PalestineSolidarityCampaign (PSC)hosteda public eventtitled “Hearthe Harrowing Testimonies” on Saturday 13 June at Ashley KrielHall in Salt River.

Thegathering provided aplatformfor South AfricanGlobalSumud Flotilla activiststoshare theirexperiences following amission undertaken in solidarity with thePalestinian people on Monday 18 May.

The flotilla is acivilian-ledhumanitarianmission aimedatdeliveringaid,including baby formula andmedical supplies, to Gaza in defiance of ablockadeenforcedbythe Israeliarmy.

Participants whotook part briefedguestson theirexperiences in detentionand theirtreatment by Israeliforcesduringthe journey.

Theactivists describedtheir experiencesas traumaticand said theeventshad strengthened theircommitmenttoadvocatingfor Palestinian rights andinternational solidarity

Amongthose whospoke were fellowactivists Faizel Moosa, Qutb Hendricks, HajarKagiso Al-Tha’irah, Faeek Ariefdienand Dr Fatima Hendricks. Hajarpreviouslyrecalledthe psychological andphysicaltollofher humanitarian mission to Gaza in an interviewwith People’s

NON-PERISHABLE-FOOD DRIVETOSUPPORT HUMANITARIAN RELIEF

Post on Tuesday9 June

The22-year-old Ottery resident andUniversity of theWestern Cape (UWC)postgraduate, whoispursuinga Master’s degree in Bioscience at UWC, said that despitethe terrorofthe interception at sea, an overwhelming senseof couragehad calmed her.

“Seconds before interception therewas alittle fear,sure, butmostlycalm filledwithcourage, somethingI learnfromPalestinians,”she said (“Studenttells of Gaza Flotilla trip”, People’s Post, 9June).

Theevent also launched anon-perishable-food drive, with donationsintendedto support humanitarian relief efforts

Organisers invitedfamilies, friendsand community memberstoattend in solidarity and learnmore.

Held from 14:30to16:30,the gathering sought to foster understanding, encourage civicengagementand providea spacetohear directly from activistsabout thechallenges they encountered.

Youth asked to register and vote

The SouthAfrican LocalGovernment Association(Salga) is urging young people to turn YouthMonth into action by registeringtovoteand taking ownershipoftheir future in this year’s localgovernmentelection.

Salgasaidwithvoter apathy rising andtrust in democratic participationunder strain,the upcoming voterregistrationweekend on Saturday 20 andSunday21Juneisa crucialchancetoget on theroll, update details, andstepbackinto thedemocraticprocess that shapes everyday life

Accordingtoa recent Public OpinionResearch by Government Communication andInformation System (GCIS),South Africa approaches this year’s localgovernmentelectionamid “entrenchedpublicpessimism andactive democratic disengagement”,asthe public lose motivation forparticipating in voting

Thestudy says 62%ofunregisteredvoters have no intentionofregistering to vote,with only 38%ofunregisteredrespondents saying they areopentoregistration.

SalgaYouth Commission chairLucky Sele said:“What is worryingisthe fact that over 60%ofnon-registeredyouth aged 18–34donot

OVER 60% OF NONREGISTERED YOUTH AGED 18–34 DO NOTINTEND TO REGISTER

intend to register,representingmillionsofpotential first-time or second-timevotersabsent from therolls.”

TheIndependent ElectoralCommission (IEC) recently unveiled itscampaignfor this year’s

localgovernmentelectionunder themessage “Get Up,ShowUp, Vote”which hasidentified youngpeopleasa priority audience in efforts to strengthen democratic participation.

Salgabelievesthatlocal democracywillonly be strengthened when youngpeoplechooseto participateactivelyinshaping thecouncils, prioritiesand decisionsthataffecttheir dailylives

“Young people cannotaffordtobeabsent from decisionsthataffectjobs, servicedelivery, accountability andthe futureoftheir communities,” concludedSele. This year’s election will be held on Wednesday4 November.

Newchallenges,samedetermination:Youthreflectsonfuture

As SouthAfricacommemoratesYouth Day today(16 June), questionsremainabout the role,ambitionand activism of today’syoung people.While theyouth of 1976 arerememberedfor theircourage anddeterminationin the fightagainst apartheid, some oldergenerationsbelieve today’syouth arelessdrivenand committedtosocialchange.

To explorethese perceptions, People’s Post askedyoung people whethertheybelieve their generation is unfairly judged,and invitedolder SouthAfricanstoshare theirviews on wheth-

debt,housing costs, weak economy, social media. Idon’t thinkweare less driven.I think thebattlefieldchanged andit’smoredifficult to have things like jobsecurityand buying a house. So,I’d say: notlesscommitted, just committeddifferently.”

. Joanne Meyer said:“Idon’t thinkitis aboutbeing more or less ambitious, butrather that theambitiontoday maylook different. It canbeseen as less collectiveand more individual.Manyyoung people arehighlymotivated and aremakingdeliber-

youlookatwhattheyare fighting for, they also want freedom andtobeheard ,and if they are notlistenedtothey find away of fighting for what thinktheyare deserving, howdothey fight they wouldblock somethings that they know it will make whoeverisincharge. They stillforce things.”

. KwakhanyaZweni said:“Ibelieve today’syouth arejustasdrivenasthe youth of 1976.Wefacedifferentchallenges,but we arestill passionateabout creating change.We usedifferenttools, such as technology and social media, to raise awareness, support our communities, and fight fora betterfuture. Thespiritofyouth activism is stillalive,it simply looksdifferent today. It’s allabout perspective,and it begins with parenting, whereby parentsare failing to teachtheir children (teens) howtogrow. I syouth arelessdriventhan that we face different oung people arepassionate e, buttheyare also affected employment,poverty, se,and negative influences nities.”

said:“Ithink that today’s ss driven’, butwedefinitely an theyouth of 1976.That sofapartheid.And that was ttime. Therewerediffertionsfromcertain people uthofcolour, were forced to nthe name of change.They ationand mistreatment cess to theopportunities whitecommunity tmanyjobs anddifferent thereistoday.Peoplewere dertosurvive.Young or old, nsurvivaland freedom.So, sdriven? Yesand no.But uthofthattimefoughtfor e. They shed theirblood,

sweatand tears.

Forustohaveaccess to opportunities, freedom, andchangethattheywerebannedfrom most of theirlives.The youthoftoday still have battles to fightsure. Butwedon’t have to paywithblood.And ourvoicesare more easily heard.

“The youthof1976foughtharderand hada heavierprice to paythanwhatwehave. We are less driven if youcompare us to 1976.But that’s only becausenot even half of what they hadto do,isexpectedorneeded from us.”

. Kian Jordaan said:“Idon’t thinkit’sfair to sayyoung people todayare less driven than theyouth of 1976.Backthen, theyouth were fighting apartheidand standing up againstvery clearand seriousinjustice,which took alot of bravery. Today’syouth deal with differentproblems,and they also show theirdrive in different ways Alot of it happens throughsocialmedia, community action,and speaking outonissues they care about. It mightnot always look the same as protests in thepast, butthatdoesn’t mean there’slesscommitment. In theend,each generation responds to thechallenges of itsown time,and both have shownthatyoung people canpushfor change.”

. Ambervan Rhyn said:“Idon’t think youngpeopletoday arelessdriventhanthe youthof1976. Thechallenges aredifferent, but thedesirefor change is stillthere Theyouth of 1976 fought forpolitical freedom andequal education, whiletoday’s youthare tackling issues like unemployment,mental health,inequality, climatechange, andaccess to opportunities.”

Everygenerationexpressesits activism in ways that reflectthe timestheylivein.

. ChristineKaye said:“Idon’t thinkambition is somethingthatbelongs to onegeneration or another. Everygenerationhas people whoare driven to make adifference Theyouth of 1976 facedverydifferentchallenges to thoseyoung people face today, and theirresponsereflectedthe timestheylived in Today’syouth aresimplygrowing up in a differentworld with differentchallenges and opportunities.

Everygenerationhas people whowantto create change,and hopefully each generation leaves things betterfor thenext.”

COLLEGIANSFLYTO DRUBBINGOVERRFC

Samieravan Rooyen of CollegiansRugby FootballClub(RFC) acrobatically dots down herteam’sthirdtry leaving Ameera DanielsofRocklands RFCasamerespectatorduring aWestern ProvinceRugby Union (WPRU)Super League match playedatthe Rocklands Sports groundsonSaturday 13 June.Collegians wonthe Mitchells plain derby19-0 PHOTO:RASHIED ISAACS