People's Post Maitland| Woodstock| City E-edition 07 October 2025

Booze

Camps Bay police say alcohol consumption on beaches remains a significant concern, as it often leads to unruly behaviour, safety risks and violations of public regulations.

Police and law enforcement agencies were out in full force on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 October at Clifton and Camps Bay beaches to ensure safety as valedictory celebrations start Annually, matric learners gather on Cape Town’s beaches for valedictory, also known as “ditch day,” parties to mark the end of the school term before their final exams Hundreds of young people flocked to the beaches and despite multiple

warnings to avoid bringing alcohol, officers confiscated 799 units of alcohol during search operations

Capt Liaan Janse van Rensburg, Camps Bay Police Station commander, tells People’s Post that a common assault case was registered at the station

“Two learners, both 18 years old, were arrested for assaulting a law enforcement officer They were later released in the care of their parents and are expected to appear in court soon ” JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security, urges youngsters to

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“The amount of alcohol confiscated is of concern, particularly as we ’ ve highlighted time and again that it is illegal to consume alcohol in public spaces, but also the potential consequences of driving or swimming under the influence ” Smith warns that those found guilty of misconduct would face the full might of the law “On the roads, we witnessed once again the spike in drunk driving that has become commonplace over payday and monthend weekends It’s mind-boggling, considering the many other options that are available I want to remind motorists and the public in general

that a good time and good decisions are not mutually exclusive ”

In about 14 days, the class of 2025 will sit down for the final exam due to start on Tuesday 21 October

In the Western Cape about 67 000 candidates will write the exam

David Maynier, the provincial ed-

ucation minister, urges the public to ensure that the exams proceed without any interruptions “We appeal to the public to prioritise our matric candidates they are already under enough pressure, and do not need the added stress of protests and disruptions in and around schools ”

around the property; . internal fire-resistant doors are kept closed at all times

. For more tips,visit www capetown gov za/ firesafety

practice

Our liberation, then, is not only a fight against corruption but against the allure of power itself Power, in its most seductive form, has the capacity to twist ideals and erode integrity

It transforms those who once dreamed of equality into actors who protect privilege and self-interest

The allure of power is about control, influence, and the ability to shape society according to one ’ s own desires

In our country, we see this in the way political interference compromises law enforcement, how institutions meant to safeguard justice are manipulated, and how opportunities meant to uplift the many are redirected to serve the few This Commission is significant not because it guarantees justice, but because it exposes the mechanisms that have allowed corruption and interference to persist It reminds us that accountability is a process, not an event Yet exposure without action is insufficient

We must demand that its findings lead to prosecutions, reforms, and strengthened institutions Otherwise, we risk being spectators to our own continued disenfranchisement

Hope, however, persists, freedom is not merely a legal declaration, it is a lived reality, claimed through vigilance, courage, and civic engagement It requires holding leaders accountable, demanding transparency, and pushing for systemic reforms

Progressive economic and social policies must be pursued not in the abstract, but as part of a broader struggle to reclaim our democracy from corruption elements

Being “born free” is not enough

Thirty years into democracy, the question remains, have we truly seen freedom? Or are we still navigating the gilded cage of a state constrained by corruption and economic dependence?

This Commission is a crucial step toward answering that question, but it is not the last

Our collective resolve, our willingness to insist on justice, transparency, and true economic sovereignty, will determine whether being born free is ever more than a promise, whether freedom becomes a reality lived by all South Africans

We were promised a future built on hope and equality That future is still possible But it requires courage, not just from those who testify in commissions, but from all of us who refuse to accept the gap between the freedom we inherit and the freedom we deserve Only then can being “born free” mean something real

Hospital assume museum ownership

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

The iconic Heart of Cape Town Museum, housed at Groote Schuur Hospital, where the first human heart transplant stunned the world in 1967, is now under the official custodianship of the Groote Schuur Hospital Facility Board (GSHFB)

The operation occurred within the walls of the Charles Saint Theatre at the hospital’s Old Main Building and was transformed into a museum over 30 years ago

More than 56 years ago, Prof Christiaan Barnard and his team of medical pioneers made history by performing the world’s first human heart transplant

The groundbreaking surgery gave patient Louis Washkansky a new heart, donated by a young woman named Denise Darvall

Last year the museum faced an uncertain future after the curator Hennie Joubert’s lease was not renewed (“Heart of Cape Town Museum faces uncertain future”, People’s Post, 27 August 2024)

Speaking to People’s Post at the time, Joubert said the GSHFB informed him that his lease agreement would not be renewed

However, in response to People’s Post’s queries then, the board said that the museum would not shut down but continue to operate “ as a space to commemorate the first heart transplant”, and added that the facility would be redeveloped to reflect all the “ many world and continental firsts” associated with the hospital

In a recent press statement, the GSHFB announced that the custodianship includes the transfer of the full museum collection, ensuring its preservation and sustainable management into the future

“The updating and expansion of the museum ’ s focus will ensure that all patients, researchers, nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals

who have made Groote Schuur a centre of excellence and medical innovation are recognised for their contributions,” read the statement

The board added that the museum will include exhibits from the first heart transplant alongside other notable firsts and medical innovations that the hospital has nurtured

“It will also highlight the contributions of those whose roles have too often been overlooked, including patients, families, and health professionals, and acknowledge that this progress took place against the backdrop of apartheid ”

Dr Shaheem de Vries, chief executive officer of the hospital, said the aim is to create a space that inspires and educates future generations

“This is not a celebration of surgical breakthrough only, but also a recognition of the resilience, sacrifice, and humanity of all those

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WalmerEstateteacher: Suspectremainincustody

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

A 42-year-old man accused of murdering a former Walmer Estate schoolteacher, Friederike Scholle, will remain behind bars

The suspect made a bail hearing application on Friday 3 October

He was arrested on Tuesday 23 September, a day after the body of the 68-year-old woman was discovered in her home on Ritchie Street with multiple stab wounds

Capt FC van Wyk, provincial police spokesperson, said the suspect will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court

Gary Adams, acting chair of the Woodstock Community Policing Forum (CPF), praised the police’s progress in the case “We welcome the arrest and the good progress that the police have made in relation to this case We are also thankful to the community, and the neighbourhood watch for assisting the police with the successful arrest ” He said the brutal murder has shaken the community “The community is shocked by the incident We will keep the community updated of any further developments regarding this case, ” said Adams

Body of missing teen found at Bakoven

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

“I don’t think this heartache will ever go away, but I will feel a bit better once he has been laid to rest,” So explained a heartbroken Suleiman Isaacs after his son ’ s body washed up on the rocks at Bakoven Beach on Friday 3 October

Nafees Isaacs (18) from Delft went missing after slipping and falling into the water on Saturday 27 September He went to the beach with a group of friends in the early hours when he allegedly slipped and fell into the water Efforts to retrieve his body continued for several days until last Friday

Camps Bay police station commander Capt Liaan Janse van Rensburg told People’s Post that they received a call about a body on the rocks around 07:30 “On arrival, police found the body of a young, coloured boy on the

rocks Through further investigation, it can be confirmed that the body is that of the missing person, who went missing on Saturday 27 September between 03:00 and 04:00 ”

According to Janse van Rensburg, the body was discovered approximately 100 metres from the spot where the teen had fallen

“The found body is still dressed in the same clothing as the missing person ’ s report The body will be sent to the forensic mortuary for further investigation,” he explained The father described his son as a “respectful boy”

“He did have his faults, but he was

who contributed It is a story that belongs to the people of the Western Cape and South Africa, whose courage and perseverance in the face of inequality made progress possible ”

In a recent interview with People’s Post

Joubert said following engagement a deal was reached between him and the facility board

“They bought the museum and everything that’s in the museum from me I hope everything will go well in future and that it will be profitable They promised me that they would look after it and keep the museum as it is ”

Mireille Wenger, provincial minister for health and wellness, said the hospital is one of the places where South Africa’s proud tradition of medical excellence comes to life

“Our central hospitals are not just buildings They are places of innovation, research, and world-first breakthroughs that have changed

the course of medicine We celebrate these institutions and the generations of doctors, nurses, researchers, and patients who have made history within their walls They remind us that South Africa is home to world-class healthcare and scientific innovation ”

THIS IS NOT A CELEBRATION OF SURGICAL BREAKTHROUGH ONLY,BUT ALSO A RECOGNITION OF THE RESILIENCE,SACRIFICE AND HUMANITY OF ALL THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED

NPC unearths concealed talents

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Tern Agency, a Bo-Kaap-based non-profit company (NPC) founded during the Covid-19 pandemic, is making a meaningful impact on youth unemployment by opening doors for young people in the film and creative industries

Established by Tasneem Isaacs and Ryan Swartz, both film industry veterans, the NPC connects youth, many from disadvantaged communities on the Cape Flats, including Hanover Park and Mitchells Plain, to paid opportunities as background actors, popularly referred to as extras, in local television shows and films

Isaacs, a Bo-Kaap resident, says what began as a passion project has now grown into a platform for empowerment, with a database of over 3000 young people who have gained valuable work experience, often for the first time

“For many, these roles serve as stepping stones into the broader workforce or creative careers in production, set design, wardrobe and more, ” she explains

In addition to job placement, the NPC offers guidance on professional behaviour, set etiquette and film industry navigation

Through its work, the NPC is not only creating employment but also inspiring a generation to see the creative sector as a space of opportunity and growth

Isaacs says:

“I treat my talents as family and build a bond with them They can come and speak to me about anything Many of them were shy to act, I would always encourage them to try They just need to believe in themselves ”

She adds that while her initial focus was solely on young people, she now also has older people included in her database

“I have people in the late 30s and even 60s joining the agency I just want to help them For me, it’s not about money, I just want to make people happy I am trying to create jobs for peo-

ROLES CAN SERVE AS STEPPING STONES INTO THE BROADER WORKFORCE OR CREATIVE CAREERS IN PRODUCTION

ple from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds

They get paid on the day and that means a lot to them ”

Isaacs explains that she has contracts with local productions which include Skemergrond, Kelders van Geheime, Kings of Joburg and Spinners to name a few

She is also on a few projects, yet to be released “I also have an agency in Johannesburg

There too I have over 3000 talents on my database ”

She explains that people are welcome to contact her and that there is no fee involved to join the agency

“All they need to send me is a photo of themselves and also have different outfits available to take along on production day

Tohier Isaacs (39) began his journey as a background artist and was recently invited by one of the film directors to join the cast

He appeared in the local production Kings of Joburg Season 3, an experience he describes as “unforgettable”

“It was amazing I was always working in the background This was my first time as a cast member Having cameras all over my face was something different It was easier being behind the scenes but being in front of the camera was great ”

Tohier encourages others to reach for their dreams “Just go out there and do it Don’t be afraid, just be yourself ” .To join the agency contact Tasneem on 063 830 2998

Commissioner to build relations

“WKAYLYNNEBANTOM

e as adults, government and civil society are raising the next generation of adults, and we only get one chance to do this We should not mess this up ” With those powerful words, Sarah Roberts steps into her new role as the Western Cape’s Commissioner for Children

Roberts officially stepped into her new role as the province’s second Commissioner for Children on Wednesday 1 October, bringing with her over 30 years of experience

For the past 14 years, she served as Acting Magistrate in the Family and Children’s Court at the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court

Roberts succeeds Christina Nomdo, the inaugural Commissioner, and will serve a five-year term

The Western Cape Commissioner for Children is an independent governance institution mandated to protect and promote the rights, needs and interests of children in the province

The commissioner works closely with the departments of Education, Health, Social Development, as well as Cultural Affairs and Sport and reports to the Western Cape Legislature on activities, functions and progress on objectives

The institution plays a vital role in amplifying children’s perspectives, influencing policy decisions, and holding the government accountable for the services provided to children in the Western Cape

In an interview with People’s Post, Roberts said her first day in office felt like starting high school

“I was very stressed, felt like a Grade 8 going to high school for the first time But after settling in and meeting the staff I am really excited for this new chapter in my life

“I know that it will take me some time to find my feet and to want to be able to use this platform to better the lives of the children of the

Western Cape So, I am ready ”

Roberts expressed her readiness to take on the role and make a meaningful impact

“A huge problem facing children is legal documents, or the lack thereof Children without birth certificates are such a problem in the Western Cape I do understand that it does not fall directly under the mandate of the Children’s Commissioner, but I want to try and help by cultivating and strengthening strategic relationships with these additional departments and other organisations providing services to children to ensure a comprehensive and collaborative approach to child welfare ”

She believes more children should be out on the sports field, not the streets

“Sport is also very important to me and if we can get children away from the streets onto sports fields, maybe then we can give them alternatives to getting into gangs or getting into trouble with the law ”

Roberts said the office of the Children’s Commissioner is currently under-resourced with only two permanent employees and two additional staff members on contract

Roberts emphasised the importance of the office to be fully and appropriately resourced to “make an impact and fulfil its mandate”

“This means not only an increase in the number of personnel but also ensuring that these positions are filled with individuals possessing the necessary expertise and experience to navigate the complex and sensitive issues surrounding children’s rights and well-being ”

She said her immediate priority will be to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the “staffing needs of the office”

“This will involve identifying crucial positions that are currently vacant and then working to secure the necessary funding and approvals to recruit qualified professionals ”

Roberts believes her legal background will be beneficial to her “In the Children’s Court I dealt directly with families and a child has a voice in

a Children’s Court So, listening to what a child has to say, is what defines a Children’s Court from other Courts

“I believe that I therefore have an understanding as to the issues parents and children struggle with

‘‘I also have some insight into what hampers services delivery by government departments to families and children ”

The commissioner believes protecting children is a collective responsibility

“Children are so precious and need to be

protected But we all need to work together to give a child a future Children themselves must also remember that they have age appropriate responsibilities ”