People's Post Maitland|Woodstock| City E-edition 21 October 2025

Nerves and excitement fill the air as thousands of learners across the country sit down to write the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams starting today (21 October).

In the Western Cape, 77 442 candidates are registered to write the exam; these include 67 606 full-time matric learners and 9 836 part-time or repeat candidates

The tests start with 12 736 candidates writing the Computer Applications Technology (CAT) practical According to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), the subject with the largest number of candidates is mathematical literacy, with 53 206 candidates writing paper

one on Friday 31 October, and paper

two on Monday 3 November

400 province

“Candidates will write at 473 exam centres, with 2 046 trained invigilators appointed to keep a close eye on proceedings Marking will take place at the beginning of December, with 954 000 examination scripts being marked by 4 190 markers ”

People’s Post caught up Rayyan Ebrahim, the top matric learner in the country last year to share some helpful tips with the matriculants

“My advice to the Matric class of 2025 is to work smartly during the exam period You would have already studied most of the content already, so use this time to brush up on those topics that you found the most difficult in the trial exams The exam period is also quite long, so make sure to look after yourself physically and mentally by eating well, sleeping well and exercising Try not to isolate

marked by 4 190 markers

yourself during this time - you may not be attending classes at school anymore but you will still need the support from your peers Forming study groups with them is a really effective way to study ”

He advised them to practice selfcare

“Be kind to yourself throughout the exams You may be feeling a lot of pressure to do well, but seek contentment in doing your best, rather than in getting good marks

Ebrahim said that during the final stretch of exams, fine-tuning his knowledge proved to be the most effective way to study

“For the final stretch of exams, I found that fine-tuning my knowledge

t e co te t you o o ds ea y helps you retain the information better and builds a deeper understanding of the material

“I also made sure to go into each exam with a clear strategy of which questions I would start answering first, based on the topics I was the most comfortable with I planned the amount of time I would spend on each question and timed myself when doing past papers This allowed me to walk into the exam room with confidence ” Nicholas Schreiber was one of the top quintile-five learners in the province last year

The former Rondebosch Boys’ High School learner encouraged learners to stay focused

“You’ve put in all the hard work and now you ’ re so close to the finish line, but it’s important to not take your foot off the pedal now and really

esu ts

“You should know roughly where your strengths and weaknesses are after prelims, so really focus on the areas of subjects where you can have a good improvement to get the most out of your finals marks ”

Schreiber said learners should remember that marks alone don’t define them or the year they’ve had and encourages them not to put too much pressure on themselves

“Try to make consistent time for every subject and try to revise cleverly, being time and energy efficient Take regular breaks and make sure to get enough sleep every night, have a good general diet and get plenty of fresh air and sunlight in between study sessions ”

He also shared some helpful study tips

Cableway forWTA again

Table Mountain and the Cableway are once again in the spotlight as they compete for top honours at the 2025 World Travel Awards (WTA).

These world-famous attractions are nominees in their categories, but bringing the prestigious titles home depends on public votes

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) has been nominated in the World’s Leading Cable Car Ride category, while Table Mountain has been nominated as World’s Leading Tourist Attraction

These are the only South African nominees in the world categories this year

TMACC boasts an impressive track record at the World Travel Awards, having secured the title of Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction five times, in 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022

Now celebrating its 96th year of operation, the cableway remains a cornerstone of South Africa’s tourism industry, having safely carried over 32 million visitors to the top of one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature since opening on 4 October 1929

The attraction continues to play a pivotal role in positioning Cape Town and South Africa as leading global destinations, contributing significantly to the visitor economy while promoting sustainable tourism and local employment

Wahida Parker, Managing Director of TMACC, says being recognised again at the World Travel Awards is an “incredible honour”

“This competition is our industry’s version of the Oscars and is widely respected as a contest that recognises commitment to excellence ”

She says the nominations reaffirm their

commitment to being a responsible operator that prioritises safety, honours the mountain’s unique flora and fauna, and delivers world-class service to both local and international visitors

Parker encourages South Africans to get behind the Cableway and Table Mountain by casting their WTA votes in the two categories

“Every visitor, every team member and every partner has played a role in this success We’re calling on South Africans to help us bring these awards home ” TMACC has consistently earned nominations for World’s Leading Tourist Attraction and World’s Leading Cable Car Ride, reflecting its commitment to creating positive experiences and driving innovation on the international stage

Parker says the company is proud to fly the South African flag and hopes to make the country proud once again

“These nominations reflect our journey, from the very first trip in October 1929 to the millions who continue to make memories atop

Table Mountain We have never won in the world categories before, and it would be incredibly special if we could make it happen this time around ”

Members of the tourism and hospitality sector can also cast their votes, and they are given double the weighting to votes cast by members of the public

Voting for the 2025 World Travel Awards closes on Sunday 26 October

Supporters can cast their votes at www worldtravelawards com/vote

SANParkshitsR4billionrevenuemarkforthefirsttime

South African National Parks (SANParks) reported strong financial and operational results for the 2024-'25 financial year, marking the first time revenue exceeded R4 billion

Addressing the Portfolio Committee on Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment,

SANParks Chief Executive Officer Hapiloe Sello said revenue increased by 11%, from R3,67 billion to R4,1 billion

She highlighted that 75% of revenue came from commercial activities, including tourism and park-related services, reflecting the effectiveness of the organisation’s commercial strategies

SANParks maintains a net cash balance of R2,7 billion and a positive solvency position, with total assets exceeding total liabilities by R3,7 billion, underscoring its strong financial health The organisation also received an unqualified audit outcome for the past year, confirming the robustness of its financial governance and management practices

“The positive results reflect our ongoing efforts to strengthen internal controls and improve governance, ” Sello said The auditor-general’s report highlighted improvements in the quality of the annual financial statements and in supply chain management, with no material findings identified, an improvement from the previous year She noted that continued work to strengthen internal controls is expected to deliver further improvements in the coming

period

On the operational front, SANParks achieved 86% of its performance targets, meeting 24 out of 28 goals Notably, 18 of these targets were exceeded, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to efficiency and operational excellence These results reflect SANParks’ focus on conservation, sustainable development and community empowerment

Sello said the landmark revenue milestone and robust financial position enable SANParks to continue delivering high-quality conservation initiatives and improve the visitor experience across its parks nationwide She said the results also show the organisation’s dedication to sup-

porting local communities through tourism-related employment and development projects

“These accomplishments demonstrate the dedication of our team and stakeholders’ efforts to manage our national parks sustainably for future generations while promoting inclusive growth and transformation,” Sello said SANParks’ achievements position it as a cornerstone of South Africa’s environmental and socio-economic landscape By combining financial stability, operational efficiency and community engagement, SANParks continues to strengthen its role in preserving biodiversity, fostering sustainable tourism, and the country’s development objectives

Even blocking spammers does not help

an urgent call

It feels like there’s no escape Blocking one number doesn’t help I’ve tried that They just use another

What’s more frustrating is that spam callers are breaking the rules by using mobile numbers for call centres that operate from fixed locations, making it increasingly difficult to spot and avoid these calls

The result? More unsuspecting people are picking up, only to be met with unwanted sales pitches or robocalls

This goes against the Numbering Plan Regulations of 2016 and is also seen as unfair competition

As I typed this, I declined three consecutive calls Two popped up as spam the other didn’t But I knew it was

This is incredibly frustrating when you ’ re on deadline, in an important meeting or expecting

have access to Most days, I stay on the line long enough to politely let the agent know I’m not interested in whatever they’re pitching At times, you can even hear the desperation in their voices and I genuinely sympathise with them

Downloading “ spam alert” Apps seems pointless when enforcement is weak or non-existent

The lines between legal telemarketing and outright harassment are becoming dangerously blurred

What’s needed is stronger regulation and actual consequences for the companies violating the rules not just the agents who are often just trying to get by

There should be more transparency, proper identification, and respect for our time We shouldn’t have to live in fear of our own phones ringing

For now, we ’ re left managing issues as they pop up, one after another, with our peace and productivity paying the price

Health-care heroes run for trauma unit

KAYLYNNE BANTOM

KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMED A CO ZA

Over 40 frontline workers from Groote Schuur Hospital turned the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon into a life-saving mission, participating in various events to raise much-needed funds for vital equipment for the hospital’s new Emergency Centre.

The marathon weekend began on Saturday 18 October, with a 10km Peace Run and four trail races of varying distances

However, the main run 42 2km marathon scheduled for Sunday 19 October, was cancelled at the last minute due to strong winds that rendered the route and event infrastructure unsafe

Despite the cancellation of the main race, the Groote Schuur team’s dedication and effort stood as a powerful symbol of resilience and purpose beyond the finish line

The emergency centre is being built in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness and will serve as a critical hub for emergency and trauma care in the province

Th G t S h H it l T t d t

THE NEW EQUIPMENT WILL LIGHTEN THE HOSPITAL’S HUGE TRAUMA BURDEN.

the 5km race

“We’re running to stand behind the people who stand in the gap between life and death every day - our emergency and trauma teams

This run is a way of turning that support into action and inviting the public to do the same, ” explained Evans Groote Schuur’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Shaheem de Vries, said: “This race was special because I was running with a purpose As a team this brought us together to do as much as we can to strengthen the services at the hospital ”

Nazlea Behardien, assistant director of diagnostic radiography, was one of eight radiographers who took part in the 10km peace race

She explained that the goal was to raise much-needed funds to equip the new Emergency Centre with vital medical equipment, includi it i d i d d fib ill t

Sanlamwillsponsorrunners

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Following the cancellation of the 32nd edition of the Cape Town Marathon key sponsor Sanlam has extended a gesture of goodwill to support disappointed runners

All registered entrants will receive a sponsored entry for either the May 2026 or the 2027 marathon

This offer stands regardless of whether the event secures its bid to become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Majors race, or not Due to severe wind conditions, organisers announced early on Sunday 19 October that much anticipated race had to be cancelled shortly before the starting time

The route was deemed unsafe due to constant wind gusts in the Woodstock area, and the infrastructure at both the start and finish venues had been compromised Conditions posed a safety risk to runners and pedestrians throughout the area

Clark Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, expressed the organisation’s disappointment

“We are devastated,” Gardner said

“We have worked for months planning for all scenarios and conditions, but ultimately a

FROM PAGE 1

“I was always a fan of flashcards for memorising definitions or key topics, as well as doing as many past papers as possible to see how topics get asked in papers, and to see where the gaps in my knowledge lie

“There are plenty of resources online for matrics to use (study guides, past papers, YouTube explanations etc), so make the most of all the resources you have available ”

Schreiber is currently a first-year student studying a BCom in Chartered Accountancy at the University of Cape Town Maynier wished learners well for their exams and expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped prepare the learners

bigger force had the final say ” Gardner thanked participants, sponsors, and stakeholders for their “ongoing support and understanding”

Ashwin Maggot was one of 24 000 runners who were left disappointed

“I’m honestly gutted

“Sixteen weeks of intense training, early mornings, late nights, and sacrificing precious time with my wife and kids all for this one moment

“It was supposed to be my first marathon I pushed through injury, spent hours with the biokineticist, and physio and gave everything to be ready ”

“To hear it was cancelled at the eleventh hour it’s devastating It was a symbol of everything I’ve overcome ”

Ricardo Mackenzie, provincial minister for cultural affairs and sport, said: “As someone who was preparing to run this year I understand the frustration and sadness that many are feeling, but the spirit of this marathon has never been just about one day

“It’s about the journey, the training, the community and the shared commitment to healthier more active”

“We appreciate the incredible work that our examination officials do each year to ensure that the exam runs smoothly Our matrics and their teachers have also put in a tremendous amount of work to prepare for this exam ” Maynier urged the public to ensure the exams proceed without disruptions

“We appeal to everyone in our province to put the best interests of our candidates first during the exam period We look forward to celebrating with them when the results are released ” The national education minister will announce the national and provincial pass rates on Monday 12 January 2026, and candidates will receive their individual results the following day

Night School is changing lives

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Most brides spend their wedding night basking in newlywed bliss but not Margo Hendricks.

Hendricks got married on Tuesday 14 October and later that evening she was in night class, proving that no ring on her finger could outshine the dream in her heart: to finish her matric

She is one of thousands of adults registered at the Hopeful Leaders Night School in Manenberg

The non-profit company (NPC) is the brainchild of Manenberg resident Yumna Alexander Alexander, who knows the challenges of leaving school early firsthand, started the night school five years ago to support others on their journey back to education

Today the school has expanded to several areas on the Cape Flats, including Manenberg, Hanover Park, Bonteheuwel, Bishop Lavis, Delft, Mitchells Plain, Lavender Hill, Steenberg, Ravensmead and Elsies River

She opened another branch in Gauteng a month ago

“The institution was birthed through personal challenges to help the marginalised communities and empower them with education so that they can have better opportunities When we produce better parents, we will produce better children,” explained Alexander Hendricks explained that she lost her mother at a young age, left school in 2009, and faced many challenges, including becoming a mother at just 16

She shared that, during this difficult period, she also became addicted to drugs

Hendricks said she decided to turn her life around following the death of her father “I left drugs when my father passed away deciding to be there for my child I gave my heart to God and that changed my whole life ”

Determined to start a new chapter, Hendricks

enrolled into the night school last year, failed a subject and decided to return this year

“I got married on Tuesday 14 October at Home Affairs We went to eat food and then we came home, and I went to night school that evening I want to achieve my goals in life and better myself Want to be an example for my daughter ”

She expressed her gratitude to Alexander for helping her enrol into the night school

Hendricks encouraged others to have faith in themselves despite the circumstances

“Never lose hope You can be successful in everything that you do, you must just be determined Sometimes you don’t feel like continuing but you must have faith ”

Another learner Naasiha Hassen explained

that since enrolling into the night school and obtaining her matric in 2020, many other opportunities have come her way

She applied for a position at a hospital, where she was hired as a hostess Hassen has now been working at the hospital for four years and is permanently employed

Since then, she has also completed a Home-

Based Care/Caregiver course at the Robert Sobukwe Nursing Academy, further advancing her skills in the healthcare field

According to Alexander, they receive no funding from government or organisations They are entirely dependent on donations and learner fees

Learners pay R15 a class and a once-off registration fee of R100

Alexander explained that all fees go back into the programme covering the cost of essentials such as copy paper and ink

“We are doing this solely by grace and by faith in the Almighty It’s been such a blessing ”

She noted a growing need due to the annual rise in registrations

“Each year the number of people who shows interest in doing their matric, grows You need to have a Grade 9 or above to complete your matric

“I am asking myself, ‘what is going to happen with the number of school dropouts from Grade four to Grade 8 What does their future look like?’

Alexander said despite the challenges facing the school, it has 41 students that went on to study at university

She said classes are open to anyone over the age of 19 years “They must have a Grade 9 pass or any grade above Or even if they just want to improve their matric marks, they are welcome to join us ”

She expressed her gratitude to the learners and staff for their hard work and dedication despite teaching under trying circumstances

Alexander said she is living proof that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams

“I am a product of getting my matric at a later age I am now a qualified teacher Life has changed for me, and I have access to more things This is something that you should strive for, if you want to better yourself you need to do better for yourself If you want change It starts with you ”

Plans on track for car showdown

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Organisers of the inaugural Speed Classic Cape Town say preparations are on track for next week’s event.

For two days, Philip Kgosana Drive will transform into a high-octane racetrack as modern supercars and vintage icons go head-to-head, on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October

The event brings together 150 incredible cars worth over R600 million for a weekend of motoring excitement

Patrons can look forward to motoring heritage on Saturday when 70 Classic Cars – including some of the rarest vehicles on earth – take to the tarmac Some of the standout cars that will be showcased include:

. Stuart Mackay-Davidson: 1980 Ferrari 308 GTB, one of only five in South Africa

. Harry Tayler: 1930 Bentley 4 5L Le Mans, the sole known example in the country

. Charles Arton: 1979 March 79A, a bespoke build race car for Formula Atlantic in South Africa

On Sunday the attention shifts to spectacular supercars and speed machines that will battle it out in the King of the Mountain showdown

According to event co-founder Garth Mackintosh, the Speed Classic event is the result of five years of planning and preparation

“The inaugural Speed Classic Cape Town also marks the revival of Cape Town’s hill climb legacy, bringing back a motorsport tradition that started in 1912, which saw drivers test their skills on Camps Bay Drive, Signal Hill Road and Kloof Road ” Mackintosh believes Philip Kgosana Drive is the ideal location, as it allows for a return route to bring the cars back after each run

The construction of the temporary tarmac and placement of safety barriers started on Sunday 19 October

Steyn Momberg, project director, says the barriers have been approved by the FIA, the

THERE WILL BE ACCESS TO RESIDENTS OR BUSINESSES AND ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO PHILIP KGOSANA

governing body of motorsport “We are very much on track and will be using FIA approved road barriers and catch fencing that were constructed for the recently held Formula E in Cape Town ”

The racecourse will be signed off by Motorsport South Africa Clerk of the Course on Thursday 23 October

According to Momberg, contingency plans for weather-related disruptions are in place “We

Scoresgatherforsurftherapy

KEANANHARMSE

To honour those facing mental health challenges, more than 80 people gathered at the Muizenberg Beach on Friday 10 October for this year ’ s Immersion Session

The gathering coincided with World Mental Health Day, commemorated annually on 10 October

The event was organised by Waves for Change (W4C), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that uses a surf therapy programme to promote resilience, confidence, and mental well-being Tony Gubeza, W4C site manager, explains what happened on the day “Basically, the coaches started with Take 5 activities in which everyone held hands and headed into the ocean, supported by a coach with continuous check-ins on how everyone is doing If anyone is uncomfortable everyone turns back and starts again This very first practice creates trust, instils respect for others and more ” W4C national director Robyn Cohen explains

the services offered by the organisation

“We get referrals from social workers, psychologists, hospitals and schools and the kids come here once a week for 10 months In that time, they experience respite and can regulate their emotions, which makes therapy a lot of fun ”

Cohen says people can support them by donating R200 which provides a child with access to an inclusive Surf Therapy session, while R500 makes a meaningful contribution to a W4C coach’s stipend, and R1000 helps cover the cost of a debrief psychologist’s services

W4C senior coach Fay-Yaadh Smith says without the right mentors, young people often follow the wrong crowd “The gangsterism, the substance abuse, the crimes are all due to people not having the right mentors or role-models in their life so they’re looking up to the wrong people So, I’m glad I can be the opposite and help kids follow the right path ” . For details contact Siya Mahomba at siya@ mango-omc com

have our world class emergency and deviation plans in place that could accommodate delays in case of extreme weather We will not extend the event into additional days in case of cancellation, but so far, no extreme conditions are in the forecasts ”

He adds that a traffic deviation plan will be made available to residents and road users in the coming days “This will also be for the broader Cape Town Community who access Philip Kgosana daily It is also important to note that we are not closing access to any residents or businesses and alternative routes to avoid Philip Kgosana will be published shortly ”

Momberg says their marshalling team will complete safety drills on the course soon to ensure everything runs smoothly “Our full marshal compliment will be out

of the motorsport community and have vast experience in the sport Course familiarity and training will happen throughout next week under our Clerk of the Course This will as always meet Motorsport South Africa’s standards and regulations ”

He says that safety is their key priority

“We have an extensive emergency services plan and roll-out for the event This will include the South African Police, City of Cape Town Fire Services, Cape Town Disaster Management, law enforcement, Cape Town Traffic and Metro Police

“On the medical side we have Western Cape Medical managing the race and competition Our private medical services will provide an additional four ambulances and vehicles with EMT staff throughout the event ”

Final chapter for matric class

As the Class of 2025 reaches the final chapter of their school journey, emotions run high a mix of pride, excitement, and reflection.

After years of hard work, growth, and countless memories, these learners now stand at the threshold of a new beginning They’ve faced challenges, embraced opportunities, and

Nieschen Adams said: “I’m very nervous about what’s before me – my national exams as this is my last chance to give my best and make the most of it I’m also nervous about the adult world because everyone always warns that it’s hard and we have no experience. I’m also excited and looking forward to the new normal I’ll do my best for the last time!”

formed friendships that will last a lifetime This milestone marks not just the end of a school career, but the beginning of endless possibilities

As they prepare to step into the next phase of their lives, the Class of 2025 carries with them the lessons, values, and resilience shaped by their school years People's Post caught up with a few learners to hear how they’re feeling about the upcoming exams and what lies ahead

Shunique Demingo said: “Now that we have reached the end of our school career, there is a mix of excitement and tension. On one hand, we are proud of how far we have come and look forward to the future and the new opportunities after matric On the other hand, there is a lot of pressure and uncertainty about the national exams, as they determine our future and whether we will gain access to university or work The workload is heavy, but it also motivates us to give our best. It is therefore a time of emotions joy, stress, hope, and pride all at once.”

Mary-Ann Kleindsmidt said: “I’m feeling very happy and sad at the same time. I met wonderful people at high school, like my teachers and fellow learners, who inspired me. And now, when I walk away, I feel very empty because they meant a lot to me. Just not every day would go smoothly I will miss the motivational pieces that they gave me. The national exam that is now staring me in the face makes me a little bit nervous Because everyone says it’s hard, but if you’ve worked hard all year then it’s not really hard Because I work through old papers, I get extra resources, I watch YouTube, and this makes me a little happy because I’m no longer nervous like people make me feel nervous.”

THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE EXAMS,AS THEY DETERMINE OUR FUTURE

Bring it on ”

Bowls leader sets the tone

HERMANJANSEN

Newly elected Western Province Bowls (WPB) president, Tony Harland, recently “rolled out” his executive’s battle plan to combat challenges facing the sport

Harland’s speech started the traditional celebratory official opening – the first since the 2020 epidemic - of the WPB 2025-26 season in the Durbanville clubhouse on Sunday, 12 October

Key among these issues are dwindling membership numbers and financial pressures

Harland is a former president of Durbanville Bowling Club (DBC), the biggest club in the Western Province and arguably the most successful, financially and with achievements, on the greens

He took over from Bellville’s Gerrit van Milligen (stet) who had a four-year stint

Harland’s two-year appointment in August is a historic one: As far as can be established, he is the first member of DBC (established in 1948) to be elected as Western Province president

The opening day is traditionally hosted by the home club of the incoming WPB president Harland said: “I am excited about today It brings back part of an old tradition of the official season opening which fell away during covid ”

Delegates from 22 of the 32 WPB clubs (three not active) attended the ceremony

“We have received apologies from many clubs, who had other commitments It is impossible to accommodate everybody ” Addressing financial challenges, Harland said the WPB executive have started with an overall review and redrawing of the budget

“I attended the Bowling South Africa (BSA) AGM the week after our AGM The overall

financial position was the main area of discussion Concern was raised over the depletion of reserves and immediate cost-cutting action has been taken ”

He said WPB was in the same predicament with dwindling reserves the last three years

“This trend cannot continue, hence the review of finances This exercise will be completed by the end of November ”

Harland then addressed the sometimes tetchy issue of interrelations within WPB

“The harder part of the goals set is that of relationships As an executive we need to ensure that everybody was on board to bring success both on and off the bowling green

“Many gaps were identified across the full spectrum of the bowling chain from executive level to standing committees to clubs and bowlers ”

Harland said membership numbers had been flat the last three years

“The issue with most clubs is not attracting new members but rather retaining members

“Are we getting close enough to our new members to make them feel part of the club?

Walking into a strange environment can be very intimidating

“The perception of an ‘ us and them’ must also be done away with ”

When Jason Poleman, coach of Just Planting Seeds in Manenberg, undertook to use sport to better the lives of girls in the community, he set his sights on participating in tournaments to empower them to make better choices than gangsterism and drug abuse

From Friday 3 to Sunday 5 October, the team took part in the Knysna 7s Tournament at the Loerie Park Sports Grounds and was crowned the champions

“For the past three years, we wanted to participate in the inaugural George Tens Tournament, but it was unfortunately cancelled this year and

rescheduled for 2026 This setback could have easily dampened the spirits of our u-16 girls, but rather than allowing disappointment to take over, we worked hard and be disciplined throughout our preparation We discovered the opportunity to compete in Knysna and came home victorious, ” says Poleman For many learners the trip was their first-ever visit to Knysna, and the journey along the scenic Garden Route was an unforgettable experience

“What made the weekend truly special was the unity and emotional strength displayed by the team The girls dedicated this tournament to one of their teammates who had tragically lost her father before departure With heavy hearts but unwavering

p , y The weekend was more than rugby It was about resilience, teamwork and pride to represent Manenberg, a community that continues to rise above the odds

“Our learners once again demonstrated that they are not defined by circumstance but by their courage, character and commitment to rise above from where they come from They played four matches - beat Titans Academy 56-0, Amazonians B 68-0, Motherwell 56-0 and Amazonians A 31-5 (final) The girls emerged as champions of their division, showcasing exceptional skill and sportsmanship throughout the tournament,” he says A heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who played a role in making the tour possible “This achievement stands as a tes-

y to make their dreams a reality Our girls did their part by showing gratitude, appreciation and unity during