People’s Post Woodstock/Maitland/City E-edition 28 July 2026

EntriesclosethisSunday

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Entries forthe Blisters for BreadCharity Family Fun

Walk closeatmidnight on Sunday 2August, giving supportersa chance to make adifference forchildrenlike thoseatStAgnes Primary School in Woodstock, where many learners rely on school mealseachday.

Theannualfundraiser, organised by thePeninsula School Feeding Association(PSFA)inassociation with LuckyStar, will take placeon Sunday 16 August,atthe Green PointCommonSportsGrounds

Oneofthe people ensuring those mealsreach learners is Heather Kannemeyer. Shepreparesfood forabout 85 children at theschool everyweekday.

Kannemeyerarrivesatthe school at around 06:30daily to begin preparingbreakfast before serving porridgebetween 07:30and 08:00.

Lunchisservedat10:30

Shesayswatchingchildrenenjoy awarmmealeachday is what keepsher motivated.

“Itfeelsgreat cookingfor the children becauseyou cansee some children don’thaveanythingand arehungry. It givesmea senseof satisfaction knowingthatthere’s

ENTRYCAN PROVIDE 23 CHILDREN WITH BREAKFAST,LUNCH

somethingfor them to eat.”

PrincipalElesiaKolbe said the school hasbeen abeneficiarysince 2003

“Through this valued partnership, ourlearnersreceive nutritious mealsthathelpensuretheyare betterequippedtofocus,learn and

succeed in theclassroom.”

Kolbeadds that theimpactofthe

PSFA extendsfar beyond providing food

“Ithas contributedtoimproved concentration, betteracademic performance, increasedschool attendance,and happier,healthier learners.For many children,the meal they receiveatschool is the only nutritious meal they will have that day.”

She encourages Capetoniansto support theinitiativeand help raisevital funds

“Byparticipating in theBlisters

forBread FunWalk, youare helpingtomakea meaningful difference in thelives of thousands of learners.Every step takenhelp to ensure that children cancome to school with hope,ready to learn andbuild abrighterfuture.” Participants canchoosebetween a10kmwalkstartingat07:30 and a5km walk starting at 08:00. An entryfee of R125 canprovide 23 children with anutritious breakfastand lunchfor oneday Entriesare limitedto10000 participantsand will only be accepted online

Toxicologyunittospeedupinvestigations

Forfamilieswho have lost aloved onetoanunexplained or sudden death, forensic toxicology canbe thedifference between questions andclosure

TheWestern Cape Government’s Forensic Toxicology Unit is now betterequippedtoprovide that closure, having become the first provincial public forensic toxicology laboratory in SouthAfrica to achievecoveted international accreditation.

Following asuccessful assessment by theSouth AfricanNational AccreditationSystem(Sanas) the unit wasformally grantedISO/IEC 17025accreditation as aforensic laboratory

Theaccreditation covers twocritical areasoftesting:the detection of carbon monoxide poisoningand theidentification andmeasure-

ment of drugsinforensicspecimens

Thesetests support investigations involving fires, poisonings,suspected drug overdoses, andsudden or unexplaineddeaths.

WesternCapeMinisterofHealth andWellnessMireille Wenger said:“This accreditationprovides independentassurancethatthe toxicology evidence produced by ourteammeetsinternationally recognised standards, strengtheningconfidenceinthe resultsused by ourforensicpathologists, police investigators, prosecutorsand the courts.”

Shesaiditreflectedthe skilland dedication of a“highly specialised team”and supportstheir ability to providea forensic servicethat families andthe justicesystemcan trust.

TheUnitforms part of theWesternCapeDepartmentofHealth andWellness’ Forensic Pathology Serviceand supportsmedico-legal deathinvestigationsacrossthe province

By locating toxicology scientists within theForensicPathology Service, testingand interpretation canbeintegrateddirectlywiththe work of forensic pathologists and medico-legal investigativeteams

Theaccredited testswerealready beingperformed before accreditation wasgranted

However, this achievement provides independentconfirmation that theunit’smethods andquality controls meet rigorous international standards. Accredited methods undergoextensive validation to assess accuracy,precision,sensitivity, specificity andreliability

Thelaboratoryalsoparticipates in regularinternational proficiency testingand ongoingquality control.

BronwenDavies, ChiefForensic Toxicologist andScientificManager of theUnit, said this accreditationismorethana technical achievement; it’s apromise of quality, reliability, andcontinuous improvement. Wenger said forensic pathology sits at an importantintersection between health andjustice “Thisworkhelps us understand howand whypeopledie,supports investigations wherenecessary, andhelps identify emerging risks to public health.Thisachievement is an importantvoteofconfidence in thequality of forensic science beingdelivered in theWestern Cape public sector.”

Successshouldnotcomeatourwell-being

over time,“potentially placingour mental andphysicalwell-beingat risk”.

We live in aculture that often celebrates beingbusy. Long hours, packed schedules, and theability to jugglemultiple responsibilities arefrequently seen as signsofsuccess.

Whileambitionand hard work arevaluable, thereisa pointwhere constant productivity stopsbeing admirableand starts becoming harmful

Burnoutisnolongera rare experience reserved forhigh-powered executives;ithas become awidespread realityaffecting students, parents, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, andemployees across everyindustry.

An occupational therapistand Centre of PsychotherapyExcellence(COPE)manager at Netcare Akesodescribes burnoutasthe stateofour internal resources becoming chronically depleted

Burnoutismorethansimplyfeelingtired aftera demandingweek It is astate of emotional, mental, andphysicalexhaustioncausedby prolongedstress.

It canleave people feeling detached from theirwork, overwhelmedbyeverydaytasks,and disconnected from thethingsthat once broughtthemjoy

Unfortunately, becauseweare so busy,these warningsigns oftengo unnoticedbecause slowingdown is seen as asignofweaknessor failure. Ibelieve oneofthe biggest reasonsburnout hasbecomeso commonisthatwehavenormalisedpushing ourselvesbeyond healthylimits.

We wear exhaustion like abadge of honour,believing that success requires sacrificing rest,relationships, andpersonalwell-being. Social mediaoften reinforces this narrative by praising hustle culture, making it seem as though everyone else is achievingmore

with less sleep andfewer breaks

In fact,the “three hoursofsleep doesn’taffectme” trendhas gone viralonTikTokand Instagram. In thevideos, people joke that they are fine aftergetting very littlesleep,while acting confused, exhaustedoroverlydramatic.

Whileitmakes fora good laugh, health expertssay that regularly gettingtoo littlesleep canaffect your thinking,memoryand immune system over time

Oneofthe most importanthabits we candevelop is checking in with ourselvesregularly

Taking afew momentseachday to ask, “How am Ireally feeling?” canrevealwhenstressisbeginning to outweigh resilience

Checking in with yourself also createsspace formeaningful action.Itmight mean taking ashort walk,setting clearerboundariesat work,askingfor help,speakingto atrusted friend,orsimplyallowing yourself to rest withoutguilt –things I’mstill learning Often, when youshare your experienceswithothers, you’ll dis-

coverthattheyare facing thesame challenges

Thesesmall decisionscan prevent stress from escalating into fullblownburnout.Self-awarenessis notselfish;itisanessentialpartof maintaininglong-term health and productivity

Employers, schools, andcommunities also have aresponsibility to create environments where well-beingisvaluedasmuchas performance. Encouragingopenconversations aboutmentalhealth, promoting realisticworkloads,and respecting personal time canmakea significant difference Preventing burnoutshouldbea shared responsibility rather than an individual struggle. Success should notcomeatthe expenseofour well-being. Burnout remindsusthatwecannotpour from an emptycup.Bychecking in with ourselves, listeningtothe warningsigns,and prioritising balanceoverconstantbusyness, we canbuild healthier, more sustainable lives.

Church attack scarsremain

FT OF

ogon eattack,althoughhe danarm.Ackermann nordid thefourother Charlvan Wyk, rvicethatevening tevening Ihad orkersay something ed forthe young ghtitwas part of the thin secondsnothing from thetruth;the sunder attack nsed .38Special rekreturnedthe attackgone of them in the ention disruptedthe ed thegunmento flee dcarry outa planned ck on thebuilding. theStJames'comed around Makogon Olga,after reading umstancesina comr. "Weorganised a "In1998 theTruth nCommission amnestytothree of s, after findingthey apolitical objective isclosure. Thefourth ationwas struck from nwas oneofonly oformally opposed gthatthe attackers ulldisclosure. The

applicationneverthelesssucceeded Although theTRC foundthe massacretobea "gross violationofhuman rights"one of theconvicted attackers waslater released afterserving about five anda half yearsofa 23-year prison sentence.Hemet andlater befriended LetlapaMphahlele,the former Apla commander whoordered theattack."Istill speaktoLetlapa today."Through MphahleleVan Wykalsomet GcinikhayaMakoma, theattacker he woundedduringthe exchange of gunfire,whomhevisited severaltimes whilehewas incarcerated at thethen-namedVictorVerster Prison in Paarl(nowthe Drakenstein CorrectionalCentre)

"Wehad many conversationsabout politics,religionand differentworld views."His relationship with former Apla commander LindelekileNgqisha laterled to ajoint feedingministry forchildrenduringthe Covid-19 pandemic, runwiththe latter'sbrother, apastor. Reflecting on thepast33 years, VanWyk pointedout that reconciliation hadbeen builtthrough honest conversationsratherthan ignoring adifficult history."Wehave allspent time getting to know one anotherbydiscussing theGospel, religion,politics, differingworld views andvarious otherthingsusually too broadand heavyfor passing polite conversation," he chuckled "Wedid notcometoblows,nor did we return to violence,and we certainly didn't trytocanceleachother out. Despiteour profound differenceswe treatedeachother with respectand engagedinhonestconversation." VanWyk said he understood

that notevery survivor hadchosen forgiveness. "Forgiveness cannever be forced.Every victim's journeyis personal,and Ihavegreat respectand compassion forthose whocontinueto carry unimaginable pain

"Myown decision to forgivewas rooted in my Christianfaith andin Christ's command to forgivethose whohavewronged us.Itwas not becausethe crimewas insignificant or becausejustice didn't matter, but becauseI had firstbeen forgiven by Godthrough Christ."

He said forgivenessshouldnot be confused with abandoning justice. "Forgiveness, choosingnot to seek personal revengeorallowhatredto dominate ourlives,doesnot remove theresponsibilityofcivil government to fulfila God-givendutytobring criminalstojustice."In otherwords, onecan forgiveand,without malice or bitterness, stillcallfor justicetobe served." ForVan Wykthe anniversary wasultimatelyabout remembering thelives that were lost whilerecognising thehealing that followed.

"The attack wasa terribleact of evil, butitdid nothavethe finalword. "God's grace, thecalltoforgive and thehopefound in JesusChristhave broughthealing andreconciliation, andhavetransformed lives."

ForHammond,however,the anniversaryservesasa reminder of Ackermann'slegacy. Sheisrememberednot simply as oneofthe 11 people killedthatevening,but as a womanwhose compassion reached beyond thewalls of herchurchand whose finalact of welcomebecame thetragedy of herlife.

Centrecelebrates 85yearsofbliss

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

AsKensingtonEducare Centre,Maitland,celebratesits 85th anniversary this year,childrenmarkedthe milest eb ivingb ktothe

EVERYGENERATION HAS ADDED SOMETHING, CREATING ALEGACYOF

Reservoir closed until October

Visitorshopingtoenjoy thepopular MoltenoReservoir in Oranjezicht will have to wait alittlelonger, as thetemporary closureofthe site has been extended untilThursday1 October.

TheCityofCapeTownsaysthe reservoiris nowexpectedtoreopentothe public on Friday 2October afterweather-related delays slowed essentialmaintenance work Thereservoir closed on Sunday 7Juneand

WILL

ALLOW CONTRACTORS TO COMPLETE UPGRADES, INCLUDING REPLACING THE SAFETY

RAILINGS

programmeisessentialtoensurethe reservoir continuestooperate safely andreliably. Maycomemberfor waterand sanitation Zahid

Lastfourbeachhutsdismantled

TheCityofCape Town has advised residents and visitorsthat contractorswillbegin dismantling the four remaining beach huts on theeastern side of the Muizenbergbeachfront this week, as the R200-million beachfront refurbishment project continues to makesteady progress. Thefour beachhuts on the western side were already removedinMarch,bringing the totaltoeight huts setfor replacement

TheCityhas assuredthe public that the iconic beach huts willbereplacedwith newhuts of improvedquality and increaseddurability, while following the historic design and pattern arrangement in keepingwith the beachfront’s heritage and character.The existing huts must be removed because the newupgraded promenade willbeset approximatelytwo metres further inland.

AngelaGorman, chair of the Beach Hut Trust (BHT), reassuredconcerned locals that Muizenberg’s

beloved colourful beachhuts arenot disappearing permanently,despitemajor construction work.

“The iconic, colourful Muizenbergbeach huts at Surfer’s Corner arenot being removedpermanently They aredue to be takendownand replaced with new, like-for-likehuts as part of amajor CityofCape Town refurbishment,” she said previously.

Thebeach huts areamong 76 huts that fall under the care of the BeachHut Trust (BHT), whichmanages them. Thesetback is necessaryinresponsetothe impactsofclimate change, including rising sealevels and storm surges, and also ensures the newseawall does not reducethe widthofthe beach. Therefurbishment project,which commenced in Februarylast year,entailsreplacing aged seawalls and undertaking major upgrades.

Work is on trackfor completion by December this year

Burnoutisreal andincreasing

Ifyou arefeelingconstantlyexhausted, emotionally drainedand overwhelmed, stop,because your body maybesendingyou awarning youcannotaffordto ignore.Burnout is real,itisrising, and it is more dangerousthanmostpeople realise.

“The statecommonlydescribed as burnout meansour internal resourceshavebecome chronically depleted over time,potentially placingour mental andphysicalwell-beingat risk,” explains Mahlatse Mothogoane,anoccupational therapistand Centre of Psychotherapy Excellence(COPE)manager at NetcareAkeso

“Whenweare emotionallyhealthy,wetendto be more resilient, empathetic andcommunicate more effectively with others.Thisenhances ourability to focus, ourcreativityand motivation,and makesusmoreadaptable andbetter equippedtohandlepressure,improving our productivity.”

Fewpeoplepause to take stockoftheir emotional well-beingand thestate of life balance required to maintain high functioning amid the busy pace of life,until they areforcedtodoso when acrisispoint is reached.

“Itistherefore very importanttoregularly checkinwithourselves andidentifyour emotionalneeds. Mid-year presents theideal opportunityfor reflection andtoidentifypatternsthatare notsustainable before we become overwhelmed. This givesusthe chance to reset andmakethe necessary changestoprevent burnout,”hesays.

SELF-CHECK

What is workingfor you, andwhatisnot at this pointinyourlife?

Areyou getting enough qualitysleep each night?

TAKESTOCKOFEMOTIONAL WELLBEING AND THE STATE OF LIFEBALANCE

Self-careisnon-negotiable. Areyou prioritisingyourneedsenough?

Areyou maintaininghealthy boundaries?It’s OK to say‘No’.

SIGNSYOUCOULDBEHEADINGFORBURNOUT

. Irritability

. Procrastination

. Prolongedexhaustion

. Socialisinglessthanusual

. Decreasedmotivationfor exercise

. Headaches, digestiveissues or generalised muscle tensionwithout medicalcause

. Changesinsleepingoreatingpatterns

. Taskstakelongertoachieve

“Ifyou notice anyofthe warningsigns of burnout, consider this an opportunitytotake action before thesituation worsensand to regain thebalance needed to cope with the demandsofeverydaylife,”saysMothogoane. He points outthatrestoring balancerequiresa holistic approach that treats themindand body as an interconnected system

“Setting healthyboundariesand learning to saynotounnecessary demandsshouldalso be prioritised. Then recalibrateyourgoals to what is healthyand realistically achievable for you. Invest time in your relationshipsand seek support from your friendsand family.”

Mothogoane said taking time to reflectand recalibratenow canhelpyou take on therestof theyearwithconfidence, equipped to finish the year with resilience andstrength.

TheWestern Cape Department of Health and Wellnessisurgingresidents to useheaters and otherfuel-burningappliancessafelythiswinter to reduce theriskofcarbonmonoxidepoisoning.

Thewarning comesascolderweather sees more households usingcharcoalbraziers, gas heaters, paraffinstovesand generators to keep warm during winter andpower outages. Carbon monoxide is produced when fuelssuchascharcoal,wood, paraffin, petrol andgas do notburn completely

When theseappliances areusedinenclosedor poorly ventilated spaces,the gascan buildupto dangerouslevels.

Carine Marks, director of theTygerberg Poisons InformationCentre, says carbon monoxide poisoningisoften mistaken forcommonwinter illnesses.

“Carbonmonoxidepoisoning is oneofthe most easily missedmedical emergenciesduring winter.Early symptoms,including headache, dizziness, nausea,tiredness andconfusion, are oftenmistakenfor flu, fatigueora viralillness.”

Accordingtothe National Poison Information Helpline,25cases of carbon monoxide poisoningwerereportedoverthe past year,including eightchildrenyounger than 12 Markssaysthe true number is likely to be much higher becausemanycases arenever recognised or aremisdiagnosed.

Shesayshouseholdsshouldbealert if more than onepersondevelopsheadaches,dizziness, nausea or unusualdrowsinesswhile indoors.

“Ifmorethanone person experiencesheadaches, nausea,dizziness or unusualdrowsiness

whileindoors, carbon monoxide exposure should be considered immediately. Leavethe building,get into freshair andseek urgent medicalattention, even if symptoms begintoimprove.”

THEDEPARTMENTADVISESRESIDENTSTOREDUCE

THERISKBY:

. Neverusing charcoal braziers,gas heaters or otheropen-flameappliances in completely enclosed rooms;

. Keepinga window or door slightly open to improveventilation;

. Placinggeneratorsoutdoorsand away from windows, doorsand airvents;

. Neversleep in aroom wherecharcoal, gas, paraffinorother fuel-burningappliances arein use.

Dr BradleyBrownepaediatrician with a specialinterestinclinicaltoxicologyatthe Red CrossPoisons InformationCentresayschildren areespecially vulnerable becausetheybreathe faster than adults,while pregnant women should also take extracare.

“Every winter we seechildrenrequiring emergencycarefor preventableinjuriesand illnesses linked to unsafe heatingpractices.Carbon monoxide poisoningcan progress rapidlyand, withouttimelytreatment,can have devastating consequences.”

Residentswho suspectcarbonmonoxidepoisoning should move into freshair immediately andseek urgent medicalattention.

. Healthcareworkers and members of the public canalsocontact the Poison Information Helpline of the Western Cape on 086 155 5777 foradvice.

MobilePlanetariumbringsuniversedirectly

Thousandsoflearnersinrural and underservedcommunities across South Africa will soon have thechanceto explorethe universe withoutleaving theirschools, thanks to thelaunch of theIziko Mobile Planetarium. The initiative,launchedbyIziko Museums of SouthAfricawithsupport from Amazon,willbring an inflatable planetarium, virtualreality technology and

interactivescience educationdirectly to schoolsand libraries, making space sciencemoreaccessibletoyoung people whohavelimited access to such resources. Inside theinflatable dome learners will enjoy360-degreedigital storytelling,while the10high-tech VR headsets will allowthemtoexplore nightskies andnatural ecosystems interactively, in an engaging manner.

Theprogramme will also emphasise Africanindigenousastronomy,honouringthe continent’srichculturalheritage,and will be ledbyIziko Museums’ dedicatedoutreachteamand science educator.All shows, filmsand handson activities arealigned with school subjects to enhancescience literacy andinspire alifelongpassion forSTEM careers.

International ballet debut

CapeTownwillhost115 youngballetdancers from SouthAfricaand abroad when the13thSouth African InternationalBallet Competition(SAIBC) takes placeatArtscapefromTuesday4 to Thursday 6August.

Thecompetition will feature dancersagednineto22competing in ClassicalBallet, Contemporary, Choreographicand Ensemble categories.Among thecompetitors are 2025 gold medallist Greisell Lastre Casuso from Cuba,Bolshoi Ballet AcademygraduateLunaHelmand Johannesburg’sJaydenSamuels FoundedbyDirkBadenhorst, artistic director of Mzansi Ballet, theSAIBC is theonlyinternational ballet competitionofits kind in Africa

He said theevent continues to provideyoung dancerswith valuable performanceexperience, internationalexposureand career opportunities.

“The standard of entriescontinuestogrowevery year,and we are delightedtowelcome such an outstanding groupofyoung dancersto

SOUTHAFRICANS WILL PERFORM ALONGSIDE GLOBAL CONTEMPORARIES.

Cape Town

“Itisespecially exciting to seeso many talented SouthAfricansperformingalongside gifted dancers from around theworld.The SAIBC is aboutinspiring oneanother, building friendships, celebrating excellenceand creating opportunities forthe next generation of balletartists.”

Thecompetition will be judged by an internationalpanel and concludeswitha Gala Performance on Thursday 6August, showcasingthisyear’swinners alongside professional dancersfromSouth Africa andabroad.

Ticketsfor theelimination rounds on Tuesday4 August at 18:00, Wednesday5 August at 14:00and 18:00, andthe finals on Thursday 6Augustat10:00 startat R150,while gala ticketscostR285. . Ticketsare availablevia webtickets.

Cape Town audiencesare the firsttoexperienceaward-winning comedian DalinOliver’snew stand-up show, StuckinDubai,as it launches itsnationaltouratthe Baxter Theatre, whereitwillrun untilSaturday1 August.The festivitieskickedoff on Tuesday21July. Although itstitle suggestsairport chaosthe show is ultimately about life’s unexpected detours, thebeauty of embracinguncertainty and discoveringthatsomeofour best storiescomefromthe momentswe neversaw coming.And forthisCapetonian therecouldnt be abetter placetobegin.“There’ssomething incredibly meaningful about starting this tour in Cape Town This is home.It’swhere Ifound comedy,where Ilearntmycraft, wherepeopletook achanceonme before anyone knew my name.“To kick my biggest tour off with the audience that hassupported me from dayone is really special. I can’tthink of abetterplace to start this journey.”The nationwide tour represents anothermajor milestonefor Oliver,whose career has takenhim from teaching classroomstoselling theatres outboth locally andinternationally.But despitethe growinglistofachievementshebelieves StuckinDubai represents adefining chapterinhis

on theroad.

PHOTO:SUPPLIED

career.“I’ve toured before,but this feelsdifferent,”hesaid. “Thisis my biggest tour yet, both in terms of thenumberofcitiesand what theshowmeans to me personally Everyyearyou want to become a bettercomedian, abetterstoryteller anda betterperformer.I genuinelyfeel this is my strongestshow yet, andI can’twaittoshare it with audiencesaroundthe country.” AfterCapeTownOliverwilltake StuckinDubai to theatres,arts festivalsand venues across South Africa,including theHiltonArts Festival,Kimberley,Bloemfontein, St FrancisBay andKnysna. . Ticketsare availablevia venue ticketing platformsand at www dalinoliver.com

Lads lightupAthlone Stadium

After weeksofintense football at StrandfonteinSportsGround during thegroup stages of the Bayviewu-16Youth CupTournament, hundreds of soccerloversgatheredat AthloneStadium on Saturday 25 July for the finals of thecompetition.

La MasiaElite Football Club (FC) from Johannesburgwon thePlatinumFinal category after defeatingUnitedFC2-0,while D6 Mitchells PlaindefeatedRisingStars by 5-4onpenalties in theGoldFinal.Ulana Academythumped SeasideAcademy 4-0inthe Silver Final, with Sunningdale City taking Bronze Finalafter overcoming Malibu United 2-0.

Bronze

Runners up :MalibuUnitedFC0

Winners :Sunningdale FC 2

Silver

Runners up:Seaside spurs0

Winners:Ulana Academy4

Gold

Runners up:RisingStars 0( Pen4)

Winners:D6mitchells plain0 (pen 5)

D6 Mitchells Plainwon on penalties

Wagiet cup

Runners up:Bayview FC 0

Winners:Imtieyaaz Wagiet invitational team 1

Platinum

Runners up:UntiedFC0

Winners :LAMasia EliteFC2