People's post |Woodstock| Maitland|City E-Edition 02 September 2025

PassporttoNatureissued

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi) has launched a new initiative aimed at encouraging domestic tourism while promoting conservation awareness across the country.

The “Passport to Nature: Your Year of Discovery” campaign offers South Africans 25% off Individual Annual Membership during September, providing unlimited access to all 11 National Botanical Gardens and two Zoological Gardens for an entire year

Sanbi gardens include Kirstenbosch, Harold Porter, Hantam National Botanical Garden, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, Free State Botanical Garden and Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden

The initiative transforms traditional garden visits into an interactive experience Members receive an illustrated passport that collects unique stamps and biodiversity facts from each visited site Completed passport sections unlock rewards including Sanbi merchandise and seed hampers, with fully completed passports eligible for behind-the-scenes experiences

“Tourism Month is about discovering the hidden treasures of our country and how deeply nature is connected to our well-being,” said Nontsikelelo Mpulo, Sanbi’s Director of Marketing Communication and Commercialisation

“With this Passport to Nature, South Africans can turn everyday outings into experiences that nurture both biodiversity and bonds ”

EXPERIENCESTHAT NURTUREBONDS, BIODIVERSITY

The campaign aligns with Tourism Month 2025’s focus on domestic travel as an economic driver Economists and social development experts have highlighted tourism’s role in fostering both economic growth and social cohesion throughout South Africa

Sanbi’s network of gardens and conservation facilities serves a dual purpose: protecting the country’s natural heritage while providing accessible green spaces for communities Recent research indicates that regular access to nature improves mental health and well-being while strengthening community connections

The botanical gardens offer diverse activities from family picnics and birdwatching to sensory garden experiences and music events

Each visit with the Sanbi passport becomes part of a year-long discovery journey across South Africa’s botanical diversity

The discounted membership campaign runs throughout September, positioning domestic travel not just as leisure activity but as investment in South Africa’s natural heritage conservation efforts

. For more information about the Passport to Nature membership discount,visit Sanbi’s official website or contact participating botanical gardens directly

BlistersforBreadCharityFunWalkcompleted

KAYLYNNE

BANTOM

KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

The weather was perfect for an early morning walk and over 9000 walkers did just that as they laced up their shoes for the annual Blisters for Bread Charity Fun

Walk on Sunday 31 August

The Green Point Common Sport ground was a hive of activity as walkers gathered from early morning to partake in the 5 and 10km walks, all united for a worthy cause

Every step taken help support the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA), which provides daily

meals to thousands of learners across the Western Cape Petrina Pakoe, director of PSFA, said this year 9 720 took part in the 57th edition of the event “Every cent from every entry will go towards feeding children We are looking at almost R1 million in funds that has been raised from this event That can go a long way if you consider that it costs R950 to feed a child for a year We appreciate what that means for so many children ”She expressed her gratitude to everyone who made the event possible “Thank you to Cape Town, to our sponsors, and donors

who make it possible for us to be in existence for 67 years and to host this event for the last 57 years We appreciate all of them because as our motto says: you cannot teach a hungry child ”

Participant Lorraine Pieterse said: “It is fun and the spirit among each other is so nice It allows people to come together and meet new people It would be nice if the schools can come out ”

Another participant, Petro

Theunissen said: “I came to support the children and to enjoy the early morning walk ” See more on page 8

In the chaos of our day-today working lives we can often forget how much time we spend inside our offices, let alone the time we spend working from home in hybrid conditions

Global research shows that on average for a typical full-time role, this equates to roughly 2207 hours per year, which can change due to holidays, vacation, and sick leave

In South Africa an average person spends approximately 40 to 45 hours per week at the office, which is also excluding their after-hour duties and study courses and qualifications they’re pursuing to further their careers in their downtime

Let’s not forget how much we spend and endure with

the never-ending slow traffic and unruly drivers, taxis and motorcyclists complicating our safety and blood pressure My heart goes out to those working in Cape Town and the central business districts, rising extra early to ensure they’re not trapped in the traffic jams that plague these areas After work we still have to be emotionally available for our families and partners despite how drained our social batteries are after a typical day

Often the perils of a bad day can cause us to project our frustrations onto our loved ones who played no role in the frustrations we experienced at work Introspection and meditation are crucial during this time to avoid causing unnecessary pain and arguments for those closest to us

In the heat of emotion, one can forget the long-term psychological effects and stress these constant arguments can leave on the minds and emotions of young children

and even our partners, who become accustomed to enduring scolds and an overall hostile home environment

Research shows that children exposed to family violence have brain activity patterns in their threat-detection areas, the anterior insula and amygdala, similar to war veterans, indicating a “hyper-aware” state of danger Furthermore, this neural adaptation may serve as a survival mechanism which also increases the risk for future anxiety disorders, trauma-related issues and impacting the child’s brain development

In the light of these worrying findings, we should be concerned for the overall well-being of our youth who are still navigating an ever-changing world fraught with technological innovation, social media, artificial intelligence, rising crime, they are still trying to find their place and voice in this “ content saturated” world

Therefore, they need the support, the love and patience from their parents to carry them through this turbulent modern age and once they feel that they are heard and seen, a great seed becomes planted that can only grow majestically and bear fruit that not only benefits themselves but their communities as well as we start leading with compassion and understanding instead of resorting to anger and bitterness

With all endless concerning data on the harmful effects that stress and repressed anger and unresolved conflict inflicts upon our immediate selves and families, we ought to know better and do better

We should also bear a thought and prayer for all the women enduring emotional and physical abuse for their partners and their children as we celebrate the end of Women’s Month, into September, the month of spring, a time of restoration, reflection and rejuvenation

Buildofnewwalkways,cyclelanes

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Construction is in full swing across Ward 56 as new non-motorised transport (NMT) lanes take shape in Factreton, Kensington and Maitland

These NMT lanes are specifically designed to provide a convenient route for cyclists and pedestrians They are also more accessible for wheelchairs Cheslyn Steenberg, Ward 56 councillor, said the project cost about R20 million

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“We offer them our sincere condolences and full support during this difficult time,” said Du Plessis

Scout group leader Isabell Anders said in a statement they have lost everything

“Everything has been lost, from camping and training equipment to irreplaceable history, including our honours board with names of Springbok Scouts dating back to our early years We are grateful that the fire did not spread to the surrounding vegetation, in fact only our halls were burned

She also confirmed that a case has been opened with police

“The fire brigade and police responded promptly, and investigations are ongoing

The fire inspector has advised that a case of burglary and arson can be opened, which we have done ” Nicola Jowell, Ward 54 councillor, said within minutes, the fire destroyed what took over a century to build

“There is an incredibly long history there Countless children had their parties there over the decades The one hall is used for yoga

There are decades of Camps Bay residents who have some link to those two buildings There are lots of memories and history there It’s incredibly tragic ”

Jowell said he has engaged with the fire department and police regarding their investigation

“It’s sadly suspected that it could be a deliberate act Both buildings were alight at the same time with no vegetation burnt in between them

The buildings are at least 50 meters apart So, it is clear that it wasn’t an accident ”

She expressed her gratitude to residents and everyone who responded to the scene

“I would like to thank the residents who came out to assist on the night as well as the Camps Bay CID and the fire department I think everyone did everything they could to get minimal damage, but it was already too extensive ”

Resident Chris von Ulmenstein expressed sorrow over the destruction, saying the community is devastated by the loss

“My son was a Scout and he loved going there as a child It is a great shame, we are led to believe that there is arson involved It is a shame that something as selfish as that should deprive all these children of this space It is such a beautiful space where they were taught life lessons We couldn’t believe that it was burnt

AND TO MAKE IT BIKE AND WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY

“It is to upgrade the sidewalks and to make it bike and wheelchair friendly It is also to create walking spaces where there was none before There are probably some people who don’t

All that remain of the Scout and Cub halls is a hulk and piles of rubble.

down to such a degree ”

Another resident, Juliet Canales described it as a “major blow” to the community

“Since the fire, many people, adults and youngsters, have stopped to look at the burnt remains, recalling their scouting memories and reminiscing about the impact this Scout troop has had on them and their families ”

She reminisced about the earlier days

“Scouts originally only allowed boys to join, but in 2000 it became gender inclusive, and most troops are now co-ed

Canales said scouting is a fun way to hone leadership and practical skills, learn the principles of good ethics and community service, make lifelong friendships, and broaden one ’ s knowledge

“Cubs and Scouts learn skills in rope knotting, pioneering (building structures like rafts and bridges), compass and map work, first aid, hiking, camping, etc They attend interest badge courses on weekends, learning about astronomy, rock climbing, lifesaving, canoeing, conservation and many other fields, from experienced Scouters and knowledgeable experts ”

She said he hopes the rebuild happens soon

“Every year the various Scout troops get together and compete against each other, hiking, camping, building rafts, etc Every four years, there is a World Jamboree, an international gathering of Scouts which creates lifelong memories for those who participate ”

Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City’s fire service, said rescue services was notified at about 23:02 of a building alight in Blinkwater Road “Fire crews from Sea Point and Roeland Street Fire Stations were on scene Firefighters dealt with the building alight as well as a vegetation fire By 01:40, the blaze was extinguished which destroyed the Scouts Hall and Scout Club House ” Carelse said the cause has not been determined and no injuries were reported . To donate email westerncape@scouts org za

agree with the upgrade, but I think it’s important ”

He said the work started at the beginning of the year in Maitland

The area is growing; more people are coming There are many portions in the Ward that don’t have walkways for moms with prams and people in wheelchairs I am happy that we are making this progress I am aware that not all the spaces that have been identified in the community have been attended to But this is ongoing ”

Steenberg said the project is set to be completed next year

They are busy in Factreton in 16th Avenue, Lugmag and Factreton avenues The big workload has been completed in Maitland in Royal Road and they are wrapping up in Coronation Road ” The councillor appealed to residents to exercise patience as the construction continues “It is an inconvenience to residents I need the residents to support the upgrade it will be for the betterment of the community ”

K Residentswelcomeevictionnotice

‘We refuse to be made invisible’

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

With significant Dial-a-Ride (DaR) service changes looming, disability organisations say the City is failing its most vulnerable residents by not offering an inclusive transport solutions.

From Monday 8 September, access to DaR will be limited strictly to wheelchair users and those with serious mobility impairments, excluding many who previously relied on the service (“Discriminatory action”, People’s Post, 26 August)

On Monday 25 August disability advocacy groups protested outside the Cape Town Civic Centre demanding that the City does more to ensure transport equity for all (“Protestors decry city’s DaR cuts”, People’s Post, 26 August)

They also handed over a memorandum of grievances to Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility

According to the City, these service cuts are due to budget constraints

The City says the current average cost per trip is R737, with a cost recovery of only 3% It further states that each user contributes around R22 per trip, while the City pays approximately R515 and the Western Cape Government R200

“To put this in perspective, transporting a single user who travels 21 days a month amounts to roughly R31 000 per month, or R371 000 per year, ” read the statement

Quintas met with leaders from organisations the following day (Tuesday)

When asked about the outcomes of the meeting, Michelle Botha, chair for Western Cape Network on Disability, told People’s Post that there is no clear “commitment to restoring” the service

“We were very disappointed by the engagement that the lack of consultation was not acknowledged That the long-standing inefficiencies of DaR were not clearly addressed

“While Quintas stated that he was willing to partner with organisations to find solutions, this committment rang hollow in the circumstances ”

Botha said people with disabilities have long faced persistent barriers to accessible transport

“We view these as a symptom of a larger problem related to the lack of prioritisation of people with disabilities within City of Cape Town, which we have seen over many years of

An itch led

LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY

the meeting, said they are left with more questions than answers

“Adding further frustration, Mr Quintas requested that organisations representing persons with disabilities approach employers to tap into CSI funding to support Dial-a-Ride

vital service They must find a way, even if it means reallocating budgets from elsewhere, because the dignity and independence of disabled people cannot be compromised

January said this issue goes beyond transport; it’s about dignity, inclusion, and equal access

attempting to engage in good faith on issues of access “We are deeply concerned about the implications of the cuts for users We are angered by the lack of consultation by CoCT about the cuts ” She said the meeting did not yield “ a satisfactory outcome” and added that they are exploring options including “legal routes”

“As far as City is concerned, they are not willing to restore the service They say that there is no possible way to do this without alternate funding external to CoCT

Sergil January, awareness officer for Cape Town Society for the Blind, who also attended

“This shifts responsibility away from the City and onto the very people most affected by their decision

January said DaR is a lifeline service to many “Dial-a-Ride is not a luxury, it is essential for attending clinic appointments, doctor visits, faith-based activities, and sport and recreational opportunities The presentation reflected a lack of understanding of what this service truly means to disabled citizens ” He said the service cuts “robs people of their independence”

“As the Cape Town Society for the Blind, we strongly believe that the City of Cape Town which claims that “This City Works for You” must find the funds to reinstate and sustain this

“It is about whether disabled citizens are seen, heard, and valued as equal members of our city We refuse to be made invisible ”

Quintas said the City is willing to partner with advocacy groups

“To potentially lobby large corporates who many have some form of social responsibility funding as well as to continue our fight to petition the National Department of Social Development to meet so that the relevant department (who’s core mandate is persons with disabilities and vulnerable persons) would be able to provide us with the deficit we have ” He said they are “ more than happy” to resume the service to its current status if the funding is available

to an idea... and then the plot thickened

Andrea Shaw’s debut book, Unsolicited, started with an itch

The 50-something TV editor said editing other ’ s stories gave her an “itch” to write her own “It’s a wonderful job, I love it very much and it gives me good ideas for stories, but it’s always someone else’s story that you are editing so you get an itch to start making up stories on your own ” The Vredehoek resident said writing has always been “ a bit of a hobby” from her school days but she decided to venture into publishing about a decade ago when she completed a fiction writing course Her homework for the course was to finish the first three chapters of a potential novel and Shaw sent her homework off to publishing houses but received nothing but rejection letters

This prompted her to switch to crime fiction, which is a more popular genre than the literary

fiction of her rejected homework

“I loved Agatha Christie as a child, whodunnits with a clear structure with clues and reading those helped me to learn how to write,” she said

Shaw had a lightbulb moment for the plot at an open book festival, while listening to a publisher compare manuscript reading to Tinder dating

“They just swipe through,” Shaw said, which was when she got the idea to hook a publisher’s attention by setting the story into a publishing house The plan worked because Unsolicited was picked by Jacana, which is parodied somewhat in the book as the fictional Hadeda Press

Shaw approached writing in the same way she did publishing – strategically

“It was very plotted I had a whiteboard, I had a book with things that I wrote down and then I had characters whose names I had crossed out because they weren’t right for that and so it was

very, very plot driven,” Shaw said when asked if she was a plotter, pantser or plantser Her characters, Shaw said, are not based on any real people, except for the car guard but she got the inspiration for her lead character, Fatima, from a series of documentaries she edited for UCT about forced removals

“The women I came across there, who were teenagers in the 80s, were just these incredibly inspiring activists, very grounded in their community, so she’s kind of an amalgamation of characters I came across there ”

Fatima’s activist past is hinted at in the book, as well as traumas related to that activism

These arcs are never resolved in the book

“The rest of the story is mapped out and I will be going back and looking at her teenage years and the 80s ” Shaw said she has a planned sequel and screenplay but that both of them need more research

“I want to sit down and talk to people and

share those stories more, ” she said

She is currently visiting relatives in America and while she is there, she is trying out “pantsing”

“Because I’ve only written one book I don’t really know what kind of writer I am and I need to explore the other ways of writing I’m working on a new book where I am completely pantsing it,” which she describes as chipping away at a mountain with a spoon “But I love plotting Plotting appeals to me I will have to try to control myself ”

Blind wine master triumphs

Blind wine tasting got a whole new meaning when the Institute of Cape Wine Masters celebrated its first blind graduate among four new Cape Wine Masters, three of whom are from the Western Cape and one from Johannesburg.

Jacques Lombard from Cape Town made history by being the first blind candidate to participate in the Cape Wine Masters programme

He was joined by fellow Cape Wine Master graduates Riaan van der Spuy, cellar master at Swartland Winery, Janine van Zyl, a sommelier and international account manager at global wine and spirits social media agency FirstPour, and Bradley Wood from Johannesburg, a specialist urologist in private practice

Since its inception in 1983 120 Cape Wine Masters to date have achieved this elite selfstudy qualification, making this year ’ s achievements all the more remarkable

The new Cape Wine Masters were celebrated at a prestigious awards luncheon hosted by the Institute of Cape Wine Masters on Friday 22 August, together with the Pinotage Association and the Lanzerac Hotel and Spa

Tasting group for visually impaired

After losing his sight in 1996 at the age of 26, Lombard’s introduction to the wine industry came through an invitation by Hermann Kirschbaum, then winemaker at Buitenverwachting, to join Wine Insight, a wine-tasting group for visually-impaired wine enthusiasts

This unique environment, free from influence by labels, brands, or appearance, honed his reliance on aroma, flavour and texture, skills that proved invaluable in his wine career

DISTINCTION

Twenty years later, in 2016, Lombard founded Winebrands, a Cape Town-based wine retail business supported by a dedicated team

A customer’s remark about purchasing only award-winning wines sparked his curiosity about South Africa’s awards system

His research revealed that most judges on leading panels were Cape Wine Masters or Masters of Wine, a discovery that inspired him

A JOURNEY DEFINED BY RESILIENCE,PASSION AND UNWAVERING BELIEF

to enrol with the Cape Wine Academy

Progressing through the certificate and diploma courses with distinction, Lombard earned an invitation to join the demanding five-year Cape Wine Masters programme

Throughout his studies he received guidance from no fewer than 84 industry leaders, whose mentorship and generosity he credited as instrumental to his success

For Lombard the Cape Wine Master title is the culmination of a journey defined by resilience, passion and the unwavering belief that wine

is best judged by the pleasure it brings in the glass

His dissertation examined the formation, health effects and mitigation of biogenic amines in wine, dispelling common myths about sulphites and highlighting the amine compounds as a key cause of wine-related discomfort

The dissertation investigates the complex role of biogenic amines in wine; nitrogen-containing compounds produced and broken down in the human body through normal metabolic processes

While essential for regulating functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, brain activity, digestion and immune response, these compounds can present significant health risks when consumed in excessive amounts from certain foods and beverages, particularly red wine

The research provides an extensive literature review of factors influencing biogenic amine formation in wine, including microorganisms, terroir, grape cultivar as well as viticultural and cellar practices

Central to their formation is the activity of lactic-acid bacteria, naturally present in the winemaking environment An exploratory consumer survey within the study revealed limited public awareness of biogenic amines and their potential effects, underscoring the importance of education in this area

Beyond wine, Lombard maintains an active lifestyle, training weekly on a tandem bicycle and participating annually in the Cape Town Cycle Tour He lives in Welgemoed with his wife, Petro, and their son, Daniel

SaveaFishieinurgentcalltobanplasticlollipopsticks

KAILINDANIELS

KAILIN DANIELS@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

Environmentalist group, Save a Fishie is calling for a ban on plastic lollipop sticks after thousands were discovered over the past few months during beach clean-ups

“Plastic pollution continues to plague Cape Town’s beaches, with one small yet persistent item now in the spotlight: plastic lollipop sticks,” says Zoë Prinsloo, founder of Save a Fishie

Save a Fishie has launched a campaign demanding a ban on these products, citing their dangers to marine life, seabirds, and ecosystems

PETITIONFORCHANGE

The environmental organisation has also launched a petition urging urgent action to ban plastic-stemmed lollipops in the country

The campaign emphasises that this small shift could mark a significant victory in reducing coastal pollution

“This is one of the easiest environmental victories we can win,” Prinsloo stresses “If we can’t ban plastic lollipop sticks when safe alternatives are already available how can we expect to address bigger plastic challenges?”

AFAMILIARSIGHTONLOCALBEACHES

From around Cape Town, residents and clean-up volunteers know the scene all too well: after heavy rains or storms, plastic debris litters the shoreline Among bottle caps, polystyrene, and straws, lollipop sticks are a stubborn and recurring find

While unsightly, the danger goes far deeper than appearance posing real threats to ocean health

“Plastic lollipop sticks are one of the most common items we collect during clean-ups,” says Prinsloo “They don’t break down, they end up in the food chain, and they’re completely unnecessary because safer alternatives already exist ”

THEHIDDENDANGERSOFPLASTICSTICKS

These small plastic stems, often overlooked, are far from harmless, Prinsloo says Rigid and sharp, they can injure or choke seabirds and marine animals

Over time, they fragment into microplastics that enter the food web, potentially affecting human health as well

“Every stick we find is another reminder of how deep the plastic crisis has become,”

Prinsloo says “If we cannot phase out such a simple, replaceable product, then what hope do we have for tackling the larger plastic problem?”

Unlike many environmental challenges that require new innovations or major investment, this issue has an immediate fix: paper lollipop sticks

Widely available and just as effective for holding sweets, paper options are biodegradable and far less harmful

“There is absolutely no reason for plastic sticks to still be on our shelves,” Prinsloo explains “Paper sticks work perfectly, they’re affordable, and they don’t destroy the environment ”

SAVEAFISHIE’SCAMPAIGNIDENTIFIESCLEARRESPONSIBILITIESFORCHANGE:

. Manufacturers: Stop producing plastic-stemmed lollipops and commit to paper-based alternatives

. Retailers: Remove plastic versions from shelves and offer only sustainable choices

. Parents, Schools, and Youth Groups: Refuse to buy or distribute plastic-stemmed lollipops at events, fundraisers, or as treats

. Government: Enforce legislation banning the manufacture and sale of plastic sticks, in line with global trends phasing out single-use plastics

“Plastic pollution is choking our oceans If we want to protect our beaches, wildlife, and future generations, we need to cut this problem off at the source, ” Prinsloo says

LESSONSFROMLOCALCLEAN-UPS

Beach cleanup groups often stress that the litter washing up after storms reflects what is flowing into rivers and stormwater systems daily Once in the sea, these plastics circulate indefinitely

“Every time it rains, we brace ourselves for the waste that will end up on our beaches,” Prinsloo

noted “From Milnerton Lagoon right up to Melkbosstrand, plastic lollipop sticks are always among the first items we pick up ” People’s Post has previously covered how these items, particularly around Sunset Beach and Bloubergstrand, overwhelm volunteers after storm surges evidence of how entrenched the issue has become South Africa’s beaches are a source of pride, recreation, and tourism They are also vital habitats for marine life Campaigners argue that allowing unnecessary plastic to continue polluting these spaces undermines both environmental health and community well-being

As Prinsloo concluded: “Together, we can stop this source of litter at its root ” . Go to https://chng it/YFb6hgHgMT to sign the petition

Tuesday and

an estimated 419 650 readers

THOUSANDS OF WALKERS TOOK TO THE STREETS ON SUNDAY 31 AUGUST TO RAISE FUNDS AS PART OF THE ANNUAL BLISTERS FOR BREAD CHARITY WALK HOSTED BY THE PENINSULA SCHOOL FEEDING ASSOCIATION(PSFA).