WOODSTOCK | MAITLAND | CITY
Tuesday, 1 September 2026
Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: peoplespost@novusmedia.co.za | Website: www.Peoplespost.co.za
@peoplespostnewspaper
@ThePeoplesPost
People’s Post
AIRLINK IMPRESS WITH LOW PASS A pre-match aerial display has ignited intense debate across the country and abroad after a pair of commercial Airlink aircraft performed an ultra-low flypast over Cape Town Stadium when the Springboks faced All Blacks on Saturday 29 August. Read more on page 3. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
BLACKOUT CHALLENGE
Social media’s dark side KAYLYNNE BANTOM KAYLYNNE.BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA
P
arents and caregivers are being urged to closely monitor what their children watch and participate in on social media after the Maitland community was left mourning the death of an 8-year-old girl following an incident allegedly linked to a social media challenge.
According to reports, the girl died after allegedly taking part in Blackout Challenge at her
Dangerous social media trend where individuals intentionally restrict oxygen flow to the brain home in Royal Road. The Blackout Challenge (also known as the “choking game” or “pass-out challenge”) is a dangerous and often deadly social media trend where individuals intentionally restrict oxygen flow to the brain to achieve a brief, euphoric state or “high” before losing consciousness.
Sgt Wesley Twigg, provincial police spokesperson, said Maitland police registered an inquest for investigation following the death of the girl on Saturday 15 August. “The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” explained Twigg. Graham Daniels, Maitland Residents and Ratepayers Association safety and security spokesperson, said while details around the incident are still unclear the community is saddened by this “tragedy”. “This tragedy highlights the growing concerns surrounding the influence of social media trends on young children and the importance
of parents, caregivers, schools and communities remaining vigilant about what children are watching and participating in online.” Daniel warned that what may appear to children as a harmless challenge or game can have “devastating and irreversible consequences”. “The loss of this young life should serve as a serious warning to our entire community. We must work together to educate and protect our children while ensuring that they have the confidence to say no when confronted with dangerous online trends or peer pressure.”
TO PAGE 3
n i w o N Your favorite, Polar ice-cream is now open inside Kekkel & Kraai Bo-Kaap
7478 3 8 4 8 6 0
Bring your family and friends and enjoy the delicious taste of Polar Ice-cream, creamy milkshakes & tasty treats
102 Wale Street, Bo-Kaap
TRADING TIMES: Mon - Thurs: 9:00 – 18:00 Fri:
9:00 – 12:30 14:00 – 18:00
Sat:
9:00 – 17:00
Sun:
9:00 – 13:00 NM10071807-QK010926
2 NEWS
PEOPLE’SPOST | Woodstock|Maitland|City Tuesday, 1 September 2026
20% of Gr 4s can ‘read’
M
ore than 914 000 South African Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning in any of the country’s 11 official languages, according to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (Pirls).
People’s Post is published by WP Media, a subsidiary of Novus Media.
ADULTS LEFT BEHIND
Whom To Contact
Adult literacy tells a similar story of averages hiding gaps. South Africa’s adult literacy rate
EDITOR Thulani Magazi
JOURNALIST (021 910 6584
* kaylynne.bantom@novusmedia.co.za EDITIONS: Atlantic Seaboard, City Bowl, Maitland, Woodstock, Athlone & Lansdowne JOURNALIST Namhla Monakall * namhla.monakali@novusmedia.co.za
JOURNALIST ( 021 910 6504
* keanan.harmse@novusmedia.co.za EDITIONS: Grassy Park, Retreat & False Bay SPORT Thulani Magazi * thulani.magazi@novusmedia.co.za
NAMHLA MONAKALI
A JOURNO’S VOICE Today, Spring day, is the start of days become longer as we enter the final stretch of the year. For many of us, it is a reminder that another year is moving quickly and that perhaps some of the things we promised ourselves in January have not happened. But perhaps September is a better time to take stock than January ever was. We often treat the beginning of a new year as
Advertising
( 021 910 6615
* shafiek.braaf@novusmedia.co.za ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Michael Roberts
( 021 910 6526
* michael.roberts@novusmedia.co.za EDITIONS: Constantia, Wynberg & False Bay ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Zulfah Newman
( 021 910 6560
* zulfah.newman@novusmedia.co.za EDITIONS: Grassy Park, Retreat, Ahtlone & Lansdowne ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Galiep Christians
( 021 910 6589
* galiep.christians@novusmedia.co.za EDITIONS: Woodstock, Maitland, City, Claremont& Rondebosch CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING * classifieds@peoplespost.co.za
( 087 353 1328
DISTRIBUTION COMPLAINTS * pp.distribution@novusmedia.co.za
Find Us Online
our only opportunity to change. We make resolutions, set goals and convince ourselves that we will become different versions of ourselves from 1 January. Yet life does not wait for January. Life changes in the middle of the year, in the middle of a career and sometimes in the middle of plans we were certain would work out. A job disappears. An application is rejected. A relationship ends. Money becomes tight. A business fails. A qualification takes us somewhere we did not expect to go. We discover that the career we worked so hard to build no longer makes us happy. Sometimes the uncertainty is external. Sometimes it is internal. You simply wake up one day and realise
HAVE YOUR SAY! KENSINGTON, FACTRETON AND WINGFIELD LOCAL SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (LSDF)
ADVERTISING MANAGER Shafiek Braaf
A GLOBAL CHALLENGE
Illiteracy is not only a South African problem. Unesco estimates that 739 million adults worldwide cannot read. The WLF works across five
OXFORD SUMMIT CALLS FOR PAPERS
This research will feature at the World Literacy Summit at Oxford University in March next year. Researchers, policymakers and teachers from more than 85 countries will meet under the theme “Literacy in a Connected World”. Literacy specialists working on South African reading outcomes, mother-tongue instruction, foundation phase teaching or adult education are invited to submit a paper or presentation proposal. The deadline is 30 August. The WLF operates in 54 countries with a mission to eradicate illiteracy by 2040. According to the foundation, 92% of online donations go directly towards books, learning spaces and literacy programmes for children and adults in need.
Reinvent yourself before life reinvents you
( 021 910 6518
EDITIONS: Claremont, Rondebosch, Constantia & Wynberg
Keanan Harmse
stood at 91,15% in 2024, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Institute for Statistics. However, the Department of Higher Education and Training reports that 3,9 million adults remained functionally illiterate in 2022, concentrated in North West, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The World Literacy Foundation (WLF) estimates the cost to South Africa’s economy at approximately US$5,13 billion a year in lost productivity, foregone earnings and reduced workforce participation, applying Unesco’s economic model for illiteracy. Earlier WLF estimates have ranged as high as US$6,7 billion.
continents to close that gap, one classroom, one book and one reader at a time. “South Africa has the researchers, teachers and programmes that know how to close this gap,” said Andrew Kay, CEO and founder of the WLF. “Those voices belong on the world stage.”
( 021 910 6530
* thulani.magazi@novusmedia.co.za
Kaylynne Bantom
That figure represents 81% of the cohort. It places South Africa last among the 57 countries and regions assessed in the most recent study, released in May 2023. The country also recorded the steepest decline among the 33 participants with comparable trend data. The proportion of learners unable to read for meaning rose from 78% in 2016 to 81% in 2021, erasing a decade of slow gains. In 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa set a national goal: every 10-year-old should be able to read for meaning by 2030. Four years out, the trend is moving the other way.
3,9 MILLION ADULTS ‘ILLITERATE’
The City of Cape Town has prepared a draft LSDF for the Kensington, Factreton and Wingfield areas. The LSDF provides direction for short-, medium- and long term spatial and investment planning in the Kensington, Factreton, Acacia Park, and Wingfield local areas. The study area is bound to the South by the rail lines South of Maitland cemetery; to the east by the rail lines West of Maitland; the N1 in the North and Jakes Gerwel Drive to the east. In terms of section 17 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000 and Section 12(1) of the City of Cape Town Municipal Planning By-law, 2015, the public and interested parties or groups are given the opportunity to submit comments, recommendations or input to the municipality from 1 September to the 1 November 2026. Comment, input or recommendation can be submitted by: • Email to: TableBay.DistrictSDF@capetown.gov.za • Website: www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay • Written submission: Subcouncil 3 offices There be a public Open House for inputs on 19 September 2026 at the Factreton Community Hall from 10:00 – 14:00, we invite all relevant stakeholders to attend.
www.peoplespost.co.za facebook.com/PeoplesPostNewsPaper twitter.com/ThePeoplesPost
Special assistance will be given to people who cannot read or write, people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups who are unable to submit written comments to have their inputs or comments recorded and submitted to the municipality. Contact Andre Louw on 021 400 9809 or email andrea.louw@capetown.gov.za for assistance.
peoplespostnewspaper 067 495 2886 (News tips only)
Press Code People’s Post subscribes to the South African Press Code and we are committed to journalism that is honest, accurate, fair and balanced. Under our editorial policy, we invite readers to comment on the newspaper’s content and we correct significant errors as soon as possible. Please send information to the news editor at thulani.magazi@novusmedia.co.za or phone 021 910 6530. Alternately, please contact the Ombudsman of Novus Media Community Press, George Claassen at mediaombud@novusmedia.co.za or 083 543 2471. Complaints can also be sent to the SA Press Ombudsman on telephone 021 851 3232 or via email hermans@ombudsman.org.za
The draft LSDF will be available for viewing on the City’s website www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay, at the subcouncil offices, as well as the Kensington Library. Contact TableBay.DistrictSDF@capetown.gov.za for further information on the draft LSDF.
Disclaimer People’s Post and Novus Media have not verified whether any of the services or products advertised in this publication are safe to use or will have the desired e�ect or outcome. Readers are warned that they should carefully consider and verify the advertiser’s credentials. People’s Post and Novus Media do not accept any liability whatsoever in respect of any of the services or goods advertised. NM10053605-QK280726
LUNGELO MBANDAZAYO CITY MANAGER
CTA192/2026
that the person you have become is no longer comfortable with the life you are living. That is where reinvention comes in. Reinventing yourself does not necessarily mean throwing your entire life away and starting from scratch. Sometimes it means repositioning yourself. It means asking: Where am I now? Where do I want to go? What do I need to change to get there? The qualification that once seemed like the key to a particular career may no longer be enough. But experience matters. So does adaptability. Perhaps you do not need to start over. Perhaps you need to present yourself differently. Update your CV. Learn the skill you have been putting off. Build a portfolio. Apply for the position you keep telling yourself you are not qualified for. Speak to someone working in the field you want to enter. Take the course. Start the side project. Position yourself for the opportunity before it arrives. Too often, we wait until we are forced or desperately need change before preparing for it. There is also something else that holds many of us back: age. We have created timelines for our lives as though everyone receives the same instruction manual. By 25, you should know what you want. By 30, you should have a successful career. By 35, you should own a home. By 40, you should have everything figured out. But I’ve lived long enough to see life does not work that way. Some people find their calling at 22. Others at 42. Some build successful careers and later realise they want something completely different. Others have to start again because circumstances leave them with no choice. There is no expiry date on ambition. We should also be honest about what reinvention can do. It cannot protect us from uncertainty. You can make sensible plans and still lose your job. You can work hard and still be overlooked. You can prepare carefully and still have life disrupt your plans. Reinvention is not pretending that these things do not hurt. It is refusing to believe that a setback has to become your identity. Perhaps that is what makes a new season such a useful metaphor. Spring does not ask whether winter was successful. It simply arrives. We should give ourselves the same permission. If the career you chose no longer fits, you can reconsider it. If your goals have changed, you can change them. If the version of yourself you created years ago no longer reflects who you are, you can let it go. You do not need to have the next five years figured out. You need to know what you are willing to do next. So perhaps the question is not whether you have achieved everything you wanted this year. Perhaps it is: Are you positioning yourself for the life you want next? There are still months left in the year. More importantly, there is still time. Life will continue to change whether we are ready for it or not. We may not be able to control what comes next, but we can decide whether we remain stuck in what no longer serves us. Sometimes reinvention is not about becoming someone new. It is about becoming ready for who you are still capable of becoming. And there is no better time to begin than now.
NEWS 3
PEOPLE’SPOST | Woodstock|Maitland|City Tuesday, 1 September 2026
Airlink adresses issues
A
pre-match aerial display has ignited intense debate across South Africa after a pair of commercial Airlink aircraft performed an ultra-low flypast over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on Saturday 29 August. The dramatic stunt took place just moments before the highly anticipated second test of the “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” series between the Springboks and New Zealand’s All Blacks, leaving spectators awestruck. According to precise tracking data analysed by Flightradar24, the lead aircraft cleared the top of the stadium roof by about 15metres. Determining the exact height above the terrain required a meticulous calculation using ADS-B altitude data. While the aircraft reported a baseline barometric altitude of about 15 metres above mean sea level at standard pressure, correcting for the local air pressure (a QNH of 1019 hPa) placed the planes at an actual altitude of 62,48 to 64,1 metres. Given that the Cape Stadium stands near sea level at a structure height of 49,9 metres, the structural clearance for the lead aircraft was calculated to be a razor-thin 12,5 to 14,02 metres. Public reaction to the breathtaking spectacle has been highly polarised. While many rugby fans inside the stadium and online celebrated the flypast as a thrilling, others quickly took to social media and online forums to voice sharp criticism. Aviation enthusiasts and citizens alike expressed deep concern over the risks of manoeuvring large commercial jets so close to a densely packed stadium structure and a populated urban area. Airlink directly addressed the mixed reactions on Sunday morning 30 August. The regional carrier acknowledged the online public anxiety but strongly defended the operation, emphasising that the entire flight
FROM PAGE 1
Cheslyn Daniels, Ward 56 councillor, expressed his condolences and said he assisted the family with the girl’s funeral. “The alleged circumstances surrounding her death are concerning. I want to implore parents to portray parental guidance over what children do, especially in the time of social media.” He cautioned parents and caregivers to be vigilant. “We must get back to the basics of children playing with card or board games and not with technology. As a father and community leader this tragedy has made me think about what we as adults can do to protect our children from pressures of social media.” Speaking to People’s Post Grant Heinz, Technology expert, has urged parents to take greater control over their children’s access to smartphones, tablets and social media, and warmed that online platforms can expose young people to harmful content and influence their behaviour. Heinz said children should ideally not have their own cellphones until they reach high school. Where children do have access to tablets or other devices, he encouraged parents to make use of child-friendly settings available on Apple and Android devices to monitor and control the content they can access. Parents should carefully block channels or content they consider inappropriate, he said. “Social media is a good thing, but it is a dangerous place,” he said, He adds that many platforms are designed to capture and influence users’ behaviour. Heinz said children are still learning and developing appropriate behaviours, making it important for parents to limit the people, platforms and content they are exposed to.
WIN R10 000 Enter as many times as you like.
Scan the QR code, answer the questions and stand a chance to win. One lucky winner will be announced at the end of September
A pre-match aerial display has ignited intense debate across South Africa and abroad after a pair of commercial Airlink aircraft performed an ultra-low flypast over Cape Town Stadium when the Springboks faced New Zealand’s All Blacks on Saturday 29 August. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
FLIGHT DATA VALIDATES THE FLYPAST COMPLIED ENTIRELY WITH SACAA was heavily regulated.Airlink revealed that the complex formation demanded careful planning and physical rehearsals, specifically designed to safely navigate the low altitude at a controlled speed of approximately 150 knots. Furthermore, the airline credited the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) for providing the necessary guidance, formal approval, and operational support to pull off the event.
To mitigate risk, the two-ship formation was operated by an elite, highly experienced flight crew. Each individual aircraft carried three senior captains onboard, serving respectively in the vital roles of commander, co-pilot, and safety/technical officer. Airlink confirmed that recorded flight data from both jets validates that the flypast complied entirely with the SACAA’s approved safety limits. The visual display featured two distinctly branded aircraft. The lead jet was an Embraer E195, registered as ZS-YDE, sporting a sleek, custom black “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” livery. It was flanked closely by a second Embraer E190, registered as ZS-YAE, which wore a vibrant green version of the exact same commemorative style.
4 NEWS
PEOPLE’SPOST | Woodstock|Maitland|City Tuesday, 1 September 2026
Cable car used in a ‘rescue’ drive
T
able Mountain’s iconic cable car became the setting for a high-stakes rescue simulation on Wednesday 26 August as Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) volunteers practised evacuating an injured patient from the mountain in a race against time.
The exercise involved the cable car being suspended above the mountain path, evacuating an injured patient from this pathway by hoisting them up into the cable car and transporting them to the Lower Station where an ambulance would normally be waiting to transport them to hospital. The scenario tested the coordination between WSAR rescue teams and Table Mountain Aerial
WSAR volunteers sharpened their emergency response skills during a simulated rescue exercise using the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.
Cableway Company’s (TMACC) operational staff, as well as the procedures required to use the Cableway safely during a rescue. Wahida Parker, managing director of TMACC, said WSAR’s volunteers do some of the most demanding and critical work on the mountain. “We have enormous respect for that work, and see it as part of our responsibility to support it in every way we can, through training, and access to our infrastructure. We also support WSAR through fundraising initiatives such as our annual Cableway Charity Challenge and Golf Day.” Parker said as visitor numbers increase towards peak season, access to the Cableway during a real emergency can significantly reduce the time it takes to evacuate an injured or ill visitor. David Nel, spokesperson for WSAR, said the exercise was a crucial part of how they prepare for the season ahead. “For a rescue service built almost entirely on volunteers, that kind of capacity is exactly what helps us keep pace with a busier mountain. “The technical rescue skills involved are ones our teams know well, but the Cableway environment is unique. This training lets rescuers become familiar with the cabin’s rigging, access points and procedures, so they can operate safely and efficiently should a real emergency ever call for it.” Nel said the partnership’s value goes well beyond training. “Without access to the Cableway, rescues we can currently complete in minutes would take hours. That’s a serious delay before a patient reaches definitive medical care, and it places significant physical demands on our volunteers. Every hour saved on one incident is capacity we can put towards the next emergency.” With hiking activity expected to increase over the coming months, both organisations urge visitors to prepare properly before heading onto the mountain.
Wilderness Search and Rescue volunteers took part in a simulated mountain rescue on Table Mountain on Wednesday 26 August. PHOTO: GARY HIRSON
THIS IS SENSITIVE, OFTEN DIFFICULT WORK, CARRIED OUT BY PEOPLE WHO GIVE THEIR TIME FREELY Nel advises hikers to plan routes within their group’s ability, carry sufficient water, warm clothing and a charged phone, check weather conditions, stay together, and call WSAR on 021 937 0300 early if they think they may need
help. “Reaching the summit is optional, getting home safely is not,” he says. In an emergency, hikers should note that an emergency phone is located at the Upper Cable Station and is managed by Metro Rescue. “This is sensitive, often difficult work, carried out by people who give their time freely because they care about this mountain and the people on it. We are proud to support WSAR’s work and to play our part in ensuring that, should an emergency happen, our teams are prepared and able to respond together,” concludes Parker.
Advertorial
UCT Actuarial Talent Shines at Miway’s Annual Hackathon
I
n a rapidly evolving business landscape, creativity and innovation have emerged as key drivers for corporate success. To meet the demands of a competitive marketplace, many forward-thinking companies have shifted their recruitment strategies, placing a greater emphasis on attracting and cultivating diverse skill sets, and unconventional thinking. Miway’s annual Actuarial Hackathon, held for the sixth time this year, has evolved over the years and aims to identify prospects who can turn “complex situations into extraordinary solutions” while offering participants an opportunity to put the theoretical knowledge from their studies into practice. The Actuarial Hackathon, an invitation-only, one-week modelling marathon recently took place and saw participants apply their minds to developing the best pricing strategy based on a provided dataset. This year’s constituent comprised of final year and Honours students, as well as graduates in actuarial science, data science and related fields. This year the Hackathon ceremony awarded winners in two categories, Mean Squared Error (MSE) and Profit. During a celebratory prizegiving session at the culmination of the event, Travis Dellar student/graduate from the University of Cape Town clinched the MSE first
place, Gorata Mpotoane from University of Johannesburg, scooped MSE second place, and Jolan Govender from Wits University took the MSE third-prize. Under the profit category, Simama Notha from Wits University took first prize, alongside Karabo Moeng from University of Pretoria who took second prize and Gorata Mpotoane winning third prize. Congratulating all the winners was Christiaan Marais, Head of Actuarial at Miway, who sees the Hackathon as an ideal platform for identifying individuals with a knack for problemsolving, unorthodox thinking, and the ability to generate innovative ideas that can drive growth. All the winners succeeded in building effective pricing models and demonstrated resourcefulness and perseverance in formulating a unique and compelling solution. As this has been the case in previous years, the Actuarial Hackathon provided Miway with the ideal opportunity to test candidates' problem-solving abilities but also to provide insights into our commitment to creativity, collaboration, and out-of-the-box thinking. As part of the experience, participants had the chance to interface with experienced actuaries and gain a practical demonstration of Miway’s hybrid working model. For these participants, the Hackathon provided
Simama Notha (Profit 1st), Karabo Moeng (Profit 2nd), Christiaan Marais, Head of Actuarial at Miway, Jolan Govender (MSE 3rd) and Gorata Mpotoane (MSE 2nd, Profit 3rd). a window into the working world and allowed them to sense-check their thinking with team members who had the opportunity to share their insights and transfer knowledge.” “The Hackathon presented quite the challenge; where students were required to use a combination of programming, data analysis and statistical modeling to formulate a solution. The competition provides an ideal way to test theoretical knowledge while allowing students to gain a practical understanding of how it applies to a real-world scenario.” Adds Marais.
emerged as a powerful tool for attracting and cultivating innovative talent, diversifying perspectives, and fostering a culture of creativity within organisations. As this trend continues to gain momentum, it will reshape the corporate landscape, enabling companies to unlock new levels of innovation and drive sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive world.
Creative recruitment drives such as Miway’s Actuarial Hackathon have MMMWWW-QK010926
NEWS 5
PEOPLE’SPOST | Woodstock|Maitland|City Tuesday, 1 September 2026
Show love and adopt a family pet
T
o shine the spotlight on thousands of pets that are abandoned or in need of new homes, People’s Post has teamed up with TEARS Animal Rescue to help some of these four-legged pets get new homes. Once a month we will publish several dogs and cats up for adoption.
TEARS is a pro-life non-profit organisation (NPO) established in 1999 to rescue, treat, rehabilitate, reunite and re-home lost, abandoned, abused and neglected companion animals and to educate pet owners and the youth living in the four under-resourced communities. The NPO remains the only facility in the Cape Peninsula’s far South available seven days per week, including an after-hours mobile clinic service from 16:30 to 19:00 with limited veterinary care. TEARS treats hundreds of animals for various conditions, illnesses and injuries.
.
DOGS:
Buster is a strong, affectionate and intelligent Pibble who loves training, toys and exercise. He thrives on structure and would suit an active, experienced owner familiar with power breeds. Buster is dog-selective, prefers personal space and would be happiest as an only dog. He is not cat-friendly and would suit a home with teens and up. Coco is a playful, athletic and loving girl who has spent years waiting for her forever home. She adores toys, especially fetch, and is eager to learn. Reserved at first, she soon becomes an affectionate cuddle-bug. Coco is dog-selective, not cat-friendly, and would suit a home with older children. She’s ready for adventures and a family to love! Demi is a loving, intelligent and energetic Pibble cross who adores cuddles, toys and adventures. She’d thrive in an active home and would make an excellent hiking buddy. Independent and strong-willed, she needs patient guidance. Demi is good with dogs out
.
.
THE ONLY FACILITY IN THE CAPE PENINSULA’S FAR SOUTH AVAILABLE SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK and about, prefers older children, and cats are unknown. She has a food allergy requiring a specific diet. Jonah is a gentle, easy-going Greyhound-Pibble mix who loves people, scenic walks and serious couch lounging. He walks beautifully on a lead and enjoys other dogs but can also thrive as an only dog with regular social time. Jonah would suit a calm, social home with children around 8+. Cats are unknown. He’s affectionate, well-mannered and ready for his forever home!
.
.
Buster is intelligent.
Coco is a loving girl.
Demi is energetic.
Jonah loves people.
Dobby is cautious.
Polka loves attention.
Saffron loves interaction.
Valya loves to “talk”.
CATS:
Dobby: This fiery feline is cautious with love and an abundant hisser, making them a challenge for the brave! But beneath that foxy exterior is a cat waiting to bloom. With time, patience and trust, you’ll earn the privilege of watching their beautiful personality unfold. Polka is a former devoted mama who has discovered her inner dance queen! Since her kittens found homes, she’s traded motherhood for playful hops, bounces and hilarious little wiggles. Sassy, affectionate and full of personality, Polka loves attention and knows she’s fabulous. If you’re looking for a fun-loving cat who’ll keep you smiling, Polka is ready to dance into your heart! Saffron is a spicy little queen with plenty of personality! A devoted former mama, she’s affectionate, playful and full of cheek. Saffron prefers to be the centre of attention and would be happiest as an only cat, or possibly with one
.
.
laid-back feline. She loves interaction, games and being adored. If you’re looking for sass, love and endless entertainment, Saffron is your girl! Valya, a beautiful, chatty calico with a big personality! She loves to “talk” and has a seri-
.
ous weakness for treats —the quickest way to her heart! A devoted mama whose kittens have found homes, Valya is now waiting for hers. She needs a patient family who will let her settle in at her own pace. Once comfortable, she’s affectionate, entertaining and full of love.
6 NEWS
PEOPLE’SPOST | Woodstock|Maitland|City Tuesday, 1 September 2026
Local author shines a spotlight on a n***** M
LAUREN O'CONNOR-MAY
ia Arderne created the distance she needed to recover from traumatic experiences by shifting them onto a n***erige book character named Lucian. “It helps to have a protagonist because you can externalise yourself and your experiences,” she writes. “It’s easier to have a character go through the tougher stuff. It doesn’t have to be so intense.” However, the author picked up some secondary trauma while researching the barbarism of an apartheid-era torturer for her latest novel, How to Stop Being a Naai. “I ended up reading the TRC transcript,” she said. “I read the whole thing. I haven’t recovered.” The result is a story that takes dark turns but still maintains the laughout-loud satirical humour the title promises. “I wasn’t trying to get super heavy with it,” Arderne says. “But I ended up going down rabbit holes and becoming deeper and more sincere at places I didn’t really expect.” WHO IS MIA ARDERNE?
Arderne is a young writer based in Mowbray. Her debut novel Mermaid Fillet, was long-listed for the Sunday Times/CNA Literary Award in 2021 and taught as a prescribed text at the University of Cape Town from 2022 to ’24. She has also written a young-adult romance, A Thousand Eyes on You, and several short stories. How to Stop Being a Naai is her third book, which she wrote after a period of
AUTHOR MIA ADERNE WANTED HER CHARACTER LUCIAN TO REPRESENT THE WEAKNESSES THAT EVERYONE HAS. being “institutionalised,” working on her mental health. WHAT IS HOW TO STOP BEING A NAAI ABOUT?
Arderne said the book began as a personal guide of nine steps to becoming a better person. The cover synopsis describes Lucian as a “Philanderer. Alcoholic. Sell-out.” “Lucian stumbles his way through nine steps, from ruthless self-acceptance to ultimately channelling his inner naai,” it reads. “In other words, he will try anything except go to actual therapy.” Curiously, Arderne said the character of Lucian is based on herself, “... maybe more than I would like to admit.” She also drew on her own family history. “I drew quite a bit on the paternal line of my family because I learnt some toxic behaviour from them. A lot of those people are no longer with us. I was, like, speaking to ghosts a little bit.” The process was both healing and painful. “There’s an element of that which was maybe more healing than traumatising. And there’s also a mourning; like, you grieve for these people again when you mine those relationships and those memories.” The book also went deeper than expected. Research for a character named Archie led her to explore
apartheid-era South African Defence Force soldiers, how they interacted with one another and the kinds of crimes they committed. In the end what started out as a satirical selfhelp book turned into a novel that explores morality through deeply flawed characters. “You could replace that word,” Arderne says, referring to the title, “with morality or a measure of morality. We all have lines that we get to where we’ll say ‘now this is over the line for me. This is immoral for me.’ I wanted Lucian to represent the weaknesses we all have. He’s representative of my weaknesses, people’s weaknesses.” NOT A SELF-STEP BOOK
Publishing the book came with a lot of surprises for Arderne. The first was the interest from her editor. “I spoke to my editor and my publisher almost, like, in jest and she was, like, ‘okay, send it through.’ I did. It was just a guide. It was just nine steps. And then she was, like, ‘look, I think you need to add a character.’ So Lucian came.” The next surprise was people’s reaction to the book. “I have a lot of people who want to buy it for other people in their lives because they have n***s in their lives that they think need this help,” she said, adding that she frequently needs to remind people that this is fiction and not a real self-help book, despite
a disclaimer inside the book . “It says on the cover it’s a novel, but I think it reads as a self-help book. I really hope they’re not expecting real advice. I mean, I’m not a psychologist.” Social-media posts also attracted a lot of surprising ire. “Some guys are quite defensive about Lucian. A lot of the men commenting were, like, ‘why are you dragging this guy?’ not realising it’s a fictional character. ‘You’re defending someone who’s not real!’ “And then I have all these Lucians in my comments, just lots of guys named Lucian who were not happy with me. And I’m, like, it’s just a name.” Mia said she chose the name because it was one of her favourites, ironically. “The Lucians of the world are not happy with me, man. They are not happy with me at all!” Conversely, women have commented on the social-media posts lambasting the character as a “f**cker”.
The cover of Mia Arderne’s third book.
WELL-RECEIVED
Overall, Arderne said the book has been well received and sales at the recent launch were good, but she jokes it may well have been because of the “provocative” title. The most common reflection, though, is that the book is funny. “Most of the feedback I got was that it was quite funny, and yet my writing isn’t generally funny. So it’s been quite cool to hear that.” Mostly, though, people have said they related to the characters, especially Lucian. “People tend to sympathise with Lucian more than I would have thought,” Arderne said.
Mia Arderne is a young writer from Mowbray.
This Weeks Specials OFFER VALID FROM 2 - 6 SEPTEMBER 2026 While Stocks Lasts. T&C's Apply - The picture of the product in the advertisement may differ to the one instore.
5KG CHICKEN THIGHS
R18499 R109 each
700G SEAFOOD MIX
R109 R4499 99 each
18'S TOILET PAPER 2PLY
R109 R7499 99 each
5KG CHICKEN LEG 1/4
R19499 R109
1KG SUPREME CRUMBED HEART SHAPES
each
R109 R5499 99
3KG CHIPS
1KG CHICKENTIZER STRIPS
R109 R4500 99 each
750G ONION RINGS
R109 R4999 99 each
each
R109 R6399 99 each
1KG HASHBROWNS
R109 R4999 99 each
1KG SUPREME CHEESY STEAKLETS
R109 R6499 99 each
2x1KG CHICKEN FILLETS + (GET THE 1KG SUPREME COATING FOR FREE)
R1000099 R109 each
1KG SUPREME CHICKEN STRIPS
2KG CHICKENTIZER BURGERS PLAIN/SPICY
R109 R6399 99
R11499 R109
2.5KG VIS FABRIEK CHIPS 10/12MM
750G VIS FABRIEK 12MM COATED CHIPS
R109 R5675 99
R109 R2799 99
each
each
each
each
750G SWEETPOTATO FRIES
1KG POTATO SMILEYS
700G 16/20 BRECO HEAD ON EASY PEEL PRAWNS
R109 R4999 99
R4999
R13999 R109
each
each
each
SAMXXX-AL020926
NEWS
PEOPLE’SPOST | Woodstock|Maitland|City Tuesday, 1 September 2026
7
Woefie Wandel back September KEANAN HARMSE ncreased admissions in abandoned stray dogs and added strain at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in Grassy Park, has inspired the launch of their annual fundraising dog walk that will assist the animal sanctuary with pet food and operating costs.
I
The annual Woefie Wandel dog walk and Pet Fair returns to Reddam Field on Sunday, 20 September, in Green Point Park, as the number of dogs entering SPCA care reaches 13 417. People’s Post spoke with SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham who unpacked the needs and pressures they’re experiencing at the facility. A morning out with your own dog will help fund food, veterinary treatment, shelter, protection and responsible rehoming for dogs arriving at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, she added. “That support is urgently needed. During the past year, the number of dogs admitted to the SPCA rose from 10 577 to 13 417, representing an increase of 26,9% in just one
PREPARING ONE DOG FOR ADOPTION COSTS THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SPCA R7 143 The dog play park located behind the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in Grassy Park is appealing for volunteers to assist them with dog walks. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
year. Dogs now account for almost half of all animals admitted by the organisation,” Abraham said. Each dog must be received, assessed and cared for. Some need immediate veterinary treatment. “Others require rehabilitation, behavioural support or time in the adoption kennels while the right home is found. The cost begins the moment they arrive,” she
added. “The SPCA does not make money by rehoming animals,” says Abraham, but has to raise funds to make their responsible rehoming efforts possible. “On average, preparing one dog for adoption costs the Cape of Good Hope SPCA R7 143. This covers food, clean bedding, veterinary care,
behavioural assessment and support, infection control, daily attention and follow-up after adoption. The SPCA must fund that care before an adopter is found,” she explained. The dog walk will help fund the food, veterinary treatment, shelter and daily care those animals depend on. The SPCA in Grassy Park is also appealing for volunteers to assist
them with dog walks. On the day participants can choose a relaxed 1,3 kilometre walk or a longer 19 kilometre route through Green Point Park. The day will also feature the Absolute Pets Pop Up Shop and Pet Spa, stalls from leading pet care brands, training demonstrations, a photo booth, food stalls, a mini funfair, spot prizes, grand prize draws and popular competitions including Happiest Dog, Best Lookalike and Mutt of the Year. The SPCA Mobile Clinic will provide free rabies vaccinations. Microchipping will be available for R150, giving pet owners an affordable way to improve the chances of being reunited with their animals if they are ever lost. Very Important Pet Parent tickets cost R220 with parking or R180 without parking. Each ticket includes admission for one person and one dog, together with a gift bag valued at more than R1 500. General entry costs R80 per person and R60 per dog. Tickets are available at www.quicket. co.za/events/388637-woefie-wandeldog-walk-pet-fair-2026/#/For more information email comms@spca-ct. co.za.
.
(6033!%!&)3 .6033!%!&)3-7&976&37931/.9/,0 2 +5* "++ 444" '&62 +$* 4*+ 88$5 FAMILY NOTICES
HOME IMPROVEMENTS EXTERIOR
EMPLOYMENT
1836
GENERAL 1055
Wandisa is URGENTLY seeking anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the following: The biological mother, " Auxilia Mudyirwa, and /or the biological father "William", both last seen in the Sea Point area, andr any other relatives of a female child, "Chloe Mudyirwa", born on 26 September 2012. To contact Renate from Wandisa on 079 063 4144 URGENTLY. Should no response to this notice be forthcoming, this child may be adopted through Court. GENERAL & HOME SERVICES
1860
Cash for all scrap metal in your yard, garage or store. Pay per kilo 078 611 3627 / 067 694 3590
"''.)05$( # ,).-&)5&)( # "2"4*%5'3"
WANTED 3601
LOOKING FOR A LADY WITH PRIOR EXPERIENCE WORKING IN A FISHERIES, FRYING FISH & CHIPS. HONEST & RELIABLE - RESIDING IN THE ATHLONE AREA CALL/WHATSAPP MR. ISMAIL 083 320 7860 072 376 6611
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
AH#!8H*B A#B? 7%" /#;=B1H">7 @7;H %#? ;HE>3H" )@H?@HE 7%& #F ?@H BHE;>$HB #E !E#"=$?B 7";HE?>BH" )>88 @7;H ?@H "HB>EH" H6H$? #E #=?$#'H, <H7"HEB )>88 %#?H ?@7? B#'H #F ?@H !E#'>BH" EHB=8?B >% ?@H 7";HE?>BH'H%?B 7EH H(?E7#E">%7E& 7%" '7& 5H >'!#BB>58H ?# 7$@>H;H, 0H)7EH B#'H #F ?@H !E#$H"=EHB 7%" $87>'B 7";HE?>BH" '7& 5H "7%CHE#=B >F %#? H(H$=?H" 5& 7 G=78>3H" 'H">$78 !E7$?>?>#%HE, <H7"HEB 7EH )7E%H" ?@7? ?@H& B@#=8" $7EHF=88& $#%B>"HE 7%" ;HE>F& ?@H 7";HE?>BHE4B $EH"H%?>78B,
AH#!8H*B A#B? H%/#;=B1H">7 77%;77E CHH% 77%B!EHH98>9@H>" ;>E H%>CH ;7 % " > H C H 7 ";H E ?H H E " H " > H % B ?H #F !E#"=9?H %>H,
AH#!8H*B A#B? 7%" /#;=B1H">7 "# %#? 7$$H!? 7%& 8>75>8>?& )@7?B#H;HE >% EHB!H$? #F 7%& #F ?@H BHE;>$HB #E C##"B 7";HE?>BH",
BUILDING PLANS 1802
34southDesign House Plans CoCT submission 082 574 2063 HOUSE PLANS DRAWN FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL CALL OR WHATSAPP 068 351 0780
8.L C0+ GD,L.L-,L2 GD 82*L.,G-GDI C0+. -E8FF 6+-GDL--; 40D,84, /L0/FLB- /0-, D0)"
#NB%'N > '0
4201
PLAYSAFE GARAGE DOORS & automation 0765230306 RUBBLE REMOVAL
ESTATES: CREDITORS & DEBTORS
NOTICE OF SURRENDER OF A DEBTORS ESTATE (SECTION 4(1) OF THE INSOLVENCY ACT 24 OF 1936) Notice is hereby given that application will be made to the High Court of South Africa, Western Cape Division, Cape Town on the 29th day of September 2026 for the acceptance of the surrender of the estate of HISHAAM JOHNSTONE Identity Number: (981102 5840 084) 8 Opel Road, Lansdowne, Cape Town, and that a statement of his affairs will lie for inspection at the office of the Master of the High Court Western Cape, Cape Town for a period of 14 days from the 7th day of September 2026. 1 September 2026 ____________ Attorneys for the Applicant ADAM, ALLIE & MORAR ATTORNEYS 289 Belgravia Road Penlyn Estate Cape Town TEL: 082 891 2244 Email: disha@aamlaw.co.za REF: DM/HJ002
,5)(.0"+ 10/&)$ (,5!1"+1('( /"*;% 70< 0, +04%02% 70< 8209 (%%2 !2:<,%& !2 * 40)0, ;%"!'6% *''!&%2)1 !$ 70< 2%%& "%6.5 9% '*2 *++!+)3*46J?<J #NB%'N > *R1 ,CCRN!'@D ?J .H3 5I. $$I. 4M AQ?JL,22 .K3 +5H H5K" J4 ?MM?6S- ? &M-- <46LG8J?J:461 A- E4M9 46 ? 64 E:6 ) 64 &-- =?L:L( !4 ?JJ4M6-/O<8:-6J M-8?J:46LQ:2 -0:LJL G6J:8 ?6 ?SM--7-6J =-JE--6 JQ- 2?MJ:-L Q?L =--6 L:S6-;1
A- <?6 Q-82 -6LGM- JQ?J /4G M-<-:F? 2M42-M 2?/4GJ1A- <?6 ?8L4 ?LL:LJ /4G :6 4=J?:6:6S ? D,DD, SM?6J EQ:8- /4G E?:J1 P8-?L- <46J?<J #NB%'N > *R1 ,CCRN!'@D ?J .H3 5I. $$I. 4M AQ?JL,22 .K3 +5H H5K" J4 ?MM?6S- ? &M-- <46LG8J?J:461 A- E4M9 46 ? 64 E:6 ) 64 &-- =?L:L1 !4 ?JJ4M6-/O<8:-6J M-8?J:46LQ:2 -0:LJL G6J:8 ?6 ?SM--7-6J =-JE--6 JQ2?MJ:-L Q?L =--6 L:S6-;1 '(#33"#3$5%&*3#3$5!
(%$/ +$#!%./$/"0 *'&
)+"0/! /-+0+%"
F- B0+. 6+-FCK--,.+HHEFCH;
8.K B0+ FC,K.K-,K2 FC 82*K.,F-FCH B0+. -D8EE 6+-FCK--;
40C,84, /K0/EKL- /0-, C0)" ?O( $?? NNN$
?O( $?? NNN$
8M%I@=&9@AJ<953!=:=<137>%&!@A'<AG@
8M%J@=&9@AK<953!=:=<137>%&!@A'<AH@ 126/7:8.<::,;49+)160
/*,% 70< +),<##6!2# )0 '6*!4 &!,%')67 $,04 )"% ,0*& *''!&%2) $<2&1-
026-8=,;49+)160
026/7:8.<::,;49+)160
AWS SA has been rescuing, healing, and rehoming since 1929.
Galiep.Christians@novusmedia.co.za SHOW YOUR SUPPORT: Nedbank 1148222588 Branch 198765
or Contact 021 692 2626 | 082 601 1761 www.awscape.org.za
Together, we’re their voice.
NM10071592-QK010926
Tuesday, 1 September 2026 || People’s Post || Tel: 021 910 6500
NM10071554-QK010926
TEAMS BATTLE FOR LFA HONOURS HAZENDAL SHOWS THORNHILL HOW IT’S DONE
Nur Williams of Thornhill United (red) and Ali Davids of Hazendal United show pure intensity to gain possession of the ball during a Rygate LFA u-10 league match played at Johnson Road, Athlone, on Saturday 29 August. Hazendal won 2-0. PHOTO: RASHIED ISAACS,
Ncedo Mangqizo of Greater Philippi LFA outjumps Reagan Eybers of Cape District LFA to the ball during a SAFA Cape Town inter LFA u-18 knock- out match played at William Herbert Sports Ground, Wynberg, on Sunday 30 August. The Philippi based team won 5-4 on penalties after the scores were tied on 0-0 at regulation time. PHOTO: RASHIED ISAACS
GAVIN MANUEL INTERSCHOOLS LEGACY CUP
Schools ready for cup AVRIL FILLIES
F
ourteen u-18 girls and sixteen u-16 boys from schools across Cape Town will participate in the Gavin Manuel Interschools Legacy Cup on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 September at Chukker Road Sportsground in Kenwyn In the girls section Steenberg and Mondale high schools are the debutants, while Tafelsig, Blasc Adacemia and Zwaanswyk will contest the boys section for the first time. Bergvliet boys and girls and Steenberg boys
The launch is on Wednesday 13 September at 15:30 at Mondale High return after a one year break. Nigel Crowie, the eldest brother of former Bafana player Duncan, is the tournament director. His ties with the late Gavin Manuel goes back to their first meeting in 1979 and their friendship lasted until the passing of Manuel in 2015. Crowie met Manuel when he was a learner at
Cathkin High in the final of the Western Province Senior Schools Sports Union (WPSSSU) against Parkwood High and Manuel was the referee. Their parts crossed again in 1984 when Crowie qualified as a teacher. At that time Manuel was the convenor of soccer for the WPSSSU, and Crowie represented Mondale High School at a meeting held at Spes Bona High. Back then, all school sports codes fell under the single umbrella of the WPSSSU. “I was nominated and became the convenor of soccer in Mitchells Plain. “Manuel would organise planning sessions to ensure that every school was included and able to participate, especially in soccer,” says Crowie.
FOLLOW THE ACTION 2026 season finale
EPISODE #30
03 SEPT
FROM THE TRYLINE TO YOUR TIMELINE The Rugby Factory's final episode for the season, proudly brought to you by BOSSA, features a special farewell to Sean Erasmus. One of South Africa's most successful schoolboy coaches in recent years departs Paarl Boys High to take up the head coach role at Stellenbosch University. The episode celebrates Erasmus's remarkable achievements in school rugby and marks the end of an era at Paarl Boys High whilst looking ahead to his new challenge at university level.
Manuel was also the first to organise a WPSSSU soccer team to travel to the United Kingdom (UK), exposing learners to the world beyond apartheid South Africa. The launch is on Wednesday 13 September at 15:30 at Mondale High School. The following schools have confirmed their participation: Girls: Ocean View, Bergvliet, Muizenberg, Zeekoevlei, Steenberg, Wynberg High, Beacon Hill, Oval North, Portland, Mondale, Rocklands, Glendale and Strandfontein. Boys: Ocean View, Bergvliet, Zeekoevlei, Steenberg, Wynberg High, Beacon Hill, Oval North, Blasc Academia, Portland, Mondale, Rocklands, Glendale, Paramount, Tafelsig, Westridge and Zwaanswyk