People's Post Woodstock/Maitland/City E-edition 20 January 2025
The16th edition of the Cape Town Carnivalwilltakeplace at the Green Point FanWalk on Saturday21 March, featuring morethan 1500 performers under the theme “Follow Your HeART.”Speaking at the launch, Cape Town Carnival Trust chair Prof Rachel Jaftadescribed theevent as ajoyful antidoteto aworldturned upside down. This year’s carnival will highlight 12 “Champions” from Cape Town’screativecommunity, whose personal stories willbeshared throughthe carnival’s sub-themes. Pictured areperformers Cassidy Snyman, Diana Ocholla and CassidyFortuin.Readmoreonpage2 PHOTO:KAYLYNNE BANTOM
T FanWalk will come alive
Withoutrest,ourplansfeeloverwhelming
tivity?
Rest isn’ta reward forwork; it’s part of thework. This is afamousquote that Iwillbe taking to heartthisyear. It challenges themindset many of us have grownupwith–theideathatrestmustbe earned only afterexhaustion, burnout, or completion.
Fora long time,I believed that slowingdownmeant falling behind.Thisyear, Iamunlearning that Youmight be wonderingwhy I’mtalking aboutrestwhenthe year hasjustbegun.Shouldn’t this be thetimefor biggoals,intense motivation,and constant produc-
Thetruth is that is exactlywhy rest matters now. Howwebegin theyearoften determines howwe experience it.Startingwithbalance,ratherthanburnout,setsa foundation forsustainable growth Taking care of yourself is nota distractionfromyourgoals;itisa crucialpartofachieving them Rest allows themindtoreset andthe body to recover. Without it,eventhe most ambitiousplans begintofeel heavyand overwhelming.Whenweare constantly pushingwithout pause, creativity fades, focusweakens,and motivation becomesforced.
On theother hand,whenrestis builtintoour routines,weshow up with more clarity, patience,and energy.Wemakebetterdecisions, manage stress more effectively, andremainconsistentratherthan
collapsinghalfway throughthe journey.
This year,I want to redefine productivity.Productivitydoes notmeandoing more at thecost of my health.Itmeans doingwhat matters well, with intention. Rest canlook differentfor everyone, it mightbegetting enough sleep, taking breaks withoutguilt, setting boundaries,unplugging from constant noise, or simply allowing yourself momentsof stillness.
Life oftenthrowsunexpected challenges ourway,and during thosemoments,takingextra care of ourselvesbecomes essential. I’ve come to realisethatprioritising my well-beingisnot selfish,it’s necessary.Wecan’t pour from an emptycup
As Iget older, I’malsolearningto letgooffomo(thefearofmissing
out)
Insteadoffeelingpressuredtobe everywhere anddoeverything, I’m embracingjomo(thejoy of missing out).There is peaceinchoosingrest, boundaries,and what trulyalignswithme, rather than constantly chasingwhatI might be missing.Byhonouring rest, we also practise self-respect.We acknowledgethatour worthisnot measured by howtired we areor howmuchwesacrifice.Instead,it is reflectedinhow well we care for ourselveswhile pursuing ourgoals Forme, this year is notabout rushingtothe finish line;it’sabout building alifethatissustainable, fulfilling,and healthy. Rest isn’tsomething I’ll turn to only when I’mexhausted.Itwillbe part of my dailydisciplinebecause doingthe work also meansknowingwhentopause
AJOURNO’S VOICE
KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Diana Ochollaislooking forwardtothe event.
Over 1000 performers willbetaking to the streets.
Performers gave patrons aglimpse of whatto expect on Saturday 21 March.
Anew ch in their li
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
Parents across theprovincewere filledwithemotionsastheyhad to letgooftheir littleone’s handsto mark thestart of theiracademicyearon Wednesday14January
About73000 GradeRsand 102000 Grade1s startedtheir school career while97000 Grade8 learners begamtheir high school journey. In total, 1,2million learners areregisteredat WesternCapeschoolsthisyear.
Parent Sharnelle Cadersaidshe wasproud of herson Kayden whohad no tearsand walked proudlytohis newclassroom
“I wassoproud of him. My sonwas diagnosedwithhighfunctioning autism when he wasyounger.I wasn’t sure last year whether he wouldmakeittoGrade 1. Buthis school is very supportive, andhewillget thesupport he needs.”
Anotherparent, ClaudiaWoods,saidshe was emotional. “Whathelpedwas seeing my son Micahbeing so calm.WhenI sawhim walking to class, it dawned on me that he is nowinbig school.”
MeanwhileTamboerskloof PrimarySchool wasabuzz as eagerlearnersarrivedearly, parentsexchanged goodbyes,and teachers preparedtowelcome anew year of learning
They were joined by DavidMaynier,provincial educationminister, andPremier Alan Winde. Windewishedthe learners well forthe year ahead.
“Whateverchallengeslie ahead, we will overcome them together.Wewillbebehindyou everystepofyoureducation journey.
CampsBay High School obtained a98,6% pass rate with 80,7%ofthese bachelor passes.
School principalLouis Mostertsaysdespite this they areproud of thelearners.
“Theydid well, we hadsomegreat results… We areexcited aboutour bachelor’s passesthat increased. We celebratethe kids that worked hard andgot theresults that they wanted.”
Theschool’stop learnerShani Gilmourreceived an 89,14% pass rate with sevendistinctions.
“I am so happy. It feelslikeall thehardwork paid off.Matricwas hard;focusingonmyacademics whilealsobeing thedeputyheadprefect meantthere wasa lotofwork. The(exam)papers were hard butI am pleasantly surprised.”
Shesharessomeofthe tips that helped herget throughthe year “Timemanagement, andI made sure I wasgetting things done on time andworked throughthe procrastination.”
Shenow hasher sights setonstudyingmedicine at theUniversityofCapeTown.
Gilmour’smotherHanneliesaysshe couldn’t be prouderofher daughter
“She worked hard andthathas paid off.I wouldencourage parentstosupport theirchildren;eachone hastheir ownstrengths.Don’t putpressure on them andencourage them to do theirbest.”
AndronikiZitianellisobtainedsix distinctions. Shesays: “While writingthe exam Iwas nervousand Ithought Iwouldn’tdowell. ButI am very happy with my marks.”
Shewillbecompletingseveral coursestosee whichcareer shehopes to pursue
“I will be doingcourses in abunch of different subjects to seewhatI want to studyfurther This year Iwillbetakinga gapand find ajob.”
AmmarahDavidsgot a60% pass rate.She says shewas having sleepless nights leadingup to theresults releasedate.
“I wasnervous butI passedand that is what I
wanted.I washopingfor adistinction,but that didn’t happen, Iamstill happy.I will be taking agap year andhopetogostudy next year.”
HerfatherMaahiersayshis daughter’s achievementmadethe family proud. Salt RiverHighSchool obtained an 88,8% pass rate DonovanNicholas, principalatthe school, says they achieved theirhighest bachelor passes to date with 41,8%.
He believes this is duetothe hard work and effortfromthe learners andteachers.
“Wehaveseen ayearonyearincreaseinthe matric pass rate since2021. Iamproud of the learners andteachers. They have putinall theworkwithextra classesoverthe March, June andSeptember holidays.Wealsooffer nutritionaland counselling support to thosein need.”
AmuranBesterfromJan vanRiebeeck High School wasstunned when he received his results.
Asparents proudlypostedpictures on social mediaoftheir children goingtoschool forthe firsttime on Wednesday14January,thousands of others joined thelongqueuesoutside educationdepartmentdistrictofficesto seek placementfor theirkids.
At theMetro SouthEducation District in Lentegeur, angryparents scoldedaneducation department official when he announcedthatthe queuewould be closed at around 08:45. Theofficial told parentsthatthe office could only accommodate 300peoplefor theday.The more than ahundred parentswho didnot make thecut-off were referredtothe department’s satellite office afew kilometres away
Parentscomplainedthattheyhad been standinginthe line forhours andfor many it wasnot their firsttimewaiting Fruitlesshours in thesun KhumisaTunzi from Khayelitshawas among thenumberthatwerereferred. Shesaidthe
LATE APPLICATIONS CREATECONSIDERABLE PROBLEMS FORTHE DEPARTMENT
processwas unfair
Tunziwas trying to find aplace forher Grade 5daughterclosertohomebecause theschool sheattends in Zonnebloem is toofar.The schoolsnearher home aretoo full, shesaid.
“She leaves thehouse at 05:00and then only gets home at 18:00or19:00,”Tunzi said
Shesaidshe hasbeen trying to gether daughtertransferred sinceDecemberlastyearbut has hadnofeedback from thedepartment.
Chante JoubertofRocklands wasalsoamong thenumberwho were referred. Shesaidshe wastryingto find aplace forher brotherand cousin in Grades 7and 8.
“Wedidn’tknowabout theonlineapplication,” Joubertsaid, explaining that sheisthe main caregiverfor theboysbecause theirpar-
Placement in progress for 7540 Gr R, 1and 8learners
TheWestern Cape EducationDepartment (WCED) says it is currently processing asignificantnumberoflateschool applications forthe newacademicyear.
As of Wednesday7 January, theWCEDhas successfully placed 180960 (96% of)learners forwhomapplications were received forGrade R, 1, and8 forthisyear. Placement is stillin progress for7540learnersinthese grades
SinceSaturday1 November last year,the department hasreceived10666 late applications: Thedepartmentsayslateapplicationsdisrupt planningfor learnerplacement,resourceallocation,and staffing,and placeadditionalstrainon thedepartmenttoplace learners immediately during aperiodwhenschoolsare closed forthe holidays
Accordingtothe department,essentialitems were procured anddelivered in advanceto ensure immediateteachingand learning across schools.
Forexample:
Schoolswereabletoorder top-up textbooks in Maylastyear, with fulldeliverycompleted by October, amountingtoR58,7 million
Stationery fornon-section 21 schoolsvaluedat R25,3million wasdelivered by November last year,and an additional R31,6million worthof goodsweredelivered by December last year
Thedepartmentsaysitisready to respond to newrequirementsthatmay arise duetolate applications or unexpected demand Moving forward
TheWCEDiscurrently conducting its10-day snap survey forten days,since schoolsopened last week
This survey provides accurate data on learner numbersineachgrade,allowing thesystemto settlebeforereporting
Theinformation gathered is critical for determiningwhere additional resources—such as furniture andequipment—are needed and wherefurther placementopportunitiesmay exist.
TheWCEDhas built175 newclassrooms throughthe building of newschoolsand the expansionofexistingschools.
No-fee schoolsreceive normsand standards funding to providestationerytotheir learners Schoolsmay,however,request that parents contribute to theirchildren’sstationerylistor otherexpenses, butatno-feeschoolsthismust be voluntary.
“Ifparents areconcerned aboutany contribution they arebeing askedtomakeata no-fee school,weurgethemtohavea discussion with theschool to clarifythatitisvoluntary or report themattertotheir educationdistrictoffice
“Inmostofthe casesraisedwithus, we find that it is amisunderstandingormiscommunication of arequest forvoluntary contributions,” explainedWCED.
Joubertclaimed she firstapplied at thedepartment in August.“I’ve hadnoresponsesince then.”
Thousandsstill need spaceatschools
Thegroup wasamong 7200 in theWestern Cape,accordingtothe Good Party, whostill needed placementwhenschoolsreopenedfor thecurrent academic year on Wednesdaylast week (14January).
“Thatis7 400pupilsleftinlimbo,uncertain abouttheir future, notbecause of alackofeffort or ability, butbecause thesystemhas failed to provideenoughspace forthemtocontinuetheir education,”Brett Herron, GOOD’s member of theWestern Cape Parliament,said.
“The WesternCapegovernmentisquick to branditselfasthe ‘best-run’ province in the country. Buta government that leaves thousandsofchildrenwithout access to schoolingat thestart of theacademicyearcannotcredibly claimsuccess. This nowraisesthe question: When will thesechildrenbeplacedinclassrooms? Howlongwilltheyhavetodelay their futurefor?”
Late applications
When People's Post sister newspaper, TygerBurger, posedthese questionstothe Western Cape EducationDepartment(WCED), spokesperson Millicent Merton said that sinceNovember, thedepartmenthad received over 10000 late applications
“Asof7 Januarythisyear, placementwas stillunderwayfor 7540 learners,” Merton said, adding that updated figureswould be made availablesoon.She said that sinceSaturday1 November last year,the WCED received 10666 late GradeR,1 and8 applications.Mostofthese were received in November andDecemberbut by Wednesday7 January, thedepartmenthad received 758new “extremely late applications
“Lateapplications create considerable challenges forthe WCED.Theydisrupt planning forlearner placement, resource allocation and staffing,and placeadditional strain on thedepartment to placelearnersimmediatelywhen schoolsare closed forthe holidays.Thismeans that discussionsaroundplacement canonlyresume once schoolsreopen, delaying theprocess further,” sheexplained
UWCdevelopsnewlow-cost healthscreeningtest
University of theWestern Cape researchers have achieved amajor breakthrough in medical diagnostics, developing an innovative electrochemical sensor capableofdetecting cancer, tuberculosis,and long Covid-19 at afractionof traditionaltesting costs.
Thecutting-edgesensor, developedatUWC’s SensorLabinthe Department of Chemistry, represents asignificant leap forwardinaddressing SouthAfrica’sdualburdenofcommunicableand non-communicablediseases. This portable device uses nanotechnology to detect specificdisease biomarkers in blood samples, offeringrapid andhighlysensitive resultsthat couldtransform healthcare delivery in underserved communities.
Dr JaymiLeigh January, theleadresearcher andrecentPhD graduate whospearheaded this development, emphasised thetechnology’s relevancetolocal health challenges
“Thisresearchaddressesa very real SouthAfricanhealthchallengebyproviding accessible, sensitive, andaffordabledisease diagnostics,” sheexplained
HOWTHETECHNOLOGYWORKS
Thesensoroperatesusing light-basedelectrical signalstomeasure traceamounts of disease-linkedproteinsinpatient blood samples. Itsremarkablesensitivity allows detectionof Covid-19 spikeproteinsatlevelsaslow as 0,04 picogramsper millilitre– farexceedingthe capabilities of many currentdiagnostictools.
This technology offersa game-changingsolution by providingimmediate, accurate resultsat thepoint of care.The sensor’s abilitytodetect diseases at earlierstagescould dramatically improvetreatment outcomes andpatient survival rates.
ForlongCovid-19detection,the technology proves particularly valuable in identifying hiddenviral reservoirs andpatientsatriskof developing prolongedsymptoms– agrowing concernasthe pandemic’s long-termeffects become clearer.
Theproject represents successful international collaboration, with Januaryworking under thesupervision of Prof Emmanuel Iwuoha from UWC’sChemistry Department,alongside Dr NeliaSanga,a UWCpostdoctoralfellow. The team also partneredwithresearchers from the University of GhentinBelgium,including Prof
This collaborative approach hasbeen instrumental in developing asensorthatdemonstratesexcellent stability, reliability, and reproducibility– essentialfeaturesfor routine clinical application.
Thetechnology’smostsignificant advantage lies in itspotential to improvehealthcareequity.Byproviding affordable, portable diagnostics,the sensor couldbridgethe gapbetween advanced medicalfacilitiesand underserved communities across SouthAfricaand beyond Januaryreflectedonthe broaderimplicationsofher research:“Everychallengeduring this journeyhas been aformative moment that strengthened me,and I’mgrateful forthe guidance of supervisors, family,and co-researchers.”
LOOKINGAHEAD
Theresearchteamnow focusesonscaling up developmentand production forwidespread clinical use. Future plansinclude comprehensive clinical trials to further validate thedevice’s effectiveness andexpandaccessibility in resource-constrained healthcare systemsglobally AccordingtoSipokaziFokazi, from UWC’s InstitutionalAdvancement,the development represents notjusta technologicalachievement, buta step toward amoreinclusive healthcare futurewhere advanced diagnosticsare accessibletoall.
Dr JaymiLeigh Januaryduring her graduation in December last year
PHOTO:SHELLEY CHRISTIANS
Murderersstill ontherun Man(35) shot at mosque
IMPORTANT NOTICE
FORM 3A -NOTICE OF APPLICATIONSFOR LIQUOR LICENCES IN TERMSOFSECTION 37(1) OF THEWESTERNCAPELIQUORACT,2008 –[REG. 10(1)]
Notice is hereby giventhatthe following applications forliquorlicenceshavebeenlodgedwiththe WesternCapeLiquorAuthority (the Authority)and with the designated liquorofficers at theindicated SouthAfrican PoliceService offices. Theapplicationsconcerned may, up to andincluding the 28thday from the date of publicationofthe application, upon requestand free of charge,beinspected by anyperson, at theofficesofthe Authority or the designatedliquorofficer listedhereunder. Copies of an applicationcan be obtained from theAuthority afterpayment of theprescribedfee. Objections andrepresentationsmustbelodged in writingwiththe Authorityand thedesignatedliquorofficerinaccordancewithsection 39 of theAct
VORM 3A -KENNISGEWINGVAN AANSOEKE OM DRANKLISENSIES INGEVOLGEARTIKEL 37(1)
VANDIE WES-KAAPSE DRANKWET,2008 –[REG. 10(1)]
Hiermeewordkennisgegee datdie volgende aansoekeomdranklisensies ingedien is by dieWes-Kaapse Drankowerheid(dieOwerheid) en]bydie aangewese drankbeamptesbydie aangeduide Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiedienskantore.Die betrokke aansoekekan,tot en metdie 28ste dagvanaf diedatum vanpublikasie van dieaansoek,opversoek en gratis deur enigepersoon besigtig word by diekantore vandie Owerheid of dieaangewese drankbeampte hierondergelys.Afskrifte van’naansoek kanbydie Owerheid verkry word na betalingvan dievoorgeskrewefooi.Besware en vertoë moet ooreenkomstigartikel 39 vandie Wetskriftelikby dieOwerheidendie aangewese drankbeampte ingedien word IFOMU3A- ISAZISOSOKUFAKWA KWESICELO SEPHEPHAMVUME NGOKWECANDELO37(1) LOMTHETHOWOTYWALAWENTSHONAKOLONIKA-2008 –[UMGAQO 10(1)] Isazisosiyanikezelwa ukubaezi zicelo zilandelayozamaphephamvume otywalazifakiwekwabasemaGunyeniezoTywala eNtshona Koloni (abasemaGunyeni) nakumagosa ajongene nemiba engotywala kwii-ofisi ezixeliweyozeeNkonzo zamaPolisaaseMzantsiAfrika. Iziceloekubhekiselelwa kuzo zingakwazi kwiintsuku ezingamashumiamabini anesibhozo (28) ukususelangomhla wokupapashwa kwesisicelo, xa eceliwekwaye simahla, ziye kuhlolwa nguyenawuphi umntu okwi-Ofisi esemaGunyeni okanye yegosa elijongene nemiba engotywala elixelwe apha ngezantsi. Iikopi zesicelo zingafumanekakwabasemaGunyeniemva kwentlawuloemiselweyo. Uchasoneengxelo ezixhasayo ezibhaliweyo zingafakwa kwabasemaGunyeni nakwigosaelijongenenemibaengotywala ngokwecandelo39loMthetho
No.Fullnameofapplicant
Volle naam vanaansoeker
Igamaelipheleleyo lomfaki-sicelo
Name underwhich business will be conducted
Naam waaronder besigheidbedryfsal word Igamaishishini eza kushishina phantsikwalo
Addressofthe proposed premises
Adresvan dievoorgenomeperseel
Idilesi yesakhiwo
Kind of licence appliedfor
Tipe lisensie waarom aansoek gedoen word Uhlobo lwephepha mvumeolucelayo
SouthAfrican Police Services designatedliquor officeroffice wherethe applicationhas been lodged
Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiedienskantoor vandie aangewese drankbeampte waar dieaansoek ingedien is i-Ofisi yeGosa elijongene nemiba engotywala yeeNkonzozamaPolisa eMzantsiAfrikaapho isicelosifakwe khona
