People’s Post Woodstock/Maitland/City E-edition 21 April 2026

Nominated againforWTA

Table Mountain hasonceagain been nominatedasAfrica’sLeading TouristAttraction at theprestigious WorldTravelAwards, andvotershave untilFriday17Julytocasttheir votes andhelpthe iconic landmark secure anothertitle.

Oftendescribed as thetravelindustry’s versionofthe Oscars,the WorldTravelAwards recogniseexcellenceacrossthe global travel, tourismand hospitalitysectors andhavedone so forthe past 33 years.

TheiconicCapeTownlandmarkhas already claimedthe title five timesin2014, 2019,2020, 2021 and2022and is nowhopingtoadd another wintoits record this year

Wahida Parker,ManagingDirectorofTable Mountain Aerial Cableway,saidthisnomination is aproud moment forCapeTownand SouthAfrica.

“Table Mountain is more than alandmark. It is asymbolofour naturalheritageand aworldclassattractionthatcontinues to inspirevisitors from across theglobe.Every vote is an opportunity to show theworld what this destination meanstous.”

.To vote visit www.worldtravelawards.com/ vote.Selectthe Africaregion and choose Table Mountain as Africa’sLeading Tourist Attraction.

Lifeguardstakingawell-deservedbreather

TheCityofCapeTownhas endedits seasonal lifeguarddeployment, reportinga drop in drowning fatalities during the2025-’26summerseason.

TheCityhas confirmed that seasonal lifeguard contractsended on Tuesday7 April, with beach andpool safety operations nowshiftinginto winter readinessand maintenance.

Community swimming poolshaveclosedfor thewinterseason. However, indoor facilities at Retreat, Blue Downs, Long Street,Strand, and theSea Pointswimming pool remain open yearroundfor public use.

TheCitysaidthe past summerrecordedthe lowest number of fataldrownings in seven years.

Therewerenofatal or non-fataldrownings at municipalswimming poolsduringthe season

Alongdesignatedbathing areasalong the coast, therewerenofatal drownings, while38 non-fatalincidents were recorded

TheCitysaidthese outcomes were significantly reduceddue to swiftinterventions by lifeguards,bystanders, andrescuepartners.

However, nine fataldrownings were recorded alongCapeTown’scoastline

Allweremale, with twoteenagersamong the victimsand theremainder youths andadults over theage of 18

“CapeTownexperienced yetanother bumper

There’ssomething quietly confrontingabout realising we’renearly five months into theyear.

Time hasa wayofslippingpast whilewe’re busy managing theeveryday challenges like stayingupto date with emails,jugglingresponsibilities,and thoseunexpected setbacks

Andsomewhere in between, thosegoals we setwithclarity and intentionatthe startofthe year begintofadeintothe background

I’ve neverbeen afan of New Year’s resolutions. They oftenfeel toorigid,too performative.But

summer, with hundreds of thousandsofvisitors to ourbeaches andswimming pools,”saidMayco member forcommunity services andhealth, Francine Higham

“Wewould like to extend oursincerest gratitude to thelifeguardswho worked tirelesslyto keep everyone safe,inspite of thechallenges that come with watersafety,”she said

TheCitysaidfocus nowshiftstomaintenance andupgradesoffacilitiesahead of thenext

goals? That’s different. Goalsare personal.They’re deliberate.They come from aplace of wantingmore growth,morediscipline, more meaning.

Andassomeone whothrives on structure, I’ve always found comfortinlists.There’s aunique satisfaction in writingsomething down,working toward it,and eventually tickingitoff.It’sa small butpowerful acknowledgment of progress.

Buthere’sthe uncomfortable question:are we actually making time forthose goals?

It’s easy to convince ourselves that we’llget to them “whenthings calm down”. Afterthisbusyweek Afterthisstressful project. After life feelsa bitmoremanageable. Theproblem is that life rarely slowsdownonits own. Therewill

summerseason. It is midway througha fiveyear programme to improve37publicswimming pools, with further upgrades planned.

AproposedR20 million investment forthe 2026-’27 financialyearhas also been tabled to ensure facilities remain safe,accessible, and readyfor peak season.The City’s recreation and parksdepartmenturged thepublictoremain vigilant at beaches, obey warningsignage,and understand waterrisks when swimming

always be anotherdemand, another distraction, anotherreasonto postpone what matters to us Dailychallenges arepersistent. They don’tpolitelystepaside to make room forour ambitions. If anything,theyexpandto fill everyavailable gap. So,ifwedon’t intentionally carveout time forour goals, they simply don’thappen. Andthat’swhere many of us,me included,get stucknot because we lack motivation,but because we underestimatehow easily our priorities getreshuffled

We startthe year focused, but withoutconsistentaction, even themostmeaningful goalslose momentum

This isn’tabout guilt. It’s about awareness. If anything,thispoint in theyear is an opportunity. Amomentto

pausenot to criticiseourselves, buttoreassess. What stillmatters? What have we neglected? And more importantly, what arewe willing to do differentlymoving forward?

Becausethe truthis, tickingoff a goal doesn’tcomefromwaiting for theperfect moment.Itcomes from choosing, repeatedly,toshowup foritevenwhenit’sinconvenient. Even when theday feelstoo full. Thelists we make aren’t just collections of tasks. They’rereflectionsofwhatwevalue.And if somethingistruly importanttous, it deserves more than leftover time So maybethe question isn’t whetherwe’ve been toobusy. Maybeit’swhether we’vebeen intentionalenough. There’sstill time.Eight months to be exact. But only if we decide to useit.

KensingtonLions Club proposed

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Kensingtonand Maitland couldsoon have theirown LionsClub. Ameetingtoestablish theclubwas be held at St John’s PrimarySchool in Kensingtonyesterday (19April).

LionsClubs Internationalisthe world’s largestservice organisation,withmorethan1,4 million membersinover46000 clubsacross 200countries

Theorganisationisdedicated to community serviceand leadshumanitarianprojects.

HeatherLee,a global extensionteammemberfor LionsClubs International, said there is aneed to establisha club in Ward 56,which includes Kensington,Factreton andMaitland.

“There isn’ta Lion’s Club in or closetothe Kensington area.Wewillservice Kensington, Factreton, Garden Village andMaitland.

“Itwillbebetterifwehavea club in Kensingtonsothatwecan reachout andserve more people.”

Leeexplained that Monday’s meetingwas an introduction to theLions Club,givingresidents an opportunitytolearn more aboutits commu-

“There’s somethingdeeply fulfilling about servingothers. Many Lionssay it strengthens theirsense of purposeand even aligns with theirpersonalvaluesand faith.

“And youmeet people from alloverthe world becauseyou arepartof1,4 million members,” Leesaid.

Sheexplained that LionsClubfocuses on keyservice areasincluding vision care,hunger relief,diabetesawareness, humanitarian efforts, environmentalprotection, youthdevelopment anddisasterrelief.

Throughthese initiatives, shesaidmembers work to supportvulnerablecommunities, improvewell-beingand promotehumanitarian servicelocally andglobally

AccordingtoLee, theclubwillbebeneficial to thecommunity as it will enhanceand support theworkalready done by existing organisations andcommunity initiatives.

“Lions is aservice organisation.The objective of LionsClubistoserve andtogivebackto thecommunity.Wedon’t look at religion or politics.Wejustwanttomakea difference in someoneelse’slife.”

Leesaidjoining theorganisationalsoopens

LIONS IS ASERVICE ORGANISATION GEARED TO GIVEBACKTOTHE COMMUNITY

hasbeen amemberofCapeTownLion’sClub basedinPinelands since2018, andwelcomed theestablishment of aclubinhis area

“There aremanychallenges in thesecommunities,especially wherevulnerablegroupsare concernedlikechildrenand women, theelderly andthose affectedbypoverty.They(Lions) usually step in as volunteerswhere government or organisationsare notableto.”

He said Lionsclubs play apivotal role in communities.“They (Lions)werealsoinstrumental in helpingtoopenthe Thuthuleza Centre in Mitchells Plainfor victimsand survivorsof sexual offencesand childabuse,” Alexander concluded.

. Formoreinformation contact 071360 9086

Centretransforms livesdaily

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Drivenbya mission to make thecommunity saferand provideyoung people with an alternativetodrugs and gangsterismthe FirstCommunity Resource Centre (FCRC) was birthedovertwo decadesago

FounderpastorCravenEngel believes theHanover Park faithbased non-profitorganisation(NPO) is even more needed todaythanitwas then EngelsaidFCRCwas startedin 2002 with theintention of poverty alleviationand to providecounselling targeted at residents, youth influenced by gangsterismand drugs as well as abused andneglected children

He said thecentrerunsa rangeof community programmesaimed at

warm meal each day.

“Unemployedresidents canaccess assistance throughthe jobdesk, wheretheycan create CVs, usecomputers andtakepartina job-readiness programme runinpartnership with Beulah Africa.”

RECOVERYSERVICES

AccordingtoEngel,the centre also offersa substanceabuse support programme,linking participants to recovery services includingCampJoy,a halfwayhouse forpeopleundergoing rehabilitation

He said violence prevention is addressedthrough theCeaseFire Cure

derlines.There arenolimitsonwho canaccess theprogrammes. Butwe target theHanover Park community andsurrounding areas.

“There is abig need in ourcommunity regardingthe social ills plaguing thecommunity.Wehavea data-drivenand scientifically proven programme so we canmeasure the impact in real time.Wehavequalitative data.”

DATADRIVENSUPPORT

Engelsaidabout 350000 people pass throughthe centre annually “Wemeasure ourqualitative data by lookingathow many people are

“Mostofour programmesare based on epidemiology –how to stop the epidemic of violence,substance, poverty, unemployment.Wehavethe public health approach towardsall ourprojects. So,wecan measureand make an actual impact.”

He calledonorganisations andreligiousinstitutionstoprovide funding andsupport fortheir work,whether by sponsoring achild or assisting someonebattlingsubstance abuse.

He said they do receivesupport from partners andcivic organisations, butstressedthatadditional funding is always needed

Albert Matthews, whoservesonthe management team at thefacility, said he sought help from thecentreasa youngboy addicted to drugs.

“I went therefor help becauseI

hada drug problem. Throughthe programme my parents, whowere addicted to drugsand alcohol, also gotthe help they needed.”

Matthewsexplained that aftercompletingthe rehabilitation programme, he stayed on at theorganisationand beganvolunteering.

“WhenI arrivedthere as ayoung person Iwas treatedwithrespect They neverspoke to my conditionbut to my potential. Ijustneeded somebody to recognisemypotential.The centre wasthatplatformfor me.” Today, Matthewsisa staff member, usinghis experience to support andinspire others on theirrecovery journey.

. Formoreinformation or to support the organisation emailcontact@fcrc. org.za

ZeitzMOCAA shows youth art

KEANANHARMSE

LearnersfromSteenberg Primary School arestepping into thespotlight at ZeitzMuseumofContemporary ArtAfrica(ZeitzMOCAA),where their creativity will form part of amajor new children’s book exhibition openinglater this month. Throughhands-onart sessionsled by themuseum’sBMW Centre forArt Education, theseyoung participantscreated theirown interpretations of characters andstories,someexperiencing artmakingfor thevery firsttime.

Theirworkwillbeshowcased alongsideprofessional illustrationsin TheStories that Ran Away,a newexhibitionand book launch taking placeonSaturday25April,highlightingAfrican storytelling andinspiring anew generation of readersand artists. Theevent marksthe second instalment of themuseum’schildren’sbook series,following asuccessful debutin2024. This latest editionintroducesthree newtitles Nkanyamba, OneWorld,One Family,and WhyFireand WaterAre Enemies.Writtenby Meridian Berndt,the booksare broughttolife by illustrators Isabelle Grobler, JaxLamb, Vix Venter andZhi Zulu

Thestories draw on Africanmyths,legends andcreationnarratives, exploringhumanity’s relationship with thenatural worldand encouragingyoung readerstoreflectontheir role in protecting theenvironment

An accompanying exhibition,alsotitled The StoriesthatRan Away,willshowcaseoriginal artworks from allseven booksinthe series Locatedinthe museum’s undergroundtunnels on Level1,the exhibition runs until7 June and inviteschildrenintoanimaginative world filled with mythical creaturesand vividstorytelling

Akey featureofthe exhibition is theinclusion of artworks createdbylearnersfromSteenberg PrimarySchool.Through facilitatedsessionsled by museum educators, learners will interpret characters andthemesfromthe stories, with some experiencing art-making forthe firsttime. LieslHartman,Headofthe BMWCentrefor ArtEducation,emphasisedthe importance of representation:“At theheart of this children’s book series is thelegacywehopetobuild by profiling storiesfromAfricafor ayounger generation.Wewantchildrentosee themselves reflectedinthese narrativesand to take pridein storiesthatoriginate on thecontinent.”

Theday’s programme begins with amedia previewand paneldiscussion at 10:00, offering insights into theproject’s creative andeducational vision.Authors,illustrators andindustry professionalswillreflectonthe collaborative processand theimportanceofnurturing alove of readingamong children

From 15:00the museum transforms into an

Learners of SteenbergPrimarySchool will exhibit their artworks at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA)onSaturday25April.

PHOTO:SUPPLIED

SEVENBOOKSHIGHLIGHT RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY OF AFRICAN STORYTELLING

interactivespace forfamilies, featuringa guest talk by Cape Town-based Ugandanauthor Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa.Performances by Magnet Theatrealumniwillanimate characters from thebooksthrough movement andplay, alongsideinstallationsand activities throughout themuseum.

Visitors will also have theopportunity to purchase thebooksand attend asigning session with thecreativeteam.

Theproject builds on theoriginalfourtitlesin theseries, whichexploredthemesofcreation, transformation andjourney across thecontinent.Togetherthe sevenbookshighlight the richness anddiversity of Africanstorytelling traditions

In partnershipwithAfrican Literary Agency, ZeitzMOCAA aims to expand theglobalreach of theserieswhile amplifying Africanvoicesin children’s literature

Additional public programmeswillfollow, includinga Teachers’Walkabout in Mayand a “Night at theMuseum” experience forchildren during theJuneschool holidays

Throughinitiatives like this,the BMWCentre forArt Educationcontinues to strengthen connections between art, literacy andcommunity, fosteringcreativityand cultural prideamong youngaudiences

LearnersuniteforBreadline

NAMHLAMONAKALI

Rustenburg Girls’ High School broughthigh school learners from differentschoolstogether at theV&A Waterfront on Saturday 11 Aprilfor a12-hour Cyclathoninsupport of Breadline Africa

Theannual eventsaw severalschoolstakepart in arelay-style fundraiserinsupport of Breadline Africa,a non-profitorganisation(NPO) that provides safe andsustainable educational spaces forchildrenacrossSouth Africa

BreadlineAfricaprojectsinclude classrooms, librariesand sanitation facilities aimedatimprovinglearningenvironments.

Rustenburg Girls’ High School hadpreviously supported theorganisationand hascommitted to making it itsongoing beneficiary, strengtheninga long-termpartnership focusedon educationalupliftment.

Learners took turnscycling on stationary bicycles whileraising funds in thelead-up to the event. Thepublicjoinedbydonatingand taking part on theday

Donationscould also be made online via givengain.com.

Participatingschools included Wynberg Girls’ High School,SpringfieldConvent School, Herschel GirlsSchool,WesterfordHighSchool, Rondebosch Boys’HighSchool,Bishops DiocesanCollege,South AfricanCollege Schoolsand WynbergBoys’ High School

Visitors experienceda lively atmosphere,with live school band performances,community

engagement anda shared senseofpurpose Jamie-LeeSteenkamp,a naturalscience teacheratRustenburgand spokesperson for theevent,saidthe Cyclathonreflecteda shared commitmenttosupport vulnerable children

“Weare incredibly proudtosupport Breadline Africa againthisyear.

“Itisabout more than just cycling. It is about showingthatwecan standtogetherand make arealdifference in thelives of otherchildren,” shesaid.

Kelly Burke, publicistfor Rustenburg,added that theevent demonstrated thepower of young people drivingchange.

TheCyclathon highlightedhow youngpeople areturning energy andeffortintomeaningful support forlearnersinneed,reinforcing aculture of community-drivenimpact.

“Seeing learners,schoolsand thepubliccome together like this showsthe real impact of collectiveaction,”saidBurke

“Itmeans so much to us that Rustenburg has chosen BreadlineAfricaastheir beneficiaryand announcedtheir commitmenttosupporting us on an ongoing, annual basis. Theconcept of children helpingchildrenisbothsimpleand powerful,and it is inspiringtosee youngpeople stepping up to make arealdifference in the livesofothers.”– Mette Kirsten, Head of Brand andCommunications.

An inquiryregarding theamountraisedwas sent,but wasnot availablebythe time of publication

SANavyFestivalthrillsaudienceswithnavaloperations

TheSouth AfricanNavypulledout allthe stopsand hosted an unforgettabledisplay of military prowessand discipline when it opened itsdoors to thepublicfor this year's SA Navy Festival, whichtook placefromFriday17 ApriltoSunday19April at theEast Dockyard in Simon’sTown. Themuch-anticipatedannual eventdrewthousands of visitors and offered an engaging andeducational experience,providing arareglimpse into theinnerworkingsofthe Navy

Theevent is an eventful highlighton SouthAfrica’smaritimecalendarand showcasedthe Navy’s fleet,personnel andheritage, whilestrengthening public understandingofits role

Thefestivalaimed to bridge this gapbygivingthe public first-hand insightintonaval operations,capabilities andcareer opportunities. Theprogramme wasexpandedto appeal to awideaudience, including families,maritimeenthusiasts and youngpeopleconsidering afuturein theNavy. Highlights included guided

fleet tours, wherevisitorsboarded selected navalvessels andexploreda Type 209submarine underthe guidance of trainedpersonnel.Military precisiondisplaysdrewcrowds, with performances by drillteams,Officers’ SwordDrill unitsand SeaCadets showcasing discipline andskill. The night-shoot firing displayoffered a dramatic spectacleunder theevening sky. Entertainmentalsoplayeda key role,withliveperformancesbythe SA Navy Band adding to thefestive atmosphere.Visitorsenjoyed capabilityexhibitions,including search and rescue demonstrations and firefightingdisplays, highlighting theNavy’s specialisedskills andreadiness. Families were cateredfor with food stalls,artsand crafts,and dedicated children’s entertainmentareas, ensuring alivelyand inclusiveenvironmentfor allages. Thefestivalran dailyfrom10:00 to 17:00, with free entry, encouragingthe public to learn more aboutthe Navy’s contribution to national security andprosperity.

TheSANavyca-

A NGOofferslifelinefor teen moms

Luukhanyo finds his bigstage

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

KAYLYNNE.BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Asa youngboy,hedreamed of commandingthe stage. Today, Sive Marasha, betterknown as Luukhanyo, arapperblendinghip-hop, funk,jazz, andsoulisturning that dream into reality, making bold rhythmic waves andhe’sonlyjustgetting started.

Marashahas takenhis soundbeyondborders, showcasing hismusical talent on both localand internationalstages.

Butthe Gugulethu-born artist describedhis recent debutatthe Cape Town International Jazz Festival alongsidelocal band TheHii Rollers,asa dreamperformance he can finally tick off hislist.

“Thiswas exciting notonlyfor me butfor everyone involved in my journey. We know how bigthisopportunitywas,being from Gugulethu getting to witnessthisannually sinceI wasa kidtonow having theluxurytobeonstage is nothingshort of ablessing.”

He said,growing up,music hasalwaysbeen part of hisjourney

“Music is somethingthatisspiritual and healing. As acommunity when we arecomingtogetherand thereisa ceremony,wesing songs. When we areinchurch, we aresinging songs. Musicisintegraltowho we are. ”

Marashasaidsharing hispassion with others is fulfilling anddoing it alongsideband memberswho arejustasdedicated makesthe journeyevenmorerewarding

“Tohavethe opportunitytoplaywithpeople wholovemusic,evenwhenweare on that stage, it feelslikemuchmorethanjustperformingtopeople. It feelslikeushavingthat spiritualmomentwitheachother andhaving thepleasuretoshare that with otherpeople.”

He believes stayingtruetoyourselfasanartist is what drawspeopletoyourcraft

“I am honouringmypersonalhuman experience.I am nottryingtoput on aperformance.I

NOWHAVING THE LUXURY TO BE ON STAGE IS NOTHING SHORT OF A BLESSING

am nottryingtoentertain people.I just want to acknowledgewhatI feel is my calling

“I have triedtonot do musicand focuson otherthings, whichI felt Iwas good at,but I couldnever escape music. Iamjusthereto have ahuman experience andtodocumentthat experience on asonic level.”

Andthatisexactly what he triedtoshowcase with hislatestalbum titled LuckyUU

“Itwas ajourney putting this projecttogether…Thisalbum wasanadventure forme, trying to make afull-length projectfor the firsttimein my career.And Iwas happy with howitturned out.”

He explainedthe conceptbehindthe album, saying that even during chaos, he feelslucky to be here

“I wasinterestedintelling thestory and documentinga specifictimeinmylife. The albumdepicts atimewhenI wasverylostand misguidedand doingthingsuncharacteristic butfelttruetowhere Iwas at thetime.

“Atthe endofthe album, I find myself in a placewhere I’mmuchmoreaware of things and nowtryingtostepintothe lightand theperson Iwas meanttobe.”

Marashasaidthatwhile beinganartistcomes with many challenges,hestays motivatedbythe opportunitytoshowcasehis talent

“I feel privileged to be aliveI thinkwetake that forgranted.I am inspired by people who have abreathtakingperspective on life and willing to go outoftheir wayfor things that they find passionate.Nothing will ever make youfeel as complete as doingthe things that fills youup inside.”

Reflecting on therealities of themusic

BollywoodTimesatArtscape

Taare, aCapeTown-basedIndiandance performance troupe,willbring theirnewestdance production, TheBollywood Times,toArtscape on Saturday 2May as part of theSuidoosterfees

FoundedbyartisticdirectorAhneeshValodiain2012, Taarewas establishedtocreatea platform forbothemergingand experienced dancerstocontributetheir skills to theenrichment of thegreater community.Taarehas built areputationfor vibrantstorytelling through thepromotion of theIndianperformingarts, blending theatrical concepts with thecolour andenergyofBollywood musicand dance. Over theyears,the companyhas staged imaginative productionssuchas TheTaare Express, When DancersUnite, Kismet, Anjali in Wonderland, and TheBollywood Bazaar,eachexploring unique themes throughdance,cross-cultural collaborative work,and theatrical storytelling Celebrating14years of dance, thecompany continuestofostera supportiveand inclusive environmentfor itsmembers,encouraging them to sharetheir unique storiesand talents. “The troupe is more than just adance group; it is afamilythatnurturescreativity, passion,and lifelong connections,” Valodiasaid.

TheBollywood Times marksTaare’s12th danceproductionand its fifthcollaboration with theSuidoosterfees,one of SouthAfrica’s leadingartsfestivals that celebrates diversetheatre,music,and dancewhile showcasing both emerging andestablished artists.

Freshoff thepress, TheBollywood Times is an electrifying 90-minutedance spectacularstaged within theimaginative worldofa bustling newspaperoffice

As headlinesand storiescometolifefrom thepages,audiences aretaken on adynamic journeythrough differentemotions, events,and cultural influences

TheproductionfeaturesTaare’sstorytelling stylewhile incorporatinganexcitingrange of dancegenres.

Alongsidetraditional Indian andmodernBollywood dancestyles, audienceswillexperience elements of ballet, contemporary, flamenco, Africandance,jive, modern,hip-hop,and belly dance, creating avisually rich andhigh-energy theatrical experience

TheBollywood Times hastwo performances only,17:30 and20:30 .Book at Webtickets.

industry,hesharedanhonestmessage about patience,purpose andperseverance.

“Asanartistittakes alongtimetobegood at what youdo. It canbea lonely profession in the sensethatsomepeopledon’t getany applause untilyears aftertheyhavebeentryingtodoit.

“Myadvicetoartists is to remember whyyou aredoing what youare doingand then hopefully people will show up foryou.”

Marashadescribes thehealing powerofmusic andits abilitytocarry both theartistand the listener throughdifficult moments.

“I have struggled with mental health issues for alongtime. Becauseweliveinanage of instant gratification it is so easy to find things that seem like they arehelping you, butthat’smore detrimental.

“Tome, musichas always been thepositive

outlet.Nomatterhow uncomfortablethings feel in themoment, or howdarkthingsmay seem.”

He encouraged aspiring artiststoembrace individuality.

“Peoplemay notunderstandyou,theymay notsee whereyou aregoing butitisimportant that youalwayshavethat fire in you. Iwas an outcastmanytimes,but in aweird wayI was embraced by my community forbeing that outcast.

“Sometimes youare scared to expressthat youare differentbecause youare afraid of how people will receiveyou,but youwillbesurprised at howmanypeoplewillchampionyou Hold on to whoeverchampions youand treat that as affirmationthatyou aredoing right,”he concluded.

YouthShakespeareatBaxter

The2026Shakespeare SchoolsFestivalSouth Africa (SSFSA)isbackfor its16thseason, once againbringinga bold,youth-driventake on Shakespearetothe Baxter Theatrefrom Wednesday6 to Saturday 23 May.

What makesthisfestivalstand outisits fresh approach to Shakespeare, wherelearners, many of them performing on aprofessional stage forthe firsttime, take on full-length playsand rework them into sharp, high-energy30to 45-minuteproductions

This year’s Cape Town legwillfeature 42 schools, each bringing theirown interpretation, styleand voicetothe stage.

From classictragedies to crowd-pleasing comedies, no twoperformancesare thesame. The festival createsa spacewhere youngpeoplecan experiment,collaborate andtellstories in ways that feel authentictothem.

TheSSFSA ethoshas always centredonaccessibility,inclusivity anddiversity.Thisyear’s programme reflects that commitment, bringing together adynamic mixofreturning participantsand newvoices.

Amongthe newcomersare theItalian school, SocietàDante Alighieri, whichpresents Romeo andJuliet in Italian, andPaarlSchool.They

join avibrant community of schoolsincluding De La BatSchool,Pioneer School,and Vista Nova,all contributing to afestivalthatcelebrates awiderange of talents, perspectives and experiences.

Patronscan expect bold choices, unexpected twists andplentyofcreativerisk-taking.Whether it’s amodernspinon Romeoand Juliet or avisually striking take on Macbeth, these productionsprove that Shakespeareisanything butoutdated.

Beyond thestage,the festival also supports schoolsthrough Master Classesand workshops, andbyproviding resourcesand guidance from theatreprofessionals, helpinglearnersbuild skills that extend farbeyondperformance.Confidence, teamwork,and creative thinking areall part of thejourney

Sixteen yearsin, theShakespeare SchoolsFestivalSouth Africa continuestogrowasa platform forexpression,connectionand creativity It’s notjustabout performing Shakespeare, it’s aboutowningit, reshapingitand making it speaktoa newgeneration.

Performances at theBaxterTheatre runMondaytoSaturdayand startat19:00. . Ticketsavailablevia Webtickets.

Abduragmaan Bassier of Violets RFCcuts throughanattempted tackle by Marcelino Cloete (right) of ManenbergRangers during aWPRUjunior u-9leaguegame played in Primrose Park on Saturday18April. Violets wonby3tries to 2.