People's Post Woodstock/Maitland/City E-edition 24 February 2026

Artist readytoinspire

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Followyourheart.That’s thetheme of the16thCape Town Carnival andit’s exactlywhatmakeupartist Jemma Fourie poursintoher craft.

Fourie hasbeen chosen as oneof the“champions” forCapeTown’s biggest event, taking placeonSaturday21March at theGreen Point FanWalk.

Fourie will join othercreatives whichinclude singer Anslin Gysman,local actorNatasha van derMerwe,DJReady D, graffiti artist RizahPotgieter,and designer Stephenvan Eeden.

Carnival organisers saypeople canlook forwardtoa celebrationof diversityasover1 000performers and10colourful handcrafted floats areset to dazzle spectators

Fourie said thetheme resonates deeply with herlovefor creativity andself-expression

“I sharemylovefor allthings self-expression,beautyand life, especially in regard to makeup artistry.Mycreativityand love for thearts, whetheronpaper or on faces, is what drives me.Thisfrom ayoung agetranslatedinto finding that same community online and sharingeachstepofmyjourney there.”

Fourie,who is also asocialmedia contentcreator,saidshe feels honoured to take part in this year’s event.

“Itfeelsinspiring.Italwaysdoes. Everytimeyou walk into aroom that is connected to Cape Town Carnival,you arewalking into a room fullofpassionatecreatives

“Everyoneloves what they create,and thecollaboration only strengthensthat. It is thedream

setupfor anycreativefromany field, whereyou cannotonlyrun wild,but uplift oneanother.”

Shesaidworking with the“FollowYourHeart”theme hasshaped herapproachtousing makeup to complete andenhance each look

“I designed amakeuplook for oneofthe lead performers,taking alookatthe costumingand float creation to make somethingcohesive.I believemakeup, especially in itsextravagant,genderbending,

charactercreatingformallows dancersand performers to step into theircharacter (oreventhemselves)and embody thepassion they feel.”

Fourie said shewants people to leavethe eventfeelinginspired.

“I wouldlovefor audiencesto feel seen andinspired. Ithink the carnival is so rich in festivitiesand theartsthatitreminds theviewer of what they arecapable of notonly in theirown capacity,but when we

collaborate with oneanother as well.”

NovusMedia,publishersof People’s Post,isa proudprint mediapartner of theevent

THISYEAR’S THEME FORGREEN POINT IS:FOLLOW YOUR HEART

SANParkssuspendsindemnityatTMNP

TheSouth AfricanNationalParks (SANParks) announcedonFriday 13 February that it hassuspended theindemnity andverification form requirementatTable Mountain National Park (TMNP) with immediateeffect.

This announcement came just days afterSANParksstatedthatit

will be implementing theindemnity andverification form requirement process.

“The measurewas introduced to strengthen verification andgovernanceprocesses.

“However,SANParksacknowledgesthatits implementation led to operationaldelaysand visitor frustration. “Wehavelistenedto theconcernsraisedbyvisitorsand tourismpartnersand have acted decisively,” theentityexplained in itsstatement

“Overthe next twelve months, SANParks will implementa fully digitisedidentification document (ID) andpassportverification system at park gates, including high-speed scanning technology to ensure accurate compliance while delivering aseamlessvisitor experience,” thestatement read During this transition,gate operations will continue without theindemnity form requirement, SANParks concluded.

Adecadeago,which seeminglyfeels like alifetimeago, Ican recall an indescribable senseofwonderand curiosity Ihad as achild

Thesimplesensation of allowing my paintbrush to slideand slowly danceacrossa blankcanvas, was so therapeuticand always remains apowerfultool to expressmyself andthe weight of theworld forme. At theage of four,surroundedby action figures, crayonsand blank sheetsofpaper,I discovered that soon as Icould sketch ahouse,a garden anda fewstick figures, I knew Ihad founda passion that felt rewardingand soothing Despitethe breathless rush of earlymornings, trafficjamsand tightschedules at school wherewe would flocktoour classroomslike obedient farm animals, shifting from economicsclass to biology, Ifound drawingtobeanendless

escape from thechaos that parades outsidethose homesaswellasthe stress that haunts ourconscience. WhetherI wasdoodlingonmy exam pad, reimaginingfamous Dragonball Zcharactersand occasionally catching thewrath of some of my teachers whowould ripapart adrawing Iwas obsessing over and chuckitinthe bin, IknewI hada gift,a refugefroma pollutedworld that no-one couldtouch or defile Howeversad Imay have felt at seeing my artworkbeing rippedto shreds in frontofmyclassmates as an angsty adolescent,I quickly understood thebeautyofart still eludes some whomay be navigating thecurrentsofwealthand work andthe stress of theirown tumultuous personal lives. Often, creativesare misunderstood,labeled as “uncompromising” or “unfiltered”withattimes littlecaretounderstanding the depthofthe waywethink and feel andhow it enriches ourart At timesI wouldstruggletofocus on subjects such as accounting or mathematicswhich Ifound uninterestingand woulddaydreamand

doodle,creatinga colourful world before my eyes that gave my young life ameaning,a purposeonmy ownterms.Often theyoung aren’t allowedmanyliberties to pursue their“hobbies”ascareersand thus fall back into safercareer choices, hencetheyhushtheir inner-child in ordertogrowupand to find a jobthatcan sustaina living anda roof over theirheads.The fears, responsibilities andburdens our parentscarry to providefor us as theirchildrenisunderstandable, butsometimes theirfears forus canslowlyswallowus, leavinglittle confidenceinour dreams they can’tenvisionaswedo.

Therefore, themereact of pursuingour goalsisa silent andat timesloudprotest againstthe cold reality, innerdoubtsand critics in ourfamiliesand friends. And yetI foundthata resilientspirit, adedicationand passion to your craftcan open doorsovertimeyou mayhavethought wouldn’t open foryou

In this ever-shiftingworld where Artificial Intelligence(AI)isspeedingupour livesdespite beingsold

us as tool to lightenour loads, it’s becoming evidentit’sa shortcut to boosting profitby floodingthe market with content. Whether it’s photographs, musicor film,I find AI generatedart toopolished, radio-readyand commercial. It’s nauseating with littlecarefor tasteordeeper curiosity. Ilovethe word saccharine, an expression forwhensomething is excessively sweet or when someoneis“too-polite”, as ametaphorfor exploring this golden ageoftechnology wherewecan “prompt” ourideas andsatisfy ourego’s with aclick of abutton. Eating toomanysweet treats cannotonlydecay your teeth andcause headaches, butcan lead to diabetes anddeath

In this case,it’scrucial we protect that childlikewonderwhenone coloursbeyondthe borders, when “those mistakes”becomea signature of beinghuman before we ignore ourindividuality,our brand, in thepursuit of profitand before we know it,becomingpartofthe AI-slopinthe fear of missing out on thelatestgoldrushofthe 21st century.

Bo-Kaap Market officiallyopens

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

The heartofBo-Kaap beat alittle

louder last week as theBo-Kaap Market,a vibrantnew hubfor local enterprise,culture andcommunity,officially opened

Although themarkethas been running since December,the official launch on Saturday 14 andSunday15Februarymarkeditasa permanentpublictrading spacethatsupports smallbusinessesand celebrates thearea’srich heritage

TheBo-Kaap Market,based on thecorner or PentzStreet andYusuf Drive, boasts over 10 stalls andwilloperate on Saturdaysand Sundays.

Tradersinclude arange of long-standingand emerging tradersofferingfood,fresh produce, clothing,accessories,plants, andlocal memorabilia.

EbrahimChristian,vicechair of theBo-Kaap Civicand Ratepayers Association, said:“We

FROMPAGE1

Kensington stationcommander Lt ColNkosinathi Losini said theperpetratorsgot back into theirvehicle afterwards anddrove off

CheslynSteenberg,Ward56councillor, said despiteongoing gang violence residentsmust continue to push forpeace,unity andjustice in theircommunity

“Thisdoesnot stop us from beingpersistent in seekingcommunity cohesion andjustice againstthe gang violence we arecurrently seeing.”

Steenberg welcomed Ramaphosa’scommitment to have theSANDF deployed to assist in combatingcrime in theprovince.

“I support thedeploymentofthe SANDF. We have been callingfor it.Weknowthatthe

‘THE ALLOCATED STALL HOLDERSARE ALL FROM THE BO-KAAP’-DOUBTED BY SOME

welcomethe market,it’sa financialopportunity forour people andthat’spartofthe socio-economicupliftment. Theallocatedstall holders areall from theBo-Kaap.”

Some residentsbelieve proper planning was notput in place.

Resident Masturah Adamssaid: “There areno sufficientablutionfacilities. We also want to see more Bo-Kaap residentsasstall holders.”

Adamsexpressedconcern over thelackofvehicleparking,notingthatitisalready aserious probleminthe area

“Where will people whocometothe market be parking? Currentlypeopleare alreadyparkinginfront of ourgates.Weare alreadybeing

inconvenienced by traffic.”

Tauriq Essop, resident andtraderatthe market, sells Malaycuisine

He said it’s an honour to be part of themarket. “I grew up here andthatshapedmypalate. NowI gettoshowcasethattothe rest of Cape Town.I love lookingand have cooked in many places,but nothingbeats cookinginmyarea. It is an honour.”

MayorGeordin Hill-Lewisvisited thesitefor a ribboncutting ceremony on Saturday

He said:“We areespecially pleasedfor the tradersthemselves, whoare benefitting from upgraded infrastructure andCitysupport to make this market asuccess.

“Informaltrading is akey economic sector for ourcity, whichweare backingwitha R270 million investment in upgrades fortrading spaces across themetro over thecurrent three-year budget to delivera majorboostfor traders.”

JamesVos,Mayco member foreconomic growth,saidthe developmentofquality public tradinginfrastructureacrossthe city remainsa

keypriority.

“Markets like theBo-Kaap Market addreal valuetocommunities

“Theysupport livelihoods, strengthen local businesses, andensurethatpublictrading contributes positively to thecharacter andeconomy of an area.”

Vossaidtheywillcontinuetorollout these improvements at keylocations in thecityto buildconfidenceand support sustainablelocal enterprise

Francine Higham,Mayco member forcommunity services andhealthand councillorfor Ward 77, said it is aplace of opportunitywhere localentrepreneurs cangrowtheir businesses, residentscan support local, andvisitorscan experience theBo-Kaap

“Thank youtoeveryonewho helped bring this vision to life,including residents, traders, thecivic associationand City officials. Iamso proudofwhatwehaveachievedtogetherand encourageresidents to visit, support local, and help this market thrive.”

SANDFare nottrained forpolicingcommunities

“Weask that thecommunity also play their role by giving informationand nothinderthe work of thepolice.”

Prof GuyLamb, Criminologistand senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University,saidsince thelate1990s, themilitaryhas repeatedly been deployed to assist thepoliceincombatingcrime,including gang-related violence,in SouthAfrica.

He said similardeployments were widespread during the1980s underapartheid

“Myresearchonhighdensity policing operationsinSouth Africa hasdemonstratedthatdeployingthe military canresultinthe reduction of violentcrime (especially murder)intargeted

areas. Butthisisdependent on thearrest of largenumbers of “wanted” criminals. Andthe seizureoflarge quantities of illegal firearms.”

Lamb addedthatsoldiersare trainedtouse lethal forceand arenot schooled in the“subtleties of police work”and notedthatcrime reduction effectofmilitarydeploymentistemporary “Violent crimelevelstendtoincreaseinhigh crimeareas within ayearofthe intervention beingconcluded…The reason is that police operations involvingthe military typically do notaddressthe underlying societal causes of violentcrime andthe external sourcesofillegal firearms.”

He welcomed thePresident’s commitmentto implementing theIntegratedCrime andViolencePreventionStrategyand strengthening

firearmcontrol measures

Windesaidina pressstatement that the deployment of theSANDF to theWestern Cape as aforce multiplier must be followedbyan urgent overhaul of thecountry’s entire criminal justicesystem.

“Policingmustbedata-led, evidence based andcollaborative.Wemustsit at thesametable as theSAPStoensurethisdeploymentisnot just ashort-term fix.”

WesternCapeMinisterofPoliceOversight andCommunity Safety,AnrouxMarais, said herdepartmentwillcontinuetoinvestin evidence–based interventionsthatreduceviolence, disruptorganised criminal networks,and buildsafer,moreresilient communities across theprovince.

Students turn teachers

KEANAN HARMSE KEANAN.HARMSE@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Two former learners turned music teachers from Masi Violin Outreach aremakinghistory as they begininternationally recognised Suzuki Teacher Training this year,marking asignificant milestonefor theMasiphumelele-based community musicprogramme

Ayabonga Tshemese andOnkeMbopha, whoeachstarted learning violin throughthe outreach programme over adecadeago,left forJohannesburgonFriday20Februaryto undertakeSuzukiLevel 1teacher training,an internationally respectedqualification focusing on musicpedagogy, childdevelopment,and the renowned Suzuki philosophy Masi Violin is aCapeTown-basednon-profit organisation (NPO)thatprovidesfree, twice-weekly groupviolinlessons to children (agessix+) in theMasiphumelele township

FROMLEARNERSTOEDUCATORS

Both teachers have dedicatedyears as learners, performers,and assistantteachersbefore reaching this pivotalmomentintheir careers. Theirjourney exemplifies theorganisation’s commitmenttocreatingsustainable pathways from studenttoteacher within thecommunity Thecomprehensive training programme spansfourintensive in-personmodules throughout theyear, includingtraveltoJohannesburg– markingbothteachers’ firstopportunity to participateinlarge-scale national training outsideCapeTown.

Mbopha (24) said he is excitedtostart his training

“Tostudy underthe Suzuki method and beingabletolearn howtopassitontothe next generation is just surreal. Iamgrateful for theopportunity. Noteveryonefroma similar background as us ever really gets thesekindof opportunitiessofor us to getitfor free, without stressing aboutthe financialsideofit, I’mforever grateful,” he said,

Tshemese (26) said he is excitedtolearn new techniques andimpartthese lessons to his learners

“Thiswillenablethemtoengagewitheducators from across SouthAfricaand learnfrom experiencedSuzukiteacher trainers.Thisisthe firstmoduleand there’ll be four throughout the year andtheywillbeinternationally accredited,” said Masi Violin founderNadiahMony. This is also the firsttimethatbothviolinists will be boarding aplane

STRENGTHENINGCOMMUNITYIMPACT

Thetrainingextends farbeyondindividual development, with skills gained throughstructuredteachingmethods,tonedevelopment,and ensemble leadership beingintegrateddirectly into Masi Violin Outreach’s weekly lessons.This investment strengthensteachingquality and ensureslong-term programmesustainability whilecreatingmeaningful employment oppor-

tunities within theMasiphumelele community PHILOSOPHYOFMUSICALDEVELOPMENT.

Nicolette Solomon-vanWyk,a SouthAfrican Violinistand Suzuki Teachernow living in Texas,sponsored Tshemese andMbopha’straining valued at R40000.

Theprogramme drawsinspiration from Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy that earlymusic educationdevelopsnot only musicalability,but also discipline,sensitivity,and confidencein younglearners.

COMMUNITYSUPPORTNEEDED

Masi Violin Outreach hasexpressedgratitude to generous sponsors making this opportunity possible, whilealsoappealingfor community support toward travel andaccommodation costsfor theJohannesburgtrainingsessions. Thosewishing to support Tshemese and Mbopha’s journeycan find more informationat www.masiviolinoutreach.co.za or emailmasiviolinoutreach@gmail.com

PROGRAMMEEXPANSION

Theorganisationwillalsowelcome 35 new violin learners this year andactivelyseeksinstrument donationsfromcommunity members with unused violins. “Instrumentdonations play avital role in making access to musiceducation possible,”Monynoted . Formoreinformation,contact Nadiah Monyat masiviolinoutreach@gmail.com.

E Menhurtinscaffolding collapse

CrabeatersealvisitsCapewaters

TCurre ly clubsare entangledi endlies locally as well as interprovincialahead of the league start.

Thecurrent league structurefor Super LeaguesA to Cremains with theinclusion of an extrateamineachSuper league as the16th team,based on rankings afterlastyear’sclub rugbyseason.

Thethree teamsfromSuper Cwho were relegatedtothe regionsfor this year will remain in SuperC with theinclusion of thewinner, runners up andplay-off winnerofthe Promotion League of last year

At theend of the15round-robin matches, teamswillberankedaccordingtotheir position,and this will determinethe structurefor next year’s competition.

Thetop team in each SuperLeaguewillbethe league winner. Therewillbea separate competition made up of topeight (President Cup) andbottomeight play-offs(Challenger Cup) foreachSuper League.Thiscompetition will be played on aknockoutbasis with no bearingon theseedingfor next year

At theend of this season thebottomthree clubsinSuper League Cwillberelegated to the Regional Leagues(Paarl, City,Northernand Southern).

Thetop team in each Regional League will be promoted to theSuper League C.

Allclubs ranked from 1to48, basedonresults in this year’s club rugbyseason, will be seeded in four newleagues next year,consistingof12 teamseach(SuperLeagueA,B, Cand D)

At regional level, thereare four leagues: Southern,Central,Paarland Northern Regional competitions will be played on a double round, home-and-awaybasis,withthe topteamineachregioncrowned league winners andpromotedtoSuper League D. Regional leagueswillcommenceonSaturday21March 2026,and clubsare required to fieldatleast a firstand second team,withthird teamsoptional.

At theend of thecurrent season,the bottom four teamsinSuper League Cwillberelegated to theregionalleagues.However,shouldthe PaarlRegionwinnerdecline promotiontothe newSuper League D, only thebottomthree teamswillberelegated

Teamsplaying in thedifferentleagues are: SuperLeagueA: Villager, Hamiltons, FalseBay,Helderberg, SK-Walmers,Van derStel-Evergreens,Durbell, Tygerberg, Ikeys,Maties, Uni-Mil, KuilsRiver, Brackenfell, UWC, Franschhoek andPrimrose SuperLeagueB: AllSaints, Belhar,Bellville,Collegians, CPUT, Goodwood,Hamediehs,Hamlets,Hands & Heart, Kraaifontein, Macassar, NTK, St.Georges,Vineyards,Violets andYoung Peoples SuperLeagueC: Atlantis,BusyBee, Caledonian Roses, Delft, Eersterivier,Gardens,Kylemore, Langa, Pniel-Villagers,Raithby-Universals, Rangers, Scottsdene Central, SirLowrians, Strand, Strand United andWatsonia