People’s Post Woodstock/Maitland/City E-edition 26 May 2026

Kangaroo care promoted

Hospitals across theWesternCapeare promoting Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), asimplebut effective method that helpsimprove outcomes forpremature and lowbirthweight babies.KMC involves prolongedskin-toskin contactbetween aparent andbaby.

Thepracticehelps stabilisea newborn’stemperature,breathing andheart rate,while supporting weight gain,breastfeedingand braindevelopment

“KMC reducesmortality and infectionrates whileimproving temperatureregulation, weight gain,and cognitivedevelopment,” said Sister MelanieHolland,NursingManager at MowbrayMaternity Hospital

“Skin-to-skincontact and breastfeedingserve as powerful formsofpainrelief, providing importantneuroprotective benefits during this vulnerable stageof development. Importantly, KMC is notonlyfor mothers, fathers areencouragedtoparticipate,as closecontact with alovingparent helpsregulatea baby’s heart rate,breathing andtemperature, strengthensbonding,and supports healthybrain development.”

Prematurityremains oneofthe leadingcausesofinfantcomplicationsworldwide,and healthcare workersare placingrenewed emphasis on earlyinterventions such as KMC.

Prof Gugu Kali,headofthe ClinicalUnit: NeonatologyatTygerberg

KMC IS NOTONLY FORMOTHERS,AS FATHERSCAN ALSO HELP BOND

Hospital,described KMCasa cornerstoneofneonatalcare.

“KMC is an essentialpartofour neonatal care package, whichhas been showntoimprove outcomes forpreterm andlow birthweight babies.Wepractisebothintermittent andfull-time KMC, and we encourageparents to do it as soon andasoften as possibleafter birth.”

At RedCross WarMemorialChildren’s Hospital,KMC is embraced as both aclinicalinterventionand afamily-centredphilosophyof care.“KMCisnot just aclinical model; it is aphilosophyofcare that places dignity, compassion, andfamilypartnership at the centre of everything we do,” said MitziFranken,HeadofNursing at RedCross

Formanyfamilies, KMCoffersa waytoplayanactiveroleincaring fortheir baby during an emotional andoverwhelmingtime.

Louise Galant,a mother of twins from Villiersdorp, born on Saturda 14 March, said theexperiencewas meaningful.The twinswereborn weighing just 870g and950 g.

“I love bondingwiththem. It makesour bond stronger andalso helpsthemgrowquicker,” shesaid.

GrooteSchuur Hospital hasalso strengthened itsKMC services,

offeringparents emotionaland psychologicalsupport.“KMC formspartofa holistic care model that supportsboththe medicaland

emotionalneedsoffamilies,”said CindyLouw, OperationalManager of thehospital’sNeonataland KMCUnit.

BravethecoldforNSRIWinterSolsticeSwim

As thewintersolsticeapproaches,the National SeaRescueInstitute (NSRI) is calling on South Africans to bravethe cold andtakepartinits annual Winter Solstice Swim,a nationwide fundraising initiative aimedatsupporting lifesaving rescue operations andwater safety programmes

Theswimwilltakeplace on Sunday 21 June, markingthe longestnight of theyear.

Theinitiativeencouragesindividuals,teams, andcommunities to host theirown plunge events andraise funds forthe rescue organisation

Participants areinvited to take theplungein thesea,tidal pools, swimming pools, dams,or even throughanice bucket challenge, joining agrowing traditionthatunitescommunities across thecountry in supportofthe NSRI

VOLUNTEERSONDUTY

NSRI volunteersremainondutythroughout theyear, readytorespond at amoment’snotice, even in theharshestwinterconditions.

AccordingtoNSRIspokespersonCraig Lambinon,the initiative reflects both thededicationofrescuecrews andthe importance of public supportinsustainingtheir work

“NSRIvolunteersare on duty year-round, readytospringintoactionata moment’s notice,evenonthe coldestday of theyear,” Lambinon said

He addedthatthe Winter Solstice Swim gives thepublica meaningful waytocontributetothe organisation’s mission

“Eachyear, teamsofNSRIvolunteersfrom ourrescuebases bravethe plunge to raisefunds fortheir station. This year we challengeyou to organise awintersolsticeplungeand help

support ourlifesavingwork,”hesaid. Participants areencouragedtocreatefundraisingcampaigns andrally friends, family,and colleaguestoget involved.Every contribution helpsensureNSRIcrews remain equipped, trained, andready to save lives.

SAFETYFIRST

. Neverswimalone

. Avoidrough or unsafe conditions

. Always have a flotationdevicenearby . Know whotocallinanemergency

.Moreinformation is availablevia the NSRI official websiteand fundraising platform GivenGain. Formoreinformation on organising your Solstice Plungeand the taxbreaksyou’ll getfromyourdonation,contact Renee on 021 4344011 or renee@ searescue.org.za

Empathymattersintimesofbloodshed

OftenI find myself dreading to hear thedevastating detail of family membersrecalling harrowing momentsoftheir children,brothers, sisters or motherswho were either senselesslymurdered, missingorwereviciously injured in an attack or hijacking.

It’s even worsehearing afather saya courtsentenceof100 years couldnever bringbackhis 10-yearold-daughter that waskilledtragically whileshe wasplaying outside with herfriends in thestreetafter school.Whenthese sadaccounts arereadonlineorwhenvideosare circulatingonsocialmedia where citizens arewatchingrobberies un-

fold helplessly, thecynical amongst us in societywould just sigh and say“well that’s just life nowadays in SA”under thegovernanceofthe ANC. This oceanof“content” we witnessevery minute canquickly drainone of anycrumb of optimism in aworld wheremore people prefer to commentand complain insteadofcontributing andcollaborating in ahealthy way. Some mightsay what’s theuse of even voting when it seemsour localpoliticians andparties arelike walkingthrough arevolving door whereone only encounters corruption andfalse promises Themereact of caring is as precious as an endangered species in atimewhere conversationsand discourseonnewsstories feel like amud-slingingmatch where“narratives” areconstantlyshiftingand argumentsare centredonfascist viewsonreligion, race,geopolitics

andthe list keepsgrowing.This week Ifelta personal call to action listeningtoa mother from Ottery tearfully remember what thelast telephonic conversation with her daughter aboard theGlobalSumud Flotilla soundedlikebeforeshe wasdetainedbythe Israelinavy. Igaspedatthe horrorofseeing armedofficers capturingand detainingsomeone’s daughter on alivestreamvideo.The sadness, angerand exhaustion in hervoice resonatedwithmeand Ifelther pain.I canonlyimagine how terrified andupset Iwould be not knowingifmysisterorbrother wasalive,starvingorworse,being tortured

Theirony is,weare more connected than ever with technology andsocialmedia that thethought of notbeing able to message or call ourloved ones,isoften ablessing we take forgranted.The fact that instantcommunication is always

availablewiththe push of abutton canseem like ahellish nightmare when this convenienceisrobbed from us in acrucial time when we need to know amissing person’s whereabouts.

It’s dreadfully sad, andeven more so when thesebrave souls bringing baby formula, food and toiletries,enduringthe merciesof theocean,are captured,taunted, tortured,scapegoated andpainted as “terrorists” andtroublemakers To hear amother’sdesperate cry to hear anywordorconfirmation of herdaughter’ssafetywas such acoldblooded reminder of how cruel, violentand unforgivingthe worldoutside canbe.

Empathyfor ourfellowbrothers andsisters matters more than ever in an agewhere bloodshed andthe threat of bombskeep clouding us in adarknessthatappearsinvisible, butitisa sickness we need to cure andsee before it’s toolate.

Pitbull muggergetssix years

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

AKensington manwho used apitbull to intimidate androb aresident hasbeen sentencedtosix yearsin prison,ina case theCapeofGoodHope SPCA says exposesthe brutal useofanimals as toolsfor crime.

TheincidentoccurredinJulylastyear, while thecomplainant wasseatedina park between 11thand 12th Avenue in Kensington JP Smith, Maycomemberfor safety andsecurity,saidthe suspectinitially walked past the complainantwitha pitbullbeforereturning momentslater anddemanding thecomplainant’s cellphone “The dogwas used in thecommission of the

crimeafter thesuspect directed it at thecomplainant in an intimidating manner.

“Community membersassisted in identifyingthe suspect, whowas knowninthe area forcommitting robberiesusing thedog as a weapon.”

AccordingtoSmith,the City’s lawenforcement Animal ControlUnit(ACU) played a critical role in removing thedog underthe instructionofthe prosecutor

“Despite challenges in locating thesuspect at home,officers made multiple attempts before successfully removing theanimal, bringing an endtoa series of robberies committedinand around Kensington.”

SPCA ChiefInspector Jaco Pieterse has praisedthe coordinatedefforts of police,

ANIMALSWEAPONISED IN THIS WAYARE ALMOST ALWAYS THE PRODUCTOF DELIBERATECRUELTY

prosecutorsand theCity’sAnimalControl Unit, saying both thevictimand thedog suffered at thehands of theoffender

“The dogisasmucha victim as thecomplainant.Animals weaponised in this wayare almost always theproduct of deliberate cruelty, isolationand provocationbytheir owners.”

Pieterse said dogs arenot born to be weaponsbut areshapedintobecomingdangerous

throughhuman actionsand abuse.

“A pitbullthatcan be directed at astranger to intimidate androb is adog that has, in all likelihood,endured alifeshapedbycruelty long before it wasdeployedinthe commission of a crime.”

He explainedthatmanydogslabelledas “dangerous”haveendured severe abuseand deprivationthatstripsawaytheir abilityto behave as stable companionanimals

“Behindalmostevery ‘dangerous’dog is a historyofisolation,chaining, withheld socialisation,deliberateprovocation,harsh handling, hunger used as atool of control, andthe systematicsuppression of everynatural behaviour that allows adog to live as astablecompanion animal.”

Bornin1925andstillgoingstrong

Iknowledge.

“I wanted to make asuccess of my life.I always told myself oneday Iwanttoown a business… My spirit wasalwayssearching.”

Da Costasaidwhile shehas notyet read the biography, shehopes it will inspireyoung people to embracereading,continueseeking knowledgeand neverlosesight of theirroots andidentity.

When askedwhathehopes readerswilltake away from thebook,Ashieksaidhewants it to inspirepride amongwomen facing adversity.

“The book is aboutinstilling prideinwho we areinour history, claiming back ourhistory It waswrittenbyusfor us.And it is also about owning ournarrative

“Through hardshipsyou canstill achieve.

Youngwomen,irrespective of whoyou are, you canbreak throughthe glassceilingsthathave been setfor you,”heconcludes

SA’sonlychildren’sbookfestivalreturnstoDistrictSix

LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY

Forthe fifthyearrunning SouthAfrica’sonly literary festival dedicatedentirelytochildren broughtauthors,picture booksand thepurejoy of readingtoschoolsinDistrictSix,a placethat loomslarge in thecountry’s literary imagination TheSAFestivalofChildren’sLiterature, held in sevenprimary school librariesbythe Otto Foundation,ran from Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 Mayand featured awidearray of authors.

READINGFORPLEASURE,NOTPRESCRIPTION

Thefestival, nowinits sixthyear, wasfounded by DarrylDavid,aneducation lecturer in Englishand Afrikaansatthe University of the WesternCape(UWC) whoiswidelycredited with puttingbook festivalsonSouth Africa’s literary map. Davidhas foundedseveral literary festivals, includingthe BookBedonnerd Literary Festival

in Richmond,the OliveSchreiner Literary FestivalinCradock,the Midlands Literary Festival in Howick,the Alan PatonLiteraryFestival, the Adam SmallBoekefees andthe Booksonthe BayfestivalinSimon’s Town.Healsoestablished SouthAfrica’s firstand only Book Town, Richmond in theKaroo

Butthe SA Festival of Children’s Literature, whichhas been running since2020, holdsa specialplace on that list.Itis, Davidsaid, the only festival of itskindinthe country, andperhaps on thecontinent

“Thisisa literary festival whereauthors of children’s literature andyoung adultliterature take centre stage, notlikeall theother festivals wheretheyare an afterthought,a festival where we recogniseillustrators.”

Hisvisionisclear anddeliberatelysimple: readingmustbea pleasurableactivity. “I did notwanta festival whereliteracytakes centre stage, wherewepreachabout howour festival is goingtoimprove literacy ratesinSouth Africa

Readingfor pleasure is thenameofthe game

Andmaybe if we getthe basics rightthe bigger questionswilltakecareofthemselvesdownthe line.”

GIRAFFESDOINGYOGA

When sourcing authorsfor thefestivalDavid looksfor booksthatspark imaginationrather than deliverlessons

“Uniquebooks.Beautifully illustratedbooks. Bookswithnot asingleword. Booksthatwill make children want to go home andtelltheir parentsand siblings aboutthe wonderful book arealauthorreadtothemtoday.Books about giraffes trying to do yoga.Books abouta pigeon taking his firstloveout to dinner. Booksthat allowchildrentobechildrenand notburden them with allthe problems of theworld.”

WHYDISTRICTSIX?

David, whogrewupinHowick, KwaZulu-Natal, said he noticedasanoutsidertoCapeTown that District Six, despiteits enormous presence in SouthAfrican literature,had been overlooked in favour of otherareas

“Itseemed to me District Six, aplace that loomslarge in ourliteraryimagination,had been forgotten. Luckily, theOtto Foundation hasquietly gone aboutthe business of trying to

Lynn Joffefrom Johannesburg with her book the‘Tale

rightthisoversight.And Idecided to partner with it in this enterprise.”

Forthe festival thefoundationhas partnered with theLiteracyAssociation of SouthAfrica (Litasa)

Authorsfromacrossthe countrytook part,includingsomethathaveappeared on television over theyears,suchasBiancaFlanderswho wrotethe rhythmic andwildlypopular PumpkinPie series

Vennessa ScholtzofParow read Kita’s Dance With Dust, whileLynne Joffe, of Johannesburg, hadlearnersdancing andswaying with her readingof TheTaleofStingrayCharles.Elsibe McGuffog,ofWellingtontaughtGrade 2learnersthe basics of poetry

WHATCOMESNEXT?

Davidsaysthe District Sixchapter is only one part of atwo-pronged plan.InOctober thefestivalwillreturntoits original home at UWCfor theFaculty of Education’sLiteracyWeek,when thefocus shifts to slightly olderlearnersinthe FurtherEducation andTraining(FET) phaseas well as studentteachers.

“The two-prongedapproach will be aDistrictSix chapterfocused exclusivelyonschool children from thefoundationphase up to Grade 5, andthena more adolescent-focused book festival at UWCevery October,”hesaid. “To help them become betterteachers, butalso betterparents.”

TheSAFestivalofChildren’sLiteratureis presentedunder thebanner: Experience Imagination.

Insaaf Le rugbyand

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Bo-Kaap resident andqualified medicaldoctorInsaaf Levy (23) hasbeen selected to representthe Springbok Women’ssquad at this year’s Rugby Africa Women’sCup in Kenya.

Thescrumhalf anddaughterofStormersskills

coachLabeeb Levy,isamong nineuncapped playersselectedtorepresent thegreen andgold forthe tournament,which startedonThursday 21 May.

Springbokwomen kicked off theircampaign with a64-5win over Madagascar on Saturday 23.TheywillfaceUgandatomorrow(27 May) andKenya on Sunday 31 May.

Insaaf comesfroma strong rugbybloodline, having grownuparoundthe sportthrough her father’s long-standinginvolvement in thegame, whileher maternal grandfather, DickySieed, served as aWestern Province coach before unification

Heryounger sister,Nuha, is also following in thefamily’srugby footsteps. Shecurrently plays as a flyhalffor theWestern Province Women’s u-20 team

Insaaf is notonlya shiningstaronthe field, shealsocompleted hermedical degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT)inMarch this year

In an interviewwith People’s Post before the team’s departure, Insaaf said shewas honoured to representher community andthe country.

“Being selected to wear thegreen andgoldand representthe SpringbokWomen/s squadisa huge honour,and I’msograteful forthe opportunity to be part of this amazingteam.

“I’m just taking it onegameata time,one d, pl

No need for poliopanic

Detection of twodifferent polio virus strains in wastewater samples in Cape Town has prompted a public health response, but the national Department of Health says there is no need forpanic as no human caseshavebeen identified.

TheNational Institutefor CommunicableDiseases (NICD)informed the department that the strains, identified as VDPV3 and nOPV2-L,weredetected during routine environmental and wastewater surveillanceinthe Western Cape recently.

Thedepartment said in astatement the testing forms part of proactivedisease monitoring aimed at detecting emerging outbreaks and viralvariants before clinical casesappear

Officialsstressed that the detections areclassified as “vaccine events” becausethe viruses were not found in anyperson. “No outbreakhas been declared and no additional vaccination campaign is required,” read the statement

Polioisavaccine-preventabledisease,and South Africawas officially declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation’sAfrican Regional Certification Commission in September 2019

According to the department,the virusesdetected arelikelylinked to imported casesinvolving people vaccinated withdifferent vaccines from those used in SouthAfrica. Thedepartment said it is working with the NICD and has sincestrengthened surveillance measures and increased the frequencyofwastewatersampling as part of ongoing monitoring and outbreakpreparedness. It further said the detections do not translateintoanoutbreakand reassured the public that there is no need forpanic

Residents areencouraged to remain vigilant and report anysuspected symptoms to healthcare providers.

Symptoms associated withpolio caninclude progressivemuscleorjoint weakness and pain, fatigue, musclewasting, breathing or swallowing difficulties, and sleep-related breathing disorders, although these symptoms mayalsobelinked to other medical conditions.

Artscape marks bigmilestone

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Music,colourand celebration filled theArtscapeashundredsgathered to mark the55thanniversary of the artfacilityonTuesday 19 May.

Thecelebration also featured theunveiling of Becoming Artscape –A PlaceReborn, a memory wall honouringthe people whoshaped itslegacy.

Speaking at theevent,Marlene le Roux, chiefexecutive officerofthe Artscape,said: “A countrywithout theheartbeat of artisa country withouta soul.Thisbuildingisvibrating with thecolourful diversityofour country.”

Le Roux said sheisoverwhelmed by thesupport of everyone whocametocelebrate “I am overwhelmedand emotionalbecause people came from fartocomeand be part of this.Wethought we wouldonlyhave500 people,but thousandscameout.Thiscelebration is about30years of ourdemocracy andour constitution andthe Artscape is builtonthose pillars.”

Reflecting on theartscentre’stransformation sinceapartheid,the Le Roux highlightedhow theonce-segregated spacenow embraces diversevoicesand community-drivenstorytelling Le Roux describedartsasa powerful vehicle fortelling thestories of people,while also makinga significant contribution to the economy, with artistscontributing4%tothe country’s GrossDomesticProduct (GDP).

“The narrative should change.Artists are professional people andthe countryishungry forliveperformances. Forthe next 55 yearswe want to seethatartists have theirplace notjust at Artscape butatevery institution.”

Sheexpressedher gratitudetoher staff and said each member played apivotal role

Thecelebration marksa series of events that

ACOUNTRY WITHOUT THEHEARTBEAT OF ART IS ACOUNTRY WITHOUTA SOUL

will take placeatthe facility over thenextfew months.These will includea career expo on Saturday 6June.

Le Roux encouraged youngpeopletoattend “Wewanttodemystify theartsand sayitis possibletohavea career in thearts.”

Le Roux thankedgovernmentpartners, staff andthe public fortheir continuedsupport of Artscape andits programmes.

Francine Higham,Mayco member forcommunity services andhealth, congratulatedthe team on 55 “remarkableyears.”

“Whatstandsout aboutthismilestone is notonlylongevity,but transformation.From beginningsthatreflectedexclusion,Artscape hasbecomea placewhere people from allbackgroundscan gather,connect andtellstories and experience therichnessofsharedhumanity.”

Shenoted that athrivingcityneeds“thriving cultural spaces”.

“Spacesthatinspire youngpeople, bringcommunities together andhelpusimagine somethingbiggerthanourselves.”

RicardoMackenzie,Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs andSport,calledonthe private sector to support thearts.

“Weneed more organisationstoplaytheir part.Pleaseinvestinthe arts so that in thenext 55 yearsweprotect more than just theArtscape. Thereare many of ourcommunity artfacilities that need support, particularly in our film industry.But we cannotdoitonour own. ”

BigBandJazzFestivalat Baxteropenstomorrow

Forthe 26th consecutiveyear, theBaxter TheatreConcert Hall in Rondebosch will ring with thesound of jazz when theBig Band Jazz Festival openstomorrow(27 May) andruns untilSaturday30May

Performances beginat19:00 each evening.

“It’sa celebration! TheCapeTownBig Band Jazz Festival is back andcelebrating its26thanniversary,”saidAnn Barr, festival organiser.

Twenty-six bigbands will take to thestage over thefournights, with ensemblesdrawn from junior schools, high schools, universities andcommunity bandsacrossCapeTown. Ticketsrange from R100 forlearners, students and senior citizens,toR180for adults.The festival wasfounded by thelateDennisBarr, andinthe yearssince hispassing it hasgrown into one of SouthAfrica’smostrespected platformsfor

youngmusical talent

This year’s programme includes an all-star alumni band ledbyProfMikeCampbell, featuringguest trumpeterGordonVernick from the United States of America. “Wealsowelcome the Bavarian YouthJazzEnsemblefromGermany whowillbejoining us,” Annsaid.

Thefestivalispresented in collaboration with theUniversityofCapeTown, theSouth African College of Musicand theBaxterTheatre

Ticketsare availablethrough Webtickets, at Pick nPay ticket outletsand at theBaxter BookingOffice . Formoreinformation,visitwww.ctbigbandjazzfest.co.za or follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram and YouTubeatctbigbandjazzfest. Emailctbigbandjazzfest@gmail.comorphone Barr on 082451 3696

Musicians perform at the Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival, which celebrates its26thanniversaryatthe Baxter TheatreConcert HallinRondeboschfromtomorrow (27May)toSaturday30May. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

WGRUVDanceCompany’snew production “Highlights”willtour Johannesburgbeforeconcluding its runin Cape Town at the Homecoming Centre from Wednesday 26 to Saturday 29 August.The programmepresents acurated selection of contemporaryand classical worksbyinternationally acclaimed choreographers alongside newcreations by the company’sown

Two Ethiopianathleteswerecrowned thewinners of theCapeTown Marathon on Sunday 24 Maywhen they wonthe men’sand women’stitles respectively in aracewhere threeofthe four course recordswereshattered.

MohamedEsa wonthe men’selite race in a time of 2:04:55and he shatteredthe course record of 2:08:16makingthe marathon the fastestonthe Africancontinent

Esa’scompatriotDeraDidaclaimed thewomen’s titlein2:23:18

In thewheelchairdivisionDavid Weir of GreatBritain dominatedthe men’sraceashe poweredtoa 1:30:20win,loweringthe course record from 1:32:09. Whilethatrecordwas still sinkingin, thewomen’s wheelchairrecordwas absolutely obliterated, with Switzerland’sManuela Schartakingthe record down from 1:52:58

to 1:43:25. This bodeswellfor theevent,which is nearing thecompletionofPhase 2ofthe candidacy processtobecomeanAbbott WorldMarathon Majors (AbbottWMM) event.

Therace, whichisalready considered Africa’s premiermarathon, will then bringAfricaits firstMajor

Theracealsofeaturedits biggest international contingent to date,withsome8 500international entries.

Thestacked men’selite fieldincludedEliud Kipchoge,the former two-time WorldRecord-holder, two-time OlympicMarathon Champion andwinnerof11Majors. He chose Cape Town as his firstofficial marathon race on Africansoil, andthe firststopfor hisEliud’s Running Worldtour, whichwillsee himtackle aseriesofseven marathonsacrossall thecontinentsoverthe next twoyears,toinspire people

THREE OF THE FOUR COURSE RECORDSWERE SHATTERED IN ABOUNCE BACK EVENT AFTER LAST YEAR’S DISASTER

to lead healthierlives whileuniting theworld throughrunning

He finished 16th in 2:13:29, greeted by adoringfansfromstart to finish

“I have runall theMajorsinthe world, but Sunday 24 May2026isthe daythatI believe theCapeTownMarathonwillbecomeand Abbott WorldMarathonMajorsevent.I believe that allAfricansshouldbeproud of this race, andthatweare creating areallegacyfor Africa by making theCapeTownMarathona World

Major,”hesaid.

ClarkGardener, CEOofthe Marathon, describedthe race as very importantfor the organisers following last year’s cancelledevent “I thinkitwas really greattobouncebackwith an eventona perfectday,withgreat organisation,and an incredible eliteresult, with so many newrecords.Itwas nota perfectevent,and we’vealready learnt some valuable lessons,but overall, we’resuper proudthatwehavesomany happy participants andsupporters.

“Thatincludesall ourinternational participants,and theoverall feedback from them hasbeen impressive -theyloveCapeTown, they love SouthAfrica, they love amarathon in Africa -sowecan be supperchuffed as a team aboutthe delivery of this event. We look forwardtojustsoaking it allin, andseeing what that meansfor us in twotothree weeks’ time,” Gardnersaid.