People's Post Woodstock/Maitland/City E-edition 27 January 2026

Tuesday, 27 January2026

CAMPSBAYHIGHSPEARHEADSAN

Cellpho free sc

Toimprove concentrationand academicperformance CampsBay High School hasimplemented acellphone-free policy during school hours.

AccordingtoSmartphoneFreeChildhood SouthAfrica(SFCSA),studies show learners spendupto20% of theirclassroom time texting,emailing, surfing theweb,checkingsocial mediaand even playinggames

SFCSAisa growingmovement dedicatedto protecting childhood by encouragingsmartphone-free schools, supportingparents to delay device useand advocating forstrongerchild-focusedpolicies.

CampsBay High is on amission to change this andhas installedcellphone lockerswhere learners lock away theirphonesatthe startof theschool dayand only access them againat theend of theday

Theinitiativeisspearheaded by DarrenHiggs, counselloratthe school

“I didsomeresearchoncyberbullyingand access to phones.I also engagedwithteachers, whoexplained howdifficult it wastoget kids’ attentioninclass, seeing them in thehallways always on theirphones.”

He said he signed up with Smartphone Free Childhood in theUnitedKingdom (UK) and received atoolkitonhow to implementthe initiative

“The toolkitbreaksdownhow to roll the initiative out, howtocommunicate with parents andchildren, andI used this as my framework. Research enabledmetocollect as much information as Icould.”

Higgs said he approached theschool management andpitched theideatothem.

“Withany newpolicythere is alegal compotraction from interactingsocially.“Iactually see more learners talkingtoone another.”

Carnivalrestoresyouth’shope

THULANIMAGAZI

“I

wouldratherwalkthe streetsofCrossroads nakedthanseeing this groupdying down,” this is howLoyisoCasiwesummed up hisloveand passion for ImbumbaCross Dancers, oneofmanygroupsthatwill take part in this year’s Cape Town Carnival on Saturday 21 March.

Over 1500 performers will showcase theirtalentunder the theme“FollowYourHeART”on theGreen PointFan Walk in an explosionofcolourand entertainment during the16thedition of the carnival

Casiwe,one of theleaddancers at theannual carnival,endured many yearsofheartache and hatred before hiselevation to the topofthisyearlyspectacle.And he attributes hisresilienceand rise to hisformerteacher andmentor Nolufefe Racula

The22-year-old joined agroup of youngdancers whilehewas a learneratQingqaMntwana Primary School at OldCrossroads under theguidanceofRaculawho honed hisdance movesand skills

Littledid he know that this would draw theire of certaincommunity members.

“Peoplehated me andI waseven calleda ‘moffie’,” he tells People’s Post Thesedid notdeter hisfocus as he tirelesslystrived to be thebest at dancing.

Todayheisthe beacon of hope to many youngpeopleinhis community.“Noweveryoneloves me Most people want to be part of the group,”hesays, explaining that he workswith60young people between theagesof11and 18.The dancersare nowpreparing for this year’s festival on Saturday 21 March.

“Weencourage thechildren, especially theboys, to remain hum-

bleand be confident in themselves

Forinstance, at my ageI stillwash dishes at home andmostofthem thinkI am lyingwhenI tell them that.Crime will always be there, butthere is certainlychangeinour community”explainsCasiwewho shares ahouse with hismother, grandmotherand five siblings “There is also unityamong allour membersand youcan seethatthey choosetheir friendscarefully.”

Despitehis resilience and fighting spirit,challenges remain Casiwe says whiletheir focusis always on theCapeTownCarnival, they also performatcommunity events.“Most of thechildrendo nothavemeans to buyclothes for ourperformancesand Ihaveto buyfor them from thelittlemoney Imakefrommypart-time jobs

“Lastyear, IboughtthemT-shirts to participateinlocal events,” he says,expressing gratitudetothe carnival organisers forsupporting thegroup annually to participatein theevent

“Theysupport us with theclothes andthatiswhere we gettosee people from othernations,” he explains butcalls for“supporters” to ensure thegroup continuesits work in society.

Explaining themotivebehindthe group, Racula tells People’s Post that shegrewupina family that lovedmusic.She also pays homage to hermotherwho instructed her to remain loyaltoall thechildren.

“I lovedsinging from ayoung age andI wasinspiredbymymother whowas amusic conductor. Before shedied(in 2009), sheinstructed me to take care of thechildrenand help them in music,”she says Racula hasbeen part of theCape Town Carnival sinceinception and haswitnessedits evolutionover theyears.“Ioncedancedwith them,but my attire wasdifferent anda bitlonger,”she says Shepraises thegroup fortransformingchildreninCrossroads “I always availmyclass to the

Everystorybuildstheworldwewanttosee

lighter.

Hi partner. Breathewithme (inahale,hold, exhale).

Icallyou partnerbecause Ido notsee youasjusta reader,I see youassomeone walkingwithme, we’vedonesosuccessfully in the last year,wemight as well keep walking, walkingisanevent,and alleventshappenwitha reason, this walk,thoughunexplainable, hopefully leadsustogentlepaths When Iask youtobreathe with me, it is an invitation to pause, notto perform. Andright now, that pause feelsmoreimportant than ever So heypartner .welcome to 2026 ,thisismy firstcolumnfor theyearand Ihopetoshare many “hey partner” momentswithyou When oftenasked whereI’m from Ialwaysjokinglysay I’ma citizenofthe worldand Decemberprovedjustthat, Ispent most of it on theroad, between cities, between communities Zwelethemba in Worcester, Mdantsanein East London,New Brighton in Port ElizabethlastlyKwaNokuthulain PlettenbergBay Theroads blurredunder the wheels, townsand townships passing like pagesina book Icould notput down.And as Itravelled, I realised that notevery storyhas a headline.Somejustmakethe heart

Inoticed somethingthatstayed with me.Inmanyhomes and streets, people wouldkeep quietat thefaceofinjustice or quietlyshare theirthoughts, theirfrustrations, theirhopes,but ofteninhushed tones.

They spokecarefully,sometimes as if testingwhether it wassafeto be heard. Ithenrealisedpeopleare notsilentbecause they do notcare. They areoften silent because, over generations, they have been taught that theirvoicesdonot matter. Taught to doubttheir worth, to normalisebeing ignored, to survive quietly. Butinsomespaces, I’ve seen somethingdifferent, somethingquietly revolutionary, people speaking up,insisting to be seen,to be heard, to matter.

In Zwelethemba, Imet agrandmother tendinga community garden.Her handsweredarkened by soil andsunlight, hervoice soft but firm.She told me shestarted thegardenfor thechildrenasa safe placetoplay, to learn, to feel proudoftheir surroundings.Itwas notonthe news.Itdid notgoviral Yetwatchingthe children harvest vegetables,their laughter spilling over thefencesand into thestreets, Ifeltthe powerofsmall victories. It is thekindofstory that reminds youthisiswhatmatters

In Mdantsane, Iobservedsomethingelse, aquiet revolution in the ordinary.A groupofneighbours haddecided to cleantheir streets

forChristmas,not becauseanyone askedthemto, notbecause it wouldberecognised, butbecause it matteredtothem, to theirchildren,totheir senseofdignity.One person picked up aplastic bottle, anotherswept thedust, afew planted flowersalong thekerb. By theend of theafternoon,a street that hadfeltforgottennow looked aliveagain.Care, it seems, is contagious.

Andthenthere wasNew Brighton. Here,I witnesseda younglady starta readingcircleinher back yard.Itbegan with threechildren anda fewbooks. It wasa beautiful sighttobeholdasthe children’s eyes lightupwithstories from distantworlds. Smallactslikea book,a smile, amomentofshared attentioncan ripplefurther than we imagine.

Even in PlettenbergBay,KwaNokuthula, Ifound moments that reminded me of resilience.A groupoflocal artistshad revitalised homesfor low-income residents. They were young, loud, andunapologetically joyful.With each brushstrokethe houses told newstories of hope,colour, and possibility December reminded me that thesemoments,quiet as they may be,are everywhere in gardens, streets, back yards, neighbourhoodsand kitchens.Theyare about connection, resilience,and humanity. They arevictories of everyday life.Theydonot make headlines.

They do not fill news reels. But they remind us that healingbegins when we speak, when we act, when we notice each other.

Your voicematters toowhether youliveinthe marginsorthe suburbs. Youdonot have to shout to be heard. If somethingfeelswrong in your community,knock on thedoor of amedia house. Asktospeak to ajournalist. Shareyourstory Becauseinjustice thrivesinsilence, andeverydayvictories thrive when they areacknowledged. Reflecting on 2025,I noticeda pattern;our worldmoves quickly. Ourfeedsscrollendlessly. We click, share, react, andmoveon. Butlifeisnot in thefast-forward. Life is in thepause.Inthe gentle moments, theordinaryactsof kindness, theconversations that aretenderand truthful.Before we chasethe new, let’slook back at what made us pause, smile, or rethink.

So,partner,I invite youto breathewithme. Notice thesmall victoriesaroundyou.Speak up when youmust. Celebratewhen youcan.Connect when it matters.And remember theseare the momentsthatshape us,the stories that matter, thevictories that do notalwaysmakeheadlines but lightour hearts nonetheless. Trusttoday.Walkgentlyknowing that everysmall act, everyshared story, everyvoice raised in care, builds theworld we want to see.

G Authoritiessearchfor answers

‘Broertjies’ reconnectatArtscape

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

KAYLYNNE.BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Honouring thespiritofthose forcibly removedfrom District Six, andthe enduringmusic of Dr DavidKramer andthe late Dr Taliep Petersen, From HanoverStreet takesto theArtscapeTheatre stagenext month.

This landmark concertmarks 60 yearssince theforcedremovalsfrom District Sixand runs from Tuesday10 to Sunday 15 February

Forthe firsttimeeverthe original performers of Broetjie in District Six: TheMusical,JodyAbrahams, Loukmaan Adams, Alistair Izobell andEmo Adams, reunite, this time as producers.

This year also marks20years since thepassing of thelatePetersen, whoseworkwithKramershapedthe musicalidentityoftheatre andgavea voicetoa community whorefused to be forgotten.

On 11 February 1966, District Six wasdeclaredwhitesonlyunder the GroupAreas Act, resultinginover 60 000 residentshavingtoleave theneighbourhood,manyofthem forcibly,inone of themostpainful chapters of Cape Town’s history.

Speaking to People’s Post,Izobell said Kramer andPetersenpaved the wayfor himand many others in the entertainmentindustry.

“Theyweresuchanincrediblepart of my life.Ifthere is somethingI am doing, producingorwriting David will getinvolvedand say, ‘You can’t embarrass me like this by writingthis or that.’ We arehis children.And the

same with Taliep.”

He said he felt humbledtobepart of history.

“Proud is nota word that satisfies theemotion andconnectionbetween us,it’sanenormousspace of grace.

Thereare very fewmoments in historywhere we as asociety getto live througha period of things that waspartofour footprintinour lives.

Davidhas been servingpeopleentertainment formorethan50years.And Taliep foraslongashewas alive.”

Izobellreflectedonthe legacy, friendship anda shared history.

“The four men, Jody Abrahams, Loukmaan Adams, EmoAdams and I, gettorelivea pieceofworkthat startedour careers40years ago, with menwerethe most on theAfrican continentatone point.

“Weget to commemorate thesepeoplewho were forcibly removedfrom theirhomes.The four of us have kept themusic andthe stampofDavid and Taliep alivefor four decades.”

Izobellsaidnow,60years on,the pain of theforcedremovalsstill lingered

“Itwas theftona grandscale from araceofpeoplewho livedthere.It’s aboutcommemorating thosepeople whosurviveditall andmore, andsayingthiswillnever happenagain.”

He said audiencescan look forward to afun-filledshowthattakes them

on atripdownmemorylane.

“Itisnot District Sixthe Musical, buta celebrationofthe spirit of people whocomefromDistrictSix andthe musicthatDavid andTaliep wrote.”

Kramer said he wasproud of the four forcontinuingtokeep hisand Petersen’s musicalive

“I am very proudofthem. They all grew up in frontofmyeyesand they have broughta wholelot of young

people along. So thereisa lotofhope forthe talent of Cape Town,and we need to celebrateourselves andrely on theyoung talent to do that.” Ticketsare almostsoldout and are availablevia webtickets.

“I City honoursmusical legends

Festival bringstogether‘twoworlds’

The fifthCapeFlats Book Festival will bringtogether over 90 speakers across 50 sessionsonSaturday31January andSunday1 February

Thefreefestival, theonlyone of itskindonthe Cape Flats, will take placeatWestEnd PrimarySchool in Mitchells Plainand is hosted by literacynon-governmentalorganisation (NGO)ReadtoRise, whichwrites, prints anddonates bookstolearners at underprivilegedschools.

Read to Rise founderAthol Williamsexplained thefestival’sbroader mission:“TheCapeFlats Book Festivalisrewriting thenarrative of the Cape Flatsbybringingstories,ideas anddreamstolife. We arerecasting literary festivalsaseventsrelevant andaccessibletoeveryone. We are building bridgesbetween communities.Our mission is to explicitly bring SA’s authorsand publishers to the Cape Flatsand to showcase theCape Flats’ authors.”

Thefestivalhas securedsponsorship from theDepartmentofSports, Arts andCulture,the WesternCape

ADULTS,YOUNGADULTS,CHILDREN,WORKSHOPS, POETRY,AFRIKAANSPOETRY

Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports,the National Arts Counciland West EndPrimary School.Itbrings together authors, includingsomeof thebest-selling authorsinthe country, booksellers,publishersand poets.

Thefestivaltakes placeacrosssix stages;adults, youngadults, children, workshops, poetry andAfrikaanspoetry —withliteracyevents, including workshops, readings andliveperformances taking placeonevery stage, everyhour.

Booksellers bigand smallwillalso host sale stalls in themaincourtyard andfood will also be on sale

TarynLock, Read to Rise Executive Director,said: “Weare grateful to ourwonderful supportersassomany people benefitfromthisbook festival –itbringstogetherchildren, adults, aspiring,new andaward-winning writersand expertsfromall walksof life to celebrateliterature.”

This year’s festival will feature

authors, poets, moderators andperformersacrossprogrammesdesigned forchildren, youngadultsand adults Activities will includewriting workshops, apuppetshow, giveaways, books, food andexhibitors.

FEATUREDSPEAKERSANDWORKSHOPS

Theprogramme will includenotable authorssuchasAnwar McKay, Mandy Wiener,JulianJansen, FEHMZ, Patric Taariq Mellet, Nicole Engelbrecht,political cartoonistZapiro, BrandanReynolds, former Mitchells Plainpolicestation commander Jeremy Vearey,best-selling author Deon Meyer, CraigJaphta, NadiaCassim, Qaanitah Hunter andKim Bagley Poetsappearing at thefestival includeSarah Uheida,Jadrick Pedro, KoobusMoolman, ChantalStewart, ThaboLeholo, Ryan Pedro, Mengelmoes Digtersand Cape Cultural Collective.

Children will enjoystorytelling ses-

sionswithauthors Bianca Flanders, DianaFerris, Sibu,Bosa, Samantha Adams, Lulu Fellowes, Lauren O’Connor-Mayand PaulvinWebster.Young visitors canalsoattend theOAKY PuppetShow, meet theOAKYmascot andreceive free face painting Aspiring writerscan participate in specialisedworkshops includinga Memoir Workshop by author andpublisher MelindaFerguson, a romancewriting workshop by Sarah Bullen, atruecrime writingworkshop by Nicole Engelbrecht, anda publishing workshop by author and publisherLiezelSnyman. Williamssaidthe festival brings together “two worlds,sooften structurally divided" whilst facilitating economic opportunitiesfor book sellers,publishers, food sellers and authors.

FESTIVALDETAILS

Sessionswillrun from 09:30to 16:00onSaturdayand from 10:00 to 14:30onSundayatWestEnd Primary School on Merrydale Avenue, Lentegeur. Attendees whoparticipate in more

than threesessionsand gettheir programme punchedcan receive agoodie bagwitha book from the Read to Rise stand, whilst stocks last Luckydraws with prizes will be held at 12:30eachday . Formoreinformation,visitwww. capeflatsbookfestival.co.zaoremail info@readtorise.co.za

Publiclibrariesareleading providersofcivicsupport

With thenew year off to agood start, City librariesare supporting everyone from earlyreaders to jobseekersand entrepreneursthrough free digital resources.

Accordingtothe City,over24000 newmembers have signed up in thelastsix months in its102 public libraries.

Librariesloanout books, audiobooksand DVDs,provide free access to computersand theinternet throughSmartCape,and host arange of programmesdesignedtosupport learning,development andopportunity

From pram jams fornewbornsand toddlers, to readingpogrammesin theEarly ChildhoodDevelopment (ECD)phase andbeyond, study support forolder learners andemployment readinessprogrammesfor adults Francine Higham,Mayco member forcommunity services andhealth, said librariesare welcoming, safe andinclusive spaces that offer free support to residents.

“While membership is notrequired to visitlibraries,itdoesallowresidentstoborrowmaterialtoreadat your leisure, or forstudy purposes, andopens access to allour digitalre-

sources. From booksand studyspace to SmartCapecomputers andskills programmes, ourlibraries arethere to give everyone ahandup.”

LIBRARIES’IMPACTBYNUMBERS:

SinceWednesday 31 December last year City librarieshad atotal membershipof253 075.

SinceJulylastyearatleast 24 127 newmembers have joined Cape Town’s libraries.

BetweenJulyand December,librariesrecorded3 925718 visits

In thelastthree months of last year, librariescirculated1 105896 items, ie itemschecked outbyusers across all servicepoints.

In the2024-’25 financialyear librariesrecordeda 4% increase in thenumberofvisitorsaccessing the internet viaSmartCape,from 423811 to 441451

People aged 26+accountedfor 52% of usage, with thoseagedbetween 13 and17accountingfor 13%.

Signingupasa member is quick andeasy– youjustneed an identity document andproof of address.

Adults areabletosignupchildren formembershiponpresentationof therequireddocumentation

Forin-person applications,mem-

bershipisactivated immediately, whichmeans newpatrons receive theirlibrary card on thespotand are able to borrowmaterialonthe same day.

Applications canalsobecompleted online.Insuchinstances,new patronshaveimmediateaccess to all online offerings,and have to collect theirlibrary card within sevendays. . Online applications canbemade here: https://opac.capetown.gov.za/

Magic college opens to the public

TheCollege of Magicwillhavetwo open days on Saturday 7and Saturday14Februarytowelcome newcomersintoa worldoflearning, performanceand personal growth

TheseOpenDaysare aunique opportunityfor prospectivestudents andfamiliestoengagedirectlywith theCollege’s world-classcurriculum andsupportivelearningenvironment Entrance is free butbookingis essentialasspacesare limited.

THEOPENDAYEXPERIENCEINCLUDES:

. Ahands-onbeginnermagic workshop

. Aguidedtourofthe iconic Magic Mansion

. An overview of Course 1and meet-and-greet with instructors

Thecollege,internationally respected forits rigorous andtransformative magiceducation,alsoaimstoexpand itsbeginnercourses next month. The College of Magic’sstructuredbegin-

nercourses usemagic as apractical tool to developconfidence, communication skills,disciplineand creative thinking.These skills consistently translateintosuccess on stage, in school andinlife.

Last year thecollege featured in globalsuperstar magician David Blaine’s Disney+televisionseries. During production,College of Magicstudentsmet,interactedwith andlearntdirectlyfromBlaine, gained rare insightintoprofessional standardsatthe highestinternational level. That experience didnot remain theoretical. Students went on to deliverhighlysuccessful public performances at localtheatresand most recently,duringthe festive season at theV&A Waterfront.These real-world outcomes demonstrate thestrengthofthe College’s trainingmodel andits abilitytoprepare students forgenuine performance environments

Accordingtothe College,these experiencesaccelerate learning in ways no classroom alonecan achieve. Students gain confidencethrough responsibility,resiliencethrough live performanceand perspectiveby engaging with mentorsatthe topof theindustry. “Magic is an idealplatformfor learning essentiallifeskills.Our beginnercourses help students discoverconfidenceand communication abilitiestheynever knew they had,” said DavidGore, Training Director of thecollege.“TheOpenDaysare your chance to see first-hand what makes ourprogram effective andinspiring.” TheOpenDayswilltakeplace between 10:30and 11:15 at thehe College of Magic, 215ImamHaron Road,Claremont

. To secureyour spot,emailinfo@ collegeofmagic.comorWhatsApp to 062519 1177

SUBSTITUTED SERVICE IN THE HIGH COURT OFSOUTHAFRICA (WESTERNCAPE DIVISION,CAPETOWN) Case No 2025-030265.Inthe Ex Parte application between : THE STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICALIMITED (Applicant)and MERLE PILLAY ID 7510090142085(FirstRespondent) andRONNIE JACOBS ID 710720 5254 08 5(Second Respondent) In re:the Application between: THE STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICALIMITED (Applicant) and