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Gazette Swartland

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25 Augustus 2026 | Jaargang 29 | www.bolandgazette.co.za

Agri-werkers vereer Die Swartland-streek se jaarlikse Prestige Agri-prysuitdeling is die afgelope Vrydag (21 Augustus) aangebied. Die wenners is (agter van links) Devan Julies van die Wynkeldershoek-boerdery (junior bestuur); Marlon Coert van Wynkeldershoek-boerdery (middelbestuur); Sherwin Dyson van die Swartland-wynkelder (tegniese operateur); Ruan van der Mescht, hoofbestuurder van die Wynkeldershoek-boerdery (beste presterende plaas), Elsabee Farao (administrasie) en Franzette Paulse van die Wynkeldershoek- boerdery (algemene werker) en Nathan Solomons van die Swartland-wynkelder (drywer). Voor staan Alethu Ruba van Chalala Farms 1 (diereproduksie), Jenine Nero van Rooidraai/Harmonie (voorman/vrou), Meegan Pietersen van Paardeberg (landbouverwer king), Elizabeth van Dyk van Goedgedacht Trust en die algehele wenner, asook die wenner in die afdeling maatskaplike ontwikkeling, David Du Toit van Wynkeldershoek (besproeiingspesialis) en William Oewies van Swartland Wynkelder (beste potensiaal).

Charge sheet sealed Charlotte Lesch

he court adjourned on Thursday, 20 August after the 16-year-old teenager from Malmesbury made his second appearance at the magistrates’ court following his assessment by a district surgeon. Western Cape NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed the district surgeon has recommended that he be referred for mental evaluation. The court endorsed the recommendation of the doctor and the accused has been referred to the Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital for mental evaluation in terms of Section77(1)&78(2) of the Criminal Procedure

Teenage suspect referred to Valkenberg Act. His case has been postponed until 27 August this year for a formal bail application. The boy was arrested on child exploitation and animal abuse charges following international law enforcement collaboration. In the meantime he will be kept in a place of safety until his next court appearance. Meanwhile the state has increased the charges against the accused from 11 charges to 15 which include sexual grooming of a child, compelled sexual

assault, sexual exploitation of a child, creation of child pornography, exposure or displaying pornography to a child by image, unlawful and intentional distribution of child pornography, possession of a child pornography data message which incites damage to property or violence, cruelty to animals and the prohibition against filming and distribution of films and photographs depicting sexual violence and violence against children. The court took a precautionary step of sealing the charge sheet and all orders handed down by the court following a

successful application by the State in terms of Section 154(3) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. The State took this position to protect the rights of the accused who is a minor, the victims, and also his siblings and his family. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) made the application following the publication of detailed proceedings of a case that was held in camera. The presiding officer Mr McKenzie has warned those attending court not to share proceedings of the court case or any documents that were handed in at court. The magistrate warned those who breached the order stand to be sentenced to three years direct imprisonment.

NUUS NEWS

Swartland | 25 Augustus 2026

Screen smart: Expert sounds alarm Ilse Salzwedel / Die Papier

The disinhibition effect of social media causes people to not maintain normal boundaries. Photo: pexels.com

social media as addictive as possible?” Cockcroft believes it’s only a matter of time before more countries introduce social media age restrictions. She believes the court case that Meta (formerly Facebook) recently lost in the US is raising greater awareness, because of the addictive nature. “Our brains are being hijacked by social media, and the impact on children is massive. It causes anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation . . . and all of this leads to suicidal thoughts.” According to Cockcroft, the largest group at risk for suicide in South Africa is currently children aged between 11 and 16 years old.

should not have smartphones and she supports a social media ban for everyone under 16. This rule also applies to her own children. “We shouldn’t just ask what harm it can cause, but also whether there are any benefits to it.” She is adamant that smartphones and unlimited internet access are anything but harmless entertainment. “Children are losing time, they are losing academically, they are losing the chance to socialise . . . There is so much to lose, and there is absolutely nothing to gain.” She also points out the highly addictive nature of social media, saying even adults struggle with it. “Why would you then expose someone with an immature prefrontal cortex to the world’s best software developers who are paid six-figure salaries to make

HIDDEN HARM Cockcroft says statistics on this are scarce in South Africa, but says she dealt with five cases in Gqeberha in a matter of a year. “Four were teenagers of about 13, 14. The fifth person – a well-known businessman – took his own life as a result.” Unfortunately such complaints are easily swept under the rug by social media platforms, says Cockcroft. She has also dealt with children as young as 13 who are addicted to digital pornography. Cockcroft emphasises the importance of conversations between parents and teenagers about online safety, and says parents should know what their children are doing on their cellphones at all times. There is software that you can install on your child’s phone that will help with

Have you noticed how rude and inappropriate people can be online, whether in comments on social media or in a WhatsApp group? This phenomenon is called the online disinhibition effect, and is also the reason why many young people so easily become victims of online exploitation. Esteé Cockcroft, a media and communications expert from Gqeberha and co-author of the book Screen Smart: A Guide to Safe Playing in the Digital Space, says it all starts with the brain. “During an online or WhatsApp conversation, a part of the brain is activated that makes you forget that you are actually talking to another person.” According to Cockcroft, good manners and empathy easily fall by the wayside online. The disinhibition effect also causes people – teenagers and adults – to not maintain normal boundaries. “Sometimes parents show me messages from bullies, and when you meet the child, you can’t believe he or she wrote that message.” This psychological phenomenon is also the reason why teenagers are the ideal prey for online bullies and criminals. When a teenager is asked to share a nude photo, for example, it is so much easier not to think about the consequences, because the conversation doesn’t feel real. NOTHING GAINED Cockcroft believes children under 13

this. Cockcroft recommends Bark Parental Controls. This software, which can be embedded on a child’s phone so it can’t be easily removed, uses artificial intelligence to monitor where your child is online. It also monitors conversations on platforms like WhatsApp, Snapchat and social media for terms that may seem innocent to parents, but actually indicate sexual or explicit activities. “It then alerts you as a parent and sends you a ‘warning.’” Bark even interprets suggestive emojis. “You can also block certain websites and internet searches, and for example, prevent your child from accessing websites where you can create chatbot companions.” Access to online games and the amount of time a child spends online can also be controlled by a parent. “Once the allowed screen time is over, the phone basically becomes a brick.” Concerned about your child’s online safety? Esteé Cockcroft can help. Visit www. screensmarts.co.za or email her on info@ screensmarts.co.za. She also visits schools countrywide to talk to children about this important topic. Cockcroft also shares her knowledge in the book Screen Smart: A Guide to Safe Play in the Digital Space. Written in a way that will resonate with children, it is also a handy resource for parents on this important topic. It is published by LAPA.

Betogers het vroeg Vrydagoggend (21 Augustus) buite Malmesbury op die N7-snelweg saamgedrom en buitebande aan die brand gesteek as deel van hul misnoeë rakende onwettige immigrante. Foto: AR24

Illingelethu-inwoners bal die vuis teen immigrante Charlotte Lesch ’n Betoging teen onwettige immigrante het in gewelddadige optredes deur inwoners van Illingelethu ontaard. Inwoners van dié woongebied het die afgelope Vrydag (21 Augustus) gedurende plaaslike gemeenskapsvergaderings saam ooreengekom buitelanders wat onwettig in die land is, moet na hul onderskeie lande terugkeer. ’n Betoging is in die omgewing van Malmesbury van stapel gestuur om buitelanders uit hulle wonings te dryf. Sers. Henry du Randt, ’n polisiewoordvoerder vir die Malmesbury-polisiekantoor, het bevestig van die immigrante is aange rand en van hul besittings is in die proses beskadig. “Buitebande is op die N7-snelweg aan die brand gesteek. Dié optrede het tot die sluiting van die snelweg gelei.” Volgens Du Randt was die N7 vir bykans drie ure gesluit. Die byna 200 betogers het kort daarna van die snelweg na Darlingweg beweeg en ook dié pad probeer versper. Die polisie was genoodsaak om rubberkoeëls te gebruik om die skare uiteen te jaag. Gerugte dat ’n seun van buitelandse oorsprong deur die skare ontvoer is, het die ronde gedoen, maar kon tot in hierdie stadium nie deur die polisie bevestig word nie. Buitelanders, onder wie onwettige immigrante, se besittings is op die strate

gesien nadat hulle uit hul wonings gedryf is. Twee mense betrokke by die betoging het persele waar hulle vermoed onwettige buitelanders woon, besoek en aangedring op die nodige dokumentasie. Die polisie en gemeenskapsleiers het ’n beroep op die betogers gedoen om kalm te bly en vreedsaam op te tree. Die skare is ook gevra om die betrokke immigrasiebeamptes die geleentheid te gee om hul mandaat uit te voer. “Die polisie vra dat inwoners nie die reg in eie hande neem om buitelanders te probeer uitsit of konfrontasie uit te lok nie. Die publiek word gevra indien hulle vermoed onwettige immigrante bevind hulle op ’n perseel, moet hulle dit by die naaste polisiekantoor of by die departement van binnelandse sake aanmeld. Hulle word gewaarsku om ernstige gevolge en streng optrede te verwag indien hulle die wet oortree of as hulle mense tot oproerigheid en die beskadiging van infrastruktuur aanhits.” Die betogings het daartoe gelei dat talle leerders van buite Malmesbury, wat die dorp via Darlingsweg binnekom, skool misgeloop het weens minibustaxi’s wat nie by die leerders kon uitkom of hulle in gevaar wou stel nie. Verskeie ondernemings en sommige kleuterskole was genoodsaak om hul deure vir die dag te sluit nadat personeel nie by die werk kon uitkom nie. Geen inhegtenisnemings is bevestig nie.

Darling se landbouvereniging vier meer as 100 jaar se bestaan sedert sy stigting in 1913. In die middel staan Alexander Duckitt.

Landbouverenigings vier 113 jaar sedert stigting Agri Wes-Kaap het onlangs tydens hul jaarlikse kongres op 14 Augustus met die tema “Standvastig in ’n veranderende wêreld” erkenning gegee aan verskeie landbouverenigings wat al langer as 100 jaar bestaan. “Agri Wes-Kaap se wortels loop diep. Ons bestaan as struktuur reeds sedert die laat 1800’s, gebou op die fondament van sterk, plaaslike landbouverenigings wat geslagte lank volhou.”

Onder die landbouverenings is Darling en Malmesbury wat elkeen sedert 1913 by Agri Wes-Kaap geaffilieer is. Ander landbouverenigings sluit in Stellenbosch- landbougenootskap gestig in 1832, Caledon/Jongensklip en Robertson-landbou verenigings is ook sedert 1913 deel van Agri Wes-Kaap. Die Bredasdorp/ Wolwerkersvereniging is sedert 1914 by die struktuur geaffilieer, terwyl die Breë rivier-landbouvereniging in 1926 gestig is.

Heinie du Toit (heel links), wat onlangs as visepresident van Agri Wes-Kaap herverkies is, en Villiers Loubser (heel regs), wat as president van Agri Wes-Kaap herverkies is, vereer Agri Malmesbury vir hul jare lange bydrae tot landbou. Hentie Smit en John Dürr het die toekenning namens Agri Malmesbury ontvang.

NUUS NEWS

25 Augustus 2026 | Swartland

Skaapboere wys hoe goed hulle en hul diere is

Wynkeldershoek is vanjaar se wenner van die kategorie, Beste Presterende Plaas - Heel agter in die middel staan die hoofbestuurder Ruan Van Der Mescht saam met sy personeel wat ‘n toekenning tydens die spoggeleentheid op Goedgedacht plaas ontvang het.

Swartland se plaaswerkers wen Die Swartland-streek se jaarlikse Prestige Agri-prysuitdeling het die afgelope Vrydag (21 Augustus) oudergewoonte op die plaas Goedgedacht, teen die hange van Kasteelberg, plaasgevind. Dié keer vier die Goedgedacht Trust een van hul eie. Elizabeth van Dyk (54), ’n onderwyseres wat spesialiseer in vroeë kinderontwikkeling by die kleuterskool op die plaas, spog vanjaar as die wenner van die afdeling Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling. Van Dyk dra egter vanjaar die titel as dié streek se Prestigelandbouwerker van die Jaar, wat vir haar ’n groot verrassing was. “Dit was vanjaar die heel eerste keer dat ek vir die kompetisie ingeskryf het. Ek het dit nooit verwag nie en was skoon emosioneel,” vertel Van Dyk opgewonde. Sy sê sy daag nie daagliks op vir toekennings nie, maar vir die kinders. “Ek sien daarna uit om soggens op te staan en werk toe te kom. Sodra ek my voete uit die taxi sit, hardloop die kinders om my te kom groet.” Vir hulle is sy nie net ’n onderwyseres nie, maar ’n ouma. “Die kinders noem my ouma en saai my daagliks met komplimente, soos ‘ouma lyk mooi vandag’, of ‘ek hou van ouma se hare’”. Van Dyk, wat in Riebeek-Wes woon, werk die afgelope ses jaar vir die Goedgedacht-trust nadat sy haar studies deur die Weskus Kollege ge-

doen het. Die jare stap aan, maar Van Dyk is nog nie gereed vir aftrede nie en sien tans uit na verdere studies en kursusse in die veld. Die personeel van die plaas Wynkeldershoek, wat aan Goedgedacht grens, het skoonskip gemaak nadat hulle die meeste pryse ingeoes het. Devan Julies is aangewys as die wenner van die afdeling Junior bestuur. Marlon Coert, ’n voormalige algehele wenner, is vanjaar aangewys as die wenner van die afdeling Middelbe stuur. Ruan van der Mescht, die hoof bestuurder van die plaas, het die prys vir Beste presterende plaas namens sy personeel ontvang, terwyl Elsabee Farao, ook van Wynkeldershoek, in die afdeling Administrasie as die wenner aangewys is. Franzette Paulse is as die beste algemene werker aangewys. Swartland Wynkelder pronk vanjaar met Sherwin Dyson as die wenner van die afdeling Tegniese Operateur, Nathan Solomons as Drywer van die Jaar en ’n groot wenner, William Oewies, is die Werker met die beste potensiaal. Alethu Ruba van Chalala Farms 1 was die wenner in die afdeling Diere produksie, terwyl Jenine Nero van Rooidraai/Harmonie as Voorvrou aangewys is. Meegan Pietersen van Paardeberg was die wenner in die afdeling Landbouverwerking.

Agri Malmesbury se Skaapstudiegroep het die afgelope Vrydag (21 Augustus) sy 44ste Kudde-evalueringsdag by die plaaslike landbousaal aangebied. Vanjaar se leerderskursus en rasbekendstellingafde ling het ’n ongelooflike 73 leeders gelok. Volgens Wilhelm Relihan, wat jaarliks die leerderskursus behartig, het die leer ders aan ’n teoriesessie deelgeneem wat drie sprekers ingesluit het. Die s prekers het onder meer oor die hantering van vleis, wolsake en dieregesondheid gepraat. Die sessie is gevolg deur ’n toets waarna die top-10-presteerders aangewys is om aan die praktiese evaluering deel te neem. “Hulle moes ’n skaap vang, die skaap laat sit en die tande tel,” sê hy. Die Hoërskool Porterville se Phillip Viljoen stap vanjaar met die Agri Expo- trofee weg vir die leerder met die meeste passie en vir leergierigheid tydens die kursus. Die Stockman-toekenning is vanjaar deur Benjamin Turner van Augsburg Landbougimnasium gewen. Die produsent in die derde plek vir die slaglamkompetisie was Johnny Forbes van Vredesig-Dormers buite Malmesbury. Ewan Louw van Nuweland-Dormers het die toekenning vir die reserwekam pioenslaglam van vanjaar te wen. Die kampioenslaglam het wel aan Forbes gegaan. Forbes het verder met die louere vir die beste groepslaglam in die eerste en tweede plek weggestap. Onder die Merino-jongooi-kuddekompetisie het Stevie Hamman in die derde plek uitgeblink, terwyl Elandsberg Plase

die posisie in tweede plek ingeneem het. Juan Louw het op sy beurt die Merino-telersgenootskap-wisseltrofee gewen. Elandsberg Plase is vanjaar die wenners in die afdeling vir Beste wol, terwyl die Beste gemiddelde daaglikse toename en Beste jongooi aan Nicol Mostert gegaan het. By die Dohne-Merino-jongooi-kudde kompetisie het Caledonville Plase koning gekraai met die Dohne Merino- telersgenootskap-wisseltrofee. Groot Phesantekraal was die naaswenners met Oubasie Lesch in die derde plek nadat Caledonville Plase met die titels Beste wol en Beste bouvorm weggestap het. By die SA Vleismerino-jongooi-kompetisie was dit weer Martin Bester van Hubertskuilse se beurt om in die derde plek uit te blink. Michiel Smuts is as die naaswenner aangewys met Danie van Breda as die algehele wenner van die SAV- telersgenootskap-wisseltrofee in die eerste plek. Van Breda se inskrywings is verder vereer as wenner van die Beste wol en die Beste bouvorm. Die Beste vordering in alle rasse is vanjaar deur Nicol Mostert gewen, wat beloon is met die Rumivite/Kaapstad- lewendehawe-wisseltrofee. Eben Schellink, die voorsitter van Agri Malmesbury se Skaapstudiegroep, moedig boere aan om jaarliks vir die suksesvolle voortbestaan van die Kudde-evalueringsdag in te skryf. Die wenner van vanjaar se gewigskat- lamkompetisie met ’n geskatte gewig van 188,7kg was Karien van Wyk.

Eben Schellink (heel links), die voorsitter van die Skaapstudiegroep wens Jeandre Brink van Groot Phesantekraal (tweede), Hugo Torr van Caledonville Plase (wenner) en Oubasie Lesch (derde) geluk met hul prestasies. Heel regs staan Dewald Vrey (Octavoscene).

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NUUS NEWS

Swartland | 25 Augustus 2026

‘Balke toe!’ by komende Toyota-musiekfees Om vyftig studente in ’n Volkswagen Beetle te druk, was jare gelede ’n groot uitdaging. Maar laat ’n mens maar sê: Dis ’n makliker taak as om die byna 50 musiekproduksies van die Toyota- musiekfees by vanjaar se Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees in een asem te probeer noem. Dié gewilde opelugkonserte by die Jan Marais-park bring families en feesmaats onder die sterrehemel bymekaar. Zaan Sonnekus en Tashé met Sossi, Booshle G. met Tatum Tides, Spoegwolf met Van Der Aven en Jeremy Loops met Tessi Nandi bring die vibes en die klank van 7 tot 10 Oktober. Die hekke open om 17:00 – kom dus vroeg en kuier saam. JAZZ EN DIE AFTERPAARTIE Jazz-liefhebbers kan weer uitsien na jazz-musiek van die Konserve-program by die buitelug-amfiteater van die Universiteit Stellenbosch-konservatorium. Dit is die tuiste van ’n reeks musiekkonserte waar bekende jazz-musikante soos Buddy Wells, die Ramon Alexander-trio, Sibabalwe Gobe-Gysman, Melisizwe Plaatjie, Heinrich Frans en die Andrew Ford-trio sal optree. En net daarna volg die Afterpaartie- program, wat deur Schalk Joubert saamgestel word. Hy bring van sy vriende en beste musici in die land bymekaar. Dit is die perfekte laatnag kuierplek om ná die dag se vol program te kom litte losmaak of te ontspan. Die Albert Frost-trio, die Papier Family Band, Nick Turner, die Robin Auld-trio en die World Peace-ensemble is van die sterre op Schalk se sterbelaaide program. AMANDA EN ANTON Amanda Strydom vier haar 70-ste

(ja, kan jy glo!) saam met die Kaapstad Filharmoniese Orkes in ’n vertoning wat een vir die boeke gaan wees met Sewentig, nog lewendig. op 6 Okttober om 19:00. Anton Goosen dien alle gerugte van oud en koud die nekslag toe met Magtig, kyk wie’s 80. Hy bring sy “vrinne” soos Coenie de Villiers, Schalk Joubert, Churchil Naude, Akkedis, Lize Swart, Loukmaan Adams en vele meer na die jolige partytjie (7 Oktober om 19:00). BALKE TOE! Vusi Mahlasela, Jak de Priester, Glaskas, Joshua na die reën, Elvis Blue, Coffee Snobs, Karin Hougaard, Koos van der Merwe, Bianca Flanders en Dean Balie in Prima! en vele meer is op die Toyota-musiekfees-program. Kaartjies verkoop só goed dat ekstra vertonings geskeduleer is vir: • Stille vuur met Coenie de Villiers, Deon Meyer, Mauritz Lotz en Frieda van den Heever op 4 Oktober om 18:30 en • Plektrum met Mauritz Lotz op 3 Oktober om 11:00. NUWE SHOWS Ná drie jaar is Jan Blohm uiteindelik terug by Daisy Jones, en hierdie keer bring hy die hele band saam vir ’n volbloed- rock show as deel van die Toyota- musiekfees op 3 Oktober om 20:00 by The Daisy Jones Bar. Louis Mhlanga, ’n reus van die Afrika- kitaar, bygestaan deur ’n vol band, is net vir een aand op die Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees – 7 Oktober om 20:00 by The Daisy Jones Bar • Die Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees duur van 3 tot 11 Oktober. Die volledige program is op www.woordfees.co.za te sien.

The Western Cape is preparing for an eight-month fire season driven by severe El Niño conditions.

Eight-month fire season expected The province experienced its most severe fire season in a quarter-century in the 2025/26, with firefighting crews battling an unprecedented number of blazes that started weeks earlier than usual and cost more than R15 million to contain. Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell confirmed in the provincial parliament this week that the high-risk fire period will stretch from October through May this year, driven by extreme El Niño weather patterns and climate change.

To avoid national tender disruptions, the DA-led provincial government has implemented a split-contracting model ensuring independent private aerial support remains operational. This includes specialised helicopters and water bombers on standby. Dave Bryant, DA Western Cape spokesperson on Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, said the convergence of extreme El Niño weather patterns and climate change presents an unprecedented threat to biodiversity, water security and local communities. “While our provincial disaster management teams, CapeNature and mutual aid partners have shown outstanding foresight in preparing for this season, government cannot tackle a crisis of this magnitude in isolation,” Bryant said.

CAPENATURE AND THE WESTERN CAPE Provincial Disaster Management Centre have implemented rapid operational measures to counter the threat. Firefighter training has been brought forward to September to support the “rapid attack” doctrine, which has successfully extinguished 90% of ignitions within the first hour. The province is using an in-house multi-layer spatial mapping system to identify and prioritise alien vegetation clearing across critical mountain catchments. This targets invasive plants that increase fire risk. Independent aerial support ready

CALL FOR PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT The spokesperson emphasised that private landowners must clear invasive alien vegetation, cut back fuel loads and maintain boundary firebreaks on their properties. Provincial rapid-response interventions protect significant private assets, with an estimated R500 million in property saved during the Piketberg blaze. Bryant called on the insurance industry to partner with government by co-funding aerial flying hours and ground crews. “Protecting our province requires a complete, whole-of-society effort,” he said.

The Western Cape is preparing for one of the most severe El Niño events in recorded history, with the province’s fire season now doubling from four to eight months.

Porterville-leerders praat beste Hadlii Strauss (naaslinks) en Néca Damon (langs hom) van die Hoërskool Porterville het die Senior Huistaal-afdeling van die nasionale Nou Praat Jy!-kompetisie met hul indrukwekkende redenaarsvernuf gewen. Die tweede weergawe van die kompetisie is op Donderdag 30 Julie by die Hoërskool Curro Durbanville aangebied, met skole van reg oor die provinsie wat deelgeneem het. By hulle staan Riaan Strobel, die uitvoerende hoof van Curro Durbanville (links) en Marí Lategan, die adjunk- uitvoerende hoof van Curro.

NUUS NEWS

25 Augustus 2026 | Swartland

Caged hens’ eggs should be labelled A coalition of more than sentience and strengthening 30 African civil-society and animal welfare standards, non-profit organisations has pointing to the African written to the South African Union’s Animal Welfare National Department of AgStrategy for Africa and riculture raising concerns ongoing revisions to draft about caged egg production battery cage standards by being excluded from newly the African Organisation proposed farm animal stanfor Standardisation. dards. NJ Hove of the AWL The coalition is led by A coalition of more than 30 said the department had an Animal Law Reform South African civil-society and important opportunity. Africa (ALRSA), with non-profit organisations has “In the European Union, support from the Animal written to the National Dept clear standards and the forWelfare League (AWL) and of Agriculture raising concerns mal recognition of animal Compassion in World Farm- about caged egg production sentience have compelled ing (CIWF). being left out of newly proposed multinational brands to The proposed stanstandards for how farm animals phase out cages and raise dards, published for public are raised. welfare across their supply comment in June, set out chains,” Hove said. detailed rules for 16 ani“In South Africa the mal-production areas, including barn-egg, absence of equivalent clarity allows the free-range egg and poultry meat producsame companies to maintain lower-welfare tion. However, caged-egg production, which systems.” accounts for an estimated 98,6% of eggs The coalition is calling on the departsold in South Africa, is entirely absent. ment to regulate caged-egg production as This leaves more than 23 million laying a proposed method of production, subject hens kept in battery cages — small wire to the same public-participation process enclosures that severely restrict movement applied to the 16 claims already published; — outside the regulatory framework. require mandatory labelling of caged eggs Amy P Wilson, executive director of at the point of sale; ensure any labelling ALRSA, said the department had a responrequirement sits within a defined pathsibility to ensure its rules reflected legal way towards phasing out battery cages; developments. establish baseline welfare requirements for “In 2016 the Constitutional Court reccaged hens; and place animal sentience at ognised the sentience — that is, the ability the centre of developing the standards. to feel and experience — and intrinsic Peter Stevenson, chief policy adviser value of animals,” she said. “This recogat CIWF, said battery cages cause great nition should inform the regulation of suffering to hens. animal treatment and animal-sourced foods “Scientific research shows hens are in South Africa. The department has a strongly motivated to lay their eggs in responsibility to ensure that its regulatory a nest, perch, dust-bathe, and peck and framework reflects these constitutional and scratch at the ground, behaviours that legal developments.” are not possible in battery cages,” he said. The coalition’s letter notes that con“The severe restriction of movement in sumers can identify free-range, organic or the cage leads to high levels of osteoporograin-fed claims under the proposed stansis — weak and brittle bones — and many dards, but have no regulated way to identi- battery hens suffer bone fractures. Battery fy eggs from caged hens, which remain the eggs should be labelled as such so that conunlabelled default. sumers know what they are buying.” Several of the newly proposed claims ALRSA is the first dedicated animal law also conflict with existing restrictions non-profit organisation in South Afrion egg packaging labels under separate ca, working to build a system of animal regulations, creating legal uncertainty for governance that recognises animals as producers and regulators. sentient beings with intrinsic value. CIWF The letter points to a broader pattern was founded in 1967 and is a leading of non-transparency in the egg industry, farm-animal welfare organisation dedicatincluding the continued non-disclosure of ed to ending factory farming, with offices an industry-commissioned study into the across Europe, the US, China and South viability of cage-free egg production in Africa. AWL is a non-profit organisation South Africa, first requested under the Pro- that works with companies to improve motion of Access to Information Act more farmed-animal welfare across Africa. than three and a half years ago. The coalition has asked the department The coalition argues that South Africa’s to confirm receipt of the letter and has inregulations risk falling behind a wider vited further engagement on the concerns African trend towards recognising animal raised.

No clear evidence yet what caused mass sardine deaths A fish virus is increasingly emerging as the leading explanation for the mass sardine deaths reported along the West Coast, as investigations by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) point to consistently high levels of pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) in affected fish. No new mass-mortality incidents have been reported since Sunday 16 August, suggesting the acute phase of the event may have eased. Monitoring and testing are continuing. DFFE spokesperson Zolile Nqayi said the evidence increasingly points to PHV as the leading explanation, but its causal role will only be confirmed once the pathological and wider surveillance results are available. MORE SAMPLES SCREENED “Approximately 75 sardines have so far been included in the PHV testing programme. Initial testing by the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and Rhodes University detected PHV genetic material in all 15 fish examined,” Nqayi said. “Ten of those fish, collected during the mortality event, had consistently high viral levels. Viral levels varied among five fish that had been caught alive and appeared healthy when collected. The viral sequence was found to be a 99,7% match to an Australian PHV gene.” DFFE has since processed about 60 additional samples for PHV screening. Preliminary results from roughly half of these indicate high PHV levels. Confirmatory testing is continuing, while pathological examinations of another 40 samples are under way. Researchers are looking for the characteristic gill inflammation and damage associated with active PHV disease. OTHER CAUSES INVESTIGATED Investigators have also been examining whether environmental conditions or harmful algae could have triggered the mortality. So far, there is no evidence that harmful algae were the primary cause. Examinations of stomach contents and material rinsed from the sardines’ gills also found no harmful algae at densities considered likely to have caused the deaths. Unusually cold water and low-oxygen conditions were recorded along parts of the West Coast. However, DFFE said these conditions were broadly similar to those recorded during a recent pelagic recruitment survey, before the mortality event, when no dead or dying sardines were observed. Low oxygen also occurs periodically along the West Coast without previously causing sardine mortality on this scale. The fact that the mortality appears to have been restricted to sardines makes a general environmental cause less likely, although DFFE said environmental conditions cannot yet be ruled out as contributing stressors.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has established an urgent task team to coordinate a response to the mortality of thousands of sardines and the discovery of pilchard herpesvirus (PHV).

NO KNOWN HUMAN HEALTH RISK DFFE stressed that PHV is a fish virus and poses no known risk to human health. “There is no evidence that it can infect or cause disease in people,” Nqayi said. The detection of PHV does not, on its own, mean that healthy sardines caught commercially or canned sardine products are unsafe to eat. Nevertheless, members of the public are being urged not to collect, consume or feed dead or dying sardines to pets. A high-level task team comprising DFFE, affected municipalities, management authorities, the fishing industry and other stakeholders has held its first meeting and agreed on a coordinated response. The plan includes expanded surveillance and testing, clearer guidance on the disposal of dead fish, public-health communication and an assessment of the possible impact on the sardine resource. DFFE said it would issue further updates as confirmed results become available. For now, the department says the investigation remains ongoing, but the accumulating laboratory evidence is putting PHV increasingly at the centre of the mystery behind the West Coast sardine deaths.

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Swartland | 25 Augustus 2026

Porterville looi kampioen Wesbank David Rossouw

net voor. Wesbank het ’n voorsprong van ses punte met twee verdoelde drieë en ’n strafdoel (telling 17-11) teenoor Porterville se onverdoelde drie en twee strafdoelle opgebou.

Nadat Wesbank reeds twee weke gelede as die Swartland se Grootuitdaagbeker-wenner gekroon is, het hy Saterdag voor sy grootste toets te staan gekom toe hy Porterville op die Wesbank-sportterrein gepak het.

PORTERVILLE SWAAI DINGE OM Ná die afskop van die tweede helfte het Porterville Wesbank se verdediging weer met ’n paar goeie bewegings getoets – net soos in die eerste 10 mi nute. Wesbank het egter teruggeveg met twee strafdoele, wat hom tot in die 35 ste minuut met 23-18 laat voorloop het. Porterville het egter diep gedelf en in die laaste minute sy krag getoon deur ’n puik

Vir Porterville was dit belangrik om die wedstryd te wen om sy aanspraak op die tweede posisie lewendig te hou en op Abbotsdale Lillies se spoor te bly. Beide spanne het die toeskouers met goeie rugby vermaak – veral in die eerste helfte met die k ampioen net-

drie aan te teken, wat boon op verdoel is, om Wesbank sy eerste nederlaag van die 2026-seisoen op tuisbodem in die 2026-Grootuitdaagbeker- kompetisie toe dien en sodoen de op Lillies se stert te bly. Abbotsdale Lillies was die gasheer vir Saron op Lilliepark. Die wedstryd was vir Lillies van kardinale belang, want as hy sou vasval, sou dit die deure vir Portervile oopmaak. Hulle het egter met goeie konstruktiewe rugby en balbesit daarin geslaag om die onvoorspelbare Saron in die tweede helfte op die agtervoet te hou en die uitklophou met ’n oortuigende oorwinning van 49-28 geplant. Met dié oorwin-

ning het hulle hul voorsprong teenoor Porterville met een punt verbeter. Darling het ook ’n buitekans as hy met ’n bonuspunt teen NDS wen én Porterville en Lillies val vas. GOEIE KANS As Abbotsdale teen Koring berg verloor, is die kanse baie sterk dat beide Porterville en Darling hulle gaan verbygesteek, mits hulle hul wedstryde teen Never Despairs en Riebeek United met of sonder bonuspunte wen. • Porterville kan tot 83/84 punte klim as hy wen en ’n bonuspunt verdien; • Darling kan tot 82/83 punte klim as hy

wen en ’n bonuspunt kry; • Abbotsdale bly op 80 punte as hy verloor, maar as hy met ’n bonuspunt wen, kan hy tot 85/86 styg. Die stryd om die tweede plek is dus nog nie verseker nie. Indien Abbotsdale teen Koringberg sou verloor, sal dit ’n uitsonderlike en amper bo-menslike gebeurtenis wees wat die rangorde dramaties kan skuif. Volledige uitslae Abbotsdale 49-28 Saron Darling 82-10 Good Hopes Koringberg 24-26 Mamre Moorreesburg 24-50 Never Despair Villagers Wittewater 73-15 Riebeeck United

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Redakteur Maryke Swart T: 022 713 1066 E: maryke.swart@novusmedia.co.za Stuur nuuswenke aan: SwartlandGazette@novusmedia.co.za WhatsApp: 066 290 6512 Gazette subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live up to the Code, please contact the Public Advocate at 011 484 3612, fax: 011 4843619. You can also contact our Case Officer on khanyim@ombudsman.org.za or lodge a complaint on our website: www.presscouncil.org.za

OMBUDSMAN Contact Swartland Gazette’s ombudsman with reader complaints. Any complaints, queries or suggestions about content in Swartland Gazette may be sent to our ombudsman, George Claassen, on 021 851 3232 or at mediaombud@novusmedia.co.za. Stuur enige klagtes, navrae of voorstelle oor die inhoud van Swartland Gazette aan ons ombudsman, George Claassen by 021 851 3232 of mediaombud@novusmedia.co.za.

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NUUS NEWS

25 Augustus 2026 | Swartland

Nicky du Toit (hoof van die Laerskool Sandveld), Mario Wessels (onderburgemeester van die Bergrivier- munisipaliteit) en Herschelle Engelbrecht (bestuurslid van die Redstars-rugbyklub).

Ernestine koopman, Alezade Brink en Senique Andrew.

Red Stars wys hul groot omgeehart David Rossouw REDELINGHUYS - Ná die Red Stars-rugbyklub se gelykopstryd van 20-20 teen Avonwood Aurora verlede Saterdag (15 Augustus) het die fokus die volgende dag na ’n saak ver buite die rugbyveld verskuif. Die Red Stars het ’n geldinsamelings- noenmaal (high tea) die Sondag (16 Augustus) by die Laerskool Sandveld se Huis van Rooyen-koshuis aangebied

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vir Alezade Brink (27), ’n onderwyseres van Redelinghuys. Sy moet binnekort ’n nieroorplanting ondergaan. Die opbrengs word aangewend om haar mediese koste te help dek. Brink het gesê die geleentheid en die ondersteuning van die gemeenskap het haar diep geraak. “Die geleentheid het vir my verskriklik baie beteken. Die boodskappe en liefde wat ek ontvang het, het my soveel meer gemotiveer en weer eens bewys hoeveel mense my ondersteun.”

Sy het die Redelinghuys-gemeenskap bedank en gesê sy hoop om haar passie as onderwyser ná haar oorplanting voort te sit en ’n goeie moeder, dogter en suster te wees. Die Atlantis-sangeres Florencia Fray het die middag met musiek o pgekikker. Onder die gaste was Nicky du Toit, die hoof van die Laerskool Sandveld, Mario Wessels, onderburgemeester van die Bergrivier-munisipaliteit, asook die Red Stars-bestuurslede Herschelle Engelbrecht en Wessie van der Westhuizen.

3 DINGE WAT JOU BESIGHEID NIKS KOS NIE: 'n Dankie. Laat 'n kliënt weet jy waardeer haar ondersteuning. 'n Aanbeveling. Vertel iemand van 'n ander plaaslike besigheid

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Swartland Gazette

25 Augustus 2026

Sport

Mickyle Mkay van Wesbank storm vorentoe in die jaarlikse derby tussen Proteus en Wesbank op Mamre se sportterrein.

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’n Wesbank-netbalspeler beheer die bal in die Derby-stryd teen Proteus op Mamre se netbalbaan. Foto’s: David Rossouw

Derby wys mededinging David Rossouw

n die ryk geskiedenis van HTS Proteus staan die naam Tommy Engelbrecht sinoniem met visie, gemeenskapsbou en gesonde sportmanskap. Engelbrecht was een van die skool se mees gerespekteerde hoofde en wat ’n blywende uitwerking gehad het, wat vandag nog jaarliks op die sportvelde van Atlantis en Malmesbury weerklink. Engelbrecht het besef dat ’n skool se roeping verder strek as akademie en tegniese opleiding en daarom het hy sport as die instrument gebruik om jongmense te vorm en gemeenskappe te verenig. Hy het die inisiatief in 1996 geneem om formele bande met Wesbank Sekondêr van Malmesbury te smee toe hy ’n trofee geskenk het, waarom dié twee skole jaarliks meeding. Wat as ’n eenvoudige ontmoeting begin het, het vinnig in een van die streek se beste interskole-gebeurtenisse, die jaarlikse Proteus-Wesbankderby, ontwikkel. Vandag, byna drie dekades later, is die derby ’n hoogtepunt op die kalender vir beide Atlantis en Malmesbury.

Gelykop-telling in rugby-hoofwedstryd Die o.19A-rugbyspanne ding jaarliks mee om die gesogte Tommy Engelbrechtrugbybeker. Die droom van Engelbrecht en sy vriend André Titus leef voort in broederskap, dissipline en gemeenskaps trots. Die wisseltrofee simboliseer die vriendskap en sportmangees wat hulle vir mekaar gekweek het. UITGEBREI Die derby het oor die jare merkwaar dig uitgebrei. Wat aanvanklik net rugby was, het later ook netbal, sokker, tafeltennis en skaak ingesluit. Selfs die onderwysers het op die gholfbaan, krieketveld en die netbalbane begin meeding. Dié week lange sportprogram het met tafeltennis en skaak tot sokker op die Robinvale-sportterrein in Atlantis begin en met rugby en netbal op die Mamre-sportterrein geëindig. Die tradisionele “Pre-Derby Dance” dien steeds as die sosiale gom wat oud-leerders, ouers en ondersteuners bymekaar bring. Die naweek se verrigtinge het weer bewys hoekom die derby ’n grootse

gebeurtenis is. Alle sportkodes is goed ondersteun, maar dit was steeds rugby wat die meeste aandag getrek het. In die hoofwedstryd tussen die o.19A-spanne het die vonke van die afskop af gespat. Nadat strafskoppe deur beide skoppers vroeg oorgeklits is, het Mgiza Mdawa van Wesbank die kalklig gesteel toe hy ná ’n volle agterlynbeweging gaan druk het om die telling 8-3 te maak. Kort daarna het Riano Daniels vlymskerp deur die middelveld gebreek, onder die pale afgerond en self verdoel, wat sy span teen rustyd met 15-3 laat voorloop het. FOUTE UITGEBUIT In die tweede helfte het Wesbank onmiddellik munt geslaan uit Proteus se foute in hul 22-metergebied en nog ’n drie in die hoek gedruk. Proteus het egter teruggeveg met ’n verdoelde en onverdoelde drie, wat die telling op 20 elk gebring het. In die doodsnikke van die wedstryd het Wesbank ’n laaste poging aangewend, maar Proteus se verdediging was rotsvas. Toe die skeidsregter sy finale

fluitjie blaas, was die telling gelykop met die wisseltrofee wat in beide skole se vertoonkaste sal pronk – presies soos Tommy en André dit wou hê. Die huidige skoolhoofde, Hilton Smith en Lionel Cicero, het op die derbydag beklemtoon dat die geleentheid nie net oor sport gaan nie, maar oor die bou van sterk vriendskapsbande tussen leerders en onderwysers. “Vir ons gaan dit oor geleenthede vir ons kinders en die bevordering van sportsvriendskap, wat kulturele verhoudinge uitbrei,” het al twee gesê. Die Proteus-Wesbank-derby is dus meer as net ’n sportdag. Dit is ’n nalaten skap van Engelbrecht en Titus – ’n simbool van hoe sport gemeenskappe kan verenig en jongmense kan vorm. Rugby, netbal, sokker, tafeltennis en skaak het hier ’n gemeenskaplike platform ontwikkel. Die derby is ’n viering van sportmededingendheid tussen kodes, maar ook van die vriendskap en visie van twee leiers wat geglo het dat sport die hart van gemeenskapsbou is. Ander uitslae o.19A netbal: Proteus 41-17 Wesbank o.19A sokker: Proteus: 5-0 Wesbank

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