Learnerdiesafter assaultatschool
AGrade 10 learner at Bellville South High School has died after reportedly being struck by aclassmate inside aclassroom, prompting policeto register amurder case.
According to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED),the incident involved two Grade 10 learnerson Thursday 11 June. One learner allegedly struck the other, resulting in afatal head injury.Despite receiving immediate medical assistance and beinghospitalised, theinjured learner passed away on Thursday evening.
The Bellville South Community Policing Forum (CPF) confirmedthe learner's death in astatement, saying: “Preliminary reports indicate that an incident occurred at Bellville South High Schoolyesterday,asaresult of which one learner was hospitalised. We have since received confirmation that the learner has tragically succumbed to his injuries.”
MURDERCASEOPENED
MURDER CASE OPENED OVER CLASSROOM CONFLICT
and alarming loss,” Hammondsaid. “Counselling support hasbeen provided to the school and will continue. The details surroundingthe incident are being investigated. The school will cooperate withthe authoritiesinterms of their investigation.”
PERPERTRATORSUSPENDED
The WCED confirmed that the alleged perpetrator has been suspended and will face disciplinary action. As minors areinvolved, neither the victim northe alleged perpetrator hasbeen identified.
“We strongly condemn violence of this nature inour schoolsand extend our deepest condolencestothe learner’s parents,family, friends, classmates, educators,and thewider school community.”
Policeseizecounterfeitgoods
worthR98 million in Bellville
Members of policeand BrandProtectors conductedasearch-and-seizure operation in theBellville CBD on Tuesday 9June, targetingshopssuspected of selling counterfeit goods.
Duringthe operation officers confiscated awide range of counterfeitclothing and illicit goods, including branded clothing, running shoes andsneakers.
Accordingtoastatement from police, the seizeditemscarry an estimated value of R98 000 000.
PROTECTINGCONSUMERSAND LEGITIMATEBUSINESSES
The operation forms part of broader efforts to combat the counterfeit and illicit goods trade in the WesternCape and to protect consumers and legitimate businessesaffectedbysuch trade.
The circumstances surrounding the case areunder investigation.
Thoseresponsible for the illicit trade are beingpursued, while othersare currently beingquestioned.
The seizure hasbeen described as a significantblow to the illegal trade in counterfeit goods.
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Partnership’sprojectsto lightupBellville’snightsky
The Greater Tygerberg Partnership is transforming Bellville’s night-time identitythrough two landmark lighting initiatives aimed at attracting investment and deepeningcommunity pride.
The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) has announced two major lighting projects for Bellville —the Bellville Skyline Project and the ElizabethPark initiative
Speaking at the GTP Annual GalaDinner on 25 May, GTPChief ExecutiveWarren Hewitt said: “Sense of place is an emotion,” he said, “and if we can positively influence people we will create lasting impact.”
LIGHTINGTHESKYLINE
The Bellville Skyline Project will see coordinated, energyefficient LED lighting installed on 10 landmarkbuildings across the suburb.
Buildings confirmed or identified for inclusion span commercial and institutionalproperties, including the SanlamHead Office, theUWC Health Sciences Centre, the New BostonBuilding, the UtilitasGroup Eureka Building, theWCB BSE Building,Park Central (Kruskal House) the Bella VistaBuilding and the Telkom Tower, with additional high-visibility buildings still to be finalised.
The project will be funded through ashared-investment model in which each building owner is invited to contribute directly to the lighting of their own property
GTP says this approach ensures collective ownership of Bellville’s transformation, long-term
LIGHTING PROJECTS AIMS AT DIGNIFIED “PLACE-MAKING”
Newuplighting transformsatreein Elizabeth Park intoastriking nighttime landmark,as part of the park’srecent upgrades.
sustainability ofthe installations, anda unified, high-impact visual result.
Further technical anddesign details —including proposed lighting treatments,visual mockups, andtechnical specifications will be released in duecourse.
REVITALISINGELIZABETHPARK
The Elizabeth Parkinitiative complements the City’sR20 million infrastructure upgrade currently under wayatthe park. Where the City is focused on major structuralimprovements,
GTP’s contributioncentres on aesthetic andatmospheric lighting, illuminating pathways, tree, and architectural features to create a visually appealingand welcoming environment.
MayorGeordin Hill-Lewis, speakingatthe GTP AnnualGala Dinner, said the City is backing Bellville, backing GTP andcalling on theprivate sector to follow.
“I really do thinkthe money that we haveinvested into GTP is some of thebestreturn on investment that theCity of Cape Town has received in thecity overthe last fourand ahalf years,” Hill-Lewis declared.
CouncillorJamesVos echoed thesentiment. “Wesee serious economicenergyhappening in Bellville. TheCity of Cape Town partners with the Greater Tygerberg Partnership on placemaking initiatives that beautify, maintain, andset the scene for present andfuture growth.”
PLACE-MAKINGASAPHILOSOPHY
GTP describes place-making as goingbeyond infrastructure and beautification. Accordingtothe organisation it is aboutrestoring qualityoflife and identity, unlockingeconomicpotential, supporting local culture and creatingenvironments where people can live, work, study, invest, andconnect with dignity. By activating public spaces, supportinglocal partnerships, and drivingsustainable development, GTP aims to shape afuture wherecommunitiesare not onlyfunctional, but alive with possibility.
Exhibition opens period dialogue
Imagine it is 5:30 in the morning. You have your period and have to use apublic toilet because you live in ashack with no running water. You choose the veilofdarkness to hide the shame of disposing of your used pads and the bloody water you used to clean yourself.
For millions of SouthAfrican women in informal settlements, menstruation is more than biology; it is amonthly battle for dignity. To highlight this, the Politics and Urban Governance (PUG)project at theUniversity of the Western Cape (UWC), in partnership with international universities, conducted astudy and hosted aphoto exhibition entitled, Caring for the OtherHalf.It featured women in Khayelitsha sharing theirstories of menstruation and sanitation in informal settlements.Itcreated apublic platform for sharing women’s stories directly with government representatives, academics, community members and NGOs,fostering vibrant conversation.
NOTJUSTABOUTAFFORDABILITY
There is growing attention to the prevalence of school absenteeism because of difficulties in managing menstruation. Olderwomen —the group who participated in the study —juggle work and childcare while managing their periods in shared toilets or makeshift spaces. For both generations, menstruation is abarrier to education, dignity and even employment. The project leader at PUG, Dr Christina Culwick Fatti,noted many women said that they were able to get pads for R5 a pack —sothere are affordable options —but they were particularly concerned about disposal, saying that there aren’t enough good waste bins.
“They are worried that dogs and children will get hold of thepads and that if someone got hold of theirused pad with their blood on it,witchcraft could be done on them,” said Dr Culwick Fatti.“Five of the15participants presented their stories at the exhibition of the photos they contributed to the PhotoVoice project.
Participants spoke about the shameofhaving to dispose of water in public that is obviously red from menstrual blood, but that they don’t have other options. Sometimes they choose to go out at night, despite safetyconcerns, because the colour of the water
is less obvious in the dark.”
HEALTHCONCERNS
Dr Culwick Fatti said in cases where there is no access to sanitary pads, afolded rag often has to do, becausethis is the only option for many when money is tight. For some women, it means missing work, because the thought of leaking through adress is often avery real fear. Period poverty often means choosing between food and sanitary pads. In addition, alack of privacy forces women to change in unsafe spaces. Unhygienic alternatives, such as rags or tissues, increase infection risk and the stigma around it often silences conversations.
“Although much of the current media attention is about the lack of products, our focus is broader —looking at multidimensional menstrual health. This includes having adequate products to manage menstrual blood, education or information, a supportive environment, pain management and access to adequate healthcare when necessary, to participate in all spheres of life while menstruating,” she said.
DIALOGUE
Theexhibition created aspace for dialogue between community members, government officials, academics and other stakeholders where lived realities met policy conversations, while highlighting the urgent need to support
“This opportunity for women to openly discuss the challenges of managing menstruation in contexts where water, sanitation and solid waste services are inadequateisrare and the exhibition was an opportunity to show how inadequate services strip away dignity, deepen shame and make the simple act of managing menstruation an ongoing struggle,”Fatti noted.
“Recent studies call for affordable sanitary products, better wash infrastructure and community education to break the cycle of shame. Innovative projects, such as pad banks to reusable menstrual cups, are slowly making adifference. But until policy integrates menstrual health into housing and gender equality frameworks, women’s stories will repeat across generations,” she said.
Awoman looksatthe exhibition aboutmesntruation.
Women’sgroupselectedtodrivegrowth
The Greater TygerbergPartnership (GTP)has launched The Northern Collective, an invitation-only circle of more than 16 influential women convened to drivecoordinated, inclusiveurban growth in Bellville and thebroader northern suburbs of Cape Town.
Officially announced at theGTP Mayor’s Annual Dinner on 25 May 2026 and originally conceptualised in January 2026, the initiative brings together senior female leaders from business, government, education, media, development and civic life. Representatives from Metropolitan, NED, V&A Waterfront, OldMutual, Nando’s, Medi-Clinic, Company Partners, University of Western Cape (UWC), Sanlam Foundation, Sanlam Sky, Heineken, Tyger Valley Centre, Eris, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and Astron Energy form the core of the leadership circle, which convenes quarterly.
FROMISOLATIONTOCOLLECTIVEMOMENTUM
Nasmera Buckus, Chief Operating Officer of the GTP, said the initiative was born from arecognition that manyofthe women shaping the Northern Suburbs were already doing powerfulwork, but largelyinisolation.
“The Northern Collectivewas born from the recognition that many of the women shaping the northern suburbs are already doing powerfulwork,but usually in isolation and without ashared platform to alignthat influence. This is about moving from individualimpact to collective momentum."
She added thatthe initiative reflects the GTP’s broader vision of inclusive urban development built on infrastructure, investment, relationship-building, trust and coordinated leadership acrosssectors.
NORTHERN COLLECTIVE CONVENED TO DRIVE COORDINATED,INCLUSIVEURBAN GROWTH
Bellville is uniquely positioned for this female-led approach, with its growingrole as oneofCape Town’s mostimportant economicand innovation nodes requiring deeper alignment between public,private, andcivicleadership.
TURNINGDIALOGUEINTODEVELOPMENT
Acoreobjective of TheNorthern Collective is to convert leadership alignment intotangible opportunity pathways for the wider community, particularly for small, medium andmicroenterprises (SMMEs), informal traders and emerging entrepreneurs.
Buckus explained: “The intentionis to ensure that influenceatleadership level is directly connected to opportunity at community level, particularly for SMMEs,informal traders andemerging entrepreneurs who form the backbone of thelocal economy.”
Theplatform is designed to create astructured space where influence held acrossmultiple systemscan be directed towards shared priorities such as economic inclusion, community wellbeing,place-making, andsustainable development, amplifyingexisting efforts rather than duplicating them
AMOMENTOFSTRATEGICSIGNIFICANCE
The launch comesata crucialmoment for Bellville,which continues to emerge as one of Cape Town’s most strategically significant urban centres for investment, innovation,and regeneration.
From left to right: Dr Shirley Zinn -NED and representativeofthe following boards:(MTN,WWF,Spur,Sanlam, ThePresident Hotel,Chairperson at V&A Waterfront and Wesgro,Deputy Chair at Spar),Hema JeavanMakan -MediClinic,PetroMyburgh -V&A Waterfront.NasmeraBuckus -COO at GTP,Ray-Ann Sedres -Sanlam Foundation,Portia Hammond -Sanlam Sky,Santel vanZyl -Metropolitan.
GTP’s broader work in circular economy development, informal trading support, public space revitalisation, and skills development and job creation has already demonstratedthe impact of coordinated, place-basedinterventions. TheNorthern Collective builds on this foundation by strengtheningthe leadership ecosystem around it.
Portia Hammond of Sanlam Sky, a memberofThe Northern Collective, says thepartnership with GTP is an exciting one.
“What makes the GTP so effective is its ability to turn collaboration intotangible outcomes. Their ongoingwork in Bellville is creating the right environment for inclusive growth, strongercommunities and sustained urbantransformation, and
we are excited to be on thisjourney with them.”
Santel van Zyl from Metropolitan echoed the sentiment:“As SouthAfrica moves forward, real progress will increasingly be defined by how effectively women are supported and elevated intoleadership. At Metropolitan, we have long championed the growth and empowerment of women in positions of authority, and initiatives like TheNorthern Collective are an important extension of that commitment in practice.” Buckus is resoluteabout what lies ahead: “The Northern Collective are building a bigger and brighter future. After all, we are better and stronger, only when we work together.”
. Formoreinformationcontact GTPat ceo@gtp.org.za
Mensehet gesterf vir stemreg, dus moet jeugkruisie trek
"As jongmens kies ek doelbewus om niete stem nie dit is my demokratiesereg."
Dié jong man se woorde tydens 'n gesprek oor hoe belangrik dit is om te stem, slaan diep.
Met Suid-Afrikasegeskiedenis,hoe durf hy?
Metdie stand van sake in ons land,hoe durf hy?
Hoeveelmense het niehul lewens verloornet vir die regomte stem nie?
Gister hetons Jeugdag gevier, die dag waarop duisende jongmense in 1976 opgeruk het, en baie hul lewens verloor het, teen 'n onregverdige onderwysstelsel. Die opstand wat gewelddadig geraak het –die bekende foto van Hector Pietersonisinmygeheue gegrif –was hul manier om te veg om gehoorteword.
In 'n erawaar slegs 'n selektiewe handjievol mense die reg gehadhet omte stem, was hierdie hul "stem" vir 'n beter toekoms, een waar hulleselfoor hul lot konbesluit.
Nou, hoe dan kan hierdie jong manweier om sy kruisie by die stembus te trek?
Met 'n tekort aan skole, hoëkoste van onderwys, dienslewering wat agteruitgaan (dalknie so erg in die Kaap sooselders in die landnie), korrupsie en 'n hoë werkloosheidssyfer, hoe kanhynie sy sê wilsêter wille van verbetering nie?
DIEREALITEITISEGTERDAT VERSKEIEJONGMENSE, DALKSELFSDIEGROTER MEERDERHEID,DIESELFDEVOEL
"Hoekom?" word hy gevra.
"Want ek stem nie ooreen met enige van die partye se ideale nie ..."
Die realiteit is egter dat verskeie jongmense, dalk selfs die groter meerderheid, dieselfde voel
Ek het daardie selfde woorde en variasies wat op dieselfdeneerkom, al uit ander jongmense se monde gehoor: "Hulle praat nie my taal nie wegbly is ook'nstem, 'n standpunt."
Hoeveelpolitieke partye praatregtigmet die jeug?
Vra jy die een hoekom, is hul antwoord: "vir 'n beter toekoms". Die ander lê klem op ons land se swaar geskiedenis. Maar uit 'n jongeling se oëisnie een van hierdie geldige antwoorde nie.
Nie een van hulle is tydensapartheid gebore nie. Nie een van hulle hetdaardeur geleef nie. Diegeskiedenis iswel vir baie van hulle belangrik, maar ditwordnie meer gesien as 'n geldige rede om 'n dag op te gee om by die stembus tou te staannie Hul besluite word geneem volgens wat hulle vandag hoor en sien.
Nou, wat dan van 'n beter toekoms?
Die meeste sien deur dieslimpraatjies en leëbeloftes van die politici. Hulle sien die dadeendie stand van sake inons land wat getuig van 31 jaar se leëbeloftes vir 'n beter toekoms.
Op sosiale media, die een plek om vandag die jeug te bereik, word diejongelinge ooknie geflous deur diéwat wel daar partypolitiek speel se slim veldtogte nie. Hulle weet goed die politici spring skielik kort voor 'n verkiesing aan diewerk –luister maar net na ma en pa se gesanik daaroor.
Hulle soek dadebywoorde; hulle wildie veranderingeers met hul eieoësien
Diekomendenaweek is registrasienaweekvir die opkomende plaaslike verkiesing.Enterwyl ek die jeug wil aanmoedig om te stem, is ek bevrees daardie woorde gaan op dowe ore val.Soos dieeen gesê het: "wegbly is ook 'n stem". My versoek aandie jeug: gaan registreer ten minste. Net ingeval jy teen November wel van plan verander en togjou kruisie wiltrek. -CECILIA HUME
Kommentaar // Comments
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