TygerBurger | Brackenfell | E-Edition | 12 November 2025

Localsreachnewheights

DESIRÉERORKE

DESIREE RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO ZA

or a group of Capetonian hikers, standing atop Mount Kilimanjaro's snowcapped summit was the culmination of months of preparation and a lifetime dream fulfilled.

After conquering the Roof of Africa, the group earned

themselves special recognition from Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis at a ceremony last Friday The adventure brought together hikers from across the city, including André Kleinschmidt

from Brackenfell, and Strandfontein couple Stephanie and Vernon Singh, who tackled the challenging 5 895-metre climb together Fellow Strandfontein resident Wendy Brockman and

Pelican Park's Helene Martin also joined the expedition that would test their endurance At the mayor's office, the group received certificates of recognition for their remarkable achievement, with Hill-Lewis personally congratulating each climber on what he described as an "incredible accomplishment" TOPAGE4

WHAT’S ON / WAT IS WAAR

SENDYOURCOMMUNITYEVENTSTO

TYGERBURGER@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

WEDNESDAY12NOVEMBER

. The South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence will be hosting a Drug Testing Workshop This one-day workshop will run from 09:00 to 15:00 and carries 5.5 CPD points. The cost is R1 200 per person, and the venue will be confirmed closer to the time

SATERDAG15NOVEMBER

. Die Kaapse Woordwewers hou om 14:00 die laaste gedigtedag vir die jaar by DNA Café in die Langverwachtplein-winkelsentrum in Kuilsrivier Toegang is gratis. Kontak Samuel Theron, voorsitter, per e-pos by samueltheron1@gmail.com om deel van die gehoor te wees

WOENSDAG19NOVEMBER

Kader Abdolah se Duisend-en-een nagte is uitstekend vertaal in Afrikaans deur Wium van Zyl. Hierdie klassieke werk word by die Durbell-leeskring se byeenkoms deur dr Marni Bonthuys bespreek. Dit begin om 10:00 in die Durbanville-biblioteeksaal in Oxfordstraat Almal is welkom Toegang is gratis vir opbetaalde lede (R220 per jaar). Besoekers betaal R50 kontant Rig navrae aan Liz van Wyk by 082 655 8061.

THURSDAY20NOVEMBER

. Andries Olivier Durbanville Quadriplegic Centre will host its annual golf day this year again at Durbanville Golf Club The 4BBB Stableford will start at 11:00 The entry fee is R2 800 per four-ball or R700 per golfer Sponsorships are R700 per wet hole (snacks and drinks are welcome). All fees should be paid by Thursday 28 October to secure your booking Contact Rosabelle Riese on 081 497 4044 or 072 521 1160 (WhatsApp only) or by email to riese2608@gmail. com with enquiries.

SATERDAG22NOVEMBER

. ATKV-Crescendo bied 'n gratis liedjieskryfwerksessie saam met kunstenaars soos Deon Meiring van Glaskas Olga Leonard en Jitsvinger by The Father's Heart in Milkwoodstraat in Greenville, Fisantekraal aan. Dit begin om 09:00 Registrasie begin reeds om 08:30 Besoek www crescendo co.za om vir dié gratis werksessie te bespreek.

. The Dr Randall Ortel Foundation will host a Men’s Health Club Open Day from 11:00 to 13:00 at Watergate Medical Centre 60 Watergate Boulevard, Mitchell’s Plain It is open to men aged between 30 and 55. A R100 donation is required. Call 082 456 2186 or 060 592 9558 for more information.

TUESDAY25NOVEMBER

. The Egyptian Society of South Africa will be having their next meeting at St George's Grammar school, Richmond Road, Mowbray, from 19:30 Following the AGM, the guest speaker, Dr Lester Cowley, will present a lecture titled: "The Antikythera Mechanism". There is no charge for members, while it costs R30 for visitors Booking is not necessary There is secure parking in the school grounds. For more information call 021 852 7273 or 084 774 3972.

SUNDAY30NOVEMBER

. Cape Town will once again light up the summer sky as thousands gather on the Grand Parade and along Adderley Street for the 56th edition of the Festive Lights Switch-On from 16:00

THURSDAY4DECEMBER

. Oom Piets Christmas Party is back. For the first time since covid, the Rotary Club of Durbanville is once again hosting the magical fantasy evening for families from Thursday 4 December to Saturday 13 December Bring your picnic basket and enjoy a fabulous joyous evening. All proceeds go to helping uplifting the community Bookings now open on Quicket For more information, call Carol on 083 261 9840

. Tygerberg Hospice’s annual Tree of Lights event will take place at 19:00 at Jan Kriel School in Kuils River Bring along a picnic blanket and come join a magical evening of remembrance and hope with a tree lit up in honour of loved ones who have passed. A light in remembrance of a loved one costs R60 Every light dedicated helps Tygerberg Hospice provide homebased care comfort and support to families facing life-limiting illness. Visit www tygerberghospice org or call 021 946 2460 to make your dedication and light purchase

FRIDAY5DECEMBER

. South Africa's leading indie games festival, Playtopia will bring together over 1 000 gaming enthusiasts and industry professionals for what organisers describe as Africa's premier celebration of video games and interactive arts at the Homecoming Centre in Cape Town on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December

This year's festival will transport visitors to "Arcadia", a fantasy-themed library complete with portholes, spell books, potions and magic crystals. Tickets are available at www.playtopiafestival.co.za

Cityon‘track’ forrailcontrol

The Cape Town municipality has tabled a business plan outlining its proposal to become South Africa's first municipality to take control of passenger rail services, with the City Council set to vote on the initiative next month

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis presented the Rail Business Plan to the Urban Mobility Portfolio Committee on Thursday 6 November, with the council scheduled to consider its adoption on 4 December The plan evaluates the financial, operational, and strategic feasibility of transferring passenger rail services from national control to municipal oversight

NINEOPTIONS

The business plan examines nine potential devolution scenarios and identifies three viable options for transferring rail services, assets, and infrastructure to the City All recommended approaches involve private sector participation through either contractual arrangements or comprehensive concessions to operate the services

The plan excludes scenarios where the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) would retain ownership and management of infrastructure, or where the City would directly operate rail services without private sector involvement

A critical finding is that devolution would require funding from national government, as the City's rates base cannot accommodate cross-subsidisation of rail services The proposal stipulates that Cape Town would need authority over fare-setting, access to long-term national grant funding, and the ability to generate local revenue through public-private partnerships

"With this business plan, Cape Town is now front of the queue to be SA's first city to take over local passenger rail, in line with the Constitution and National White Paper on Rail," Hill-Lewis said "Capetonians urgently need an expanded, affordable, and reliable rail service that is integrated with other forms of transport via one ticketing system "

SCALINGUPPASSENGERNUMBERS

Hill-Lewis said the long-term vision includes significantly scaling up passenger numbers, introducing new train sets and routes, upgrading stations, and developing surrounding areas with affordable housing over the next two decades

He urged Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy to finalise the draft National Rail Bill and Masterplan by year-end, ensuring proper consultation with local government as the key implementing partner

CAPE

TOWN COULD BECOME SA’S FIRST CITY TO RUN ITS OWN TRAINS

Rob Quintas, the mayco member for urban mobility, stressed that successful devolution would require Prasa and national government to first restore the rail network to 2012 performance levels, when the system handled 620 000 daily passenger trips before its subsequent decline Several Cape Town rail lines have been inoperable since 2019

CURRENTRESTORATIONEFFORTS

However, there have been signs of progress The Khayelitsha line reopened in 2025, marking the first major restoration success in recent years Meanwhile, Prasa has been working to restore the Mitchell's Plain line, with recent social media videos indicating progress is in its "last phase" In videos released on official Prasa channels, maintenance operations official Jaco Cupido announced that overhead traction equipment has been completed and track infrastructure rehabilitation is nearly finished

"All of this is the last piece of the puzzle that we are putting together," Cupido said, adding that repair work at Kapteinsklip Station is nearing completion

He estimated the work is "90/95% done" but provided no specific reopening date

The Mitchell's Plain line has been closed since 2019 when Prasa suspended services due to extensive vandalism For decades, the trains served as a vital lifeline for Cape Flats residents, providing the most affordable transport option for millions of daily commuters

"While national efforts to restore passenger rail operations are ongoing, this does not remove the need to advance devolution in line with national policy," Quintas said

NEWBLUEDOWNSRAILLINK

The expansion plans include a potential new Blue Downs rail link and further development dependent on national funding availability

The business plan represents the culmination of extensive research beginning with a Rail Feasibility Study inception phase, followed by a Baseline Analysis in October 2023 and an Alternative Institutional Options Report in October 2024 The proposal aligns with constitutional provisions and national policy recognising local government as best positioned to deliver integrated, affordable public transport through coordinated planning across different transport modes

266 arrests in citywide operations

Law enforcement officers from the City of Cape Town impounded no less than eight vehicles used for illegal dumping

The impoundments came during a week when the City’s enforcement agencies arrested 266 suspects

The eight vehicles impounded brought the October tally to 36 – four times higher than September

"Illegal dumping is a huge problem around the city and affects many communities It has also become a headache for enforcement as culprits are seldom caught in the act, and not many residents call out their neighbours for the behaviour Dumping is not only a public and environmental health risk, but it also robs residents in informal communities of public open spaces Areas that could be used for community gardens, recreational facilities, and social cohesion are instead turned into hotspots for crime and grime," said Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith

In other law enforcement successes, LEAP officers confiscated two unlicenced firearms – one in Delft and one in Mitchells Plain – and arrested one person in each incident Officers arrested 154 people and issued 6 502 notices Metro police officers arrested 84 suspects, of which 35 were for driving under the influence, and issued 2 734 notices

Traffic officers made 28 arrests – 22 for driving under the influence, two for reckless and negligent driving and four for various other charges

They also recorded 56 573 offences, including 36 657 speeding offences, issued 19 916 fines for various traffic violations, impounded 231 public transport vehicles and executed 1 506 warrants of arrest

The Public Emergency Communication Centre logged 1 701 incidents, for which they dispatched assistance for 86 cases of assault, 49 incidents of domestic violence, and 76 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents

Brand Park repairs completed

DESIRÉERORKE

Questions about the maintenance of Brand Park have been addressed by the City of Cape Town, with officials confirming that the facility is being maintained according to standard schedules despite concerns raised by residents Mayco member for community service and health, Francine Higham, responded to a media inquiry about the park's upkeep, emphasising that the recreation and parks department has been following regular maintenance protocols and recently completed several improvement projects "Brand Park, managed by the recreation and parks department, is currently up to date with its cleaning and maintenance which follows the City's standard maintenance schedule," Higham said "The park was last mowed on 27 September, and the next mowing schedule is set for the first two weeks of November In addition, the department recently completed repairs to the paving and irrigation of the park, as well as installed

gym equipment "

A few weeks ago residents in Ward 111 expressed their unhappiness about the lack of regular maintenance of the area at large that includes the park ("Inwoners spring self in" TygerBurger 5 November)

MAINTENANCEWORK

According to a residents group they often have to jump in to do maintenance work be it sweeping up cut grass and sand from pathways to keep drains open, or cutting verges They say although money was spent on the irrigation system, irrigation is not being done adequately to maintain the park Another key concern among residents is the challenge of reaching their

Brackies op soek en stories vir arg

Die Laerskool Brackenfell, wat in 1906 geopen is en die oudste skool in die omgewing is, vier volgende jaar sy 120ste verjaardag en wil alle oud-leerders en personeellede vra vir enige inligting en of foto's van vergange jare om die skool se argief op te dateer . Bydraes kan gestuur word na argief@ brackies.co.za

Leeskring byeen

Kader Abdolah se Duisend-en-een nagte is uitstekend vertaal in Afrikaans deur Wium van Zyl, en hierdie klassieke werk word op Woensdag 19 November by die Durbell-leeskring se byeenkoms deur dr Marni Bonthuys bespreek. Die bespreking begin om 10:00 in die Durbanville-biblioteeksaal in Oxfordstraat, Durbanville Almal is welkom. Toegang is gratis vir opbetaalde lede (R220 per jaar). Besoekers betaal R50 kontant . Rig navrae aan Liz van Wyk by 082 655 8061.

Cyclistracesto emergencyfarmbirth

DESIRÉERORKE

RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO ZA

DESIREE

What started as a peaceful Sunday morning bike ride through the Bottelary hills quickly transformed into a life-saving mission for first responder Tarryn Beretta, who raced 5 kilometres on her bicycle to assist with an emergency farm birth

While cycling, an alert came through on the Sonkring neighbourhood watch’s operational group requesting help for a woman who had just given birth and needed assistance

While riding her bicycle, she immediately responded

“It was about 08:10 and I was about 5 km away and there was no ambulance on the scene yet I had to get moving,” she tells TygerBurger

“It was a bit of a mission to find her though, as Google Maps first took me to the wrong location From there, while cycling, I contacted Law Enforcement and the police to guide me to the correct place It took me about 25 minutes to get there after eventually getting the correct directions from a woman who came past in her car

Tarryn and the metro ambulance arrived simultaneously to find the newborn still on the bed with the umbilical cord intact

Two local women had helped the mother through the delivery

“Seeing that little one on the bed, only 45 minutes old, was indescribable While the paramedic rushed to cut the cord and deliver the placenta, I took care of the baby I checked his breathing, put him in a sterile cloth and wrapped him with a blanket - a perfect, healthy little boy, born

TARRYN RACES 5 KM TO EMERGENCY BIRTH

at 34 weeks ”

MEDICALKITSTOFARMWORKERS

About two years ago, the police and the CPF handed out medical kits to farm communities, an initiative that faced some resistance at the time, but on that day it truly made a difference when community members could safely deliver the baby with the help of the kits

Tarryn volunteers as a third “man” over weekends on a private ambulance service, responding to various medical and other emergency calls

“When a call for help comes in, it is my natural instinct to respond There is always a way to assist, even if you have no experience, even if you can just keep someone calm until help arrives ”

FROMPAGE1

The mayor expressed the city's pride in the group's success, noting it as an inspiration to other locals dreaming of mountain adventures

The five brave adventurers departed Cape Town on the 10th of July, embarking on their oncein-a-lifetime journey, two days later setting off for the mountain with their guides

"Evans and Mandey came to collect us from the hotel The drive was scenic and lush with rolling landscapes Along the way, we stopped at a small local shop to grab a cola and, more importantly, support the local community, a small act that felt meaningful," Stephanie Singh, who speaks for the group, told TygerBurger last week "

"When we arrived at the Machame Gate, the official starting point of our trek, we completed all the necessary paperwork and received our climbing permits

“Tour buses filled with climbers from all over the globe began arriving, each group buzzing with the same excitement and determination we felt It was humbling and inspiring to be part of something so globally unifying," she describes the mood recalling some nervous anticipation

Here all bags were weighed carefully, as sherpas are not allowed to carry loads exceeding 15 kg, whilst the hikers were each responsible for their daypacks that carried essentials like water, rain gear and daily snacks

THECLIMBBEGINS

On that first day, they

completed an 11-kilometre hike from 1 640 metres to 2 850 metres above sea level, the first leg of their trek taking them through the rainforest, often called the "Amazon of Kilimanjaro"

"Of course, no adventure is without its challenges This was the day we were introduced to the infamous long-drop toilets of the mountain Let's just say, it's an experience we'd all rather forget," says Stephanie

The next day took them through the Moorlands

"We awoke on the morning of 14th July to the soft voices of our team offering us steaming cups of coffee and hot chocolate In the crisp, cold air, this small gesture felt incredibly comforting, a perfect start to the day The Moorland terrain was completely different from the lush rainforest of the day before Dry, muddy in parts, and surreal, it looked like something from Mars The jagged rocks, unusual formations, and peculiar circular holes made the landscape feel alien and dreamlike Every few kilometres, the scenery shifted again, as if the mountain was revealing its many faces," she says "To keep our spirits high, we sang the 'Kilimanjaro Song' on repeat "

They reached their overnight campsite at around 17:00 where the altitude was now 3 900 metres and the temperature had dropped to -8 °C

Here, the guides conducted medical checks to ensure the hikers were still healthy enough to continue

NERVE-RACKINGMOMENTS

As if the day before wasn't tough enough, 16 July raised the

bar even higher, with the terrain becoming steeper and more demanding "We found ourselves moving slower, carefully conserving every ounce of energy as we found a sustainable rhythm," Stephanie recalls

Then came the Barranco Wall, the most formidable challenge the hikers had yet encountered "Towering and intimidating, it felt like climbing Platteklip Gorge in Cape Town over and over again I finally understood why people say: If you can climb Platteklip multiple times, you have a 50% chance of making it to the top of Kilimanjaro It was not just steep it was a scramble At moments, it felt like the mountain was testing every bit of courage, endurance, and determination we had One terrain melted into another, each with its own character and challenge Despite the exhaustion, we were overcome by a sense of euphoria, a feeling that this mountain was reshaping us, layer by layer, step by step," says Stephanie André adds that there were definitely some nerve-wracking moments, but also funny ones "I actually got lost one evening just returning from the bathroom I also had boots slightly too small, so I had to strap my ankle I didn't want to tell anybody, so I was a bit injured through the process During the journey, I was worried I might have altitude sickness, but luckily I had no symptoms at all We were tested every night, and I felt strong throughout The views made every step worth it, just breathtaking," he says

SUMMITNIGHT

The final push to the summit came on 18 July, when an hour before midnight, bundled in layers, headlamps on, daypacks ready, the group began the slow, silent march under the stars

"In Kilimanjaro-speak, the pace is called 'pole pole' slowly, slowly That was the only way forward

“We climbed through the night, step by step, breath by breath

The cold bit into our fingers and toes Fatigue was overwhelming

But we pushed on Hours later, with our bodies nearly spent, we reached Stella Point, an enormous milestone on the mountain Many climbers turn back here, unable to go further

You're exhausted, off-balance, dizzy But standing at Stella Point felt like victory," says Stephanie

"We celebrated briefly, snapped

photos in the crisp morning air, and then the guides reminded us: 'Two more hours to Uhuru Peak' " Two more hours? Beyond their limits by now, the climbers pressed on "pole pole" through the snowy glacier zone

"The icy brightness reflected in every direction, and even sunglasses didn't shield the sting on our eyes But it was also breathtaking, almost otherworldly " Finally, at 07:30 the next morning, the group reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa

"We were so emotionally overwhelmed Though we missed the sunrise by just a little, nothing could dim the overwhelming, out-of-body feeling of standing atop that summit No words can fully describe what it meant to touch the sky We made it!"

NdlovuYouth Choirtakes centrestage

The dates for the 2026 Ndlovu Youth Choir SA Tour have been announced The 15 choristers and three-piece band promise to take audiences on an emotional roller-coaster ride, bringing passion, precision and heart to their South African shows next year

With just 12 concerts planned, this will be an exclusive opportunity for fans to experience the choir's celebrated performances. The concerts kick off in Cape Town at Artscape Theatre Centre from Thursday 5 February to Sunday 8 February Shows run daily at 19:30

YOUTH CHOIR’S 2026 TOUR PROMISES A STRONG SOUTH AFRICAN FLAVOUR

explained. "The aim is to cover a wide range of South African genres," he said, "including gospel and an amapiano medley as well as hits from many of South Africa's greatest singers and bands such as Mango

Hugh Masekela, Johnny Clegg and Miriam Makeba."

SakemanenSakevrouvereer

Leiers uit die landbougemeenskap van Durbanville het oorheers in die Durbanville-Sakekamer se Sakeman en Sakevrou van die Jaar-kompetisie toe Thys Louw, eienaar-wynmaker van die Diemersdal-wynlandgoed, as Sakeman van die Jaar aangewys is, terwyl Karin de Villiers, eienaar van Klein Roosboom, die sakekamer se eerste Sakevrou van die Jaar is.

De Wet du Plessis, ondervoorsitter, het die wenners Woensdagaand by die sakekamer se jaareindgeselligheid by die Durbanville-gholfklub aangekondig

“Ons is trots daarop om hierdie kaliber mense in Durbanville te hê Daar is ook geen verskil in status tussen Sakeman en Sakevrou van die Jaar nie,” het hy gesê

ONGELOOFLIKELEIERSKAP

Hy het gesê De Villiers het die beoordelaars in ‘n onderhoud baie beïndruk met “die ongelooflike leierskap wat sy aan die dag lê en die sakevernuf wat sy toepas, asook die inkomstestrome wat sy op Klein Roosboom skep”

“Dit is onverstaanbaar en ons is so bly om jou hier as deel van die Durbanville-wynvallei te hê,” het hy gesê

De Villiers het gesê dit is vir haar “ ‘n absolute voorreg om as Sakevrou van die Jaar aangewys

te word”

“Durbanville is ‘n plek waar tradisie en vooruitgang hande vat en ek hoop vir lank nog pasmaats gaan bly

“By Klein Roosboom gaan sukses nie net oor groei nie, maar oor die glimlag op elke gas se gesig Dit is die trots van elke werknemer, en die band en herinneringe wat ons saam bou

“My visie vir Durbanville is om die dorp te sien aanhou blom, en te sorg dat ons daardie uniekheid van ons dorp altyd bewaar Ons moet in plaaslike ondernemings belê en seker maak dat ons nie daardie sjarme van ons dorp verloor nie

“Baie dankie vir my familie en kinders dis my span en die gemeenskap wat my laat groei en uitgedaag het Ons moet almal selfaangestelde ambassadeurs vir Durbanville wees,” het sy afgesluit

DEELVANDIEGESKIEDENIS

Oor Louw het hy gesê dat hy deel is van die geskiedenis van Durbanville

“Hy het grootgeword in Durbanville en tot dusver sy hele lewe op die plaas spandeer Hy het ‘n passie vir Durbanville As deel van die geskiedenis, stel hy ook baie belang in die geskiedenis Hy maak ook ongelooflike wyne hier op ons

voorstoep, waarvoor hy gereeld toekennings ontvang wat ons trots maak hier in Durbanville,” het Du Plessis gesê

“Ek was gelukkig om as wynmaker al ‘n paar pryse te ontvang oor die 15, 20 jaar wat ek

betrokke is, maar om erkenning uit jou eie gemeenskap te kry, is een van die grootste erkennings wat ek kon kry

“Durbanville is nie ‘n plek op die kaart nie; dis my huis, my gemeenskap, my vriende is hier, my kinders is hier op skool en ek het hier getrou

“Ek is bevoorreg om die sesde geslag op Diemersdal te wees en

dis ‘n enorme voorreg

“Ons moet ouer mense erkenning gee; hulle ken die regte pad

“Ek kon nie hier gestaan het sonder my ma en pa en ouer familie nie,” het hy gesê Louw het ook erkenning gegee aan sy werknemers vir die rol wat hulle in die sukses van Diemersdal speel ”

THINKING OUT LOUD

A mom’s journey back to fitness

For the past three years, I’ve been stuck in the same loop: “I really should start going to the gym again ” It’s a phrase I’ve repeated so often that it’s become part of my daily mental soundtrack right up there with “Did I remember to pack the baby’s snacks?” and “When was the last time I slept through the night?”

Life after having a baby is a whirlwind of sleepless nights, endless laundry, and toddler tantrums that drain every ounce of energy I thought I had So, working out? Forget it The gym membership gathered dust My running shoes sat lonely in the corner, quietly judging me

But this past weekend, something nudged me out of my comfort zone My friends invited me for a hike at Jonkershoek Nature Reserve in Stellenbosch

Jonkershoek A place

I’ve hiked before

effortlessly A place I used to know like the back of my hand

I took a simple fall A slip on a patch of loose gravel It was nothing dramatic no twisted ankles, no bruises but enough to make me pause and reassess I felt fine immediately afterward, dusted myself off, and kept going

What I didn’t expect was the aftermath

The following morning, I woke up feeling like a freight train had run me over My neck was stiff and sore, making even turning my head a challenge Every muscle in my upper body ached as if I’d been through a wrestling match Simple movements, looking both ways before crossing the street, reaching for my coffee cup, became exercises in patience

.. MYRUNNINGSHOESSAT LONELYINTHECORNER, QUIETLYJUDGINGME.

I hesitated Was I really ready for this? Would my body protest every step? Would I embarrass myself?

The answer? Absolutely But I went anyway

The morning was crisp and promising

The sun filtered softly through the trees, birds chirped overhead, and for a moment, I almost forgot how out of shape I was The trail began easy enough, a gentle incline that I used to breeze up without breaking a sweat This time, though, my lungs burned quicker than I expected, and my legs ached like I’d run a marathon the day before

The steep parts of the trail were brutal It was like climbing Mount Everest only without the cold, or the fancy climbing gear, or the Sherpa guides Every step felt heavier than the last, and I found myself slowing down, catching my breath, wondering if I should just turn back

But I didn’t Because I was there, with friends who cheered me on, who reminded me why I wanted to do this in the first place: to get back to feeling like myself Then, about halfway through the hike,

That stiff neck was a harsh reminder that I was far from the fitness level I once had But here’s the twist: instead of discouraging me, this little mishap lit a fire under me

It was a wake-up call a nudge telling me that it’s time to stop making excuses To stop waiting for the “right moment” to start prioritising myself again To lace up those running shoes, dust off the gym bag, and actually go The ache and stiffness?

They’ve become my motivation

I’m signing up for the gym this week

I’m doing it not because I want to climb Everest or even Jonkershoek without getting winded Not because I want to look a certain way or fit into some old jeans

I’m doing it because I want to feel strong again Because I want to have the energy to keep up with my toddler’s boundless enthusiasm Because I want to be healthy and present, for me and for my family

I’ll admit, it’s daunting The first steps always are But hiking that trail, struggling and falling and getting back up, reminded me of something important: every journey starts with that first, uncertain step

So, here’s to climbing new mountains, one small, sweaty step at a time And maybe next time I hike Jonkershoek, it won’t feel like Everest after all

-KAILINDANIELS

BRIEWE|LETTERS

City pledges tougher stance on crime in Oakdale

The article "Oakdale demands action" (TygerBurger, 29 October) refers

The City’s Safety and Security Directorate acknowledges the challenges posed by anti-social behaviour, prostitution and criminal activities in the Oakdale area

A review of the monthly law enforcement reports submitted to Subcouncil 6 shows that officers consistently address these challenges

In July and August, officers issued 113 fines for soliciting in public, with the majority issued in Ward 10 They also issued 504 fines under the Streets and Public Places By-law, again with most of these issued in the affected area

This is a matter I have previously raised with senior management, and it’s encouraging to see that they are responding both proactively and reactively to these complaints They are also tracking the fines issued during their weekly management meetings

It s important for the residents of Oakdale to understand that we are facing an organised effort by certain political parties and NGOs to decriminalise sex work as seen in the recent court action brought by the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) against the South African Police Service and the City of Cape Town

This court action has resulted in a directive from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), stating that sex workers cannot be prosecuted pending the outcome of the case The same organisation also interdicted the City in 2009 to prevent metro police from arresting sex workers

I remain opposed to the decriminalisation of sex work because of its negative impact on communities

Increased prostitution clearly undermines social cohesion and is often associated with crime, urban decay, unlawful immigration, and human trafficking

Our law enforcement department will continue to enforce our by-laws and will work closely with other role players to address these challenges through joint operations Together with the Department of Home

Affairs, the police, NGOs, and local community structures, we can make a meaningful difference

Residents are encouraged to report incidents by contacting the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 and providing a detailed description of the incident JPSMITH,Maycomemberforsafetyandsecurity CITYOFCAPETOWN

Feesmark raak nou te duur

Ek is uiters geskok oor die pryse van goedere by vanjaar se Stellenberg Feesmark Jare gelede toe ek daar begin koop het (en ek praat nou van meer as 25 jaar gelede al), was die feesmark 'n plek om oulike, bekostigbare artikels te koop Van eet- en lekkergoed tot speelgoed en popklere – my mandjie het altyd oorgeloop as ek gaan betaal het Maar nie meer nie Vanjaar het die organiseerders hulself in die voet geskiet, want hoewel stalletjie-eienaars natuurlik flink verkope sal beleef by hierdie gewilde mark het ek vanjaar daar uitgestap sonder om enigiets te koop Hoekom? Wel, eerste indrukke is blywend Ek was nog skaars binne die eerste tent, toe vang my oog badkamersakkies wat Pep vir R37 verkoop – by die mark kos dit R120! Dis nie iets besonders wat iemand self gemaak of selfs dalk met moeite ingevoer het nie Dis sommer hier in die plaaslike Pep gekoop en siedaar Groot wins

My vriendin het n vadoek teen R95 opgemerk waarvoor sy ook veel minder vir n pakkie van vier by einste Pep betaal het

Daarna het alles sommer oorprys gelyk, en ek het gewonder hoe word stalletjiehouers gekies Daar is seker mense wat nie pryse vergelyk nie en wat maar kan koop nes hulle luskry Ongelukkig is nie almal so gelukkig nie en moet die meeste mense hul sente omdraai

Die Feesmark sal my en vele ander seker nie weer sien nie Dit het te "fancy" en duur geraak KOPERWATNIE"AFGERIP"WILWORDNIE, Durbanville

Lights out in Table View — again!

Once again, Table View residents were left in the dark after another unexpected power outage Frustration is mounting as these disruptions become more frequent, disrupting businesses and home life alike

While we understand Eskom’s national challenges, it’s becoming clear that areas like ours deserve better The City of Cape Town s grid has proven far more reliable, and residents are asking to be included We need stability communication and accountability not another week of candles and cold dinners It’s time for the lights to stay on in Table View! FRUSTRATED,TableView

Windepushesjobgrowthvision

DESIRÉERORKE

DES REE RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO ZA

Western Cape Premier

Alan Winde has outlined an ambitious vision to create a "healthy ecosystem for employment opportunities" while confronting the province's mounting challenges with crime, policing shortages, and child malnutrition

Speaking at the annual Tygerberg Business Chamber Gala Dinner last week, Winde delivered a sobering assessment of the obstacles facing economic growth

The popular black-tie event held at Goedgeleven outside Durbanville was sponsored by Business Partners Limited

“An entrepreneur is someone who finds solutions to challenges,” Winde said, a principle that lies at the heart of the province’s economic strategy

According to Winde, the Western Cape’s primary focus is on significantly boosting economic growth and job creation by establishing the right conditions for entrepreneurs to succeed and flourish

“We need a healthy employment ecosystem where people are safe and secure to work,” he said The province faces major challenges, especially rising crime amid dwindling police resources

Since becoming Premier in 2019, Winde said, police numbers dropped from 200 000 to 180 000 nationally, and from 20 000 to

does not know how to handle it,” he said

To combat crime, the Western Cape deployed 1 200 Law Enforcement Advancement Officers (LEAP) in six crime hotspots with arrest powers and technology like body cams and drones This achieved a 4% murder decrease in deployment areas

However, Winde emphasised policing requires building community ethics beyond “boots on the ground,” prompting various violence prevention programmes

BUILDINGETHICSANDVALUES

“We take youngsters who have matriculated, 4 000 every year, who will not get to college or university, and put them through training

their age, resulting from a lack of adequate nutrition over a long period It leads to impaired physical growth and delayed development, which can have severe, long-lasting physical and cognitive consequences

“Stunting is getting worse in the Western Cape,” said Winde “When a child is born, and you don’t correct that underweight child for the first thousand days, if they don’t have the proper nourishment either before they are born or after they are born, that child is going to always be behind ”

To address this, the health department partners with Stellenbosch University and Shoprite to give underweight pregnant mothers credit cards for nutritious food, preventing stunting and potentially stopping

future criminality

PARTNERSHIPS

Winde noted that the northern suburbs have experienced rapid property development in recent years, transforming the area into a hub of economic activity

“Over the past 15 years, residential property values declined in other metros while Cape Town saw massive increases,” he said

“For many people these property values remain unaffordable,and the government needs to help those currently outside the property market to gain housing, something that is not popular among residents ” Winde champions the development of a second airport

with a vision of making it an Emirates hub, viewing it as pivotal to regional economic growth and transforming the entire area

He highlighted recent economic wins in the province - Tiger Brands’ expansion creating 3 000 jobs, North Fund’s partnership saving 4 000 canning jobs, an e-commerce platform supporting 16 000 SMEs across the country, and a World Economic Forumrecognised tech entrepreneur receiving testing approval for drone cargo transport of up to 1 5-ton loads

Concluding his address, Winde emphasised the importance of the partnership between business and government in driving economic growth in the province

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