l Teacher still feels whelmed was chosen honour een me, it’s a gnised on ng what I erience,” s to sink ull of I will or myself acher who r heart ren for the on is not ut rather a nt to use and inspire voice for
teachers and share her experiences to encourage them to believe in their purpose even when the challenges feel overwhelming
“I also want to continue creating spaces where learners feel seen, valued, and capable of achieving beyond what they imagine
“If my journey can spark only one teacher to believe in their impact, or one more learner to believe in their potential, then this honour will have served its true purpose ”
DEEPLYREWARDING
Reflecting on her journey as a teacher, Carstens says: “I did not choose special needs education, it chose me
“I first ended up in Paarl School as a stand-in teacher for six weeks and I never left Life has a way of guiding us exactly where we are meant to be
Chantelle Carstens proudly holding her
Capeclinics expand mentalhealth screenings
DESIRÉERORKE
DESIREE RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO ZA
Over the past year, a mental health screening tool has been successfully implemented at 13 community clinics in Cape Town, with plans underway to expand it to all City clinics
As result of this, there has been a 145% increase in the number of patients seen for suicide attempts in the past year, as mental health services expanded from three City Health sub-districts to all eight
During the previous year 68 such patients were seen compared to this year's 167, while in total 30 230 mental health screenings were done, whereas last year 8 616 were done, indicating a 251% increase
"City Health is placing mental health firmly at the heart of its strategic priorities, ensuring that preventative care, early detection, and community support are central to its services," said City of Cape Town Mayco member for community services and health, Francine Higham
Aligned with the 2025 World Mental Health Day theme, "Mental health in humanitarian emergencies", City Health emphasised its commitment to building resilient communities by addressing mental well-being before crises occur
Higham encourages residents to look after their mental health, seek support when needed, and engage in conversations that break discrimination and stigma "City Health psychologists are leading innovative awareness initiatives at community level, making mental health information accessible, culturally sensitive, and easy to understand in all three official languages Preventing mental health challenges before they escalate is just as important as treating physical illnesses," she added
STRONGERSUPPORTNEEDED
In South Africa, up to nine out of ten patients with mental health disorders do not receive treatment or have access to mental healthcare programmes Primary healthcare (PHC) practitioners are working to fill this gap, but they are not getting the support they need
This according to researchers from the department of family and emergency medicine at Stellenbosch University
They explored the perceptions and experiences of PHC practitioners in managing common mental health disorders at clinics and district hospitals' out-patient departments in the Garden Route District in the Western Cape the province with the highest rate of mental health conditions in South Africa
They focused on nurse practitioners, lay and registered counsellors, medical doctors sessional and permanent medical officers (MOs), community service MOs, medical intern doctors and registrars in family medicine and social workers
Their findings were published recently in the African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine
The researchers say that even though PHC practitioners play an important role in identifying, diagnosing and managing patients with common mental health disorders, they often lack the required resources and available support structures remain underutilised
“Part of the problem is that less than 3% of the national health budget goes to
145%
There has been a major increase in the number of patients seen for suicide attempts 167 in the past year while 68 such patients were seen during the previous year
mental health services and only 7,9% of the mental healthcare budget is allocated to primary healthcare,” says Prof Louis Jenkins from the department
The researchers add that because specialist practitioners were scarce, PHC practitioners had heavy workloads, which made referrals difficult They point out that there are just 0,31 public service psychiatrists for every 100 000 people far below the recommended 1,03 psychiatrists and 10,36 nurses needed per 100 000 people to provide adequate mental health services
“This workload shift to PHC is not supported by sufficient resources, particularly in the public health sector and especially in rural areas, resulting in overworked and insufficiently trained staff to manage both the high burden of disease and patients requiring specialist care Just under half of participants (46,9%) said the workload was too heavy to allow effective mental health screening ” They also highlight the importance of strengthening undergraduate programmes to better prepare practitioners to identify and manage mental health disorders effectively
“Staff require additional training in mental health disorders, and managers need to emphasise and monitor the use of guidelines provided to assist in managing mental health disorders There is a need to increase the number of mental health nursing practitioners, especially to support PHC clinics
“It is crucial that we see primary health care as a priority, measure and improve quality, and make specialist support accessible and available If primary mental health care is part of the model of PHC, then it needs to be supported by appropriate infrastructure, medication, workforce and information ”
GOODMENTALHEALTHISAJOURNEY
Good mental health and emotional wellbeing can be easy to take for granted, but keeping this balance through life’s ups and downs can be a struggle for anyone World Mental Health Day, commemorated on Friday 10 October, reminds us that mental health is a constant work in progress, not something that can ever be finally achieved This according to Megan Gonsalves, Netcare Akeso 24-hour Crisis Line Manager
“It is helpful to think of it as a journey, not a destination; mental health requires us to invest in self-care on an ongoing basis not only in times of crisis Our mental well-being should be nurtured as part of our ordinary routine to set ourselves up for coping successfully in the ever-changing situations life throws our way
“To maintain our mental health and well-being, we need to keep building our coping skills, maintain healthy habits, and nurture the social connections and activities that bring us fulfilment in different spheres of life,” she says
‘Flasher’arrestedatdam
DESIRÉERORKE
DESIREE RORKE@TYGERBURGER CO ZA
One of the women who fell victim to a man who exposed himself to her at a popular local dam last week is speaking out, urging other women to stay vigilant in public spaces.
The man was apprehended on Thursday after two incidents were reported one on Saturday and one on Tuesday where the suspect masturbated in front of the women
As a regular dog walker, he suddenly opened his pants an started masturbating in front of me It was in broad daylight (33) frequently visits Sonstraal dam Last Tuesday, during one of her usual stops, she was still inside her car when a man approached her
“He knocked on my window He was neatly dressed and carrying a purple folder, so I assumed he wanted to give me something,” she said “When I told him no, he suddenly opened his pants an started masturbating in front of me It was in broad daylight, and there were other
people around, but he didn’t seem to care at all ”
While she managed to get away, the emotional impact of the incident has been lasting
“Beyond the immediate shock, it left me feeling incredibly vulnerable,” she said “It was a real eye-opener As women, we often underestimate how at risk we are You can be sitting at a dam, doing something as normal as walking your dog, and still become a target ”
SELF-DEFENCE
She also expressed regret about not having anything with her for self-defence
“I felt even more exposed knowing I had nothing to protect myself with,” she
added “I can only imagine how much more traumatising it would have been for the young girl who fell victim to the same man "
The perpetrator was arrested on Thursday when armed CDF security response members spotted him at the dam while on their way to respond to an alarm call “We identified him by his clothing and the description shared by residents on local neighbourhood watch groups,” said a CDF security spokesperson “He was later identified by one of the victims "
The response members took the man to the Durbanville Police Station where he was charged
A provincial police spokesperson confirmed that the 29 year-old-man was arrested for public indecency
"The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation," said Sgt Wesley Twigg The suspect will make his court appearance in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court "
Werk aan paaie begin, publiek moet geduldig wees
DESIRÉERORKE
DESIREE RORKE@TYGERBURGER CO ZA
Die lank verwagte padherstelwerk in Kruisweg en Jacarandalaan het verlede week amptelik begin
Volgens die Stad Kaapstad se departement van stedelike vervoer het die opknappingswerk op Maandag 6 Oktober begin en beoog om dit teen Vrydag 5 Desember af te handel, mits weer en ander onvoorsiene faktore dit toelaat
In n brief aan inwoners het die Stad bevestig dat die werksaamhede weeksdae tussen 09:00 en 15:30 sal plaasvind, hoewel hierdie tye moontlik kan verander na gelang van omstandighede
“Gedeeltes van die pad sal vir die publiek gesluit wees, wat beteken dat verkeer in albei rigtings geraak sal word Vlagpersoneel sal aanwesig wees om die verkeer te reguleer, aangesien werksgebiede duidelik afgebaken sal wees vir die veiligheid van beide voertuie en voetgangers,” meld die brief
Die Stad doen n beroep op alle padgebruikers om die sigbare aanwysings en padtekens tydens die werksperiode noukeurig te volg
Boonop word motoriste aangeraai om alternatiewe roetes te oorweeg, aangesien verhoogde verkeersopeenhopings in die gebied verwag word
WCcelebratesculturalexcellence
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
The red carpet was rolled out at the Artscape Theatre on Tuesday 7 October, as the provincial department of cultural affairs and sport honoured the province's top talent in arts, culture and heritage.
Under the theme "Journey from Darkness into Light: Thrive", the evening was a celebration of creativity and contribution, recognising artists, linguists, librarians, and heritage custodians for their lasting impact across the Western Cape (WC). Winners were crowned across a range of categories, including Excellence in Performing Arts Award, a project that promotes South African Sign Language or the marginalised indigenous languages of the Western Cape, The Best Friends of the Public Library and Ministerial Commendations.
AWARDS
Renowned musician Loukmaan Adams was one of the recipients of a Ministerial Commendation, while Dr Isaac Balie was one among those who received a Ministerial Legacy award for his lifelong contribution in his field.
Thandi Swartbooi, founder of the all-female
THROUGH CULTURE WE ALL MOVE TOGETHER
ensemble Women Unite, was also recognised for her pioneering work in preserving indigenous dance and music, and empowering communities through the arts.
Jabaar Mohamed, provincial director of DeafSA Western Cape, won the Project that Promotes South African Sign Language or the Marginalised Indigenous Languages of the Western Cape category for his TV show called Accessibility with Jabaar Speaking to People's Post, Mohamed said the award is more than just a "trophy".
"It's a recognition of years of advocacy, passion, and belief in my media platform Accessibility with Jabaar TV talk show on Cape Town TV It represents the roots of inclusivity for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Disability communities because that's where true community begins."
Mohamed said it's a powerful reminder that accessibility matters, and that voices expressed through South African Sign Language (SASL) are
"finally being seen and valued".
"I dedicate this award to everyone who continues
to break barriers and create equal opportunities for all. I'm especially proud that this recognition comes from the Western Cape, my home, all the way from Elsies River."
He said this fuels him to do more
"Being deaf is not an obstacle It's part of who I am and what drives me to do more This award doesn't mean I'm done; it's just the beginning. There's still so much I'm planning."
The Best Friends of the Public Library award went to the Friends of the Central Library Mike Klink, chair of the Friends of Central Library, said: "It takes a lot of work to build relationships in the library ecosystem.
This win is not just about my leadership but about my team and everyone contributing. We encourage people to come to the Central Library to see what the friends of the library are doing."
Ricardo Mackenzie, provincial minister of cultural affairs and sport, said art is the mirror and heartbeat of society "It captures our shared struggles and triumphs, reminding us that creativity is both our refuge and renewal. The theme speaks to the spirit of our province, a spirit that refuses to be defeated by hardship and instead transforms it into hope beauty, and understanding.”
DAGBOEK / DIARY
. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs at Theatre on the Bay now until 29 November Tickets from R275 at Webtickets
. Juan Boucher is op Vrydag 24 Oktober om 19:00 by Heroes Live op Diemersfontein-wynplaas buite Wellington. Deure maak 17:00 oop Kaartjies kos R350 by www.heroesbrackenfell.net
. Joshua na die Reën is op Woensdag 15 Oktober om 20:30 by Die Boer-teaterrestaurant Kaartjies kos R270 by www dieboer com of by 021 979 1911. . Roan Ash is op Woensdag 15 Oktober om 20:30 by Heroes Brackenfell. Kaartjies kos R260 tot R300 by www.heroesbrackenfell.net
. Vusi Mahlasela -"The Voice" brings his powerful blend of music and activism to the University of Cape Town in a celebration of heritage and hope on Thursday 16 October at 19:00 Tickets at Webtickets
. Joshua na die Reën is op Donderdag 16 Oktober om 20:30 by Heroes Brackenfell. Kaartjies kos R260 tot R300 by www.heroesbrackenfell.net
. Coppelia is at Artscape on Friday 17 October at 19:00 and Saturday 18 October at 14:00 and 19:00 Tickets cost R200 to R550 at Webtickets
. Centre Stage - Dancing into our future is at Artscape Opera House on Sunday 19 October at 19:00 A fundraising celebration of the Cape Town City Ballet’s 91 years of ballet, by dance training organisations. Tickets R180 to R300 at Webtickets . Cape Town Opera presents David Kramer’s Orpheus McAdoo at Artscape from 21 October to 2 November Tickets from R200 to R550 at Webtickets . Dancers Love Dogs is at Artscape Opera House on Wednesday 22 October at 19:30 Dancers will take part in this fundraising event along with performing dogs and Master of Ceremonies-Alan Committie Tickets cost R400 at Webtickets . Die Fledermaus is presented by Opera UCT at The Baxter from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 October Tickets from R100 to R500 at Webtickets . Jonathan Butler “A life in song” is at Artscape on
The provincial department of cultural affairs and sport honoured the province’s top talent in arts,culture and heritage
Kommentaar // Comments
VOTE CAPE TOWN TO THE TOP: The Mother City once again captured the spotlight with its nomination one of the world’s top destinations,this time at Travel + Leisure India & South Asia’s Best Awards 2025,where it is shortlisted in the International Destinations – Best City category.This year’s awards,themed“Art of Discovery”,celebrate places that inspire exploration and connection.Cape Town is in distinguished company,nominated alongside cities including Cairns (Queensland),Lisbon (Portugal),Perth (Western Australia),Riyadh (Saudi Arabia),San Francisco (USA),Tbilisi (Georgia),and Tokyo (Japan) The awards are entirely audience-led,with travellers voting for their favourite experiences over a two-month period Now it’s over to Capetonians: visit https://awards travelandleisureasia com/iba-2025/international-destinations/best-city to cast your vote
Jo Fourie groet TygerBurger met dankbare hart
1 April 2022 ek onthou die datum soos gister Dit was die dag toe ek by die TygerBurger ingestap het as die nuutste lid van die span
My hande het gebewe van opgewondenheid
Om vir Media24 te werk was nog altyd my droom vandat ek ‘n pen kon vashou en my eerste storietjie op papier neergeskryf het Ek het pas klaar studeer en om sommer dadelik ‘n permanente pos by ‘n koerant te kry waarmee ek grootgeword het, was vir my ‘n seën sonder gelyke Dit was immers die koerant wat elke Woensdag in my ouerhuis afgelewer is; die koerant wat my liefde vir gemeenskapsnuus en menseverhale gevoed het Nou, meer as drie jaar later, is dit tyd om totsiens te sê En ek sê dit met ‘n hart vol dankbaarheid, herinneringe en groei Ek onthou my eerste storie soos gister Ek het daar gesit met my notaboek en my selfoon, nie seker waar om te begin of met wie om te praat nie Ek was die jong joernalis wat almal miskyk tot ek begin praat En dan, skielik, weerklink my stem oor myle heen
By die TygerBurger het ek soveel geleer oor mense, oor geduld, oor die krag van woorde en oor myself Ek het ongelooflike mense ontmoet, stories vertel wat my diep geraak het, en 'n wêreld van insig en wysheid betree wat geen handboek my kon leer nie
EKWASDIEJONG JOERNALISWAT
ALMALMISKYK—TOT EKBEGINPRAAT.
ENDAN,SKIELIK, WEERKLINKMYSTEM OORMYLEHEEN.
My lewe het ook hier gegroei Ek het begin as ‘n ongetroude jong vrou met groot drome Intussen het ek verloof geraak, getrou, en nou verwag ons ons eerste baba ‘n nuwe hoofstuk vol belofte en liefde
My kollegas het saam met my die groot oomblikke beplan: van hoe my man my sou vra om te trou, tot die dag toe ons die eerste keer van die baba vertel het
En nou, soos elke storie, kom hierdie een tot ‘n mooi einde
Ek keer terug na my boeke om my doktorsgraad klaar te maak en uiteindelik ‘n dosent te word by die universiteit waar ek die eerste keer geïnspireer is om te doen wat ek doen
Dankie, TygerBurger, dat julle die begin van my storie was die plek waar die jong meisie met ‘n pen haar stem gevind het -JOFOURIE
The light that’s you
You don’t need crowns or silver rings, To prove the glow your soul can bring, For even quiet hearts can shine, And turn the dark to something divine You’ve carried pain, yet softly smiled, Held broken dreams but still stayed kind, The world may never truly see How rare your heart was meant to be In moments small, you change the air, A gentle word, a loving stare, You lift the lost, you calm the fear, You re warmth itself when hope feels near So never doubt the light you give, The love that teaches hearts to live For in this world of many hue, There’ll never be another you ShariqBasardien(16),EASTRIDGE
Urineer elders
Ek vind die gedrag van sommige van die taxi-bestuurders wat studente na hul kollege in Panorama vervoer totaal onaanvaarbaar Hulle gebruik die oop stuk grond tussen Plattekloofweg en die Plattekloof-winkelsentrum as toilet ten aanskoue van die mense - insluitende oorsese besoekers - wat die koffiewinkel by die sentrum besoek om 'n koppie koffie daar en die panoramiese uitsig oor die Kaapse Skiereiland te geniet Hierdie gedrag in 'n openbare ruimte behoort nie geduld te word nie en die Stad Kaapstad sal derhalwe dringend aan hierdie saak aandag moet gee My voorstel sal wees, indien daar geen ander alternatief is nie om draagbare toilette daar te laat oprig en hierdie mense te beboet indien hulle nie daarvan gebruik maak nie
GerritHorn,E-POS
Hou asseblief honde op leiband
Insake "Hou aggresiewe honde op leibande" - dankie vir jou skrywe in TygerBurger gedateer 8 Oktober
Sandra Basson
Ek was ook in Boland Park die spesifieke dag toe jou hond aangeval is Die arme onskuldige Jack Russel het nie verdien om so wreed aangeval te word nie
Daar is menige honde liefhebbers wat nie die erns besef van watter ras gepas is by hul persoonlikheid en omstandighede nie Diesulkes dink ook hulle is hondekenners
Daar is n groot verskil tussen hondeliefhebbers en
hondekenners Die eienaar moet volle verantwoordelikheid aanvaar Die spesifieke eienaar moes wel bewus daarvan gewees het van sy hond se aggressie Waarom anders het hy sy ma gevra of sy dink hy kan die hond van sy leiband afhaal?
My pleidooi dus aan alle eienaars van honde wat nie sosiaal aangepas is nie om hulle op leiband te hou Hondeparke is vir nie-aggresiewe honde Versoek aan die staffie se eienaar: gaan stap asseblief met jou hond elders en hou hom op sy leiband MarijkeMarais,BRACKENFELL
Butler property tree felling sparks debate over City spending
On Thursday 9 October the chain saws fell silent on the Butler property on Bolandweg, leaving a scene of devastation reminiscent of the Deville Wood area during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 For me it reminds us of the 1918 poem from WW I: And Then the Guns Fell Silent “And then the guns fell silent, Smoke and death were in the air, The sounds of echoed silence ” For three weeks we have been listening to the chain saws cutting down majestic trees in our neighbourhood some 50- to 80-year-old giants, all in the name of development but we know it’s about an improvement of the City of Cape Town’s finances, the same City “that works for
you”
At the same time The Argus front page of Tuesday 6 October displays the details of the court application by CTCRA (City of Cape Town Collective Ratepayers Association) challenging the City's budget of 2025/26 Without going into detail about this court action it remains a travesty that rate payers, people who pay the City official’s wages and the political echelons salaries, must turn to the courts to force this cabal to listen to our concerns Reference the City’s defence of these various levies, to wit; water, electricity and now cleaning, I cannot find any evidence that there is a concerted effort from the City’s side to reduce their expenditure
From the Free Market Foundation (Cape Town’s budget: A departure from the rule of law | Free Market Foundation): By linking service fees to property values rather than actual usage, the City shifts from a cost-recovery model toward wealth redistribution Somewhere is a research piece from 2015 about the City’s unsustainable wage bill warning about an unfolding disaster Now in 2025 this where we are with a City wage bill climbing at an unsustainable rate and I quote: "Staff-related costs continue to increase, now set for R20,758 billion Although salary increases are reflected as 5 1% 'cost to company', the actual increase is 7 5% The budget appears
to hide behind centrally negotiated SALGA salary increases " This from the Western Cape Property Development Forum’s letter dated 2 May 2025 addressed to the mayor and his team Did they listen? Not on your Nellie Currently the public sector wage bill stands at an eye-watering R750 billion on top of national debt costs of R1,1 billion per day As a concerned citizen I would have thought that our young vibrant mayor would take note of this financial cliff we are approaching But Sunday we will have our small Malawian gardener, who works two jobs to feed his family in Malawi, on duty here at our house Cleaning and planting new shoots to offset the carbon footprint lost
on the Butler property on top of cleaning the street Yes, cleaning the street, as do all the neighbours using garden services, which begs the question: Those of us, including the “gated developments”, that fund this function with after-tax money can we submit an invoice to the City for “services rendered”? Or can we apply to have these levies discounted on our municipal account? In the 30 plus years we have been living at this address the City has never had to clean our street, why are we now required to fund a mythical activity? Will we end up funding a mythical unicorn run by the City? Let’s unite and stop this FrancoisJMarais,DURBANVILLE
BITTERISDIEGENESING
Join the annual lupus walk
The fourth annual lupus awareness fun walk, Walk 4 Lupus, hosted by registered nurse, author, and founder of the Lupus Impact Foundation, Sagree Naicker, is taking place on Saturday 25 October at 09:00 at Kraaifontein Rugby Club The walk of around 5km is open to all Naicker is a lupus warrior herself, living with both lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
Her personal journey has driven her to become a passionate advocate for awareness, education and support through her non-profit organisation
This year's event promises a vibrant and inspirational atmosphere, with guests
including TikTok influencer, teacher, and motivational speaker Mogammad Shukr Hartzenberg Representatives from Winelands Rheumatology Clinical Trials division in Stellenbosch will share expert insights into the disease
Attendees can also look forward to exhibition stands including from dietitian Vanessa McEwen, All Smiles dentists, and more Entry is free but donations to the Lupus Impact Foundation are welcome . Contact 071 196 0697 or 073 729 7826 or visit www lupusimpactfoundation.com to learn more
