TygerBurger | Brackenfell | E-edition | 6 May 2026

WHAT’S ON/WAT’SWAAR

SATERDAG9MEI

. Die NG kerk Bellville-Wes bied'ndans en kuier saam metChristoenCobus Snyman aanom18:00 tenbatevan hul uitreiknaMalawië.‘nVerskeidenheid sopen broodjies salsaammet ‘n glasiesjerrie bedien word.Gastekan ookhul eiepiekniekmandjieendrinkgoed saambring.Die kostebeloopR200ofR180 per persoon vir ‘ntafelbespreking vir agtmense. Kinders (tweetot 12 jaar) betaal R100(onder tweeisgratis). KontakMarykeby071 6432239 virmeer inligting Kaartjies is beskikbaarbydie kerkkantoorofstuur ‘n e-posnanavraag@bellvillewes.ng.org.za.

. Mdzananda Animal Clinic and Shelterwillhost itsannual gala dinner and auctionat18:30 at the TwoOceans Aquarium,celebrating three decades of servicetoKhayelitsha's animals and community. The fundraising event willfeature PippaHudson as host, withauctioneerGuy McDonaldleading aliveauction of exclusive itemsand experiences.Entertainment willincludea performancebythe Isibane Se Afrika Choir during the pre-drinksreception. Guests willenjoya two-coursedinnerwith complimentary wineand dessert.Tickets areavailable at Quicketorcontact fund@mdzananda.co.za.

. TheGreater Simonsberg Conservancy(GSC) is inviting the public to lace up their hiking boots and runningshoes forWalk forthe Wild,a 10 km trailrun and hiketaking placeatDelheim Wine Estate.Trail runners willstart at 08:00 sharp,while hikers canopt forarolling startbetween 08:00and 10:00. Participants areencouraged to join thefun by dressing in leopard-themedoutfitsfor the Best DressedLeopard competition, with prizes awarded forthe most creative entries. Entriesare limited and availableat Quicket.

THURSDAY14MAY

. U3A Tygerbergwillmeet at Stellenberg Gemeente on thecorner of MountainViewDrive and Edelweiss Road.This month's speaker is AnnemarieVan Zyl from the Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary. Doorsopen at 09:00 fortea and coffee.Speaker takesthe floor from 10:00.R10 forU3A membersand R20 forvisitors.

WOENSDAG20MEI

. Die TygerbergTuin- en Blommeklub kombyeen by die NGkerk ParowWelgelegen(La Provencestraat 47,Welgelegen) om 09:30vir 10:00. Diesprekersis Althea Higham, wat‘n“parallel”-demonstrasiesal doen,enMarco Moorsvan Lowensvlei Blomplaasoor snyblomme.Die tema vandie blommekunskompetisieis“Elegansie”. Kontak BeatrixLambert-Bestbier by 082873 9864vir meerinligting

SATURDAY30MAY

. TheDianna JacksonFoundationwillhosta CommunityMarketDay from 10:00to15:00atthe SummerGreens Community Centre, 22 TinkersRoad, SummerGreens. Theevent will featurelocal vendors, food stalls,handmadecrafts, fashion, musicand family-friendlyentertainment. Formoreinformation contact CJ Jacksonon072 8301966(WhatsApp).

SUNDAY31MAY

. Discoverthe hidden secretsand relics of an abandoned WW2MilitaryBaseinLlandudno,during aspecial “Top secret”Heritage Tunneland Bunker Tour forTourism Month. Thetrail starts at the bigGun inApostlesBattery Llandudno at 10:30, and willend in thesamespot.Explorersneedtobewalking fit,as thereare stepsand obstaclestohurdleand laddersto climb. Childrenneedtobeaccompanied by an adult. Space is limited to 20.Ticketsare R295 per person. Email Mattaatmattweisse@mweb.co.zatobook.

SATURDAY6JUNE

. TheCapeTownGem and MineralClub’snextopen daytakes placefrom10:00 to 14:00 at 14aGoede HoopSt, Bothasig. Entryisfree. Learnmoreabout ourhobby of crystals,gems, and mineral specimen collecting, and relatedcraftwork.Trawl the stalls, chat to membersand find your special item. Plenty of off-roadparking. Food available.

FRIDAY12JUNE

. TheMitchells PlainUnitedResidents Association (Mura) willbehaving aGolf Dayaspartofthe area's 50thanniversarycelebrations. It willbeheldatthe RoyalCapeGolf Club on Friday12June.The eventwill caterfor 120players over six to eight waterholes. Mura is in need of prizes, waterholesponsors, contents for goodie-bags,and auctionitems forthe prize-giving dinners.For moreinformation, contact Norman Jantjes at 083628 4421.

SUNDAY28JUNE

. Step intoa worldwherewintermeets highfashion at theWinter Wonderland FashionShow2026, presentedbyKairosEvents &Model Management at RooftoponBree, 170BreeStreet. This showcase brings togetheremergingand establisheddesigners, aspiring models, and fashionloversfor an unforgettablerunwayexperience setagainst the stunning Cape Town skyline.Dress Code: DresstoImpress –High Fashion Edition. Ticketsavailable viaQuicket

Newwalkway improvesaccess

KAYLYNNEBANTON

Reaching the top of Table Mountain is now amoreinclusive experience, thanks to anewly launched Universal AccessWalkwaydesigned for every visitor.

The walkway enables visitors using wheelchairs, as well as thosewithprams or mobilitychallenges, to experience the summit safely and comfortably.

The development,whichisapartnership between theSouth African National Parks (SANParks), andthe Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC), marksa significant step in advancing inclusive tourism anduniversal design at one of South Africa's most iconic landmarks.

Wahida Parker, managing director of TMACC, explained howthe company will ensure theongoingmaintenance and safety of the walkway, particularly in response to changing weather conditions at thesummit

"The walkway hasbeen carefully designedand engineered withthe summit's unique andoften changing weatherconditionsinmind.

"There are otherstructures and walkways on topofthe mountain, and thesehave been impeccably maintained over many years."

Shesaid TMACC works closely with SANParkstoensure it is well maintained and continues to provide asafe and comfortable experiencefor all the visitors.

IMPROVINGACCESSIBILITY

Parkersaid the Universal Access Walkway forms part of abroader approach to improvingaccessibility at Table Mountain.

"We will continue to look at ways to enhance theexperienceover time, with a focusonensuring visitors with different needscan explore the summit with dignity and ease."

Addressing howinclusivity is being put into practice, Parker said staff training remains akey focus in ensuring all the visitors feel supported andwelcome at Table Mountain.

"Our teamplays an important role in this, supportingvisitors with awiderange of needsinarespectful and thoughtful way. Ourstaff will be doing refresher trainingondisability sensitisation. This forms part of our broader commitment to dignity, independence, andensuring more people can experienceTable Mountain

Volgens Du Toithet Bracken Heights sterk verhoudings opgebou met plaaslikesekuriteitsmaatskappye, die polisie,Community in Blue (CIB), Northern Community Initiative (NSCI), asook die Brackenfellgemeenskapspolisiëringsforum (GPF)

DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED WITHTHE SUMMIT’S WEATHER CONDITIONS IN MIND

TheUniversalAccessWalkwayismaking Table Mountain moreinclusivefor wheelchair usersand visitors withmobilitychallenges

without barriers," explained Parker. Cape Town has been named the world's top mountain destination for thisyear, beating well-known spotsinEurope like Chamonix, Zakopane and Bergen. Theranking, conducted by international connectivity provider Holafly, gave the city the highest overall score of 76,9 after looking at factors such as hiking options, affordability, places to stay, accessibility, outdoor activities, air quality and overall quality of life.

Theresult highlights Cape Town's strong global appeal and is amajor boost for tourism in SouthAfrica.

JP Louw, SANParks head of communications, said SANParks approaches accessibility as abuilt-in standard rather than an add-on, which is key to keeping improvements both affordable and broadly inclusive.

"SANParks has prioritised universal access for over 20 years, steadily integrating inclusive design intoits infrastructure rollout across parks.

"As aresult, accessibility features, such as step-free access, appropriate gradients, and user-friendly amenities are treated as standard components of development rather than specialised or costly additions."

SOLUTIONS

He said SANParks also focuses on scalable and context-sensitive solutions.

"Designs are adapted to the environmental and operational realities of each park, ensuring that accessibility interventions remain practical, costeffective, and environmentally responsible, while still meeting the needs of adiverse visitor base, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, and families with young children.

He explained that through early-stage integration, and long-term planning, SANParks ensures that accessibility improvementsremain financially sustainable while promoting "equitable access" for all visitors.

Die gebied beskik ook oor 'n gevorderde kunsmatige intelligensiegedrewe CCTVstelsel deur NSCI. Die buurtwag moedig alle inwoners aan om betrokke te raak by óf die buurtwag óf CIB, ongeag in watter gebied hulle woon, om sodoende veiligheid 'n prioriteitte maak deur die samewerking tussen bure.

Fugitivefraudsuspect

DESIRÉERORKE

DESIREE.RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO.ZA

Awoman who vanishedafter allegedlyswindling aspiring business owners out of morethan R166 000 in abogusliquor licencescam has finally been caught after evading authoritiesfor two years.

Nicolene Elizabeth Gouvias (51) has been re-arrested on 24 April after failing to appear in court on charges of fraud, having been on the run sinceFebruary 2024.

Awarrant of arrest had been issued for Gouvias, who is accused of defrauding multiple victims through aliquor licence application scam that resulted in

FUGITIVE ARRESTED AFTER TWO YEARSOVER ALLEGED R166K LIQUORLICENCE SCAM

combined financial losses of R166 500.

Between 2016 and 2019, Gouvias allegedly assistedvictims in submitting liquor licence applications, informing them that temporarythree-month licences would be issued before becomingpermanent. She requested varying amounts of cashfrom each applicant.

Gouviasisalso linked to other cases currently under investigation by the

Man arrested forillegal medicine trade

A44-year-oldman has been arrested in Bellville for allegedlyselling and handling controlledand scheduled medicine,bymembers of PublicOrder Policing on Friday1May

Theofficers were patrolling in the Bellville area when theysaw atransactiontaking place between the manand awoman. On investigation the members found 27 bottles of coughmixture,aswellasan

undisclosedamountofcashinhis possession

Thesuspect wasdue to appearbeforethe Bellville Magistrates’Court on Monday4 Mayto face charges of sellingand handlingcontrolledand scheduled medicine.

Capt Charles Neelse confirmedthe incidentand said theman washeldinthe Bellvillepolicecells the weekenduntilhis courtappearance.

Courtdeclaresfixedchargesunlawful

DESIRÉERORKE

DESIREE.RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO.ZA

The Western Cape High Court has ruled that three fixed charges introduced by the City of Cape Town in its 2025-’26 budget are unlawful, a significant victoryfor ratepayers and civil rights organisations who challenged the levies in court.

The charges at the centre of the dispute werea city-wide cleaning levy,afixed water charge, and a fixed seweragecharge introduced by the City last year; and subsequently challenged in court by the South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa)and later AfriForum.

The court found that all three were calculated using property value bands rather than being linked to actual service consumption, which does not comply with the Constitution, national legislation or theCity’s owntariff policies.

The court further held that the City had overstepped its legal authority in imposing the charges.All three charges have been set asidewith effectfrom 30 Junethis year.

The City’s counter-applications were dismissed, and the applicants, which included Sapoa and AfriForum, were awarded legal costs.

AfriForum called the ruling, alandmark moment for communities across the country.

“AfriForum welcomes the court’s ruling regarding theCity

of Cape Town’s tariff structures. The judgment provides important clarity thattariffs must be structured in afair, transparent andlegally compliant manner, witha clearlink toactualservice consumption. The ruling is not only significant forCape Town, but also serves as guidance for municipalities across the country,”saidJurie Ferreira of AfriForum

PROTECTINGCOMMUNITIES’RIGHTS

“This victory confirms that when communities are organised, informed and determined, the rule of lawprevails,” he added.

Civic organisation Stop CoCT also welcomedthe judgment, saying it is long-overduerelief forratepayerswho have been buckling under increased municipal bills for more than a year.

“The City refused to listen to anyone anditwas left to the court to halt their terror tariff reigninCapeTown,” said founder of Stop CoCT Sandra Dickson,alsoaPRcouncillor for theGood Party.

“Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis hasnow been reined in on his overambitious plans for the City, which sawthe City’s capital plandouble in fouryears, leaving residentstofoot thebill.

Thefar-above-inflation tariff increases and the continuous addition of new revenue streams havenow been halted and residentscan breathea sigh of relief,” shesaid.

VF Pluscouncillor Pieter Jansen van Vuuren said the party strongly objected to the tariff structure from the outset, warningthatlinking fixed tariffs to property valuesisunfair and unconstitutional

“Tariffs must be based on actualconsumption andservices rendered,not on the market value of aproperty. This system was in reality adisguised additional property tax and particularly punished middleclassand workingresidents who are already bearing aheavy burdenunder rising costs,”he said.

“Thecourt rulingisproof that theDAinCape Town hasnot struckthe right balancebetween revenue generationand fairness towards ratepayers. TheVFPlus calls on the City to fully comply with thecourt’s ruling andto introduce afair, legally correct tariff structureinthe next budgetthat respects the principle of consumption andservice delivery.”

TheCity said it is weighing up its options to appeal the judgment.

CITYMULLSAPPEAL

The City confirmed it will analysethe ruling and model its potential impact on ratepayers, particularly lower- and middleincome households, before decidingonits next legal steps. Crucially, should the City proceed with an appeal, the order will be suspended in the interim, theCity noted.

MayorGeordin Hill-Lewis said:

“It remains my firm belief that Cape Town cannot truly work unlessitworks for everyone. Every resident from every community depends on afuture whereeveryone has access to basic services and infrastructure that creates opportunity for jobs and growth. Cross-subsidising —where the better off among us help to fund services for the less fortunate —isthe most equitable and sustainable way to ensure a workingcityofhope for all.”

“The point of using property valuestodetermine fixed charges is to protect lower- and middle-income homes. Theonly alternative is for everyone to payaflat charge regardless of whetherthey are low-income or affluent. The implication of today’sruling might be that fixedcharges go up for many familiesand go down for more affluent families. That is the perverse implication of this ruling,and why we will have to carefully consider how best to protect middle- and lower-income

families going forward,” he said.

“The only other option would be to cut our infrastructure budget. This would lead to aless functional city with less basic dignity for residents— aterrible and indefensible outcome. We do not agree with this course of action at all. Investing in infrastructure is the core of what makes acitywork for all and drives agrowing economy. The City will carefully model the potential impact of thisruling on lower- and middle-income households —who we will keep striving to protect.”

“The implication of the ruling, if not appealed, is that citywide cleaning charges would be moved back intothe property rates account rather than being charged as atariff, which would entail an increase to the proposed rate-in-rand. As it stands, the City has tabled a10,2% reduction in the rate-in-rand in the draft 2026-’27 budget,” the City stated.

“Importantly, the city-wide cleaning charge does not raise new revenue and the service still requires funding, notwithstanding the ruling on how it is charged. Residents have always contributed to this service, inter alia, via electricity purchases. From 2025-’26, citywide cleaning was simply removed from electricity charges, lowering prices, and displayed separately on the monthly bill. In thisway, waste management became aself-funding service with ring-fenced revenue.”

City tablesproposed R6.8bn budget forsafetyservices

TheCity of Cape Town has proposed a R6,8 billionoperating budget forits Safety and Security Directorate forthe 2026-'27 financial year, alongside adraft capital budget of just over R204,9 million. Whilethe budget is yet to be approved officials say it reflected continued investment in public safety, enforcement and emergency response services across the metro.

BALANCINGENFORCEMENT ANDEMERGENCYRESPONSE

The directorate’s responsibilities extend beyondcrime prevention, covering a wide range of services including Law Enforcement,MetroPolice, Traffic Services, Fire and Rescue, the Disaster Risk Management Centre andPublic Emergency Communication Centre. Mayco member for Safetyand Security

JP Smith emphasised the broaderscope of thebudget.

“The funds will be used to upgrade a rangeofsecurity infrastructure,including CCTV cameras andfire stations,” he said. The City has increased its enforcement staff by nearly 1500 officers in recent years,a move thathas driven up operational costs such as salaries, fuel and uniforms

MAJORINFRASTRUCTUREUPGRADESPLANNED

Asignificant portion of the capital budget is earmarked for infrastructure andfacilityimprovements aimedat strengtheningservice delivery.

Key allocations include:

. R83.1million for upgrades at the Public SafetyTraining College;

. R20 million for fire station upgrades;

. R14.2million for anew Law

Enforcement base alongStellenbosch ArterialRoad;

. R10 million for refurbishing the Joint PolicingCentre;

. R3 million for theconstruction of afire stationinLanga.

Smith highlighted the importance of expandingservices in high-demand areas.

“We are spendingR14 million on alawenforcement and safety-and-security base on Stellenbosch ArterialRoad to serve Delft and Belhar,” he said.

TECHNOLOGYINVESTMENTUNDERSCRUTINY

The draft budgetalso includes funding for technological upgrades, though these form arelatively small portion of the overall allocation.

Planned spendingincludes:

. R1 million for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (drones) and

. R12.6 million for CCTV expansion and replacement Smithnoted that camera deployments have been prioritised in high-crime areas.

“For the lastfew years, all of the camera rollout has gone to the highest crime rate areas, except where ward budgets provide for cameras. Ideally, we want to be in the realm of about R25million for CCTV.”

TheCitysaid the proposed budget reflectsincreasing pressure on safety services as Cape Town’spopulation grows and demand rises.

With adual focus on enforcement and emergency response, the directorate’s funding aims to ensure readiness across multiple fronts, from crime prevention to disaster management.

Residentsand stakeholders can review the full draft budget via the City’s official document portal.

Runningupmilesforschoolshoes

More than 2800 children now have school shoes, thanks to agrowing initiativesparked byafirst-time runner who saw creative possibilities in turning kilometres intoaway to meet abasic educational need.

“My background is in higher education, and Iwas surprised to learn howmany of thestudents walked to school without proper footwear when they were younger When Itook up running last year atthe age of 60, the idea came to me: ‘Whatif every kilometre Iran could put apair of shoesona kid’s feet?’” says Craig Rowe,who leadsCDR Equipping,a nonprofit company focused on community development, leadership training and mentorship, among other community upliftment and ministry-related outreach projects.

MYWALKMADEWITHSOUL

What started as one man’s idea to encourage businesses and friends to sponsor apair of “My Walk Made with Soul” school shoes for each kilometre of his first Two Oceans half marathon has since germinated intoa networkof support that has already donated nearly R100 000 worthofshoes, benefitting almost three thousand children across South Africa so far.

“As Iset out on the Two Oceans Half Marathon, Itripped and faceplanted into the ground. Iwas bleeding, but afellow runner kindly offered me atissue, and I kept going. Iwas determinedtocomplete therace, knowing that those kidsneeded their shoes,” Craig remembers.

Word of Craig’s campaign reached other runners, and more people dedicated their runs to raise funds. Donations were flowingthrough theLove Cities community initiatives, where Craigserves

PROJECTPROVIDES MUCH-NEEDED SCHOOL SHOES TO UNDERPRIVILEDGED LEARNERS

as nationalpartnership lead.

UPCYCLEDSHOES

The shoesthemselves tell an interestingstory. Theinnovative upcycling programme reclaims highquality polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from uncontaminated, safe healthcare waste, suchas drip bags and tubing,collected from participating Netcare hospitals in Gauteng andKwaZulu-Natal. This PVC is PVC diverted from landfill andupcycled to make My WalkMade with Soul school shoes that are shiny, comfortable, and durable.

Through partnerships with donors, ranging from individuals such as Craig to religiousand civil organisations and businesses large andsmall, over418 432 pairs of My Walk Made with Soul school shoes have beendonated to children throughout South Africa sincethe innovativeproject started in 2020.

“Withoutproper shoes, children risk cuts, infections, andinjury, and ill-fitting or worn-outshoes can also cause long-term footproblems, affecting their physical development and mobility. This represents amajor obstaclefor children’s education,” saysDelanie Bezuidenhout, general managerofMyWalk Made with Soul.

“You’dbesurprised howmucha pair of shoesaffects achild’seducation.With shoes on their feet, children are more likely to attend school consistently,

concentrate better in class, and participate fully in school life.Wehave seen what a simple pair of shoesmeans for achild in quintile one and two schools,where these necessitiesremainout of reach for many families.”

Over 166 586kg of PVC from drip bags and tubing sorted safely at thesehospitals have been diverted from landfill to date through this circular economy inspired school shoe project, which supportslocal manufacturing and jobcreation alongside social and environmental sustainability.

Trekkerklubopennuweklubhuis

DESIRÉERORKE

DESIREE.RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO.ZA

Die WP-veteraantrekker-en-enjinklub het 'n splinternuwe baadjie aangetrek. Verlede naweek is sy opgeknapte klubhuis heropenom26 jaar se gedeelde passievir ou trekkers en plaaserfenis te vier.

Gaste van heindeenverre het die geselligheidbygewoon waardie nuut verfraaide ruimte, vol dekades se onthou, in dieklub se De Jongh-museum te sien is.

Memorabilia en foto's van trekkertogte en plattelandse feeste wat oordekades heen geneem is, hang nou teen diemure— onder meer herinneringe aan die jaarlikse togtenadie Calvinia-vleisfees, wat die klub al 'n kwarteeu lank onderneem

Ook te sien is 'n fotoversameling van die klub se betrokkenheid bydie Kaapse Karnaval,waar veteraantrekkers ses jaar lank die sierwaens getrek het —tot enmet die pandemie.

"Met 65 000 toeskouers was die vibe fantasties," onthou Hannes Rheeder, klubvoorsitter en stigterslid.

'n Groot versameling antieke implemente wat destyds op plase gebruik is,sluit in ou plaasimplemente, naaimasjiene, huisgoed en selfs 'n ou mampoerstoker met 'n aksynsnommer.

Teen 'n muur pryk 'n 130-stuk versameling mini-modeltrekkers,asook 'n modelvan die Alwyn Vincent —die laaste stoomsleepboot in Suid-Afrika. Eenvan dieklublede het destyds gesorg vir die vervoer van die boot van die Kaapsehawe na Villiersdorp.

KULTUURHERLEWING

Rheeder sê die tyd was ryp vir 'n opknapwerk. "Die plek was 'n bietjievaal, en onswou iets anders doen omledemeer aktief betrokke by dieklub te maak,"sê hy.

Die resultaat is 'n kultuurherlewing wat lede se gedeelde geskiedenis oproep

MATRIKULANT VANDIE JAAR-KOMPETISIE

GASTEKOM VANHEINDEEN

VERRE OM IN VERFRAAIDE

NUWE RUIMTE FEESTE

VIER EN HUL PASSIE VIR

TREKKERSMET MEKAAR TE DEEL EN UIT TE LEEF

Dit het begin met twee broers en 'n gedeelde liefde vir ou trekkers.

Simon enPietdeJongh het die klub26 jaar gelede informeel totstand gebring as 'n tuiste vir mensewat dieselfde passie deel —'nplekwaar veteraantrekkerentoesiaste bymekaar kon kom.

Veertien jaar gelede is die De Jonghmuseum en klubhuis amptelik geopen en die klub formeel gestig.

Die onlangse opknapprojek was geen klein onderneming nie.

"Dit was'ngroot taak oor baie weke," sêRheeder. "Maar vele hande maak ligte werk.Almal hetingespringomtehelp." Vir die sportliefhebbers is daar ook 'n groot TV in die klubhuis geplaas.

Vir Rheedergaan dit egter oor meer as net'nmooi ruimte. "Die groot doelis die bewaringvan veteraantrekkers en ou plaaserfenis, én om die jeug betrokke te maak,"sêhy. En dié doel word geleef.Die klub se jongste lid is in graad 8; die oudste is Rheeder self.

Hulsowat 50 lede komuit Kaapstad, Strand, Rawsonville, Augrabies en so ver as Clanwilliam, 'n ware Westelike Provinsie-verbintenis.

Jaarliksrylede hul trekkers oor vyf daedeur die Tankwa-Karoo na die gewilde Calvinia-vleisfees, en die klub se uitstalling by die Killarney-motorskou kryelke jaar groot aftrek. Oor naweke verruil lede die stad vir ou plaaspaaie en die dageindig, soos dit hoort, om 'n knetterende vuurtjie by die klubhuis

Wyegeleentheid wagopdié watinskryf

SISKAMARTIN

Vir meer as 40 jaar maak die Matrikulantvan dieJaarkompetisie'nverskil in die lewe vanhonderde jong mense wat hulloopbaan aan dieUniversiteit vandie Vrystaat (UV) begin het. Vanjaar saldit nieanderswees niemet die45stekompetisiewat vandeesweek begin.

Dit is nienet diebekendstelling vandie 2026-kompetisienie;die UV is ookopgewonde om NovusMedia as nuwe mediavennootvir die kompetisieteverwelkom.

NovusMedia, 'n filiaal vanNovus Holdings, het'n nasionale voetspoor van36 gratis gemeenskapskoerante,'n nasionale koerant, DiePapier, en 'n sterkdigitale en sosialemediateenwoordigheid

Alle artikels oor diekompetisie salinhierdie gedrukte publikasies gepubliseer word,asook op hul webwerwe, bykomend daartoe datdit gratis gelees kanwordop novanews.co.za

Weer kanveelsydige matrikulante vanoor dieland heen hulself inskryf virdie kompetisie, watverlede jaar gewenisdeur KiaraSubramanian,'nvoormalige leerder aan dieEunice High School in Bloemfontein.

Kiarasêsysal altyd dankbaar wees datsydie kompetisiegewen het.

Dievisekanselier en rektor vandie UV,prof. Hester Klopper,issaam metKiara Subramanian, die 2025-wenner vandie Matrikulantvan die Jaar-kompetisie

FOTO:CHARL DEVENISH

"Nie netoor dietitel nie, maar oor diemense watdit in my lewe gebring het," verduidelik sy "Dit hetmyinstaat gestel om metinspirerende, vriendelikeen doelgerigteindividuekontakte maak, waarvan baie nou saam met my diepad vanmediese studie stap."

Virhaar hetdit veel meer betekenisvol as net'nkompetisie geword –dit behelsook vriendskappe, ondersteuningen'n gedeeldebegrip dat"onsalmal na iets groterasonsselfgestreefhet". "Asekterugkyk, dinkekwat diekompetisie my werklik geleer het,isdie belangrikheidvan

verbondenheidenaanmoediging. "Dit hetmygewys hoe kragtigdit is om omring te wees deurmense watjou ophef en motiveer."

SÓSKRYFJYIN

Matrikulante vanoor dieland heen watleiersenpresteerdersin akademie,kultuur en sportis, en watbeplanomvolgendejaaraan dieUVtestudeer,kan hulle virdie

deurd ng na dieeindronde van5 tot7Oktober in Bloemfontein.

Diewenner en finalisteontvang prysgeld,beurse en geskenke, terwyl semifinalisteook pryse en beurse ontvang Inskrywingsluit op 31 Julie.

.Skandeerdie QR-kodehierbo, laai dieinskryfvorm af,vul in en stuur terugnaLindaGreyling by greylinl@ufs.ac.za. Kontak haar ook vir meer inligting.

Womenneedledand hookedforblanketdrive

DESIRÉERORKE

DESIREE.RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO.ZA

Cape Town women pickeduptheir

knitting needles and crochethooks last week to craft blankets and winter items as part of the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day initiative

Twenty-two women gathered atthe Dutch Reformed Churchin Peerless Park East, Kraaifontein to do theirpart for the legacy of Madiba.

The knitting and crochet sessiontook placeonWorld Creativity andInnovation Day, bringing together participants from various groupsincluding thechurch’s art group, the Knitstars from Durbanville, and ladies from Scottsville Seniors

The women createdanarrayofitems includingwarm winter slippers, intricate blankets, and unique piecessuch as aSpringbok rugby blanket,aplayful noughts-and-crosses blanket, anda map-ofthe-worldblanket

Manyparticipants also brought along items they had completed throughout the year specifically for the project.

“There are some lovely blankets and scarves; every one is made with love,” said organiser Arina van Wyk.

MEANINGFULIMPACT

Van Wyk, who has been part ofthe initiative since the church’s art group began crocheting in the middle oflast year,described the meaningful impact of the project.

Skilder met woorde

Is jy lief vir Afrikaanse musiek én hou jy daarvan om jouselfdeur kuns uit te druk?

Dan is die tweede Skilder met Woordekompetisie net vir jou. Afrikaans.com se eersteSkilder met Woorde-kompetisie wat in 2021 plaasgevind het, was uiters suksesvol. Die kunstenaar Elsie Joosteenbekende musikant Anton Goosen het tydens dié kompetisie leerders aangemoedigomeen van Anton se liedjies te skilder

“Nábaie navrae van ouers en leerders wat ingeskryf het vir ons vorige kompetisie, het ek besluit om die projek weer vanjaar aan te pak,” vertel Elsie. “Die inskrywings van ons eerste kompetisie het ons oorweldig. Ek is ’n groot voorstander van kuns in skole, en daarom is so ’n kompetisie belangrik.”

Die kompetisie sluit op 3Julie en wenners sal in die eerste week van Augustus aangekondig word.

. Besoek https://afrikaans.com/2026/03/27/ luister-dit-skilder-met-woorde-en-wen-groot/ vir meer inligting.

Byeenkoms gehou

MANDELADAY INITIATIVE GETS UNDERWAYAT PEERLESS PARK CHURCH

“It means alot to me since I’ve been part of the group 67 Blankets. We make blankets and hand it out, so we seethe joy on the face of the personwemeet, new friends,wehelp each other,”she said. All itemscreatedwill be donated to people in needatthe churchonMandela Day on 18 July. The 67Blankets initiative was started

in December 2013 by Carolyn Steyn in honourofNelsonMandela Day. Since its inception, the campaign has grown into an international movement spanning Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Cyprus, London,the USA,Ireland, Italy, and India. The initiative won Campaign of the Year at the South African of the Year Awards in October2014, and in April 2015 smashedthe Guinness World Record for “TheLargestCrochet Blanketinthe World” measuring3 377 square metres at theUnion Buildings in Pretoria.

Die TygerbergTuin- en Blommeklubnooi alle lede en belangstellendes uit na sy byeenkoms watop Woensdag20Mei by die NG kerk ParowWelgelegen, geleëbyLaProvencestraat 47 in Welgelegen, plaasvind.

Die deureopen om 09:30 en die program begin om 10:00 Lede word vriendelik versoek om betydstewees sodat hulle die gesellige tee, watvan 09:30 voorsien word,ten vollekan geniet . BelBeatrix Lambert-Bestbier by 082873 9864vir meer besonderhedeofmet navrae,

ComicConplansmovetobiggervenue

LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY LAUREN.OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Cape Town’s beloved popculture festival has officiallyoutgrown its home. Organisers of Comic Con Cape Town, which has beenrunning in the City since 2018, plan to move the international event across the road next year, to CTICC1 —a larger, single-level space that gives organisers room to do more.

Organiser Carol Weaving,MDofRX Africa, announced the planned moveata press briefing ahead of thefour-dayevent.

“We’ve now outgrown this venue and we’re going to be moving across the road to CTICC1,which is bigger and we have more space,” said Weaving

ABIGGERSTAGEFORABIGGERSHOW

This year’s Comic Con Cape Town, which started on Thursday 30 April, was spread across three levels. The ground floor was home to pop culture, whilethe middle level is given over to tabletop gaming. The top level serves asthe experience hall, and also features,digital gaming, the pop culturestage, aCAF animation stage andarange ofbrand activations.

The outdoor area was been expanded, with more food trucksand awider variety of food options.

STARS,STAGESANDPACKEDDAYS

Seven cast members from the Netflix live-action series One Piece season 2were among the international guests at this year’s show. The series is currently being filmed in CapeTown.

International guests included ChristopherSabat, Jason Liebrecht and Evanna Lynch. Sabat, an American voice actor, is famous for bringingtolife iconic characters including Vegeta from Dragon BallZ,Roronoa Zoro from One Piece,All Might from My Hero Academia,and Yami

Sukehiro from Black Clover

Liebracht is oneofanime’smost recognisable voices, He is best known forvoicing Dabi in My Hero Academia, Rob Lucci in One Piece,and Beru in Solo Leveling

Lynch is best known for playing Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films.

Local artists, who contributed to titles aroundthe world, were also in attendance andseveralemergingartists who were part of theCity of Cape Town’s emerging artists activation,following amural challenge, were given booths andan opportunity to build audiences for their art.

Thefour-day programme was packed with, cosplay competitions, tabletop and boardgaming, anime,collectibles,cards, toysand after-dark events thatinclude acoffee-and-comics session, acomedy evening on Friday andsets by DJ Elliott.

The event concluded Sunday May 3.

GOODFORTHECITY,GOODFORTHEECONOMY

Mayco memberfor safety andsecurity, JP Smith, said events like Comic Con area vital part of what keeps the city’s economymoving.

“Thetop eight signature events in Cape Town generate around R4,5billion for our city economy. That’s abig deal. That’s a lotofmoney thatflows into businesses,” he said.

Henotedthatthe events industry, the film industry and tourism are closely linked —each helping the other grow.

He also pointed outthatCape Town is oneofthe few cities in South Africa, and in the world, that is successfully bringing downyouthunemployment.

“Cape Town generates the lion’s share of jobsaround our country. This industry, the film industry, the tourism industry, which areclosely interlinked, are part of that equation —animportantpart of that equation,” he said.

Nationwide gamingtour brings e-sports to malls

South African gamers areset for another high-energy competitive season as the MTN SHIFTGaming Experience 2026 returns, bringing e-sports action to malls across the country.

Now in its fourth year,the series presented by Hyprop in partnership with MTNwill travel to eight shopping centres from April to August, culminating inthe National Finals at Canal Walk. Atotal prize pool of R350000 is up forgrabs.

TWOGAMES,ONENATIONAL TITLERACE

The competition centres on twomajor titles:EAFC26™, the popular football simulation game, and Beat Saber,afastpaced VR rhythm challenge.

Each stop on the tour features online qualifiersfollowedbythree-day in-centre tournaments, giving bothexperienced players andnewcomersachance to compete for aplace in the national showdown.

“SHIFT has grown intosomething that genuinely reflects the diversity of South Africa’s gaming community,” said Christie Stanbridge, Brand and Campaigns Marketing Manager at Hyprop.

“It meets players wherethey already are andgives them areal chance to compete, connectand win.”

NATIONWIDEMALLTOUR INFULLSWING

The series has already opened at Rosebank Mall and will travel through Somerset Mall, Woodlands, The Glen, TableBay Mall, Clearwater,Capegate,and finally Canal Walk for the nationalfinals. Each venue hosts both online qualifiers andlive in-centre competitions, managed by ACGL,a leadingSouth African e-sports organiser.

Alongside the main competitions, each event includes Fighting Cup brackets

featuring Brawlhalla, Tekken 8, and Street Fighter 6, as well as freeplay zones,PCgamingstations, andinteractive challenges

These activationsensure thatthe SHIFT experience catersnot only to competitors, but also to casual gamers andspectators.

BIGTITLES,BIGSTAKES

The EA FC 26™ tournament sees players progressthrough heats into mall finals, withwinners advancingtothe national stage wheretheycompete for R50 000. Defending champion HamzaMoosa returns automatically to defend histitle Meanwhile, Beat Saber competitors battle forthe highest score across mall eventsfor achance to qualify for aseparate national final, also featuring aR50 000 prizepool.

“MTN is committed to connecting South Africans tothe thingsthey love,” said Muyiwa Ladipo, Chief Consumer Officerat MTN SouthAfrica. “We’re excited to see who rises tothe topthis year.”

. Entries forthe MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience2026are nowopen. Visithttps:// acgl.gg/mtnshift.Tosign up forthe online qualifiers, head to your nearest Hyprop mallon tournament weekends to be part of theaction

EVENTHOSTS GAMERS, ARTISTS, COSPLAYERSAND INTERNATIONAL TALENT

ComedianMark Palmer,aCapetonian originally from Hout Baybut nowliving in the UK,comes down to the City forComic Conevery year where he is the Children’sHospital Trust’scelebrityguest.Hereis dressedasDarth Maul from Star Wars

Skills centre shows off graduates

Aproud day for FCD Skills Centre was celebrated at its first graduation event of theyear when 281 successful graduates in its 13 sponsored skills programmes received their certificates.

At the event on Wednesday 22 April at Durbanville-Bergsig Dutch Reformed Church, guests were welcomed by the beautiful sound of live violin music, performed by Leilani Gertse.

Theceremonyopened with awarm welcome and prayer, led by Danielle Jones, chairofFCD Skills Centre.

One of thehighlights of the day was the Praise March, when graduates proudly entered the hall.

“It was adeeply inspiring moment that celebrated their achievements and theirperseverancedespite challenging circumstances,”said JaneGelderman, chief executive officerofFCD Skills Centre

Gelderman emphasised the importance of graduates’journey after leaving the classroom —whether thatmeans starting asmall businessorsecuring employment.

Shesaid 86% of students every year to date havebecome economically active —a statistic made possible through the support of business andindustry partners whoprovide workplaceexposure and placement opportunities for the students.

Gelderman extended her heartfelt appreciation to all thefunding partners,” whoseinvestmentinFCD skills programmes translates into improved livelihoods andstronger, more resilient communities”.

INSPIRINGTESTIMONIES

The ceremonyalso featured inspiring testimoniesfrom two FCD alumni. Rosslyn Kasawaya, anail technician graduate, shared how she initially found herself sitting at home after graduation, unsure of her next step. Determined to change her circumstances, she began advertising her nail services at acompetitive discount, attracting her first customers.

Today, sherunsa thriving local business

and is able to provide for her three children as asingle mother.

Kaylene Muller, an office basics graduate, shared how ajob shadow opportunity led to an IT learnership, and ultimately permanent employment “a powerful example of how workplace exposure can open doors”, Gelderman said.

Studentswere also recognised through anumber of special awards, including the Sunshine Awards, which celebrated thosenominated by their classmates for theirpositive attitude and team spirit,the Most Motivated to Succeed Awards, which honoured studentswho consistently went the extra mile throughout theirtraining, and Best Dressed Awards, which added afun moment of celebration, recognising students who arrived looking theirbest for the day.

HIGHLIGHT

“A much-anticipated highlight was the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, recognising graduates who have successfully built sustainable micro enterprises after completing their training,” Gelderman said.

Yonela Mpama (Office Basics and Trade for Profit 2025),one of the runner-up finalists, started hustling with make-up, hair and nails, travelled to China to source well-priced products and even purchased a motorbike for rental income.

Cynthia Tati(Bakefor Profit 2025),also arunner-up, resigned as baker at alocal coffee shop to ventureinto her own baking business, which is now flourishing and enabling her to care for her daughter and build her mum ahome in the Eastern Cape.

The2026 Entrepreneur of the Year Award was presented to Nuraan Samaai, anail tech graduate from 2024, who has established multiple business ventures, such as acoffee shop, salon, venue hire and aCVstudio.

. Getinvolvedbyemailing info@fisantekraal org.zaorvisiting www.fisantekraal.org.za

Cityendorses draftNational RailMasterPlan

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has welcomed renewedrail devolution commitments in the draft NationalRail Master Planreleasedfor public comment by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy.

He also calls for clear deadlines on such devolution, given the urgentneed for affordable, integrated publictransport for residents, especially lower-income households.

THEMASTERPLAN

The Master Plan reaffirms "the future devolution of urban rail to municipalities, guided by aNational Devolution Strategy" as an importantdevelopment in national rail policy (section 3.10).

“There are also plans for anationalRail Planning Unit to overseethe devolution (section 13.4).

“The plan further praises Cape Town’s proactive station-precinct planning,an "aspect [that] needs to be driven by the metros and local authoritiesworkingwith [the rail agency] Prasa as is nowdoneby Cape Town."

This is part of the metro’s long-term vision for upgraded station precincts, including affordable housing, over the next two decades.

"We welcome government’srenewed commitment to rail devolution in this National Master Plan.The next crucial step is for Minister Creecy to finalise the draft National Rail Bill and Devolution Strategy as soon as possible.

“The draftMaster Plan is silent on devolution time frames, andour City’s submission will call for clear and urgent deadlines. CapeTown standsreadytobe the first metro to run its local trains, and we are encouraged that theMaster Plan acknowledges our City’s RailBusiness Plan and proactive planning

"In time we want to see Capetonians using just one ticket to hop from train to MyCiti bus and other formsofpublic transport. Only capable metros can deliver asafe, reliable and affordable one-ticket system in line with our constitutional mandate for integrated public transport."

PARTNERSMADEITPOSSIBLE

The NationalMaster Plan cites research from Cape Town’s Rail Business Plan, which found that lower-income households would save an estimated R932m ayearif trains were working as theyshould ina devolved, integrated transport system. City feasibility studies into aviable

Residentsgiven medical care

Atotal of 142 residents of Klipheuwel, near Durbanville,and its surrounds received dental andsundry medical care in an outreach project run on Thursday 11 April, thankstoacollaboration between theRotary Club of Durbanville and variousotherorganisations.

For some of the people it was theirfirstever experienceofadental chair.

rolls and doughnuts for the volunteer and medical team's lunch, with Polar providing ice cream.

GAPSNEEDTOBEFILLED

“The Rotary Club of Durbanville is committed to continuing and growing this service,”said Harmsworth. “But there are real gaps that need to be filled if we are to serve more communities more consistently.

CAPE TOWN PUSHESFOR FASTER RAIL DEVOLUTIONTO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Cape Town highlights potential savingsand benefits of adevolvedrail network.

devolutionhandoverfound thatPrasa andnational government first needed to restore CapeTown’s rail network operations to 620 000 daily passengertrips, which existedprior to the steady collapse of rail overthe last decade

PARTNERSMADEITPOSSIBLE

"The City’sRail Business Plan explored nine devolution scenarios, identifyingthe three most viable options," said Mayco memberfor UrbanMobilityRob Quintas.

"All viable options involve the devolutionofrail services, associated assetsand infrastructure to the Citywith the participation of theprivate sector operating services on acontractualor comprehensive concessionbasis.

“The BusinessPlan alsorules out lessviable devolutionscenarios where infrastructure remainsowned and managedbyPrasa, andwhere the City operates the rail servicerather than the private sector.

“The City alsoneeds to have authority overfaresetting, access to long-term national grant fundingand to generate localrevenue throughpublic-private partnerships and commercialisation

“This is in linewith the City’s constitutional mandatefor integrated transportplanningacrossdifferentpublictransport modes."

Under the Cape Town Long-Term Plan, which setsout theCity’s overall strategic goalsuntil 2050, 75%ofpassenger trips are to be madewith public transport,withrail as thebackbone of an integrated system under City control.

The dental station, manned by 15 dental students of theUniversity of the Western Cape (UWC), under the supervision of three qualified dentists, saw avery high volume of patients. Extractions, scaling, fluoride treatments andoral-health education were provided to children, adultsand theelderly alike.

“The Colgate Dentalvan added vital mobile dentalcapacityalongside the clinical team,” said Graham Harmsworth, presidentofthe Rotary Club of Durbanville, “bringing equipment and expertise that significantly expanded what theday could offer. For many of these childrenitwas the first time they had ever seen adentist.”

Volunteersand medical teams,consisting of dentists, eye-care specialists, hospice workers, nursing staff, dental studentsand Rotary volunteers, set four service stations up from 07:30 in thegrounds of Shiloh SynergyPreschool.

The healthand hospicestation, supportedbyTygerberg Hospice, provided blood-pressure checks, diabetes and TB screenings as well as health-education sessions

“Patients identified as needing palliative or ongoingcare were discreetly referred to Tygerberg Hospice's supportnetwork,” Harmsworth said.

PARTNERSMADEITPOSSIBLE

“Each partnerbrought something irreplaceable to thetable,” said Harmsworth.

“The UWC DentalFaculty provided 15 students andtheir clinical supervisors, bringingprofessional expertise and adeep commitment to communityservice. For many of these students, some residing in university hostels with no kitchen facilities, some from communities themselvesaffectedbyfoodinsecurity, the daywas notwithout personal sacrifice. Their willingness to give their Saturday deservestoberecognised.”

TheColgateDentalVan brought mobile dental infrastructure that extended the reach of clinical care beyond what fixed facilities alonecould provide.

“Theirpresenceonthe day was a powerful statement aboutcorporate commitment to oral health in underserved communities,”Harmsworth said.

“Tygerberg Hospiceanchored the healthscreening stationand ensured patients in need of ongoingpalliative support were identified andconnected to the right carepathways. Their compassion and professionalism setthe tone for the entire health station.”

SparUitzicht and Cape King Foods donated chickenbreasts for hamburger

“Our dental van, used in ongoing outreach work supporting Linda Greywall's Foundation, urgently needs additional mobile suction units. Without suction certain dental procedures cannot be safely performed in amobile setting, which limits the complexity of carewecan offer in the field.

“Additional portable chairs would allow us to run more stations simultaneously, reducing patient waiting times and increasing the number of people we can see in asingle day.

“Gloves, masks, gauze, fluoride varnish, disposable instruments; theseare the unglamorous, but essential, building blocks of every procedure. Sponsorship of consumables, even on aonce-off basis, makes an immediateand measurable difference.

“Catering for approximately 40 volunteers and medical staff for afullday event is arecurring cost. Businesses willing to sponsor meals, whether through product donation or financial contribution, directly enable us to sustain the energy and morale of our volunteer team.”

He said the Rotary Club of Durbanville was in conversation with the Dental Wellness Trust,which reaches more than 30 000 children in Western Cape townships, about aformal partnership that could bring supervised toothbrushing programmes and preventative oral-health education to schools and early-childhood development centres across the region.

“The appetite for collaboration is strong, what we need now are the resources to match it.”

CLINICINFISANTEKRAAL

“We are planning another similar outreach later, on 1August, at the Fisantekraal Clinic,” the Rotarian pointed out.

“This community does not have regular dental services, and we typically see approximately 150 patients per day. At this outreach we will also include an eyecare station. Melkbosstrand optometrist Frederik Jansen, together with four assistants, will conduct vision screening and issue referrals for further treatment. For many patients, particularly older community members, thiswill be their first eye examination.”

. Contact theRotaryClubofDurbanville at secretary@rotarydurbanville.co.za if your business, organisation or communitygroup wouldliketosponsor mobile suction units, portable dental chairs, medicalconsumables, food forvolunteersorwho wishtotakepart in theproject

Beyond the ballot:Are youngvoters really politically aware enough?

Irecently stumbled upon a Facebook memory that took me back seven years, to an election year,toayounger version of myself, and to amoment Ihave notquite let go of.

Iwas ajournalism studentthen, on the eNCA election bus, and live on television when Iwas asked asimple question: "Are you voting?"

Isaid no. Around me, the answer was almost unanimously yes. My response landed awkwardly, as Iexpected it would. It was not because Idid notunderstand the importance of voting.

Idid. Political awareness was not foreign in my home.

But Ialso understood something else: the framing theory. This is atheory in communication of understandinghow meaning is shaped not only by what is said,but byhow it is presented, interpretedand socially received. At its simplest, framing is the process of selecting certain aspects of reality and making them more prominent in communication, so that a particular interpretation is encouraged. The same issue can therefore produce entirely different reactionsdepending on the frame attached to it

Conversations about politics among young people were, and often still are, uncomfortable terrain.

Speak too earnestly and you risk being labelled "too serious". Push too far and the conversation dissolves into humour.

Deflection or disengagement

Politics becomes something to joke about, avoid, or reduced to personalities rather than policy. So Ianswered deliberately. Not to reject democracy, but to disrupt the script.

Africans navigating politics with adegree ofawareness, but withoutconsistentspaces that nurture, challenge and deepen thatunderstanding.There is curiosity,but not always guidance.

There is exposure, butnot always explanation.

Politics is notanimage.Itisnot public relations

It shapes the costofliving, the safety of our communities, the quality of education andthe opportunities available to young people.

It requires more than following personalities or slogans. It requires lookingatleaders and parties critically, weighing their positions,manifestos andgovernance records, and makingdecisions grounded inunderstanding rather than allegiance.

Now, seven yearslater, as the countryapproachesanother localgovernment election,Ifind myself returningtothatsame question. Notwhether young people will vote, but whether they arebeing preparedtodecide.

Because voting, on its own,is notthe endpoint of democracy.

It is only meaningful when it isinformed. Aballot castwithout clarityis participation in form, but notalways in substance.

We cannotcontinuetomeasure civic engagementpurely by turnout,while ignoring the uneven foundation on whichthat participation rests.

YOUNGPEOPLEARE CONSISTENTLY ENCOURAGEDTOVOTE, BUTNOTALWAYS EQUIPPEDTO UNDERSTANDWHAT THATPARTICIPATION

DEMANDS. ..

Iwanted to see if anyone would pause long enough to ask why.

Very few did.That moment has stayed with me, not because of the answer Igave, but because of the gaps it revealed.

Young people are consistently encouraged to vote, but not always equipped to understand what that participation demands. We are told our voices matter, but seldom guided on how to interrogate manifestos, unpack ideology, or position ourselves within acomplex political landscape. Participation is promoted. Political literacy, far less so. At the time, my answer frustrated people close to me.I was accused of making myself appear uninformed in apublic space. How could Isay that, on live television, during an election cycle? But Iunderstood the power of framing.

Iwas willing to sit with that discomfort because the moment was never about appearing clever. It was about forcing aconversation that toooften remains avoided, even in spaces that are meant to encourage engagement

In many ways, Iwas not standing as an individual in that moment,but as areflection of abroader reality, young South

McLaren Circussparkspublic outcry

Thecircus hashit town! Therecentarrival of McLaren Circus, an animal performance outfit,has gotboth Milnerton residents andBeautyWithout Cruelty South Africa up in arms in protest ("Circus opposes claims", TygerBurger 29 April).

Political understanding remains fragmented. In somespaces it is actively discouraged, treated as divisive or unnecessary. In others, it is reduced toslogans, party loyalty, or surface-level debates thatdo little to build critical thinking

The result is ageneration expected to participate in a system they are not always fully equipped to navigate.

This is notanargument against voting. It isanargument against shallowengagement.

Importantly, these conversations cannot be confined to formalspaces alone. They must exist in homes, schools, campuses,communities and media platforms. They must be normalised amongpeers, not avoided. Political literacy should notrequire aspecialised interest or professional background. It should be part of howwe understand the world we live in.

The challenge isnot apathy. It is access, to knowledge, to dialogue, to spaces where politicalunderstanding is developed rather than discouraged.

As local elections draw closer, the questionshould notonly be howmanyyoungpeople will showupat the polls.

It shouldbewhether they arearriving there with clarity, confidence and asense of urgency.Whether they understand notjust who they are voting for, but why.

Becauseparticipation without understanding is not enough.

-NAMHLAMONAKALI

Objections, against,among other things, cruelty,confinement, transport andethics.

To that list add the objection to forcing cagedanimal beingstoperform oneor other "trick"for the enjoymentofhuman beings!

McLaren claims to be compliant with the license, transport,permits andinspection requirements of the PerformingAnimal Act, Cape Nature andthe SPCA.

Additionally to the above,inits attempt to defend the indefensible, it trots out a flawed statistical argument.Itsays: “... we had2250 peopleattendour shows.We

countedapproximately43protesters. This is aratio of 52 circus supportersfor every oneprotester”.

Thecynicism in this defencecan be puncturedbythe simplebut probingquestion of :“Have anyofthose 52 really been interviewedtoget their informed view of caged, confined andrestricted animal beingsbeing forced to perform fortheir amusement? Have theybeen given anyinsight into what happens to the sheer spirit andsoul of thesebeautiful wildcreatures whentheyare cagedand confined forthe duration of their livesand many, like lions, areforcedtoperform “under the whip”? They have not.

It might be of interest forMcLaren to note that “Eventhe devil mayquote the biblefor his ownpurposes” LOGANGOVENDER,Milnerton

Waarommoet dierely

oor mensesegedrag?

Ek stem 100% saam met “Onsisdie oplossing" en "Bunny report misrepresents facts of whatishappening on theground” (TygerBurger 29 April). Dit is altydsnaakshoe mense veralin die noordelikevoorstede geen verdraagsaamheid teenoor die arme dierehet nie en ook altydiemandvindomdie skuld te geevir alleswat verkeerdgaan.Hoe belaglikdit ook al magwees.

Ek hetinClaremont gewerk en ek was verbaas oor hoedie mense daar alle diere, watter dier dit ook al magwees —hetsy hasies of kolganse,akkommodeer en probeer help.Hier word gedurig gelees van hoedie diere‘nprobleem raak en dan word daar gepraat vanskiet en vergiftig. Tipies, mensewat niesien dat die mens eintlik die probleem is nie. Ek draf elke oggend in Majik Forest en daar wastoevallig ook iemandwat my gevrahet oor hase in daardie omgewing.

Ek hetgenoem dat ek weleen of twee gesien het,maar het gewonder hoekom dit vir my gevrais. Seker om nogdaar vrytelaat.Ekvra altyd, of dit nou‘nhond, katofhaas is. Hoekom kryjydit in die eersteplek? As jy enigedier neem,isdit ‘n commitment om vir daardie dier om te gee. Ons weet almal hoekom die hase daar is; dit is so in die briewe uiteengesit Virdie mensewat in ontkenning is. vat bietjie verantwoordelikheid vir jou besluit om ‘n dier aan te skaf.Daar is weloplossings as daar net bietjie uitgereik en moeite gedoen word.Maar nee, dump die diere en geehulle die skuldvir alles. Hoe leef julle met julself om ‘n dier so seer te maak en te laat ly?Dan wonder ek ook maar netofsulke mensekinders het en watter voorbeeldjulle agterlaat PASSIEVOLLE DIERELIEFHEBBER Philadelphia

Bunny rescuer calls forhelp

My name is Genae andIrescue gorgeous fluffybunnies. Recentlytherewas aphoto of me holding aposterinour fighttocombatrabbit dumping in Durbanville Igot 12 postersthankfullysponsored by "Printmet Erika" which we plan to display around Durbanville Forthe last fewyears Ihavebeen focusing on Durbanville to steriliseand re-home as manyasIcan,toget them off the street andout of danger.I come from the southernsuburbs to take anysick or injured rabbits andrehabilitatethem for re-homing.

Ihavecaught,sterilised andre-homed 70 Durbanville rabbits this past year.I will continue to raisefunds to steriliseand remove

If youwould like to help,get involved or have ahome,garden or farm to allow theserabbits to live outtheir lives, please messagemeonsocial media: Instagram, Facebook or Website: TheHouse of Fluffels.

Rabbits arecomplex pets. They canlive up to 14 years.Theyneed space, dailyattention, specialisedfood andsterilisation is essential. Please adopt,don’t shopand be kind andsterilise.

GENAEMAREE, Claremont

Dankie Stad en burgemeester

Ná vele briewe aan die burgemeester van Kaapstad en die Stad Kaapstad aangaande die onwettigeplakkerswat langsdie Kuilsriver-kanaal in Soneikewoon,gaan daar uiteindelik opgetree word ‘n Aansoek om 'n hofbevelvir die uitsetting vanonwettigeplakkersna‘nbeter woonplek is in ‘n gevorderde stadium. Dankie Stad Kaapstad en die burgemeester vanKaapstad vir opsies vir hierdie hawelose mensevir beter blyplek, veralin die komende koue winter JJ CLOETE, Soneike

BellvilleadvocatereachesMrGayWorld

MAURICIAPETERSEN

MAURICIA.PETERSEN@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Amental-health advocate from Bellville has secured aplace among the top 10 finalists for MrGay World South Africa 2026,using his platform to champion addiction recovery and LGBTQ+ supportincommunities wheresuch conversations remain taboo.

Jacques Gous, who grew up in a predominantly Afrikaans-speaking religiouscommunitythat frowned on LGBTQ+ people, draws on personalbattles with depression,anxiety andsubstance abuse to break stigma wherever he encounters it and create safe spaces for others with similar or related challenges. His advocacywork stems from recognising how mental-health struggles were hidden in his community. After experiencing his own turning point Gous realised many people suffered in silence without accessible support, making recovery aremote or unattainable prospect.

“That personal experience [and the realisation afterwards] drivesmywork to breakstigma and start conversations,” he pointed out in arecent interview.

The 2026 finalist has committed to consistent recovery practices,attending support meetingstwice weekly and completing more than 400 meetings across fouryears.

PLATFORMFORCHANGE

For Gous the Mr Gay World South Africa

titlerepresentsmore thanrecognition; it’s an opportunity for advocacy and leadership. He viewed the pageant in termsof impactrather thanappearance, developing triumphant advocates rather thansimply crowning winners.

Hisstrategy includedpartnering with community organisations, schools and safe spaces locally, and usingmedia, public speaking and social platforms to share his story nationally andpushfor accessible support services.

“I want to normalise conversationsabout recovery.”Goushighlighted significant gaps in addiction-recovery resources, particularly in areas suchasBellville.

Private rehabilitation can costbetween R50 000 and R100 000, while state services often have lengthy waiting periods

He advocatedfor more affordable outpatientprogrammes, community-based support groups, better education and strongerafter-care services.

This impassionedadvocate for anew, healthier and wider perspective on the humancondition in its all-encompassing diversity emphasises practical approaches to creating supportive LGBTQ+ spaces, peer-led support andopen conversations aboutmental healthand addiction as well as accessible pathways to help.

Hismessage to LGBTQ+ youth centres on three core principles: “Stand up, speak up,and reach out.”This translates to setting boundariesand seeking help, sharing feelings with trusted people,and connecting with others through support groups or simple phone calls.

Gous shared an example of how

WC dominates national schools swimming champs

The AutumnNational Schools Swimming Championships drew the country's top schoollevel swimming talent to the University of the Western Cape from 24 to 27 April 2026, delivering four days of high-quality competition and acelebration of sporting excellence.

Learnersfrom across South Africa showcased theirskill and sportsmanship throughout the event, which recognised both individual achievement and team success.

The Western Capeswimming team emerged as the overall winners of the championships, amassing an impressive total of 128medals, aclear reflection of theprovince'sdepth, discipline and competitivestrength across all age groups and categories.

Their consistency throughout the four-day event pointed to the effectivenessofstructured training programmes and a strong development pathway within the region.

Several learners delivered standout individual performances thatcontributed significantly to the team's overallsuccess.

Isabeau Coetsee was crowned Senior Victrix Ludorum after an exceptional series of races, demonstrating consistency and excellence at the highest level of school competition.

Naseerah du Toit earned recognition as the Para Top Performer Female, showcasing remarkable skill,resilience and determination throughout the championships.

The Female Top Performer award was claimed by Cassidy Burgess,following astrong and

competitive showing across her events.

MINISTERIALPRAISE

Western Cape Minister of Education David Maynier congratulated the team.

"We areso proud of Team Western Cape andour top performerson thisoutstanding achievement in the face of tough competition! This is exactly the kind of depth of talent and sporting excellence thatthe Western Cape Sports Strategy aims to support across all sporting codes. Thankyou to allthe schools,teachers, coaches and parents who supported our teamtoachieve their best!"

The championships not only highlighted individual achievementsbut also underscored the strength and growth of swimming development within the Western Cape. The event concluded on ahighnote, celebrating teamwork, dedicationand exceptional sporting achievement.

FINALIST CHALLENGES STIGMA AROUND LGBTQ+ AND DRUG RECOVERY

conversation can save lives,describing how he intervened with asupport group member who was abouttouse substances. That individual later shared theirsurvival story at ameeting.

BEYONDTHECOMPETITION

Regardless of thecompetition outcome, Gous plans to continue building safe spaces andshowing up consistently for hiscommunity. He encourages locals to

join conversations, check in on others, and collaborate on initiatives. Those interested in supporting his work can contact him via Instagram @jacques. g0us or email gousjr@gmail.com.

Thevolume of support behind his Mr Gay World SouthAfrica journey has surprised Gous, reflecting growing recognition of the importance of mental health advocacy within LGBTQ+ communities.