TygerBurger | De Grendel | E-edition | 8 July 2026

Airportjoins forceswithUS

CapeWinelandsAirportand Stellenbosch University (US) forged a strategic partnership forsmart and sustainabledevelopment.

They have entered into acooperation agreementaimedatadvancing innovation under theshared themesof“smart”and “green” development.

Cape Winelands Airport, formerly Fisantekraal Airfield, is aprivately ledairport development about 13km outside Durbanville. Currently serving as ageneral aviation facility and a popular base for flight training, plans are underway to expand and to develop astate-of-the-art,green,smart and innovative aviation precinct that will serve as amodern gateway for the region.

JOINTCOMMITMENT

The partnership reflects ajoint commitment to foster sustainable growth anddrive academic advancement, according to ajointmedia release by Cape Winelands Airport and US.

The agreementoutlines abroad range of collaborative focus areas,including agriculture and food processing, spatial planning, transport andlogistics, space and aviation research,and theintegration of airport operations with urban development.

Through this partnership, both parties will actively seek opportunities to align academic research, industry expertise, and infrastructure development to address real-world challengesand unlock new opportunities, accordingtothe media release.

SIGNIFICANTECONOMICHUB

Importantly, the collaboration aligns with theplanned expansion of Cape Winelands Airport estimated to cost in the region of R8 billion. It is anticipated that theairport expansion will transform the airport into asignificanteconomic hub over thecoming years.

Thescaleand long-term nature of the project present aunique platform for practical learning, appliedresearch, innovation, and industry collaboration acrossmultiple disciplines

PARTNERSHIP-DRIVENDEVELOPMENT

Engineeringcollaborationisexpected to play acentralrole in the partnership, with both partiesidentifying opportunities for technical cooperation, infrastructure innovation, operational efficiency, and future-focused engineering solutions linkedtoairport expansion and aviation infrastructure development.

“Thisinitiative speaks directly to the kindofpartnership-driven development we believe in, where infrastructure, innovation and skills cometogether to createrealimpact. TheCape Winelands Airport project offers an opportunity to build adynamic ecosystem that can unlockeconomicgrowth, support emerging industries, andposition theregion as ahub of innovation and opportunity,”said ProfDeresh Ramjugernath,rectorand vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University.

IMPORTANTMILESTONE

Deon Cloete, managing director for Cape Winelands Airport, said “this cooperation marksanimportant milestone for theairport. The airport expansion presents aunique long-term opportunity to connect academiaand industry in a way that creates meaningful economic

R8bn

Cape WinelandsAirport expansiongetsacademic boostfromStellenbosch University.

and educational impact. By working closely with Stellenbosch University, we are creating aplatform to explorefuturefocused solutions that benefitthe aviation sector, students, and the broader regional economy.”

ENGINEERINGMANAGEMENTPROGRAMME

Theinitial areas of potential collaboration include building student capacity through applied research opportunities linked to the airport’s development and operational environment This may include research projects for master’s studentswithin Stellenbosch University’s engineering management programme focused on areas of strategic interest to Cape Winelands Airport.

Thepartnership will further explore opportunities to establish facilities and spaces that support testing, innovation, prototyping, and future productionrelated activities linked to aviation, infrastructure, logistics, and smart technologies.

“The airport expansion also presents opportunities to contribute towards the development of future aviation talent pipelines within SouthAfrica. Through collaboration with Stellenbosch University and broader industry stakeholders, Cape Winelands Airport is interested to explore opportunities linked to aviation skills development, pilot training pathways, airport operations, engineering disciplines, and future-focused transport and logistics capabilities. Theintention is to create a long-term skills ecosystem that supports both economic growth and human capital development in the Western Cape,” said Cloete.

“From aresearch and innovation perspective, this collaboration creates valuable opportunities for interdisciplinary engagement across fields ranging from engineering to agriculture. By strengthening partnerships between academia and industry, we can foster knowledge exchange and contribute to innovative solutions that benefit both the region and societymore broadly,” said Prof Sibusiso Moyo, deputy vicechancellor: research, innovation and internationalisation at Stellenbosch University.

REGIONALECONOMICDEVELOPMENT

Beyond itsaviation role, the airport expansion is expected to become amajor driver of regional economic development and jobcreation within the WesternCape, according to the media release.

“The development of amodern airport ecosystem of thisscale creates substantial opportunities for collaboration between academia, industry, government, and the broader aviation sector. It provides a real-world environment in which students, researchers, and industry specialists can engage directly with complex challenges related to aviation operations, infrastructure planning, engineering, logistics, sustainability, environmental management, transport systems, smart technologies, and regional development” concluded Cloete.

. Visitcapewinelands.aero andwww.su.ac.za formoreinformation.

Rose pruning demo at Durbanville Rose Garden

Arosecareand winterpruning workshop willbe presentedbythe CityofCape Town's recreationand parksdepartmentinthe DurbanvilleRose Garden on Saturday11Julyfrom10:00 to 13:00 Themorning willincludepresentations on rose care,pest and disease management,aswellasa practical pruning demonstration. Tea, coffee and refreshmentswillbeprovided. This is an open invitationtoall garden enthusiasts and no confirming of attendanceisrequired. yp xpo

Aclimb tion to nerable with suspected birds mo Conser res wildli wi inc hu compassionate un of se

FROMPAGE1

Officials said the situation remained calm, with no major incidents reported during the early hours of the morning.

Mills urges calm ahead of planned march

Jonathan Mills previously addressed communityconcerns during an earlier planned march linked to Parklands, urging residents to remain calm and avoid escalating tensions.

He said at the time:

“Regarding the widely circulated March &March graphic calling for aprotestin Parklands, Iwould like to appeal to the community to remain calm.

“While thereisa lot of attention beingdrawn to the area… we will not tolerate hatred and violence.”

Mills confirmed that security structures were on alert and coordinated across agencies, adding: “The local security cluster along with the City and the policeare all aware

and onalert.Sothose fewwho peacefully march will be allowed to do so.”

He further noted that authorities werenot expecting large numbersbasedonprevious similardemonstrationsin otherparts of thecity, andsaid community safety networks, including lawenforcementand private security structures, were fully engaged.

“We will be monitoring closely, we will be takingnothing forgranted… People who are concerned shouldavoidthe area for acouple of hours.”

SITUATIONREMAINSCONTAINED

AuthoritiessaidCapeTown's safety andsecurity network remainsactive andcoordinated as monitoring continues across affected routes

Officials reiterated that while planned protest movements are being tracked, early indications suggestlimited disruption and normalactivity across mostof the city.

Gaming tournament headstoTable Bay

Cape Town gamers are set fora major e-sports showdown as the MTN SHIFTGaming Experience arrives at Table Bay Mall from 10 to 12 July,bringingthree days of competitive gaming, live challenges and prize-winning opportunities to centrecourt.

The event forms part of one of South Africa’s largest mallbased gaming tournaments, giving players of all skill levels the chance to compete in an accessible and high-energy environment.

Competitiveplayers battle it out

The MTN SHIFT series features an overall prize pool of R350 000, with competitors battling it out across multiple titles and formats during the in-centre event. Players will compete for and R1 000 respectively. Beyond EA FC 26™, the weekend event will include a variety of gamingexperiences such as Beat Saber, aFighting Cup featuring Brawlhalla, Tekken and Street Fighter 6, as well as free-play gamingstations. Visitorscan also look forward toadedicated PC Gaming Zone daKeyboard Rebuild Rac

R366minvestedin infrastructure

The City of CapeTown has proposed adraft capital budget of morethan R366 millionfor community services infrastructure in the 2026/27 financial year, targeting upgrades and expansions across libraries, clinics, sports facilities, parks and cemeteries. The fourdepartments within theCommunity Services and Healthdirectorate —Recreation and Parks, City Health, Library and Information Services, and Community Arts andCulture Development —have been allocated acombined draft capital budget of R366 381000.

DRAFTCAPITALBUDGETALLOCATED

Key projects in theproposed allocation include major upgrades to cemeteries, swimming pools, stadiuminfrastructure and libraries acrossthe metro

The topfive capitalprojects are:

. Cemetery Upgrades–R63.5 million

. Swimming Pool Upgrades –R20 million

. Vygieskraal StadiumCycling Track –R20 million

. Rebuild of Suider-Strand Library –R19.5million

. Strandfontein Pavilion Refurbishment –R9million

FOCUSONKEY COMMUNITYPROJECTS

Additional planned projects include upgradestothe Delft Clinic andHartleyvale Stadium, planningfor theParkwood Community Hall, expansionof theLwandle Library, restoration of the Brown’sFarm Library, and further upgrades at the Tafelsig Clinic.

gin, ompletion planned for the2027/28 financial year.

UPGRADES

The City says expanding burial capacity remains akey priority as Cape Town continues to grow, with ongoing work to expand existingcemeteries and develop new facilities in areas including Strand, Kuils River, Mitchells Plainand parts of the Southern Suburbs.

Aphased refurbishment of the Khayelitsha cemetery boundary fencing is also planned due to vandalism.

At the same time, investment in swimming pool infrastructure continues as part of an ongoing revitalisation programme, with upgrades across areas including Khayelitsha, Bellville, Strand, Athlone,Gugulethu, Blue Downs, Atlantis, Mnandi and Sea Point.

Recent completed upgrades include facilities in Goodwood, Bellville South, Newlands, Lentegeur, Delft, Langa and Manenberg.

ONGOINGMAINTENANCEPRIORITIES

Beyond major capital projects, thedirectorate manages more than 3000 parks,102 libraries and hundreds of community facilitiesacross the city.

To support this, an additional R150 million top-up budget has been allocated for repairs and maintenance, bringing the total maintenance budget to more than R950 million.

Mayco member for community services and health, Francine Higham, said the investment reflectsthe City’s commitment to improving public infrastructure that residentsrely on daily.

“This budget reflectsthe City’s continued commitment to investing in public infrastructure that residentsrely on every day. From libraries and community halls to parks,sports facilities, clinics and cemeteries, these spaces strengthen communities and improve quality of life for all our residents,”said Higham.

“This investment is about protecting, upgrading and expanding thosepublic facilities so that they remain safe and accessible to communities across Cape Town. We call on residents to help protect these public assets by reporting vandalism, theft or suspicious activity so that everyone can continue to benefit from them.”

Cityhonoursfallenheroes

The City of Cape Town has honoured the bravery andsacrifice of staffmembers who lost their lives in the lineofduty during itsannual Remembrance Day Service at the Civic Centre on Saturday4July.

CEREMONY

The annual ceremony is held alongside the memorial wall, unveiled in2017, which commemorates enforcement and emergency services personnel who died while serving their communities.

This year, the names of four additional staff members were added, bringing the total number of names on the wall to 51, datingback to 1907.

HONOURINGLIVESOFSERVICE

Executive Mayor GeordinHill-Lewis saidthe annual commemorationserves as areminder of the extraordinary commitment shown by those who dedicate their lives to protecting others

“Every name we remember today represents alifeofservice.

“A person who chose aprofession that askedmore of them than most careers ever will.

They understood that wearing the uniform meant accepting risks thatmany people wouldnever willingly face. That choice alone deserves our respect,” said Hill-Lewis.

He said whether they served in metro police, law enforcement,Traffic Services, Fire &Rescue Service or Disaster Risk Management, they all sharedacommon purpose.

“These menand women accepted a simple but profound responsibility:to protect others, even when doing so placed them in harm’s way.”

REMEMBRANCEDAY COMMEMMORATES PUBLIC SERVANTSWHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINEOFDUTY

FOURNAMESADDEDTOMEMORIALWALL

The City honouredfourstaff members whosenames have now been permanently added to the memorial wall. They are:

. lawenforcementofficer Mogamat Shakeel Abrahams, who died in amotor vehicle accident on 17 August 2025;

. MetroPolice Neighbourhood Safety Officer Tyler Lamb, who died on 7 November2025 after falling from aroof during astruggle with asuspectin Kensington;

.FirefighterMario Aisley, who suffered afatalheart attack while on duty on 13 May 2026; and

.LEAP officerLyle Thomas, who was offduty when he stopped to assistatan accident sceneafter identifying himselfto police before beingstruckbyanalleged drunk driver.

ALASTINGLEGACY

The memorial wall nowbears the names of 51 City staff members who have diedin the line of duty overmore thana century, recognising their serviceand ensuring their sacrifices are notforgotten.

The ceremonyalso acknowledged staffmembers who died while off duty, including YonkePakade,Luyolo Mene, Nopinki April, Gavin du Preez and Francois Slabbert.

CALLTOSUPPORTONEANOTHER

Mayco memberfor safety andsecurity, JP Smith, thanked City staff for their

dedication and encouraged colleagues to continue supporting oneanother.

“Today is an opportunity for us to celebrateand honour members who passed in thelineofduty, but we must never lose sightofthe fact that thosewho passed off duty alsoleft an impact,were also somebody’s friend, someone’s partner, and someone’s family member.”

He urgedstaff to continue looking out for oneanother, saying that by guiding, encouraging andhelping each other,“together, we are stronger as a directorate.”

Vermaak // Entertainment

Lottering kuier by DieBoer

Marc Lottering bring sy nuutstekomedie, AnkleMarc, op Dinsdag14enWoensdag 15 Julieom20:30 na die verhoog vanDie Boer-teaterrestaurant in Durbanville

Lottering is geliefdaseen vanSuid-Afrika se voorstekomedianteenwelbekend vir sy skerpskerts-vertonings, sowelasmusiekblyspele.

Komluister na al die jongsteverwikkelinge in hierdie charismatiesekomediant se lewe.Hyvertel onder meer hoe dit gebeur het dathy vanjaar al hinkepink moes ingaan met 'n af enkelen 'n "moonboot".

Die vertoning is 70 minutelank met geen onderbreking en is nie geskikvir kinders nie. . Kaartjies kosR220. Bespreekbywww dieboer.comofby021 9791911.

LOSDIE KINDERSBYDIE HUIS

Washington chestr fo

Citybreakstourismrecords

Cstill.Weinvest,innovateand

Framework 2030aims to increase visitor spendingtoR34 billion and double tourism jobs to over 200 000 by the end of the decade

“Cape Town doesnot stand still. We invest, innovate andcompete. My ambition is to see tourism createopportunities in every community andsupport more jobs acrossour city.”

However, the report highlighted asharp contrast in domestic tourism performance. Local tourism spend fell approximately 32% from R8 billion in 2024 to R5,5billion in 2025, despite domestic overnight visitor numbersremainingclose to international figuresataround 1,42 million.The average stay for domestic visitors dropped from 5,2 nightsto4,4 nights, with daily spend decliningtoR882.

To counter the decline in domestic spend, Cape Town Tourism has launched three targetedinitiatives, accordingto Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy.Adomestic campaign encouraging local travel under thetagline“Youdon’t need aholiday, you need My Cape Town”; aregional partnership with Zimbabwe andNamibia that has already grown arrivals by 17%; andthe “One Small World” international brandplatform targetinghigh-valuelong-haul travellers.”

“We do not wait for conditions to change, we go outand create them,” he concluded.

Die lugverkoelde enjins word warm gemaak, terwyl klassiekeVolkswagen-entoesiastevoorberei vir ’n gesinsvriendelike winterkonvooi wat op Saterdag 11 Julie deur dele van die Wes-Kaap gaan ry.

TheWild Buggers Beach Buggy Clubhet hul Propellers &Pistonswinterrit aangekondig en nooi eienaars van duinebesies, Baja Bugs en ouskool- VW Kewers om aan die ontspanne daguitstappie deel te neem.

KONVOOIBEGININMILNERTON

Dierit beginom09:00 by Woodbridge-eiland in Milnerton, waar voertuie bymekaarkom voordat die konvooi om 09:30 vertrek. Van daar af beweeg die groepnadie Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmagmuseum op Ysterplaat, waar deelnemers die geleentheid kry om historiese vliegtuie en helikopterstebesigtig.

Ná die museumbesoek ry die konvooi binneland toe na die Paarlvir ’n gesellige middagete by Cape to Rio Fisheries, bekend vir sy vis en tjips Dieroete kombineer plaaslike geskiedenis met van die WesKaap se mooiste oop paaie.

OOPVIRKLASSIEKE-VW-ENTOESIASTE

Dieorganiseerders sê die doel van die rit is om die plaaslike motorkultuur te vier en eienaars aan te moedig om hul voertuie weer op die pad te bring.

Anton Kleynbydie Suid-Afrikaanse LugmagmuseumopYsterplaat.

Die geleentheid is oop vir alle lugverkoelde-Volkswagenklassiekers en is ontwerp as ’n rustige, gesinsvriendelike daguitstappie.

“Die lugverkoelde enjins word warm gemaak, en ons soek nog klassiekeVW’sombyons konvooi aan te sluit,” sê Anton Kleyn van TheWild Buggers Beach Buggy Club.

“Dit sal fantasties wees as plaaslike eienaars hul motors onder die stof uithaal en saam met ons die winterrit geniet.” Kleyn en sy groen Kangoduinebesie, “Shrek”, sal ook deel van die konvooi wees en by die Lugmagmuseum op Ysterplaat te sien wees as deel van die voorbereidings vir die rit . Kontak Mickey by 082497 7721 of besoek:https://wildbuggers.co.za/ next-event/vir meer inligting of om aan te sluit

Sport is asource of hope,pride,unity

Sport is often described as agame, butfor millions of people it is much more than that. It is asource of hope, pride, identity and unity.

In South Africa, where ourhistory is markedbydivision and inequality,sport has proven its abilitytobringpeople together in ways that politics and social programmes cannot.

It reminds us that despite our differences, we share common dreamsand emotions.

Just afew weeks ago, the nation celebrated when Bafana Bafana made South African football history by reaching the Fifa World Cup knockout stages for the firsttimebydefeating SouthKorea1-0 in theirfinal groupgame.

Theirdisappointing defeat toCanada in thelast32ofthe competition,whichsaw them bowing outofthe tournament, serves as aperfectexample.

As thefinal whistle blew, millions of SouthAfricans experienced the same feeling of heartbreak.Inthatmoment,we were not divided by language, religion or social status. We were simply South Africans supporting our team.

This is the unique power of sport. It creates moments where differences disappear, even if only for awhile. It allows strangers to celebratetogether, comfortone another and believe in something bigger than themselves.

Sport has the abilitytounite communities around acommon purpose

South Africa has witnessedthis power before. The1995 RugbyWorld Cup remainsone of the greatest examples of

SPORTGIVEUSREASONSTO BELIEVEINONEANOTHER

sport promoting national unity. When the Springboks lifted theWebb EllisCup, it was more than asporting victory.It became asymbol of reconciliation.

Former President Nelson Mandela understood that sportcould healwounds andbuild bridges wherewords alone could not.

Sportalso inspires the next generation. Young athletes learnvaluable life skills such as discipline, teamwork, perseverance and respect.

Many children growing up in disadvantaged communitiessee successful sportsmen and women as proof thathard work anddetermination canovercome difficult circumstances.

For some, the sportsfieldbecomes a place of opportunityand hope rather than despair

However, the power of sport should not only be celebrated during victories. Defeat also teaches important lessons. Losing remindsusthat successrequires resilience, patience and continuous improvement. Bafana Bafana's recent loss may haveended the dream of lifting atrophy, but it also showed howdeeply South Africans care about theirnational team.The pain of defeat is evidence ofthe passion and unity that football continues to inspire.

As anation, we should continue investing in school sport,community facilities andathlete development.

Sporting success doesnot happen by chance. It requires proper planning, funding and support from government, businesses and communities. It requires us to recognise sport as an investment in social cohesion rather than merely entertainment.

The true value of sport cannot be measured by trophies alone.Its greatest achievementlies in itsability to unite people.

Sportgive us reasons to believe in one anotherand in the nation we are building. -KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Rietvleihas more to offer

Recent discussion around thetemporaryclosure of wateractivities at Rietvlei mayhavecreated the impression that the reserveitselfwas closed. This was not the case.The area where wateractivities take placerepresents only asmallportion of Rietvlei, and it wasonlythis section that wastemporarilyclosed The663-hectareNatureReserve remained open to the public throughout andcontinues to offer awide rangeofattractions forvisitors. Rietvlei is afavourite destination forbirdwatchers, with its well-maintained birdhideprovidingexcellent viewingopportunities.

Thereserve also offers picnic areas, line fishing (with the required permit), andeducational activities forchildren during school holidays,centred aroundthe wooden education centrebuiltand maintained by the FriendsofRietvlei.

We also host regulartalks by conservation experts on topics of environmentalinterest.Itisworth remembering that,thanks to the efforts of dedicated residents in 1984,Rietvlei wasprotected from being developed intoaresidential marina.

Today, it is atreasured natural area that supports pelicans, flamingos andaround165 other birdspecies.

In this regard,the City's Bayside Canalproject,which aimstoimprovestormwatermanagement before waterenters Rietvlei, is awelcome initiativethatwillhelp safeguard the health of this importantecosystem.

We encourageresidents to enjoyall that Rietvlei hastooffer —includingwater sports when conditions allow—while continuingtosupport the conservation of this unique natural asset forfuture generations.

NELIS

VISAGIE, Friends of Rietvlei

Call centre rises to the occasion in Maystorms

Following the devastation that followedthe storm around 11 May, it washeartwarmingtosee residents coming outtohelpthose who were most affected by the wind and torrential rain

Weather eventssuchasthisone requirethe City to be fullyoperational in handlingservicecalls and emergencycalls.Weoften rely on our residents to be our eyes on the groundalertingustoemergencies.

As the Maycomember forcorporateservices, Iam extremelyproud of howour call centreagents riseto the occasion.

In Mayalone theCity's Customer Relations Department recorded atotal of 271940 customer interactions between 1and 28 May2026.Thisexceptional numberdemonstrates the high demand formunicipal services andthe importance of multiplecustomer engagementchannels.The interactions included 116 758 telephone calls, 36 990 emails, 109 125WhatsApp engagements,and 9067 SMS interactionsacrossthe City'sAccountsand General,Water,and Electricity servicequeues. Thesenumbers do not includecalls made to the 107safetyand securitynumber

If youare in need of aserviceorincaseofan emergency, youcan contact the City via logginga C3

request:

Theprimarygoalofservicerequests is to ensure effectiveservicedeliverythroughoutCape Town. If you wouldliketosubmit aservicerequest,report afault in your area or loganissue, youcan do so via ourcustomer call centreat0860 103089 or online at www capetown.gov.za/servicerequests. Youcan also useour WhatsApp number060 018 1505

While we understand the distress of being, forinstance,without powerorwater,I wouldliketoremind peoplenot to lognumerous servicerequests on the same issue.Itcauses bottlenecksinthe system

As we buildaCitythatisabeaconofhope,it'salso areality that in extreme emergencysituationsthereis ahierarchyofresponses, rather like the triage system that operates in healthcarefacilities. Theaggravation of nothavingpowerina safe domestic setting has to be weighed against the risksofliveelectric wires having been blownintoroads.

Iwouldliketothank those residents who helped out their neighbours, donated food andblankets to those displaced by storm damage.Together we can indeed buildabetterfuture.

THERESA UYS, Durbanville

Advocatingfor motorcycle safety,licensing

With the petrol prices rising, most likely we will see moremotorcycles aroundasanalternativecommute option. Ican remember in the 80swhenmynow husband used to travel with his50cctovisit me,almostgot pulledoverevery daytohavehis motorcycle licencechecked.

He gotsousedtoitthathemade sure he had it with him, becauseinthose days therewas no licencecard like these days.Itseems that the only time thatweget pulledoveriswhenwetravel long distanceswith the bikes or to abikeevent

Thesecheckswillalsoclear up the general question everyone hasabout, especially the motorcycledelivery riders goingaroundand that “theysurelydonot have alicence”, becauseoftheir ridingskills Iamall forthese checkspurelyfor the fact that anyone who does nothavealicence, no matter what vehicle, should notride andshouldnot be on the road. Ialsofeel stronglyaboutthe fact that everyone who gets intoavehicletodrivealsoshouldhaveat leastthird-partyinsuranceaswell.

MOTORCYCLE COMMUTER, Philadelphia

‘KIDSINRAIN’: Carima vanden Berg,aregular Vergelegen visitor with her grandchildren,won thePeople’sChoiceaward and took second placein theCameraClass category in thefourth Essenceof Vergelegen photography contest.Outstanding black-and-white photographs capturing themanyfacetsofhistoric Vergelegen Wine Estate were unveiled at afunction forthe 25 finalists on Sunday 1July.

Hierdie is ‘n abnormalewinter

Hierdie sonnigewinter maak my bekommerd. Ek het nognooit so 'n lekker winter in Kaapstad beleefnie.Waar onsgewoonlikreg deur Junie en Julie reën en koue kry, het onsvanjaar meer sonskyn, blou lugentemperature watskaars onder 15 grade daal. Op die oog af lykdit wonderlik. Wiekla oor sonskyn? Maar togisekbekommerd.Klimaatkundiges waarsku dat die somerwat kom, een vandie warmsteooit gaan wees. As dit die winter is, watwag vir onsinFebruarie? Ek is bekommerddat onsweer te doen gaan krymet droogte,brandgevaar en waterbeperkings. Dit is lekker om noubuitetekan wees en nie elke dagnat te word nie,maar onsmoet onsoëoophou Hierdie tipe winter is nie normaal nie.Enasdie natuur iets vir onsprobeer sê,moetons maar begin luister 'N KAPENAAR WATDIE WOLKE MIS, E-pos

DemocracyinCape Town?Don’t make me laugh

Iamaratepayer andresident of Brackenfell, andIam furious. Without so much as aknock on ourdoors, without asingle conversation with the peoplewho live,work andpay ratesinthis area,the CityofCape Town hasgoneahead anderected informal trading bays at Jannie Engelbrecht Park,a park that ourcommunityhas maintained, used andlovedfor years. And when residents did raisetheir voices, we were told the projectwas approvedbackin2024. Nobody knew. Nobody wasasked. Nobody wastold. TheCity claims notices were delivered by hand andpublished in newspapers.

Ichallengethem to produce asingle signaturefrom aresident in this area confirmingreceipt

Anoticestuffed in aKraaifontein newspaper,a paper that is notevendistributed in Brackenfell, apparentlyqualifies as public participation in Cape Town today.

This is notdemocracy.This is the Citydoingexactly as it pleasesand dressing it up in bureaucratic languageafterward

We aretoldtotrust aprocess that excluded us. We aretoldtoaccept adecisionmade withoutus. And when we askquestions, we aremet with vague assurances.

TheDAlikes to present Cape Town as abeaconof good governance.But what kind of governance ignores its ownresidents, approves projects without proper public participation, andthen builds in the dead of night before the communitycan respond?

If this is what passes fordemocracy in Cape Town, then we have lost something farmoreimportant than apark

Jongstemmedraookwaarde

SISKAMARTIN

“Inisiatiewe soos die Matrikulant vandie Jaar-kompetisiebevestig virjong mense dat húlstemwaarde het.”

Só sê Leoni Wessels, verhoudingsbestuurder by Absa Premium Besigheidsbank,oor diemotivering vir die bank se betrokkenheid by die kompetisie van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat(UV) en Novus Media.

Die eerste inskrywings is reeds ontvang. “Wanneer jong mense die geleentheid kry om hulself uit te druk en erkenning ontvang, bou dit selfvertroue, leierskap en identiteit. In ’n land met uiteenlopende uitdagings is hierdie kompetisie'n bevestiging vir jong mense dat hul agtergrond of omstandighede nie hul toekoms definieer nie.”

Twee van verlede jaar se finaliste, Emile Dawson en Jané de Villiers, albei mediese studente, stem saam dat hul deelname aan die eindronde van die kompetisiehul sefvertroue versterk het.

“Om deel te neem, was ’n groot tree vorentoe om my selfvertrouetebou.Dit hetmyuit my gemaksone gedwing. Ek het besef om verhoogvrees te oorkom,moet jy netopstaan en begin praat,”sêDawson, ’n oudleerder van die HoërskoolWilliam Pescod in Kimberley.

Haar deelname het vir De Villiers,’n oudleerder van die Hoërskool Wittebergin Bethlehem, die geleentheid gebied om’n nuwe en beter weergawe vanhaarself te ontdek.

“Dithet my buite die grense van my gemaksone geneem en my selfvertroue ’n

enormehupstoot gegee.”

Wessels sêdie banksebetrokkenheidby die kompetisie weerspieël sy verbintenis om ’n aktiewe kragvir groeien vooruitgang in Suid-Afrika en Afrika te wees

“Deur jong menseteondersteun,help onsomhul storiessigbaar te maak en geleenthede te skepwaar hulle hul potensiaal kan ontwikkel. Dit strook metons doel om 'n waardevolle en tasbarebydrae te lewer om volhoubare, vooruitstrewende gemeenskappe te bou.”

Die bank hoop sy borgskaplaat elke finalis besef dat hul reis betekenisvol is en hul potensiaal onbeperk is.

“Deur hierdie platform wil onshelpom deure ooptemaak,deelnemers se unieke stories versterk en hulle inspireer om 'n impak temaak

“Ons wil hê hulle moetwegstapmet die oortuiging dat hulstorie nognet begin het, en dat ditsaak maak.”

Wessels,ook eenvan die beoordelaars vandie kompetisie, sê topkandidate verstaan iets baie besonders: “Hulle probeer nieiemandanders wees nie; hulle is outentiekenomarm hul eie storie!”

Dawson beklemtoon ook matrikulante watdie eindronde haal,moet dit geniet en net hulself wees

“Gryp die geleentheid aan en gebruik dit om jouselfbeter te leer ken, jouself uitte daag engoeie vriendskappe te vorm. Gaan groot en genietdie lekker bederf!”sêDe Villiers

Albei studente het ook verwys na die vriendskappewat gevorm is. Sodoende het hulle niesovreemdgevoel toehulle aan

Leoni Wessels,verhoudingsbestuurder by Absa PremiumBesigheidsbank,is saam met voormalige finaliste,EmileDawsonenJané de Villiers. FOTO:CHARLDEVENISH