Anitavan den Bergh wasamong the gardeningenthusiasts who attendedthe winter rose pruning workshop at theiconicDurbanville Rose Garden last Saturday.The workshop waspresented by the recreationand parksdepartmentofthe CityofCape Town.Visitors canjoinuntil 17 July between 09:00 and 15:00 dailyinthe pruning of theroses.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO BENEFIT FROM NEW MTB EMPOWERMENTPROJECT
UThe schoolsare Vissershok, Klipheuwel, Attievan Wykand
The Valley primary schools
“It will be wonderful to expose the disadvantaged learners of ourschool,who mostly reside in Dunoon, atfirst to ride abicycle
nderprivileged learners from four rural primary schools on the outskirts of Durbanville are all about to be empowered through mountain biking (MTB) in arural youth development programme, thanks to anew initiative driven by the Rotary Clubof Tygerberg in collaboration with teachers of the provincial education department (District North).
for relaxation and enjoyment, and latermaybe to competitive cycling,” says BrianMeyer, principal of VissershokPrimary School
“It can also help with character building,” says Meyer, akeen cyclist with afew Cape Town Cycle Tour rides underhis belt.
TOPAGE4
“Formanyofthese learners,this programmeoffersa rareopportunity...”
-Willy Watson
WOENSDAG15JULIE
. DieTygerberg Tuin- en Blommeklub bied sy jaarksesop-en-sjerriedagaan.Die sprekers is Rochelle Marchesini (demonstrasie: Dancing Fantasy) en AviweNadine Homani oordie Polyphagous shot hole borer.Die tema vandie blommekunskompetisie is pret met rottang.Kontak BeatrixLambert-Bestbier by 082873 9864vir meer inligting.
FRIDAY17JULY
. Bless aBabyisinviting everybodytomaketheir 67 minutes matter on MandelaDay by bringing hope to vulnerable mothers and their newborn babies. The event is being presented on Friday17July. Volunteers willbepacking Bags of Hope forfamilies in need to help giveanewborn abeautiful beginning in life Thosewho cannotattend the event,can stillcontributebydonating baby essentialssuch as clothing (0 to 3months, and 3to6 months), nappies, blankets, soap,petroleum jelly (100ml) and toothbrush sets They canalsodonateR67 or more in cash to contribute. Booking is essential and spaces arelimited.Visit https://www.quicket.co.za/events/379767-blessa-baby-mandela-day/#/ to book your spot and for more information.
. Alle Wes-Kaapse GEPF-pensioenarisseenstaatsdienspersoneel word uitgenooi om dievergadering vandie Associationfor Monitoringand Advocacy for Government Pensions (AMAGP), 'n waghond oordie Regeringspensioenfonds, by te woon.Dit is dieeerste keer datAMAGP in dieWes-Kaapvergader en dien ookasdie stigtingsvergadering vandie Wes-Kaapse struktuurvan AMAGP.Dit begin om 11:00 by dieNG kerk Stellenberg. Onder diesprekers is Zirk Gous, voorsittervan AMAGP,enStrini Govendor,koördineerder: massa-mobilisasie vanAMAGP.Kontak AlbinBowler by albinbowler@gmail.comvir meer inligting en om bywoning te bevestig.
. TheEgyptianSocietyofSouthAfricawillbehaving their DaySchool on Saturday25July, at the Hellenic Community Hall,MountainRoad, Woodstock from 9:45 –16:00.This year's theme is "Explorers of the Ancient World",and features three speakers. Prof Sebastian vanAswillopen with alecture titled:"Hanno the Carthaginian (c.500 BCE)". He willbefollowed by Professor PhilipBosmanwith"Pytheas of Massalia (c.310 BCE)".After athree-courselunch, Joseph Koetsier will present:"Eudoxus of Cyzicus (c.120 BCE). The price of R375 perperson includes threelectures, tea breakwithGreek biscuitsand athree-courseGreekstylelunch. Bookingsare open until16July. Contact JosKoetsieron084 7743972and sherab.koetsier@ gmail.com . Bargainhunters areencouraged to supportthe Home of Hope Charity ShopinTable View,located at 215BlaauwbergRoad. Theshop offers avariety of affordablegoods including clothing,books, toys and householditems, with everypurchasecontributing towardsthe care and supportofchildren and young adultsaffected by prenatal alcoholexposure.
. Cape Town's world-renownedCollege of Magic opens itsdoorstothe next generationofyoung performers giving families arareopportunity to explore the College'shistoric VictorianhomeinClaremont meet itsinstructors, experiencea live lesson and discoverhow learning magic develops skills thatextend farbeyond the stage. TheOpen Day, taking placefrom 09:00 to 11:00,isaimed at children aged 10 to 13 and their families. TheCollege of Magic is locatedat215 Imam HaronRoad, Claremont.Parking is availableon site. To reservea place, email info@collegeofmagic. comorWhatsApp062 5191177.
FRIDAY31JULY
. TheCenturyCityWinter Night Markettransforms CenturyCityintoaglowing winter escape filledwith live music, gourmet comfortfood, artisanstallsand a very cosy atmosphere.The market runs from 16:00 to 21:00 at IntakaIsland
WOENSDAG19AUGUSTUS
. TygerbergTuin- en Blommeklubsevolgende byeenkomsvind om 09:30 vir 10:00 by dieNGkerk Parow-Welgelegen (LaProvencestraat47, Welgelegen) plaas. Diesprekers is Arné Stander vanBabylonstoren oor"Probleme op jouplante: plantinsekte —jongsteuitdagings, voor-ennadele, en hoe ons dit in ons tuine kanbestuur" en De-MaraBezuidenhout oordie "Elemente/beginselsvan ontwerp". Dietema vandie blommekunskompetisie is "Dans, dans, dans!" Teewordvanaf09:30 voorsien.Kontak Beatrix Lambert-Bestbier by 082873 9864vir meer inligting oordie geleentheid
FRIDAY29AUGUST
. TheCenturyCityWinter Night Markettransforms CenturyCityintoaglowing winter escape filledwith live music, gourmet comfortfood, artisanstallsand a very cosy atmosphere.The market runs from 16:00 to 21:00 at IntakaIsland
Cape Town hosted one of the largest editions of the nationalopenin the country's chesshistory, drawing more than 500 players from across South Africa and beyond.
The 2026 South African Open Chess Championships concluded on Sunday 5July at DF Akademie in Bellville, following nine days of competition.
Organised by theWestern Cape Chess Association (WCCA) in partnershipwith ChessSouth Africa, and supported by the provincial department of cultural affairs andsport, the tournament was held from 27 June to 5July and offeredatotal prize fund of R159 100across all sections
The event featured four mainopen sections alongside 12 junior age group categories,with the host province, Western Cape, well represented among the final standingsacross all sections
Charlton Mnyasta from Elsies River claimedthe 2026 SouthAfrican Open Chess Championship, finishing on seven points fromnine rounds. Mnyasta was joinedonseven pointsbyTezihano Mnyasta, with the title decided in Charlton's favourona tiebreak —aresult that placed two members of the same family at the top of the finalstandings.
The top five finishers in the championship section were(in orderfrom firstposition) Charlton Mnyasta, Tezihano Mnyasta, Matfey Rogov, Calvin Klaasen andCraig Willenberg,withplacingsfrom second onwards determined by atiebreak. Special prizes were awarded to Luke Bell, whofinished ninth overall and claimed the Best Junior Award, and to Lyndon Bouah, who received the Best Senior Award. DefendingchampionJames Dinham concluded the tournament in14th position on five points.
Imkhita Joya, alearner at Curro Durbanville, won the women's title, finishing on eight points from nine rounds to lead the section by aclear margin.At
15 yearsofage,Joya delivered one of the standout individual performances of the tournament.
The top five finishers in this section were: Imkhita Joya (1st), Tshegofatso Mahuma (2nd), Denise Bouah(3rd), defending champion Sizakele Masango (4th) and Charne Woolf(5th), with third throughfifth determined by atiebreak.
AmukelaniHlatshwayo won the Advanced Section with eight andahalf points fromninerounds. Thedecisive momentofhis campaign came in round seven, when he defeated Willian Kolomwe, who hadenteredthatround carrying a perfect six-from-six record.
Thetop fivefinishers in the Advanced Sectionwere: Amukelani Hlatshwayo (1st), WillianKolomwe (2nd), Asanda Ngcobo (3rd), Senzo Msimango (4th) andConnor Opperman (5th), with placingsfrom third onwards determined by atiebreak
INTERMEDIATESECTION
Harrison Abrahams won the Intermediate Section with eight points from nine rounds, finishing afull point clear of thefield.
The top five finishers in the Intermediate Sectionwere:Harrison Abrahams, Kopa Lesetedi, Andile Siyali, Christian Maxwell
and Karl Freeks, with second through fifth determined by atiebreak.
Atotal of 12 juniorsections were contestedover seven rounds, covering age groups from u-7tou-17for boys and girls.
The topthree finishers in each section qualify to represent South Africa at theWorld Individual School Chess Championships, while the top five finishersineach sectionqualify for theAfrican Individual School Chess Championships.
The confirmed qualifiers (school name in brackets if from theCape Townregion) arelistedbelow.
. U-7 Boys: Jannes Strydom (1st); Jeremiah Jobin (2nd, Table View Primary); Noah Pieters (3rd); Roger Schwalb(4th, Somerset College) and Adriaan Louw(5th).
. U-7 Girls: Nadeema Naidoo (1st); Jemma Erica Lee (2nd, PlumsteadPreparatory); Olivia Lamb (3rd); Diane Stander (4th) and ColineStander(5th).
. U-9 Boys: Khotso Mofokeng (1st); Zayden John (2nd); Akilan Varadharajan (3rd, Table View Primary); Evan de Wet (4th, Gordon's Bay Primary) and Nathan Rehse (5th,Bishops College).
. U-11 Boys: Mason Stern Herzlia (1st,Weizmann Primary); Kian Hugo (2nd); Schalk Wolf van der Merwe (3rd, Laerskool Welgemoed); Yugesh Aarumugam Radha (4th) and Ming Xuan Jesse Zhang (5th, Reddam House Durbanville).
. U-11 Girls: MinkaConradie (1st); Zara Rizvi (2nd); RujekoPfukwa (3rd, De Hoop Primary); Isabelle Ghamlouche (4th, Kirstenhof Primary) and Madalitso Ramonyaluoe (5th, Reddam House Durbanville).
. U-13 Boys: Ben Klopper(1st, De Hoop Primary); Livhuwani Nathan Nemusombori (2nd); Murray Copley (3rd, Generations Imhoff); Cade Ruiters (4th, Brackenfell Primary) and Ethan D'Souza (5th).
. U-13 Girls: Haojia Sun (1st,Pinelands NorthPrimary); Ciara Adams (2nd); Dene Cilliers (3rd, Huguenot Primary); Mari Greeff (4th) and Nizibone Xabadiya (5th, Hazeldene Primary).
. U-15 Boys: Micah John Fredericks (1st); Feraydo Adolf (2nd, Parel ValleiHigh School); Chezhaan Ethan Adams (3rd); Benjamin Banda (4th) and Zion Smith (5th, Parel ValleiHigh School).
. U-15 Girls: Mila Marie Snyman (1st, Curro Durbanville); Sophia Hagen (2nd, PaarlGirls High School); Lienka Viljoen (3rd, Worcester Gymnasium); DanielleAnn Stevens (4th, Curro Hermanus) and Hannah Osborne (5th, Teneo Education, Durbanville).
. U-17 Boys: Juan-Louis Combrink (1st); Prince Ngombo (2nd, President High School); Mohammed Zayan Khan (3rd, SouthPeninsula High School); Sayed Ridha Booley (4th, Westerford High School) and Malesela Moja(5th, Bergvliet High School).
. U-9 Girls: Rebecca de Swardt (1st); Keratilwe Kgwale (2nd); Lana de Bruyn (3rd, Lochnerhof Primary); Amrienta Gabriels (4th) and Gabriella Pienaar (5th, Gene Louw Primary).
. U-17 Girls: Maya Monteiro Correia (1st, Reddam House Bedfordview); Hannah Deysel (2nd); KaraCoetzee (3rd, Bellville High School); Viha Beecum (4th) and Nina van Niekerk (5th).
Pick nPay Preller Walk is allangeras’n dekade nou betrokke by dieMatrikulant van dieJaar-kompetisie.
Volgens John Pentz van dié winkel in Bloemfontein weerspieël hul betrokkenheid ’n kernwaarde wat deur die stigter, Raymond Ackerman, gevestig is: om terug te ploeg in diegemeenskappe wat die onderneming ondersteun.
“Ons voel bevoorreg om deel te wees van hierdie gesogte geleentheid waar ondernemings ’n betekenisvolle bydrae kan lewer tot die lewe van ons jeug en eindelik ook tot die toekoms van ons land.”
“Wat hierdie kompetisie so belangrik maak,isdat ’n groep van Suid-Afrikase toekomstige leiers die geleentheid kryom met mekaar om te gaan en waardevolle vaardighede te ontwikkel. Met die uitdagings waarmee ons land te kampe het, kan die samekoms van ons beste kandidate help om van Suid-Afrika ’n beter plek te maak.”
Pentz meen dissipline en doelgerigtheid is die eienskappe wat toppresteerders in ’n kompetisie soos hierdie onderskei.
“Topkandidate —trouens, enigiemand met dissiplineen’ndoelomdie beste te wees watjykan wees—sal slaag op die lewensreis. Onsvolg almal verskillende paaie,enpassie vir dit waarvoor jy geroep is,maak ’n groot verskil in die lewe.”
Verlede jaar se wenner, Kiara Subramanian,sêsysal altyd dankbaar wees datsydie kompetisie gewen het.
“Dit het my die geleentheid gegeeom wonderlike, vriendelike en doelgerigte menseteontmoet, vanwie baie nou saam met my die padstapommedies te studeer “Watas’nkompetisie begin het, het gou ietsveel meer betekenisvol geword: vriendskappe,ondersteuning en ’n gedeelde besef dat onsalmal na iets groter as onsselfstreef,”sêdie voormalige leerder vanEuniceHigh School in Bloemfontein. Die kompetisie het Subramanian,tans
’n mediese student in haar eerste jaar, die belangrikheid van verbondenheid en aanmoediginggeleer.
Nog ’n 2025-finalis, Laura Andrade de Ponte, wat vanjaar mediese fisika studeer, het ook in die eindronde in Bloemfontein hegte vriendskappe gesmee.
“Hierdie vriendskappe het vir my groot steun gebiedtoe ek metuniversiteit begin het.Die bande wat ek metdie chaperones (die vorige jaar se finaliste) opgebou het, het my ook gehelp om baie vinniger by die universiteitslewe aan te pas,omdat hulle uit hul ervaringvir my persoonlike raad kongee.”
Matriekleerders vanoor Suid-Afrika heen wat uitblinkopakademiese, kultuuren sportgebied en beplan om in 2027 aan die Universiteit van die Vrystaat te studeer,kan hulle inskryf. . Skandeer die QR-kode om die inskrywingsvormaftelaai. Stuur dievoltooide vorm teen 31 Julie aanLinda Greyling by greylinl@ufs.ac.za.
TheSenior group are (back from left) Asikelele Tsetswa, Melanie von Mollendorff, Kiara Titus and Angel Cedric.In frontare ReaMakoloi, Zahria Benn and Hope Malgas.
Durbanville Majorettes Club (DMC), based at Aristea PrimarySchool in Kraaifontein, is appealingto the public, localbusinesses and corporate sponsors to help send its athletes to the 2026 Federation of Dance,Drill, Cheerleading and Majorettes (FDDCM) National Championships in August.
The club hasalready exceeded expectations during the first round of the Western Cape ProvincialChampionships, heldon4 July at J.G. Meiring High School in Goodwood.
The junior team was crowned Provincial Large Drill Champions, achieving first place in the Leader, Subbies, Squad, Displayand Overall categories within theLarge Drill division, together with numerousindividual andteam podium finishes.
MULTIPLEAWARDS
Additional achievements included a first place in theNon-Prop Mini category, as well as multiple gold and silver achievement awards across individual and team events.
Kaitlyn Metcalf achieved second place in theBaton Solo category, as well as second place with Eshnicka Gordon and Cassidy Klein in the Non-Prop Trio category.
Kaira Kali came secondinthe Non-Prop Solo category.
CornéRyke and Peyton Goliath both came third in theBaton Flag Solo and Non-Prop Solo categories respectively.
The successextended beyond the junior division, with the senior team alsodelivering strong performances at thefirst round of provincials, further demonstrating thedepth of talent within theclub, says Yvonne Viljoen, founder of Durbanville Majorettes Club.
Asikelele Tsetswa andRea Makaloi came third in theSeniorNon-Prop Duo/ Trio category, while Tsetswa and Peyton Goliath alsocame third in the Senior BatonDuo/Trio category.
The SeniorNon-Prop Mini Formation, as well as the SeniorNon-Prop Group, came fifth.
With thesecond round of provincials taking place on 1August at the Bellville Velodrome, the teamcontinues to prepare for the National Championships, which will be held at HuguenotHigh School in Wellington from 24 September to 1 October.
Now in its seventh year of competition, Durbanville Majorettes Club supports approximately 60 juniorand senior athletes from schools across Kraaifontein, Durbanville, Bellville, Kuils River and surrounding communities, Viljoen says.
“Founded in 2019, DMCwas established to provide opportunities for young athletes
from all backgrounds to participate in the sport of majorettes.
“Beyond competition, the club focuses on developing confidence, discipline, leadership and teamworkwhile creating a positive environment where young people can thrive,”she says.
“These dedicated athletes train up to 23 hours per week, including weekends and school holidays —demonstrating an exceptional commitment to their sport.
“The club's growing success is further highlighted by the selection of five athletes for the SouthAfrican national team, which will represent SouthAfrica at the International Association of Majorettes World Championships in Polandduring August,” Viljoen says.
Thefive athletes are Kaitlyn Metcalf, Yordin-Leigh January, Eshnicka Gordon, Melanie von Mollendorff and Asikelele Tsetswa.
URGENTFINANCIALSUPPORTNEEDED
While the athletes have earned theirplace through hard work and determination, the cost of competing at nationals remains significant
“The club needs to raise more than R200 000 to cover accommodation, meals, transport, registration fees, equipment and athlete support costs required for participating in the national championships.
“Despite ongoing fundraising initiatives throughout the year,additional sponsorships and donations are urgently needed to ensure every qualifying athlete has the opportunity to compete,”Viljoen urges.
Viljoen appeals to businesses, corporate sponsors or any community members to assist with sponsorships, donations or fundraising opportunities.
“Every contribution, interview, article, social media share or sponsorship bring these athletes one step closer to representing theircommunity and the Western Cape on the national stage.
“Our athletes have worked incredibly hard and have already achieved more than we ever expected at provincials. We now need the support of the community and business sector to ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent these talented young athletes from reaching the nationals,”she says.
. Contact Yvonne Viljoenon082 4997418or yvonne.viljoen@ooba.co.zatoassist
Once unemployed and herlife unorganised, astudentofFCD Skills CentreinDurbanvilleisnow employed full-timeafter completing a course.
This is the success story of Anelisa Mandzingane, who has graduated inthe hospitality and housekeeping programme. After completing theprogramme, she was offered afull-time position at Evertsdal Guest House as an all-round assistant.
“Before joining the FCD programme, my life was unorganised, and Ididn’t even know that FCDSkills Centreexisted until someone encouraged me to apply.
“Joining the programme wasanexciting experience.Imet wonderful people. The trainers were kind and supportive, and what Iloved most was that they believed in God. That encouraged me to continue with the programme untilthe very end The programme was very educational and taught me so much.
“Relocating for theposition gave me the opportunity for afresh start. Ihave becomeafastlearner, andthe kindness, patience and warm welcome from everyone at Evertsdal Guest House have madeiteasy for me to grow in my role,” she says.
Her storyisone of manyatFCD Skills Centre. Today, eight outoften graduates areeconomically active after completing theirtraining —“demonstrating the life-changing impact of practical skills development”, says Jane Gelderman, chief executive officerofFCD Skills Centre.
The centrerecently launched its Mandela Day campaign to create lasting opportunities.
This Mandela Day,the centre is inviting
assistant
industries.”
thecommunity to makeanimpact that lasts far beyond67minutes.
With its “Your 67 Minutes Can Last aLifetime” campaign it aims to find 67 monthly sponsors, whowill each commitR100 per month to help create opportunitiesfor unemployed individuals through skills development and training.
InspiredbyNelsonMandela’s legacy of service, the campaign encourages people to turn aonce-a-yearact of kindness into an ongoinginvestment in thefuture of others.
FCD is afaith-based, non-profit organisation serving Durbanville, Fisantekraal, andthe greaterCape Town area.
“Since 2010, we have been equipping unemployed individuals withpractical skills trainingthrough13sponsored short skills programmesacross various
Every monthly sponsorship helps equip unemployed individuals with industryaligned skills and pathways to economic activity, creating opportunities that can last alifetime, Gelderman says.
CONTRIBUTINGR100
Community members, businesses, churches and organisations are encouraged to become one of the 67 monthly sponsors by contributing R100 per month. Those who are unable to sponsor can still make ameaningful contribution by sharing the campaign with their networks and helping FCD reach more people.
To become one of the 67 monthly sponsors, or to make aonce-off donation, visit www.fisantekraal.org.za/donate.
. Formoreinformation, contact FCDSkills Centre on 021975 7764 or emailinfo@ fisantekraal.org.za.
“Imagine allthe people, living life in peace.”
Perhapstheselyrics have sparkedafamiliar melody forwhoever’sreading.
This evergreen seventies tune,“Imagine”, from former Beatles band leader John Lennon, has become an anti-waranthem forpeace,justice,equalityand most importantlyempathy, awordwhich seemstobe deafened and bludgeoned in this “age of outrage”we find ourselvesnavigating.
He wasshot four times in theback by a“fan” afterhe autographed his album anddied afew metresfromhis hotel in ManhattanonDecember 8, 1980
Thesong “Imagine”, released during the Vietnam war, which killedoverthree million youngmen,children mothers and fathers, is accompanied by asoftpiano and gentlemelody and sounds like aprayerorpleafor understanding in atimeofsenselessbloodshed.
During the war, despitethe news reports commenting on the latest batchofdeaths anddestruction, many young men were drafted and sent in droveslikebullets in an assemblyline
Tragically the song has become anidylliclament fora societywherewecan allrespect andcarefor each other regardless of skin colour,cultureorcreed
Luther King Jnr,who preachedpeace and non-violenceinhis quest to fight race segregation and inequality,was assassinated along with Malcolm X.
As if the call forbasic dignity and equalrights is so outrageous it couldleadtodeath.
Ironically the authorofUtopia, Sir ThomasMore, also lost his head forhis visions forafuture society
He wasbeheaded in 1535 fortreason, afterherefused to accept King HenryVIII as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.
Thenovelcriticised greed, powerand supported women’srights and religious freedom, during aconservativetime in the 16th-century under the king’sreign. Even musical legend Bob Marley whose protest songs supported peace, freedom and “One Love”, wasshot but survived apolitically motivated assassination attempt ahead of the 1976 general election in Jamaica. This act howeveronlyfueled hisdesiretocontinue singing about the struggle to love in an unsympathetic world.
Thesedaysapathyand cynicism have become a popular camouflagetoendurethe widespread hate, violence, intoleranceand propaganda infiltrating our psyches wherever we go
Whether doom-scrolling on our cellphones, listening to the news on our car-radiosorevenstoppingfor a quickcatch-up at work, we’reflooded with the latest tragic news
Onceagain we’llhearabout the latest airmissile strikeinthe MiddleEast,the priceofpetrol and goods skyrocketing again, the unrestricted plagiarismof AI modelsregurgitating artworksand voices,all forthe sake of profit
Thesedaysthe integrity of the newsroom hasalso been moreimportant in the wake of variousinfluencers reporting on news and publishing their pieces, often with their ownagendas, without much considerationfor verifying information in the hopes of increasing followers and monetising theircontent.
Lately,the popularityof“rage-baiting” is also sad to witness too, you’veprobablyseen many videos of peoplemanipulating each other until an argument or violent fight occurs.
Research shows algorithms financiallyrewardanger whichcreates cognitiveurgency, compelling usersto comment,correct,orshareinreal-time,which all boosts engagement and virality.
Ireadthat the primitiveparts of ourbrain, the amygdala, scan the environment forthreats and process negativeinformation significantlyfasterthan positive experiences.
Pride and prejudiceseems to cloudour society even moresothesedays, whilethesealgorithms,these heartless systems capitaliseand advertiseonany content that canshackle the viewers in an endless loop that keepstheir profits high and ourattention spans low.
And so “Imagine”, asong of hope,remains more relevant than ever in 2026
-KEANAN HARMSE
With referencetothe articlethatappeared on your websiteon6Julywith theheadline “Exposure to smokeistaking atollonCape Town’sfirefighters”: It is unfortunate that the articlepublished on the UWC websitemisrepresented the findingsofthe study.The headline,for example, wasquitesimplymisleading. TheCityreached out to the researchers andthe headline hasnow been corrected.
Basedonthe study’s ownresults, only 278firefightersparticipated, with 53%showing some symptoms that included coughing,running nosesand headaches. That represents less than15% of firefighters within the CityofCape Town anditmustbenoted the study wasconducted while staff were on duty
Also to notethat97,8% of participants hadnormal lung function, which the research foundissignificantly higherthanthatreported in comparablestudies conducted in other countries.
To note, the Cape Town Fireand Rescue Service conducts afunctional abilitytest on aquarterlybasis,
which measures firefighters’ respiratoryrate.
In addition,firefighters undergo in-housemedical screeningbeforeevery physical abilitytest.Should theyhaveabnormal screeningresults, theyare referred to either their privatemedical provider or to the City’s occupational health department. Staff who driveand operateappliances andequipment must undergo compulsory medical testing everytwo years. TheFire Servicealsohas very strict medical screening in place forthose joiningits ranks. In addition, staff arerequired to follow fitnessprogrammes on their on dutydays.
Our staff aretrained to perform under allhazardous conditions andrespiratoryprotectionequipment is provided on everyfire enginetoensurestaff remain safe
We take the health andsafetyofour firefighters very seriouslyand we provide thehighest levelof respiratoryprotection in the form of aSelf-Contained Breathing Apparatus Set
JP SMITH, Maycomember forsafetyand security
Much has beensaid about illegalimmigrantsand the fact that manyhavenow returned to their home countries.Whether oneagrees with thatornot is a separate debate. What shouldnot be ignored is that manyemployers foundthese workers dependable. They arrived forwork, wanted to earn awage, followed instructions,and often communicated effectively becausetheycouldreadand speak English. Those qualities matterinevery workplace. This is not about praisingillegal immigration.The lawisthe law. It is about askinganuncomfortable question: whydid so manyemployers valuethese workers?
South Africahas thousands of hardworkinglocal employees, and theydeserve recognition. Butwealso
knowthattoo manybusinessesstruggle with absenteeism, poor punctuality, lack of initiativeand weak communication. Thoseproblems hurtproductivity andmakeitharder forbusinessestogrowand employ morepeople.
Perhapsinsteadofsimplycelebratingthe removal of illegalworkers, we should also askwhatmade manyofthemsuccessful in theworkplace. If ourown workforceadopted the same attitude towardsreliability, communication, punctualityand commitment everyone wouldbenefit. Thelesson is simple. Good work habits have no nationality. They areachoice. And the more people who make that choice, the stronger our economywillbecome GREG, E-mail
Na aanleiding vanverlede week se brief"Kapenaar watdie wolkemis" (1/7/2026) geeekmymening. Die bestemanier om enigeplekinAfrikaseweer te verstaan,isomopDStvkanaal 400BBC in te skakel om 13:25 en 19:25 (ons tyd).
Dit fokusopAfrikamet satellietwaarnemings. Daarin kanduidelik gesien word watverkeerdismet die Kaapse weer Normaalwegdraai die wind wesofnoordwes in die winter.Vir maande al waai dit egtersuid en suidwes. Dit stoot die tollende stelselindie middel vandie AtlantieseOseaan watmet koue fronte reën moet bring, wegvan die Kaap af
Die gebrek aan koue fronte beïnvloed ook die OosKaap en KwaZulu-Natalmet oorstromings,omdat die westewind dit nie bereik nie,enhulle kryreën uit die Stille Oseaan watook blytol
Die opbouende El Ninowes vanAmerika raak al sterker; dit beïnvloed die jetstroom en het die gevaarlike hitte in AmerikaenEuropaveroorsaak 'n Baie warm someriswaarskynlik op pad. Hou dus op om drinkwaterinutoilet af te spoel, vang stortwateropin'nemmerengebruik dit vir die toilet
WAARNEMER,Bellville
Iwonder what happened to the grandplans at Athlonepower station site, after having spent afew thousand(millions perhaps) on the project. Nowthe Citywants to re-developthe parking area at Athlonestadium forhousing andcommercial purposes, whilestadium visitors fear theymight find themselveswithout aparking facility. So whynot buildabig commercial andresidential centreonthe parking lotwith adequateparking under or above?But as forresidential, Iwould notwant to live therewith allthatnoisefromtrafficand the stadium.
PETER SMULIK,
Rugby
We live in atimewhenithas become fashionableto criticise those in uniform.
Social media is flooded with videos of what went wrong, rarely with footageofwhatwentright. And yet, dayafter day, men andwomen in the policeshowup, oftenunderstaffed, underresourced, andunderappreciated to do ajob that most of us couldnever do They respond to callsinthe earlyhours of the
morning when the rest of us areasleep.Theywalkinto situationsthatothers run awayfrom. They deal with trauma, violence, andheartbreakona dailybasis, and thengohome to their ownfamilies andtry to leaveit allatthe door
Most of the time,noone says thank you. Iamnot naive. Iknowthatthere arethose within the service who have letcommunities down, andaccountability
matters.But it wouldbedeeplyunfair to allowthe actions of afew to overshadowthe quiet dedication of the manywho servewith integrityand honour To everyofficerwho hasstood between acommunityand harm, your servicedoesnot go unnoticed by allofus. South Africaisnot an easy countrytopolice. Thankyou fortrying anyway THANKFULL, Brackenfell
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