TygerBurger | Elsies/Eersterivier/Ravensmead | E-edition | 8 July 2026

KIDNAPPED TODDLER FOUND CRYING IN THE BUSH

Mankilledin mobjustice

BRENDENRUITER

BRENDEN.RUITER@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

The police says vigilantism or mob justice will not be tolerated after the battered bodyofa42-yearoldman was found last week in Hood Street, Forest Village,Eerste River.

The deceased was allegedlyassaulted by community members on Tuesday 30 June after atoddler(3) wasfound half naked and bleeding in thewooded area next to Hood Street.

The toddler waskidnapped earlier the morningand it is allegedthat she was rapedbythe deceased, whereafter the community took thingsinto theirown hands.

MURDERINVESTIGATION

AccordingtoCapt FC van Wyk, police spokesperson,Kleinvlei police have launched amurder investigation following thediscovery of the body of a42-year-old man at approximately 17:30. Thevictim was found with multiple injuries to the head.Preliminary indications suggest that theincident is linked to akidnapping and alleged rape of athree-year-old girl.

According to reports the child was reportedasmissing by her father at Kleinvlei police. She was later found in Forrest Drive, when peopleheard her screaming.

TODDLERTRAKENTOHOSPITAL

Circumstancessurrounding thisincident

MAN DIESIN SUSPECTED ACT OF VIGILATISM AFTER THREE-YEAR-OLD IS RAPED

are under investigation. The three-yearold child was taken to anearby medical facility for examination. This case will be transferred to Kuilsrivier FCS for further investigation,”says Van Wyk.

VIGILANTISMCONDEMNED

In the same breath Van Wyk says the police condemns vigilantism in the strongest possible terms.

“Acts of mob justice are criminal and pose adirect threat to the safety and stability of our communities. No individual or group has the authority to take the law intotheir own hands, regardless of the circumstances. Such actions undermine the justice system and fuel further violence.

“Detectives are following all available leads to trace thoseresponsible for the murder. We urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information that could assist the investigationto contact the police immediately,”says Van Wyk.

. Informationcan be providedanonymously via Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or throughthe MySAPSmobileapplication.

Taxidrivershot twiceintheback

BRENDENRUITER

BRENDEN.RUITER@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Ataxi driver miraculously survived after being shottwice in theback last week while transportingpassengers to Somerset West. The incident occurred at 08:45 on the R102, before Baden Powell Drive in Eerste River.

AccordingtoCaptain FC van Wyk, police spokesperson, the Kleinvlei police registeredtwo counts of attempted murder following ashooting incident on Tuesday, 30 June, when two menwere shot and injured. “The injured 54-year-old driver sustained two gunshot wounds to the back and one gunshotwound to his left arm. Accordingtoreports, the injured victim was drivingwithpassengersonhis way to SomersetWestonthe R102. It was just before theBadenPowell Bridge when another taxi hooted at him, and he stopped becausehewas under the impression that

WOUNDEDMAN CONTINUES DRIVING TO GARAGE TO GET HELP AFTER SHOOTING

they weregoing to offload passengersonto him. People were seen running towards his taxi and randomly started shootingat him,”says Van Wyk.

Van Wyk says the injured passenger, whose identityisunknown at thisstage, got out of the taxi and ran away.

“The driver drove off and continued along the routeonthe R102, stopping at the Shell garage on the R102 at Firgrove, from where he was taken to anearby hospital for treatment. The motive is believed to be taxi-related. Anyone with information about thisshooting incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stopon 08600 10111,” says Van Wyk.

Gang membersarrested

BRENDENRUITER

BRENDEN.RUITER@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Two members of the notorious Bad Boys gang were arrested lastThursday in Bonteheuwel shortly after allegedly shootingone of their own gang members.

Sgt SamanthaAdonis, police spokesperson,says officers were patrolling in Bonteheuwel when they heard shots in thevicinity andresponded.

“Community members pointed to Boekenhout Street andBamble Way, wherethe officers found the lifeless body of a31yearold. The deceased was shot

in the shoulder and in the neck and was declared dead on the scene,”says Adonis. Officers in another police vehicle that was also responding to the scene saw two men running away and gave chase. They caught the men, aged 39 and 25, in Blackberry Street and arrested them.

“In theirpossession they had a.38 revolver with four spent cartridges and one live round of ammunition. It was established that he was also amember of the Bad Boys,”says Adonis.

Adonis says the motive for the attack is under investigation.

Threearrested in separate drug busts

Threesuspects are expected to appear in courtafter being arrested in separate drug-related incidents during crime prevention operations conducted by Western Cape policeover the weekend.

Members attached to Operation Prosper carried out targeted operations across Bellville, Delft andHanover Parkon Sunday 5July as part of ongoing efforts to curb drug dealing in vulnerable communities.

Western Cape policespokesperson Sgt Wesley Twigg said officers remain committedtoremovingdrugs from communities.

“Western Cape policeare hard at work to rid the streets of drug dealers who are distributingdrugs in vulnerable communities.

“MembersofOperation Prosper conducted severalcrime prevention operations whichled to the arrest of suspectswho were found in possession of drugs in the early hours of Sunday morning,” said Twigg.

BELLVILLESUSPECTARRESTED

In Bellville, officers followed up on information about an individual allegedly sellingdrugs in Uys Kriger Street Policesearchedthe suspect and the premises,where they allegedly discovered 18 small packets of cocaine,three mediumsizedpacketsofcocaine,two packets of

crystal meth, 30 mandrax tablets and 30 ecstasy tablets

A42-year-old man was arrested on a charge of possession of drugs.

DRUGSSEIZEDINDELFT

In aseparate incident in Delft, officers were conducting stop-andsearch operations aimed at combating gang violence and robberies when they searched a33-year-old man.

He was allegedly found in possession of four packets containing cocaine and was arrested on acharge of possession of drugs.

Police also acted on information about a woman allegedly dealing drugs in Surburg Walk, Hanover Park.

After locating and searching the suspect, officers allegedly found 50 units of heroin in her possession.

The47-year-old woman was arrested and charged with possession of drugs.

SUSPECTSDUEINCOURT

Thethree suspects are expected to appear in the Bellville and Athlone Magistrates’ Courts on Monday to face charges relating to the possession of drugs. Twigg said the arrests form part of ongoing efforts by Operation Prosper to disrupt drug-related crime and remove illegal substances from communities across the Western Cape.

Petshopowner followedhome,kidnapped

Aman waskidnapped in Kosmos Street,Bellville South,onTuesdayevening, 23 June,after he andthe fellow owner of alocal pet shop andinternet café were allegedlyfollowedtoaresidenceinthe area

Accordingtothe BellvilleSouth CommunityPolice Forum(CPF), theowners were allegedlyfollowedto theKosmosStreet address at approximately20:00, wheretheywereconfronted. Ascufflereportedly ensued,resulting in theabduction of theman. ConstNdakheGwala,media liaisonofficerfor the

Western Cape,confirmed that akidnapping case wasopened on Tuesday23June

“The circumstancessurrounding theincident are under investigation,”saidGwala On Monday29June ,policeconfirmed theinvestigation is stillopen. “Thereare no newdevelopments,”theysaid.

. Anyone who hasinformation relatedtothe incident,can call Bellville Southpoliceon 021950 1306

UWC’slibraryentersdigitalage

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is pioneering abold digital transformation that positions it at the forefront of higher education innovation in South Africa.

Under the visionary leadership ofDr Shirlene Neerputh, DirectorofLibrary Services,UWC Libraries is evolving from atraditional resource centre into adynamic digital knowledge hub designed to power academiain the Fourth IndustrialRevolution (4IR) The transformation reflects UWC's broader commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and academic excellence, building on its historical legacy asa university withastrong socialjustice mission.

DIGITALLIBRARYPLANS

Neerputh's vision is for UWC Libraries to become afuture-ready digitallibrary integrated with technology,enabling access to information and data-driven services in the 4IR. Her missionisto enhance UWC's academic project through digitally transformed libraryservices and her leadership reflects adeep understanding that modern libraries are not defined by physical resources and

spaces, butbytheir abilitytoconnect people, ideas, technology, andknowledge in meaningfuland transformative ways that promote social justice.

To achieve this, Neerputh hascrafted anew library structure with acrossfunctionalserviceteamculture, aligned to theUWC institutional operating plan2026–2030. Thelibrary fosters a work culture driven by the principles of professionalism, teamwork,and accountability. "Neerputh is helpingto bridge educational divides andempower students bydriving digital inclusion and creating equitable access to scholarly informationfor success,"the university saidinastatement.

Akey driver of this transformation hasbeen the university'sinvestmentin digitalinfrastructure andinformation technologies. Through the Centre forInformation andCommunication Services andInnovative Education and Communication Technologies (CIECT), UWC has developed a"DigitalCampus" where innovative technologies support learning, research,and institutional efficiency. Theuniversity hasexpanded campus-wide Wi-Fi connectivity, online learning,cloud-based computing and

UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERNCAPE EMBRACES TECHNOLOGYTOEXPAND ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE

digital communication platforms, multimedia production, and digital skills development to ensure that communities aredigitally connected.

ACADEMICECOSYSTEM

Under Neerputh'sstewardship, UWC Librarieshas evolved intoa technologically enabled academic ecosystem that embeds information resourcesand services in curricula and research, bolstering the creation, preservation,and dissemination of knowledge Thelibrariesoffer"spaces and places" for onlinelearning, with digital communication platforms to support flexible participation and lifelong learning, drivenbythe Library Learning and Teaching andScholarly Communications staff teams.Students andacademics from diverse backgrounds can participate regardless of geographic limitations.

Therapid advancement of digital technologies, online learning, generative artificial intelligence, and global research collaboration has disrupted how knowledge is accessed, produced, and shared. Adigitally integrated and connected library service enables the university to adapt quickly to disruptions, emerging technologies including generative AI, and changing educational models.

Artificial intelligence has become an increasingly important part of the digital campus landscape. While AI offers enormous opportunities to improve teaching, learning and research efficiencies, automate information retrieval, personalise learning experiences, and enhance administrative systems, it also introduces important ethical and academic considerations.

Neerputh believes that digital transformation at UWC Libraries is built on fostering trust, encouraging collaboration, supporting continuous learning, and creating shared ownership of institutional change. "Innovation should always be accompanied by ethical leadership, inclusivity, and long-term vision," she said.

Nominateaherofor provincial serviceexcellenceawards

TheWestern Cape Government invites residents and communitygroupsto enter the ServiceExcellenceAwards(SEA),recognisingthose who go above and beyond in serviceoftheircommunities Theawardscelebrateexcellencein governanceand servicedeliveryacross

theWestern Cape.Theyrecognise individuals,teams,and community initiativesthat embodythe WCGvalues: caring, competence, accountability, integrity, innovationand responsiveness. Entries areopentoindividuals, teams, communitygroups, municipalities and

public servants across theprovince. Projectsand communityworkcompleted between 1April and 31 March areeligible forentry. Entries closeon31Julyand the awards event takesplace on 16 October "In caseswhereour facilities are excelling, Imakeapoint of praising our

officialsfor their commitment andhard work.Wedonot wait,wedonot ask forpermission,weforge aheadindoing thebestwecan.Weinnovateand strive everyday to do better,"saidPremier Alan Winde.Director-General Dr HarryMalila added: "The Service ExcellenceAwards

aredesigned to encourageand promote excellenceingovernanceand service delivery, andtorecognise peoplewho have livedthe WCGvalues."

. Visithttps://seawards. westerncape.gov.za/tosubmit a nomination before 31 July

Ex-gangster’sroadtohope

LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY

LAUREN.OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

“You can either pack your bags and runaway, or you canfight your father.”

These were the words thatGordonde Bruin was toldasachild. It was advice from his older brother, whomheidolised. De Bruin (37), areformed gangster and recovering addict, said the words shaped his life choices because he indeed ended up in many fights withhis abusive father “It’s not easy to leave thatenvironment, or that lifestyle,” he said. “But through my confession, Icould leave.”

De Bruin, who now works in community development after obtainingadegree in the field, said that he was attracted to gangsterism because he saw the gangsters in his area as father figures. His family moved around in several areas of the Cape Flats, including Mitchells Plain, Hanover Park, and Bonteheuwel. His father, whowas also agangster, beat him physically, while several of his six siblings were gangsters and his eldest sister sold drugs. He was convicted of murderin2004 and sentenced in 2005 to 10 years inprison

Whileinside, he completed his matricand studied business, though he said he never took it seriously, seeing the classes as a reprievefrom the cell ratherthan away permanentway out.

TURNINGPOINT

“I alwayssay if that year 2015 canspeak, then that year will tell my testimony way better thanIcan,” he said That year, his mother, whomDeBruin says was always loving, got into afight with her sister, with whom they were living. His mother arrangedfor himto

MAN MOVESFROM MURDERER TO MENTOR AFTER RENOUNCING GANG ANDDRUGLIFESTYLE

staywithapastortheyknew until the tension cooled. Thepastortook him to CampJoy in Strandfontein.

At Camp Joy, De Bruin said he was encouraged to makea confession.

“I said, ‘God, Iwill just walk away from allthis,’”hesaid. “My sister was still a drug dealer backthen. My baby brother wasstill adrugdealer. Most of my family were stilldrug dealers andgangsters. But Itoldmyfriends, families, I’m done with thislife. That’s how Iput myself into rehab.”

FINDINGRLABS

In 2015, De Bruin came acrossRLabs, ayouthdevelopmentprogramme in Westridge.

“I used tobeinand outofMitchells Plain, but for thewrong reasons,”hesaid. “Butnever did IknowthatMitchells Plain would playabig role in my life.”

AtRLabs he completed courses in project management, social innovation, enterprise, occupational health andsafety, andcomputer basics. It was the firsttime he hadused alaptop andDeBruin saidhe found it dauntinguntil oneofthe teachers encouraged him “Hesaidthat there is nothing in thislife that Icannotface thatisinfront of me, becauseIhave already overcome so many things. Everytime when I’m in frontofa laptoporcomputer, Ialways thinkabout howhespoke that hope in me.”

During this period he alsoacted in a

theatre production called Don’t Miss Your TurningPoint, writtenbyafellow resident at therehab “Neverdid Iknow thatI’m an actor as well,” he said.

BIBLECOLLEGE

From RLabs, De Bruin studied full-time film andtelevisionproduction at Media Village in 2016. That same year he enrolled in Youth With AMission,a missionary school with apresencein180 countries. Through themission, he earned adegree in Community Development in 2023.

The organisation also gave him his first experience on aplane when he flew to Uganda in 2016.

“I never thought or imagined that one day Iwould fly in aplane,” he said.

Hisrelationship with the Bible also changed. He describes his use of the Bible in prison as “abusive” explaining that inmates tore out the pagestouse as toilet paper, cigarette rolling papersand baggies for drugs.

“Today God haschosen me to workwith theGideons,” he said, referring to the Bible ministry that distributes scriptures in schools.

De Bruin now does community development work in schools, juvenile detentioncentres, andonthe streets.

At youthdetentioncentres,heplays soccer againstyoung inmatesand speaks to them about life after prison. He works with recently released gang members, teacheschildren to read and write, and speakstoparents aboutthe importance of stayinginvolved in their children’slives.

“If you’re the parent, you’ve got to do much morethanwhatwedo,” he said. “Becauseifthese kids are going to fail, they’renot goingtofail just us, they’re

going to fail you too.”

Reformedgangster GordondeBruin posesfor a photoshoot forthe play he performedin.

De Bruin also released arap mixtape called Chasing Destiny,available on YouTube and is writing several books. His story also features in Gang Entry and Exit in Cape Town: Getting Beyond the Streets in Africa’sDeadliest City

AFAMILYSTILLINTHESHADOWS

Of his six siblings, most died in the shadow of drugs and gangsterism.

His eldest brother ran drugs between the Northern Cape and the Western Cape together with their sister.De Bruin described the two as operating like a“family mafia.” He was killed in amotorcycle accident while their eldest sister burned to death.

His youngest brother, he says, is still on the streets, after having served time for murder and surviving agang hit.

De Bruin says he has tried to help his brother but he walked out or rehab.

“I just hope and pray and believe he finds recovery,”DeBruin said.

Aray of hope in his family is hisaunt, who used to deal drugs but “left that life behind” but the biggest turnaround was in De Bruin’srelationship with hisfather, who also found recovery.

“My father died aprayer warrior,” De Bruin said. “He did change his life.”

Gangmonitor suggestsstrategy

The army deployment to the Cape FlatsinMarch produced “limited durable results”,according to the latest GangMonitor report.

The ninth issue of the Global InitiativeAgainst Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) report, which was published on 30 June, gives suggestions on what should be done.

According to thereport,the army’s presencedid bring about extra scrutiny on prostitution and sex trafficking. The edition also highlights gang dynamics and transnational criminal links that make the case for adifferent approach.

On the South African National Defence Force‘s deployment, the report argues that more targeted and sustained interventions are needed. It recommends intelligence-led investigations that go beyond street-level enforcement to target gang leadership, financial flows and supply chains, including drugs, firearms and linkstothe harbour.

It also calls for better coordination among police, fisheries authorities and port authorities.

Crucially, the report argues that progress should not be measured solely by arrests and seizures.

Damoyi named acting policecommissioner

REPORTRECOMMENDS GROUND-LEVEL INTERVENTIONS TO BREAK GANG ECONOMY

GROUND-LEVELEVIDENCE

The report alsoaddressed the structuralconditions that sustain gang power. It found that when senior gang figures are killed, organisational structures often remain intact,supplylines survive andretaliation cycles continue. It also documentedthe expansionofgangeconomies into sex trafficking andthe deepening of transnational criminallogistics through nodes such as Hout Bay’s Hangberg area.

The monitor distinguishes between “blood debts”, obligationscreatedbyspilled blood,and “bloodfeuds”,which arerootedinkinship ties.

The report said thatfailure to retaliateis seenwithin gang cultureas an invitation to encroachment. Retaliation is botha strategiccalculation and, the monitor notes, amatter of “honour”.

The report records amass shootinginGoodwood in November last year, described as retaliation, in which two people were killed andtwo were injured.

Thesepatterns, theGI-TOC argues,will not be broken by temporary military presence

SEXTRAFFICKING

The monitor also documents how drugtrafficking, extortion and sextrafficking have become increasingly interconnected in gang economies. Accordingtothe report, international syndicates, complicit landlords and gang protection and taxationnetworks are all part of suburbansextraffickingoperations.

One landlord is allegedtoown as many as 48 properties linked to thenetworks. Agang member told researchers: “Anyone that works there mustpay …the girls and the pimps as well.”

Asex worker described conditions in these networks as “brutal”. Anothersex worker, speakingunder police protection, explained howtraffickers use drugcredit to bind victims: “They give them the drugson book [on credit].”

Some sex workersearn approximately R1 500 amonth, according to themonitor.

Operations ledbythe Hawks freed roughly 25 victims between Mayand June2026. One operation on 24 June freed 15 victims. Thewomenwere aged21 to 26.

Premier Alan Winde and Western Cape MECofPolice Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, have welcomed the appointment of Major General Luyanda Damoyi as acting Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner.

Damoyi previously served as DeputyProvincial Commissioner under hispredecessor, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile, a background that both the premier and theminister say positions himwell for the role.

“Maj GenDamoyi brings with himawealth of experience and knowledge, having served as the DeputyProvincial Commissioner, under hispredecessor, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile,” said Winde. Marais echoed the sentiment.“I am confident that his leadership, integrity and experience will guide the police in the Western Cape with excellence. Iwish him everysuccess in strengthening public safety and fostering trust between the police and thecommunities it serves by upholding the highest standards of justice and accountability.”

While welcoming the appointment, Winde was candid about the challenges awaiting thenew acting commissioner. He called on Damoyi to make resourcing apriorityfrom the outset.

“I urge the Maj Gento prioritise the push for better resourcing. Thepolice in the

Western Cape continues to face significant resource constraints, making strong partnerships with municipal law enforcement agencies, including the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP), more important than ever,”said Winde.

ThePremier also signalled that broader structural conversations can no longer be deferred.

Boththe premier and the MEC urged Damoyi to consider implementing the recommendations outlined in the Western Cape Government’s Policing Needs and Priorities Report,which they say would assist in improving the work of the police and other law enforcement agencies across the province.

Cityhonoursfallenheroes

The City of Cape Town has honouredthe bravery and sacrifice of staff members 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.

ExecutiveMayor 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 shared acommon 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.”

JP Smith honoured fallen colleagues and recognised the commitment of Cape Town’ssafetyand security personnel.

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

Kommentaar // Comments

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 húlstem waarde het.”

Só sê LeoniWessels, verhoudingsbestuurder by AbsaPremium 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

EERSTEINSKRYWINGSVIR

MATRIKULANT VAN DIE JAAR-KOMPETISIE IS REEDSONTVANG

TheDCYouth Orchestraperforms at St George’s Cathedral in the city centretonight.Book aseatatQuicket

Washington orchestraperforms

Washington’sacclaimed DC YouthOrchestra Program (DCYOP) is bringingits tour of SouthAfricatothe Ca thi kjoined by

YOUTH CHOIR

Lottering kuier by Die Boer

MarcLottering bring sy nuutstekomedie Ankle Marc op Dinsdag14enWoensdag15Julie om 20:30nadie verhoog vanDie Boer-teaterrestaurant in Durbanville.

Lottering is geliefdaseen vanSuid-Afrika se voorstekomedianteenwelbekend virsyskerpskerts-vertonings, sowelasmusiekblyspele. Komluister na al diejongsteverwikkelingein hierdiecharismatiesekomediant se lewe.Hyvertel onder meerhoe ditgebeur het dat hy vanjaaral hinkepink moesingaan met 'n af enkel en 'n "moonboot".

Die vertoning is 70 minute lank met geen onderbreking en is niegeskik virkinders nie . Kaartjieskos R220.Bespreekbywww. dieboer.com of by 021979 1911

MarcLottering

IMPORTANT NOTICE

FORM 3A -NOTICEOFAPPLICATIONS FORLIQUORLICENCESINTERMS OF SECTION 37(1) OF THEWESTERNCAPELIQUORACT,2008 –[REG. 10(1)]

Noticeisherebygiven that thefollowing applications forliquorlicenceshavebeenlodgedwiththe WesternCapeLiquorAuthority (the Authority)and with the designated liquorofficers at theindicated SouthAfrican PoliceService offices. Theapplications concernedmay,uptoand includingthe 28thday from the date of publicationofthe application, upon requestand free of charge,beinspected by anyperson, at theofficesofthe Authority or the designated liquor officerlistedhereunder.Copiesofanapplicationcan be obtained from theAuthority afterpayment of theprescribedfee.Objectionsand representations must be lodged in writingwiththe Authorityand thedesignatedliquorofficerinaccordance with section39ofthe Act.

VORM 3A -KENNISGEWINGVAN AANSOEKE OM DRANKLISENSIES INGEVOLGEARTIKEL 37(1) VAN DIEWES-KAAPSE DRANKWET,2008 –[REG. 10(1)]

Hiermeewordkennisgegeedat dievolgendeaansoekeomdranklisensies ingedien is by dieWes-Kaapse Drankowerheid(dieOwerheid) en]bydie aangewese drankbeamptesbydie aangeduideSuid-Afrikaanse Polisiedienskantore.Die betrokke aansoekekan,tot en metdie 28ste dagvanaf diedatum vanpublikasie vandie aansoek, op versoekengratisdeurenige persoon besigtig word by diekantore vandie Owerheid of dieaangewese drankbeampte hieronder gelys. Afskriftevan ’n aansoekkan by dieOwerheidverkrywordnabetalingvan dievoorgeskrewe fooi.Besware en vertoë moet ooreenkomstig artikel 39 vandie Wetskriftelikbydie Owerheid en dieaangewese drankbeampte ingedien word IFOMU3A- ISAZISOSOKUFAKWA KWESICELO SEPHEPHA MVUMENGOKWECANDELO37(1) LOMTHETHO WOTYWALA WENTSHONAKOLONIKA-2008 –[UMGAQO 10(1)] Isazisosiyanikezelwa ukubaezi zicelo zilandelayozamaphephamvume otywalazifakiwekwabasemaGunyeniezoTywala eNtshona Koloni (abasemaGunyeni) nakumagosaajongenenemibaengotywalakwii-ofisi ezixeliweyozeeNkonzozamaPolisaaseMzantsiAfrika. Iziceloekubhekiselelwa kuzo zingakwazi kwiintsuku ezingamashumi amabinianesibhozo(28) ukususelangomhla wokupapashwa kwesisicelo, xa eceliwekwaye simahla, ziye kuhlolwa nguyenawuphi umntu okwi-Ofisi esemaGunyeni okanye yegosa elijongene nemiba engotywala elixelwe apha ngezantsi. Iikopi zesicelo zingafumanekakwabasemaGunyeni emvakwentlawulo emiselweyo.Uchasoneengxelo ezixhasayo ezibhaliweyozingafakwakwabasemaGunyeninakwigosa elijongene nemiba engotywala ngokwecandelo 39 loMthetho.

No.Fullnameofapplicant

Volle naam vanaansoeker Igamaelipheleleyo lomfaki-sicelo

Name underwhich business will be conducted

Naam waaronder besigheidbedryfsal word Igamaishishini eza kushishina phantsikwalo

Addressofthe proposed premises

Adresvan dievoorgenome perseel

Idilesi yesakhiwo

Kind of licence appliedfor Tipe lisensie waarom aansoek gedoen word

Uhlobo lwephepha mvumeolucelayo

SouthAfrican Police Services designated liquor officeroffice wherethe applicationhas been lodged

Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiedienskantoor vandie aangewese drankbeampte waar die aansoek ingedien is i-Ofisi yeGosa elijongene nemiba engotywala yeeNkonzozamaPolisa eMzantsiAfrikaapho isicelosifakwe khona

Des sa W

in Acad at Basketball at Cape Joha Acad Acad tal Afri Town, coming of yout Soweto Viki Academy, Basketball Academy. styles experience growth Africa.

Spor