. TheR5book sale at Durbanville Children'sHome willtakeplace on Thursday 29 Januaryand Friday 30 Januaryfrom09:00 to 15:00,and on Saturday 31 Januaryfrom09:00 to 13:00inthe reception area Therewillbeaselectionoftextbooks –all at R5 each. Also CDs, DVDs and books, including children's books and coffee-tablebooks,willbeonsale.
. Join a5km socialfun run/walk in support of TEARS AnimalRescuefromJARRYDS in SeaPoint,calledKudostothe Cause. JARRYDSwilldonate R50 to TEARS forevery runner taking part,and you’ll geta free coffee.Bethereat06:00 to startrunning at 06:30. Dogs arewelcome!Registerat: www.nonamehg.com/ event-details/kudos-to-the-cause-5km-run-tears-2
SATURDAY31JANUARY
. Read To Rise and itsmascot, Oaky the Acorn, will host its annual Cape FlatsBookFestival at West End PrimarySchool in LentegeuronSaturdayand Sunday, 31 Januaryand 1February. Thefestivalisfilled with poetry,storytelling,authors, workshops,mascots, puppet shows, giveawaysand much more.Entrance is free.Visit readtorise.co.za/book-festival formore informationabout the festival.
SATURDAY31JANUARY
. FunkelsThrift market takesplace between11:00 and16:00 at KraaifonteinCivic Centre. Preloved fashion, vintagegemsand bargainfinds -everythingunder R50. Come forgreat music, good vibes, and tasty food.Freeentry.For more information, call Garthon 078638 1540
.TheEdgemeadLibraryishosting asecond-hand book sale at the libraryfrom09:00 to 12.00. Thebook sale is hosted by the Friends of Edgemead Library. They have alarge selectionofdonatedadultand children’sfiction and non-fiction books, as well as puzzles,CDs,DVDsand magazines forsale. Prices rangefromR5upwards peritem. Card paymentsare accepted forpurchasesofR50 and over.
SUNDAY1FEBRUARY
. Edgemead’slargest indoorsecondhand market takesplace at the Edgemead Community Hallin EdgemeadDrive from 08:0014:00.All kindsof secondhand household,collectables, bric-a-brac,prelovedclothing and much morewillbeonsale.
SATURDAY7FEBRUARY
. TheCapeTownGem and MineralClubwillbe having itsOpen Dayfrom10:00to14:00 at 14aGoede Hoop Street,Bothasig. Allare welcome, from mineral specimen collectors, to friends, familiesand especially children.Freeentrance. Learnmoreabout the hobby of crystal, gemand mineralspecimencollecting,related craftwork, or buy from member traders. Visit www ctminsoc.org.zaoremail admin@ctminsoc.org.za
THURSDAY12FEBRUARY
. Durbanville Business is presentinganexclusive evening of networking,dinner and aguided tour of Stadio HigherEducation'sprestigious newDurbanville campusfrom18:00.DrStanduPlessis, chief executive officerofStadioHigher Education, will be the guest speaker. ThecostisR150 formembers and R350 for non-members, dinnerand wine included. Seatsare limited. Confirmattendancebefore8Februaryby email to info@durbanvillesakekamer.co.za
SATURDAY14FEBRUARY
. Love willbeinthe airthisValentine’sDay as MdzanandaAnimalClinic& Shelterhosts itsValentine’s Picnic forPaws- aspecialfundraising eventin support of theanimals of Khayelitsha -from10:00 to 14:00atJoostenbergBistro&Deli. Theevent promises arelaxed and memorablepicnic experiencefilled with good food, greatcompany,and ameaningful cause. Well-behaved dogs arewelcome to join their owners on theday.Ticketsare available viaQuicket Visit www.mdzananda.co.zaoremail Kellyonfund@ mdzananda.co.zafor moreinformation.
DONDERDAG19FEBRUARIE
. Die TygerbergTuin- en Blommeklubspring diejaar wegmet RuanEastes se praatjie oorbromeliasen Diana de Vossepraatjie oorPot-et-fleur.Die tema vandie blommekunskompetisie is "Tradisioneel vertikaal". Die klub het 'n propvolprogram metinteressanthedeelkederde Woensdag vandie maand by dieNG kerk ParowWelgelegen(La Provence47, Welgelegen) om 09:30vir 10:00. Teewordvanaf09:30 bedien.Bel Beatrix Lambert-Bestbier by 082873 9864 virmeer inligting.
VRYDAG20FEBRUARIE
. Die Weg-stapfeeswordvan Vrydag 20 totSondag 22 FebruariebyMeerendal buiteDurbanville aangebied. Stappers kankiesuit verskeieafstande.Daar sal'n6km-, 'n 10km-, 12 km- of 21 km-stapoor die naweekaangebied word.Skryf in vir een, twee of drie staptogteofaldriedae.Daarsal ookkoffie-, bier-en kosstalletjies wees, asook'nekspo-ruimte metinteressanteuitstallings. Besoek wegstapfees.topevents. co.zaom in te skryf
Maenseun afgemaai
BRENDENRUITER
Die polisieisopsoek na die moordenaars van drie mensewat Saterdag in Valhallapark doodgeskietis. Onder dieslagoffers is 'n ma en haar seun.
Die skietery het laat Saterdagaandop die hoek vanPaulus-enHesterstraat plaasgevind.
Volgens die polisiehet 'n 41-jarige vrou
Mayoraccused of not caring about crimevictims
BRENDENRUITER
The mayor's officesaid it’s not true he doesn't careaboutthe violence engulfing theCape Flats.
DIE POLISIEISOPSOEK NA DIE MOORDENAARSVAN DRIE MENSE
verklaring.
Intussen hetdie Bishop Lavisgemeenskapspoliëringsforum by monde van sy voorsitter, Amanda Davids,die
Bishop Lavis Crime Prevention Forum (BLCPF) accused Geordin Hill-Lewis of not standing withthe families of victims of crime. “Not once did the Premier or theCity of Cape Town's Mayor come out to stand with any family or community whohad lost afamily member through gang violence,” said forum chair Graham Lindhorst. He added thatthey have
“not once condemned loudly enough the senseless killings in our communities We note that if any interventions are forthcoming it is to score political points, as if the life and safetyofour Cape Flats communities are apolitical game.”
Themayor's spokesperson, Lyndon Khan, replied that thiswas “completely incorrect.” He included links to articles on the City’s websiteshowing the success of itscrime initiatives to show the “extensive safety actions taken by the City to combat gang, gun, and drug crime.”
KaapseForumskenktassies
Die burgerregte-organisasie Kaapse Forum het vandeesweek 77 skooltasse aan behoeftige graad-1-leerders by die Primêre Skool C.L. Willmot in Uitsig geskenk én die tasse met skryfbehoeftes gevul. Hierdie skenking is deel van die burgerregte-organisasie se skooltassieprojek, wat in samewerking met die Virseker Trust aangepakword. Die projek sal toesien dat 400 skooltasse met skryfbehoeftes ter waarde van nagenoeg R600 elk vanjaar aan hulpbehoewende graad 1’s in die Wes-Kaap geskenk word. Bernard Pieters, hoof van
400SKOOLTASSETER WAARDE VANR600 ELK GESKENK
gemeenskapsaktivering vandie Kaapse Forum, benadruk dat toegang tothoëgehalte-onderrig belangrik en onontbeerlik is —veralbyskole in die Vanrhynsdorp- en Uitsig-gemeenskappe. “Navorsinghet al telkens getoon hoe hoër opleidingsvlakke in ’n gemeenskapis, hoe laer hul werkloosheidsyfer. Die Kaapse Forum hoop daarom dat hierdie skenking
TheCityofCape Town removed150 tons of wastefromthe Kleinvlei canal.
City scours Kleinvlei Canal
The Cityhas hauled astaggering 150 tonnes of solid waste from the Kleinvlei Canalover the past two months, as part of an ongoing battle against illegal dumpinginthe area. The massive cleanup operation,conducted during November and December 2025, targetedsections of the canal that have becomedumping hotspots —particularly around Eerste River South, Kleinvlei and Dreamworld
The City is doubling down on its efforts to keep the waterway clean,witha further R1.1 million set aside for continued cleaning and maintenance initiatives in the area during the current financial year. Workers removed everything from building rubble and plasticbottles to household refuse —astark reminder of how pollution continues to impact the stormwaternetwork and surrounding environment.
To tackle the problem at source, the City has been installing and upgrading waste interceptors designed to catch litter and debris before it flows downstream into
the Kuils River system. The first waste interceptor was installed in Eerste River Southduringthe 2024/2025 financial year. This interceptorreceived major upgradeson2December 2025 to improve both its durability andcapacity. Asecond interceptor hasalso been installed further upstream.
Built in 1990, the Kleinvlei Canal is an entirely artificial watercourse designed to drain the eastern partsofthe Blue Downs developmentareaand Blackheath. The canal winds its way throughKleinvlei, Blue Downs,Eerste River, Forest Heights andDreamworld before discharging intothe Kuils River just upstreamof Baden Powell Drive. Two years after construction, run-off from Polkadraai Hill was also diverted into the canal via a subsidiary channel.
During the2024/2025 financialyear, approximately R841 000 was spent on clean-up and maintenanceinitiatives. This has increased to R1.1million for the 2025/2026 financial year.
’n belangrike bydrae tot die toekoms van elkeen vandie leerders wat by die projek baat, sal lewer.”
Dieheelbasiese items in ’n graad1-leerder se skryfbehoeftelys kan ’n ouer minstens R580 uit die sak jaag. In ’n provinsie soos die Wes-Kaap, waar hongersnood sowat330 000 kinders raak en dié syfer oor die afgelope twee dekades nie afgeneem hetnie,isdit verstaanbaar dat duisende leerders se ouers net eenvoudig niedie geld het om skryfbehoeftes te koop nie.
“Ons glo die skenking van skryfbehoeftes aan leerders in die Wes-Kaap sal ’n verskil
in hul lewens maak —veral waar hulle nou amptelik hul skoolopleiding begin. Elke pen, potlood, toegewyde onderwyser en hardwerkende leerder bring dié provinsie nader aan die dag waarop die jukvan armoede vir nog ’n gesin afgeskud kan word. Ons sien saam met diéleerders en hul skoolgemeenskappe uit na die sukses wat voorlê,” sluit Pieters af. Vanjaar se projek is weer finansieel moontlik gemaak deur die Virseker Trust, AfriForum, die Trust vir Afrikaanse Onderwys en PEP, wat beduidende afslag op die skooltasse en die inhoud daarvan gegee het.
Retailer growssustainability
The Shoprite Grouphas achieved a major sustainability milestone with the installationofits 100th solar photovoltaic (PV) system,10years after launching its first solar project in 2015.
In 2024, thegroup became one of the first companies to wheel renewable electricity throughthe City of Cape Town’s grid. It is currently wheeling electricity to eleven sites, including its Home Office in Brackenfell, andisactively seeking further wheelingpartners
With an installedcapacity of over 43 300 Kilowatt-peak(kWp), the retailer’s solar portfolio ranks amongthe largest of any South African privatecompany. Currently, rooftop solar systemsgenerate enough clean electricity to power nearly 12 300 households annually.
“In 2015, we made along-term commitment to reduceour carbon footprintand play an active role in addressingSouth Africa’s energy challenges. Theinstallation of our 100th solarPVsystem reflects the significant progress we’ve made in recent years.
Our accelerated efforts to meet sciencebased targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions andexpanding renewable energy are crucial steps on the path to achievingnet-zero emissions by 2050,”
says Sanjeev Raghubir, chief sustainability officer at the group.
In the 2025 financial year, 7,2% of the group’s electricity came from renewable sources, up from 6,5% in the 2024 financial year and above the group’s internal target. Theretailer consumed 151 243 MWh of renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions by 137 026 tCO2e. TheGroup has also fitted 1397 refrigerated trailers, which forms part of itsfleet operations, with solar panels, saving 3,2 litres of diesel per trailer per day and reducing emissions by an additional 6000 tCO2e. Theretailer continues to explore wheeling projects –where electricity is bought and sold between private parties over the existing transmission grid –todiversify and expand its renewable energy sources. Theinterventions helped to reduce the retailer’s electricity costs, increased efficiency and enhanced business resilience.
“Our focus is on scaling theseinitiatives by increasing solar installations and expanding wheeling arrangements across our supermarketsand distribution centres. We will continue to engage with landlords and partners to unlock greater access to clean energy, particularly in malls where we don’t own the rooftops,” Raghubirsaid.
Shopriteisincreasingits useofsolar power.
Trafficcameras catcharsonist inaction
Cape Town's traffic-enforcement technology proved itsworth this weekendwhen CCTV cameras helped police arrest asuspected arsonist who was allegedly setting fireto vegetation along amajor highway. The suspect was detained justafter midnight on Saturday 17 January,after TrafficCommunications Centre operators working withFreeway Management System cameras spotted someone setting vegetation alight on the M5 northbound, before Berkeley Road.
MANARRESTED AFTER CCTV CAMERAFOOTAGE SHOWED HIM SETTING VEGETATION ALIGHT
WEEKENDENFORCEMENTSTATISTICS
The arsonarrest was oneof375 arrests madebythe City's enforcement agencies during the past week.
THome Affairs warned people about scammers whoclaimstomake bookings.
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Move to bandrinking anddriving
The DepartmentofTransport is moving to implementa total ban on drinking and driving whilst breathalysers are set to be installed in taxi vehicles to prevent intoxicated drivers from operating their vehicles.
Transport MinisterBarbara Creecy announcedplans to amendSection 65 of theNational Road Traffic Act to introduce azero-tolerancepolicy that would prohibit any alcohol consumptionbefore driving.
“The timehas come for us to amend thelaw so we havea clear-cut, easy-tounderstand andunambiguous policy that says drinkingand driving is not allowed,” Creecy said at amedia briefing on the2025/26 festive season road safety performance.
Theminister described the current law, whichallows regular drivers up to 0.05g per100mlofblood andprofessional drivers up to 0.02g,as“totally unacceptable”.
“Our drivingand drinking policy was formulatedalmost 30 years ago. In today's SouthAfrica it is totally unacceptable that thereisa law that allows people to drink and then drive,” Creecy said. “I have never understood this, Icannot explain this to anyonewho haslost aparent, a brother, asister, achild as aresult of a road accident.”
BREATHALYSERSFORTAXIINDUSTRY
The South African National Taxi Council(Santaco) President Abnar Tsebe announcedthatbreathalysersare to be installedintaxi vehicles “immediately”, with thefocusonlong-distance taxis “for now”,especially ahead of the Easter holidays.
Before ataxi driver takes atrip, they mustcomplete abreathalyser test which will be linked to the vehicle. If it shows thedriverhas been drinking alcohol, the vehiclewill not start.
Tsebe said drivers must complete another breathalyser test after driving a certain number of kilometres and there are camera systems in vehicles “so we are able to monitor thatthey aredoing the right thing.”
He addedthat whilst it will take a lengthy period to install breathalysers in all taxi vehicles, Santaco will be starting at thetaxi ranks with its marshalls in collaboration withits taxi associations.
FESTIVESEASONSTATISTICS
Preliminary data indicates a5% reduction in fatalities andaccidents duringthe latest festive season compared to theprevious year, with 1427 fatalities recordedfrom 1172 road accidents. However,roadblocksduring the festive season revealedconcerning statistics. Officers conducted 1632 roadblocks and checked 1.8million vehicles, with 173 695 drivers tested for alcohol consumption. Of these, 8561 testedpositive, marking a 144% increasefrom thesameperiod the previous year.
Thehighest recorded blood-alcohol reading was in KwaZulu-Natal, where one driver tested 14 times above the legal
limit.
Creecy noted that 40% of accidents occurred between 15 and 28 December and involved private vehicles on back routes in the evenings.
“Those factors tell us that thesewere not travellers who were moving to along distance destination. These wereparty revellers who had accidents, serious accidents that resulted in several deaths,” she explained.
SUPPORTFORPOLICYCHANGES
Theproposed changes have received backing from various quarters. Kashifa Ancer, campaign manager of the Rethink Your Drink campaign, welcomed the announcement.
“This is along-overdue policy shift.Alcohol-related road deaths are predictable, and treating them as inevitable has cost lives,” Ancer said.
Thecampaign noted that each unitof alcohol consumed within an hour raises blood alcohol concentration by about 0.02g%, with additional units consumed quickly further increasing injury risk GOOD councillor and Mayco member for economic development and spatial planning in Tshwane, Sarah Mabotsa, also expressed support for the proposed amendment.
“GOOD supportsthe call from the national minister of transport to amend Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act so that driving after any drinking of alcohol is totally prohibited,” Mabotsa said.
“Alcohol is proven to slow down perception and response times for drivers, making the roads unsafe for driverswho drink, and unsafe for theirpassengers, other drivers, and pedestrians.”
Mabotsa highlighted that with 11 418 road deaths in 2025 and over 8500 drivers testing positive for alcohol during the festive season, stronger measures are needed.
“This amendment would bring South Africa's road safetystandards in line with those of Australia and many other countries where driving under the influence of alcohol is totally prohibited,” she added.
ROADTOIMPLEMENTATION
Thezero-tolerance policy proposal builds on previous efforts. In 2020, former transport minister Fikile Mbalula introduced the National Road Traffic Amendment Bill to Parliament, which included measures to eliminate bloodalcohol limits entirely.
However, despite parliamentary debate and consultations, the bill has not yet become law.
Creecy emphasised that taxisare not responsible for the majority of accidents, with only 7% of accidents involving taxis, although thereisalikelihood of multiple deaths in taxi accidents.
“The majority of accidents were private citizens travelling on minor roads after partying,” she said.
AVBOB has opened nominations for the fifth year of its Road to Literacy campaign, partneringwith Oxford University Press Southern Africa (Oupsa) to donatea record 2000 trolley librariestoprimary schools and education-focused non-profits. The 2026 campaign, running from19 January to 31 March, invites the public to nominate schools and educationNPOs that would benefit from mobile trolley libraries, eachcontaining 500 Caps-aligned books.
“Year five is our most ambitious to date. Two thousand trolley libraries mean additional one million books in the hands of young readers,” says Nakedi Pilane, executive director of business development and financial services at AVBOB. “We have seen how asingle trolley can change the energy of aclassroom andthe confidence of alearner.”
The initiativerepresentsadoubling of the 2025commitment, which saw 1000 trolley libraries distributed. This
expansionconstitutes an investment of R115 million, with each library valued at approximately R57500.
KarenSimpson,managingdirector at Oupsasaid: “Speaking to educators who've received trolleys hasshown me just how transformative this initiative is.
“We're committed to publishing in all 11 officialwrittenlanguages, andthis campaign helps us getthose books directly into the hands of learners who need them most.”
Since its launchin2022, the AVBOB Road to Literacycampaign hasmade substantialinroadsinto addressing South Africa's literacychallenges.
The programme supports early-grade reading by providing mobile trolley librariesthat align with the Caps curriculum, offering teachers versatile, ready-to-useclassroom resources whilst giving learners regular access to ageappropriate books.
To date, the initiative hasachieved
significantmilestones: approximately 4000 trolleylibraries havebeen donated to schools andeducation NPOs nationwide, distributing1 966 000 books through 29 525 nominationssubmitted by communities.
The totalinvestmenthas reached R227 million.
The nomination process, dubbed “NominatetoEducate”, welcomes participation from parents, teachers, principals, learners, alumni, community members,and NPOs. Eligible nominees include under-serviced public primary schools and education-focused NPOs that demonstrate both need and commitment to improvingliteracyintheir communities.
“Accesstobooksinalearner's mother tongue improvesreading for meaning at formative stages, classroom engagement and contributestowards retention of learners through theirschool career
This initiative gives thepublic aunique opportunity to helpaddress SouthAfrica's literacy crisis and support theirlocal
schools by simply spending afew minutes submitting anomination,” adds Simpson. Each nomination undergoes careful review to ensure fair and impactful selection, with full eligibility criteria and timelines available on the AVBOB Road To Literacy website.
TheRoad to Literacy campaign forms part of AVBOB's wider literacy investments, including the AVBOB Container Library programme, which converts shipping containers into fully equipped libraries serving learners and communities.
“Our commitment to literacy extends beyond donation. It's about creating alasting change through initiatives that work,” adds Pilane.
“Through the AVBOB Road To Literacy campaign, we are able to reach schools that often lack resources, helping to nurture ageneration of readerswho can imagine and achieve more.”
Hey partner. Breathe withme. Icall you partner because Idon’t see youasjust areader —Isee youas someone walkingwithme. We’ve done so successfullythis past year; we might as well keep walking. When Iask you to breathewith me, it’s an invitation to pause,not to perform. Rightnow, that pausefeels more important than ever Welcome to 2026. This is my first column for the year, and Ihope to share many “hey partner” moments with you.
When asked where I’m from,Ijokingly say I’m acitizen of the world. December proved just that —Ispent mostofitonthe road betweencommunities:Zwelethemba in Worcester, Mdantsane in East London, New Brighton in Port Elizabeth, and KwaNokuthula in Plettenberg Bay
The roads blurred under the wheels, townsand townships passing like pages in abook Icouldn’t put down. As I travelled, Irealised that not everystory has aheadline. Some just make the heart lighter.
In many homes and streets, people would keep quiet in the face of injustice or share their thoughts, frustrations and hopes in hushed tones, carefully, as if testing whether it was safe to be heard.
People aren’t silent becausethey don’t care.They’re often silent because, over generations, they’ve been taught that their voices don’t matter. Taught to doubt their worth, to normalise being ignored, to survive quietly. But in some spaces,
I’ve seen something different —something quietlyrevolutionary. People speaking up, insisting to be seen, heard, to matter In Zwelethemba, Imet agrandmother tendingacommunitygarden. Her hands were darkened by soil and sunlight, her voice soft but firm. She’d started the garden as asafe place for children. It wasn’t on the news. It didn’t go viral.Yet watching children harvest vegetables, their laughter spilling over fences —the power of small victories.
In Mdantsane, neighbours had cleaned the streets for Christmas —not because anyone asked them to, but becauseit mattered to their sense of dignity. One picked up aplastic bottle,another swept, others planted flowers. By afternoon, a street thathad felt forgotten looked alive again—care is contagious.
In New Brighton, Iwitnessed ayoung lady startareading circle in her yard. It began with three childrenand afew books. The children’s eyes light up with stories. —Small acts can ripple further than we imagine.
In KwaNokuthula, young, loud, and unapologetically joyful artists revitalised homes for low-income residents. With each brushstroke, houses told newstories of hope, colour and possibility. Thesemoments are everywhere —in gardens, streets, yards, neighbourhoods and kitchens. They’re about connection, resilience and humanity. They’reeveryday victories that don’t make headlines but remind us that healing begins when we speak, act, and notice each other. Your voice matters too. You don’t have to shout to be heard. If something feels wrong in your community, to speakto ajournalist, share your storybecause injustice thrives in silence, and everyday victories thrive when acknowledged.So partner, Iinvite you to breathe with me. Notice the small victories around you Speak up when you must. Celebratewhen you can. Connect when it matters. —NAMHLA MONAKALI
Kommentaar // Comments
ONTPLOFFINGVAN KLEUR:‘n Leservan Durbanville hethierdie kleurvollefotovan die pragtige bougainvilleaopdie hoek vanDurbanwegenTindalestraat in Durbanville geneem–“sommeruit my motorbydie rooi verkeerslig”! FOTO:WYNANDTHERON
School’s rugbyinshambles
DF Malan High School's rugbyhas been nothing short of disastrous. Theschool that once prided itself on excellence andplayerdevelopmenthas allowedits rugby culturetocrumbleintoinconsistency,frustration,and outright unfairness.
Howisitpossiblethatsenior players —those who have invested years into this sport,attended every practise with dedication,and maintained peak fitness —are stilldenied agenuineopportunityto competefor aplace in thefirst team?
Howmanyseasons must pass before someone finally acknowledges the obvious?
Everyyearbrings newcoaches, newpromises, new “visions”, andyet the result remains the same: seniors pushed aside,notransparency,nostability, and no real progress. Insteadofbuilding astrongerprogramme, the constant turnoverhas draggedthe team from bad to worse.
Playerswho have proven their commitment areleft watching from the sidelines whilevague,inconsistent, andunexplained selection decisions arequietlymade
Inwonermoeg van plakkers se dinge
Ek hetallemoontlikhede probeer om die onwettige plakkersopdie munisipaliteit se erf 2465 in Soneike, Kuilsrivier, te verwyder Stad Kaapstad,wetstoepassers en die burgemeester vanKaapstad ignoreer my maandelikse pleidooie vanaf2018 toedie plakkers daar begin plak het. Watuitersontstellend, frustrerend, onaanvaarbaar en onbillikis, is die feit dat ek hoëmunisipalebelasting en diensgeldemoet betaal,terwyl dieStadKaapstad dieplakkerstoelaat om onwettig langsmyerf te plak Hulle verwyder ook niedie vullis watdie plakkers onwettiglik rondstrooi nie.
My pleidooi oor die veiligheid, gesondheid en brandgevaar watmyelkedag in die gesig staar,wordblatant deurdie Stad geïgnoreer
Myverwysingsnommers vir klagteshelp niejuis baie nie
Onwettigeplakkers vermeerder onder die aandag vandie Stad en wetstoepassingsbeamptes Ek daagdie Stad en die burgermeester uit om hierdie feitlike skrewe te komtoets.
J.J.CLOETE ,Soneike
.TygerBurgerhet die briefaan die Stad Kaapstad gerigvir kommentaar,maar hetteen druktydnog geen terugvoering ontvang nie
behind closed doors, tolerating negativeinfluences of parents which shouldbeentertained. It is beyond unfair —itisdemoralising.
What messagedoes this send to the young athletes who have proudlycarried the school’s colours?That hard work counts fornothing? That showing up,stayingfit, andgivingyour allmakes no difference? That politics outweigh performance?
Theschool owes theseboys—and the entirerugby community—far better.
Theschool cannotcontinue to project apolished public image while ignoringthe growing frustration amongplayers andsupporters.
Tr is tial. Co ist yi ential.
Bejaardes waarsku teen e-taxi’s
Wees versigtig vir e-taxi’s! Vandeesweek is twee 80-jarigemensenadie Bellville-gemeenskapskliniek met’ne-taxidiens vervoer. Die man het sy selfoon in die motor vergeet.Hyhet dit nie teruggekrynie Hulle is latermet ‘n ander e-taxihuis toe. By navraaghet die bestuurder beweer hulle het nie betaal virdie reis nie!
KARIN VOLLENSTEE, Boston
IEKERK, Heights
Marketfoundations‘moresolid’
Property professionals are predicting ayear of strategic opportunity for South Africa’sproperty market in 2026, following aperiod of market recalibration in 2025. Interest rates havestabilised, investor confidenceisclimbing, and activity is picking up across residential, rental, and commercial sectors, according to industry experts.
Aftertwo interest rate cuts in 2025 brought breathing room to the market, property finance specialists say the foundations are now more solid than they have been in some time.
“2026 is starting on stronger footing,” says Leonard Kondowe, national manager for Rawson Finance. “We’re seeing encouraging signs in areas like transport, energy,and inflation control. It’s still acomplex global picture, but locally, the foundations are more solid than they’ve been in some time.”
Banks have responded with renewed competitiveness, offering attractive interest rate concessions,100% bond approvals, and meaningful discounts on legal fees to qualifyingbuyers.
However, Kondowe warns that affordability challenges haven’t disappeared entirely. “There’s still often asignificant gap between what people hope they can borrow and what they’re actually approved for,” he notes.
PREPARETHOROUGHLY
With conditionsgradually improving,propertyexperts say 2026offersbuyers achanceto make real progress if they come tothe table prepared.
“Prequalificationisn’tjust a formality anymore —it’s the starting point for any serious buyer,” says Craig Mott, national sales manager at the Rawson PropertyGroup. “It givesyou clarity, strengthens your offers, andhelps agents match you with the right properties faster.”
Kondowe advises buyers to build up apositivecredit record,
start saving towards adeposit, and avoid taking on new debt once they’ve started the bond process.
He alsocautions against maximising budgets even with bondapproval. “Justbecause you’reapproved doesn’t mean you should max outyour budget. Leave room for rising costs —whetherit’sinterest rate adjustments, levies, or maintenance.”
SELLERS:FOCUSONPRESENTATION
In 2026’svalue-conscious environment,sellers cannot
afford to rely on outdated assumptions, according to property professionals.
“Smart sellers are getting their properties valuation-ready from day one,” says Mott. “That means fixing visible defects, creating astrong first impression, and pricing in linewith market reality—not wishfulthinking.”
Today’s buyers are focused on long-term value, examining energy efficiency, fibre availability, running costs, and security before making decisions
RENTALMARKETSHOWSSTEADY MOMENTUM
Therental market demonstrated impressive consistency in 2025, with momentum expected to continue in 2026, particularly in well-connected areas outside traditional metros where remotework continues to drive migration.
“We’ve seen steady growth across the board,” says Jacqui Savage, national rentals manager at the Rawson Property Group.
“Demand is strong, especially in well-connected neighbourhoods outside the traditional metros.”
However, Savage notes that security, fibre, and overall property condition are no longer optional for landlords seeking quality tenants and premium rent
“Late payments are creeping up,” Savage observes, emphasising that thorough tenant vetting and compliance with Fica regulations remain essential.
SUCCESSREQUIRESPREPARATION
Property experts agree that whilst2025 was about market recalibration, 2026 will favour thosewho are prepared.
“Opportunities are always out there,”says Mott, “but you need to be ready to take them. Planning early, pricing realistically, and being open to expert advice —that’swhat sets the successful clients apart.”
Propertymarket
PEXELS
Page 12 |Woensdag, 28 Januarie 2026 Tel 021910 6500| E-pos sport@tygerburger.co.za| www.tygerburger.co.za
HOPEINTHE HUNT FORLEAGUE
Wade Engelbrecht of WynbergStJohns FC flicksthe ball pass KeanoDavids of Kalksteenfontein FC to send the game to apenalty shootout duringthe Bayhillu-19premier cup qualifying encounterplayedin LangaonSaturday 24 January.TheWynbergbased team wouldgoontowin the shootout 4-3toadvance to the next round of the competition after thematch ended 2-2inregulation time.
VERBETERJOU FIKSHEIDVIR ANDER GELEENTHEDE
Skryfnouin virStapfees
Stappers kan beginstrek vir die volgende Weg-stapfees in samewerking metSalomon en Cape Union Mart.
Diefeesword van 20 tot 22 Februarie op Meerendal buite Durbanville aangebied. Die Weg-stapfees is 'n lekker bederfvir stappers.
Dis'nnaweek waar jy jou fiksheid vir die Vis-,die Otter-ofdie Amatolaroete in die veld kan toets en sommer lekker kan gesels metander mense wat versot is op stap.
Dieeerste twee Weg-stapfeeste in 2024 en verlede jaar was albei baie suksesvol en is deur duisende stappers bygewoon.
AFSTANDEBYDIESTAPFEES
. Vrydag 20 Februarie:'n6km-stap om 18:00 (geskik vir die hele gesin);
. Saterdag 21 Februarie: Kies of jy aan die 6km-, 12 km-of21km-stapwil deelneem. Dieverskillende pretstappe spring op verskillende tye weg, almal vroegoggend. . Sondag 16 Februarie:10km-stap om 07:00.
Diefeesterrein is weer op die grasperk langs die proelokaal, en vanjaar sal daar koffie- en kosstalletjies wees. Daar word ook bier verkoop.
By die ekspo-ruimtegaan jy verlei word deur die borge, Salomon en Cape Union Mart, se nuutste toerusting. Solal bederf ook die stappers op 'n heerlike manier.
Wat die roetes betref, is 'n paar veranderings gemaak. Die kortafstande, sowel as die Sondagroete, bly dieselfde. Op die Saterdag sal die 12 km-stappersvanjaar 'n hele nuwe roetestap, en die 25 kmroeteword ingekort tot 21 km. Slegs die langste afstand, die 21 km, sal vanjaar oor Dorstberg loop. As jy nie naby woon nie, kan jy ‘n kamer in die boetiekhotel op Meerendal bespreek of by ‘n gastehuis in Durbanville. Bespreek by die boetiekhotel op Meerendal by dieselfde skakel waar jy inskryf. Die staptogte is alles op gruis- en grondpaaie —nooit teer nie. Die21kmroeteloop oor Dorstberg ('n stywe bult op los klippe) en gewone tekkies gaan niedie mas opkom nie.
Veral die 21 km-roete is 'n stewige stappie en deelnemers moet goed voorberei. . Skryf nouinbywegstapfees.topevents.co.za.
WEN!WEN!WEN!
Vyfleserskan elktweeinskrywings na dieWegstapfees wen. Besoek www.tygerburger.co.za om in te skryf.
