TygerBurger | Elsies/Eersterivier/Ravensmead | E-edition | 10 June 2026

Besettersinpadvan lughawe-uitbreiding

’nMoontlike lang pad lê voor voordatdie Lughawensmaatskappy vanSuid-Afrika (Acsa) kanbegin metdie multimiljardrand uitbreiding van die Kaapstadse Internasionale Lughawe.

’n Nuwe aanloopbaan van R6,39 miljard word onder meerindie vooruitsig gestel.

Dienuweaanloopbaan gaan 3500 mby 60 mweesensal groter vliegtuie en meer passasiers kan hanteer

Voor daar metdie ontwikkeling begin kan word, bestaan daar die netelige probleem van meer as 3000 onwettige besetters.

Acsa het Dinsdagindie Wes-Kaapse wetgewerbekendgemaak dathulle saam met die departement van openbare werke en infrastruktuur ’n proses van stapel gestuur het om besetters te hervestig.

Aslam Miller, senior bestuur van infrastruktuureneiendomsontwikkeling by Acsa, hetaan die staande komitee oor landbou,ekonomiese ontwikkeling en toerisme, gesê meer as 3000 mense het

NUWEAANLOOPBAAN SAL 3500M BY 60 MWEES

hulself sedert die Covid19-pandemie op grond wat aan Acsa behoort gevestig.

AANSOEKOMUITSETTING

Daar is glo ook reeds met gemeenskappe in gesprek getree oor hervestiging, maar die nasionale departement van openbare werke het reeds ’n aansoek om uitsettingsproses by die hof ingedien. Acsa gaan by hierdie proses aansluit. Volgens Miller wil hulle nie net die besetters uitmyt nie, maar beoog hulle om hulle te hervestig op grond wat nader aan beter geriewe is. Daar is alternatiewe grond 5km van dielughawe geoormerk. TygerBurger het na Acsa en die minister van openbare werke se kantoor uitgereik vir verdere kommentaar, maar het teen tyd van publikasie nog geen terugvoer ontvang nie.

Twee inValhalla Park geskiet

BRENDENRUITER

BRENDEN.RUITER@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

DieBishop Lavis-polisie het twee moorddossiere geopennadat twee mans verlede WoensdagaandinValhalla Park doodgeskietis. Dietweemans is na bewering in 'n slaapkamerin'nhuis in Hilder-straat geskietnadat die vermeende skieters hulself by die huis ingedwing het Volgens sers. Samantha Adonis, polisiewoordvoerder, is die polisie Woensdagaand omstreeks 20:40 na 'n toneel

ontbied, waar hulle twee mans, 22 en 24 jaar oud, in 'n bebloede kamer aangetref het. "Die beamptes is ingelig dat die twee mans in die kamer gelê en slaap het toe twee verdagtes dievertrek ingegaan en op hulle losgebrand het. Beide die oorledenes het veelvuldige wonde aan hul bolywe gehad," sê Adonis. Sy kon nie bevestig of die skietery bendeverwant is nie, maar het 'n beroep gedoen op die publiek om die polisiemet inligting te nader wat met die ondersoek kan help.

City officesand homessearched

The police’s commercial crime investigation unit raided Triple C Maintenance and Services, last Thursday as part of an ongoinginvestigation.

Police spokespersonCol Andrè Traut said investigators, acting on search and seizure warrants, searched multiple homes,aswell as aCity of Cape Town office

During the operation, 21 cellphones, nine laptops anddocuments were seized for forensic investigation, said Traut.

The homesofthree City officials and Maycomemberfor finance, Siseko Mbandezi, were searched, and that of private individuals linked to the investigation.

However, the City said the Mayor has not receivedany indication from police that theraid relatestowrongdoing of theMayco memberdirectly, rather than ongoingevidencebuilding for the trial.

PROBEINTOFRAUD,CORRUPTION

AccordingtoTraut, the investigation extendsbeyond the municipal environmentand forms part of abroader probe into allegedfraud, corruption and

VANAFBLADSY1

DieWes-KaapseMinister van Gemeenskapsveiligheid en Polisie-oorsig, Anroux Marais, het die gewelddadige aanval op die konstabel veroordeel. "Hierdie is ’n skokkende en lafhartige aanval op ’n polisiebeampte en ek veroordeel dit ten sterkste. ’n Aanval op ’n polisiebeampteisnie net ’n aanval op ’n individu nie,maar ’n direkte aanval op die gesag van die staat en die wetgewende gesag. Aanvalle soos hierdiekan nie geduld word nie en diegene wat daarop uitisomwetstoepassingsbeamptes te intimideerentebeseer daag dieselfde instansies uit wat reg en orde moet handhaaf.

related offences.

“It follows asting operation that led to the arrest of the owner of the company after he allegedly handed over asubstantial amount of cash to the City manager as inducement,” says Traut.

According to the City, the City manager worked with the police in the sting operation that resulted in the arrest of the owner of the business.

“During the staged encounter, the suspect allegedly handed the City Manager R1,4 million in cash. Thepayment was purportedly offered as abribe in exchange for assistance in retaining the vendor’s contracts with the City,” said aCity spokesperson.

Theinvestigation is being conducted jointly by police and the City ’s ethics and forensics department.

“The progress made thus far reinforces the importance of amultidisciplinary approach in uncovering and addressing complex collusive fraud and corruption schemes involving both public officials and private individuals,”says Traut.

TheCitysaid it supportsthe investigation.

"Die staat moet daadwerklik optree teen sulkebrutale misdaad en sy gesag moet ferm afgedwing word op diegene wat dink hulle kan polisiebeamptes sonder gevolge aanval," sê Marais. Marais het ook die polisie en die LEAP-beamptes geprys vir die spoed waarteen die inhegtenisnemings plaasgevind het. "Dis bemoedigend hoe die spoedige reaksie en professionele optrede en deursettingsvermoë tot die inhegtenisnemings gelei het. Ek doen ’n beroep op ondersoekers om geen steen onaangeraak te laat om uit te vind wat tot dieaanval gelei het nie. Die aanvallers moet die volle mag van die reg voel," sê sy.

Wesbankcommu frustratedwithE

CARINAROUX

The Wesbank communityhas been dealing with electricityservice failures formorethan five years, with homes, businesses and schools among those affected. Despite repeated attempts to engage Eskom, systemic problems persist. Ward councillor Ebrahim Sawantoutlined the key issues, painting apicture of acommunity let downonmultiple fronts.

ReachingEskom is itself achallenge, with residents regularly waiting one to two hours by phone, while the utility’s Alfred chatbot issues new reference numbers without resolving any problems. Newly installed meters cannotbe purchased or registered for over amonth and, once operational,frequently fail within sixmonths. Replacements can take up to ayear due to stock shortages, and arecent system upgrade has caused widespread token and unit failures, with alarge technician backlog slowing repairs further.

Power outages are aregular occurrence, with burned-out transformers leaving streets without electricityfor over aweek and little to no communication from Eskom to affected residents. Cut wires from cabletheft are often left unrepaired fordays, posing safetyrisks, and post-loadshedding lowcurrent has in some cases caused sparks and fires.Ageing wooden poles present afurther structural concern, yet repairs take up to amonth. When technicians do attend,residents report they frequentlyarrive withoutsupplies and do not return to complete the work.

EFFORTSTOENGAGEESKOM

Sawant noted that over theyears, numerous attempts havebeenmadeto engage Eskom on these issues,including letters to the Minister of Electricity and the President, amemorandum of understandingpresented onthe community’s behalf, acommunity march with apetition calling for ministerial involvement, and aWhatsApp group for direct fault reporting to senior officials. A weekly fault spreadsheet continues to be submitted for escalation, and the Human Rights Commission was approached to apply additional pressure. Despite this, service deliveryhas not meaningfully improved. Eskomhas become increasingly difficulttoaccess directly,with thecouncillor’s office serving as the mainpoint of contact for many residents.The establishment of an Eskom task team and pop-up offices provided some temporaryrelief, but underlying issues remain unresolved

MEETINGENDSINFRUSTRATION

On Wednesday 3June, acommunity meeting was held at Hoofweg Primary School, bringingtogether residents,Eskom representatives, andCityofCape Town officials, includingMayco member for energy, Xanthea Limberg.

The meeting did not yield the outcomes residents had hoped for. “It is clear Eskom is not serious in dealing with the crisis. We, the communitytaskteam,

XantheaLimberg,Mayco member forenergy(right) addr At the back areAndrew Bateman(Member of Parliament)

RESIDENTS DEALING WITH ELECTRICITY SERVICES FAILURSFOR MORE THAN FIVEYEARS

hadaskedthat Eskom address the many grievances when we metthree weeks ago. Now theysend another teamto thismeeting whocomeswithout any solutionsorinterventions. This is simply unacceptable,” Sawant said.

“The community is at breaking point having lived for five years in the dark Dayafter day and week after week, households are without electricity. What should be abasic right has become acruel situation, exploitedbygangsters, resulting in the escalation of shootings, murders androbberies –with food losses in fridges andchildrenunable to study after sunset.”

The Eskom representative acknowledged that she and her teamhad arrived unprepared,apologised, andpromised to take the community’sgrievances back to management. Sawant indicated this wasnolongersufficient and thatthe community would nowpursue ameeting withthe National Minister of Energy. A proposal that theCity of Cape Town take overEskom areas drewloudapplause from residents.

DISRUPTIONS

Chris Snyman, attending on behalf of Human RightsCommissionchair Chris Nissen, expressed disappointmentat Eskom’s lack of responsiveness to the community’s concernsand undertook to report back to Nissen on the meeting’s proceedings.

WesbankHigh School principal Danielle Brikkels questioned why the school’s electricityhad still notbeen restoredafter morethan threeweeks of daily reports to Eskom.She noted thatmatric learners hadrecordedpoor results in Computer Applications Technology last year dueto ongoingdisruptions. The learners cannot

Come to Career day at TheFlock Church

High school learners are invited to a Career Day hosted by The Flock Church in Kuils River on Youth Day, Tuesday 16 June, from 09:00until 12:00 at 28 Annandale Road.

The event will feature professionals from avariety of fields, set up in an open-daystyle layout where learners are welcome to move freely between representatives and speak with those working in careersthat interest them.

Entry is free.

. Contact CallyJansen on 084 951 8338 for moredetails.

UWCgets30researchchairs

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has strengthened its position as aleading research institution by achieving 30 chairsaffiliated to the South AfricanResearchChairs Initiative (SARChI),the highest number among South Africa’s historically disadvantaged institutions. The milestone follows 15 new appointments awardedin2026.

The achievement was recognised at a recent SARChI recognition event hosted by UWC, bringingresearchers, academic leaders andinstitutional partners together to celebrate the collective contribution of theuniversity’s research community.

Supported by the Department of Science, Technology andInnovation

Studyshows foetalsmokerisks

Children exposed to cigarette smoke in the womb areatgreater risk of developing high blood pressure duringadolescence —and body weight plays amajor role, new research from theUniversity of the Western Cape (UWC) has found.

The study, conducted among 307 young people aged 10 to 14 from Bishop Lavis in Cape Town, looked at howexposure to smokingand alcohol duringpregnancy couldaffect achild’s health years down the line. Researchers measured the children’s height, weight, bloodpressure andcholesterol levels to investigate links between what they wereexposed to before birth and their health as adolescents.

Maternal smoking had asignificant effect on adolescent systolic blood pressure —the top number in abloodpressure reading, which measures thepressure in thearteries when the heartbeats. If consistently elevated, it places extrastrain on the heart and blood vesselsovertime

Researchers found that for every oneunit increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) the measure used to determine whether a person’s weight is healthy for theirheight —systolic blood pressureincreased by 1.38 mmHg.

This suggests these children may facea greater risk of high blood pressure as they get older.

Male adolescents exposed to smoking in the womb were also found to be sixtimes more likely to have low HDLcholesterol— the so-called “good” cholesterolthathelps protect against heart attacks and strokes.

BMIISMAINDRIVER

The study was published in the Journal of PublicHealth and was led by Dr TammyRas, alecturer in the Department of Medical Biosciences at UWC, together with her PhD supervisors Dr Juléy De Smidt and Prof André Oelofse.

Childrenborn to mothers who smoked during pregnancy were generally smaller at birth —supporting earlier research linking smokingtolow birthweight. While birthweight itself did not directly lead to excess weight or high blood pressure during adolescence, BMI emerged as themain driver linking prenatal smoke exposure to later health risks,including high blood pressureand obesity.

Researchers suggested the lower risk of excess weight among these adolescents could be linked to poverty and food insecurity —with babies born smaller potentially remaining smaller throughout childhood.

Among adolescentsexposed to both cigarettesmoke and alcoholinthe womb, girls showednotably higher BMIlevels and greater bodyfat measurements than boys —pointing to higher levels ofbody

Dr TammyRas,alecturer in the Department of Medical Biosciences and aleadresearcher.

Badisatakes awareness campaign to Ravensmead

To commemorateChild Protection Week this year, Badisa Tygerberg visited several communitieswhere awareness was raised around the week andchildren's rights.

Child ProtectionWeek commenced on Friday 29 May andconcluded on Friday 5 June.

CharmaineGermishuys, spokesperson, says as part of their Child Protection Week awarenesscampaign,Badisa Tygerberg engagedwith the communities they serve through aseries of awareness walks. On Monday they visited Ravensmead, on WednesdayUitsig andonFriday last week they conducted their walk in Parow.

“During these engagements, community members were informed about the importanceofchild protection, children's rights andthe procedures for reporting cases of child abuse andneglect. Resource pamphlets containing the contact details of ouroffice andother relevant service providers were distributed to ensure community members know where to access support andassistance when needed,” Germishuys says.

This year's Child Protection Week theme is “Give OneHourfor Child Protection”.

ALCOHOL ANDSMOKE EXPOSURE IN PREGNANCY LINKED TO BLOOD PRESSURE RISKS

fat accumulation in girls at this age. The researchersconcluded that girls exposed to smoking and alcohol before birth, regardless of whether they were born underweightoroverweight, could reduce their riskoffuture heart andmetabolic disease by maintaining ahealthy weight. Ongoingmonitoring was highlighted as important,asobesity andhigh blood pressure during adolescenceoften persist into adulthood. Cardiometabolic risk refers to the likelihood of developing conditions relatedtoboththe heart and metabolism—including highblood pressure, obesity, diabetes, heart disease andstroke.

TERATOGENSNEEDMORERESEARCH

“Prospective research studiesinthe field are needed in low socioeconomic populations to further investigate the effects ofteratogens(anysubstances, organisms,physical agents or states which candisrupt healthy fetal development andcause dangerous complications) on cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents. This is critical as more than 60% of womensmokecigarettes, drink alcohol or both during their pregnancy, as reported in previous South African studies,” theresearchers said in the study.

“Thecampaign encourages individuals and communities to dedicate one meaningfulhour to ensuring that children areseen, valued, protected and positively engagedinsafe environments.”

In support of this initiative, the staff of Badisa Tygerberg haspartnered with Tygersig Primary School to host afunfilledSports Dayfor theGrade 5learners on Friday last weekfrom 10:00 to 12:00.

“Theprogramme consisted of six activity

stations, allowing every learner the opportunity to participate in each activity. Learners rotated through the stations in groups, ensuring an inclusive and engaging experience for all.

“Tofurther enhance the atmosphere, an MC and music kept the energy high and contributed to amemorable and enjoyable Child Protection Week celebration,” Germishuys says.

Bababy vulstasiegebore

CARINAROUX

ir baie mensesou dit traumaties

Vwees om in diemiddelvan die nag ’nvrou by ’n petrolstasie te sien kraam.

Vir die 21-jarige Chevaan Abrahams, ’n petroljoggie by Shell Zevenwacht, was dit net ’n voorreg om ’nmatydens die geboorte van haar baba by te staan –en’nbevestiging dat sy droom om’n paramedikus te word, moontlikbinne

PETROLJOGGIEDIE HELD

vir die vrougesê dat sy die baba op haar bors moetsit.

“Dit wasnet die Here alleen wat haar ’boyfriend’ gestuur het om ten minste die babavas te hou en nie op die koueteëlste laat lê nie, voordat ek koningaan.”

MyCiTiannounces fare adjustmentsfrom1July

MyCiTifares willbeadjustedfrom1Julyaspartof theCity’sannual budget process.

TheCitysaysthe latest increase is necessarydue to significantand ongoing risesinglobalfuel prices. It noted that thesecostpressures have previously been absorbed to protectpassengers from immediatefarehikes

Whilefares willincrease, theCityemphasised that tariffsmay stillbeadjusteddownwardduring thefinancial year if thereare sustained reductions in diesel prices,toensurepassengersdonot overpay Thenew fare structureisexpected to be formally adoptedwhen Councilapprovesthe 2026-'27 Budget on 29 June.

Despitethe increases, officialssay MyCiTiremains asafeand affordable transport option, with the monthlypasscontinuingtooffer valuefor regular commuterstravelling longer distances.

ThecostofaMyconnect Card willincrease to R40, whilereplacement cardswillcostR30.Penalties for minor fare evasion willbeR15 forthe first twoincidents andR41 thereafter,whilethe fullfareevasion penalty willbeR700.

Monthlyand daypasspriceswillalsobeadjusted, with amonthlypasscosting R1500,a one-day-pass R130,a three-day-pass R290,and aseven-day-pass R420

Moverfares by distance band (peak andsaver rates) willalsoincrease,ranging from R15 (0–5km saverfare) to R52,50(60km+ peak fare). Peak fares applyonweekdays during morning andafternoon rushhours, whilesaver faresapplyatall other times, includingweekends andpublic holidays . Formoreinformation, visit https://www.myciti.org.za/en/contact/ myciti-announcements

WATDIE HARTVAN VOLIS

Goeie Suid-Afrikaners moetwakker skrik

voor dit te laat is

Op ’nstraathoek in Stellenbosch sien ek die vrou. Elke dag sit of staan sy daar om haar verestoffers te verkoop, maaknie saak wat die weersomstandighedeisnie Sy hetnie eens ’n stoel nie, dus as sy wil sit, sitsyopdie sypaadjie.

Langs Stellenbosch Arterialstaan ’n andereen en smous lemoene. Geen beskutting teen die elemente nie, maar getrou staan sy daar in diehoop dat iemand gaan stilhou.

By die busstop in Hindle-weg sukkel die vrou om die vuurtjieaan die gang te kry waarop sy mielies braai om te verkoop. Tussen haar bene is ’n kind wat onlangs ontdek het sy kan loop en wat hierdie nuwe vaardigheid vir almalwil wys. Die ma sukkel om diekindendie vuur te beheer

Wathet hierdie drie vroue in gemeen? Al drie is buitelandse vroue.

Iewers in Afrika het hulle daardie besluit geneem om hul heilnaderaan die Suidpunt te kom soek. In dielandvan Mandela, diesogenaamde reënboognasie, wat na 1994 as hierdie ligpunt in ’n Donker Afrikavoorgehou is.

Suid-Afrika, is daar gesê, isnie soos anderlande in Afrika wat deur despote regeer word en kort na bevryding tot so ’n mate verval het dat die volk terug verlang na die vleispottevan Egiptenie Mzansi was hierdie fakkel van hoopvir sy mense, maar ookvir diegene van elders wat gehoop hetomnet ’n stukkie van die beloofte reënboog te kon besit.

MZANSIWASHIERDIEFAKKEL VANHOOPVIRSYMENSE

Dit is net meer as 30 jaar nadatons verklaar het: Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last Maar daardieswaar gewonne vryheid het ook aan die korruptes onder ons die vryheid gegee om te maak en breek en steel net soos hulle wil. Ek hoef dit seker nie weerhier te herhaalnie, maar bykans alles is verwoes en dit wat nie verwoes konword nieis gesteel en dit wat nie gesteelkon word nieistot so ’n mateverlam dat ditniks beteken vir die gewone manopstraat nie. Ons landisgekorrupteer totindie hoogste gesag van die polisie, die instansie watdaar is om vir ons te veg wanneer ons nie kan nie.

Aan die begin het ek die Madlangakommissieslaafs gevolg, maar watdaar uitkom is om van siek te word. Nie een van die top leiersindie polisieis onbesmet nie en dit is om van naarte word.

Maar wat het al hierdie dinge te doen met die drievroue wat hulself elke dag aan die elemente blootstel om ’n verestoffer,’nsakkie lemoene of ’n mielie te verkoop?

Hulle kom uit lande in Afrika wat deur hul eie leiers bankrot gesteel is. So erg gaan dit in hul lande dat hulle in’n vreemde land langs ’n pad kom staan om sommige dae net genoeg te maak om ’n brood te koop en ander dae niks.Hulle is blootgestel aan misdaad wat’ngegewe is wanneer jy lank genoeg op straatinSuidAfrika rondhang.

Suid-Afrika is nog nie daar nie, wil ek glo. Ons het nog nie diepuntbereikwaar diemeeste mense eerder ’n straatverkoper in ’n ander land gaan wees eerder as omte glo dat dinge in hul eie landgaanverbeter nie.

Maar dit kan maklik gebeur as ons sluimer of slaap, veral as ons glo dat hierdie probleem nie joune ofmyne is nie, maar iemand anders s’n. Soos die Engelsman sê, evil flourishes when good men do nothing Ek glo daar is genoeg goeies daarbuite?

-BRENDENRUITER

Kommentaar // Comments

OVERBERGDETOUR: Where the road surrenders to the sky,alonetreestands steadfast like an oldfriend,and the afternoonholds itsbreath…justfor amoment

PHOTO:CARINAROUX

BRIEWE|LETTERS

Whyisstatue hidden away?

Last week we went to visit the newstatueinLoxton Park. We were very excited anddrove our two huskies there.

Thestatue of the man on the horsewas hidden away at theback of the park, almost invisible. One wouldn’t knowitwas thereinpassing unless youknew aboutitinadvance or livedinthe area.Astheysay

“out of sight out of mind”

Ijust couldn’t help wonderingwhy it wasnot setmoreprominently. Did someone notdotheir homework, discuss it with the public or thoughtof alternatives?

Statues aremade to be seen,admired, photographed, debated andattract people. It couldhavebeen closer to the road, maybe even by the oldWoodbridgeislandnexttothe wooden bridge.

Our original excitementturned to disappointment andeither theplaquewas stolen or did notexist.We nevernoticed detailsastothe purpose of the statue, only asign warningofspikes.

Isincerely hope that oneday it is movedand becomes an attraction, notahidden gem. AGIORFANOS, Email

Watsêdok?

Met Jeugdag op 16 Junie hierdie maanddeel ek graag die legendariese dr.Danie Craven se gedagtes uit sy gelukwenseenboodskapuit die boekie Ontspanningsklub, Paarl, 1939 tot1961 As voorsittervan die SA Komiteevir Jeugdiens en liggaamlikeopvoeding, lees ek onder meer in die woorde vanDok:“Baie vanons moeilikhede,baie van onsmisdade,baie vanons siektes, baie vanons onbekwaamhede,baie vanons gebrokehuise, salverdwyn indien gesonde ontspanning sy regmatigeplekinons gemeenskaps- en volksleweinneem.” HJ GERBER,Paarl

Belastingbetalers se geld word gemors

Belastingbetalers behoort in opstandtekom as dieStadhul geld mors. 'n Goeie voorbeeldisJack Mullerpark. Vandateksewejaar gelede teruggekom het, is hulleal besig om aan die noord-grondpaadjie te werk. Twee/drie keer per jaar kom'ngroep werkers die noordpaadjie "regmaak" omdat dit oorstroom. Hulle woeker,rynuwekoffieklipinenonlangs is nuwe rands-

tene ingemessel om die probleem te probeer oplos Enigeen met 'n bietjie kennissal egtersien die probleem lê niebydie paadjie nie, maar by die verstopte (yster?) -pype watvan bo af komendie paadjie oorstroom.

Bruin slymwaterfiltreer dan oor die stappaadjie Nouhet hulleweer die paadjie opgekap wat'npaar

weke gelede aangebring is! Viralons geld wathulle deur die jaregemors het,kon hulle al vier keer nuwe pype ingesit het,die paadjie boontoe,buitedie filtreergebied, verskuif het en die heleongelyk paadjie rondomdie park gesement het.Waar is die kennis heen?

WAARNEMER,Bellville

Widowspenbookaboutgrief

Eleven widows have turnedgrief into somethingtangible,apublished anthology that is nowon the shelves at Exclusive Booksat the V&A Waterfront and is making itsway into public libraries across Cape Town.

EchoesofLove: Where Love Once Lived, CourageNow Speaks was written by 11 widows who lost their husbands to Covid-19, cancer, heartfailure, suicide and other causes. It is described as apowerful collection of personal reflections that explore love, loss, healing, and courage “Post-Covid, therehas justbeen a big need for somebody to writeabout loss, love, death and especially grief,” said Rhonda Savage-Julie, one ofthe contributing authors who losther own husband in August 2020 during the first wave of Covid-19

HOWITBEGAN

The project grew from the Sisterhood of Widowhood,asupport community of widows in and around the Western Cape, led by Lezelle Scholtz. She connected with an organisation called DREAMZ, which reaches out to widows and singlemothers. When Scholtz’sown husband died she felt the needtowrite amemoir,and fromthis personal journey her need to reach out to other widows sprang forth.

At the group’s first widows’gathering, held at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Scholtz put out acall to anyone who felt theymay like to write achapteronthe loss of their loved one. Manywomen came forward, butonly amanageable number could be included.

Meetings with apublisher began more than ayear ago. It was initially suggested

IT SOLD OUT AT LAUNCHES

the bookcontain 10 chapters, but one participant stepped back during the processwhile two others came forward, resulting in 11 authors and11chapters.

“Of the 11 authors only two had previously written abook,” Savage-Julie pointed out.

“Theremainingnine had never putpen to paper before, noteven in ajournal.”

Yetall ninesucceeded in pushing through their anxiety andself-doubt to sharethe most intimatestories of their lives

“They were nervous, anxious andunsure thatthey were worthy of telling astory andputting their story into abook,”saïd Savage-Julie, “and this is whatmakes this book so unique.”

Kinsekeroy Publishers supported every author through the process, holdingtheir hands atevery step.

The widows range in age from their early 50s,having become widows in their 40s. Their husbands diedbetween four and eight years ago.

The authors come from all walks of life and fromacrossthe Cape —Athlone, the Cape Flats, the Northern Suburbs, Pinelands,Blackheath andNorthpine. One author,a nursing sister whose husband took his own life, currently lives in Durban.

In December 2025 Echoes of Love was launched at avenue in Pinelands to an

audience of 200 people, asold-out event.

The authors have since held intimate coffeeevents at coffeeshops and private gatherings. The book was subsequently stockedatExclusive Books at the V&A Waterfront, where it was prominently displayedonthe shelf at the main entrance.

THEAUTHORS

The 11 contributing authorsand their chaptersare:

. Alicia Rose Wilson-Cox —“Love Over Loss”

. Nicoleen Thompson —“In Your Memory IRise”

. Moira Colbie —“Caged but Learned How to Fly”

. Freda Douman —“Whispers of Grace”

. Hazael Perumal —“Unexpected Beauty Beyond the Pain”

. Ruth Carol Wyngaardt —“AChapter of Grief”

. Mavis Martin —“Permanent Farewell”

. Esmarelda Van As —“Regretsand Memories”

. Lezelle Scholtz— “Unafraid and Unfolding”

. Rhonda Savage-Julie —“When Shadows Stay”

. Rhoda Perez —“Symphony of Love” On 6June alibrary event will be hosted by the widows’ group and book club at Hout Bay Library. Limited to approximately 30 guests.

. RSVP by 10 June at bellville.library@ capetown.gov.zaorcall021 444 0300.Everyone is welcome.

TheEncounters South African International Documentary Film Festival kicks off today,running until 14 June in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Encountersfilm festivalopens

The Encounters South African International DocumentaryFilm Festival is currently on at the Labia Theatreand Ster-Kinekor V&A Waterfront until 14 June. Thefestival has arich selection of localand international documentary content.The festivalspotlights 13 projects by Cape Town-based filmmakers, spanning adiverserange of short films and documentaries.These include APlace called Paradise, Amigothe Griot, Before They Soldthe Sky, Bones, Concerto, Curtain Call, Die Lopende Ambulanse Eyes to See Filmmaker Her Khaltsha, Inyembezi Zendoda, Notesfromthe Underground, TalkingtoFamily,and Watwas hie?

Thecityalsofeatures on screen intwo international documentaries, Tutu and TristanForever,both selected as part of the Encounters International Selection, with scenes filmed in andaround Cape Town.

Tutu is acompelling portrait of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the fearless leader whose courageand

58 DOCUMENTARIES FROM 33 COUNTRIES

compassion helpeddismantle apartheid, transform thespiritofanation, andinspire generations around theworld.

TristanForever tells thestory of adoctorfrom Paris who maintainedanenduringfriendshipwith afisherman living on TristandaCunha, themost remote inhabited island on Earth. He returns one final time,determined to leavehis oldlifebehind andmakethe island hispermanent home.

This year'sfestivalwillhostthe worldpremieres offourSouthAfrican documentary features,further highlighting thestrength anddiversity of local storytelling at Encounters.

. Thefullfestival scheduleisavailableat www.encounters.co.za.

US choirs partnerwith local ensembles forYouth Month

Twointernationallyacclaimed Americanchoirsare heading to Cape Town this YouthMonth, joining forces with localensemblesfor aseries of concerts.

TheCrystal Children’s Choir (CCC), basedinSan Franciscoand directed by Karl Chang, makesits first-evervisit to South Africa.Known forits vibrant tone,cultural versatility, andcommitment to musicalexcellence, theensemble will perform at two Cape Town venues in collaboration with localyouth and communitychoirs.

On Friday 12 Junethe CCCtakes to thestage at 19:30 at theHugoLambrechts MusicCentrein Parowalongside Lyrikos CommunityYouth Choir and Parklands CollegeChoir. Tickets areavailable for R50.A second Cape Town performancefollows on Tuesday23Juneat16:00 at theiconic St.George’s Cathedral with theSouth AfricanYouth Choir,with tickets at R200.

MINNESOTABOYCHOIR

TheMinnesotaBoychoir (MBC), ledbyexecutive andartistic director MarkJohnson, arrivesin Cape Town laterinJunefollowing performances in Gauteng. Founded morethan60years ago, the ensemble hasperformed across fivecontinents and is knownfor its artistic excellenceand commitment to youth musiceducation.

Cape Town audiences canlook forwardtotwo performances. On Tuesday23Juneat19:00 theMBC

joins Lyrikos CommunityYouth Choir at the Good ShepherdAnglicanChurchinKensington, in abenefitconcert in aidofthe FoyerProjectFund. Tickets cost R50. Thetour then concludes on Wednesday 24 June at 19:00 at theHugoLambrechtsMusic Centre with theCape Town Children’sChoir,with free reservations availablethrough Quicket Bothtours showcaseadiverseprogramme blending American andSouth Africanchoral traditions, celebrating culturalexchange andthe unifying powerofmusic. . Ticketsand reservations forall performances, except theKensington concert, areavailable at Quicket. Call 069818 1066 to book forthe Kensington concert.

Sport

Cravenbymakeshistory

Cravenby Cricket Club (CCC) closed out alandmark 2025/26 seasonin style at its annual awards dinner this passed weekend —celebrating historic promotions, clubgrowth, community pride and outstandingindividual achievements

But the evening was about farmorethan handing out trophies. It was acelebration of everything Cravenby stands for —community,family, service, sacrificeand adeeplove for the game.Over the years, the club hasgrown into more than just acricket club. It has become ahome for players, agathering placefor supporters and aproud part of the greater cricket community. This season will go down as one of the club's finest —and the numbers tell thestory Afterspending close to 20 years in First Division C, Cravenby's First Team embarked on aremarkable risethrough the Western Province club cricket ranks. In 2023/24, the side earned promotionto First Division B. They then won First Division Btomove up to First Division A. This season, they went andwon First Division Aaswell —earning promotion to the Premier League, the highest level of club cricket in the WesternCape.

LEAGUE PROMOTIONS

Three consecutive league promotions. Foracommunity club, thatisa rare andremarkable feat —and one the club regards as an unmatched achievement in recent Western Cape club cricket history For Cravenby, it represents farmore than movement throughthe divisions.Itisthe

result ofyears of persistence, beliefand rebuilding —a cricket family movingin the same direction.

Behind the First Team's historic rise hasbeen astrong executive leadership andcoaching group, ledbychair AK Sonday andheadcoach,First XI captain andplayer Yaseen Vallie. Vallie is alocal Cravenby talent who went on to play professional cricketbefore returningto give backtothe club andcommunitythat helped shape his journey. His recognition as Cricketer of the Yearwas afitting honour —areward for the leadership, experience and commitment he broughtto the First Team andtothe club as awhole. Alongside him,Shaheen Khan has been central to theFirst Team's success.

Another localCravenby product, Khan carried the badge with pride throughout theseason. Being namedbothPlayers' Player of the Yearand First Team Most Valuable Playerreflected notonly his performances on the field, but the deep respect he hasearned from his teammates. The2025/26 seasonalso told awider story of club growth.

Cravenby fielded seven teams across thecampaign, with the introduction of a Ladies team, aVets teamand aFifthteam adding new energy, depth and opportunity. While the First Team's promotion grabbed

theheadlines, the expansion across the club showedthe true strength of the CCC journey—more players, more families, more opportunities andmore people proudly carryingthe badge forward.

AWARDSEVENING

The evening was attended by key figures from thecricket community, including the WPCA President, the club's Life Presidents and senior leadership from CCC.

In hisopeningaddress, Life President Sharafad Ahmed reflected on the season's progress andthe collective effort behind it —speaking to the importance of unity, commitment and the people who give theirtime and energytomove Cravenby forward. "This season showed what is possible when aclub moves together -from ourplayers andcoaches to our families,supporters andwider cricket community."

WPCA President Johannes Adams also addressed guests, reflecting on the important role community clubs play within the wider Western Province cricket landscape —and the value of clubs like Cravenby in developing players, building character and keeping the game strong at grassroots level.

From the speeches to the awards, the message was clear: Cravenby's success belongs to everyone. The playerswho performed. Thecoaches and captains who led. Thefamilies who made sacrifices every weekend. The supporters on the sidelines. And thosewho serve behind the scenes.

Among the club's top individual awards, Shehzaad Parkerwas named Sportsperson of the Year, while Zakariyah Inglis received the Emerging Playerofthe Year award —asign of the exciting future being built at Cravenby.