TygerBurger | Kraaifontein | E-edition | 22 April 2026

‘Stopin thename oflife’

DESIRÉERORKE

DESIREE.RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO.ZA

ACape Town city councilloris taking alone stand in acrusade against reckless drivers in asuburb notorious for road hogs.

Armed with pamphlets, Rhynhard Breslertakes to the streetstwice a month in Kraaifontein, notorious for road violations, to hand outtopassing motorists

Amember of the City’s safety and security portfolio committee, Bresler has to date handed out thousands of pamphlets to motorists, in acampaign he hopes to expand. His message to motorists is stern: “Stop in the name of life!”

STOPPINGISINMOTORISTS’HANDS

As drivers, he says, the decision to stop at astop sign is in the handsof motorists, notthe traffic officer issuing aticket

by law, we can protect ourselves, our families, and everyone on the road,”he says.

“Stop doesn’t mean slowdown andgo; it means acomplete stop, every time, for every driver. It’s easy to point fingers at others,orblame the traffic department, but truechange starts with us. Drive according to the law andset the example forthose aroundyou.”

Breslercontinuously urges motorists to stopbeing partofthe problem.

“Stopand take responsibility. Start with yourself tosolve the problem andkeep our loved onessafe, he says.

“Everywhere Igo, Isee motorists not stopping at stopsigns andeven traffic lights

“The keytopreventing accidents at stop signs is simple: self-discipline. By committing to stop fully, as required

Lastcallforschool applications

Parents in the WesternCape who missed the initialdeadlinefor school applications still have time to secure aplace fortheir children in Grade R, 1and 8for next year, butthey need to act fast.

The provincial education department announcedthatlateonline applications will closeonSunday 17 May, giving families who missed the original 14 April deadline afinal opportunity to apply for the2027 school year.

The on-time application window, which closed at midnighton14April, received an impressive 166 144 applications from parents acrossthe province.

Thedepartment hasthanked these familiesfor their responsibility in applyingontime,whichhelps with planning andplacement processes.

Parents whosubmitlateapplications should be aware that these will only be considered after all on-time applications have been processed by schools.

WHATHAPPENSNEXTFORAPPLICANTS?

Schoolsare nowbusy applying their admissionpolicies to all applications received during the on-time window. Parentscan expect to receive outcomes from 28 Mayonwards through the online system.

Those who receive offers have until15 June to confirm theirchoice of school. Theprovincial education department said parents who receive multiple offers but fail to select one by the deadline will automatically be placed at their highestranked choice.

For families needing to transfer children in grades 2to7or9 to 12 due to relocation, aseparate transfer window will open from 3August to 17 August.

IMPORTANTREMINDERS

Theeducation department emphasises the importance of keeping contact details updated throughout the process to ensure parents receive notification of application outcomes.

Thedepartment has praised parents, school management teams and officials for ensuring the on-time admissions process ran smoothly, and will continue to provide reminders of important dates as they approach.

Applications can be submitted online through the department’s website until the 17 May deadline.

. Parentswithqueriesabout admissions should contact thedepartment's call centre on 0861819 919.

Petrol thievesnabbed

DESIRÉERORKE

DESIREE.RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO.ZA

In what appears to be asign of the times when petrol prices make evensmall quantitiesworthstealing,two men made off with approximately R700 worth of fuel in their tankfrom aBrackenfell petrol station before being swiftlyapprehended by security officers.

Brackenfell-basedSJC Armed Responsewas alerted to the fuel theft at approximately 11:12 last Tuesday after awhite vehicle fled the filling station withoutpaying.

The suspectswere arrested within minutes following acoordinated response that revealedtheyhad swapped number platestoavoid detection, according to SJC Security.

An SJC officerwho hadjust passed

the suspect vehicle moments earlier immediately initiated acoordinated response with additional armed response units. Using real-time information, security teams conducted asearch in the surrounding Bellville area and successfully located the vehicle within minutes.

Upon realising they werebeing followed, the suspectspulled over, with the driver subsequently admitting to the theft on the scene. Bothmen were detained and transported back to the petrol station where police arrived and effected the arrests.

Investigation revealed that the number plates used by the suspectshad been reported stolen earlier from the Haasendal Gablesarea, linking the pair to additional criminal activity beyond the fuel theft.

Khat worth R13000 seized on N1

DESIRÉERORKE

DESIREE.RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO.ZA

Provincial traffic services confiscated 12 boxes of khatwithanestimated street value of R13 000 on the N1 highway in Brackenfell last week, arresting two men in connection withthe drug smuggling operation.

Themen, aged32and 34, weredetained at Brackenfell PoliceStation and charged for drug-relatedcrimes after theirvehicle was intercepted ten minutes into its journeyinto Cape Town.

Theoperation began when amember of the public reported suspicious activity at theEngen One Stop service station, whereboxesand bags were observed being transferred from ataxi bearing Eastern Cape registration plates to ahatchback vehicle. Atraffic officerpositioned along the N1 receivedthe intelligence, successfully identifying the suspect vehicle as it passed the Brackenfell on-ramp.

When an officerattempted to stop the car,the driverinitially sped up trying to escapebefore eventually complying and pullingover.

“They were clearly surprised to be caught, not expecting it. They were almost toorelaxed,”the arresting officer told TygerBurger

Khat,astimulant plant native to eastern and southern Africa, is classified as a

controlled substance in SouthAfrica. Thedrug is typically smuggled into major urban centres where it commands significant street prices. Bothsuspects remained in custody pending their court appearance.

Ouorrelkortopknapping

DESIRÉERORKE

DESIREE.RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO.ZA

Brackenfell se enigste werkende pyporrel, ‘n instrument vangroot kulturele en musikale waarde in die dorp, moet dringend herstel-en restourasiewerk ondergaan —‘nprojek watnaberaming sowat R4 miljoen gaanbeloop oor ‘n tydperk van vyf tot agt jaar.

Die orrel is vanjaar 56 jaaroud en verteenwoordig ‘n belangrike deel van die dorp se musikale erfenis. Met ‘ngeraamde waardevan meer as R10 miljoen, is dit ‘n unieke instrument waarvan die klank nie deur moderne elektroniese instrumente vervang kan word nie, sê Marian Steyl, orrelis by die NG kerk Brackenfell, waar die orrel in 1970 geïnstalleeris.

Diekerk is reeds in 1944 gestig aanvanklik as NG kerkKruispad, genoem na die plaas aan die voet vandie eertydse seinheuwel, Kanonkop.

In 1978 is die naam verander na NG kerk Brackenfell.

Die huidige kerkgebou, saammet die Cooper, Gill &Tomkins-orrel, is op25 en 26 April1970 feestelik ingewymet prof. Gawie Cillieasorrelis.

KOSBAREINSTRUMENT

"Dis ‘n baiekosbare instrument, baie waardevol maar baie, baieduur omin stand te hou. Maar disook ‘nskatvan die dorp watons moet bewaar,"sêSteyl Sy verduidelik dat, soos alle komplekse instrumente, die orrel uit honderde bewegende en sensitiewe komponente bestaan.

"Met verloopvan tydlei slytasie en veroudering daartoe dat sekere dele herstelofvervang moet word. Sonder hierdiewerk loop die instrument die gevaar om onbruikbaar te raak."

Brackenfell se orrel het 32 pype wat van buite sigbaar is, maar dit het ’n hele agterkamer met meer as 2000 pype.

VIERFASESVANHERSTELWERK

Volgens die orrelbouer moet die nodige restourasieoor vier fases voltooi word oor die volgende vyf tot agt jaar.

R4 MILJOEN OOR VYF JAAR WORD BENODIG OM DIE

56-JARIGE INSTRUMENT TOTSYVORIGE GLORIE TE HERSTEL

Die eerste fase behels kritiese herstelwerkaan die kragtoevoer en beheerkomponente om betroubare werking te verseker —'nnoodsaaklike stapin Suid-Afrikaseuitdagende kragomgewing Die kostevan hierdie fase beloop sowat R40 000.

KONINKLIKEINSTRUMENT

In ‘n 1986-uitgawe van Die Kerkblad beskryf HS Salomons ‘n pyporrel as ‘n koninklike instrument met‘nlangenryke geskiedenis.

"Daar word algemeenaanvaar dat die pyporrel syoorsprong in die panfluit gehadhet. Iemandhet eens kortweg die orrel beskryfas'n'kasmet fluite',"skryf hy.

‘n Orrel bestaan inderdaad uit pype (fluite) vanverskillende vorms en lengtes watop‘nwindlaai staan.

"Die windlaai staan onder ’n konstante winddruk.Dit word van wind voorsien deur ’n blaasbalk. Vroeërkon ’n orrelis nooitalleen orrel speelnie.

“Hyhet iemandnodig gehadomdie pomp te bedien. Sodoende is die orrel van wind voorsien. Vandag word dit gerieflik deur ‘n elektries aangedrewe ventilator gedoen. Dieorrelis druk nou‘ntoets. Dit open‘nklep, wat veroorsaak dat die wind in die pyp blaas.Opdie manier laat dit die pyp 'praat'."

Dink aan ‘n blokfluit. Die klankvorming geskied basiesopdieselfde wyse in orrelpype. Die lengte van ‘n orrelpyp bepaal sy toonhoogte. Hoe langerdie pyp, hoelaerdie toon.Of, hoe korter die pyp, hoehoërdie toon.

WERKTUIG

In Latyn is die orrel organum genoem, watbeteken "werktuig".

"Dit is inderdaad ‘n baie vernuftige werktuig. Gedeëvakmanskap is nodig om ‘n pyporrel te kan bou. Buiten ‘n goeie ambagsman,moetdie orrelbouer ook ‘n kunstenaar wees. Hy moet in staat wees om optimale klank —iets anders as maksimum volume,uit sy instrument te verkry.

‘n Pyporrelis‘nlewende instrument.Hy word gemaak van lewendemateriale. Elke orrel het sy eie karakter. Die karakter word bepaal deur die register-samestelling, die ontwerp, die akoestiekvan die ruimte waarin dit staan en, sekernie die minste nie, die orrelbouer."

ONDERSTEUNING

Steyl sê die gemeenskapse ondersteuningisnou van kardinale belangomteverseker dat hierdie kosbare instrumentbehoue bly vir toekomstige geslagte

Diegemeente het vandeesmaand ‘n

fondsinsamelingspoging van stapel gestuur ter finansiering van die kerkorrel se restourasie.

"Die gemeente self trek finansieel baie swaar en ons kan nie die gemeentegeld vir die orrel gebruik nie," sê Steyl.

"Onsbeoog om ‘n reekskonserte aan te bied, maar hierdie benadering sal ons nie tot by diebeoogde bedrag bring nie.

“Ons benodig dus borgskap van diegene wat ‘n passie vir musiek en ons kulturele erfenis koester," sê Steyl.

ENIGSTEORREL

"Dit sou ‘n groot verlies wees indien Brackenfell sy enigste orrel verloor.

“As ons nie binne die volgende twee tot drie jaar ernstig aandag daaraan gee nie, sal die instandhoudingskoste al hoe hoër raak,die nodige herstelwerk nie gedoen word nie, en die orrel uiteindelik, soos in soveel ander dorpe die geval is,instof staan."

Tourismplanto powerjobgrowth

Cape Town is setting its sightson more than 200 000 tourism-related jobs by 2030, alongside billions in visitorspending and asharprise in internationalarrivals,the City's Mayco member for economicgrowthand tourism, James Vos, announced.

Unveiling the City’s tourism ambitions at the opening of World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2026 in CapeTown recently, Vos positioned the City’supcoming Tourism Frameworkasa"game-changer” that will define Cape Town’s nextphase of growth.

The plan, currently being finalised,sets out three major targets for 2013 being 3.4 million international arrivals;R34 billion in visitor spending and adoubling of tourismjobs to over 200 000

These goals, Vosindicated, are not aspirational alone, but builtonstrong momentum alreadyachieved.

Since 2022, Cape Town hassignificantly expandedits global connectivity, growing from 184 to more than 230international flights per week during peakseason. This has supported asteady rise in tourism employment, from just over89 000 jobs in 2022tomore than 106 000in2024, now accounting for closeto7%of the city’s workforce

Addressingaglobal audience of tourism professionals, Vos stressed thattourism must be understood as acore economic sector.

“Behind every arrival is an economic opportunity,for abusiness,for aworker, andfor acommunity,” he said, reinforcing the link between visitor growth and job creation

He alsohighlighted the City’saggressive

Newtrafficfeatureputseye in AI

DESIREERORKE

DESIREE.RORKE@TYGERBURGER.CO.ZA

South Africa is on the cusp of asignificant shift in traffic enforcement, as the City of Cape Town explores the introduction of AI-powered cameras capable of detecting seatbelt and mobile phone violations in real time.

AccordingtoKevin Jacobs, spokesperson for the City’sTraffic Services, the City trialedanAIcamera to see how the technology couldused to detect offences, like crossing solid white lines,motor vehicleoccupantsnot wearing seatbelts, or usingtheir mobile phones whilst driving.

“At this time, there is no plan for a rolloutofAIcameras; however, we cannot discount thepossibility that AI will play abigger role in this, andother means

FROMPAGE1

“I’veseen delivery scooters, taxis, school buses, andeven police cars not stopping when they should,” he told the newspaper.

Breslersays the City’straffic officers cannot police every crossing in the city, and it is up to every single road user to foster better road discipline.

of enforcement in the future,” he told TygerBurger

Should thisever go ahead at some point in the future, traffic enforcement could, for the first time, move beyond roadblocksand visible policing to continuous, automated monitoring, with implications not only for road safety, but for how quickly fines are issued. It will pave the way for anew phase of traffic enforcement, said Fines SA.

According to Fines SA, the AI-powered system will automatically identify motorists driving without seatbelts or using theirmobile phones behind the wheel —two of the most common and dangerous road offences.

“This is asignificant moment for road safetyinSouth Africa.”

that is, on average,, one death every 11 hours and 40 minutes, with 68% being pedestrians.

“The majority of road accidents is caused by driver mistakes,” he says. “People are constantly in ahurry, speeding, failing to stop or overtaking when it is not safe.”

Thecampaign has garnered an encouraging response thus far.

CAPE TOWN TARGETSMORE THAN 200 000 TOURISM JOBS BY 2030

destination marketing strategy, including the “This is Cape Town” campaign,which hastakenthe city’sbrand to 55 cities across six continents. With astrong focus on conversion rather thanawareness alone, the campaign hascontributed to record passengernumbers, with Cape Town International Airport surpassing 11 million two-way passengers in the past year.

MULTI-YEARAGREEMENT

Vosfurther emphasised the strategic importance of hosting WTM Africa, confirming that Cape Town has secured the event through amulti-year agreement Withmorethan100 countries represented and8000 trade professionals actively doing business, he describedthe event as adirect investment into the city’s future tourism pipeline, driving bookings, partnerships, andlong-term demand.

But it wasthe 2030 outlook thatdefined the toneofthe address.

Vosmadeitclear that the next phase of tourismgrowth will focus notonlyon scale, but on impact, ensuring thatmore communitiesbenefit from the visitor economy

Theforthcoming Tourism Framework,he said,will prioritise inclusion, resilience, andsustainability, while accelerating growth across key sourcemarkets and strengthening Cape Town’s position as a leading global destination.

“Thiscampaign aims to foster a culturalshift. It’s counterproductive when communities callfor enhanced traffic measures yetremain unwilling to contribute to the solution themselves,” he says.

With soaringaccident statistics in the city, Bresler believes thatdriver discipline plays avital role in reducing the numbers.

Accordingtothe City of Cape Town’s 2025 Traffic Crash Report (2021–2024),a totalof3007 people were killed in 262 225 traffic crashes overthis four-year period;

“When Iapproach motorists, many respond with sheepish grins —asilent acknowledgement of theirbehaviour whilst demonstrating genuine receptiveness to change,”heexplains. He notes that he regularly receives appreciative messages from road users expressing gratitude for his initiative.

“When people complain amongst themselves about inadequate traffic enforcement, Iwant them to pauseand ask one another: ‘Doyou stop’?”

Cityinstallsspeedlights

Smart speed signs are being installedacross Cape Town and alreadyhave an effect to reduce the speed at which motorists drive.

The signs detectthe speed of a vehicle and display the measured speed on avariable message sign next to the road, where itis visibletothe drivers

According to amedia release by the City of Cape, the City's UrbanMobilityDirectorate

has noticed a25% reduction in vehicles exceeding speed limits at locations where these signs are

SMART

SPEED SIGNS REDUCESPEEDING BY 25% ON KEY CAPE ROUTES

installed.

Thereare currently 10 smart speed signs in Cape Town and another four in the planning process. The City’s Transport Network Technology team implements the roll-out of these signs on requestfrom wards funding them,accordingtothe media release.

"Thesesigns have proven to be an effective speed calming tool sincethe installation of the initialsigns some threeyears ago," said Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility.

"We areencouraged by the effectiveness sofar and knowour transportnetwork technology branch isalways looking at ways toadd to the functionality of these signs. If residents would liketomotivate fora sign at aspecific location they arewelcome to approachtheir ward councillorfor further consideration."

LOCATIONS

The City has thus far rolled out smartspeed signsatthe following locations:

. 109 High Level Road, Green Point;

. 109 Ocean View Drive, Green Point;

. 291HighLevel Road, SeaPoint; . 27 High Level Road, Sea Point; . 43 OceanView Drive,Green

Point;

. JipdeJagernearEksteen Street,Bellville;

. Jip de Jager near Mara Street, Bellville;

. Main Road nearV &A Waterfront, Green Point;

. Beach Road near Surrey Place, Mouille Point;

. Victoria Road near Maiden's Cove,Camps Bay.

MOSTRECENTSIGNS

The most recentsigns were installedalong Jip de Jager in November last year andinWard 115 and Ward 54 in January this year.

"Each smart speed sign is connected to onecentralserver," Quintas pointed out.

"Dataiscollected andstored of all vehicles recordedbythe sign. Once anew signisinstalled, the display is left in an off state for thefirst two weeks. This enables theCity to have data from the time before the sign was in operation. Afterwards the display is switchedonfor approximately two weeks, and another data sample is taken.

"We have definitely noticed a drop in the number of vehicles exceeding thespeed limit once thedisplays were switched on. We have alsonoticed, by monitoringthe brake lights of cars,how thedrivers brake when

they actually see the speed at whichthey are travelling where the‘slowdown’ message is displayed.

"I urge drivers to pay close attention to the speeds they are driving at and to adhere to the speed limit on our roads."

The design of the smart speed signs has earned the City’s transport planning and network management department an innovation award.

"This is one of the many technologies the City’s Urban Mobility Directorate has designed and installed over the lastfew years," Quintas said.

Millions of indigenous plantsstrippedbypoaching syndicates

KAILINDANIELS

KAILIN.DANIELS@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Abriefing to theWestern Cape Standing Committee on Environmental Affairs and Development Planning has exposed the alarming scale of plant poaching, with morethan 2,5 million indigenous plants seized since 2018, afigurethat reflects only afraction of the ongoing environmental crime.

“Since 2018, more than 2,5 million poached indigenous plantshave been seized by law enforcement,” said Dave Bryant, MPP and DA Western Cape spokesperson on Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, yet thisrepresents only afraction of what is being

stripped from ourlandscape by organised criminal syndicates.

The presentationbyCapeNature highlighted howthe illegal trade in succulents andotherhighvalue species had escalated into asophisticated international criminal enterprise.

Seven species andtwo subspeciesof Conophytum hadalready been lost in their naturalhabitats due to poaching, markingwhatofficials described asanirreversible blow to South Africa’s biodiversity.

FROMCOLLECTORSTOCRIMINAL SYNDICATES

What beganas small-scale, opportunisticcollecting by international enthusiastshas evolved dramatically overthe

past decade

Before 2020 foreign collectors travelledtoSouth Africa to source rare plants themselves. Today, organised syndicates rely on local intermediaries to recruit poachers and fulfill targeted “special orders” for rare species.

“Thesesyndicates are highly organised andoperate across provincesand borders, treating biodiversity as acommodity,” officials told the committee.

CapeNature identified global demandfor rare ornamental succulentsasa key driver of the surgeinpoaching.

“More rare or unique means more valuable,” the presentation noted, highlighting how online platforms enable illegal trade to flourish.

At thesame time socioeconomic pressures are making local communities vulnerable.

“Poaching is seen as low-risk and high-income, quick money for short periods in the veld,” CapeNature said.

EXTINCTIONUNFOLDINGINREALTIME

The environmental consequences are already severe,CapeNature told Nova News.“Seven species and two subspecies have been poached to extinction in the wild since 2020.”

Monitoring has shown drastic declines in plant populations, with large portions of the Conophytum genus now critically endangered. Authorities warned that plant poaching is linked to broader

organised crime.

“Syndicates involved in succulent poaching are also linked to abalone, rhino horn, ivory smuggling and drug trafficking,” the briefing revealed.

High-value species such as Clivia mirabilis are being smuggled through the Limpopo border disguised as common agricultural products, such as sugar cane, to reach international markets where they can fetch 10 times theirlocal value.

“These syndicates operate with precision, often deploying groups of 75 to 150 poachersinasingle night,treating our province’s unique biodiversity as acommon currency for organised crime,” Bryant said.

Hiramtreeby DieBoerop

Hiram Koopmanbring sy eerstesolovertoning sedert 2011 op Dinsdag28en Woensdag 29 April na Die Boer-teaterrestaurantin Durbanville

Ná 17 jaar wathyprofessioneel saksofoonspeel en die wêreld deurtoer het —van Afrika tot Amerika, Europa,Nieu-Seeland en Australië —isdit vir Hiram ’n grootvoorreg om weer ’n solovertoningaan te bied. Met SaxinAfrikaans vierhydie klassiekeAfrikaansemusiek waarmee hy grootgewordhet en wat hy op sy uniekemanier op die saksofoon vertolk. Hiram se storie het begin as ’n sewejarigeseun met groot drome —in’nhuis waar Afrikaanse musiek elkedag in diekombuis gespeel hetterwylsy ma gebakenkos gemaak het,ensypasejazzklanke die agtergrond gevorm het

Dáár het sy liefde vir musiek en sy unieke klank beginvorm kry. Sedertdien het hy die verhooggedeel met kunstenaars soos Elvis Blue,David Kramer, Laurika Rauch en vele andergevestigde énnuweAfrikaanse kunstenaars. . Kaartjies kosR230.Bespreek by www dieboer.comofby021 9791911.

EERSTESOLOVERTONING SEDERT 2011

HiramKoopman,ook‘n “boytjie vanBrackenfell”, bring eersdaags sy saksofoon na DieBoer in Durbanville

Indian danceonstage at Suidoosterfees

Taare, aCape Town-based Indian danceperformancetroupe,willbring theirnewest danceproduction, TheBollywood Times,toArtscape on Saturday 2May as part of theSuidoosterfees.

Foundedbyartistic director Ahneesh Valodia in 2012,Taarewas established to create aplatform forboth emergingand experienced dancers to contribute theirskills to theenrichmentofthe greatercommunity. Taarehas builta reputation for vibrant storytelling throughthe promotionofthe Indian performingarts, blending theatrical concepts with thecolour and energy of Bollywood music and dance.

IMAGINATIVEPRODUCTIONS

Over theyears,the companyhas staged imaginative productionssuchas TheTaare Express, When DancersUnite, Kismet, Anjali in Wonderland,and The BollywoodBazaar,eachexploring unique themes throughdance,cross-cultural collaborativework, and theatrical storytelling.

Celebrating 14 yearsofdance,the company continues to foster asupportiveand inclusive environment forits members,encouragingthem to sharetheir unique stories and talents. "The troupe is morethanjust adance group; it is afamilythat nur-

turescreativity, passion, andlifelong connections," Valodia said

TheBollywood Times marksTaare’s 12th dance productionand itsfifthcollaboration withthe Suidoosterfees, one of South Africa’s leading arts festivalsthat celebrates diversetheatre,music, anddancewhileshowcasing bothemergingand established artists

Fresh off thepress, TheBollywood Times is an 90-minutedancespectacular staged within a bustling newspaper office.Asheadlines andstories come to life from thepages, audiences aretaken on ajourneythrough different emotions, events, and culturalinfluences.

TheproductionfeaturesTaare’s signaturestorytelling stylewhileincorporating an rangeofdance genres.

Alongside traditional Indian andmodern Bollywood dancestyles, audiences willexperience elementsofballet, contemporary, flamenco, African dance, jive,modern, hip-hop,and belly dance, creating avisually rich andhigh-energy theatrical experience.

TheBollywood Times hastwo performanceson Saturday 2May,atArtscape,at17:30 and20:30 . Book at Webtickets.

Kommentaar // Comments

THINKING OUTLOUD SLICEOFLIFE

Socks,storms and stubborn summer vibes

Winter has officially arrived. Youcan feel it in theearly morning chill, see it in the grey skies rolling in,and hear it in the steady rhythm of rain against thewindows. For some, it’s aseasonto endure. For me, it’s one to embrace. There’s something deeply comforting about winter. It invites you to slow down, to trade the rush of summer for quieter moments. To wrap yourself in blankets, cradle awarm cup of coffee,and sitalittle longer beside the fireplace while the world outside turns cold and wet

But this past weekend, winter reminded us that it is not always gentle. Heavy rains battered parts of thecity, leaving floodingand damage in their wake. For many families, the season did not arrive with cosy blankets and warmdrinks, but with risingwater, soaked belongingsand uncertainty. My heart goes out to those who have been affected —especially thosewho havelost their homes or have nowhere to go. It’s astark reminder that while winter can feel magicalfor some, it canbeincredibly harsh for others. It puts things into perspective.

Because while I’mlightingafire and reaching foranotherjersey,thereare people trying to stay dry, trying to stay warm, trying to hold onto whatthey have And inside my home, winterlooks very different. My three-year-old sonisfirmly convinceditisstill summer

Every morning beginswitha negotiation —socks being the main point of contention. To him, they areunnecessary and deeply offensive. To me,they are essential. “Just try them,” Isay,holding

FORMANYFAMILIES,THE SEASONDIDNOTARRIVEWITH COSYBLANKETS...

outasmall pair. “No,” he replies, without hesitation.

Then comes the wardrobe debate. While I’m layering up, he’s pointing atshorts andT-shirts as if the weather outside is merely asuggestion. Explaining winter to atoddler is no easy task.

“It’s cold,” Itell him. “Butthe sun is there,” he says, pointing outthe window. And in his mind, that settles it. Because sun means one thing: beach.

So when Iexplain that we can’tgo, the confusionisreal. Why would anyone not go to the beach if the sun is visible? It’s a fair question —one that logic struggles to answer when you’rethree years old

After one such conversation, he paused, looked up at the sky, and asked, “Is the sun on holiday?” And just like that, winter made perfect sense.

Because that’s exactlywhatitfeels like sometimes —like the sun has taken abreak, leaving clouds, wind andrain behind.Itstill makes the occasional appearance,just enough to remind us it hasn’t disappeared entirely

But it doesn’t linger. Itriedtoexplain this to him —that the sun is still there, just not as warm, not as strong.Hewasn’t convinced. In hisworld, things are simple. Warm means outside. Sun means beach. Socks are optional.

The recent flooding has reminded us how vulnerable so many people are when the rains come.And maybe that’s the balance winter asksofus— to find comfort wherewecan, while remaining aware of those who cannot. To be grateful,but not unaware. So whileIsit with mycoffeeand my blanket, and continue the daily battle oversocks, I’m holding space forboth realities. Thecosy and the difficult. The laughter and theloss. And somewhere in between, asmall voicestill asking whether the sun will be back from holiday tomorrow. Itell him yes. Even if, for now, winterishereto stay. -KAILIN DANIELS

BRIEWE|LETTERS

Wag togvir jou beurt

Ek is nounet mooi keelvolvan mense se ongedulden selfsugtigheid op die pad, veralinspitsverkeer soggens op Bottelary

Heavyrain bringsback thepotholecrisis

As winter settlesoverCape Town once again, so too doesthe familiar and frustrating problem of potholes returntoour roads.Every year it feelslikethe same story is replayed —heavy rainsarrive, roads deteriorate, and motorists arelefttonavigateanever-growing network of craters anddamagedsurfaces

In some areas, temporary'patchwork fixes' seem to last only afew days before the damage re-emerges, often worsethanbefore. Better planning, more resilientroadmaterials, andfasterresponsetimes couldgo alongway in reducing the impact of winter damage.

ACONCERNEDMOTORIST, Email

Onsmoetalmal ‘n sekere tydbydie werk komen, net soos 'n mensin'nwinkel in 'n ry gaan staan om te betaal,nie net summier voor ander indruk nie.Jykan mosopdie padook jou beurt afwag

Die padwerke op Labellewegisnou al sedertdie begin vandie jaar aan die gang. Dit is nie 'n nuweding nie,maar vanoggend staan die ry karreopBottelary watalmal voor wil indruk amper net so lank soos die ry watindie korrekte baan geduldig moetwag —eintlik noglanger, te dankeaan al die selfsugtiges. Elkedag dieselfde storie —dieselfde voertuie wathul neusenet voor joune indruk.

ESTHER,E-pos

FalseBayandVDEintryfest

In the back roware Sensei Nicolette Morrison-Hagen, Ruan Potgieter, and AvaJohannes, In the middlerow areNicoleAyres, Aimee Stephens, EmilyMatthee and Corné Goosen, and in the frontis Killian Hoffman.

Karatekahaul inmedals

Athletes from International Martial Arts Academy (IMAA) delivered an excellent performanceatthe recent KSA Children, Cadets and Junior Nationals in KZN.

“Our athletes showed heart, discipline, and true fightingspirit on the national stage —and we areincredibly proud of what they achieved,” saysSensei Nicolette Morrison-Hagen of the academy.

“A huge well done to each

athlete for representingwith courageand commitment. Moments likethese reflect the hard work behind thescenes, the supportofour dojo family, and the strength ofthe Western Cape team. And whatanachievement to see WesternCapefinish in

second place overall. Proudisan understatement.

RESULTS:

. Ava Johannes–Silver Kata, BronzeKumite

. Killian Hoffman –Gold Kata

. AimeeStephens –Bronze Kumite

. Nicole Ayres–Bronze Kumite

. Ruan Potgieter –Silver Kumite, andcurrently ranked No 1inhis division