TygerBurger | Kuilsrivier | E-edition | 10 June 2026

The Wesbank community has been dealing with electricityservice failures for more than five years, with homes, businesses and schools among those affected.

Despite repeated attemptsto engage Eskom, systemicproblems persist.

Ward councillorEbrahim

Sawant outlined the key

issues, painting apicture of a community let down on multiple fronts.

Reaching Eskom is itself achallenge, with residents regularlywaitingone to two hours by phone, while the utility’s Alfred chatbot issues

new reference numbers without resolvingany problems. Newly installed meters cannotbe purchased or registered for over amonthand,onceoperational, frequently fail within six months. Replacements can take up to a year duetostock shortages, anda

widespread token and unit failures,withalarge technician backlog slowing repairs further.

Power outages are aregular occurrence, with burnedout transformers leaving streetswithout electricityfor over aweek and little to no communication from Eskom to affected residents.

Reviseddatefor endtoroadworks

Road rehabilitation works alongLa Belle Road in Stikland, Bellville areprogressing well, with theCity of CapeTown setting arevised target completion dateofmid-September.

The City’s Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas, recently visited the project site —the stretchbetween Strand Road andWillow Street —toinspect progress first-hand.

The road, whichcarriesahigh volume of heavy-vehicle traffic through the industrial area, was found to be in particularly poor condition, requiring afar more intensive intervention than straightforward resurfacing.

Existingroad layers are being recycled in stages, aprocess that is less visually apparent to passers-by butfundamental to thelong-term integrity of the road.

“I would like to thank residents, businessesand road users for their patiencethusfar —I knowithas been a lengthy project. The road was in avery poor condition and required amuch deeper treatment thanjust resurfacing, duetothe volume of heavy vehicle movement in this industrial area.

“I am happy withthe progress Ihave seen on this visit.Residents can look forward to asafer, more reliable road, improvedstormwater infrastructure and upgradedsidewalks in thisvicinity,” said Quintas

FROMPAGE1

Cutwires from cabletheft are often left unrepairedfor days, posing safetyrisks, and post-load-shedding low current has in some cases caused sparksand fires. Ageingwoodenpolespresent afurther structuralconcern, yet repairstake up to amonth. When technicians do attend, residentsreporttheyfrequently arrive without supplies anddonot return to complete thework

EFFORTSTOENGAGEESKOM

Sawant noted that overthe years, numerousattemptshave been made to engage Eskom on these issues,including letters to theMinisterofElectricity and the President, amemorandum of understandingpresented on the community’sbehalf, acommunity march with apetitioncallingfor ministerial involvement, and aWhatsApp group for direct fault reportingtosenior officials. A weekly fault spreadsheet continues to be submitted for escalation,and the Human Rights Commissionwas approached to apply additional pressure.

Despite this, service delivery has not meaningfully improved. Eskom has become increasingly difficult to access directly, with thecouncillor’s office servingasthe main pointofcontact for manyresidents. The establishment of an Eskom task team andpop-up offices provided some temporary relief, but underlyingissuesremain unresolved.

MEETINGENDSINFRUSTRATION

On Wednesday3June, acommunity meetingwas held at Hoofweg Primary School,bringingtogether residents, Eskom representatives, and City of Cape Town officials,including Mayco member for energy, Xanthea Limberg.

The meeting did notyield the outcomes residentshad hoped for. “It is clear Eskom is not serious in dealing with the crisis. We,the community taskteam, had askedthatEskomaddress the many grievances when we metthree weeks ago. Now theysend another team to this meeting whocomeswithout any solutions or interventions. This is simply unacceptable,”Sawantsaid.

“Thecommunityisatbreaking point havinglived for five years in the dark. Day after dayand week after week, households are without electricity. What should be abasic right has become acruel situation, exploited by gangsters, resulting

MORE INTENSIVE WORK NEEDED,CITY SAYS, DUETOROAD’S POOR CONDITION

WHYTHEWORKTAKESTIME

Quintas urged road users to understand the technical demands driving the project’s timeline. Once alayer has been recycled, it must be left to curefor at least seven days before the next layer can be constructed —arequirement that unavoidably extends the overall programme.

“I want road users to understand that thesesorts of projects take far longer, and progress is less visible because the existing road layers are being recycled in stages.

“These curing periods are necessary to ensure that the road achieves the required strengthand long-term performance,” he said.

in the escalation of shootings, murders and robberies –withfood losses in fridges and children unable to study after sunset.”

TheEskom representative acknowledged that she and her team had arrived unprepared, apologised, and promised to take the community’sgrievances back to management. Sawant indicated this was no longer sufficient and that the community would now pursue ameeting with the National Minister of Energy. A proposal that the City of Cape Town take over Eskom areas drew loud applause from residents.

DISRUPTIONS

Chris Snyman, attending on behalf of Human RightsCommission chairChris Nissen, expressed disappointment at Eskom’s lack of responsiveness to the community’sconcerns and undertook to report back to Nissen on the meeting’s proceedings.

Wesbank High School principal Danielle Brikkels questioned why the school’s electricityhad still not been restored after more than three weeks of daily reports to Eskom. She noted that matriclearners had recorded poor resultsinComputer Applications Technology last year due to ongoing disruptions. The learnerscannot practise for the CAT exams and long delays of electricity supply cause general disruptions to the whole school. Neighbourhood watch member Susan Swartzhighlighted concerns about the safetyofEskom workers in the area, noting that watch members regularly accompany technicians as Eskom provides no dedicated protection for itsstaff, and that workershave expressed reluctance to operate in Wesbank as aresult.

Bababyvul

CARINAROUX

Vir baie mensesou dit traumaties

wees 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 bereik is Ditis’ndroom wat hy al lank koester,maar voor Vrydag 22 Mei nooit met enigeen gedeel het nie. Daardie

Help needed for Women’sDay tournament

For the past four years, the Highbury Foundation Civic Association hasselffunded its annual Youth Dayand Women's Day five-a-side football tournaments

“These events are alifelinefor our community, keeping our youth engaged, active,and inspired. Unfortunately,due to asevere lack of immediate funding, we have been forced to cancel our upcoming Youth Day event. It was aheartbreaking decision, but we refuse to let our youth down twice,” saysWinston Middleton, chair of Highbury Foundation.

The association is now focused on securing support for itsWomen'sDay tournament,scheduled for Monday 10 August, and is looking for asponsorship partnertohelp cover costs. It is seeking to raise R4 500 to cover tournament operational and event costs. In-kind contributions of medals and refreshments for players are also welcome. Sponsors can expect community brand visibilityand direct social impact at grassroots level. The association welcomes referrals to businesses looking to support grassroots sports.

. Contact Winston Middleton on082 202 3214 or William Newman on 083321 3695 to find out more or discuss sponsorship.

Career dayinvitation

High school learners areinvited to aCareerDay hosted by TheFlock ChurchinKuils Riveron Youth Day, Tuesday16June,from09:00 until 12:00 at28AnnandaleRoad. Theevent will featureprofessionals from avarietyoffields, setupinan open-day-style layout wherelearnersare welcome to move freely between representatives and speakwith those working in careers thatinterest them. Entryisfree. . Contact CallyJansen on 084 951 8338 for moredetails.

Besetters in padvan lughawe-uitbreiding

'n Moontlike lang pad lê voorvoordat die Lughawensmaatskappy van Suid-Afrika (Acsa) kan begin met diemultimiljardrand uitbreiding vandie Kaapstadse Internasionale Lughawe.

'n Nuwe aanloopbaan van R6,39miljard word onder meer in dievooruitsig gestel. Die nuwe aanloopbaan gaan 3500 mby 60 mwees en sal groter vliegtuie en meer passasiers kan hanteer.

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

Acsahet Dinsdag in dieWes-Kaapse wetgewer bekendgemaak dathulle saam met die departement van openbare werke en infrastruktuur 'n proses van stapel gestuur het om besetterstehervestig.

Aslam Miller, senior bestuur van infrastruktuur en eiendomsontwikkeling by Acsa, het aan die staandekomitee oor landbou, ekonomieseontwikkeling en toerisme, gesê meer as 3000 mense het hulselfsedertdie Covid19-pandemieop grond wat aan Acsa behoortgevestig.

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 wilhulle nie net die besetters uitmyt nie, maar beooghulle om hulle te hervestig op grond wat nader aan beter geriewe is. Daar is alternatiewe grond 5km van dielughawe geoormerk.

TygerBurger hetnaAcsa en die minister vanopenbare werke se kantoor uitgereik vir verdere kommentaar, maarhet teen tyd van publikasie nog geen terugvoer ontvang nie.

BuildingBlockscentre celebratesfirstbirthday

Building Blocks Learning Centre turnedone on 2June. Ayear ago, thiseducare opened its doorsin KuilsRiver with one dream in mind, to be abeacon of hope for parents of little ones on the autism spectrum and those withother special needs.

OnthatfirstrainyMonday, just two learners walkedthroughthe door. The centre hassince growntoupto50learners within its60-learner capacity, cateringfor children aged three to 12 years.

“We focus on life skills, concrete learning,occupational therapy-based lessons and basic foundation teaching, keeping sensory stimuli in mindatall times.Our main goal is to strengthen preschoolers andfoundationphase learners to navigatelife with skills they will definitely need alongtheir journeyas individuals with autism, ADHD,sensory processing challenges andother special needs,” says managerMariam Papier.

“Wepride ourselvesonknowing every learner by heart andcatering to their specific needs withone-on-onesessions,

CENTREFOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN CELEBRATES ITSGROWTH

individualised lesson plans and the drive to achieve above andbeyond resultsfor every single child,” says owner Yvette Mowers.

Thestaff are well trained, qualified and deeply passionateabout the overall goal of the school, whichalso achieved full registration status within itsfirst year of operation.

Thelittle onescelebrated with a superhero-themed party, with cake and party goodies, because, as the team puts it, they arethe truesuperheroes of Building BlocksLearningCentre.

“Time flieswhen you're having fun, and we are open to more learners, especially this June, with azero registration fee promotion for ourbirthday month,” says Mowers.

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 helped dismantle 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 documentaryfeatures,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.

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.

Kaapsdictionary launched

WOWTelfees aangekondig

Woorde OpenWêrelde (WOW), ’n bemagtigingsinisiatief vandie Stellenbosch Universiteit, het onlangs die eerste landwye WOW Telfees aangekondig.

Dieprojekhet ten doel om leerders se syfervaardighede en wiskundige denke te versterk deur ’n opwindende en mededingende platform te skep.

Danksy die ondersteuning van die Millennium Trust saldie WOW Telfees vanjaar op kring-, distriks- en provinsiale vlak in al nege provinsies van Suid-Afrika aangebied word.

Skole van oor die landheen word uitgenooi om leerders vir die kompetisie in te skryf. Die kompetisie is oop vir laerskoolleerders in Graad 4tot 7en

hoërskoolleerders in Graad 8en9

Die Telfees is slegs in Afrikaans. . Besoek https://wow.woordfees.co.za/wowtelfees/ vir meer inligting en registrasie.Navrae kanper e-pos gestuur word aan:uswow@sun. ac.za.

Die WOWTelfees het tendoelomleerdersse syfervaardighede en wiskundigedenketeversterk.

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

PHOTO:CARINAROUX

BRIEWE|LETTERS

Whyisstatue

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?

hidden away?

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

itsbreath…justfor amoment

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?

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Sport

HARTLEYVALE READYFOR WORLD-CLASS HOCKEY ACTION

Hockeybattleon

Cape Town is gearing up to host the world’s top hockey nations after being confirmed as the venue for the 2025–26 FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup, taking place from Thursday 11 June, to Saturday 20 June at the Hartleyvale Stadium in Observatory.

The South AfricanHockey Association said in astatement the prestigious tournament forms part of the global competition structure of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and provides the winning nation with the opportunity to be promoted to the 2026–27 FIH Hockey Pro League, the pinnacle of internationalhockey competition.

The event will feature an outstanding lineup of international teams including South Africa, New Zealand, France, Korea, Japan, Wales, Malaysia, Scotland and Ireland.

Scotland earned their place through promotion viathe FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, while Ireland enter the tournament following their participation in the 2024–25 FIH Hockey Pro League season.

This will mark the return of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup to South Africa,following the country’s successful hosting of the inaugural edition in Potchefstroomin2022.

SouthAfrica’s men’s team made

Cape Town host theFIH HockeyMen’ Nations Cu bringing nine international teams to So Africa.

CAPE TOWN WINS HOSTING RIGHTSFOR NATIONS CUP

history by winning theinaugural Nations Cup in2022, andthe opportunity to compete on home soilonce again adds further excitement to the tournament.

PROUDMOMENTFORSAHOCKEY

Hostingthe FIH HockeyMen’s Nations Cup represents amajor milestone forSouth African hockey, providing an opportunity to bring international sport, tourism, and community engagement together in oneofthe

world’s great sporting cities. The event will offersignificant commercial and branding opportunitiesfor organisations lookingtoalign with international sport.

FIH President Tayyab Ikram expressedhis gratitude to the Hockey AssociationsofSouth Africa. “We are delightedto haveanoutstandinghostnation and cityfor this remarkable tournaments. I’m excited for thethrillingmatches andthe fantastic atmosphere that will unfold, as some of theworld’s top teams showcasetheirtalent for hockey fans around theglobe.”

SA Hockey President Deon Morganwelcomed the

opportunity for SouthAfrica hostworld-class international hockey again.

“It gives our national team theopportunity to compete againstsome of the bestteams in theworld on home soil, alsoshowcasing the passion and strength of hockey in our country.

“Events like this inspire the nextgeneration of players and demonstrate SouthAfrica’s capability to host world-class international sport.”

. Organisations interestedin partneringwithSouth AfricanH forthishistoric eventare encour to contactMarketing@Sahock co.zaorCEO@Sahockey.co.za