TygerBurger | Kuilsrivier | E-edition | 15 April 2026

Invitetoengage onvaluations

The City of CapeTown is updating its Property Valuation Roll which will determine payment forrates and municipal services. Is yourproperty valuation accurate? If not,your monthly rates and servicecharges could rise steeply.

Civic association Highbury Foundation invitesproperty owners to acommunity engagementtoclarify the City of Cape Town's new2025 GeneralValuation Roll on Thursday23April at 19:30 at theEducareCentre, Excelsior Street, Highbury.

The sessionwill coverhow rates are determined and the 2025 valuation impact on yourmonthly bill, plus understanding the"Serviceand Wires" charges for

RESIDENTSURGED TO CHECK THEIR PROPERTYVALUE

electricity and municipal service charges based on your new rates. Attendees will learn how to disputetheir new valuation and won't miss the critical deadline of 30 April for objections. In preparation for the engagement, residentsare advised to request an online property reportor approach ahousing agent to understand theircurrent valuation.

. Contact Leanne Stellenberg(secretary) on 082371 4252 or WinstonMiddleton(chair)on 082202 3214 formoreinformation.

Blomme op uitstalling in Sarepta

DieOostenberg Horticultural and IndustrialSociety houopSaterdag 2Mei van 09:00 tot 13:00 'n Chrysanthemumsblommeskou in die saal van die Anglikaanse kerk in Sarepta. Ongeveer 200 Chrysanthemums (krisante

FROMPAGE1

He justhad thatintrinsic skill that could bringout the best in everyone. That’s whyhewas so much-lovedasacoach. Everyonejust wanted to playfor him.”

Solomon became clubpresident around 2004 and then honorary lifepresident “In that role he formed an anchor to so many aspectsofwhatthe club was trying to achieve,whether it was sponsorship or events...Chippie always said (yes) –no did notexist. He was astraightforward person, loudand proud and you knew exactly where you stood with him,”said Isaacs

“He did not accept failure, he always strived forsuccess, andifhedidn’tget it, he would makesure thatwestood up very quickly andgofor thegoals we set out to achieve.Hewas awonderful kind-hearted man with awonderful rough edge that knew exactly howtoget everyone excited. Hislove andgenuine approach to people were what made his tenure at the club so special.”

Isaacs was aschoolboy when he first met Solomon as WP school’s coach, and at the club, theyworkedvery closely. Even when theStormerswereontour, Isaacs could reach out to himand Solomon would walk theextra mile.“He always delivered when he said he would do something.”

Solomon’s suddenpassing hit hard.

“I still can’t getover it –onFriday evening we spokeabout the game against Hamilton and he said to me: ‘I think we are going to have agreat day tomorrow.’

Thosewere his final words to me before he left. What aloss; there will never be another Chippie Solomon.”

Solomon’s impact extended far beyond club rugby to theprofessional game.

STORMERS

Solomon servedasStormersteam manager from 2004 until hisdeath, overseeing more than 350 matches across 21 seasons. Known affectionately as “Uncle Chippie”, he acted as amentor to generationsofplayers at the franchise.

en asters) sal uitgestal word. Die blomme sal na afloop van die skou te koop wees Daar sal ook stalletjies wees wat verversings sal verkoop.

. Kontak Charles Summersby073 8072350 vir meer inligting.

Born in Newlands and raised in Bonteheuwel, Solomon was ateacher, coach and headmaster at Westridge High School in Mitchells Plainbefore moving into rugby administration. During his playing career, he represented Western Province Schools as ahooker and loose forward under the SA Rugby Union banner.

Solomon also worked as acoach and selector for the SA Schools team before joining the professional structures as a team manager for various junior teams Stormers chief executive Johan le Roux said Solomon brought passion to everything he did and embodied the values of rugby.

“Our thoughts are with his family and all thosewhose lives he touched over what was an incredible career. Oursupporters will all miss his familiar presence, and the entire rugby community is in mourning over thissad loss,” he said.

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said therewould never be another character quite like Solomon.

“This is devastating news for so many of us. Chippie was aremarkable man who was so much more than just ateam manager. He has been synonymous with our team for so long and represented us with pride all over the world,” he said.

“He will be remembered as atruerugby man, but more importantly as someone who was fiercely loyal and represented his community and family with distinction in all that he did.”

Former Springbok and Stormersplayer Bryan Habana described Solomon as the Stormers’ heartbeat.

“His laughter was infectious, his passion unmatched, and his care for every single person in that environment was something truly special,”hewroteinan online tribute.

“He was amentor, aconfidant, a constant. Theguy who checked in when no one else did, who celebrated your highs like they were his own, and who stood firmly by you in your lowest moments.”

Lewerkommentaaropbegroting

Inwoners het tot einde vandeesmaand om kommentaar te leweropdie Stad Kaapstad se konsepbegroting vir die 2026-'27-boekjaar.

Die totale begroting beloopR87,97 miljard, waarvan R13,03 miljardvir kapitaalprojekte en R74,76miljard vir operasionele uitgawes bestemis.

Diesogenaamde "Stad van hoop"begroting wat onlangs ter tafel gelê is, sit die Stad se finansiële prioriteite en beplande beleggings virdie komende boekjaar uiteen.

Die voorgestelde verhogingvan munisipale heffings en tariewe salop1 Julie in werking tree.

Eiendomsbelasting word bereken volgens die waardasie van die eiendom soosopdie Stad se algemene eiendomswaardasierol met'nalgehele vermindering van 10,2% in die koers-in-die-rand.

Water- en sanitasiekostes styg met 4,5% terwyl vullisverwydering, sowel asdie stadswye skoonmaakheffing,beidemet 3,75% toeneem. Die vastebasieseheffings vir water en sanitasie word volgens die waardevan die eiendom bereken.

Die gemiddelde styging vir elektrisiteit is 6,67%. Volgens die Stad is die elektrisiteitsverhoging 2,23%laer as die verhogingwat Eskom vir elektrisiteitaan munisipaliteitevra

R8,3 miljard is begroot vir die Stad se deernisbeleid, wat verlaagdekostes bied aan behoeftigeinwoners watkwalifiseer

KAPITAALPROJEKTEINSUBRAAD14

Van die groter Stadsprojekte in Kuilsrivier sluit die oprig vanstrukture vir informele handelindie sakekern (R8,04 miljoen), die verbetering (Fase 2) van die Kuilsrivier-vervoerdepot(R5,78 miljoen) en die ontwikkeling van‘n"Safe Space" vir haweloses (R1,1 miljoen) in. Vir

die konstruksiewerk aan die Zevenwachtreservoir en waternetwerk is R2 miljoen begroot en vir die Rietvlei-pompstasie en pypleiding R131 448. Ander groot projekte in die wyer gebied binne diegrense vanSubraad 14 sluitin:

. Die uitskakelingvan die Buttskoppadtreinoorgang: R500 000; . Blueberry Hill-behuisingsprojek: R67,14 miljoen; . AloeRidge-behuisingsprojek: R10 miljoen; . Opknapwerk in informele nedersettings: R110 miljoen; . Verbetering van die Mfulenitaxistaanplek: R44,7 miljoen; en . Hergebruik van behandelde afvalwater: R9,8miljoen.

WYKSTOEWYSINGS

Die konsepbegroting maak ook voorsiening vir wyksprojekte.Wyke11, 14 en 19, onderSubraad 14, sluit dele van Kuilsrivierin. Die wyksbegrotings beloop tans R1 miljoen per wyk.

Vir Wyk 11, waar Wouter de Vos tans as wykraadslid dien, is R200 000 geoormerk vir skoonmaakprojekte in die gebied. 'n VerdereR200 000 is vir die konstruksie vansypaadjies in Sarepta en R100000 is vir verbeterings by die Sareptasportkompleks.

Altesame R85 000 gaan vir 'n kamera wat nommerplate kan herken (LPR) en R18 000 isbegroot vir die instandhouding van CCTV/LPR-kameras. Beide die Kuilsrivieren PD Paulse-biblioteekontvang R25000 vir boeke. R80 000 gaan vir naskoolse programmevir die jeug en R67 000 vir 'n ontwikkelingsprogram vir ontluikende kunstenaars.

Kariena Maré is tans die wykraadslid vir Wyk 14, wat ondermeer Blackheath insluit.Die wykstoewysings maak

Rommel langsdie kanaal by Kalkfontein: Wyk19sewyksbegroting maak onder meer voorsiening vir R232 000 vir“green jobs”,tydelikewerksgeleenthedevan dieStad,watdie skoonmaak vandie kanaal en omgewing insluit. FOTO:CARINAROUX

R13,03 MILJARDVAN DIE STAD SE R87,97 MILJARDGAAN VIR KAPITAALPROJEKTE

voorsiening vir verskeie programme: R30 000 vir hulpbronne vir vroeëkinderontwikkeling; R60000 virdie aktiewe-seniorsprogram, R100 000 vir die vakansieprogram, R30 000 vir 'n buitelugavontuurprogram en R60 000 vir die ontwikkelingsprogram vir kunstenaars. R100 000 is begroot vir bewusmaking oor middelmisbruik en R66000 vir bewusmaking oor MIV/vigs. R150 000 is vir buurtwagtoerusting begroot. Wyk19, watonder meer Kalkfontein en Wesbankinsluit, se raadslid is tans EbrahimSawant. Die wykstoewysings sluit R215 000 elk in vir "Park Buddies" (vrywilligers betrokke by parke), sowel as skoonmaakprojekte in die wyk. R135 000 is begroot vir buurtwagtoerusting. Soos in Wyk 11, is

R85000 vir'nLPR-kamera en R18 000 vir instandhouding van kameras begroot. R100 000 is geoormerk vir die naskoolse program vir die jeug en R232 000 vir sogenaamde "green jobs"(tydelike werksgeleenthede).

VERGADERINGS

Die openbare deelnameproses oor die konsepbegroting is tans aan die gang.

Die openbare vergadering vir Wyk 19 is Maandag 20 April om 17:00 in die Kalkfontein-gemeenskapsaal. Wyk 14 se vergadering is Donderdag 23 April om 17:00 in die Blackheathgemeenskapsaal.

Inwoners word aangemoedig om van die geleenthede gebruik te maak om hul menings en voorstelle oor die konsepbegroting te lug. Insette kan ook elektronies aan die Stad voorgelê word. . Besoek www.capetown.gov.za/CityConnect/Have-your-say/ofstuure-posna budget.comments@capetown.gov.zaom kommentaar te lewer.

AfirstforKuils Riverwriter

Ashlene Jeftha, amemberoflocal poetry society Cape Word Weavers, recentlycelebratedthe launch of her debut book, Hope has not left me, at the DNA Café and EateryinKuils River.

The book represents the culmination of along writing journey that beganduring her student days at the University ofthe Western Cape, where she first discovered poetry as ameans of expression.

“Writing had always been adeeprooted aspiration in my life,aquiet but persistent callingthat has followed me through different seasons.”

After marrying she attempted to write achildren’s book but found herself stuck after just one paragraph. This creative block left her writing dreams distant and uncertain entityfor years.

It was only last year, during a particularly challenging period in her life, that writing returned with renewed purpose. Facing mental and emotional struggles, Jeftha turned to journalling as away to copeand make sense of past experiences and present conflicts

“I was, as one of my psychiatrists had once described, ‘down in thedumps’,” she explained. “Confronting layers of childhoodshame and adult traumawas noteasy, and thejourney towardshealing

Ashlene Jeftha with her newlylaunched book entitled Hope has notleftme.

JOURNALLING,SHORTSTORIES, POETRYANCHORED HER

wasoften painfuland overwhelming.”

Withsupport from compassionate doctors writing became an essentialpart of her healing process. Through journalling, short storiesand poetry she foundan anchorduringemotional turbulence.“It allowed me to express feelings Icould not always speak, and in manyways it became aform of prayer,” said Jeftha.

The author hopesher words will not only serve as areflectionofher own journey butalsooffer comfort andencouragement to otherswalkingasimilar path.

. Contact Jefthaon069 4676000 if interested

Sector 3CPF AGMand election on 30 April

Kuils River Sector 3community policing subforum will hold itsannual general meeting and election on Thursday30 April at 19:00 at the New Apostolic Church, on thecorner of Church and Skool street. Sector 3includes the following neighbourhoods: Drosdy Park, Soneike, Bosman Estate, Brandwag, Annandale, Elim, Rouxville, Amandelrug,Amandelsig, Haasendal, Klipdam, Mikro Park, and Bosonia. The sector bordersincludefarms, Langverwacht Road, VanRiebeeck Road, BottelaryRoad and the R300. Businesses include part of the CBD (Barganizer,Spar, McDonalds, Nedbank, Church Square,

Kuils River Fisheries, Netcare Kuils River Hospital,Engen), Access Park, Soneike Ipic Centre and Langverwacht Spar. The committee positionstobefilled, are: chair, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, project manager, andthree additional members

Allinterestedmembers who would like to participate in theelection process must makesuretheir application form is up to date. All new applicants who wishto participate must register. The application forms are available at WO Binedell at Kuils River police. . ContactBinedellon079 8941561.

Mikrokry astro-veld

Ditisamptelik –die Laerskool Mikro kry 'n splinternuwe astro-sportveld. Louis Mouton, skoolhoof, hetMaandag die eerste sooi vir die astro-sportveld omgespit. Turftech is die maatskappy wat dieprojek 'n werklikheid gaan maak. Die werk vorder fluks en die skool sien daarna uit om die eerste wedstryd op sy eie astro te kanspeel. Louis Mouton,skoolhoof,het die eerstesooi omgespit.

Skilder met Afrikaansewoorde

Leerders met ’n liefde vir Afrikaanse musiek en kuns kanhul talente inspan vir Afrikaans.com se Skilder met Woordekompetisie Kontantpryse ter waarde vanaltesaam R28 000 is op die spelintwee afdelings. Die kompetisie volg op die sukses van die eerste aanbieding in 2021.

“Ons hetnádie eerste kompetisie baie navrae ontvangvan leerders en ouers, wat wou weet wanneer dit weer aangebied gaan word,” sê Karla Janse van Vuuren van Afrikaans.com. “Dit het vir ons gewys hoe groot die behoefte aan kreatiewe platforms vir jongmense is.”

Die kompetisie is oop vir laer- en hoërskoolleerders, asook tuisskoolleerders. Om deel te neem, moet leerders’n hoëresolusie-foto van hul kunswerk saam met hul besonderhede per e-pos instuur. ’n Nuwe element van vanjaar se kompetisie is dat skole gaan besoek word om bewusmaking te skep. Inskrywings is reeds oop en sluit op 3Julie. Stuur ’n hoëresolusie-foto van joukunswerk aan myafrikaans.com@gmail.com met jounaam, van, graad, die naam van jou skool, asook die naam van die liedjie wat jy uitbeeld. Die liedjies om van te kies is: "Lappop" (CarikeKeuzenkamp), "Kinders

Raaf komtreebyDie Boerop

Dieduo RAAF is op Donderdag23enVrydag24 April om 20:30 by Die Boer-teaterrestaurant in Durbanville. Lourens en Esté Raaf doen die lewe anders. Elke dagis'navontuur,elkeoomblik 'n geleentheid. Hul genrekan nie beperk word toteen woordnie.Hul liriekevertel stories vanmenswees enhul musikaliteit en energie is aansteeklik.

Komsaamop'nreisvan musiek watjou gaan laat lag, huilen gaan laat feesvier Hullebringhul nuutstemusiek, lirieke, digkunsen daardiekenmerkende energiewat jou lank ná die vertoningsal aanspoor om kleurvoltelewe. Kaartjieskos R280. . Bespreekbywww.dieboer.com of by 021979 1911.

Nuwevenuesvir Suidoosterfees

Die Suid sterf tvanja n29

JointheHighburyfitnesschallenge

The Bottelary Athletics Club is calling on residents to shake off any autumnblues andjoinits community-fitness challengein Highbury, followinganencouraging turnout at their previous event

After 40 walkers and joggers of allages participated in the club'sHuman Rights Day event on 21 March organisers are setting their sights on doubling those numbers for their final event beforethe winter.

"It was incredible to see families outin full force," said event organiser Rochelle Soggop.

"From our youngest walker taking home aspecial prize to the lucky draw winners at thefinish line the energy waselectric We want to see that community spirit grow evenbigger."

The pressure-free 5kmrun/walk, hosted at Excelsior Park, welcomesparticipants of allfitnesslevels, from seasoned local athletes to self-proclaimed "couch potatoes" lookingfor afresh start.

ALL FITNESS LEVELS, FROM SEASONEDATHLETESTO SELF-PROCLAIMED“COUCH POTATOES”

FAMILY-FRIENDLYFITNESSFOCUS

The club emphasisesthatthe challenge is designed around "family goals," encouraging residents to bring children andgrandparents for amorning of fitness andfun. All finishers will receive amedal

The March event sawparticipants ranging from toddlers to grandparents take to the streets, creating what organisersdescribe as an "electric" atmosphere that perfectly captured the community spirit they hope to expand

The next event is on Saturday 25 April at 07:00. On-site registration start from06:00 at ExcelsiorPark (oppositeSoneikeHigh School)in Highbury.

Entry cost R30.

. Contact Rochelle Soggopon071 161 4028 for more information.

THINKING OUTLOUD

Let’stalk abouttech, baby... and brains

Our family is very strict about screen time. To explain the reason, I’m going to get all nerdybefore Iweigh in with experience fromraising seven daughters. Our tech reluctance is becauseofthe prefrontal lobe. This part of the brain is in the forehead and keeps developing long after the rest stops. It actually only stops when one is about 25. It is responsible for impulsecontrol, emotion regulation, and weighing longterm consequences. It will becomethe filter that will influence decision-making. Put another way, this is whereyour wisdom sits andittakes at least25years to grow.

So what has this got to do with screen time?

Well, screens, and any other activities from the plethora of instantgratification stimuli readily availablenowadays, damagesthe development of the prefrontal lobe.

If you don’t believe me, lookitup. There are dozens of peer reviewed articles easily accessible online that say the samething. So, for this reason, my husband and Itry, really, really hard, to limit ourdaughters’ screen times. Ideally we’d cutitout altogether but unfortunately, the world, the school system and my ownrelatives seem to be against us. Gone are the days when pupils used adiary torecord appointments and homework. Nowadays even my six-year-old’s homeworkissent via google classroom. And Ihavefirsthand experience of how my children’s moods and marksdecline when they have access to too much screen time Take for example my second eldest.

PRINCIPALS,HELPUSOUTHERE

For years, before we had aTV, she and her sisters woulddraw, read, play boardgames, skate, cycle, play outside, write their own littlecomicsand entertain themselves easily without anyhelp from us. When we had no TV, mychildren would automatically navigate to their hobbies,but then my sister gifted us with one and all creativity in our home had a sudden and dramatic drop.

Soon after, when the sameSantasister gave mysecond eldest acellphone when she turned 14, it was accompanied by a dramatic change in personality. That year shefailed asubject for the first timeand all her marks dropped. We took awaythe phone. She regarded it as apunishment. We didn’t care.

Her first phoneless week, she meandered around the house like apoltergeist; head lowered, face scowling, speaking to no one and answering anythingaddressed to her in growlymonosyllables. She also behaved like an addict. She threw epic tantrums, cried, and tried allmanner of manipulation. She searched our room and stoleitback afew times, but, eventually, after awhole week of phonelessness,she moved on from being avery morose, moody, anti-social teenager to aslightly lessmorose, moody, anti-socialteenager But, more importantly, within one school term, her marks improved and she was back in the top quarter of the class again. We would havegladly never given her phoneback but, unfortunately her teachers started sending homeworkon WhatsApp chats.

While modern tech is anecessary part of life and Idonot hate it,Ido feel that in the classroom it should be limited to only what is absolutely necessary and I am not alone in my thinking. The growing philosophyworldwide is foracomplete banofcellphones in schools. Yet, last term, Igot letters requestingthat Iregister all three my primary school-aged children on google classroom.

Principals, help us out here, please!

—LAUREN O'CONNOR-MAY

Parklands safety in crisis

As ahome ownerinParklands, Iamwith the many who strive to makethis asafeplace to call home

Informalsettlements, particularlysectionsofSiyahlalaand shacksnearPioneer Valley,haveexpanded intothe TableBay NatureReserve near Dunoon This occupation, often on the Diep River floodplain, causes severe pollution andhabitat disruption, with approximately 189shacksinthe reserveasof2021. It alsoposes greatsafetyrisks; thugs andthievesoften quickly findplacestohide

This allimpacts home values andselling power, if ever oneseekstomoveatsome stage. Additionally, thereislittle to no policing in the Parklandsarea, leaving lawlessness to flourish, unabated

TheParklands Satellite Police Station on Parklands Main Road facedconcernsregardingresource limitations and remains closed, apparentlydue to manpowershortages.

Therecentincident of an attempted murder followingashootingincident on Friday3April at approximately17:00 in MorningfordRoad, is notthe only incident. Much moreneeds to be done from by our council, our policeand the other civic structures. What assurancedowehaveashomeownersand the greaterParklands community? Is proper and proportionateaction being take on ourbehalf?

Parklands is abeautiful area and canbebetter maintained. TheParklands FynbosCorridor is agood example.

It connects the Rietvlei Wetland Reservewith the BlaauwbergConservation Area but it is notwellkept andhas been neglected foraverylongtime.Whatis being done here?

Thereare manywho share my sentiments andwe allbelieve in this community.

TYRONE BRETT COETZEE, Parklands

Ratepayers question legaltariff basis

Ifind it peculiar that ourmunicipalityisbudgeting basedontariffscurrentlyunder legaldispute.

Do municipal officialspossess information unavailabletothe public, or aretheysimplyproceedingwith wishfulthinking?The eventual court ruling will serve as acrucialtest of judicial independence and adherence to the ruleoflaw

Ipropose that ratepayerassociationsdemand areferendum on the municipal budget.Taxpayers should vote on whether theyaccept the proposedbudgetand arewilling to payinflation plus 1% on their municipal accounts. Whatever the outcome,all residents should

payaccording to the referendumresults.

This is howgenuinedemocracyshouldfunction–with citizens having adirect sayinhow their taxmoney is spent,rather than having decisions imposedupon them by officialswho maybeoperatingondisputed legalgrounds.

Thecurrentapproach undermines both fiscal responsibilityand democratic principles. Ataxpayer referendumwouldrestoreaccountabilityand ensure that municipal spending truly reflects the willofthose who fundit.

CONCERNED RATEPAYER,Brackenfell

Somerkan noumaar einde se kant toestaan

Asseblief,winter, komgou!

Ná nog ‘n paar strawwe somerdae verlede week, begineknou wonderofons ooit weer verligtinggaan kry. Ek verlang na daardie eerstekoue oggendwanneer jy lekker onder ‘n kombers kaninkruip,enwanneer ‘n koppiewarmkoffiewerkliksin maak.Ekverlang na die

dae toeons oorkoue weer geklahet –wat soueknie nougee vir ‘n lekker koue reënbuinie!

Ek is nouuitgesomer komassebliefgou,winter Onsisgereed vir jou koue wind, jou reën, en selfsjou donker dae

UITGEPUTTE SOMERLEWENDE

Basic kindness missing on Cape Town roads

My worst fearsabout Cape Town'sreputation as an "unfriendlycity" were confirmed when my car recentlybroke down on abusymain road during peak traffic. Foroveranhour, Istood beside my vehicle with the bonnet raised, the universal distress signal, whilehundreds of cars passed by.Not asingle person stopped to offer assistance,check if Ineededhelp,or even ask if Iwas alright Iwatchedasdrivers deliberatelylooked away,some even changing lanestoavoid anypotentialinteraction. What has happened to the spirit of communityand Ubuntu thatweclaim defines South Africa? Whendid we become so self-absorbed andindifferenttoour

fellow citizens' plight?

Before moving here recently, I'veheard visitorsdescribe Cape Town as beautiful butcold–not referring to the weather,but to its people. This experiencesadly validates those observations.

We'vebecome acitywhere peopleare toobusy, toosuspicious, or simplytoo uncaringtoextend basic human kindness. Perhapsweshouldreflect on what kind of societywe'recreatingwhen common decency becomes uncommon, and helpingastranded motorist is seen as someone else's responsibility. We candobetter, Cape Town. DISILLUSIONED, Durbanville

LAGMET LANGNEK: ’n Nuuskierigevolstruis by dieCape Ostrich Ranch op dieN7-snelweg het diekolliggesteel toehysykop uitsteek om besoekers op ’n vriendelikeenspeelse manier te“groet”.Die dier se nabyheid het gastelaat glimlag en groot vermaak verskaf

FOTO:CHRISTA ROSSOUW

Stronger communities start with us

It is easy to complain about the stateofour neighbourhoods —fromlitterand crime to service delivery—but real changebegins when residents choose to getinvolved. Toooften, communityinitiatives such as neighbourhood watches, clean-up campaigns or localmeetings aresupported by only ahandful of dedicated individuals. Thereality is that theseefforts cannotsucceed or grow without broader communityparticipation Getting involved does notrequireamajor time commitment.Itcan be as simpleasattending alocal meeting, reporting issues to the relevant authorities, supportingaclean-up effort,orlooking outfor your neighbours. Smallactions, when multiplied, canmake ameaningful difference.

Stronger,safer andcleaner communities arebuilt through sharedresponsibility. When residents work together,theynot only address challenges more effectively, but also buildasenseofpride andconnection in the places theylive. Insteadofwaitingfor others to take the lead, perhapsitistimeweeachask: what can Idotocontribute?

If moreresidents step forward, even in smallways, we canbegin to create the kind of communities we all want to live in.

LEND AHELPING HAND,Brackenfell

Medicalcosts leave families struggling

Irecently had an experiencethat left me deeply concerned about the growing cost of healthcarein our communities.

Whilevisiting apaediatrician with my young son, Iwitnessed acouplearrivewith their child, clearly anxious andinneed of care.During their conversation at reception, it became evident that theydid nothave medical aid. Thequotedcostfor asimpleconsultation, excluding anymedication,was alarminglyhigh. One couldsee the hesitation andworryontheir facesas theytriedtodecide what to do,quietlyweighing their child’simmediateneeds against what theycould afford.

As someonefortunate enough to have medical aid, I am acutelyaware that even we feel the financialstrain of co-payments, shortfallsand steadilyincreasing monthlypremiums. Each visit often comeswith unexpectedadditional costs. But forfamilies without this safety net,accessing privatehealthcarehas become an overwhelming andoften impossibleburden. Yes, it is often argued that government clinics and hospitalsare availabletothose who cannotafford privatecare. Whilethis is true in principle, the reality on the ground is very different.Thesefacilities are frequentlyovercrowded andunder immensepressure. Healthcareisnot aluxury –itisa basic humanneed. No parent shouldhavetostand at areceptiondesk andwonder whether theycan affordtohavetheir child seen by adoctor.

EMAIL, TableView

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Leadersspendnightonthestreet

NAMHLAMONAKALI

More than 30 businessand community leaders will spend anight on the streets of Cape TownonSaturday 18 April as part of afundraising initiative aimed at supporting people experiencing homelessness.

The initiative, ANight on the Streets, is hosted by U-turn Homeless Ministries and forms part of efforts to raise awareness and funding forlong-term interventions.

Participants will eachcontribute R10 000 and spend 12 hours outdoors. Organisers say the event aims to raise over R1 million.

The initiative is designed to move beyond awareness, directing support towards sustained rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.

RESEARCHHIGHLIGHTSSTRUCTURALCHALLENGES

Academic research intohomelessness in Cape Town pointstolong-standing structural and governance challenges.

AUniversity of Cape Townstudy, "Exploringthe lived experiences of homelessness in aCape Townsuburb" by Kerry-Lee Black, found homelesspeople face barriers including limited access to services, social exclusion and difficulty transitioning offthe streets.

AUniversity of the Western Cape research paper, "An analysis of the City of Cape Town's responseto street homelessness" by Francesca Visagé, examines the City's legaland institutionalresponsibilities inaddressing homelessness and how municipal frameworks respond to the issue.

Together the studies framehomelessness as acomplex issue requiring coordinated, multi-sectoral and long-term interventions.

BY SUCH INITIATIVESU-TURN HOMELESS MINISTRIES ENACT LONG-TERM INTERVENTIONS.

EXPERTRAISESGOVERNANCEANDPOLICYGAPS

Dr Nobukhosi Ngwenya, urbanplanner anddevelopment practitioner whose research interest focuses on communityled planning, of theUniversity of Cape Town said homelessness in Cape Town persisted largely due to unclear responsibility among spheres of government, resulting in fragmented and uncoordinatedresponses.

"This governance gap is closely tiedto the question of whose budgetthe response to homelessness should come from,"she said, adding that municipalities have often had to take on responsibility through social-development departments despite homelessness being amulti-sectoral issue.

Ngwenya said thecity's approach had also been shaped by aconservative policy andby-law framework, including regulationsfor street-based activity.

She noted such frameworks hadattimes criminalisedhomeless people, contributing to further marginalisation even where amendments have been introduced.

While she described the City's Street People Policyand the 2024 StrategytoReduce Rough Sleepingas important developments Ngwenya said implementation remained limited.

"Safe spacesand shelters often came with strict conditionsthatseparate couples, exclude pets andimposerigid entry and exit times."

She added that thebiggest gap was the lack of transitional housing between shelters and long-term accommodation

Ngwenya argued this reflected abroader

gap in both municipal andnational housingpolicy, whichdoes not adequately provide pathways from temporary accommodation into stable, long-term housing.

U-TURNPROGRAMMEAPPROACH

U-turn Homeless Ministries says its programme combines immediate support with structuredrehabilitation, including therapeutic services,skills development and work readiness training.

Theorganisation said about 80% of participants who complete itsprogramme remain stably housed andemployed.

Chiefprogramme officer Lise van den Dool said the focusisonlong-term change.

"When you provide stability, rehabilitation and skills development people are able to rebuild theirlives,"she said. We knowwhatworks, but we need theinvestmenttoscaleit."

FUNDINGANDCLAIMS

U-turn has also highlighted what it describesasthe costofongoing crisis management in addressing homelessness.

The organisation hascited an estimated annual spend of R744 million related to homelessness in Cape Town.

Theinitiative alsoincludes participation from business leaders who say they want to understandthe realities faced by people living on the streets.

Colin Young,Chief Executive Officer of UrbanGrowth,said his company previously supported individuals who movedoff thestreets andlater joined the business. He said the experience showed thepotentialfor long-term impact when support is sustained.

PUBLICPARTICIPATION

The public can also takepart by

More than 30 business and communityleaders willspendanight on thestreets of Cape Town on Saturday 18 April as part of U-turn Homeless Ministries’“A Night on the Streets”initiativetoraise awareness and fundsfor homelessness support PHOTO:SUPPLIED

purchasing virtual tickets and spending anight outdoors while raising awareness through social media.

Brandon Manzoni, aformer homeless person, says safetywas his biggest daily concern while living on the streets.

"You're constantly worried about getting robbed or assaulted. Finding asafe space to sleep was the biggest thing."

"A typical day was just getting up and figuring out what to do ,where Iwas going to eat, where Iwas going to sleep and whether that place was safe."

Manzoni said homelessness is often misunderstood.

"When people see homeless people, all they see is the person there. They don't see the suffering behind it."

"I had no idea places like U-turnor other programmes existed. Iwas totally oblivious."

"Ifthere were more programmes and safe spaces, it would change things hugely. A lot of the time, Ijust needed someone to talk to."