TygerBurger | Milnerton | E-edition | 8 July 2026

R366minvested ininfrastructure

The City of CapeTown hasproposed adraft capital budget of more than R366 millionfor community services infrastructure in the2026/27 financial year, targeting upgrades and expansions across libraries, clinics, sports facilities,parks andcemeteries.

The four departments within the Community Services andHealth directorate—Recreationand Parks,City Health, Library andInformation Services, and Community Artsand Culture Development —have been allocated a combined draft capital budget of R366 381 000.

DRAFTCAPITALBUDGETALLOCATED

Key projectsinthe proposed allocation include major upgradestocemeteries, swimming pools,stadium infrastructure and librariesacross themetro.

The topfive capitalprojects are:

. Cemetery Upgrades –R63.5 million

. Swimming Pool Upgrades –R20 million

. Vygieskraal Stadium Cycling Track –R20 million

. Rebuild of Suider-Strand Library –R19.5 million

. Strandfontein Pavilion Refurbishment –R9 million

FOCUSONKEY COMMUNITYPROJECTS

Additional planned projects include upgradestothe Delft Clinic and Hartleyvale Stadium, planning for the Parkwood Community Hall, expansion of theLwandle Library, restoration of theBrown’s Farm Library,and further upgradesatthe Tafelsig Clinic.

Construction of synthetic pitches in Blue Downsand Westridgeisalso expected to begin, with completion planned for the 2027/28 financial year.

UPGRADES

The City says expanding burial capacity remains akey priority as Cape Town continues to grow, with ongoing work to expandexisting cemeteries and develop new facilities in areas including Strand, Kuils River, Mitchells Plain and parts of theSouthern Suburbs.

Aphased refurbishment of the Khayelitsha cemetery boundary fencing is alsoplanned due to vandalism.

At the same time,investment in swimming pool infrastructure continues as part of an ongoingrevitalisation programme, with upgrades across areas

FROMPAGE1

“Our metro policeand law enforcement areout acrossthe city monitoring for any disruption attempts.

“CapeTown is theonly working city in SA.

“Today we will keep it that way and uphold law and order.”

He addedthat thepublic transport systemreflected normal activity, noting that thebus was well utilised and city operations remained uninterrupted.

LAWENFORCEMENTDEPLOYEDASPRECAUTION

City safety and security teams, including metro police, traffic officers, and law enforcement units, were deployed across keypoints in themetro to monitor for any attempted disruptions linked to the planned protest activity.

Officialssaid the situation remained calm, with no major incidents reported duringthe early hours of the morning.

MILLSURGESCALMAHEADOFPLANNEDMARCH

Jonathan Mills previously addressed communityconcernsduring an earlier planned march linked to Parklands, urging residents to remain calm and avoid escalatingtensions.

He said at the time: “Regarding the widely circulatedMarch &and March graphic callingfor aprotest in Parklands, Iwould like to appeal to the community

“Thesespacesstrengthen communitiesandimprovequality oflife.”-Francine Higham

including Khayelitsha, Bellville, Strand, Athlone, Gugulethu, Blue Downs, Atlantis, Mnandi and Sea Point.

Recent completed upgrades include facilities in Goodwood, Bellville South, Newlands, Lentegeur, Delft, Langa and Manenberg.

ONGOINGMAINTENANCEPRIORITIES

Beyond major capital projects, the directorate manages more than 3000 parks,102 libraries and hundreds of community facilities across the city.

To support this, an additional R150 million top-up budget has been allocated for repairs and maintenance, bringing the total maintenance budget to more than R950 million.

Mayco member for community services and health, Francine Higham, saidthe investment reflectsthe City’s commitment to improving public infrastructurethat residentsrely on daily.

“This budget reflectsthe City’s continued commitment to investing in public infrastructure that residentsrely on every day. From libraries and community halls to parks,sports facilities, clinics and cemeteries, thesespaces strengthen communities and improve quality of life for all our residents,”said Higham.

“This investment is about protecting, upgrading and expanding thosepublic facilities so that they remain safe and accessible to communities across Cape Town. We call on residentstohelp protect these public assets by reporting vandalism, theft or suspicious activity so that everyone can continue to benefit from them.”

to remain calm. While thereisalot of attention being drawn to the area… we will not tolerate hatred and violence.”

Mills confirmed that securitystructures were on alert and coordinated across agencies, adding: “The local security cluster along with the City and the police are all aware and on alert.

So thosefew who peacefully march will be allowed to do so.”

LARGENUMBERSNOTEXPECTED

He further noted that authorities were not expecting large numbers based on previous similar demonstrations in other parts of the city, and said community safetynetworks, including law enforcement and private security structures, were fully engaged.

“We will be monitoring closely, we will be taking nothing for granted… People who are concerned should avoid the area for acouple of hours.”

SITUATIONREMAINSCONTAINED

Authorities said Cape Town’s safety and securitynetwork remains active and coordinated as monitoring continues across affected routes.

Officials reiterated that while planned protest movements are being tracked, early indications suggest limited disruption and normal activity across most of the city.

Authorities areappealing to residents to report sick or dead seabirds whilekeeping asafedistance to help curb thespreadofbirdflu.

Authorities are appealing to residents to report sick or dead seabirds whilekeeping asafedistancetohelp curb thespreadofbirdflu.

Avianflucases increasing

KAILINDANIELS

KAILIN.DANIELS@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Ascases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, continue to climb acrossSouth Africa,conservation authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and help protectvulnerable seabirds by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds andreporting suspected cases.

The disease is highly contagious among birds and has resulted in significant mortality in wild bird populations.

Conservation authorities are appealing to residents and visitors to help protect both wildlife and their pets by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds.

DISEASECONTINUESTOSPREAD

HPAI is aserious and currently incurable disease in wild birds.

Whereinfection is confirmed, humane euthanasiaisoften the most compassionatecourse of action to prevent unnecessary suffering and limitthe spread of the virus to other birds.

CapeNatureCEO Dr Ashley Naidoosaid seabirds play an important role in the health of marine andcoastalecosystems.

“Seabirds are important indicators of the health of our marine andcoastal ecosystems

“Byreporting suspected cases ofavian influenzaand following safety guidelines, members of the publiccan support conservation agencies in responding effectively while reducing riskstowildlife andpeople.”

KEEPPETSAWAY

Authorities stress thatthe public should never touch, move or attempt to rescue sick or dead birds.Dogsand other pets should also be kept well away from affectedbirds to reduce the riskof exposure.

If abird is encountered, itshould be observed from asafe distance without causing further disturbance.

Bylawtacklesillegalbuildings

In June last year the City Council approved the revised municipal planning bylaw. Theamendment enablesthe City to impound moveable property, such as machinery andequipment, being used for illegal building work when an order to stopwork is ignored. According to theCity it helps clamp down on building contraventions.

Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and Maycomemberfor spatialplanning and environment, said the impoundment provision was addedtothe bylaw to give theCity immediaterecourse when owners continueillegal building work despite a stop-work order.

"Some owners ignore the orders and continuetheir construction work, as they are prepared to pay the fines involved. These matters alsooften take considerable timetoconclude in court, and the surrounding communities are impacted while we seek legal recourse."

provision in the municipal planning bylaw we can deal decisively with those who display aflagrant disregard of our building and planning regulations. This is agame changer for us. Contractors do not want to risk having theirequipment impounded when the property owner has not followed due process to get approved building plans. This new enforcement regime is getting intohigher gear,and we can already see amind-shift taking place."

HOWINSPECTIONSWORK

. Building inspectors visit sites for compulsory inspections of the foundation, drainage, and upon completion. In complex or problematic cases, multiple inspections are required. Deviations from approved building plans, known as unauthorised work, are mostly identified at completion. These then require followup inspections to ensure compliance or enforcement

PUBLIC URGED TO AVOID CONTACT WITH SICK OR DEAD BIRDS

WHATTODOIFYOUFINDABIRD

Residents whocome acrosssickordead birds areencouragedtorecord important informationsuchasthe location, date, species (if known),the number of birds affected andany unusualbehaviour, including tremors or disorientation. Photographs or videos may alsobetaken, provided thebird is not disturbed.

Reports shouldthenbesubmitted to the appropriate authority.

Live seabirds should be reported to SANCCOB on 078 638 3731, while dead seabirds canbereported using the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s online Avian Influenza Reporting Tool.Multiple deadbirds found togethershould be reported to the relevant municipality, CapeNature,SANParks, landowner or local stranding network for saferemoval.

Live birds of otherspecies should be reported to the local State Veterinarian, while deadbirds should be reported to the relevant conservation authority.

RARERISKTOHUMANS

Although certain strains of HPAI can infect humans, infections remain rare Authoritiesadvise anyone who hashad potentialexposure to sickordeadbirds andlaterdevelops flu-like symptoms to seek medical advice promptly.

Conservation authorities emphasise that everyreport plays an important role in monitoring theoutbreak, identifying affected areas andcoordinating an effective response

By following safety guidelines and reporting suspected cases, the public can help protect South Africa’s seabirds,other wildlife andthe country’sfragile coastal ecosystems.

Andrews said the City can now impound themovable property of the developer, theowner,and the contractor involved in theillegal work. In allfour cases to date wherenotices of intent to impound were issued, the illegal building work stopped immediately."

EARLYRESULTSANDCOMMON CONTRAVENTIONS

Since the start of theimpoundment project in March2026: Four intention to impoundment notices have been served in Diep River, HoutBay, Milnerton and Mowbray. No actualimpoundments have takenplaceasyet, as the illegal building work hasstoppedimmediately after the notices were served.

TheCity has 76 building inspectors who conduct on average 16 000 inspections per month at building sitesacross the metro.

The mostcommon contraventions are buildingwithoutanapproved plan, or deviatingfrom approvedplans. These are mostly by private individuals.

ACITY-WIDECHALLENGE

"Unfortunately, there is aculture of disrespect towards the rules and regulationsofthe municipal planning bylaw, nationalbuilding regulations and thedevelopmentmanagement scheme that assigns zoning rights," Andrews said.

"This is achallenge across the whole city, and not asingle suburb or planning area can be singled out.

"The issuingofnotices to stop illegal buildingwork is alsonot asimple matter. It is sometimes achallenge to determine ownership, or to gethold of the owner, as thenoticemustbeserved on the owner. Sometimes ourinspectors are prevented from entering sites to conduct followup inspections. Aseparate enforcement process is thenneeded just to gain access and check whether there is compliance with thenotice. Court processes also take along timetoconclude, and thisfrustrates surrounding neighbours andthe City alike.

"Luckily, with theimpoundment

. Inspections to monitor progress are done at sites where work has been stalled for awhile, or where issues may arise

. Inspectors also conduct inspections where acomplaint is lodged with the City about possible illegal building work, or deviations from approved plans

. Demolition orders are issued through a Western Cape High Court procedure. The extent of the contraventions determines whether the city will pursue this route, which is usually adrawn-out and costly process

. TheCityobtains, on average, two demolition orders per year.

ILLEGALBUILDINGSTATISTICS:

1JANUARYTO26JUNE2026

. 3883 complaints received: 925 (Tygerberg district); 620 (Southern district); 502 (Mitchells Plain/Khayelitsha district); 407 (Cape Flats district); 387 (Northern district); 372 (Blaauwberg district); 361 (Table Bay district); and 309 (Helderberg district)

. Most complaints related to illegal building work (2 021);boundary walls (256);building after hours (137); and building rubble (121)

. 12 566 inspections were conducted across the city during this period . 1384 notices were served as aresult of illegal building work during thisperiod

CapeAirportplansraiseconcerns

“An airportthat serves the world means very little if it no longer serves the peoplewho call this place home,” said André Brink, fourth-generation owner of GrootPhesantekraal Wine Estate in Durbanville WineValley and SA Farmer of the Year last year.

Brink questioned whether an airport of the scale of Cape Winelands Airport is being built in the right location.

Brink, who was named South Africa’s Farmer of the Year 2024 by Agricultural Writers SA (AWSA), was one of the speakers at ameeting aboutCape WinelandsAirport last Thursday of the Tygerberg Chapter ofthe Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Stadio Higher Education.

FINDINGBALANCE

He spoke about the importance of findingabalance between development and preserving Durbanville’s unique character, history and agricultural heritage. Other speakers were Deon Cloete, executivemanaging director of CapeWinelands Aero and executive directorof RSA Aero Limited, and Jeremy Wiley of Western Cape Property Development Forum and director of De Goede Hoop Development Company.

SECONDRUNWAY

“Years ago, CapeTown International Airport reportedly

rport were unable tolandatCape TownInternational. However, if diversions are caused by adverseweather —ashappened just amonth ago, andwhich accounts formorethan 80% of such incidents,then adistance of only 25 kilometresissimply not farenough awaytoprovide an alternative.

“Cape Town already struggles to accommodate its growing population, yet it continuesto becomeincreasingly popular. Nowweare planning to bring even morepeople here.

“A 3,5km runwayisbeing built —longenough to accommodate an Airbus A380 —only 35 kilometres drive from Cape Town International Airport,” he said.

CLOSERTOSALDANHA

“Would it not have made more sense to build anairport of this

ppo by politicians whosepriorities are not always aligned with the best interests of thepeople who actually live here,and Ibelieve this is one example of that,”he said.

“Therehas been an airfield heresince the SecondWorld War, and we havelived alongside it for manyyears. Development is inevitable, and we must adapt to it. However, Iquestionwhether an airport of this scale is being built in the right location.

HOURGLASSRUNNINGOUT

“I havealways known thatthe hourglass was slowly running out for this wayoflife.How quickly thesandrunsout depends on how responsibly development is managed. Will Durbanville shape its own future,orwill others decide that future on ourbehalf?

“Theairport is coming, and

Iwould like to congratulate Deon Cloete and his team on the processthey followed to meet all therequirementsnecessary to obtain approval.

“However, Ialso want to appeal to himand his team to remain truetothe commitments they havemade.

“It is easy to make promises in order to secure approvals, only to latersay, ‘We’re sorry, but circumstances have changed’

“I believe that with the arrival of theairport,the hole in the hourglass has become much larger, and the time we once thought we had has become very limited,” he said.

“Durbanville is not simply a place on amap. It is acommunity wherefamily farms have been passeddown from generation

to generation. Well-known families such as the Louws, the Loubsers, and the Blanckenbergs are now in theirfifthand sixth generations.

“We have never needed to boast of our wines, our landscapes, or our way of life. Those who have discovered Durbanville have recognised itsvalue for themselves.

“The runway is being built, but the most important question is not:Where will the aircraft be flying to? Themost important question is: Where is Durbanville heading to?

“The future of Durbanville will not be determined by an airport —itwill be determined by its people who are willing to stand up for what matters. The answer lies in our hands,” he said.

Vermaak // Entertainment

Lottering kuier by DieBoer

Marc Lottering bring sy nuutstekomedie, AnkleMarc, op Dinsdag14enWoensdag 15 Julieom20:30 na die verhoog vanDie Boer-teaterrestaurant in Durbanville

Lottering is geliefdaseen vanSuid-Afrika se voorstekomedianteenwelbekend vir sy skerpskerts-vertonings, sowelasmusiekblyspele.

Komluister na al die jongsteverwikkelinge in hierdie charismatiesekomediant se lewe.Hyvertel onder meer hoe dit gebeur het dathy vanjaar al hinkepink moes ingaan met 'n af enkelen 'n "moonboot".

Die vertoning is 70 minutelank met geen onderbreking en is nie geskikvir kinders nie. . Kaartjies kosR220. Bespreekbywww dieboer.comofby021 9791911.

LOSDIE KINDERSBYDIE HUIS

Washington chestr fo

Youngleaders’authenticvoicesheard

SISKAMARTIN

“Initiatives such as the Matriculant of the Year competition affirm to young peoplethat their voicesmatter.”

This is according to LeoniWessels, relationship executive at Absa Premium Business Banking, explaining the bank’s motivation for supporting the University of the Free State (UFS) and Novus Media’s competition. The first entries have already been received.

“When young people are given the opportunity to express themselves and receive recognition, it builds confidence, leadership and identity. In acountry facing diverse challenges, thiscompetition reassuresyoungpeople that their background or circumstances do not define their future.”

Two of last year’s finalists, Emile Dawson and Jané de Villiers, both medical students, agreethat taking part in the final round significantly boosted theirselfconfidence.

“Taking part was amajor stepping stone in building my confidence. It pushed me out of my comfort zone. Irealised thatto overcome stage fright, you simply have to stand up and startspeaking,” says Dawson,aformer learner of the William Pescod High School in Kimberley.

For De Villiers, aformer learner of Hoërskool Witteberg in Bethlehem, participating in the competition gaveher the opportunity to discover anew and better version of herself.

“It took me beyond the boundaries ofmy comfort zone and gave my confidence an enormous boost.”

Wessels says the bank’s involvement in the competition reflects itscommitment to being an active force for growth and progress in South Africa andacross Africa

“By supportingyoungpeople, we help maketheir storiesvisible andcreate opportunitiesfor them to developtheir potential. This aligns with ourpurpose of making ameaningful and tangible contributiontowards building sustainable, thriving communities.”

The bank hopes its sponsorship will remind every finalist that their journey is meaningful and their potentialislimitless.

“Through this platform,wewanttohelp open doors,amplify their unique stories andinspire them to makeanimpact. We want them to leave believing that their story is only just beginning– andthat it matters.”

Wessels,who alsoserves as oneof the competition’s judges, says the top candidates understandsomething very special: “They’re not tryingtobesomeone else; they’re authentic –they embrace their ownstory!”

Dawsonalsoencourages finalists to enjoy theexperienceand simply be themselves.

“Grabthe opportunity anduse it to get to know yourself better, challenge yourself andbuild lasting friendships. Dream big andenjoy every moment!”says De Villiers

Both students alsospoke aboutthe friendships they formed during the competition, whichmade thetransition to university much easier when they arrived on campus at thebeginning of theyear

ENTERNOW

Matric learners from acrossthe country

whohave excelled in academics, culture and sport, and who intend to study at the UFS next year, are invited to enter. Scholarships and prize money worth approximately R500 000 are up for grabs for thetop 25 participants,thanks to thesponsors UFSStudent Recruitment Services,the Kovsie AlumniTrust,Forvis Mazars, Absa and Pick nPay Preller Walk. Learners may enterthemselves or be nominated by theirschools, provided theentry forms are signed by the school principal and bear the official school stamp. Atotal of 25 semifinalistswill be selected, from whom 14 finalists will advance to the final round, to be held in Bloemfonteinfrom 5to7 October. The winner andfinalists will receive prize money,scholarships and gifts, while thesemifinalists will also receive prizes and scholarships. Entriesclose on 31 July.

. Scan theQRcode to downloadthe entryform, complete it andreturn it to Linda Greyling at greylinl@ufs.ac.za. Shecan also be contacted formoreinformation.

Sport is asource of hope,pride,unity

Sport is often described as agame, butfor millions of people it is much more than that. It is asource of hope, pride, identity and unity.

In South Africa, where ourhistory is markedbydivision and inequality,sport has proven its abilitytobringpeople together in ways that politics and social programmes cannot.

It reminds us that despite our differences, we share common dreamsand emotions.

Just afew weeks ago, the nation celebrated when Bafana Bafana made South African football history by reaching the Fifa World Cup knockout stages for the firsttimebydefeating SouthKorea1-0 in theirfinal groupgame.

Theirdisappointing defeat toCanada in thelast32ofthe competition,whichsaw them bowing outofthe tournament, serves as aperfectexample.

As thefinal whistle blew, millions of SouthAfricans experienced the same feeling of heartbreak.Inthatmoment,we were not divided by language, religion or social status. We were simply South Africans supporting our team.

This is the unique power of sport. It creates moments where differences disappear, even if only for awhile. It allows strangers to celebratetogether, comfortone another and believe in something bigger than themselves.

Sport has the abilitytounite communities around acommon purpose South Africa has witnessedthis power before. The1995 RugbyWorld Cup remainsone of the greatest examples of

SPORTGIVEUSREASONSTO BELIEVEINONEANOTHER

sport promoting national unity. When the Springboks lifted theWebb EllisCup, it was more than asporting victory.It became asymbol of reconciliation.

Former President Nelson Mandela understood that sportcould healwounds andbuild bridges wherewords alone could not.

Sportalso inspires the next generation. Young athletes learnvaluable life skills such as discipline, teamwork, perseverance and respect.

Many children growing up in disadvantaged communitiessee successful sportsmen and women as proof thathard work anddetermination canovercome difficult circumstances.

For some, the sportsfieldbecomes a place of opportunityand hope rather than despair

However, the power of sport should not only be celebrated during victories. Defeat also teaches important lessons. Losing remindsusthat successrequires resilience, patience and continuous improvement. Bafana Bafana's recent loss may haveended the dream of lifting atrophy, but it also showed howdeeply South Africans care about theirnational team.The pain of defeat is evidence ofthe passion and unity that football continues to inspire.

As anation, we should continue investing in school sport,community facilities andathlete development.

Sporting success doesnot happen by chance. It requires proper planning, funding and support from government, businesses and communities. It requires us to recognise sport as an investment in social cohesion rather than merely entertainment.

The true value of sport cannot be measured by trophies alone.Its greatest achievementlies in itsability to unite people.

Sportgive us reasons to believe in one anotherand in the nation we are building. -KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Kommentaar // Comments

Rietvleihas more to offer

Recent discussion around thetemporaryclosure of wateractivities at Rietvlei mayhavecreated the impression that the reserveitselfwas closed. This was not the case.The area where wateractivities take placerepresents only asmallportion of Rietvlei, and it wasonlythis section that wastemporarilyclosed The663-hectareNatureReserve remained open to the public throughout andcontinues to offer awide rangeofattractions forvisitors. Rietvlei is afavourite destination forbirdwatchers, with its well-maintained birdhideprovidingexcellent viewingopportunities.

Thereserve also offers picnic areas, line fishing (with the required permit), andeducational activities forchildren during school holidays,centred aroundthe wooden education centrebuiltand maintained by the FriendsofRietvlei.

We also host regulartalks by conservation experts on topics of environmentalinterest.Itisworth remembering that,thanks to the efforts of dedicated residents in 1984,Rietvlei wasprotected from being developed intoaresidential marina.

Today, it is atreasured natural area that supports pelicans, flamingos andaround165 other birdspecies.

In this regard,the City's Bayside Canalproject,which aimstoimprovestormwatermanagement before waterenters Rietvlei, is awelcome initiativethatwillhelp safeguard the health of this importantecosystem.

We encourageresidents to enjoyall that Rietvlei hastooffer —includingwater sports when conditions allow—while continuingtosupport the conservation of this unique natural asset forfuture generations.

NELIS

VISAGIE, Friends of Rietvlei

Call centre rises to the occasion in Maystorms

Following the devastation that followedthe storm around 11 May, it washeartwarmingtosee residents coming outtohelpthose who were most affected by the wind and torrential rain

Weather eventssuchasthisone requirethe City to be fullyoperational in handlingservicecalls and emergencycalls.Weoften rely on our residents to be our eyes on the groundalertingustoemergencies.

As the Maycomember forcorporateservices, Iam extremelyproud of howour call centreagents riseto the occasion.

In Mayalone theCity's Customer Relations Department recorded atotal of 271940 customer interactions between 1and 28 May2026.Thisexceptional numberdemonstrates the high demand formunicipal services andthe importance of multiplecustomer engagementchannels.The interactions included 116 758 telephone calls, 36 990 emails, 109 125WhatsApp engagements,and 9067 SMS interactionsacrossthe City'sAccountsand General,Water,and Electricity servicequeues. Thesenumbers do not includecalls made to the 107safetyand securitynumber If youare in need of aserviceorincaseofan emergency, youcan contact the City via logginga C3

request:

Theprimarygoalofservicerequests is to ensure effectiveservicedeliverythroughoutCape Town. If you wouldliketosubmit aservicerequest,report afault in your area or loganissue, youcan do so via ourcustomer call centreat0860 103089 or online at www capetown.gov.za/servicerequests. Youcan also useour WhatsApp number060 018 1505

While we understand the distress of being, forinstance,without powerorwater,I wouldliketoremind peoplenot to lognumerous servicerequests on the same issue.Itcauses bottlenecksinthe system

As we buildaCitythatisabeaconofhope,it'salso areality that in extreme emergencysituationsthereis ahierarchyofresponses, rather like the triage system that operates in healthcarefacilities. Theaggravation of nothavingpowerina safe domestic setting has to be weighed against the risksofliveelectric wires having been blownintoroads.

Iwouldliketothank those residents who helped out their neighbours, donated food andblankets to those displaced by storm damage.Together we can indeed buildabetterfuture.

THERESA UYS, Durbanville

Advocatingfor motorcycle safety,licensing

With the petrol prices rising, most likely we will see moremotorcycles aroundasanalternativecommute option. Ican remember in the 80swhenmynow husband used to travel with his50cctovisit me,almostgot pulledoverevery daytohavehis motorcycle licencechecked.

He gotsousedtoitthathemade sure he had it with him, becauseinthose days therewas no licencecard like these days.Itseems that the only time thatweget pulledoveriswhenwetravel long distanceswith the bikes or to abikeevent

Thesecheckswillalsoclear up the general question everyone hasabout, especially the motorcycledelivery riders goingaroundand that “theysurelydonot have alicence”, becauseoftheir ridingskills Iamall forthese checkspurelyfor the fact that anyone who does nothavealicence, no matter what vehicle, should notride andshouldnot be on the road. Ialsofeel stronglyaboutthe fact that everyone who gets intoavehicletodrivealsoshouldhaveat leastthird-partyinsuranceaswell.

MOTORCYCLE COMMUTER, Philadelphia

‘KIDSINRAIN’: Carima vanden Berg,aregular Vergelegen visitor with her grandchildren,won thePeople’sChoiceaward and took second placein theCameraClass category in thefourth Essenceof Vergelegen photography contest.Outstanding black-and-white photographs capturing themanyfacetsofhistoric Vergelegen Wine Estate were unveiled at afunction forthe 25 finalists on Sunday 1July.

Hierdie is ‘n abnormalewinter

Hierdie sonnigewinter maak my bekommerd. Ek het nognooit so 'n lekker winter in Kaapstad beleefnie.Waar onsgewoonlikreg deur Junie en Julie reën en koue kry, het onsvanjaar meer sonskyn, blou lugentemperature watskaars onder 15 grade daal. Op die oog af lykdit wonderlik. Wiekla oor sonskyn? Maar togisekbekommerd.Klimaatkundiges waarsku dat die somerwat kom, een vandie warmsteooit gaan wees. As dit die winter is, watwag vir onsinFebruarie? Ek is bekommerddat onsweer te doen gaan krymet droogte,brandgevaar en waterbeperkings. Dit is lekker om noubuitetekan wees en nie elke dagnat te word nie,maar onsmoet onsoëoophou Hierdie tipe winter is nie normaal nie.Enasdie natuur iets vir onsprobeer sê,moetons maar begin luister 'N KAPENAAR WATDIE WOLKE MIS, E-pos

DemocracyinCape Town?Don’t make me laugh

Iamaratepayer andresident of Brackenfell, andIam furious. Without so much as aknock on ourdoors, without asingle conversation with the peoplewho live,work andpay ratesinthis area,the CityofCape Town hasgoneahead anderected informal trading bays at Jannie Engelbrecht Park,a park that ourcommunityhas maintained, used andlovedfor years. And when residents did raisetheir voices, we were told the projectwas approvedbackin2024. Nobody knew. Nobody wasasked. Nobody wastold. TheCity claims notices were delivered by hand andpublished in newspapers.

Ichallengethem to produce asingle signaturefrom aresident in this area confirmingreceipt

Anoticestuffed in aKraaifontein newspaper,a paper that is notevendistributed in Brackenfell, apparentlyqualifies as public participation in Cape Town today.

This is notdemocracy.This is the Citydoingexactly as it pleasesand dressing it up in bureaucratic languageafterward

We aretoldtotrust aprocess that excluded us. We aretoldtoaccept adecisionmade withoutus. And when we askquestions, we aremet with vague assurances.

TheDAlikes to present Cape Town as abeaconof good governance.But what kind of governance ignores its ownresidents, approves projects without proper public participation, andthen builds in the dead of night before the communitycan respond? If this is what passes fordemocracy in Cape Town, then we have lost something farmoreimportant than apark

GamingtournamentheadstoTableBay

Cape Town gamers areset for amajor e-sports showdown as the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience arrives at Table BayMall from 10 to 12July, bringing three days of competitive gaming, live challenges and prize-winning opportunities to centre court.

The event forms part of oneofSouth Africa’s largest mall-based gaming tournaments, giving players of all skill levels thechancetocompete inan accessible and high-energy environment.

THREE-DAYGAMINGSHOWDOWN

The MTN SHIFT series features an overall prize pool of R350 000, with competitors battling it out across multiple titles and formats during the in-centre event. Playerswill compete formall-level prizes as wellasqualification spots for national finals later in the year.

The competition began on 5July with the EA FC 26™ online qualifier,wherethe top four players will secured automaticentry into the Table Bay Mall finals.

The winner of the mall finalwill receive aR2500 Table Bay Mall gift card and advance to the national football finalat Canal Walk in August, where aR50 000 prize poolawaits. Second and third place

EXPERIENCE

BRINGS THREE DAYS OF GAMING,LIVE CHALLENGES, COMPETITIONS TO TABLE BAYMALL

will receive gift cards worthR1500 and R1 000 respectively.

Beyond EA FC 26™, theweekend event will include avariety of gaming experiences suchasBeatSaber, aFighting Cup featuringBrawlhalla, Tekken and Street Fighter 6, as well as free-play gaming stations.

Visitors can alsolook forward to adedicated PC Gaming Zone anda Keyboard Rebuild Race, addinginteractive andskill-based challenges for participants.

The MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience formspart of an eight-centre national series, withwinners from eachmall advancing toward the nationalfinals

Other upcoming venues include Clearwater, Capegate andCanal Walk, eachhosting both online qualifiers and incentre tournaments throughout July and August thisyear.

. Formoreinformation, visit: https://www. tablebaymall.co.za/events