TygerBurger | Mitchells Plain | E-edition | 08 April 2026

Manshot at petrolstation

A27-year-old man was shot and wounded during an early morning attack atapetrol station in Mitchells Plain on 1April Police haveopened an attempted murder case following the shooting incident in Cedar Road, Westridge, which occurred at approximately 02:45.

According to reports, the victim had gone to the petrol station when three unknown men approached him.The men shot the victim and then fled the scene. The victim suffered gunshotwoundsto his body and was taken to hospitalfor treatment.

Police saythe motive for the attack has not yet been determined.

. Anyone with information about the shooting incident cancontact Crime Stop on08600 10111 or usethe MySAPSmobileapplicationtoreport anonymously.

Mul the St

Strandfontei (CPF) meters area. it me for co crim st for that in thefts. enforcement in

Armydeployedtohotspots

LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY

LAUREN.OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Stakeholders have expressed varied responses to the deployment of soldiers to tackle gang violence.

Thereactions range from cautious optimism to outrightscepticism, as Operation Prosperbegins following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s identification oforganisedcrime as “the mostimmediate threat”facingSouth Africa.

Researchconducted with gangmembers reveals they do not view the army as a deterrent to their operations.

This is accordingtothe GangMonitor quarterly report by Global Initiative AgainstTransnationalOrganised Crime (GiToc), whichwas released at the end of March.

The report said gangsters continued activities duringprevious deployments by adaptingtheir methods or paying bribes

“The can’t ally stopthe

to move to nearby areas rather than be stoppedentirely, according to the report

SOLDIERS’ ARRIVALMET WITH MIXED FEELINGS

the deployment may provide short-term stability, it cannot solve the deeply rooted problem of gangsterism and organised crime.

“The realityisthat the police have been stretched beyond itslimits,”saidMarais, emphasising that the crisis resultsfrom “years of systemic under-resourcing, inadequaterecruitment, and the steady erosion of critical policing capabilities”.

De Vos raised concerns about operational methods, warning that searches of citizens’ homes based on “ill-informed hunches” rather than accurate intelligence could damage community-police trust.

He questioned what would be different this time around, noting that “conflict and skirmishes between citizens and law enforcement had been rife in the t”.

OPENBARE KOMMENTAAR OP DIE STAD KAAPSTAD SE KONSEPBEGROTING VIR 2026/27, DIE HERSIENING VANDIE GEÏNTEGREERDE ONTWIKKELINGSPLAN (GOP), EN VOORGESTELDE WYSIGINGS AAN DIE GOP 2022-2027(WYSIGINGS VIR 2026/27), WATVERANDERINGE AANDIE KORPORATIEWE EN MUNISIPALE ENTITEITE SE TELKAARTE EN DIE TELKAART INGEVOLGE OMSENDSKRYWE 88(C88) INSLUIT

Kennis geskied hiermee ingevolge die WetopPlaaslike Regering: Munisipale Stelsels, Wet32van 2000; die WetopPlaaslikeRegering: Munisipale Finansiële Bestuur,Wet 56van 2003; en die WetopPlaaslikeRegering: Munisipale Eiendomsbelasting, Wet 6van 2004, dat die Stad kommentaar inwag op diehersiening vansygeïntegreerde ontwikkelingsplan (GOP), voorgestelde wysigings aan dieGOP 2022-2027 (wysigings vir2026/27), waaronder veranderinge aan diekorporatieweenmunisipaleentiteite se telkaarte én die telkaart ingevolgeC88,wat toepaslike kernprestasieaanwysersen prestasiemikpunte vir die munisipaliteit bepaal en hersien, en diekonsepbegrotingvir 2026/27(wat begrotingsverwante beleideinsluit). Die konsepbegroting vir2026/27 kan van 31 Maart tot en met 30 April 2026, en dievoorgesteldewysigings aan dieGOP 2022-2027 van 31 Maart totenmet 20 April 2026,bydie munisipaliteitsehoofkantoor, munisipale biblioteke,alle subraadskantore(sien lys hier onder) en aanlynbywww capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay of www.capetown.gov.za/collaborate bestudeerword. Afskrifte van die dokumente sal ook by diebogenoemde lokale beskikbaar wees. Asdeel van die Stad Kaapstadseopenbaredeelnameproses,sal diekonsepbegroting vir2026/27 by subraadsgebaseerde vergaderings voorgelê word. Kontakasseblief jou subraadskantoor vir verdereinligting oorhierdie vergaderings.

Die dokumente sal ook vanaf 31 Maart 2026 bywww.capetown.gov za/budget beskikbaar wees.

Rig skriftelikekorrespondensie aan:

Die Stadsbestuurder,GOP/begroting2026/27,5de verdieping, Podiumblok, Burgersentrum,Kaapstad8001; of Privaat Sak X9181,Kaapstad8000; of e-pos Budget.Comments@capetown.gov.za.

R20 001,00R21 000,0040%

R21 001,00R22

1.20 Watbetref residensiële eiendomseienaarswat op pensioene staatmaak, moet die aansoeker ten minste 60 jaar oudwees, of indiendie eienaar gedurende die jaar 60 word, sal die korting op ’n prorata-grondslagtoegestaan word vanaf die datum waarop die aansoeker 60 word 1.21 DieStad het ’n verlaging van R485 000,00 (vierhonderd-vyf-en-tagtigduisend rand) vasgestel wat van toepassing sal weesopeienaars van residensiële eiendomme wat as ’n primêrewoonplekgebruik word en ’n markwaarde van minder as R8 000 001,00 (agtmiljoen-en-eenrand) het.

2. VERBRUIKSTARIEWE EN -HEFFINGS

Water, sanitasie, elektrisiteit en stedelikeafvalbestuur wordteen15% BTWbelas.

2.1 WATERENSANITASIE

Vyftariefvlakke word vir die boekjaar 2026/27 aanbeveel.Die voorgestelde tariewe strook metdie geskatte verbruiksvlakke. ’n Voorgestelde4,5% styging in die tariewe op die (onbeperkte) waterslimvlak(wat die vaste basiese heffing insluit)wordvir inwerkingtreding vanaf 1Julie2026 aanbeveel. Die voorgestelde stygingintariewe op vlak 1, 2, 3endie noodvlak is ook 4,5%

Water-ensanitasietariewe salin2026/27 meerstabielwees na die strukturele veranderinge watindie boekjaar 2025/26aangebringis. Die enigstebywerking vir 2026/27isdie aanpassingvan die eiendomswaardekategorieë om metdie algemene waardasie 2025 te strook en sodoende sekertemaak datdie getal eiendomme in elke eiendomswaardekategorie grotendeels konstant bly.Eiendomswaardetoenamesboof onderdie gemiddelde aanpassings in diewaardekategorieë kankliënteegternahoër of laer kategorieë laat oorskuif

Tariefstygings hou hoofsaaklikverband metdie versekeringvan volhoubare en veerkragtige watervoorsiening; begrotingsvoorsiening vir die nuwe waterplan (waaronderinisiatiewevir verdereinvestering in ondergrondse onttrekking uit waterdraers,eninhergebruikskemas); opknappings en uitbreidings van afvalwatersuiweringsaanlegte; deurlopende investering in bate-opknapping en baterehabilitasieomaan voorgeskrewe standaarde te voldoen; deurlopende investering in batevervangingsprogramme om behoorlikebatebestuur te verseker, met’nbepaaldeklem op riool- en waternetwerkvervangingendie opknappingvan rioolpompstasies;watervraagbestuursinisiatiewe om diegebruik van waterhulpbronne te optimaliseer; diehandhawingenversterkingvan instandhoudingsprogramme; en water-ensanitasievoorsieningopgepaste voldoenings-,vermoë-, vaardigheids-, dienslewerings-enresponsiwiteitsvlakke.Daar moetook voorsieninggemaak wordvir die uitstryking van tariefverhogings sodradie bykomendebedryfskostevir groot nuwe hulpbronprojekte in werking tree. Die voorgesteldewatertariewe op die (onbeperkte) waterslimvlakvir 2026/27, wat op 1Julie2026 in werking tree, verskynhier onder: 2026/27

Notas:

*Trosontwikkelingseiendomme wat in die naam van ’n SHRA-geakkrediteerde instelling vir maatskaplikebehuising geregistreer is en vir maatskaplikebehuising gebruik word, betaal R0,00 op trap 1.

** Nie-huishoudelike gebruikerkategorieë: Raadpleeg hoofstuk 2, afdeling2van die tariefbeleid vir‘nomvattendeverduideliking vangebruikerkategorieë.

*** ’n Vaste basiese tarief wordnie virdie volgende tariefkategorieë gehef nie: huisvesting virkwesbare persone, d.w.s. skuilings virhaweloses, tehuise virbejaardes/ liefdadigheidsorganisasies/organisasies sonder winsoogmerk/godsdienstige instellings/gebruikers van fonteinwater/gebruikers vanbehandelde uitvloeiwater/ brandaansluitings.

**** Ooreenkomstig die aanvaardingvan die beleidoor stedelikelandbouis’ngratis toekenning van10kℓ per maand uitsluitlik vantoepassingopbestaansboerdery deur bepaalde kwesbaregroepe.

Die voorgestelde sanitasietarieweopdie (onbeperkte) waterslimvlakvir 2026/27, wat op 1Julie 2026 in werking tree, verskyn hier onder: 2026/27

Enigeen met kommentaar kandit skriftelik indienbydie bogenoemde adresse,aanlyn ófbyhulle plaaslike subraadskantoor.Kommentaar op diekonsepbegrotingmoet ingedien wordteen 16:30opDonderdag30April 2026, en kommentaar op dieGOP 2022-2027 (wysigings vir 2026/27) teen 16:30opMaandag 20April 2026. Persone watnie kanskryf nie, kanenige van die kantorehieronder gedurendekantoorure besoek, waar ’n personeellidhulle sal bystaan om hulle kommentaar neer te skryf. Vir mondelinge kommentaar,skakel0800 21 2176. Dievolgende tabel bevat die plekkewaar dieGOP en konsepbegrotingter insae sal lê: Subraadskantore Klik op:web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/councilhubonline/subcouncilmanagers Alle bibliotekeKlik op www.capetown.gov.za/libraries Kaapstad Wandelvlak, Burgersentrum, Hertzog-boulevard,Kaapstad Suid-Skiereiland Munisipale kantore,h.v.Hoof-enVictoriaweg, Plumstead

RESIDENSIËLE VOLUMETRIESE TARIEWEvantoepassing op volledig huishoudelik sowelashuishoudelikegroep

LW: Inligting wat hier voorsienword, is ’n uittreksel uit die konsepboek van tariewe, fooie en vir die volledigeweergawe, raadpleeg bylae 6bydie konsepbegrotingvir 2026/27. Die tariewe vir die MTREF 2026/27 wordmet 15% BTW bereken.

1. EIENDOMSBELASTING(weergegeeaskoers in die rand): Die koers in dierandwordmet die munisipale waardasie van dieeiendom vermenigvuldigomdie jaarliksebelastingaanslagtebereken,onderworpe aan die vrystellings, verlagings en kortingswaarvoor diebeleidoor eiendomsbelasting voorsiening maak, en het ’n nulbelastingkoers vir BTW.

EIENDOMSKATEGORIEË KOERSIN DIERAND

1.1 Residensiëleeiendomme 0,006428

1.2 Sake- en kommersiële eiendomme

1.3 Industriëleeiendomme

1.4 Mynbou-eiendomme

1.5 Eiendomme watdeur’nstaatsinstellingbesiten vir openbaredienste gebruik word

1.6 Diverse eiendomme

1.7 Onbeboude grond

1.8Landbou-eiendomme

1.9 Openbare diensinfrastruktuureiendomme (Die Stad sal geen belastinghef op die eerste 30%van diemarkwaarde soos opdie waardasielys nie.)

1.10 Eiendomme watdeur’nopenbarevoordeelorganisasie besitenvir aangewese openbarevoordeelaktiwiteite gebruik word

1.11 Eiendommein’norganisasie se besit– sonder winsoogmerkengebruik vir spesifiekeaktiwiteite

1.12 Eiendomme in besit van ’n instelling vir maatskaplikebehuisingof’n anderleweringsagentwat by diereguleringsowerheid vir maatskaplike behuising (SHRA) geakkrediteer is, en wat vir maatskaplikebehuising gebruik word

1.13

Eiendomme wat deur ’n godsdienstige gemeenskapbesiten vir aangewese godsdienstige doeleindesgebruik word

1.15 Begraafplase en krematoriums

1.16 Eiendomme in ’n organisasiesebesit– sonder winsoogmerken gebruik vir diereskuilings

1.17 Eiendommein’norganisasie se besit– sonder winsoogmerkengebruik as’nplaaslikegemeenskapsmuseum

0,015106

0,012856

0,001286

0.001607

1.14 Eiendommewat vir veelvuldigedoeleindes gebruik word Per toekenning

0,000000

1.18 Natuurbewaringsgrond

1.19Die bruto maandelikse huishoudelikeinkomstekategorieë en kortings vir die boekjaar 2026/27 tenopsigte van eienaars wat vir hulle bestaan op pensioen- of maatskapliketoelaes staatmaak, issoos in dievolgendetabel:

Kommersieel/industrieel/ departementeel/divers/ skole/opvoedkundige instellings/sportliggame/ godsdienstige instellings**

Huisvesting vir kwesbare persone/skuilings vir haweloses/tehuise vir bejaardes****

Liefdadigheidsorganisasies/ openbarevoordeelorganisasies/ organisasies sonder winsoogmerk

Divers: Ekstern

Grootmaattarief -Eksterne gebruiker

-Waternetwerke

openbarevoordeelorganisasies/ organisasies sonderwinsoogmerk

Notas: *Trosontwikkelingseiendomme wat in die naam van ’n SHRA-geakkrediteerde instelling vir maatskaplikebehuising geregistreer is en vir maatskaplikebehuising gebruik word, betaal R0,00 op trap 1. ** Nie-huishoudelike gebruikerkategorieë: Raadpleeg hoofstuk 2, afdeling3van die tariefbeleid vir‘nomvattendeverduideliking vangebruikerkategorieë en die toepaslike persentasie waterverbruik wat virkosteheffinggebruik word.

vir kwesbarepersone, d.w.s. skuilings vir haweloses, tehuisevir bejaardes/ liefdadigheidsorganisasies/organisasies sonder winsoogmerk/godsdienstige instellings/ gebruikers van fonteinwater en behandeldeuitvloeiwater/brandaansluitings

LET WEL: Diedirekteur: kommersieel (direktoraatwater en sanitasie)kan diepersentasies na gelang van die verbruiker aanpas. Dítgeld egternie virdie kategorievolledig huishoudeliknie.

Hooftrekkevan wysigings vir water en sanitasie

•Aanpassingvan die eiendomswaardekategorieë om metdie algemenewaardasie 2025 te strook en sodoende sekertemaak dat die getal eiendommeinelke eiendomswaardekategorie grotendeelskonstantbly.Eiendomswaardetoenames boof onder diegemiddeldeaanpassing in die waardekategorieë kankliënte egter nahoër of laer kategorieëlaat oorskuif

Diverse tariewe:

•Regstelling vantariefonder item 9.7.2.13met betrekking tot die installering van ’n verbindingspyp, watverkeerdelik dieselfde was as die tarief onder item 9.7.2.15.Hierdie foutisnou reggestel metdie oogop2026/27

Ander:

tariefbeleid.

2.2 ELEKTRISITEIT

Dietariewe hier onderberus op ’n gemiddelde styging van 6,67%, wat op 1Julie2026in werkingtree.

Dieafkorting “GEREG.”verwys na die gereguleerde gedeelte van die tarief (wat deurdie Raad en die nasionale energiereguleerdervan Suid-Afrika(NERSA)goedgekeur word),en“ONGEREG. na die ongereguleerde gedeelte(watslegs deurdie Raad goedgekeurword).Die tarief in die totaalkolomme is watopdie kliënt se rekening salverskyn.

Deurvoervir kliënte met ’n energietekort (alle spannings)

Energie

Deurvoerstelselgebruik, medium spanning

laespanning

Groot kragverbruiker mediumspanning

Energie

R/dag 10,090,00 10,0911,60

Deurvoerstelselgebruik, hoëspanning

Deurvoervir kliënte met ’n energiesurplus Energie

Diens R/maand 2519,88 0,00 2519,88 2897,86

Hoog –spitsc/kWh 742 64 41 10 783,74 901,30

Hoog –standaard c/kWh 207,86 41 10 248,96 286,30

buite

c/kWh 148,43 41,10 189,53 217,96 Laag– spits c/kWh 325,52 41,10 366,62 421,61 Laag–standaard c/kWh 195,96 41,10 237,06 272,62

Laag –buite spits c/kWh 148,43 41 10 189,53 217,96

VraagR/kVA 254 76 0,0 254,76 292,97

NetwerkvermoëPerkVA NMD R/kVA 39,00 0,00 39,00 44,85

Straat-en

VERLIGTINGSTARIEWE

Hooftrekkevan wysigings

•Residensiële kliënte met ’n koopkragmeter en ’n munisipale eiendomswaardasie van R500 000 of minder kominaanmerkingvir die hulptarief.

•Residensiële kliënte met’nkoopkragmeter en ’n munisipale eiendomswaardasie van meer as R500 000, maar minder as R1 miljoen,kom in aanmerkingvir die huishoudeliketarief

Hoog –spitsc/kWh 718 68 41 10 759,78 873,75

Hoog –standaard c/kWh 201,16 41 10 242,26 278,60 Hoog –buite spits c/kWh 143,64 41,10 184,74 212,45

Diens R/maand 2610,22 0,00 2610,22 3001,75 Energie

Laag –spitsc/kWh 315,02 41,10 356,12 409,54 Laag –standaard c/kWh 189,64 41 10 230,74 265,35

–buite spits c/kWh 143,64 41 10 184,74 212,45 Vraag

•Alleander residensiële kliënte sal dietuisgebruikertarief betaal, tensyhullevoldoen aan diebykomende kriteria ingevolgedie tariefbeleid om diehulptarief te ontvang,

word, moet ’n gevorderde (AMI-) kragmeter op hulleeie onkostelaat installeer indien hullenie reedseen hetnie

•Daar is geen verandering in dietoekenning vangratisbasiese elektrisiteit nie, buiten virkliënte wat ditsal verbeur wanneer hullenadie huishoudelikeof tuisgebruikertariefoorskuif

•’nAansporingsbetaling wordbyalleSSEG-invoertarieweingesluit en sal virdié tydperk op alleSSEG-kliëntevan toepassing wees

29,65 c/kWh as ’n bydraetot eiendomsbelasting, soos toepaslik. ondersteuningstelsels gereed en suksesvolgetoets is.Let daarop dat slegskliënte wat aanmerkingkom

•Die Stad beplan om kontrakte metSSEG- en deurvoer-elektrisiteitskliënte aan te verpligtinge virdie Stad meebring wat langer sal duur as diedrie (3) boekjare waarvoor dieMTREF 2026/27 voorsiening maak. Die Stad Kaapstad se ooreenkoms vir surpluselektrisiteit wat metdie voorgestelde kliënte aangegaansal word,sal in ’n latere stadiumgeadverteer word •NERSA sal ’n proses van openbaredeelname onderneem as deel van hulle tariefgoedkeuringsproses. Kliënte kandeur hetsydie Stad of NERSA se proses óf deuralbei

PROMOSIE

Soektognanuwetalent begin opnuut

Die Suidoosterfees se Talentsoektog bied vanjaar weer die geleentheidaan amateurkunstenaarsomhul talent aan die wêreld bekend te stel.

Diégewilde kompetisieword moontlik gemaak deur dotsure. co.za

DRYFVEER

Allison Hendricksvan dieKaapse dansskool in Athlone,Dancefor All,

is diedryfveeragter dieprojek. Diekompetisie is oopvir deelnemersvan 5tot 35 jaar oudwat in dieWes-Kaapwoon. Hullekan deelneem in vier kategorieë:dans, sang,komedie en instrumentale musiek. Gekeurde finaliste krydie geleentheidomdeelteneem aan mentorskapprogramme en professionele werksessies, watdeur bedryfskenners geleiword. Deelnemerswat na dieeindronde deurdring, gaan by vanjaarse ad optree, ewys sal dvoor rdevolle selfvertroue nstenaars soekersen

Daar is opwindende pryseop diespel. Diewenner ontvangR10 000, dienaaswenner R3 000endie kandidaatwat derde eindig, R1 500.

GELEENTHEIDOMTESKITTER

Diealgehele wenner sal ook genooi word om in ’n Suidoosterfees-produksiein2027 op te tree,terwyl ’n belowende danser moontlik ’n voltydse beurs by Dancefor Allkan ontvang. Hendricks, uitvoerende hoof en artistieke direkteurvan Dance forAll, sê: “Die Dancefor Allopleidingsprogram sluit ’n beurster waarde vanR12 000per jaar in vir studente watvoltydswil studeer, of ’n hernubare deeltydse plek, onderhewigaan voorwaardes

Dieprogram bied hoëgehaltedansopleiding en holistiese

lewensvaardigheidsopleiding.Op diémanierversterkons studente se selfvertroue,ontwikkelhul danstalentenstelons hulle bloot aanloopbaangeleenthede.”

OPWINDENDEPRYSE

Mensewat wil inskryf moet suidoosterfees.combesoekendie aanlyn aansoekvorm voltooi, of hierdieskakelgebruik.Aansoeke moetindie vorm van’nvideo van maksimum drieminuteingedien word

Diekompetisieisoop vir deelnemersindie Wes-Kaap,en hulle is self verantwoordelik vir vervoer na werksessiesenoptredes

Deelnemersmoetook kennis neem vandie volgende belangrike datums:Aansoekesluit op 10 April,finaliste word op 13 April

aangekondig, en dieeerste werksessie metfinalistevind op 18 April van10:00 tot16:00 by Dance forAll plaas.Die Talentsoektog se eindronde word op 3Mei om 17:00 by dieSuidoosterfeesinKaapstad aangebied

DieTalentsoektog word moontlik gemaak deurdotsure.co.za en word aangebied in vennootskap met Dancefor All, People’s Post,City Vision en TygerBurger Diehoofborge vandie Suidoosterfeesisdie Wes-Kaapse regering en dieprovinsie se departementvan kultuursakeen dport, Stad Kaapstad Netwerk24 Die Burger, NATi, kykNET,die ATKV en Kunstekaap . Kontak AllisonHendricks by allison@danceforall.co.za of 073192 2763 metnavraeoor diekompetisie.

Getenergysavingtipsatmallpop-ups

Sismorecosttactuallylasts brighter ” dien

kettle to the exact uneed insteadofmore, mean it goes for a ,goesinquicker,

MOMENTS

measures include delectrical switches eplacing traditional ting diode (LED) is more cost-effective lasts longer andshines the other lights,”

ter Linathi Sinama that the light-bulb exactly howmany kinds of bulbs use and givesoff, seemedto epop-upthe most. winsulating ceilings andcoolingcosts could be used to reduce while cooking. be to register your have it installed the city can know andwho doesn’t,”

ROLL-OUT

ture Energy outcity-wide to obring energyhomes, schools and oresidents via popups,and anexhibition at the Building Centre inYsterplaat,whichwill give visitorsareal-life example of net-zero

Hospital board pledges to serve Mitchells Plain community

TheMitchells Plain DistrictHospital Boardhas renewed its promise to strengthen ties between the hospital and residents, following the election ofanew hospital board.

The hospital board was setupmore than 13 yearsago when theMitchells PlainDistrictHospital first opened. Board members servethree-year terms and arechosen through apublic nomination process overseen by the Minister ofHealth and Wellness, Mireille Wenger.

NEWLEADERSHIPTAKESCHARGE

The current board was elected on Tuesday 29 July 2025. The eight-member board includes representatives from youth, health and community development groups, workingalongsidesenior hospital staff.

Solomon Philander was chosen as chairperson, whilst Carol Mentor will continue as deputy chair foranother three years.

The board's main job is to act asa link betweenthe hospital and thecommunity, whilst also holding thehospital accountable for its services.

“The Hospital Board wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the communities we serve across the Western Cape. Ourroleis to ensure that the hospital operates in the best interest of the public by promoting quality healthcare, accountability, and responsible,” Philander said. “We representthe voiceofthe community and work closely with hospital management andthe provincial health authorities to ensure that services remain accessible, safe, and responsive to the needs ofour residents.”

FOCUSONPATIENTCARE

Philander acknowledged that many

families depend on the hospitalduring difficult times: “Weremain committed to strengtheninghealthcare services, improving patient care, andensuringthat public resources are used responsibly.”

EvanSwart, Chief Executive Officerof the hospital, welcomedthe new board and saidhewas pleased to see young people joining

“There is alot of work to be done, there will be tough situations we will go through, butwelook forward to supporting you and bringsome of this visionto fruition,” Swart said.

Philander urged residents to work withthe board to build better healthcare services: “Together we can build ahealth system that is compassionate, transparent, andresponsive to the needs of thepeople of Mitchells Plainand surroundings. As aboard we acknowledge the day to day challenges with theincrease of patients visiting ourEmergencyCentre andare committedtowork together with the hospitalmanagement to address the challenges.The Hospital Board remains dedicated to servingthe community with integrityand accountability.”

. Residents cansubmit complaints, share compliments and givefeedbackat083 690 7772.

carbon living. The exhibition is open to thepublic Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00, andweekends from 10:00 to 15:00.

Expert guides will be available on:

. 11 April 2026 from09:00 to 13:00

. 1May 2026 from09:00 to 13:00

. 6June 2026 from09:00 to 13:00

There will also be aprogramme for seniorsand solar panel registration drive. Theinitiative supports the City’s carbonfreedrive whichaims at making buildings carbon-free citywide by 2050.

. Formoreinformation on the Future Energy Festival visitthe website.

THINKING OUTLOUD

Don’t letchocolate trashyour holiday

Easter Sunday usually promises apeaceful morning, chocolatey treats, and perhaps a few family traditions. This year, Idecided to take aleisurely walk along the beach with my three-year-old, expecting to enjoy the cool weather and maybe spotsome earlysigns of spring.What Ididn’t expect was thelittered landscapethat greeted us. Chocolate wrappers, foil fromEaster treats,and colourful plasticpackaging were scatteredacross the sand, remnants of Easter celebrations gone awry. My little one, blissfully unaware of the environmental implications, sawa treasure troveofshiny wrappers and declared it an Easter egg hunt ofhis own. With joy and curiosity, he picked up wrapper after wrapper, giggling at the colourful “finds” along the shoreline. I, on the other hand, was confronted with the stark reality: what should havebeen abeautiful walk along aclean beach had turned into amini clean-up mission. Theirony is striking. Easter chocolates and treats are far from cheapthesedays, yetpeople seem to treat their packaging as disposable. Foil, plastic, and paper wrappers—materials thatcould be recycled or at least disposedofresponsibly —end up scattered across public spaces.

EVENTINYHANDSCANMAKEA BIGDIFFERENCE

Theimpact of holiday waste goes beyond aesthetic displeasure —plasticpackaging, smallwrappers, and colourful trinkets can pose real dangerstowildlife. Birds, fish, and marine mammals may mistake small piecesoffoil or plastic for food, resulting in injury, illness, or even death

Butall is not lost. The mini clean-up I conducted with my three-year-old turned out to be an unexpected teaching moment.

As we picked up the wrappers, Iexplained the importance of “putting things in the bin”

It was asmall but tangible reminder that responsible habitscan be taught at any age —and that even tiny handscan make abig difference.

So, how can we all celebrate Easter —or any holiday —more responsibly? First, plan ahead. Make sure there’s awaste disposalplan for any treats or packaging you bring along. Second, consider reusable or eco-friendly alternatives: chocolate eggs in cardboard boxes, compostable wrappers, or even DIY treats in paper bags that won’t linger in the environment. Third, set an example. Children learn best by watching. If they see adultspicking up afterthemselves, they’re farmorelikely to adoptthese habits themselves.

It’s also worth encouraginglocal businesses andevent organisers to promote responsible wastepractices.From providing recycling bins at public events to using sustainable packaging, collective effort can significantly reduce the amount of litter left behind afterfestivities

As Iwatched my little one carefully collect shiny wrappers, Icouldn’thelp but think: if every family took even a few minutes to be mindful about their waste, our public spaces would reflect the joy of the holiday, not the carelessness of leftover packaging. Easter is meant to be acelebration, not an environmental burden. And if we model responsible behaviour for the next generation, perhaps future walks along the beach will be filled withchocolate treatsinour hands, not scattered foilatour feet

Next year, Iplan to bring along asmall bagand gloves, ready for any “Easter treasure” that finds its way to the sand And maybe, just maybe, more peoplewill start thinkingtwice before letting their holiday celebrations contribute to litter. After all,enjoying chocolate shouldn’t come at the cost of our beaches, wildlife, or community spaces.

–KAILIN DANIELS

“Pypies”kan

LEWENSKIEKIE

verkeer beheer

Verwysendna"Brandstof netgemors by verkeersligte" op verlede week se brieweblad.

Ekmoet saamstemmet Anti Robot,want jare gelede toeeknog ‘n jongman was, is pypies by verkeersligte onderdie padgelê, watdie verkeersvloei gemonitor het Indien ek as ‘n bestuurder by ‘n verkeerslig sou

komendaar wasgeen ander voertuie nie,het die lig outomaties oorgeskakel dat onskon ry.Deesdae is daar nie meer vanhierdie pypies by nuwekruisings te sien nie.Hier in Eversdalwegstaan onslangtye en wag, en eers ná vyfminutekan ons weer ry.Wat ‘n mors vantyd!

MICHIEL LAUBSCHER,Stellenberg

Easter weekend trafficchaos

Iamwriting to express my deep frustration at the trafficchaos that unfolded acrossthe city overthe recent Easter weekend. Whilethe holidayperiod is always busy, this year’s gridlock wasnothingshort of alarming.

From theN1 and R300 to smaller arterial roads, drivers facedhours of unnecessarydelays, confusion,and in some cases, dangerous conditions.

It is clearthat the combination of increasedholiday travel,wet weather,and impatientdrivers created aperfect storm. Yet, much of this couldhavebeen mitigated withbetterplanning andcoordination from trafficauthorities. Road users were left stranded in long queues, with emergencyvehicles struggling to navigate congested routes.Instancesofreckless overtaking, speeding, andlane-hoppingadded to the anxiety, putting everyone at risk.

Iwitnessedfirsthandthe sheer frustration of familiestrying to reach their destinations. Parents with young children, elderlypassengers, andeventhose on publictransportwereforcedtoendure long, stressful

delays. It wasparticularlyconcerning to seedrivers ignoringbasic road rules,asthoughtheir personal schedulesjustified putting others in danger

WhileIappreciatethe efforts of ourtrafficofficers androadsafetyteams, it is evident that more proactivemeasuresare needed. Bettertrafficflow management,clearer signage,and timelypublic announcements couldprevent such gridlockinthe future. Furthermore, public education campaigns on safe driving during peak holidayperiods arecrucial Ialsourgelocal authorities to consider temporary measures formajor holidayweekends, such as designated lanesfor long-distance travelers, improved trafficlightcoordination, andactivemonitoring of accident hotspots. Thesesteps coulddramatically reduce congestion andprevent accidents.

As residents, we allhavearoletoplayinresponsibledriving, but theauthorities must take the lead in makingour roads saferand moremanageableduring peak periods

FRUSTRATED,E-mail

Drivers bracefor potholeseason

As the rainyseasonsetsin, so toodoes what many residents have come to dread—potholeseason. Across our neighbourhoods, roads that were already under strain arenow rapidlydeteriorating, posing risksnot onlytovehicles but to the safety of all. Potholes aremorethanjust an inconvenience. They damage tyres, rims,and suspensions, placing an added financialburden on motorists who arealready grappling with rising living costs. Forcyclists andmotorcyclists, theypresent an even greaterdanger, increasing the likelihood of accidents andinjuries.

Pedestrians arenot spared either,often forced to navigatefloodedorcrumbling pathways

Whileweather conditions certainly play arole, the recurrenceand worsening of potholes point to deeper issues around road maintenanceand timelyintervention.

It is crucialthatauthoritiesprioritiseproactive maintenancerather than reactiverepairs.Regular inspections, durablematerials, andswift responses to reported damage cangoalongway in preventing smallissues from becomingmajor hazards. Residents, too, have aroletoplaybyreporting potholes anddriving cautiously, especially during wet conditions when thesehazards areharder to spot. If we aretonavigatethis season safely,a collectiveeffort is needed to ensureour roads remainreliable, resilient, andsafefor everyone

GREGORYHILL, E-mail

Rottenmeatsmell hangsovershopsruining theshopping experience

Iamaregular customer at various shopsin Northumberland Street,Bellville.ThismorningIwent on arun to buy stock forour Easter weekendgetaway Ientered afew shopsatthe entrance of this iconic bargainstreetand washit with ahorriblesmellof death and rotten meat

Ienquired at afew shopsregarding this smellasit washeavilyhanging in theair.I wasinformed thatit wasdiscarded meat from awarehouse.

Iwas shocked. Icannotthink that this is legalor that theyare disposing of this wasteina proper man-

ner. Itoldthemtheyshouldlog acomplaintwith the City of Cape Town andthe health department.They replied that theyhavedonethismultipletimes and nothing happened.

It wasevenmoreshockingthat practices like this areevenallowed. Iwonder what other sicknesses, pests andpollution arehappening with the City's unwillingness to act

Letmejustinform youthatthe business surroundingthemare taxpayers, customers visiting thesestores aretaxpayers andabove all, keep this in mind at the

approaching election, we arevoters. If the CityofCape Town is notinterested in the health andsafetyofit's citizens, voters andtaxpayers please letusknow. Or is it acasethatsomeonehas to become very illorworse before action gets taken?

Iamsorryifthis letter comesacrossasharsh but it shouldbe, it is your responsibilitytoallow people of the CityofCape Town to breathe cleanair,besafe when shopping andnot at riskofpollution anddisease that cancome from this.

JACQUES, Bellville

Dit plahom meer om politici met graaf op foto’s te sien,as‘nskoolhoof

Metverwysingnadie briefvan “LESER” op 1April pladit my nie soveel dat 'n skoolhoof op sportfoto's verskynsonder dathybetrokkeisbydie afrigtingnie

Ditpla my meer dat die burgemeester en ook sommigeburgemeesterskomiteelede met 'n graaf of 'n verfkwasindie hand op 'n foto verskyn,terwyl die werkersvir homstaan en kyk. Hul funksie is veel eerder om toetesiendat die werkers die werk reg, betydsen bevredigend voltooi.

Hy salbaie meer waarde toevoegdeur inspeksies te doen vandie gehaltevan werk, waar die Stad van‘n kontrakteur gebruik maak vir die herstel vanbv. plaveisel, maar geen vorigeondervinding vanplaveiwerkhet nie.

Daar word geroem op die hoeveelheid “werksgeleenthede”wat geskep word,maar in die praktyklyk dit soos “rondstaangeleenthede”. ‘n Mens sien dikwels hoedaar totagt mense,insluitend die bestuurder van die voertuig, opdaagomeen stopteken op te rig. Ek het dit al persoonlikervaar waar hulle twee stoptekens moesplant en nadat die eersteeen geplantis, hulle wouoppak om môreterug te komvir die tweede een. Onskyk uit vir ‘n foto vandie burgemeester waar hy die belastingbetalersinlig dat die kontrakteur die werk op eie kostemoetoordoen. NOG ‘N LESER,E-pos

Fuel-freeridefromKenyatoSA

LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY

LAUREN.OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

“The sun is your petrol?” Theseare the words of astunned Botswanan man as he gaped open-mouthed at asolar-powered electric bike.

“You don’t need oil, you don’t need petrol,” he says when asked if he would like thebike to be availableinhis country.

“Make aplan, Sir Stephan,” he pleads in episode six of an online documentaryseries titled Recharging Hope.

“Hopefully, we will,” replies Dr Stephan Lacock, aresearcher specialising in electric mobility at Stellenbosch University. Lacock was one of ateam of researchers who drove a groundbreaking 6200-kilometre journeyfrom Kenya to South Africa,using only solar power, creating an online documentary series and breaking an unofficial world recordalong the way.The Kenyan-manufactured Roam Air motorcycles made the entire trip without asingle breakdown or grid charge.

GREENELECTRICMOBILITY

Long beforethe heftypetrol price increase was on all South African’s minds, Lacock’s journey started when he andProf Marthinus Booysen,director of the Electric MobilityLab at Stellenbosch Universityhad a funny idea.

“I’m specialisinginelectric mobility for thepublic transportation system of subSaharan Africa. We were doing research on taxis and Ipresented my work in Kenya. Imet a company called Roam. Theyare thelargest electric motorcycle manufacturer on the African continent. And Iwas absolutely blown away with what they’re

doing and thought to myself, ‘why aren’t we doing this in South Africa?’” Lacock said. “I came back and we started forming aresearch agreement withRoam.”

Roam donated twoRoam Air bikes, to the university for its research but the teamhit a snag trying toget them to South Africa

EPICDRIVE

“It gotdown to apointwhere we just couldn’tshipthe bikes to South Africa. It was very difficult,” Lacock said. “Wewere sitting in awimpy in Pretoria oneday,he (Booysen) said, ‘there has to be away’ andI toldhim,‘Well, thereisthis onecrazy idea andit’stodrive down the motorcycles. He just started laughing andIstarted laughing and in amonth’stime we basically organised the entire trip.”

POLITICALWILL

Once underwaythe project took on newproportions

Booysensaid: “While we were doing this, we realised that the project isgiving us an opportunity to demonstrate something that we’ve been talkingabout foravery long time. It gaveusthe opportunity to show that micromobilityin Africa canbeelectric,itcan be localand it canbegreen.”

He adds thatthere are still too manybarriers toSouth Africa embracing greener transport.

“Ithink we have so many barriers and it’s mostly because oflackofpolitical will. We have leaders who are notreally pushing hard enoughfor us to transformour transport sector

RECORD-BREAKING

DRIVE FROM KENYA TO CAPE TOWN CAPTURED IN DOCUMENTARY

As youcan seenow with the price of petrol, we arecompletely dependent onthe importsof fuel.”

The designer of thebike, Masa Kituyi, whoalso went alongfor theride,agrees.

“It’s easiertobuy aGerman car andbringittoSouth Africa than it is to buy aKenyan-made motorcycle,” said Kituyi, who is theMicro Mobility Product OwneratRoam.

“That kindofpolicy needs to change,” he says in the documentary.

Booysenadded: “Wehave leaders whoare notreally pushinghard enoughfor us to transform our transport sector.”

He pointedout that while more countries are movingonto greener fuels, South Africa hasn’t followedsuit.

“We onlyproducepetroland dieselvehicles andweexport all

of those, most of thosemarkets are going to dryup. That is approximately 450 000 jobs that are at risk,” he said. “We desperately need to convert to electric very soon to protect those jobs.”

He cited an electric vehicle project 20 yearsago that was killedbypolitical interference and redtape and called for greater African collaboration to overcome shared challenges, criticising borders“drawn by European hands” that separate countries with common problems and solutions.

“Electric mobility in East Africa is actually exploding,” Lacock adds.“They are by far ahead of South Africa. For instance, Roam alone has over 5000 motorcycles on theroad of Nairobi.”

DOCUMENTARY

During theirSouth African leg, the team broke an unofficial world record by covering 1009,6 kilometres in asingle day on an electric motorcycle.

They captured the journey on camera and stitched it into aseven-part documentary to highlight southern Africa’s electric mobility difficulties and the solutions that can exist.

“Through doing this, we also realised that we could inspire young children and future engineers in our region to think bigger and to think towards really providing aclean and sustainable mode of transport to communities. It completely morphed intothis big thing where we did something special and we were fortunate enough to capture the whole thing and to make anice documentary out of it.”

Vermaak // Entertainment

Entriesopenfor YouthJazzSeries

Young jazz musiciansacrossthe Western Cape cannow apply to showcase their talents at this year’s Youth Jazz Series,set to take placeinJune at Artscape TheatreinCapeTown. Thetwo-dayevent will featureaspiring jazzsoloists performing on Friday12June,followedbyschool jazz bands takingthe stageonSaturday13June

Originally launchedin2003asthe YouthJazz Festival, the programme has expanded significantlyoverthe yearstomeet growinginterest and accommodatethe exceptional talent of young local musicians. Nowknown as the Youth Jazz Series, the project combinesperformanceopportunitieswith valuablemasterclass programmesled by industry professionals.

“Participants become hubsofsustainable learningastheyare given aplatform to voicetheir own creativitytoacaptiveaudiencewhile theyalsoget an opportunitytobroaden their horisons by experiencing themagic of live stage, lights,sound andan audience,”organisers said.

ENTRYREQUIREMENTS

Aspiring musicians and instrumentalistsmust submit audition videos by Friday17 April. Applicants

PARTICIPANTSBECOME HUBS OF LEARNING

mustbe27years oldoryounger in theyearofparticipationand reside in theWestern Cape

Theprogramme encourages both school learners andinformal musicstudents to audition.Music literacy is notessential, with candidateswho play by earwelcome to apply

Each applicant must submit amaximum of two auditionvideos, each lasting 3-4 minutes, featuring two jazz songsorstandards.

Selectedcandidates maybecontactedfor live auditions withthe audition panel, with amaximum of15minutes allocatedper candidate

Successful applicants must be availablefor masterclasses andall required rehearsals between May andJune.Thesesessionswillbearrangedbetween candidates andmentorsfollowing theaudition process . Contact slu@artscape.co.za foranentry form,then submityourauditionvideo along with theentryform(which must include full name and surname).

. Pretty Woman: TheMusical is nowonatArtscape Theatreuntil 19 April. Terrific Tuesdays and Bring your Bestie offers also available. Book tickets at Ticketmaster. Contact sales@showtime.co.zafor group bookings.

. Thecultmusical TheRockyHorror Show is at Theatreonthe BayinCampsBay from 7April until31 May. Theproduction is ratedPG16. Tickets startfrom R200.Book at Webticketsorthe theatre’sbox office on 021 4383300

. Fatman tree op Woensdag8April om 20:30by Heroes Brackenfellop. Die deuremaak18:00 oop Kaartjies kosR140tot R180 by www.heroeslive.net

. Albert FrostenGeraldClark tree op Donderdag 9April om 20:30 by DieBoer-teaterrestaurantop. Kaartjies kosR230.Bespreek by www.dieboer.comof by 021 9791911.

. Autumn Symphonies at the CityHallwithBritish conductor Nicholas Chalmers is on Thursday9 Aprilat 19:30.Tickets from R190 at Webtickets.

. Krismis vanMap Jacobs is van9tot 24 Aprilindie Kunstekaap-teatertesien. Diedrama speel af ná die gedwongeverskuiwingsuit Kaapstad na die Kaapse Vlakte.Kaartjies kosR80 by Webtickets

. Jaykom tree op Vrydag 10 April om 20:00 by Kapstadt Brauhaus Durbanville op.Die deuremaak 18:00 oop. Kaartjies is beskikbaar by Quicket.

. UK electronic pioneersBasement Jaxxwillheadline theKiss Kiss festivaltaking placeatthe Castle of Good HopeonSaturday11April from 12:00.Tickets at Webtickets.

. Passion ChoralFest,featuring fivechoirs is on Sunday12April at 16:00 at the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium in Parow. Tickets available at www choirfest.co.za.

. In Harmony with the TygerbergChildren’sChoir is on Sunday12April at 15:00 at the Cape Town City Hall. With severalguest school choirs. Ticketsfrom R120 to R140 at Webtickets.

. YouShouldGoIn is at TheBaxter’s Masambe Theatrefrom16to25April. Amoving newdrama

aboutfamily, abandonment and the difficult road to forgiveness. Theplayexplores self-worth, broken bonds andwhether some wounds ever trulyheal, even when love returns. TicketsatWebtickets.

. mAnJE!MaNJe (an epic)runs at TheBaxterFlipside from 17 to 25 April. Astriking and imaginativeproduction that draws on the storyofDaedalustoreflect on thehuman condition in theage of the machine, big data and climatecatastrophe.R120early-bird special forperformances from 17 to 21 April. Tickets at Webtickets.

. ConSpirito PhilharmoniccelebratesMozart’s270th birth anniversarywithanAll-MozartConcertonSaturday18Aprilat19:30 at the DutchReformedChurch Uitsig, Ridgeworth.TicketscostR220atWebtickets.

. Cape WelshChoir presents Whywesing —Generations in harmony, aconcertcollaborationwithlearners from CurroCenturyCity, DF Academy, Milnerton High School andStCyprian’sonSunday19April at 15:00inthe Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium in Parow. TicketscostR160 at Quicket

. HatchedEnsemble is at TheBaxter’sPam Golding TheatreonWednesday 29 and Thursday 30 April

This choreographic piece features 10 ballet-trained dancers from different ethnicbackgrounds and interrogatestradition, identity and gendernorms.Tickets at Webtickets.

. Die Suidoosterfees word van29April tot3 Mei by dieKunstekaap-teater,Media24-gebou en die Kaapstad-burgersentrum aangebied. Besoek www suidoosterfees.comvir meerinligting.Kry kaartjiesby Webtickets.

. TheHuman League and Blancmangeare live at the GrandArena,GrandWestonTuesday 12 Mayat19:00 TicketsatWebtickets.

. Cape Town Operapresents GeorgesBizet’s Carmen, astory of passion,freedomand jealousy at Artscape from 19 to 31 May. TicketsfromR180 at Webtickets.

. Boyz II Men Live in South Africa Tour is at the Grand Arena,GrandWest on Wednesday27May at 18:00 TicketsfromR750 at Webtickets.

Cosplayers preparefor Comic ConCape Town stage

ComicCon Cape Town hasannounced thedetails of its cosplaycompetitions

Thecity’sversion of theinternational convention willtakeplace from 30 April to 3May at theCape Town InternationalConvention Centre,wherecosplayersfromacrossthe countrywillshowcasetheir handmade creations.

WHATISCOSPLAY?

Fornewcomers to theart form,cosplay combines costume design with performance. Participants create detailedreplicas of outfits worn by fictional characters from films, video games, booksand anime, then bring thesecharacters to life through acting andattitude

INTERNATIONALGUESTSJOINCELEBRATION

Tworenowned cosplayartists willattend the event.Yaya Hanhas been cosplaying since1999, creating morethan400 detailedcostumes and judgingcompetitions worldwide.She nowfocuses on making cosplaymaterialsmoreaccessibleand supporting charitableprojects.

Jaremi Carey, areality television personality andtransformation artist,has worked on cosplay campaignsfor major companies including Pokémon International, FoxTVand HBO. Bothguestswill appearonthe mainstage forquestion-and-answer sessionsand fanmeetings.

COMPETITIONHIGHLIGHTS

Theevent features twotypes of competitions Dailycasualcompetitions,heldtwiceeachday on themainstage,welcome allskill levels andboth handmade andshop-bought costumes. Participants canregisteronthe dayatCosplay Central.

ThemainComicCon Cape Town Cosplay Competition accepts onlycompletely handmade costumes createdbythe wearer.Thisyear, 39 contestants willcompete,withjudges evaluating bothcostume

construction andperformance skills. Thefinalstake placeat16:00 on themainstage

Beyond competitions, many attendees simply enjoywearing their creations andadmiring others’ work. Theevent celebrates creativity andbrings together communities of fans who share similar interests.

Comic ConCape Town combines pop culture, gaming, art, comics, film, television, animeand tabletop gaming, offering entertainment forfamilies andfansofall ages.

Tickets canbebought at Comic ConAfrica’s website.

Pretty Woman:The Musical is on stageatArtscape until 19 April. This classic’90s storyofanunlikely romance(remember thefilm with Richard Gere andJulia Robberts) is fullofjoy,combining love, laughter,nostalgia andtoe-tapping songstomake each performance afun experiencedownmemory lane.The show’s music, including powerful solos like “Freedom” and “I Can’tGoBack” andensemble pieces like “Welcome to Hollywood”and “Together Forever” written by BryanAdams andJim Vallance deliversadynamic,emotionally charged scorethat perfectly captures theromance, glamour andenergy of thestory.Discounted ticket offers (group discounts, “Terrific Tuesdays”and “Bring your Bestie”) areavailable. . Contactsales@showtime.co.za for informationondiscountedtickets. Cheaper