TygerBurger | Mitchells Plain | E-edition | 29 April 2026
WOENSDAG29APRIL
. Die gevierde skrywer Réna Rauch se nuutsteroman, Beauty,wordom10:30 in Welgemoedbekendgestel Belangstellendeskan by MarietaNel by 084 511 1931 hulplekbespreek.
SATURDAY2MAY
. TheCapeTownGem and MineralClub'snextopen daytakes placefrom10:00 to 14:00 at 14aGoede HoopSt, Bothasig. Entryisfree. Learnmoreabout the hobbyofcrystals, gems, and mineral specimen collecting, and relatedcraftwork.Plentyofoff-road parking.Food available. Allwelcome,especially children
. Ahisha Samson from Brackenfellwilllaunch her ebut poetrycollectionS’o deur dielewe/Along Life'sPath’atthe Durbanville Library. In herpoetry Ahisha sharesher personaljourneythrough life, socio-economic challenges,her faith and growth as awomanofcolour. Thebooklaunch starts at 10:00 for10:30 ending at 12:00. Contact Ahisha Samson on ahishasamson28@gmail.comwith enquiries
. Die Oostenberg Horticultural and Industrial Societyhou van09:00 tot13:00 'n Chrysanthemum-blommeskou in diesaalvan dieAnglikaanse kerk (StGeorge TheMartyr) in Sarepta. Ongeveer 200 hrysanthemums (krisanteenasters) saluitgestal word.Die blomme salnáafloop vandie skou te koop wees (kontant of kaartbetalingswelkom). Daar sal ook stalletjiesweeswat verversingsverkoop.Kontak harles Summers by 073807 2350 virmeerinligting
. TheDurbanville CraftMarket will host itsmonthly market from 09:00to14:00 —this time focused on children.A scavenger hunt will startat10:00and participation will be free forchildren. Therewillbe 24 entries with 24 prizes,thus everyentrywillwin aprize. Thewinners will be announced at 12:00 Visitors canbrowsearoundthe market forthe best in handmade craftsorenjoy eats from the food stalls, whilelistening to alovelymusic performancebyJerry Fourie. Phone Anni Theron on 066059 7251 formore informationabout the market.
SUNDAY3MAY
. Edgemead’sLargest Indoor Secondhand Market willheldatthe Edgemead Community Hall, 83 EdgemeadDrive from 08:00to14:00.Therewillbeloads of bargains
SATERDAG9MEI
. Die NG kerk Bellville-Wes bied'ndans en kuier saam metChristoenCobus Snyman aanom18:00 tenbatevan hul uitreiknaMalawië.‘nVerskeidenheid soppeenbroodtjiessal saam met ‘n glasiesjerrie bedienword. Gastekan ookhuleeie piekniekmandtjieen drinkgoed saambring. KosteisR200ofbetaalR180 perpersoon met ‘n tafelbespreking vir agtmense Kinders (2-12)betaalR100(onder2 gratis). Kontak Maryke by 071643 2239 vir meerinligting.Kaartjies is beskikbaarbydie kerkkantoorofstuur ‘n e-posaan navraag@bellvillewes.ng.org.za.
. MdzanandaAnimal Clinic and Shelterwillhost itsannual gala dinner and auctionat18:30 at the TwoOceans Aquarium,celebrating three decades of servicetoKhayelitsha's animals and community. The fundraising event willfeature PippaHudson as host withauctioneerGuy McDonaldleading aliveauction of exclusive itemsand experiences.Entertainment willincludea performancebythe Isibane Se Afrika Choir during the pre-drinksreception. Guests willenjoya two-coursedinnerwith complimentary wineand dessert.Tickets areavailable at Quicketorcontact fund@mdzananda.co.za
WOENSDAG20MEI
. Die TygerbergTuin- en Blommeklub kombyeen by dieNGkerkParow Welgelegen (LaProvencestraat 47, Welgelegen) om 09:30vir 10:00. DiesprekersisAlthea Higham(Parallel demonstrasie) en MarcoMoors vanLowensvlei Blomplaas(Snyblomme). Dietema vandie blommekunskompetisie is Elegansie.Tee word vanaf 09:30 bedien. Kontak BeatrixLambert-Bestbier by 082873 9864vir meerinligting
SATURDAY30MAY
. TheDianna JacksonFoundationwillhosta CommunityMarketDay from 10:00to15:00atthe SummerGreens Community Centre, 22 TinkersRoad, SummerGreens. Theevent will featurelocal vendors, food stalls,handmadecrafts, fashion, musicand family-friendlyentertainment. Free entry.For more informationcontactCJJackson on WhatsApp 072 8301966.
FRIDAY12JUNE
. TheMitchells PlainUnitedResidents Association (Mura) willbehaving aGolf Dayaspartofthe area's 50thanniversarycelebrations. It willbeheldatthe RoyalCapeGolf Club on Friday12June.The eventwill caterfor 120players over six to eight waterholes. Mura is in need of prizes, waterholesponsors, contents for goodie-bags,and auctionitems forthe prize-giving dinners.Ifyou wouldliketotakepart, donateorfor moreinformation, contact NormanJantjesat083 6284421.
Nofatalitiesin ‘horrific’crash
Anhorrific-looking crash involving learners in Westridge last week had no fatal casualties, according to authorities.
KevinJacobs,spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Traffic Service, said only two passengers sustained serious injuries and six others light injuries in the threevehiclepile-upinearly morning traffic of Wednesday 22 April.
Commuters were quick to post updates, photos andvideos of the crash to social media this morning due to the gruesome look of the scene.
One voice note doing the rounds on chat groups said people's bodies werelying all over the scene.
“People are lying on the side and schoolchildrenare standing on the side. There are acouple of schoolchildren lying there, also on theground, and they appear to be unconscious.”This messenger declared the Toyota Quantum, one of the vehicles, a“write-off”
However horrific-looking, therewere no fatalitiesamongthe wreckage, Jacobs said.
“The City’s TrafficServices confirms theaccidentearlier thismorning at the intersection of Weltevreden Road and Wespoort Drive,Mitchells Plain. Three motor vehicles,including aQuantum taxi, were involved.”
FROMPAGE1
Forum secretary Oleander Oakes had told councillors in Marchthat “endless issues” had been raised within safety structures regardingsecurityinMitchells Plain, leading to thedevelopment of the comprehensive five-streamplan covering violence prevention, securecommunities, effective policing, job opportunities, and leadership andskills training.
FROMCONSULTATIONTOACTION
Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais said theapproachisbuilt on existing communityefforts rather than imposing external solutions.
“We did not findMitchells Plainasleep. When our engagements began, it became immediately clearthatthiscommunity had already started doing the work,” Marais said. “There were already ideas, plans, and initiatives in motion driven by people whorefuse to accept the conditions around them.”
PRACTICALIMPLEMENTATION
The Safe Zones initiative seekstocreate safe passage for youthtravelling through gang-affected areas,whilst establishing dedicated “SafeHubs” where young people can participate in constructive activities and accessgovernment services. These hubswill alsoprovide resources such as internet connectivity.
Forum Chair Abie Isaacs reiterated thewhole-of-society approach that underpinned the original plan development, emphasising coordination between allsectors, community structures, government departments, and civil society.
“The Forum will notonly coordinate theseefforts butwill alsohold all stakeholders accountable for their commitments,”Isaacs said.
Cape Town Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews, whogrewupinthe area, highlighted the importance of support structures.
“I spent 42 years of my life in Whitehall Road, Mitchells Plain, andIoften ask myself, whydid Inot conform to the social ills? Andthe answer is simple —Ihad a healthy support structure,” he said.
DETAILEDZONEPLANNING
Workshopparticipants were divided into the five groups representing each designated safe zone area. Each group undertook detailed mapping of existing
He said the scene was cleared by 07:33. Police spokesperson Capt FC van Wyk said the accident occurred at 05:40. “According to reportsamaroon FordFigo was driving in awesterly direction on Wespoort Drive.”
Reportedly, the car ignored the stop sign and collided with the taxi. “The accident was reported at the Mitchells Plain Police Station by the driver of the Toyota Quantum, who alleged therewere no injuries,”Van Wyk said.
community assets whilst identifying gaps in services and interventions needed to create safer environmentsfor young people.
This collaborative exercise builds on the crime analysis data that initially identified thesehotspots, adding community knowledge and resources to create comprehensive implementation plans for each area.
ON-GOINGSECURITYCHALLENGES
Mitchells PlainPolice Station commander Brig Brian Muller outlined the extent of gang activity, noting that police have identified about 14 different gangs operating in the area.
Speaking about the challenges facing law enforcement, Muller said: “According to the constitution, everyone has the right to life. But when asuspect comes and kills you, and we arrest the suspect, immediately the suspect has more rights —but you are dead.”
MOVINGFORWARD
Theinsights gathered during the workshop will directly inform the next phase of implementation, bringing the plan closer to full operation across the five designated areas.
Marais reaffirmed the Western Cape Government’s continued support for the Forum’swork and called on all stakeholders to actively contribute to its success.
Theinitiative coincides with Mitchells Plain’s50th anniversary celebrations thisyear, with organisers hoping the programmes will launch as part of the commemorations.
Thecommunity-driven approach recognises that residentsknow best what the problems are and, importantly, what the solutions should be —a principle that has guided the process from initial consultation through to this implementation phase.
Forum chair Abie Isaacs.
Boozedebateroarsatmeeting
Councillors’purported anti-liquor stance was tested lastweek when twounusual licence applications were tabled.
Subcouncil 17 has long said thatitdoes notsupport liquor licence applicationsin residential areas but on Monday 20 April, it approved one application,which was an appeal against the same Subcouncil’s prior refusal in October last year —despite the Community Police Forum (CPF) highlighting alleged intimidation tactics by the applicant —and declined another, even though it had only one objection against it.
Both applications for extensions to trading hours were for OK Liquoroutlets in different parts of Strandfontein.
ALLEGATIONSOFINTIMIDATION
Sandy Schuter, the Strandfontein CPF chair, told the meeting that residents were reluctant to submit formal comments against the application by OK in Blackberry Mall, Blou Dakke, due to fear of intimidation.
Speaking during the public participation section, Schuter said she hadconsulted with theresidents’ association, religious groups, nearby businesses and neighbourhood watches about the applications.
“There’s been abit of reluctance from the community, including the religious fraternity,tocomplete the form thateither objectsoraccepts theapplication for extended hours,” she said.
She said this reluctance stemmed from aprevious application where anapplicant had allegedlysent intimidating voice notes to her and the Ward councillor, threatening to expose them on social media for opposing the extension.
“Hesaidweare responsible for five people notbeingable to work because we didn’tagree to theextended hours,” she said
Schuter said the applicanthad also demanded contact details of people who hadobjected, causing fearamong community members andreligious organisations.
Shehad reportedthe messagestothe liquordepartment andquestioned how her personal information hadbeen leaked to the applicant
However,all such details become part of thepublic record once tabled at Subcouncil.
Schuter said crime was oneofthe main reasons the CPFdid not support liquor licenses in some areas
She saidinthatarea 90% of violent crimeover recent weekends were alcoholrelated, with policecells full due to alcohol abuse
“Wehavetoconstantly calllaw enforcement to address anti-social behaviour —urinating, drug trading. Even the neighbourhood watch hadtobevisible there,”she said
APPLICATIONSREJECTED
The Subcouncil turned down the
applications for the OK Liquor outlet at themall on thecorner of Spine and Birkenhead roads, Bayview.
Wardcouncillorand subcouncilchair, Elton Jansen, rejected both after-hours applications, for Saturdays and Sundays, after receivingonly oneobjection.
“I mustdealwith what Ihave in front of me. Therewas an objection from a member of the public for the extension of liquor hoursfor bothSaturday and Sunday.Therefore Ineed to consider that objection,” he said.
However, he approvedsimilar applications for the OK in Blou Dakke after receivingstrong community support through petitions. He noted that almost 100 people had signed petitions and writtenindividual letters supporting the applications
“Sadly we mustsupport this application basedonpeople who put their names on paper,” Jansensaid. Several councillors however, declined their support for the application.
Accordingtothe official documents, thesame objector hadopposed the applications by both branches on the
same grounds but in the first case it was sufficient for the subcouncil to refuse and in the second it was not.
Theobjector stated that her reasons for opposing were the store attracts beggars and creates parking chaos since thereare not enough bays.
“Patrons park in disabled bays, they play loud music and are loud themselves,” she said.
Theobjector added that children from the informal settlement beg in the area when the liquor store is open and that area has inadequatesecurity.
“Previously they had no security guard, now they often have one outside. However the patrons arrive drunk and overpower him.”
TheOKLiquorshopinBlouDakke.
TheOKLiquor shop in Bayview.
TheOKLiquor shop in Blou Dakke.
Subcouncil urgesresidents to comment on budget
Mitchells Plain residents have been urged to submittheir comments on the City of Cape Town’s budget before the deadline tomorrow.
Subcouncil 17 chair Elton Jansen told councillors at Monday’s meeting at Lentegeur Administrative offices that residents should make specific, budgetrelated suggestions rather than general complaints.
‘Don’tcomment on Facebook,’ Jansen said. ‘You must encourage your community to say, ‘we wantnew streets’. If you have new proposals or proposals that’s linked to the budget, that is howyou comment.’
BUDGETMEETINGSHELDEARLIER
The Subcouncil has held three budget meetings, two in Mitchells Plain and a final meeting last Saturday in Samora Machel.
Jansen described the budget as ‘a budget of hope’ and ‘a pro-poor’, saying it allocated significant fundingfor upgrading informalsettlements and infrastructure.
He used the Strandfontein Pavilion as an example of successful community engagement, saying he had commented on the development for 12 years before it was included in thebudget “If you look at the budget, youwill see the Highlands Estatesewer upgrade
over the next three years. It’s because communitiescommented,” he said.
Residents can submit budgetcomments by emailatbudget.comments@capetown. gov.zaorbyphoning the toll-free number 0800 212 176
SUCCESSSTORIESSHARED
CouncillorJoan Woodman told the meetingthat specific budget comments hadworkedfor herward. She said she hadsuccessfully requested floodlights forrentalstock homesand sidewalksin Highlands Village.
“It is importantbut be specific, give timelines,give everything on there,” Woodman said.
However, Councillor Ashley Potts saidresidents were still struggling to understandhow to makeeffective comments,often requesting services thatfell under provincial or national government Councillor ZukisaniSophaziraised concerns that community requests took too long to be implemented after comments were submitted.
Jansen replied that the City’sbudget waslikea household budget andthat certain items would take priority while others took longer to come to fruition but that this should not deter residents from commenting.
City’s app allows public to report morequickly
TheCitylast week rolled out anew functionality within the City’sApp.Itwillallow thepublicto report bylawand criminalacts in just afew steps. Thefunctionalitywas developed by the Emergency Policing Incident Control (EPIC) team, within the
City’ssafetyand security directorate. This means that thepublic cannow logcertain categories of bylaw andpolicing incidents directly on theapp TheCity’smobileapp is availablefor download in theApple App Storeand Google Play Store.
There’sbeen aproposalfor an indoor pool to be builtatthe Lentegeur publicpool.
Indoorpoolplan getsbacking
Subcouncil 17 has thrown its weight behindaproposal to build Mitchells Plain’s firstindoor swimming pool at the existing Lentegeur facility. The motion,put forward by Lentegeur ward councillor Gouwa Timm and backed by WestridgeWard councillor Ashley Potts, highlights that the area has no indoor swimming facilities despite having three community-based pools at Westridge, Lentegeurand Eastridge andthe coastal public pool Mnandi.
NEEDFORRECREATIONALFACILITIES
Citylaunches50thcelebrations
Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor, Eddie Andrews, launched the 50th anniversary celebrations for Mitchells Plain on Thursday 23 April,calling it an opportunity to tell the fuller story of the community’s contributionsbeyond its challenges.
Speaking at the anniversary launch Andrews reflected on how the area has transformed since its creation through apartheid spatial planning five decades ago.
“Mitchells Plainwas not born out of organic growth. It was deliberately engineered through Apartheid spatial planning,” Andrews said “Families were uprooted. Communities were fragmented. People were moved to the margins of acity that did not intend to include them.”
However, he praised how residents had overcome these imposed beginnings to build “something entirely unplanned” —turning limitation intoidentity and exclusioninto excellence.
CULTURALCONTRIBUTIONS
The deputy mayor highlighted the area’s cultural impact, particularly mentioning entertainer EmoAdams who “has carriedthe identity of Mitchells Plain onto national stages, reminding South Africa and beyond that thiscommunity produces excellence that cannot be ignored”.
Andrews also recognised Alistair Izobell’s work in creating
MITCHELLSPLAIN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS WILL TAKE VARIOUS FORMS
platformsfor local talent and investing in cultural spaces to supportthe next generationof artists.
“Cultureherehas never been incidental, it hasbeen survival, it hasbeen resistance, and it has been pride,” he said.
INVESTMENTSIGNALSCONFIDENCE
Andrewspointedtorecent developments as signs of renewed confidence in the area, including the recent sale of the Watergate development valued at approximately R500 million
“It is asignal thatMitchells Plain is not onlya place of history, but aplace of opportunity,” he said.
CITYINFRASTRUCTUREPROJECTS
The deputy mayoroutlined various City of Cape Town investments in the area, including:
. Housingdevelopments in Mitchells Plain and Strandfontein;
. The Philippi Collector bulk sewer infrastructure project; . Road upgrades from Spine Road to Weltevreden Parkway; . R9 millionallocated for safe spaces; . Community-driven safety
initiativesincluding lane closures in Rocklands, Westridge and Portlands.
ANNIVERSARYCELEBRATIONS
The year-long celebrations will include several major events: . The People’s Festival ledby
. AMitchells Plaintalent search competition; . The annual KykNetMitchells PlainFestival; . Sporting tournaments and youth competitions; . Community-driven events supported by dedicated City funding.
Andrews thanked Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis for prioritising the milestone anniversary.
“The first 50 yearswere about overcoming what was imposed and the next 50 yearsmust be about defining what is possible,” he said.
Alistair Izobell;
Cape Town DeputyMayor Eddie Andrews; Subcouncil17chair,Elton Jansen,and the WesternCape MECfor Cultural Affairsand Sports,Ricardo Mackenzie,attended the launch of the Mitchells Plain 50-year commemoration on Thursday 23 April
MargitenFrankbySuidoosterfees
Frank Opperman en Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck is te sien in dieverhoogstuk Eerste vir Alles hierdie naweek by die Suidoosterfees.
Die gedugteakteurs span kragte saam om dieoorspronklike “powercouple”tevertolk in ’n klassieke gevalvan “he said, she said”. Eeue nadat hulle uit die paradysgesmytis, besin Adam en Evaoor die huwelik.Kyk hier,dit wasnie maklikomdie proto-paartjieteweesnie,hoor? Allesmoes vir die eerstekeeruitgepluisword: liefde, kinders en huishou. Nou dat die laatlammetjiedie huis gaan verlaat,het Adam en Evaweerbinnekort net mekaar virgeselskap.Sien hullekansvir nog‘n honderd jaar saam en salhul sondeshulle ontsien? Ná baie goed en kwaad het Adam en Evavir oulaas ‘n appeltjie met mekaar te skil.
Eva(Meyer-Rödenbeck), ’n gefrustreerde kunstenaar,kry uiteindelik ’n beurt om haar kant vandie storie te vertel, die liefde enleedvan die eerstemoeder en huisvrou. Adam (Opperman) glo ook nie hy’t dit maklikgehad nie,die handboek vir
TONEELSTUK HANDEL OOR DIE LIEF EN LEED VANSAAM OUDWORD
menswees is eersnásytyd geskryf. Hierdie romantiesekomedie gaan oor ou bene saam maak, veralaseen dieander ’n ribbebeen skuld.
Wessel Pretorius is verantwoordelik virdie teks en regie.Die stuk is ‘n gesamentlike produksievan dieSuidoosterfees en dieVrystaat-kunstefees met ondersteuningvan dieHet Jan MaraisNationale Fonds. Dievertoningsbydie Suidoosterfees is in die Little Theatreopdie Universiteit vanKaapstad se Hiddingh-kampusopVrydag1Mei om 20:00, asook Saterdag 2enSondag3Mei om 12:30 Kaartjiesisbeskikbaar by Webtickets . Diestuksal ookop4 en 9Junie en van13tot 19 Augustus by DieBoer-teaterrestaurant op die plankewees. Bespreek by www.dieboer.com of by 021 9791911.
Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck en Frank Opperman span kragte saam as Adam en Evaindie verhoogstukEerstevir Alles,hierdie naweek by die Suidoosterfees
8
Waddehel? Nee, regtig, watgaanaan?
Ek vang myself gedurig dat ek wonder of die wêreld stapelgek geraak het. Soosinabsoluut... hierdie is 'n gesinspublikasie en daarom moet ek versigtig wees hoe ek my uitdruk. Maar ek kandeesdae nie meer onderskei wat komedie of wat realiteitisnie. Veralnou dat dit open season vir politiekeryis, met die plaaslike verkiesing op die horison Komekgee 'n paar voorbeelde. Dieburgemeesterskandidaatvir Johannesburg, Helen Zille, gaan snorkel in 'n slaggat in 'n straat. Volgens die inwoners is die gat jarereeds daar.Nou my vraagis, word ons nie op laerskool reeds geleer stilstaande water is gevaarlik nie?
Maardis die opvolgstorie watmy laat kopkrap. Die Johannesburgse munisipaliteit reageer op 'n "dringende basis" om die gat te fix. In Suid-Afrika is drie jaar dalk spoedig, veral as jy inag neem dat sommige regeringsprojekte nooit klaar gemaak word nie. Of as dit voltooi word is dit miljarde oor begroting. 'n Sprekende voorbeeld hiervan isdie herbouingvan die parlement, wat'npaar jaargelede tot op die grond afgebrand het. Die parlementisdie hoogste wetgewende liggaam in meeste demokratiese lande. In ander woorde, wette word daargemaak, wat dandeur die samelewing gehoorsaam moetword. Dus, as jy nou soos ek reken jy is 'n normale mens, sal jy ditnie waagom geld wat vir hierdie liggaam se herbouing gebruikmoet wordteverduister nie. Hou my bier, sê die mense wat daarmee vertrou word om die hart van ons demokrasie te herbou. Daar word berig datdie projek, wat reedsvier jaar sloer, se begroting reeds van die aanvanklike R2,1 miljardtot R4,6 miljard gegroei het. Nou wat is vandie uitgawes wat tothierdie styging lei?
Na bewering is daar R86 849 vir grondboontjiebotter betaal en R80 000 elk op vissmeer en vlapoeier. Gelukkigwas die gedroogdebone glo slegs R30 000 werd. Ek het soveel vrae. Meng jy die grondboontjiebotter, vissmeer en vlapoeier saam om 'n tipesement te vorm waarmee jy dan die bakstene aan mekaar vassit? Op 'n ernstige noot, waddehel?! Maaknie saakhoe jy dit aan my verduideliknie, daarisgeen manier dat ek sal glo enige van hierdie produkte is noodsaaklikom enige gebou, wat nog te sê die parlement, te herbou nie. Al woord wat by my opkomisdie vermetelheid. "The audacity," sal die Engelsman verklaar,omdie plek te besteel waar die wette gemaak word. Is dit normaal? Gebeur dit in ander landeook? Beslis,veral in Donald Trump se Amerika. Trump plaas 'n kunsmatige intelligensie-prentjie, wat homasJesus uitbeeld op X. Dit te midde van 'n oorlog wat hy beginhet,gespog het dit salgou verby wees en nouweet hy nie hoe om homself daaruit te wurm nie. Hy spoghy hetdie Straatvan Hormoes oopgemaak, maar dit was oop voordat die oorlogbegin het. Intussen lees sy oorlogsminister glo 'n vers uit die Bybel, maar dit is eintlik 'n opgemaakte vers uit'nfliek.Endie hoofvan die FBI is so dronk dat hy sy wagwoord vir sy rekenaar vergeet en daarom dink hy is uitsydiens ontslaan. Asof dit niegenoeg is nie, ondersoek die Amerikaanse regering die dood of verdwyning van 11 wetenskaplikes wat aanhoogsgeheime projekte,waaronder projekteoor buiteruimtelike wesens,werk. Ek wil die aliens nooi om 'n paar SuidAfrikaners ook te kom haal. Vir padkos is daar grondboontjiebotter,vissmeer -BRENDENRUITER
LEWENSKIEKIE
DIEOGGENDSTONDHETGOUDINDIEMOND: ’n Goue sonsopkoms verf die oggendlug in ’n rykpalet vanwarmkleureoor dieTygerberg,soosgesien vanaf Bloubergstrand.Dielig breek stadig deur die horison en skep ’n rustige,ampermagiese toneel watdie begin van’nnuwedag aankondig. FOTO:CHRISTA ROSSOUW
ReadtoRiseturnsanewpage
Anon-profit organisation that has helped thousands of children in Mitchells Plainlearn to readistaking its programme to the West Coast for the first time.
Read to Rise has partnered with TotalEnergies to bringits reading programme to seven primary schools along the West Coast, reaching nearly 6000 learners.
The Mitchells Plain-based organisation, whichhas been working in the area since 2013, will deliver itsfull class programme to 161classes during April and May. Eachchild will receive structured reading lessons and take home anew storybook.
Atotal of 5924 new storybooks will be distributed across the participating schools:
The expansion comes as Read to Rise looks to spread its successful model beyond itshome base. The organisation currently works with 18 000 children across 57 primary schools and 40 Early Childhood Development centres in Mitchells Plain and Soweto
“We are very excited to partner withTotalEnergies so that we can offer our class programmes to seven primary schools along
NON-PROFIT HAS GIVEN MORE THAN 400 000 NEWBOOKS TO SCHOOLSIN MITCHELLSPLAIN
the WestCoast,” said Readto Rise Executive Director Taryn Lock. “Reading is the first step towards getting agoodeducation, andweare grateful to partners likeTotalEnergies so that we areable to reach more children aroundSouth Africa.”
The move addresses serious concernsabout reading levels across the country. The latest Progressin International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) report shows that81% of Grade 4 learnerscannot readfor meaning.
ADepartment ofBasic Education and UNICEF South Africa studyfoundthat43% of households do nothave access to books, whilstthe 2023 National Reading Survey revealedthat two-thirds of homes with children under ten do not haveevenone children’s book.
CORPORATEBACKINGEXPANSION
LeratoBaloyi, CSI Officer at TotalEnergies,stressed the importance of supportingproven programmes: “At TotalEnergies, we believe thateducation is the foundation of lasting social change. By partnering with Read to Rise,we are investing in the futureofour children and
helping to create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.”
Since its founding, Read to Rise has distributedover400 000 new storybooksand aims to create a lifelonglove of readingthrough hands-on programmes and book ownership.
More informationabout Read to Rise is availableat www.readtorise.co.zaorbyemailing info@readtorise.co.za
Read to Risedelivers books to aMitchells Plaineducare.
Oaky the Acorn makesan appearanceatabook drop off
Eiendomme // Properties
Soaring pricesput houses outofreach
Cape Town residents acrossall income brackets arestrugglingwith housing affordabilityasmunicipal ratesand taxes continue to rise, according to Leon vanZyl, chair of the Western Cape PropertyDevelopment Forum (WCPDF)
In the forum’slatest newsletter addressing the housingcrisis, vanZyl warned that affordabilitychallenges, onceconfined to lowerincome groups, arenow affecting the middleclass as propertyprices soarthroughout the region.
“In response, some commentators are calling forpricecontrolsand land-value taxation to cross-subsidisehousing. Others arguethat short-term rentals arereducing availablehousing stock. Stillothers blame risingoperational costs, particularlyhighermunicipal rates and taxes, and point to an increasingly bloatedpublic administration as the root cause,”hewrites.
But housing affordabilityisnot unique to Cape Town; priceescalations in surroundingtowns such as Stellenbosch, Paarl and even as farafieldasGeorge and Mossel Bayconfirmthat affordability is abroader regional challenge, drivenby both demand and supplychallenges
STRONGDEMANDMEETSSUPPLY CONSTRAINTS
TheWestern Cape’s appeal as an internationally recognised destination is drivinghealthy market demand. VanZyl cited the region’snatural beauty, superior governancecompared to otherparts of South Africa, and its attractiveness
to internationalcompanies seeking an Africanpresence, such as Amazon
“And,measuredonaninternational scale, theCapeisaffordable when compared to otherinternational addresses.Plus, withthe message of good governanceand abetterlife, comesthe message of potentialemployment opportunities, leadingto mass semigration across alllevelsofincome.”
However, supply-sidechallenges areexacerbatingthe crisis.Despitethe Western Cape’s reputation forgood governance, vanZyl criticisedexcessive redtapeand associatedcosts
“Manywould agreethat theWestern Cape is exceptionallygood at crossing every‘t’ anddotting every‘i’ when it comes to statutoryapprovals fornew development.Thiscreates the perception that thegoverningculture is oneof: ‘It’seasier to saynothantosay yes’,” he observed.
“With publicsectorsalaries andjob security often exceedingthose in the private sector,bureaucrats arefrequently criticised forlackofurgencyindelivery, prioritising cleanauditsoverimplementation. However, sinceclean audits seem to be thepoliticaldifferentiatorcelebrated by politicalleadership, canone blame thebureaucratsfor the politicalculture ofclean auditabove delivery?Red tape isarealchallenge in the Cape,and the cost of timeisdirectly reflected in the cost of housing,” he wrote.
Land availabilityremains another significantcostdriver,historically addressedthrough greenfieldexpansion Whilst municipalities now advocatefor densification due to operational cost
“Municipalities nowargue fordensification, sinceoutward expansion brings additional municipal operational cost implications. Changes in technology and resultantcostreductions, specifically in privateelectricity generation andwater treatment, challenges this argument to some extent,but one must also remember that theseadvances cause municipalities to lose theirmonopolyon
utility provision,”henotes.
Theobvious solution to land availabilityistostart with releasing state-owned land, followed by acritical review of why densification does not naturally occur on privately-owned land
“Althoughthe City of Cape Town has made progress in releasing surplus land ensuring that it is ultimately used for affordable housing remainsdifficult.
One of the biggest obstaclesispolitical resistance from existing voters who
prefer to preserve thestatusquo.Despite itsliberal reputation, theCape is farmore conservative than most wouldcareto admit,” he writes.
CONSTRUCTIONCOSTS ADDPRESSURE
Building material costsfurther compound theproblem, as fewmaterialsare produced locallyinthe Western Cape
“Materialsdelivered at scalein Gauteng arebrokenintosmaller quantities forCape projects, with transport costsand markupsadded along theway,” vanZyl explained.
Combined with higher labour costs, stricter site controls,and rising fuel expenses, construction costsinthe Western Cape significantly exceed those in other provinces.
Rather than seekingsimplesolutions, vanZyl called foramultifaceted approach encompassing land availability, statutoryrights reform, services provision,financestrategies, andbuilding cost management
Theforum chair’s letter highlights the complex interplay of factors contributing to theWestern Cape’s housing crisis, suggesting that sustainablesolutions willrequirecoordinatedaction across multiplefrontsrather than piecemeal interventions.
Leon vanZyl,chair of the Western Cape Property Development Forum
