TygerBurger | Mitchells Plain | E-Edition | 3 December 2025

SENDYOURCOMMUNITYEVENTSTO

TYGERBURGER@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

THURSDAY4DECEMBER

. Oom Piet’s Christmas Party is back. For the first me since Covid, the Rotary Club of Durbanville is once again hosting the magical fantasy evening for amilies from Thursday 4 December to Saturday 13 December Bring your picnic basket and enjoy a fabuous, joyous evening All proceeds go to helping uplift the community Bookings now open on Quicket Call arol on 083 261 9840 for more information.

. Tygerberg Hospice's annual Tree of Lights event will take place at 19:00 at Jan Kriel School in Kuils River Bring along a picnic blanket and come join a magical evening of remembrance and hope with a tree lit up in honour of loved ones who have passed A light in remembrance of a loved one costs R60 very light dedicated helps Tygerberg Hospice provide home-based care, comfort, and support to families acing life-limiting illness. isit www tygerberghospice org or call 021 946 2460 o make your dedication and light purchase

FRIDAY5DECEMBER

. South Africa's leading indie games festival, Playtopia, will bring together over 1 000 gaming enthusiasts and industry professionals for what organisers describe as Africa's premier celebration of video ames and interactive arts at the Homecoming Centre in Cape Town on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December his year's festival will transport visitors to "Arcadia", fantasy-themed library complete with portholes, spell books, potions and magic crystals. Tickets are vailable at www.playtopiafestival.co.za

. Join the crafters and charities for a magical evening at the traditional annual Gypsy Night Market presented by the Durbanville Craft Market from 17:00 to 21:00 on the corner Louw and Hafele street, Durbanville (behind the Durbanville Police Station) weather permitting. The best-dressed “gypsy” visitor can win a R300 shopping voucher to redeem at the market The winner will be announced at 19:30 Browse through the stalls for handmade gifts, have a meal at one of the food stalls or support the charity fundraising efforts by the charities. Entrance is free and pets are welcome Contact Durbanville Craft Market on 066 059 7251 or durbanvillecraftmarket@gmail.com for more information.

SATERDAG6DESEMBER

. Boston Open Studios 2025 vind van 09:00 tot 17:00 plaas. Die jaarlikse gebeurtenis, wat as 'n hoogtepunt beskou word, bied besoekers die seldsame geleentheid om kunstenaars in hul kreatiewe ruimtes te ontmoet en oorspronklike kunswerke teen studiopryse dikwels 30 to 60% laer as galerypryse te koop Die geleentheid is oop vir die publiek en gratis. Volg Boston Open Studios op sosiale media vir meer inligting.

. Business Support Services bied 'n entrepreneursmark aan by YWC House in Oude Molen, Pinelands, vanaf 09:00 Die geleentheid bring kleinsake-eienaars, produkmakers en diensgebaseerde entrepreneurs bymekaar vir ’n oggend van netwerk, vertoon van produkte en gemeenskapssteun. Toegang vir die publiek is gratis.

. The festive spirit arrives in full song this week as families, friends, and neighbours gather for the muchloved Carols in the Park celebration at Jack Muller Park. Gates opening at 18:30 and the carols beginning at 19:00 Bring along blankets and a picnic basket, enjoy a relaxed evening of music and celebration. Entry is free

. Oom Vossie Voortrekkers hou van 09:00 tot 15:00 'n vlooimark in die Voortrekkersaal in Disa-singel, Blomtuin. Kontak Salome by 084 325 4690 om staanplek te bespreek of vir meer inligting.

SONDAG7DESEMBER

. Die Geskenke met Kersfees Kersang-optrede met Olga Leonard en Babette Viljoen begin om 09:00 by die NG kerk Bellville (ou NGK Bellville-Noord) plaas, Voorsang begin reeds om 08:45 Dié twee vroue wissel hul aanbieding af met duette tussen kerkorrel en klavier; sangduette, dwarsfluit en trekklavier

. Join the magic of the season at Carols in the Park at Ratanga Park, Century City Free tram rides run from 16:00to 18:00 Parking available (cashless) at Century City parkades. No alcohol or camp chairs allowed This outdoor event will take place on the lawns of Ratanga Park.

SATURDAY13DECEMBER

. The world's top supercross riders descends on Cape Town for the ultimate showdown as the FIM World Supercross Championship crowns its 2025 world champions at DHL Stadium. The South African GP will feature comprehensive ticket packages catering to all fans, including designated family zones, general admission, premium seating and hospitality options. Tickets and further information are available at www.showtime co.za or www ticketmaster co.za. Hospitality enquiries or for any other information can be directed to contactdhls@circa.co.za

Victimshotinattemptedhijackingdies

LAURENO'CONNOR-MAY

LAUREN OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

Aman has died after he was shot in an attempted hijacking

According to social media reports, two people were shot in Colorado Park at 01:50 on Saturday 22 November

The report said that the man and woman were taken to hospital and that several emergency vehicles, including Law Enforcement and police were on the scene Lentegeur police spokesperson Const Navon van Houten confirmed the shooting, saying that it was an attempted hijacking and robbery

He said the man and woman were taken to hospital by private vehicle “The male passed away in hospital,” he said He appealed to anyone with information to contact the investigation officer, Detective Constable Abrahams on 079 584 4205

Lentegeur Community Police Forum (CPF) chair, Michael Jacobs encouraged the community to come forward with crime tip off and information and urged

residents to be vigilant, especially as the festive season approaches

“The CPF requests that anyone with information on the shooting to call Saps and we also ask residents to be alert of what is happening in their surroundings,” he said

ROADBLOCKS

He also commended police for the roadblock they did in Montrose Park, a known hotspot, this morning (Tuesday 25 November)

“We as the CPF commend Saps for doing the roadblock together with our safety partners and hope that it will be rolled out through the whole precinct in a sustainable manner,” he said

Van Houten said the roadblock was to launch Lentegeur police station’s festive season safety campaign and the 16 Days of Activism Police, traffic services and the Community in Blue stopped traffic in Morgenster Road to check for illegal activity and outstanding fines

Gardenscomealivewithpink

LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY

LAUREN OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

For four out of five days every week, Westridge Gardens gets spotted with pink

From Mondays to Thursdays members of the Women’s Walk to Wellness group hike, jaunt, traipse, saunter or stroll through the gardens depending on their individual fitness levels

Some of the more fit in the group even come on the weekends and take part in parkruns – or complete the odd marathon in their spare time

This is despite the fact that most of the group bar one 36-year-old are all 50 and above years old The eldest of the group is 79 but none of them like the term “seniors” and insist that the collective is a “wellness group” and not a seniors’ club

“Our members ages range from 36 to 79,” said founder Shinaaz Adjiet, of Colorado Park

INFORMALBEGINNINGS

Adjiet said the group started forming around her informally in 2016 when she used to walk with friends “up and down the road”

“People followed us and then later joined,” Adjiet said

Safety was the motivating factor, Adjiet found, and soon more women joined

As the numbers grew, so too did the ambitions, and soon the group started doing other activities, such as outings, hikes, competitions, charity walks, fundraisers and exercise programmes

BIGGESTLOSER

There are several events the groups host annually, including a biggest loser competition This year’s biggest loser is Felina Lucas of Rondevlei

She recounts that when she first joined the group she could only make one circuit of the gardens

She made friends however, who became her coaches and role models and helped her improve her fitness

“The day I put on my pink sweater, my heart became pink,” Lucas said

COMMUNITY WOMEN FIND POWER IN DAILY WALKS

MARATHONMOMENTS

One of the role models in the group is Kamiela Daniels of Woodlands Daniels completed a 21km marathon for the first time this year

“She didn’t even start off with the 15k,” Adjiet said proudly “She went straight to the 21k ”

Daniels’ journey to running marathons in her fifties started when she decided to join the park runs on the weekends, over and above her weekly walking activities

There she connected with running clubs who encouraged her to try a marathon

“I’ve always been jumping around,”

Daniels said, saying that her grandchildren and nieces are not surprised by her fitness goals because movement has always been a part of her life

“Walking is second nature to me,”

Daniels said

“I used to do the surf walks and beach walks Walking does wonders for one's mental health,” she said

Prior to the marathon, Daniels said that she did a few 10km races

“This year I decided I'll do the Titans 21km,” she said, adding that she was comfortable with the route because it was familiar

Amazingly, she finished the race with no additional intensive training

“Only walking and running in the gardens while my ladies do their morning walk,” Daniels said

The group offered her additional support by showing up in their numbers to man the final water station on the route and cheering when they saw their clubmate approaching

Daniels admits that the last 4km were the hardest and seeing the pink blur in the distance chanting for her gave her the boost she needed to claim her completion medal

“When we saw her coming on in the pink sweater, we were so proud,” said Adjiet

Millionstransformsportfacilities

LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY

LAUREN OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

Millions of rands have gone into transforming Lentegeur Sportsfield from a "dump" into a premier sporting venue where Collegians Rugby Club now plays under floodlights, while ambitious plans are underway for a major Westridge Regional Recreation hub

The Subcouncil 12 meeting on Thursday 20 November

detailed how R13,4 million has been invested in the Lentegeur Sportsfield, while its counterparts Swartklip and Dolomites in Tafelsig still face major challenges

Meanwhile, a separate Subcouncil 17 meeting on Monday 17 November revealed comprehensive development plans for Stephen Reagan sports field in Westridge

MAJORTRANSFORMATION

Ward 76 councillor Avron Plaatjies, who represents Lentegeur below the railway line, gushed over the changes at Lentegeur sportsfield, calling it an "amazing story of hope"

"When we got here, that was an illegal dump site, and people didn't think that it was possible," he said adding that at one point people had tried to invade the derelict field

He said the facility now boasts new grass, comprehensive fencing, and professional lighting systems

"Three years later, Collegians Rugby Club plays their home game under lights, when they used to practise with makeshift lights," he said

City official Sipho

Mabetha confirmed that the transformation has attracted a semi-professional club, Club Relentless, which now uses the facility

"The completion of Lentegeur is looking good Now we're working on cricket and football with the view of making Lentegeur the facility that it used to be," he said

Looking ahead, Mabetha revealed that R1,5 million has been allocated for irrigation systems at Lentegeur in the next financial year, with plans to develop five soccer fields alongside cricket facilities

"We have identified about five soccer fields for that So it's a project that we plan to take up in the new financial year," he said

WESTRIDGEGETSMAJORHUB

City Official Jaco van Niekerk unveiled ambitious plans for the Westridge Regional Recreation hub at Stephen Reagan sportsfield, describing a threeyear development programme that will transform the facility

"We've been busy with the scoping phase of getting all the due diligence requirements done by external professional service providers, so that's been completed," Van Niekerk told the Subcouncil 17 meeting

The development involves three major capital projects: a synthetic pitch replacement, clubhouse and ancillary works, and athletic track construction

He outlined the phased timeline:

.Financial year 2028: Construction of new synthetic pitch following demolition of existing facility

.Financial year 2029: Construction and completion of clubhouse, lighting, and supported seating

.Financial year 2030: Construction and completion of

athletic track

"We anticipate to conclude a project per year," he said Ward 81 councillor Ashley Potts expressed gratitude for the progress, noting: "It's been a difficult process of getting it onto the agenda and making sure that it sticks to the agenda To see the progress is exciting " Van Niekerk said the plans include creating "plaza spaces and proper access to the facilities" similar to Greenpoint, with improved parking and safe access to new sports infrastructure

SWARTKLIPOVERHAUL

The Swartklip Sportsfield indoor facility is currently undergoing demolition after what Mabetha described as "six months of absolute nightmares" and progress is being made on replacement plans

"Yesterday, we also had a meeting pertaining to the replacement facility," Mabetha told subcouncil chair Solomon Philander, adding that the project managers would have a follow-up meeting with the councillor early next year The demolition of the old Swartklip facility reportedly cost the city R8 million

DOLOMITESSECURITYCONCERNS

Ward 82 councillor Washiela Harris expressed dissatisfaction with proposed security measures at the Dolomites sports field, rejecting plans for clear-view fencing in favour of more robust

vibracrete fencing

"The clear view is not going to work What we need for this facility is the same as Lentegeur the vibracrete fencing," Harris said, adding that the sturdier fencing would deter unauthorised entry and vandalising of the field Mabetha confirmed that several improvements are planned for Dolomites, including ongoing clean-up operations, scheduled mowing services, and repairs to two fields However, funding for lighting and comprehensive fencing remains unavailable in the current budget

BUDGETCONSTRAINTS

Despite the successes, city officials acknowledged that budget limitations are hampering some projects

"Everyone wants a precast wall, but the reality is, it's very expensive I had a budget of R12 million

“I've exceeded my budget There's no money," Mabetha explained when discussing additional fencing requests

The subcouncil chair emphasised that proper planning and budget allocation are essential for future projects

"If there's no money allocated or funding budget allocated, the project is not happening There must be some planning, even if it's to say we can't do it this financial year, but over a three-year span, there must be indication there is money to this effect," Philander said

Christmas cheer in a tough economy

There’s something magical about walking into the shops at this time of year The aisles are lined with tinsel, rows of glittering Christmas trees and Mariah Carey’s voice floats across every store like an unofficial national anthem But somewhere between the sparkling displays and the festive music, a lump grows in my throat one I suspect many South Africans are swallowing this season Because while Christmas is here in all its commercial glory, the money simply isn’t

I felt it most clearly on Black Friday I walked in with a plan: grab a few bargains, tick off some Christmas gifts early, and stretch my budget as far as humanly possible But even with the bold sale labels screaming at me, the discounts weren’t discounting enough I stood there, staring at a toy I knew my three-year-old would adore, and asked myself the painful question so many parents are asking this year: How are people affording all this?

Everywhere I looked, trolleys were overflowing lights, wrapping paper, gadgets, giant Christmas crackers, treats that only appear once a year And then there was me, holding a calculator in my head like a reluctant accountant, trying to figure out if I could at least get some of the specials

WHILECHRISTMASISHEREIN ALLITSCOMMERCIALGLORY, THEMONEYSIMPLYISN’T.

Being a mom during the festive season is its own emotional storm You want to give your child the best Christmas the magic, the memories, the sparkle in their little eyes when they wake up on Christmas Day

My toddler is three now, old enough to understand the excitement, to point at decorations, to believe wholeheartedly in Father Christmas and “presents for good kids” And that makes me want to give him everything, but everything feels out of reach

Toys that were R199 last year are suddenly R349 Christmas pyjamas, which used to be a sweet little extra, now cost as much as a weekly grocery shop Even the basics wrapping paper, gift bags, tape have quietly climbed in price

It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing You see other families posting matching outfits, beautifully decorated trees, mountains of gifts; you see influencers doing “Christmas shopping hauls” that cost more than your rent

And you start to wonder: Is everyone else earning something I’m not? Or are we all just pretending?

But here’s the truth I’m holding onto this year: your child won’t remember the price tag They will remember the moment They’ll remember baking cookies with you, even if the sprinkles are the cheap ones They’ll remember dancing to Christmas songs in the lounge while you wrap gifts after bedtime They’ll remember driving around the neighbourhood to look at lights, because that’s still free

We grew up believing Christmas was measured in presents, but maybe this tough economy is forcing us to rediscover what it’s really about Connection

Tradition Time So yes, the shops are beautiful, but they are also brutal reminders of how tight things are And yes, the pressure is real especially when you’re a parent wanting to make magic on a budget that feels like it shrank in the wash But the magic doesn’t come from the shelves It comes from us From the effort, the love, the warmth, the memories we create not the money we spend And maybe that’s the kind of Christmas worth having

Calling out the ‘snakes’ in D’ville

Your article "Reddam House new 2026 academic hub" is a confirming example of several snakes with forked tongues

Interesting how all the glory and praise is now being correctly bestowed on this school and on Klara Anna Fontein, both the highest achievements in their respective areas of offering in the northern suburbs These projects make Durbanville proud and have elevated the entire community into a higher sphere uncompromised But for 18 long and expensive years various bodies purporting to represent Durbanville residents, from one-man crusades to Durbanville Heritage Society, supported on an ongoing basis by your very newspaper We need to remind ourselves of the repeat objections, appeals, false narratives, challenges, court cases The Durbanville Heritage Society spent in excess of R2 5 million in legal fees so did others! Now that Klara Anna Fontein and Reddam House stand proud, there is not one inch of evidence of the insults and accusations that were blasted towards them prior to their developments

It is a sick snake with two tongues who today wishes to stand in the shadow of the success of these developments, but snakes with forked tongues have no shame, now choosing to recognise the impressive success of the educational intuition, its high standards and facilities Equally the housing estate has elevated Durbanville into a bracket higher than ever imagined, attracting the best of everyone into this area Congratulations, actually well done because you stood up to and held firm against these snakes, two tongue snakes who now bite the opposite to what they stood for Sadly, had these two developments stood 18 years early the spin of the elevated property market would not have delayed the growth of our town, and two generations of past young students lost out on an opportunity to have been educated at this prestigious level Durbanville, don't be amused by these self-crusaders, eliminate these snakes from our green pastures, they hide behind their keyboards in burrows of evil it is time these disgraced two-tongued snakes move out of our community, and never return Proudly and loyal Durbanville working to eliminate toxic little sick individuals