TygerBurger Mitchells Plain E-Edition 8 Oktober 2025

LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY LAUREN OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

Faizel Challis (12) who was described as “a joy” and the “life of the party” had his life cut tragically short when he was hit in the head by a stray bullet

Faizel’s uncle, Jodian Challis, said the boy was still spreading joy moments before he was hit on Thursday 2 October Challis, who was at work when his nephew was hit, said his sister told him everything later that evening

He said Faizel had already collected his party packet from the neighbours who were doing good deeds on the anniversary of their loved one’s death He returned home to fetch his little brother and sister who are seven and five years old

“My sister told him to wait while she put on her shoes,” Challis said, adding that the children were too impatient to wait and left

Rachel Jeffries celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday 5 October with family and friends at her home in Tafelsig Jeffries’four surviving children,of the 10 she bore,and her“too many to count”grandchildren and great-grandchildren attended,as well as her two surviving,of seven,siblings In total she has 45 grandchildren and 108 great-grandchildren Je

“My sister heard three gun shots,” Challis said “She ran out because she knew they had just left the house The two little ones came running to her saying: “Mammie, mammie! Dis Faizel!”

WHAT’S ON / DIARY

SENDYOURCOMMUNITYEVENTSTO

JO FOURIE@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

SATERDAG11OKTOBER

. Die Boeremusiekgilde, 'n kultuurorganisasie wat hom toewy aan die behoud en bevordering van tradisionele musiek, bied 'n feestelike boeremusiekdag by die Westcliff-skool in Bellville aan. Sewe orkeste gaan optree en daar sal ook 'n mark wees. Bel Amanda by 084 510 2520 of Ronel by 071 227 6916 vir meer inligting oor stalletjies of die dans.

. Kyokushun-kan Budo Karate, a family-owned karate school, is proud to be celebrating their fifth anniversary with a special kata tournament As part of their commitment to the community, they offer free classes at Westcliff High School and Petunia Dojo in Scottsville, Kraaifontein. The celebration tournament will take place at NG kerk Bellville-Vallei in Oakdale, Bellville, starting at 09:00 Spectator fees are R20 for adults and R15 for children under 13, and a tuckshop will be available on the day For more information, contact sensei Rocco Laubscher at 079 948 8487 or 084 255 2924.

. Lentegeur Hospital will host its second Mental Health Awareness Fun Run and walk. The run, themed "Mindful steps for mental health", will take place at the Lentegeur Hospital grounds with three 5km races starting at 08:00 08:45 and 09:30 Tickets cost R50 for adults and R25 for children. Tickets are available on Quicket There will be a live marching band, coffee and food vendors, and a children’s play area. Visit https://www quicket co.za/events/ 328146-lentegeur-fun-run/#/ for tickets.

. Support the book sale at Andries Olivier Durbanville Quadriplegic Centre from 09:00 to 14:00 There will be books from only R5 each. All proceeds are towards much-needed funds for the centre and its residents. Contact Allen (WhatsApp 078 393 5924) or Terence (WhatsApp 082 224 5454) to arrange . Get ready for a day filled with energy, laughter and community spirit at the DA Family Day and Mini Padel Tournament from 10:00 at Padel Story, Oakdale Club, 80A Bloemhof Road, Bellville The event promises something for everyone Test your skills in the Mini Padel Tournament where you can partner up and compete for great prizes (R250 per person or R450 per team). Wander through the Craft Market and discover local treasures and handmade creations or relax with friends and family at one of the Private Braai Spots (R450, including meat for four and a starter pack). Book your spot by calling: Brett on 061 525 0867 or Shona on 061 597 7511

WOENSDAG15OKTOBER

. Die roman There are rivers in the sky deur Elif Shafak word deur Almarie Pelser by 'n byeenkoms van die Durbell-leeskring bespreek. Dit begin om 10:00 in die Durbanville-biblioteeksaal in Oxfordstraat Durbanville Almal is welkom. Toegang is gratis vir opbetaalde lede (R220 per jaar). Besoekers betaal R50 kontant Rig navrae aan Liz van Wyk by 082 655 8061

VRYDAG17OKTOBER/

. Die Tygerbergse tuin- en blommeklub kom byeen by die NG kerk Parow Welgelegen (La Provencestraat 47, Welgelegen) vanaf 09:30 vir 10:00 Odette Paxton sal ‘n demonstrasie doen met die tema “Contemporary Inspiration” Lilly Mulder praat oor lugplante ‘n Blommekunskompetisie oor volhoubaarheid word aangebied waarin lede sonder ‘n oase moet rangskik. Tee word vanaf 09:30 voorsien. Kaartjies vir die jaareindgeselligheid (Huis Spatare se Manewales!) op 12 November is reeds beskikbaar Bel Beatrix Lambert-Bestbier by 082 873 9864 vir meer inligting

SATURDAY25OCTOBER

. The Cape Town International Kite Festival will return in 2025 with renewed spirit and a powerful theme, #CourageToFly For the first time since the pandemic, the festival will once again take place over two full days - on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October Even more exciting, the festival will be hosted at a brand-new venue, the Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery

WEDNESDAY12NOVEMBER

. The South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence will be hosting a Drug Testing Workshop This one-day workshop will run from 09:00 to 15:00 and carries 5,5 CPD points. The cost is R1 200 per person, and the venue will be confirmed closer to the time

THURSDAY20NOVEMBER

. Andries Olivier Durbanville Quadriplegic Centre will host its annual golf day this year again at Durbanville Golf Club The 4BBB Stableford will start at 11:00 The entry fee is R2 800 per four-ball or R700 per golfer Sponsorships are R700 per wet hole (snacks and drinks are welcome). All fees should be paid by Thursday 28 October to secure your booking Contact Rosabelle Riese on 081 497 4044 or 072 521 1160 (WhatsApp only) or send an email to riese2608@gmail.com with enquiries.

Mitchell’sPlain trainscomingsoon

The Mitchell’s Plain trains are coming soon, but nobody knows exactly when.

This is according to social media videos that the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has released in recent weeks on its official channels

According to one video, which is narrated by someone wearing a “maintenance operations” jacket called Jaco Cupido, Prasa is in the “last phase of what needs to be done”

In the video, Cupido says that the overhead traction equipment has been completed “In the distance you can see there is a big yellow machine,” Cupido said “Which is what we use to rehabilitate the perway ”

“Perway” is a contraction of permanent way which refers to the track infrastructure All of this is the last piece of the puzzle that we are putting together,” Cupido says, adding that the repair work at Kapteinsklip Station, the last station on the Mitchell’s Plain line, is very close to complete

“With that excitement, I’m glad to say that we are reaching the end of the line,” Cupido says “Which will open up this corridor which will then service the people of Mitchell’s Plain ”

DESIRÉERORKE

In a sweeping anti-corruption operation, the police conducted simultaneous search and seizure raids at 26 locations across Cape Town on Tuesday 30 September, targeting individuals and entities linked to municipal contracts worth approximately R1,6 billion

The coordinated operation, led by the police's commercial crime investigation unit in the Western Cape, was supported by detectives and external stakeholders The early-morning raids included business premises, private residences of municipal officials, and properties connected to companies that were awarded City of Cape Town contracts

RESIDENTSEXCITED

MITCHELL’S PLAIN WITHOUT A RAIL SERVICE SINCE 2019 DUE TO VANDALISM

Cupido is correct in calling the interest in the line “excitement” because several people have messaged TygerBurger with pictures of the work and testing being done on the line and asked when the work will be done and the line reopened

TygerBurger has reached out to Prasa with questions but has had no reply to date Mitchell’s Plain has been without a rail service since 2019 when Prasa closed the lines due to debilitating vandalism Attempts to reopen the line has been hampered by a multitude of problems including squatters on the rails

For decades the trains had been a lifeline for the Cape Flats and millions of commuters from Mitchell’s Plain had used the service daily to get to work because it is the most affordable mode of public transport Prasa’s videos on social media do not give a projected date of reopening but Cupido says the work is “90/95% done” “Very soon we will be reporting on the first train that will be coming on this line ”

Raids expose corruption

According to provincial police spokesperson Col André Traut the investigation stems from information provided by a whistleblower and preliminary findings from joint probes by both the police and the City of Cape Town Law enforcement has confirmed that all necessary search and seizure warrants were secured ahead of the operation Authorities are now working to collect both documentary and electronic evidence as part of an ongoing effort to uncover the extent of alleged fraud and corruption within the City’s procurement processes More details will be made available by the police as the investigation progresses, a statement read

For Rene Daniels, decades of service as a dedicated social worker has given her the opportunity to realise her dream of advocating for the most vulnerable

And her passion and dedication has earned her provincial acclaim, recently winning gold in the best frontline service employee category at the Western Cape Government’s Service Excellence Awards

The Excellence Awards are designed to encourage and promote excellence in governance and service delivery, and recognise excellence and top achievers in the Western Cape Government, Western Cape municipalities and the broader community In its 10th year the winners

- Rene Daniels

vulnerable and voiceless during critical moments in their lives,” she says

“I was drawn to social work because it offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in people's lives I have always felt a strong sense of responsibility to engage with people compassionately and respectfully using empathy to support and

Eastridge swimming pool reopens after closure

LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY

LAUREN OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

Eastridge swimming pool reopened on Friday 3 October amid much fanfare

The unusual interest in the pool’s reopening was due to the long periods of time it had been closed or opened late over the last few summers The City has been forced to close the pool multiple times due to repeated vandalism and theft which has cost more than R2 million to repair since 2021

Ward councillor Norman Adonis said the pool did not open in 2021 and 2022 and last year it opened late The pool has been vandalised 15 times since 2021, he said and the biggest damage is to the tiles

“At night, people throw bricks over the fence into the pool and it cracks the tiles,”

Adonis said

“And then the whole pool has to be

drained so that we can fix the tiles ”

Adonis said the copper piping, basins, taps and CCTV cameras have been stolen while the fence, roof and pool tiles are repeatedly broken

“It was fixed and then last year the pool was opened for two weeks, before it was vandalised again,” he said

“I’m grateful that everything was fixed and I’m grateful for the number of lifeguards we have here,” he said

Adonis said that senior clubs and preschools are allowed to use the pool for free and the City also offers free swimming classes as part of it’s Learn To Swim programme

“But we can’t operate the pool if it is vandalised,” he said

The Eastridge public swimming pool was opened in the mid-90s and is one of the few public recreational facilities in the area

Frombrokendrumstobigdreams

LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY

LAUREN OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

The dedicated learners of Oval North High School’s drill squad practise up to 20 hours a week, often without the equipment or support they need, but their commitment never wavers

“Not being able to place anywhere in the competition is sad because these kids put in so much effort They are so disciplined I never have a problem with their discipline,” said team manager Madenieyah Gertse “They sacrifice their weekends to practise drilling ”

In less than two weeks, the Beacon Valley squad will take part in the National Marching and Drilling Competition Yet they face a steep disadvantage: they do not have drums, caps, ties or gloves Gertse explained that while the team will borrow what they can, mismatched uniforms could cost them valuable points

“We get penalised for wearing different colour blazers or broken school shoes, but some of our kids can’t afford new shoes or even a white shirt Still, we open the doors for everybody,” she said “This sport is not just for a certain type of child It is for everybody, whether you are struggling financially, socially, or just to make a friend Here we all become family ”

CREATIVESOLUTIONS

But how does a squad practise without drums?

“They make the drum beats with their mouths,” Gertse explained

Sometimes, they use makeshift drums cobbled together from broken parts held by tape, rope and cable ties If no miracle sponsor steps in before 18 October, the squad will have to hire drums

SQUAD IN DIRE NEED OF DRUMS, CAPS, TIES, GLOVES

For Gertse, the role is personal A former Oval North cadet herself, she returned as a teaching assistant two years ago and took over managing the squad

“This is my way of giving back to the community, to create the safe space I once needed as a teenager,” she said “We are in the heart of the violence in Beacon Valley, but our youth still want to show others that they are the generation ready to make a change ”

Her words echo those of another coach facing similar challenges

At Eastville Primary School in Eastridge, coach Yunus Abrahams also leads a squad where discipline remains high despite constant disruptions from gang violence “The area is volatile,” he admitted “A lot of the squad members’ friends and family are in gangs, but that

hasn’t stopped these kids from dedicating themselves ”

COMERAINORSHINE

When TygerBurger visited, a sudden downpour caught the pupils mid-practise They marched on until Abrahams called a halt

Like Gertse, Abrahams sees his squad as a second family Many of the children, he said, have been bullied or come from single-parent homes

“They’ve all been in the same boat,” Abrahams explained “Here, they’ve found their common ground Their self-esteem has grown, and so have their marks Most of them are A students now, because of drilling I even tutored two of them That’s the level of trust we have ”

Although Abrahams had experience

coaching high school squads before, he had never taken a team to competition until Eastville Their biggest success came last year when, against all expectations, they placed third overall

. The interprovincial drilling and marching competition will take place at the Jan Burger Sports Complex in Parow on Saturday 18 October

Learnersgivenroadsafetylessons

Lthe chance to practise what they had learned on the pint-sized roads at the centre Officers guided groups of children across the pedestrian crossings and taught the tiny bikers to wait at the miniature traffic lights before they zoomed off as soon as it turned green

LEARNERCENTRE

The Traffic Learner Centre was launched in 2024 and is maintained by the City’s Urban Mobility Directorate The Safety and Security Directorate uses the centre to teach pupils safe road practices in real-life settings through demonstrations on the pavilion “By bringing learners

into a real-life road environment like the Learner Centre, our road safety officers can demonstrate in a hands-on way how to cross roads safely, the importance of wearing helmets and staying visible," said Regan Melody, the City’s Executive Director for Urban Mobility The launch was part of the City’s strategy to foster a culture of road safety, it said in a release

“The practical lessons leave a lasting impression on children, who then take the message home to their families This approach helps the City extend the road safety message well beyond the series of activations during Transport Month,” the release said

WAT DIE HART VAN VOL IS

Wat beteken dit om op te pak en “against all odds” te lewe?

Meestal is dit ’n feesviering wanneer kinders 18 word en universiteit toe gaan Skape word geslag, die jongspan vier hul vryheid, en ouers is bly die kind is uit die huis sodat hulle rustig kan oud word Baie ander ervaar dit anders - dis nie altyd die maklike manier nie Soms is dit een van die moeilikste besluite om jou ouerhuis te verlaat, veral as ’n jong vrou in vandag se samelewing Sekere ouers bel elke aand om te hoor of die kind oukei is, laai kos af en doen navraag omdat die kind sukkel om aan te pas

Dan kry jy die res diegene wat die eerste keer hul ouerhuis verlaat sonder dieselfde ondersteuning Soms vir liefde, of omdat hulle gedwing word om hul eie potjie te krap weg van hul grootworddorpie

Hierdie gewoonlik so vroeg soos in hul tienerjare of vroeë twintigsbaiekeer om uit hul omstandighede uit te styg of omdat hulle gedwing word om elders oor te begin as gevolg van sekere gebeurtenisse

TERUGTREK

Wanneer jy wel kans kry om uit te trek, is terugtrek nie ’n opsie nie Die ondersteuningstruktuur is nie daar nie, en teruggaan beteken jy moet sak na dieselfde ou omstandighede Jy moet bereid wees om weer daai pyn en trauma in die gesig te staar die redes hoekom jy in die eerste plek opgepak het

BRIEWE|LETTERS

Hou aggresiewe honde op

leibande

OMDATJOUGLIMLAG NOOITOPDROOGNIE,LYKDIT OFALLESHUNKY-DORYIS.

Teen dié tyd het baie vriende al teen jou gedraai omdat jy nie “teenwoordig” genoeg is nie, min wetend waarteen jy alles moet veg om aan die lewe te bly Jou geestesgesondheid word hewig geraak, maar omdat jou glimlag nooit opdroog nie, lyk dit of alles “hunkydory” is Dan staan jy maar jou man en veg “against all odds” Met ’n emosiebelaaide hart moet jy jouself staande hou en heeltyd herinner: ek kan nie teruggaan na waar ek vandaan kom nie Ek het nuwe dinge en ’n nuwe ingesteldheid

Op Sondag 14 September gaan ek en my vriendin met ons drie vredeliewende honde na die Bolanddam vir honde in Durbanville om met ons honde te stap

Soos al die honde daar, is ons honde loslopend want eienaars wat gereeld daarheen kom, weet dit is net honde wat geleerd is en nie ander honde sal aanval nie Ons gaan gereeld daarheen en daar was nog nooit ‘n voorval van bakleiery onder die honde nie

Ons was op die punt om die park te verlaat toe twee jongmense met ‘n Staffordshire-terriër aan ‘n leiband in ons rigting gestap kom Ons was in gesprek met n dame wat met haar en haar dogter se vier honde daar was Sy sê toe aan ons dat dit haar seun en sy meisie is Die jongman vra toe vir sy ma of hy sy hond se leiband kan losmaak waarop die ma antwoord: ”Jy ken jou hond”

Meteens was die Staffie bo-op my Jack Russel Die jongman het met moeite sy hond afgetrek van my hondjie afgetrek

Ek het nie besef dat sy ernstig gebyt is nie Sy het effens mank geloop maar toe ons by die huis kom, stroom die bloed van haar agterbeen af

Ons kan kla tot ons blou is

"Kry ons klagtes ooit aandag?", TygerBurger 17 September, verwys Annoniem, ek kan met jou instem Ons kan "menings gee"; dis al waarop dit neerkom

Solank ons televisielisensies en belasting betaal worry niemand nie Plakkershutte kan opgerig word tussen die lang gras Taxi's ry tussen huise en oor rooi ligte en stopstrate Skoolvervoer wie kyk ooit of voertuie wel padwaardig is; het hulle PDP's?

Mense sit sonder werk; afleweringsmense is buitelanders Waar is die Suid Afrikaners wat die werk kan doen? Is daar nog mense wat wette gehoorsaam?

Kla kan ons, maar dit sal daar bly Anoniem,E-POS

Laasgenoemde, vir my, is waar jy “against all odds” moet veg om oorlewing Wanneer jy eers uit is, is daar nie sommer terugkeerkans nie

Wat beteken “against all odds” hier?

Wanneer jy jou ouerhuis verlaat om jou eie potjie te krap en te veg vir oorlewing, swaarkry en struikelblokke Ons het nie daai luuksheid wanneer die lewe druk nie: “Ag my kind, kom huis toe” of “jou kamer staan leeg”

Ons verlaat soms ons ouerhuis omdat daar nie meer ruimte is vir ons nie ruimte om te groei en om te wees wie jy wil wees nie Baiekeer omdat ons te veel hartseer ervaar het Baie van ons ken niks anders as die “kleindorpie-sindroom” nie om te “settle” en te trou, in toksiese verhoudings te bly, omdat jy glo jy is nie waardig vir beter nie of omdat jy nie weet daar is meer daar buite nie

Hoe hard die lewe jou ook al slaan of hoe koud die winters raak, veg jy “against all odds” Jy kies tussen jou vryheid en persoonlike ruimte teenoor waarnatoe jy sal teruggaan Jy praat hard met jouself: al raak die lewe hoe moeilik, daar is nie 'n manier dat ek kan opgee en teruggaan na alles wat ek agtergelaat het nie

Hoe pak 'n mens jou lewe in minder as ’n uur op en besluit om alles agter te laat?

“Against all odds” moet jy dit laat werk in ’n wêreld wat jy later leer ken het ’n wêreld waar mense jou oordeel, waar jou val ander se vreugde is, en jou glimlag soveel emosies wegsteek

Die beste manier om dit te laat werk, is deur biddend te bly en te glo daar is beter dinge vir jou in stoor Dis nie maklik nie, maar ons hou aan glo dis die moeite werd en ons sal weer ons doel in die lewe vind -MAURICIAPETERSEN

By nadere ondersoek sien ek dat daar n baie diep wond onder op haar buik is Ek het die wond ontsmet en iets vir pyn vir haar ingegee Aangesien dit Sondag was en ek ‘n pensioenaris is, het ek besef dat ek met ‘n groot veeartsrekening gaan opeindig Ek het Maandagoggend vroeg ‘n afspraak by veearts gemaak Die uiteinde van die saak was 10 steke en ‘n rekening van R3 500 Ek het ongelukkig nie die kontaknommer van die eienaar geneem nie, want ek het nie besef hoe ernstig dit was nie My vriendin het die ma van die eienaar raakgeloop en sy het my telefoonnommer geneem Ek sou dink dat die skuldige party die ordentlikheid sou hê om my te skakel en om verskoning te vra en aan te bied om te help met die onkoste, maar hulle swyg soos die graf My doel met hierdie skrywe is nie om iemand te beswadder nie, maar om eienaars te vra om asseblief nie aggresiewe honde na hondeparke te neem en sonder leibande met hulle daar te stap nie SandraBasson,E-POS

Rotse op sypaadjies pla

Ek wil my frustrasies lug oor die huiseienaars en die munisipaliteit wat dink dit is hul reg om die sypaadjes waar voetgangers moet loop vol rotse te laat pak en nie omgee oor die veiligheid van voertuigbestuurders asook die voetgangers wat die sypaadjies wil gebruik nie

Dit is teen die munisipale regulasies dat die sypaadjie toegepak word met klippe

Dit veroorsaak onveiligheid vir die publiek, asook vir die voertuigbestuurders

Neem aksie teen hierdie onwettige optrede van die eienaars, veral in Stellenberg se systrate M.C.Laubscher,STELLENBERG

Begin dink oor hoe jy gaan stem

Die onlangse munisipale tariefverhogings is totaal buitensporig en daar is wydverspreide ontevredenheid daaroor by belastingbetalers, eienaars van eiendom en munisipale verenigings

Sommige heffings mag moontlik ook volgens munisipale wetgewing nie korrek wees nie Daar is tans 'n hofsaak daaroor aan die gang (Growthpoint en andere versus die Stad Kaapstad)

Daar is tans 'n ongekende toestroming van mense van oral oor wat hulle hier in die Wes-Kaap kom vestig, sonder geld en sonder werk en die regering is maar te gewillig om gratis dienste en behuising aan hierdie mense te verskaf om sodoende vir Kaapstad voor te stel as die wonderlike, vooruitstrewende stad Dit is egter die munisipale belastingbetaler wat sal moet betaal vir hierdie gratis dienste en behuising

Hoe meer gratis dienste en behuising verskaf word, hoe meer gaan die instroming wees Dit sal natuurlik vir die munisipale belastingbetaler se rekening wees en waar gaan dit heen?

Dit is nou tyd dat belastingbetalers hul opsies oorweeg Oorweeg die opsie om vir 'n ander politieke party te stem in die volgende munisipale verkiesing

Dit sal waarskynlik 'n koalisie tot gevolg hê en buitensporige munisipale tariefverhogings sal nie sommer net so kan goedgekeur kan word nie

Die begroting sal net goedgekeur kan word, indien die koalisievennote daarmee saamstem

Só 'n begroting sal dan nie weer so buitensporig wees nie en sal meer realisties wees, en nie so baie druk op die belastingbetaler plaas nie Belastingvoos,E-POS