TygerBurger | Parow | E-edition | 15 April 2026

Easterperiod housefiresspike

The City of CapeTown's Fire and Rescue Service said last week said there had been aspike in residentialfires over the Easter period.

Easterweekend was celebrated from Friday 3toMonday 6April.

Theservicesaid it recorded aslight increaseinthe overall number of incidentsover theweekend, from 277 last year to 298 this year.

JP Smith,Mayco member for safetyand security, said formal residential fires had increased from just adozen last Easter to 30 this year. The number of informal residentialfires decreased slightly, he said. Last year atotal of 34 informal residentialfire incidents were recorded, while this year there were only 32.

"These statisticsare of concern, particularly as we headinto winter, where thefire risk in the home increases as the useofvariousheating methods increases.

"I appeal to residents always to keep fire safety topofmind, make sure their electrical systemsare up to code, service heaters, gas and paraffin stoves and other flammable devices, andkeep theirwits about them whenusing them.

"Ouremergencyservices do fire education outreaches, but we also have a comprehensive list of safety tips."

Smith said mostincident categories

INFORMAL RESIDENTIAL FIRESDECREASED SLIGHTLY

declined this year, but that trauma and medical incidentswent from 21 to 36, an increase of 71%.

FROMPAGE1

Womenfor Change,anorganisation advocatingagainst gender-based violence and femicide,shared the news of Manzi's deathinits social media.

According to its information she had visitedthe accusedonthe day of the incidentathis residence, when he allegedly assaulted andstabbed her to death. “Weare heartbroken by the loss of yetanother beautiful soul. When is enoughenough?”

Twigg said the circumstances surrounding theincident were under investigation and confirmed a24-yearold man hadbeenarrested in connection with themurder. The suspect, Mihlali Tuoane, hassinceappeared in the Parow Magistrates’ Court.

TheParow Community Policing Forum (CPF) said it wasdeeply saddened by thetragic killing. “This senseless act of violence haslefta community in mourning andonce againhighlightsthe ongoing crisis of violence, particularly againstwomen,”said BronwinDaniels, CPF chair. "The CPF condemns thisinthe strongest possible terms."

Acasehas been opened with the police, shesaid, andthe matter remains under investigation.

“We extend our sincere andheartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and

Theother categories which have shown a decline, according to the Easter statistics, are motor-vehicle accidents, of which only 53 incidentswere reported thisyear, pedestrian accidents of which 22 incidents were reported, and vegetation fires of which 84 incidentswere reported.

. Visitwww.capetown.gov.za/firesafety to viewthe list of safety tips.

neighbours of Entle,” Daniels said. "No family should have to endure such a devastating loss.

“We urge anyone with information to come forward and assist the police as they worktobring justice in thismatter.”

TygerBurger was still awaiting comment from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)

Donateurshelpmet opknapvanCarelduToit

RICHARDROBERTS

RICHARD.ROBERTS@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Danksy die barmhartigheid van twee Rotarierklubs spogdie

Carel du Toit-sentrum in Parow se CHAT-gebou (Children Hear and Talk) nou met splinternuwemeubels, lessenaars,speelgoed vir die kleinspan en boekrakke. Daarbenwens is die sentrum se kantore herontwerp om 'n meer doeltreffende werksomgewing vir hul maatskaplikewerkers, terapeute, opvoeders, oudioloë en ouers te skepen is die mure ook geverf en nuwe vloere gelê.

Kinders wat doof is of aan gehoorverlies ly, word by die sentrum gehelp omte leer hoorenpraat.

Die Rotariërklub Bellville en sy eweknieë,die Bristol Breakfast Rotary Club in die VerenigdeKoninkryk, sowel as die internasionale Rotariërstigting se toekenning, het die opknapping moontlik gemaak, danksy duisende rande se donasies.

Hulle is ook gesteun deur dieNasionale Lotery-kommissie, Lewis-groep en Jannie Mouton-stigting wat die Carel du Toitsentrum reeds jare lank bystaan.

Pieter van der Walt van dieRotariërklub Bellvillewas eenvan die gassprekers wat 'n toespraak gelewer het tydens die bekendstelling van die nuutopgeknapte sentrum verlede Donderdag 9April

‘n Groepfotovan die personeellede,donateurs en Rotariërklubledebydie bekendstelling vandie nuwe, opgeknapteeenhede by die CarelduToit-sentruminParow.

Hy het aan TygerBurger gesê die klub vat al vir byna 20 jaar hande met die Careldu Toit-sentrum. "Dithet kleinbegin, klein projekte, die uithelp met sekuriteitshekke, ofinstandhoudingswerk en ook met die installering van die speelpark. So het dinge oor die jare gevorder."

Die RotariërklubBellville en Bristol BreakfastRotary Club het saamgespan om die opknapping te bewaarheid. 'n Lid vandie Bristol Breakfast Rotary Club, Sue Petersen, hetook noue bande met Careldu Toit, sê Van derWalt

Albei klubs het geld ingesamel en die Rotariërstigtinghet ook geld geskenk. "Ons is verheug dat onskon help om CarelduToit te help om hul droom te bewaarheid. Sover ek weet wou hulle dit al die afgelope vier jaar doen," sê Van der Walt.

CarelduToit lê die organisasie baie na aan die hart, sê hy. "Dit is beslisnie die laaste keer wat onshier betrokke gaan wees nie, soos ek reeds genoem het, dis iets deurlopend, om te verseker dat hulle aanhou om 'n goeie diens te lewer, en ook sodathulle hul dienste kan uitbrei,"sê Van derWalt

Suspectincourt for illegalfirearm

A23-year-old man appeared in the Goodwood Magistrates' Court last week on charges of contravening the firearms control act.

This follows his arrest on Friday 3April by Western Cape police officersattached to Operation Lockdown.

Theofficers were conducting crime prevention operations in the Bishop Lavis policing precinct when they received information about afirearm at ahouse in Holland Street in Goodwood.

According to police spokesperson Sgt Wesley Twigg the officers went to the property and searched the house when they discovered a.357 revolver with six rounds of ammunition in abedroom.

Thesuspect appeared in court on Tuesday 7April.

Twoarrested forWest CoastRock Lobster

Two suspectswere arrested thispast weekend for being in possession of alarge quantity of West Coast Rock Lobster tails

Thearrestswere executed by the City of Cape Town’sLaw Enforcement’s marine and environmental unit. Officers were busy conducting patrols in the Parow area on Sunday 12 April when they spotted a vehicle which sparked theirinterest in the industrial area, says Wayne Dyason, law enforcement spokesperson.

“They asked the driver to open the back of the bakkieand found abucket filled with West Coast Rock Lobster tails,” Dyason says.

The41-year-old driver and his 39-year-old passenger were arrested and charged for the possession of 1000 West Coast Rock Lobster tails

Toetskinderssegehoorvroeg

RICHARDROBERTS

RICHARD.ROBERTS@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Ouers van kinders watdoof is,meen dis belangrik vir ander ouers om hul kinders se gehoor vroegtydig te laat toets.

Kinders wat doof is of aan gehoorverlies ly, ontvang behandeling by die Carel du Toit-sentrum in Francie van Zijl-rylaan, Parow. Die sentrum is geleë op die terrein van die Tygerberg-hospitaal. Die sentrum het verlede Donderdag (9 April) sy nuut-opgeknapte CHAT-sentrum (Children Hear and Talk) bekendgestel. Dis hier waar babas en jong kinders behandeling ontvang en geleer word hoe om te luister en te

Raaf komtreebyDie Boerop

Dieduo RAAF is op Donderdag23enVrydag24 April om 20:30 by Die Boer-teaterrestaurant in Durbanville. Lourens en Esté Raaf doen die lewe anders. Elke dagis'navontuur,elkeoomblik 'n geleentheid. Hul genrekan nie beperk word toteen woordnie.Hul liriekevertel stories vanmenswees enhul musikaliteit en energie is aansteeklik.

Komsaamop'nreisvan musiek watjou gaan laat lag, huilen gaan laat feesvier Hullebringhul nuutstemusiek, lirieke, digkunsen daardiekenmerkende energiewat jou lank ná die vertoningsal aanspoor om kleurvoltelewe. Kaartjieskos R280. . Bespreekbywww.dieboer.com of by 021979 1911.

Nuwevenuesvir Suidoosterfees

Die

Hoofverwelkomopknapping

RICHARDROBERTS

RICHARD.ROBERTS@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Die hoof by die Carel du Toit-sentrum in Francievan Zijl-rylaan, Parow, sê sy is verheug oor die opknap van die sentrum se CHAT-gebou (Children Hear and Talk) –danksy die ondersteuning en hulp van private donateurs

Die nuut-opgeknapteCHAT-sentrum –'n vroeë ingrypingsentrum –isverlede

Donderdag (9 April) bekendgestel en die geleentheid is deur donateurs, die Carel du Toit-trust en oud-leerders en hul ouers bygewoon.

Die Carel du Toit-sentum,waarkinders wat doof is leer luister en praat, isin 1971 begin. Zenobia Helm, diehoof,het verduidelikwat presies die sentrum se werk en doelwitte vandag behels.

"Ons hoofdoel is vroeë ingryping; ons wil hê dat ons kinders vroeggediagnoseer word sodat ons hulle kanhelp," sêsy. Die sentrum ondersteun tans sowat280 kinders

OUERSOPGELEI

Die grootste deel van die onlangse bouprojek is by die CHAT-sentrum uitgevoer waar kinders deur opvoeders, maatskaplikewerkers, terapeute en oudioloë ondersteun word, maar ook waar ouersingelei word.

"Sodra gehoorverlies by 'n kind gediagnoseer is, komhulle hierheen. Ons het personeellede wat ook by die Tygerberg-hospitaal babas se gehoor toets, en dan besoek ons ookelkeVrydag vroeëkinderonwikkelingsentrumswaar skinders kyk of hulle

GEBOUWAT METDIE HULP VANDONATEURS VERFRAAI IS,ISOP9APRIL AAN DIE PUBLIEK BEKENDGESTEL

“Hiervoor moes die terapie-kamers groter gemaak word."

Helm sê daar is opgelet dat ouers self 'n behoefte het om by mekaar uit te kom. "Hulle wil praat oor dit waardeur hulle gaan, en ons verskaf dan 'n ruimte daarvoor met'naktiwiteit.

“Ons het byvoorbeeld 'n sessie met 'n arbeidsterapeut, of 'n sessie vir gebaretaal sodat die ouers kanbyeenkom."

Helm sê nog 'n doelmet die bouprojek wasomdie oueropleiding reg te kry.

ORGANISASIES,SKOLEOOKGESTEUN

Buiten die werk by die sentrum word daar ook naander organisasies uitgereik.

"Ons nooi hulle na die sentrum en help hulle deur opleiding. Onsleer hulle oor kinderswat gehoorverlies ervaar, of gestremdhede het wat daarmee gepaardgaan."

Diesentrum is ook gekoppel aan 'n skool, waar arbeidsterapeute ook kinders help. Kinders wat gestremdhede het weens hul gehoorverlies, word in die nuutopgeknapte saal deur die arbeidsterapeute gehelp.

Dieverbintenis tussen die skool en die CHAT-sentrum is ook makliker gemaak, sê Helm.

Sy voeg by dat talle van die skoolkinders ook as babasbydie CHAT-sentrumvir hul gehoorverlies behandel is. lm hoe

Helm,hoof,spreek die gastetoe by diebekendstelling vandie nuut-opgeknapte CHAT-sentrum, oftewelChildren Hear And Talk,bydie CarelduToit-sentrum.

die regeringteoortuig dat verpligte gehoortoetse by geboortereeds by alle hospitale gedoenword.

DANKBAARVIRDONATEURS

Helm is ook uitgevra oor die donateurs en die hulpwat die sentrum ontvang. Die bouprojekismoontlik gemaak deur donateurswat die Rotariërklub Bellville, BristolBreakfast Rotary Club in die Verenigde Koninkryk, die Rotariërstigting, die Nasionale Lotery-kommissie, Lewisgroep en JannieMouton-stigting insluit

"Onssal nie kan oorleef sonder hulle nie.

“Ek dink dit is wat ons spesiaal maak die verhouding tussen ons en dietrust wat daardie soort werk vir ons kan doen. As skool is dit 'n groot taak om aan te durf, om na private maatskappye te gaan en hulp te vra.

"Onsstap al 'n lank pad met donateurs soos Lewis, wat reeds twee klaskamers opgeknap het, die Rotariërklub en die Jannie Mouton-stigting.

"Onssou nie kon floreer as dit nievir hulle was nie,"sêHelm.

THINKING OUTLOUD

Let’stalk abouttech, baby... and brains

Our family is very strict about screen time. To explain the reason, I’m going to get all nerdybefore Iweigh in with experience fromraising seven daughters. Our tech reluctance is becauseofthe prefrontal lobe. This part of the brain is in the forehead and keeps developing long after the rest stops. It actually only stops when one is about 25. It is responsible for impulsecontrol, emotion regulation, and weighing longterm consequences. It will becomethe filter that will influence decision-making. Put another way, this is whereyour wisdom sits andittakes at least25years to grow.

So what has this got to do with screen time?

Well, screens, and any other activities from the plethora of instantgratification stimuli readily availablenowadays, damagesthe development of the prefrontal lobe.

If you don’t believe me, lookitup. There are dozens of peer reviewed articles easily accessible online that say the samething. So, for this reason, my husband and Itry, really, really hard, to limit ourdaughters’ screen times. Ideally we’d cutitout altogether but unfortunately, the world, the school system and my ownrelatives seem to be against us. Gone are the days when pupils used adiary torecord appointments and homework. Nowadays even my six-year-old’s homeworkissent via google classroom. And Ihavefirsthand experience of how my children’s moods and marksdecline when they have access to too much screen time Take for example my second eldest.

PRINCIPALS,HELPUSOUTHERE

For years, before we had aTV, she and her sisters woulddraw, read, play boardgames, skate, cycle, play outside, write their own littlecomicsand entertain themselves easily without anyhelp from us. When we had no TV, mychildren would automatically navigate to their hobbies,but then my sister gifted us with one and all creativity in our home had a sudden and dramatic drop.

Soon after, when the sameSantasister gave mysecond eldest acellphone when she turned 14, it was accompanied by a dramatic change in personality. That year shefailed asubject for the first timeand all her marks dropped. We took awaythe phone. She regarded it as apunishment. We didn’t care.

Her first phoneless week, she meandered around the house like apoltergeist; head lowered, face scowling, speaking to no one and answering anythingaddressed to her in growlymonosyllables. She also behaved like an addict. She threw epic tantrums, cried, and tried allmanner of manipulation. She searched our room and stoleitback afew times, but, eventually, after awhole week of phonelessness,she moved on from being avery morose, moody, anti-social teenager to aslightly lessmorose, moody, anti-socialteenager But, more importantly, within one school term, her marks improved and she was back in the top quarter of the class again. We would havegladly never given her phoneback but, unfortunately her teachers started sending homeworkon WhatsApp chats.

While modern tech is anecessary part of life and Idonot hate it,Ido feel that in the classroom it should be limited to only what is absolutely necessary and I am not alone in my thinking. The growing philosophyworldwide is foracomplete banofcellphones in schools. Yet, last term, Igot letters requestingthat Iregister all three my primary school-aged children on google classroom.

Principals, help us out here, please!

—LAUREN O'CONNOR-MAY

Parklands safety in crisis

As ahome ownerinParklands, Iamwith the many who strive to makethis asafeplace to call home

Informalsettlements, particularlysectionsofSiyahlalaand shacksnearPioneer Valley,haveexpanded intothe TableBay NatureReserve near Dunoon This occupation, often on the Diep River floodplain, causes severe pollution andhabitat disruption, with approximately 189shacksinthe reserveasof2021. It alsoposes greatsafetyrisks; thugs andthievesoften quickly findplacestohide

This allimpacts home values andselling power, if ever oneseekstomoveatsome stage. Additionally, thereislittle to no policing in the Parklandsarea, leaving lawlessness to flourish, unabated

TheParklands Satellite Police Station on Parklands Main Road facedconcernsregardingresource limitations and remains closed, apparentlydue to manpowershortages.

Therecentincident of an attempted murder followingashootingincident on Friday3April at approximately17:00 in MorningfordRoad, is notthe only incident. Much moreneeds to be done from by our council, our policeand the other civic structures. What assurancedowehaveashomeownersand the greaterParklands community? Is proper and proportionateaction being take on ourbehalf?

Parklands is abeautiful area and canbebetter maintained. TheParklands FynbosCorridor is agood example.

It connects the Rietvlei Wetland Reservewith the BlaauwbergConservation Area but it is notwellkept andhas been neglected foraverylongtime.Whatis being done here?

Thereare manywho share my sentiments andwe allbelieve in this community.

TYRONE

BRETT COETZEE, Parklands

Ratepayers question legaltariff basis

Ifind it peculiar that ourmunicipalityisbudgeting basedontariffscurrentlyunder legaldispute.

Do municipal officialspossess information unavailabletothe public, or aretheysimplyproceedingwith wishfulthinking?The eventual court ruling will serve as acrucialtest of judicial independence and adherence to the ruleoflaw

Ipropose that ratepayerassociationsdemand areferendum on the municipal budget.Taxpayers should vote on whether theyaccept the proposedbudgetand arewilling to payinflation plus 1% on their municipal accounts. Whatever the outcome,all residents should

payaccording to the referendumresults.

This is howgenuinedemocracyshouldfunction–with citizens having adirect sayinhow their taxmoney is spent,rather than having decisions imposedupon them by officialswho maybeoperatingondisputed legalgrounds.

Thecurrentapproach undermines both fiscal responsibilityand democratic principles. Ataxpayer referendumwouldrestoreaccountabilityand ensure that municipal spending truly reflects the willofthose who fundit.

CONCERNED RATEPAYER,Brackenfell

Somerkan noumaar einde se kant toestaan

Asseblief,winter, komgou!

Ná nog ‘n paar strawwe somerdae verlede week, begineknou wonderofons ooit weer verligtinggaan kry. Ek verlang na daardie eerstekoue oggendwanneer jy lekker onder ‘n kombers kaninkruip,enwanneer ‘n koppiewarmkoffiewerkliksin maak.Ekverlang na die

dae toeons oorkoue weer geklahet –wat soueknie nougee vir ‘n lekker koue reënbuinie!

Ek is nouuitgesomer komassebliefgou,winter Onsisgereed vir jou koue wind, jou reën, en selfsjou donker dae

UITGEPUTTE SOMERLEWENDE

Basic kindness missing on Cape Town roads

My worst fearsabout Cape Town'sreputation as an "unfriendlycity" were confirmed when my car recentlybroke down on abusymain road during peak traffic. Foroveranhour, Istood beside my vehicle with the bonnet raised, the universal distress signal, whilehundreds of cars passed by.Not asingle person stopped to offer assistance,check if Ineededhelp,or even ask if Iwas alright Iwatchedasdrivers deliberatelylooked away,some even changing lanestoavoid anypotentialinteraction. What has happened to the spirit of communityand Ubuntu thatweclaim defines South Africa? Whendid we become so self-absorbed andindifferenttoour

fellow citizens' plight?

Before moving here recently, I'veheard visitorsdescribe Cape Town as beautiful butcold–not referring to the weather,but to its people. This experiencesadly validates those observations. We'vebecome acitywhere peopleare toobusy, toosuspicious, or simplytoo uncaringtoextend basic human kindness. Perhapsweshouldreflect on what kind of societywe'recreatingwhen common decency becomes uncommon, and helpingastranded motorist is seen as someone else's responsibility. We candobetter, Cape Town. DISILLUSIONED, Durbanville

LAGMET LANGNEK: ’n Nuuskierigevolstruis by dieCape Ostrich Ranch op dieN7-snelweg het diekolliggesteel toehysykop uitsteek om besoekers op ’n vriendelikeenspeelse manier te“groet”.Die dier se nabyheid het gastelaat glimlag en groot vermaak verskaf

FOTO:CHRISTA ROSSOUW

Stronger communities start with us

It is easy to complain about the stateofour neighbourhoods —fromlitterand crime to service delivery—but real changebegins when residents choose to getinvolved. Toooften, communityinitiatives such as neighbourhood watches, clean-up campaigns or localmeetings aresupported by only ahandful of dedicated individuals. Thereality is that theseefforts cannotsucceed or grow without broader communityparticipation

Getting involved does notrequireamajor time commitment.Itcan be as simpleasattending alocal meeting, reporting issues to the relevant authorities, supportingaclean-up effort,orlooking outfor your neighbours. Smallactions, when multiplied, canmake ameaningful difference.

Stronger,safer andcleaner communities arebuilt through sharedresponsibility. When residents work together,theynot only address challenges more effectively, but also buildasenseofpride andconnection in the places theylive. Insteadofwaitingfor others to take the lead, perhapsitistimeweeachask: what can Idotocontribute?

If moreresidents step forward, even in smallways, we canbegin to create the kind of communities we all want to live in.

LEND AHELPING HAND,Brackenfell

Medicalcosts leave families struggling

Irecently had an experiencethat left me deeply concerned about the growing cost of healthcarein our communities.

Whilevisiting apaediatrician with my young son, Iwitnessed acouplearrivewith their child, clearly anxious andinneed of care.During their conversation at reception, it became evident that theydid nothave medical aid. Thequotedcostfor asimpleconsultation, excluding anymedication,was alarminglyhigh. One couldsee the hesitation andworryontheir facesas theytriedtodecide what to do,quietlyweighing their child’simmediateneeds against what theycould afford. As someonefortunate enough to have medical aid, I am acutelyaware that even we feel the financialstrain of co-payments, shortfallsand steadilyincreasing monthlypremiums. Each visit often comeswith unexpectedadditional costs. But forfamilies without this safety net,accessing privatehealthcarehas become an overwhelming andoften impossibleburden. Yes, it is often argued that government clinics and hospitalsare availabletothose who cannotafford privatecare. Whilethis is true in principle, the reality on the ground is very different.Thesefacilities are frequentlyovercrowded andunder immensepressure. Healthcareisnot aluxury –itisa basic humanneed. No parent shouldhavetostand at areceptiondesk andwonder whether theycan affordtohavetheir child seen by adoctor.

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Leadersspendnightonthestreet

NAMHLAMONAKALI

More than 30 businessand community leaders will spend anight on the streets of Cape TownonSaturday 18 April as part of afundraising initiative aimed at supporting people experiencing homelessness.

The initiative, ANight on the Streets, is hosted by U-turn Homeless Ministries and forms part of efforts to raise awareness and funding forlong-term interventions.

Participants will eachcontribute R10 000 and spend 12 hours outdoors. Organisers say the event aims to raise over R1 million.

The initiative is designed to move beyond awareness, directing support towards sustained rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.

RESEARCHHIGHLIGHTSSTRUCTURALCHALLENGES

Academic research intohomelessness in Cape Town pointstolong-standing structural and governance challenges.

AUniversity of Cape Townstudy, "Exploringthe lived experiences of homelessness in aCape Townsuburb" by Kerry-Lee Black, found homelesspeople face barriers including limited access to services, social exclusion and difficulty transitioning offthe streets.

AUniversity of the Western Cape research paper, "An analysis of the City of Cape Town's responseto street homelessness" by Francesca Visagé, examines the City's legaland institutionalresponsibilities inaddressing homelessness and how municipal frameworks respond to the issue.

Together the studies framehomelessness as acomplex issue requiring coordinated, multi-sectoral and long-term interventions.

BY SUCH INITIATIVESU-TURN HOMELESS MINISTRIES ENACT LONG-TERM INTERVENTIONS.

EXPERTRAISESGOVERNANCEANDPOLICYGAPS

Dr Nobukhosi Ngwenya, urbanplanner anddevelopment practitioner whose research interest focuses on communityled planning, of theUniversity of Cape Town said homelessness in Cape Town persisted largely due to unclear responsibility among spheres of government, resulting in fragmented and uncoordinatedresponses.

"This governance gap is closely tiedto the question of whose budgetthe response to homelessness should come from,"she said, adding that municipalities have often had to take on responsibility through social-development departments despite homelessness being amulti-sectoral issue.

Ngwenya said thecity's approach had also been shaped by aconservative policy andby-law framework, including regulationsfor street-based activity.

She noted such frameworks hadattimes criminalisedhomeless people, contributing to further marginalisation even where amendments have been introduced.

While she described the City's Street People Policyand the 2024 StrategytoReduce Rough Sleepingas important developments Ngwenya said implementation remained limited. "Safe spacesand shelters often came with strict conditionsthatseparate couples, exclude pets andimposerigid entry and exit times."

She added that thebiggest gap was the lack of transitional housing between shelters and long-term accommodation Ngwenya argued this reflected abroader

gap in both municipal andnational housingpolicy, whichdoes not adequately provide pathways from temporary accommodation into stable, long-term housing.

U-TURNPROGRAMMEAPPROACH

U-turn Homeless Ministries says its programme combines immediate support with structuredrehabilitation, including therapeutic services,skills development and work readiness training.

Theorganisation said about 80% of participants who complete itsprogramme remain stably housed andemployed.

Chiefprogramme officer Lise van den Dool said the focusisonlong-term change.

"When you provide stability, rehabilitation and skills development people are able to rebuild theirlives,"she said. We knowwhatworks, but we need theinvestmenttoscaleit."

FUNDINGANDCLAIMS

U-turn has also highlighted what it describesasthe costofongoing crisis management in addressing homelessness.

The organisation hascited an estimated annual spend of R744 million related to homelessness in Cape Town.

Theinitiative alsoincludes participation from business leaders who say they want to understandthe realities faced by people living on the streets.

Colin Young,Chief Executive Officer of UrbanGrowth,said his company previously supported individuals who moved off thestreets andlater joined the business. He said the experience showed thepotentialfor long-term impact when support is sustained.

PUBLICPARTICIPATION

The public can also takepart by

More than 30 business and communityleaders willspendanight on thestreets of Cape Town on Saturday 18 April as part of U-turn Homeless Ministries’“A Night on the Streets”initiativetoraise awareness and fundsfor homelessness support

PHOTO:SUPPLIED

purchasing virtual tickets and spending anight outdoors while raising awareness through social media.

Brandon Manzoni, aformer homeless person, says safetywas his biggest daily concern while living on the streets.

"You're constantly worried about getting robbed or assaulted. Finding asafe space to sleep was the biggest thing."

"A typical day was just getting up and figuring out what to do ,where Iwas going to eat, where Iwas going to sleep and whether that place was safe."

Manzoni said homelessness is often misunderstood.

"When people see homeless people, all they see is the person there. They don't see the suffering behind it."

"I had no idea places like U-turnor other programmes existed. Iwas totally oblivious."

"Ifthere were more programmes and safe spaces, it would change things hugely. A lot of the time, Ijust needed someone to talk to."