TygerBurger | Tygervallei | E-edition | 20 May 2026

Heavyraintops updamlevels

Mayco memberfor water andsanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said while the rainfall has broughtmuch-needed relief, Cape Town cannot rely entirely on unpredictable winter weather patterns.

“We cannot dependonunpredictable rainfall to fill ourdams.While rainfall is vital, it also hastorain in the rightplace, in ourdam catchments for dam levels to increase,”hesaid. Alongside the rise in dam levels, the

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Iimmediately noticed thatthey were carrying thicksticks andsomethingthat appeared to be apipe, as well as agolf club,” she says.

“Itried toblockthem from entering, but when Ilooked again they were inside the cemetery regardless. Iput my daughter in the carwiththe rabbit with the broken pelvis,asI felt the atmosphere was hostile.

Idrove tothe guard andasked hertocall for assistance on the radio without delay. Shesaidshe hadtried the previousday, but thatnoone would come to assist her. Ithen immediately called for help, and twosecurity companies arrived. Imade a great dealofnoiseand sounded thehorn to attractattention.

“The children were in two groups —the onegroup (withthe sticks andgolf club) claimed they were there to visit agrave, andthe other three boys, who hadinthe meantime climbed overthe fencing at the lower part of the cemetery, were the ones who had beenpelting the rabbits with stones,” she says.

“Whenthey noticed the security companies, they disposed of the majority of their‘weapons’ —only the golf club remainedatthatpoint. Oneofthe securitycompaniesthen entered (whilst the othervehicle circled to go andlook for thechildren who hadclimbed over thefencing) and confronted the children. The security officertold them thatthey were notpermittedtobeinthe cemetery, particularly notwithout parental supervision. He alsotold them that they were lying aboutvisiting gravesand were simply there to cause mischief. They were then removed, andwewent home though wewere tremendously rattled by the encounter with these children. There is simply avery evident aggressionthat emanates from them

BUNNYWITHCRUSHEDHIP

When someone went to feed the bunnies on the followingTuesday, they discovered amalebunny with acrushed hip. “We struggled for two days to catch him hence the name Chase.Hewas caught, received pain medication andwas taken to the vet. Unfortunately, he hadtobe euthanised as well.”

It waswhile tryingtocatch Chase that they noticed the freshly vandalised graves Two days later, abunny with abroken front leg was discovered. “The leg was completely severed. We tried to catchhim but did notwant to chasehim around too much. Wehave notyet been able to catch him. There is also another black rabbit

ependon rainfalltofillour

roodien

ded adecrease in water ly water usage dropped litresper day last week litres per day —29million ity’s winter usage target litres per day. this reduction shows that sponding positively to responsible water use. dthatCape Town is ing adrought and is not Zero”scenario. However, theCity warned that water restrictions couldstill be considered later thisyear dependingonfuturerainfall patterns, dam levels andconsumption trends. TheCity alsoreminded residentsto report burst municipal pipes and water leaksimmediately.

. Residents canreport leaksbycalling 086010 3089,sendinganSMS to 31373, WhatsApping 060018 1505 or emailing water@capetown.gov.za

with abroken hind leg that has already been broken for more than aweek, but he also evadesuseach time,”she says.

SELLBUNNIESATTAXIRANK

Theywerealso told that the children from Morningstar are catching the bunnies in the cemetery to sell them at thetaxi rank.

“Someone witnessed this and was able to rescue one of the rabbits. We named him Pepsi. Pepsi’s ear was badly injured and we treated it. We suspectthat whatever they did with the rabbits was highly traumatic,asPepsi spent four days decompressing with me in adark corner. He was severely traumatised. We do not know what became of the others that were takentobesold.”

NOACTIONTAKENBYPOLICE

No chargeswerelaid with the local police. “On previous occasions when incidentswere reported,noaction was takenfollowingthe opening of acase,” says Kaylin-LeeEveleigh, who founded TheHappy Hoppers Bun Clubin2023 as a communityofrabbit lovers.

The City’s recreation and parks department was alsoslow to respond to arequesttoput up signs at the cemetery to discourage people from dumping their petbunnies there. Permission was finally granted after TygerBurger enquired about thedelay

“TheDutch Reformed Church wants us to remove all the bunnies from their grounds, but hasalso officially refused to allow theanti-dumping signs to be putup. The police are tolerating the approximately 10 bunnies which we sterilised for them, but have also refused to allow theanti-dumping boards,” another volunteer says.

TheCity had notresponded to TygerBurger’s enquiriesbythe time of publication

WOENSDAG20MEI

. DieTygerberg Tuin- en Blommeklub kombyeen by dieNGkerk ParowWelgelegen(La Provencestraat 47,Welgelegen) om 09:30 vir 10:00.Die sprekers is AltheaHigham, wat'nparallel-demonstrasie sal doen, en Marco Moors vanLowensvlei-blomplaas, watoor snyblommesal praat. Dietema vandie blommekunskompetisie is “Elegansie”.Kontak Beatrix Lambert-Bestbier by 082873 9864vir meer inligting of metnavrae.

. GerdaTaljaardseboek Die grafdigter word deur dr Dorotheavan Zylbespreek op 'n byeenkomsvan die Durbell-leeskring. Ditbegin om 10:00 in dieDurbanville-biblioteeksaal in Oxfordstraat.Almaliswelkom Ledegeld beloop R220 perjaar vir negebyeenkomste. Besoekers betaal R50per keer.Rig navrae aanLiz van Wykby082 6558061.

TUESDAY26MAY

. TheEgyptianSocietyofSouthAfricawillbehaving their next meetingatStGeorge'sGrammar school, Richmond Road,Mowbray,from19:30.The guest speaker,Ian Douglas, willpresent alecture titled: “Gizaand the BigDipperCorrelation”.Thereisno charge formembers, while it costs R30 forvisitors. RefreshmentsR10.Booking is not necessary. Thereis secureparking in the schoolgrounds. Formoreinformation on the event,call021 8527273or 084 7743972.

THURSDAY28MAY

. Theimportanceand challenges of agriculturein South Africa —specificallyinthe Western Cape —will be discussed at the annual meeting of Durbanville Business. Jannie Strydom, chiefexecutiveofficerof Agri Western Cape,and Aubrey Terblanche,managing director of GideonMilling, will lead the discussion. The meetingwillstart at 18:00 at Stone Shed in Adderley Road,Durbanville.EntranceisR100 formembers and associatemembers, and R220 fornon-members, including dinner and drinks. Confirm attendance at info@durbanvillesakekamer.co.za.

. TheR5book sale at the Durbanville Children’s Home willtakeplace from Thursday28May to Saturday30May.The sale will be presented at the receptionareaonThursdayand Fridayfrom09:00 to 15:00 and Saturday30May from 09:00 to 13:00 CDs, DVDs and books, including children’sbooksand coffee-tablebooks, will be on sale.Bring your own bags or boxes. Card facilities will be available.

VRYDAG29MEI

. DieNGkerk Sonstraalhou basaar vanaf12:00 by diekerk op diehoek vanHebron- en Tulipstraatin Amanda Glen, Durbanville.Bring joufamilie en vriende en komgenietjou Vrydagaandeteindie geselligheid vandie kuiertent.Trakteer jouself op produkte en heerlikeetesby'nverskeidenheid stalletjies— van 'n witolifanttafel, boeke, naaldwerk, kinderaktiwiteite, lekkergoed, plaasprodukte en gebaktot koffie, braaivleis, jaffels, roosterkoek, hamburgers, potjiekos en pannekoek. Kontak Belindabykommunikasie@ sonstraal.org.zaof021 9761236met navrae

SATURDAY30MAY

. TheDianna JacksonFoundationwillhosta Community MarketDay from 10:00 to 15:00 at the Summer Greens Community Centre,22TinkersRoad, Summer Greens. Theevent willfeaturelocal vendors, food stalls,handmade crafts,fashion,music and family-friendlyentertainment.For more information about the market day, contact CJ Jacksonon072 830 1966(WhatsApp).

. DieAlta du Toit-sentrumbied'ngala-eteom18:30 by Lincolnstraat80, Boston, Bellville,aan.Gastekan uitsien na 'n driegang-ete, lewendigevermaak en 'n veiling, asook'ngeheime geskenk. Diebekende seremoniemeester Anrich Herbstsal verseker datalles vlot en gesellig verloop. Kaartjies is beskikbaarteen R850per persoon. Bespreek pere-pos na donation@ altadutoit.org.za.

SUNDAY31MAY

. Discover the hidden secretsand relics of an abandoned WW2MilitaryBaseinLlandudno,during aspecial“TOPSECRET” HeritageTunnel and Bunker Tour forTourism Month. Thetrail starts at the bigGun in Apostles Battery Llandudno at 10:30,and will end in the same spot.Explorers need to be walking fit,as there aresteps and obstacles to hurdleand ladders to climb.Children need to be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited to 20.Ticketsare R295 perperson. Email Matta at mattweisse@mweb.co.za to book or formoreinformation.

TUESDAY2JUNE

. FCDSkillsCentre’s popularpop-upsalefundraiser is back —combining bargainshopping with abigger purpose— 2to5 June at the Durbanville Town Hall. Thesalewillbeopen on 2Junefrom11:00 to 18:00, on 3and 4Junefrom08:30 to 17:30,and on 5June from 08:30 to 13:30. Thefour-day sale raises funds forFCD’s sponsored skills programmes thatequip unemployedindividuals, especially youth, to enter the jobmarketorstart amicroenterprise.

Mayoroutlinesgrowthplan

toachieveinCapeTownthese ears,we’dliketocontinuetodointhe is

was notso but if you go city where people years, you ewer system is nd it was ago. sewer plants apacity, poor form. pipe system with lots though stingin over time, gthat at a thegrowth

ERSHIP

ee it was seeing urbanor where starting to strongly that direction, rous path. you look in those avery simple ust bad decision. political yyears that cities being se instead basic things or not nt all their ries, bigger programmes spending. edown, rtosee,”he

INES

“We arecurrently replacing

more than four times the total number of pipes of all the other seven major cities in the country combined —including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni,Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and Bloemfontein.

“I would like to replace much more because our number of pipe bursts is not yet where we want it to be.Itbreaksmyheart and frustrates me immensely when Ivisit poorer communities in Cape Town and Istill see people livingwithdaily sewer overflows, becausethe pipes were built for 10 000 people and now thereare 50 000 people living in that area. We have to go and upgrade those pipe systems and pump stations, although it is along and slow journey.

“We have to be clear in our political leadership that we will never allow the failure that has happened in other cities to happenhere. We will start to take firm action to address the urban decay issues that were setting in in thecityafter covid. And we haveset about doing that in afocused, disciplined way. We have nearly tripled our capital investments since four years ago, andwehave put it intoall the things that really matter to make thecity work. We are not there yet, butwecan see the light at theend of the tunnel when our three major upgrade projects that are still under construction, arecompleted. When thoseare all completed, we will actually be back where we have spare capacity for Cape Town’s future growth.

“Thenumber of sewer spills and blockages in our city is down 30% from four years ago and the

number of freshwater pipe bursts in our city is down 25% in the same period,” he said.

TRAFFICANDCONGESTION

“We saw that the city could not continue to feel the pressure it was feeling unless we did something to help with traffic and congestion. Because the train system doesn’t function and is not controlled by us, we put ahuge investment into public transport, and we looked at the most pressurised routeinthe whole city, which is the M2

“We started implementing the N2 Cape Flats MyCiTiexpansion, which is avery large public transport investment. When it is finished sometime in the middle of next year we’ll see 300 buses running all day long along that corridor —all the way down through Philippi, Gugulethu, Hanover Park, Mitchells Plain and ending in Khayelitsha. It will make amajor difference to commuter transport,” he said.

MASSIVESEMIGRATION

“What has happened as Cape Townhas continued to succeed and as other cities have continued to deteriorate, is we have had massive semigration. If you thought semigration was strong before covid, we have data that shows 100 000 families —not people, but families have moved from Gauteng to Cape Towninthe last four years —mostly to Somerset West, Durbanville, the Atlantic Seaboard and Table View.

“We know why they are coming; they also want to live in acitythat works, that offers agood future for theirchildren. What that means is that we’ve had more pressure on our roads, more pressure on our infrastructure, more pressure on our schools. Ourschools are bursting at the seams. And of course, more pressure on our house prices,” he said.

Designersshowcaseboardgames

Durbanville-based tabletop gaming collaboration MzansiMeeples has once again proven that South African creativity can stand proudly on the Comic Con stage, followinga successful showing at Comic ConCape Town 2026.

Held from30April to 3May at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Comic Con Cape Town is one of the city’s premier pop cultureand gaming events, drawing thousands of fans of comics, gaming, cosplay and creative arts.

Among the exhibitors this year was Mzansi Meeples, agrowing collaboration of South African tabletop game designers who joined forces for the second consecutive year to showcase locally createdgames to Cape Town audiences

The collaboration brought together Emcee Games, creatorsofthe fast-paced card game Steal &Plunder,along withthe designers behind Hoozhoo and Thirty3. Together, they presented auniquely South African gaming experience that appealed to both seasoned gamersand families looking for accessible, engaging entertainment.

INCREDIBLELOCALTALENT

“Our goal withMzansi Meeples is to highlight the incredible talent we have locally,” says Christelle McCann, marketing director at Emcee Games.

“There is agrowing tabletopgaming communityinSouth Africa,and Comic Con gives us the perfect platform to connect directly with players.”

Visitors to theirstand experienced live demonstrations, interactivegameplay, and the opportunitytoengage directly with the designers —something thatsets independent creatorsapart from larger commercial brands.

Steal &Plunder, one of the standout

LOCALDESIGNERSEXHIBIT AT COMICCON AND FEATURE AT CITY’SFIRST ICON

gamesondisplay, drew attentionfor its mixofstrategy, humour, andfast-paced gameplay.

Designed to be easy to learn but challenging to master,itprovedespecially popularamong groups of friends and families exploring theconvention.

“Beyond entertainment, there is growing scientific support for the benefits of tabletopgaming,” McCann says.

IMPROVEDCOGNITIVEFUNCTION

Arecent reportin TheWashington Post highlights thatplaying board games hasbeen linked to improved memory, attention and overall cognitive function, while also enhancing quality of life and reducing the risk of cognitive decline, she says.

“Researchers notethatthe combination of mentalchallenge and face-to-face interactionmakestabletopgames particularly powerful, with their social nature playing akey role in boosting wellbeing andconnection.

“This blend of mentalstimulationand real-world social interaction is part of whatmakestabletopgamingincreasingly appealing in today’sdigital age,” she continues

The collaboration was further supported by Mensa SouthAfrica, reinforcingthe intellectualand strategic appeal of modern tabletopgames.

CELEBRATINGHOMEGROWNINNOVATION

Comic ConCape Town continues to grow as aplatform notonly for international

brands and pop culture icons, but also for local creators.The presence of initiatives like Mzansi Meeples highlights ashift toward celebrating homegrown innovation alongside global entertainment trends.

“There’s something special about seeing people connectover agame you have created,” adds McCann. “It’s not just aboutplaying —it’s about bringing people together.”

With growinginterest and astrong reception at this year’sevent,the team is already looking ahead.

PROUDLYSOUTHAFRICANGAMES

The nextopportunity for the publicto experience these proudly SouthAfrican

games will be at the ICONGame &Comic Book Convention, taking place on 18 and 19 July in the Edgemead community hall. This marks the first time that ICON— SouthAfrica’s longest-running gaming and comic convention, previously hosted only in Johannesburg and Durban —willbe held in Cape Town.

Visitors will once again have the chance to meet the designers, play the games, and experience the creativity behind Mzansi Meeples firsthand.

As Comic Con Cape Towncontinues to evolve, collaborations like Mzansi Meeples are helping to ensure that SouthAfrican voices remain part of the conversation— one game at atime.

‘Halfmens’palmvierKannasin

Die jongste plekspesifieke

drama van die Hertzog-pryswenner Nicola Hanekom is Donderdag14 Mei metvier Kannas bekroon

Uitnemendheid by die KKNK, wat vanjaar van 28 Maarttot 4 April op Oudtshoornaangebied is, word jaarliksmet Kannas beloon.

Hanekom, vanBloubergstrand, se Diegebed van ’n halfmens wat by die KKNK gedebuteer het, is met pryse bekroon vir beste debuutwerk: toneel, beste aanbieding: toneel, beste ontwerp en/of tegniese bydrae vir Hanekom en Elana-Marié

Snyman se tegniese versorging en Brendon Daniels as beste manlike speler in 'n ondersteunende rol.

BESTEVROULIKEHOOFSPELER

Atropa: Die wraak van vrede, 'n drama deur Tom Lanoye wat in Afrikaans by dieKKNK gedebuteer het, is mettwee Kannas bekroon. Lanoye, van Kaapstad, het 'n Kanna vir uitnemende literêre bydrae vir sy vertaling van die teks ontvang, en Anna-Mart van der Merwe,

HANEKOM-DEBUUTWERK BEKROON

van die Breërviervallei, 'n Kanna vir beste vroulike speler in 'n hoofrol.

Andrew Buckland is bekroon as beste manlikespeler in ’n hoofrol vir syspel in TheFool’s Guide Daneelvan der Walt is bekroon as beste vroulike speler in ’n ondersteunende rol vir haar spel in ge-gebergtes

Marthinus Bassonontvang die Kanna vir beste regie vir Boklied.Garage Dance Ensemble seplekspesifieke dansteaterproduksie GAT is bekroon as beste ensemble.

BESTEDEBUUTWERK

Amanda StrydomenJe-Ani Swiegelaarse Tillie/Mathilda is bekroon as beste debuutwerk: musiek, terwyl Anna Davel en The Melisizwe Plaatjie Collective die Kannavir besteaanbieding: kontemporêremusiek ontvang het. DanieMaraisse Ek is nie Danie ontvangdie Kannavir besteaanbieding:Musiekteater. Bestevan alletye metAné Koegelenberg en Christie van Niekerk is bekroon as beste aanbieding: komedie. Badtyd metEldon vander Merwe het die Kanna vir beste aanbieding: Blitsteater –’naanbod van kort teaterstukke van20minute elk –ontvang.

PLEK /PLACE: ’n Geografiese of emosionele ruimte deur kurator Liza Grobler,isbekroon as beste aanbieding: visuelekuns.

KINDERPANEEL

Zip ZapCircus se MOYAisdeur die kinderpaneel aangewys as beste aanbieding: kindervermaak en HeinrichWentzel is bekroon as beste opkomende kunstenaar of nuwelingvir sy spel in Akrasia

Hans van derVeen ontvang die spesiale Kannavir diens aan die KKNK, met die spesiale Kannapaneel-prys wat aan die tegniese personeel vir hul uitsonderlike oorkoepelende versorgingengehalte- tegniese diens by die 30ste KKNK toegeken is. Ingrid Blumer ontvangdie Kanna vir uitsonderlike tegniese diens aan die KKNK. Elke wenner het’nspesiale kunswerk deur Chris Buchner van Calitzdorp ontvang Vanjaar se glansgeleentheid is by Leopard’s Leap in Franschhoek aangebied. Nina Swart was die aanbieder, met vermaak deur die Papier Family Band.

BORGE

Die30ste KKNK is geborg deur Absa, met ondersteuning van die Het Jan Marais Nationale Fonds, NATi, Checkers, Netwerk24, kykNET, ATKV, Oudtshoornmunisipaliteit en die Wes-Kaapse regering.

Kanna-pryse is geborg deur Absa, die Het Jan Marais NationaleFonds,NATi, Checkers,

ATKV, Wes-Kaapse regering, Castle Lager, Dotsure, Glenwood Travel, Rauten Trust,Ton &Anet Vosloo, Crispin &Lisa Sonn, Franklin &Joan Sonn, asook Wicus Pretorius. Dieonafhanklike Kannapaneel vir KKNK 2026 was Naudévan derMerwe (sameroeper), Nolan Africa, Amelda Brand, Felicia Lesch, Wayne Muller, Ilza Roggeband, Tracey Saunders en Fahiem Stellenboom. Op die kinderpaneel was 25 kinders tussen6en13jaar vanuit die breëOudtshoorn-gemeenskap. DieKannapaneel is ondersteun

deur Haddad Viljoen, Marguerite Robinson en Diane de Beer, wat die Kanna vir beste bydrae tot visuele kuns beoordeel het. Die proses van nominasies en wenners is oorsien deur die ouditeursfirma Acker &Malony. Volgende jaar vind die KKNK op Oudtshoorn plaas van Dinsdag 23 tot Saterdag 27 Maart. Programaansoeke vir dié fees kan vanaf 1Junie by kknk.co.za ingedien word. . Besoek kknk.co.zaofkontak dieKKNK by 044 2038600of info@kknk.co.zaof065 285 2337 (Whatsapp) vir meer inligting.

MTNSTORE IN TYGERVALLEY LAUNCHESSME FOUNDERS HUBTOEMPOWERBELLVILLE ENTREPRENEURS

The MTNStore has unveiled aboldnew ini a ve designed to strengthen andsupportthe small businessecosysteminBellville and the surrounding areas. Launchedon26March 2026,the SME Founders HubPerspec ve Clinics introduce a first-of-its-kind conceptwithina retail environment, transformingthe MTNStore into avibrantpla�orm forlearning,collabora on,and meaningfulbusiness dialogue.

At the heart of the ini a ve areweekly,in-store Perspec ve Clinics,hostedseasonally everyThursday from 09:30 to 10:30. Delivered in an engaging podcast-styleformat, the sessionsprovide entrepreneursand smallbusinessowners with prac calinsights, expert guidance, and opportuni es to connectwithlike-minded peers. The programme is drivenbythe SME FoundersHub and facilitatedin partnership with Corp Radio, foundedbyLester Philander,who leads the conversa onsalongside industryspecialistsandbusinessleaders.

The Perspec ve Clinics respond to the increasing demand foraccessibleand innova ve support structures forSMEs,widelyrecognisedasthe backbone of the South African economy.Eachsession bringsentrepreneursface-to-face with expertsacross diversedisciplines,addressing the real,ever-evolving challengesfacedbysmallbusinessestoday.

Earlysessions have already deliveredstrongvalue. Morgan VanGraan from Exclusive Booksunpacked lessonsfromAtomic Habits, focusing on how small, consistent improvements candrivesustainable long-term growth. ErickOosthuizen from LabourNet shared cri calinsights on labour rela ons, HR compliance, and the implica onsofincreased labour inspec onsfor SMEs.Financial resiliencewas explored by ThuliGija, Senior Financial Advisorat LibertyLife, whoprovidedprac calguidance on business assurance.Adding avital personal dimension, Dr Astrid Sass-HlalelefromTygervalley Dental andMedical Prac ce highlightedthe importanceofhealth andwellbeing for entrepreneursopera ngunderconstantpressure

Thokozani Nhlapo,ManagingDirector of Cosmo-ICT and owner-operator of the MTNStore in Tygervalley,

says thepla�orm is aboutmorethaninforma on sharing,itisaboutbuildingacommunity.

“Our goal is to give everyday entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow with us andstayconnected to oneanother.Effec�ve networking is nottransac�onal or about exchanging businesscards without intent It's abouttrust,shared learning,and buildinga meaningful networkofpeerssothat we canall grow together.”

As theseriescon nues,MTN StoreinTygervalley an cipatesagrowingimpactthrough an expanding lineupofdiverse voicesand perspec ves. TheSME Founders Hubisposi oningitself as aconsistent knowledge-sharing andconnec on pla�orm forthe localbusinesscommunity.

Entrepreneurs arealsoinvited to make useofnewly adapted12-seater co-workingspaces, designed for workingonthe go whilein andaroundthe Tygervalley Shopping Centre;completewithcoffee service anda smallboardroom forprivate mee ngs, further reinforcingMTN StoreinTygervalley'scommitment to enabling small business successbeyond connec vityalone.

Scan QR codetowatch everyPerspec ve Clinicheld inTygervalleySMEFoundersHubonYouTube

ContactInfo: tygervalleyflagship.za@mtn.com|0838691788

Cape Town’sfour seasons in 48 hours

There is something almost theatricalabout the weather in Cape Town. It doesn’t simply change —itperforms, complete with dramatic lighting, sound effects, and just enough chaos to make everyone briefly question their life choices.

For 48 hours, the city is pushed through an entire weathersystem with verylittle warning.

Gale-force winds arrive first, pushing rain sideways across roads and turning visibility intoagrey blur.Then come the floods, the icy bite in the air, andthe constant roar of wind that makes even solid buildings feel slightly less confident than usual. And then there are the trees. Not just swaying —but uprooted. Entire trees are tornout by their roots, collapsing across roads and open spaces like nature briefly losing an argument with gravity People don’t talk about “badweather”so much as they talkabout getting through it —waiting for the next gust, the next downpour, the next reminder that the storm is still very much in charge. Then, just as suddenly as it arrived,it stops performing.

The wind drops itsintensity. The rain slows. Apatch of blue appears in the sky like someone testing the lighting system And then, almost without ceremony,the storm is gone. And this is where things get truly CapeTown. Because Cape Town has avery specific post-storm personality: complete denial.

THESTORMDOESN’T FADEAWAY—ITGETS SOCIALLYIGNORED.

Within hours, the same city thatwas dealingwith uprooted trees,flooded roads andflying debris begins behaving as if nothing remotely dramaticjust happened

As if the previous 48 hours were just a slightly intense dream everyone agreed not to talk about. It is almostimpressive The storm doesn’t fade away —itgets socially ignored. One moment residents are navigating blocked roads and dodging fallen branches. The next, they are discussing weekend plans infull sunlight, with the confidenceofpeople who did not just survive what can only be describedas nature’s aggressive reminder. Lion's Head suddenly becomes apopular suggestion again, as if it wasn’tjust partially hidden behind horizontal rain a day earlier.The coastline follows the same pattern. Beaches refill quickly, even if the sand is still damp and the oceanhasn’t fullyrecovered from itsown moodswing Jackets disappear. Sunglasses return. Iced drinks are ordered with surprising optimism.

Coffee shops reopen their outdoorseating like nothinghappened. Conversations shift from “Did you see that tree comedown”? to “Whatabeautiful day forawalk”. Andthat is the most Cape Town thing of all —not the storm itself, but the speed at which it is mentally deleted.

And yet, within aday or two, it is treated as adistant inconvenience —something that almost happened in another version of the city. Almost like it triedtodo serious damage… and the city politely decided not to remember it thatway

That is thestrange rhythmoflife in Cape Town:extreme weather followed immediately by extreme optimism No slow recovery. No lingering drama. Just areboot. And by Wednesday morning, the same people who were dodging uprooted trees and sandbagging their driveways were posting sunrise selfies from Bloubergstrand beach, acting like the last 48 hours didn’t try to kill us —just briefly interruptedthe weather forecast.

-KAILINDANIELS

Kommentaar // Comments

NEWERA FORSANAVY: Captain ZaneleMadibamade history at NavalBaseSimon’sTownasthe firstwoman to command aValourClass Frigateduring theSAS AmatolaChangeofCommand Parade on Thursday14May.The ceremonymarked the transferofleadership of SASAmatolaand SASKINGShakaZulu,attended by senior navalofficialsand defencerepresentatives.Madiba’sappointmentwas hailed as amajor milestone in thetransformation of the South African Navy.Pictured theSA Navy sailors saluting their Outgoing OfficerCommanding of SASAmatola,Captain Dieter Jones,asasign of respect during theceremony

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DurbieskookbyDinkofSink

Die gladdebekke van die Hoërskool Durbanville

het met goud weggestap in die senior afdeling (gr. 10 tot 12) in AfriForum se Dink of Sink-kompetisie.

Dit was by die tweede van ses provinsiale uitdunrondes vir hoërskooldebatteerders, wat op 8Mei by die DF Akademie plaasgevind het

Die Durbies Cayla Fourie, Anouk Gerber en Saskia Cloete het die goue trofee huis toe geneem terwyl Dieter de Kock, Ben van NiekerkenAltus de Villiers van Paul Roos Gimnasium die naaswenners was In die junior kategorie (gr.8en 9) het die span van dieHoërskool Jan van Riebeeck koning gekraai, terwyl die Hoër MeisieskoolLa Rochelle se span as naaswenners uit die stryd getree het.

STAP METGOUD WEGINDIE SENIOR AFDELING

Altesaam159 leerders van 16 hoërskole indie Wes-Kaap het aan dié kompetisie deelgeneem.

AKTUELEONDERWERPE

Die deelnemende skole was DF Akademie, Hoërskool Stellenberg, Hoër Meisieskool Paarl, Hoër Meisieskool La Rochelle, Hoërskool Parel Vallei, HoërskoolJan van Riebeeck, HoërskoolSwartland, Hoërskool Langenhoven, Worcester Gimnasium, Paul Roos Gimnasium,Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof, Hoërskool PaarlGimnasium,Hoërskool Durbanville, Hoërskool Parow, HoërskoolStellenbosch en

Die wenspan in die senior afdeling is (van links) AnoukGerber,CaylaFourie en Saskia Cloetevan die Hoërskool Durbanville.By hulle is Carien Bloem (links),hoofvan onderwysprojekte by AfriForum,NicoleneMüller(naasregs),projekkoördineerder vir onderwys: suidstreek by AfriForum)en HannesOosthuizen (heel regs),hoofvan die DF Akademie,waar hierdie uitdunronde plaasgevind het

LangenhovenGimnasium.

Gedurende die dag het 53 spanneelk drie debatte gevoer oor verskeie aktuele onderwerpe. Diedoelvan die kompetisie is om Afrikaansedebatkuns op laerskool-, hoërskool- en universiteitsvlak te bevorder, terwyl dit ook ’n noodsaaklike vaardigheid aanleer wat deelnemersinhul toekomstige beroepslewe salbevoordeel.

“Dieleerders hethul take met groot vaardigheid aangepak en beïndruk met goedgestruktureerde, deeglik voorbereide argumente en kragtige teenargumente.

OORTUIGENDELYFTAAL

"Hulle het selfvertroue uitgestraal deur oortuigende lyftaal, duidelike stemgebruik en 'n opregte entoesiasmevir hul standpunte. Hierdie optrede het hul vermoë om krities te dinkendoeltreffend te debatteer duidelik na vore gebring,” sê Nicolene Müller, AfriForumse koördineerdervir onderwys in die suidstreek.

“Diehoërskooldebatspanne het ’n indrukwekkende vlak van openbare spreekkuns en kritiese denke getoon deur goed beredeneerde standpunte en selfversekerde optredes. Ons sienmet opgewondenheid uit na die verdere ontwikkeling van hierdie kompetisie en die rol wat dit sal speelindie ontginning vanjong debatteerders se volle potensiaal,” sê Müller.

wenners vandie kompetisie.

Mej. DF 2026 skitter op die verhoog

DieMnr. en Mej.DF-kompetisie 2026 het die gehoor op Dinsdag 22 April betower met 'n onvergeetlike skouspel met die tema Fire &Ice Diefinaliste het die verhoog in 'n dans van hitte en yskoue elegansie omgeskep —elke deelnemer het nie net deelgeneem nie, maar werklik gestraal en die tema met volle oorgawe lewe gegee.

Dieaandsehoogtepunt was die bekendmaking van die gesogte titels.

Diewennersvan Mnr. en Mej DF 2026 was Dewan Coetzee en Jessie Schoeman. Die ander wennerswas: Eerste prinses was Nelia de Villiers en eerste prins Renier Venter;Gènelle Holt is as

tweede prinses aangewys en Eben Smit as tweede prins; Amelie Retief is as Mej. Persoonlikheid aangewys en Charlie Cooper as Mnr. Persoonlikheid; Jessie Schoeman was die debutant. Agter hierdie asemrowende aand lê ure van toewyding, spanwerk en opregte liefde vir die geleentheid.

Die skool bedank elke onderwyser en ouer wat met soveel sorg en energie bygedra het om hierdie aand werklik onvergeetlik te maak. 'n Besondere woord van waardering gaan aan Alicia Filmalter en Charla Cilliers, wat die Fire &Ice-skouspel met uitsonderlike styl, visie en passie saamgestel het