TygerBurger | Tygervalley| E-Edition | 19 November 2025

WHAT’S ON / WAT IS WAAR

SENDYOURCOMMUNITYEVENTSTO

TYGERBURGER@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

WOENSDAG19NOVEMBER

. Kader Abdolah se Duisend-en-een nagte is uitstekend vertaal in Afrikaans deur Wium van Zyl. Hierdie klassieke werk word by die Durbell-leeskring se byeenkoms deur dr Marni Bonthuys bespreek. Dit begin om 10:00 in die Durbanville-biblioteeksaal in Oxfordstraat Almal is welkom. Toegang is gratis vir opbetaalde lede (R220 per jaar). Besoekers betaal R50 Rig navrae aan Liz van Wyk by 082 655 8061.

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 by email to riese2608@gmail. com with enquiries.

SATERDAG22NOVEMBER

. ATKV-Crescendo bied 'n gratis liedjieskryfwerksessie saam met kunstenaars soos Deon Meiring van Glaskas, Olga Leonard en Jitsvinger by The Father's Heart in Milkwoodstraat in Greenville, Fisantekraal aan. Dit begin om 09:00 Registrasie begin reeds om 08:30 Besoek www crescendo co.za om vir dié gratis werksessie te bespreek.

. The Dr Randall Ortel Foundation will host a Men’s Health Club Open Day from 11:00 to 13:00 at Watergate Medical Centre, 60 Watergate Boulevard, Mitchell’s Plain. It is open to men aged between 30 and 55. A R100 donation is required. Call 082 456 2186 or 060 592 9558 for more information.

. The Cape Town Christmas Cat Show will be hosted by the African Independent Cat Club (AICA) at the Bergsig Dutch Reformed Church in Boland Way in Durbanville from 09:00 to 16:00 Entrance is R30 for adults, R10 for pensioners and children under 12 years and R50 for families. Visit www.africancatclub weebly com, www osrbg.weebl.com and www.sacatsbg. weebly com for more information.

TUESDAY25NOVEMBER

. The Egyptian Society of South Africa will be having their next meeting at St George's Grammar school, Richmond Road, Mowbray from 19:30 Following the AGM, the guest speaker, Dr Lester Cowley, will present a lecture titled: "The Antikythera Mechanism". There is no charge for members, while it costs R30 for visitors Booking is not necessary For more information call 021 852 7273 or 084 774 3972.

SUNDAY30NOVEMBER

. Cape Town will once again light up the summer sky as thousands gather on the Grand Parade and along Adderley Street for the 56th edition of the Festive Lights Switch-On from 16:00

THURSDAY4DECEMBER

. Oom Piets Christmas Party is back. For the first time since covid, the Rotary Club of Durbanville is once again hosting the magical fantasy evening for families from Thursday 4 December to Saturday 13 December Bring your picnic basket and enjoy a fabulous joyous evening. Bookings now open on Quicket For anymore information, call Carol on 083 261 9840

. 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 Every light dedicated helps Tygerberg Hospice provide homebased care, comfort, and support to families facing life-limiting illness. Visit www tygerberghospice org or call 021 946 2460 to purchase a light

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 games and interactive arts at the Homecoming Centre in Cape Town on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December This year's festival will transport visitors to "Arcadia", a fantasy-themed library complete with portholes, spell books, potions and magic crystals. Tickets are available at www.playtopiafestival.co.za

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 30-60% laer as galerypryse – te koop Die geleentheid is oop vir die publiek en gratis. Volg Boston Open Studios op sosiale media vir meer inligting.

CommunityfightsVelodromeplans

MAURICIAPETERSEN

The historic Bellville Velodrome has become the center of a heated debate between community advocates and the City of Cape Town, as residents fight to preserve affordable access to the facility while municipal officials pursue a costly redevelopment partnership with private developers

The Bellville Velodrome, which opened in 1997, has served as a crucial community resource for nearly three decades The facility has provided affordable access to athletics, cycling, hockey, gymnastics, concerts, and cultural events for residents from disadvantaged areas including Bellville South and Phisantekraal Councillor Cheslyn Steenberg of the Patriotic Alliance brought community concerns to the forefront during a recent council meeting, emphasising the facility's importance for underprivileged youth and para-athletes who rely on the velodrome as their only accessible space for sports and cultural activities

"Many youth from underprivileged areas rely on the Velodrome as their only accessible space for sports and cultural events," the document notes, highlighting how disabled children and para-athletes particularly benefit from its safe, accessible environment

The community's primary fears center around the potential commercialisation of the facility Residents worry that redevelopment will prioritise commercial interests over community needs, potentially making the velodrome inaccessible to the public and transforming it into a facility for private developers' use

FINANCIALREALITYVS COMMUNITYNEEDS

Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis

R262MILLION

City Outlines Investment in sports facilities Including the Bellville

defended the city's redevelopment approach, citing the harsh financial realities facing the aging facility His response revealed the significant costs involved in bringing the velodrome up to modern safety standards

"Upgrading the Velodrome to Sasreacompliant standards would cost R300 million (excluding operational costs)," the mayor stated, referring to the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act requirements This massive investment, he argued, makes standalone municipal funding economically challenging

The mayor emphasised that professional assessments are needed to determine the facility's current condition and required repairs, including compliance with Sasrea and Sans regulations He noted that the facility has suffered significant deterioration over time due to deferred maintenance and delays in previous redevelopment attempts

AHISTORYOFDELAYSANDLEGALCHALLENGES

The current controversy has deep roots

The City Council originally approved a redevelopment tender in 2009 (resolution C46/10/09), which included public participation processes in 2019 However, the project faced numerous setbacks, including legal arbitration and delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic

Some previous agreements were declared null and void, but negotiations with the same bidder have recently resumed and are now at an advanced stage, with discussions expected to conclude in the

2025-'26 financial year

The mayor's preferred solution involves a partnership with private developers who would lease the velodrome and athletics track, taking responsibility for the R300 million in upgrades and ongoing operations

This approach, he argued, represents a "win-win" scenario that ensures longterm maintenance, generates income, and maintains public access

However, this solution has not satisfied Steenberg's advocates who are calling for:

An independent audit to assess the true costs of basic functional repairs and investigate potential cost inflation

A moratorium on redevelopment plans until proper public consultation and oversight are conducted

Direct municipal funding and support to restore the velodrome as a grassroots, community-centered facility rather than commercialising it

As part of his response, the mayor also outlined plans to upgrade other athletic facilities across Cape Town, including Jan Burger, Westridge, Wesfleur, Vygieskraal, and Mandela Park These projects, with timelines extending from 2026 to 2030, represent significant investments:

. R80 million for a multipurpose center at Jan Burger;

. R60 million for athletics infrastructure improvements;

. R80 million for an athletics track in Westridge;

. R22 million for cycle track reinstatement at Vygieskraal

THEPATHFORWARD

The Bellville Velodrome controversy highlights the broader challenge facing municipalities across South Africa: balancing community needs with financial

constraints while maintaining aging public infrastructure

While the facility currently operates with interim maintenance to ensure basic community use, its inability to host large-scale events due to safety compliance issues underscores the urgency of the situation

The coming months will be critical as negotiations with the preferred developer continue and the community's calls for transparency and public consultation grow louder The outcome will likely set a precedent for how Cape Town handles similar community facility challenges in the future

As both sides seek solutions, the central question remains: Can the city find a path that preserves the velodrome's role as an accessible community resource while ensuring its long-term financial sustainability and safety compliance?

The answer will determine whether this beloved facility continues to serve as a lifeline for Cape Town's disadvantaged communities or becomes another casualty of urban redevelopment pressures

GolfDayasuccess

The Alta du Toit Centre extends a heartfelt gratitude to all participants, sponsors, and supporters who made the charity golf tournament at Parow Golf Club an outstanding success “Your generous contributions and enthusiastic participation on October 31st demonstrated the incredible spirit of our community Every swing, every sponsorship, and every moment of camaraderie directly impacted the lives of our vulnerable residents The funds raised will make a meaningful difference in providing essential care and support services Special thanks to our hole sponsors, dedicated teams, and everyone who joined the prize-giving dinner,” the centre said

GOLFERS GIVE BACK

FROMPAGE1

Environmental consultants from Guillaume Nel Environmental Consultants have concluded that the development is "environmentally acceptable and sustainable" provided proper mitigation measures are implemented Specialist studies found no fatal flaws in the proposal However, the development would result in the loss of approximately 4 ha of existing vineyards and 15 ha of highpotential agricultural soils

To address these concerns, the plans emphasise that 85% of the farm would remain undeveloped, including critical biodiversity areas and the most productive agricultural land

The northern portion of the farm would continue as working agricultural land and conservation areas, preserving important ecological habitats including wetlands and riparian zones along local watercourses

HISTORICWERF

The proposal includes restoring the farm s historic buildings and maintaining its wine-making operations, whilst adding new community amenities and green spaces along the nearby Elsieskraal River

However, heritage specialists have noted potential impacts on the sense of place around these historic buildings, as well as concerns about burial sites and other heritage resources

Traffic impacts have been identified as a key concern, with necessary upgrades planned for nearby intersections and road networks to accommodate increased vehicle movements from the new residential community

Detailed studies have examined potential health risks, particularly exposure to agricultural spray drift from neighbouring vineyards and construction dust during building phases The project would be implemented in seven phases, allowing development to proceed gradually as

infrastructure is completed and market demand develops The proposal must still receive environmental approval from the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, with a decision expected by November 2026 If environmental authorisation is granted as expected, construction could begin in January 2027, according to the report This is the second commenting period in the pre-application phase A third commenting period during the formal in-process phase will also be conducted, where all comments received during this commenting period will be addressed and incorporated into the assessment and ultimate recommendation

OUTSIDEURBANEDGE

Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment of the City of Cape Town, told TygerBurger in response to enquiries in 2022 that the farm is outside the urban edge This means that in terms of the MSDF (2018) it is located in the Discouraged Growth Areas, meaning that urban development in these areas will, in general, not be supported from a spatial policy perspective

He also confirmed that Portion 18 of Farm 276 has not been rezoned from agricultural zoning to residential purposes TygerBurger is awaiting confirmation of the latest developments on this matter Local residents have until 9 January to voice their opinions on the proposals Due to Christmas holiday arrangements, people effectively have 56 days to submit comments nearly twice the usual consultation period . The public can review detailed plans online at www.gnec co.za or contact Guillaume Nel Environmental Consultants by email at a.p@gnec.co.za. Comments should be emailed to a.p@gnec.co.za.

Policearrest fugitiveinraid

Awanted criminal was arrested during a recent joint operation by Durbanville police in Sector 3, which includes Eversdal, De Bron, Durbanville Hills, Sonstraal and Kenridge.

The joint operation on Saturday 25 October was led by Col Gonum Munsamy, station commander of Durbanville police, Capt Bernice Cloete (head of visible policing) and Sgt Sean Fox (commander of Sector 3) in partnership with armed response companies, Keith Dalby, chair of Sonstraal Heights Neighbourhood Watch, and Jacques Rabie, chair of Stellenberg Neighbourhood Watch

“A notorious criminal with an outstanding warrant of arrest was

Two burglary suspects caught

MAURICIAPETERSEN

MAURICIA PETERSEN@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

SJC Security Services and the police's collaboration resulted in quick apprehension of two suspects recently

On Sunday 9 November, a coordinated response between SJC Security Services and the police led to the successful arrest of two burglary suspects in Blomtuin, Bellville, showcasing the effectiveness of public-private security partnerships in combating crime

The incident unfolded when SJC Security Services’ Control Room received notification of a burglary in progress in the Blomtuin area Armed response officers were immediately dispatched to the scene, demonstrating the company’s commitment to rapid emergency response

“The Control Room was notified of a burglary in progress in Blomtuin, Bellville, and immediately dispatched armed response officers to the scene,” SJC Security Services reported on their official Facebook page

SUSPECTCAPTURED

During the arrest, officers recovered stolen property including golf clubs and a ladder Information obtained from the first suspect proved crucial in locating and arresting a second suspect, demonstrating the importance of thorough initial investigations Police officers arrived promptly to take both suspects into custody and transported them to Bellville Police Station for processing

Const Ndakhe Gwala, Western Cape police spokesperson, confirmed the details of the arrest

“Bellville detectives are investigating a case of theft following an incident that occurred on Sunday 9 November where two suspects aged 32 and 34 were arrested with stolen property at Bill Bezuidenhout street ”

The legal process moved quickly following the arrests “The suspects appeared in the Bellville Magistrates' Court on Monday 10 November on the mentioned charges,” Gwala confirmed Lt Col Fienie Nimb of Bellville Police Station praised the security company’s professional response

ECTOR 3 JOINT OPERATION TARGETS HIDEOUTS, NETS CRIMINAL ON N1 BRIDGE

arrested during the operation Our team worked with armed response and security companies, and it had a massive impact in police visibility,” Munsamy says

“There was specifically focused on the N1 bridge, where known criminals tend to hide, and the bushes close to Eversdal Road (near Stodels) where shacks are built The hideouts where criminals hide were all checked out,” she says Munsamy urges the larger community to join such initiatives and be part of crime prevention in the larger Durbanville area

The response team’s coordinated approach proved decisive in the suspects’ capture While one officer spotted the suspects fleeing along the N1 highway, another officer successfully pursued and apprehended one suspect under the Bill Bezuidenhout Bridge

“Bellville police commends the excellent work done by the security personnel in effecting a successful arrest,” she stated The incident highlighted the crucial role that collaboration between private security services and law enforcement plays in maintaining community safety

Eversdalbegin 50stevieringe

Die Laerskool Eversdal het die begin van sy 50ste verjaarsdagfees op Woensdag 12 November met groot trots en opgewondenheid gevier

Hierdie besondere dag was presies vyftig jaar sedert die eerste vlag by die skool gehys is – ’n simbool van die begin van Eversdal se trotse geskiedenis

Die oggend se verrigtinge het op ’n gepaste en betekenisvolle wyse begin Al die leerders is saal toe vir ’n pragtige saalbyeenkoms Gys Burger, die huidige skoolhoof, het die geleentheid gelei en met groot trots die voormalige skoolhoofde en adjunkhoofde op die verhoog verwelkom Hul teenwoordigheid het ’n gevoel van eerbied en verbondenheid met die geskiedenis van Eversdal gebring In sy toespraak het Burger die

Alta duToit Centre cheers supporters of Golf Day

The Alta du Toit Centre extends a heartfelt gratitude to all participants, sponsors, and supporters who made the charity golf tournament at Parow Golf Club an outstanding success

DIE OORSPRONKLIKE VLAG IS MET RESPEK GESTRYK EN IN SY PLEK IS DIE FEESVLAG GEHYS

leerders en personeel op ’n reis deur die geskiedenis van die skool geneem Hy het vertel van die groei, verandering en hoogtepunte wat Eversdal oor vyftig jaar beleef het, en herinner hoe die skool se wapen saamgestel is om die unieke karakter en waardes van die Eversdalgemeenskap te verteenwoordig Hy het beklemtoon dat elke “Ever” iets besonders in hom of haar dra “’n stukkie goud”, wat die skool se trots en uitnemendheid weerspieël

Die oorspronklike skoolvlag, wat vir jare met trots oor die skool gewaai het, is met respek gestryk In sy plek is die nuwe 50 jaar-feesvlag gehys ’n teken van waardering vir die verlede en hoop vir die toekoms

Ná die formele deel van die program het die Evers saam ou bekende liedjies in die saal gesing, net soos in die “ou dae”

Die vrolike sang het die saal gevul en die gees van samehorigheid en trots duidelik laat blyk Die dag was ’n besondere begin van wat beloof om ’n jaar vol vieringe, herinneringe en trots te wees ’n waardige huldeblyk aan vyftig jaar van uitnemendheid by die skool

“Your generous contributions and enthusiastic participation on October 31st demonstrated the incredible spirit of our community Every swing, every sponsorship, and every moment of camaraderie directly impacted the lives of our vulnerable residents The funds raised will make a meaningful difference in providing essential care and support services Special thanks to our hole sponsors, dedicated teams, and everyone who joined the prize-giving dinner,” the centre said

Booklaunchedonrunningtrip

The entrepreneur and investor Keith Boyd, previously from Durbanville, who has broken a Guinness World Record for the fastest run from Cape Town to Cairo last year, launched a book with his memoirs at Durbanville Golf Club recently

The book, Running Africa, tell his story of endurance, adventure and inspiring young Africans to take action The book was published on 16 October this year by Rainbow Leaders, the

youth pro-democracy foundation founded by Boyd, whose mission is to focus on reducing poverty by motivating Africa’s youth to vote and hold leaders accountable

RAISEAWARENESS

Boyd ran 11 000km from Cape Town to Cairo in just 301 days completing the journey on 22 May last year He undertook this challenging run to raise awareness for Rainbow Leaders

His mission highlights the critical link between poor leadership, poverty and low youth voter participation

Boyd, who now lives in Mouille Point, is an entrepreneur, chief executive officer and investor with extensive experience in the telecommunications, property, tourism and power industries across Africa

He now focuses on social impact investment and youth empowerment through Rainbow Leaders His aim is to reduce poverty by motivating young Africans to vote and hold leaders accountable

“Poverty is overwhelmingly a country-specific problem,” says Boyd “Its greatest contributor is poor leadership, which leads to a

trust deficit, deterring investment and slowing economic growth

Educating and motivating young people to vote is key to changing that,” he says

CHALLENGES

In his memoir, Boyd shares his first-hand experiences running across nine African countries blending adventure, endurance and purpose Running Africa captures Africa’s diverse landscapes, cultures and challenges through the eyes of a determined runner on a mission to inspire civic responsibility and social change

The non-fiction work intertwines a story of personal resilience and discovery with a call to action for Africa’s next generation, according to a media release

BREAKINGA25-YEAR-OLDRECORD

“Running Africa is however much more than a sports memoir; it’s a candid look at the challenges and complexities of Africa

“The book provides full details on his verified record, documenting the 11 000km run, which was independently verified to secure the Guinness World

GUINNESS RECORD HOLDER, KEITH BOYD, SHARES ADVENTURES IN NEW BOOK ‘RUNNING AFRICA’

Record for the fastest time breaking a 25-year-old record,” according to the release

“Beyond the athletic feat, the memoir details facing extreme adversity and resilience, including a firefight, a hostage

situation, team members being imprisoned and managing a generic heart condition while running This raw context sets the stage for the book’s core theme: civic responsibility and youth empowerment ”

THINKING OUT LOUD

Ek ‘like’ my job

Dit was nooit my droom om ‘n joernalis te word nie Hoewel lees en skryf altyd deel van ons familie-gene was, het ek dit nooit oorweeg om ‘n nuusskrywer te word nie In ons huis was koerante en tydskrifte lees verpligtend, maar dit was nie ‘n beroepskeuse nie My mense was mynwerkers

Ek onthou hoe my pa elke Sondag die Rapport se verskillende afdelings aan ons uitgedeel het My een broer lees eers die sport, ek die tydskrif, my pa die sake en my ander broer die Kaap Rapport ens As jy klaar is dan gee jy maar aan Een van ons vriende, Romeo, het nie gehou van lees nie Hy het Sondae gesit en televisie kyk terwyl ons lees Wanneer ons klaar is, het hy altyd gevra: “Wat sê die papers?”

Nou dwaal ek af, want ek wou eintlik praat oor hoe ek nie eintlik ‘n joernalis wou word nie Ek wou ‘n skrywer word, want dit was die ding wat die maklikste vir my gekom het Maar ek wou nie nuus skryf nie Ek wou stories vertel met helde in en gelukkige eindes en mooi meisies Stories waarin net die bad guys seerkry en kinders kan speel sonder die vrees om seergemaak te word Waar mense in vrede saam lewe

Toe beland ek in die joernalistiek Omdat ek van ‘n klein dorpie af kom, was ek baie beskerm teen die wreedheid van die lewe Toe ek vir koerante begin werk het ek, ‘n arme protestante laaitie, besef boosheid is oral rondom ons En dit is so algemeen dat sommige koerante nie eens meer daaroor wil skryf nie

DIEJOERNALISTIEKHETMYSO BAIEDIEAFGELOPE24JAAR GELEER,MAAREENVANEEN VANDIEGROOTSTELESSEIS DATEKBITTERMINMENSE MOETVERTROU.ENDAARIN LÊMYPROBLEEM.

Ek kan nie eens meer onthou hoeveel stories ek al oor moorde en verkragtings geskryf het nie Daar is maklik niks waaroor ek nog nie berig het nie, maar steeds voel ek iets gaan binne-in my dood as ek hoor van ‘n kind wat leed aangedoen is Dan wonder ek hoe boos moet jy wees om ‘n weerlose kind skade aan te doen?

Deesdae as ek ‘n man en ‘n jong kind saam sien, kyk ek na die kleinste detail Watter kleur klere het hulle aan Hoe lyk die man? Hoe stap hy? Het die kind kenmerke waaraan sy uitgeken kan word? Ek doen al hierdie dinge omdat my kop vir my sê dat ek binnekort oor hierdie kind moet skryf

Die joernalistiek het my so baie die afgelope 24 jaar geleer, maar een van die grootste lesse is dat ek bitter min mense moet vertrou En daarin lê my probleem Ek wil nie so wees nie, want ek hou baie van mense My vrou sê altyd sy weet wanneer ek lanklaas ander mense gesien het, want ek begin kriewelrig raak Maar my vertroue in die mensdom is geskaad Ek kry onlangs ‘n oproep van iemand wat my liederlik uittrap en sê joernaliste is die skuim van die aarde Hy was nie tevrede met iets wat ek geskryf het nie Nadat hy al sy woede uitgeskel het, vra ek hom: “Hou jy van mense?”

Hy aarsel aan die ander kant van die lyn en sê: “Ek hou baie van mense, maar joernaliste is mos nie mense nie ” Ons albei raak toe vir ‘n oomblik stil en ek bars uit van die lag Die volgende oomblik toe lag die oom ook En toe lag ons saam Toe besef ek, ek like nogal my job - BRENDEN RUITER

‘Purr-fect’cat showcomestoCT

The largest cat show in the country, the Cape Town Christmas Cat Show, will be hosted on Saturday 22 November by the African Independent Cat Club (AICA) at the Bergsig Dutch Reformed Church in Boland Way in Durbanville from 09:00 to 16:00. This 71st championship cat show and the last for the year will be presented in association with two other independent clubs, Oriental, Siamese and Related Breeds Group (OSRBG) and SA Cats

More than 135 cats have been entered so far, including an interesting variety of breeds from the largest Maine Coon, to the smallest Singapura

RARESTBREEDS

The show will feature some of the rarest breeds, including the short-legged Munchkin, the hairless Sphynx, the Japanese Bobtail and one of the newest breeds, the Serengeti

Some of the other well-known breeds on show will be Persians, British Shorthairs, Burmese, Siamese, Exotic Shorthairs, Bengals, Devon Rex, Abyssinians, Norwegian Forest Cats and many others

The cats will be judged by 18 judges, including judges from Gauteng and Japan Apart from Cape Town-based cats, some will travel from as far as Johannesburg to compete for the various titles and winning points towards qualifying for the annual invitational event “SA Indiecat”, where only the top cats compete to become Cat of

breed in South Africa.

CAPE TOWN’S LARGEST CHRISTMAS CAT SHOW SET FOR 22 NOVEMBER IN DURBANVILLE

the Year At this show there will also be a special opportunity to meet a real celebrity cat, who will be on exhibition Grand Premier LesBeauxChats Rosemary called Rosy at home and owned by Johan and Thea Lamprecht from Durbanville is a 15-year-old Blue Calico Japanese Bobtail spayed female

"She is special, not only because she is one of the last of her breed in the country, but also because of her excellent show condition, despite her advanced age She recently beat several other cats at a show when she won the veteran class This is the equivalent of a 76-year-old human model winning a beauty competition Sadly, there are no longer breeders of this unique breed in South Africa," Lamprecht , show manager and also an international all-breeds judge, says

"Japanese Bobtails are common in Japan and can sometimes be considered to be street cats They are relatively small cats with short, curly tails, forming a pompom The legend is that these cats saved the Japanese silk industry, when they were set free by Emperor decree and got rid of the mice that were eating all the silkworms

"From then they were seen as the 'good luck cat', as one would be assured of a successful silk harvest when one of these were sitting on your porch This is the origin of the well-known Me-Ke cat ornament, with one paw in the air, seen in many Chinese and Japanese establishments The popular 'Hello Kitty' was also based on the Japanese Bobtail," Lamprechts explains

"This celebrity's appearance will probably be her last at a show, as she now deserves a graceful retirement at home, playing with her friends, controlling her humans and demanding snacks by being cute, sitting with the one paw up, just to show she is really a Japanese Bobtail," he says

VARIOUSSTALLS

All cat lovers are welcome to visit and see the large variety of pedigree and nonpedigree cats and kittens There will also be various stalls, with lots of Christmas and cat-related merchandise One of the features of the show is the competition for best-decorated cage according to the theme “Cape Town Christmas”

Entrance is R30 for adults, R10 for pensioners and children under 12 years and R50 for families . Visit www.africancatclub weebly com, www osrbg.weebl.com and www.sacatsbg.weebly com for more information.

Oom Piet’s Xmas parties back at D’ville Race Course

A lot of hard work is being done in preparation for the return of the Durbanville Rotary Club’s iconic Oom Piet’s Christmas Party

After a long break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the much-beloved Oom Piet’s Christmas Party is back from 4 to 13 December at Durbanville Race Course

"We are thrilled to announce that Hollywoodbets has generously allowed us to use the venue again, where our beautiful castle still stands," says Carol Millar, a member of Durbanville Rotary Club "On Saturday 8 November our dedicated team mowed the lawn, dug deep holes and planted poles to create an enclosed arena for the festivities," she says The opening night on Wednesday 3

Artistic reconstruction of a newly hatched troodontid-like dinosaur resting among fragments of its eggshell (loosely based on Mongolian microtroodontid-type) These eggshells,when buried within ancient soil, interacted with meteoric waters,leading to early uranium incorporation into the eggshell calcite crystals

Dino eggshells unlock fossil ages with new SU method

An international team of geologists and paleontologists is pioneering a groundbreaking method to reliably determine the age of fossil-bearing rocks by directly dating fossilised dinosaur eggshells

The study, led by Dr Ryan Tucker from Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Department of Earth Sciences, was published in Communications Earth and Environment

Many fossil sites around the world are only coarsely dated

Without precise information on the geologic age of fossils, paleontologists struggle to understand how different species and ecosystems relate across time and space

Usually, researchers rely on dating minerals such as zircon or apatite found associated with fossils, but those minerals aren’t always present Attempts to date the fossils themselves, such as bones or teeth, have often produced uncertain results

URANIUM-LEADDATINGUSED

Dr Tucker’s team, consisting of MSc student Kira Venter and Prof Cristiano Lana from the elemental and isotope analysis laboratory at the university took a different approach

They used advanced uranium–lead dating and elemental mapping to measure trace amounts of uranium and lead housed inside the calcite of fossilized dinosaur eggshells

These isotopes function like a natural clock, enabling scientists to determine when the eggs were buried

This team from SU developed a novel method to age-date fossilized dinosaur eggs, using a neoma multi-collector,

inductively coupled plasma, mass spectrometer instrument, hosted in the elemental and isotope analysis laboratory in SU’s Department of Earth Sciences Tests on dinosaur eggs from Utah (USA) and the Gobi Desert (Mongolia) showed that the eggshells record ages with an accuracy of about five percent relative to precise volcanic-ash dates

In Mongolia, the team determined the first-ever direct age around 75 million years old for a historic locality preserving dinosaur eggs and nests

“Eggshell calcite is remarkably versatile,” says Dr Tucker “It gives us a new way to date fossil sites where volcanic layers are missing, a challenge that has limited paleontology for decades ”

COLLABORATIONS

The work involved collaborators from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina State University, Colorado School of Mines, Mongolian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Paleontology, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (Brazil)

Fieldwork in Mongolia was carried out through the Mongolian Alliance for Dinosaur Exploration and supported by the National Geographic Society and the National Science Foundation

By showing that dinosaur eggshells can reliably record the passage of geologic time, the study links biology and Earth science in a new way offering researchers a powerful tool to date fossil sites around the globe

“Armed with this new technique, we can unravel mysteries about dinosaur evolution that used to be insurmountable ”

December will be a charity night for 100 children from underprivileged communities

Each child will receive a meal, ice cream, a cold drink and a special gift from Father Christmas

The following nights, until 13 December, will be open to paying guests

A special show will also be presented on Thursday 11 December exclusively for children with special needs and neurodiversity to let them also experience a night of magic

These tickets will be available at a reduced price of R150 and only available directly from Carol Millar at millar@ mweb co za . Tickets are on sale via Quicket at R180 per person

Tokkiewilfokusopmansklokkie

CARINAROUX

CARINA ROUX@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA

Oor die laaste paar jaar was sy snor of baard pienk (of rooi) gekleur vir kankerbewusmaking by vroue Vanjaar wil Tokkie Matthee van Mabillepark met sy blougekleurde hangsnor egter die aandag op die manne laat val Matthee, wat soms ver paaie ry as hy abnormale vrag begelei, vertel hy sien altyd die pienk linte vir borskanker, en bome wat toegedraai is in pienk of rooi lap, maar die blou vir prostaatkankerbewusmaking is selde te sien

Op 1 November moes die snor blou gekleur word ter ondersteuning van die manne "wat 'n bietjie skaam is", sê hy Hy het immers self 'n pad met prostaatkanker gestap Matthee het in 2018 begin agterkom iets pla "Ek het 'n ongemaklikheid ervaar In 2019 is hy dokter toe "want dit het toe meer ernstig geraak" Vroeg in 2020 is aggressiewe prostaatkanker by hom gediagnoseer

Hy het die dokter gevra wat hy sou doen as die dokter in sy skoene was "Hy't gesê hy sou dit uitgehaal het " Matthee het dadelik besluit om die magtigingsvorm vir die operasie te onderteken

Dit wat hy met sy eerste besoek aan 'n uroloog by die Tygerberg-hospitaal gesien het, onthou hy goed "Daar is mos sulke lang gange Voor die deur waar jy ingaan na die uroloë sit ons toe 45 manne en wag " Die operasie sou in 2021 plaasvind, maar word toe midde-in die Covid-pandemie uitgestel

ONSEKERHEID

Die wagtyd was moeilik en vol onsekerheid

MATTHEEWILMANSDAARAANHERINNERDATHULLESTEEDS MANIS,ALISPROSTAATVERWYDER

"'n Mens is so dom; jy weet nie van die siekte nie Ek het vir die dokter gevra: 'Is kanker soos 'n erdwurm wat loop?' Hy't geantwoord: Nee, dit is meer gekonsentreerd op een kol' Maar dan hoor jy agterna snaakse goed van blaaskanker, lewerkanker ek was bietjie bang waarnatoe versprei hy (die kanker) ”

In daardie tyd was daar nog vyf mense met kanker in sy nabye omgewing Een van hulle het gehoor van 'n “doepa” by 'n plattelandse koöperasie

Matthee het besluit om die middel (diere-medisyne) te drink midde-in die onsekerheid omdat hy moes wag vir 'n plek in die hospitaal Elke derde dag drie slukkies Die 200 ml-botteltjie was so pas leeg toe kry hy die oproep dat hy kan kom vir die operasie "Twee weke daarna, toe maak als weer toe vir die tweede keer Toe is ek weer terug op die waglys "

In 2022 kon hy uiteindelik vir die

operasie gaan

Daarna moes hy 37 keer teruggaan vir bestraling Toe elke drie maande vir bloedtoetse en later elke ses maande "In Oktober het die dokter gesê hy is nie tevrede nie, want dit lyk of die telling bietjie geklim het Ek moet weer in Januarie gaan "

TOETSE

Mans is in die algemeen onkundig oor prostaatkanker en skrikkerig vir die “vingertoets”, sê Matthee Voordat hy in 2019 vir die fisieke ondersoek gegaan het, is sy bloed al getoets "Die dokter het gesê die prostaat is groot Die bloedtoets kon nie sien wat hy gevoel het nie " Hy is toe na Tygerberg-hospitaal verwys, waar hy gediagnoseer is Matthee raai mans aan om eerder dubbel seker te maak en buiten die bloedtoets ook vir die fisieke ondersoek te gaan Volgens die Kankervereniging van Suid-

Afrika (Kansa) toets die PSA-bloedtoets hoeveel prostaatspesifieke antigeen (PSA) ’n normale ensiem wat deur die prostaatklier vervaardig word aanwesig is Hoewel 'n verhoogde telling op prostaatkanker kan dui, is dit nie altyd so nie 'n Normale lesing sluit ook nie kanker uit nie Daarom word die fisieke ondersoek van die prostaat (via die rektum) ook aanbeveel veral vir mans ouer as 50 of vroeër vir diegene wat 'n familiegeskiedenis van prostaat- of borskanker het

Matthee draf al vir baie jare elke oggend 'n draai deur die buurt

"Ek het die dokters uitgevra daaroor, want ek wil hê my gewig moet konstant bly en my bloeddruk en hart moet gesond wees Hulle het gesê hou aan daarmee doen jou draffie, groet die mense in die gebied Dit is goed vir die siel om uit te kom, te kommunikeer; dit maak die gestel baie sterker "

Vir hom was die operasie die beste keuse "Ek wil nog leef, my draffie doen, gesond wees, vriende hê en ook vir hulle (hiervan) vertel "

"Ek dink baie manne voel as die prostaat uit is, is hulle nie meer manlik nie Dit pla my nie, ek het 'n vrou en kinders Ek wil net veilig en gesond wees vir die res van my lewe "

Sy boodskap aan die manne is om "oor te gee" en toe te laat dat die dokters help Prostaatkanker hoef nie 'n doodstraf te wees nie

En as jy hom raakloop met sy blou snor, knoop gerus 'n geselsie aan

. Prostaatkanker is die algemeenste kanker onder mans wêreldwyd en in Suid-Afrika. Volgens die Nasionale Kankerregister (2023) loop een uit 17 mans plaaslik die risiko om dit in hul lewe op te doen

kontant vir enige huis-houdelike goed klere, skoene, beddegoed, gordyne, speelgoed, oudhede, juweliersware - goud, breekgoed, potte, elektroniese ware. MEUBELS yskaste, beddens, Sitkamerstelle, tv's (en baie

SKINS SWIMMERS SET NEW RECORD WITH CAPE TRIPLE CROWN

Duofinish TripleCrown

South African open-water

swimmers Ryan Stramrood and Tracey Steyn have made history as the first skins swimmers – wearing only a costume, cap and goggles –to complete the Cape Triple Crown, one of Cape Town's most formidable marathon swimming challenges, successfully Steyn further cemented her place in the record books by becoming the first woman to complete the Triple Crown in skins, marking a landmark moment for South Africa's coldwater swimming community

The Cape Triple Crown consists of three world-class open water swims: the Double Robben Island Crossing (14,8 km), the False Bay Crossing (33 km), and the Three Capes Swim (10,2 km) The final leg, completed today, saw the swimmers traverse from Cape Point to Cape Maclear and the Cape of Good Hope under the guidance of Derrick Frazer and Big Bay Events, with official ratification by the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association (CLDSA)

BATTLINGRAWCAPECONDITIONS

The Three Capes Swim began at 07:00 in icy 12-degree water, rising to 18 degrees only after rounding Cape Point Known for its unpredictable and often dangerous currents, the Point tested both swimmers as they fought through strong flow and limited visibility caused by thick mist Despite the demanding conditions Stramrood and Steyn pushed through with

for Irish swimmer Barry Murphy before being refined by the CLDSA into its current internationally-recognised format Earlier this year Graeme King became the first male wetsuit swimmer to complete the Triple Crown Frazer praised the milestone, noting that the Triple Crown captures the essence of Cape Town's open-water heritage, from False Bay's intensity to the iconic Robben Island and the dramatic Three Capes coastline

The CLDSA has congratulated everyone involved in making this achievement possible, calling it an exciting moment for endurance swimming in Cape Town With the Cape Triple Crown now firmly on the global radar it is expected to inspire more swimmers, attract international competitors and elevate Cape Town as a premier destination for extreme openwater challenges