The recent hijacking of a Gift of the Givers, a humanitarian organisation, vehicle in Khayelitsha has been strongly criticised as police continue searching for the suspects.
The Isuzu LDV was reportedly hijacked in Lingelethu West on Friday 3 October It is alleged that five armed men hijacked the car at Diki Nyeka Square. The suspects, who are yet to be arrested, reportedly stopped their vehicle, a Toyota Yaris, in front of the Isuzu. They allegedly forced the three occupants out of the car and ordered them to get into the Yaris. They then
Lingelethu-West police registered a ca jacking case. “According to reports the complainant was driving a white Isuzu LDV clearly marked Gift of the Givers. He was going to drop two colleagues at Diki Nyeka Square when they arrived at the mentioned address a Toyota Yaris stopped in front of them, five males positively armed got out of the vehicle, threatened them and demanded that they must get out of the LDV,” explained Van Wyk, adding that the driver and his colleagues were then put in the Toyota Yaris and drove to an informal settlement with no electricity, where the suspects wanted to remove the vehicle’s tracker device and damaged the
location.
Van Wyk stated that the occupants were found unharmed. He said the car was taken as an exhibit and for further processing. Ward 99 councillor Lonwabo Mqina condemned the incident and urged the community to unite against any wrongdoing. He urged the officers not to leave any stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to book. He praised Gift of the Givers for its work in communities in times of difficulty.
“The Gift of the Givers supports us when we have floods or shack fires by giving us food, clothes, mattresses etc It is imperative that as community we protect them from wrongdoers,” said Mqina.
tures and forcefully removed the tea from the car “The team was bundled into the Yaris while two of the suspects sped off in the sponsored Gift of the Givers van The suspects drove our staff to a secluded location surrounded by informal structures with no electricity. In their attempt to locate and remove the vehicle's tracker device, they stripped the dashboard and inadvertently triggered the panic alarm Johnny Jaftha of Tracker Connect, upon receiving the alert, immediately sprang into action. Despite the evident danger of the area and without backup, he selflessly put his own life at risk to locate and assist our team,” said Sablay.
Yomelela Primary School gardener Siyabulela Jama, second right; and some of the learners show off some of the fresh produce from the school garden Read more on page 3
PHOTO: UNATHI OBOSE
a subsidiary of Novusmedia.
thulani.magazi@novusmedia.co.za or unathi.obose@novusmedia.co.za
I was born free. At least, that is what the constitution says. However, thirty years into democracy, as I follow the Madlanga Commission and Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s explosive allegations, I am forced to confront a harsh truth, we are born free in words, yet shackled in practice.
Mkhwanazi, the KZN province’s top police officer, testified that Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) tasked with probing politically linked murders was disbanded, allegedly to protect influential interests and allow criminal networks to operate unchecked while other crucial police units have been infiltrated by criminals.
High-ranking officials allegedly manipulated the justice system to serve private interests, while ordinary citizens bore the consequences of a state that failed to protect them.
While the Commission shines a light on these abuses, history warns that commissions alone rarely translate into justice unless accompanied by political will and public pressure.
Yet corruption is only one layer of our constrained freedom. Economic dependency compounds the problem
South Africa’s sovereignty, a is tethered to the dollar, global investors and international credit ratings
Bold redistributive policies that could empower marginalised communities, improve social services, or address inequali-
A journo’s voice
- Namhla Monakali -
ty are constrained by fears of capital flight and market backlash.
We are politically free on paper, but economically tethered, our choices limited by forces far beyond our borders.
The irony is palpable. Like the enslaved souls on plantations back in the day, who longed for liberty promised by nature but denied by law, we too are confined by greed, political interference, and economic pressures that define the boundaries of our democracy.
Freedom, it seems, is both a birthright and a daily struggle, always threatened by those in power and by the global structures within which our country must operate.
Our liberation is not only a fight against corruption but against the allure of power itself Power has the capacity to twist ideals and erode integrity. We see this in the way political interference compromises law enforcement, how institutions meant
to safeguard justice are manipulated, and how opportunities meant to uplift the many are redirected to serve the few.
This Commission is significant not because it guarantees justice, but because it exposes the mechanisms that have allowed corruption and interference to persist. It reminds us that accountability is a process, not an event. Yet exposure without action is insufficient.
We must demand that its findings lead to prosecutions, reforms, and strengthened institutions. Progressive economic and social policies must be pursued not in the abstract, but as part of a broader struggle to reclaim our democracy from corruption elements.
Being “born free” is not enough.
Thirty years into democracy, the question remains, have we truly seen freedom? Or are we still navigating the gilded cage of a state constrained by corruption and economic dependence?
This Commission is a crucial step toward answering that question, but it is not the last. We were promised a future built on hope and equality. That future is still possible But it requires courage, not just from those who testify in commissions, but from all of us who refuse to accept the gap between the freedom we inherit and the freedom we deserve
Only then can being “born free” mean something real.
WhoistoblameforSamora’sbrokenroads?
God bless Samora Machel!
If Samora residents have done anything against the will of God, I appeal to Him to place all their sins on me. I’m ready to die on their behalf.
thulani.magazi@novusmedia.co.za
Novus Media www cityvision.co.za
mediaombud@novusmedia co.za
Nothing is working in that community. It’s in a state of decay. Their roads are in ruins and there is an unpleasant stench in the air.
What is happening in Samora Machel?
Every now and then we see the City workers fixing their severely damaged roads, but there is no sign of improvement. Almost all the roads are damaged. If there is no sewage overflow, there is a pothole, some as big as trenches
I am not sure who to blame; the subcontractors who repair the roads or the community. While driving around the area the other day, I saw a woman who looked as if she was washing her clothes and discarding the water on the road instead of throw-
A journo’s
ing it down the drain.
Some residents complain and accuse the subcontractors of shoddy workmanship. I agree with them that this might be part of the problem, but how about the drainage system that is blocked daily?
During my discussion with Ward 33 councillor Lungisa Somdaka he indicated that part of the reason for all the blockages in the area are people who discard foreign ob-
jects in the drain. That means the community has a hand in the ongoing challenges in the area Honestly speaking, the community has a hand in this current situation in Samora Machel.
One day when the president and his ministers have a chance, they need to go there and see it for themselves and stop delegating other people These challenges do not suggest that the City does not provide services to the community but it’s looking as if it is fighting a losing battle. There are many other areas that have similar challenges, but Samora tops the list. It’s time for the community to conduct an introspection and ask themselves serious questions. We can’t keep on shifting the blame to the City.
The City can do every thing, but if residents do not take care and protect whatever is provided to them, all the good work goes to the drain.
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IsiXhosareaderscompeteinLanga
UNATHIOBOSE
In an effort to encourage the learners to read and preserve IsiXhosa, the Ibuyambo Book Festival and the Langa Library held IsiXhosa Reading Competition semi-finals on Friday 26 September at Langa Library.
A total of four primary schools, including Siyabulela, Zimasa, Thembani and Mokone, participated in the event.
The competition targeted learners in Grade 4 and Grade 5, with 14 and 19 learners per grade, respectively.
They were judged by former Xhosa teachers.
Pumla Makeleni, the founder of Ibuyambo, a non-profit company focusing on revitalising, preserving, and promoting indigenous languages in the province, described the festival as the first of its kind She said the intention is to make reading books fashionable in the townships. “It is our first competition, and we are intending to do it annually. We are just testing the waters. We aim to go to other areas where there are Xhosa speaking people because we are mainly focused on IsiXhosa,” she said.
Makeleni expressed a concern about literacy among learners from lower Grades. She said they mostly read without understanding. She said they are trying to instil
the culture of reading at an early stage.
“In our research we discovered that only 20% of learners who are at lower Grades can read to understand. As an organisation we also have a Creative Writing Club to ensure that after they have completed primary school the club can accommodate them even if they are at high school,” she explained.
Nontsikelelo Dyani, who is a teacher from Zimasa Community School, described the competition as informative. She said it helps the learners to constantly read.
“Majority of the learners are struggling to write. Sometimes they can pronounce the words but struggle to write them down, particularly those words that have a click sound like nkqe, qhu, rh etc,” she explained. She urged the parents to encourage their children to read Xhosa books instead of focusing on English books. She said the competition gives them more exposure and boosts their confidence
A Grade 4 learner from Thembani,
Zethembe Ndzo (10) said the competition was fun. “I’m used to reading. I didn’t struggle at all. Instead I was so excited reading in front of the people,” said Ndzo. Makeleni said 24 learners proceeded to the finals to be held on Friday 24 October at Guga Sthebe Cultural Centre. “There are 14 learners from Gr 4 and 10 from Gr 5 who proceeded to the finals,” she concluded.
Children get new ortho unit
The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) has marked a major milestone in paediatric healthcare with the opening of a new orthopaedic unit.
Funded entirely through donor contributions and spearheaded by the Children’s Hospital Trust, the state-of-the-art facility brings together all inpatient and outpatient orthopaedic services under one roof
It features a 30-bed ward, two specialist operating theatres, two procedure rooms, outpatient consultation spaces, a central nurses’ station, and a physiotherapy gym with an outdoor therapeutic play area.
Delivering the keynote address at the launch last week Tuesday, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the new unit would raise the standard of care for children across South Africa.
“May this new orthopaedic unit raise the bar even higher and enable you to bring more hope, more comfort, better care, and new opportunities in life to even more boys and girls in our city,” Hill-Lewis told staff, praising the hospital team who “make miracles happen”
The facility also carries the legacy of the Maitland Cottage Children’s Orthopaedic Hospital, which closed its doors after nearly a century of service.
Orthopaedic services from Maitland were consolidated into Red Cross due to growing patient demand and complex care needs.
Reflecting on this legacy, Ian Scott, former chair of the Maitland Cottage Hospital board, said: “A group of compassionate people got together and bought two cottages in Maitland for the care of children with orthopaedic needs greater than that which was available at the time. I think those guys who started it nearly 100 years ago would be super proud of what they see here today.”
Red Cross CEO Dr Anita Parbhoo said the project was born out of necessity. “Previously, our orthopaedic services were rendered across two separate facilities, at Maitland Cottage Hospital in Newlands, and here at Red Cross. This project created a new, combined multidisciplinary space for the management of children who require specialised orthopaedic and rehabilitation services.”
The new unit is expected to serve over 5000 patients annually, while providing training opportunities for future paediatric orthopaedic specialists.
Each year, the Paediatric Orthopaedic Department manages around 1700 admissions, 5 500 outpatient visits, and 1000 surgeries, including treatment for about 1400 children at its clubfoot clinic.
Trust CEO Chantel Cooper described the journey to completion as a collective achievement.
“This has been a tricky project, but with every challenge, there came opportunities. And with the opportunities, we’ve found the value of collaboration. The important thing was, we solved the problems together.”
She thanked donors for making the project possible.
“This project is 100% funded by donors. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without your support. Thank you for trusting us to do what we do best, and that is creating safe spaces for the Red Cross team to provide an incredible service to children and their families.”
The unit is a beacon of hope for thousands of children in the Western Cape and beyond, reinforcing the hospital’s reputation as a leader in paediatrics in Africa.
New commissioner to build relations for children’s
benefit
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
“We as adults, government and civil society are raising the next generation of adults, and we only get one chance to do this. We should not mess this up ” With those powerful words, Sarah Roberts steps into her new role as the Western Cape’s Commissioner for Children
Roberts officially stepped into her new role as the province’s second Commissioner for Children on Wednesday 1 October, bringing with her over 30 years of experience
For the past 14 years, she served as Acting Magistrate in the Family and Children’s Court at the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court.
Roberts succeeds Christina Nomdo, the inaugural Commissioner, and will serve a five-year term.
The Western Cape Commissioner for Children is an independent governance institution mandated to protect and promote the rights, needs and interests of children in the province.
The commissioner works closely with the departments of Education, Health, Social Development, as well as Cultural Affairs and Sport and reports to the Western Cape Legislature on activities, functions and progress on objectives
The institution plays a vital role in amplifying children’s perspectives, influencing policy decisions, and holding the government accountable for the services provided to children in the Western Cape.
In an interview with City Vision’s sister newspaper People’s Post, Roberts said her first day in office felt like starting high school. “I was very stressed and it felt like a Grade 8 going to high school for the first time. But after settling in and meeting the staff I am really excited for this new chapter in my life. I know it will take me some time to find my feet and want to be able to use this platform to better the lives of the children of the Western Cape. So, I am ready.”
Roberts expressed her readiness to take on the role and make a meaningful impact.
“A huge problem facing children is legal documents, or the lack thereof. Children without birth certificates are such a problem in the Western Cape. I do understand that it does not fall directly under the mandate of the Children’s Commissioner, but I want to try and help by cultivating and strengthening strategic relationships with
these additional departments and other organisations providing services to children to ensure a comprehensive and collaborative approach to child welfare.”
She believes more children should be out on the sports field, not the streets
“Sport is also very important to me and if we can get children away from the streets onto sports fields, maybe then we can give them alternatives to getting into gangs or getting into trouble with the law ”
Roberts said the office of the Children’s Commissioner is currently under-resourced with only two permanent employees and two additional staff members on contract
Roberts emphasised the importance of the office to be fully and appropriately resourced to “make an impact and fulfil its mandate”.
“This means not only an increase in the number of personnel but also ensuring that these positions are filled with individuals possessing the necessary expertise and experience to navigate the complex and sensitive issues surrounding children’s rights and well-being ”
She said her immediate priority will be to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the “staffing needs of the office”.
“This will involve identifying crucial positions that are currently vacant and then working to secure the necessary funding and approvals to recruit qualified professionals.”
Roberts believes her legal background will be beneficial to her “In the Children’s Court I dealt directly with families and a child has a voice in a Children’s Court. So, listening to what a child has to say, is what defines a Children’s Court from other Courts I believe that I therefore have an understanding as to the issues parents and children struggle with.”
Grade 5 learner from Siyabulela Primary, Othandwayo Sinombo (11), reads a book during the competition while other learners and the judges listen attentively PHOTO: UNATHI OBOSE
Sarah Roberts the Western Cape’s new Commissioner for Children PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis, Chief of Operations WC Department of Health and Wellness Dr Saadiq Kariem, CEO of the Children’s Hospital Trust Chantel Cooper, chair of the Children’s Hospital Trust Llewellyn Smith, chair of Maitland Cottage Children’s Orthopaedic Hospital Ian Scott, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital CEO Dr Anita Parbhoo
Patrollers receive new gear
UNATHIOBOSE
Ward 34 neighbourhood watch members were over the moon on Wednesday 1 October as they received working equipment donated by the City The event was held at Brown’s Farm Community Hall
At least five neighbourhood watch groups benefited Among others, they received jackets, torches and reflector vests Ward councillor Melikhaya Gadeni said the equipment was bought through ward allocation budget to fight crime in the area
A total of 70 jackets, 25 torches, 5 firstaid kits, 6 headlamps, 5 body cameras, 25 reflect vests and 10 radios were bought
“The equipment cost about R150 000 from our ward allocation money The aim is to ensure that our neighbourhood watch members are safe and protected We are trying to provide all the necessary equipment that is needed,” said Gadeni He said he believes the equipment will motivate and boost the spirits of the patrollers
Gadeni stated they need more people to join the neighbourhood watches
“I have five neighbourhood watch groups in my ward and they include Siyazama, Kwakhanya, Fire Ban, Masiqhame and Sizisithemba We still need more people to join them
“We are appealing to the community to work with them If they see anything wrong or suspicious in their areas, they can report it to the neighbourhood watch members and they will call the officers,” he explained Siyazama Neighbourhood Watch chair Ncumisa Jaxa said the equipment means a lot to them
She said it came at the right time as peo-
ple are preparing for the festive season
“We are appreciating what the councillor has done for us It will be easy for the people to recognise us
“The first-aid kit will assist us when we encounter a problem Most of the time we are always on the ground, and we are the first people to wit-
ness all these incidents before the officers arrive,” said Jaxa She urged the community to respect their job and work with them.
Some of Ward 34 Neighbourhood Watch members with their new equipment PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Mambazo to take fans on a new journery
THULANIMAGAZI
Following their successful tour of Cape Town two years ago, globally acclaimed Ladysmith Black Mambazo is gearing up for another triumphant return to the Mother City.
The multi-award-winning group will set the Artscape Theatre stage ablaze with their music from tomorrow (10 October) until Sunday 12 October They hope to emulate their 2023 tour, where they performed in front of a sold-out Artscape for two nights This weekend’s show forms part of the group’s nationwide tour to mark their 65th anniversary.
They will be joined on stage by Abantakwethu, a Khayelitsha-based isicathamiya group which they discovered during their previous visit to Cape Town.
Established in 1960 and with many global accolades, the group has continued to wow audiences at home and abroad despite many changes to the personnel and the Cape Town event will be no different.
In an interview with City Vision ahead of their much-anticipated visit to Cape Town, Sibongiseni Shabalala said the tour was in response to calls made by the patrons in 2023. “We are back by popular demand,” he said. “When we were here we sang in front of a packed venue and people wanted more.”
Shabalala shared how the group has embraced change, transitioned from the generation that established the group to the current crop of musicians. “We still stick to the same old message of peace and togetherness and we encourage people to love one another,” he explained.
While the group will be performing many of their popular songs, Shabalala also promised supporters a taste of their new music. “The main purpose of our tour is to celebrate our 65th anniversary with our supporters. We also have a new single that we are promoting. “My father taught us to use music that will unite the people, a music that is relevant and we are continuing with that legacy as much as we continue to tap into the youth. People of Cape Town must come out and have fun,” Shabalala elaborated. He praised his late father, Joseph Shabalala, for planting a seed that continues to flourish years after his demise While most music groups fail to last over 10 years, Shabalala hailed his father for ensuring continuity. “My father was able to train us from a young age. He always had the door open to anyone who wanted to say something. He encouraged open communication. Instead of criticising someone, he embraced different opinions,” he said Now 53, Shabalala joined the group at the age of 21 and is part of singers that continue to bring smiles and excitement among audiences in South Africa and the rest of the world. “There is a general belief that we are more popular abroad which is not true. If we were not popular and supported here at home we would not be where we are. We are here to say thank you to South Africa and people around the world, especially SA. They are the ones who supported this group. They are the ones who sacrificed to support this group,” he said and appealed to Capetonians not to miss out the show.
Tickets are available through webtickets.
The matric class of 2025 are just over 10 days away from this year’s National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam From Tuesday 21 October to Wednesday 26 November about 67 000 learners in the Western Cape will be writing their final school exam.
According to the Western Cape Education Department, about 22 000 matric learners attended the #BackOnTrack Winter School during the mid-year holidays, which took place in all the education districts in the province.
Revision classes are currently taking place as part of the ongoing Spring school holidays.
David Maynier, provincial education minister, said: “Our annual Matric Support booklet has been delivered to schools, which contains past matric papers, administrative details like the exam timetable and pass requirements, study tips and advice for post-school studies
“We have collected a wide variety of eLearning resources to support our matrics, including past papers and memos, video lessons, content summaries and study guides.”
Maynier said learners who experience exam stress are encouraged to seek support. “We encourage all learners who are struggling, or adults who are concerned about a learner’s mental health, to reach out to us for help. School staff can seek guidance from our district support teams, and our Safe Schools Hotline [0800 45 46 47 toll free] can connect learners with help from our partner government departments and NGOs.”
The minister appealed to the public for a peaceful examination period. “They do not need the added stress of protests and disruptions in and around schools. Please put the best interests of our children first, so that they are in the best possible mindset for the exam.”
He wished the class of 2025 well for their final exam. “We are here to support you, and we cannot wait to celebrate with you when the results are released in 2026.”
• To access the study guides visit https:// www westerncape gov za/education/matric-support
UGQIRHA DLAMINI Ngidume kakhulu Nezinkinga zemali Imali
UGQIRHA BABA YAMGOZA
Sport
Club rugby in Western Province will have no promotion-relegation next year to give the sides that won promotion-relegation a chance to better their positions on the logs.
A total of 16 teams will be in action in each of the three Super Leagues A, B and C. At the end of the season, the top eight teams in each League will play in the Presidents Cup and the bottom eight
teams will be divided into four leagues, Super A, B, C and D of 12 teams each, and the rest in the four regions - Paarl, Southern, Northern and City
The format of the competition will be on a home and away basis and each team will play 21 matches in total to fulfill their fixtures.
The 98 teams will then be ranked on their current positions in the different logs of 2025.
Currently, Villager are number
compiled on their current position in Super A, B and C and the zones.
With no promotion-relegation, teams will aspire to finish in a better position in their respective logs next year.
Because the tertiary institutions are involved in Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield at the beginning of the year and other USSA tournaments during the club rugby season, their encounters against
Seagulls FC from Mitchells Plain during the Wynberg St Johns annual u-10 tournament played in Wynberg on Sunday 5 October The game ended 0-0 The 34th edition of the competition ends tomorrow (10 October)
PHOTO: RASHIED ISAACS
catch-up rugby after their tertiary commitments.
The club competition in WP starts on 1 April and problems experienced every year are: sharing of fields with other sporting codes like cricket, athletics or baseball, and in some cases rugby fixtures are fulfilled on school fields in communities.
These problems are being addressed in discussions with the different municipalities to find
a solution to accommodate all clubs.
The comprehensive rugby fixtures will be available next year before the season kicks off Villager are currently involved in the Gold Cup competition and beat Hamiltons in the South Section on Saturday 4 October by 27-14.
They will play in the quarter-final play against Gardens on Saturday in Brookside
Robertson Town is Boland's representative in the competition and beat Worcester Villagers by 52-23 and will play College Rovers on Saturday
Linako Matibane of Beautifulgate FC from Philippi controls the ball ahead of Caleb Garrett of
