One of the shacks under the electricity tower in Joe Slovo informal settlement in Langa PHOTO: UNATHI OBOSE
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Meat vendors urged to take responsibility
UNATHIOBOSE
As the rubbish continues to mount around Zone 20 in Langa, local meat vendors are worried about the detrimental effects this may have on their business.
They are now appealing to the City of Cape Town to clean the neighbourhood, particularly around their stalls They say the customers are reluctant to buy their meat because of all the dirt.
One of the traders who called herself Madlamini said it has been a while since the area was cleaned. “It’s been almost a month now, the rubbish has not been collected here. It is bad for our business and customers as well. When the customers see the pile of rubbish they pass and buy it at other stalls,” she said.
Madlamini said they generally ask ama-
phara to clean the rubbish and pay them She said all they need is a container where they can dump their rubbish.
Another meat vendor, MaBhayi, accused the people who stay at the nearby flats of illegally dumping in the area “We are not the only ones who are dumping the rubbish here. Some of the people who are residing in flats also dump the rubbish here. Now, we are the victims because it looks like we are the ones who don’t care,” said MaBhayi
Ward 52 councillor Thembelani Nyamakazi said he knew about the stalls and blamed the meat vendors for not taking responsibility for their actions. He said a cleaning company was hired by the City.
“They are the ones who caused the mess. I always call the rubbish truck to clean the area They need to take responsibility. They must man up,” said Nyamakazi.
Fernando Classsen, founder and director of Soccer Budyz with some of the children before the start of the tournament at Sansbury Mall in Eerste River on Saturday 3 May
Budyzcreatessafespaces
AVRILFILLIES
The non-profit organisation (NPO) Soccer Budyz in Athlone was founded in 2017 by Fernando Classen with a mission rooted in community upliftment.
Recognising the powerful role that football can play in creating safe spaces and teaching valuable life skills he launched the programme to address a gap in early childhood development.
“The journey began with coaching sessions at Genesis Educare, my local church crèche, and has since grown into a citywide initiative.
“Our vision is to use football as a tool for empowerment, education and development,” he says.
Soccer Budyz formed a partnership with 14 schools of the Cornelius Private Schools across Cape Town in areas such as Khayelitsha, Mandalay, Maitland, Pinelands, Athlone, Claremont, Ottery, Mitchells Plain, Durbanville, Kuils River, Eerste River, Goodwood and Parow.
“We run development programmes for girls and boys from ages two to 16 years at three key venues, at Oude Molen High in Pinelands, in Rylands in Hadji Ebrahim Crescent, at Sansbury Mall in Eerste River for children transitioning from our grassroots programmes,” he says
Soccer Budyz operate on an affordable fee structure that ensures accessiblity This applies to both their school-based extra mural sessions and structured development programmes at set venues
On Saturday 3 May they held the Soccer Budyz Cornelius Private School Cup tournament at Sansbury Mall in Eerste River for 14 of their franchise schools
Two weeks ago, they held a sports day in Lansdowne in partnership with the Lansdowne, Kenwyn, Rondebosch and Sybrand Park (LKRS) Educare Forum organised by Aziza Ebrahim, manager of Jumpstart Educare in Lansdowne
Contact Classen on 067 087 7443 or email soccerbudyzhsd@gmail.com for more information.
Pile of rubbish illegal dumped behind the stalls in Zone 20 PHOTO: UNATHI OBOSE
“There is a certain group of people who described themselves as parents of the children in Zimasa Primary who don’t want us and they are trying by all means to stop us going there,” he said, adding that their councillor was among them.
He accused the councillor of betraying them.
“We see Nyamakazi talking in the media citing that he is not aware of our relocation
“But, we ask ourselves if he doesn’t know about it, why is he siding with other people who are against us? Why is he not neutral? Instead he decided to choose sides,” he said Another resident blamed the protesting residents for using children to stop the project.
“Zimasa learners, including my child, were protesting against our relocation My child told me that they were instructed by the teachers to go out and protest. She (the daughter) said she didn’t know what they were protesting for,” she said She stated that they are ready to relocate to the new area She also lambasted Nyamakazi for making them a stepladder to become a leader.
“We voted for Nyamakazi to
fight for us, not to be against us. Come local government elections we will show him,” she said, adding that she has lived under the electricity tower for 13 years Nyamakazi is adamant that he won’t interfere with something that he was not involved with from the beginning He said the City officials didn’t inform him about the project.
“I’m not going to take responsibility for something that I was not informed about. The City officials undermined my office and did as they pleased.
“I still maintain that I don’t know what is going on there I was not informed,” said Nyamakazi, adding that if there is anything that occurs to the people while they are there (new area), they must go and ask councillor Angus Mackenzie in Bonteheuwel and his friends.
When City Vision asked Nyamakazi if he spoke to the residents about the relocation and briefed them about the plans he said: “I can’t go and address people about something that I don’t have details about. I don’t know the time frame that they are going to stay there I know nothing about it. If I go there, what am I going to say?” asked Nyamakazi.
A shack built under the tower PHOTOS: UNATHI OBOSE
Wardcouncillorplans‘invasion’of the provincialhousingofficesbycrowd
UNATHIOBOSE
Ward 40 councillor Bongani Ngcombolo is threatening to mobilise the community to go and invade the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure demanding to know the progress on the Luyolo project in Gugulethu.
He said the project was closed after four security guards were attacked on duty in November 2022. (“Construction site in Gugulethu shut down after four security guards are shot”, City Vision, 17 November 2022).
Ngcombolo said they are still in the dark about the housing development in that area.
“We will hold a meeting soon as community to find a way forward about that project. But our aim is to go to the provincial
office in large numbers to ask about it. No one has updated us since it was closed,” said Ngcombolo He cited that the beneficiaries are mainly backyarders from that vicinity.
Melchior Botes, spokesperson for Western Cape Department of Infrastructure Tertius Simmers, said the department is currently engaging with the City to assist with the reopening of the site for the completion of the project.
He cited that the ongoing violence and criminal activities are some of the challenges that pose risks to the health and safety of staff and affected parties.“There are 200 houses comprising both single and multi-storey units. And since November 2024 to date the department has spent approximately R2.4m for security on this project,” said Botes.
Parents who missed the initial admissions window for Grade R, 1 or 8 in 2026 have until tomorrow (16 May) to apply for their children
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) announced that it received late applications for 8 603 learners for these grades, bringing the total number of learners applied for thus far to 173 872.
According to the WCED, the online system will close tomorrow. “So we encourage any parent who still needs to apply to do so urgently. After this date, late applications will need to be submitted at education district offices or schools. Late applications will only be considered by schools after the applications received during the on-time window have been considered. We appeal to parents to submit their late applications as soon as possible. It helps us to plan better if additional school places are required,” announced the department.
Schools are currently considering the applications received during the on-time window and are applying their admissions policies to select successful applicants.
They will start to make offers of acceptance to parents from Friday 30 May, and parents will need to confirm their acceptance by Tuesday 17 June
The most important thing that parents can do now before the outcomes are available is to ensure that they update the department if their contact details change. Every year, we face challenges with parents who are uncontactable when an offer is available for their child, so we urge parents to assist us by being accurate
Parents can contact the WCED call centre on 0861 819 919 (press 1 for admissions) to make the necessary changes to their contact details
The online window for transfer applications for Grades 2 to 7 and 9 to 12 will open on Monday 4 August and close on Monday 18 August. Transfer applications for learners who have reached their highest grade in their school, or whose parents have relocated, will be prioritised.
The online admissions system, as well as more information about the admissions process, is available on the WCED website: https://www westerncape gov za/education/service/learner-admissions
Luyolo project closed in Gugulethu PHOTO: UNATHI OBOSE
Funding crisis hits HIV and TB health services
NAMHLAMONAKALI
More than two months after the abrupt withdrawal of USAid funding left nearly 700 health-care workers at risk and essential HIV and TB services in crisis, vulnerable children are now facing the most devastating fallout yet.
In a follow-up to an 11 March report in City Vision, new testimony from affected families reveals the human cost of the R360 million shortfall. Community-based organisations such as Empilweni, funded through the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Programme of the Networking HIV/ Aids Community of Southern Africa (Nacosa), are scaling back or shutting down, leaving children with HIV without psychosocial support, medical linkage or basic legal documentation. “These are not just numbers,” said Vuyi Skiti, head of monitoring and evaluation at Nacosa. “These are children’s lives, teens finding out their HIV status for the first time, caregivers holding families together. If we disappear so does their safety net.”
The OVC programme, supported through the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), was instrumental in ensuring medication adherence, birth registration, school access and emotional well-being for some of the most marginal-
ised children of the Western Cape. Premier Alan Winde described the funding cuts as “heartbreaking and deeply unfortunate”. Provincial Health and Wellness Minister Mireille Wenger warned that the collapse of NGO support will severely strain an already-overburdened health system.
While the provincial government has since implemented urgent measures such as multi-month dispensing and e-scripting to ease clinic pressure the gap left in community-based care is unbridgeable, local partners say Nacosa and local organisations such as Empilweni have called on international and local donors to help match emergency funding from the HCI Foundation, which stepped in to sustain adolescent-focused programmes temporarily. The Western Cape faced a R350 million shortfall to maintain stable HIV and TB care Global solidarity is seen as being critical to prevent the reversal of years of progress. Patients are urged to continue their antiretroviral treatment. “Stay in care, not just for your own health, but to protect your family and community,” Wenger said. Nacosa’s collection of case studies, “When the Funding Stops: The Children Behind the Numbers”, offers a heart-wrenching look at lives at stake. Visit www nacosa. org za/when-the-funding-stops-the-children-behind-the-numbers
Nurseswanttoberecognised
UNATHIOBOSE
Workers at the Nyanga Community Health Centre marked International Nurses Day (IND) by educating and empowering each other on Monday 12 May.
The IND is celebrated worldwide to honour the birth of Florence Nightingale and workers gathered at the facility boardroom to help each other.
Pumla Mgqaliso, facility manager, described the occasion as a special event. She said the day reminded them of the person who started the profession “Florence Nightingale was born on 12 May 1820 and she was the first professional nurse. Her first commendation was on 12 May 1962. The aim is to recognise the role played by nurses in society,” she explained.
Mgqaliso described their profession as difficult. She said it required a lot of perseverance. She stated that nursing is one of the essential works that needs to be respected. “We are also trying to promote our profession as we feel it is undermined by many people. People don’t take us seriously. They undermine us even though we are one of the people on the front line,”
High-schoolstudyshowsvapes
arenolessriskythancigarettes
In a survey conducted in 52 high schools across South Africa 17,82% of the learners between Grades 8 and 12 reported currently using vaping products, with 47% vaping within the first hour of waking, suggesting high nicotine addiction. In addition to this, 36,7% reported having tried vaping before.
As with nicotine in conventional cigarettes, research has shown that the substance in vapes or e-cigarettes can cause severe impairment to the growing teenage brain, leading to cognitive difficulties, mental-health issues including depression and anxiety, and increased risk of violent behaviour, other substance use and suicidal thoughts and attempts.
According to the study at least a quarter of South African Grade 12 learners admit to vaping regularly, both as a social activity and stress-coping mechanism, and usage filters down through all high school grades to primary-school learners
While teenagers are well-attuned to the health and addiction risks of conventional cigarettes, the real risks of vaping are obscured by funky flavours and packaging, aggressive youth targeting in its marketing and misconceptions about safety, a member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists, Dr Nokuthula Mdaka, said.
Cloudofmisinformation
“The brain is still developing up to the age of about 25,” she pointed out.
“The adolescent brain is particularly susceptible to nicotine, which not only ‘primes’ the brain for addiction, but also harms the areas of the brain involved in attention and learning, mood regulation and impulse control.
With vaping not bound by the restrictions on advertising and marketing of tobacco products and the ban on sale to under-18s she said the products were being directly targeted at young people and seen as integral part of youth lifestyle and culture that is socially acceptable to young people and adults.
Novel fruit, candy and dessert flavours specifically appeal to teenagers and young people, while aggressive marketing targets youth via social media platforms such as TikTok, influencers and celebrities, and events linking in with their interests and popular culture.
“That half of vape shops in South Africa are within a 5km radius of a tertiary education institution campus comes as no surprise,” Mdaka said “The danger in the ready availability of vaping products is that young people are being exposed to the harmful effects of nicotine and showing signs of addiction at increasingly earlier ages. In addition to incurring earlier damage to physical health and brain development, which could impact on their learning ability and future potential, it is also opening the door to further harmful substance use, potential addiction and mental harm.”
Unconvincingevidence
A further concern arises from a local study that found a link between vaping and poor nutrition in young people aged 18-34, with half of vape users consuming unhealthy foods as well as having lower fruit and vegetable intake than non-smokers and non-vapers
she said Mgqaliso said many clinics have changed as they are now outsourcing their services.
“We have community-oriented primary care (COPC) who are visiting our communities, providing services Instead of the patients coming to the centre, we have people visiting their homes rendering some of the services. Our aim is to bring the services closer to the people,” she explained She mentioned the testing of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), high blood pressure, HIV etc as some of the services they render to the communities.
Mgqibisa described their relationship with the community as solid Sister Amanda Silingo, who works at the paediatrics Unit with children under five years old, described the occasion as special
She highlighted the shortage of staff as a major challenge “We are supposed to cater for children from Nyanga only, but because people like our services they come as far as Delft, Samora Machel, Philippi, Gugulethu, Lower Crossroads and Crossroads. Sometimes we have no lunch because we want to help everyone," she explained.
“Young people, and adults as well, have the misconception that vaping is less harmful than tobacco use and underestimate the risks, to the extent that parents even buy vaping devices for their children.”
Mdaka added that concerns about the rise and potential harm of vaping among teenagers extended to “non-nicotine” vapes, as they are similarly habit-forming with the potential to lead to other substance use, mental-health issues and they carry similar physical health risks from the chemical components over and above nicotine
Vapingasacopingstrategy
The relationship between vaping and mental health is “bi-directional”, Mdaka said, since teenagers who are experiencing underlying mental-health issues may be at risk of using vaping as a coping strategy, which in turn could worsen the symptoms of pre-existing conditions such as depression and anxiety.
“There is substantial published evidence that teenagers with existing depression or depressive symptoms are more likely to begin vaping, while the incidence of depression, considering suicide and suicide attempts are higher in teenagers that do vape than in those who don’t.”
While vaping is promoted as a means to stop conventional cigarette smoking Mdaka said the evidence was unconvincing, and could lead to individuals smoking more as vaping appears to be more socially acceptable
She pointed to the 2022 South African E-Cigarette Survey, which found that one in five (19%) users with no previous smoking history started smoking conventional cigarettes only after using e-cigarettes, while only one in eight (13%) quit conventional smoking after taking up e-cigarettes.
Harmful chemicals
According to the Tobacco Data Control Initiative, which led the survey, vapes, e-cigarettes and similar products pose health risks to both users and those exposed to the “second-hand” aerosol emissions, whether they contain nicotine or are nicotine-free
While marketers of vaping products claim the aerosol emitted is “nothing more than water vapour”, studies have shown that the particles delivered by vapes are similar to those of cigarettes and they reach deep into the lungs. Vaping products also contain more than 20 harmful and potentially harmful chemicals at significantly higher levels than in conventional cigarettes
The products have been shown to contain toxicants and carcinogens that can affect the eyes
PHOTO: PEXELS
Some of the nurses at Nyanga CHC sitting in boardroom during the event PHOTO: UNATHI OBOSE
Driver’s-licence printer working again for now
Thousands of motorists who have been awaiting a new driver’s-licence card will be relieved to know the country’s only driver’s-licence card-printing machine has finally been fixed.
The machine had been inoperable since February, leading to a backlog of 747 748 outstanding cards to be printed.
The Department of Transport said the working hours for staff at the Driving Licence Card Agency, which is an entity of the department, will be extended to ensure the reduction of the backlog.
The department said with the current catch-up plan updates on the backlog reduction will be provided after significant progress is made.
However, the backlog reduction also hinges on the number of orders received daily.
“But the national Department of Transport has its work cut out for it, as it
works on easing the massive backlog in printing new cards,” the department stated.
“We trust the national department will now move swiftly and efficiently to clear the backlog without any further issues.
“The provincial government remains committed to advocating for efficient, accountable service delivery that empowers residents and strengthens mobility across the province.”
Thebacklogbreakdown
. Gauteng – 252 745
. KwaZulu-Natal – 115 020
. Western Cape – 108 402
. Mpumalanga – 66 833
. Limpopo – 61 769
. Eastern Cape – 55 393
. North West – 39 983
. Free State – 33 741
. Northern Cape – 13 862.
2025-’26Filmapplicationsopen
The City of Cape Town’s Film Office invites filmmakers to apply for support through the City’s Film Fund for productions set for completion in the 2025-’26 financial year.
The fund supports a range of productions, including short and feature films, music videos, commercials and reality TV series
Established to strengthen Cape Town’s position as a premier film and media destination, it offers financial assistance and municipal services to qualifying film and media projects developed in the city. It’s geared towards projects that drive local economic growth, generate employment across the film and media value chain, and contribute meaningfully to skills development in Cape Town’s creative talent pool.
“Last month we announced the fund’s inaugural recipients,” said Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith, “and the first phase submissions delivered some compelling projects telling unique local stories with a deep connection to Cape Town’s already thriving film industry. We are looking forward to receiving more exciting applications for projects with the potential to contribute to further growth of the film industry, drive job creation, attract international clients and promote Cape Town to a global audience. This is a valuable sector that contributes greatly to the Mother City’s economy, and the fund is an opportunity for the City to provide local filmmakers with much needed supports.”
Qualifyingprojectsmustmeetthefollowing
criteria:
. Drive economic growth and job creation within Cape Town
. Promote the city’s distinctive character, landscapes, and culture.
. Develop and upskill emerging talent in the local film and media industry.
. Champion sustainability, diversity, and inclusion
. Celebrate Cape Town’s rich heritage and storytelling traditions.
. Have the potential to attract local or foreign investment.
Eligible projects include:
.Production and post-production of short films, feature films, animation, live action, and interactive media.
. Music videos, commercials, and reality TV series
. Training programmes and initiatives that build capacity in the film and media sector
. Innovative projects aligned with the City’s strategic priorities
Projects that can be completed between Tuesday 1 July and 30 June next year.
Thefundwillnotsupport:
. Adult content.
. Corporate or training videos
. Current affairs or news programming.
. Equipment or asset purchases
Support may be provided in two ways:
.Direct financial contribution and sponsored municipal services Visit filmcapetown com
ISixeko saseKapa eBellville KwiZiko loLuntu iBellville South Community Centre kwiNdlela iKasselvlei, Proteaville 29 kwinyanga kaCanzibe
Izimvo ezibhaliweyo malunga noQulunqo lweSikhokelo mazingeniswe ngomhla we9 kweyeSilimela 2025 ngoku (i) posela ku-: Western Cape Mobility Department Private Bag X9083 Cape Town 8000; (ii) ngenisa izimvo ngesandla kwi-: Sebe lezoThutho leNtshona Koloni kuMgangatho wesi4 kwa27 kwiSitalato iWale eKapa; okanye (iii) thumela izimvo ngeimeyile ku-: wcdm policiesstrategies@westerncape gov za Izimvo ezifunyenwe emva komhla wokuvalwa zingangahoywa
Dana’s 20 year on stage ‘part
It’s been 20 years since songwriter, singer and social activist Simphiwe Dana touched our souls with her debut album, Zandisile.
To commemorate her 20 year-anniversary on the SA music scene, Dana will be exploring the many amazing songs from her repertoire in her upcoming celebration of her career at the Baxter Theatre Concert Hall on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June. This show will be an opportunity for Dana to explore the various textures of her work to date: an intuitive, multi-layered effort from a mature artist at the top of her creative powers.
Dana says being consistent with anything for 20 years is a celebration and the success achieved on this journey is a celebration too.
“The celebration of Simphiwe Dana's 20year career comes at the tail-end of a tumultuous era in my life, but it's still a nice thing to point at as something to celebrate. Fulfilment is not the right word, but it's the best word I can think of right now I feel this really grounded sense of accomplishment,” she says.
Credited for creating some of the most thought-provoking songs of her generation, Dana continues to uphold the standard for singers/songwriters as a messenger for love, hope, compassionate humanitarianism and socio-political awareness
She will showcase songs from all her albums, sharing their compelling narratives as she continues to expand the canvas of her spiritual and lifestyle mission as such an in-demand performer and speaker in
the social space.
“I knew I was something the industry, I knew I loo sounded different and the to sing were different,” she I was telling people, 'Make different is coming', but was telling all of our stories means to affirm yourself because will always tell you that you’re be something different.”
Dana will be on stage with to support her.
.Tickets are available fr co.za or at Pick n Pay Stores.
Simphiwe Dana celebrates 20 Ye a celebration next month PHOT
