Heavy downpours on Tuesday 8 April caused mayhem in numerous areas of the metro, blocking roads in communities such as Nyanga.
Great Dutch and Mjodo Street residents had to contend with streams of water flooding into their homes. Their misery was further exacerbated by motorists who forced their way into the flooded roads. They were forced to barricade the roads with tyres to prevent further damage.
The Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) has welcomed the return of the passenger trains to the neighbourhood, citing that they would ease the burden on commuters.
After more than five years the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) officially re-introduced trains to Khayelitsha on Monday 7 April as part of its Central Line rehabilitation programme. The line has been out of action since November 2019 after vandals destroyed the infrastructure, forcing
thousands of train commuters to seek alternative travel means.
KDF secretary Khayalethu Nethi said the return of the trains to Khayelitsha was long overdue. He described the area as one of the impoverished, adding that the majority of people preferred trains as their mode of transport but were left with no choice but to use the buses and the taxis. “We welcome the return of the trains in Khayelitsha. We believe that they will make a difference. Their return will give our people an alternative mode of transport. We know that trains are cheaper than any other mode of transport and that compels the majority of people to use it when they are going to work.”
Nethi said their return will not only make life easier for the commuters, but will create
opportunities for the hawkers. He said many people lost their jobs after the trains were suspended. “What PRASA did is magnificent. Many people will benefit from the return of the trains. Some people will be hired as securities and others will be vendors. Ours as the community is to protect our trains and stations.”
Provincial PRASA spokesperson Zino Mihi said the trains are being tested. “We are just assessing it for now. We want to see how it goes with the customers. They will go every hour -- 05:50, 06:50... There will be police visibility and private security. There will be CCTV cameras so the driver can see everything happening inside the train while driving. He or she can also announce over the PA system at will.” So there’s no cause to worry.
Great Dutch Street resident Nowethu Silwane said all her belongings were damaged. “I was shocked when I woke up this morning to pee. It was dark as I normally switch off the lights when I go to sleep. When I put my foot down I felt some cold water. I took my phone and put on the torch. My shoes and the broom were floating. I couldn’t believe it.” She added her fridge and stove were also damaged. Silwane said annually during winter the area floods, blaming the poor drainage system for their misery. “My 11-year-old son didn’t go to school because his uniform is wet. There is chaos in this shack. Even people who stay in the main house are not safe because of the water. No-one is safe in this street. The whole street is flooding.”
Ward 38 councillor Suzanne Zumana said nothing much happened in her ward since the rain started.
“We have a problem of stormwater blockages, which caused the floods on the roads,” she said. “It is the main challenge; every year during winter there is flooding. Some streets affected were Great Dutch at Hlazo, corner of Mjodo and NY5, J Nontulo and Yanta in New Crossroads.”
UNATHI
Great Dutch Street at Hlazo in Nyanga were under water after the the heavy rains. PHOTO: UNATHI OBOSE
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GBV bail prompts anger
UNATHI OBOSE
The Langa Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Stakeholder Forum has expressed disappointment after a rape suspect was granted bail by the Bishop Lavis Magistrates’ Court on Friday 4 April.
The suspect, whose identity has been withheld in the interests of justice, allegedly molested a 24-year-old man from Langa for five days, from Saturday 15 March until Wednesday 19 March.
This prompted the community to host a mass picket against GBV in King Langalibalele Drive.
It is alleged that the suspect locked the victim in his house up and molested him. He was arrested on Thursday 27 March
after the victim managed to escape and opened a case at the Langa Police Station. He then appeared in court on Friday, when he was granted R3 000 bail.
GBVF chair Anele Gqasana blamed the criminal-justice system for failing the victim and the community.
He claimed the suspect was not a firsttime offender. In 2004 he was accused of raping young boys, added Gqasana.
“We want the court to review its ruling. We don’t think the suspect deserves bail. He is dangerous to the community. The victim doesn’t feel safe and is scared to go out since the incident occurred.”
Gqasana said the accused is a well-known member of LGBTQI+.
A social and gender-based violence activ-
ist, Nosipho Daniels from Langa, described GBV as a nationwide problem. She said women and children were not safe at all.
Daniels described the molestation of a 24-year-old man as the final straw.
“The issue of rape and GBV is worrying. We are facing a crisis that needs to be resolved. We need to get into the bottom of it. We need the community to stand up and unite against GBV.”
Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the accused has bail set at R3 000.
“The case has been postponed for further investigation until Tuesday 20 May,” said Ntabazalila. “The state assisted the complainant to receive a domestic violence order against the accused.
Let’s stand up and together fight against crime
What a relief for the train commuters in Khayelitsha after the Central Line was officially opened on Monday 7 April for the trains to run again.
That means Khayelitsha residents can now choose the mode of transport they prefer. The trains returned after they were suspended due to the vandalism on the railway lines and train stations in November 2019.
Their return means a lot not to the commuters only but to the hawkers as well because they will start to sell again. I hope that the whole transport industry in the metro will welcome the return of trains to Khayelitsha and there will be no sabotage or vandalism because some individuals within the industry feel threatened.
A journo’s voice
- Unathi Obose -
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www.cityvision.co.za
We’ve seen some instances where some sectors within the industry are protesting disrupting the operations of buses because they have certain issues with the government.
The industry needs to grow up and have a way of dealing with their issues instead of disrupting everything. We are living in a democratic country where people have a choice on everything, including their preferred mode of transport. Some people prefer to use trains because they are affordable, never mind their delays sometimes. Now, as a country we have an ob-
ligation to protect our facilities from the hooligans. It is unwise for us to destroy or damage the same services that we use daily. As community members, we need to be smart when we go to the streets and protest. We can’t burn the library because we want houses. That is absurd. We need to be strategic and focused. If we are protesting, we must know our target. This thing of digging tarred roads or vandalising traffic lights because we want water is not on. How many people lost their jobs and businesses after the trains were suspended due to vandalism at the railway lines and train stations? Security guards lost their jobs and hawkers lost their businesses as they were surviving by selling in the trains and others on train stations.It is up to us to protect our facilities. I believe some of us know who vandalised the trains, but we prefer to keep quiet. Let’s stand up and unite against crime.
In a sexual violence crisis we cannot be silent!
We are constantly reminded how much of a dark, sick and crazy world we live in, particularly in South Africa.
It has taken the global social-media community a matter of days to do something that should have been done months ago by calling for #JusticeForCweCwe.
For those unfamiliar with the case, CweCwe is a seven-year-old girl who was allegedly raped and sodomised at her school in the Eastern Cape in October last year, and her parents have been battling to get some form of justice for her since.
With calls using the hashtag on social media from countries such as Jamaica, the USA, Canada and Germany it has taken global attention to make this horrific incident trend.
With yet another tragic reminder of South Africa’s deep-rooted crisis of sexual violence her case has also reminded us again of how unsafe women and children are at the hands of men in this country. Men took great offence to the “Men are trash” movement years ago, but the small sense of doubt about their safety is something most women have when in the presence of men. We cannot trust men and need to walk with some caution around them. So the perception that men are approaching us (women and children) with
- Samantha Lee-Jacobs
ill-intention is engrained. The saddest part is that the most recent cases, including the father who had allegedly raped his infant because “he wanted to give her something to cry about” is another reminder that even those meant to protect us can be the very ones we need to watch out for.
Despite immediate reporting by her mother, who is a police officer, there has been little to no progress in the investigation. So, regarding CweCwe, many people have failed this little girl. The school, the driver, the police, the justice system, even to an extent the parent who did not trust her instincts.
I am utterly disgusted at being South African right now. Public outrage has been immense, with protests and a petition gathering more than 600 000 signatures
demanding accountability. Why must it always take public pressure for authorities to act? The system is clearly broken. What we need to see in this movement is more than just #JusticeForCwecwe. Children and women across the country are suffering in silence. The same silence CweCwe and her family had endured for six months as so many have tried to silence them. We are facing a devastating crisis of sexual violence, with some of the highest rates of rape and gender-based violence (GBV) in the world.
Statistics paint a grim picture: thousands of rape cases reported annually with alarmingly low conviction rates. Many a time survivors are met with victim-blaming attitudes from law enforcement, medical professionals and even their communities. Investigation delays, evidence mishandling and survivor intimidation discourage victims from seeking justice.
A deep-rooted cultural problem normalises violence against women and children. While we can refer to the cases reported, there are still many that go unreported due to fear, stigma or a lack of faith in the system, reinforcing the cycle of abuse. At some point we feel we have heard it all. I am sick to my stomach. We cannot be silent.
Some members of the Langa community carrying placards and banners picketing along King Langalibalele Drive in Langa against GBV.
Ward 35 Sanco jobs infighting
UNATHI OBOSE
Members of the South African National Civics Organisation (Sanco) in Ward 35 in Lower Crossroads are at loggerheads over work opportunities in the neighbourhood.
According to sources within the community, Sanco has two warring factions in the ward, with each having its preferred candidates for the cleaning opportunities provided by Masiqhame Cleaning Company. The company is responsible for the upkeep of the area, however, its work has been hindered by a raging battle between the two factions.
On Wednesday 27 March, the simmering tension reached the boiling point when a group of people who identified themselves as community leaders locked a local community hall and barricaded the entrance with tyres. They vowed to keep the facility shut until their preferred candidates were hired. They claimed a group led by Nokuzola Nyaba interfered with the recruitment process.
One of the community leaders who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of harassment said the cleaning company was supposed to start working early in February, but Nyaba and her people disrupted the processes.
“There are 30 people who received messages from the City informing them that they were hired to work as street cleaners. We verified their names as the community and when they were suppose to start working, Nyaba and her group stopped them,” she said, adding the process has been halted at least three times.
She said they feel Nyaba and her group are undermining the will of the people. As a result, Lower Crossroads is filthy she added.
She vowed that the community hall won’t operate until the matter was resolved.
Responding to the claims against her, Nyaba who is a Sanco Treasurer, described the allegations against her as “baseless”.
She said all they want is transparency.
Explaining what led to the commotion, Nyaba said it all started after jobs were issued from the councillor’s office last month for people to apply and later brought them to the councillor’s office again.
Nyaba said a City inspector came to fetch the forms.
“Instead of (the inspector) taking the forms to the Civic Centre to be captured into the database. He took them and gave Masiqhabe cleaning company to hire people.
“So, our question is why did (the inspector) take the forms from the councillor’s office and send them straight to Masiqhame cleaning company instead of taking them to the City to be captured into the database before people were selected from it?” she asked.
Nyaba said they informed the ward councillor about the matter and tried in vain to resolve it. She said they felt the councillor was in cahoots with the other faction.
Ward 35 councillor Mboniswa Chitha confirmed a meeting with both factions, but his efforts were fruitless. He stated that the dispute is deeper than what has been alleged. “These people are from Sanco. They are fighting their own battles but using the plight of the people. I tried to intervene, but they did not listen. Then I decided to withdraw. What they are fighting for has nothing to do with me and my office,” said Chitha.
In a statement, the City of Cape Town said it was aware of the dispute, adding that it conducts a “randomised” selection process, targeting residents who are on
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its jobseeker database. “In this case, given the urgency of restoring services, the City relied on an approved deviation from the standard process. This was as per the City’s policies that apply to EPWP (Extended Public Works Programme) recruitment. For example, if there is a project in a particular area and there are not enough jobseeker candidates from that area on the database, the City can conduct jobseeker drives there or recruit via an exclusion report to ensure that EPWP recruitment can
be fast-tracked so that services can commence sooner,” read the statement, adding that in these cases residents in the area who have not yet registered on the jobseeker database, but would like to work in the specific service are encouraged to complete a jobseeker registration form and any remaining vacant positions will be filled from this pool of new candidates. The registration information of the new jobseeker candidates is then added to the EPWP Jobseeker Database.
Stelmark centre, shop 2d, (next to Pick n Pay) (0767692571)
Twin oaks building, Shop 05, 56 Bird street (0767692571)
A group of some leaders in Ward 35 in Lower Crossroads sitting in front of community hall demanding her people to be allowed to work. PHOTO: UNATHI OBOSE
Somagwaza: Do not be afraid
UNATHI OBOSE
Somagwaza Institute in Gugulethu has urged the parents of initiates to put their fears aside and stop stressing about the construction that is occurring at the initiation site near Stock Road Railway Station in Lower Crossroads.
Somagwaza is a non-profit organisation focused on preserving and conserving the tradition of the initiation custom.
Founder Sikelela Zokufa stated the organisation is still going to utilise the land as their initiation site during the winter and summer seasons even though the Eskom (land owner) fenced it. He said they have an agreement with Eskom to access it until further notice.
"The parents mustn't stress too much. Everything is going well. The initiation site is still open for us to use it. I know they are worried now that they are seeing there is construction on the site. It is going to have an entrance for us to access the area," he explained.
He stated that Eskom is going to construct a substation on the site in future.
Zokufa stated that the registration for boys who are going to the mountain during the winter season has already started.
He said those who want to register can go to Fezeka Secondary School every Wednesday between 17: 00 and 19:00.In the statement Eskom said the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), has a long-standing engagement with the Somagwaza Institute, and is well aware of the Institute’s use of the NTCSA owned land south of the Joe Gqabi railway station.
“The planned Erica substation will be constructed on the southern portion of this site. This site is required for the development of this key national asset. The established boundary wall constitutes the first stage of this development.
A large portion of the site within the walled area, which also contains a wetland, will not be developed as part of the project, but needs to be preserved for future expansion. The NTCSA has no plans to unnecessarily interfere with the continued use of the land by the Somagwaza Institute, and as such, does not foresee any interruption of the continuation of the Institutes activities on the site,” read the statement.
It said while the construction of the substation may lead to some challenges the NTCSA is committed to work together with the local community to minimise any disruptions.
Detectives from the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit have launched an investigation following the fatal shooting of four men in Gugulethu on Friday 7 April.
Provincial police spokesperson Col Andre Traut said police were called to the scene in NY 3A at about 20:00, where the bodies of the victims were found with multiple gunshot wounds.
“Crime scene experts collected evidence and all available clues are being followed up... The motive for the killings is yet to be determined,” said Traut.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said they are shocked by the incident. He said they suspect the incident was well-orchestrated. When the City Vision asked if he thought the incident was extortion-related, he responded by saying anything is possible. “As I said, we don’t know the cause of the incident, but we can’t rule out that extortion. But we will wait for the officers to finalise their investigation,” he stated.
NTCSA is in the process of fencing the initiation site near Joe Gqabi. PHOTO: UNATHI OBOSE
Ikhwezi clinic offers free services
UNATHI OBOSE
Staff from Ikhwezi Clinic and some local organisations in Lwandle held an open day event at the clinic on Friday 28 March where they informed the community about available services at the facility.
Ikhwezi manager Susan Swart described the occasion as a special event. She said it is a first of its kind.
“It is the first time we are holding such an event and we are planning to do it as an annual event. We are engaging with the community and telling them about the services that we are providing.
“This is part of our health awareness campaign where we encourage people to do testing. We educate them more about chronic disease management.”
Swart said some of the free services include HIV testing and screening, basic antenatal care, STI assessment and treatment, family planning etc.
She said besides educating the community, the aim is to encourage them to visit the clinic regularly for examination.
She stated that they want the community to own and utilise the clinic wisely.
However, Swart highlighted staff shortage as one of their main challenges, which makes their job difficult.
Thobeka Mzinyathi-Spani, the founder of Inimba Phakama Rise organisation - one of the organisations involved in the event, said they focus more on health issues. She said they encourage parents and young boys particularly who are preparing to go to the mountain to visit professional practitioners to examine them if they are fit to go.
Inimba is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that promotes and educates the community about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
Mzinyathi-Spani said they visit communities and educate them about the importance of living a clean life and staying away from substance abuse.
She stated that they work closely with the clinic.
Resident Lumka Beyele described the event as informative. She said she wishes that the clinic management can do it quarterly.
“It is important for them to keep on informing about the services that they are providing. They are opening our minds. And I like the fact that they are so quick, you don’t have to spend hours sitting on the chair waiting for the doctor,” she said. Beyele urged the community to attend such events.
A group of Ikhwezi Clinic staff members.
Founder of Inimba Phakama Rise, Thobeka Mzinyathi addressing the community members during the event.
Nobom Mase of Mothers to Mothers organisation testing a high blood pressure to Zoliswa Busakwe. While Feziwe Pakamile from Mothers to Mothers looks on.
Shacks on the surge in the Cape
SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS
The Cape Metro is home to more than 270 000 informal households. And with the state of poverty in the country, the rise of new settlements such as Covid-19 in Mfuleni has quickly grown to be one of the biggest in the city.
City of Cape Town’s spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo says there are around 4 000 informal settlements in the country, with just under 700 in the Cape Metro.
“According to our dataset, the oldest (informal settlements) are Freedom Park in the Airport precinct and Sixth Avenue in Kensington.
“The largest are newly formed and flow into one another, Covid-19 in Mfuleni and New Monwabisi Park 1 in Khayelitsha,” he says.
“The vulnerability and scale of informal residents across the metro has increased tremendously since Covid-19 and the largescale unlawful occupation that took place while the emergency regulations were in effect that prevented the prevention of unlawful occupation. Some of the most populated, most vulnerable Covid-19 created settlements have been as a direct result of political instigation, and also organised syndicates. There are also many incidents of individual need, especially when people lost their jobs.”
With the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the large-scale unlawful occupations during the national lockdown created 186 new informal settlements – bringing the total to 683 settlements.
Tyhalibongo says: “More than 60% of these new settlements are considered high risk – situated under power lines, in wetlands, retention ponds, dams, low-lying inappropriate land, and biodiversity protected areas. We’d need about 500 ha of land for these new occupants, identified to be at risk due to their physical location.”
Of the aid offered to informal residents, such as the electrification and sanitation,
the City only manages settlements on its own land using public funds from national and provincial government or rates income from ratepayers.
“This means all spend must be done in terms of the City's budget cycles which is a supreme legislative requirement,” says Tyhalibongo.
The budget pays for what is in the City’s Integrated Development Plan.
“If new informal settlements are established, they are not planned and not budgeted for. Importantly, the management of existing informal settlements, day to day cleaning toilets, or rubbish removal or other feasible services, ultimately is paid for by ratepayers. And the resources are not limitless, as there are not large or growing numbers of ratepayers. For upgrading of informal settlements programmes, national government grant transfers are used,” he says.
Settlements that have been planned and budgeted for, must get priority.
“The more informal settlements are established, the greater the pressure. The new ones are assessed to see where they are established (for instance the City has limitations where they are established on private land or nature reserve land); how dangerous the conditions are; the numbers of people; whether they qualify for any type of housing assistance in terms of the law; and whether any services can be provided at all, such as rubbish removal.
“All types of informality are recorded on the City’s database,” he says.
While the dwellings are informal, residents in settlements are not considered homeless and if eligible can apply for formal housing on the Housing Needs Register.
The City offers services where possible on informal settlements on its land, however some of the land is not suitable for human habitation and therefore cannot be connected to underground water or electricity.
Draft 2025-’26 budget
NAMHLA MONAKALI
The City of Cape Town has tabled its draft budget for the 2025-'26 financial year, introducing significant changes to monthly municipal accounts.
The budget, now open for public comment until Friday 2 May, includes adjustments to property rates, electricity, water, sanitation, and the introduction of a City-wide cleansing tariff.
According to Ward 59 councillor Mikhail Manuel, the budget includes structural changes to utility tariffs in line with the National Treasury’s Trading Services Reform Programme.
The reforms aim to ensure that local governments fund new infrastructure, main-
“Where it can, it will roll out water and sanitation and electrical services as well as rubbish collection,” says Tyhalibongo.
“Informal settlements on private land or other government land are tricky as the City may not provide services without permission in terms of the law. Often the City will, where feasible, provide services such as water standpipes, and rubbish removal on the peripheries of such land. The local land conditions as well as how densely populated a settlement is, as well as the budget conditions, are key factors.”
With the mentioned day-to-day running of budgeted informal settlements, the City also upgrades existing settlements with grants where feasible.
“In recognition that informality is something that will remain with all cities in South Africa, a large focus has been and continues to be the upgrading of informal settlements and mainstreaming basic service provision,” says Tyhalibongo. “In 2024, R390 million was earmarked for informal settlements upgrading projects. The City’s Human Settlements Directorate has spent approximately 99% of its entire budget on human settlements, showing strong commitment and that the money allocated to its human settlements projects and programmes are going where it is earmarked to go.”
tabled for residents to comment
tenance, and operations independently.
Instead of establishing separate companies for utilities, as seen in Johannesburg, the City has opted to restructure its tariffs.
“This approach ensures that each utility service operates as a ring-fenced entity with both a fixed and a consumptive tariff portion,” said Manuel. “The fixed portion will fund infrastructure investment and maintenance, while the consumptive portion will cover daily operations.”
Residential properties will see a 7,96% increase in their rates contribution, rising from 0.006631 to 0.007159. However, properties valued at less than R5 million will receive a R435 000 reduction before their contribution is calculated. Pensioners earning less than R22 000 per month may qualify for
further rebates.
A new “Service and Wires Charge” will be introduced for domestic customers, while Lifeline customers will be exempt. Despite the changes, Cape Town’s electricity tariff increase is capped at 2%, significantly lower than Eskom's 11,32% hike.
The fixed water tariff, previously based on meter size, will now be determined by property value, benefiting lower-income households. The sanitation tariff will now consist of both a fixed and a consumptive portion.
Previously incorporated into rates and service fees, cleansing services will now have a standalone tariff to ensure transparency in funding waste management across the city.
Despite the structural changes, the City has emphasised that the budget is designed to protect vulnerable and lower-income residents. “These changes have been implemented in a way that lowers the cost of living for the most vulnerable and lower-income residents”.
Residents are encouraged to review the full budget and submit their comments before the deadline. The detailed budget, including specific tariff breakdowns, can be accessed at capetown.gov.za.
The City of Cape Town remains committed to balancing financial sustainability with affordability for residents. With public participation, officials aim to finalise a budget that reflects the needs and concerns of all Capetonians.
More than 4000 informal settlements exist across the country, with Covid 19 lockdown seeing more than 160 new settlements established in Cape Town. PHOTO: SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS
City of Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill Lewis delivering the budget speech.
Digital environment is a ‘double-edged sword’ for Christians
NAMHLA MONAKALI
As Passover approaches the role of faith in the lives of young people continues to evolve.
While some embrace traditional religious practices, others explore spirituality in new and unconventional ways. From digital platforms to personal spiritual journeys, the ways young people connect with faith are changing, reflecting both modern lifestyles and deeper existential searches.
Spiritual leader Tsepo Monaheng, of the Blessed Saints Church of Christ, believes young people are not necessarily turning away from faith, but are instead redefining their relationship with it.
“Many young people seek a personal and experiential connection with faith,” he said. “They are drawn to spaces that allow for open dialogue, inclusivity and a deeper understanding of spirituality beyond formal religious structures. Yet this shift has led to a passive form of participation for some where they are physically present in religious spaces but not actively engaged.
“When church programmes focus too much on the older generation young people feel out of place because they can’t relate to the discussions or issues being addressed. We need to ask ourselves, are we truly making room for young people in our faith communities, or are we merely expecting them to conform to traditions that don’t resonate with their reality?”
The rise of digital faith communities has been both a blessing and a challenge. Many young believers turn to online sermons, podcasts and virtual prayer groups as a way to stay connected to their faith.
For Liso Leteba, a young churchgoer, faith remains an important anchor, but she approaches it differently.
“Attending church gives me a sense of belonging, but I also explore my spirituality through podcasts, online discussions, and even meditation,” she explained. “I think young people want to feel faith is relevant to their everyday lives, not just something they observe on religious holidays.”
Monaheng acknowledges the significance of digital spaces but warns against their potential drawbacks.
“The digital space is a double-edged sword,”
he said. “It offers accessibility and engagement, but at the same time it can dilute the depth of traditional religious experiences.”
He also pointed out that reliance on online faith content without a strong biblical foundation can lead to misinformation. “Many young people who consume spiritual content online end up blending Christianity with unbiblical beliefs. “Astrology, manifesting and other trends are creeping into their Christian faith, sometimes without them realising it.
“They will still identify as Christians in this case, but their beliefs will contain a lot of external influences, some of which are even contrary to scripture. As young people redefine spirituality, the question arises is the institutional church keeping up with this shift?
Monaheng believes religious institutions must adapt if they want to remain relevant. Young people value authenticity. “If religious institutions do not provide spaces where they feel heard and understood, they will seek spirituality elsewhere.”
One major challenge is the church’s reluctance to engage with issues that require more than just prayer.
“The church is often afraid to address things
that can’t be solved quickly. Mental-health struggles, addiction and personal crises need long-term support, yet seeking professional help is still viewed as taboo in many churches. Instead of creating support groups and accountability partnerships, we would rather pray for people and send them away, without any follow-ups.”
As Passover calls for reflection and renewal, the evolving ways in which young people engage with faith suggest a transformation rather than a decline.
Whether through traditional services, digital platforms, or personal spiritual journeys, their search for meaning continues to shape the future of religious expression. The challenge now lies with religious institutions: will they adapt to this new reality, or risk losing the engagement of a generation seeking deeper, more personal connections to their faith?
Monaheng’s words serve as both a warning and a call to action.
“We can’t assume that just because young people aren’t engaging with faith the way previous generations did, they are lost. They are searching. The question is, are we willing to meet them where they are?” he says.
Marchers unite for rape victim
Thousands of young people marched through the Cape Town CBD on Tuesday 1 April to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and Parliament calling for safety at schools across the country, following the alleged rape of a seven-yearold girl at her school in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape last October.
The incident came to light after the girl’s mother had taken to social media in a desperate attempt to seek justice for her daughter, as the alleged rapist had yet to be arrested.
The #JusticeforCwecwe protest saw young people dressed in black carrying placards calling for justice for the girl and other victims.
Protests in solidarity took place across the country.
City Vision’s sister newspaper, People's Post, spoke to a few of the protesters. Bhongolethu Ndolela said he had joined the protest to show support for all victims of sexual abuse. “I am here to support. This young girl was violated, we want answers.”
Another protester, Mpho Mathe, said: “There is strength in numbers, and we want to prevent one of our sisters going through this in future. None of this is right.”
Rosa Sayidini said schools should be places of safety.
“We have been shouting and saying we
need justice for kids at schools. That's a no-brainer. Justice shouldn’t take this long. Kids should be at school, not scared at home. Women and children are still unsafe.
“It is time to address the elephant in the room; men who think like rapists and who are rapists. Stop blaming women and children for what men are up to.”
When Western Cape Minister of Education David Maynier and Premier Alan Winde were unable to accept a memorandum they marched to Parliament, where they handed their grievances to Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.
Commenting in a press statement afterwards, Maynier said he was “deeply disturbed” by the incident. “I accepted a memorandum on Tuesday afternoon and will refer it to the relevant national departments for action. We are aware that the Eastern Cape Department of Education as well as police are investigating the incident.
“We urge them to ensure the perpetrator is found and faces the full might of the law. Our children must be able to learn in a safe environment when at school.”
He appealed to victims to speak out.
“This incident has occurred in another province, but I urge anyone who is aware of an incident of abuse or assault in a Western Cape school to report this immediately to the police and our Safe Schools hotline on 0800 45 46 47.”
I I P R O PAT I E Z I N G A B H A L I S WA N G A E M A K H A Z A ( E M P U M A , E N T S H O N A N A S E M B I N D I N I ) , U M R H A B U LO T R I A N G L E , E K H AY E L I T S H A
About 4 000 young people joined the protest march in Cape Town on Tuesday 1 April calling for justice for a young rape victim in the Eastern Cape.
KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Protesters carried placards calling for justice for sexual assault victims. PHOTOS: KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Artscape’s school initiatives to showcase hidden talents
It’s that time of the year again when young people get to showcase their talent at the Artscape Theatre.
The annual Artscape’s education and youth programme was launched last week and will showcase the cultural institution's projects for the rest of the year.
The initiative includes the four Grade 12 setwork productions, which aim to expose learners to the required curriculum-based outcomes set by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
The setworks are presented in all three official Western Cape languages (English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans), including a subtitled translation for the Xhosa production Buzani Kubawo to engender inclusivity.
The Afrikaans production Krismis van Map Jacobs celebrates the legendary writer Adam Small and My Children! My Africa! of the iconic trailblazer Athol Fugard. Abrahamse & Meyer Productions presents Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Meanwhile, the High School Drama Festival and Schools Arts Festival are just some of the projects aimed at furthering youth development by creating access to a professional stage as well as an outlet for creativity.
The Schools Arts Festival will see up to 15 schools per night dancing, dramatising and performing poetry and choral songs, among others, while the High School Dra-
ma Festival showcases the work of the budding literary creativity of learners.
The Youth Jazz Music and Youth Classical Music Concerts, respectively (the latter that has stood the test of time for more than 53 years), have seen participants excel as professionals both locally and internationally, including scooping major awards.
Marlene le Roux, chief executive officer of Artscape, said: “Learners and youth often express that these productions were their first visit to Artscape. Later, when they return as adults for the commercial shows, they are enthused about their appearance on the very same stage on which they see a professional artist perform, or they reminisce about the moment of their historic first-time attendance as a learner.”
She says their regales are a testament to the audience-development outcome.
“These are just a smattering of the changes that we seek to effect as we focus on arts education at our cultural institution – an avenue that has been recognised as a significant vehicle for youth empowerment in post-apartheid South Africa.”
Additional projects include the annual Rural Outreach programme that takes the theatre to the people in outlying towns of the Western Cape, giving those who would most likely never witness a production on a theatre stage the chance to the magic that is theatre.
Eco-logic awards entries open
Now in its 14th year, the awards is South Africa’s premier platform celebrating and promoting our eco-champions that make tangible impact in environmental conservation, sustainability, and eco-innovation. The entries are open for all eco-logical leaders to be recognised for their contributions across 12 categories, including Climate Change, Nature Conservation, Water Conservation, Circular Economy and Waste Innovation, Eco-Fashion and Lifestyle, Ecohealth and Wellness, Eco-Hospitality and Tourism, Eco-Innovation, Eco-Friendly Products, Eco-Communities and Schools, Eco-Angel, and Eco-Warrior.
The event will honour gold, silver, and bronze winners across 12 categories.
“With South Africa ranking among the top 15 largest carbon emitters globally and facing critical environmental challenges, including extreme droughts, biodiversity loss, and pollution, the need for effective action is urgent,” says David Parry-Davies, founder of the awards and Editor of The Enviropaedia.
“The Eco-Logic awards provide a platform to spotlight the organisations, individuals and initiatives, who are thinking outside of the box and taking positive steps toward what is so desperately needed to safeguard the future security of ‘People and Planet’.”
“Climate action is not just a responsibility; it is a moral imperative. The urgency of our environmental crisis demands bold,
Lasting dream becomes true
Kaylynne Bantom
In his mid-20s he had a dream that he was being robed and now, more than 40 years later, this dream has become a reality. On Monday 24 March he walked across the stage at Stellenbosch University in academic robes to accept an honorary degree bestowed on him.
What’s more, he is now entitled to style himself Dr Jonathan Butler, having received the Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil), honoris causa, at the institution's graduation ceremony for its Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
City Vision’s sister newspaper, People’s Post, caught up with the singer-songwriter and guitarist, who is currently in Cape Town until the end of this month.
He said he felt honoured to be awarded this accolade from the university.
all sang on the same stage, at Malay choirs and nightclubs, that's where I started.”
More than five decades later, the 63-yearold says he hasn't looked back since.
“Here I am still travelling the world making music and hopefully making people happy. And I am trying to bring the world together and make the world a better place alongside my friends.”
Butler defines music as divine food for the soul.
“What would the world be without music? God’s first thought was music, sound and how the frequency of that sound would cover the earth. Music was my teacher, mentor, girlfriend and wife. I didn’t need much because music was everything I needed and everything I had.
innovative solutions and unwavering commitment from all Climate action sectors of society.
“The Eco-Logic Awards play a crucial role in accelerating the sustainability agenda by shining a spotlight on the eco-champions who are leading the way. These awards not only celebrate their achievements but also inspire others to take action, proving that every effort - no matter how smallcontributes to the collective fight for a greener, more just future,” says Kumi Naidoo, climate activist and winner of the 2024 Eco-Warrior award.
Winners will be honoured at the awards ceremony on Wednesday 29 October at the Two Oceans Aquarium.
Renowned comedian Themba Robin will return as the MC.
“Winning an Eco-Logic Award is more than just a recognition - it’s a powerful endorsement of an individual’s or organisation’s commitment to sustainability. These sought-after awards provide winners with industry credibility, opening doors to new partnerships, funding opportunities, and increased public support.
“With extensive media exposure, the winners gain a national spotlight, amplifying their impact while inspiring others to follow their lead,” says Parry-Davies. Entries will close on Monday 30 June. Visit www.eco-logicawards.com to submit your entry.
“Thanks to Stellenbosch University for acknowledging this moment and for seeing me. Walking up the stage was incredibly overwhelming. Little did I know that a dream I had of being robed in my 20s wouold come true. I remember I had a dream in my mid-20s that I was being robed; little did I know how true that dream would become until a week ago, in Stellenbosch. A dream fulfilled.”
But this is not the only accolade he has received. In 2023, Butler was awarded civic honours by the City of Cape Town.
He could not personally accept the award at the time and was handed the accord by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on Friday 28 March.
“This past month has witnessed the most amazing moment of my life. To be seen by my city and be recognised speaks volumes of the love my city has for me, not to mention the love I have for my city.
“I embrace this with all of my strength, because it's nice to know it is not happening when I’m dead. I am alive and can appreciate and enjoy the moments with my loved ones, brothers, sisters, wife and children and everyone that love and care about me. Thanks to the Mayor of Cape Town.”
Butler explains that coming from a musical family, it was inevitable that he became an artist.
“It started in 7th Avenue in Belgravia in Athlone more than 60 years ago. I was born in a family with music all around me. I was the last of the litter who picked it up. It was something my parents saw in me. And before I knew it they put me on stage.
“At the time I was shy, but when I got to sing in front of people the shyness went away. My family was responsible for creating that space and creativity where we
“Music starts the conversation; music ends the night. Music is the reminder that we need to congregate and celebrate. Music is like water, you need water to live, and music is the same thing for me. This world will not be the same without music.”
Butler, who now lives in California, in the United States of America, said whenever he visits Cape Town he loves visiting some of his favourite places.
“Whenever I am here I have to go to Willoughby’s, Wembley Roadhouse, Pigalle to get the best prawns. I have to go to Swingers: I am a local boy, so I want to see my people act like fools. I go to the Blue Room, the music there is stunning. Those are some of my favourite things to do.”
Asked when his fans can expect new music, Butler said he is working on an exciting new project. “I am here in Cape Town working on a new project, I can't share too much. But it is an incredible homegrown project.”
The musician explains that he believes in mentoring and motivating the next generation of artists.
“I make a point of working with young musicians whenever I am in South Africa, and I encourage them to work hard. The reward won’t come when you sit around. Spend time with your instrument, spend time with your voice, spend time learning to craft your song. Invest in yourself. Believe in yourself, believe in your ability to succeed.
“I also try to explain to them that little things done correctly equal perfection. This is one of many things I've learnt in my life.”
Butler also expressed his gratitude to his supporters. “I am you and you are me. We are one person. I want you to know I will always make you proud and fly the South African flag high.”
Dr Jonathan Butler received the degree Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil), honoris causa, at Stellenbosch University’s graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Artscape launched its arts-education programme. PHOTO: KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Isidlamlilo on Baxter’s Flipside
Empatheatre’s electrifying and highly acclaimed Isidlamlilo/The Fire Eater, a one-woman show brought to life by Mpume Mthombeni and theatre-maker Neil Coppen, comes to the Baxter Flipside. Winner of four Naledi Theatre Awards for Best Production, Best Actor in a solo performance, Best Director and Best Lighting Design, the production was nominated for four more awards. At the 2024 Woordtrofees Awards it won Best New South African text, Best Solo Performance for Mpume Mthombeni and Best Technical Achievement for Tina le Roux. It was selected as the Noorderzon Critics Choice at the 2023 Noorderzon Festival of Performing Arts in the Netherlands. The play text has been published by Wits University Press. Coppen, in collaboration with Mthombeni, wrote the script, which is based on a range of testimonials. Set in a womens' hostel in downtown Durban, Zenzile Maseko (performed by Mthombeni), is a grandmother partially disabled and declared dead by the Home Affairs’ decrepit system. It is within the confines of this cramped room that Zenzile reckons with Nkulunkulu (God), recalling the unbelievable series of events that have unfolded across her lifetime. It is soon revealed that she operated as one of the Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP) most feared assassins nicknamed Impundulu (The Lightning Bird) in the buildup to the 1994 general elections. It’s a past Zenzile has spent most of her adult life trying to erase, praying nightly to Nkulunkulu and begging Him to cleanse her of her past sins. However, when Home Affairs mistakenly declares her dead and is unable to reverse the error on their system, she finds herself cast into the middle of a Kafkaesque nightmare, forced to reawaken the vengeful spirit of Impundulu to secure her survival.
Mthombeni sets the stage ablaze in a breathtaking tour-de-force performance that sees her shifting between the feared IFP assassin Impundulu and the reborn Gogo, longing to return to the house she's building in her childhood village, iPharadise.
Zenzile’s devastating and often hilarious recollections propel the audience back and forth through time, traversing the shifting landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal and while
charting critical events in the province's post-1994 trajectory through to its present-day floods and insurrections. While the story offers an insightful look at the eddying cycles of violence and revenge that play out across generations, it is most of all a story about redemption, regeneration and reinvention.
The production has toured throughout South Africa and Europe to sold-out houses and rave reviews with performancesa-
round the world. In 2024, Empatheatre was granted the Ibsen scope award for their upand-coming isiZulu adaptation of Ibsen's Enemy of the People.
. With a 14-years age restriction, it will run from Wednesday 9 to Saturday 19 April, at 19:30. Booking is through Webtickets or at Pick n Pay. For details contact Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or email carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za or Mark Dobson on 021 680 18 or email mark.dobson@uct.ac.za
Mpume Mthombeni is Isidlamlilo.
‘Child in sport, child out of court’
UNATHI OBOSE
Achild in sport is a child out of court
said the Ward 38 councillor Suzanne Zumana citing that she believes some children are committing crime because they have nothing to do.
Zumana is currently installing outside gym equipment and renovating a netball playing ground at KTC Hall. She said construction of both playing facilities is un-
derway and are expected to be completed early next month. She said there are limited playing grounds for children in her ward which compelled some of them to go to play in the neighbouring areas.
“We have a challenge with the lack of playing facilities in my ward. So, we decided to build these facilities for our children. We have the netball pitch which will also cater for basketball, but we will put
a rubber mat to protect the players,” she said. She said there is a netball facility at J Nontulo Sports Ground in New Crossroads, but it is damaged, and it needs to be renovated.
Zumana stated that both facilities are built from the ward allocation budget. “We are grooming the future stars here. Most of the children have to go to the neighbouring areas like Zolani Centre in Ward 37
and Gugulethu Sports Centre in Ward 39 if they want to exercise. We want them to play here,” she said, KTC Sanco committee member Lumkile Msila said these outside training facilities in the area are long overdue.
“As community leaders, we are promoting healthy living. We are encouraging the people to protect the facilities and use them wisely,” said Msila.
Some of the construction workers instal playground equipment at KTC Hall.
