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Oupaserioolramp

BarendWilliams

’n Pensioentrekker van Sir Lowry’s Pass glo dat aanhoudende rioolblokkasies op sy erf ’n ernstige gesondheidsrisiko vir hom inhou – terwyl die Stad Kaapstad die skuld op die misbruik van die rioolnetwerk in Somerset-Wes plaas.

Daniel Ruiters (77), wat aan asma ly, woon al 30 jaar by Sir Lowry’s Pass-weg 415 Hy woon alleen in die hoofhuis, terwyl ses ander mense in twee agterwonings op die erf bly Ruiters het gesê hy sukkel al vir 15 jaar met rioolprobleme “Elke keer as dit reën, raak die pype verstop en dan loop die water oor ” Ná reënval voorverlede Vrydag (9Mei) was die agterkant van sy huis die Maandag (12Mei) weer onder rioolwater ’n Stroom modderige water het in sy oprit opgedam, oor die sypaadjie gevloei en ’n vieslike reuk in die lug agtergelaat “Ek moes vandag (Dinsdag 13Mei) ’n asmapomp by die kliniek kry omdat die reuk my bors aantas,” het hy gekla Hy glo die probleem spruit uit ’n onwettige pypaansluiting op sy eiendom, wat veroorsaak dat die stelsel oorlaai word elke keer as dit reën Ruiters sê hy het die probleem reeds verlede Maandag (12Mei) by die Stad aangemeld en die wyk 84-raadslid Norman McFarlane via ’n gemeenskapsgroep op WhatsApp ingelig “Ek kan nie meer hierdie aaklige reuk verduur nie Hulle moet die pype regmaak,” het Ruiters gesê McFarlane het bevestig dat hy

oor die probleem in kennis g is en hy dit na die Stad se departement water en sanitasie verwys het “Ek het nie direk met Ruiters kontak gehad nie Hy het nie self na my toe gekom nie, wat dit vir my moeilik maak om hom te help,” het hy gesê

Hy het bygevoeg dat WhatsAppgroepe nie amptelike diensleweringskanale is nie en dat hy nie elke boodskap kan monitor nie

McFarlane het die herhalende rioolprobleme in Sir Lowry’s Pass toegeskryf aan onoordeelkundige rommel in die rioolstelsel, ten spyte van die Stad se waarskuwings

SELFSKARKASSEINSTELSEL

“Mense spoel gereeld sanitêre produkte, babadoeke, vet en olie in die rioolstelsel af,” het hy gesê In sommige gevalle word rioolmangate oopgemaak en motorolie, voertuigonderdele, klippe – selfs dierekarkasse – daarin weggegooi “Meer as een keer is ’n babaliggaam in ’n rioolmangat gevind,” het McFarlane gesê

Die afgelope Dinsdag (13 Mei) het die Stad se direktoraat vir water en sanitasie ’n verklaring uitgereik waarin inwoners versoek word om rioolverstoppings te help voorkom.

Volgens die Stad het rioolblokkasies in Somerset-Wes sedert

Julie 2024 met 60% toegeneem

Tussen 1 Julie 2024 en 1 Maart 2025 is 280 verstoppings aange-

meld, teenoor 175 die vorige boekjaar

“Rioolverstoppings gebeur wanneer vreemde voorwerpe in die rioolstelsel gegooi word,” sê Zahid Badroodien, die burgemeesterskomiteelid vir water en sanitasie

Die Stad het aangedui dat 97 vreemde voorwerpe, insluitend boumateriaal, sanitêre produkte en doeke, aangetref is – ’n toename van 116% Daar was ook 13 gevalle waar vet in die stelsel gestort is teenoor drie die vorige jaar – ’n styging van 333%

“Onwettige storting en misbruik van die rioolnetwerk kan ook infrastruktuur beskadig,” het Badroodien gesê

Hy het bygevoeg volgens die Stad is geen vorige diensversoeke vir Ruiters se adres voor Maandag (12 Mei) aangeteken is nie Ná die aanmelding is ’n span die volgende dag uitgestuur om die verstopping te verwyder Badroodien het verduidelik dat oorlope in die winter meer algemeen voorkom weens verhoogde volumes stormwater, veral in gebiede met onwettige aansluitings of kwesbare infrastruktuur

Hy het Ruiters aangemoedig om enige bewerings van onwettige rioolaansluitings formeel aan te meld sodat dit ondersoek kan word

“Proaktiewe optrede deur inwoners, met ondersteuning van die

Stad, is noodsaaklik om risiko’s voor die reënseisoen te verminder,” het hy gesê Hy het egter nie Ruiters se klagte oor sy asma aangeroer nie

Die Stad het ’n seisoenale veldtog begin om oorstromings en riooloorvloei te bekamp deur ’n R90-miljoen-belegging in die Winterrisiko-versagtingsprogram, wat van Mei tot September strek

Die program fokus op rommelverwydering, straatvee en

straatreinigingsdienste, met bykans 3 000 tydelike werksgeleenthede wat geskep word

Terselfdertyd roep die Stad inwoners op om bewustheid te help verhoog om slegs menslike afval en toiletpapier af te spoel, geen vullis in dreine te gooi nie, en probleme dadelik aan te meld by WhatsApp (060 018 1505), www capetown gov za/servicerequests, e-pos water@capetown gov za, SMS 31373, of skakel 0860103089

Die 77-jarige inwoner van Sir Lowry’s Pass staan voor ’n stroom modderige rioolwater agter sy huis Foto’s: Barend Williams

Changeforbabysaver

In a significant development for child protection in the Helderberg area, Khethani Women’s Wellness assumed full responsibility for the Helderberg Baby Saver from Saturday 17 May.

This transition ensures the continuation and expansion of a vital service that has saved 13 babies’ lives since its inception in 2014

The handover represents a natural evolution of the partnership between the two organisations, with Khethani’s team already deeply invested in the Baby Saver’s operations for years

Khethani Women’s Wellness has established itself as a cornerstone organisation in the Helderberg community, offering comprehensive support services including sex education workshops in schools, support groups for pregnant teenagers and teen mothers, and counseling for women facing crisis situations

The organisation’s connection with the Helderberg Baby Saver dates back to its founding, as two of Khethani’s founders, Amanda-Lea "Mandy" Jones and Sophia Warner, have served on the Saver Responder team since the Baby Saver’s establishment in 2014 The partnership was further strengthened in 2023, and two additional Khethani members, Frances Fuchs and Phumi Williams, joined the Saver Responder team in 2024

Sandy Immelman, who founded the Helderberg Baby Saver in

August 2014, made the decision to transfer responsibility to Khethani to secure the initiative’s future “I am completely confident that Khethani is the best option for taking over the Saver,” said Immelman “Mandy will be heading up the project and her experience, along with Sophia’s, will ensure this transition will be seamless and it fits perfectly into their vision - which is all about assisting girls and women in a variety of ways, including contraception education and assistance, sexual health and pregnancy support ”

The Helderberg Baby Saver provides a critical alternative to unsafe baby abandonment Built into the wall of Choices Crisis Pregnancy Centre, the Saver is accessible and safe to use 24 hours a day When a baby is placed in the Saver, it immediately locks and triggers an alarm received by Secure Rite Security, who monitor the system at no cost

They promptly contact the Saver Responder team and dispatch security guards to ensure the responders’ safety when retrieving the baby GB Med Rescue also sends an ambulance, free of charge, to examine the baby before transport to Helderberg Hospital At the hospital, social workers admit the baby and contact Wandisa Child Protection and Adoption Agency, which ensures all legal requirements are met and the baby receives appropriate care going forward

Immelman will continue her role as a founding member of Baby Savers South Africa, and the Helderberg Baby Saver will remain part of this national coalition of organisations

On Saturday, the teams gathered to celebrate the handover

Khethanioperatesa24-hourhelpline foranyoneneedingassistanceorguidance.Call0724121863.

Formoreinformation,visit www khethani org

Macassar Community Centre revamped

Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) unveiled the upgraded Macassar Community Centre in Macassar on Tuesday 6 May, marking a signiﬁcant boost for local community skills development. The newly renovated centre will continue to provide the Macassar community with training, a space to update their resumes and support for employment applications One of its core programmes focuses on basic computer skills training, equipping individuals with the digital literacy needed in today’s workforce. As part of the upgrades the centre has expanded its capacity and functionality, and introduced a new dedicated computer room for individuals who are actively job hunting but not enrolled in formal training This provides uninterrupted access to online job portals and tools Chris Janneke (facilitator at the Macassar Community Centre), Relebogile Diphoko and Dr Frank Dirksen

CEO) participated

Khethani Women’s Wellness trio Frances Fuchs, Amanda-Lea Jones, and Sophia Warner share a moment of connection over coffee, discussing their vision for the Helderberg Baby Saver initiative they now spearhead

(RDM

in the ribboncutting ceremony for the newly renovated centre

Yanga Fonley (Project Manager), Relebogile Diphoko, Dr Frank Dirksen (CEO of RDM), and Chris Janneke (facilitator at the Macassar Community Centre) in the new computer room

Huis Soeterus vier 75ste

Yaseen Gaffar

Huis Soeterus in Strand, wat op 13Januarie 1951 deur Sir De Villiers Graaff gestig is, vier tans sy 75ste bestaansjaar. Die tehuis, wat oorspronklik gestig is om die Hottentots-Holland-gemeenskap te dien, bied tans sorg aan 74 inwoners, met toegewyde ondersteuning wat by hul verskillende behoeftes aangepas is.

Huis Soeterus bied onder die toesig van ’n pro bono-beheerraad van ses ervare individue – insluitend ’n predikant (wat as voorsitter dien), ’n afgetrede skoolhoof en ’n maatskaplike werker –onafhanklike woonruimte, bystandsorg en verswaktesorg. Verpleegkundige ondersteuningspersoneel is van kardinale belang om die lewensgehalte van inwoners in hul latere jare te handhaaf. Vir Huis Soeterus verteenwoordig die

te gee aan die gemeenskap wat hulle ondersteun. “Hierdie inisiatief beoog om gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid te bevorder, wat noodsaaklik is vir die welstand van ons inwoners, en dit gee hulle ’n sin van doelgerigtheid,” het Van Vuuren gesê.

Die doel is ook om “ouderdomsgrense af te breek en te leer uit die wysheid en lewenservarings van ons bejaardes”.

Beplande goeie dade sluit in ’n sopkombuis vir behoeftiges, strandskoonmaakoptredes, skenkings van leesboeke aan skole, herstel en skenking van mobiliteitshulpmiddels, verpleegpersoneel wat by ’n kinderhuis vrywillige diens lewer, klere- en skryfbehoefte-insamelings, kombers-insamelings vir haweloses en ondersteuning aan ’n nagskuiling.

Huis Soeterus wil met die oog op die toekoms voortgaan om die gemeenskap te dien as “’n tuiste weg van die huis af,

met toewyding en liefde”.

Die organisasie is trots op die tehuis wat sy inwoners eerste stel en ’n veilige tuisomgewing bied.

Langtermyn personeellede soos die versorgingswerker Diane Blouw, wat al 25 jaar by Huis Soeterus werk, versinnebeeld hierdie toewyding.

A walk with a difference

tot versorgingswerkers, vorm die hartklop van die tehuis wat reeds 75 jaar lank ’n tuiste vir bejaardes bied Foto: Yaseen Gaffar

Met die viering van hierdie mylpaal “wil Huis Soeterus ons waardering uitspreek en die gemeenskap aanmoedig om meer by ons bejaarde gemeenskap betrokke te raak”

Hulle bedank familielede, vrywilligers en versorgers vir hul toewyding en nooi die publiek uit om te kom kuier en tyd saam met die bejaardes deur te bring.

Die bestuur beklemtoon die belangrikheid van intergenerasie-verbintenis en die waarde van ouer volwassenes se wysheid en lewenservarings en spreek hul dank uit aan almal wat tot die welstand van hul inwoners bydra.

“Ons is ongelooflik dankbaar vir die toewyding en harde werk van al ons personeel; hulle gaan veel verder as om net te verseker dat ons inwoners goed versorg word,” het Van Vuuren gesê

Die trotse

toegewyde personeel van Huis Soeterus in die Strand Hierdie ywerige span, wat wissel van verpleegkundiges

Gadija Latief

Photo: Yaseen Gaffar

Maskin Tape

Suspect in Food Lover’s CIT arrested

A 40-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery and attempted murder at Food Lover’s Market in Somerset West in January.

Lieutenant-Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi, spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), said following a thorough investigation a possible suspect was identified and positively linked to the crime. The suspect, Nyameka Samela was arrested by Hawks officers on Wednesday 14 May.

The CIT robbery took place at the supermarket at 18:05 on Monday 27 January (“CIT robbery in broad daylight”, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 29 January). In the incident a G4S cash vehicle was apparently collecting cash at the store at the Somerset Value Centre in the Somerset Mall precinct when it occurred.

“When a crewman went into the store to collect the cash

A photo of the cash-in-transit heist scene at Food Lover’s Market in January. This week the Hawks arrested a 40-year-old-man in connection with the incident

he was confronted by armed suspects,” Vukubi said. “One of them opened fire on the running crew member and wounded him. The suspects fled the scene with two bags of cash estimated at R331 000. “After a thorough investigation a possible suspect was identified and a positive link established Samela was in custody on other unrelated matters as well

“For these he was requisitioned and appeared in the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court on related charges on Thursday 15 May.”

The case was postponed to Thursday 3 July. Samela remains in custody

Strand GPF hou imbizo

Die Strand-gemeenskapspolisiëringsforum (GPF) het Woensdag 14 Mei ’n polisieimbizo by die Gustrouw-gemeenskapsgesondheidskliniek aangebied. Die doel van die imbizo was om die gemeenskap bewus te maak van gemeenskapsveiligheid en om aan die GPF en die Strand-polisie die geleentheid te gee om direk met inwoners te kommunikeer. Hier (agter, van links) is AO Nico Beukes (maatskaplike misdaadvoorkomingskoördineerder van die Strand-polisie), sers Janine Memeza (afdelingsbevelvoerder van die Strand-polisie), Felicia Jonas, Gillian Landers, Lillian Albertyn (ondervoorsitter van die Strand-GPF), Niklaas Thysen (voorsitter van die Strand-GPF) en Janetun Loston; (voor) Danfred Kleinschmidt Foto’s: Barend Williams

Danfred Kleinschmidt en Niklaas Thysen van die Strand-GPF gesels met Janetun Loston oor veiligheidskwessies

Foto regs: AO Nico Beukes (links), maatskaplike misdaadvoorkomingskoördineerder van die Strandpolisie, het die skare toegespreek oor ouers se verantwoordelikheid om te voorkom dat hul kinders die wet oortree Hy het ook inligting gedeel oor die proses om ’n interdik in gevalle van gesinsgeweld te verkry Niklaas Thysen (regs), voorsitter van die Strand-GPF, het meer sigbare polisiëring, groter gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid en die herlewing van buurtwagte in brandpuntgebiede beklemtoon

Photo: Yaseen Gaffar

Y The ation Business nounced nership collab benefit their formalised eration agreement. tives the approach transparency, both their They an issues, lined (available key develo support, tegic eral including:

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Uit toeka se tyd

Hierdie foto is deur die ywerige amateurfotograaf en plaaslike inwoner Cobus Germishuys vir plasing en lesersgenot ingestuur Hy vertel: “Ek het hierdie historiese foto verlede Woensdag (14 Mei) van Tannie Marie

Kellerman van die Strand ontvang Tannie Marie, nou 90 jaar oud, is die dogter van Bertie Bester, wie se vragmotor hier verewig is. In 1925, toe Afrikaans amptelik as taal erken is, het hulle met hierdie vragmotor deur die strate van Hopeﬁeld aan die Weskus gery om mense aan te moedig om Afrikaans te leer lees en skryf – ’n belangrike mylpaal in ons taalerfenis ”

Cobus het met trots ook foto’s van asemrowende tonele uit sy uitgebreide versameling met die koerant gedeel. Hierdie betowerende foto is getiteld “Strand-songroet” Die skitterende komposisie vang die vurige kleure vas waar die laaste sonstrale oor die Strand se asemrowende kuslyn dans en ’n atmosfeer van verwondering skep Foto’s: Cobus Germishuys

Strand poet bares his soul

Barend Williams

Thabo Solomon Leholo uses words lyrically to lay his soul bare and express the power of truth in his debut poetry collection, The Broken Pieces of My Heart.

Shofar Books Publishing and Distribution has curated a collection of multilingual poems written by Leholo, spanning from 2014 and 2025. This compilation serves as a lyrical social commentary on South Africa’s history and present circumstances while expressing hope for the future, all interwoven with personally-crafted messages to his loved ones

The book opens with “I wonder”, in which the 59-year-old poet from Strand reflects on what late anti-apartheid activists would think of South Africa now He also questions whether the road the nation has taken has been well-worth the sacrifices made by anti-apartheid activists. Leholo grapples with the question here both personally and on behalf fellow freedom fighters Leholo was born in Rosemoor, George, and relocated to Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape as a 14-year-old high school learner looking for better educational opportunities. “The social conditions in George and how people were divided on racial lines influenced me.”

It is a theme he further explores in the poem “Wie is ek?”.

According to Leholo when he arrived in Sterkspruit he suddenly had to communicate in Xhosa, despite speaking Sotho and growing up surrounded by Afrikaans. It was this that informed his

decision to write his poetry in English, Xhosa and Afrikaans.

“Language can divide us, and if we do not cross that barrier we will continue to think we speak certain languages only by virtue of background and heritage factors,” explained Leholo.

After completing high school he went to the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to study law in 1985; it was where he found his voice. “At UWC I found a space to express my talents, interact with people from different organisations, political and Christian, exploring differ-

ent ideologies.”

It was a time of much political firment, during which he became politically active, leading to his detention without trial by the apartheid regime. Leholo recounts this and the detaining of family members in “Yes! I am Black I am African” and “Their names were turned into numbers”.

After obtaining his degree, he began practising law in Stellenbosch, where he worked on human-rights cases, experiences that further shaped his poetry.

“As an attorney I witnessed the social ills of society, particularly in Stellenbosch in the early days of South Africa’s democracy.”

While reflecting on the country’s past, the book also confronts the present as Leholo criticises corruption and gender-based violence in South Africa as well as neocolonialism in Africa in poems such as “The beauty of my land”, “Tears and pain” and “Afrika, open your eyes”. He also highlights the continuing existence of racial divides in his statement poem, “The broken pieces of my land”. Through this anthology, which some may describe as largely melancholic, Leholo also honours his parents, the scenic beauty of George and the excitement he felt as a young anti-apartheid activist in the 1980s.

He writes about this in “There is life after the storm” and concludes the book on a hopeful note with “It is summer again”, expressing renewed optimism for South Africa’s future.

To purchase a copy of The Broken Pieces of My Heart, or for more information, call Leholo on 082 896 8483 or send an email to leholothabo@gmail.com.

Francois Loots twyfel nie oor boek

’n Splinternuwe historiese roman van Human & Rousseau beloof om lesers te betower met sy prentjiemooi voorblad en hulle mee te sleur na die Overberge van die vroeë agtienhonderds Twyfelbos, deur die fyn stilis en puik navorser François Loots, is van Vrydag 30Mei af by boekwinkels Dis 1829 in die Kaapkolonie Sophia Truter is met die regter Johannes Truter getroud Maar dis Engelse tye en hy word nou as Sir John aangespreek Sophia het ’n afkeer aan die Kaap se vertoonsug en ná die dood van haar jongste seun besluit sy om weer te gaan boer Dié keer begin sy klein – op ’n lappie grond, Overberg, anderkant die Kleinrivier – sonder slawe en voormanne Kort ná haar aankoms daag Mandel op, ’n vryloper wat doer ver by Kicherer se sendingstasie Sakrivier gedoop is By jong vroue soos Sterretjie, wat naby Gansgat tent opgeslaan het, kry Sophia malgasvere en ghwano vir haar groenteakkers Algaande vind Sophia haar voete en

’n boervrou van oorkant die Akkedisberg kom ook inloer Maar dan word iemand op die bokpad anderkant die berg vermoor Jan Tesselaar, die nuwe veldkornet, moet die skuldige opspoor Loots is in Prieska gebore en het in die Karoo grootgeword Hy het al in China en Brasilië gewoon, maar dit was op die Siberiese platteland waar hy die eerste keer met “ ’n ander soort moraliteit” te doen gekry het “Ek moes my Suid-Afrikaanse stel waardes by die huis los, want in Rusland is ’n leuen nie noodwendig ’n slegte ding nie,” sê hy Waar hy “drie dae met die trein van Moskou af by die laaste groot stop voor Kazakstan” Duits en Engels by ’n taalinstituut onderrig het, was Loots se lewe soos ’n draaiboek: “Jy klim in ’n karakter wanneer jy by die deur uitstap en wanneer jy vanaand by die huis kom, is jy weer jouself,” sê hy “Dis soos die outydse Wilde Weste; jy kan nie alleen rondloop nie en jy

François Loots se nuutste boek, ’n historiese roman, is Vrydag 30 Mei op boekrakke beskikbaar.

moet heeltyd oor jou skouer kyk ” Loots sê die Russe “volg nie Westerse reëls nie” en hierdie “fantastiese vryheid”; die glibberige grens tussen verbeelding en realiteit, het hom gehelp fiksie skryf Tog sê hy oor Sophia Truter en Twyfelbos: “In Rusland sou ek in die tronk beland het vir hierdie roman ” ’nBekendstellingwordDinsdag3Junieby Strand-biblioteekgehouenJeremyVeareysaldie gespreklei

Strand resident Thabo Solomon Leholo bares his soul in his debut poetry collection, The Broken Pieces of My Heart Photo: Barend Williams

We sell: Toys, stationery, office supplies, lamps and lanterns, cosmetics, handbags, suitcases, party supplies, household supplies, kitchen supplies, bath supplies, tools, hardware, home appliances, curtains, carpet rug, camera series, speakers, phone accessories, fitness equipment, sporting equipment, plastic products, ornaments, jewelry, belts, decorative paintings, picture frames, clocks and watches, batteries, artificial and so on... stationery, and kitchen sporting batteries, artificial and

Hundreds in harbour swim

Strand Sekondêr net-net uit

Jerwin Stephanus, die heelagter van Strand Sekondêr se o 19A-rugbyspan, probeer uit die kloue van Junaid Bassadien van Hoërskool Bergvliet ontsnap tydens ’n Westelike Provinsie-rugbyunie-hoërskoolwedstryd in Bergvliet die afgelope Saterdag (17 Mei) Die besoekers van die Helderberg-kom het ’n goeie vertoning gelewer en veggees gewys, maar het die naelbytwedstryd met ’n enkele punt (19-18) verloor. Foto: Rashied Isaacs

Tackle trail run at Dornier

Trail runners of all levels are invited to join the Change of Season Trail Run, presented by Sportsmans Warehouse, at the scenic Dornier Estate in Stellenbosch this Sunday (25 May). With vineyards turning gold and trails bursting with greenery, the event offers a 5,5 km and 10,5 km route through forest, riverside singletrack, and the picturesque Moordenaarskloof area Participants can look forward to breathtaking views, a ﬁnisher’s medal, and refreshment stations along the way Registration opens at 08:00, with starting times at 08:45 (10 km) and 09:00 (5,5 km) Entry fees range from R65 for children to R185 for adults online (closing on Friday 23 May) at dirtpass.co.za, with late entries available on the day at a higher fee Post-run festivities include Dornier wines, gourmet cheese platters, lucky-draw prizes, and sports recovery massages. Early birds can snap up one of 250 limited edition medals For more information and updates, follow Dirtopia on social media or visit dirtopia co za

The annual Orca Harbour2Harbour swim attracted hundreds of swimmers, spread across swim distances of 1,6km, 3km and 4 x 400m relay Harbour Island in Gordon’s Bay played host to the start of the 3km swim, where a carnival atmosphere greeted participants Photos: Yaseen Gaffar

Andrew Wyatt congratulates Luan Terblanche, winner of the 1,6km swim in the junior male category.

Robyn Phillips and Marguerite Faure were all smiles at the ﬁnish

Wade Beukes was among the ﬁrst group of swimmers to ﬁnish the 1,6km swim

Jessie Allot clinched third place in the junior female category

The ﬁrst junior female out of the water in the 1,6km swim, Maric De Roubaix

Wayne van Wyk ﬁnished second in the 1,6km junior male category

Luan Terblanche and Thomas Klopstra, who emerged ﬁrst and second respectively from the challenging 1,6 km open water swim

The Orca Harbour2Harbour was hailed as very well organised and was thoroughly enjoyed by all

Woensdag,21Mei2025

Raithbyunbeate

Raithby Universals continued their dominant unbeaten run in the Northern League with a resounding 39-14 victory over Excelsior at Raithby Sports Ground on Saturday 17 May.

The home team proved too strong for their opponents, who entered the match in seventh position on the log. RU drew first blood just three minutes into the game, when Lezaine Botto charged down a kick to score the first of his team’s seven tries. The RU forwards demonstrated a clear advantage, and the backline's pace and running lines proved too much for the Excelsior defense.

Raithby scored three more tries in the first half, while the visitors managed two of their own. At half-time, with Raithby comfortably ahead, coach Hein Gordon made several substitutions, bringing on younger players. The fresh legs continued the home team's attacking momentum, but handling errors and overeagerness prevented them from adding even more tries. The youngsters did, however, manage to score three more tries in the second half, while Excelsior were unable to add to their first-half tally.

Raithby's seasoned flyhalf, Brandon Manuel, had an uncharacteristically off day with the boot, converting only two of the team's seven tries.

RU dominated with tries by Botto, Jason Pichardy, Duraan Oryan, Imerhaan Flaendorp, Ralwin Smith, Freddy van Zyl and Leighton Lombaard, while Manuel added two successful conversions to the scoreboard.

In Super League A, the honours were shared in a very evenly contested match

SKW succeeded with a penalty goal and, a minute before half-time, the home team scored an converted try (10-12).

between Helderberg Rugby Club and SK Walmers in Green Point.

In the eighth minute, Berge’s right wing Ovain Engelbrecht scored the opening try in the corner following a full

backline movement (0-5). In the 23rd minute the Berge forwards drove towards the corner, where eighthman Erhard Lambrecht scored. Captain Michael Visser added the extras (0-12)

The home side regained the lead with a try soon after the restart (15-12). In the 63rd minute, Berge’s replacement flanker Waylin Pick scored a magnificent try and Visser converted to retake the lead (15-19). Three minutes later a Visser penalty extended the lead (15-22).

SKW were back in the match with a converted try (22-22). In the 74th minute Visser slotted a penalty (22-25), but the home team were not to be outdone, adding a penalty of their own (FT: 25-25)

This Saturday (24 May), a Super League A derby takes place when Helderberg hosts St George’s at Charles Morkel Stadium. This promises high stakes, following Helderberg's thrilling 27-25 victory in a tightly contested 2024 encounter that drew a record crowd, and a prior 2023 match marred by a post-game brawl, setting the stage for what is sure to be an intense and highly anticipated showdown.

Other results:

SLA: St George’s 34-54 Tygerberg

–

– SLB: Bellville 22-27 Macassar

– SLC: Strand United 29-30 Young Peoples

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NL: Coronations 16-28 Sir Lowrians, Windmeul 74-7 GB Pioneers

Fixtures for Saturday 24 May:

– SLA: Helderberg vs St George's (Charles Morkel).

– SLB: Macassar vs Kraaifontein (Riverside Park)

SLC: Strand United vs Eerste River (Abattoir), All Saints vs Violets (Helderzicht), Strand RFC vs Pniël Villagers (Gustrouw)