ry cause ” with a will feed a d lunch for are availne entries rticipation ers midnight
e headline performer at this year’s Blisters for Bread
Urgentintervention requiredforouryouth
A JOURNO’S VOICE
In a country with sluggish economic growth, more and more people remain outside the labour market This will only get worse if urgent steps are not taken to curb this ticking time bomb
This is particularly painful when one looks at the country’s youth South Africa simply does not have enough jobs for everyone Yet, annually, we produce graduates who cannot get jobs Youth unemployment currently stands at more than 40% and it surged to 46,1% in the first quarter of this year These figures will continue to grow as long as our economy remains stagnant
What is extremely worrying is the failure by our political principals to act decisively in this regard or make much noise about it Every politician in this country knows unemployment is our biggest challenge and threatens the very freedom many before us fought so hard to achieve
Yet we continuously hear politicians making false promises about the need to eradicate this problem The fact is we can never eradicate unemployment, but with the right people and economically viable policies the country can make a massive dent towards these figures
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced the establishment of a National Dialogue Could this be an answer to the unemployment problem? Only time will tell However, the projected R700 million for this exercise is a big concern The money can be used to fund startups for some of our youth under the guidance of some of the country’s top financial brains Many young people are thriving by embarking on this path The majority did so without any form of guidance but based on the knowledge they acquired at certain tertiary institutions or just based on wisdom and grace Aspiring business owners should be invited to apply for funding for start-ups This must be followed by a rigorous nationwide process, spearheaded by some of the country’s top businesspeople to screen and select individuals with business acumen for a prospering economy
THULANI MAGAZI
BokmakieriecelebratesYouthDay
AVRILFILLIES
More than 300 children and adults braced the cold and rainy weather and attended the Youth Day celebrations on Monday 16 June at Bokmakierie Primary School
The Athlone police in collaboration with the local CPF, Athlone Methodist Church and Gift of the Givers made the event possible and not only fed the crowd but they could learn more about what is being done to help others “We invited the Spine Road High Drill squad to come and give a drill demonstration and they escorted the crowd through the streets of Bokmakierie while playing music The crowd eventually stopped at the police station where they received a goodie-bag, pamphlets on how to keep themselves safe and a meal sponsored by the Methodist Church Gift of the Givers handed out food parcels and this venture showed the community that we all can work together if we took hands with all the organisations in our communities,” says Sgt Zita Norman, spokes-
WE TRY TO KEEP THE YOUTH FROM THE STREETS AND AWAY FROM GANGS OR GANGSTERISM
person for Athlone Police Station
The Methodist Church is instrumental in the spiritual crime prevention programme of the Athlone Police
“With this programme we try to keep the youth from the streets and away of gangs or gangsterism by teaching them the Bible and how to do good in their own communities We also had our Junior Station Commissioners present and they interacted with the crowd In essence it was a fun-filled day for everyone, despite the cold, and hopefully the community of Bokmakierie knows more about the work of Gift of the Givers, our junior station commissioners and the outreach programmes or feeding schemes of our local churches,” says Norman
Learners from Bokmakierie Primary School braced the cold and rainy weather to celebrate youth Day on Monday 16 June through the streets of Bokmakierie. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Police out to empower residents
AVRILFILLIES
The South African Police Service’s Manenberg Management is intensifying its efforts to address the persistent issue of gang violence within the Manenberg Policing Precinct, a top priority for the station management.
The communities in the Manenberg Police Precinct were addressed at an open street Imbizo on Friday 13 June in Heideveld to reach as many residents as possible and cultivate a relationship of trust and encouraging them to confide in the police
This Imbizo was held before the long weekend by the Manenberg police as a community engagement drive to combat gang violence and foster trust within the Manenberg community
The Manenberg Precinct is divided into three sectors and they are: Sector 1 - Manenberg, Sector 2 - Surrey Estate, Primrose Park, Druiwevlei, Tambo Village and Eljieskraal, Sector 3 - Heideveld, Welcome Estate and Vanguard Estate
This initiative comes as a direct response to a range of underlying contributing factors, including illegal street parties, substance abuse, stone-throwing incidents, damage to critical infrastructure, theft of electrical cables, illegal squatting and conflicts arising from construction contracts and “construction mafias”
These issues have fueled significant tension between established gangs and emerging criminal structures fighting for control
In a pro-active move Col Harry Brickles, Manenberg Police Vispol Commander, and his Vispol support team, alongside the Manenberg Community Policing Forum, recently engaged with residents in the Heideveld residential area
This outreach followed the tragic and senseless killing of a 28-year-old male in Sneeuberg Road, Heideveld in broad daylight
“The needs of our community are sometimes rooted in outdated norms and standards, which
COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE CRIMINALISED THEMSELVES DUE TO A LACK OF AWARENESS REGARDING LAWS
have, regrettably, led to internal conflict and breakdown We believe that through open dialogue and education, we can empower our community to understand their rights and responsibilities, ultimately fostering a safer environment,” says Brickles
A recurring question posed to parents is: “If you ’ re not speaking to your child, who is?”
Manenberg police emphasises the vital role of parental involvement in children’s lives, especially after the National Child Protection Week was held from Thursday 29 May to Thursday 9 June Children are “ open sponges ” and require a nurturing environment to develop essential skills for building a solid, friendly, and safe community
“As parents, we collectively bear the responsibility to ensure our children remain in school and that the standard of education is elevated to produce skilled academics Manenberg police and its community must remain focused on establishing sound moral relationships with our children and with each other Manenberg police is committed to building a stronger, safer community through sustained engagement, education, and collaboration with its residents,” Brickles says Manenberg police recognises the critical need for an informative educational drive, acknowledging that many community members have criminalised themselves due to a lack of awareness regarding laws and by-laws, particularly concerning activities like street parties, governing communities
Col Harry Brickles, Manenberg Police Vispol Commander, addresses the crowd during the Imbizo PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Donation brings joy to residents
AVRILFILLIES
Approximately 450 residents from areas such as Ottery, Parkwood, Philippi, Wetton, Freedom Park informal settlement and Strandfontein benefitted from the China Town Winter Outreach Programme on Saturday 14 June
This venture was done in partnership with Keith Blake, a retired police officer from Ottery and former operational commander at Table Bay Harbour, Shuwing Lieu, CEO of Chinatowns and the Tzu Chi Foundation “Over the past ten years, I received requests from Lieu to nominate disadvantaged communities to receive winter parcels as that they are handing out food parcels every year The inclement weather we have experienced over the past month forced me to ask Lieu to move the winter outreach forward by a month I spoke to residents in the informal settlement and they said they are freezing from the wet and cold and chopped up all the trees in Woodlands Road in Ottery for firewood to keep warm, ” Blake says “I phoned Lieu, my friend since 1982, and relayed the messages from the residents and after discussing this with his managers he said the winter programme will be on Saturday June 14 at the Ottery branch Tina and I were summoned to his office on Friday 13 June for a meeting and reaffirmed that each person nominated by me will receive a 25-litre bucket filled with some groceries, a blanket and 10kg rice donated by the Tzu Chi Foundation to life With the support of Tzu Chi
Joan Wu and William Wu from the Tzu Chi Foundation with the former mayor of Cape Town, Dan Plato, at the winter programme of China Town in Ottery
Initiative makes recycling easy
Residents of Athlone can look forward to free recycling and rewards with the relaunch of the Recycling for the African Context (REACT) by Regenize.
This smart recycling programme aims to make recycling accessible, inclusive and rewarding, particularly in underserved communities This is a significant step toward sustainable and inclusive waste management
“We are here to create local jobs, make recycling accessible for every home, and build a cleaner, greener community together Athlone residents can now take part in a movement that rewards sustainable living and strengthens community ties,” says Sabrina Ruiters, community integrator at Regenize
REACT provides a freemium weekly recycling collection service directly from residents’ doorsteps Participating households are rewarded with Remali, a virtual currency that can be redeemed for everyday essentials such as airtime, data, grocery vouchers, and more This innovative system turns household recycling into tangible economic value while contributing to environmental stewardship
REACT is more than just a recycling serviceit’s a community empowerment project Each REACT hub serves up to 1 000 households and is supported by trained local collection teams, helping to create meaningful employment opportunities in the areas they serve
The initiative also integrates waste reclaimers (informal recyclers) into the formal economy, promoting dignity, fairness, and sustainable livelihoods What Athlone residents can look forward to: Free weekly recycling collections from their homes; Local job creation through a trained and supported collection team; Fun competitions and community rewards for regular participation; A cleaner, healthier environment for
Policeseekmind,attitudeshiftfromManenbergresidents
Manenberg police have expressed unhappiness with the rise in lawlessness in at least three sectors of the precinct Before the long weekend of Saturday 14 to Monday 16 June they intensified their efforts to combat the rise of lawlessness within open public spaces
“Manenberg police has a mandate to prevent and combat crime perception management
The activity or lack of participation from our community to prevent and combat criminal behaviour has been lost and/or is non-existent
Not only did a male attack the police while doing their work after alcohol abuse in front of children, but a male was gunned down at a street party while music was blaring,” says Capt Ian Bennett, spokesperson for Manenberg police
Both incidents happened on Saturday 14 June and the perception of everything goes, from illegal street parties to openly excessive alcohol abuse in front of children and youth, is the order of the day and must stop “Members of Manenberg crime prevention unit are deployed daily to combat crime with the primary focus on combating gang violence and their illegal activity This includes the immoral
antisocial behaviour which has lead to gender-based violence (GBV)
“The 48-year-old male was arrested for attack on police and interfering in the execution of their duties Police officers stopped at an address in Laingsberg Road in Heideveld and a couple was found drinking in public while having a baby in their presence When the officers tried to explain that it is not right to be under the influence and drinking excessively in front of children in public, the male emerged from the house using vulgar and obscene language
When the officers repeatedly asked him to step back, he pursued the officers posing a direct threat, threatening to attack the officers In the past police officers have come under numerous attacks by the community, through stone throwing and damaging police vehicles while community bystanders watch, even inciting excessive stone throwing,” says Bennett
The situation quickly escalated and the officers were forced to use the minimum force necessary, using rubber bullets to defend themselves
The officers are highly trained and will not use their equipment recklessly, endangering innocent community members, he says
“The community is warned that police officers will not be threatened or put on the run because the community want suspects to evade the law
The community should not interfere in any execution of police duties, regardless of how minor it may seem to the community Attacks on police will not be tolerated whether through violent behaviour, vulgar attacks or endangering them or community members’ lives and then think it has the right to defy the law,” says Bennett
In the second incident, a 32-year-old male was gunned down while blaring music played at a street party, amidst all the warnings from the Manenberg police
“It is alleged the victim was at his home in Kasouga Road in Manenberg with a street party outside his home gathering momentum with music blaring, when an unknown male called him outside He left his room and stepped out After a brief conversation gunshots were fired at point blank and he was shot in front of the illegal community street party and patrons,” says Bennett
The 32-year-old victim went back inside followed by his assailant where he was shot again,
once again in front of several party-goers as witnesses The victim collapsed and succumb to several fatal gunshot injuries to his upper body and a single gun shot to the head His assailant walked out in front of several eyewitnesses, yet no one has come forward with information The suspect fled the scene
“Manenberg needs to change its perception if they are serious about turning the tide against gangsterism and killings within the area While the family mourns his death loud music and socialising continues undetered by the brutal murder of an alleged gangster by an opposing gang A case of murder has been opened for investigation No arrests have been made,” says Bennett
Anyone with information regarding this senseless shooting incident can call Manenberg police 021 699 9400 or crime stop 08600 10111
“The police will serve and protect even when the community compromises the lives of police officers Community is warned not to interfere in the execution of their duties, this is a criminal offence We will continue to uphold the law vigorously and ensure the safety of Manenberg Policing Precinct,” he says
The recycling team of REACT who will collect recyclable items from homes in Athlone
Hospital staff feel helpless, tired
Acommentary piece in the South African Journal of Science by Professor Jacqueline Hoare of the University of Cape Town (UCT) has ignited urgent national debate around the emotional toll of South Africa’s public healthcare crisis, and the leadership response it demands.
Hoare, head of the Division of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry at Groote Schuur Hospital
“EMOTIONAL LEADERSHIP IS NOT A LUXURY.IT IS A NECESSITY.”
system battles severe financial strain following the 2024-’25 budget cuts, the withdrawal of funding from international partners such as USAID, PEPFAR and the NIH, and an ever-increasing disease burden The result: fewer staff,
Hoare urges institutions to formally recognise emotional labour as a leadership skill, to integrate emotional intelligence into medical training, and to create psychologically safe environments where speaking up and seeking help is encouraged
“We can’t keep relying on a few heroic individuals while the system erodes beneath them,” she writes “Caring for the carers must be a core
institutional value ”
She concludes with a call to leaders in health and academia to embrace emotional leadership not merely as a soft skill, but as an ethical and strategic priority
“Making medicine about people, both patients and providers, begins with how we lead,” Hoare writes “It starts with one conversation, one colleague, and one moment of empathy at time ”
Bridget eats another truck
KEANANHARMSE
The City of Cape Town says it is considering implementing changes to Muizenberg’s railway bridge, popularly known as the truck-eating bridge, to curb the number of trucks sustaining damages after failing to heed the signs.
This follows a recent incident on Tuesday 17 June when the infamous railway bridge dubbed “Bridget” claimed another victim The delivery truck sustained significant damage after the driver allegedly failed to heed the 2,5 metre height warning sign
The City says it has exhausted its current options when it comes to alleviating the number of over-height vehicles sustaining damages when trying to cross Bridget on Atlantic Road
Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility, says: “Our strategies included: the implementation of various signage and other safety measures on all approaches to the bridge to alert drivers to the height restriction and guide them toward alternative routes via Albertyn Road, which can safely accommodate over-height vehicles safely over the railway line As well as technology-based warning systems which have been installed on both sides of the bridge to further assist in alerting drivers of the approaching height restriction ” People’s Post spoke with Muizenberg resident Kevin Rack, who says he lives close to the bridge with a window that faces directly towards it
“One day I saw a truck driver reverse a double articulated truck down Atlantic Road after breaking just before the bridge It takes great skill to reverse a double articulated truck down
such a narrow road I interviewed 95 drivers who either hit or nearly missed the bridge causing traffic congestion
“This section is very poor urban design, it is counter intuitive as well as hard for trucks to turn right down Vlei and Albertyn roads than to go left to the waiting jaws of Bridgette The drivers have a lot of pressure with their GPS nagging them to go left,” he said More recently, he has noted a reduction in
truck collisions near Bridget through the safety awareness campaigns done by the community and the City but feels more could be done to avoid more accidents and traffic congestion
“There has been a drastic reduction in the number of trucks hitting the bridge There are times where there were four hits in a week The Facebook group has been phenomenal in raising the awareness of the problem embarrassing the City into action The City engineers were brilliant, it did take a lot of coming back
THERE HAS BEEN A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF TRUCKS HITTING THE BRIDGE
team investigated the feasibility of eliminating the Albertyn Road rail level crossing by means of a grade separated structure (Henley Over-
A truck sustained significant
railway bridge in Muizenberg on Tuesday 17 June PHOTOS: BYRON LOCKER
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