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Lace up your walking shoes, it’s just one month to the annual Blisters for Bread Charity Fun Walk.
Now in its 57th year, Blisters for Bread is not just a walk it’s a movement
Each year, thousands gather in solidarity to help the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) combat child hunger by raising vital funds to provide daily meals to learners across the Western Cape
This year ’ s event is happening on Sunday 31 August at the Green Point Common Sports Ground It features a 5km and 10km charity fun walk, live entertainment, food stalls, and a warm sense of community spirit
And to top it off, patrons can look forward to some live entertainment post-walk
One of the performers taking to the stage is The Voice South Africa season three finalist, Anslin
BLISTERS FOR BREAD IS NOT JUST A WALK—IT’S A MOVEMENT
Gysman
Born and raised in the close-knit community of Klipfontein Mission Station in Philippi, Anslin is a gifted vocalist and rising South African star whose soulful sound and heartfelt lyrics have inspired thousands With a social media following of over 250 000 and growing, he continues to use his platform to uplift and motivate others, making him the perfect fit for this meaningful event
Petrina Pakoe, Director of PSFA, said: “We’re incredibly excited to
welcome Anslin to the Blisters for Bread stage His personal story, passion for social upliftment, and incredible talent align beautifully with our mission This year ’ s event promises to be our most memorable yet ” Entries are now open, with a R100 entry fee, which will feed a child both breakfast and lunch for a day They close at midnight on Sunday 17 August Official event T-shirts are available at R150 Only online entries will be accepted, and participation is limited to 8 000 walkers .
I’m not a man, yet every man I’ve known has shaped my world one way or the other I was raised by one Loved by one Supported by one Guided by one From the father who quietly carried burdens, to the uncle whose strength was soft compassion, to the manager who led and the countless male colleagues alongside whom I’ve worked and woven a shared purpose Each has deepened my commitment to honouring men ’ s mental well-being June marks Men’s Mental Health Month globally, and it lands close to my heart
Because behind the men we love, admire, and lean on, are human beings who have for too long been expected to suppress their pain, shrink their feelings, and carry the world without asking for help I practically grew up with my dad I’ve seen him at his lowest, at his messiest and his greatest yet I never flinched once If anything, I leaned in closer I admired, and still admire, his vulnerability He soared on it
There was a certain dignity in how he allowed himself to feel deeply, to be imperfect and real,
without ever letting that diminish his strength Watching him gave me a language for love that includes honesty, not just protection It taught me that masculinity and emotional expression are not opposites, they are allies South Africa is in crisis
Our country ranks among the top ten globally in suicide rates, with approximately 23,5 deaths per 100 000 people annually In 2023 alone, 13 774 people died by suicide Of these, 10 861 were men, nearly 80% That means four out of every five people who take their own lives in South Africa are men
The male suicide rate stands at an alarming 37,6 per 100 000 people, compared to 9,8 for women These are not just numbers, they are brothers, fathers, uncles, sons, partners, colleagues and friends
Yet, despite the magnitude of this crisis, men ’ s mental health remains a whispered subject, one often treated with discomfort, judgment, or outright neglect We cannot begin to address what we refuse to see I believe there are many reasons why men suffer in silence
From boyhood, many are taught to “ man up, ” “indoda ayikhali” to show no weakness and wear resilience like armour even when they are breaking inside
The pressures to perform, to provide, to protect, all while suppressing vulnerability are relent-
less In a country where the youth unemployment rate hovers at 62% among those aged 15–24, many young men carry a crushing sense of failure before they’ve had a fair chance to begin
Others bottle up the pain of trauma, poverty, or unprocessed grief, only to express it later through anger, violence, or self-destruction
Because they are rarely taught the language of emotional literacy We see the consequences not only in suicide statistics, but also in spirals of gender-based violence, substance abuse, and fractured families – these are not excuses but realities unspoken When men are wounded and given no tools to heal, that pain does not stay contained; it ripples outward, hurting everyone And so I return to the men in my life I see you I see the cost of carrying everything, of being expected to never fall I see the tears you never let fall in front of us I see the battles you fight in the quiet of your mind, the dreams you put aside to be what the world told you a “real man ” must be
It is time we build a society where men can be fully human, where they are not defined by how much they earn or how well they perform, but by how deeply they feel, connect, heal, and grow We need homes, churches, schools, and workplaces where emotional honesty is normalised
Where fathers are not just expected to provide, but are supported when they need to be held too
This month is not only a time to remember the pain so many men carry, it is also a time to change the culture that keeps them silent
Conversations about gender must include them
When we speak of gender-based violence, mental illness, poverty, or trauma, we must recognise that men are not just perpetrators or providers They are people They are participants in the human experience They matter We cannot have true gender equity if it favours one gender while forgetting the other Empowering women does not require the neglect of men In fact, healing men is part of healing families, communities, and generations To the men we know and love, you are not alone You are allowed to be vulnerable You are allowed to be unsure You are allowed to cry You are allowed to speak And more than anything, you are allowed to heal To my gal pals –mothers, sisters, daughters, partners, friends, let us not wait until tragedy forces us to pay attention Let us build a culture of care now Let us open our hearts and homes
Let us be the first to listen without judgment, to soften the space, to honour the humanity of the men who have always tried to carry us
Unemployed residents registered on the City’s jobseekers’ database are requested to update their details before Sunday 1 November
Those who have not updated their details over the previous 12 months will be automatically deactivated
This means they will no longer be eligible for Extended Public Works Programmes (EPWP) placements until their information
The EPWP is a national government initiative implemented by the City of Cape Town to provide temporary work opportunities, reduce poverty and offer meaningful workplace experience to residents
To be considered for EPWP opportunities jobseekers must be registered and active on the City’s Jobseeker Database, which ensures
a fair and transparent recruitment process
To maintain fairness and efficiency in this process the City urges all jobseekers to update their details regularly to stay eligible for placement
To register and update, they must visit a subcouncil office or SmartCape Centre at a library
It is open on weekdays from 08:00 until 15:30, except public holidays
. Visit the EPWP Walk-In Centre at 50 Wale Street, which is open weekdays from 08:00 until 15:30
. For more information, contact the EPWP HelpDesk on 021 400 9406 or email epwp help@capetown gov za Registering on the Jobseekers Database as well as receiving any
related EPWP work opportunities from the City are entirely free No payment is required at any stage of the process
Jobseekers must provide the following information to update their details:
. Personal identification–ID document
. Proof of address
. Contact information
. Skills and experience information – Curriculum Vitae Grant Twigg, Mayco member for urban waste management, said the City remained dedicated to creating pathways to employment and empowering our communities through inclusive, skills-based opportunities “The EPWP provides valuable on-the-job experience and an opportunity to contribute
meaningfully to community development projects By registering on the database residents position themselves to be considered for available EPWP placements as they arise across various departments and initiatives ”
The Voice South Africa season three finalist, Anslin Gysman PHOTO SUPPLIED
Superheroes takes over Heidveld
AVRILFILLIES
The streets of Heideveld were taken over by the “Superheroes” of Heideveld Primary School on Friday 20 June, when learners and teachers became superheroes led by principal Mogamat Desai.
“With Spiderman currently on everyone ’ s lips and in cinemas it was not surprising to see all the Spidermen roaming the streets Every child needs a superhero and every child wants to become a superhero and that is exactly what happened when the school took over the streets “The Manenberg police were there to witness the ‘take-over’ of the streets,” said Capt Ian Bennett, spokesperson for Manenberg police Teachers at the school braved the cold rainy weather in their superhero outfits, taking the children on a walk through Heideveld defying the weather elements and literally taking the streets back for the learners to see “Education was the weapon of choice and every (teacher) a winning superhero,” Desai said “We took the learners on an educational tour, walking through the streets; the learners experienced the freedom of their streets with their (teachers) protecting their every step For most of the children this was the first free walk through Heideveld, otherwise controlled by gangs This was a defying moment; through education you can achieve anything and everything ” The school finds itself in a gang-infested area, serving learners of a poverty-stricken community surrounding the school
Due to circumstances in the community (drug abuse and socio-economic problems) learners are neglected by their parents and because of this Desai ensures teachers meet regularly with parents, and he always takes note of parents’ concerns as “their child becomes my child” (in loco parentis) once they put their foot into the institution He knows his entire staff’s abilities
Superhero,” Desai said
Sgt Percy Keyster, originally from Robertson and Const Joshua Plaat from Heideveld try to outwit each other in a game of chess They are now teaching the game to the youth of Manenberg and helping to shape their futures
Policeimpartchess knowledgetolearners
AVRILFILLIES
Two officers from Manenberg Police Station go beyond their call of duty, not only by serving the community in their precinct, but also mentoring interested youth in playing chess
“This is part of celebrating Youth Month at Manenberg Police Station and we hope to shape the youth of the future,” said Sgt Percy Keyster “In the heart of Manenberg, where resilience is a daily act of courage, we as police officers are doing more than enforcing the law; we are shaping the futures of the chess players ”
His journey with chess started in his hometown, Robertson, where he first discovered chess at primary school
“More than a mere a pastime, it became a metaphor for life Chess taught me patience, strategy and the importance of thinking ahead
These lessons later guided me through the ranks of the police, where I proudly represented the police at competitive tournaments ”
But it was Keyster’s deployment to Manenberg that truly tested and transformed him
“I came here not knowing what to expect But what I found was a community full of potential, weighed down by hardship Far from home, I immersed myself in the lives of the youth, recognising their struggles which mirrored mine,” explained Keyster He began mentoring young people, using
chess as a tool to teach discipline, focus and the power of making the right move on the board and in life
One of his most memorable moments was during Child Protection Week, when he and a colleague taught children about safety and self-worth “We taught the pre-schoolers to remember the 10111 emergency number Seeing their eyes light up when they realised someone believed in them, that’s when I knew I was exactly where I needed to be ”
Const Joshua Plaat, equally driven, grew up in Heideveld and now serves the very streets that shaped and made him an officer of the law
A self-taught chess player and the eldest of five siblings, his leadership was forged early
“My dream of becoming Manenberg’s chess master is more than personal; it’s symbolic I want the youth to see that greatness can come from Manenberg ”
Together these officers are planting seeds of hope “We believe every young person has a winning move in life,” said Keyster “Our job is to help them see it ” “In Manenberg, hope wears a badge and it plays chess,” said Capt Ian Bennett, spokesperson for Manenberg police “We call on the community to join these officers in making a difference To stand tall is not how high you can reach but how low you can bend to help a child ”
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
There was no question of who the favourite Superhero was among the learners, many of whom came in their Spiderman outfits PHOTO SUPPLIED
Early Childhood Development Centres belonging to the Lansdowne, Kenwyn, Rondebosch and Sybrand Park ECD Forum received boxed equipment for their ECDs from Mark Kleinschmidt, Ward 60 councillor The equipment in the boxes included puzzles, paint, picture stamps, building blocks, matching cards and paint Kleinschmidt, a teacher before becoming a councillor, spoke of education to all from a young age being important to him He acknowledged the hard work ECD principals and staff put in and wanted to ensure all children derived great benefit from the educare centres. Here Kleinschmidt is pictured with the principals: (from left) Tarryn Andrews, Zulpha Adams, Shameemah Surve, Tasneem Paruk, Glenda Augustyn, Nathalie Ackerman, Valita Mathei, Iram Abrahams and Aziza Ebrahim.
SUPPLIED
PHOTO:
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nity stories to school updates and sporting events,” said Esme Smit, General Manager of Novus Media “The platform emphasises its commitment to delivering authentic reliable news that matters on both local and national levels
Were providing news you can rely on news that is not fake news that matters close to home and diverse true to our rainbow nation and culture ”
Lise Beyers National Digital News Editor for Novus Media, said she was extremely excited about the launch of this groundbreak-
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Launch competitions
To celebrate the launch, Novus Media is running two exciting competitions for users who subscribe to the NovaNews newsletter and follow NovaNews on Facebook In the Search for the Star competition, participants stand to win one of five R4 000 Pick n Pay vouchers or a luxurious 2-night stay for two people at The Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha,
valid for six months Travel costs are for the winner’s own expense
In the Nou waa is that star competition several stars will be hidden in reports on the novanews co za home page If you find a star, click on it and a form will pop up to enable you to subscribe to the NovaNews newsletter
Then follow NovaNews on Facebook The competitions will run for two weeks
Digital innovation
The launch represents Novus Media’s commitment to accessible digital journalism
through innovative user-experience design The platform allows readers to access trusted news content instantly through its web browsers, with intuitive navigation that seamlessly connects hyperlocal community stories with national and international coverage With fake news increasingly challenging media credibility novanews co za emphasises its dedication to factual, verified reporting
The platform is now live at novanews co za with competition details available on the website and associated social media channels
The harm of excessive screen time
Vacancy: SALES REPRESENTATIVE
New Business & Promotions
MainPurposeofJob Are
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Deadline is 06 July 2025.
Please send your CV to eugene.williams@novusmedia co.za or apply online https://novus.holdings/careers/
We offer a competitive and flexible remuneration package. Preference will be given to previously disadvantaged persons in accordance with the Employment Equity po cy of the Group If you meet the above requirements, please visit us at www.Novus.Holdings and follow the CareerslinktoregisteryourCVandtoapplyonline.
NM10018498-AL020725
Somila Mbawula of Cape Town Spurs battles