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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
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
Winter sees homes under water
NAMHLAMONAKALI
As powerful winter storms lash Cape Town for the third consecutive year residents in low-lying parts of Hout Bay say they are once again bearing the brunt of neglect, crumbling infrastructure and broken promises
For Deidré Strauss, a long-time resident of Hilda up, the sound of rain no longer brings comfort, only dread “This week the water came in again,” she said, standing in the sodden remains of her living room I was sweeping for hours, trying to save what I could “My furniture is ruined, my appliances are wet and all the switches in my house are soaked It’s not just water anymore; it’s sewage too ” Strauss said this was the third year in a row that her home had flooded severely “And every year it gets worse, ” she said “I'm sick, I suffer from asthma, bone-marrow cancer, osteoporosis and I’ve had knee replacements I cannot live like this ” Her street, once a sand road that never gave her trouble, has since been paved But Strauss said since the roadworks began water has been pouring directly into her home “The City hired a contractor and started building a road behind our houses It promised us drainage solutions, but all it did was stack sandbags When we asked what was happening the City always blamed the engineer Nothing lasting was ever done ”
Despite repeated attempts to get help, Strauss said she has been left p y
HIV,TB care funds issue after donors stop
NAMHLAMONAKALI
After a funding lifeline was abruptly withdrawn earlier this year, the Western Cape is rethinking its response to two of its most pressing public health challenges, HIV and tuberculosis (TB). But instead of despair, a quiet determination is growing
The province’s battle against HIV and TB faces a critical turning point after the loss of key international donor support earlier this year
In response, provincial leaders are accelerating efforts to build a more sustainable, targeted response using
data and technology to ensure no one is left behind
On 24 June, the Western Cape Provincial Council on AIDS and TB convened to address the fallout from the withdrawal of USAID funding in January, which had supported a wide network of community health programmes The funding cut has severely impacted several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and non-profits organisations (NPOs) that delivered HIV and TB services to some of the province’s most vulnerable communities
Premier Alan Winde, speaking at the council meeting, called the situation a “devastating setback” but
Dumps being upgraded
The City of Cape Town says it will be conducting repairs and upgrades at several City drop-off sites during July and August this year
Upgrades and repairs will take place at the following locations: Kommetjie between Monday 11 and Friday 15 August, Prince George Drive, currently underway until Tuesday 12 July, Wynberg from Friday 15 until Saturday 26 July, Woodstock from Monday 28 July until Saturday 9 August and Hout Bay from Monday 11 until Saturday 16 August
All sites, except Wynberg, will remain open for all accepted waste types for the duration of the repairs, however residents could experience some delays when making drop-offs
Residents of the Wynberg area and surrounds should take note that the garden greens chipping area will need to close to facilitate work on site
Residents can use any alternative site for garden greens disposal, however the City would recommend the following larger sites in order to reduce the possibility of queues/delays: Mitchells Plain, Woodstock, Prince George Drive
The Wynberg site will remain open for other accepted waste types for the duration of the repair The completion of work is weather-dependent, and delays are possible in the event of inclement weather The City regrets any inconvenience caused
emphasised the province’s commitment to adapt “It has led to a major setback in the critical work done by our government and the non-governmental and non-profit sector in addressing HIV-AIDS and TB in our province But as we have shown in the past, we are confronting this challenge together ” The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has already begun scenario planning to stabilise the health system, laying out a multipronged strategy to stretch limited resources
This includes digitising HIV and TB patient registers to improve service tracking, expanding e-scripting and
medication access points, and refocusing attention on high-burden areas where infection rates are highest Amelia Mfiki, co-chair of the council, said the current challenge is also an opportunity to rebuild stronger, smarter systems “Access to healthcare facilities remains one of the biggest barriers in our community response, particularly for those who want to re-engage with the health system,” she said “If we can reach people in ways that reflect their realities, by bringing services closer and cutting red tape, we can do more with less ” The USAID withdrawal has left many NGOs in limbo, with some scal-
ing back outreach activities or closing community clinics This threatens to reverse gains made over the past decade in testing, treatment adherence, and public awareness Community health workers and local clinics, often the first point of contact for marginalised people, are stretched thin Some patients now face long travel distances or treatment interruptions Provincial health officials say the crisis has galvanised a new focus on efficiency, sustainability, and local innovation Officials stress that rebuilding efforts will be rooted in evidence and community engagement, with a drive to integrate HIV and TB services into primary care
School-transportdrivers’eyestested
Scholar transport drivers in the Western Cape are receiving more than just a check-up they’re gaining peace of mind, renewed vision and the confidence to safely carry the future of South Africa
In May, over 80 scholar transport drivers gathered at Noluthando School for the Deaf in Khayelitsha and Glenbridge Special School in Diep River to take part in free health and eye screenings offered through the Discovery Safe Journeys to School (DSJTS) programme, in collaboration with GUUD Drivers
Since December 2023, a total of 193 drivers in the the province and Gauteng have undergone similar screenings
The programme, launched in 2013 in response to a tragic school transport accident, aims to protect learners by supporting the people who get them to school each day It does this through a three-pronged approach: skills development, health and well-being support, and technology
Drivers enrolled in the programme receive regular training, tracking devices to monitor driving behaviour and access to services like these screenings
“We do this because the health of our drivers directly impacts the safety of the children in their care, ” said Quinlyn Johnston, a representative from the DSJTS programme “If a driver’s vision is impaired, or they’re unknowingly
living with high-blood pressure it compromises their ability to stay alert, make quick decisions and drive safely ”
At the May sessions drivers were tested for hypertension and underwent eye exams Many were unaware they had elevated or dangerously high blood pressure, a condition often called “the silent killer ”
Left untreated, hypertension can lead to strokes, fatigue, heart attacks and sudden loss of consciousness devastating consequences in any context, but especially dangerous for those behind the wheel
Vision decline, another common but overlooked issue, was also flagged during the screenings Because eyesight deteriorates gradually many drivers don’t realise how poor their vision has become until it affects their driving
At the Glenbridge session drivers who needed glasses were issued single-vision prescription spectacles
One driver who had never had an eye test before said: “I feel so much safer now I can see clearly and I’m not worried anymore ” These screenings did more than identify health risks For some drivers the event was their first contact with any form of medical care in years According to the programme, many scholar-transport drivers operate informally and cannot afford regular check-ups or medication Bringing services directly
into communities helps eliminate these barriers
According to the DSJTS team, several the drivers have told them how relieved they felt
One driver said he had been feeling dizzy and tired, but had no idea his blood pressure was so high Now he knows what to do, and he’s taking steps to manage his health
In addition to medical services, the sessions helped drivers complete documentation needed to renew their Professional Driving Permits (PRDPs), ensuring legal compliance and continued employment
The impact of the programme is measurable Discovery Insure’s telematics data shows drivers who join DSJTS improve their road behaviour within a year With more than 800 drivers currently signed-up and more than 24 000 learners transported safely every day the programme proudly reports no fatalities or major accidents among participants since its inception “Healthy drivers are safer drivers,” the DSJTS team emphasised “When we invest in their well-being we ’ re investing in every child they carry ”
As South Africa continues to grapple with high road fatality rates, programmes such as the DSJTS provide a model for what’s possible when safety and dignity are placed at the centre of school transport
Discovery Safe Journeys to School team conduct health checks at Glenbridge Special School in Diep River
NAMHLAMONAKALI
Prince George Drop-off Centre in Grassy Park PHOTO: SUPPLIED
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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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delivering both hyperlocal storytelling and global perspective to significantly expanded audiences in a way no other digital media site has achieved
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
Bluey makes debut in CapeTown
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
As a parent to young kids the names Bluey, Bingo, Mom (Chilli) and Dad (Bandit) might sound all too familiar
You will also be forgiven if you immediately sang or hummed the catchy introduction melody while reading their names
Everyone’s favourite Blue Heeler dog family is live on stage at the Artscape Theatre until Sunday 6 July
Bluey’s Big Play, the Stage Show, is a theatrical adaptation of the Bafta and Emmy Award-winning animated television series and is based on an original story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and contains music by Bluey composer Joff Bush
The characters are represented by larger-thanlife puppets operated by talented puppeteers who bring Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad to life on stage
On Thursday 26 June, People’s Post got a behind-the-scenes look and interacted with the all South-African cast of the much-loved production, a day before the production debut in South Africa
t b t h t h t p h c
fun-filled show
“They can expect familiar characters from the show They will see things like Bluey’s bedroom and the garden It will be Bluey’s world live on stage ”
Johannesburg-born actress Angel Orugbo portrays the role of Chilli (Mom)
“I never had no puppeteering experience before and it’s phenomenal to be able to play such a cool and fun character Chilli is sassy and sarcastic We get to delve into her personality ”
Orugbo says she is elated to be part of the production
“You can feel the love that people have for
Bluey’s Big Play the Stage Show is a theatrical adaptation of the Bafta and Emmy Award-winning animated television series PHOTOS KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Bingo
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New plans to eradicate extortion
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
Establishing ways to fight the scourge of extortion, which is fast becoming the new currency of control crippling communities through fear and financial ruin, was top on the agenda at a Multi-Sectoral Anti-Extortion Summit held recently.
Convened by the Western Cape Government the summit, held in Century City on Tuesday 17 June, aimed to assess the impact of extortion on the province’s economy as well as identify gaps in how law-enforcement authorities are addressing it
Stakeholders attending the discussion included officials from several provincial government departments, the City of Cape Town, South African Police Service (Saps), representatives of the business community and civil society
In a press statement Premier Alan Winde highlighted that late last year about R400 million in infrastructure projects in the province were halted due to extortion
“This is intolerable,” he declared “We must recommit to working closer together to hit back at these criminals
“One way in which we can do this is by giving provinces and municipalities more of a say in policing, adequately resourcing the police in our province – with crime intelligence significantly bolstered - and by properly capacitating the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) ”
Winde said in recent years extortion has evolved from isolated incidents into an organised systemic pattern of criminality
He added that construction sites were among
STAKEHOLDERS REAFFIRMED THEIR COMMITMENT TO A STRONGER COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
the main targets of “extortion mafias” with the public-transport sector and hospitality industry also under attack
Anroux Marais, Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, said extortion posed a direct threat to livelihoods, small businesses, infrastructure development and public services
“It undermines the rule of law, instils fear in communities and leaves many of our residents despondent
“When gangs and syndicates impose ‘protection fees’ on residents, business owners and contractors they are not just stealing money but opportunities that hamper our collective job-creation efforts ”
Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to a stronger collaborative approach, integrating law enforcement, community organisations and businesses to dismantle extortion networks
Marais said provincial government remained steadfast in its commitment to eradicate extortion
“The valuable contributions made during the summit will feed directly into our collective strategic interventions to follow ”
Col André Traut, provincial commander, said to ensure a focused and coordinated response to extortion police have established two key enforcement units
These include a provincial extortion task team,
comprising provincial detectives specialising in investigating extortion-related crimes
“This unit’s primary role is to gather intelligence, conduct surveillance and build strong cases for prosecution, and they are hard at work with their task ”
The second unit is an Integrated Extortion Team: Comprising police, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and other key role-players
“This team meets to devise strategic interventions, share intelligence and execute joint operations to tackle criminal syndicates,” explained Traut
He added that to secure convictions police have boosted their collaboration with the NPA, which led to the Director of Public Prosecutions assigning a dedicated State Advocate to provide police with legal guidance during these investigations
According to Traut, police have bolstered visibility in crime hotspots, such as business districts, transportation hubs and schools
Traut said in the 2024-’25 financial year 115 suspects involved in extortion were arrested
“Continued investigations are expected to lead to further arrests that will result in a dent in organised crime ”
He added that some schools in hotspot areas have also been targeted by extortionists and several safety measures have been put in place
These include police escorts for learners
“Particularly in areas where criminal elements have attempted to extort protection money
Community policing initiatives to involve parents, teachers, and local law enforcement in ensuring school safety ”
Traut reiterated that public cooperation is crucial in the fight against extortion and encouraged the community to get involved
He said through robust law enforcement, legal action, and community collaboration, the province is actively working to dismantle extortion networks and restore public confidence in security and justice
. If you have any information about extortion, report it anonymously via the toll-free hotline: 0800 31 44 44
Western Cape Government the summit held in Century City on Tuesday 17 June. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
