Lions give
Members of the Lions Club of Tokai took part and helped in the annual Blisters for Bread Walk on Sunday 31 August, lending both their time and energy to raise funds for the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA)
The Blisters for Bread Walk is a community fundraising event that combines physical challenge with social purpose Participants walk a
set distance, often enduring blisters and fatigue, to raise awareness and funds for PSFA’s mission: providing daily nutritious meals to learners across the Western Cape who might otherwise go without The event brings together volunteers, community organisations, and local residents committed to tackling child hunger while fostering community spirit
Lions Club members not only joined the walk but also assisted with marshalling duties, helping to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the event
They were joined by Lions from other clubs, all united by a shared goal: feeding hungry children and supporting their education Their
s
efforts directly contribute to PSFA’s programmes, which serve thousands of disadvantaged learners in the region
“The Blisters for Bread Walk is a meaningful way for us to give back to the community,” said Mark Rosouw, spokesperson for the Lions club of Tokai “Every step we take helps ensure that children start their school day well-fed and ready to learn It’s
u d ts ope at o s a d a ta ts vital feeding programmes Through initiatives such as the Blisters for Bread Walk, local volunteer organisations like the Lions Club demonstrate how small steps, when taken together, can have a lasting impact, nurturing hope and supporting the educational journeys of vulnerable children
In addition to raising much-needed funds, the walk also fosters awareness about the challenges faced by learners
an eye opening experience
With each annual Blisters for Bread Walk, the collaboration between local volunteers, organisations, and the broader community strengthens, sending a clear message that collective effort can address social challenges effectively
The Lions Club of Tokai’s dedication highlights how committed individuals can make a tangible difference, one step at a time, in the lives of children who need it most
Ian Grove, Colleen De Villiers, Selwyn Begindt, Lynette Davids, Beryl Essack, Saskia Hatti
ARO aims for GunRun
KEANANHARMSE
Agroup of animal activists are gearing up to tackle the GunRun pet walk to help raise funds for their third mobile clinic
The group will take part in the 5km Pet Walk category in this year ’ s OUTsurance Gun Run at Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Green Point on Saturday 13 September
The walk will start on Fritz Sonnenberg Road in Green Point, and finish on the Green Point Common, opposite the Green Point Cricket Club
All races finish on the Green Point Common, opposite the Green Point Cricket Club
The runners represent the Animal Rescue Organisation (ARO) and are raising funds for their brand-new mobile clinic, said head of fundraising, Lindsey Concer
“This service is a lifeline for pets in need, and as a team, we ’ re ready to put in the miles (and the sore feet!) to help make Mobile Clinic number three a reality
“Help us help the doggies and kitties who need us most,” she said
The ARO team is making its debut in this year ’ s Pet Walk with 25 team members, including their families
The animal rescue organisation has been appealing for funds to
APPEALING FOR FUNDS TO BUILD ANOTHER MOBILE CLINIC
help cover their costs to build another mobile clinic since July and launched a fundraising drive Concer hopes the new clinic can expand their services and
allow them to support more communities where animals need vaccinations and sterilisations
“A third clinic is an urgent need that we identified during our recent outreach efforts in communities like Jim se Bos, Lekkerwater, Egoli, Phumlani, Siqalo, and most recently, Smallville,” said Concer
So far they have received some donations from some loyal supporters, but their financial target goal they hope to reach is around R1 million
“With the cost of the vehicle, the conversion into a working mobile clinic, as well as medications and running costs our budget sits at well over R1 million,” Concer said The new mobile clinic will offer various services for sickly animals which include: vaccinations, parasite treatment, basic consultations, and sterilisation referrals
. For more information about ARO, visit their website at https://www.animalrescue.org.za
DIYawardsforwomenatlocalhardwarestore
One of South Africa’s leading hardware stores has announced the return of the Women in DIY Excellence Awards, honouring the creativity, determination, and impact of women who are transforming homes, businesses, and communities across the country
The awards were launched last year and following their success, Brights Hardware is proud to announce the return of the awards, which shine a spotlight on the creativity, determination, and talent of women who are transforming homes, commercial properties, communities, and industries through DIY, renovations, sustainability, and social impact projects
Entries are now open, and Brights is calling on women to share their stories and projects or to nominate someone whose work deserves the spotlight
“Whether you ’ re a home makeover maestro, a fearless furniture builder, a queen of upcycling, a sustainability trailblazer, or a community DIY champion if crafting, restoring, reimagining and transforming are your thing, it’s time to shine Last year ’ s response blew us away, ” says Orlando Luis, CEO of Brights “We received powerful and inspiring stories from women who are doing everything from building furniture and restoring heirlooms to uplifting communities through
creative projects We’re proud to continue celebrating and empowering women in DIY ”
This year ’ s awards celebrate women whose ongoing work, creativity, and commitment are making a real impact whether in their homes, communities, or the wider world of DIY Projects of all kinds are encouraged
To help guide and inspire entries, Brights highlights three key themes that reflect the heart of the movement: DIY, Home Décor and Renovation Projects – recognising women who consistently use their hands-on skills and creativity to reimagine and improve their spaces
Sustainability, Upcycling and
Restoration Efforts – celebrating those who are committed to green practices, breathing new life into old materials and promoting conscious living Community and Social Impact Projects – honouring women who are using their DIY talents as a force for good beautifying shared spaces, empowering others, or uplifting their communities in lasting ways
Entries should take the form of a short letter or written submission, sharing the story behind the work All submissions must be sent via email to brights@brights co za by Tuesday 30 September Three winners will be selected
Mylifequakeshowedmehealthiswealth
I was fine one day. The next, I was struggling to breathe, fighting for every inhalation and placed on oxygen in the ICU Two weeks ago, I experienced what I now call a life quake. If you’ve never heard the term, it’s a powerful disruption that shakes your life, shifts your direction, and demands transformation. It doesn’t arrive politely, and it rarely feels convenient, but it comes with purpose. Your life is calling for change
For me, that quake lasted seven days In those ICU hours, time slowed Even a glimpse of an airplane outside my hospital window, its roar and motion from the seventh floor, gave me hope That small sight became a beacon, I waited for it, letting it remind me that I would get out In that space, I wasn’t just Namhla Monakali I was “ a slip-and-fall risk”, a clinical
classification meant to protect fragile patients At first, the label felt cold and impersonal, but it forced me to confront my vulnerability and reflect on how easily life can shift Every breath felt monumental Every heartbeat reminded me how fragile life truly is
It forced me to face how I had been living, long hours at work, skipped meals, skipped workouts, stress carried like a badge of honour, rest ignored I had been investing in everything but my most precious asset, my health That’s when it hit me, health is wealth
No promotion, no car, no social accolade can replace the value of being alive and well Health is the foundation of everything else Yet, we often wait for a crisis to force us to notice I don’t want to wait anymore
Since that life quake, I’ve committed to caring for myself differently, physically, mentally, and emotionally I’ve learned to listen to my body, to prioritise well-being and to make conscious choices each day that protect and nurture my health
Last week was Kidney Aware-
ness Week, and I couldn’t help but think of Asanda Hlamandana, a young skilled, passionate and dedicated teacher with a Master’s degree (yes, she would want me to mention that she has Masters), whose passion for teaching has always inspired her learners I’ve watched her create an inclusive learner-focused learning environment, celebrate their journeys, and helping them reach not only their academic goals
Watching the relationships she builds with her learners has always been beautiful Recently, she shared that she had been diagnosed with Stage V renal impairment and is receiving medical attention She hasn’t updated in a while, and I sincerely hope she is doing well Her strength, care, and dedication remind me and all of us that health is precious and must never be taken for granted
Life quakes are painful, but they are clarifying They strip away distractions, forcing us to confront what we ’ ve ignored They challenge us to grow, to change, and to emerge stronger My ICU stay was not just a brush with mortality, it
was a chance to redefine priorities, appreciate the little things, and embrace life fully Health is freedom For me? It’s freedom to breathe without struggle, to move without pain, to pursue dreams, to nurture relationships, and to experience joy
So, take this as my reminder to you, and to myself, cherish your health Protect it Honour it Don’t wait for a life quake to shake you awake Make time for rest Eat mindfully Move your body Reflect on your emotions And above all, prioritise your mental and emotional well-being Invest in your health as you would any treasure, because it is the truest form of wealth we will ever know
If you ’ re in the middle of a life quake, whether through illness, loss, transition, relocation, grief, new opportunities, or the unpredictable road of entrepreneurship, I see you I pray you move through the shock and embrace the beauty trying to break through I hope, and I live, to reap the rewards of allowing growth to visit, shake me, and usher me into one of the most beautiful seasons of my life
The Animal Rescue Organisation members tackling the 5km Pet Walk category in this year’s OUTsurance Gun Run at Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Green Point on Saturday 13 September PHOTO: SUPPL ED
15+shacksincineratedinWestlake
Adents mobilised to assist Tokai Lions Club disaster relief coordinator
Ian Grove immediately reached out to local businesses for support
Cape Herb & Spice responded with groceries valued at R3 500, including 35 kg of chicken, 70 kg of potatoes, 50 kg of maize meal, 7,5 kg of carrots and 80 litres of water
“An amazing joint effort and a fantastic quick response from Ian,” said Lions Club spokesperson Mark Roussouw, praising the teamwork of members
CALLFORDONATIONS
Relief efforts are ongoing, with continued
support from the public urgently needed Items such as blankets, adult and children’s clothing, food, toiletries, nappies, baby formula and bottled water have been requested
Donations can be dropped at 14 Myrtle Road, Tokai, where residents are asked to call Cessi on 082 900 1832 before arriving A donations trolley is also available at Pick n Pay, Steenberg Village
STANDINGWITHWESTLAKE
“Any help, big or small, will go directly to families affected by the fire Thank you for standing with the Westlake community in this urgent time,” Franklin said
Dial-a-Ride service saved — for now
KAYLYNNE BANTOM
KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
The Western Cape Network on Disability (WCND) says it will continue its fight to have the Dial-a-Ride (DaR) service fully reinstated to its previous level of operation
Planned cuts to the Dial-a-Ride service were not implemented yesterday (8 September) following an out-of-court settlement reached on Friday 5 September between disability activists and the City of Cape Town
On Thursday 4 September the WCND filed an urgent application in the Western Cape High Court against the City’s planned cuts to the DaR service
Michelle Botha, WCND chair, said a settlement between the City was concluded on Friday and made an order of the court by Acting Judge Wallis Roux
Legal representation for the Network was provided by the People’s Legal Centre
Last month, the City announced that the dedicated kerb-to-kerb service for people with disabilities who are unable to access mainstream public transport will only be available to eligible wheelchair users and people with severe walking impairments
According to the City, these service cuts are due to budget constraints
The decision was met with strong criticism from disability advocacy groups, who argued that there had been no prior consultation with them ("We refuse to be made invisible", People’s Post, 2 September)
Botha said: “We presented a settlement order to judge Roux who signed it as an order of the court It is important to stress that this formed Part A of our application which was for immediate relief while the lawfulness of the City's decision to scale back the service is investigated in Part B ”
The order will lapse if the WCND does not submit a review application to the High Court
by Friday 10 October
“In this time, and until the Part B is heard and decided upon by the court, DaR will run as it did prior to 7 August,” explained Botha
Botha described the order as a landmark moment for disability rights in Cape Town
“This is a small victory But we are certainly not done There is much work ahead of us as we compile our Part B application
“While the Western Cape Network on Disability brought the application, we must stress the partnership with various organisations and individuals ”
Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility, said in a press statement, this extension provides an important window to engage in a broader conversation about the respective mandates and responsibilities across all spheres of government in the provision of specialised
services such as Dial-a-Ride
“The City of Cape Town invests more in transport for persons with disabilities than any other metro in South Africa and is proud to do so
But the City cannot shoulder this responsibility indefinitely without broader support
“Delivering true inclusion will require collective effort from all spheres of government, employers and civil society and not necessarily through funding alone ”
He said in May this year, the Council adopted the Universal Access Policy for Accessible Transport, an internationally recognised framework that commits Cape Town to a mainstream system where all people, regardless of ability, can travel independently, safely and with dignity
“While the City has operated Dial-a-Ride since 2002, its ambit has expanded significantly
CAPE TOWN INVESTS MORE THAN ANY OTHER METRO
over time to what was first initiated and it’s important to note that municipalities are not mandated to provide this specialised service,” said Quintas
Quintas said to keep the service running, the City has funded Dial-a-Ride directly through the municipal rates account
“For the service to continue to cater to non-employment related trips, the City hopes the court process may unlock funding needed from other organs of state with the constitutional mandate for services to persons with disabilities,” he concluded
On Monday 25 August disability advocacy groups protested outside the Cape Town Civic Centre demanding that the City does more to ensure transport equity for all PHOTO: KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Best of Zabalaza fest at Baxter
The plays by two winners of the 15th Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival Awards are returning to The Baxter Studio Theatre this month, starting from today (9 September).
Lwanda Sindaphi’s Purpose and ‘ n Pandok se Liefde by Lauren Snyders won theBest Production/Finest of the Fest Award at the Festival which was held in March Sindaphi and Snyders will also have the opportunity to work with respected industry figures Mwenya Kabwe and Lee-Ann van Rooi, respectively, to bring their productions to the stage The annual Festival, which this year had the theme, “Make Your Mark”,will be performed until Saturday 20 September ‘ n Pandok se Liefde will be performed until Saturday13September Purposewill be performed fromTuesday 16 until Saturday 20 September Written and performed by Snyders, directed bySamuel Jumat and also featuring Dealan Fredericks, ‘ n Pandok se Liefdeis a compelling drama about a married couple who have to come to terms with their wounds after a traumatic event This gripping play delves into the aftermath of trauma, exploring the profound impact of a dramatic night on their relationship and identities It vividly portrays the fragility of manhood and womanhood when faced with unimaginable circumstances, inviting audiences to reflect on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of despair Purpose, written and performed by Sindaphi and directed by Thando Doni, is a witty and romantically hypnotising production, accompanied by the density of a peripherally ancestral world The
play explores sacredness and spirituality from the lens of a young man who has engaged with his traditional forms of practice Set in the community of Delft, Lidinga Aba pursues a girl he sees as his soulmate He wakes up every day to sit in a circle, on windy, rainy and sunny days, to just wait for this beautiful girl His pursuit is disrupted by ancestral visions His unfathomable love for this girl turns him blind to the messages he receives from his haunting dreams He becomes emotionally tormented when he realises that the metaphysical overpowers the romantic Whilst spending an intimate moment with his soulmate, he sees the red-smeared face of his late grandmother The circle turns to time, unlimited time It turns to a sacred place, a river It becomes a liminal place His life changes drastically . The productions have an age restriction of 14
Tickets cost R20 at Webtickets online or at Pick n Pay stores Senior citizens and students will pay R65 Visit https://baxter uct ac za/ for details
Cape Town’s Homecoming Centre will be alive with wonder and astonishment on Saturday 4 October as the College of Magic hosts the highly anticipated Magicana Junior Magic Championships
This annual celebration of magical skill and showmanship brings together the city’s most exceptional young magicians, each vying for the coveted title of Junior Magic Champion
Close-up Magic Championships, an intimate contest where sleight of hand reigns supreme, will be at the Avalon Auditorium from 15:00
Patrons can watch as coins disappear, cards transform, and impossible predictions unfold right before your eyes
Stage Magic Championships, a thrilling evening of theatrical magic and captivating stot lli ill t k th di k bl
event will also feature a special guest performance by One Crazy China - Li Lau, whose daring stunts, razor-sharp wit, and unmatched showmanship have wowed audiences nationwide
While audiences transition between the main events, the youngest and most promising magicians will take to the foyer for the Street Magic Contest Here, guests can enjoy up-close encounters with astonishing tricks and sleight-ofhand artistry, as these rising stars compete for their own special title The championships are a showcase of dedication, creativity, and skill, with performers ranging from beginners to advanced young magicians Every act is uniquely crafted to entertain audiences of all ages - from wide-eyed first-time magic fans to seasoned th t E t bl d f j d i
Lwanda Sindaphi in Purpose. PHOTO: XOLAN TULUMANI
Finalists this year include Colt Miles, Lithemba Mti, Sinalo Mtwana and Vuyo Kwatsha PHOTO SUPPLIED
Thousands tackle challenge
The annual Tekkie Challenge took place on Saturday 6 September in Kuils River A record number of approximately 3 000 participants took on the 5km fun run, the 10km “Battle of the Sexes,” or the 16km challenge for the running enthusiasts Carina Roux took these photos
A RECORD NUMBER OF ENTRIES FOR THIS YEAR’S TEKKIE CHALLENGE
The start of the 10 miler/16km
From left: Annatjie Berntzen (Goodwood), Helen du Plessis (Brackenfell), Dawn Saunders (Helderberg Harriers), and Sonia Harlock (Fish Hoek) ready to take on 10km
The men set off for the 10km race, chasing the women who started seven minutes earlier
This couple from Celtic Harriers completed the 16km
Top ladies 70+ in the 16km, Nancy Will (Pinelands AC, first) and Sue Rymer (Team Vitality)
Achmat Salie of Violets is at full stretch to stop an attacking Tasrique Bester of Rangers during the WPRU super C quarter final play-off match played at Chukker Road on Saturday 6 September Violets won 20-17 in a pulsating match in front of a packed crowd
Violets secure Chukker nail-biter
All roads lead to City Park on Saturday 13 September for the semi finals of Super League A, B and C of Western Province Rugby Union
In the quarter finals of Super League A, SK-Walmers beat False Bay by 13-10 with a penalty in the extra time
In the other quarter-final, Hamiltons overpowered UCT by 41-17
The two teams in first and second positions, who automatically progressed to the semi-finals after completion of the fixtures for 2025,
were Villager and Durbell and they will play Hamiltons and SK-Walmers, respectively
In Super League B, Franschhoek was victorious at home when they beat Collegians 37-34 and Belhar beat Goodwood by 34-28
Primrose and Kraaifontein finished first and second on the log and will play Franschhoek and Belhar, respectively
In Super League C, Young Peoples and All Saints are the log leaders and are in the semis Gardens and Pniel-Villagers drew 26-26 and
Gardens progressed to the semi finals because they scored more tries than Villagers
In the quarter finals, Violets beat Rangers by 20-17 and Violets will be in action against Young Peoples, while Gardens and All Saints will do battle on Saturday Watsonias were crowned the winners of the Promotion League after finishing on 34 points after seven matches and will be in action in Super League C in 2026 They beat Raithby Universal by 3310 In other results in the Promotion League Sir Lowrians beat Eersterivier
United by 21-7, Blue Stars won 44-25 against Masiphumelele and Morningstar beat Fisantekraal 22-6
The finals and play-offs will be held on Saturday 20 September at City Park
Kaazim Baker of Wolverhampton Gordon of United FC, from