‘Teacher-exodus crisis’
More than 30 000 teachers resigned from South Africa’s public schools between 2020 and 2024, sparking concern over growing workloads and staff shortages.
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube confirmed the figures in a written parliamentary reply, saying 30 992 teachers resigned and 1 245 were dismissed during the five-year period Gauteng recorded the highest number of resignations, followed by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Western Cape, while Limpopo and Mpumalanga reported the lowest figures
“Resignations are driven by
PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 30 992 TEACHERS RESIGNED BETWEEN 2020 TO 2024
retirement, career changes, migration and workload pressures, ” Gwarube said, emphasising the complexity of the teacher-exodus crisis Dismissals, she added, follow disciplinary proceedings under the Employment of Educators Act, and all serious cases are reported to the South African Council for Educators to prevent re-employment in schools
Gwarube explained that while
provincial education departments are responsible for hiring, managing and disciplining teachers the Department of Basic Education continues to provide oversight, monitor supply and demand, and support efficient human-resource management
She also highlighted ongoing efforts to address the shortage
“The department is working with provinces to strengthen human-resource systems, ensure timely disciplinary processes and develop retention and recruitment strategies ” Gwarube added that priority areas included foundation-phase teaching, mathematics, science and technology, and posts in rural and under-resourced schools
SANParksdetailsfestiveseasonreadiness
South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) is fully prepared to manage increased visitor numbers over the festive season, with strengthened safety measures, enhanced firefighting capacity and expanded environmental protection teams in place
According to SANParks, between April and October this year, they recorded 1,7 million entries across their access points This reflects an almost 20% rise compared with the same period last year, and SANParks expects the upward trend to continue into the festive season as flight and cruise arrivals increase
Visitors can expect access to some of SANParks’ popular attractions, including Boulders penguin colony, Cape Point lighthouse, Signal Hill, TMNP, Silvermine dam and Oudekraal
A combined 850 kilometres of
hiking, horse riding and mountain biking trails remain available across the park
SANParks says a total of 157 rangers are currently deployed and supported by the 40-member Sea-Air-Mountain (SEAM) special operations unit
The unit was strengthened earlier this year with 24 additional elite rangers, six new operational vehicles and the introduction of drone technology for safety patrols and firefighting support Specialist teams continue to assist with visitor protection and environmental crime prevention
The TMNP canine unit will receive additional contracted dogs and handlers over the festive period while the unit undergoes a review
A senior manager for visitor safety and resource protection is expected to take up duties before mid-December to oversee safety coordination and guide volunteer involvement
Volunteers already contribute to joint safety campaigns targeting illegal activities such as unauthorised overnighting and unsafe fire use
Joint operations will continue with the South African Police Service, City of Cape Town Law Enforcement, neighbourhood watches, City Improvement Districts and volunteer safety groups through the Table Mountain Safety Forum
Statistics from the TMNP Ops Room show a decrease in reported incidents Robberies dropped from a spike of 15 cases in March this year to single-digit figures between June and November Following the expansion of the SEAM Unit, 17 robbery cases were recorded between June and November, compared with 37 in the same period last year Attempted robberies declined to eight cases, down from 12
Visitors are urged to prepare
Megan Taplin, TMNP Park Manager, adressing the media on its festive season preparedness for Table Mountain National Park
adequately by planning routes in advance, hiking in groups, sharing itineraries, carrying sufficient water, using tracking apps where possible and ensuring that mobile phones are fully charged
MOUNTAINVOLUNTEERSRAISEFUNDS
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) hosted its second annual Charity Golf Day at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate on Friday 21 November, uniting partners, corporates and mountain lovers for a day of sport, shared spirit, and impactful fundraising This year’s event welcomed 25 fourball entries and 13 waterhole sponsorships A total of R380 000 has been raised and all proceeds will support two critical organisations that protect the natural heritage of Table Mountain and the greater Table Mountain National Park: Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) and Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) Their lifesaving work, from emergency mountain rescues to frontline firefighting, is essential to keeping the mountain and its visitors safe throughout the year Pictured are Neil Arbous, Executive Manager: IT, TMACC; Selma Hercules, Executive Director, TMACC; David Nel, Volunteer and Media Manager, WSAR; Collette van Aswegen, Executive Manager: Marketing & Sales, TMACC; and Wahida Parker, Managing Director, TMACC PHOTO: SUPPLIED
I can’t believe this will be my last opinion piece for the year.
I don’t know about everyone else, but I feel like the year just flew by It’s as if we blinked in January and somehow opened our eyes in December, wondering how the months managed to slip through our fingers without so much as a warning
Maybe it’s because the world feels like it’s spinning faster these days news cycles shrinking, attention spans tightening, and expectations rising with each passing week
Or maybe it’s simply that we ’ re busier, more connected, and more overwhelmed
Yet, as the year winds down, I’m reminded that time doesn’t actually speed up; we just forget to pause We forget to sit with the moments that deserve more than a passing glance
We rush through the ordinary days in pursuit of the next milestone, the next achievement, or the next crisis And then December arrives, and suddenly we ’ re left trying to make sense of everything we lived but didn’t fully absorb
This year, like all years, had its mix of noise and clarity There were moments marked by uncertainty times when the world felt heavy on our shoulders
So much has happened On a personal level we lost a dear aunt to cancer earlier this year Her absence will surely be felt at the Christmas table I cannot help but think of all the
families that have lost loved ones due to the senseless killings on the Cape Flats
But there were also sparks of joy, connection, and quiet resilience that carried us through We learned, again, that humans have a remarkable ability to adapt We changed routines, embraced new challenges, and found new meaning we might have overlooked before
A week ago, Women for Change, a non-profit committed to protecting the constitutional rights of women and children across the country, played a pivotal role in securing the classification of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) as a “nationalcrisis”
I hope this classification will amount to more than just rhetoric, and will be followed by meaningful government action
As I reflect, I realise that the real significance of the year isn’t measured by how fast it went but by what it left behind The conversations that shifted our thinking
The small victories that reminded us that we ’ re capable The setbacks that taught us more than success ever could
With the new year approaching, I’m choosing to carry forward not the rush, but the quiet, hidden lessons I hope others do the same
Because perhaps the best way to honour another year gone by is to slow down just enough to appreciate the one ahead
As we enter the time for festivities and family, may we remember those who have less Let us practise patience; we have all had a rough year, and find moments to rest as we prepare for 2026 with renewed strength and hope
KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube confirmed the figures in a written parliamentary reply, saying 30 992 teachers resigned and 1 245 were dismissed during the five-year period PHOTO SUPPLIED
NAMHLAMONAKAL
A male teenager from Grassy Park who was swept out to sea at Noordhoek Beach has been missing for 16 days so far. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
MissingGrassyPark teenagerstillnotfound
KEANANHARMSE
One week later search efforts are continuing for a missing male teenager from Grassy Park believed to have been swept out to sea at Noordhoek Beach on Sunday 16 November
From Wednesday 26 November police divers have continued their search efforts, said National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon
It’s 16 days since the teenager was last seen in public
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said the matter is still under investigation
“The search continues There are no new developments to report at this stage,” he said
The NSRI could not say in which parts of the sea divers were conducting their search nor would they give any further details
That Sunday, at 16:00, the NSRI
Hout Bay duty crew and the City of Cape Town Water Rescue Network crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a teenager being swept out to sea at Noordhoek Beach, below Chapmans Peak Drive
“The male teenager, believed to be aged 15, from Grassy Park, reportedly went into the surf in an attempt to retrieve a ball that had fallen from the rocks and may have got caught in rip currents and was swept out to sea before disappearing,” said NSRI Hout Bay station commander Spencer Oldham
NSRI rescue swimmers, Cape Medical Response (CMR), City Law Enforcement, City Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and the SA Police Services responded People’s Post reached out to CMR and the City for a response, but had not received any by the time of printing
AYoungcricketersshinebright
KEANANHARMSE
The young talented cricketers at Generation Schools Imhoff capped off their last school semester by looking back at their victories on Tuesday 25 November
The school’s Mini Cricket teams have enjoyed a near perfect season with their u-9 team winning four of their five matches
“Our u-8 team, many of whom played their first competitive matches, showed fantastic growth and finished the season on a high with a confident all-round performance in their final game, ” said school spokesperson, Caronne Vermaak
The school’s most recent victory was at home against Ukanyo Primary School
The u-8s won by 10 runs and the u-9s won by 47 runs
The teams have played against Reddam House Primary School, Bay Primary School, Sun Valley Primary School, Paul Greyling Primary School and Ukanyo Primary School
“This term has been incredibly special for our Mini-Cricket teams Watching our u-8s take their first steps into competitive cricket with courage, excitement, and so much growth has been a real joy Our u-9s played with heart, teamwork, and determination, showing just how much they’ve matured as young players,” said coach Lionel Farao
Seeing each learner bring their own energy and spirit to the game, and seeing their confi-
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He wrote a letter to the City advocating for the safety and well-being of five baboon tribes hoping it will be heard by the stakeholders who are tasked with rehoming the primates (“Teen joins baboon fight,” People’s Post, 4 November)
Joshua says reading through the Action Plan was very difficult, only being forced to celebrate small wins
“There are a few points that I strongly disagree with, one of which being the plan to remove the Seaforth and Waterfall troops from their home territories to a man-made enclosure of 1,5 hectares (this is only 0,015 square kms), when in the wild a baboon troop’s territory is normally around 25 square kms How is this going to work out?” he asks
Wynne also opposes sterilising all the male baboons
“This is essentially killing the troop’s future This only makes the baboons less and less wild, having a controlled population, constantly being relocated, and males being sterilised This part of the plan essentially translates to ‘moving them to a zoo, to die off’!” he adds
CAPEPENINSULABABOONMANAGEMENTACTION
PLAN:FIVEKEYCOMPONENTS:
. Sanctuary creation - Purpose-built baboon sanctuaries on Plateau Road
. Northern fencing - Baboon-proof barrier from Zwaanswyk to Constantia Nek
. Waste management strategy - Baboon-proof bins and waste protocols
. Urban wildlife by-law - New legislation with zero tolerance approach
. By-law enforcement - Hard boundaries and
dence and love for cricket grow has been the highlight of the term, he added Fellow cricket player Alek Mugge-Breedt said he had a lot of fun this cricket season
“Even though he is a key batsman, his favourite part of the game was fielding, and he enjoyed being out on the field with his teammates,” said Vermaak
Bowler Nathan Potgieter said he really enjoyed the season and is especially proud that his team won so many games
strict population control
TROOPRELOCATIONS TIMELINE
. Seaforth troop – Sanctuary by February 2026
. Waterfall troop – Sanctuary by September 2026
. CT1 & CT2 troops – Mountain side by May/ June 2026
Males will be vasectomised; healthy animals relocated
INFRASTRUCTUREDEVELOPMENT
Northern fence completed by July 2026
(Zwaanswyk to Constantia Nek)
Baboon-proof bins rolled out in high-impact areas by May 2026
Sanctuary trial starts with 1,5-hectare enclosure on private land Underground power cables to reduce electrocutions
POPULATIONMANAGEMENT
. Northern troops: Maximum 250 baboons (currently 234)
. Southern troops: Maximum 175 baboons (currently 164)
Humane euthanasia if population exceeds limits for over six months
No new troops allowed in transformed areas
The action plan will be regularly reviewed to ensure the actions, assessments, and outcomes are in line with regulatory requirements, strategic direction, emerging trends, and new knowledge The next formal review will take place in 2030 The action plan is available here: https:// baboons org za/final-action-plan-2025/
Alek Mugge-Breedt in action. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
The Cape Baboon Partnership confirmed that a popular baboon known as “Blondie” was found with an air
Callforunitytodismantlestigma
Festive lights kick-start holidays
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
Thousands of Capetonians gathered on the Grand Parade for the annual Festive Lights Switch-On event on Sunday 30 November.
Over 95 000 people attended what has become the biggest free-concert on Cape Town’s event calendar
The event is one of Cape Town’s most meaningful traditions and marks the official start of the festive season This year ’ s theme is United in Hope Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis donned his brand-new community designed garment Hill-Lewis said the event unites communities “The event has been running for nearly 60 years It is special when city’s have these
long-standing traditions This event really is where Capetonians come together from right across the city and turn the Grand Parade and Adderley Street into one big celebration of lights, music, friendship and everything that makes Cape Town the best city in the world perfectly captured in this year ’ s theme, ‘United in Hope’ ”
Hill-Lewis said the city is ready to welcome visitors
“We will pull out all the stops to make sure that Cape Town is a great place to spend your festive holidays and we want say welcome to everyone who is coming here Have a great time in our city ”
Ricardo MacKenzi, provincial minister for cultural affairs and sport, encouraged citizens to celebrate responsibly this holiday
“Be safe There are so many events happening around the City, look after yourself Please get some rest This was a difficult year Mental health around the world is a problem, loneliness is a problem, please spend time with your family whatever you do, just relax It is good for your mental health ”
Local rapper Early B wished Capetonians a safe festive season
“Take it easy and be safe on the roads Enjoy it and be blessed ”
Provincial minister for cultural affairs and sport Ricardo MacKenzi, local singer Alistair Izobell, Mayor Geordin Hill Lewis and music legend, Terry Fortune PHOTO: KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Adderley Street lit up PHOTO:SUPPLIED This year’s theme is United in Hope. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
er on gain
The last time Villager won was when Eskom was still profitable, in 2000
“I am sure Villager is the most diverse club in WP, we have players from all over the Western Cape Three times a week our captain, Eben Coetzee, travels from Robertson to attend trainng and matches and that shows commitment
We finished fourth last year and this year we howed growth We were able to win the treble rown against False Bay, Hamiltons and UCT as well as against Maties and UWC, who we beat wice We not only won back the trophy we lost o Unimil and the Super League trophy from Hamiltons, but unfortunately lost the derby rophy against Helderberg of Somerset West
To qualify as one of two teams to represent WP n the Gold Cup was another feather in our cap, nd we felt bad for Hammies who had to bow ut in the quarters against us
“We fell short in the final against Naka Bulls, who was victorius the second year in a row
They are a good outfit and my only problem with the Gold Cup competition is that we play 27 league matches in WP and Naka Bulls only 7 Our players were kept together with plaster nd strapping and could not cross the final hurdle
We learned valuable lessons and will apply hose next year as we have to rebuild a squad gain after players left for higher honours
“We are also proud of Thys Meyer who was he Player of the Year of WP, William Rose who was used as flyhalf and scrumhalf, and Bradley Taine, but I can name every player in the squad or their contributions this year, ” he says With players leaving the club for higher honurs they will be welcoming any other players o the club to help build the club and enjoy the acilities at the club With the rugby season done and dusted the club will resume their pre-season after the festive season
