Enter Blisters for Bread
In a world shaped by systems one ’ s mindset is the one thing that can set one free, and set one apart It’s not your background, your bank account, or even your education that determines your future; it’s the way you think All these things are useless when the mind is blind
When you dare to think differently, to question what’s around you and craft your own path you step into your power That’s what truly separates those who succeed from those who settle I learnt this early, not from textbooks but from watching people accept the life they never chose Where I come from in the Boland it’s common to see young people finish school only to end up in predictable jobs on farms, in restaurants, behind counters Honest work, yes, but not always born from dreams Too often it’s just what’s available Just what’s handed to you But what if we didn’t accept what’s handed to us?
At the age of 10 I began dreaming of a life beyond what I saw, beyond my colourful essays I didn’t know where exactly I was going, but I knew I couldn’t allow my environment to shrink
my imagination I crafted a universe in my mind, one where I could break cycles, define my own success and live with purpose Even at this age I do that Life is by no means easy Life tests you in subtle and serious ways, through finances, health, limited access, just to name a few It throws you a general dish, a one-size fits all blanket and tells you to be grateful But I refused to accept the idea that this was all there was And that refusal became my strength
My father once told me “smooth seas never made skilled sailors, and when you are born into a system your first act of freedom is to question it ” That quote has never left me It’s guided the way I move through the world
Systems, political, economic, educational, the media don’t just shape what’s possible for us, but how we think what is possible And if you don’t break free of the script you were handed you’ll play a role you never auditioned for June is Youth Month and this year ’ s theme, “Skills for the Changing World, Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation”, points us towards the future It’s about preparing young people for a world that’s evolving Before skills we need to talk about mindset, because if people don’t believe they can build something those tools will sit unused Mindset is the hidden engine driving our
The National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) got a major cash boost from a R3,5 million donation by Clicks stores to its 2024 Casual Day campaign. The handover ceremony took place at Clicks’ head office in Woodstock on Thursday 22 May Bongiwe Ntuli, Managing Executive at Clicks, said: “We’re incredibly thankful for the compassion shown by our customers and proud of our staff’s efforts in driving this campaign Our continued collaboration with the NCPD reinforces our commitment to building a healthier future for all South Africans Every sticker sold contributes directly to making a meaningful difference.” Therina Wentzel, National Director of the NCPD, said: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Clicks, its staff and customers for their unwavering generosity and support in making Casual Day such an unprecedented success.” This year’s Casual Day takes place on Friday 5 September Stickers can be bought from stores and online from July Dhevan Pillay, Clicks Head of Store and Pharmacy Ops (SA); Adri Visser, Casual Day Coordinator; Abel, Casual Day Mascot; Bongiwe Ntuli, Clicks Managing Executive; and Louis Botha, Casual Day Manager PHOTO: CHANDRE FORTUIN
choices, fuelling our creativity and expanding our vision It’s that small spark that says “there must be more than this ”
Thoughts are powerful They come from what we consume in our conversations, our culture, our environment If we ’ re surrounded by defeatist thinking, by people who don’t dream, we may start to believe that dreaming is foolish, that success is reserved for “others”, that we are meant only to survive, and never thrive But when you start thinking independently everything changes You stop chasing appearances and start building substance You stop measuring your worth by what you wear, where you live or what you drive and start defining success on your own terms After all, one of the greatest traps of our time is an obsession with looking successful
What sets you apart, really, is how deeply you think, how courageously you act, and how consistently you build, what you ’ re planting when no-one is watching That’s the difference maker You know, “be the change you want to see ” If there’s one thing I want young people (like myself) to take from this Youth Month, it’s this: Don’t be afraid to be different; it’s often your greatest strength The world doesn’t need more copies It needs more creators, people bold enough to question, think and build on their own terms I’d love to hear from you
Appeal for winter donations now
As winter continues to cause havoc in and around Cape Town, the City of Cape Town is appealing to the public to consider the less fortunate
“We have noted a stark increase in fire and flood impacts in recent years Our disaster relief partners are doing sterling work under very trying circumstances, but they need help and that is why the Disaster
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“We do have plumbing issues and we rely heavily on funding because we are a registered NPO, which is a condition for being an income-receiving a venue with ticket sales for our own productions ”
Kaye said the Masque Theatre trust was also looking at having the theatre declared a heritage site since the building itself long pre-dates the theatre
“We’ve also got approval from council to install a mural on the front wall of the theatre, which has to be fixed beforehand,” Kaye said
The theatre’s running also relies heavily on venue hire and at times a stipend from the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
“If we are lucky, we get funding for specific project through the City of Cape Town and DCAS,” she said The main issues plaguing the building are cracked ceilings and roof leakages in the bathroom
“We are struggling to keep up with our running costs because the funding we receive doesn’t cover capital expenses such as maintenance,” she said, adding “The backstage bathrooms have severe plumbing and damp issues and our stage needs to be resprung ”
She said the core team at the Masque needed help raising the funds to repair the wall, which will cost up to R120 000
There are currently 16 volunteers that consist of production staff and actors at the theatre
Stage technician Mika Meyer (22) from Sun Valley said her love for theatre began at school, performing and being involved in productions
She specialises in doing the lighting for the Masque’s productions
“I’ve always been involved in theatre in one way or another At high school I spent much of my time volunteering as a lighting and sound
Risk Management Centre is asking for donations that will be chanelled directly to affected families, or via our NGO partners
“Humanitarian relief is challenging, with complexities around mandates and centralisation of funding at a national level that often results in delays The City is trying to overcome the obstacles, as the need for humanitarian relief during disaster can’t be overlooked Your donation to one of
technician for various productions and I carried that into my adult life
Theatre is a space where the creative and technical mind collaborate to inspire people, and that’s always been such a wonderful thing to witness and be part of
“I joined The Masque for a staging of Hamlet and I saw the great passion people here had; it was a great reminder of why theatrical spaces are so inspiring ”
She said she enjoyed the challenge of managing the logistics of a new production and creating new lights quite challenging
“Since new shows are always coming in and going out, we tend to prepare for something on any given day,” said Kaye
When they have improv shows they require lights to be designed, and sound equipment set up
They then break down the stage and reset and it for upcoming productions
Plumstead resident and volunteer actress Roxanne Weir (26) calls the theatre her second home
“Apart from being an actress I also love writing fantasy stories I was about 14 when I officially started to ‘live theatre’
“My drama teacher at the time was my inspiration, showing me how to inhabit every role I played
“The skills I've learnt include singing, learning costume changes and general backstage crew work
I’m currently preparing for fairy-tale plays that we ’ re also staging The challenges usually are navigating and timing of backstage crew, but it comes quickly the more one does it
“When I first started here three years ago we were seven members
All our members are freelance staff and our core team changes with every production ”
. For more information contact Kaye on 072 464 2500 or email operations@ themasque co za
TAKE TO A CITY DROP-OFF POINT,OR DIRECTLY TO YOUR NEAREST NGO
our City drop-off points, or directly to your nearest NGO will make a world of difference,” said Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith
Seven fire stations have been designated as drop-off points: Constantia, Goodwood, Hout Bay, Lakeside, Roeland Street, Strand and Wynberg
The fire stations are open 24/7 and are always manned by someone in the watch room Donors can also email Disaster Donations@capetown gov za for collection Anyone wishing to assist can donate clothing for all ages, non-perishable food items like rice, maize meal, tinned fish, tinned beans
and baby formula, as well as personal hygiene items
“Disaster strikes daily and the impacts last far longer than we can imagine It’s also not limited to the highly publicised severe weather impacts or multi-structure fires To one person or family losing their home or being displaced is a disaster So please, if you are have the means, we ask that you donate even when it is not headline news, ” added Smith
Stage technician, Mika Meyer (22) from Sun Valley
A section of the bathroom ceiling where the leakages occur at the Masque Theatre in Muizenberg
Plumstead resident and volunteer actress, Roxanne Weir (26)
A look at all the theatre productions that was held at the Masque Theatre in Muizenberg
Baboon human clash intensifies
KEANAN HARMSE
KEANAN HARMSE@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
An activist fears for the safety and well-being of five baboon troops after the City, in partnership with various role players confirmed they will carry out an operation to safely remove the mammals from the Cape Peninsula.
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) stated that the Cape Peninsula baboon troops have severely regressed in the last three years
The CPBMJTT also mentioned that the baboon population has increased to the extent that it was exhausting their resources
In the light of this, the task team consisting of representatives from the South African National Parks (SANParks), CapeNature and the City hosted its second meeting with the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group (CPBAG) to discuss these matters on Tuesday 27 May
Previously, People’s Post reported that activists were finding far too many baboons with air-rifle wounds across the Peninsula and were calling on the community to report these crimes
The most recent incident involved a baboon known in the False Bay Community as Blondie (TK66) who was found dead in Palace Hill Road on Saturday morning 5 April after succumbing to a gunshot wound to the chest (“Activists demand actiono, ” People’s Post 16 April)
CPBMJTT says their intention is to: “ ensure the Cape Peninsula has a baboon population that is well-managed, healthy and free ranging in the natural areas ” and remove five splinter troops
The troops could be removed in the following methods: translocation for rewilding, capture and removal to an existing sanctuary or to a newly established sanctuary, humane euthanasia, or a combination of these options, the City confirmed
“Rangers have very little success in keeping the baboons out of the urban
THE PUBLIC CAN COMMENT ON THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE TROOPS SHOULD BE REMOVED
areas leading to an over-reliance on aversion techniques; the health and welfare of the troops are severely compromised; and escalating conflict between baboons and residents is being recorded,” the City said
Spokesperson at the Cape Peninsula
Civil Conservation Lynda Silk says she is concerned about the well-being of the baboon troops and is strictly opposed to culling the mammals
CPCC is a non-profit organisation (NPO) that focuses on educating the community on the importance of biodiversity, through various projects such as Baboon Wise, Nature Club and Safe in the Sea
“To remove, most likely by killing, a quarter of the Cape Peninsula’s managed baboon population is deeply shocking There are a lot of questions and serious ethical dilemmas that this raises and need to be seriously investigated
“Baboons are intelligent and often difficult to trap or dart even in single numbers There is no way this will not be traumatic for these highly sentient animals It will also likely be traumatic for surrounding communities,” she said
The Cape Baboon Partnership spokesperson Kim Leeuwner told People’s Post that: “although culling is one of the options tabled it is certainly not a foregone conclusion”
The public can comment on the manner in which these troops should be removed and these strategies will also be reviewed by a panel of external international and local experts
“CT1, a splinter troop, lives north of Constantia Nek with very limited access to natural areas below 230m between the vineyards and residential suburbs
“CT2, splintered from CT1, lives
north of Constantia Nek all the way to Kirstenbosch and Constantia Village There is a high level of human induced injuries and deaths recorded in this troop
“Waterfall, splintered from the Smitswinkel troop, lives on the southern border of Simon’s Town The troop is highly habituated, and have very poor welfare status with high levels of human induced injuries and deaths
“Seaforth splintered from the
“Smitswinkel Bay troop and moved north of Murdoch Valley This troop poses an ongoing threat to the critically endangered African Penguin colony and visits this area on a weekly basis
“Da Gama4, splintered from the Da Gama troop and lives in and around Welcome Glen, Glencairn and the Da Gama residential areas, is habituated to people and the urban environment ” the City said
“As a community engaged and
representative body, Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation encourages residents and concerned parties to give feedback on this pending action If you would like us to give your feedback to JTT, please submit to info@cpcc org za Alternatively email cpbmjtt@capenature co za and cc us, ” Silk said People’s Post reached out to the Shark Spotters group but they could not respond before the time of publication
TrainingwithRealMadrid
KEANAN HARMSE
KEANAN HARMSE@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
The learners at Generation Schools Imhoff can look forward to training with the world’s best football coaches, after the school launched the Real Madrid Foundation Educational Football Programme (RMFEFP) on their campus on Friday evening 30 May
The event was attended by Alberto Giménez, Technical Director of the RMFEFP programme in South Africa, and Andrés Muntaner, RMFEFP’s Director of Clinics
“The launch evening was attended by families, programme staff and young players who showcased their skills and celebrated their growth since the programme began,” said school spokesperson Caronne Vermaak “It was a celebration of not just football, but of the dreams, discipline and determination the children have demonstrated ”
The collaboration between the Foundation and the school offer learners access to world-class football coaching with personal development, focusing on emotional intelligence, teamwork and long-term educational outcomes
“Although the programme at Imhoff has been running since the beginning of the year, the official celebration marked a key milestone in recognising its impact and growth within the community,” said Vermaak
The programme was introduced to South Africa earlier this year and has
since expanded across three campuses: Sunningdale, Imhoff and, most recently, Taroko in Johannesburg
The Imhoff campus has played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for the programme ’ s success in the province, with dozens of young athletes already benefiting from its structured mentorship and high-performance training
Currently, seven full bursaries, including six with accommodation, and 20 partial bursaries have been awarded
Jevron Epstein, CEO of Generation Schools and president of the Real Madrid Foundation South Africa, said it was an honour working alongside Imhoff
“We’ve seen first hand how the right combination of sport, mentorship, and education can uplift communities This programme is about building futures both on and off the pitch,” he said
The Cape Baboon Partnership confirmed that a popular baboon known as ‘Blondie’ was found with an air rifle pellet in his chest Here he was pictured in Elsie’s Park on Saturday 29 March this year PHOTO: SUPPL ED
by the school to talented young players from disadvantaged communities in Cape Town
Members of both Generation Schools Imhoff and Real Madrid Foundation Educational Football Program (RMFEFP) at the launch of their educational football programme last Friday, 30 May From left: Alberto Gimenez, Brendan Epstein, Andres Muntaner, Jevron Epstein, Kerryn Ackermann, Sandra de Abreu, Jac Vos and Kyle Saville PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
Protect your home this winter
The winter months in South Africa are commonly associated with a heightened risk of fire-related incidents in various communities
This increase is due mainly to the significant drop in temperatures, prompting many households to consider various heating methods to keep their families warm At the same time, the cold, dry conditions create an environment conducive to wildfires due to a lack of rain during the season
The impact of these fires can lead to devastating outcomes, ranging from loss of life, human displacement, health risks (from burns and smoke inhalation) and b siness inte ptions
REMAINVIGILANT,TAKE PROACTIVEMEASURESTO REDUCEFIREHAZARDS, PROTECTFAMILIES...
vices such as home open fires, gas and electrical heaters and electrical blankets These risks are often exacerbated by electrical faults resulting from poor maintenance or overloading systems and appliances
On the other hand, wildfires and veldfires are caused mainly by human error, either through effo ts to sta a m o b ning d o e g o n
Always report unmonitored open fires to local authorities and community emergency forums
For added peace of mind, Saia encourages households and businesses to contact their insurer or broker for suitable non-life insurance products that cover fire
This can serve as a good risk transfer mechanism in the event of a fire-related incident that leads to damage and/or loss of valuable assets such as your home, home contents, vehicle, or business property
Always review your insurance cover for appropriateness and advise your insurers of any changes that may impact your insurance cover
Lastly, keep your insurance premiums up to date to maintain uninterrupted protection
“Winter should be a season of warmth and comfort, not one marked by tragedy and loss
Therefore, we encourage all South Africans to take the necessary steps to prevent fire outbreaks in their homes, businesses, and environments,” says Palagangwe
“By staying informed, implementing safety measures, and ensuring that insurance cover is up to date, we can avoid the devastating financial and emotional consequences of fire-related incidents Together, we can protect our homes, families, and future this winter ”
I Human trafficking: hidden crisis
Budget healthy diet doable
Healthy eating on a budget, local dieticians share practical advice.
While the rising cost of living continues to affect households across Cape Town, local dieticians say eating healthily is more affordable and accessible than many realise
Not only is a healthy diet essential in preventing and treating chronic lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, but it is also a powerful act of self-care
During Dieticians Week, which ran from Monday 2 to Sunday 7 June under the theme “Your health, our mission: Talk to a dietitian”, healthcare professionals across the province were working to dispel the myth that nutritious food is out of reach for the average household,” said Kristi Overmeyer, a dietician based at Heideveld Community Day Clinic “Healthy eating is perceived to be expensive We have noticed that the communities we serve have financial constraints and this leads to food insecurity ”
Quanita Salaam, a dietician at Mitchells Plain Community Health Centre, echoed the concern She said limited income, reliance on spaza shops that often lack fresh produce and a general lack of knowledge about nutrition are major obstacles to healthier living
“Many people are unaware of how to read food labels, balance meals or make healthier swaps For example, people often believe fruit juice is always healthy, even though many are filled with added sugar ”
Despite these challenges residents across the Cape have access to free nutritional consultations through public-health-care facilities Dieticians hope more people will take advantage of these services to improve their eating habits
“Choosing healthy meals is a powerful act of self-care in today's fast-paced life,” Salaam said “Eating a balanced diet along with regular exercise decreases the risk of chronic diseases It also supports mental health, boosts mood and concentration, and helps children grow, learn, and thrive ”
Cost remains a common concern Fresh produce and lean proteins are often more expensive than processed staples such as white bread and rice But knowing how to make substitutions and control portion sizes can stretch a small budget a long way Dieticians also point out that acceptance of vegetables, especially among children, is often shaped by family habits and exposure The lack of vegetables in daily meals contributes to preferences for sweeter and saltier foods, including fast food and fried meals
Zenande Xaluva, a dietician at Nyanga Community Day Clinic, offers a simple, visual method to help families build balanced meals using their hands A healthy plate should have starch about the size of a closed fist, protein the size of the inside of your palm, and non-starchy vegetables filling the space of two cupped hands Fats, Xaluva said, should be kept to the size of the tip of your thumb
Practical, cost-saving strategies are available to every household
Dietician Margaux Doe from Mitchells Plain District Hospital suggests adding beans and
Margaux Doe Dietician at the Mitchells Plain District Hospital PHOTO SUPPLIED
Lensman and jazz impresario dies
Tributes continue to pour in for a man whose life’s work bridged the worlds of political resistance and artistic expression
Rashid Lombard, acclaimed photographer, cultural activist and jazz visionary died on Wednesday 4 June at the age of 74
He was laid to rest on Thursday 5 June according to Muslim rites Lombard and his parents moved to Cape Town in 1962 from Gqeberha
Originally trained as an architectural draftsman and later as an industrial photographer, he began his career with construction giant Murray & Roberts
His political consciousness was later amplified through the influence of the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM)
Lombard went on to work as a freelance photographer and television sound recordist at the height of the anti-apartheid struggle
His lens captured the unrest and hope of a nation in transition for international media outlets, including Agence France-Presse, the BBC and NBC
He documented pivotal moments in South Africa’s journey to freedom, including the rise of the democratic movement in the 1980s, the release of late former President Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990 and the country’s first democratic elections in 1994
With democracy came the opportunity for Lombard to embrace his other great passion, jazz, fully
He served as station manager at Fine Music Radio and later as programming manager at P4 Smooth Jazz Radio
HE DOCUMENTED PIVOTAL MOMENTS OF SA’S JOURNEY TO DEMOCRACY.
In 1997, Lombard founded espAfrika, the events-management company behind one of his most enduring legacies: the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), which he launched in 2000 and directed until his retirement in 2014
After stepping away from the festival he took over the digitisation of his archives, a task previously managed by his wife Colleen Lombard later partnered with the National Archives and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) to make the collection publicly accessible online as a national heritage resource
His daughter will now carry this work on
A gifted visual storyteller, Lombard published Jazz Rocks in 2010, edited by the late George Hallett
The book is a journey looking through the eye of his camera, capturing music, people, and places that defined his life and work across the globe
It offers a richly textured window into the vibrant world of jazz, reflecting not only the performances, but the deep, spiritual connection between Lombard and the musicians he photographed
His work received widespread acclaim and he was honoured with numerous awards for both his contributions to news photography and his impact on music and tourism
In 2014, he was awarded the prestigious National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver “for his excellent contribution to arts and culture and his dedication to promoting jazz music that has put South Africa on the map for many jazz enthusiasts around the world ”
Marlene le Roux, Chief Executive
Officer of the Artscape, described Lombard as an “unwavering activist and a promoter of the arts”
“He was one of the most unassuming, humble, modest advocates for the arts
“Whether it was through his photography, his involvement in music, jazz in particular, or whether it was through his development and creation of work opportunities,” she explained
Le Roux said they would be lighting a candle on stage in his memory
“The arts world is definitely poorer now that he is gone but his legacy lives on in people whose lives he touched, the work he created and in the immaculate images only he could see through his lenses ”
espAfrika and the Sekunjalo Group, in a press statement, described Lombard’s passing as a “profound loss” to South Africa and the global arts community
“Rashid’s legacy is etched across multiple spheres – from his work as a courageous photojournalist during the anti-apartheid struggle, to his pioneering role in founding espAfrika and conceptualising the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, now ranked among the four largest jazz festivals in the world,” read the statement Lombard is survived by his wife, his sister Fazoe Sydow and his five children, Chevan, Shadley, Yana, Zach and Daniel, and grandchildren
Rashid Lombard, acclaimed photographer, cultural activist and jazz visionary died on Wednesday 4 June at the age of 74
Youth contest ret
Excitement is mounting in Mitchells Plain for the start of the 10th u-16 Bayview Youth Cup which will be launched on Monday 16 June at Mondale High School. The media partner of the Youth Cup is Novus Media, publishers of People’s Post, Tygerburger and City Vision.
A total of 64 teams from all over the Western Cape, Beaufort West and Namibia will participate Defending champions Ubuntu, who beat Cape Town Spurs 2-0 in the final
last year, will be among the participants
“Games will kick off at 09:00 at Strandfontein Sports Field and 336 games will be played The finals will be on Sunday 16 August at Athlone Stadium,” says Mark Rodrigues, chair of the Bayview Football Club
The teams will be split in 16 groups of four and the first shots of the tournament will be fired on Sunday 29 June until Sunday16 August For six days teams will battle it out for the honours to be crowned the champions Duncan Crowie a, retired striker and former Bafana Bafana player, will be at the launch Crowie played for Lightbody Santos in the Federation Professional League before soccer in SA was united to
form the current Premier Socc League (PSL) He was the top in the 1989 Federation Profess League season with 19 goals an helped Santos to finish second league He started his senior s career at Glendene United and for the team from 1982 to 1986 joined Santos in 1987 until 20 1992, he was selected for his so Bafana Bafana cap After his playing days he wen managerial career as assistant at Santos from 2011 to 2012 He took up the role as the co the u-17 Afcon team that playe 2023 in the Africa Cup of Nati Nigeria where SA reached the ter-finals He is currently a coa Cape Town Spurs, formerly Aj Town, at Ikamva in Parow, an
AVRIL FILLIES
Mark Rodrigues says teams are ready to take each other on PHOTO SUPPL ED