Each step feeds a child
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
“No child should have to choose between learning and hunger ” So said Cheraldine Vanacore, a Blisters for Bread
Charity Family Fun Walk participant for over 10 years
The annual Blisters for Bread
Charity Family Fun Walk is an initiative by the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA), 67-year-old non-profit organisation that aims to address hunger among learners
It provides daily nutritious meals to learners in over 100 schools in the province
For Vanacore child hunger is a topic that lies close to her heart as she comes from a disadvantaged background
For her, taking part in the event is a way of giving back
“This is personal to me I come from a background where I didn’t have much It was exciting for me to go to school and to get a meal Taking part in the walk is a reminder to me that I can make a difference in a small way ”
Vanacore said she cannot wait for
NO CHILD HAS TO LEARN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH
this year ' s Blisters for Bread, which returns to the Green Point Common Sports Ground on Sunday 31 August
“I am looking forward to completing the walk again this year I wish there were more organisations doing initiatives like this It’s a reminder that hunger is real I know how it feels to have nothing ” Online entries are now open, and participation is limited to 8 000 walkers Registration closes at midnight on Sunday 17 August
Every participant will be presented with a commemorative medal as a token of PSFA’s appreciation for taking part in this meaningful cause
In addition, thanks to the generous support of its hydration partner, Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, complimentary refreshments will be available to all walkers, ensuring everyone stays refreshed and energised throughout the day
The Green Point Common Sports Ground will come alive with live
music performances from Cape Town’s top local artists, family-friendly entertainment, food stalls and loads of activities for kids and grown-ups alike
Petrina Pakoe, director of PSFA, said Blisters for Bread is more than just an event but a “heartfelt movement”
Every Rand raised and every kilometre walked helps us ensure that no child has to learn on an empty stomach We invite everyone – young and old – to walk with purpose and be part of this extraordinary cause ”
Measlesthreatlooms—getvaccinatednow
As measles cases surge in parts of the country, health experts are urging residents to check their vaccination status and ensure their children are protected
Although the outbreak is currently concentrated in Gauteng, where 181 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported between January and mid-June, public health professionals warn that under-vaccinated communities in the Western Cape remain vulnerable
VACCINATIONKEYTOSTOPPING
MEASLES
Professor Talitha Crowley, a public health expert and head of the academic division at the University of the Western Cape’s School of Nursing, says the best way to prevent measles from spreading is through high vaccination coverage
“To stop a measles outbreak, we need 95% of the community vacci-
nated,” she explained
“Right now, too many children in some parts of the country are going unvaccinated, and that’s dangerous ”
UNDERSTANDINGMEASLES
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known to medicine It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours
The disease starts with symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a red rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body
By the time the rash appears, the person is already in the most contagious stage
“Measles can cause serious complications, especially in babies, malnourished children, and people with weak immune systems,” said Crowley
“These include pneumonia, diarrhoea, blindness, brain inflammation, and even death ”
The good news, according to Crowley, is that the Cape Metropole increased its under-five immunisation coverage to 90% early this year This was achieved through targeted catch-up campaigns in clinics and schools
However, she cautioned that no community is completely safe until everyone is covered
“Even one unvaccinated child in a class can lead to an outbreak,” she said
“We need to keep those numbers up and reach the last 5 to 10% of families who might have missed a dose ”
Vaccination against measles is free at all public clinics and hospitals in Cape Town as part of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Routine measles vaccines are given at 6 months
A JOURNO’S VOICE
Every year on 18 July we celebrate
Nelson Mandela’s legacy with what has come to be known as “67 minutes of service” We’re encouraged to do something good for someone else whether that means handing out sandwiches, planting vegetables, or reading to children
Across Cape Town, schools, NGOs, churches, and companies show up with paint brushes, black bags, and donated goods
It’s beautiful in many ways, the spirit of generosity, the momentary unity, the desire to do good
But it’s also fleeting
Because the very next day, life goes back to normal Those who were hungry are hungry again
That over-crowded shelter remains underfunded The crèche with fresh coats of paint still has too few teachers And many of us who gave
our 67 minutes feel like we ’ ve done enough, until next year
But what Madiba stood for cannot be captured in one symbolic act a year He gave 67 years of his life to building a more just, equal and democratic South Africa He went to prison, endured unimaginable sacrifice, and still emerged with a commitment to peace, dignity, and inclusion If we really want to honour him, we have to live his values the other 364 days of the year, too Ubuntu, the African philosophy that reminds us I am because you are, is not about charity It’s not about dropping off pre-loved clothes or taking a selfie at a soup kitchen It’s a way of life Ubuntu calls us to see the humanity in others It asks us to act with compassion, but also with responsibility, to build communities where no one is left behind, and where justice is more than just a word on a wall
The truth is, many of us are struggling Some of us live in backyards or shacks where the rain leaks through the roof Others are unem-
ployed, or work long hours for little pay Some are raising children on their own Others are trying to rebuild after losing everything to gang violence, addiction, or crime In this country, most people live close to the edge And that makes it even more important that we don’t turn Mandela Day into a performance for the privileged We need to be asking harder questions: Why do people still queue for water in 2025? Why are libraries closing in places where children desperately need safe spaces to read? Why do government clinics run out of medication, and why is GBV still an everyday reality for so many women and girls? Madiba did not fight for a South Africa where injustice is normalised He believed in dignity, and dignity means access, fairness, and care, for everyone, not just a few
If we really want to honour his legacy, we have to treat each other with dignity every day, not just on Mandela Day That means greeting
and 12 months Public vaccination sites include City health clinics and district hospitals like Khayelitsha District Hospital, Mitchell's Plain, and Karl Bremer
VACCINESWORKANDSAVELIVES
“Just one dose of the measles vaccine gives around 93% protection
Two doses increase this to about 97%,” Crowley said
While rare, vaccinated individuals can still get measles, but their symptoms are usually mild and far less contagious
With school holidays and winter illnesses on the rise, the public is being urged to stay alert
“Measles is preventable If we all do our part, Cape Town can avoid the suffering we ’ re seeing elsewhere,” said Crowley . For information on your nearest clinic, call 0800 923 922 or visit www westerncape gov za/ facilities
the people we walk past on the street It means treating the person who collects our bins or cleans our children’s schools with the same respect as we do a manager It means checking in on an elderly neighbour It means challenging corruption when we see it, whether in government or in our own communities
Mandela’s legacy isn’t just a history lesson It’s a living challenge to all of us
So yes, let’s keep Mandela Day Let’s keep the 67 minutes But let’s not stop there Let’s make kindness a habit, not an event Let’s make justice part of our daily thinking, not just our yearly branding Let’s teach our children not only to give, but to ask why some people always need to receive Because the truth is, 67 minutes is just the beginning South Africa needs 365 days of Ubuntu
That’s how we honour Madiba, not with moments, but with movement Not with charity, but with change
Cheraldene Vanacore (front left) has been doing the Blisters for Bread Charity Fun Walk for over 10 years PHOTO: PRO ALLIANCE PHOTOGRAPH C
NAMHLA MONAKALI
New memoir by Fish Hoek local
KEANANHARMSE
AFish Hoek resident is celebrating the launch of his new book.
Gerry Adlard, a volunteer at the Fish Hoek Valley Museum since last year, unpacked the research and travels that inspired his latest work, entitled Beholding the City: Adventures with God, to People’ s Post
The 78-year-old resident of Peers Village was born in England and grew up in Zimbabwe, where he obtained a BSc degree and years later received a doctorate in collaborative development from the University of Cape Town (UCT)
He pioneered a Christian ministry, a collaborative development, in deprived communities and facilitated large multi-faceted housing solutions for communities and government
He also helped with strategic planning in Southern Sudan and led garden guides in Kirstenbosch
“I decided to volunteer at the museum as my main interest as a team member is in fostering caring and developmental collaborations between the diverse communities that exist in the valley and its museums and libraries I expressed an interest in discovering and documenting how and when every area of the Fish Hoek Valley became occupied and was subdivided I was given the freedom to get on with exploring the history of the area ”
According to Adlard his spiritual journey be-
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“My dad Lindela Ngcaba helped Emihle with coaching,” said Ngcaba Ngcaba said the teen needs to raise about R35 000
This will cover expenses like his flight ticket, accommodation, toiletries and his passport fee Emihle used to play central attacking midfielder for Noordhoek Football Club, Harvest Academy and the local teams in Masiphumelele d Phili i H tl l f A t l
Cultivate healthy financial habits
Knit with love for Mandela Day
KEANANHARMSE
Capetonians from far and wide played their part in honouring the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela by knitting beanies for those less fortunate at Longbeach Mall in Noordhoek from Wednesday 16 July to Friday 18 July.
Over 250 people spent 67 minutes of their time to contribute their hand-knitted woolen works toward the annual, Beanies for Babies –Knit with Love fundraiser
The initiative is the brainchild of Irene Oxley, a volunteer at 67 Blankets, a nationwide movement using knitting and crocheting as tools for social upliftment, warmth and dignity
The event was hosted in partnership with 67
THE EVENT WAS HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 67 BLANKETS
Mary-Kate Wessels from Sun Valley received the special certificate of participation for their contribution
Sun Valley resident Charlotte Wessels
Volunteer Ruth Elly showing Laura Shultz how to knit
A Women’s Humanity fest returns
At just 18-years-old Leo Matthysen is the youngest Davis Cup tennis player in South Africa In January this year he played his fourth Davis Cup tie for South Africa, against Nigeria, at the Groenkloof Tennis Stadium in Pretoria Whatever the prestige, for him Mitchell’s Plain is home
Before him Nik Scholtz, son of WP fullback Calla Scholtz, was the youngest when he made his debut at 19 years old “I never played any other sport and focused only on ten-
