Red Cross grows bigger
ANAMHLAMONAKALI
significant healthcare milestone was reached this week with the official opening of the Cape Winelands’ first dedicated paediatric Burns Unit at Ceres Hospital, bringing the worldclass care of Cape Town’s Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) closer to rural communities
The newly established one-bed unit was unveiled on Thursday 31 July, marking a major step forward for the province in decentralising access to specialist burns treatment The project forms part of a broader R18 million investment led by the Children’s Hospital Trust, in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, to improve burns care across the region Alongside the Ceres facility, similar units have also been launched at Worcester Hospital and the Worcester Community Day Centre
Until now, Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Rondebosch, the only dedicated paediatric burns service in the Western Cape, carried the full weight of caring for thousands of burn-injured children annually
On average, Red Cross treats over 1 000 inpatients and between 4 000 and 5 000 outpatients annually
But for families in outlying towns like, access often meant long, costly journeys to the Mother City, posing delays in treatment and further trauma for children and caregivers alike
That burden was powerfully illustrated by one local woman who shared her story at the launch
Her daughter, who sustained serious burns, was initially treated at Ceres Hospital but required onoing follow-up care at Red Cross
The return trip from Ceres to Cape Town cost the family R1 400
Today, she says, a trip to the new unit from their nearby farm costs only R17
“I’m elated,” she said “Not only because of the money we ’ re saving, but because my child now gets the care she needs without leaving home for days It brings comfort and dignity during a painful journey ”
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, praised the unit’s opening as a triumph of collaboration
“This new Burns Unit in Ceres is bringing life-saving care closer to rural communities and ensuring that children can receive specialised support without having to travel far away from home and family,” Wenger said “It shows what’s possible when government, civil society and donors unite with a shared purpose ”
The Children’s Hospital Trust, based at Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Rondebosch, was instrumental in raising the funds for the initiative
The Trust’s CEO, Chantel Cooper, emphasised that donor partnerships were central to the success of the project, from construction and equipment to specialist staff training Nurses and allied health workers from across the Cape Winelands were trained to respond quickly and confidently to burns emergencies in local facilities, easing the pressure on Cape Town’s central hospitals
Dr Elton Titus, medical manager at the new facility, called the unit “ a welcome and long-overdue addition” to rural healthcare in the Witzenberg region With the training we ’ ve received and the new equipment in place, we can
DONORS WERE ESSENTIAL
now offer holistic, high-quality care to children with burn wounds right here in Ceres,” he said
Family physician Dr Jani Fouché echoed that view, adding that the dedicated space allows for focused treatment with equipment such as a point-of-care ultrasound, ventilator, and wash bay
“This unit is designed specifically for burns It gives our team the resources we need to act fast and effectively, especially during the critical early stages of treatment,” said Fouché
For Red Cross, the project extends its legacy of excellence in child-centred care far beyond Cape Town’s borders
Dr Anita Parbhoo, CEO of Red Cross, attended the event and praised the initiative as an important decentralisation of expertise rooted in the hospital’s longstanding mission
The launch was a celebration of shared effort, and a reminder that every child, whether in Ceres or Cape Town, deserves access to specialist care, close to home . For more information,contact Sandra Maritz at the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness at 071 589 1337 or Sandra Maritz@ westerncape gov za
2026schooltransferapplicationsnowopen
Parents who wish to apply for a school transfer for the 2026 school year can do so until Monday 18
August
The applications opened yesterday (4 August)
This applies to school-transfer requests for Grades 2-7 learners and Grades 9-12
Applications can also be done at the relevant school in which the parent/caregiver wishes to transfer to or the relevant district office
SUPPORTINGDOCUMENTS
. The last school report card, ID, birth certificate, passport, study permit or proof of application or police affidavit, and . Proof of address or police affidavit
Parents who have not registered on the online system yet will first need to register on the site
Once registration is complete, they can then proceed to the application Online video tutorials and step-
by-step guidelines are available on the website: https://wcedonline westerncape gov za/admissions
Schools can capture applications only for their own institution, but the system can capture applications for multiple schools
Parents or caregivers will be required to fill in the WCED application form, which can also be downloaded from the WCED website, but can be submitted only to schools or the district office until deadline
Visit wcedonline westerncape gov za/admissions
Parents can drop the form and supporting documents off at the school They can also contact it for details of electronic (e-mail) submissions Schools are finalising their Grade R, 1 and Grade 8 school admission lists and confirming placements . Applications can be done online at: https://www.westerncape.gov. za/education/service/learner-admissions
I’m sure most mothers remember the moment they first discovered they were expecting – the joy, the excitement, the nerves All those emotions at once
And then, of course, going for that first ultrasound and hearing the baby’s heartbeat for the first time
I’m not a mother, but I’ve walked this journey alongside my sister as well as many friends and relatives
Children truly are a gift
As society we are quick to point a finger at men, and rightfully so, because in most cases some men are the perpetrators of crime against women and children
However, in recent court cases it
is mothers who have been at the centre of these tragic and brutal crimes
Amber-Lee Hughes is currently standing trial after admitting to killing her ex ’ s four-year-old daughter in 2023
Kelly Smith is serving life imprisonment for human trafficking and 10 years for kidnapping
She, together with two others were convicted of human trafficking and kidnapping for the disappearance of her six-year-old daughter
Tiffany Nicole Dunn Meek was arrested and charged with the murder of her 11-year-old son
A Johannesburg mother was arrested after a video was circulated on social media showing her allegedly encouraging her son to smoke drugs
I am in no position to judge any
of these women; I don’t think any of us is They, like everyone else, will have receive their just deserts on judgement day, when we all leave this earth
But if we, as women, can no longer be trusted to care for our children what hope is there for the future of our society?
What possible crime could these children have committed that was so heinous that they needed to be killed?
A four-year-old, who should be nurtured and loved, now knows a life of drugs
This is not what those brave women marched for when they went to the Union Buildings in 1956
I’m sure they are crying wherever they may be beyond the grave, speaking to us from eternity, from history, urging us to do better, to
honour their legacy with courage, unity and integrity
This may be precisely what we need; the wise words and voices of our grandmothers, mothers, aunts speaking to us
Perhaps in our pursuit of freedom and independence as young women we ’ ve stopped listening, stopped listening to the wisdom of those who came before us, to the hardwon lessons of struggle
As we live and walk through each day of this month may we take one another’s hands again
Too often, we women are quick to cast aspersions, pass judgement, throw insults and tear one another down, and forget the strength we have when we stand together
Let’s make news headlines, but for the right reasons, lift one another up, break barriers, lead with grace and stand united
KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Dr Anita Parbhoo, CEO of Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital; Chantel Cooper, CEO Children’s Hospital Trust; Mireille Wenger, provincial minister of health; and Dr Elton Titus, Medical Manager; cut the ribbon at the newly established Burns Unit PHOTO: SUPPLIED
The volunteers from the Friends of Silvermine Nature Area at the Silvermine Nature Reserve.
For the last four months Friends of Silvermine Nature Area (Fosna) employed Enoch Moyana to focus on a dense infestation of alien vegetation on the Fish Hoek side of the Lower Silvermine Wetland Area
Iconic beach huts can be the best
Film on NSRI work well-received
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
AVredehoek film director and cinematographer’s love for the ocean as well as long-standing fascination with the life-saving work of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) have come together in a powerful new awareness project.
Inspired by both the beauty and danger of the ocean, Kabeer Shaik has turned his lens towards an innovative safety initiative, the NSRI’s beach-safety camera system
The result is a compelling awareness film that not only highlights this vital technology but also outlines the importance of beach safety and the tireless efforts of NSRI volunteers, who work tirelessly to keep beachgoers safe
Shaik visited the NSRI’s Volunteer Support Centre in Blouberg earlier this year where he was introduced to the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and the Beach Safety Camera Project
Andrew Ingram, NSRI communications manager, said the camera project was initiated in 2020, and is the first of its kind in the country
CAMERAPROJECT
“It is a network of strategically placed, high-definition PTZ (pan-tiltzoom) cameras that support rescue operations and beach safety ”
He said in Cape Town these cameras are active at Strand and Blouberg Beach
“The idea was that from a high angle we can get a completely different
view as to what lifeguards see We can work with lifeguards and first responders in spotting dangers and rip currents This helps with prevention to move them out of danger or get them help as fast as possible ”
THEFILM
The 1-minute film, which can be viewed on the NSRI’s YouTube channel, was filmed at Strand Beach It features actress Shiefaa Hendriks in a portrayal that merges realism and symbolism
Shaik said: “The team used rich golden-hour light and a cinematic approach to create an emotional and immersive experience
“The biggest challenge was the weather We needed a calm sea and high tide in late afternoon to match the story’s emotional tone After weeks of postponements, we got the perfect window in April and gathered an incredible team to make it happen ”
She said the film is based on a real-life rescue event
“The film is pegged to a real-life rescue that occurred over a year ago It is of a young boy who was caught in a rip current before lifeguards were on duty and one of the camera operators spotted him having trouble in the water The camera operator coordinated a rescue and the boy was saved ”
Shaik said the film is his way of paying homage to the incredible work done by the NSRI “This is a way for me to give back to the NSRI I want to create awareness of what the NSRI does and the behind-the-scenes work that no-one notices ”
According to Ingram, there are 11
cameras nationwide
EXPANSION
He said the initiative has also been expanded to beaches in Plettenberg Bay
“Some of the cameras in Plettenberg Bay have a flashing light and a loud audio siren as well as the possibility of our operation-centre volunteers talking to people on the beach through a speaker system ”
SUCCESS
Ingram noted that the cameras have shown positive results since their introduction
“We have videos on our YouTube channel of camera operators spotting people in difficulty and lifeguards rescuing them Two small crafts overturning and getting them rescued
“We can see when flairs are being fired Previously our first responders would spend ages searching for someone in difficult situations Our volunteer operator or our emergency operation centre can see what is happening immediately ”
RELYONDONATIONS
Ingram said expanding the initiative needed donations
He said the cameras can cost between R100 000 and R200 000 to set up based on internet connectivity among other things
“Because the cameras are located close to the ocean we are using good components and cameras All the kits are high quality equipment ” Ingram expressed gratitude to Shaik for his remarkable portrayal of the work carried out by the volunteers
b i s a p e rea y “I would like to thank the volunteers from the NSRI who helped us with
T y
A scene from the film showing the boy being rescued
Experts seek mental health response
As the curtain comes down on Psychosocial Disability Awareness Month, commemorated in July, organisations in the sectors say the urgent call for more investment in youth mental health services continues
Under the theme “It’s the hour to make our youth empowered”, the campaign, spearheaded by the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH), calls for urgent action to improve access to quality mental health services for young people aged 15 to 25 Mental health care organisation Cape Mental Health says youth in South Africa are experiencing a silent mental health crisis
A recent Unicef poll found that 60% of youth between 15 and 24 years felt they needed mental health support in the past year, but many didn’t know where to turn to Key concerns among young people include anxiety about education, employment, and prospects
In the Cape Metropole, challenges such as school dropout, gang violence, unemployment, and substance abuse are exacerbating youth mental health issues
Prof Ingrid Daniels, CEO of Cape Mental Health, highlights that youth living in underserved poverty-stricken communities, including those exposed to crime and unstable home environments, face multiple risk factors that contribute to mental health conditions
These challenges, she warns, can lead to longterm impairments if not addressed and treated early Investment is needed to help youth, especially those aged 19–25, navigate the transition to adulthood, education, or employment
Daniels said: “It’s time to empower our youth with the support, tools, and opportunities they deserve When we invest in the mental health of our youth, we invest in the future generation and leaders of our country ” Speaking at the Cape Community Advoca-
INVEST IN THE FUTURE GENERATION AND LEADERS OF OUR COUNTRY
cy ’ s Bodies’ (CCAB) annual general meeting in Observatory on Tuesday 29 July, Samukelo Nxumalo, a representative of the SAFMH Youth Forum, said that the youth of Generation Z have a responsibility to help fix intergenerational trauma in their families
“We cannot break the cycle of poor mental health and trauma in our families if we are not allowed to talk openly about mental health inside our homes ”
Nxumalo emphasised the need to create open spaces where dialogue can take place freely
“Sometimes we need a doctor, a psychologist, or medication to help us cope, but currently, access to therapy is a privilege We need to create environments in our communities where the average young person can walk into a facility and say, ‘I am depressed, and I need help’ ”
Shayni Geffen, Advocacy and Awareness Project Leader at SAFMH, said the national youth forum creates advocacy campaigns and provides input on the decision-making process around mental health services for young people
Dylan Rademeyer, CCAB chair and peer supporter at Fountain House, reiterated the need for the inclusion of people with lived experience when developing government policy
Citing an experience of once being the only person with a disability attending a social assistance disability policy guide meeting, he said it was only due to his observation and objection to the lack of inclusion that people with disabilities were included in follow-up meetings
Rademeyer stressed that more must be done to make mental health services more accessible to clients CCAB is part of a pressure group that is currently drafting letters to the relevant government departments regarding issues affecting both persons with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities
A common issue raised was the long waiting periods at the South African Social Security
Board members of CCAB, SAFMH and young service users gathered at Fountain House for the CCAB
Agency (Sassa) offices, applicants being given the runaround when documents were missing, and the fact that applicants needed to report to Sassa offices in the early hours of the morning
The pressure group is in the process of drafting a letter to the relevant Sassa offices, which will include testimonials from service users and requests for better service delivery
Rademeyer said currently, community-based mental health services are scarce due to budget cuts and the disproportionate allocation of government funding
He said CCAB is also drafting a letter to the Department of Health requesting the re-establishment of community-based mental health support groups
According to Rademeyer, the Rainbow Groups, a decentralised community-based psychosocial rehabilitation programme of Fountain House, was discontinued due to a lack of government funding two years ago
He adds that this disruption has left people with a mental health diagnosis who do not have the money to travel for help without support
Rangerscelebratedglobally
Rangers were honoured as “custodians of South Africa’s natural and cultural heritage” during national World Ranger Day celebrations held at Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) on Thursday 31 July
The event was led by Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Dr Dion George, who paid tribute to the frontline role rangers play in protecting South Africa’s rich biodiversity
“Rangers are the heartbeat of our protected areas, ” said George “Their commitment goes beyond patrolling They are also researchers, educators, community liaisons, and defenders of our shared heritage ”
World Ranger Day, observed globally on 31 July, is a moment to recognise the essential work of rangers and remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty This year ’ s theme, “Rangers, Powering Transformative Conservation”, highlighted the increasingly dynamic role of rangers in shaping a more inclusive, community-based conservation model
The celebrations come just months after SANParks unveiled its long-term strategy, Vision 2040, which aims to reimagine conservation in a way that promotes ecological sustainability, social justice and economic development
Vision 2040 outlines a future where people and nature thrive together
At its core is the belief that conservation must benefit all South Africans, particularly the marginalised and that local communities must play a central role in managing and protecting natural spaces
“This long-term plan envisions a nation where nature and people thrive together,” SANParks said at the time of the launch On World Ranger Day, SANParks chair Pam Yako echoed that vision and emphasised the role of rangers in bringing it to life
“Rangers embody our collective values of stewardship, courage and transformation,” said Yako “Vision 2040 relies on their leadership in building a conservation model that puts people and the planet first ”
The Mega Living Landscapes (MLL) approach central to Vision 2040 seeks to break down the notion of conservation areas as isolated spaces Instead, it connects national parks with surrounding communities, inviting ordinary South Africans, especially the youth, to find their place in conservation
Numerous celebrations were also hosted at various SANParks regions
In the Garden Route National Park, a ceremony at Knysna High Sports Field recognised the contribution of retired rangers with certificates of appreciation
In the Arid Region, Mokala National Park hosted drill practises, a ranger imbizo, a shooting competition and sports activities that concluded with a celebratory dinner
The Frontier Region marked the day with a simulated anti-poaching operation involving rangers from Camdeboo, Addo Elephant, Karoo and Mountain Zebra national parks, supported by air and ground teams
At Kruger National Park, rangers held a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Paul Kruger Gate Monument in memory of colleagues who died in the line of duty
JP Louw, SANParks Head of Communications, said the day was a reminder of both the risks and the importance of the ranger profession
“As threats to biodiversity grow, so does the pressure on rangers, ” said Louw
“Today we honour their resilience, their adaptability, and their unwavering commitment to the protection of South Africa’s wild spaces ” World Ranger Day was also a call to invest in the people who guard the country’s natural and cultural legacy with courage and care
The SEAM Team and K9 Unit showcase their skills and strength in protecting South Africa’s wild spaces. PHOTO: SUPPL ED
NAMHLAMONAKALI
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10U-16BOYS’,TWOGIRLS’
Gearin up for u-16 fi
Excitement is mounting ahead of this year’s u-16 Bayview Youth Cup finals at Athlone Stadium on Saturday 16 August
Ten u-16 boys’ teams and two girls’ teams will fight for honours in what has been dubbed “ a display of youth football” for the Mother City
In the Bronze Section Southampton will lock horns with Lentegeur, while Heath Athletico will square-up against Woodlands United FC in the Silver Section Wagiet Cup will see D6 Mitchells Plain taking on Pioneer Sports Club and the Gold Section will feature Norway Park and PPG Langa
In the Platinum Section, which is the main event, Cape Town Spurs will come up against Antalyaspor JMP
CT In the ladies’ section Rygate Invitation Ladies will battle it out against Mitchells Plain LFA Ladies
A jubilant Mark Rodrigues, chair of Bayview Football Club and tournament organiser, said all the clubs were looking forward to the competi-
tion and excitement
“There is definitely a lot of excitement from the clubs and everyone, including the parents,” he said “This is something new for the youngsters It is not an easy thing to play in a place like Athlone Stadium ”
According to Rodrigues, gates will open at 08:00 with the first game getting underway at 10:00 and the final match between Spurs and Antalyaspor drawing down the curtain at 18:30
The day will also feature entertainment for the entire family, with food stalls offering a range of delicacies and beverages “A gymnastics team will entertain the crowd before the final kick-off,” Rodrigues said “We are very excited and we want everyone to come out and have fun Come out!
Come out and see what football is all about ” He said this year ’ s tournament had an added layer of excitement with the so-called “small teams” featuring prominently Tickets are available at Ticket Pro and Spar for R50
