People's Post | Grassy Park | Retreat| E-Edition 9 September 2025
GRASSY PARK | RETREAT
Tg 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 Diala-Ride since 2002, its ambit has expanded significantly 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
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
Volunteers clear wetland aliens
KEANAN HARMSE
KEANAN HARMSE@NOVUSMED A CO ZA
Agroup of volunteers are continuing their quest in keeping the Silvermine wetland free from alien vegetation
Over 35 community members gathered for a morning clean-up in the Lower Silvermine Wetland Area between Clovelly and Fish Hoek on Saturday 23 August
They assisted with alien clearing and the replanting of areas damaged as a result of the rerouting of electrical cables under the Silvermine River by the City of Cape Town’s Electricity Department
The group represent The Friends of Silvermine Nature Area (Fosna) who also arranged its third quarterly work party of the year during their clean-up operation, said Fosna Chair Martin Scholtz
“It was wonderful to see so many community
members keen to be involved in the maintenance of this unique natural system It is a space that is utilised a lot for walking and running, and we appeal to the community to stay on the paths, as the denuded areas are slowly revegetated We only managed to clear a small area but will continue in the month of September to deal with ongoing alien clearing that is needed,” he said
The Silvermine Nature Reserve is maintained and kept tidy through the help of Fosna, a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) that works collaboratively with South African National Parks (SANParks), the City of Cape Town and other stakeholders, including the Umvoto Foundation, a non-profit company (NPC) that deals with earth sciences consultancy The volunteers promote the conservation of the Silvermine Nature Area They also foster and promote public awareness of the area
Dr Dave Balfour, a Fish Hoek resident, said: “The work party contributed to two very
Wimportant conservation goals, reducing alien plants that are rapidly invading the disturbed areas in the wetlands and actively rehabilitating some of the disturbed area through planting of locally cultivated plants The fact that approximately 35 local residents put aside time on a Saturday morning to contribute to this effort is hugely encouraging ” Fay Howa, from the City of Cape Town’s Parks and Recreation Department, also shared her knowledge regarding the successful propagation of wetland plants and replanting in the damaged area
Jonathan Morgan, a Clovelly resident, said: “The regular Clovelly wetland work party - in which adults and children from all walks of life participate - is a wonderful example of community mobilisation aiming at: a wetland that is litter free, where invasive aliens are removed, where new indigenous saplings are planted, and where paths are maintained I so look forward to these events where I feel we as a community are making a difference aiming for a pristine beautiful natural common space we all can enjoy ”
Fellow Clovelly resident Melanie Farrell said it has been great to get involved with restoring the wetland area between Clovelly and Fish Hoek, now that the earthworks are finished
“We walked to the wetland on Saturday morning and found Fay Howa from the City’s recreation and parks department waiting for us Fay had arrived with a bakkie-full of previously propagated wetland-friendly plants, and she showed us how and where to plant them I also saw friends and neighbours that I hadn’t seen for a while, and met new neighbours that I’d previously ‘met’ through WhatsApp ”
The Silvermine wetland needs additional volunteers to ensure that the area is free from alien vegetation clearing and that the ecosystem thrives through regular clean-up campaigns
. For more information visit website Fosna Home Page or call Sholtz at 083 461 3840
Andrew Hendricks, a Clovelly resident PHOTO: SUPPL ED
Fay Howa from the City of Cape Town’s department of recreation and parks
The Friends of Silvermine Nature Area
Rugby runs deep in the families
KEANANHARMSE
Apair of learners are looking forward to making their school proud on the rugby field in their Western Province colours
Abdul-Khaaliq Benjamin and Seth Jantjies are both Grade 5 learners and attend Zwaanswyk Academy in Retreat
The pair were told that they qualified for this year ’ s u-12 Western Province rugby team on Wednesday 3 September, said school spokesperson Wesley Moolman
The school announced on their social media that their selection was a highlight for them and the greater Zwaanswyk community “Jantjies and Khaaliq Benjamin both play in our u-13A team and have had magnificent seasons, ” said Moolman
y y y b
rie, their current coach and motivator,” he says
Seth Munro in action for his school PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
Abdul-Khaaliq Benjamin with school principal Anthony Adams Seth Jantjies with school principal Anthony Adams
