GRASSY PARK | RETREAT
Process draws to an end
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
The Western Cape is one step closer to welcoming a new Commissioner for Children.
Benedicta van Minnen, chair of the Standing Committee on Premier and Constitutional Matters in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, said the vetting process for candidates has now been completed “The vetting is now complete, and the committee will meet shortly to finalise the short list to be submitted to the premier ”
The post became vacant in May this year when the Western Cape’s first Commissioner for Children, Christina Nomdo, who had held the position since June 2020, stepped down citing “personal reasons ” (“Search for new Western Cape Children’s Commissioner nears completion,” People’s Post, 10 June)
In terms of the Western Cape Commissioner for Children Act, the role carries a five-year term, with the possibility of one additional term
Van Minnen told People’s Post that 61 nominations were received She said of these, 44 nominees accepted the nomination, while 16 did not respond and one declined
Van Minnen added that nine candidates were shortlisted and interviewed in April She outlined the recruitment process
“The Child Monitors gave input into the process, but the appointment is regulated by provincial legislation and the interview and recommendation process falls into the purview of the Standing Committee who set the questions and performed the interviews ” She said despite the position being vacant operations continue “The office of the Commissioner for Children continues to operate and perform its mandate, and the new Commissioner will be setting their priorities once they are appointed ”
Van Minnen emphasised that the office operated independently “They operate as an independent entity and thus although they report to the Provincial Parliament, their agenda is set
Sheikh Zaid Fataar, Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels, Moulana Abdul Khaliq Allie, convenor of the Legacy 1500 Commission, and Sheikh Sadullah Khan were identified as Dr Elias Parker, one of the convenors of the initiative, with Sheikh Ismail Gqamane, Sheikh Sadullah Khan and Shafiq Morton
An article that appeared two weeks ago on The Legacy Project 1500 (“Islam marks milestone”, People’s Post, 15 July) refers The newspaper mistakenly swapped the captions It regrets the error
by themselves ”
Patric Solomons, managing director for child right’s organisation Molo Songololo, said the appointment is “long overdue”
“Molo Songololo hopes that the new Western Cape Commissioner for Children will be accessible to children and children’s organisations And have the authority and commitment to engage the provincial government and legislature in the best interest of children as guided by the function and duties of the commissioner ”
According to Solomons, the commissioner should develop a clear five-year action plan in consultation with children, children’s organisation, key stakeholders in government and civil society “Engage the provincial legislature to improve its monitoring, financing and independence of the commissioner and commissioner’s office, and child participation policies and practices in the legislature He said the commissioner should focus on advocating for an independent National Commissioner for Children and to expand same to other provinces
Death is certain! It does not matter who you are Whether you are a sinner or a saint, rich or poor, your time will come The least we can do is to live life to the fullest and show love We can also rejoice that we do not know the date and time of our death Otherwise, we would do many stupid things prior to our demise Needless to mention the panic among family members and relatives Death is an unpleasant experience It cuts through our strongest organs Sadly, it’s inevitable We’ve all experienced it
It’s the value of the departed that defines the severity of the pain and the circumstances that led to their death I’ve lost many people over the years and the pain has never been the same In some cases, it would be a matter of shock, while in some instances, I would break down and weep
My first real encounter with death was in 1994, with the death of my grandmother May her soul rest in eternal peace She was our pillar of strength and her demise tore the family apart Yet, we regrouped and continued with our lives, knowing that she would never live forever Today, I am grateful for all the lessons she taught me
Since then, I’ve lost many other people In 2014, I lost my two uncles in a space of four months This year has been another horrendous
year I lost two very important people in three months (February and April) and this month I lost my wife’s brother
The former had a deep-rooted bond with me and we chatted regularly through WhatsApp For over 20 years, we shared many exciting times The latter was one of those people who made you feel welcome in the presence of strangers He was a gentle giant, a bond that held the family together One thing in common with all three is that we had plans to meet However, they died while we tried to figure out dates and times It has been a real struggle to come to terms with all these incidents They left me with lots of resentment They have made me feel like a failure While I understand that it is the will of God, I regret the fact that we had pending matters At the heart of all is procrastination
The fact is, time does not belong to anyone We are on earth for a limited period It’s vital that we use every second we have to the fullest We must live life without regrets so that when the time comes, we are not filled with unnecessary anguish
Show love today and do not be afraid to reach out to the next person before it is too late There is no time to hold grudges You do not want someone to die while you have differences I am glad that none of these departed compatriots had differences with me Yes, I failed to answer a call before one of them died This is something that continues to haunt me
Bravingstormstorescueseabirdchicks
KAILINDANIELS
KAILIN DANIELS@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
In the aftermath of severe winter storms battering the Western Cape coastline the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds’ (Sanccob) dedicated seabird rangers have again stepped-up to rescue vulnerable seabird chicks from flooded nests and harsh weather conditions
More than 30 storm-battered seabird chicks, among them critically endangered African Penguins and endangered Bank Cormorants, are now recovering in the local nursery
“Our rangers know every corner of their colonies,” said Romy Klusener, Conservation Impact Manager at Sanccob They dig drainage lines, pile brush around nest sites and monitor incoming storms, so we avoid disturbing nests unless it’s absolutely necessary Recent severe swells necessitated intervention ”
Between Wednesday 21 May and Thursday 26 June back-to-back cold fronts lashed the colonies at Stony Point and Simon’s Town Waves surged over shoreline ledges, sweeping three species of cormorant chicks – Crowned, White-breasted and Bank –clean from their nests At the same time torrential rain flooded dozens of African Penguin burrows, leaving chicks soaked, chilled and at risk of drowning Rangers first stabilised the most fragile on site under heat lamps before transferring those in poor body condition to Sanccob’s clinic Two penguin chicks perked-up enough to be returned to their nests when the weather calmed and their parents came back The rest were too compromised to stay in the colony
ATALLYOFTINYSURVIVORS
In Stony Point: .Four Bank Cormorant chicks (endangered);
. Three White-breasted Cormorant chicks;
. Three Crowned Cormorant chicks; . Nine African Penguin chicks (critically endangered);
. Two additional African Penguin chicks rescued and successfully reunited with parents
Simon’s Town:
. 11 African Penguin chicks; . 10 African Penguin eggs Inside Sanccob’s nursery the chicks receive four feeds a day of specially-formulated fish smoothies and whole fish Each is weighed daily and staff run health checks to catch any signs of infection or dehydration early
“The goal is always to release them back to the wild once they hit the right weight, waterproofing and fitness,” Klusener said Visit www sanccob co za to donate or learn more about Sanccob's life-saving work
THULANI MAGAZI
We referred to Dr Elias Parker, one of the convenors of the initiative, with Sheikh Ismail Gqamane, Sheikh Sadullah Khan and Shafiq Morton, pictured above, as Sheikh Zaid Fataar, Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels, Moulana Abdul Khaliq Allie.
Lavender Hill a dumping ground
A look at a heap of litter dumping on a field on the opposite side of the Seawinds multi-purpose center PHOTOS CLIVE JACOBS
A group of the City’s municipal workers seen cleaning the area on the opposite side of the Seawinds multi-purpose center
Keeping Madiba’s message alive
KEANANHARMSE
The Southfield community enjoyed an inspiring reading session that highlighted the importance of education for Mandela Day on Friday 18 July
The event was a collaboration between Southfield Library and the I Can Academy in Parkwood
Over 40 visitors attended the storytelling session which was organised by local librarians aimed to inspire the youth and strengthen community ties through literacy and learning, said assistant librarian Gafieldien Agulhas
“The initiative was spearheaded by a passionate team deeply invested in community upliftment, which includes: Layla Swart, librarian in charge of Southfield Library, Cathleen Dixon, librarian at Southfield Library, and myself,” said Agulhas
The library also launched a membership drive for volunteers who could raise awareness about the services and programmes available at the facility, said Agulhas
“Families were invited to register for library cards, explore the collections, and learn about educational resources, digital services, and youth programmes designed to empower the next generation of readers and thinkers,” said Agulhas
Children from the I Can Academy treated the library staff and guests to a spiritual dance performance
“Their interpretive movements, filled with grace and purpose, reflected unity and the spirit of Ubuntu
“The event culminated in a powerful rendition of South Africa’s national anthem, sung in memory of the late Nelson Mandela, evoking both pride and remembrance,” said Agulhas
The City’s popular reading mascot, Buzz, also
FROMPAGE1
“That morning we were alerted by our watchroom attendant that a young lady had come to the station and she was full-term pregnant and suffering severe abdominal pains Immediately then all our staff rushed to our trauma room where I could provide an initial assessment of the patient and found that the woman was fullterm pregnant at 38 weeks and fully dilated,” recalled Amesha Bachan, platoon commander at Ottery Fire Station The mother was experiencing contractions and her water had broken three hours earlier, she added After Bachan completed her initial medical assessment it was clear that the child’s birth was imminent
The crew monitored the woman and tracked the waiting time for the baby’s arrival “During the labour process we had two staff members who had never helped deliver a baby before I then decided that junior firefighter Chad Siya would be my main assistant because he and his wife are expecting their third baby,” she said Bachan says the entire delivery was completed within an hour
“We have the necessary medical equipment to prepare for the delivery of babies However, these instruments are very basic, but we are medically trained on various levels,” she said When asked if there were any nerve-wracking moments the crew experienced throughout the delivery, Bachan said: “There weren’t any major issues, but if there were, any pregnancy complications we would not have been able to assist as we are not equipped for that We are trained for those measures but we are a fire station, so we would not have all the necessary tools ”
Bachan is also a trained and qualified intermediate life support medic for the past 11 years and sports 17 years in the fire service
The delivery of baby Lagan became Bachan’s 40th delivery so far
“My advice for anyone doing an emergency delivery is to always have your ID with you, your hospital card and always have your bag and baby’s bag packed and ready If you think you ’ re in labour make sure that you bring those items along with you and instead of coming to the fire station rather rush to the nearest hospital in case there are any complications as their staff are better equipped for such incidents,” she said Lagen and his mom were transported by ambulance to a nearby medical facility for further treatment and observation
While the City’s firefighters are trained to handle emergencies, the role of midwife doesn’t happen often, said Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith
“The firefighters didn’t hesitate to help little Lagen into the world safely and their quick reaction ensured both mom and baby are doing well I am glad our residents know where to go in an emergency and it is heartwarming to see our staff step up to the plate every time Everything went well and there were no complications, in no small part because of the role our firefighters played Congratulations to the firefighters for their cool heads and swift response They will remember this morning with pride and we wish the mom and her new son all the best,” Smith said People's Post tried reaching the mother for comment but could not include her response before going to print
kept the young boys and girls entertained on the day
“Following the heartwarming success of the Mandela Day celebration in Parkwood, Southfield Library and I Can Academy are absolutely exploring opportunities to host more community-centred events in the near future
“Dates and themes are still under discussion, but the goal remains the same: to keep Madi-
THE LIBRARY ALSO LAUNCHED A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE FOR VOLUNTEERS
ba’s message alive through continuous acts of service, learning, and connection,” he said
Schoolservesover200lsoup
KEANANHARMSE
A group of learners and staff braved the cold and spent 67 minutes distributing more than 40 cups of soup for the less fortunate on Friday 18 July
Pelican Park High School in Grassy Park hosted a soup kitchen, where over 200 litres of soup were served, said school principal Shariefa Clark
“We couldn’t count exactly how many containers we gave out but there was not one drop of soup left behind The Isaacs family and one of our ex-learners, Mikaeel Petersen, also helped us ”
A 14-member team consisting of learners, family members and staff were tasked with distributing the soup and loaves of bread on the day
Head girl Shammah Chafa said it was an honour to play her part in uplifting the community
“Being a part of such an impactful event was sort of satisfying knowing that someone ’ s life
was made better even though it was just for a few hours or minutes,” she said “A big thanks to our teacher Musfiqa Simon for being at the forefront of supporting us and Empowering Eats for the donation It made our Mandela Day initiative what it was and a bigger thanks to the school for all the support ” Clark said she was extremely proud of her learners for being part of the initiative during their school holidays and ensuring the event was a success
“We are fortunate to have teachers who go above and beyond for our school and the wider community One of our core values is giving back, which this project truly reflects A heartfelt thank you to Musfiqa Simon for leading this effort and bringing our learners together, and sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed and supported this drive ” The soup kitchen was also assisted through donations from Empowering Eats, Blue Ribbon, and other sponsors
Southfield Library and the I Can Academy celebrated the legacy of Nelson Mandela through a storytelling session and membership drive on Friday 18 July. PHOTO: SUPPL ED
More than 40 loaves of bread were donated to the school’s soup kitchen. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
Pelican Park High prefects Shamma Chafa and Hoosain Isaacs with teacher Musfiqa Simon, centre, at the school’s soup kitchen stand
More than 20 tend PrincessVlei
walkway is currently being constructed around the whole area At this current stage, seasonal holding ponds, an essential part of a wetland, are now being recreated At the planting session PVF intern Kamvu
tial part of our restoration She said rehabilitation work is a collective effort, to be accomplished within reason Dredging and deepening in the late 1930s to prevent winter flooding across the newly-built Prince
work came largely from the National Lotteries Commission, Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust managed by Nedbank Private Wealth, Kirstenbosch branch of the Botanical Society of South Africa and Rowland Leta Hill Trust
Kamvu Nose, Princess Vlei Forum intern, and Bridget Pitt, deputy chair of the forum, standing at a successfully recreated seasonal holding pond at the vlei
STYLVOL SINVOL PROPVOL
Big contraband haul at Pollsmoor
NAMHLAMONAKALI
Amajor joint operation at Pollsmoor Prison has revealed just how entrenched criminal activity remained within the country’s correctional facilities.
Law Enforcement officers uncovered a staggering haul of contraband during the raid, including 305 packets of dagga, 35 Mandrax tablets, quantities of tik, 119 cellphones and 34 sim cards
The discovery has once again placed
KAYLYNNE BANTOM
KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
the spotlight on the influence gang leaders continue to exert from behind bars and the challenges faced by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS)in curbing illicit activity inside prisons
Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith has called for urgent intervention
“This bust is further evidence gang bosses are still calling the shots from prison,” he said “We cannot allow prisons to be turned into criminal headquarters The state needs to take control back ”
Transporting children with disabilities to school just got easier, thanks to specially adapted minibuses handed over to 10 disability support organisations in the province
The handover took place at Alexandra Hospital in Maitland on Friday 25 July These vehicles will ensure that children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities have affordable access to quality basic education
Each minibus cost about R1,2 million and can accommodate about 15 people, including one wheelchair
The initiative is a partnership between the provincial departments of social development, mobility and health and wellness
Speaking at the event Jaco Londt, Minister for the Department of Social Development in the Western Cape, said the beneficiaries included organisations based in Mitchells Plain, Strand, Robertson, Oudtshoorn and Vredenburg, among others
“Quite often, we hear of the difficulties that organisations have in transporting people with disabilities And now we start bridging that gap We are excited that we can take the hands of these 10 organisations so they can service the most vulnerable better ”
He said they hope to roll out to more organisations in the future
“The children (are) our future and often they are the one ’ s who cannot fend for themselves These organisations are their voices, and they are caring and looking after them ”
Corne Engelbrecht, a representative from the department of mobility, said: “The vehicle can accommodate one wheelchair, and it has a ramp It’s all hydraulic It can transport 15 people and that includes the driver
He explained that safety is a key component
“If the teachers or drivers experience any problems and the electrical compartment does not work, it can also be used manually It works like a trolley jack Once the patient is on a wheelchair inside, there are safety straps for each wheel to secure it ” Santi Terreblanche, deputy executive officer of Cape Mental Health, said the vehicles will relieve some of the strain experienced at their
THEFINDSHIGHLIGHT LONG-STANDING SYSTEMIC ISSUES.
Smith urged the DCS to make use of existing technology, including cellphone signal jamming and advanced screening tools, to limit communication between inmates and their networks outside “We’ve seen jamming technology deployed in Parliament during the State of the Nation
Erica Centre in Mitchells Plain and Imizamo Yethu Centre in Khayelitsha
“It will really be a benefit because we provide transport in the morning and afternoon Currently, we are using multiple buses to do multiple trips to get children to the centres on time These two buses will make a major difference in streamlining our transport and to be able to provide safe and reliable transport ” ACVV Trippel Toontjies, a disabled school in Robertson is one of the beneficiaries of the minibus
Ronel van Tonder, a representative at the school, said: “We have many children who cannot walk and are in special chairs We collect them at their homes We work with them and feed them and then transport them back home We are so thankful to be chosen as on of the beneficiaries of these vehicles ”
She said they are always in need people to volunteers to assist them
Londt appealed to businesses to partner with them and make financial contributions
“Reach out to us Even if you cannot contribute financially, offer to volunteer you services
These organisations need an extra pair of hands just lighten the load of the amazing carers that look after our children ”
Address in 2015 If it was possible there, why not in correctional centres where it’s critically needed?”
Civil-society organisations and community-safety activists are also sounding the alarm, arguing that the frequency of such finds suggests long-standing systemic issues, including possible staff collusion
Community-based activist Clive Jacobs said the scale of the bust indicates the operation of a “well-oiled network” within the prison “These are not random smuggles These are established systems with ongoing
external communication If we want to protect communities we must start by dismantling the power structures that exist within our prisons ” Correctional Services had yet to confirm whether disciplinary or criminal action would be taken against any employee following the raid Community members had expressed frustration over what they describe as a “revolving door” of criminal activity They say more transparency and accountability were needed within prison administration, which community safety depends on
Newofficersgearedtodeploy
“They will working in that ward and help tend to the 2 200 complaints we receive per day They will be on the ground so they can respond to complaints more quickly ”
Hill-Lewis said the officers are a key investment in a safer Cape Town as part of the City’s new Invested in Hope Budget, alongside its SA record R40 billion infrastructure programmes
“By this spring we are on track to deliver a historic first in Cape Town, with every single ward set to receive dedicated neighbourhood police officers ”
The Mayor said these officers will work closer with residents
“These officers will get to know the neighbourhood challenges, the goings-on, the problem buildings and the residents themselves
“This kind of personal policing, where relationships and trust are built, can only lead to more positive outcomes ”
A resident, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, said that knowing more officers will be on the ground brings a sense of security and reassurance
“I feel good about it Safety is a big issue here, so they will help ensure safety ”
Yusuf Mohamed, Ward 57 councillor, shared the resident’s sentiments:
“I am excited to see them being deployed to every Ward in the City I am proud that they were trained here in the ward I think it’s a much-needed boost for safety and security and will be welcomed by residents ”
Mayor Geordin Hill Lewis and Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith on patrol with officers PHOTO SUPPLIED
Officers on patrol checking a vehicle licence discs
PHOTO KAYLYNNE BANTOM
R45 million budget for cemeteries
The Community Services and Health Directorate is planning a range of projects over the next 12 months.
The top 25 account for approximately 60% of the available budget, with cemetery upgrades leading the charge
“This City of Cape Town’s Budget of Hope will enhance access to critical services like homelessness support, recreational spaces, and community libraries, while also ensuring that our parks and public spaces are welcoming and functional for all Cape Town residents,” said Mayco member for community services and health Francine Higham
The R45 million cemeteries upgrade project is the single biggest capital project
Cemeteries planned for expansion of burial capacity include: Kuils River, Welmoed and Rusthof In addition, more detailed technical studies are planned for the development and expansion of Klip Road, Hout Bay, Stikland, Vaalfontein and Tafelsig in Mitchells Plain
The planned capital spend is part of a five-year plan to increase burial capacity in Cape Town by 100 000 (double burials/reopening of family graves) through the development of new cemeteries and the expansion of existing ones
An additional R10,7 million will be spent at Maitland Crematorium on the installation of an additional oversized cremator, minor aesthetic improvements to the existing crematorium, mausoleum, parking and other ancillary building elements
The Strandfontein Pavilion refurbishment
‘We are the Best City in theWorld’
Cape Town has officially secured its position as the Best City in the World after winning the prestigious Telegraph Travel Awards 2025, marking the seventh time the South African coastal metropole has claimed this coveted title
This latest accolade comes just six months after Time Out magazine also crowned Cape Town as the world’s best city in January
More than 20 000 United Kingdom (UK) travellers cast their votes in The Telegraph’s annual travel survey, with Cape Town outshining global tourism powerhouses including Seville, Sydney, and Tokyo
This back-to-back international recognition confirms what locals have long known – Cape Town offers an unmatched combination of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and worldclass hospitality
The Telegraph’s assessment highlights the city’s extraordinary visual appeal: “Few places can match South Africa’s most feted metropolis for photogenic power: the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront fringing the Atlantic, Table Mountain rearing as an epic backdrop, the land ebbing down to the beaches of Camps Bay and the
flicked tail of the Cape of Good Hope ”
This unique blend of urban sophistication and natural wonders – from the iconic Table Mountain cable car experience to the pristine beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay – continues to draw international visitors year after year
James Vos, Mayco member for economic growth, attributes this consistent international recognition to strategic tourism initiatives and community involvement
“This kind of recognition doesn’t just happen It’s the result of serious graft, smart thinking, and a whole lot of local passion,” Vos explains
“From our neighbourhood entrepreneurs to the people welcoming visitors with a smile, Cape Town’s tourism scene is powered by its people ”
The City’s focused destination marketing and management efforts, led in partnership with Cape Town Tourism, have successfully positioned the Mother City’s unique experiences on the global stage, driving tourism demand while ensuring benefits for local communities
The Western Cape’s tourism industry continues to be a powerful economic driver
Recent statistics show the 2023-'24 cruise season alone contributed over R1,32 billion to
FEW PLACES CAN MATCH THE FETED METROPOLIS FOR PHOTOGENIC POWER
the regional economy while supporting more than 2 000 jobs
Cape Town International Airport reported a record-breaking 3,08 million passenger arrivals during the same period
Briony Brookes, chief marketing officer for Cape Town Tourism, celebrates the significance of this repeated recognition “Being named the world’s best city again isn’t just about bragging rights More than anything, it’s a celebration of what makes this place unforgettable: the people, the energy, the views, and the stories that connect us with visitors from around the world ”
With two global “Best City” titles already secured in 2025, Cape Town’s tourism sector shows no signs of slowing down
Cape Town continues to evolve its offerings while maintaining the authentic experiences and natural beauty
The Mother City has been named Best City in the World in the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards PHOTO: SUPPLIED
BLACKFERNSCOMEOUTALLGUNSBLAZING
Bokwomenmeetnemesis
An exciting second test is on the cards on Saturday 2 August when the Springbok Women take on the Black Ferns in Athlone Stadium
After dominating the first half in chilly conditions, the Black Ferns led 20-11 in the first half but as is customary in Springbok rugby, the hosts sent the bomb squad on in the second half
The reserves made a huge difference and the Black Ferns had to defend as if their lives depended on it The final score was 34-27 in favour of the visitors
By playing Nadine Roos at scrumhalf in the second half, was definitely the difference, quick ball was
Kelsey Teneti of the Blacks Ferns evades a desperate dive by Eloise Webb of the Springbok women.
NM10018144-QK010725