People's Post | Woodstock/ Maitland/ City | E-Edition 19 August 2025
With entries for this year’s Blisters for Bread closing on Sunday 17 August the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) said it had successfully reached the 8 000 mark. This annual event will take place on Sunday 31 August at the Green Point Common Sports Ground Charles Grey, fundraising manager of PSFA, said this “remarkable milestone” would not have been possible without the dedication and support of everyone involved “Each registration represents more than just a commitment to join the walk; it is a step towards ensuring that thousands of hungry schoolchildren receive the daily nourishment they need ” He expressed his gratitude to each entrant. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to this achievement Your commitment has helped us build momentum for what promises to be a memorable event, while also making a real and lasting impact in the fight against child hunger ”
Wemustmoveonfromjustcommemoration
more women in boardrooms and more breaking into industries once closed to us The names and faces of women leaders are no longer rare in the public arena
Every August, South Africa wraps itself in purple ribbons and vibrant sashes, echoing the courage of 9 August 1956, when over 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings against pass laws It is a month of remembrance, pride and public tributes
Speeches are made,hashtags trend, and the bravery of those who came before us is celebrated This month has always carried extra meaning for me Not only is it Women’s Month, but it is also my birth month
I turned a year older on the 4th, and in the days since, I’ve found myself reflecting more deeply on what it means to grow older as a woman in this country, not just in years, but in experience There’s something about a birthday that invites both celebration and introspection You measure not only your milestones, but also the progress, and the gaps in the world around you
As I mark this new age (nine and twenty), I feel both proud and restless, proud because we come from a lineage of women who refused to be silenced Restless, because I know that too many women still carry a quiet weight that history books rarely capture,the daily negotiations of safety, dignity and equality
Our victories are real We have
Yet, alongside these gains, the cracks remain visible The wage gap persists Gender-based violence continues to cast a long shadow over our freedom We are celebrated for breaking glass ceilings, yet expected to sweep up the shards with our bare hands
The weight of womanhood is not only in public battles, but in the small, exhausting calculations of everyday life, the moments when we show up at our best, and meet every expectation, even when battling ovulation pains, menstrual cycles, or the fatigue that comes with our bodies’ monthly rhythms
Choosing where to park at night
Sending a quick “home safe” message to friends after a late meeting Checking over your shoulder while walking, keys clenched between your fingers
Rehearsing the tone of an email to ensure you are taken seriously but not branded “emotional” or “difficult” These are not quirks of habit; they are survival strategies They form part of the invisible cost of being a woman, a cost rarely mentioned during the speeches of Women’s Month
This is why the 9th of August must be more than a ceremonial nod to the past
The question is not whether we will remember the courage of the 1956 marchers, but whether we will honour their
courage by creating conditions that make it easier for the next generation of women to live without fear or limitation
In my work, the answer lies in storytelling My role is not only to report what happens but to interrogate why it happens, and to amplify the voices that are too often sidelined I carry the stories of the women I meet into every newsroom I enter Some of these women will never see their names in print, yet their resilience is profound: a single mother holding her household together on a minimum wage; a community health worker who walks kilometres daily to reach patients; a survivor who refuses to be defined by what she has endured
These women remind me that heroism is not confined to grand gestures It is also in the daily acts of persistence and care, often invisible to the world They are proof that the narrative of women ’ s month must include ordinary women whose strength is no less remarkable because it is unseen
We must move from commemoration to commitment That means advocating for policies that do more than look good on paper It means holding institutions accountable for the promises they make It means ensuring that when a woman rises, she leaves the door open for others to walk through It also means listening to women whose experiences are shaped not only by gender but by race, class, disability and geography The chal-
lenges facing a rural farmworker are not the same as those facing an urban professional, yet both are valid and urgent Intersectionality is not an academic buzzword; it is a lens through which we can better understand and address inequality Women’s Month, then, should not be a pause for reflection before life returns to “normal” It should be a launchpad for sustained action The legacy of the women of 1956 is not just in the march they undertook, but in the way they imagined a future in which their daughters would walk freely That future is not yet here Their example shows us that it is worth fighting for
As I step into this new age, I am reminded that time is both a gift and a responsibility My birthday was a quiet recommitment to the causes I care about, the stories I will tell, and the women whose journeys deserve to be seen and heard
Our foremothers marched so we could stand here The least we can do is ensure that the ground we stand on is solid enough for the next woman to run, when she runs, may she do so without the weight of keys between her fingers, without the fear of being called “too much” or “not enough”, without needing to calculate her safety before her dreams
That, for me, is what Women’s Month should be about, not just remembering the past, but reshaping the present so the future looks different
NAMHLA MONAKALI
Seven Spur rides into the sunset
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
For more than five decades, the beloved Seven Spur in Sea Point has been a local landmark, welcoming countless visitors through its doors But soon, it will serve its final meal, as the restaurant is set to close permanently later this month
The Seven Spur first opened its doors in 1968, becoming the second Spur restaurant in South Africa
It was originally located on Main Road, Sea Point (corner Conifer Road), but later relocated twice before settling in its current site in 2006
Moshe Apleni, spokesperson for Spur Corporation, said the reason for the closure is redevelopment in the area
“The closure follows the landlord’s decision to renovate and redevelop the property, sadly resulting in the non-renewal of our lease
“This occasionally happens during significant landlord property upgrades or relocations ”
Apleni said Sea Point remains an important community for them and said they are “actively pursuing alternative sites” in the area
Regular patron Catherine Rice explained that she and her family shared many memorable moments at the establishment
“My children’s memory are woven into the Sea Point Spur We would always get the table by the children’s play area So, I can have my glass of wine and the children can play and I could watch them through the window ”
She said many birthdays celebrations were spent there
“Whenever I asked my kids ‘where do you want to go for your birthday', they would always say Spur Every photograph from their birthday has the Sea Point Spur background It was a special part of their childhood ”
Rice explained that they recently shared their last meal at the restaurant
“My daughter in now 19 and my son is 21
Driverkilledin taxishooting
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
A 28-year-old man is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder and attempted murder following a deadly shooting in Factreton on Friday 15 August August
A taxi driver was shot dead while two passengers sustained gunshot wounds just before 06:00 on the corner of 16th Avenue and Voortrekker Road
Lt Col Nkosinathi Losini, Kensington Police Station Commander, said a case of murder and attempted murder was under investigation “Two female passengers sustained injuries The motive for the attack is unknown at this stage ” Cheslyn Steenberg, Ward 56 councillor, condemned the incident and called for calm in the area
“Information I have is that the driver was shot outside the taxi I call for restraint and calm
We must all have sober heads when we deal with this ” . Anyone with information can contact investigating officer WO Cameron Morgan on 082 850 9618
THE REASON FOR THE CLOSURE IS REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE
When I told my daughter it was closing she told me that we have to go there for the last time I feel sad about it This was a wonderful place,” shared Rice
Taking to social media, loyal patrons shared their memories
One customer said: “So many memories My favourite Spur I lived just across the road
During my first pregnancy that was my daily dinner place Now a mother of three I still take my family there once in a while Sad to know it’s closing ”
Another said: “This was the first Spur I worked at and loved every moment ”
One patron said he met his wife there
“I worked at Seven Spur in 2002 and met my future wife there - we married in 2003 and are still going strong Sevens will always be special to us both ”
Apleni expressed his gratitude to the thousands of loyal customers who walked through the doors
“We are deeply grateful to have served generations of families at Seven Spur over the decades ”
Families and carers of
Sea Point’s iconic Seven Spur is to close after 56 years PHOTO: SUPPLIED
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Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town’s Metro Police officers have made over 4 500 arrests in the past 12 months for various offences These include 71 firearms, 50 imitation firearms and 1 150 rounds of ammunition
JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security, said 85 attacks on staff members were reported over the same period
“The increase in attacks is disappointing, but not surprising We have, in recent years, seen a level of brazenness directed at enforcement services - often from the very communities who demand visible policing What many fail to appreciate are the very real impacts Staff need time off to deal with trauma or recover from injury Damaged vehicles need repairs
This in turn means fewer staff on shift, fewer patrol vehicles, and a less effective enforcement response when it is needed ”
Smith said in the coming months the Metro Police Department will see a significant boost, with 800 new staff members deployed as part of the dedicated ward policing plan
In addition, 44 additional Metro Police officers will work on a shift rotation to shore up patrols on the N2 and surrounds
“We look forward to the additional investments in our Metro Police Department and our broader public safety efforts, but I also want to commend the staff for the work done in the last year The enforcement space is a challenging one, and to witness the daily successes is a source of immense pride,” he concluded
KAYLYNNE BANTOM
KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMED A CO ZA
The Western Cape police commissioner says his office is investigating allegations of poor service delivery at Maitland Police Station
This follows mounting calls from residents for the removal of the current management
Late last month frustrated residents, armed with placards, marched to the station and handed over a memorandum of their grievances to a representative of the provincial police and gave police 14 days to respond (“Police facing backlash,” People’s Post, 5 August 2025)
In a letter seen by People’s Post, which was addressed to Ward 56 councillor Cheslyn Steenberg and dated Wednesday 13 August, the provincial police commissioner, Lt gen Thembisile Patekile, confirmed receipt of the memorandum
“This office had undertaken an investigation process for all the allegations The investigation is still continuing However, the police visibility has increased through deployment of District Police task teams,” read the letter
Responding to residents’ demands that the current police management at the station be removed, Patekile said this is a labour related matter and said “internal processes ” are being considered
Patekile added that they are engaging with the community policing forum (CPF) to “improve community relations”
Despite the letter Steenberg says their demands remain
“We want that station commander out with his management team as well This is about the community, and the importance of community policing is that we need a functioning and a collaborative approach ”
Maitland CPF executive confirmed to People’s Post in a press statement that the station is “severely under-resourced” but added that new officials were recently deployed
“Five police members have been newly deployed Since Maitland police precinct stretches over three Wards, we welcome the deployment of 15 Metro Police officers to help fight crime as well,” read the statement
“Residents are encouraged to participate in our public meetings and Imbizo where CPF and police can answer all their questions and concerns We have also made our email address available for addressing issues that might be of concern ”
“It is important to note that the issue of delayed response is directly related to the severe lack of resources at Maitland police and this is a national issue ”
The CPF says it makes every effort for law enforcement agencies to work together to fight crime
There is a community meeting with Anroux Marais, provincial minister of police oversight and community safety, scheduled for Monday 25 August at Holy Cross High School
Nyanga Sub-District Community Police Forum Board launched the #SilenceTheGuns campaign at Phoenix High School, Manenberg PHOTO SUPPL ED
Law student dares fire challenge
WP Media, publishers of People’s Post, City Vision and TygerBurger sponsored Rygate Invitational Ladies kit The team is pictured with Cecilia Hume, TygerBurger Editor and Shafiek Braaf, WP sales manager
Shervonne van Wyk of Rygate Invitational Ladies controls the ball as she passes Shakura Toffer of Mitchells Plain Invitational Ladies before the Bayview U-16 Youth Cup final at Athlone Stadium PHOTO: CECILIA HUME
Rygate Invitational Ladies players are joined by the WP Media ahead of their contest with their Mitchells Plain counterparts
People's Post is distributed every Tuesday and reach an estimated 419 650 readers
Spurs clinchYouth Cup
More people in the province than ever before saw young talent on display.
In the only ladies’ match of the day, Rygate Invitational Ladies locked orns with Mitchells Plain LFA adies The two sides played a 1-1 talemate
An elated tournament organiser and ayview FC chair Mark Rodrigues ailed the event He thanked all the ponsors, teams and supporters for heir commitment and support in making the tournament one of Cape own ’ s top sporting events “This was a very special year for us, not nly because the finals were played at he Athlone Stadium, but it is also a uge milestone for the team We are elebrating our 20th anniversary,” aid Rodrigues He said this year ’ s venue elevated
the tournament to new heights and gave people from across the province an opportunity to witness young soccer talent on display The tournament also gave the players a chance to play on a proffessional pitch
“This means if you dream it you can do it Playing at Athlone Stadium is not something many of our young footballers get to do in their lifetime This gives them an opportunity to be part of something special,” he said Rodrigues described the occasion as “ very special” and an the journey to Athlone Stadium as “emotional”
“It was not an easy journey There were too many obstacles but the support from everyone has been amazing This is not about people It is about giving the younsters an opportunity to showcase their talent ” He added that preparations were already underway for next year ' s tournament “We’ve launched a platform for a great tournament moving forward We have started with plans for next year and hope to make it even better
Lihle Somana of PPG Langa beats a sliding tackle by Reyaan Manuel of Norway Parks during the Bayview U-16
