Be fire safety conscious
Fire poses a serious threat to both residents and businesses, often resulting in the loss of life, livelihoods, and extensive property damage.
Thousands of people are affected by fires in homes, businesses, and informal settlements across the country annually
Understanding how fires start and knowing the steps to prevent them is crucial to keeping families, community and assets safe
Last week, firefighters battled to contain two separate wildfires which broke out on the mountain slopes of Camps Bay and Deer Park
With the warmer months setting in the City’s fire and rescue service urges people to take precautions
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the fire and rescue, said: “As we head into the warmer months, we appeal to everyone to do their bit for fire safety, whether vegetation or structural ”
To help keep communities safe, fire and rescue services offers practical advice on what to do during a fire
Smoking cigarettes or using matches, lighters, candles, heating appliances and equipment such as electric blankets can all cause fires if not carefully monitored Many fires are easily preventable
Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach
. Cut candles in half to prevent them falling over – and use a candle holder
. Do not smoke in bed
The matric class of 2025 are just 14 days away from this year ’ s National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams
From Tuesday 21 October to Wednesday 26 November about 67 000 in the Western Cape will be writing their final school exam
According to the Western Cape Education Department, about 22 000 matric learners attended the #BackOnTrack Winter School during the mid-year holidays, which took place in all the education districts in the province Revision classes will also take place during the ongoing Spring school holidays
David Maynier, provincial education minister, said: “Our annual Matric Support booklet has been delivered to schools, which contains past matric papers, administrative details like the
. If you can afford it, keep a fire extinguisher in your home; maintain it annually and learn how to use it
. Keep a bucket of sand in the kitchen if you don’t have an extinguisher; throwing sand over a small fire, especially oil, can help contain it before it gets out of control
. Keep a garden hose rolled up and ready in case of fire
. Where possible, have more than one exit point from your house
. Make an escape plan that the whole family knows about and can follow
Fires on properties and in buildings
There are a number of procedures in place to ensure that all business operations are both lawful and compliant with important safety regulations so that:
. everyone inside, including those with disabilities, can be evacuated safely;
. the spread of fire between buildings is minimised;
Property owners also need to ensure that:
. the structure, especially double-storey buildings, can withstand the intensity of fire without collapsing; . smoke is minimised and can be controlled
exam timetable and pass requirements, study tips and advice for post-school studies ”
“We have collected a wide variety of eLearning resources to support our matrics, including past papers and memos, video lessons, content summaries and study guides ” Maynier said learners who experience exam stress are encouraged to seek support
“We encourage all learners who are struggling, or adults who are concerned about a learner ’ s mental health, to reach out to us for help School staff can seek guidance from our district support teams, and our Safe Schools Hotline [0800 45 46 47 toll free] can connect learners with help from our partner government departments and NGOs ”
The minister appealed to the public for a
. entrances to buildings are secure against unauthorised access; . fire breaks are established and maintained around the property;
. internal fire-resistant doors are kept closed at all times
. For more tips,visit www capetown gov za/ firesafety
peaceful examination period
“They do not need the added stress of protests and disruptions in and around schools Please put the best interests of our children first, so that they are in the best possible mindset for the exams ” He wished the class of 2025 well for their final exam
“This is the home stretch and the time for complete focus and commitment The hours you invest over the next 40 days will be of great benefit to you during the exams
“We are here to support you, and we cannot wait to celebrate with you when the results are released in 2026 ”
.To access the study guides visit https://www. westerncape gov za/education/matric-support
Born free... yet shackled in practice
nomic dependency compounds the problem
I was born free At least, that is what the constitution says However, thirty years into democracy, as I follow the Madlanga Commission and Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s explosive allegations, I am forced to confront a harsh truth, we are born free in words, yet shackled in practice
Mkhwanazi, the KZN province’s top police officer, testified that Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) tasked with probing politically linked murders was disbanded, allegedly to protect influential interests and allow criminal networks to operate unchecked while other crucial police units have been infiltrated by criminals
High-ranking officials allegedly manipulated the justice system to serve private interests, while ordinary citizens bore the consequences of a state that failed to protect them
While the Commission shines a light on these abuses, history warns that commissions alone rarely translate into justice unless accompanied by political will and public pressure
Yet corruption is only one layer of our constrained freedom Eco-
South Africa’s sovereignty, and our ability to implement progressive policies, is tethered to the dollar, global investors and international credit ratings
Bold redistributive policies that could empower marginalised communities, improve social services, or address inequality are constrained by fears of capital flight and market backlash
We are politically free on paper, but economically tethered, our choices limited by forces far beyond our borders
The irony is palpable Like the enslaved souls on Carolina plantations back in the day, who longed for liberty promised by nature but denied by law, we too are confined by greed, political interference, and economic pressures that define the boundaries of our democracy
Freedom, it seems, is both a birthright and a daily struggle, always threatened by those in power and by the global structures within which our country must operate George Orwell’s Animal Farm captures this truth perfectly
The leaders who once fought for liberation can become indistinguishable from the tyrants they replaced, absolute power corrupts absolutely, greed and hunger, whether for wealth, influence, or survival, permeate every corner of
our institutions
Our liberation, then, is not only a fight against corruption but against the allure of power itself Power, in its most seductive form, has the capacity to twist ideals and erode integrity
It transforms those who once dreamed of equality into actors who protect privilege and self-interest
The allure of power is about control, influence, and the ability to shape society according to one ’ s own desires
In our country, we see this in the way political interference compromises law enforcement, how institutions meant to safeguard justice are manipulated, and how opportunities meant to uplift the many are redirected to serve the few
This Commission is significant not because it guarantees justice, but because it exposes the mechanisms that have allowed corruption and interference to persist It reminds us that accountability is a process, not an event Yet exposure without action is insufficient
We must demand that its findings lead to prosecutions, reforms, and strengthened institutions Otherwise, we risk being spectators to our own continued disenfranchisement
Hope, however, persists, freedom is not merely a legal declaration, it
is a lived reality, claimed through vigilance, courage, and civic engagement It requires holding leaders accountable, demanding transparency, and pushing for systemic reforms
Progressive economic and social policies must be pursued not in the abstract, but as part of a broader struggle to reclaim our democracy from corruption elements
Being “born free” is not enough
Thirty years into democracy, the question remains, have we truly seen freedom? Or are we still navigating the gilded cage of a state constrained by corruption and economic dependence?
This Commission is a crucial step toward answering that question, but it is not the last
Our collective resolve, our willingness to insist on justice, transparency, and true economic sovereignty, will determine whether being born free is ever more than a promise, whether freedom becomes a reality lived by all South Africans
We were promised a future built on hope and equality That future is still possible But it requires courage, not just from those who testify in commissions, but from all of us who refuse to accept the gap between the freedom we inherit and the freedom we deserve Only then can being “born free” mean something real
Firefighters battled to contain a wildfire which broke out in Deer Park. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
A JOURNO’S VOICE
NAMHLA MONAKALI
Initiativeinstilscultureofrespect
KEANANHARMSE
Young and old are encouraged to raise awareness on mental health at Muizenberg’s beach this coming weekend
The event, which is described as an Immersion Session, will celebrate World Mental Health Day, commemorated annually on 10 October
The gathering is being organised by Waves4Change (WC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) founded in 2009
The NGO uses a surf therapy programme as a tool for building resilience, confidence and
mental well-being
The awareness forms part of their “You’re Right on Time” campaign which highlights the importance of timely intervention during the “second window of neurological opportunity”
(ages 9-14), said WC site manager Tony Gubeza
“With nine out of 10 young people in South Africa lacking access to vital mental health support, the need for intervention is urgent As World Mental Health Day approaches on Friday, Waves for Change is emphasising this critical issue and offering hope to young people growing up in high-stress environments Unicef says the first 1000 days of a person ’ s life are vital for socio-emotional development Young
people need access to safe spaces, away from all this violence, where they can develop the coping skills they need to have positive futures ”
Since the group ’ s inception in 2009, altogether 12 091 adolescents have experienced W4C’s Surf Therapy programme
Gubeza says the research they conducted on the alarming number of teens witnessing violence and drug abuse, inspired their surf therapy venture
“They feel they belong to a supportive peer group, develop new social skills and master adaptive ways to manage stress, all while having fun! Down the line, there is a reduction in risky behaviour, improvement in impulse and
emotive control, physiology such as heart rate variability improves, and participants experience healthier relationships with peers, teachers and caregivers These outcomes support participants to finish school, reject anti-social behaviour and gang involvement, and plan for positive futures,” he said
The Surf Therapy programme is a 10-month mental well-being programme for adolescents in underserved communities
The Immersion Session on World Mental Health Day also marks the start of W4C’s annual fundraising campaign
One of their biggest challenges are keeping everyone energised when the communities or adolescents they work with are going through so much stress at home
“This is the very first session in W4C’s curriculum and involves children walking hand in hand into the ocean and pausing to ask one another, ‘Are you okay?’ This powerful exercise instils a culture of respect, protection, and communication, teaching children to build trust, share feelings, and keep one another safe without taking them beyond their comfort zone ”
An amount of R200 will provide access to a child’s inclusive Surf Therapy session, R500 will contribute meaningfully to a W4C coach’s stipend, while a donation of R1 000 helps pay for the services of a debrief psychologist . For more information contact Siya Mahomba at siya@mango-omc com
The immersion session is being organised by Waves for Change (WC)
Commissioner to build relations
“WKAYLYNNEBANTOM
e as adults, government and civil society are raising the next generation of adults, and we only get one chance to do this We should not mess this up ” With those powerful words, Sarah Roberts steps into her new role as the Western Cape’s Commissioner for Children
Roberts officially stepped into her new role as the province’s second Commissioner for Children on Wednesday 1 October, bringing with her over 30 years of experience
For the past 14 years, she served as Acting Magistrate in the Family and Children’s Court at the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court
Roberts succeeds Christina Nomdo, the inaugural Commissioner, and will serve a five-year term
The Western Cape Commissioner for Children is an independent governance institution mandated to protect and promote the rights, needs and interests of children in the province
The commissioner works closely with the departments of Education, Health, Social Development, as well as Cultural Affairs and Sport and reports to the Western Cape Legislature on activities, functions and progress on objectives
The institution plays a vital role in amplifying children’s perspectives, influencing policy decisions, and holding the government accountable for the services provided to children in the Western Cape
In an interview with People’s Post, Roberts said her first day in office felt like starting high school
“I was very stressed, felt like a Grade 8 going to high school for the first time But after settling in and meeting the staff I am really excited for this new chapter in my life
“I know that it will take me some time to find my feet and to want to be able to use this platform to better the lives of the children of the
Western Cape So, I am ready ”
Roberts expressed her readiness to take on the role and make a meaningful impact
“A huge problem facing children is legal documents, or the lack thereof Children without birth certificates are such a problem in the Western Cape I do understand that it does not fall directly under the mandate of the Children’s Commissioner, but I want to try and help by cultivating and strengthening strategic relationships with these additional departments and other organisations providing services to children to ensure a comprehensive and collaborative approach to child welfare ”
She believes more children should be out on the sports field, not the streets
“Sport is also very important to me and if we can get children away from the streets onto sports fields, maybe then we can give them alternatives to getting into gangs or getting into trouble with the law ”
Roberts said the office of the Children’s Commissioner is currently under-resourced with only two permanent employees and two additional staff members on contract
Roberts emphasised the importance of the office to be fully and appropriately resourced to “make an impact and fulfil its mandate”
“This means not only an increase in the number of personnel but also ensuring that these positions are filled with individuals possessing the necessary expertise and experience to navigate the complex and sensitive issues surrounding children’s rights and well-being ”
She said her immediate priority will be to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the “staffing needs of the office”
“This will involve identifying crucial positions that are currently vacant and then working to secure the necessary funding and approvals to recruit qualified professionals ”
Roberts believes her legal background will be beneficial to her “In the Children’s Court I dealt directly with families and a child has a voice in
a Children’s Court So, listening to what a child has to say, is what defines a Children’s Court from other Courts
“I believe that I therefore have an understanding as to the issues parents and children struggle with
‘‘I also have some insight into what hampers services delivery by government departments to families and children ”
The commissioner believes protecting children is a collective responsibility
“Children are so precious and need to be
protected But we all need to work together to give a child a future Children themselves must also remember that they have age appropriate responsibilities ”
INSTITUTION MANDATED TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE RIGHTS,NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF CHILDREN
Sarah Roberts the Western Cape’s new Commissioner for Children. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
