Atotal of 30 exceptional learners from Capricorn Primary School in the Vrygrond area are pioneering a movement to cultivate young leaders
Early this year the school officially launched its first-ever Leadership Prefects Programme, the first of its kind for primary-school learners in the Vrygrond community This visionary initiative is designed to nurture and empower young
leaders, equipping them with the confidence and skills to step into high school as role models, ready to influence their peers and uplift their community
Of 89 eager applicants, 30 were selected to serve as prefects On Thursday 20 February these leaders were honoured at a special ceremony, where they received their badges and pledged their commitment to their new roles This
What if more children had the opportunity to develop leadership skills from a young age?
True, lasting change begins at the foundation level, and when we invest in shaping young leaders early we set in motion a powerful ripple effect that can transform communities “Our goal is to give young learners real leadership opportunities, allowing them to be the ears on the ground and play an active role in shaping their school environment,” said Elizah “Leadership growth starts
y j grows through this programme, the impact will extend far beyond the individual; it will influence peers, families and the entire community ”
The programme sought to identify and develop future leaders early
By 2025 Capricorn Primary School aimed to start selecting prefects from Grade 6, carefully considering each learner’s behaviour and growth to ensure they are ready for this leadership journey
Elizah and Mutatsh head up the discipline and prefect portfolio at the
g
Market and the Trauma Foundation have played a crucial role by sponsoring food packages Their generosity underscores a fundamental truth - it takes a community to raise and nurture a child The programme is a beacon of hope and transformation and by investing in young leaders they are shaping the future of Vrygrond, one child at a time Congratulations to our future leaders
To support this initiative - monetarily or otherwise - contact Elizah at mrsilseelizah@gmail com
HIV/Aids fight impacted
NAMHLAMONAKALI
The Networking HIV and Aids Community of Southern Africa (Nacosa), a key pillar in the Western Cape’s fight against HIV/Aids and TB, is reeling from the abrupt withdrawal of USAid funding, a move that threatens to dismantle vital community-based services, has put nearly 700 people out of work and destabilises health-care support worth R360 million.
For nearly a decade Nacosa has been at the forefront of community-driven health responses, ensuring vulnerable groups, particularly women, children and survivors of violence receive life-saving HIV prevention, care and support However, with Pepfar (The US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief) funding accounting for 40% of its programming, the organisation now faces an uncertain future
The impact has been immediate and severe
“This funding cut is placing thousands of lives at risk,” warned Sophie Hobbs, Nacosa’s Head of Communications & Advocacy “In all, 620 staff working at our partner organisations have been withdrawn from the field and laid off, along with 155 Nacosa staff These are front-line workers providing direct support to those who need it most ”
For years Nacosa has been an essential link between communities and health-care facilities, employing care and linkage workers who ensure that people access treatment and stay on it
“Without these workers, backlogs form at clinics, and the most vulnerable especially children lose critical support,” Hobbs explained Nacosa’s programmes have been instrumental in reaching underserved communities Each year the organisation has provided HIV prevention and violence-response services to 100 000 adolescent girls and young women, supported 32 000 survivors of violence, and ensured that 5 200 children living with HIV receive care
The loss of funding now puts all of this work in jeopardy
The consequences extend beyond Nacosa Experts warn that disruptions in HIV treatment will have a ripple effect on TB control, as people living with HIV are at higher risk of TB infection
Western Cape Health and Wellness Minister Mireille Wenger highlighted the setback “Since 2019 we have seen a steady increase in people staying on ART This has been crucial in stabilising the HIV epidemic in the Western Cape Without additional support from such NGOs as Nacosa we are deeply concerned that many patients will struggle to remain in care, leading to higher transmission rates and increased TB cases ”
THE IMPACT HAS BEEN IMMEDIATE AND SEVERE
TB remains one of leading causes of death, and USAid funding had played a crucial role in expanding testing, treatment and patient support The sudden cut means fewer community outreach workers, fewer people being tested, and longer queues at already-overstretched clinics
In response to the crisis, Nacosa is working urgently to secure alternative funding “We are engaging with foundations, corporates and bilateral donors to try and fill the gap, ” said Hobbs
The organisation has also launched an emergency fundraising campaign, Keep Hope Alive, allowing individuals to contribute directly Despite the uncertainty it is determined to continue supporting the communities it serves “We are part of a coalition of affected NGOs and activists working on a coordinated response, ” Hobbs pointed out “We are working closely with the Western Cape government as well as the Department of Health and of Social Devel-
opment
“We know some community workers still provide services without pay, but this is not a sustainable or fair solution,” said Hobbs “Many of them are breadwinners, now facing immense stress over how they will support their families ” With the global community’s support South Africa has made significant strides in reducing HIV transmission, increasing access to treatment, and improving survival rates Programmes funded by Pepfar have played a crucial role in these successes
“Pepfar has saved millions of lives,” Hobbs said “With new advances such as long-acting injectable PrEP, we had real hope that we were getting closer to ending Aids This funding disruption threatens to undo years of progress, not just in the Western Cape but worldwide ” Nacosa remained committed to finding solutions “We urge anyone on ART [anti-retroviral treatment] to remain on [it],” said Hobbs “Your medication is still available at health-care facilities Staying on your medication is vital not just for your own health, but for preventing the spread of HIV ” Nacosa appeals to individuals, businesses and the global health community to assist Visit www nacosa org za/donate to help
Women’srisedoesnotmeanthefallofmen
As we celebrated International Women’s Day on 8 March I reflect on the journey of women ’ s empowerment, the struggles we have endured, the progress we have made and the challenges that remain For centuries women have fought to be seen, heard and valued beyond their domestic roles Denied the right to vote, excluded from education and leadership, and told their worth was tied to serving others, women have had to claw their way into spaces men entered effortlessly Even today the fight continues We come from a world that defined women by their limitations rather than their potential Media, education, religion and tradition once framed a woman ’ s success as secondary to a man ’ s Women who spoke up were labelled troublesome Those who pursued dreams beyond the home were seen as selfish Power was a man ’ s birthright, submission, a woman ’ s duty Yet, the tides turned and continue to turn Women refused silence They marched, wrote, and demanded to be counted From the suffragettes to the women of the anti-apartheid movement, to modern feminists challenging outdated norms, women have never stopped pushing forward
Today, we live in the era of the empowered women Women are leading nations, running businesses and shaping culture In media we are no longer just muses or assistants, but editors, producers and journalists crafting nar-
ratives that were once controlled by men More girls are receiving an education and workplaces are evolving In homes, more men are stepping up as equal partners in parenting These changes are real and undeniable Yet, with every step forward there is pushback
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pandemic, not because men are violent, but because many struggle to reconcile the power they were raised to believe was theirs alone with the reality that women are no longer asking for permission to exist fully
Women still walk in fear, navigate expectations to be everything at once, powerful yet submissive, ambitious yet accommodating, independent yet not too intimidating
This tension is not only external but within homes and relationships
While we encourage women to take up space, we have not prepared men for what that means
The conversations about empowerment have focused largely on women, but we have failed to teach men to live, work and love in a world where women are empowered and their equals
We need not just empower women, but men who embrace a redefined masculinity Strength is not about control Sharing space does not mean losing one ’ s own The backlash we see, whether in relationships, workplaces or society, stems from failing to prepare men for equality
Too many still equate their worth with dominance, financial provision and authority When those roles are challenged they feel unmoored This fuels resistance, violence and the persistence of outdated gender dynamics
The imbalance is deeply embedded in families
Women are expected to “shrink” their achievements to protect male egos Mothers teach daughters to be soft to keep the peace, while sons are rarely taught emotional intelligence or how to embrace equality at home
Fathers are praised for “helping out” with children, while mothers are expected to do it all without recognition This conditioning shapes how both men and women see themselves
Power was never meant to be a battle The home should not be a battleground for dominance, but a shared space where both thrive
The rise of women does not mean the fall of men; it means redefining partnership It means parenting as a shared responsibility It means mutual respect, shared decision making and breaking free from outdated gender roles This shift is urgent We need fathers who model equality, so sons grow up celebrating strong women rather than fearing them We need husbands who support their wives’ ambitions instead of seeing them as threats We need homes where daughters do not believe they must shrink to be loved, and where sons understand that being a man is not about control
The narratives we create shape the world we live in If we want a future of true equality we must change the stories we tell today Women are not asking men to step aside, but step up
To embrace this evolution, to raise sons who see women ’ s success as shared It’s not a battle of the sexes, but a movement toward balance
The future doesn’t belong to women alone It belongs to those who understand true power is not about ruling over, but with Women’s rise is not a loss for men, but a win for humanity
Nacosa, a key pillar in the Western Cape’s fight against HIV/Aids and TB, is reeling from the abrupt withdrawal of USAID funding, a move that threatens to dismantle vital community-based services, has put nearly 700 people out of work and destabilised health-care support worth R360 million
A JOURNO’S VOICE
NAMHLA MONAKALI
Give Deep South’s kids a chance
AVRILFILLIES
Addressing the needs of diverse communities in the south led to the establishment of the non-profit organisation (NPO) Hands4Change Outreach Projects
In the past, different organisations operated individually before, serving communities, until this sector realised that in an age of shrinking resources and fewer helpers there was a consensus on existing social needs and community service as a collective effort
Residents impacted by the NPO come from Simon’s Town, Capri, Ocean View, Kommetjie, Masiphumelele, Redhill and surrounds “The NPO consists of members rallying together from diverse backgrounds They put their heads together to tackle problems most effectively,” said Diona Kindo, director of the NPO “By forming one organisation we could help more people in need, and one common ground we share is the love of children and helping our youth ”
Hands4Change’s mission is to raise funds for
orphaned, at-risk, abandoned and vulnerable children in the Southern Suburbs, catering for their needs to give them a head start in life It provides proper nutrition, clothing, transport, education, shelter, hygiene needs, kids’ safe spaces, the arts project and health care
By joining the NPO people not only helping to meet the immediate needs of these vulnerable youngsters, but also invest in their future
“Our projects are for the community and we encourage residents to buy local and support local,” she said “On Saturday 8 March, we invited everyone to come and buy at the Ocean View Local Market at the taxi rank, anything and everything from spices to bakery goods So, instead of the residents taking the taxi to shop at the mall, they could do their shopping within walking distance from their homes
“On Wednesday 5 March, we held a sports day for all the ECD home-based kids with a real Olympic fan fair feel The kids and principals of the participating schools were flying their flags as they strutted their stuff doing a march pass to the delight of the crowd The sports day was not about winning, but a time of fun, energy and celebration for the little ones It was
ONE COMMON GROUND WE SHARE IS THE LOVE OF CHILDREN AND HELPING OUR YOUTH.
a fantastic way to teach important values like teamwork, persistence and sportsmanship The ECD kids definitely displayed this on the day as they tackled together each race ” Kindo said without sponsors and the collective efforts of all who have the youth and kids' interests at heart, no project in the communities
will be successful
She invited businesses and individuals to join the NPO and have an impact on providing essential resources
On Sunday 16 March the communities were invited to support local heroes at the Farmers Market on Imhoff Farm, where fresh fruit, vegetables and other goodies were sold Upcoming events include the performance by Morgan Visser at Cafe Roux on Wednesday 30 April and a fundraiser on Wednesday 28 May to raise funds to go towards the kids’I safe spaces project For more info, contact Kindo on 074 665 5366 or at info@hands4changeoutreachprojects co za
SassaSwitchwelcomed
Thousands of South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grant recipients across Cape Town are facing significant delays in switching to private bank accounts, leaving many uncertain about their next payment
The transition, aimed at providing beneficiaries with greater financial security, has been marred by long queues, system failures and a lack of accessible locations Many recipients, particularly elderly and vulnerable individuals, have been left frustrated by the chaotic process Sassa has come under fire for its lack of preparation, with critics highlighting the limited number of processing locations and the impractically short application windows “The frustration among our residents is evident,” said Ward 62 councillor Emile Langhoven “Sassa’s lack of foresight has caused unnecessary panic, and we couldn’t just stand by while our elderly and vulnerable residents suffered That’s why we launched the Sassa Switch operations, to make the process easier and more accessible ”
A large-scale Sassa Switch operation was hosted by wards 62, 58 and 59 on Monday 10 March at the Methodist church in Church Street, Wynberg Recipients were required to bring their ID, cellphone and proof of address to complete the process Major banks partnered with ward councillors to facilitate account openings, ensuring grant recipients had a seamless transition to private banking Councillors on site assisted by
certifying proof of address forms and guiding residents through each step of the process
“This is about dignity and security,” Langhoven emphasised “No-one should have to struggle to access their Sassa payment Our seniors and vulnerable residents deserve better, and we are committed to making sure they get it ”
While the initiative has been praised for providing much-needed relief concerns remain
“The process for me was seamless and effi-
cient,” said Ward 63 resident Cheree Petersen
“I was in and out quickly, and the service was fantastic As a carer I believe old people deserve dignity, and that’s exactly what I got ”
However, she also voiced concern about financial fraudsters targeting grant recipients
“To me it doesn’t matter what colour the card is; changing it won’t stop scammers from stealing our money Authorities need to focus on catching the perpetrators and those who help them scam us ”
The Sassa Switch initiative aims to provide long-term financial stability and peace of mind by offering grant recipients more banking options
While the transition has presented challenges the involvement of ward councillors and financial institutions has helped ease the burden Residents seeking further information on upcoming Sassa Switch operations are encouraged to contact their local ward councillor
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE: STORK STREET ACCESS AND EXIT, OFF KOMMETJIE ROAD, SUNNYDALE
For many social-grant recipients the Sassa Switch operation has made payment easier and the grant more accessible.
Camps Bay fraud is rife
Kaylynne Bantom
Camps Bay police have cautioned residents to be vigilant and avoid becoming victims of fraud Since June last year the station has seen a significant increase in fraud-related cases.
Capt Liaan Janse van Rensburg, station commander, said there had been a 7,1% increase in this period, with seniors particularly targeted by fraudsters
The officer explained that perpetrators are becoming more conniving, going as far as posing as bank employees
“The victim will receive a phone call The person on the other side will introduce themselves as an investigator/employee of a bank fraud department and that they noticed fraudulent transactions on the [client’s] account
“They will request that the [client] follow certain ‘links’ to stop these fraudulent transactions When the complainant continues with the ‘prompt links’ they will then be deprived of their money, taken from their different bank accounts In most instances these fraudsters target elderly people ”
Janse van Rensburg warned residents not to share any personal information, but instead end the call and visit their nearest bank or contact their bank fraud line for further assistance
He said scams via social media were becoming more prevalent
“If, say, the victim is advertising items for sale on social-media platforms, in the majority of such cases the perpetrator will contact the victim and request they have a further conversation on WhatsApp The perpetrator will then inform the victim he/she will send someone to collect the item and, once the item is collected, payment will be done by the perpetrator ”
“Use reputable booking platforms
days But there was nothing That is when I opened a case at the police station ” Janse van Rensburg advised sellers to ensure the money was being paid into their accounts before releasing the items
“Always do these types of transactions in a safe environment, and have friends or family members present for safety ”
According to Janse van Rensburg, fraudsters are brazenly impersonating police officers or government officials
“The victim will receive a random call from a person identifying themselves as a police official
The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate hereby advises residents and road users in the Sunnydale area that the access and exit at Stork Street, off Kommetjie Road, will be temporarily closed due to traffic congestion caused by road users taking shortcuts via Stork Street from Kommetjie Road. This work forms part of the upgrade of Kommetjie Main Road between Capri Drive and Wood Road project for roadwidening that is currently underway and the City’s Congestion Management Strategy which will result in traffic congestion relief.
The temporary closure is planned from 24 March until 29 August 2025.
Residents and commuters who make use of this stretch of road are advised that:
• Traffic moving in both directions will be affected.
• The closure will take place between 15:00 and 17:30 from Monday to Friday
• Alternative routes to access Stork Street are available via Capri Drive and Sardinia Drive from Kommetjie Main Road.
• Alternative routes from the area also include via Corfu Avenue and Capri Drive.
• Road closure and detour signage will be in place to direct motorists to Stork Street or Kommetjie Main Road via the alternative access routes.
Urban Mobility thanks you for your patience and regrets any inconvenience caused.
MANAGER
CTA55/2025
- Capt Liaan Janse van Rensburg
Camps Bay Police Station has cautioned residents against scammers, following a spike in cases.
PHOTO:PIXABAY
Sassa card-migration deadline looms
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
The deadline for the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa)/ Postbank card migration looms and some frustrated beneficiaries say the queues are too long and there are limited service points
Early last month (February), Sassa and Postbank announced an urgent call to social-grant beneficiaries to replace their Sassa gold cards with the Postbank black cards
The cards are being replaced for compliance reasons The new black cards have the latest chip technology
Beneficiaries had until Friday 28 February to do so, but this was extended to Thursday 20 March
People’s Post spoke to a few beneficiaries to find some of the challenges they had been facing out
Charlene Milford felt the migration was unnecessary
Another beneficiary, who introduced herself only as Hellicien, said she lived in Belhar and had to travel to Parow as there were no service points in her area
“There are too few resources and employees to assist us In Belhar, there is a library; why doesn’t Sassa send officials to the library?
“In each area there should be a station People who still have the green ID booklet could not be assisted at certain outlets ”
Arnoldus Reid said he had to queue for hours in the heat
“Once I had eventually reached the front of the queue I was told I had to return the following day But I refused, and they had to assist me
The system was also glitching ”
According to Naomi Johnson, the queues are too long
Another beneficiary, introduced only as Samantha, said with the limited service points she had to borrow money to travel to her nearest service station
“It is an inconvenience I had to borrow money to travel here It is unfair to us ”
Another beneficiary who did not wish to be named said: “How many times do we still have to change our cards? It is an inconvenience
Older people should have service venues closer to home
Bongani Diako, a spokesperson for Postbank, said the Western Cape is one of the provinces
40% OF CARDS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALREADY.
that has been prioritised, given the low beneficiary turnout at the beginning
“Among the challenges we have had to resolve was increasing the number of sites, given the challenges in attracting card-replacement resources ”
He said Postbank had replaced the cards of around 40% of the original beneficiary base
“This figure excludes those customers that may have moved to other banking service providers
“Postbank continues increasing card-replacement sites in this province, and we now have them in every region to ensure beneficiaries
don’t have to travel long distances ”
Asked how beneficiaries would be affected after deadline, Diako said: “It is important to stress that cards will continue to be replaced in all card-replacement sites after 20 March and beyond, a process that does not stop
“What stops on 20 March is the Sassa gold cards, as they are being phased and will no longer work ”
He assured People’s Post beneficiaries would still receive their grants, including those who have yet to migrate
“Postbank has made available more than one payment method that it will use to pay beneficiaries their grants without card
These are, payments of grant beneficiaries with an ID inside Post Office branches and also through a cardless metho using their IDs and cellphones that works inside retailers that include boxer, Pick n Pay, Usave, Spar, Shoprite and Checkers ”
Sassaswitchcausesmixedfeelings
mixed emotions People's Post spoke to some residents to get their views on the switch
Daniel Falithenjwa said: “I don’t understand why they didn’t communicate more clearly about the switch to the black card It’s been hard to get clear information, and I feel like there isn’t enough help available for people who are struggling with the change.”
Michael Jacobs says: “It has been a very frustrating, tiring and traumatic process, especially for our seniors and it certainly could have been dealt with better How do you expect seniors who are frail, wheelchair bound and those that need assistance to get to the point of service? It’s an extra monetary burden on pensioners who must now fork out money for travelling. There should have been more designated points where SASSA beneficiaries could go to alleviate the long queues. We demand an apology from the Social Development Minister, Postbank and government for the trauma and stress that they have put our most vulnerable citizens, our seniors through ”
Esther Julius said: “When this whole changeover started, it was chaotic in terms of long queues and other challenges People were extremely frustrated with March payments as many beneficiaries did not get paid They were referred back to their nearest SASSA offices for assistance and payments will only be sorted the following month according to those beneficiaries affected Hopefully, things will run smoother for April going forward.”
Cheslyn Steenberg said: “The department has not considered people who are physically challenged. The process of the department is not people-focused If their values shift from numbers to people life will be better for those who receive these grants, especially those vulnerable in society ”
However, it will always be ideal for beneficiaries to make efforts to get their black cards before the April payments as that will ensure that they get paid their grants with a card Jaco Londt, Western Cape Minister of Social Development, said in a press statement it seems prudent for the 20 March deadline to be extended again
“We ask that national government considers another extension because the current rate of replacement makes it impossible for WC beneficiaries to migrate successfully
“This entire situation is causing unnecessary and quite frankly cruel and callous anxiety for many of the most vulnerable residents of the province ”
He said his department is inundated with queries
“We must ensure that all those who need to replace their cards have a fair chance to reach the new sites ”
Libraryamnestyweek
startedyesterday
Capetonians have until Sunday 23 March to return all overdue library items as South African Library Week (SALW) kicked off yesterday (17 March)
According to the City’s Library and Information Service, missing items are valued at over R4,6 million, including much-needed children’s books and study guides
This year ’ s theme, ‘Libraries for Sustainable Communities’, highlights how libraries serve as shared neighbourhood resources that benefit everyone
To kick off the week, the Library and Information Services Department hosted its annual SALW Road March in the city centre on Friday, 14 March
Francine Higham, Mayco member for community services and health, said: “Libraries are the ultimate example of a sustainable community resource One book can educate and entertain hundreds of people over its lifetime; but only if it's available on our shelves,’ said Higham
The City has 102 libraries across the metropole, with a staff complement of 894
“Think of this as a library amnesty week No questions asked and no penalties applied We simply would like the more than 40 000 missing items back in circulation where they can benefit everyone in our community,” explained Higham Jeff Kinney's ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’
series dominates the most-wanted list for another year, with 30 copies of ‘Wrecking Ball’ alone waiting to find their way home
“Every returned book means another child gets to experience that story, or another student can prepare properly for exams
“Returning these materials isn't about avoiding fines, it's about strengthening our community resources
“We encourage all residents to help these outstanding books, CDs, DVDs and magazines find their way home,” added Higham
Library membership is at 242 144 active members (i e they have valid library cards) as at 28 February, with 3 242 893 items circulated from 1 July last year to 28 February this year across the library network
To join a library, visit your nearest facility today, and sign up – you’ll be able to check out your very first books on the same day!
Please bring identification and proof of address
Throughout the week, libraries across the city will host:
• Upcycling workshops teaching creative reuse of materials
• Panel discussions on building greener neighbourhoods
• South African children's literature story times
• Digital literacy sessions for all ages
Sassa is phasing out the current gold cards in favour of the Postbank’s black card PHOTO: SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS
Carnival illuminates Cape streets
KAYLYNNE BANTOM
The Green Point Fan Walk was alive with excitement as hundreds of spectators gathered for the 15th Cape Town Carnival on Saturday 15 March.
Organisers vowed that this year ’ s carnival would be a spectacular celebration of creativity and culture, and delivered on that promise
The theme this year was “WowZA”, and spectators got a spectacular showcase of vibrant performances, massive floats and dazzling costumes
Making a special appearance this year was Erika Januza, Rio’s Carnival Queen, who held the official title “Queen of the Drums” for three years
Fans also saw some familiar players from the DHL Stormers as they made their way down the Fan Walk with their custom “Taking the Cape by Storm” float
Rachel Jafta, chair of the Cape Town Carnival Trust, said she was blown away by the carnival this year
“The spectator engagement was phenomenal Everyone was asking how are we going to top this next year I am excited to hear from the
communities what their thoughts are for next year and that will help us distil a theme ” She said the different floats and vibrant performances were a highlight
“Everything was amazing, but I
loved the sunset float because the colours were so vibrant and the music and dancing I also loved the colours of the surfer The big panda was a surprise, the Chinese community also have a surprise up their sleeve ”
Jatha also expressed her gratitude to all the sponsors for their support
Jay Douwes, Cape Town Carnival CEO, reflected on how the carnival shines a light on the various community performers annually “We are
FANS ALSO SAW SOME FAMILIAR PLAYERS FROM THE DHL STORMERS AS THEY MADE THEIR WAY DOWN THE FAN WALK WITH THEIR CUSTOM“TAKING THE CAPE BY STORM” FLOAT
privileged to provide a platform for Cape Town’s community artists, allowing them to share their brilliance with the thousands of Carnival-goers who bring this event to life ” Tracey Carter, performance director of the carnival, said seeing the event come to life made the year-long preparations worthwhile
“I feel a deep sense of appreciation to those who created this platform and saw the need for showcasing the tremendous talent with our communities and then also admiration to those who have continued to grow and shape it into what it is today ” Carter said the smiles on the the audience’s faces were worthwhile “I am overjoyed and so proud of every performer, who worked so hard to produce the absolutely breathtaking experience, which I do believe was WowZA!”
She said organisers were already planning to ensure next year ’ s parade was even better “Being a creative one is always triggered to look at how we can go bigger and better For now, I just want to celebrate what we have achieved and the hard work of an amazing team and then we can look forward to another parade next year ”
People's Post is a proud print-media partner of the carnival
Cape Town’s hottest queens from The Drag Cartel made a debut at the carnival PICTURE: KAYLYNNE BANTOM
The Devolution Dance Fam from Mitchells Plain also participated. PICTURE: KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Aphrodite Belly Dancing Club performers, Cleo Abrahams, Tatum Geduldt and Jodi Denaye Abrahams was excited to take part in the parade. P CTURE: KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Charliza Jacobs and Fabian Arries from Village Lead Performers. PICTURE: KAYLYNNE BANTOM
The WP Media team, publishers of People’s Post, City Vision and TygerBurger, walked in the pre-parade dressed in their outfits
Local rapper, YoungstaCPT rocked the crowd atop his Gatsby float PICTURE: KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Erika Januza, Rio’s Carnival Queen P CTURE: JACO WOLMARANS
Paxton Fielies atop her sunset float PICTURE JACO WOLMARANS
Summit tackles orderly hurdles
NAMHLAMONAKALI
The University of Cape Town (UCT) Libraries recently hosted the second Global Summit on Diamond Open Access (DOA), a pivotal event aimed at reshaping academic publishing by placing social justice and inclusivity at its core. In collaboration with global partners, the summit emphasised the need for a non-commercial, equitable publishing model that benefits researchers worldwide, particularly those from marginalised communities
Dr Reggie Raju, Director of Research and Learning at UCT Libraries, highlighted the summit’s main objective “Our goal is to ensure that Diamond Open Access becomes an inclusive, community-driven model that prioritises equity and social justice,” he said The event built on the success of the inaugural summit in Toluca, Mexico, but this time, social justice, decolonisation, and the removal of bias were placed at the forefront of discussions Key international partners including Redalyc/AmeliCA (Latin America), SPARC (USA), UNESCO, and the National Research Foundation (South Africa) joined UCT in this effort to address long-standing issues within academic publishing “Diamond Open Access is about making knowledge a public good, not a commodity,” said Raju, reinforcing the summit’s focus on dismantling the financial and access barriers that often exclude scholars from the Global South
A major outcome of the summit was the creation of the Toluca-Cape Town Declaration on DOA, a statement that affirms scholarly knowledge as a human right The declaration
also calls for reform in research assessment to ensure that contributions from diverse knowledge systems are valued equally
“Research assessment models must evolve to recognise the richness of knowledge from all corners of the world, not just those measured by commercial publishing metrics,” Raju explained
The summit addressed systemic challenges that prevent equitable access to research One such challenge, high article processing charges, often limits access for researchers in low-resource regions
As Raju emphasised: “This model eliminates financial barriers for both authors and readers, creating a more inclusive system ”
The summit underscored the importance of building independent infrastructures for open access publishing
A significant step forward is the establishment of the African Coalition of Library Consortia, aimed at advocating for DOA across the continent The summit also announced the formation of the African Forum for the Advancement of DOA, a platform for collaboration and furthering the movement in Africa
Looking ahead, Raju expressed optimism about the future of DOA “The initiatives set in motion here, like the partnership between UCT, Redalyc, and the Association of African Universities, will play a critical role in advancing this transformative model ”
‘AdoptaTree’andimprove ourarborealbiodiversity
The City of Cape Town is encouraging residents and community groups to take part in the “Adopt a Tree” initiative, aiming to plant at least 500 trees across the city during the upcoming planting season, which begins with the first winter rains in April
Led by the Recreation and Parks Department’s Newlands Nursery, the initiative will focus on planting indigenous tree species such as the Milkwood tree (Sideroxylon inerme), the national tree for 2025
The nursery will advise on appropriate species based on factors such as space, environmental impact and maintenance requirements
To make the initiative accessible to local communities, trees will be available in bag sizes of up to 100 litres, ensuring easier handling and planting The trees will enhance the urban landscape, improve air quality and offer significant environmental benefits
However, the City’s urban forest faces several challenges, including pressure from development, water scarcity and pests such as the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) beetle, which threaten tree survival
The “Adopt a Tree” initiative aims to address these issues by expanding the urban forest canopy and creating greener, more sustainable spaces for residents
Francine Higham, Mayco member for community services and health, highlighted the importance of community involvement in the project “Adopting and nurturing trees can strengthen our tree canopy, improve our environment and empower residents to contribute to a more sustainable future,” she said
While the initiative is primarily aimed at friends’ groups and community organisations, residents can also apply through their local ward councillor for general tree-planting opportunities
The “Adopt a Tree” initiative is part of the City’s broader commitment to enhancing biodiversity,
climate resilience
promoting greener spaces, and building
Belinda Douman, a worker at Recreation and Parks’ Newlands Nursery, cares for the trees
SA Rugby honours best
The red carpet was rolled out as excellence across all spheres of South African rugby was celebrated during the glittering SA Rugby Awards ceremony at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Thursday 13 March.
Hot-stepping Springbok speedster Cheslin Kolbe became the first backline player since 2013 to take the prestigious SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year title while Nadine Roos took home the top women ’ s award for a second time Kolbe’s incredible achievements throughout the 2024 season set him apart from an impressive field of nominees, which included previous
THE SPRINGBOKS AND RASSIE WERE NAMED TEAM AND COACH OF THE YEAR RESPECTIVELY
winners Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit Toit, as well as Damian De Allende and Ox Nche, to claim the top prize
The Springboks and Rassie Erasmus were named Team and Coach of the Year respectively
Kolbe’s contributions was pivotal in the Springboks’ triumphant season, which saw the team secure 11 victories in 13 tests and recap-
ture the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and Freedom Cup titles
The versatile Roos was honoured as SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year for the second time in three years after also taking the award in 2022
She was honoured for her outstanding contributions to both the fifteens and sevens formats of the Springbok Women’s game
Emerging star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu received the Young Player of the Year award, recognising his breakthrough season Jurenzo Julius was named Junior Springbok Player of the Year for his impressive form for the SA u-20s before making a rapid rise in senior rugby Selvyn Davids, who was included in World
Multi-award-winning playreturnstoBaxter
After touring internationally for a decade to overwhelming praise and success, the multi-award-winning production Kafka's Ape returns home to South Africa, taking centre stage at the Baxter Studio from Wednesday 26 March to Saturday 12 April
This powerful one-hander, directed by Phala O Phala and performed by Tony Bonani Miyambo, is an adaptation of Franz Kafka’s short story A Report to an Academy
A primate named Red Peter delivers a devastating report to the Academy, confronting the complexities of identity and the dangers of othering Through a metaphorical lens Kafka's Ape presents humanity held to an ape ’ s mirror, sparking crucial reflections on society and our place within it
Kafka’s Ape is a testament to the power of South Africa’s independent theatre making, showcasing the country’s vibrant creative talent on global stages, such as the Rwanda Genocide Memorial and the Royal Academy in London The production has been hailed “ a masterpiece of physical theatre” (Edinburgh Fringe Festival) and “Empathy-driven and incredibly powerful” at the Perth Fringe Festival WeekendSpecial simply described it as “superb” while Call off the Search said, “One-Man show cracks head and heart wide open ” Miyambo’s tour-de-force performance has also earned him numerous accolades, which include the Silver Ovation award at the National Arts Festival, The Outstanding Perfor-
mance Award at Prague Fringe Festival 2019, Best Satire Award at New York’s United Solo Festival, The Graham F Smith Peace Foundation Award at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2021 and the prestigious Lustrum award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2024, amongst others Kafka’s Ape runs at the Baxter Studio at 20:00 with Saturday matinees at 14:30 Booking is now open at Webtickets online or at Pick n Pay stores Contact Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or email her at carmen kearns@uct ac za for discounted school or group block bookings, fundraisers or charities
Rugby’s Dream Team, was named the Springbok Sevens Player of the Year In domestic rugby, Renzo du Plessis (Fidelity ADT Lions) and Ashlon Davids (Sanlam Boland Cavaliers) were named the Carling Currie Cup Players of the Year for the Premier and First Divisions respectively, adding their names to that of Sanele Nohamba (Emirates Lions), who won the SA Vodacom URC Player of the Season Award for 2024
Jakkie Cilliers, who topped the scoring charts and helped the Bulls Daisies to a second successive Women’s Premier Division title, was recognised as Provincial Women’s Player of the Year, while AJ Jacobs was named OUTsurance Referee of the Year for his excellent performances on both local and international stages
The South African Schools Rugby Association (SASRA) was named Associate Member of the Year, and the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union received the inaugural President’s Award for their exceptional achievements in access to the game, development, governance and performance
To cap a remarkable year for SA Rugby, the awards ceremony also celebrated a remarkable milestone for the Springbok brand, which was ranked 50th among the top 100 brands in South Africa, making it the only sports brand to achieve this distinction to date
Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, hailed Kolbe’s achievement as a milestone for backline players while he also praised the contributions of all the other award winners
“Cheslin’s recognition is a testament to his skill, dedication, and impact on the field
“It’s amazing to think that the last backline player to win the top award was former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers in 2013, and to have Cheslin take the top prize this year, is just reward for the amazing things he’s done for the Springboks in the last six years ” Alexander also lauded the other winners
Cheslin Kolbe was awarded the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year title (Photo: SA Rugby)
The Springboks were named team of the year. PHOTO BY ATON GEYSER/GALLO MAGES
Tony Miyambo will be coming Baxter
A newspaper that passes through hands.
UNDER-19SOCCERTOURNAMENTSTARTS16APRIL
All systems go for 36th Bayhill Cup
AVRILFILLIES
The scene is set for the 36th annual Bayhill Cup tournament for u-19 soccer players at Erica Park in Belhar. The tournament kicks off on Wednesday 16 April and concludes with the final on Monday 21 April at the Athlone Stadium
Get your tickets and let’s fill the stadium
- Rayaan Alie
The launch was held on Saturday 15 March at the Civic Centre in Cape Town and the City of Cape Town is once again proud to support the event by providing venues and related services “We are just as excited as the teams and look forward to kick-off Players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and sportsmanship Not only is the tournament a great opportunity for families, supporters and the broader community to come out in numbers and support the teams, but it also is a platform for players with exceptional skill to further their sporting career, ” said Mayco member for
community services and health, Francine Higham
“The Bayhill Premier Cup organising committee is geared and ready for action after a successful tournament launch and groups draw We are particularly interested in seeing how our local talent will fare against the teams travelling from abroad as well as the professional teams from outside the province The draw set the tone for what is poised to be one of the best tournament editions’ yet There are definitely going to be some great matchups which will
be revealed once the fixtures are released later this month We extend a special vote of thanks to all our partners and sponsors without whom this event wouldn’t be possible Good luck to all the teams as they prepare for BPC2025 We appeal to our communities to get behind the boys as they vie for top spot at Athlone Stadium on April 21 Get your tickets and let’s fill the stadium and give these players the atmosphere they deserve,” says Rayaan Alie, Bayhill Premier Cup Tournament Director Tickets for the games at Erica Park will be sold at the gate, limited to approximately 3 800 maximum venue capacity Tickets for the final at Athlone Stadium will need to pre-booked online A total of 32 teams will compete in eight groups - the Western Cape is represented by 18 teams with 14 from other provinces and abroad Now that the groups have been locked in, teams can finalise their tournament strategies
