he spends up to ten hours a day out in the elements, directing cars
ERRATICWEATHERCHANGES
He recalls the Congo of his childhood, where rain only fell for six months of the year “This year, it’s been raining all year, even during what’s meant to be our summer The country hasn’t experienced winter at all,” he says, pointing to the increasingly erratic weather patterns across the globe
“When will we finally realise the consequences of our actions?” he asks, thinking of his own three children, and what their children will inherit
“It’s like we don’t think that far ahead Through my writing, I hope to shake people awake We hear about nuclear bombs on the news almost every day, but can we truly imagine a world where nuclear war becomes reality?”
Eric began writing at the age of 20 as a way to process the trauma of the war unfolding around him at the time
“I started by writing about my life to get the constant thoughts out of my head and onto paper, so they wouldn’t be forgotten,” he says, recalling a time of immense pain, during which conflict that started in his home country in 1996 had claimed millions of lives He managed to escape He shared his writing with someone who was deeply moved by it, a moment that pushed him to keep going “Since then, I haven’t stopped It’s my dream to inspire as many people as possible with my stories I want people to hear them, and truly understand ” He has written nine movie scripts, several books, and even a few songs he hopes to one day share with the world, and perhaps even sell
WHAT’S WHAT’S ON/DIARY
SENDYOURCOMMUNITYEVENTSTO JO SEKEPANE@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
SATURDAY12JULY
.Join the indoor winter market, hosted by the Andries Olivier Durbanville Quadriplegic Centre from 09:00 to 15:00 for a vibrant day of warmth, community and unique finds. Contact Jean on 083 356 0001 or Rosabelle on 081 497 4044 with enquiries.
SUNDAY13JULY
. Join acclaimed organist and pianist Winand Grundling for a captivating evening of music, joined by two outstanding international artists currently residing in Panorama: John Rojas (oboe) and Maria Elizabeth Bezuidenhout (piano, voice, composition) at the Dutch Reformed Church Stellenbosch-Welgelegen, 6 Buitekring Road, Dalsig, Stellenbosch. Tickets cost R150 at the door (cash or card)
WOENSDAG16JULIE
. Die Tygerbergse Tuin- en Blommeklub kom byeen by die NGK Parow Welgelegen (La Provencestraat 47, Welgelegen) om 09:30 vir 10:00 vir ‘n sop-en-kuierdag. Die spreker is Leon Kluge oor "A visionary of landscape design and nature s storyteller". ‘n Blommekunskompetisie in horisontale ontwerp met "layering"-tegniek woord aangebied. Kontak Beatrix Lambert-Bestbier by 082 873 9864 met navrae
Recyclingbuyback centresmustregister
The City of Cape Town advises all recycling buyback centres should register for accreditation before 31 July to avoid a fine Residents and businesses making use of buyback centres are also encouraged to check the accreditation status of facilities they use
Recycling buyback centres play a vital role in Cape Town’s circular economy
These are the businesses that buy recyclables from waste-pickers and recycling service providers, helping to keep valuable materials out of landfills while supporting informal and formal jobs across the city
To ensure that these operations are safe, environmentally responsible and accountable, the City of Cape Town requires them to be accredited in terms of the integrated waste management by-law
Accreditation is a registration process that gives anyone who transports waste in Cape Town formal recognition by the City
The registration and approval process ensures that recycling, sorting and waste recovery activities at private facilities that handle waste meet basic environmental and operational standards
The aim is to: Promote public health and environmental safety, enable better oversight of waste flows, support equitable and transparent participation in the waste
economy and ensure facilities report how much waste they help divert from landfills
The data collected helps the City plan more effectively and to target support to grow the circular economy
The registration requirement applies to any person who undertakes a recycling, re-use, processing, treatment or recovery activity or who sorts waste, including scrap dealers, buyback centres and formalised recycling groups
GRACEPERIOD
The requirement to register has been in place for some time but the City is offering a grace period until 31 July to comply without facing penalties
"The accreditation process is about building trust, improving standards, and working together for a cleaner, more sustainable Cape Town," said Grant Twigg, Mayco member for urban waste management
Facilities already accredited must regularly report on the volumes of waste they handle and how much is diverted from landfills, in line with their obligations
. Visit capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/ Register/Business-and-trade/Register-as-anaccredited-waste-services-provider, or contact wastewise@capetown.gov.za to learn more or to apply
Die Laerskool Vredekloof se Orff-orkes het op Dinsdag 24 Junie aan die Panorama-orkesfees deelgeneem Die orkes is in 2021 gestig en het twee
Christine Pentz.
Vermaak // Entertainment
KulturaFestivaldrawsbigcrowd
The first-ever Kultura Festival brought over 1 700 people together across six live shows hosted by Curro Durbanville,confirming that Cape Town’s northern suburbs are hungry for more arts and culture
A particular highlight was the Kultura Wine Festival, which drew nearly 300 wine lovers for an evening of fine flavours and local flair Meanwhile, the Band Battle brought the house down, with school bands from Parel Vallei, Paul Roos Gimnasium and Curro Durbanville setting the stage alight
Performers like Marc Lottering, Francois van Coke Early B, and Marion Holm praised the festival’s energy and community spirit
“Easily one of the best crowds I’ve had this year,” said Lottering. Plans for the 2026 edition are already
NORTHERN SUBURBS HUNGRY FOR ARTS AND CULTURE
Teenagers
and
lit up the crowd for Francois van Coke
Die Gevaar – a clear festival highlight!
“You could feel the heart of the community in every cheer,”said Marion Holm
“An absolute blast – easily one of the best crowds I’ve had this year!”– Marc Lottering
For a few hours two men from completely different backgrounds and circumstances shared beers, talked, cheered as they both have an equal love for the game
It can be done There is the proof We don't have to live in silos
Hundreds of soup kitchens were birthed during the Covid-19 pandemic and are still active today Dare I say the kitchens are even more needed today than they were five years ago
It's always heartwarming to see how ordinary South Africans show up for each other
This while our political landscape seems to be crumbling as leaders fight for power at our expense
As we approach Mandela Day, let us be reminded that it is the small acts of kindness that can brighten someone's day
The high cost of living affects all of us From fuel and electricity hikes to soaring food prices and rental costs, the pressure on households, especially low-income and vulnerable communities has never been greater
You need only to drive through the traffic lights or enter a supermarket to see the number of people asking for a rand or two to get some food Basic needs that were once manageable are now becoming unaffordable for many, forcing people to make impossible choices between shelter, food, healthcare, and dignity
This economic reality has had a particularly harsh impact on those already living on the margins, including those living on the street
As a nation, we face many challenges but when it comes to showing up for one another, we stand united This is what makes us unique This is what binds us May we never lose sight of that -KAYLYNNEBANTOM
BRIEWE / LETTERS
Ministers Forum prays for peace
We, the Mitchells Plain Rebuild Ministers Forum, hereby want to let the government know, as you address the current outbreak of gang-related murders that is taking place in Mitchell's Plain, that we are praying for you to do all that's needed to restore and maintain peace and order in our community
According to Romans 13:1-5 - God has appointed you to the task of bringing terror upon those who do wrong
We are praying for God to protect you as you courageously, without fear or favour, enforce law and order on the perpetrators of violence
"Romans 13:1-3“ - The authorities that exist have been established by God
Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong “
This appeal to the government to maintain law and order is especially given in light of the Impact pilot projects that are taking place from 7 to 11 July, in the Portland and Westridge sectors We are persuaded that it can't be a coincidence that these Two Trauma Informed Holiday Clubs (TIHC) will take place in what has overnight become a red zone
We choose to believe that these traumatising incidents are taking place in Mitchell's Plain, not only to draw ongoing attention to the scourge of gangsterism but more so to draw attention to this new intervention that was birthed to stop gang-related violence
Several of these incidents of violent murders took place within proximity to the venues where the TIHC's will be hosted
The purpose for hosting these TIHC's is to prevent and reduce harm in children by providing safe spaces for them during holidays and after school
These ambitious interventions form part of the Mitchell's Plain Integrated Community Safety Strategy This strategic plan initiated by the Mitchell's Plain Community Police Forum (CPF) was designed through a process of inclusive dialogues with a broad range of Mitchell's Plain stakeholders which included - Epic Evolve NPO, Impact, Mitchell's Plain Neighbourhood Watch, Department Of Health, M PRebuild M F
The purpose statements of this initiative are as follows:
Vision - We exist to see an empowered and resilient community in Mitchells Plain free from the influence of gangsterism
Mission - To implement a sustainable safety strate-
gy through prevention, intervention and suppression, uniting government, community organisations, religious institutions schools and local businesses
As civil society, led by God, we are making a renewed commitment, through prevention (TIHC's, reading clubs, etc) and restoration (drug recovery programmes etc ) interventions, to turn the tide on gangsterism and the lifestyle of violence and the related criminality it breeds
This communication is in respectful acknowledgement that you are the stakeholder, in Mitchells Plain, appointed by God Himself (Romans 13:1-5) to suppress wrongdoing
In light of this multi- stakeholder Strategic Plan, we appeal to and encourage the police, which is governments law enforcement agency, to now especially bring to bear your mandate to enforce law and order by suppressing all gang related-activities within a 1 km radius around these two TIHC's
Your efforts will ensure that the prevention and restoration efforts currently afoot in Mitchell's Plain, will not be frustrated by the gang-related violence
Like you, we are fully aware that the planners and perpetrators of the current outbreak of violence are using these murders to take over and control territory through fear Scientific evidence proves that terrors of fear cause tremendous harm to the communities and especially to children growing up in such an environment Bold interventions from the police to suppress this outbreak of violence can help to interrupt the cycles of trauma that our community and especially the children are experiencing
Our parents and guardians must see the police bringing terror upon those who are harming our community and its children They must no longer be left to feel isolated and powerless Cancelling the holiday clubs or pressuring parents to withhold their children from attending, will only further the lie that as a community, with a well-resourced Law Enforcement Agency, we are still powerless to stop violent gang related criminality
As Rebuild we appeal to all of our community stakeholders, especially the police, to use this crisis as a moment, engineered by God Himself, to show both victims and perpetrators that we are a community that's taking back our right to peace - for the sake of the healthy development of our children
As a forum we look forward to engaging the government with regards to this correspondence
BISHOP MARK BLOEMSTEIN, Chair of Mitchells Plain Rebuild Ministers Forum
Haweloses raak nou ‘n groot probleem
Ek is uiters besorg oor die toename van haweloses wat hulself oral op die reserwegrond langs die N1-snelweg, maar veral tussen Plattekloofweg en Durbanweg, vestig
Ek het hierdie kommerwekkende situasie al verskeie kere onder die aandag van die distriksingeneur van paaie in die Paarl gebring, maar klaarblyklik het my versoek op dowe ore geval
Hierdie toedrag van sake is absoluut onaanvaarbaar en ek doen dus 'n ernstige beroep op die provinsiale regering om asseblief hierdie mense na 'n meer geskikte plek te verskuif
Ek vind dit ook erg onmenslik dat mense in hierdie koue wintertoestande in oop ruimtes moet slaap Ek sal my ook na die sosialemedia-platforms wend indien dit nodig word GERRIT HORN, E-pos
Afgetredenes kan ook oefen
Ek is nou al bietjie ouer as aftreeouderdom Volgens my berekening was almal wat nou daar is, lank voor 1994 op skool - die dae toe daar nog liggaamlike opvoeding op skool deur spesiaal opgeleide onderwysers aangebied is Ons het daarna as L O verwys
Deesdae staan L O vir lewensoriëntering en kinders doen nie meer gimnastiek soos in die ou dae nie Maar as jy nou al anderkant 60 trek, wat is jou opsies? Dalk speel jy gholf of tennis?
Dalk stap jy - alleen of saam met iemand, of in 'n stapgroep?
Dalk bied jou mediese fonds jou toegang tot goed toegeruste binnenshuise gimnasiums waar jy saam met Jan Alleman op die apparate of in 'n klas deelneem?
Hoe dit ookal sy, hoe soek jy vir jou ouderdomsgenote wat fiks wil bly?
As 'n TygerBurger-leser wil ek in jou oor fluisterdaar is twee groepe hier in die noordelike voorstede: U3A Tygerberg en Silverfit (www silverfit co za) Soek hulle gerus op GRYSKOP, Bellville
WE BELIEVE IN YOU’: Bassoonist Ofentse Segale,a UCT music student and participant in the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival,received a new nstrument at the event From left: conductor Michael Repper (who brought the instrument from the USA),Alex Andersson (principal donor),Peter Martens (festival irector),Ofentse Segale,and Ekaterina Kornishina (flautist and contributor).The names of 160 sponsors formed the message:“We believe in you.”
HOTO: TIFFANY SCHULTZ
Takecareofpetsincold
With Cape Town shivering under the weight of a fierce winter assault, the SPCA is appealing to all pet owners to bring their pets indoors wherever possible.
"Even a garage or covered stoep can make all the difference Ensure outdoor kennels are waterproof, insulated and raised off the ground, urges Belinda Abraham, spokesperson for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA
EMERGENCYTEAMS
"For some animals in the city, especially those in lowlying informal settlements, cold weather has translated into a harsh reality of flooded roads, sodden bedding, cold, misery and fear," she says
"At this stage, the City has not activated a Joint Operations Centre (JOC) However, should this occur, the SPCA’s trained first responders will serve on the JOC to represent animal welfare alongside emergency teams including local law enforcement, disaster management, the fire department and traffic services
“This ensures animal welfare is fully integrated into coordinated emergency planning and that our response remains rapid and effective where it’s needed most
"Working in close liaison with the City of Cape Town’s disaster risk management centre, our inspectors have their finger on the pulse of every red alert
WARM
BLANKETS,
TOWELS, DOG AND CAT FOOD URGENTLY NEEDED
“This partnership has allowed us to act quickly in high-risk areas - relocating farm animals to higher ground, walking flooded paths to reach animals shivering in inadequate shelters, and bringing some in for safekeeping when no other immediate remedy is available," she says
TIPSFORPETOWNERS
. Check bedding daily - it must be clean and dry Wet bedding leaches body heat and can lead to hypothermia, illness and preventable death
. Provide food and clean water in sheltered areas
. Provide windproof shelter for farm animals and horses
. Ensure hay or feed is stored off the ground and kept dry
Animals require more food in colder weather to maintain body temperature
. Check and top up water troughs regularly - rain can dilute or contaminate water and freezing temperatures can cause troughs to ice over
. Inspect fences and gates for damage caused by wind or water, especially electric fencing which may short out in wet conditions
. Remove excess mud and manure from around shelters or feeding areas to reduce the risk of hoof rot and other infections
The SPCA is calling on the public to stay vigilant and report any animals in distress
URGENTITEMSNEEDED
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is calling on the public to urgently donate warm blankets and towels, as well as dog and cat food (dry or wet)
“Our community’s kindness has always been the difference between suffering and safety for Cape Town’s animals,” adds Abraham
“We’re asking everyone who can to help us with donations of towels, blankets and dry and wet cat and dog food ”
. Donations can be delivered to Cape of Good Hope SPCA in Grassy Park or to arrange large donations, contact the SPCA on 021 700 4140/4141/4158 or info@capespca.co.za. Animals in distress can also be reported to these numbers.
Dogs are being taken in by inspectors of Cape of Good Hope SPCA for safe-keeping during adverse weather conditions.
Dogs are being taken in by inspectors of Cape of Good Hope SPCA for safe-keeping during adverse weather conditions
TYGER VALLEY HOSTS FAST3 NETBALL ACTION
Fast3tourney a‘slamdunk’
BRENDENRUITER
BRENDEN RUITER@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
The organisers of the second annual Fast3 Netball tournament, held at Tyger Valley Centre recently, described the event as a huge success
Arend Visagie, CEO of Three Cube Management, says the tournament achieved all it set out to do
"We wanted participants to have fun and supporters to see good competitive netball I will never forget the smiles on the faces of the children as they enjoyed the couple of days of action
“I think we achieved what set out to do," says Visagie
He said the tournament shown significant growth and they must make new plans to make even bigger and better going forward
"We can only imagine where this could end up It is only the second year that the tournament is held and it is already a favourite on the sporting calender I want to thank everyone that was involved in making this event special,and most of all the children who showed passion and dedication and blessed us with their talent," he said
The u-13 tournament was won by a combined team from the Girl's Mission in Eerste River and Khayelitsha, while the girls from Nyameko Primary School in Mfuleni walked away winners in the u-11 division
Rochelle Rossouw en Bianca Odendaal fights for the ball at the Fast3 Netball Tournament that was held the Tyger Valley Mall.
