TygerBurger | De Grendel | E-Edition | 3 December 2025
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis,donning his brand-ne attended what has become the biggest free-con season,this year under the theme‘United in Ho
KAILINDANIELS
KAILIN DANIELS@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
As part of an ongoing public participation process for the Big Bay Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF), which includes
the highly discussed Erf 1117, the City of Cape Town's Urban Planning team has begun responding to the community's most frequently-asked questions The newly-approved LSDF
sets out a long-term plan for the roughly 5 km stretch of Blaauwberg Road from Marine Circle to the intersection with Koeberg and Potsdam Roads The corridor, originally designed in the 1980s for low-density,
Correction
Last week TygerBurger reported about the craft market held at the Edgemead Library ("Library raises funds for new books," 26/11)
The craft market, and funds raised through it, are organised by the non-profit organisation Friends of the Edgemead Library, and not the library, as indicated in the headline TygerBurger apologises for the inconvience
. Oom Piet’s Christmas Party is back. For the first time since Covid, the Rotary Club of Durbanville is once again hosting the magical fantasy evening for families from Thursday 4 December to Saturday 13 December Bring your picnic basket and enjoy a fabulous, joyous evening. All proceeds go to helping uplift the community Bookings now open on Quicket Call Carol on 083 261 9840 for more information.
. Tygerberg Hospice's annual Tree of Lights event will take place at 19:00 at Jan Kriel School in Kuils River Bring along a picnic blanket and come join a magical evening of remembrance and hope with a tree lit up in honour of loved ones who have passed. A light in remembrance of a loved one costs R60 Every light dedicated helps Tygerberg Hospice provide home-based care, comfort, and support to families facing life-limiting illness. Visit www tygerberghospice org or call 021 946 2460 to make your dedication and light purchase
FRIDAY5DECEMBER
. South Africa's leading indie games festival, Playtopia, will bring together over 1 000 gaming enthusiasts and industry professionals for what organisers describe as Africa's premier celebration of video games and interactive arts at the Homecoming Centre in Cape Town on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December This year's festival will transport visitors to "Arcadia", a fantasy-themed library complete with portholes, spell books, potions and magic crystals. Tickets are available at www.playtopiafestival.co.za
. Join the crafters and charities for a magical evening at the traditional annual Gypsy Night Market presented by the Durbanville Craft Market from 17:00 to 21:00 on the corner Louw and Hafele street Durbanville (behind the Durbanville Police Station) weather permitting. The best-dressed “gypsy” visitor can win a R300 shopping voucher to redeem at the market The winner will be announced at 19:30 Browse through the stalls for handmade gifts, have a meal at one of the food stalls or support the charity fundraising efforts by the charities. Entrance is free and pets are welcome Contact Durbanville Craft Market on 066 059 7251 or durbanvillecraftmarket@gmail.com for more information.
SATERDAG6DESEMBER
. Boston Open Studios 2025 vind van 09:00 tot 17:00 plaas. Die jaarlikse gebeurtenis, wat as 'n hoogtepunt beskou word, bied besoekers die seldsame geleentheid om kunstenaars in hul kreatiewe ruimtes te ontmoet en oorspronklike kunswerke teen studiopryse dikwels 30 to 60% laer as galerypryse te koop Die geleentheid is oop vir die publiek en gratis. Volg Boston Open Studios op sosiale media vir meer inligting.
. Business Support Services bied 'n entrepreneursmark aan by YWC House in Oude Molen, Pinelands, vanaf 09:00 Die geleentheid bring kleinsake-eienaars, produkmakers en diensgebaseerde entrepreneurs bymekaar vir ’n oggend van netwerk, vertoon van produkte en gemeenskapssteun. Toegang vir die publiek is gratis.
. The festive spirit arrives in full song this week as families, friends, and neighbours gather for the muchloved Carols in the Park celebration at Jack Muller Park Gates opening at 18:30 and the carols beginning at 19:00 Bring along blankets and a picnic basket, enjoy a relaxed evening of music and celebration. Entry is free
. Oom Vossie Voortrekkers hou van 09:00 tot 15:00 'n vlooimark in die Voortrekkersaal in Disa-singel, Blomtuin. Kontak Salome by 084 325 4690 om staanplek te bespreek of vir meer inligting.
SONDAG7DESEMBER
. Die Geskenke met Kersfees Kersang-optrede met Olga Leonard en Babette Viljoen begin om 09:00 by die NG kerk Bellville (ou NGK Bellville-Noord) plaas, Voorsang begin reeds om 08:45. Dié twee vroue wissel hul aanbieding af met duette tussen kerkorrel en klavier; sangduette, dwarsfluit en trekklavier
. Join the magic of the season at Carols in the Park at Ratanga Park, Century City Free tram rides run from 16:00to 18:00 Parking available (cashless) at Century City parkades. No alcohol or camp chairs allowed This outdoor event will take place on the lawns of Ratanga Park.
Mayorpushesfor strongerconvictions
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has called for urgent action to strengthen conviction rates for gang, gun and drug crime, following the release of the latest Quarterly Crime Statistics While police arrests and weapon confiscations remain high across several Cape Town precincts, the Mayor warned that prosecution failures continue to undermine efforts to curb violent crime
“The latest crime stats make it clear that violent crime continues to plague some of our most vulnerable communities,” HillLewis said
“We see encouraging declines in murder in areas like Nyanga, Philippi East and Khayelitsha all supported by LEAP deployments but without stronger conviction rates, we cannot turn the tide ”
STRONGERARRESTS,WEAKCONVICTIONS
The City highlighted that the police is confiscating significant quantities of illegal guns and drugs across multiple precincts, and that City enforcement agencies are also removing over 450 illegal firearms from Cape Town’s streets each year
Despite this, the conviction rate for gunrelated cases stands at just 5%, a figure the Mayor described as “an indictment of a broken criminal justice system ”
Hill-Lewis urged the Acting Police Minister to urgently resource the police and expand draft municipal policing power regulations published earlier this year
“With more policing powers, our officers can build prosecution-ready dockets immediately and help secure more convictions for gang, gun and drug crime,” he said
CITY’SENFORCEMENTCAPACITY
Recent City data shows major disparities in policing capacity between the City’s enforcement agencies and the police
FROMPAGE1
Ward 107 councillor Jonathan Mills emphasised that the process remained active and that "we are still far from anything being approved " He urged residents to visit the online portal to review all available documents and submit comments
This comes as the City recently approved another significant planning document in the area: the Local Spatial Development Framework for the Blaauwberg Road Corridor in Table View
The LSDF, adopted at the Council meeting on 24 April, marks a major step in reimagining one of the region's busiest and most important routes
The City hosted an Open Day on 1 November and an online session on 13 November, when those attending had the opportunity to ask questions
The closing date for comments is 12 December
According to Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial Planning and the Environment, Eddie Andrews, the new LSDF is designed to respond to this changing landscape
"The LSDF addresses challenges created by historic car-centric planning, escalating congestion, infrastructure limitations and the changing urban environment Our goal is to develop Blaauwberg Road into a thriving urban corridor featuring worldclass destinations, walkable precincts and high-quality public spaces "
The plan aims to guide development decisions, land-use applications and public investment within the corridor and was shaped through substantial community engagement throughout 2023, including a formal two-month consultation period
Key strategies and development priorities
The LSDF sets out several spatial and development goals that will influence future growth along the corridor: .Broadening economic activity beyond
NEW STATS REVEAL POLICE DOWN 1 300 OFFICERS WHILE CITY BOOSTS ENFORCEMENT BY 48%
Since 2021, the City has added 1 263 new officers, representing a 48% increase, while police staffing in Cape Town has dropped by 1 300 officers, or 15%
The City also now has 560 more policing vehicles on the road compared to the police, based on 2025 fleet data
JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security said the City’s investment is clearly strengthening community safety but conviction rates remain the biggest barrier
“Our new Neighbourhood Safety Officers (NSOs) have made substantial drug-related arrests, yet cases fall flat due to backlogs and systemic failures
“We need urgent reform across the justice system,” Smith said
DETECTIVESHORTAGES
A parliamentary reply revealed that police vacancy rates across many Cape Town precincts sit between 20% and 40%, including 200 vacant detective posts as of August Smith said these shortages, combined with delayed crime data releases, hinder proactive policing
“We have continually asked for real-time crime data to better deploy our resources
“The City has shown we can assist the police through intelligence-led investigations that dismantle syndicates, but we need the powers and cooperation to do so ”
Hill-Lewis said: “It’s a Black Friday for Cape Town given these stats but our special offer remains 100% more investigative capacity The Acting Minister should not refuse it ”
Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to comment on the draft
for Big
and surrounding areas
traditional retail and service uses
.Improving public access to Marine Circle and the coastline to enhance tourism, sport and recreation
.Developing the western section between Marine Circle and the R27 into a mixeduse zone that leverages its coastal setting
.Protecting natural assets such as Rietvlei and ensuring development aligns with available infrastructure capacity
.Increasing residential density along the trunk MyCiTi route to expand access to jobs and public transport
.Diversifying housing options to support a more inclusive, integrated urban environment
Public involvement has been a defining feature of both the Blaauwberg Road and Big Bay planning processes
In September 2023 the City hosted a wellattended workshop at Table View Primary School, giving residents the chance to directly engage with officials and raise concerns
Simultaneously the City continues to invest in sanitation and infrastructure upgrades to support sustainable growth along the corridor Andrews expressed appreciation for the community's ongoing engagement: "Its input has been invaluable "
LSDF
Bay
NewredwinemakeratDurbanvilleHills
Tammy Claasen (38), who now heads red-wine making at Durbanville Hills, was one of the very earliest beneficiaries of the Cape Winemakers’ Guild Protégé programme.
The initiative, that began almost 20 years ago, identifies winemaking students of keen talent and then matches them with legendary mentors in the industry to help ignite and forge their potential
From 2009 Tammy spent more than three years under the mentorship of celebrated Carl Schultz of Hartenberg Estate It was not only an excellent professional beginning, but also character-building
TRANSFORMATIONINTOWINEMAKER
“After my academic studies at Stellenbosch University I had a good bit of theoretical training under my belt," said Claasen "But with Carl and the support of the entire team at Hartenberg I could transform into an actual winemaker I know that sounds obvious but responding to the soil beneath my feet, to the tangible, tactile experience of holding the harvest in my hand and then translating that location and the history of the vintage into wines, each with their own unique story, was a very powerful transition for me
“The way I was guided, the confidence expressed in me and the scope I was given to evolve my own style, shaped me very much as a person and as a leader here in the cellars of one of South Africa’s leading and most trusted wine brands ”
HEADOFRED-WINEMAKING
Appointed Durbanville Hills' assistant winemaker in 2024, she rose to head of redwine making earlier this year, taking over after the tragic demise of Wilhelm Coetzee Her experience is wide-ranging, in big and small cellars, large corporates and familyowned entities
TAMMY BRINGS VINTER HERITAGE, ENTHUSIASM AND FORMIDABLE SKILLS TO NEW ROLE
“There was no doubt that she should be Wilhelm’s successor,” said managing director Albert Gerber “She’s gifted, she’s smart, she’s energetic and she has great ideas ”
She has worked abroad, in the cellars of Duckhorn Vineyards, one of the most prominent names in wine in the Napa Valley, California, Oregon’s Union Wine Company and Weingut Kitzer winery, close to Badenheim on the western edge of Rheinhessen in Germany She also spent several years in Stellenbosch cellars, in Franschhoek and the Helderberg
PERSONALITYTOEACHVARIETY
Moving to the cooler-climate Durbanville Hills, where Atlantic morning mists impart a vibrant acidity and pleasing fruit purity to the wines, has brought a fresh perspective to her approach
She has adopted a technique of giving a personality to each of the grape varieties coming into the cellar “It’s like having a personal relationship with each one For me Merlot is a tomboy, bold at first, but with an air of grace and finesse just waiting to be teased out Pinotage is a rebel It’s super-complex and needs a very close watch Shiraz is the one everyone loves because of its versatility I could go on and on "
“It’s just one of the ways I maintain curiosity It pushes me to experiment On the one hand I’m careful to acknowledge those who have preceded me, but on the other, I’m staying true to a stylistic goal
“Here at Durbanville Hills we pride ourselves on achieving a balance between power and elegance There’s no formula for that I try to look at each wine individually to get it right It can be a tightrope act, but I guess that holds true as much in the cellar as in life!
“Not just for me, but for all the team, it becomes a process of self-discovery For each of us individually, you try to listen to your heart but remain patient and persistent and just keep at it That’s how you discover who you are and what you are capable of It’s about showing up mentally every day Being present and attentive to not just the obvious but also those small details that can make the difference ”
If that sounds like Paulo Coelho, whose bestseller, The Alchemist, has inspired millions of readers worldwide, it is It was he who wrote: “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it "
“That’s always been my mantra It has served me well as far as focus and discipline are concerned
“But I’m also so fortunate to come from a farming and a wine family My father leads Koopmanskloof Wines My brother is involved there too My husband works in wine in Franschhoek Having the chance to indulge in your passion with almost the entire family is an undeniable privilege
“Believe me, I’m making the most of it!”
Tammy Claasen
Womansharesglobalexperience
RICHARDROBERTS
R CHARD ROBERTS@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
Alocal volunteer from the La Leche League South Africa recently attended an international breastfeeding conference held in Lima, Peru where she not only rubbed shoulders with like-minded individuals from across the world, but also learned more about the work they do, how their non-profit organisation (NPO) came into existence, while also having the opportunity to explore the South American country
TygerBurger reported on Gwynneth Jacobs, the volunteer and mom of two, who works at the NPO based in Bothasig last month, before she jetted off to South America
La Leche League provides breastfeeding education, information and support to breastfeeding mothers and is fully run by volunteer counsellors, referred to as leaders These leaders receive accredited training and is affiliated with La Leche League International, a world authority on breastfeeding
Jacobs said the conference brought together volunteers and experts from over 40 countries, uniting individuals passionate about promoting and supporting breastfeeding “I was honoured to be one of six delegates from La Leche League SA who attended the conference, thanks to a travel scholarship granted by Friends of La Leche League, an alumnae association of La Leche League International
VOLUNTEER LEARNS ABOUT BREASTFEEDING CULTURES
comprising retired leaders,” she said
SPEAKERS
Jacobs added: “During the three-day event, I listened to many outstanding speakers discussing various topics related to breastfeeding and La Leche League International One notable speaker was Dr Rahmat Bagus, a leader, medical doctor, and international board-certified lactation consultant
“Her insightful talk, titled ‘Breastfeeding vs Breastmilk Feeding’, highlighted the differences between the two concepts Another engaging presentation featured leaders from Japan, Israel, Mexico, and Lebanon, who shared their experiences in supporting breastfeeding mothers during emergencies and the negative impact that conflict and war have on breastfeeding ”
Jacobs said she was also honoured to present their organisation's fundraising efforts, on behalf of the NPO “It was an incredible opportunity to showcase what La Leche League SA has achieved and to learn about fundraising initiatives in other countries These efforts are essential to supporting our mission of providing breastfeeding support, educating our volunteers, and raising community awareness,” she said
Some sessions were interactive, featuring breakout groups and discussions Leaders from New Zealand and Canada led a session on nurturing long-term leader relationships, which was a personal highlight for Jacobs “It reminded me of why I became a leader and provided insight into how to navigate the challenges we face Other presentations covered the mission and vision of La Leche League, as well as the work of the organisation's International Area Network Council ”
A standout moment was a live session with founder Marian Tompson, she said “At age 95, she is the last surviving member of the seven founding mothers of La Leche League All leaders had the opportunity to speak with her via a live call, which was a surreal experience Hearing her firsthand account of how the idea for La Leche League originated and how it has evolved into a global network for breastfeeding support was truly inspiring ”
NOTALLBUSINESS
The conference was not all business, she said, it was wonderful to meet and converse with leaders from around the world
“We celebrated La Leche League Peru's 25th anniversary during the event On the final night, leaders showcased their countries, and we were treated to beautiful traditional dances, especially from leaders representing Colombia, where the next conference will take place in 2027 We also sold traditional
South African items during a world fair, raising funds for La Leche League SA by selling chocolates, jewellery, rooibos tea, and more
“We even had the chance to explore Lima during our stay We enjoyed a walking tour along the coast, shopped at the Inka Market, and attended a breathtaking water and light show We also encountered Paddington Bear, who is originally from Peru Lima, the capital city, is vibrant and bustling, filled with friendly locals ” Jacobs said this experience was truly a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity “Travelling and connecting with my sister leaders from around the globe has further inspired me to advocate for breastfeeding support and help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals La Leche League SA has volunteers throughout the country, and I encourage mothers to reach out to us for support ”
This year's conference, the 14th International Congress of the La Leche League International Area Network, themed “together we grow stronger” was held from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 November . For more information visit www lllsa.org.
Hundreds of toys collected, donated to children in need
RICHARDROBERTS
Motorcycles of all shapes and sizes rolled onto the sportsfield of Edgemead Primary School on Friday where members of the Cape Town Motorcycle Club collected dozens of toys donated by the learners themselves for a good cause
The donation and collection last Friday forms part of the annual Toy Run 2025 which took place on Sunday 30 November at the Killarney International Raceway
Over 500 learners from Grade 1, 2 and 3 assembled on the sportsfield to hand over toys they had donated over the past few months Bobby McGee, a member of the Cape Town Motorcycle Club and vicechair of the National Toy Run Trust, told TygerBurger afterwards that motorcycle clubs across the greater Cape metropole have done similar collections, and that all of the toys were taken to Killarney where it was distributed to welfare organisations, orphanages and charities who work with children in need before Christmas In Cape Town we have a wish-list of over 25 700 toys this year from 79 NPO's to whom the toys will be donated, he says He says the Toy Run Trust has been working very hard behind the scenes to ensure that this year's event is better than the last The group of motorcyclists first visited St Georges Grammar School in Mowbray on Friday before arriving at Edgemead Primary School in Edgemead to collect the toys Some of the learners and parents, he says, also donated money towards the cause
This year's annual Toy Run is the 43rd Toy Run, says McGee, held in 19 towns and cities across South Africa
He says the support from the schools across the province has been fantastic “This is supposed to be a biker thing, but we try to spread it to schools in South Africa, because there is a massive number of kids with toys lying in rooms, who can just bring it ”
He adds: “We are trying to nurture a sense of giving in the community There will be seeds planted in many of these kid's lives of what had happened here today, and when they are adults they will be filling our shoes ”
On Friday they collected close to 1 000 from Edgemead Primary School
The motorcycle club's mascot, a giant
bear, was also in attendance to entertain the children
Della Allen, who works at the school's library, is instrumental in collecting toys from the learners for the Toy Run She also coordinates the charity work on behalf of the Cape Town Motorcycle Club
She says this is the third year that the project at the school is running “This is a Grade 1 project They could either donate a toy or make a monetary donation that is handed over to the Toy Run ”
The toys are all previously loved toys, they say
The Cape Town Motorcycle Club does several other charities throughout the year, and McGee says they hope to get as many primary schools involved in the initiative next year
Gwynneth Jacobs,volunteer at La Leche League South Africa,recently attended a conference in Lima,Peru
Members of the Cape Town Motorcycle Club with leaners and teachers from Edgemead Primary School on Friday during the handover of the toys and money raised over the past few months
sportsfield on Friday at the Edgemead Primary School where toys were collected
Some of the toys donated on Friday by learners of Edgemead Primary School.
SAcelebrates97BlueFlagsites
KAILINDANIELS
KAILIN DANIELS@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
South Africa revealed its 2025-’26 Blue Flag and Green Coast locations recently, celebrating 97 beaches, marinas, boats and coastal nature sites that have achieved top marks in environmental care, safety and sustainable tourism
Wessa (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa), which manages the international Blue Flag programme locally, confirmed this year 50 beaches had earned full Blue Flag status, while 20 pilot sites, five marinas, seven tourist boats and 15 Green Coast locations had met the strict global criteria
The Blue Flag programme is an international environmental-certification programme run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and can be awarded to beaches, marinas as well as tourism boats that meet 33 specific environmental and sustainability criteria There are 51 countries globally that participate in the programme In South Africa Blue Flag is managed by Wessa, while internationally it is coordinated by FEE
“We are delighted to host this celebration in our beautiful coastal town,” said Ndlambe Madam Mayor Khululwa Ncamiso
“Our shores are not only naturally breathtaking; they reflect the dedication we pour into maintaining Blue Flag standards year after year ”
As Wessa enters its 99th year of championing environmental responsibility, the Blue Flag and Green Coast awards continue to serve as key benchmarks, driving improved coastal management and sustainable tourism across South Africa’s 3 000 km coastline BLUEFLAG:GLOBALSTANDARDS,LOCALACTION
WESSA POSTS THE WATER-QUALITY RESULTS ON ITS WEBSITE FOR THE DURATION OF THE BLUE FLAG SEASON.
Melkbosstrand Beach
samples to qualify
Once awarded, beaches must take a minimum of five samples per season, evenly spread out, preferably every two weeks, but not longer than 30 days between samples Both E coli and Enterococci must be tested for E coli limit is 250 cfu/100 ml and Enterococci is 100 cfu/100 ml
Wessa posts the water-quality results on its website for the duration of Blue Flag beach seasons Should water quality fall outside the Blue Flag parameters, then the flag is lowered until a satisfactory sample, within a maximum of 10 days, is achieved
FULLSTATUSBLUEFLAGBEACHES
The 2025-’26 Full Status Blue Flag Beaches include:
.City of Cape Town: Bikini Beach, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th, Fish Hoek, Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Muizenberg, Silwerstroomstrand;
Wells Estate; .Ray Nkonyeni: Port Edward, Mtwentweni; .Umdoni: Rocky Bay, Preston, Umthwalume, Scottburgh; .Buffalo City: Kidds Beach, Gonubie; .Mandeni: Tugela Mouth, Dokodweni; .Port Nolloth: McDougalls Bay
TOURISMBOATS,MARINASLEADINGTHEWAY
Seven tourism vessels earned Blue Flag status for the 2025-’26 season for excellence in responsible tourism, environmental education and safety These include:
.Marine Dynamics Shark and .Whale Tours: Slashfin, Dreamcatcher, Whale Whisperer
Five marinas achieved Full Blue Flag status for maintaining worldclass environmental management and community engagement .Royal Alfred Marina; .Thesen Harbour Town Marina; .Thesen Islands Homeowners Marina; .V&A Waterfront Marina; .Club Mykonos Marina
COASTALPARTNERSHIPS
With 20 consecutive years as a Blue Flag partner Ndlambe Municipality continues to set the standard for long-term coastal commitment “Through floods, storms and shifting tides our community has kept the Blue Flag flying for 20 years,” said Fanie Fouché, Deputy Director: Community Protection Services
He said the programme has created thousands of seasonal job opportunities, boosted tourism and deepened youth participation in environmental projects “It proves that real sustainability starts at community level ”
GROWINGTHEGREENCOASTNETWORK
Wessa’s home-grown Green Coast Programme recognises natural, lessdeveloped beaches and coastal spaces that balance biodiversity protection with nature-based tourism
This year the network more than doubled to 15 certified sites, including: .Blaauwberg Nature Reserve; .Nature’s Valley; .Walker Bay; .Swartvlei Beach; .Chintsa Beach; .Kei Mouth;
.Morgan Bay; .Qatywa, Lubanzi and Cwebe Beaches;
.Leisure Bay Conservancy; .Trafalgar Marine Reserve and surrounds;
.J Bay Supertubes;
.Paradise Beach; .Gwaing Beach
“We started as four people walking our coastline during lockdown and today we are more than four hundred,” said Dr Deborah Robertson-Andersson, Green Coast implementer for Kei Mouth and Morgan Bay
Vermaak // Entertainment
StepintoWonderland thisfestiveseason
Cape Town City Ballet invites audiences to tumble down the rabbit hole this festive season with a brand-new production of Alice in Wonderland at Artscape choreographed by internationally-acclaimed Gerard Charles.
Inspired by Lewis Carroll's timeless tales Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, this enchanting ballet promises a theatrical journey filled with whimsy, wonder and artistry Audiences will follow Alice into a fantastical world teeming with curious creatures and mischievous characters.
Cape Town City Ballet brings the story to life through their signature blend of classical grace and vibrant storytelling.
Choreographer Gerard Charles brings extensive experience coaching international ballet performers He creates a unique interpretation for Cape Town dance lovers. Charles is celebrated for blending technical precision with theatrical charm. He has mentored two emerging choreographers contributing to the production: principal Leusson Muniz (cast as The Mad Hatter) and corps de ballet member Abdul Isaacs.
FAMILYFUN
This spectacular production marks another milestone for Cape Town City Ballet, now in its 92nd year As Africa's oldest ballet company it continues upholding a legacy of artistic excellence and inno-
12-28DECEMBER
Alice in Wonderland runs at Artscape
vation, merging tradition with fresh, imaginative vision.
The cast includes professional actor Gregan Aherin and Amahle Cindy Nyeke from The Rainbow Academy Four young dancers from Cape Town ballet schools - Zara Yazbek Kai Damon Cameron Payne and Sinethemba Wisani - will alternate as young Alice Excitingly, 90 children will take to the stage (30 per show) as playing cards, flowers and fish.
Suitable for all ages, Alice in Wonderland offers an unforgettable experience for children discovering ballet and seasoned art lovers alike Cape Town City Ballet transports audiences to a world where imagination reigns supreme
DETAILS
Alice in Wonderland runs at Artscape from Friday 12 to Sunday 28 December with evening performances at 19:00 and afternoon shows at 12:00 14:00 and 16:30 All performances feature recorded music.
. Tickets from R200 are available at Webtickets and Artscape Dial-A-Seat on 021 421 7695. No under 5s at evening performances.
December Tickets cost R90 and are available at Webtickets.
. Karen Zoid en Francois van Coke tree op Sondag 7 Desember om 17:15 by Kirstenbosch op Die hekke maak 16:00 oop Kaartjies kos R360 of R255 (kinders) by Webtickets.
. Danie Reënwolf: Songs en Stories is op Woensdag 10 Desember om 20:30 by Heroes Brackenfell. Kaartjies kos van R180 tot R220 Bespreek by www brackenfell.net of iTickets.
. Cats the musical runs at Artscape Opera House from 10 December to 11 January Tickets from R180 to R580 at Webtickets.
. Kurt Darren tree op Donderdag 11 Desember om 20:30 by Heroes Brackenfell op Kaartjies kos van R180 tot R220 Bespreek by www.brackenfell.net of by iTickets.
. Cape Town City Ballet’s Alice in Wonderland runs at Artscape from 12 to 28 December Tickets R200 to R400 at Webtickets.
. The Tribal Union Choir presents The Journey an inspiring evening of praise and worship on Sunday 14
Baxter Concert Hall now until 20 December Tickets from R225 at Webtickets.
. Schalk Bezuidenhout’s Krismis Bonanza runs at The Baxter Studio now until 20 December Tickets cost R300 at Webtickets.
. Jeremy Loops is at Zevenwacht Wine Estate on Sunday 21 December Tickets R295 at Webtickets.
. Boney M featuring Maizie Williams is at De Grendel Wine Estate on Sunday 21 December Gates open at 12:00 and show ends at 19:00 Tickets from R595 at Webtickets.
. Brendan Peyper tree op Vrydag 26 Desember om 20:30 by Heroes Brackenfell op Kaartjies kos van R260 tot R300 Bespreek by www.brackenfell.net of by iTickets.
. The Kiffness is at the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert on Sunday 28 December Gates open at 16:00 and music runs from 17:15 to 19:00 Tickets R360 or R255 (children) at Webtickets.
. Colleen The Musical runs at The Baxter currently until 7 February Marc Lottering’s new musical comedy Tickets from R200 at Webtickets.
Raaf by Die Boer
Die duo RAAF is op Donderdag 4 Desember en op Dinsdag 9 Desember om 20:30 by Die Boer-teaterrestaurant in Durbanville Lourens en Esté Raaf doen die lewe anders elke dag is 'n avontuur; elke oomblik 'n geleentheid. Met dié vooruitsig bring hulle die musiek van hul album Prediker, asook ou gunstelinge na Die Boer Met 'n verhoog vol instrumente en 'n skatkis vol stories beloof dit om 'n aand te wees wat jy nie wil misloop nie Hul genre kan nie beperk word tot een woord nie en hul lirieke vertel stories van menswees. Kom kuier saam vir 'n fees van musiek, lirieke, digkuns en hul kenmerkende energie Kaartjies kos R250 . Bespreek by www dieboer com of by 021 979 1911.
Leusson Muniz as the Mad Hatter and Isabella Blair as Alice. PHOTO: LINDSEY APPOLIS
Outcryagainstairportexpansion
Several appeals have been launched against plans to expand the Cape Winelands Airport in Fisantekraal near Durbanville.
The provincial department of environmental affairs and developmnet planning (DEA & DP) granted permission for the project on 27 October when the Environmental Authorisation (EA) was approved
The appeal period for interested and affected parties is now closed and the applicant will respond to the appeals by submission to the DEA & DP
Residents from nearby areas object strongly to noise pollution
They say the noise study in the environmental report is unreliable and used inflated figures to make the problem seem smaller than it really is
Local people question whether the airport expansion is actually needed They say claims about fuel savings, reduced carbon emissions and economic benefits are not backed up by evidence
Residents argue the location near homes and schools is completely unsuitable They also worry about increased traffic congestion and strain on local roads and infrastructure
NOISEWILLEXCEEDSAFELEVELS
The school community of Fisantekraal High School has raised serious concerns about noise pollution
Fisantekraal High School is situated just 1 4km from the proposed airport site Objectors
say constant aircraft noise will harm children's health and damage their ability to study
They argue the noise levels will exceed safe limits and affect learners' emotional wellbeing and academic performance
The school community also worries about the broader health impacts on local residents They claim people were not properly informed about the negative health effects during the planning process
Several aviation businesses
Cape Town Flight Training Centre, Diepkloof Aircraft Maintenance, 4 Aviators, Helivate Helicopter Services and WCMS CC trading as AeroSport, represented by the legal firm
Richard Summers Incorporated, fear the airport expansion will disrupt their operations during construction They say they might have to move temporarily to undeveloped or distant sites, which could force them out of business The companies worry there is no binding agreement with airport developers to protect their interests
They also claim the environmental impact study failed to properly assess how the expansion would affect their businesses financially
IMPACTONCHICKENS
County Fair poultry farming operation, represented by Edward Nathan Sonnenberg, objects to
the impact on their farm They worry about noise disturbing their chickens and air pollution affecting operations
County Fair strongly opposes clearing critically endangered local plants and the damage to wildlife, particularly birds They say the environmental study should have looked at alternative airport locations that would cause less environmental damage
AIRSPACESAFETY
The Stellenbosch Flying Club, represented by Derek Johan Lord, stated that the flying club has concerns about airspace safety They worry about how the new airport will affect flight paths and instrument flight rules
The club says the expansion will harm general aviation operations and make flying less safe They also claim that safety measures agreed during consultation meetings were left out of the final environmental permission
Morningstar Flying Club, also represented by Richard Summers Incorporated, shares concerns about airspace safety and the impact on general aviation They say the aviation community was not properly consulted and that their concerns were ignored
CONCERNSABOUTWILDLIFE
Environmental campaigners, including those representing Birdlife South Africa interests,
have major concerns about wildlife The Durbanville area is a natural bird sanctuary with many water sources that attract birds They say this creates a serious risk of bird strikes with aircraft
Conservationists object to destroying over 300m² of critically endangered local plants They say this goes against international environmental protection rules
The groups worry about threats to endangered bird species, including South Africa's national bird, the blue crane They say proposed solutions like culling birds or destroying their habitat are cruel and unacceptable
Also the Paardeberg
Conservancy worries about flight paths affecting their protected area They say the airport development threatens local wildlife and undermines conservation work in the region
WINEINDUSTRY
The Western Cape wine industry has concerns about the airport affecting agricultural land and farming operations
They worry about the impact on the region's important winemaking economy Industry representatives point out that the airport would produce an estimated 5 3m tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050 equivalent to a small city's annual emissions
They say this threatens sustainability goals and could
harm the wine industry's longterm future
COMMONOBJECTIONS
Nearly all objectors mention destruction of endangered plants, threats to birdlife and unsustainable carbon emissions
Groups representing local communities highlights aircraft noise as a major problem, particularly for schools and residential areas
Many objectors say the environmental study was biased, incomplete, or failed to consider better alternative locations They claim the public was not properly consulted
Aviation groups and local residents worry about airspace congestion, bird strikes and the airport's proximity to mountains and Cape Town International Airport
Business groups and farmers fear negative effects on their operations, while residents question whether the promised economic benefits are real
The objectors want the environmental permission cancelled They call for the airport to be relocated to a more suitable site away from homes, schools and environmentally sensitive areas Some suggest developing only the eastern part of the site to reduce impacts
The appeals highlight deep divisions over the project, with supporters arguing it will boost the local economy while opponents say the environmental and social costs are too high
Christmas cheer in a tough economy
There’s something magical about walking into the shops at this time of year The aisles are lined with tinsel, rows of glittering Christmas trees and Mariah Carey’s voice floats across every store like an unofficial national anthem But somewhere between the sparkling displays and the festive music, a lump grows in my throat one I suspect many South Africans are swallowing this season Because while Christmas is here in all its commercial glory, the money simply isn’t
I felt it most clearly on Black Friday I walked in with a plan: grab a few bargains, tick off some Christmas gifts early, and stretch my budget as far as humanly possible But even with the bold sale labels screaming at me, the discounts weren’t discounting enough I stood there, staring at a toy I knew my three-year-old would adore, and asked myself the painful question so many parents are asking this year: How are people affording all this?
Everywhere I looked, trolleys were overflowing lights, wrapping paper, gadgets, giant Christmas crackers, treats that only appear once a year And then there was me, holding a calculator in my head like a reluctant accountant, trying to figure out if I could at least get some of the specials
Being a mom during the festive season is its own emotional storm You want to give your child the best Christmas the magic, the memories, the sparkle in their little eyes when they wake up on Christmas Day
My toddler is three now, old enough to understand the excitement, to point at decorations, to believe wholeheartedly in Father Christmas and “presents for good kids” And that makes me want to give him everything, but everything feels out of reach
Toys that were R199 last year are suddenly R349 Christmas pyjamas, which used to be a sweet little extra, now cost as much as a weekly grocery shop Even the basics wrapping paper, gift bags, tape have quietly climbed in price
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing You see other families posting matching outfits, beautifully decorated trees, mountains of gifts; you see influencers doing “Christmas shopping hauls” that cost more than your rent
And you start to wonder: Is everyone else earning something I’m not? Or are we all just pretending?
But here’s the truth I’m holding onto this year: your child won’t remember the price tag They will remember the moment They’ll remember baking cookies with you, even if the sprinkles are the cheap ones They’ll remember dancing to Christmas songs in the lounge while you wrap gifts after bedtime They’ll remember driving around the neighbourhood to look at lights, because that’s still free
We grew up believing Christmas was measured in presents, but maybe this tough economy is forcing us to rediscover what it’s really about Connection
Tradition Time So yes, the shops are beautiful, but they are also brutal reminders of how tight things are And yes, the pressure is real especially when you’re a parent wanting to make magic on a budget that feels like it shrank in the wash But the magic doesn’t come from the shelves It comes from us From the effort, the love, the warmth, the memories we create not the money we spend And maybe that’s the kind of Christmas worth having
Calling out the ‘snakes’ in D’ville
Your article "Reddam House new 2026 academic hub" is a confirming example of several snakes with forked tongues
Interesting how all the glory and praise is now being correctly bestowed on this school and on Klara Anna Fontein, both the highest achievements in their respective areas of offering in the northern suburbs These projects make Durbanville proud and have elevated the entire community into a higher sphere uncompromised But for 18 long and expensive years various bodies purporting to represent Durbanville residents, from one-man crusades to Durbanville Heritage Society, supported on an ongoing basis by your very newspaper We need to remind ourselves of the repeat objections, appeals, false narratives, challenges, court cases The Durbanville Heritage Society spent in excess of R2 5 million in legal fees so did others! Now that Klara Anna Fontein and Reddam House stand proud, there is not one inch of evidence of the insults and accusations that were blasted towards them prior to their developments
It is a sick snake with two tongues who today wishes to stand in the shadow of the success of these developments, but snakes with forked tongues have no shame, now choosing to recognise the impressive success of the educational intuition, its high standards and facilities Equally the housing estate has elevated Durbanville into a bracket higher than ever imagined, attracting the best of everyone into this area Congratulations, actually well done because you stood up to and held firm against these snakes, two tongue snakes who now bite the opposite to what they stood for Sadly, had these two developments stood 18 years early the spin of the elevated property market would not have delayed the growth of our town, and two generations of past young students lost out on an opportunity to have been educated at this prestigious level Durbanville, don't be amused by these self-crusaders, eliminate these snakes from our green pastures, they hide behind their keyboards in burrows of evil it is time these disgraced two-tongued snakes move out of our community, and never return Proudly and loyal Durbanville working to eliminate toxic little sick individuals
the city’s festive lights.Thousands of Capetonians United in Hope
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MonteVista powerlifter wins double gold
RICHARDROBERTS
RICHARD ROBERTS@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
An athlete from Monte Vista won gold medals at a powerlifting competition recently held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Simon Augustyn (41), who has been powerlifting from a young age, competed in the Master Male division for contestants between 40 and 44 years old and for people in the 90kg weight class
He took part in two competitions – the 2025 Strict Arm Curl and Freestanding Curl World Championship, as well as the WPC World Powerlifting Championships 2025
"It was my first year of competing in strength events," he said Augustyn won gold and walked away as the Masters overall winner in Strict Arm Curl and Freestanding Curl
As a Masters athlete he took part in the Open Class, competing against younger and older lifters,
Simon Augustyn
he said Here he managed to obtain second place in the Strict Arm Curl and Freestanding Curl competitions
In the WPC World Powerlifting Championships event, he weighed in at 86,8kg Augustyn started training weights at the age of 16 He is also the owner of the private gym, Fitmotion
