TygerBurger | Mitchells Plain | E-Edition | 10 December 2025
Karoo Dog Food
City cops nabbed for extorting spaza shop owners
DESIRÉERORKE
The case of two Cape Town law enforcement officers who were re-arrested on Tuesday 2 December on corruption, extortion and business robbery charges was postponed
These same officers were arrested on similar charges in May this year but returned to administrative duty and were back in the dock on Wednesday
In response to a media inquiry Wayne Dyason, spokesperson for law enforcement, explained the sequence of events that led to the officers returning to work earlier this year
“The City initiated the appropriate action at the time, in line with policies and processes, and the officers returned to work after the disciplinary charges were withdrawn as the police investigation was incomplete, he told TygerBurger on Thursday
“They were placed on administrative duty while the employer continued to investigate the matter internally They were re-arrested by the Hawks on 2 December on the same charges which the City was involved in since January”
according to Hawks spokesperson WO Zinzi Hani.
The officers allegedly targeted foreign national spaza shop owners, demanding money regardless of whether asylum documentation was produced.
“With or without the documents the officers would still demand money On different occasions the victims paid an amount of R5 000 and R6 000,” Hani said.
During one arrest the suspects allegedly stole cigarettes worth over R600 000 from a victim's vehicle while the victim was being processed at Philippi East Police Station.
Hani said this is not the first time these officers have faced such charges.
Following the latest arrests, Dyason confirmed that the officers will again be suspended as the disciplinary process gets underway, with the matter being handled according to City policies and processes, He emphasised the directorate's stance against corruption within its ranks.
The current charges stem from incidents that began on 31 January, and continued until their arrest,
TygerBurger contacted the police's provincial anti-corruption unit for comment on the initial investigation they handled but did not receive a response
ThreekilledinRocklandsattack
Anine-year-old boy, a 21-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were all killed when gunmen opened fire on a house before entering it and shooting the inhabitants according to provincial police spokesperson Col Andrè Traut
Two men, aged 51 and 36, were also wounded in the shooting and are being treated in hospital
Traut said the Anti-Gang Unit have launched a manhunt to
NINE-YEAR-OLD BOY AMONG VICTIMS IN DEADLY ROCKLANDS ATTACK
find the shooters from the attack which took place last night in Viscount Street, Rocklands
“Preliminary reports indicate that four unidentified gunmen opened fire on the premises before entering the house and shooting the victims,” Traut said
is brought before the law ”
“Detectives from the AntiGang Unit have been assigned to the investigation and are pursuing several promising leads to track down the perpetrators responsible for this heinous crime
The Western Cape Police Commissioner Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile strongly condemned the attack “This cowardly and senseless act will not go
R7MILLION
The amount that will be spent on the project in the 2025-’26 financial year A further R3,2 million will be needed from July 2026
unanswered,” he said “Gangsterism has no place in our society We will not allow criminals to hold our communities hostage through fear and violence The Saps will not relent, we will tighten the net around these criminal elements and ensure that every individual involved in violent gang activity
The commissioner issued a stern warning to gangsters who threaten the safety and wellbeing of communities: “Your days of terror are numbered We are coming, and we will ensure you face the full might of the law ” . Police called on anyone who had information about the attack to share it anonymously via Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or through the MySAPS mobile application.
Blue Downs Fest is back
The highly anticipated Blue Downs Festival returns for its second season on 3 January 2026, to be held again at the Blue Downs (Malibu) Sportsfield. Following a groundbreaking debut in 2024 the open-air family-friendly music festival is back, bigger, better and more focused than ever on empowering the local community
Despite limited resources in its first year the festival made a measurable impact Two local artists went on to record their material showcased at the festival recorded and promoted, gaining widespread attention on YouTube and TikTok.
According to festival director Brilynn van Rooyen this year the event is expanding its impact by offering employment opportunities for locals, paid gigs for artists and service providers as well as funding for youth-led stall ideas from the Western Cape “We're not just organising a music event," said Van Rooyen, "we’re creating a platform for real opportunity The youth are hungry for hope, and we’re here to deliver it through music, business support and community collaboration.”
. For more information send an email to info@bluedownsfest.co.za or visit www. bluedownsfest co.za.
Wheelchairkaskarraceablast
LAURENO'CONNOR-MAY
LAUREN OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
Disability-support institutions
marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities last week with parades, dress-up, a wheelchair kaskar event and lots of fun.
Held at the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre (WCRC) in Lentegeur, the day was also marked by speakers giving inspiring stories of resilience and hope
The theme of the event on Tuesday 2 December was "Fostering disabilityinclusive societies for advancing social progress", which meant that behind every disability is a person with hopes, dreams and a story to tell, according to event MC Fatima Peters, CEO of WCRC
BEYONDTHELABEL
While some people are born with varying degrees of intellectual, physical or psychosocial disabilities, thousands more acquire disabilities during their lifetime through trauma, motor vehicle accidents, chronic diseases or infections
Tauriq Mustafah knows this reality all too well When a motorcycle accident left him paralysed in 2016 his world changed forever
"Before the accident I was very active
Surfing and motorcross racing were my thing, and then my accident happened I thought my life would be completely cut off, but because of the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre my life changed completely "
Today, the former WCRC patient is a successful entrepreneur in the electronics space, proving that physical limitations don't determine life's possibilities
"When you are in this position, people think physical work is the only thing that will get you somewhere in life But at the
The Green Team takes part in the parade.
The Black Team assemble on
The Red Team assemble for their judging.
Workshop employee Siviwe Sifine.
Wen R30 000 metWoordfees
Inskrywings vir die 11de jaarlikse Woordfees-kortverhaalbundel is nou oop vir alle Afrikaanse skrywers
Die Stellenbosch Woordfees het die 11de uitgawe van sy gewilde kortverhaalkompetisie begin, met 'n toekenning van R30 000 vir die wenverhaal en R5 000 vir elke ander verhaal wat in die bundel opgeneem word
Die kompetisie, wat intussen 'n literêre instelling geword het, is oop vir alle skrywers wat oorspronklike Afrikaanse kortverhale wil voorlê Inskrywings sluit op 1 April aanstaande jaar om 17:00 "Hierdie bundel dien as 'n soort jaarboek waarmee Afrikaanse skrywers iets van die spesifieke tydsgees weerspieël met elke oes kortverhale," sê Saartjie Botha, direkteur van die Stellenbosch Woordfees Die kompetisie het reeds verskeie bekende skrywers opgelewer, insluitend die bekroonde Lynthia Julius Wenverhale deur Michèle Meyer, Clari Niemand en Hendie Grobbelaar is selfs tot Silwerskermfees-kortfilms
verwerk Suzette Myburgh, sameroeper van die keurpaneel, sê die tiende bundel se publikasie in Oktober het 'n nuwe siklus ingelui
Ontvangs van inskrywings sal vanaf 2 Februarie binne drie werksdae bevestig word Besoek www woordfees co za vir meer inligting . Rig navrae aan bemarking@ woordfees.co.za.
g p p
lainhousing withmoredelays
imestopprojectsinMitchell’sPlain. supnow.” ander
making h nonsh why they up process omon y called to be ing list to iciaries nnot say only got a long waiting for obviously r stated r proposals off date g list, ng some o the area cted on mittee cials to g these er strongly o the cutort the f date of ppening hell's from this
g pp y, he said
He warned that changing the cut-off date would allow people from other areas to move to Mitchell's Plain specifically to access housing opportunities, jumping ahead of residents who have been waiting 30-40 years "Someone moved in just three to five years ago and now they will be flagged to get a house in Mitchell's Plain, which is unfair to our people," he said
DISRUPTIONMITIGATION
In a positive development, officials confirmed that beneficiaries themselves will help safeguard the construction site once work begins, with some councillor representation on the security committee
This approach aims to prevent the community disruptions that have plagued previous housing projects in the area Philander emphasised the need to protect the project from community interference, referencing previous developments that were disrupted by protesters
"We cannot every time stop projects in Mitchell's Plain
People's patience is up now," he said, warning against community members who "think they can just stop projects and burn plants and shoot at people"
He stressed that such disruptions ultimately hurt residents who have been waiting decades for housing opportunities
APPROVALDELAYS
Additional delays stem from the need for application approvals at provincial level, which require both project approval and funding alignment before provincial authorities will grant the necessary permits
Van der Ross admitted they cannot secure approvals without that critical application being processed first
He committed to calling a meeting with all councillors before making any decisions about the waiting list cut-off date, ensuring unified political support for whatever approach is adopted
The department will proceed with releasing additional names from the original 2019 list to reach the required 354 beneficiaries for the first phase
Meanwhile, consultants continue efforts to contact the 172 non-respondents from the initial call-up to understand their reasons for not participating
MyCiTitendersparks fairnessconcerns
LAURENO'CONNOR-MAY
LAUREN OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
An opposition party has criticised the City’s tender process in the face of recent extortion attempts at the new MyCiTi depot in Khayelitsha
GOOD party councillor Siyabulela Mamkeli issued a statement last week accusing the City of awarding a deviation contract for MyCiTi bus operations without following an open tender process
This comes after the City sought an urgent interdict against a group of wouldbe extortionists who forcibly removed security guards and threatened to vandalise the new R430-million MyCiTi bus depots when the community’s preferred local company was removed from the job in favour of another company last month
CONCERNS
Mamkeli raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the City's decision to extend operations exclusively to existing Vehicle Operating Companies – Kidrogen, TBRT, and TPI – without competitive bidding
"While the continuity of public-transport services is essential the current deviation arrangement may unintentionally limit market access for other potential bus operators," he said in a statement released last Wednesday
The councillor argued that the arrangement reduces competition, restricts innovation, and weakens opportunities for emerging or more cost-efficient service providers to enter the market
The deviation contract allows the three
MYCITI BUS OPERATORS’ CONTRACT UNDER SCRUTINY
existing companies to continue operating MyCiTi Phase 1A services while longerterm procurement processes are being finalised
Mamkeli called on the City to urgently clarify several key issues surrounding the deviation arrangement and future procurement processes The party wants to know how fairness and equal access are being upheld during the deviation period, given that no competitive tender was issued for the current arrangement
CITYRESPONDS
Mayco member for Urban Mobility
Rob Quintas defended the City's decision, saying the deviation contract was implemented solely to ensure uninterrupted public-transport services
"The City of Cape Town implemented a short-term deviation contract with the existing MyCiTi Phase 1A Vehicle Operating Companies solely to ensure uninterrupted public transport services while the formal procurement process for Phase 1 is underway "
He said the deviation is strictly temporary and compliant with the City's Supply Chain Management policy, running from 1 November 2025 for a fixed 12-month period, with potential month-to-month extensions for a maximum additional 12 months Quintas revealed that a fully open and competitive tender for new operating contracts was already advertised in December 2024, closed in June 2025, and is currently under evaluation
Portland’s unsung heroes keep community safe around the clock
LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY
LAUREN OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
While most people are still sleeping snugly, a group of dedicated volunteers patrol the streets and make sure that Portland is safe
have the right touch with young people and are frequently sent to disperse youth loitering in parks
MAKINGADIFFERENCE
This visibility in the community has caused a notable reduction in crime, said watch member Richard Small While each section faces different challenges, the impact is clear across all areas
The Portland Neighbourhood Watch patrol from Morgenster Road in the north to Spine Road in the south and from Eisleben Road in the west, to the railway line in the east, every morning and evening
This section of Portland is split into blocks, each of which has its own unique challenges and the 56-member team is split into morning and evening patrols
EARLY-MORNINGGUARDIANS
The retired members of the team patrol from 04:30 to 08:00 while the working members patrol in the evenings, ensuring round-the-clock community protection
When the morning patrols are done, the morning patrol team moves to the schools to assist with scholar patrols while another group patrols bus stops and makes sure that commuters are safe
"Before we had a lot of robberies when people were going to work," said watch member Richard Small, highlighting the critical importance of their early-morning presence
The watch has discovered that they mostly find women waiting alone at bus stops, and some have even asked them to fetch them at their homes
"When we ask them where their husbands are, they say at home in bed," said Keith La Vita "It's not our responsibility to fetch people at their homes safety is everyone's responsibility "
COMPREHENSIVECOMMUNITYCOVERAGE
The school team then moves into the schools and assists with bullying and discipline issues
This doesn't mean that the team gets a break during school holidays though This is when they host holiday programmes and the team's training in trauma, antibullying and gender-based violence comes into play
Many also patrol at events, assisting law enforcement to keep the peace and ward off would-be robbers and pickpockets
They serve as first responders at accidents and crime scenes, secure crime scenes ahead of the arrival of police, and assist with traffic control all on a voluntary basis
The watch has found that every member has unique talents that are called upon when needed For example, some members have a good rapport with gangsters and have earned their respect, while others
"People feel safer," said La Vita, noting the positive feedback they receive from residents when some of them approach the watch members and thank them for their service
"But we don't do this for recognition," said watch chair Shireen de Villiers
Surprisingly, even the gangsters in the area don't bother the neighbourhood watch members "They respect us actually," said La Vita
"The approach is everything," De Villiers added, explaining how different members’ training and backgrounds make the difference Some are trained as first responders, others in trauma counseling, and others in gender-based violence intervention
The support they receive from police, metro police and the community police forums is also invaluable
CALLFORSUPPORT
Mitchell's Plain CPF chair Norman Janjies praised the watch saying all the watches in Mitchell’s Plain are essential and he hoped more residents would join them so that they could have more comprehensive coverage
"The Mitchell's Plain CPF are proud to be associated with the Portland neighbourhood watch and all the other neighbourhood watches in the area Without the neighbourhood watch we would experience significantly higher crime levels "
He emphasised the watch’s crucial role: "They are the eyes and ears of the police and have developed a great deal of trust and credibility within the community We don't think the government and the community give them enough appreciation and recognition for the role they play in the prevention of crime in our areas " Janjies highlighted the growing challenges facing the area: "Portland has seen an upsurge in crime over the past few years We now witness the presence of many more gangs and drug houses We therefore need more community members to join the neighbourhood watches so that we can have a watch in each block in Portland The community can also support them by sharing information and supporting the various events hosted with or by them "
Some of the Portlands Neighbourhood Watch members at their container at the Portlands Indoor Sports Centre They are,from left,Keith La Vita,Walter Lewis,Petula Lewis,Natasha Issel,Cherifah Henderson, Shireen de Villiers and Richard Small.
Eight City
the Blue Flag
City calls on residents: Protect Your Power
In 2024/25 alone, the City spent some R60 million on electricity infrastructure maintenance and replacement Yet this massive investment is jeopardised by theft, vandalism and illegal power connections across our communities and along major roadways
The City’s Protect Your Power campaign calls on residents to watch over the power infrastructure in their areas and report any suspicious activity anonymously to the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) on 021 480 7700
the City hopes to drive home the message that vandals and cable and power thieves ultimately leave communities, neighbourhoods and roadways in the dark. Therefore, it’s in residents’ own interest to help the City protect power infrastructure.
The Fire and Rescue Service plays a crucial part in the City’s interdepartmental Festive Season Safety Plan. Cape Town’s hot, dry and windy summers increase the risk of
blazes in informal settlements Over the past few summer seasons, these incidents have increased Additionally, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous material spills and water rescues In terms of the Festive Season with any type of emergency Aerial
Huey helicopters will be available from 1 December Other resources include a the command and control centre during strategically deployed to cover areas
set for Fruit and Veg site
Prepared to protect: The City’s interdepartmental Festive Season Safety Plan is operational, with the Fire and Rescue Service being a key stakeholder to safeguard lives and property during Cape Town s dry and windy summer or property to the Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 search box on www capetown gov za
KORTLIKS
Die bestuur van die Stad se oorde Miller’s Point en Soetwater is nou meer op bewaring ingestel Albei oorde verwelkom egter steeds graag besoekers
Die Stad het slegs in 2024/25 sowat R60 miljoen aan die instandhouding en vervanging van elektrisiteitsinfrastruktuur bestee Nietemin dreig diefstal, vandalisme en onwettige kragaansluitings om dit ongedaan te maak Met sy veldtog Protect Your Power moedig die Stad inwoners aan om enige verdagte aktiwiteite aan te meld
Die gevaar van brande verhoog in die somer, en daarom is brandbestryders op gereedheidsgrondslag Twee Huey-helikopters en n vastevlerk-
opsporingsvliegtuig sal beskikbaar wees om gedurende veldbrande te help, en 96 toegewyde veldbrandbestryders is ook reg om hand by te sit
Meer as R5,1 miljard se bystand met eiendomsbelasting en diensgeld is beskikbaar vir inwoners Diegene wat voorheen bygestaan is, moet weer aansoek doen
Die Stad sal vanaf 31 Desember 2025 alle munisipale rekeninge slegs per e-pos stuur, en glad nie meer deur gewone pos nie Maak seker jy skakel oor na e-posrekeninge Stuur jou rekeningnommer, kontaknommer en e-posadres na Revenue Eservices@capetown gov za, of SMS dit na 31223
Eight City beaches have again the 2025/26 season, running from 1 December to 28 February
They are Bikini Beach, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th, Fish Hoek, Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Muizenberg and Silwerstroomstrand
First introduced in 2001, Blue Flag status is awarded to beaches that meet high standards of environmental management and education, water quality, safety and services The accreditation, which includes an international adjudication process, is facilitated by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA)
Enjoy responsibly
If you’ll be heading to our beaches this summer, please be mindful of the golden rules:
• Swim only where and when lifeguards are on duty, sticking to the area between the red-and-
• Beware of rip currents
• Don’t swim while under the
• Always actively monitor children in and around water
Flying the ‘flag of fabulous’:
Fish Hoek is among the eight Cape Town beaches that have secured Blue Flag status this summer, certifying their high standards
You might recall that, in 2023, we revived the tradition of bestowing Civic Honours on remarkable people who have made our city and the world a better place through their talents and service. I said at the time that this would become a regular occurrence once more, with a Civic Honours ceremony to be held every two years
We have kept our word In midNovember, we bestowed Civic Honours on another group of exceptional people, as well as awarded Mayor’s Medals to no fewer than 18 individuals and organisations across various categories This followed an extensive public call for nominees.
But there is another accolade that is even more prestigious and rare – one that hasn’t been bestowed in Cape Town for almost a decade – and that is the Freedom of the City Previous recipients include the late President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu I am very proud to announce that we will once again be bestowing the Freedom of the City on not one, but two
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR
exceptional Capetonians
They are two separate recipients who have each individually contributed greatly to our city’s cultural heritage. But they are perhaps best known for the wonderful work they produced together as long-time musical and theatre collaborators I am speaking, of course, of Cape Town’s cultural icons David Kramer and Taliep Petersen. In Taliep’s case, the award is made posthumously, and his family will accept
the award on his behalf Through iconic musical theatre productions such as District Six: The Musical and Kat and the Kings, this duo managed to blend social commentary and activism with unmatched musical entertainment, bringing us remarkable Cape Town stories on themes such as forced removals, identity, and community resilience
I cannot think of two Capetonians more deserving of this honour, and the overwhelming support from
incredibly popular nomination they are We will bestow the Freedom of the City on David and Taliep at an event at the Grand Parade in January, and I cannot wait to share this joyous occasion with many of you
They will take their place alongside previous Freedom of the City recipients and titans of history, and will forever cultural ambassadors
Geordin Hill-Lewis Cape Town Mayor
Millions invested in safety at public facilities
Collaborating to keep our rivers clean
Thanks to City grant funding, The Litterboom Project has installed eight new litterbooms in rivers across the metro and employed 12 local river wardens to maintain them These simple yet effective barriers intercept litter before it can
As part of its project plan, the operations to support a circular economy They take plastic pollution in rivers, sort it, and convert it into raw material for the production of useful items that can be reused or sold At their Innovation Hub, recyclable plastic is transformed into commodities and everyday household items The proceeds are reinvested into initiatives to keep waterways clean and sustain local reclaimers
Got river clearing in the bag: The City-funded Litterboom Project bags the litter intercepted by their litterbooms in a number of Cape Town’s rivers every day, as shown here along the Black river The waste is sorted, and recyclable plastics are converted into valuable goods The more than 8 000 properties overseen by Community
million in the operational budget for day-to-day security services
Not on the fence about security: The City makes substantial provision in the budget each year to secure its public facilities, including community centres, libraries and clinics
Wildevoëlvlei wastewater plant gets major upgrade
The City is investing R280 million in upgrading the Wildevoëlvlei wastewater treatment works (WWTW) in Kommetjie to improve treated local waterways and the surrounding environment.
Wildevoëlvlei, which drains into the ocean via Kommetjie beach. While standard, the upgrade, which involves refurbishing existing mechanical equipment such as mixers and aeration systems, will further raise operating capacity and boosting capacity dewatering facility is being installed, and plans are in place valued at R40 million, which will
Kommetjie and neighbouring areas.
The full upgrade will be completed by April 2027.
Looking even further ahead, another capacity upgrade for the WWTW is envisaged for 2032, for which planning and design work is already under way
Wastewater works in for a treat: The Wildevoëlvlei wastewater treatment plant, which serves Fish Hoek, Kommetjie, Noordhoek, Ocean View and Masiphumelele, is undergoing a multimillion-rand upgrade
Roadworks roundup
Road resurfacing in Ottery took place in Pine Close, Bishopstone Road, Cranborne Road, Stoughton Crescent, Sandown Drive, Bedford and Edward ways, Melville and Woodlands roads, Orchid Close, Beechwood Close, Newmarket and Charles roads, Swallowcliffe Drive and Fairview Close Over in , in turn, Vlei, Middle and Schaapkraal (gravel) roads were graded. Work also involved the raising and replacement of manholes and catchpits, the reshaping of stormwater channels, re-gravelling to improve drainage, and reinstating road markings.
KORTLIKS
Work on our vleis A for away
Dredging and weed harvesting operations at Zeekoevlei and Zandvlei are well under way
Dredging at Zeekoevlei started in June
42 years is removing sediment containing nutrient and pollutant build-up from the lakebed Two sections of the vlei will be dredged over a period of 26 months, starting in Storm Bay and then moving to Home Bay To date, up to 15 200 m³ of sediment has already been dredged at Storm Bay, with another approximately 190 000 m³ to go over the next 12 months
Preparations for the dredging included the construction of a 4 3 km slurry pipeline to pump the dredged sediment from Zeekoevlei to dewatering ponds at the Cape Flats wastewater treatment works, preparing the dewatering ponds, suction dredger
Over at Zandvlei, the delivery of a second weed harvester, named Spoonbill through
a public nomination process, now doubles the specialised vessel capacity to assist with aquatic vegetation management in this waterbody and its canals The
particularly when navigating the tight waterways of Marina da Gama Apart from the two weed harvesters at Zandvlei, a third one is operating at Rietvlei
Weed harvesters are key ecological
Public consulted on Kloof Nek heavy-vehicle stop proposal
A City proposal to implement a compulsory heavy-vehicle stop on Kloof Nek Road was subjected to public participation in October, and Capetonians’ feedback is now being evaluated The proposed stop is intended to address the spate of heavy-vehicle accidents on Kloof Nek Road citybound
Divide and conquer
This will involve accommodating righthand lane, while the lefthand lane will be reserved for heavy vehicles only, for a distance of approximately 250 m Relevant signage and road markings will be displayed, restricting heavy vehicles to the demarcated section of roadway and forcing them to stop approximately 150 m downhill from the pedestrian signal at Tafelberg Road (as illustrated alongside) Here they will be required to engage low gear and maintain it for the remainder of the downhill section
The City will keep residents and interested parties updated on the outcome
Die Stad bestee R280 miljoen aan die opknapping van die Wildevoëlvleiafvalwateraanleg in Kommetjie om die gehalte van behandelde afvloei te verhoog en plaaslike waterweë en die omringende omgewing te help beskerm Baggerwerk en grasverwydering by onderskeidelik Zeekoevlei en Zandvlei is goed op dreef Die werk by Zeekoevlei het in Junie begin Dit is die eerste keer in 42 jaar dat ’n vlei in Kaapstad gebagger word Die doel is om die sediment op die bodem van die meer te verwyder Die afsaksel is vol oortollige voedingstowwe en besoedeling ’n Stadsvoorstel om ’n verpligte stop vir swaarvoertuie op Kloofnekweg in te stel is in Oktober aan openbare deelname onderwerp, en Kapenaars se terugvoer word nou
geëvalueer Die voorgestelde stop is bedoel om swaarvoertuigongelukke op Kloofnekweg in die rigting van die stad te verminder
Die direktoraat energie sal oor die volgende twee jaar 85 hoëmasstraatligte langs die hoofroetes na en van die middestad vernuwe
Die projek is deel van ’n groter program om verligting in openbare gebiede te verbeter en sodoende veiligheid te bevorder, ekonomiese aktiwiteit te ondersteun en volhoubare energiegebruik te verseker
Vyftien paaie in Ottery spog nou met nuwe ryvlakke In Schaapkraal is gruispaaie geskraap, mangate en vangputte verhoog en vervang, en stormwaterkanale verlê
management tools By removing pondweed and algae, they extract excess nutrients from the system, thereby improving water quality and reducing the risk of algal blooms and oxygen depletion associated with eutrophication (nutrient build-up) Additionally, they clear the vleis to make them more navigable and safer for communities
Both Zandvlei and Zeekoevlei are located in proclaimed City-managed
nature reserves, namely the Zandvlei estuary nature reserve and the False Bay nature reserve respectively False Bay nature reserve is also a Ramsar site of international importance for wetlands, with the City being an accredited Ramsar city Improving water quality in these waterways, therefore, is not only a responsibility towards Capetonians, but also aligns with the City’s international commitments
Inner-city lights to be
Over the next two years, Energy will refurbish 85 high-mast streetlights along the main routes into and out of central Cape Town The project forms part of a wider public lighting upgrade programme that is rolling out across town to enhance safety, support economic activity and promote sustainable energy use With a budget of R8 million, the project will include full structural inspections of the poles, the replacement of outdated components, repainting, and the LED luminaires will save over 40% in energy costs, while providing maintenance requirements and fewer service call-outs, and the extended lifespan of the lighting infrastructure were originally installed in the 1970s for wider illumination coverage and better road safety Their refurbishment ties into a broader City commitment of over R160 million for LED public lighting expansions across the metro over the next three years
In pole position: Central Cape Town is about to be seen in an even brighter light
Every vlei has its day: The City is hard at work cleaning, clearing and improving Cape Town’s recreational vleis, with weed harvesting at Zandvlei (pictured left) and a 26-month dredging project on the go at Zeekoevlei (pictured right).
Workshops make Tafelsig youth
sanitation-smart
The City provides grant funding to 11 community-based organisations as part of its effort to inspire a change in how residents interact with sewerage infrastructure, and to stimulate resident-led activities to protect urban rivers and the natural environment
One of the organisations is Ummati Community Upliftment
As part of its project plan Ummati workshops aimed at youth between the ages of 18 and 24 The sessions, hosted in Tafelsig and surrounds, address responsible water use, common causes of sewer blockages and sanitation practices Each workshop concludes with a clean-up activity in local parks and public spaces
The City cannot tackle challenges such as water wastage and sewer system abuse on its own It needs meaningful partnerships such as these to amplify its reach and impact
Demonstrating the don’ts:
Carol Swarts, a teacher from Paramount High School and facilitator from Ummati Community Upliftment, hosting a youth-focused water and sanitation workshop at the Tafelsig hall Here she wipes and sanitary products down the toilet can block sewer systems
KORTLIKS
Sensitive biodiversity will be protected at these popular public resorts
Responsibility for two of the 13 coastal resorts under City management – Miller’s Point and Soetwater – recently moved from Recreation and Parks to Environmental Management’s Coastal Management Branch. Both form part of so-called Management best suited to manage them
The two resorts are both great family getaway spots, offering camping, beach access, braai facilities and many more recreational activities.
To book your family’s spot, phone 021 444 6769/70, or email either Soetwater bookings@capetown gov za or Millerspoint.bookings@capetown.gov.za.
For online bookings, visit the City’s e-Services portal.
Festive season bookings opened on 1 September 2025 already, and the City will start accepting bookings for the Easter holidays from 1 February 2026. Bookings for these peak seasons can only be done telephonically
You will need to provide a name, ID number, City business partner number (if applicable), contact number, email address and physical address to complete a booking
Sweet spot: Ever-popular Soetwater is a great getaway for families and one of Cape Town’s few remaining undeveloped coastal terraces with functioning ecosystems
Inner-city site released for social housing
to be developed into 237 social housing units as well as some retail space
The 3 300 m2 City-owned property is located between Kent and Bloemhof streets, right on the edge of District Six and the centre of town The site is also within walking distance from MyCiTi bus stations, schools, universities, and a range of economic opportunities
Thousands of affordable housing units are also at different stages of development in other inner-city areas such as Woodstock, Salt River and Maitland Collectively, the pipeline of 12 000 units in development are aimed at households earning between R1 850 and R32 000 per month
Additionally, the delivery of affordable housing is being accelerated to make it quicker and easier to get building approval from the City Micro-developers now receive hands-on support, including a new township development fund, which helps reduce development costs, and pre-approved building plan templates
Location, location, location: A more central location for inner-city social housing than the recently released
Starting a Culture Craze: Cultural diversity and building a positive sense of identity were among the key topics discussed at the City’s new Culture Craze programme for high-school learners, initiated during Heritage Month Six two-day workshops were held at the Zandvlei Lookout and Zeekoevlei, Witsands and Tygerberg nature reserves Nearly 200 learners from high schools in Pelican Park, Steenberg, Bernadino Heights, Saxonsea and Robinvale attended The workshops help learners explore their cultural and heritage identity, build outlook on life The programme will be making its way to other districts across town in the course of 2025/26
11 gemeenskapsorganisasies om inwoners se gedrag ten opsigte van rioolinfrastruktuur te verbeter en gemeenskappe aan te spoor om die riviere en natuurlike omgewing van Kaapstad te beskerm Ummati Community Upliftment het in dié verband ses werksessies in Tafelsig aangebied om jongmense oor die werking van die rioolstelsel op te voed
Die bestuursverantwoordelikheid vir twee van die Stad se 13 kusoorde – Miller’s Point en Soetwater – is onlangs van die departement ontspanning en parke na die kusbestuurstak van die departement omgewingsbestuur verskuif Albei oorde maak deel uit van sogenaamde is dus die beste daartoe in staat om hierdie gewilde uitspanplekke te bestuur
Kaapse middestad is amptelik vrygestel vir die ontwikkeling van 237 sosialebehuisingseenhede sowel as winkelruimtes. Dié Stadseiendom van 3 300 m2 is tussen Kent- en Bloemhofstraat geleë. Kultuurdiversiteit en n positiewe identiteitsbesef is van die onderwerpe wat die Stad se nuwe Culture Craze-program vir hoërskoolleerders aanroer Die program is in Erfenismaand bekend gestel met ses werksessies van twee dae elk by die Zandvlei Lookoutsentrum en die Zeekoevlei-, Witsands- en Tygerberg-natuurreservaat Byna 200 leerders het dit bygewoon
Fezeka building, cnr NY1 and Lansdowne roads, Gugulethu
Subcouncil 15
Tel 021 444 5358
Cnr Jakkalsvlei Ave and Kiaat Road, Bonteheuwel
Subcouncil 17
Tel 021 444 7530
Lentegeur Administrative Building, cnr Melkbos and Merrydale roads, Lentegeur
Subcouncil 18
Tel 021 444 8788
Cnr Buck Road and 6th Avenue, Lotus River
Subcouncil 19
Tel 021 400 7495 (off Recreation Road), Fish Hoek Subcouncil
KHAWUNDIBALISELE
Give thanks for all the little things
At this time of the year, we usually complain about everything and how tired we are every day Everyone is patiently waiting for the clock to strike just to go on holiday, even if it is just for a few days or a week
We all feel tired every morning and struggle to get up every day, looking for that courage to go to work and do our things It's not even funny when I say every friend of mine complains about the struggle to get up in the morning I also feel exhausted and see the 80km I must drive every day as a mission to get to work and back home
But when I pause, sink into the quiet corners of my mind, and truly reflect on the tapestry of this year behind me, I can't help but feel guilty about why I'm even complaining I realised that we tend to complain every day about minor things So much so that we forget about all the blessings and little things we can be thankful for We usually look past the small wins
Personally, as bittersweet as it was, I got to spend quality time with my mom, which I never knew I needed I've always been an independent person, away from my family since a young age, and never thought I would come to a point where I could go out with my mom like we're friends, having fun and just enjoying ourselves
I also got a new job, which I had prayed for quite a while It came at a time when I really needed it I also received the gift of love again, meeting someone I've been waiting for a long time now Someone
WESHOULDALWAYSTRYTOBE MORETHANKFUL...
who ticks all my boxes and shows me that what I wanted is still out there After many disappointments, I get to experience the "soft life" and "princess treatment" I deserve There was a time when I thought I would never get to experience it
My eldest and only sister finally got married after all the odds, and I got to experience every step of planning with her, making sure she had the perfect fairytale wedding We also welcomed a new bundle of joy to the family Now this, for me, is more than enough to be thankful for So, I just want to express that besides complaining this time of year while fighting the year-end blues, we should look back and see how far we've come We should also try to be more thankful and give thanks for all we've achieved this year
The fact that you can still see the end of the year creeping up on us means you've achieved something The beauty of being at the end of a calendar year is that very soon we'll have a chance to start over again, making better decisions, facing and overcoming new challenges, setting boundaries and deciding how we are going to face the new year head-on For now, give thanks and appreciate every little thing that has come our way
Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus " I know it's not always easy giving thanks while dealing with so much happening, not only in your personal and work life but also in the world we live in Having to navigate the weakened economy, gender-based violence and child killings on a daily basis but appreciating the little things around us can make this all feel a little comforting, even if it is just for a moment or two We'll try again next year!
-MAURICIAPETERSEN
SLICEOFLIFE
BRIEWE|LETTERS
Renewed discussion on Uitkamp development
The letter by so-called Prof Bats Yaku, under the heading “Calling out the snakes in D’ville” (TygerBurger 3 December) reminds one of the battle that took place some 10 to 15 years ago to save the environmentally sensitive game farm of Uitkamp, now Clara Anna Fontein from development His letter focused mostly on the controversy surrounding the development of the Uitkamp game farm, and had little to do with Reddam House’s recent achievements, which are noteworthy and commendable
HEADLINEARTICLES
A simple Google search of “Uitkamp controversial development” brings up the following headline articles: “Row over Cape housing project” (Property24) “Development punted prior to court ruling”, (l2b), Cape Town passes development buck , (Netwerk24), “Court battle looms over bid to build 700 houses on farm land” (PressReader) and so forth
Some quotes from the articles are as follows: “The homes are due to be built in the Clara Anna Fontein game reserve” “Western Cape premier Helen Zille asked to intervene to stop the development”, “The D Urbanvale Residents Forum has reacted strongly, claiming that they feel betrayed by the council and accused the mayoral committee of ignoring the
unprecedented and overwhelming response from the community to prevent the development”, “Letters of complaint from the Far South Peninsula Community Forum, the Glencairn Action Group, the Simon s Town Civic Association and the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa” “The leader of the ANC in council also weighed in saying his party was concerned about good arable land being used for private development We believe the meeting where this decision was taken was unconstitutional" and “Construction of a 348-unit residential site with a retirement village on yet another tract of agricultural land in the suburb has residents in fear that a growing trend to develop outside of the city's urban edge will turn the picturesque region into a concrete jungle”
IMPACTNEGATIVELY
Perhaps a response to the Property24 article of 22 December 2010 sums it up the best: “As a passionate Durbanviller I do know that this 650-home development on the current farm would impact negatively on the visual attractiveness of the area Me as well as hundreds of fellow hikers bikers and runners use the scenic Vissershok Road on a weekly basis We select to live here because of the beauty of the area Within minutes you are out of the town and into the country between the vineyards and
Justice system battles gang violence daily
Brett Herron, from the Good Party, gave alarming statistics on the ongoing slaugther on the Cape Flats ("The Western Cape Killing Fields" 3 December) Being a politician it is no surprise that he aimed a cheap shot at the Western Cape Provincial Government and blamed them for a lack of political will to address and resolve these tragic deaths
After a 37 years career as a prosecutor ( of which 31 years at the office of the director of public prosecutions), I must perhaps draw Herron's attention to just some of the realities that face the criminal justice system when dealing with gang-related murders
At any given time will you find a number of people either in the street or outside in their yard in these gang-ridden areas, but as soon as there is a murder in
broad daylight, potential witnesses disappear in thin air You can hardly blame them because the intimidation of and even killing of witnesses is a grim reality Do you succeed to convince a witness to testify, that witness will have to be prepared to spend months and even years in the witness protection programme at great personal sacrifices, a daunting prospect for most people?
This is a very complex situation which do not need politicians that try to score cheap political points, but the cooperation of all role players, especially the communities in which these tragic events unfold on a daily basis
ADV CHRISTHÉNUS VAN DER VIJVER (RETIRED), Kuils River
renosterbos farmland Remove this and swop it for 650 close-built small homes which each look the same as the other, and this whole rationale goes out the window The same is happening in the Winelands area Beautiful vineyards are being swopped for housing estates The very reason why people value these areas, are because of its natural beauty “Please stop this development from happening Marnus” Thanks for reminding us of the controversy Prof, but it seems that there was overwhelming opposition to the development for reasons stated in the articles – you can get the full context if you care to Google it yourself
COURTCASE
Oh and just one other thing the court case was fought by non-profit organisations on behalf of the community and funded by members thereof If each person donated an average of R100 (not unusual), it would take 25 000 donations to raise the R2 5 million which you stated as being the cost of the court case That’s more than half the population of Durbanville at the time Fortunately there are more people who care about protecting our rich heritage and the environment than those who do not, and the internet has a good memory!
G S GHOSTOF, Durbanville
Goodwood needs peace
It was with irritation that I read about gang activity in Goodwood where a shoot-out resulted in the death of somebody
Goodwood is and always will be a place where residents can walk in the street mothers can push their kids in prams and youngsters can play in the park
Many of us living in Goodwood are of a senior age and have done our time in the military fighting real soldiers
We want to live in peace , and enjoy our remaining years Those who want to disrupt this, all I can say to you is "Don't pull the lion's tail"
Let us all keep Goodwood safe and enjoy each others company
EX SADF PARATROOPER, Goodwood
GRANDMASTERS MAKE A SPLASH: The first-ever Freestyle Diving Chess Championship saw two world-renowned chess grandmasters take each other on under water in the rooftop pool of the Silo Hotel in Cape Town last Thursday.In the end Hans Niemann (USA) dived his way to victory beating Fabiano Caruana (USA).The Diving Chess competition was the first of several side events that are part of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Finals taking place at Grootbos near Gansbaai this week, featuring some of the world’s best chess grandmasters PHOTO: STEV BONHAGE / FREESTYLE CHESS
CapeTowndam levelsdrop
Capetonians have been encouraged to use water sparingly as we enter the hot summer season
According to the City of Cape Town dam levels are currently 15% lower than at the same time last year
This is because Cape Town experienced below-average rainfall this year, the municipality said in a statement issued on Thursday (4 December)
The Department of Water and Sanitation were asking people to be water-wise this summer, and requests that the water usage be kept below 975 million litres per day "As we head into hot summer days, we have already seen a spike in water use at certain points," said Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for Water and Sanitation
"Consumption recently reached 1 000 million litres of water used in a day, compared to the average 850 million litres
"The main driver of peak water demand, based on previous years, is outdoor use particularly for garden irrigation and topping up swimming pools The proactive water savings target is published weekly as a way of keeping us all accountable to use water wisely "
He said wise outdoor use of water, fixing leaks and complying with permanent regulations are key ways to save water “City teams will also continue to action
RESIDENTS
ASKED TO USE WATER SPARINGLY
our own programmes to ensure we save water too with our infrastructure ”
Currently, the main dams supplying Cape Town are about 79,4%
While there is no immediate reason for concern, it is vital for all of us to proactively monitor and manage our water use over the coming months, the City says This is particularly important for Cape Town this summer, in the face of unpredictable rainfall in 2026
Badroodien said in October this year the City’s weekly water dashboard shifted to an "early drought caution"
This does not mean a drought is confirmed, but it indicates signals of a possible drought cycle emerging It allows the City to prepare early by activating internal response committees, prioritising repairs and maintenance and working closely with the national department of water and sanitation to ensure that the water system remains well balanced, Badroodien said . To manage water use proactively the City is urging residents and businesses to all help keep the collective water usage below 975 million litres per day.
CapeTown eyes rail control
DESIRÉERORKE
DESIREE RORKE@TYGERBURGER CO ZA
Cape Town is gearing up for a major transport revolution that could fundamentally change how millions of residents move around the Mother City Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has thrown down the gauntlet to national government, announcing the City will push for complete control of passenger rail services after council last week backed an ambitious business plan that promises to resurrect the metro's beleaguered train network
With Cape Town's rail system having collapsed from carrying over 600 000 passengers daily in 2012 to a fraction of that today due to vandalism, theft and poor maintenance under Prasa, the City's bold takeover bid represents perhaps the most significant transport initiative in decades – one that could see private operators running sleek new services under municipal oversight
The rail business plan looked at nine different handover scenarios and narrowed it down to three workable options Each involves the City taking control of rail services, assets and infrastructure, with private companies running the actual services under contract
The plan also knocked out weaker options where Prasa would keep owning the infrastructure or where the City would run trains directly instead of bringing in private operators
According to the City, passenger rail takeover is essential to improving integrated public transport across the metro, one of several key means to achieving its broader long-term plan target of 110% GDP growth by 2050
NATIONALFUNDING
Crucially, the plan concludes that devolution is only possible with funding from the national fiscus, with no room within the rates base of the City to cross subsidise rail
The City also needs to have authority over fare-setting, access to long-term national grant funding, and to generate local revenue through public-private partnerships and commercialisation
This is in line with the City’s constitutional mandate for integrated transport planning across different public transport modes
Die SuidAfrikaanse Astronomiese
Sterrewag se hoofteleskoop net buite Sutherland
Sterrekyk kan jou stres verlig
Terwyl geestesgesondheidsuitdagings oor Suid-Afrika heen toeneem, wend 'n baanbrekersnavorsingsprojek hom na n onverwagte bondgenoot, die naghemel Navorsers van die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) se CoCREATEgesondheidshub 'n nis in die afdeling gesondheidstelsels en openbare gesondheid en die Internasionale Sterrekundige Unie se Kantoor vir Sterrekunde vir Ontwikkeling (IAU-OAD) is besig om bloot te lê hoe sterrekyk-ervarings stres kan verminder, gemoedstoestand kan verbeter en sosiale verbintenis kan versterk
Met byna 40% van Suid-Afrikaners wat simptome van depressie of angs toon, is innoverende en toeganklike benaderings tot geestesgesondheid dringend nodig
Die baanbrekerprojek, Astronomy for Mental Health (Astronomie vir Geestesgesondheid), is die eerste van sy soort in Suid-Afrika wat wetenskaplik ondersoek hoe ontsag, verdieping in die natuur en "kosmiese perspektiefwaarneming" emosionele welstand beïnvloed
aan nadenkende gesprekke langs die vuur deelgeneem
Voorlopige resultate toon dat sterrekykery onmiddellik simptome van depressie verminder en deelnemers se bui verbeter het
Deur 'n kombinasie van selfverslagvraelyste, reflektiewe joernaalvoering, onderhoude en fokusgroepe te gebruik, het die span 'n konsekwente patroon opgemerk: deelnemers het 'n afname in gevoelens van angs en neerslagtigheid binne 24 uur ná die sterrekyk-ervaring aangemeld
"Indien die uitwerking net oor ontsnapping of rus gegaan het, sou ons 'n soortgelyke reaksie ná enige naweekbreek verwag het," sê Hendricks "Wat ons egter vind, is dat die kosmiese element, die uitgestrektheid, die ontsag, 'n duidelike verskuiwing skep Dit kalmeer nie net mense nie; dit verander hoe hulle oor hulself en hul plek in die wêreld dink "
VROEËRESULTATEISBELOWEND
Hill-Lewis said that the National White Paper on Rail and the Constitution both recognise that local government is best positioned to deliver integrated, affordable, and accountable public transport through coordinated planning across transport modes "Today is an historic milestone as Council adopts both a business plan for passenger rail takeover in the short-term, as well as our City’s overall long-term plan until 2050, which sets out our strategic goals over the next 25 years," said HillLewis in his address to council
"In the Cape Town of 2050, we’ll mostly use affordable public transport to get around, our streets will be much safer due to smart policing Capetonians urgently need an expanded, affordable, and reliable rail service that is integrated with other forms of transport via one ticketing system The rail business plan will now inform our engagements with national government to devolve passenger rail to the City This is one of the critical first steps in the long-term vision to massively scale up passenger numbers, new train sets, new routes, upgrade stations, and develop surrounding precincts with affordable housing over the next two decades "
The City's Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas, said that to ensure a viable devolution handover, it is necessary for Prasa and national government to restore the rail network and operations to 2012 levels of 620 000 daily passenger trips, which existed prior to the steady collapse of rail over the last decade He explained that the City would then work to further expand the rail service, with most scenarios including a new Blue Downs rail link and potentially further expansion dependent on the national fiscus
The City’s rail business plan follows the inception phase of the rail feasibility study, followed by a baseline analysis in October 2023 that assessed the current state of rail operations and infrastructure in Cape Town This was succeeded by the development of the alternative institutional options report a year later, which identified and evaluated viable network and governance models Following Council’s approval of the preferred institutional options in December 2024, the business plan phase commenced in January 2025
DIENAGRUIM'N
GEESTESGESONDHEIDSHULPMIDDEL
Die projek, gelei deur prof Lynn Hendricks, dr Therese Fish en Nikki Thomas van die US, saam met Dominic Vertue, dr Charles Takalana en Kevin Govender (IAU-OAD), ondersoek hoe gestruktureerde sterrekyksessies van plaaslike gemeenskapsbyeenkomste tot oornag-sterrekunde-wegbreeksessies geestesgesondheid kan ondersteun Volgens die navorsers bou dit voort op Kaplan se aandagherstelteorie, wat verduidelik hoe natuurlike omgewings, veral dié wat ons sintuie op n sagte manier betrek, die verstand help om van moegheid te herstel Die nagruim, wyd en rustig, bied wat navorsers "sagte fassinasie" noem; 'n moeitelose vorm van aandag wat duidelikheid en perspektief herstel
Wêreldwye bewyse toon toenemend dat ontsagwekkende ervarings breingebiede aktiveer wat aan emosionele regulering gekoppel is, kortisolvlakke verlaag en ‘n gevoel van kalmte herstel Die navorsingspan glo die nagruim bied ‘n unieke, kragtige weergawe van hierdie uitwerking
Die span stel veral belang in die "oorsigeffek" n verskynsel wat deur ruimtevaarders beskryf word dat, wanneer hulle die aarde vanuit die ruimte sien, hulle n diepgaande verskuiwing in bewustheid en verbintenis met die mensdom ervaar
Deur gewone mense uit te nooi om op te kyk en oor hul plek in die kosmos te besin, hoop die navorsers om soortgelyke gevoelens van kalmte, dankbaarheid en samehorigheid hier op aarde aan te wakker
VOORLOPIGERESULTATE:VROEË BEVINDINGSVANSUTHERLAND
Altesame 14 gesinne van uiteenlopende agtergronde het onlangs in Sutherland, die tuiste van sommige van die wêreld se donkerste nagruimtes en die ikoniese
Suider-Afrikaanse Groot Teleskoop (SALT), aan n begeleide sterrekundenaweek, georganiseer deur die US se CoCREATE-gesondheidshub en IAU-OAD, deelgeneem
Deelnemers het die Karoo-landskap verken, Saturnus se ringe, die kraters op die maan en die Melkweg waargeneem en
Deelnemers het binne 24 uur minder angs en ’n beter gemoedstoestand ervaar Baie het 'n "geestelike wydheid" beskryf, ‘n kalm en nie-oorvol verstand met ruimte om emosies en inligting beter te verwerk sonder om oorweldig te voel Sommige het ‘n blywende perspektief oor die lewe en doel aangemeld
Gesinne het groter samehorigheid en betekenisvolle, afleidingsvrye verbintenisse aangemeld Een deelnemer het in ‘n opvolgnadenkingsessie die volgende opgemerk: "Ek sien steeds die Melkweg wanneer dinge swaar voel Dit herinner my daaraan dat my probleme nie oneindig is nie "
Volgens Fish, vise-dekaan: kliniese dienste en sosiale impak by die US se fakulteit geneeskunde en gesondheidswetenskappe, vul die inisiatief 'n belangrike leemte
"Ons skep deur hierdie samewerking nuwe maniere vir mense om genesing buite kliniese omgewings te vind Gesinne vind nie net mekaar weer nie, maar vind ook aanklank by die omgewing en ontdek weer 'n gedeelde gevoel van menslikheid " Govender, direkteur van die OAD, voeg by: "Sterrekunde het ons nog altyd genoop om groot vrae te vra Nou leer ons dit kan ons ook help om saam met hulle te sit, stil, saam, onder dieselfde hemelruim " Wat van belang is, is dat die navorsers tot die gevolgtrekking kom dat sterrekykery veral doeltreffend is in gebiede met beperkte toegang tot geestesgesondheidsorg: Dit is gratis, kultureel universeel en vereis minimale toerusting
VOLGENDESTAPPE
Die projek duur tot 2029 en sal uitbrei om jeugprogramme, stedelike sterrekykkringe, asook sielkundige én fisiologiese metings in te sluit
Navorsers sal ervarings oor verskillende omgewings heen vergelyk van stedelike agterplase tot in die diep duisternis van Sutherland om 'n beter begrip te kry van hoe en waarom sterrekunde geestesgesondheid beïnvloed
Die navorsers beplan om teen die einde van vanjaar n referaat oor die voorlopige resultate in te dien
Die navorsing is deur die sosiale, gedrags- en opvoedkundige navorsingsetiekkomitee van die US goedgekeur
