angsterism has its own economy and its chief resource is vulnerable youth This was the underlying message at two different events last week.
The first was the draft Mitchell’s Plain Safety and Development Plan dialogue at Mitchell’s Plain police station on Wednesday 23 July The meeting was the third of a series called by MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, in response to the recent
spate of gang violence in the area in which seven people were killed and 17 others wounded in dozens of shootings
At the meeting, Mitchell’s Plain station commander, Brig Brian Muller, said there had been 11 consecutive days without any serious crimes in the precinct Hilton Arendse, the acting HOD of the Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety, said Wednesday’s meeting was to look at the draft’s “overarching strategy”
Alan Winde
WHAT’S ON / DIARY
SENDYOURCOMMUNITYEVENTSTO JO SEKEPANE@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
SATURDAY2AUGUST
. The Cape Town Gem and Mineral Club will be having its Open Day from 10:00 to 14:00 at 14Goede Hoop Street Bothasig. Free entrance Visit www ctminsoc.org.za or email capetowngemmineralclub@gmail.com
. Die NG kerk Parow-Panorama bied 'n ma-endogtertee aan van 10:00 tot 12:00 by die kerk in Rembrandtsingel. Die talentvolle duo van Crown Create Studio, Therene Nel en Melanie Labuschagne, gaan sing en 'n unieke en opbouende boodskap lewer wat elke vrou en meisie sal inspireer Kaartjies beloop R100 en sluit eetgoed in. Besoek https://shop.parow-panorama.co.za om kaartjies aanlyn te bespreek. . Oom Vossie se gewilde vlooimark vind weer plaas by Oom Vossie Voortrekkers, Disa Singel, Blomtuin in Bellville Let op dat die handelsure verander het en die mark nou van 10:00 tot 15:00 plaasvind Bespreek jou plek vroegtydig om teleurstelling te voorkom Stuur ‘n WhatsApp na 084 325 4690 vir meer inligting of om 'n stalletjie te bespreek.
SONDAG3AUGUSTUS
. ID Help Fisantekraal bied 'n galakonsert aan om 15:00 in die Hoërskool Durbanville se ouditorium. Kaartjies kos R200 per persoon en sluit ligte verversings tydens pouse in. Besprekings kan via Webtickets gedoen word. Kontak Jan Burger by 082 881 1503 vir meer inligting.
THURSDAY7AUGUST
. A free workshop will be hosted at Kraaifontein Library at 15:00, offering educators and interested community members a practical introduction to using ChatGPT in education. The session will cover key topics such as: understanding what ChatGPT is and how it works, tips for effective prompting, creative ways to use the tool in daily teaching, tools for lesson planning, quiz and worksheet creation. For more information, contact Kraaifontein Library at 021 444 1066 or email Kraaifontein.library@capetown.gov.za.
FRIDAY8AUGUST
. The Durbanville Wine Valley's much-anticipated Taste of Terroir annual red wine showcase will be presented from 17:00 to 20:00 at Loch Lynne Wine Estate outside Durbanville Each ticket includes the opportunity to taste red wines from nine Durbanville producers, live music by Emile Swiegers and three seasonal canapés by Kos Kouture caterers. Book tickets at R300 per person via Quicket
SATERDAG9AUGUSTUS
. Die Brackenfell Forum bied aan "Koffie uit jou kan" in die Rusoord-saal in Dennegeurstraat om 10:00 vir lede van die gemeenskap om saam te kuier Kaartjies kos R150 elk. Bespreek by Alta by 083 967 9493 of Letitia by 082 879 5383.
SATURDAY9AUGUST
. Cape Welsh Choir presents Why we sing, a concert showcasing the rich diversity of this unique male voice choir This public concert is part of our drive to expand their appeal to new audiences and potential new members. This event will be boosted with appearances by renowned local soprano Lara Basson and a barbershop quartet, the Welsh Rarebits, drawn from members of the choir The concert starts at 19:00, at Erin Hall, 8 Erin Road, Rondebosch. Tickets cost R100 and are available through Quicket Refreshments will be available at the interval. For further information, call Steve Broekman on 083 701 5867
VRYDAG15AUGUSTUS
. Solidariteit Helpende Hand Wes-Kaap bied 'n gholfdag ten bate van studiefondse aan by die Kuilsrivier-gholfklub Vierbal-inskrywings kos R3 500 Stuur ‘n e-pos aan Lizé Theron by LizeT@helpendehand. co.za met navrae Bespreek by https://tinyurl.com/ ylh84otp
MONDAY18AUGUST
. The South African National Council on Alcoholism and drug dependence (Sanca) will host an in-person Drug Testing Workshop – Testing for Drugs and Alcohol will be held at the Bellville Library from 09:00 to 15:30 This one-day workshop is open to professionals and is especially beneficial for social workers who can earn CPD points for attending. The fee is R1 200 To register, please contact Reinette Brand at 021 945 2099 or email bellville@sancawc.co.za
WEDNESDAY20AUGUST
. Join (Sanca) on an online Brief Intervention and Basic Counselling Training via Microsoft Teams, taking place over two days on 20 and 21 August, from 09:00 to 15:30 each day This training is ideal for social workers and other professionals in the field, with CPD points available The fee for the two-day session is R1 700 To secure your spot contact Reinette Brand at 021 945 2099 or email bellville@sancawc.co.za
Motherandsonduofuelshope
LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY
LAUREN OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
Zita Petersen’s son used to bring so many children home from school for meals that she decided to open a feeding scheme
“There were so many children and then we saw there were people in the streets too, so we thought we would give them something to eat twice a week ”
Nearly 10 years later, the feeding scheme has grown into a non-profit which operates in Eastridge, Tafelsig and Khayelitsha Skye’s Wooden Spoon was registered in 2020 and now runs a crèche, an aftercare, feeding scheme and, most recently, volunteer upskilling programme
The volunteer upskilling programme came about due to funding challenges
“We give them a small allowance and training, like fire safety, and first-aid training,” Zita said, explaining that the courses are done via accredited institutions
Skye’s Wooden Spoon was born in 2016, when Zita’s then seven-year-old son Skyler would bring more and more children home with him and ask his mother to feed them, Zita said
“It was on a daily basis,” she said Zita decided to create a feeding scheme that would run twice a week, but it wasn’t long before people started coming to the scheme looking for help with other issues too, such as child care
“People came to us with their social issues and we saw that the children didn't have a place to go to,” Zita said The scheme expanded to include afterschool and holiday programmes which were run from the Town Centre Library
“The children came in hordes, especially for the holiday programmes,” Zita said The programmes were run in partnership with organisations such as Bingo, Nali Bali and Read to Rise and “every day we would serve the children a meal”, Zita said
p g
“Our mission is to provide quality education and nutritious meals,” Zita said, adding that most of the children cannot afford to pay fees “In order for all of these programmes to run, we need volunteers ” The organisation can only afford to pay the volunteers a small stipend and to compensate for this, they have started a training programme
“So that they can build up a little CV We try to build up their skills; the youth and the unemployed,” Zita explained
The humble organisation has grown beyond what Zita and her family, who also work in the NPO, ever expected, and it hasn’t been without its challenges, Zita says, but is her son satisfied with how many people they are currently feeding? Not really, since the vegetable garden he started to sustain the feeding schemes is not thriving at the moment, Zita says, but she adds that this will hopefully change once a pending visit from the Department of Agriculture is completed
Zita Petersen (50) and her son Skyler (16) It was because of Skyler that the NPO Skye’s Wooden Spoon was born and now,nearly 10 years later,he is still involved by helping out in the vegetable garden and aftercare programmes.
Little Footprints educare in the Vosho informal settlement is in need of volunteers.
Children play with lego at the Little Footprints educare in Vosho informal settlement in Khayelisha.
Specialpartyfor granny’s100years
Georgina Wilemina Davids celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this month
Her five children, 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren gave a special party for the centenarian
It was held on Saturday 19 July, at the Rocklands Baptist Church
TRIBUTES
Known for her forthrightness, Ma Gina, as she is affectionately known, was honoured on the day with several tributes Her pastor remarked that Ma Gina often expressed herself without hesitation, even if someone else was already speaking Later, when Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis honoured her with his speech, Ma Gina interrupted him to thank him for coming
LIVINGINFAITH
Councillor Ashley Potts called Ma Gina a “delightful person”, saying: “Ma Georgina lived out her faith by loving others wholeheartedly
She wouldn’t miss a church service and made every effort to serve ”
MUSICALTALENT
He added that she still sang praise songs, played the piano and read “without specs without much strain”
Seniors voice concerns
LAURENO’CONNOR-MAY
LAUREN OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
Most of the crimes against senior citizens are committed in their own homes by family members or people that they know, said Brig MA Hartzenberg
The sub-district commissioner was speaking at an imbizo for senior citizens last week
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel had called the imbizo in response to a request from senior citizen clubs Seniors from several clubs packed the Frog Centre in Woodlands on Thursday 24 July to air their concerns
Nel said seniors had identified several areas where they had on-going challenges, such as health, transport, justice services and Sassa access
“For today the focus will be on issues of health, transport, crime and justice services,” he said “We’ll follow up on water, electricity, home affairs and Sassa ”
LAWSPROTECTINGSENIORS
He brought a panel of representatives from various government departments to address these issues
Ncebakazi Mlunjwa, provincial assistant director for court intermediary services, encouraged seniors to “be vocal” about their rights
“There’s a law that speaks about you and protects your rights,” she said, referring to the Senior Citizens Protection Act
“You can help to inform people about this act and its implementation by speaking up,” she said
it is everyone’s responsibility to report it if they suspected that an older person is being abused, she said
“You have to report that You mustn’t keep quiet ” Hartzenberg, however, highlighted some of the reasons why seniors were reluctant to speak out about abuses against them, saying they feared victimisation, embarrassment, isolation and abandonment
“We see a lot of older persons on the streets,” he said, adding that families sometimes abandon seniors to take possession of their property
He said the most common crime against seniors is assault and most of the reported cases have happened in the person’s own home and by their own children or grandchildren He added there were cases where the perpetrators were strangers and encouraged senior clubs to reach out to their peers who were isolated
“They know when you are alone at home,” he warned
Nel reminded seniors of the value they added to society
MAYOR AND PASTOR PAY TRIBUTE TO ROCKLANDS’ BELOVED MA GINA
She reminded seniors of their rights saying: “you have the right to manage your own finances”
“If a family member takes away your Sassa card, that’s domestic violence,” she said The elderly are vulnerable to abuse and
Georgina Wilemina Davids,seated in front,is flanked by (second row,from left) her younger sister Selina Wheeler,her eldest daughter Elizabeth Retief,her youngest daughter Rita Scheffers and her middle daughter Monica van der Westhuizen.At the back is Councillor Ashley Potts and Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development,Andries Nel (centre),with a panel of representatives from various departments who addressed issues affecting seniors,at the Frog Centre in Woodlands
Die skoolgemeenskap word op verskillende maniere geraak deur die voortslepende bendegeweld op die Kaapse Vlakte
Skole het verlede week hul deure geopen vir die derde kwartaal te midde van ‘n bendeoorlog wat fel woed TygerBurger het gaan kers opsteek by ‘n onderwyskundige en voormalige skoolhoof in Kleinvlei, een van die gemeenskappe wat veral deur geweld geraak word en haar gepols oor die invloed wat die geweld op ‘n skool het Net verlede week is ‘n matrikulant aan die Hoêrskool Kleinvlei tien drieë van sy ouerhuis doodgeskiet Alison February was destyds hoof van die Laerskool Melton Daar het sy eerstehands ervaar hoe ontwrigtend geweld kan wees "'n Skool is die hart van ‘n gemeenskap en alles wat die gemeenskap raak, het ‘n invloed op die skool," sê February
SKOOLGEMEENSKAPLEEFINVREES
Volgens haar word skole op verskeie maniere geraak, waarvan een die gevoel van vrees is "Wanneer iemand in die gemeenskap rondom die skool geskiet is, word die ouers van leerders angsbevange en stuur hulle dan nie hul kinders skool toe nie Dit is ‘n menslike reaksie en ‘n mens kan dit verstaan, maar die invloed wat dit op die leerder se akademiese prestasie het, is enorm “Skole se kurrikulum is deesdae so gelaai dat dit moeilik is om daardie kind weer te laat opvang Opvangklasse moet saans en oor naweke aangebied word en watter ouer sal ‘n kind oor ‘n naweek of saans stuur as hulle reeds in die week bang is?" vra February
Sy sê die feit dat leerders agter raak, het ‘n invloed op hul selfvertroue en sommige verlaat die skool "Dit is die begin van ‘n bose kringloop, want skoolverlaters is geneig om by bendes aan te sluit," sê sy Afwesigheid is ook nie tot leerders beperk nie "Onderwysers begin ook met sieksertifikate vorendag te kom Dit is ‘n Catch 22-situasie, want dit raak ook moeilik om onderwysers vir die skole te werf "
In baie gevalle is die sibbe van bendelede ook in die skole
"Hulle begin ook later soos hul ouer sibbe optree en begin ander kinders aanval Bendegeweld is ‘n kanker wat ‘n hele skoolgemeenskap kan verteer, terwyl skole eintlik die gom moet wees wat gemeenskappe saamsnoer en die vertrekpunt moet wees van waar gemeenskappe hul omstandighede verander," sê sy Wat kan gedoen word om skole teen bendegeweld te beskerm?
"Dit sal ‘n spanpoging van verskillende vlakke van die samelewing verg, maar uiteindelik moet gemeenskappe weer eienaarskap van skole neem Hulle moet saamstaan om ten minste seker te maak dat kinders veilig is wanneer hulle skool toe kom of huis toe gaan Sonder gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid is ons kinders blootgestel aan die wrede werklikheid van bendes en moord en doodslag," sê sy TygerBurger gaan oor drie weke met kenners oor bendegeweld, die invloed op gemeenskappe en moontlike oplossings gesels
bly agter by die slagter as beloning, die ander ene netjies in 'n plastieksak Nee, sê my ma, so 'n hoender is maar lekker taai, ek moet hom slaghuis toe vat om gerook te word Die slagter gee my hoender een kyk "Mevrou, jy kan jou kalkoen oor 'n week kom haal " Nee, dis g'n kalkoen, dit het voor my eie oë as 'n gewone hoender grootgeword, seg ek Die slagter het tot die dag wat ek my hoender gaan haal het, volgehou dis 'n kalkoen Daar word besluit om die gerookte hoender te hou vir Kersdag Gelukkig val my dogtertjie, wat hopeloos te vroeg begin loop het, en word ek al troostende dit gespaar om van Petra-wat-Piet-geword-het te eet 'n Mens eet darem nie jou troeteldiere nie Die aanwysings op die verpakking van die umleqwa-hoender sê dis vooraf stadig gekook - nog net 20 minute in die oond en hy is reg vir die tafel! Dis 'n lenige, atletiese hoender Lang maer dybene Gespierde boudjies Na 'n uur in die oond lyk die hoender egter nog niks meer eetbaar nie en ek sit die hoender in 'n pot om dit behoorlik gas te gee Die bykosse is al lankel opgepeusel, toe kook ta nog steeds! Dis later slaaptyd en ons gooi tou op Dis so koud, ek besluit om die hoender sommer net so in die pot oornag te los Om 02:31 word ek wakker van 'n reuk wat ruik na Afrika gebrande pap, koeimis ek droom van 'n hoender wat in die vuil hooi in ‘n varkhok rondskrop agter kos aan 'n skrophoender Ek smeer Vicks onder my neus dat ek nie die hoender kan ruik nie Watson, ons tuinman, lag toe ek hom die volgende oggend vertel van my hoender "In Zimbabwe we call it a road runner, " sê hy - die groot kuns is glo nie net om hom sag gekook te kry nie, maar jy moet hom eers gevang kry! Dis daai hoenders wat in Afrika tussen karre deur oor die hoofweg hol dat die biesies bewe
Ek loer weer in die pot voor ek hom vir Watson in tinfoelie toedraai die arme hoender is nou al erg verinneweer gekook; lyk vir my toe al eerder na 'n road kill -ESMEERASMUS
Kommentaar // Comments
Mandela Day should be every day
It was truly heartwarming to read about how so many people were inspired to reach out to the less fortunate on Mandela Day
I sat with my heart blazing imagining the smiles that must have lit so many faces
But it didn't last
Why is this overflow of ubuntu reserved for only one day a year?
Why can't we love our neighbours more steadfastly throughout the year?
Why do we need a special day to make giving a habit?
If dedicating a day is truly all that is needed to motivate people then why not dedicate more days?
Like Valentines Day Instead of making it a day of romantic love why not make it a day of loving our neighbours?
Why not add an element of giving to every major day? On Heritage Day, donate some of your braai or on April Fool's Day, donate some of your cheer On youth day, do something good for youth
The more significant days I think about the more I realise that all of them have theme that is open to interpretation in charitable ways but they've become mostly about politics
Maybe it's time that started adding charity to our mindsets, starting with celebrations on significant days Maybe then we'll turn the tide of poverty in our country
EMMA BENNET, Strandfontein
Lê eier oor Stad Kaapstad se begroting
Vandag wil ek darem ook 'n eier lê oor hierdie begroting van ons geagte burgemeester en sy trawante in die Stad Kaapstad oor heffings
Daar moet nou 'n heffing op alles wees omdat waterpype herstel moet word, strate skoongemaak moet word en die armes gehelp moet word En dit nogal op my huis se waarde wat ek gekoop het en met my geld in stand gehou het Vir drie weke het die water nou by die groot kruising tussen Frans Conradie-rylaan en Hugostraat uitgeborrel en niemand was bekommerd oor die duisende liters water wat weggeloop het nie Terloops, dit is nou die derde keer dat daar 'n waterlek is en elke keer word daar 'n hele dag gewerk en sit ons sonder water en dan lek dit maar weer
Sondagoggend toe is hier twee waterlekke in De Wetstraat, ‘n blok van mekaar - een by Cambridge en nog een by Hugostraat Weer 'n hele dag sonder water
Vanaf Dag Zero betaal ons 'n pyp of meterheffing dit is jare, Wat is met daardie geld gemaak?
Ek was vier jaar oud toe het ons in Die Akkers hierbo gekuier, toe was hierdie waterpype al hier Ek woon al 50 jaar hier en is al 75 en steeds is die waterpype wat Clive Justus vir my in 2011 gesê het vervang moet word, nie gedoen nie
Hoekom moet ek 'n skoonmaakheffing betaal?
Ek versorg self my sypaadjie, en die straat voor my deur maak ek self skoon Ek gaan beslis nie betaal om skoon te maak agter squatters wat al jare in die boulevard, voor die munisipaliteit van Goodwood, die polisiestasie by Goodwood en oral rondlê en honde aanhou en mors nie
Laat mense 'n slag verantwoordelikheid aanvaar vir hul eie omstandighede, dan sal hulle ook weet waar geld vandaan kom Hou op om net te gee!
MARTIE DU PLESSIS, Goodwood
The article "Sapoa fights tariffs" (TygerBurger 23 July) refers I am a property owner and resident in Bothasig I herewith join Sapoa, challenging thee property-linked tariffs recently introduced by the City of Cape Town in its 2025-26 budget
These include a new cleaning levy and fixed charges for water and sanitation services, all calculated based on the value of a property rather than actual usage I wish to state categorically that my property is for my housing needs not speculative purposes The whole notion of rates based on value of property at market prices is placed and is a gross violation of my human rights to property At any rate the so called market value should be at the time the property was purchased precisely it is not for speculation The City is advised to address its challenges of unfunded mandates from DORA MZUKISI, Bothasig
