People's Post False Bay - 12 January 2021

FALSE BAY

TUESDAY 12 January 2021 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za

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MASIPHUMELELE

Effects of devastating fire felt A fire which broke out on 17 December last year in Masiphumelele affected more than 1 000 informal homes.

PHOTO: BANDA JR

RACINE EDWARDES RACINE.EDWARDES@MEDIA24.COM @RAEEDWARDES

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he festive season saw the outbreak of three major fires affecting the informal settlements Masiphumelele as well as Taiwan and Site C in Khayelitsha. Relief organisations are still in the process of assisting where they can to help the more than 6 000 people affected.

On Thursday 17 December, more than 1 000 shacks in Masiphumelele were destroyed in a raging fire that saw more than 5 000 people losing their homes, belongings and pets.

At the time, Cape Town mayor Dan Plato said in a statement that disaster management officials had announced that this fire was likely caused by an attempted land invasion.

“It is shameful that a humanitarian disaster, resulting in the total loss of people’s homes and belongings, has been caused by criminal elements,” he said.

While this was one of the biggest fires recorded in Cape Town since 2015, according to the Mayco member for transport Felicity Purchase, the season itself recorded fewer incidents than last year.

Last year, 177 informal structure fires were recorded in December 2020, showing a drop by 34% or 91 incidents to be exact when compared to the same period in 2019. Similarly, residential fires decreased in December 2020 from December 2019 from 219 incidents to just 159 – 27% less.

But despite the downturn in fires this past festive season, the effects are still being felt by hundreds of families.

Relief Local organisations who stepped in to assist with food and clothing donations include Cape Flats Wellness Centre, Living Hope and the Kos Gangsters, as well as Tears Animal Rescue for the rescue of pets that went missing during the chaos.

Tears was on the scene soon after the fire was extinguished, searching for animals suffering injuries or smoke inhalation and animals hiding in the rubble and debris.

General manager Lauren Carlyle appealed to the public to help with donations of food and blankets for displaced and injured cats and dogs as well as donations to assist with medical treatments.

Pet food, Tears said, has been one of the most critical needs while tending to the distressed animals after the fire.

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with hinges and lock set, a wooden-framed window and nails.

“Due to national government budget cuts, the City is no longer able to offer the extra service of providing fire and flood kits to residents outside of declared disasters.

“For more than a decade, the City delivered a unique service by issuing emergency fire building kits to residents as soon as they had been affected by a fire,” said Mayco member for human settlements Malusi Booi in a statement.

With this unique offering now off the table, Plato declared the fire a local disaster, initiating the process for relief funding from the national government.

In a media statement on Tuesday 5 January, the national government noted that “the three spheres of government, together with the Housing Development Agency (HDA), confirmed that an estimated R32 million has been made available to provide temporary structures, water and sanitation facilities to affected residents of Masiphumelele.

Some residents will be accommodated on a nearby sports field, while others will be assisted on part of an affected fire site that has been cleared. Erection of the temporary structures will commence immediately.”

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No fire kits from City Unlike in previous years, the City of Cape Town’s was unable to provide fire relief kits, which usually consist of pine poles, galvanised corrugated roof sheets, a wooden door

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Aslam Richards of the Cape Flats Wellness Centre said they had managed to donate collected clothing, food parcels and hot meals to victims.

Sophia Grodes of the Kos Gangsters heeded the call to action by transporting their fresh harvest to victims.

Western Cape minister of social development Sharna Fernandez told the media that, among other measures, social workers and community development practitioners had visited all affected sites daily, to provide psycho-social support to the affected communities.

She added: “Albeit that the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) remains the lead agency charged with social support to the poor in cases of a disaster as legislated

by Chapter 3 of the Social Assistance Act, the provincial Department of Social Development also ensured that they identified the vulnerable groups such as older persons, persons with disabilities, as well as children in need and coordinated the various relief efforts.”

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2 NEWS

PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 12 January 2021

Second wave of virus pandemic ‘nearing its peak in Cape’ NETTALIE VILJOEN The Western Cape may be nearing the peak of the second wave of Covid-19 infections, although it is still too early to be certain, the provincial government said last week.

In a statement released following a press conference held on Tuesday 5 January, premier Alan Winde said it was promising to note a significant decrease in the Western sub-district within the Cape metro, which had shown a 35% drop in cases.

“This district was one of the first to experience the second wave, and it might be an early sign that the area has reached its peak.

“This would then point to a similar trend emerging in other sub-districts soon,” the statement read.

However, he continued that while all subdistricts in the Cape metro had not shown increases, extreme caution had to be taken in drawing early conclusions at this stage, “given the change in testing criteria in the metro specifically”.

“We will be closely watching the city of Cape Town over the next week to determine if the trend continues,” Winde said.

The provincial government confirmed that the Garden Route district had passed its peak and was on a sustained downward trajectory.

Winde said this district, which was the first

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to experience the major surge in cases, associated with the new variant in this second wave, was experiencing a decline in both cases and hospitalisations.

“The critical care capacity in the Garden Route district, however, remains under pressure, and there was a week-on-week increase in deaths in this district,” he said.

According to Winde, except for the West Coast district which remained on an upward trajectory (although slower), all rural districts were showing signs of stabilisation.

“We are waiting to see whether the slower relay of data over public holidays is the reason for this and whether the pattern holds in the week ahead,” he added.

Dr Richard Friedland, chief executive officer of Netcare, said its hospitals in the Western Cape had also started to reflect a plateau in the number of patient admissions.

Netcare also stated that it had recorded a decrease in hospitalisations in the Eastern Cape for the fourth week running.

However, the private hospital group was readying itself for a Covid-19 surge in Gau­teng.

“In Gauteng, we are, as expected, already experiencing an alarming rise in admissions of Covid-19 patients across all our facilities and this is expected to rapidly wor­sen over the next two weeks,” Friedland cautioned.

Mediclinic confirmed that in December it noted a strong, sustained and sudden increase in the number of Covid-19 patients

presenting for care with numbers rising dramatically across the Western Cape, Gau­teng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Namibia.

“Demand seems to have stabilised in the Garden Route,” Dr Gerrit de Villiers, chief clinical officer: Mediclinic Southern Africa, said.

While these early signs of possible stabilisation in the Western Cape are heartening, Winde said the healthcare system remained under extreme pressure “as this new, more transmissible variant has resulted in significantly more hospitalisations than was experienced in the first wave”.

Dr Friedland confirmed this, saying that in the Western Cape the number of patients admitted to Netcare hospitals far exceeded that which was experienced in the first wave of the pandemic.

De Villiers said this was also the case at Western Cape Mediclinic hospitals.

“We have exceeded 800 admitted patients at the end of December in our Western Cape hospitals from less than 100 in November,” he said.

A week ago, the Western Cape had 3 290 Covid-19 patients in its acute hospitals, 2 052 in public hospitals and 1 238 in private hospitals.

Normally, Mediclinic has an ICU/High Care bed capacity of roughly 1 000 beds with 850 available ventilators in the Western Cape.

“Currently, with our second surge of Covid, we are seeing occupancies of general beds between 60% and 90% with significant vol-

umes of patients in emergency centres.

“ICU beds and ventilators have experienced the biggest strain with some hospitals’ ICU beds and ventilators fully occupied,” De Villiers said.

Dr Friedland said it was expected for the demand to continue in the Western Cape for the next two weeks at least.

He said Netcare has urgently recalled all frontline staff from leave.

Dr De Villiers noted that Mediclinic too has asked staff to come back earlier from leave where appropriate.

“As part of Mediclinic’s measures to increase capacity and resources, we have had to take the difficult decision to appeal to our nursing staff individually to reconsider ta­king extended periods of leave during this time in the interest of serving a community in need,” Dr De Villiers added.

To meet the increased need in the public sector, Winde said more beds had been made available for Covid-19 patients.

Across the Western Cape, the public sector capacity has 7 537 acute beds, excluding specialised beds at psychiatric hospitals, TB hospitals, Red Cross Hospital and the Mowbray Maternity Clinic. This also includes general and critical care beds for Covid-19 patients.

“This additional capacity is helping relieve some pressure, but our platform remains under pressure, especially in the critical care wards.

“We are also experiencing significantly more deaths in the second wave than we did in the first wave,” Winde said.

PENNED BY A JOURNO

EDITOR: Thulani Magazi Tel: 021 910 6500 / 6530 Email: Thulani@media24.com

Lessons from past year

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here is no doubt that 2020 will go down as one of the most challenging, unpredictable and unprecedented years of modern history. With the global pandemic ravaging the world, it will be something we can speak of with next and next generations, as the survivors of the Spanish Flu had relayed their tales.

While 2020 has now ended, there may also be some positives to take from lessons learnt. Why? Because we survived it; but it is just as important to remember the more than 30 000 people who did not.

In conversation and through posts on social media leading up to the festive season, it was evident that the world had relaxed, that there had been a few moments of hope, especially that 2021 would wash away the horrific and disturbing reality of 2020, but even those hopes were dashed.

For many, they went into the new year mourning, others spent the first few moments of a new year and a brand new decade in a hospital bed, fighting for their lives.

Nothing could have prepared us for how different it would all be.

I remember the entry into 2020. How – as with every year – it was filled with now un-

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fulfilled promises of completing and achieving; and then reflecting on the entry into this year, realising how much we have all endured. Gone were the loud parties and cheers at midnight. The sounds of clinking glasses. No fireworks, no hugs and no promises. Instead replaced with lit candles, grape juice (thanks to the liquor ban) and quiet evenings with close family – at least this was the reality for many. So, for those who had hoped and proclaimed that this year would be different, it certainly was for many.

What I took away from surviving the year was a deeper connection with God, the power of prayer and how important it is to have a good support structure.

The importance of looking after your mental health and appreciation of loved ones while they are around and just how privileged we are to even just be able to breathe. The year 2020 also taught me that I needed to slow down, look after myself, live a healthier lifestyle and not to procrastinate. This was especially difficult for me, as I would often make long lists of projects and never get around to them.

But, most importantly, it taught me that your next breath is not guaranteed. Road ac-

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cidents, murders and now Covid-19; there are so many ways that your life could be cut short and I knew that if I had died tomorrow, I would not be content with the way I had been living. We take way too many things for granted, without even realising it.

All that aside, the biggest lesson we all can take from 2020, is the knowledge of how to prevent this new year becoming a repeat of the death, sorrow and battles fought in 2020.

I know we are all tired of the same old story: “mask up, sanitise and social distancing” and that as social beings it is important to be around others, but if we all try a little bit harder now, we can move on and recover from this disaster a little quicker.

I can’t recall a time when I read so many “Rest in peace” statuses on social media, or knew so many close to me who have battled just to breathe.

Let us not wait until it affects our homes to do something. Having someone admitted to hospital with no contact is difficult, especially over the festive season – trust me, I know. And if we don’t all take this seriously, 2021 will be even more devastating and no one wants that.

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NEWS 3

PEOPLE'S POST | FALSE BAY Tuesday, 12 January 2021

FROM PAGE 1 On Sunday 10 January, the first 10 families who were identified by the government as the most vulnerable, received temporary housing structures and were able to move in. They were provided with pots, mattresses, blankets and other items by Living Hope and the City.

One such beneficiary is Michael Mbokro, a South African National Parks (Sanparks) ranger who was in the Eastern Cape when his home was razed.

“We are four people – me, my wife and two children. When I came back I didn’t have a house, I had nothing,” he recounted.

The somewhat joyous occasion last Sunday was marred, however, by what Purchase described as opportunists. “We did have a land invasion attempt earlier, but Law Enforcement and the Red Ants were here to sort it out. The City’s Nyala (mineresistant ambush vehicle) was petrol bombed,” she explained.

Despite the attack, Purchase said the local and the national government would continue providing temporary housing in phases over the upcoming weeks.

Thanks for generosity “There’s been a great spirit of generosity all across the Fish Hoek Valley and across the greater Cape Town of people who have given both financial donations and an outpouring of goods for Living Hope to distrib-

ute to the poor and the needy,” said John should be provided for the first units within Thomas, founder of the non-profit relief, this week. health and education organisation.

Thomas also added that all victims are eli“There’s been a huge sort process and over gible to receive aid from Living Hope, and the past three weeks everyone has got a min- each recipient is made to sign for items colimum of three full sets of clothing, shoes and lected in order to adequately provide for all. a jacket/jersey; two hygiene packs, both Despite rumours, he emphasised that forworth around R500; we’ve been involved in eign nationals are not turned away or exproviding food meals; and today we have de- cluded from receiving donations. livered to each of the 10 beneficiaries quite Local organisations are still coordinating a few items. They got mattresses and two relief efforts and collections of donated blankets provided by Sassa for us to distrib- items for residents of Masiphumelele and ute, as well as pots, a carpet, curtains and encourage the public to continue making a the hygiene packs, pillows, bedding and tow- difference. els. Thank you for making this possible!”

V To donate to Tears Animal Rescue, visit: Living Hope will continue to make similar www.tears.org.za/donate. To donate to Living Hope, donations towards each of the houses that call 082 465 9067 or visit www.livinghope.co.za. Visit are built over the next four week period.

Cape Flats Wellness Centre on Facebook or call Thomas added that between 50 and 100 vol- 074 789 0777 to assist. unteers assisted with sorting each day – these included emergency volunteer services and scouts from across the city.

He continued, stating that Living Hope aimed to provide more. “In time, when there is electricity, we are also going to get them a twoplate stove.”

According to the City, initial inspections have Kos Gangsters donate food and bread to Masiphumelele fire begun and electricity victims.

PHOTO: SOPHIA GRODES

LAW ENFORCEMENT

City’s criminals brought to book M

etro police made 45 arrests on a range of charges, including possession and sale of drugs, property crimes, sexual assault, and reckless and negligent driving, over the festive period.

One of those arrested was a 19year-old woman who was apprehended in Kalk Bay in the weeks before Christmas day. Officers conducting foot patrols noticed the suspect selling herbs along Main Road. She appeared nervous when she spotted the officers, and tried to run away. On apprehending the suspect, police found 80 packets of dagga in her bag.

She was detained at Muizenberg police station.

Just before 20:00 on Boxing Day, 26 December, firefighters responding to motor vehicles alight in Ocean View had to take cover as shots rang out while they were attending to the incident.

In the days following that incident, a 36-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of a stolen motorbike in Simon’s Town after a high-speed chase with traffic officials.

And in Simon’s Town, a traffic officer narrowly missed being hit by a motorcyclist who was trying to evade capture.

“To the many people who have taken the message to heart and who have given up on many traditions in order to comply with Covid-19 regulations, we say thank you.

“Unfortunately, there will always be those who behave like they are a law unto themselves or believe that the rules do not apply to them.

“One would think that the health crisis we are battling with would be reason enough to comply, but experience shows this not to be the case.

Our staff will continue to enforce the regulations to the best of their ability, but we appeal for common sense and cooperation from our city,” said Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith.

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4 NEWS

PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 12 January 2021

GBV

Helpline for abused V

ictims of domestic and gender-based violence now have help at their fingertips following the launch of a 24-hour toll-free helpline by the National Shelter Movement of SA. The helpline went live on Wednesday 2 December. It is manned by three experienced social workers. It serves women by helping them find a conveniently located place of safety from domestic abuse. It also provides information about obtaining protection orders or advice on issues when dealing with police.

Sharna Fernandez, provincial minister of social development, has welcomed the “much-needed initiative”. She says it will serve as an additional safety measure for women needing to escape from violent or abusive home situations.

“I would also like to urge all women, both young and old, to ensure that you have emergency gender-based violence contact numbers saved on your phones. One can never be certain if they will be in a situation where help is urgently needed,” says Fernandez.

According to Adv Bernadine Bachar – who led the helpline project – the planning and preparation has been both exciting and nerve-wracking.

The Shelter Movement is a non-profit organisation (NPO) based in Cape Town, but renders services across SA. “It will all be worth it if we can save more lives by ensuring that more victims of abuse get access to shelter services, a critical step in helping victims find safety and reprieve

from abuse. Our research has found that shelters play a phenomenal role in this regard, as more than half of women who enter shelters do not return to their abusive partners after leaving a shelter,” she says.

Bachar adds that the movement spends a lot of time supporting shelters in various ways, in particular, advocating for more support and funds from government. “We have spent considerable time shining a light on the chronic underfunding of shelters for abused women around the country.”

It has become more and more evident, especially during the initial stages of lockdown, that there was a need to establish a dedicated helpline: a central number victims could easily call to be referred directly to a shelter instead of first having to approach other service providers,” she adds.

“Through this project, made possible by the Ford Foundation, the National Shelter Movement is better able to make an even bigger impact in national efforts to stem the scourge of femicide in the country,” says Bachar.

Bachar adds that the social workers operating the helpline will also be able to provide useful information around safety planning for escaping or exiting an abusive relationship or situation, as well as provide information and advice on how to obtain a protection order, or advice in situations requiring police services.

Shelter’s executive head Zubeda Dangor

Six new Western Cape GBV shelters to be commissioned In light of the gender-based violence (GBV) pandemic, as dubbed by government, six new shelters will be commissioned following the signing of a memorandum of understanding by the national minister of public works, Patricia de Lille.

Western Cape minister for social development Sharna Fernandez welcomed the memorandum .

All six properties will be renovated to become government-owned shelters for

abused women and children.

These properties are situated in the Garden Route, West Coast and the Central Karoo; expanding the Western Cape’s safety net for the vulnerable women and children.

Victim empowerment services to be rendered at the six properties will include, among others, psycho-social support, healthcare and legal services.

Once open, the shelters will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

explains the need for a dedicated helpline.

“One of the key issues still plaguing the sector is that not all victims are aware that shelters exist, and at times, neither do first responders, such as the police. Findings from our research on the police’s ability to refer victims to shelters – conducted with the Heinrich Boell Foundation – revealed that not The National Shelter Helpline will help victims of domestic violence all police officers were find a shelter (where possible, one that is conveniently located), able to refer victims to along with providing advice about obtaining protection orders, or shelters even though it when dealing the police. is a mandatory obligation as set out in the Domestic Violence Act. and also provide advice and assistance There was also misperception of what shel- should victims encounter any problems.” ters do, and at times police officers were passThe Shelter Movement also has a support ing on information that was simply not cor- network of partners working in the genderrect,” she says. based violence space. “This ensures that “In our work with abused women, we have women in domestic violence situations realso had to deal with many horror stories re- ceive the assistance they need to get to safety garding protection orders. Through the Na- and begin their journey to recovery. As an ortional Shelter Helpline, we will advise wom- ganisation dedicated to the protection of en on these matters; what they should expect women in South Africa, we are very proud when dealing with the police and what to do, and excited to now have a dedicated support if their needs are not adequately served. Our team working around the clock, ready to ansocial workers will also be able to guide wom- swer calls for help,” says Dangor. en through the processes associated with ob- V Victims of abuse can call the helpline on taining and the issuing of protection orders, 0800 001 005.

Project to address food shortages With the spotlight being shone on food security – or the lack thereof as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic – the City of Cape Town’s urban management portfolio has launched the Food Gardens project.

Set to commence this month, the project will provide R3 million-worth of products and services to urban farmers.

“It will go towards targeted beneficiaries for the use of farming kits that will include seeds, fertiliser, equipment, training and skills development, amongst others,” said the Mayco member for urban management, Grant Twigg.

This priority was identified as thousands of locals took up private farming in their backyards – whether for food sustainability in their own homes, to provide for local soup kitchens or as hobbies – during the initial nationwide lockdown last year.

“The aim is to involve a few hundred backyard and urban farms in this urban farming project from across the city which comprises all 24 subcouncils.

“This is a huge undertaking and a project that I am extremely excited and

proud to be a part of,” said Twigg.

Each subcouncil was tasked with identifying 30 participants to start up food gardens. Assessments of the gardens took place in December last year.

The Food Gardens Project will provide support to new and existing farmers and includes – but is not limited to – backyards, schools, open spaces around City-owned buildings, churches, non-government organisations, clinics and libraries that require no capital costs.

“This project is aimed at encouraging households to start their own food production units.

“Owning your garden offers great potential for improving a household’s food security. This includes direct access to nutritionally rich foods, savings on food bills and fall-back food provision during lean periods,” said Twigg.

The City explained this initiative is underpinned by a skills development programme that will ensure that beneficiaries who are managing urban food gardens are equipped with the appropriate skills and for future employment thereby creating job opportunities in the sector.

One of the properties to be renovated and used as a shelter for abused women and children.

DR E V RAPITI

Follow Dr. E V Rapiti on for more beneficial knowledge and latest information

Diabetes Patients, with the assistance of their healthcare provider, should keep their blood sugar within the correct range to prevent them from getting into comas and to ensure that they do not end up with the complications like kidney failure, failing vision, erectile dysfunctions or amputations of the limbs.

Dr Rapiti attributes the growing number of diabetes in South Africa and the rest of the world to spiralling obesity.

Rule of Halves 1. Half the people in the world with diabetes are undiagnosed 2. Of the half diagnosed, only half are treated 3. Of the half treated, only half are treated properly.

Early introduction of insulin is key The main reason for complications from diabetes, like failing vision, heart attacks, erectile dysfunction and chronic kidney disease is because of poor control of diabetes. One of the main reasons for this poor control is because insulin is introduced way too late. Patients

WE DO WHATS APP APPOINTMENTS

are reluctant to go onto insulin out of fear and ignorance. Patients should therefore be properly educated on the benefits of insulin in order to ease the introduction of insulin. Dr Rapiti maintains that many patients end up severe complications because they are introduced to insulin too late.

Obesity & Its Statistics 1) Obesity is a serious health issue in South Africa and the rest of the world. The WHO (World Health Organisation) estimates that there are 1 billion overweight people in the world.

2) The diabetes population will double due to obesity in the next 20 years in Sub-Saharan Africa.

3) One in five children is obese in South Africa.

4) More adolescents are being treated for type 2 diabetes, which was mainly an adult disorder.

5) More than 50% of adolescents over the age of 15 are obese.

6) In 2013, a 9 year old boy died of sleep apnoea because of his obesity.

7) Once a person moves from childhood into adolescence carrying excess weight, there is a

70-percent chance of him/her becoming an overweight or obese adult 8) South Africa has the highest number of obese people in Sub-Saharan Africa.

9) Research has shown that the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, cancer; diabetes, osteoarthritis and chronic kidney disease increase when a person's weight-to-height ratio, also called a body mass index, exceeds 23.

10) The waist circumference is a better indicator of one's health than the BMI. The ideal waist circumference is 94cms for males and 88cms for females or, the circumference should be half the person's height.

11) America, where 61% of its population is overweight or obese, realised that their healthcare system is heading for bankruptcy in 30 years by the growing diabetes epidemic and has decided to tackle obesity seriously as obesity is now being regarded as the leading cause of diabetes.

12) Obesity is a treatable disorder. If we do not deal with our country's obesity now then it is quite likely that our health care system will eventually collapse in the next 20 years

021 397 6029 / 082 581 1846;

robertrapiti@gmail.com / www.drrapiti.com 17 Cinderella Cres, Eastridge, Mitchells Plain (opp. Imperial primary School) X1WGTHB5-QK120121

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NEWS 5

PEOPLE'S POST | FALSE BAY Tuesday, 12 January 2021

Gita Galina performs an ocean inspired dance next to the mural created by Care OneLove.

READY TO LEAD: The Fish Hoek Community Policing Forum welcomed their new executive committee (exco) members at the end of last year. Pictured are members who will work on their elected portfolios until 2025. Back row, from left, are Ruth Cullen (treasurer), Sidney Osborne (secretary), Matthew Gray (representative of the Fish Hoek Valley Residents and Ratepayers’ Association), Lt Col Jackie Johnson (police), advocate Han-Marie Marshall (director of community policing at the Western Cape Department of Community Safety), Riaan Bester (deputy chair), and Louise Fouche (youth and school coordinator). In the front are John Lamont (assistant secretary), Sharon van Coller (elderly and vulnerable coordinator), Felicity Purchase (Mayco member for transport and councillor for ward 69), Joffy Mills (chair), and Andre Blom (project coordinator).

PHOTO: FACEBOOK | THE BEACH CO-OP

MUIZENBERG

Mural‘s message makes a splash W

NEW EXCO ELECTED: The Simon’s Town Community Policing Forum has officially chosen their new executive committee (exco). Pictured are the members who were present at the annual general meeting on Tuesday 8 December. The elected exco members are Eileen Heywood as chair, Joe Kramer as deputy chair, Nikki Olckers (police) as secretary, Shahida Cole as assistant secretary, Bertus Loubser as treasure, Gerda Kruger as public relations officer, Lindy Rich on mountain and beach projects, Manu Choudree on camera projects, Jean Human on youth and education projects, and Marti Weddepohl on disaster response projects.

hile the new mural, completed at the end of last year, was not able to be enjoyed by the usual number of visitors and tourists to St James beach in Muizenberg, the message of the annual Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival is still clear: look after the oceans.

A great number of organisations and individuals joined the awareness event held last year from Friday 4 to Sunday 13 December, locally, and up to Sunday 20 December online, internationally.

The festival comprised art exhibitions, beach clean-ups, talks, short-film viewings and more.

According to the Beach Co-op, a local ocean conservation organisation, the top

three dirty dozen items collected during their efforts included individual sweet wrappers, straws and lollipop sticks.

Visual artist and dancer Gita Galina performed an interpretive dance piece, expressing her relationship to the ocean, and the graffiti artist who goes by Care OneLove created a meaningful mural which can still be seen at St James beach.

While beaches are now off-limits under the amended level three regulations, the mural titled “Meet the Locals” serves as a constant reminder that the animals that find a home in the ocean and the oceans need to be protected by people.

The mural was created with the City of Cape Town’s go ahead.

6 NEWS

PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 12 January 2021

SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION

Matric results: plan to compensate NETTALIE VILJOEN

W

hether you were one of the brain boxes wanting to count your distinctions or one of the mere mortals hoping and praying for a pass, that agonising wait for the final matric results to be released is a memory shared by many. For the matrics of 2020, the suspense is even more excruciating.

Matric results are traditionally released within the first week of January, however, last year the Department of Basic Education announced that the matric class of 2020 would only get their results on Tuesday 23 February. But, besides the added anxiety, how will matrics wanting to start their first year of tertiary education be affected by the delay?

According to feedback received from the University of Cape Town (UCT), the impact on their studies will not be too severe.

In response to People’s Post queries, UCT explained that applications from prospective first-year students were considered on the basis of their Grade 11 final results and/ or September/trial examination results.

These were used by UCT to make early, conditional offers of admission. Firm offers will be made once the matric results are released in February.

“Like all universities, the 2021 academic year at UCT has been delayed by a month and is scheduled to commence on (Monday) 15 March,” the feedback issued by UCT’s communication and marketing department read.

It went on to say that the delay resulting from the impact of Covid-19 had been taken into consideration during the compilation of the 2021 academic calendar.

“The calendar, therefore, will be adjusted accordingly to ensure that the curriculum is completed considering that the academic year is scheduled to commence about a

With later examination dates and the overall impact of Covid-19 on the education sector, matriculants of 2020 will need to wait a little longer for their results. PHOTO: SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS month later than usual.”

Seeing that the wait for matrics to hear if they have been officially accepted at their chosen tertiary institution is also much longer than usual, People’s Post wondered if more than the usual number of matrics might decide to take a gap year or pursue short-course options instead.

Could this lead to matrics – once they do receive firm offers from tertiary institutions – preferring to rather postpone their acceptance to next year, and if so, would that be possible?

“It is usual for matriculants to opt for various post-matric options, including taking

a gap year. This will be possible for any matriculant this year.

“They will, however, need to apply for 2022 admission, or reapply if they had applied for 2021 when applications open later in the year,” UCT said.

As 2020 matrics await their fate, UCT is preparing to welcome back returning students and to help first-year students feel at home on campus.

“All undergraduate UCT students who are South African residents, and all international students who can return to the country, are expected to be in Cape Town for the start of the academic year on 15

March,” the university said.

Students in the faculty of health sciences will need to be on campus earlier.

During the first semester of 2021, UCT will offer all undergraduate courses in a physically distanced learning (PDL) mode.

According to UCT, this means: . All undergraduate lectures will be offered online, with the exception of courses in the performing and creative arts, architecture and languages. . Faculties will be able to exercise their discretion in offering contact lectures for final-year courses, depending on the capacity of available venues. . The faculty of health sciences will manage its various programmes through a combination of online lectures and PDL in laboratories and on the clinical platform, according to Covid-19 health protocols. . Laboratory and studio work will be organised to offer sessions both in the mornings and the afternoon, to accommodate everyone while allowing for physical distancing. . Face-to-face tutorials will be provided according to faculties’ capabilities and the availability of approved venues. Students will be asked to come to campus on a rotation basis to attend tutorials. . Fieldwork and internships will be accommodated to comply with both the needs of the different programmes and Covid-19 health protocols.

UCT said sessions that involved physical contact – whether in a laboratory, studio, tutorial or final-year lecture – would be held under strict health protocols.

Students and staff members not wearing masks would not be allowed into venues.

“On registration, students will need to sign a commitment of adherence to Covid19 health and safety protocols before being allowed on campus,” UCT said.

Registered NHWs need new permits to patrol during curfew Neighbourhood watches (NHW), accredited with the department of Community Safety may patrol during curfew hours under the set of regulations until Friday 15 January, in line with the National State of Disaster regulations.

On Thursday 31 December, Albert Fritz, the minister of community safety, confirmed that, after consultation with the police’s legal services, NHWs can function under level three of the national lockdown, provided all relevant protocols are adhered to.

“To do so, NHWs must be issued with permits and carry it on their person at all times whilst performing duties,” Fritz said.

Accredited NHWs are urged to enquire with the department’s NHW unit to issue new permits to operate during curfew hours (between 21:00 and 06:00).

Fritz added the previously issued permits

are no longer valid. He said it was essential that NHWs continue to patrol during the curfew hours as “we know that these are the times in which crimes such as robberies and burglaries take place”.

At the same time, he urged NHW members to protect themselves against infection and transmission of Covid-19.

“This includes taking practical steps such as ensuring patrol vehicles do not transport more than the prescribed number of passengers, ensure that patrollers wear masks correctly and sanitise regularly, and maintain a safe social distance while out on patrol,” he said.

V For any further questions on whether a NHW structure can operate or on obtaining permits for members of accredited NHW structures, contact the NHW unit by sending an email to Neighbourhood.Watch@westerncape.gov.za.

Registered neighbourhood watches can patrol during curfew hours.

PHOTO: SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS

Extension date ‘not for expired vehicle registration discs’ Last year, the national government announced an extension for license renewals until Tuesday 31 August this year.

This will grant a much-appreciated reprieve for citizens reluctant to enter busy

licensing centres for fear of contracting and spreading Covid-19.

But the City of Cape Town warns vehicle owners that this extension only applies to driver’s and learner’s license renewals, and not to motor vehicle licensing and renewals.

Since June last year, City officials have processed more than one million vehicle licenses.

To put that into perspective, in any other year it has taken officials a full 12month period to process 1.3 The extension of license renewals applies only to expired learner’s and million vehicle driver’s licenses and not to vehicle licensing.

PHOTO: SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS licensing appli-

cations.

“City staff have done an exceptional job in consistently processing more than double the normal amount of monthly transactions since June this year,” said the City’s Mayco member for finance and executive, deputy mayor Ian Neilson.

However, there is still a backlog in processing the 1.3 million registered vehicles in Cape Town due to the national lockdown.

Owners are advised to alternatively use the City’s e-Services for applications.

“With the recent data indicating a Covid19 resurgence, we encourage customers to please make use of our online service offerings, where possible. It is important to avoid crowded areas and facilities and only visit an office for urgent business,” Neilson said, adding that a turnaround time of three weeks should be factored into customers’ schedules.

Adding to the delay, Neilson said, the City also has not been provided with adequate numbers of NaTIS terminals by the Road Traffic Management Corporation,

however: “We have been informed that additional terminals have become available and we hope we will receive these in the not too distant future.”

Motorists are reminded of the following National Transport regulations: . Discs that expired on 31 October 2020 should have been renewed by 23 November 2020. . Discs that expired on 30 November 2020 should have been renewed by 22 December 2020. . Discs that expire on 31 December 2020 should be renewed by 22 January 2021. . Motor trade vehicle numbers/trade plates: should have been renewed by 30 November 2020. . Driver’s and learner’s licenses: renew by 31 August 2021 (for licenses that were up for renewal between Thursday 26 March and Thursday 31 December 2020).

V To register for e-Services, visit: https://eservices.capetown.gov.za/irj/portal. For motor vehicle registration and licensing assistance: Vehicle.Licence@capetown.gov.za.

PEOPLE'S POST | FALSE BAY Tuesday, 12 January 2021

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8 NEWS

PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 12 January 2021

BOULDERS BEACH

Penguin signs a quest to save lives RACINE EDWARDES racine.edwardes@media24.com

I

s there a penguin under your car? If you had never thought to check before, now there is no way you can forget.

Since the start of the 2020 festive season, tourists and residents at Boulders Beach have been made more aware of penguins finding shade under their cars as a result of the new “Penguin under your car?” signs erected there, thanks to the efforts of a local resident.

The much-needed signage was put up in the parking areas at the popular penguin viewing beach and are hoped to reduce the number of African Penguins being driven over and killed.

The concerned citizen who took the responsibility of creating awareness is Yvette Oosthuizen, a resident of Noordhoek, who had recently heard about an African Penguin meeting an untimely death after being run over.

Oosthuizen then began to notice how penguins tend to waddle around the car park and then lay between and beneath the vehicles to get out of the sun.

This alerted her to the need for warning signage to remind people to check beneath their motor vehicles for penguins before driving off.

She then encouraged her employer to do their part in saving this endangered wildlife.

Red Rock Films International took up the challenge and donated funds to the Table Mountain region of the Sanparks Honorary Rangers to buy and place 15 warning signs around the parking area to protect the penguin colony.

Oosthuizen explains: “They (Red Rock Films) love conservation and they’re a wildlife conservation company, so that’s why I asked them. I am a free diver and I get in at Simon’s Town a lot so I know conserving the penguins is important.”

According to Michael McSweeney, spokesman for the regional management committee of the Table Mountain region of South African National Parks (Sanparks)

Honorary Rangers, the placement of the new signs was necessary.

“There are unfortunately no records (of penguins killed by cars), but it is quite a few penguins that have been affected. We are hoping (the signs) will improve the awareness around the penguins within the parking area, and we think it will have a great impact.”

The total contribution from the film company was for R5 000, McSweeney says, and the reward that will come from the new signs far outweighs its monetary value.

In an interview with People’s Post last year, Marian Nieuwoudt, the City’s Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, said the African Penguin population has been steadily declining, with only 1 000 breeding pairs left on the Simon’s Town coastline (“Penguin rangers on duty”, 18 February 2020).

Currently, it is the penguins’ breeding season (from January to March); even one slain bird will have an effect on the future populations. So remember: check under your car when you leave Boulders Beach – there could be one or more penguins finding a comfortable place to rest underneath.

New signs make visitors aware of penguins in the parking areas.

African Penguins at Boulders Beach often find shade under parked cars. New signs at the beach encourage visitors to check under their vehicles before driving away. PHOTO: RACINE EDWARDES

Yvette Oosthuizen receiving a ‘Friends of Sanparks’ certificate on behalf of Red Rock Films International, from George Smith, the chair of the Sanparks Honorary Rangers, Table Mountain region.

Take care when diving Despite beaches and other public facilities being closed to the public, locals are seeking alternative ways to cool off.

However, the provincial department of health is urging people to be careful, especially when diving.

According to the department, two people were referred to the acute spinal cord injury (ASCI) unit at Groote Schuur Hospital in a matter of a few days in December, after sustaining injuries from diving accidents.

The ASCI unit staff have urged caution among divers under the theme: “the only safe dive is the one you never take”.

Dr Leonie Delport has been a doctor for the past 31 years. In the past two years she worked in the ASCI unit, treating at least 12 patients.

She says the profile of a typical diving patient is: “A young healthy active person, 90% are male, in the prime of their life (17 to 30 years of age).

“The peak season for diving accidents is summer, December to February, the most common place of injury is the ocean and the swimming pool,” says Delport.

“Regarding the ocean, water can be deceptive, even if you believe you are a good judge of depth. Often alcohol is involved and people’s egos; for instance, young men often trying to impress women with a good dive.”

Delport has the following advice if you suspect that someone has sustained a diving related injury: . Be proactive – educate yourself and others about the dangers of div-

ing into shallow water. . Be vigilant – if you see someone diving into the water and not surfacing. Respond immediately by first flagging for help. . If a spinal injury is suspected, do not move the patient from the water yourself, unless he is in imminent danger. . Wait until professional help arrives.

Graham Danster (27) was involved in a diving accident in February last year. He became a C4 complete tetraplegic/quadriplegic.

“I was at a house party at the neighbours’; they have a pool and I decided to take a dive. The pool was not deep enough and I sustained spinal cord injuries as a result of the dive. I was in Groote Schuur Hospital for two months in the spinal cord unit. This injury has changed my life completely.

“I loved playing soccer and playing with my three-year-old son, as a result of my injuries this is no longer possible,” says Graham.

He adds: “The Lord has given me a second chance in life, there is hope for all of us that have had diving accidents. Thank you to the Groote Schuur Hospital staff, Western Cape Rehabilitation Hospital staff, and my family for all the medical care over this difficult period in my life. My plea is that everyone must be careful before diving.”

Delport adds a warning: “One single dive can change your life forever, leading to permanent physical, financial and emotional challenges.

This is an injury that is 100% preventable.”

Appeal to paddlers to put safety first

Graham Danster (27) is a C4 complete tetraplegic/quadriplegic following a diving accident.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is appealing to paddlers and sailboarders making use of recent strong winds to practise their extreme sports to have safety measures in place prior to launching.

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon calls on paddlers and sailboarders to ensure they wear appropriate, brightly coloured neon gear for the anticipated conditions. They must also wear properly fitting and fastened lifejackets, have the right safety equipment on hand – red distress flares, a referee whistle hung around the neck and fully charged cellphones with the NSRI emergency numbers (112 and 087 094 9774) programmed into the phone. “Always log onto the cellphone app NSRI/RSA SafeTrx with your intended route, departure time and estimated arrival time,” says Lambinon.

In case of an emergency, paddlers and sailboarders should activate the emergency procedures on SafeTrx, set off red distress flares in intervals – saving their last flare for when they see NSRI rescue craft approaching nearby – and wave towards shore to attract attention.

“As an additional back-up we are appealing to paddlers and sailboarders to let a responsible person on the shore know of your departure time, intended route and estimated time of arrival and let the responsible person know once you are safe off the water,” Lambinon says.

NEWS 9

PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 12 January 2021

COVID-19

Writing obituaries no piece of cake KAYLYNNE BANTOM @bantomkaylynne

B

y now everyone has been affected or knows someone close to them who has been affected or infected with the Covid-19 virus. For many the festive season, which is usually spent with friends and loved ones, was just not the same.

Currently more than one million South African have been infected with the virus since the outbreak last year. Thousands of new infections are reported daily, with over 30 000 people having succumbed to the virus.

While this has presented a challenge to many families, Herman Lategan, an obituary writer for Sunday newspaper Rapport, says his job has become an emotionally draining task since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. His column is titled: “’n

Lewe (A Life)”.

“It is quite shocking. For the main obituary I would usually have about three or four people (or bodies) to choose from. Since Covid-19 it started climbing steadily every week until it reached 20 and this last week, I had 30.”

He says he also writes the “Rus in vrede (Rest in peace)” column in the paper. He explains that obituaries focus on one person, and the “Rus in vrede” articles on five short mentions of other deceased people.

“It’s mostly Covid-19 cases. How do you choose? There’s not even enough space in the ‘Rus in vrede (Rest in peace)’ section? I am overwhelmed with grief. Never have I seen anything like this before.”

He explains that the difficult part is when he has to write about people that he knew.

“That is hard. As I construct a person’s life

and get into their heads (yes, even if they’re dead), I am overwhelmed with sadness. Other days I feel quite inferior as some people have had such astonishing lives and I look at my little life and think – wow, so much to do, so little time.”

Lategan explains that even though the person is deceased, he makes it his mission to find out as much information about the person. He says sometimes he would have dozens of pages on someone’s life to scan through. He admits that tracing the family and speaking to the ones left behind is the sad part. He says he likes sharing information that people most likely didn’t know about the deceased.

“I prod into their childhood and parents, because there too are some interesting tidbits to dig up. Also about their career and personality traits. The trick is to not make

it sound like a CV. Nobody wants to read a CV.” He says while he writes mostly positive pieces on people, he would make use of innuendo and quotes to describe the less attractive details.

Lategan says he has been writing obituaries for the past four years, but says he still struggles to come to terms with the many people who die from the virus. He invites all those who still don’t believe the virus exists to offer their services at hospitals to get a first-hand glance of the reality.

“You will be shocked to see what’s going on. Or come and look at my obit file over the last six or more months.”

He adds: “The life of an obituarist is hard, but you really learn a lot about people by constructing their lives. It’s also nice to honour someone when they die.”

Save electricity and cut costs With the Janu-worry blues hitting fast and daily if you leave it on. Just remember to hard after the festive season and the loss of turn it back on when you get home. many jobs as a result of the pandemic, saving . Use a stove plate that’s most similar to on electricity and money should be a priori- the size of your pot. An electric stove loses ty. up to 40% of its heat when the pot is too small, Introducing electricity-saving measures which means you waste electricity. If you into the home will help with cost increases own an insulation cooker, bring your food to as more family members are likely to be a boil and then place it in your insulation home than usual, due to the resurgence of cooker. The retained heat slow-cooks, saving Covid-19. up to 60% on energy.

“By developing no-cost, smart energy-use . Use less hot water. habits, households can start saving up to . Reduce the hours on your pool pump.

15% on their electricity bill,” said the City’s Don’t operate your pump between 06:00 and Mayco member for energy and climate 08:00 or 17:00 and 21:00. change, Phindile Maxiti. . Switch off appliances that you don’t But it is possible to save even more – 30% need. or more by adding a few low-cost ways to . Delay switching on lights and appliansave. ces until after the peak periods between 17:00 “The City of Cape Town has developed and 21:00 whenever possible. these smart energy use habits for every room If residents are able to spend more money in the home, from kitchen to bathroom, mak- on making smart changes around their ing it possible for everyone in the family to home, they are encouraged to consider inplay their part in more efficient usage.” stalling a solar water heater or heat pump.

Maxiti adds that adopting energy-saving These will cost more upfront, but residents practices will not only save money, it will al- could save as much as 50% on their monthly so help us to all live in a more sustainable electricity costs. manner, to ensure energy security and sub- V Visit https://savingelectricity.org.za/ for more nosequently reduce the occurrence of the cost, low-cost and invest-to-save smart tips. dreaded load shedding.

The City’s tips for smart, no-cost energy-use habits in the home are: . Air dry your laundry outside in the sun or on drying racks indoors. Try not to use the tumble dryer. . Replace traditional incandescent light bulbs with LEDs. Even burning for just two hours a day, the best-priced LEDs will pay for themselves in less than a year. . Take short showers instead of bathing. You will save up to 80% on your water bill and use five times less electricity if you do. . Switch off appliances at the wall and pull your phone chargers out from the wall too. You could save up to 6% more electricity by doing this. . Turn the geyser down to 60˚C. Turning your geyser down from 70˚C to 60˚C will see a 5% reduction in your hot water electricity bill. . Switch off your geyser if you go away for a few days or more. The element There are simple and effective ways to save on your electricity bill heats up a few times and consumption.

PHOTO: SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS

Conduct and affordability is key to renewing your rentals.

Affordability, good conduct vital to lease renewals With many residential property leases coming up for renewals, PG van der Linde, rentals manager for Seeff properties, says we find ourselves in unusual economic circumstances this year due to the Covid19 pandemic.

“It has been challenging for landlords and tenants alike. While some tenants may find it tricky to renew their leases, those who acted with integrity are likely to find landlords willing to renew their lease and possibly even on better terms,” says Van der Linde.

Many tenants may find that the landlord will look to conduct renewal credit checks to confirm the tenant’s affordability and do a renewal inspection, and tenants should be prepared for this, continues Van der Linde.

Craig Watchurst, a rental agent with Seeff City Bowl, says lease agreements often make provision for a renewal which must be exercised within a particular time-frame.

“If the tenant fails to exercise the option timeously but is a good tenant, the landlord will often have no issues with renewing, but this is not a given right,” says Watchurst.

“To be safe, if the tenant has not heard from the landlord regarding the renewal, he should indicate what he intends to do at least one month prior to the expiration of the lease. If no renewal option or agreement is reached, the lease will simply terminate, and the tenant will need to vacate.”

Affordability is vital when renegotiating your lease this year.

“It is important to ensure the new rental is affordable and the increased percentage is reasonable given the current economic

climate,” says Jo Giraudeau, rentals and operations manager for Seeff South Coast.

“If there is a renewal clause in the original lease, then the lease must generally be on the same terms except for the monthly rental which could possibly change, but must be agreed upon by the landlord prior to the option of renewal being given to the tenant. Failing this, the landlord can change the terms and if these are not acceptable, the tenant has every right to give his/her notice to vacate at the end of the original lease period.”

Barbra-Ann Briner and Vivien Adler, rentals agents with Seeff Atlantic Seaboard, point out that even if there is a stipulated escalation percentage, it is still possible to negotiate the rental amount. If the landlord is not amenable, the tenant would need to decide whether to accept the new rental or move. They advise landlords to look at how to accommodate good tenants in the current pandemic-climate.

Van der Linde says it is important to ensure there is a written agreement which can either be by way of an addendum to the original lease or a new lease agreement. “Ensure the agreement reflects everything that was agreed with the landlord. A further benefit of dealing with a rental agent, he says, is that they usually have up to date rental contracts in place which are legally compliant.

“If there is no provision made for the period for which the lease must be renewed, then the landlord and tenant need to come to an agreement. If the period proposed is not suitable to the tenant, once again it may then be in the tenant’s best interest to give notice to not renew his/her lease agreement period and vacate when the term reaches its end,” Van der Linde says.

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PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 12 January 2021

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NEWS 11

PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 12 January 2021

COVID-19

Beaches empty over festive break SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS @Samantha_Lee121

I

t is no secret that the Western Cape has some of the best beaches, with tourists flocking to the Cape over the festive season to take advantage of the good weather and several beautiful beaches for surfing, bathing and sun tanning.

But this season was very different.

With the second wave hitting the country rapidly, the call from president Cyril Ramaphosa to close the beaches in all hotspots saw the beaches in the province empty, with many adhering to the regulations.

This was a unique sight. During the festive season thousands flock to the beaches from as early as 05:00 and stay well into the evening, travelling long distances to enjoy a beach day. This meant no parking and not a patch of sand to lay a towel or blanket on the busiest days.

People’s Post spoke to locals on their thoughts especially in light of several days boasting 30 °C weather.

Madre Ockhurst says annually her family visits either Blouberg, Fish Hoek or Strand beach for a family day over the festive season.

“Even if it is windy, the family knows that we spend the day at the beach. We live near the beach and it is so hot. The water is a tease. So near but so far,” she says.

On Sunday 3 January, despite the 31 °C weather in Strand, the beach was completely empty except for an angler or two. The boardwalk, however was dotted with locals just looking at the beach.

Paul Fredericks from Eerste River says he visited the beach just to look at the water and enjoy the peacefulness of a beach walk.

“I want to put my toes in the sand. It is so tempting, but I know that the regulations are there for a reason,” he says.

His wife, Audrey, says they are part of the tradition of beach days and would leave home at 05:00 to be at one of the local beaches on their annual beach day, 26 December.

“We could be here at 06:00 and there

would already be a lot of people. We don’t use the beach often, but now that we can’t we miss it even more. Beach day is a tradition and we had to miss it this year,” she says.

Another local, Jessica Williams and her boyfriend Brandon Isaacs were walking along the boardwalk.

“You never realise how much you miss something until you can’t have it. The beach is a great place to de-stress and the smell is invigorating. The sound is calming and the feeling of the sand leaves you refreshed. We can’t have the sand, but we can still enjoy the rest of the feeling walking on the boardwalk,” she says.

Community policing forum (CPF) chair for Strandfontein, Sandy Schuter Flowers says for the most part, the beaches have been quiet.

She says annually the CPF forms part of beach safety drives and campaigns because of the large number of people who flock to the beaches. As accredited safety volunteers, the CPF and neighbourhood watch continue to patrol the beach and coastal areas despite restrictions.

She confirms that on their patrols there are many who park at the beach and watch the waves while having something to eat.

“During the entire festive season in previous years, Strandfontein is frequently visited by thousands, especially on Boxing Day and New Years Eve or the second of Jan, we have a influx of people coming from all over,” she says.

“Beach patrols every day is important because when it’s quiet, it’s secluded and it can become an unsafe place. This is especially when you have opportunistic criminals that would turn a simple park-off just to watch the waves, into a hijacking or robbery at gunpoint, leaving victims traumatized. Even though this year was different, we still applied the same patrols as we would have if there were no restrictions.”

Fear of fines and even the possibility of arrest has many sticking to restrictions.

Police minister Bheki Cele has been seen

The beaches were peaceful and empty despite the 30 °C weather on Sunday 3 January.

PHOTO:

SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS

at beaches all over the Western Cape in what has been dubbed “a single-minded obsession” with enforcing the restrictions, by provincial minister for community safety Albert Fritz. The heavy-handed approach has seen arrests of bathers, surfers and fines issued.

“The Western Cape government believes that the rule of law in South Africa must always be upheld, and the regulations must be enforced even if we disagree with them,” says Fritz, calling on Cele to fight crime as passionately as he is about “arresting sur-

fers”.

“Of course, all regulations need to be enforced until otherwise struck down by a court of law, but it would do the national minster well to broaden his focus from beaches and also zone-in on the violent crime that many of our communities currently experience,” says Fritz.

The beaches are closed under lockdown level three restrictions which were implemented between Tuesday 29 December and Friday 15 January. The amended restrictions are set to be reviewed before this date.

New music a ‘dream come true’ for Tye Local R&B singing superstar Tye Platinum has realised his life-long dream of releasing his very own debut music single.

After working both behind the scenes writing for other musicians, as well as performing in various local music groups for the past 10 years, he has released “That’s Why I Love You” on all major digital platforms.

Tye (35), who rose to fame as a finalist on The Voice SA in 2019, says his love for R&B, funk and soul is what inspired him to get back into the studio last year.

“The song was inspired by the need to get back to love, back to the basics of a wholesome loving human experience. With this offering I’ve gone back to my R&B roots, but

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this time I’m working with a bigger group of experts in the genre including an R&B producer from the 90’s,” he says.

For Tye, releasing “That’s Why I Love You” is one of his dearest accomplishments to date, after having initially only focused on songwriting and producing for other top local artists.

“For a bit I was mainly working behind the scenes composing TV jingles and writing for other artists. At the same time I was working on finding a sound that I resonated with. I didn’t just want to make music for the sake of making it, but believe me the call to release music and connect with people through it was ringing loudly. And I have finally an-

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swered that call,” he shares.

His self-titled album, Tye Platinum, is due for release in February.

“My team and I are working on the debut album and we are putting all the tracks together right now. This album is almost 10 years in the making and the opportunity to complete it gives me goose bumps; and to collaborate with creatives that understand and compliment my vision is really what dreams are made of.”

He adds: “Fans can expect an album you will be able to enjoy from the first minute to the very last: break up to make up songs, songs that give you hope and inspire and spark conversation.

FSP no. 43862

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JET DARK FLIES TO VICTORY AT KENILWORTH: With Covid-19 protocols and restrictions limiting the number of people allowed at a venue, the organisers of premier horse racing event, the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate had decided to continue the event without any crowds this year. Pictured is Jet Dark ridden to victory by Grant van Niekerk at the Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday 9 January.

PHOTO: CHASE LIEBENBERG

Netball activity stops immediately S

ince the start of 2021, South Africa has seen a resurgence in Covid-19 cases, more people seem to be contracting the virus and a lot more seem to be losing their lives in this pandemic.

Cases have been increasing daily and now these mere “numbers” are in fact the people we all know and are connected to.

Netball South Africa president Cecilia Molokwane and her executive committee have taken a unanimous decision to suspend all planned netball activities until further notice with immediate effect from Friday 8 January.

In all, the u.21 training camp which was scheduled for Monday 11 January to Friday 15 January, the SPAR Challenge in Cape Town between Wednesday 20 January and Wednesday 27 January 2021 as well as the men’s national championships have all been put on ice.

“As the country continues to see Covid-19 numbers rising, it is very scary seeing what

is going on around us. We see numbers rising and these numbers are names of people that we know. As an executive, it was very important for us to take a decision to postpone all our planned activities until further notice. We will continue to take the lead from government and consult all relevant stakeholders as we take all the much needed steps to ensure that we protect lives,” said Molokwane.

She adds that she, along with Netball South Africa’s events team, will continue to be in consultation with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture as well as the Department of Health and will monitor the situation with the view of taking the best decision for the sport.

“I think it is also important that we take this time and continue to use this moment to educate our people about the importance of adhering to health regulations and protocols around Covid-19,” concluded Molokwane.

Netball South Africa has taken the decision to halt all activity amid the rise in Covid-19 cases across the country in recent weeks.

Club rugby holds out for glimmer of hope in the current year Western Province Club Rugby hopes 2021 will provide the opportunity to kickstart the amateur game.

Manager of WP Amateur Rugby Danny Jones also extended his well wishes for the new year, while reflecting on the year that was. “(The year) 2020 has certainly been a challenging year for WP Club Rugby, but even though it has been a difficult year particularly with no fixtures, the year has been full of highlights as we saw our clubs step up to the plate,” he said, adding that by March last year just over 1 600 matches were scheduled for the season.

“We started the year in anticipation of a fantastic season ahead with many clubs playing pre-season friendlies early in 2020. At the time we envisaged an exciting year ahead for club rugby as we could see the standard of rugby across all the leagues and divisions had kept improving. (The previous year), 2019 had been an exciting year for WP Club Rugby as we saw several clubs go toe-to-toe with very small margins and it was clear our clubs were ready to build on this,” said Jones.

He had hoped, that on the back of steady improvement in the standard of rugby, not just

on the field, further developments could take shape with the introduction of additional technology in amateur structures, but it was not to be.

“Sadly the season ahead never materialised as Covid-19 dealt a devastating blow to club rugby. The impact was severe not only from a fixture point of view but also to all the periphery benefits the game of rugby brings to our rugby community,” Jones explained.

“Covid-19 not only impacted our fixtures but also the micro economy of club rugby.

Clubs lost gate-takings, kiosk sales, player and coaching fees and membership subs among the many other benefits physical events bring to a club rugby structure. For many communities who depend on their local rugby club, the loss of regular club rugby activities has been severe,” he adds.

However, Jones lauded clubs for keeping “the spirit of club rugby” alive.

“It was evident early in lockdown that our club structures were no strangers to challenges and were naturally geared to use their organised club rugby structures to support their players and the communities they serve.

“Witnessing our club structures galvanise

their management and players into support units which stretched far beyond the eighty minutes between the white lines was heartwarming. Using the leadership skills of club rugby we saw our clubs move into action without hesitation to support their players and their local communities in need,” explained Jones.

Many clubs started outreach projects which included feeding schemes and fundraising. Clubs reached out to local sponsors, past players and in many cases their personal funds to support their members and families during very difficult times.

“We knew the loss of physical social interaction had a tremendous impact on our members as we witnessed the joy from our members to see each other face to face when we had our first group engagement which saw just over 80 clubs arrive at Newlands to collect more than one thousand food parcels courtesy of our partnership with NGO United Way,” he says.

These parcels would each feed a family of six for a month. While on-field action was limited to inter-provincial contests, WP Rugby maintained its coaching support systems, us-

ing the digital space by implementing online coaching and education workshops including coaching; referee; and media, marketing and sponsorship workshops, which will see the establishment of a high performance coaching programme which is exclusively for women later this year.

“As we now reflect on 2020, we note the terrible impact Covid-19 has had on our members, but we also note the strength of WP Club Rugby and the wonderful gift our clubs bring to society through the world of rugby as they deliver strength, hope and opportunity to their members and the communities they serve. There is no doubt that our clubs are ready to tackle 2021 whatever the challenges might be.”

Jones reminds members that the virus is spreading, and to therefore take every precaution during the second wave.

He adds: “We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those that have lost someone of late. We trust you will draw strength from your family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.”