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The Blow the Whistle on Crime campaign has been launched in New Horizon to promote safety among children and the elderly who fall prey to criminals. PHOTO: SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS
PELICAN PARK
Whistle against crime SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS SAMANTHA.LEE@PEOPLESPOST.CO.ZA @SAMANTHA_LEE121
T
he simple rattling of a plastic ball could be the difference between life and death for a child in Pelican Park. This was the motivation behind a 600whistle distribution drive in the area as part of the Blow Whistle on Crime campaign, launched on Heritage Day. The project is the brainchild of the New Horizon Neighbourhood Watch in partnership with Grassy Park police, the community policing forum and the department of
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community safety. “Because of the crime in our area – the safety of children, elderly getting robbed on pension day, people in the morning commuting to work getting robbed – we came up with the idea of ‘blowing the whistle on crime’,” says Saadiqah Ganief of the New Horizon Neighbourhood Watch. “If you are in trouble, you can blow the whistle which will make neighbours come out. The more eyes on the road, the easier it will be for the neighbourhood watch and police to get these perpetrators who are harassing our residents.” Col Dawood Laing, station commander at Grassy Park police station, says economic-
related crimes are rife in Pelican Park. “This all stems from poverty and substance abuse plays a role. Gangsterism is poisoning the community. Fortunately serious crimes such as murders and rapes are not that common here, but no community is spared of these heinous crimes,” he says. Neighbourhood watches are active in the area, he says, which is a great help to the police in combating crime. “We cannot function properly without neighbourhood watches. They are ultimately the police’s eyes and ears, providing and collecting information from residents,” he says. The campaign was launched on Heritage-
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2 NEWS
PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 6 October 2020
HEALTH
Pregnancy ‘not a crisis’
People's Post is published by WP Media, a subsidiary of Media24. WHOM TO CONTACT
F
EDITOR: Thulani Magazi Tel: 021 910 6500 / 6530 Email: Thulani@media24.com SALES MANAGER: Shafiek Braaf Tel: 021 910 6500 / 6615 Email: Shafiek.Braaf@peoplespost.co.za> CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: 087 353 1328 Email: classifieds@peoplespost.co.za PRESS CODE, CORRECTIONS People's Post subscribes to the South African Press Code and we are committed to journalism that is honest, accurate, fair and balanced. Under our editorial policy, we invite readers to comment on the newspaper's content and we correct significant errors as soon as possible. Please send information to the news editor at cecilia@peoplespost.co.za or phone 021 910 6500. Alternately, please contact the Ombudsman of Media24's Community Press, George Claassen at george.claassen@media24.com or 083 543 2471. Complaints can also be sent to the SA Press Ombudsman on telephone 021 851 3232 or via email khanyim@ombudsman.org.za or johanr@ombudsman.org.za
or some expecting mothers, pregnancy can feel like a crisis. It is for them that the Western Cape department of health is calling on mothers and expecting mothers to seek help if this is the case. With an array of knowledge and assistance available at all government clinics, mothers are encouraged to visit their local facilities. The sooner the pregnancy is confirmed, the better one can plan. Arrangements can also be made about follow-up visits to ensure the health and safety
of the mother and the baby. Information and counselling is also available to those who choose to terminate their pregnancy. According to the department, going for a “back street abortion” can put women’s lives at risk. Marietjie Bezuidenhout, of NorSA, a nongovernment organisation that is registered to facilitate adoptions, says: “Pregnancy can be a crisis for a woman. Maybe she feels she cannot care for the child, or she is in an abusive relationship. There can be many reasons.”
Women’s health services
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As part of the process, all parties have access to counselling – an element that is missing when a child is abandoned. If an abandoned child is found and adopted, the parents will not have essential information to share with the child. This can cause the child to experience a sense of loss. “Adoption is a gift to people who are ready to be parents,” she says. Bezuidenhout adds a warning; that mothers who abandon their children can be criminally charged on the grounds of child abandonment.
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Make the arrival of spring the start of a new season for your health by utilising the all-inclusive services offered at Western Cape government health’s facilities. Talk to trained healthcare workers about family planning, pregnancy, missed immunisations and any other needs for you and your children. “You always have a choice,” says Philbe Nieuwenhuizen, a social worker at one of the facilities. “There are women who are struggling and do not know where to turn,” she says in reference to women who are pregnant but realise they cannot raise the child. At the department’s healthcare facilities, you can expect support by experts like Nieuwenhuizen, nurses, mental health staff and more. Some of the most prominent services our clinics offer, include: . Information about your body, self-care as well as protection from sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. . Contraceptives that you can rely on for the long-term. . Access to emergency contraception (to be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex). . Free pregnancy tests. . Information and support during your pregnancy, the birth and early childhood. . Information and support about options like terminating a pregnancy and adoption. . Support to moms with young children (for example: nutrition and immunisation).
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NEWS 3
PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 6 October 2020
Book sale to raise funds
AWARDS
Police app wins internationally T
he My SAPS app promotional video has won first prize at the Crime Stoppers International Awards. The South African Police Service was announced as the winner of the International Digital Award at the awards ceremony held in Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday 30 September. The Crime Stop office is a member of Crime Stoppers International (CSI). Each year, CSI recognises a number of individuals, programmes, activities and campaigns from around the world for excellence and
for their contribution to the achievement of a CSI vision – to mobilise the world to report information on crime and criminals, anonymously. This year, the police submitted the promotional video of the My SAPS app for the media awards category. This category recognises best practice in the advertising and promotion of Crime Stoppers campaigns, activities and specific calls to action, along with the level of community engagement achieved through these initiatives, across all mediums – print, television, radio, online and digital. The management of the South African Police Service had commended the work that the Crime Stop office does in pursuit of providing a platform where the community may provide information on crime and criminals without fear of their identities being revealed.the Crime Stop office has been encouraged to continue delivering a remarkable service to the inhabitants of this country. Police thank and appreciate all law abiding individuals that have heeded the call to participate in the fight against crime by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111 and sending tipoffs on the My SAPS app. The My SAPS app promotional video has won an internaV You can watch the video on Youtional award. tube.
Reading and Writing Solutions, an Athlonebased literacy non-profit organisation, will host a fundraising book sale on Saturday 10 October. The sale will run from 11:00 to 15:00 at the corners of Westbrook and Boeschoten
roads, in Gleemoor. A wide variety of books for children and adults will be available at real giveaway prices. Donations of books in good condition is also welcome. For more information or to donate, contact Jeff Paulse on 082 216 2460 or email paulsejeff@gmail.com.
Toastmasters is back All are invited to sharpen up your skills or learn as a novice on how to speak in public with confidence, in a supportive and relaxed environment. The next Good Hope Toastmasters Club meeting will be held via Zoom on Wednesday 14 October from 18:30 until 20:30. There is no cost for attending the event. To book your seat and to experience loads of fun, RSVP to Desilu at toastmastersdesilu@gmail.com or 072 399 4932.
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4 NEWS
PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 6 October 2020
OPINION
Face to face with the effects of crime To maintain journalistic objectivity, reporters are taught to adhere to three principles – truthfulness, neutrality and detachment. However, looking down at my shaking hands at the end of a victim rights awareness session held at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre, I knew I had failed at the last one. Gersham Ward was one of four survivors of crime who shared their accounts at the session on Tuesday 22 September. Reacting to the raw pain in his voice when he spoke of how his father beat his mother to death in front of him when he was nine, I knew it would be impossible to keep my emotional distance while covering this story. Like so many of my fellow South Africans, I too shake my head in disbelief every time the latest annual national
crime statistics are released. But it was only when I heard Gersham and his fellow survivors speak, that I realised that the effect of crime, especially violent crime, cannot be measured in 12-month increments. The impact it has on victims’ lives and on those close to them can linger on for years and, in some cases, for a lifetime. The magnitude of this realisation terrified me. It made me feel weak and powerless. What could one person possibly do to make a difference? Wouldn’t it just be easier to look away, to pretend nothing was wrong? But then I looked up at the faces of those who were at the victim rights’ session with me – social workers, psychologists, correctional officials, governmental officials, religious leaders, offenders and victims of crime. Abiding by the lock-
down restrictions in place when the session was arranged, all of the attendants had been carefully chosen to represent those stakeholders in our communities who are brave enough to stand on the front line against crime and the impact it has on our communities. Witnessing their courage and willingness to act, I realised this was not a fight that needed to be fought alone. Each one of us could play a role, even if that role was simply not to look away. While the ability to remain detached is a prerequisite in the world of journalism, the opposite – the ability to connect with victims and their pain – might just be what is needed to help us unite against the wave of violence crashing through our communities. – Nettalie Viljoen
POLLSMOOR CORRECTIONAL CENTRE
‘Time for us to speak out’ NETTALIE VILJOEN
“T
he time has come for us to stand up and to speak out. Our silence will not protect us.” So said Linda Fortuin, the director at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre, during a victim rights’ awareness session held at the facility’s recreational hall on Tuesday 22 September. Addressing the 60 stakeholders who attended the event entitled “Justice that Heals”, Fortuin said that, as a nation, we needed each other, and as individuals, we needed to step forward and say “enough is enough”. Among those invited to attend the event were representatives from the department of social development, Nicro, Hope Prison Ministry (HPM) at Pollsmoor, the Mitchell’s Plain Network Opposing Abuse as well as victims, offenders, social workers, psychologists and correctional officials. Fortuin said the purpose of the event was to prioritise social cohesion among stakeholders in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). She asked all of the role players in attendence to pledge their support to the national strategy focused on facilitating the recovery and healing of victims of crime. She said victims needed to know their rights. Andries Esterhuizen, the deputy director of the department of correctional services (DCS), affirmed this, saying, from a regional perspective, the victim was central to the drive. He said several critical policies were already in place. Moreover, if a victim is dissatisfied with the decision of the parole board they may also write to the Correctional Supervision Parole Review Board (Parole
Review Board). responsibility for the crime, they wanted Esterhuizen said there had been several the opportunity to tell their story – of how cases where, when parole was considered, the act of violence affected their lives – and offenders had been sent back because it was they wanted victims to show at least some felt that not enough had been done for the kind of remorse. victim. He said some victims also wanted to take One of the initiatives aimed at achieving revenge and as a result, victims sometimes restorative justice for victims of crime is the became the offenders because of having Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) pro- done so. gramme which is being run by HPM. “We try and come alongside victims so VOD is a process in which the victim of that they don’t have to take revenge, but we a crime, or the surviving family members, rather look at a better way forward.” and the offender who committed the offence But he said we also had to realise that meet face-to-face in a safe and secure set- some victims would never forgive. ting. A play depicting such a victim-offen“And we need to understand that. It’s a der dialogue was presented by HPM during journey, it’s a process.” the event to show the ripple effect of violent V DSD’s Victim Empowerment Programme supports crime on families. people who have suffered physical, mental or emoPastor Jonathan Clayton of HPM said a tional harm through crime or violence. The support lot was often done to address victims’ expe- is extended to their families. For a complete list of riences and their emotions. However, he contact details, visit www.westerncape.gov.za/socialsaid the question that we sometimes failed development. to ask was what victims wanted, and more specifically, what they wanted from offenders. Clayton said, with offenders more often than not pleading not guilty in court only to be found guilty later, victims often did not have the opportunity to get truthful answers. A VOD dialogue, if done right, could give victims some truths. He says A re-enactment of a Victim Offender Dialogue held by Hope Prison victims also wanted Ministry during a victim rights’ seminar at the Pollsmoor manageoffenders to take full ment area recreation hall on 22 September. PHOTO: NETTALIE VILJOEN
Community mourns death of leader (55) RACINE EDWARDES
home with full tummies. According to his family, Nicholson colJohn Nicolson (55) was the mastermind be- lapsed on the morning of Wednesday 30 Sephind the Siyafunda Library, a library run tember while preparing a pot of food for later from his home at 1 Sunflower Road in Laven- that day. der Hill. Children go here each day after He later died in Retreat Day Hospital. school to read and learn. He also prepared The community leader ran several projects pots of food to feed them, ensuring they went to uplift his neighbourhood. For more than 20 years, he operated the Omegaview Community Project, which is also when he began feeding the community. Under its banner, he launched a school holiday cycling club to keep children off the streets, started a band for the local children and was even looking to grow a sewing and upholstery initiative this year. Before lockdown began, he told People’s Post that he intended to do a 500km walk to raise funds for his initiatives (“Walking 500km for kids”, 10 March). His aim was to raise R1 million along the way by live streaming the walk and Father and son, John and Ryan Nicholson. PHOTO: interacting with people along the way. RACINE EDWARDES These funds would have been plough-
ed back into the community by improving the space where the family cares for the children in the afternoons. When People’s Post last spoke to Nicholson, he said he still intended to do the walk after the lockdown had come to an end. Nicholson leaves behind his wife, Gail, and their two sons, Ryan (26) and Chadwin (24). Tributes have been pouring in since his passing. Selwyn Addinall wrote on Facebook: “John Nicholson, you let them read, then gave food to the children, you always sent me messages of encouragement. You are now intangible, yet immortal. Your work is done. Rest well, my friend.” Rachael Daniels wrote: “The community mourns your passing today. Their hearts are broken because God has picked their Protea. A void has been left but the legacy John left behind is what will carry you through. To the community, I say: Continue to make John Nicholson proud. Carry on with the good work he has started. His legacy will reign forever.”
NEWS 5
PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 6 October 2020
WYNBERG
Online learning: the way forward NETTALIE VILJOEN
the provincial minister of education, Debbie Schäfer, says the number of learners in the s any parent of a Grade 1 or a Grade 8 Western Cape increases by an average of learner will tell you, the struggle to se- 18 000 annually, making it harder and hardcure a spot for your child at a public school er to find place for them “because the budget is real. What is less widely known, however, does not grow accordingly”. is how the financial fallout from the Covid-19 “We simply don’t have the money to build pandemic will most likely exacerbate this the 18 to 20 schools for the new arrivals each challenge. year, never mind the existing schools needThe fact that the school-going population ing expansion and maintenance,” she adds. in the province is growing much faster than According to Mauchline, this year, specifiwhat the Western Cape government can af- cally, the education budget has been dealt a ford to build schools for has been highlight- triple blow: a massive cut to the Education ed by the Western Cape education depart- Infrastructure Grant by the national government (WCED) for many years. ment, the need to spend large amounts on Kerry Mauchline, the spokesperson for Covid-19 measures, and the expected further budget cuts coming in the adjustment budget. “We will likely need to delay some of our infrastructure projects because there simply isn’t any money for them,” she says. The department is considering various options to address the underfunding. One such avenue is online learning. Mauchline says WCED is considering the expansion of its eLearning and Wynberg Boys’ High School (WBHS) recently launched the Wynberg Online smart schools High School. Pictured are Jan de Waal, the principal at WBHS, and Adolf programme. Groenewald, one of WBHS’s house heads. PHOTO: NETTALIE VILJOEN “But if the Co-
A
vid-19 pandemic has taught us anything this year, it is that we need to plan for the diverse circumstances of our learners – not everyone has access to data/devices at home that are necessary for online learning,” she adds. That being said, the department is encouraging schools to explore all the benefits that eLearning can offer. Taking the initiative, Wynberg Boys’ High School (WBHS) recently launched the Wynberg Online High School. An independent, co-educational institution affiliated to WBHS, the online school will initially cater to 30 Grade 8 learners in 2021. The pilot programme will offer the Caps curriculum. Jan de Waal, the principal at WBHS, says of the up to 1 400 applications that they receive each year for Grade 8, the school premises can only accommodate 200 new learners. De Waal says besides offering learners another way to become part of their Wynberg family, the online school also addresses a need identified among existing learners for affordable online learning. “Following our experience of offering virtual classes during the lockdown, it became clear that certain students prefer online learning for various reasons. The online school will offer the same value-based education with the strong pastoral element that WBHS is known for,” he says. De Waal, who is scheduled to retire as principal of the brick-and-mortar school in 2021, will head the Wynberg Online High School next year while WBHS teachers will present the online classes. The online school will follow an asynchronous learning system – a combination of tuning into “actual” classes, recorded lessons and time-tabled sessions with teachers and
tutors. The term “tutor” here refers to a teacher who is assigned to a group of learners (usually no bigger than 15) and tasked with monitoring individual learner’s educational progress and well-being. Educational and social outings will form part of the programme and online learners can also participate in certain co-curricular activities offered at WBHS if they wish. Looking back over the past few months, De Waal says it has been a tough time for all, not least for their teachers having to adapt to virtual classrooms. However, valuable lessons were learnt which can now be applied to the online school. Adolf Groenewald, one of WBHS’s house heads, will teach geography online. He says although online learning might not be for everyone, it does hold its own advantages. “While the teachers and tutors are there to guide and assist, online learning requires a bigger buy-in from parents and learners. They have to take ownership.” Groenewald says disciplined learners can work at their own pace. “They don’t have to be held back by others who might not be progressing as fast. Teachers can provide them with extra content, additional work or send them extra past exam papers to work through.” Online learning is also much more flexible than your average 07:00 to 15:00 school, he says. “Top tennis players or cyclists, for example, have to travel across the country to participate in sporting events. “For them, the Wynberg Online High School presents a very good option at a highlevel school,” Groenewald adds. Applications to the online school are currently open and will close end of October. V For more information, email online@wbhs.org.za.
6 NEWS
PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 6 October 2020
FISH HOEK
Snake-sighting concern slithers by
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environment to regulate their temperature. When their environmental temperature drops too low, they go into cold shock. In this state, he explained, they struggle to swim and lack the required energy to swim against any currents. This will result in the animals being pushed to shore and wash-
he unexpected appearance of a yellowbellied sea snake on the Fish Hoek shore late in September got the coastal community talking. Some were panicked at the thought of possibly running into more of these scaly creatures, while others were intrigued about what its A photo received on a diving WhatsApp presence could mean. group shows the snake that was spotted According to Marian on Fish Hoek beach. Nieuwoudt, the City’s Mayco member for spatial planning and en- ing up on the beaches. vironment, a City of Cape Town biodiversity He emphasised that when these animals official rescued the snake in Fish Hoek. It are encountered on the beach, it is best to inwas taken to the Two Oceans Aquarium. volve the appropriate authorities, such as the Brett Glasby, the wildlife management experts at Two Oceans Aquarium. programme coordinator at the aquarium, But, he added: “Whenever one does wash was able to shed more light on what the ani- up, it is wise for the general public to be mal was doing ashore. aware.” “Yellow-bellied sea snakes are found in our Awareness could be the difference between waters but are normally found in the warmer safety and receiving a nasty bite. currents that move around the coast. Occa“Yellow-bellied sea snakes are venomous. sionally, they will get out of the current into The best course of action if finding one (even colder water and then fall victim to cold a dead one) is to notify the authorities so that shock,” he said. an experienced person may collect the aniWhile many residents said it was their first mal. Under no circumstances should anyone time seeing a snake on their beach, Glasby attempt to return the animal to the sea withnoted that, every year, there are a few snakes out it being checked by a veterinarian,” he that wash up on beaches all around the coast. explained. In general, he said, these are isolated cases. With regards to the particular snake spotContrary to what a WhatsApp message mak- ted on the beach last month, Glasby shared ing the rounds at the time suggested, inci- the news that it did not make it. “Sadly, the dents like these are not indicative of a possi- animal that washed up in Fish Hoek was in ble influx of these animals to our shores. a very weak state and did not survive.” According to Glasby, cold-blooded animals V For more information on Two Oceans Aquarium, visit such as sea snakes and turtles rely on their www.aquarium.co.za.
NEWS 7
PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 6 October 2020
ECO-LOGIC AWARDS
SA’s greenest honoured “E
co-logically” beneficial products, services and people who are taking effective action to protect and preserve our environment were recognised at the ninth annual Eco-Logic Awards on Monday 21 September. Hosted by the Enviropaedia, the event was held virtually for the first time and included an address from the minister of environment, forestry and fisheries, Barbara Creecy. The minister emphasised the need to focus on a nature-positive future as part of South Africa’s overall economic recovery following Covid-19, calling for investment in green and sustainable solutions. “South Africa’s conservation landscapes
and “eco-logical” infrastructure play an important part in the development of an inclusive and climate resilient economy. Without the necessary and relevant financial backing, this sector faces a major setback,” said Creecy. Initially scheduled for Friday 5 June (World Environment Day), the Eco-Logic Awards was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “Live streaming the event seemed like the perfect alternative and meant we were able to open it up to reach more than our 300 invited guests, to include members of the public,” says David Parry-Davies, director of
Enviropaedia and the awards. Finalists in each of the 12 categories were selected from across the country in August this year. The entries were assessed by a panel of judges made up of influential environmental voices. A highlight of the ceremony was honouring Craig Foster, a co-founder of the Sea Change Project, as this year’s Eco-Intelligence Award recipient. The Sea Change Project represents a community of scientists, storytellers, journalists and filmmakers dedicated to raising awareness of the Great African Seaforest – the inshore kelp habitat which stretches
13 000km from De Hoop on the East Coast past the beaches of Milnerton, Big Bay and up to Namibia. Recently making headlines for his Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher, the Simon’s Town resident was selected for this award due to his profound understanding of what it means to be “eco-logical”. According to Foster, eco-intelligence may be as simple as realising that we are not separate from nature and that we rely upon her for every single thing we do, including breathing. Enviropaedia also launched its new ecologic calculator at the event. The calculator is a digital tool that prompts users to answer a five-minute questionnaire that assesses how “eco-logical” they think and how “ecological” their lifestyle is. V To find out how eco-logical your thinking is, visit https://www.eco-logicalliving.co.za/eco-logical-calculator/
Award winners Climate Change award . Gold: Western Cape Department of Agriculture – Die Kwik Styg, radio programme . Silver: City of Cape Town – Smart Driver Programme . Bronze: Project 90 by 2030. Innovation award . Gold: Democratic Alliance – Plastic Road in Jeffrey’s Bay. . Silver: University of Pretoria – Pushing back day Zero. . Bronze: Wilderness Foundation Africa Recycling and Waste Management award . Gold: Kabega Primary Eco-life. . Silver: Imagined Earth – Reverse Vending Machine. . Bronze: Virgin Active Constantia – Net Zero Waste. Eco-build award . Gold: USE-IT – Hammarsdale Waste Beneficiation Centre. . Silver: Democratic Alliance – Plastic Road in Jeffrey’s Bay. . Bronze: BOXA Loo Water Conservation award . Gold: Amalooloo . Silver: The South African Breweries (Pty) Ltd – City/SAB Water Partnership. . Bronze: The Coca-Cola Foundation, Peninsula Beverages – GCTWF.
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Green Economy award . Gold: Abalimi Bezekhaya – Harvest of Hope. . Silver: Wilderness Foundation Africa. . Bronze: Khanyi Designs. Biodiversity award . Gold: Wessa Green Coast . Silver: Sanbi Biodiversity Crimes Enforcement Project. . Bronze: CTEET – Biodiversity Offsetting. Municipality award . Gold: Sedibeng District Municipality – Installation of smoke detectors. . Silver: Cape Winelands District Municipality – Ward Based Risk Assessment. . Bronze: Garden Route District Municipality – Garden Route Environmental Forum (Gref). Eco-community award . Gold: Abalimi Bezekhaya. . Silver: CTEET – Sustainable Schools. . Bronze: Scarborough Environmental Group. Eco-youth award . Gold: Siya Ntsumpa – Giving Them Wings Foundation. . Silver: Matthew Furlonger – Warrior Youth. . Bronze: Sakhe Silwana – Silwana Industries.
Eco-intelligence award . Craig Foster – The Sea Change Project.
GE GIN
Eco-warrior award . Gold: Phil McLean – Sanbi Biodiversity Crimes Project. . Silver: Blake Dyason – Love our trails. . Bronze: Desmond D’Sa – SDCEA.
CL R BE AS SIC ER
Eco-angel award . Gold: Fortunate Mafeta – Youth 4 African Wildlife. . Silver: Jonathan Leeming – One World. . Bronze: Blake Dyason – Love our trails.
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8 NEWS
PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 6 October 2020
EMPLOYMENT
Job losses hit an all-time high SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS @Samantha_Lee121
T
he release of the Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the second quarter of 2020 has revealed the dire state of the labour sector in the country with almost half the number of eligible South Africans being unemployed. The overall unemployment figure is at a staggering 42% with 48.6% of all youth unemployed. With unemployment at 5.6 million ahead of the national lockdown, an additional 2.2 million people lost their jobs due to Covid-19. The Western Cape has the lowest number of job losses for this period, with 27.3%. This amounts to 321 000 job losses, with other economic hubs such as Gauteng losing 661 000 and KwaZulu-Natal seeing 375 000. “The lockdown has had a major impact on the economy and quarter on quarter 321 000 jobs have been lost which has had a devastating effect on people’s lives in the Western Cape,” says provincial minister for finance and economic opportunities, David Maynier. Member of provincial parliament Deidré Baartman says with already high unemployment, the fact that additional people gave up their employment search during lockdown is worrying. “The fact that an additional 2.8 million people who were already unemployed in the last quarter and then stopped looking for work during the prolonged lockdown further confirms that we are facing a second pandemic of job losses and poverty,” she says. She blamed the national lockdown measures that forced the closure of small busi-
nesses – which were vital job generators. Small business owner Clive Hanafey says his family business will have to start building all over again. “Running a business and not having enough capital to pay myself wages during lockdown was very difficult. We did not have a big staff unit before, but now we are back to just myself and my son who will continue,” he says. “Lockdown has been incredibly tough and no assistance was available for a company of my size. We were too small, and unregistered.”
He says entrepreneurs were always prompted to start businesses as it helped create jobs, but this season has hit many pockets hard. “I had so many people tell me that businesses are cutting their losses and using Covid-19 as an excuse to close shop. This is not the case for all of us. It was difficult because even if we can trade, people have lost their jobs and can’t afford to pay us for our services. It is a vicious cycle,” he says. Hanafey says he has learnt valuable lessons from this period.
Local businesses have suffered with the overall job losses during the second quarter of 2020 at 42%. More than two million people have lost their jobs since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. PHOTO: SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS
“I started up last year and wanted to see how it went before actually officially registering. I was open for four months when lockdown hit. I will need to think long and hard if I should go back to work for a company again.” Workers also had a tough time. Caroline Williams says they were first instructed to work from home. “We were home from March until April, receiving full salaries. Then in May we were told we would only get paid if we could prove we were working,” she says. Working in the manufacturing sector, their orders ran out and they were only paid a portion of their salaries. In June and July, they received no payment, says Williams. “The company had no money but our union stepped in and now we are at least getting a portion of our wages,” she says, adding that she hopes the move to level one will help the companies get back on track. Maynier says the move to level one should assist in getting these figures reduced. “We are now moving forward and focusing on our economic recovery with all the urgency of the health response in the Western Cape,” says Maynier. Part of the response is the Western Cape Covid-19 Business Relief Fund which commits R27 million to supporting small businesses in both the formal and informal sectors who have been hard-hit by Covid-19 restrictions. “I would like to encourage all interested small businesses to apply. We look forward to receiving your submissions,” he says. Submissions close on Monday 12 October at 10:00. V Visit https://www.westerncape.gov.za/generalpublication/western-cape-c-19-business-relief-fund for information on the application process.
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NEWS 11
PEOPLE'S POST Tuesday, 6 October 2020
CULTURE
UCT launches Khoi and San centre T
he University of Cape Town (UCT) recently found a way to embrace the heritage of the Cape and launched the Khoi and San Centre. The development continues many years of groundwork by academics such as UCT’s Dr June Bam-Hutchison who has worked extensively in indigenous heritage. Bam-Hutchison said she was delighted that the archives – the languages, knowledge and rituals – of those who once lived on the slopes of the mountain were now being made visible through the centre for all
to be made aware of. “It is almost unthinkable that these things have now been moved to (the) centre at the historically white university associated so much with colonialism and those deep wounds of the past.” Speaking at the launch, vice-chancellor professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said the new centre aims to become the foremost research centre of its kind. The goal is for it to start and keep producing research of international standing and developing bespoke African philosophies
and epistemologies through socially engaged research partnerships in San and Khoi studies. It will also develop a San and Khoi digital archive based on South African minoritised languages and host research fellows and visiting fellows to grow a strong cohort of PhDs in the field. A highlight of the launch was the announcement that an undergraduate programme offering Khoekhoegowab would be developed at UCT in the next five years. The centre also acknowledges the impor-
tance of adding to a global body of work in the indigenous languages, those of other first-nation groups in New Zealand, Australia and Canada. To that end the new centre will work with the Worldwide Universities Network. Funding came from the Mauerberger Foundation Fund; the Western Cape’s department of cultural affairs and sport; the national department of sports, arts and culture; the Community Chest of the Western Cape; and the National Heritage Council of South Africa.
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Canoe club heads to national champs Five of The Independent Institute of Education’s Varsity College canoe club members will be participating in the South African Surfski Championships on Saturday 10 October as well as the K1 and K2 flatwater marathon championships (canoeing) on the St Francis estuary on Sunday 11 October and Monday 12 October. The event will give paddlers three consecutive days on which they can challenge for national honours. The championship is a qualifier for the national South African paddling team to compete internationally. The students are: canoe club captain Tayne Thompson, Zach Preyser, Daniel Jacobs and Stewart Little. They will be participating in both surfski and canoe marathon challenges. Paddling athlete Christie Jo Mackenzie, a previous member of the SA team who has competed internationally in this, will only be taking part in the SA canoe marathon championships.
“We wish each of our paddlers best of luck for the SA champs. It is a huge achievement to compete in such a prestigious event. All our paddlers have been training extremely hard to prepare for this event. We are confident that they will do their best and bring home the gold,” said Brent Davids, sports coordinator at Varsity College Cape Town.
Christie Jo Mackenzie. Tayne Thompson.
PHOTO: CT SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO: EURO STEEL/GRAHAM
DANIEL
Stewart Little.
OPINION
‘Different can be better’ SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS SAMANTHA.LEE@PEOPLESPOST.CO.ZA @SAMANTHA_LEE121
I
am no stranger to fun runs and big walks, especially ones that raise awareness or funds for great causes. Often, you would walk or run these events among thousands of others, so even if you were alone, you were still with others. Insert 2020. A crippling pandemic and the need to force separation and – at least in this case – you get a far more enjoyable experience. Well, in my experience, this was the case. On Saturday 26 September, I participated in my first virtual race, The Spar Women’s Challenge along with 30 000 others across the country. I was a bit apprehensive about how this would work. The race pack included a T-shirt, buff, mag-
Walking a virtual race was refreshing and proved 2020 has given us many valuable life lessons. PHOTOS: SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS
azine and the completion medal. Receiving that medal at the end was the highlight and climax of the race, so receiving it ahead of the race meant that if you could live with the guilty conscience, you actually did not even need to complete it. But, I am glad I did. It offered a new perspective on how much 2020 has changed us, but also how it has made some things better. Often, you would need to be up at the crack of dawn, travel lengthy distances, struggle to find parking and then still walk an unfamiliar route, contending with human traffic zooming past one another to get to the finish line. While previously completing these races, my goal was always to beat my time and just not to be the last one to finish! Completing a virtual race eliminates this completely. Taking my dogs along for the walk, walking at my own pace, on a familiar route while still being able to add my voice to an important issue was fulfilling. The Spar Women’s Virtual Challenge was launched in July and sold out ahead of the event. With the theme, Be the Sunshine, the event focused on bringing awareness to gender-based violence. Jerome Jacobs, divisional marketing director for Spar South Rand, says: “Our firstever virtual challenge was a huge success and we could not have done it without you or our generous sponsors. For every entry that was received, we will be able to send 30 000 food parcels to the survivors of genderbased violence and their families.” With the virtual challenge an unmitigated and resounding success nationwide, brand ambassador, Lindie Strydom, added: “This challenge was about so much more than just running. It was about bringing everyone together for a better South Africa. We don’t want to just enjoy the sunshine, but we actually want to #BeSunshine.” For many, I think 2020 has taught great lessons. It has been difficult, it has challenged our resolves, but taking a major lesson from this experience, it has taught us to be resourceful, the true importance of time and life and how grateful we should be to still be able to enjoy the small things in life. Most of all, it has taught me the value of slowing down, being present and enjoying simpler moments – like walking alone knowing it was together with thousands of others.
The Western Cape department of cultural affairs and sport handing over a cheque for R2 316 450 to Cape Town sports federations earlier last week.
R2.3m given to federations Sports clubs and federations in the Western Cape will be able to safely resume their activities following an investment of R6 356 450 by the Western Cape department of cultural affairs and sport (DCAS), with more than R2.3 million to be distributed across the Cape metropole. “With sport and recreation already resumed across the country, under protocols as per the regulations, the allocated appropriation will be used to fund events, competition and education. Empowering our affiliated federations and clubs with the financial support needed to again administer, develop and host capacity building workshops will indeed assist in forging our new norm in the sector,” says DCAS spokesperson Stacey McLean. The funding allocation was marked by socially distanced cheque handover ceremonies across the province in all six districts over the past month, in which provincial minister Anroux Marais presented the following funds to the respective sport councils and affiliated federations: At the ceremonial handovers, Dr Lyndon Bouah, chief director for sport and recreation, elaborated on the importance of sport to the communities and economy of the Western Cape. “With the Olympic and Paralympic Games coming up next year, many of our national athletes reside in the Western Cape and they need to be supported. Therefore, we need to have ad hoc funding available to support professional athletes and federations to host their events to increase the provincial talent pool. Our communities also need role models to whom they can aspire. They need to know that athletes coming from the streets of the Western Cape have the ability to go to the World Championships or Olympic Games,” he said. Marais foregrounded the constrained fis-
cal environment in which the sector currently finds itself, and at the handovers explained: “Economically, the sector has suffered with many events having been cancelled. Approximately 30 events across the province have been cancelled, inclusive of conditional grants and federation funded events. Provincial major sporting events, which boost our local economies, have also been severely impacted as events such as the Two Oceans Marathon and now also the Cape Town HSBC Sevens Tournament to name a few, have had to be cancelled. Provincial trials for the Winter Games, Indigenous Games, Golden Games, and leagues and festival support for club development have also been adversely impacted as these events will also not be taking place this year as scheduled. However, despite it all, over the last months we have been through so much. We have changed the way we live, how we say hello and even how we sport and practice recreation. As many restrictions have now been relaxed and as we head into the recovery phase, we can now safely move forward in the Western Cape and get to work as the task ahead of us is great, but together, we will overcome the many challenges with which we are now faced, as we have time and again in this sector.” The Case For Sport, a study undertaken by DCAS and the University of the Western Cape’s Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence for Sport, Science and Development shows that sport contributes R8.8 billion to the province’s gross domestic product and also supports 60 000 jobs. By transferring the equitable share funds, it is hoped that federations and affiliated clubs are able to commence some of their very significant activities in the communities they serve because while we are to be physically distanced, we are still socially connected through sport and recreation.