People's Post Atlantic Seaboard/ City Edition - 15 January 2019

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TUESDAY 15 January 2019 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za

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People’s Post

Back home Last month, the Two Oceans Aquarium released 17 sea turtles into the warm currents of the open ocean 20 nautical miles off Cape Point, including two sub-adult green turtles, a sub-adult loggerhead turtle, and 14 juvenile loggerheads. The turtles were released after being rehabilitated for between six and 18 months. For more, read page 4 PHOTO: SEAN TODD PHOTOGRAPHY

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2 NEWS

Graffiti unit expands There will be less writing on the walls as the ployment depends on the type of work on ofcapacity of the City of Cape Town’s Graffiti fer and the project duration.

Unit will be bolstered by 168 temporary work“Negative images and words not only scar ers from February to June this year. the urban landscape, but also those residents The workers will be sourced from the Ex- who have to look at it daily. panded Public Works Programme (EPWP) “Getting rid of gangster graffiti will help database across the City and will assist in re- restore dignity to many communities and inmoving illegal graffiti. stil a sense of pride,” says Smith.

JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and se“The City recognises the value of public art curity, says illegal graffiti is a concern and and street artists as their work can inspire can quickly change a neighbourhood. and provoke new thinking; it can beautify “It can create the impression that no-one shared spaces, uplift communities, and tells cares about the area; it can discourage busi- the rich stories of our history. ness and it diverts funds that now have to be “I want to encourage graffiti artists who used to remove it, instead of being used for want to do graffiti or public art to contact our community programmes.

Arts and Culture branch,” concludes Smith.

“Offensive or obscene graffiti can also af- V For further information call the branch on fect residents’ sense of safety and security in 021 400 5944. their own communities,’’ he says.

Illegal graffiti can be reported on 107 from a landline The City’s Graffiti Unit, under the auspices or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone. of Law Enforcement, will be part of two teams tasked with cleaning up gang and illegal graffiti on the Cape Flats and in townships and suburbs.

The City’s EPWP database is centralised, and access to work opportunities is based on a computerised random selection process.

National guidelines prescribe that the EPWP work relates to any temporary work ranging from a day to the full duration of a project.

The key focus is that all of these types of opportunities are temporary, and em- Graffiti Unit tackles writing on the walls.

PEOPLE'S POST | ATLANTIC SEABOARD | CITY EDITION Tuesday, 15 January 2019

RAIL SAFETY

Success for rail officers T

he Rail Enforcement Unit (REU), launched by the national minister of transport during October last year – coinciding with Transport Month – has seen several strides in creating a safer rail system for Cape commuters.

Its impact on the improved safety of Metrorail commuters and rail infrastructure can be observed in numerous arrests and the recovery of stolen infrastructure.

The REU is jointly funded by the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Government and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).

The unit provides an additional 100 Law Enforcement officers to the existing security personnel in meeting Metrorail’s security challenges. These include sustained attacks on rail infrastructure and rolling stock assets, the sabotage of the urban rail network, and criminals targeting commuters and rail employees.

“The people of Cape Town deserve a safe and reliable public transport system. Rail should be commuters’ mode of choice because commuting by rail is more affordable, and it’s the most efficient mode of transport when operating optimally.

“The REU’s successes to date give me good reason to believe that this unit will assist us in stabilising the urban rail service over the next few months. With less crime and vandalism, we can expect a decrease in delays and cancellations, and with that we can expect more commuters opting for trains as opposed to road-based transport,” says Cape Town mayor, Dan Plato.

The REU has recorded the following successes during the first two months: . 36 arrests on a range of charges including assault, possession of drugs and stolen property, malicious damage to property, and theft . Confiscation of 379.5m of cable and 800kg of railway signal cable . Confiscation of contraband and suspected stolen goods, including 21 cellphones, two laptops, drugs and alcohol . Issuing of 67 Section 56 notices to appear in court . Issuing of 97 Section 341 notices . 332 inspections of hot-spot areas and scrapyards.

At least six of the arrests were made in terms of Section 18 of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act (CMAA) of 2015, which makes provision for a person convicted of tampering with or damaging essential infrastructure to be imprisoned for a period not exceeding 30 years. These cases will be followed closely as the work of the REU will only be truly effective if all players in the criminal justice system work together.

The REU has been a force multiplier for Prasa’s regional Protection Services Unit.

Together, the teams have ensured greater

operational visibility on trains and stations, searching more individuals during joint operations and confiscating a greater number of dangerous weapons and fraudulent train tickets.

“With enforcement success on track, the next priority should be closing down noncompliant scrap dealers and lobbying for legislative changes to permit only traceable electronic payment methods. The current practice of cash-for-copper-no-questionsasked encourages illegal and illicit scrap dealing,” says Metrorail Western Cape regional manager, Richard Walker.

The promulgation of two enabling laws in the fight against metal theft (the CMAA and the amended Secondhand Goods Act), in addition to the deployment of technology and forensic resources, has enabled Prasa to secure 198 offenders in custody, successfully prosecute 17 offenders and rack up a total of 95 years of jail sentences.

“When we launched this initiative our intention was to increase security on our rail network as the situation had reached dire straits with arson, vandalism, cable theft and violent crime becoming commonplace.

An intervention was urgently required, and through effective intergovernmental cooperation we were able to get the REU off the ground. The initial results and arrests are testament to the initiative’s effectiveness and our officers’ commitment on the ground. Our Rail Management Task Team (RMTT) is continuing to explore ways in which to dramatically improve rail for the thousands of commuters who rely on this mode of transport,” says Western Cape minister of transport and public works and chairperson of the RMTT, Donald Grant.

As the 2019 academic and work year takes off, the number of commuters making use of public transport will increase. All stakeholders are committed to ensuring that the REU, in association with other enforcement agencies across the three spheres of government, work tirelessly towards a safer and more reliable commute for all.

The public can assist these efforts by reporting crime and vandalism, as this forms part of the intelligence that drives deployment and operations.

Illicit and suspicious activity may be reported to any number listed below: Metrorail Protection Services hotline: 021 449 4336/5056 Cape Town (platform 1): 021 443 4325 Bellville: 021 941 6800 Philippi/Stock Road: 021 370 1011 Retreat: 021 710 5129 Radio Control/OPS Room: 021 449 4309/10 SAPS Crime Stop: 0860 10111 Crime line: SMS 32211 Rewards of up to R25 000 are payable for information leading to a successful conviction.

Explore kelp forests The Two Oceans Aquarium will host an event in celebration of the kelp forests of South Africa on Thursday 31 January.

Various experts and world-renowned speakers – Craig Foster from the Sea-Change Project, Roushanna Gray from Veld and Sea, Professor John Bolton of UCT and Loyiso Dunga of the South African National Biodiversity Institute – will be talking about their connections with kelp forests and sharing stories from the ocean’s depths about these underwater forests.

The evening will feature

beautiful images of these forests and the animals which call them home.

You can also discover how kelp grows and why it flourishes off the coastline, hear about the life-changing and healing power of the kelp forest, and be intrigued as the speakers delve into the secrets of kelp and seaweed as nutritional and healthy choices in human diets, both now and in the future.

Tickets cost R190 per person and are available online at Quicket.

Space is limited.

Hike up Lion’s Head with friends Friends of Lion’s Head will host a walk on the Lion’s Head circuit on Saturday 19 January from 08:00.

They will meet in Bartholo-

mew Avenue, Sea Point.

The walk is said to be easy.

For more information on this walk, call Nic van Rooyen on 082 365 4063.

NEWS 3

PEOPLE'S POST | ATLANTIC SEABOARD | CITY EDITION Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Station deck being revamped Minibus taxis serving local destinations will be operating from the Grand Parade opposite the Cape Town City Hall in Darling Street as of tomorrow (Wednesday 16 January), until further notice.

“The Station Deck taxi rank dates back to 1996 when the roofscape of the Cape Town station was used as a minibus taxi rank for the first time. It’s one of the city’s busiest transport facilities and thousands of commuters from suburbs all over Cape Town disembark or fetch minibus taxis from this rank.

“Given the traffic and the number of commuters this rank accommodates every day, it has reached a point where we must undertake urgent repair and refurbishment work. The City’s Transport Directorate will now invest about R2m to improve the facilities at the Station Deck,” says Mayco member for transport, Felicity Purchase.

Maintenance teams will paint the buildings and road markings, repair the lighting, repair potholes and cracks in the road surface and sidewalks, and restore the destination boards to assist commuters in finding the correct departure lanes to their destinations.“Long-distance taxi services won’t be affected and will continue to operate from the Station Deck while the maintenance is ongoing. The public will still be able to access the Station Deck, but access will be limited in the areas where the work is happening. Some traders and retail outlets may be affected, but this is for a limited period only.

In the end, all of the Station Deck users will benefit from the upgrade, and we appeal to commuters

to be patient while we’re busy doing repairs,” says Purchase.

Minibus taxis serving local destinations will not be allowed onto the Station Deck for as long as the maintenance work is ongoing. The operators and commuters will be informed once the refurbishment has been completed – safe to say that it will take at least four to five weeks, pending any unforeseen delays.

The minibus taxi associations were informed of the temporary arrangement in December 2018, and leaflets were distributed to commuters and other users at the Station Deck as from yesterday (Monday 14 January).

Temporary lanes for the various routes will be demarcated at the Grand Parade to indicate where commuters must embark and disembark. These include lanes for routes to Nyanga, Lower Philippi, Hanover Park, Kensington, Mitchell’s Plain, Delft, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Milnerton, Dunoon, Manenberg, Bonteheuwel, Heideveld, Bridgetown, Mowbray and Wynberg; as well as bays for those taxis serving Atlantis, Silversands, Sea Point, Hout Bay and Bellville among others.

“The minibus taxis will enter the Grand Parade in Castle Street and there are two exits – one in Castle Street and the other in Darling Street. Other road users must therefore anticipate an increase in the number of minibus taxis on the roads in this area over the next few weeks,” says Purchase.

V Call the Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63 for more information during the maintenance period.

PUBLIC SPACE

Expansion of unit on the cards T

he City of Cape Town is considering the expansion of its Displaced Persons Unit (DPU) and the equipment available to them in order to deal with the increasing challenges related to homelessness. The City’s Law Enforcement Unit is one of the departments tasked with responding to challenges presented by homelessness in the city.

The DPU works closely with the City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department to respond to complaints and concerns about street people. While the Social Development Department’s Reintegration Unit works to offer short- to long-term alternatives to get people off the street, the DPU’s mandate is to enforce the provisions of the bylaw relating to streets, public places and prevention of noise nuisances.

Section 2 of the bylaw deals with prohibited behaviours like urination in public, erecting structures, making fires, etc. – offences that are often committed by people living on the street.

Last week, the executive mayor Dan Plato joined the DPU during an operation in the central business district and surrounds – an area that accounts for countless complaints from the public.

“Homelessness is a complicat-

ed issue, and as an administration, we are in a catch-22 situation. If we enforce the City’s bylaws too rigidly, we appear uncaring. If we turn a blind eye, we are accused of inaction by the residents and businesses whose lives are impacted on a daily basis by the actions of small pockets of individuals. There are many challenges, both operational and legislative, but we have to find a way to ensure that our interventions are more effective. The Culemborg Safe Space has made remarkable strides since its launch in mid-July. I have committed to finding funding for two more such spaces. I have also asked that we increase the capacity of the Displaced Persons Unit to respond more quickly to complaints so that we can tackle the antisocial and often criminal behaviour that comes with the phenomenon of homelessness,” says Plato.

In the 2017/18 financial year, the City’s Law Enforcement Department responded to 23 097 complaints relating to street people – a 53% increase. It is the leading complaint received by Law Enforcement,along with noise nuisances in residential areas.“We are working with Law Enforcement and the DPU to improve the effectiveness of their

enforcement efforts as well as the challenges and shortcomings in the criminal justice system which makes the enforcement work ineffective and creates the impression with the public that Law Enforcement and Metro Police are not acting on their complaints and the bylaw transgressions. This is being balanced against training our staff to be more sensitive in how they undertake their enforcement and making sure they work with social development agencies to assist people on the street with accommodation and employment where possible,” says Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith.“Another key element will be engagement with other government departments like the Department of Justice, the National Prosecuting Authority, Home Affairs and Correctional Services. We find many undocumented foreign nationals on the streets who cannot be assisted through the regular channels, even if they want social assistance. In recent years, we have also seen an increase in the number of parolees who are either unable to return to their communities for various reasons, or who have no reasonable prospects when they leave prison and are forced onto the streets.”

4 NEWS

PEOPLE'S POST | ATLANTIC SEABOARD | CITY EDITION Tuesday, 15 January 2019

TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM

Turtles start their journey T

wo Oceans Aquarium released 17 sea turtles into the warm currents of the open ocean 20 nautical miles off Cape Point on Friday 20 December.

The released animals included two subadult green turtles, a sub-adult loggerhead turtle, and 14 juvenile loggerheads.

These turtles join Yoshi, an adult loggerhead turtle, which was released back into the wild last year on Saturday 16 December 2017.

Like Yoshi, two of the turtles, a loggerhead and a green turtle, were equipped with satellite tags, and all the turtles were fitted with microchips. The satellite tags will enable the aquarium team to track and monitor the turtles’ movements over the next few years. The aquarium has also tagged and tracked two rehabilitated hawksbill turtles and is currently following the journeys of Yoshi, and Pemba, an olive ridley turtle, which was released in March 2018.

Sandy, a sub-adult green turtle, was found

by Sarah Halse, conservator of the Lower Breede River Conservancy Trust, near Witsand in September 2016. The turtle was in a terrible condition with five large gashes through its carapace – the injuries were so deep that Halse could see lung tissue moving up and down inside the gashes. It is suspected, judging by the size and shape of the gashes, that the injuries were caused by boat propellers.

Halse drove the turtle immediately to the Two Oceans Aquarium where it was admitted to the aquarium’s turtle rescue, rehabilitation and release facility. Rehabilitation for Sandy meant daily, painstaking cleaning of her wounds, picking out beach sand and other debris from under her severely damaged carapace and then carefully disinfecting the wounds and monitoring her health.

Talitha Noble, the aquarium’s conservation coordinator, has built a unique relationship with Sandy. “Sandy arrived at the aquarium at a time when I was dealing with a difficult part of my life. I arrived at work that Monday and there was this turtle – she looked like she was dead, with these incredible gashes in her shell that must have been the most painful thing she’s ever experienced. I just had this immediate thought of, ‘How on Earth can I be complaining about my situation when this turtle is being so resilient and is still alive after having suffered so incredibly?’ Caring for her required daily patience – cleaning her wounds, gently speaking to her, feeding her, changing her water. This really built a solid bond between us. This has definitely been one of the most special relationships of my life,” says Noble.

A turtle being released.

Nocawe, or Noci, as he was affectionately known, is a male adult loggerhead turtle and was discovered washed up on a beach near Witsand by Mark and Sharon Coller.

He was given the isiXhosa name Nocawe which means “Girl who arrived on Sunday” as he arrived at the aquarium’s turtle rescue, rehabilitation and release centre on Sunday 29 April 2018.

However, it was later determined via an ultrasound that she was actually a he.

Upon arrival at the aquarium he was given a thorough examination and although no major external injuries were found, the presence of the barnacles on his carapace indicated that he had been floating for quite some time. Blood samples were taken for analysis and the results indicated that he had a systemic infection. He was treated with a range of antibiotics, antifungals and vitamins and given fluids to rehydrate him.

He responded well to treatment and in July he was moved into the I&J Ocean Exhibit, where he has slowly regained his health and swimming fitness.

Moya is a sub-adult green turtle and was rescued off Cola Beach near Sedgefield by Janet Byrne in early October 2017.

Byrne contacted the Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness and Rehabilitation Centre, which guided her through the steps of stranded animal first-responder actions and contacted the relevant authorities to coordinate the process.

A total of 14 juvenile loggerhead turtles, which have been in rehabilitation for between six and 18 months, were given the allclear by the aquarium’s veterinarian and can now continue their lives back in the wild ocean.

“Releasing healthy rehabilitated turtles

back into the open ocean is an absolute highlight for all of us. After months, and sometimes years, of dedicated care, watching these turtles swim off, getting that second chance, is what our conservation work is all about. As a threatened species we do whatever we can to contribute to saving turtles, but also saving our oceans. This cannot be achieved without the incredible support of the public and our amazing turtle team as well as our very kind donors who made it possible to satellite tag two more turtles this year. These turtles, and their stories, will hopefully inspire many to care more for our planet,” says Maryke Musson, curator of the Two Oceans Aquarium.

During the winter months, hatchling turtles are swept down from the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal (where they hatch) in the mighty Agulhas Current and are washed ashore by stormy seas. They are often extremely compromised and very weak due to dehydration and exposure to cold water.

The stranded turtles are brought to the aquarium by caring members of the public and are rehabilitated in preparation for their release back into the warm ocean. The turtles range in size from 20g up to 80kg. Rehabilitation can last more than a year, depending on the needs of each individual, as some are not only suffering from hypothermia, but are also injured and require treatment, which can include X-rays, blood tests and specialist veterinary consultations.

Some turtles even go to human hospitals to get MRI and CT scans.

Turtle metabolisms are quite slow and their digestive systems become particularly slow and even start to shut down if they’ve been floating for a long time due to some distress. One of the signs which the animal health team eagerly look out for is defecation by the turtle – this is an indication that the turtle’s gut is finally returning to normal and also reveals that there are no blockages such as plastic in the turtle’s digestive system.

Noci and Bob, the aquarium’s famous turtle ambassador, both expelled pieces of plastic after some time in rehabilitation. Alvi, the aquarium’s newest rescue turtle, had plastic removed from its oesophagus, and is recovering well.

The aquarium’s turtle rescue, rehab and release work depends on round-the-clock work by a dedicated team of staff members.

Green sea turtles, together with loggerheads, leatherbacks and hawksbill turtles, are all threatened species that need our help to survive in South Africa’s waters.

V To see what to do if you find a sea turtle on any Western Cape beach visit www.aquarum.co.za/blog/ entry/stranded_turtles_what_to_do/

Officers keep beaches clean It was a busy festive season for the City of Cape Town’s enforcement and rescue services as staff once again put their best foot forward to ensure public safety over the festive season.

The results of their efforts are indeed something to be proud of as the statistics show, says Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith.

“It needs to be acknowledged that the terrible incident involving a private security company’s actions on Clifton Beach overshadowed much of the festive season news relating to Cape Town. It was an incident that harmed the goodwill and trust between people and undermined our efforts to achieve a non-racial South Africa. The City acted swiftly to deal with all transgressions and ensured that the public were not subjected to any further such incidents at the hands of private security, at Clifton or any other public area,” says Smith.

“Having acknowledged that, we can perhaps also pause to thank the public, local and visitors alike, who worked with our emergency and policing staff to improve the safety of the festive season for all. The statistics show that we have seen reduced deaths on roads over this period, reduced drownings, more children registered at the Identikidz stalls at the beach and reduced fires and fire-related deaths. This is all cause for

celebration, meaning that more people started this New Year on a positive note and not beset by tragedy.”

Smith further thanked the residents of Cape Town, the many visitors and all the emergency and policing services of Cape Town including police, the National Sea Rescue Institute, SANParks and all the departments and agencies that made this possible.

Collectively, the City’s three enforcement agencies arrested 737 suspects on a range of charges, including drunk driving and possession of drugs.

Cape Town Traffic Services also arrested 5056 motorists for outstanding warrants under the auspices of Operation Reclaim.

A further 12 700 warrants were served.

Traffic officers also recorded just over 200 000 offences, the bulk of these being for speeding.

On the beaches and other public spaces, Law Enforcement staff confiscated 9968 bottles of alcohol, equating to nearly 6400 litres.

This is a marginal increase year-on-year (from 9458 bottles in the previous festive season) and is once again indicative of the fact that many people simply choose not to heed warnings about alcohol use in public.

It is a massive logistical exercise, but an important one, because it means fewer people swimming while inebriated and poten-

tially putting their lives in danger; less antisocial behaviour in our public spaces, and fewer motor vehicle accidents on our roads.

The Fire and Rescue Service responded to 2411 fire calls and 1126 special service calls, a slight increase in both categories year-onyear. There was also an increase in residential fires, but fewer structures were affected and the number of fatalities was lower.

The Public Emergency Communication Centre’s busiest shift was on New Year’s Eve when staff fielded 1049 calls, followed by the Day of Goodwill (Boxing Day) when 962 calls were logged. For the month of December, the centre fielded 41 209 calls – 77% of which were emergency calls.

“Our enforcement and rescue service staff are often taken for granted and exposed to abuse because of public perceptions.

While there may be some bad apples, the reality is that the majority of uniformed staff work very hard and take their jobs very seriously,” says Smith.

“This diligence and determination to keep the public safe often goes unnoticed, but I would like to pause and say thank you to each and every one of our permanent staff members, but also to the volunteers and neighbourhood watch members who all made a contribution to a safer Cape Town during what is undoubtedly one of our busiest periods,” he concludes.

PEOPLE'S POST | ATLANTIC SEABOARD | CITY EDITION Tuesday, 15 January 2019

NEWS 5

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PEOPLE'S POST | ATLANTIC SEABOARD | CITY EDITION Tuesday, 15 January 2019

FINANCIAL TIPS

Many locals drowning in debts THULANI MAGAZI

T

he intensive care unit (ICU) is a hospital section synonymous with life and death, but for financial guru John Manyike this applies to many debt-stricken South Africans, especially at this time of the year.

Head of financial education at Old Mutual, Manyike says many South Africans are financially in the ICU. While there are many contributing factors, Manyike says end-of-year festivities also play a crucial role. With a lot of unwise and extravagant spending over December, he says this is the time for debt-ridden consumers to conduct a financial introspection to avoid sinking further into debt.

He says the best option is to sit down with creditors and work out a solution rather than avoiding them.

Manyike adds that the country has a population of 16 million “economically active” citizens, but more and more South Africans are sinking in debt.

He says in the first quarter of the year, more South Africans enquire about credit assistance. He adds that a whopping 25 million South Africans enquired for credit assistance in the first quarter of 2018.

This, according to Manyike, is as a result of more citizens getting in debt over the festive

People's Post is published by WP Media, a subsidiary of Media24.

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season.

In an interview with People’s Post, Manyike said there are limited options when it comes to getting out of the debt.

However, for those options to succeed, “behaviour change” is crucial.

“You cannot do things the same way and expect different results,” Manyike cautioned.

He called for a “robust collaboration” from government, the private sector and various stakeholders to eradicate the scourge of indebtedness among South Africans and to create a vibrant and a debt-free society.

Manyike apportioned some of the blame to “powerful advertisers” and a lack of “noise” around good financial education.

“Advertisement influences behaviour,” he said, calling for more financial education in the media.

While one of the ways to get out of debt is to set tangible goals and resolutions, he said for that to succeed a lot needs to be done.

Manyike urged South Africans to be “emotionally attached” to their new year’s resolutions in order to build a financially sound nation.

“The main challenge in managing debt is that we don’t have a vision,” he said.

He said the only time citizens get the vision to save some money is when they plan to buy a car or a house.

“They put together a plan and start saving money,” he said. “But that is not always successful. Sometimes they start dipping into that saving.”

Manyike encouraged South Africans to

get into the habit of saving.

Another way of getting out of debt is to resort to debt consolidation. But this is the last resort. Among other things, Manyike said indebted South Africans should first look at rearranging their lifestyle.

He said things such as packing a lunchbox instead of R50 or more for lunch daily are a first step towards recovery. A daily allowance of R50 amounts to R1000 a month and about R12 000 a year and R120 000 over a 10year period, warned Manyike.

He added that getting rid of a gym membership that one does not use is another alternative, along with reducing a costly contract phone.

“You will find that you save a lot of money by making those little changes,” he said. He also cautioned against the type of friends a person has and the non-payment of debts during the festive period.

He said the festive season is preceded by the Black Friday phenomenon, where people start getting in debt as a result of ‘fomo’ (fear of missing out). He also warned “payday millionaires”.

“People say they are rewarding themselves on pay day. What are you rewarding yourself for?” he asked. “What we need is to interrogate how we use our money.”

Manyike added that due to reckless spending and failure to plan, most South Africans get into debt and ultimately resort to debt consolidation. This means all their debts are settled by a recognised financial institution and the person pays one instalment instead of paying different creditors.

Manyike said this requires a lot of discipline. “You cannot consolidate consolida-

tion,” he warned.

Manyike said consumers should try to avoid getting into debt by not using money they do not have. He said levels of indebtedness differ, with some people spending between 70% and 80% of their salaries servicing their debts. He cautioned people to strive not to get listed. “Once you get listed you cannot get any credit until you are clear of debt,” said Manyike.

John Manyike

What’s next after matric results?

With the new academic year in full swing and with some learners caught between the rock and a hard place about their next move, University of the Western Cape lecturer and counselling psychologist Mariska Pienaar answers some crucial questions to help the 2018 matric class.

lines. Students taking this option can also join the so-called Second Chance Programme which offers free educational support to scholars who wish to rewrite a maximum of two subjects. A matric year in its whole can also be repeated at the learner’s current school.

What advice can be given to parents and learners at this time?

The most fundamental advice is for parents and learners to realise that there is nothing about the results from this round of matric examinations that signifies the end of the road for any learner. It is easy to develop a kind of “tunnel vision” around matric results and the implications thereof for the learner’s immediate future. Should learners not have achieved the desired outcomes with their matric examinations, however, there are many options open to them to still reach their goals, albeit perhaps in some cases with somewhat of a detour. This realisation should alleviate some of the anxiety around matric results.

What should parents do?

Parents may understandably be disappointed and anxious if their child did not achieve the desired outcomes in their matric exams. After all, they invested in their child’s future and want the best opportunities for them. Parents should however attempt to focus on remaining supportive and encouraging of their child. Parents should arm themselves with information around alternative routes to achieving the child’s original goals. The central message should be that whatever happened, it is not the end of the road, and armed with the correct information. Parents and their child should

If learners are unsuccessful, what can they do?

“Success” is a relative term which would have different meanings for different learners and their parents.

For some it might mean that they did not pass matric. For others it might mean that they did not achieve the results that are required for entry into a specific programme at a specific tertiary institution. The options that follow however apply to both scenarios. One option is to register for supplementary matric exams, which may be written if a learner has failed a maximum of two subjects, if they couldn’t write the original exam due to illness, or if they couldn’t write the exam due to death in the family. Taking supplementary examinations not only provides the learner with the opportunity to pass previously failed subjects, but also the chance to improve their marks to such an extent that they may qualify for the courses they originally wish to study.

Learners considering this option should contact the Department of Education for information and guide-

Mariska Pienaar

work collaboratively to explore viable options that would enable the facilitation of meeting the parents’ and child’s goals.

If matriculants did not pass with university entrance, what other options are there for them?

All of the above-mentioned options of pursuing supplementary examinations and joining the Second Chance Programme, or repeating matric, are possibilities for learners who are adamant about obtaining university entrance. It should however be noted that despite popular opinion, a university degree is not necessarily the be all and end all of tertiary education. It is not necessarily always the case that a university degree versus, say, a university of technology diploma or a college certificate, would provide better career opportunities.

It really depends on the field of study the prospective student is interested in. Colleges provide a variety of courses – some of which do not even require a matric qualification – including computer courses, child day care courses, beauty therapy courses, engineering studies and technical courses, to name but a few. A learner may also consider taking short courses or bridging courses, even while preparing to rewrite specific matric subjects.

It is important for the learner to stay occupied and continue with self-development in the year following their original matric year. Consider doing supplementary courses which would strengthen your skills in a particular area and possibly advance your chances of gaining entry into the institution of your choice at a later stage. Consider getting involved in voluntary work, again preferably in the area of study you wish to pursue.

In conclusion, students and parents are encouraged to remain hopeful.

Many options are available for learners who did not obtain the desired results in their original matric exams.

Current matric results are not set in stone, and neither do current matric results serve to cast a learner’s future path in stone.

V Mariska Pienaar is a counselling psychologist and lecturer in the University of the Western Cape’s Department of Psychology.

SPORT 7

PEOPLE'S POST | ATLANTIC SEABOARD | CITY EDITION Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Season swings into overdrive SEAN CAMPBELL

A

fter the completion of the first round of fixtures in the Cape Town Baseball Federation Major League, teams were split into a top six - Major League - and a bottom seven, Major League B for the rest of the season.

In the Major League, teams carry their points forward and complete a double round to determine the eventual champions.

The Major League B also play a double round of fixtures, however, all teams start on zero and then accumulate points to determine who will be promoted at the end of the season.

Major League On Saturday, visiting team and sixth placed Van der Stel came unstuck 19-4 against a pumped up fourth-placed Maitland Giants side in Kensington.

Van der Stel Took a three-run lead in the first inning, but Giants piled on the runs in the second, third and fourth innings to take a 17-4 lead into the fifth innings. Giants scored a further two runs in the fifth inning and the game was ended via the 15-run rule.

Mark Quickfall, Altino Elliott, Connor Walsh and Kyle Rossouw all contributed with multiple hits to Giants success. American-born Connor Walsh did the pitching for Giants and recovered well after a sluggish start. Van der Stel utilised Pieter Kemp, Robbie Clarke and Swedish-born Elvis Hammerstadt on the mound.

Defending champions and current log leaders Bothasig Knights managed to hold off fifth placed Athlone A’s 6-5 at Abe Sher Sports field in Bothasig.

Both teams recorded twelve hits for the day, with Bothasig leaving twelve runners on base and A’s eight. A’s allowed five walks compared to the one of Bothasig.

Aiden O’ Connor (4/5) and Darren Wedel (3/5) were the top hitters for A’s. Brett Willemburg (2/3) with two walks, Nicholas Eagles (2/4) and a walk did well for Bothasig.

Both teams utilised two pitchers. Jared Elario threw seven innings and Darren Smith Closed out with the last two for Bothasig.

Carl Michaels started for A’s and was replaced by Dean Jacobs after 5.2 innings.

After five innings Bothasig held a 3-1 lead after scoring single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings. A’s scored one run in the third inning. Bothasig then moved to a 5-1 lead after the sixth inning. A’s came back with four runs in the eighth inning, to tie the game 5-5. A single hit to right field by Nicholas Eagles scored Dayle Feldtman, who got on base via walk, for the winning run in the ninth inning.

Second-placed Bellville Tygers held off a late recovery from third-placed VOB Macaws to take the game 6-5 at PP Smit sports fields on Saturday.

Ten walks by VOB, compared to the three

by Tygers seem to be the difference between the two sides. Both teams recorded eleven

hits with VOB making two errors and Tygers one. Both teams utilised two pitchers.

Major League B Helderberg Pirates stunned Durbanville

Villains 14-13 at Durbanville, Milnerton Mavericks mercy ruled Battswood 19-4 in Milnerton and home Grassy Park Crusaders beat Westridge Yankees 14-4.

Searl Kit of Van Der Stel (left) slides safely into third base with Maitland Giants’s Alex Fortune waiting for ball to tag him during a Major League game played in Kensington on Saturday 12 January. Maitland Giants won the match 19 - 4.

PHOTO: RASHIED ISAACS

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TUESDAY 15 January 2019 | People's Post | Page 8 | 0021 910 6500

Kolisi in line for top award pringbok Captain Siya Kolisi will be hoping to get another accolade when the winner of the annual Laureus Sporting Moment is announced on Monday 18 February.

The announcement will be made in Monaco during the Laureus World Sports Awards. The global awards honour greatest sporting achievements for past and present sport icons in various categories. The Zwide born flanker for the Stormers and the Western Province is vying for Sporting Moment of 2018. He is up against some formidable contenders, including Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir, who suffers Motor Neurone Disease, Xia Boyu (69), a double amputee who summitted Mount Everest after four attempts as well as seven other contenders. The winner will be decided by the public through voting, which opened on Monday 7 January. The voting process closes on Monday 4 February, where the top three be announced. Weir currently leads the voting with more than 30% of votes, with Bayo on more than 26% while Kolisi is sitting at more just over 20%.

Kolisi made it to the list after grabbing the Laureus Sporting Moment in July. He was recognised for his remarkable rise in the rugby field, following his appointment as the first black captain to lead the Springboks in a Test match, at Ellis Park on Satur-

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day 9 June.

The fact that Kolisi was donning the number 6 jersey, the number famously worn by Nelson Mandela at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, just added significance to the remarkable moment for the Springboks and South Africa as a nation.

Kolisi’s story is one of overcoming adversity and succeeding against the odds. He was born in the township of Zwide near Port Elizabeth, and his young mother and grandmother struggled to put food on the table each day. “Times were tough when I was little and often there wasn’t food. I would go to bed starving,” Kolisi said.

The 27-year-old’s incredible rise from poverty to captaining his country is proof that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. “I don’t shy away from where I have come from and I’m aware that my story is a typical South African story in some ways. It’s my motivation,” said Siya.

“Yes, being a professional sportsman can be tough and occasionally you question if it’s all worth it. But then I just think about where I’ve come from and about the people that look up to me.”

The public can go to www.mylaureus.com to cast their votes and view the 10 sporting moments.

V To see all the moments and vote for Kolisi visit myLaureus.com

X1V5L4H2-QK150119

Drive to transform the golf The PGA of South Africa has thrown its full support behind the collective drive within South African golf to fully transform the industry, with the association building on its already longstanding commitment to this goal. In 2017 the PGA of South Africa and its partner, the Black Management Forum (BMF), joined all the major golf bodies in the formation of a transformation council, which drove the transformation indaba held that same year. The transformation council now sits under the auspices of GolfRSA, and a transformation officer has also been appointed to assist the major bodies within South African golf to work collectively towards agreed transformation goals.

“We are aware we have a big role to play in transforming the entire industry, from people who play golf at clubs to people working in the industry,” says PGA of South Africa chief executive, Ivano Ficalbi.

“We will drive as much change within what we control. Our members are at the forefront of the game, meeting with new golfers and driving the growth of the game. The game needs to grow and the only way it will do so is by golf clubs adapting and changing the barriers to entry. We are an association of 670 men and women who are actively involved at clubs and golf facilities, and we see ourselves as the conduit to driving the transformation discussion at these facilities.

“It boils down to the PGA of South Africa

using our membership to play a more active role in getting the transformation message out there and taking golf forward in this country.”

In 2013 the PGA of South Africa first partnered with the BMF to work more closely together in terms of its transformation goals.

The PGA of South Africa has also made allowance for non-executive directors to assist the board of the PGA of South Africa, and appointed Monde Ndlovu from the BMF to the board.

Joseph Phiri, a PGA member based at Zwartkop Country Club, is also a national director on the board and a proposed future vice-chairperson of the association.

The PGA of South Africa has also built a strong relationship with the R&A “Working for Golf” committee, and all R&A projects within Sub-Saharan Africa are managed through the PGA of South Africa Education Department. To date the PGA has managed projects in Botswana, Malawi, Uganda and Madagascar, and provided training through the PGA training programme for African delegates from Mauritius, Madagascar, Malawi and Zambia.“As an association of professional golfers with a long and proud history in the game of golf in South Africa, we are committed to promote the game of golf and to bring about meaningful transformation as we also help to stimulate growth and participation,” says Ficalbi.

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Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES