CAPE TOWN – As the year draws to a close, People’s Post take a look at some of the stories that made headlines and pictures that captured the readers’ imagination.
January
A storage company had until Friday 19 January to remove up to 100 shipping containers “illegally” moved onto Riverview Church of Christ premises in Main Road, Lakeside.
The City of Cape Town’s Deputy mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews explains that the property in question is zoned for residential use and thus cannot be used for storage business purposes.
February
Housing activists say only once they see developments and affordable housing being built on the Tafelberg site in Sea Point, will they believe that the local government is serious about addressing the crises. A housing project in Ottery, delayed for more than a year, allegedly due to extortion and criminality, is set to start in earnest with promises of houses to be built and completed by the end of the year.
On Wednesday 19 February, a “relaunch sod-turning ceremony” was held with City officials and beneficiaries.
March
Capricorn Primary School in Vrygrond has launched its first-ever Leadership Prefects Programme, selecting 30 exceptional learners from 89 applicants to pioneer a movement aimed at cultivating young leaders in the community. This groundbreaking initiative, championed by principal Tracy Barnard along with Ilse Elizah and Christian Mutatsh, was officially launched early this year with a special ceremony on Thursday 20 February where the young prefects received their badges and pledged commitment to their roles.
April
A large group of residents objected to a proposal for a high school to be built on Coniston Park. They felt that the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) had “deviated” from the original building specs. A Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT) for a Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) school for 375 children took place in May 2023.
May
The family of the late Emaan Solomons can finally rest after the Western Cape High Court sentenced the perpetrators to 35 years imprisonment without parole for her murder as well as other charges on Friday 2 May. Solomons had joined her playmates for a school ball game in a cul de sac (road that ends) outside her family home when caught in the crossfire on Tuesday 25 February 2020.
June
The popular roaming elephant seal was an astonishing sight for visitors when the sea mammal stopped by at Kalk Bay Harbour on Wednesday morning 28 May. The adult male was previously spotted wandering on Sir Lowry’s Pass Road in Gordon’s Bay a day earlier. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA received a call at 06:00 that morning and their staff arrived to assess the situation.
July
Four families were appealing for assistance with donations after their homes were flooded during the storm that battered the Cape last week.
People’s Post spoke with three affected homeowners who reside in the informal settlements at Masiphumelele, namely: WE 197, WE 103 and WE 502.
August
The City reviews its options regarding the revamping of a long-standing Scout campsite in Grassy Park that is no longer used and has become unsightly. The Gilray Scout Camp, which dates back to the 1950s, has since become dilapidated particularly after constant targeting by vandals in recent years.
September
A teacher from Kalk Bay grabbed silver as the second best teacher in the technology field at the national teaching awards recently.
Kelly Joe Francis received a certificate for Excellence in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning at the Western Cape Education.
October
An eight-year-old school in Ottery that has battled to remain operational is facing imminent closure after being handed a letter to “cease operations” from the City of Cape Town.
In terms of the letter, Otters Creek Junior School (OCJS), situated on 11 Serissa Street, is in contravention of the City’s Planning By-Law. According to the letter, the property is zoned as “SR1 Single Residential Zone 1”, therefore cannot be used as a school. The letter, dated September 9, warned the school to stop operating from its current premises on Tuesday 11 November.
November
A young cyclist from Ocean View Kendall Olivier (12) claimed two gold medals and a bronze at the South African Championships held in Oudtshoorn during the September school holidays, earning her SA colours in a breakthrough performance.
December
A safety plan concerning five baboon tribes has been finalised, the City of Cape Town confirmed, but a pair of animal activists remain critical of this plan. The plan includes a sanctuary, fencing as well as a waste strategy carried by Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT).
