{"id":301864,"date":"2026-05-27T10:03:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T08:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/?p=301864"},"modified":"2026-05-28T12:04:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T10:04:39","slug":"opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/","title":{"rendered":"OPINION || Take Learnings From Our Own Past to Shape Our Future"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>&#8220;Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>George Santayana wrote this in 1905. The first time I heard it, I assumed it was reserved for documentaries about World War II.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then I turned 30 last week, felt the first creak in my knee and watched my four-year-old nephew launch himself off a wall, land perfectly and carry on. My internal monologue: &#8220;Eina! That is going to hurt in 25 years.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The DistrictMail has been publishing for nearly 100 years. Journalists have come and gone but left behind a record. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I started here nearly two years ago, I was desperate to dig into the archive but lacked a purpose. I think I have finally found one: to look back and see what we are repeating, what we have forgotten, and what has quietly changed while no-one was watching.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And so I opened the bundle from May 1976.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first headline I spotted was the origin story of a local rivalry. Fifty years ago, Hottentots-Holland High School was preparing for its first-ever interschools rugby match against Ho\u00ebrskool Strand. Before that, HHH had made the annual trip to Stellenbosch to face Paul Roos Gymnasium, and HS was only 16 years old. Its principal, AH Potgieter, called it &#8220;a great honour&#8221; to be considered worthy opponents. On 22 May, in front of hundreds of spectators at the Charles Morkel Stadium, HHH won 12-6.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:48.55612%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"301872\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260525_111158_10694\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111158_10694.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,745\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260525_111158_10694\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Before the first-ever HHH vs Strand interschools match in May 1976, the cheerleaders marked the occasion in style. From left: Ilze de Villiers, C Smith, J Kleinhans and Fransisca de Wet, with the Strand team visible in the background. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Before the first-ever HHH vs Strand interschools match in May 1976, the cheerleaders marked the occasion in style. From left: Ilze de Villiers, C Smith, J Kleinhans and Fransisca de Wet, with the Strand team visible in the background. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111158_10694-1024x636.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"301872\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260525_111158_10694\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111158_10694.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,745\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260525_111158_10694\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Before the first-ever HHH vs Strand interschools match in May 1976, the cheerleaders marked the occasion in style. From left: Ilze de Villiers, C Smith, J Kleinhans and Fransisca de Wet, with the Strand team visible in the background. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Before the first-ever HHH vs Strand interschools match in May 1976, the cheerleaders marked the occasion in style. From left: Ilze de Villiers, C Smith, J Kleinhans and Fransisca de Wet, with the Strand team visible in the background. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111158_10694-1024x636.jpg\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 1 of 2 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111158_10694-1024x636.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111158_10694-1024x636.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111158_10694-1024x636.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Cheerleaders celebrate the historic first HHH vs Strand interschools occasion in May 1976.\" data-height=\"745\" data-id=\"301872\" data-link=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/?attachment_id=301872\" data-url=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111158_10694-1024x636.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111158_10694-1024x636.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:51.44388%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"301873\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260525_111247_16706\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111247_16706.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,703\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260525_111247_16706\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Gary Devin (HHH) sidesteps Strand wing Josias Cloet during the historic first interschools clash at the Charles Morkel Stadium in May 1976. From left: Leon Truter and George Basson (Strand), Bram van Wyk, Anthony Battison, Barry Swart and Robbie Laurie (HHH). Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Gary Devin (HHH) sidesteps Strand wing Josias Cloet during the historic first interschools clash at the Charles Morkel Stadium in May 1976. From left: Leon Truter and George Basson (Strand), Bram van Wyk, Anthony Battison, Barry Swart and Robbie Laurie (HHH). Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111247_16706-1024x600.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"301873\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260525_111247_16706\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111247_16706.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,703\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260525_111247_16706\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Gary Devin (HHH) sidesteps Strand wing Josias Cloet during the historic first interschools clash at the Charles Morkel Stadium in May 1976. From left: Leon Truter and George Basson (Strand), Bram van Wyk, Anthony Battison, Barry Swart and Robbie Laurie (HHH). Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Gary Devin (HHH) sidesteps Strand wing Josias Cloet during the historic first interschools clash at the Charles Morkel Stadium in May 1976. From left: Leon Truter and George Basson (Strand), Bram van Wyk, Anthony Battison, Barry Swart and Robbie Laurie (HHH). Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111247_16706-1024x600.jpg\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 2 of 2 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111247_16706-1024x600.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111247_16706-1024x600.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111247_16706-1024x600.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Archive photo of the first HHH vs Strand interschools rugby clash at Charles Morkel Stadium, May 1976.\" data-height=\"703\" data-id=\"301873\" data-link=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/?attachment_id=301873\" data-url=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111247_16706-1024x600.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260525_111247_16706-1024x600.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Next I found Robert Swann&#8217;s report on the Liquor Price War of May 1976. Ronnie Hirsch of the Helderberg Hotel placed an advert in this very newspaper: a six-pack of beer for R1,56, Richelieu Brandy for R3,29 and Smirnoff Vodka for R3,23. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"855\" data-attachment-id=\"301874\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260520_135629_20363\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135629_20363-e1779958330459.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1438,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260520_135629_20363\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;It took two full pages in the DistrictMail to start a war. Ronnie Hirsch&amp;#8217;s May 1976 double-page liquor advert \u2014 a six-pack for R1,56, brandy for R3,29, vodka for R3,23 \u2014 had the whole basin talking within days. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;It took two full pages in the DistrictMail to start a war. Ronnie Hirsch&amp;#8217;s May 1976 double-page liquor advert \u2014 a six-pack for R1,56, brandy for R3,29, vodka for R3,23 \u2014 had the whole basin talking within days. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135629_20363-e1779958330459-1024x855.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135629_20363-e1779958330459-1024x855.jpg\" alt=\"Ronnie Hirsch's 1976 DistrictMail liquor advert offering a six-pack for R1,56, brandy for R3,29 and vodka for R3,23.\" class=\"wp-image-301874\" srcset=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135629_20363-e1779958330459-1024x855.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135629_20363-e1779958330459-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135629_20363-e1779958330459-768x641.jpg 768w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135629_20363-e1779958330459-1320x1102.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135629_20363-e1779958330459-600x501.jpg 600w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135629_20363-e1779958330459.jpg 1438w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It took two full pages in the DistrictMail to start a war. Ronnie Hirsch&#8217;s May 1976 double-page liquor advert \u2014 a six-pack for R1,56, brandy for R3,29, vodka for R3,23 \u2014 had the whole basin talking within days. Photo: Archive<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One dealer sold spirits below cost. It lasted a week. Hirsch&#8217;s reasoning: Cape Town had become too easy to reach and local stores had to compete.Today that six-pack costs R109,99. The brandy is R234,99 and the vodka R179,99. What has changed is the price. What has not is the argument. Today it is Checkers Sixty60 doing the disrupting, not a hotelier with a point to prove. Some things repeat themselves without even trying.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then came 1996 \u2013 the year I arrived.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In May of that year, Alison Swannack opened the Boland Sign Language School in Somerset West \u2013 the first of its kind in the Helderberg. Born deaf, she had lived through the era when sign language was banned in South African schools. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This month, we reported on a <a href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/life-for-12th-language\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"301698\">level-four South African Sign Language (SASL) course in Strand<\/a> for youth aged 16 to 26. SA recognised SASL as an official language in 2023. Interpreters, however, remain in short supply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The school ran for two years before her work expanded into Cape Town. Thirty years on, Swannack is still involved in the deaf community \u2014 now from East Sussex in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Swannack started fighting that battle the year I was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>May 1996 also brought the basin&#8217;s first fully democratic local elections. FW de Klerk campaigned for the National Party (NP) in the Helderberg. Thabo Mbeki and Cyril Ramaphosa \u2013 long before either held the presidency \u2013 appeared for the African National Congress (ANC). The result: NP 16 seats, ANC 15, Democratic Party (DP) one. A local government of national unity, nearly three decades before the term became fashionable.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:58.91839%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"301871\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260520_105541_99100\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_105541_99100.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1655\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260520_105541_99100\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;The final ward and proportional representation (PR) councillor results for the Helderberg Substructure following the basin&amp;#8217;s first fully democratic local government elections in May 1996. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The final ward and proportional representation (PR) councillor results for the Helderberg Substructure following the basin&amp;#8217;s first fully democratic local government elections in May 1996. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_105541_99100-742x1024.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"301871\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260520_105541_99100\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_105541_99100.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1655\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260520_105541_99100\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;The final ward and proportional representation (PR) councillor results for the Helderberg Substructure following the basin&amp;#8217;s first fully democratic local government elections in May 1996. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The final ward and proportional representation (PR) councillor results for the Helderberg Substructure following the basin&amp;#8217;s first fully democratic local government elections in May 1996. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_105541_99100-742x1024.jpg\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 1 of 2 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_105541_99100-742x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_105541_99100-742x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_105541_99100-742x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Ward and PR councillor results from the Helderberg's first fully democratic local government elections in May 1996.\" data-height=\"1655\" data-id=\"301871\" data-link=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/?attachment_id=301871\" data-url=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_105541_99100-742x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_105541_99100-742x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:41.08161%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"301867\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260520_104133_05213\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104133_05213.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,2375\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260520_104133_05213\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Campaign material from the May 1996 local government elections \u2014 the first fully democratic poll in the Helderberg basin. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Campaign material from the May 1996 local government elections \u2014 the first fully democratic poll in the Helderberg basin. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104133_05213-517x1024.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"301867\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260520_104133_05213\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104133_05213.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,2375\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260520_104133_05213\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Campaign material from the May 1996 local government elections \u2014 the first fully democratic poll in the Helderberg basin. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Campaign material from the May 1996 local government elections \u2014 the first fully democratic poll in the Helderberg basin. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104133_05213-517x1024.jpg\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 2 of 2 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104133_05213-517x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104133_05213-517x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104133_05213-517x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Election campaign material from May 1996 \u2014 the first fully democratic local government poll in the Helderberg basin.\" data-height=\"2375\" data-id=\"301867\" data-link=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/?attachment_id=301867\" data-url=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104133_05213-517x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104133_05213-517x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, the ward councillor John Brits-Magwebu recalls the first sitting as tense \u2013 a marriage of convenience, with the budget as the ultimate referee. Sound familiar? Some things do not need 30 years to repeat themselves.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1600\" data-attachment-id=\"302058\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/whatsappimage2026-05_72703-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_72703.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"WhatsAppImage2026-05_72703\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_72703-768x1024.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_72703.jpg\" alt=\"John Brits-Magwebu, 70, in retirement in Sir Lowry's Pass, 30 years after the Helderberg's first democratic government.\" class=\"wp-image-302058\" srcset=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_72703.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_72703-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_72703-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_72703-600x800.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thirty years after helping steer the Helderberg&#8217;s first government of national unity, John Brits-Magwebu (70) is enjoying retirement in Sir Lowry&#8217;s Pass \u2014 still respected, still present, still community first. Photo: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Fast forward to 2014, when I was dreaming in a matric classroom while others were making history around me.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Current news editor Jamey Gordon reported 51 accidents at the Main Road\/R44 intersection that year, including one fatality. I know that stillness. I have stood in it more times than I can count.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rob Quintas, Mayoral Committee member for Urban Mobility, confirmed 72 crashes over the past 12 months \u2013 nine minor injuries, no fatalities. More crashes. Fewer deaths.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The truest measure of change is not in the numbers. It is in the people.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the 1996 social pages I found a photograph of the Mej Gordon Ho\u00ebr pageant and tracked down first princess Ad\u00e9le Gordon (n\u00e9e Volkwyn), now 45. Married with two children and working part-time for the MCSA Hottentots Holland, she says the nerves backstage and night&#8217;s energy created memories she still holds dear.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:81.32743%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"301865\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260520_104806_05108\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104806_05108.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,619\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260520_104806_05108\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Ad\u00e9le Volkwyn (far left) celebrates being crowned first princess at the Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr 1996 pageant. Also pictured, from left: Sheila Mouton (Mej. Gordon 1995), Elrene Simpson, Anita Wantza (second princess) and Celeste Luke (Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr 1996). Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Ad\u00e9le Volkwyn (far left) celebrates being crowned first princess at the Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr 1996 pageant. Also pictured, from left: Sheila Mouton (Mej. Gordon 1995), Elrene Simpson, Anita Wantza (second princess) and Celeste Luke (Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr 1996). Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104806_05108-1024x528.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"301865\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260520_104806_05108\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104806_05108.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,619\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260520_104806_05108\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Ad\u00e9le Volkwyn (far left) celebrates being crowned first princess at the Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr 1996 pageant. Also pictured, from left: Sheila Mouton (Mej. Gordon 1995), Elrene Simpson, Anita Wantza (second princess) and Celeste Luke (Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr 1996). Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Ad\u00e9le Volkwyn (far left) celebrates being crowned first princess at the Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr 1996 pageant. Also pictured, from left: Sheila Mouton (Mej. Gordon 1995), Elrene Simpson, Anita Wantza (second princess) and Celeste Luke (Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr 1996). Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104806_05108-1024x528.jpg\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 1 of 2 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104806_05108-1024x528.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104806_05108-1024x528.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104806_05108-1024x528.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Ad\u00e9le Volkwyn crowned first princess at the Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr 1996 pageant, with Celeste Luke as Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr.\" data-height=\"619\" data-id=\"301865\" data-link=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/?attachment_id=301865\" data-url=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104806_05108-1024x528.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_104806_05108-1024x528.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:18.67257%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"301870\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/whatsappimage2026-05_05280\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05280-scaled.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1132,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"WhatsAppImage2026-05_05280\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Thirty years after the nerves backstage at the Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr pageant, Ad\u00e9le Gordon has lived in Amsterdam, conquered banking, raised two children, started her own business and is now completing a Safety Management degree through Unisa.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Thirty years after the nerves backstage at the Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr pageant, Ad\u00e9le Gordon has lived in Amsterdam, conquered banking, raised two children, started her own business and is now completing a Safety Management degree through Unisa.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05280-453x1024.jpeg\" data-attachment-id=\"301870\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/whatsappimage2026-05_05280\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05280-scaled.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1132,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"WhatsAppImage2026-05_05280\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Thirty years after the nerves backstage at the Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr pageant, Ad\u00e9le Gordon has lived in Amsterdam, conquered banking, raised two children, started her own business and is now completing a Safety Management degree through Unisa.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Thirty years after the nerves backstage at the Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr pageant, Ad\u00e9le Gordon has lived in Amsterdam, conquered banking, raised two children, started her own business and is now completing a Safety Management degree through Unisa.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05280-453x1024.jpeg\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 2 of 2 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05280-453x1024.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05280-453x1024.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05280-453x1024.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1132&#038;ssl=1 1132w\" alt=\"Ad\u00e9le Gordon, 30 years after the Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr pageant, now completing a Safety Management degree through Unisa.\" data-height=\"2560\" data-id=\"301870\" data-link=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/?attachment_id=301870\" data-url=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05280-453x1024.jpeg\" data-width=\"1132\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05280-453x1024.jpeg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Elton Botha, who fundraised to represent SA at the 1997 Ballroom Dancing Championships in Blackpool, is now a father and works at Ocean Basket in Somerset Mall. He and Lizelle du Plessis made it to England and reached the second round, before an accident later that year kept him off the dance floor for more than a year.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:46.21172%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"301868\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260520_135320_05233\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135320_05233.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1871\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260520_135320_05233\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Dance partners Elton Botha and Lizelle du Plessis, pictured during their 1996 fundraising campaign. Though life has taken them in different directions, Botha says they still cross paths occasionally. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Dance partners Elton Botha and Lizelle du Plessis, pictured during their 1996 fundraising campaign. Though life has taken them in different directions, Botha says they still cross paths occasionally. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135320_05233-657x1024.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"301868\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/20260520_135320_05233\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135320_05233.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1871\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20260520_135320_05233\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Dance partners Elton Botha and Lizelle du Plessis, pictured during their 1996 fundraising campaign. Though life has taken them in different directions, Botha says they still cross paths occasionally. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Dance partners Elton Botha and Lizelle du Plessis, pictured during their 1996 fundraising campaign. Though life has taken them in different directions, Botha says they still cross paths occasionally. Photo: Archive&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135320_05233-657x1024.jpg\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 1 of 2 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135320_05233-657x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135320_05233-657x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135320_05233-657x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Archive: Elton Botha and Lizelle du Plessis, dance partners, during their 1996 fundraising campaign.\" data-height=\"1871\" data-id=\"301868\" data-link=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/?attachment_id=301868\" data-url=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135320_05233-657x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260520_135320_05233-657x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:53.78828%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"301869\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/whatsappimage2026-05_05266\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05266.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1607\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"WhatsAppImage2026-05_05266\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Elton Botha today \u2014 father to Kayleigh (10), who recently stumbled across the old DistrictMail article of her dad in ballroom garb and was fascinated to discover he could dance.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Elton Botha today \u2014 father to Kayleigh (10), who recently stumbled across the old DistrictMail article of her dad in ballroom garb and was fascinated to discover he could dance.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05266-765x1024.jpeg\" data-attachment-id=\"301869\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/whatsappimage2026-05_05266\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05266.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1607\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"WhatsAppImage2026-05_05266\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Elton Botha today \u2014 father to Kayleigh (10), who recently stumbled across the old DistrictMail article of her dad in ballroom garb and was fascinated to discover he could dance.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Elton Botha today \u2014 father to Kayleigh (10), who recently stumbled across the old DistrictMail article of her dad in ballroom garb and was fascinated to discover he could dance.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05266-765x1024.jpeg\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 2 of 2 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05266-765x1024.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05266-765x1024.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05266-765x1024.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Elton Botha today, father to Kayleigh (10), who recently discovered her dad's ballroom dancing past in the DistrictMail.\" data-height=\"1607\" data-id=\"301869\" data-link=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/?attachment_id=301869\" data-url=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05266-765x1024.jpeg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsAppImage2026-05_05266-765x1024.jpeg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2014, Ron\u00e9 Roux (28) from Strand and Ayabonga Mani (23) was among just 76 students worldwide selected for the Stagecoach Theatre Arts Summer Showcase in the UK. Roux raised funds by staging a In 2014, Ron\u00e9 Roux (28) from Strand and Ayabonga Mani (23) from Nomzamo were among just 76 students worldwide selected for the Stagecoach Theatre Arts Summer Showcase in the UK. Roux raised funds by staging a one-woman show, while Mani raised funds the only way an 11-year-old knows how \u2014 a solo flash mob in a mall, community support and the unshakeable belief that it would all work out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today Roux is staging her own musical in America, where she lives with her husband. Mani is in London, in his second year at LAMDA \u2014 the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts \u2014 having trained in Cape Town, lived in New York and never stopped moving since that mall flash mob in 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-custom-primary-background-color has-background has-border-color has-contrast-border-color has-fixed-layout\" style=\"border-width:16px\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Growing up in the Helderberg<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\uf06e What was it like growing up in the Helderberg?<br>\u2013 Ad\u00e9le Volkwyn: Strong-willed, energetic and never afraid to speak my mind. I threw myself into high school life and by 1998 had earned the title of deputy head girl, a milestone that still ranks among my proudest.<br>\u2013 Elton Botha: I was a typical teenager: time with friends, movies, pool and DJ&#8217;ng on the side. Life was simple and I loved it.<br>\u2013 Ron\u00e9 Roux: Goal-oriented, hardworking and always eager for the next big adventure, whatever that might be.<br>\u2013 Mani: A daydreamer, mostly. My mother ruled with an iron fist \u2014 no ifs, buts or maybes \u2014 and thank God she did. Growing up in Nomzamo, it is easy to fall into traps. My passion kept me out of them.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\uf06e How has the Helderberg changed?<br>\u2013 Volkwyn: Busier, faster and barely recognisable in places, but the one thing development has not managed to take is the sense of community.<br>\u2013 Botha: Growth has brought opportunity, but at a cost. In 1996, I could freely walk from my Gordon&#8217;s Bay home to family in Rusthof. Today that is simply not something you can do.<br>\u2013 Roux: I have two homes, one in North Carolina and one in the Helderberg. But the Helderberg will always be home.<br>\u2013 Mani: From London, the Helderberg lives in my senses \u2014 Radloff Park in June, the river, the rain, the greenery. But more than anything, I miss the people. You can strike up a conversation with just about anyone. That is the South African magic I carry with me<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\uf06e If you could say something to your younger self, what would it be?<br>\u2013 Volkwyn: Stop shrinking to fit into spaces you were never meant to belong in. The strength that made you stand out then is the foundation of everything you are now.<br>\u2013 Botha: Keep dreaming, keep trying and keep working toward your goals. Family is everything; cherish them.<br>\u2013 Roux: Do not be afraid to start small and grow from there.<br>\u2013 Mani: When it feels like you have come as far as someone from your circumstances is allowed to come, lean forward anyway.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>History is not a dusty archive; it lives and breathes. If we do not take the time to look back, we risk not only repeating it, but forgetting it altogether. Santayana was right; I just had no idea he was talking about the Helderberg.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In his column, Barend Williams opens the DistrictMail&#8217;s archive to reveal what the Helderberg has forgotten, repeated and quietly changed since 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Volkwyn (far left) celebrates being crowned first princess at the Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr 1996 pageant. Also pictured, from left: Sheila Mouton (Mej. Gordon 1995), Elrene Simpson, Anita Wantza (second princess) and Celeste Luke (Mej. Gordon Ho\u00ebr 1996). Photo: Archive","article_media_icon":"1","article_template":"news","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"Take learnings from our own past","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":["COL_BWarchivemay_P1","COL_BWarchivemay_P10","COL_BWarchivemay_P2","COL_BWarchivemay_P3","COL_BWarchivemay_P4","COL_BWarchivemay_P5","COL_BWarchivemay_P6","COL_BWarchivemay_P7","COL_BWarchivemay_P8","COL_BWarchivemay_P9"],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1,24],"tags":[9548,9523,9735],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-301864","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-opinion","tag-column","tag-helderberg","tag-history"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>OPINION | Take Learnings From Our Own Past to Shape Our Future | DistrictMail &amp; Helderberg Gazette<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In his column, Barend Williams opens the DistrictMail&#039;s archive to reveal what the Helderberg has forgotten, repeated and quietly changed since 1976.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"OPINION || Take Learnings From Our Own Past to Shape Our Future\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In his column, Barend Williams opens the DistrictMail&#039;s archive to reveal what the Helderberg has forgotten, repeated and quietly changed since 1976.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/opinion-take-learnings-from-our-own-past-to-shape-our-future\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"DistrictMail &amp; 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