COMMUNITY
Restoring Vision. Reviving Nature. Reimagining Community.
COMMUNITY
Restoring Vision. Reviving Nature. Reimagining Community.
LOFOB
We are proud to report that through the LOFOB ECD programme, blind and visually impaired children from disadvantaged communities across the Western Cape, including semi-urban and rural communities, are achieving optimal developmental, functional independence, and education outcomes; and are successfully integrated into communities that are more informed, supportive, and inclusive of their needs.
Without access to the early childhood intervention and support services they require, children who are blind and visually impaired from disadvantaged backgrounds often experience isolation with limited opportunities for development and learning.
Recently, our Early Childhood Development team:
- Facilitated therapeutic and education programmes with 59 blind and visually impaired children and their parents;
- Facilitated screening and commenced therapeutic and education programmes with 14 new children referred, and their parents;
- The youngest new child referred is 11 months old;
- Facilitated blindness awareness and early intervention programmes with 195 community members;
- Facilitated blindness awareness and early intervention programmes with 61 staff from various education, health, social, and community development organisations.
The above image shows a visually impaired four-year-old girl as she successfully manipulates playground equipment during an outdoor play session at LOFOB.
The above image shows a visually impaired six-year-old boy being introduced to assistive technology at LOFOB.
We have also conducted a successful parent support and education group and during Women’s Month engaged with communities and organisations on the challenges, achievements, and inclusion of girls and women who are blind and visually impaired into society. We are also delighted to report that we facilitated eye screening and eye care awareness with the learners of Jakes Gerwel Technical High School, Bonnievale.
HEAR IN AFRICA
This was a productive, but rather sad month for us as we bid goodbye to our dear colleague, Safoora Mustapha, who has resigned to focus on being a full-time mom. Safoora worked relentlessly throughout July to wrap up the cases that she had been handling, doing a handover of case files and equipment to Shannon and Tersia and discussing her recommendations for our outreach services. The team enjoyed spoiling her with a surprise farewell lunch on 31 July.
Recently we have achieved considerable success in our diagnostic, assessment and hearing aid work in the Grassy Park and Wynberg clinics.
Safoora’s farewell
In June we conducted eight paid diagnostic assessments, making three ENT referrals and donating one hearing aid. Nine other hearing aids were purchased privately.
In July we hosted four diagnostic audiology/hearing aid clinics in Grassy Park and four diagnostic audiology/hearing aid clinics in Wynberg.
We also provided audiology assistance at the St Joseph’s Paediatric Care Facility. Emma Siegfried and Shannon O’Leary consult with the two speech therapists who work at St Joseph’s Paediatric Care Facility in order to assist them with their hearing monitoring programme and in collaboration with their referral hospitals.
Our assistance this month consisted of co-ordinating and running an online meeting between the speech therapists at St Joseph’s with the Audiology and ENT Departments at Red Cross Hospital to discuss their referral pathways, clarify what baseline testing will be provided and share ideas of how to improve patient care pathways for those children who are sent to St Joseph’s from Red Cross and require ongoing audiological monitoring.
In a significant development, due to ongoing concerns regarding security, productivity and logistics at our previous sites in Grassy Park and Wynberg, Shannon O’Leary visited a potential new site in a house that is owned by and located right next door to St James Church in Kenilworth. We have decided to go ahead with a six-month trial at this venue and feel that it is well suited to the needs of our diagnostic/hearing aid clinic.
In the coming months we will continue to provide audiology support and assistance to the two speech therapists at St Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care facility and are delighted to introduce our new audiologist, Tersia Davids and establish our new outreach site at St James Church, Kenilworth.
As ever, we express our thanks to the Spirit Foundation!
THE BIG ISSUE
We continue to achieve our mission, but on an annual basis still experience the difficulties and problems caused by the winter season. Our Vendors and staff are constantly sick from ‘flu related illnesses. Some of the Vendors’ houses in Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Delft, Phillipi and Nyanga have flooded and roofs have leaked. Unfortunately, too, sales of the magazine have been rather slow and we put this down to the school holidays as well as the wintery weather.
Spirit Foundation Big Issue Saturday Classes have resumed with learners confirming their attendance through the WhatsApp group chat. Both tutors have also confirmed their attendance.
The Vendor meeting was well attended. Our community worker facilitated a workshop on “How to keep Warm, Safe and Healthy” during the winter season. Seven Vendors also participated in the art lesson before the vendor meeting. This time it was run by Jeff Lok who stood in for Elaine while she was overseas. Their sketches will feature in #341 Big Issue Magazine. After this month’s workshop, lunch was served. Vendors received magazine combos for attendance of the meeting. Since it is still winter season, some Vendors shared that they are getting to their pitches earlier in order that they can leave for home when it is still light.
More good news is that the “Home Improvement Project” is going well and six Vendors will receive their funds when all the required documents are submitted.
Our Vendors were very pleased with the new cover of the magazine which addresses teenage pregnancy. They shared their own experiences of getting pregnant at this stage and that their children or grandchildren are experiencing the same problem.
Vendors were very happy to hear that they are getting new bibs which have reflective stripes. The reflective material seems to wear off with many washes and so this will be a benefit of having the new bibs.
This month six Vendors will receive money to assist them with their home improvement projects. We are still waiting for outstanding documents from Vendors who have no smart phones. The community worker always assists them with any challenges in gathering the correct information and the process therefore runs smoothly. They are enormously grateful to the Spirit Foundation for this help especially now with some homes flooded and problems with roofs.
Ntombekhaya Mhambi was supposed to get the funds in June but was unable to get the photos required. This is now completed and she will get the funds this month together with Siphokazi Magobiyane, Joseph Klink, Thabo Jamangile, Mzwethemba Tinzi, and Luvo Loliwe.
Ending this report on a high note, during Women’s Month in August we also hosted a Mixed Gender Dialogue and Mixed Gender Workshop for the Spirit Foundation Big Issue Saturday School Learners.
UPPER LIESBEEK RIVER GARDEN
The wintery month of July brought several rainy days during which we propagated some plants in our nursery. When the skies cleared, we continued with the pruning started in June. We were also lucky enough to be gifted more Clivias, some Dietes and Setaria which were all then planted. The routine tasks of clearing pathways, removing fallen branches and other debris while continuing with the weeding, continued as usual.
The reason we dedicate so much time to pruning is that it is a vital practice for maintaining healthy, attractive and productive shrubs. It has several benefits:
~ It promotes healthy growth as all dead and diseased wood is removed so halting the spread of infections and pests. This also extends the lifespan of the plant.
~ Air circulation is improved, minimising the risk of fungal infections like powdery mildew.
~ New growth is stimulated, where the cut is made at least two new shoots should emerge.
~ Is a technique to shape plants into attractive and manageable sizes.
~ Flowering for the next season is boosted.
~ Cuttings are taken from the offcuts to produce new plants so off setting our carbon footprint and promoting regenerative practices.
There is not a lot of colour in the garden in winter but fortunately Chasmanthe floribunda does brighten things up from mid-winter through to mid-Spring. The deep orange flowers are pollinated by sunbirds. These plants are endemic to the winter-rainfall regions of South Africa.
LORD’S TAVERNERS SOUTH AFRICA (LTSA) TABLE CRICKET
TABLE CRICKET LEAGUE TABLE AT END JULY 2025
| POSITION | TEAM | PLAYED | WON | LOST | TIED | POINTS |
| 1 | ASTRA SCHOOL | 4 | 4 | 8 | ||
| 2 | JAN KRIEL SCHOOL | 5 | 4 | 1 | 8 | |
| 3 | FILIA SCHOOL | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| 4 | ST JOSEPHS MONTANA | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| 5 | TEMBALETHU SCHOOL | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 6 | ST JOSEPHS MARIST | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 7 | VISTA NOVA PS | 4 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 8 | EROS SCHOOL | 4 | 4 | 0 |
The month of July coincided with the winter school holidays, which spanned across three weeks. As a result, there were no scheduled school fixtures for LTSA Table Cricket during this time, and on-the-ground activity was naturally limited due to learners and educators being on holiday.
In anticipation of this period, we actively engaged with several schools to explore the possibility of hosting a one-day holiday clinic to maintain momentum. Unfortunately, these plans could not materialise at this stage, primarily due to challenges around staff availability and access to school facilities during the holidays. This is something we will continue to explore moving forward.
While this meant July was quieter in terms of direct programme delivery, the time was used strategically to plan, prepare, and align fixtures for the upcoming term. We have also been working closely with schools to confirm schedules and ensure that the next phase runs smoothly and effectively especially putting more pressure on those schools who are behind in fixtures.
Looking ahead, we are excited for a dynamic Term Three, which will see:
- A series of Table Cricket fixtures taking place across participating schools
- Increased engagement with learners as they return to their regular school schedule
- Preparations for the second Table Cricket Festival in Term Four
- The build-up to the conclusion of the inaugural LTSA Table Cricket League, which will be a significant milestone
Thank you for your continued support as we work towards an impactful second half of the year.
EXCELLENCE IN LIFE
The main objectives of the programme are to:
- Provide the marginalised children and youth with opportunities in life and sport
- Competition
- Psychosocial support and feeding
- Mentoring and linking
- Character building to trying to normalise and stabilize their communities that struggle under psychopathologies
The programme is in its third year of implementation and was always self-funded but also received donations from schools and community members. This is an ongoing programme and focuses currently on life skills training, technical skills development (Coaching), hard and soft ball cricket competitions, feeding provided on playing days, and an awards ceremony.
The current focus is on Tarentaalplaas and Casablanca in the Strand area. To balance this out parents from the affluent areas joined in to support and allowed their kids to play in the WP junior competition for under 11s with these kids from Casablanca and Tarentaalplaas.
Softball cricket is being played in the area but mostly with the private school Somerset College to develop the confidence, mannerism and interaction skills with more advantaged kids. Loreto School in Strand was also pulled into the coaching and is now participating for the first time in softball cricket.
We have recently completed two Life Skills training sessions held during the period focusing on listening and speaking skills and goalsetting and enjoyment of the game. We had eight training session for hard ball and softball cricket. An average of 40 children attended the practices on Wednesday and Fridays. Practices are run by MS Julies and Mariam, when the coach is not available. Umpiring is done by Mr Julies who is wheelchair bound.
The Strand kids could only play one hardball game, which we lost against Tygerberg. The life skills session focused on respect and building friendships. Feeding was provided by Ms Barry-Albanie. Due to financial challenges with transport the game against Curro Durbanville was cancelled. The Somerset West Strikers also cancelled their game against us, but we held an internal game to foster better relationships amongst the boys and girls.
We sincerely appreciate the donation by the Spirit Foundation and will utilise it to purchase playing shirts, caps and balls and nutrition for regular participants. We were also able to donate school shoes and tekkies to players who were really struggling.
SPECIAL MANDELA DAY PROJECT – JULY 2025
After a month planning the Excellence for Life NPC, Western Province Cricket Club, The Spirit Foundation, The Lord’s Taverners SA and Grant Jansen hosted a fundraising event on 17 and 18 July 2025 to honour the legacy of Mandela and to build the Dignity Project. The aim of the Dignity Project is to enable those who are limited by their circumstances to access needed services such as sanitary towels and for those who through life’s interventions have lost some of their basic functionality and required incontinence nappies.
The Western Province Cricket Club (WPCC) provided the venue, logistics and food for the beneficiaries and supporters of the event. The Spirit Foundation and Lord’s Taverners South Africa MD were instrumental and massive in their support to the marketing, funding contributions and overall support.
On day one Grant Jansen broke the unofficial record for the longest bowling run up when he completed 8,14km before delivering the ball to Steve Palframan. Grant was supported in the field by the team of beneficiaries from the Spirit Foundation and Lord’s Taverners, while Steve’s team consisted of the Ladies from the Victoria Hub. These kids enjoyed themselves so much and were able to be part of history. The children were properly dressed and kitted with new T shirts thanks to the contributions of the Spirit Foundation and Lord’s Taverners. They were proudly nicknamed the LIFERS, by Steve Palframan, a name that will be used for the NPC going forward.
The coaches from WPCC contributed through training and mentoring sessions with the young beneficiaries. Meals were provided to the kids who come from impoverished areas in Strand. The exposure to the facility and activities left a deep sense of drive in them. Up till today they still speaking about the experience.
On day two Grant attempted to bowl 107 overs in one day. The first person who contributed and faced up to Grant was Steve Palframan. That set things off very well. Commentary was provided by Omar Henry and others.
Pledges and contributions were made throughout the day and raised the funds slowly but surely in the direction of the target.
Some handovers of sanitary towels and nappies were done by the partners and specifically SADIP from Peter Buchanan.
The beneficiaries of the sanitary towels on the day were:
– Human Rights Screen Foundation operating in Kensington area for girls in sport
– Greenwood Football Club operating in Grassy Park
– Victoria Cricket Hub- Kenilworth and surrounds
– Thula Baba project – working with women in hospitals who have given birth and unable to support themselves
The day ended just after four when Grant bowled his last overs to his sons and the main sponsors of the day. The day did not end there because WPCC, in the person of Graeme, continued raising funds while an assessment of activities was done.
After consolidating the funds and goods received the partners started distributing the nappies and sanitary towels with the help of Peter at SADIP. The main beneficiaries in July were:
– Lavender Hill Old Aged Home
– Gugulethu and Langa Old Aged Homes
Handovers of nappies in August will focus on Kraaifontein Old Aged Home, Calitzdorp Old Aged Home, Huis Silwerjare, AGS Old Aged Home.
Handover of sanitary towels to WP girls’ sports team, Boland ladies’ cricket, Mitchells Plain Soft Ball and Central Hockey Club.
MPUMELELO
The Mpumelelo Project has played a key role so far in the development of young boys in eight townships of Cape Town. This has largely been as a result of the hard work of our area coordinators who provide coaching skills, mentoring and academic support to our beneficiaries.
Our Mpumelelo coordinators have finally completed the Coach Ed Level Cricket coaching certification, meaning that our six coordinators are now qualified. Our tutoring programme officially started in June, and we are extremely proud to see our academic programme taking off. Our boys and girls are adapting well under the leadership of Ronaldo ‘Lucky’ Sithole. We have managed to add the Catch Trust Foundation Indoor Centre as our third facility partner. We used it for the first time last month when Somerset College was unavailable due to school holidays.
Our 12-week winter programme for the girls and boys which kicked off in June, is now well underway. This will continue into September, after which we are planning fixtures against WPCA Hubs. We are also hoping to be included in a girls’ tournament on Heritage Day on September 24th.
We have found that our squads of grades five, six and seven will need academic assistance more specific to each age group. This means that a specific tutor will need to be dedicated per grade, as Ronaldo is currently combining the tutoring sessions for all three grades. Additional funding will need to be sourced to accommodate the extra tutors required.
Five of our six coordinators also attend the Level Two first aid course at UWC in August.
The 12 weeks programme of girls and boys started in June
iCaddies
As winter bids farewell and the first hints of spring emerge, golf clubs across the country are eagerly preparing for the much-anticipated start of the high season. With the days growing longer and the temperatures rising, all eyes are now on ensuring that both staff and courses are primed for an influx of eager golfers.
With corporate events taking centre stage from September, the golfing industry is poised for a bustling season. Companies are increasingly recognising the value of golf as a platform for networking, team building, and client entertainment. As such, clubs are gearing up to host a variety of corporate tournaments and events, catering to the needs of businesses looking to impress their clients and foster team spirit among employees.
So, dust off those clubs and get ready to tee off! The high season is just around the corner, and it’s time to embrace the joy of golf once again. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer to the game, there’s no better time to hit the greens and enjoy all that the sport has to offer. Let’s make this season one to remember!
We had a thrilling day at Paarl Golf Club as the caddies proudly donned their brand-new bibs, sponsored by Warwick Wealth. This launch marks a significant milestone in conjunction with the start of the new golfing season, infusing fresh energy and enthusiasm into the club’s vibrant community.
The unveiling of the new bibs not only enhances the caddies’ appearance but also serves as a symbol of their vital role in the golfing experience. Each bib features the Warwick Wealth logo, showcasing the partnership that supports the caddies and highlights their importance within the club. The new attire is expected to elevate the professionalism and presentation of the caddies, ensuring they represent Paarl Golf Club with pride and distinction.
As the golfing season kicks off, the anticipation surrounding the new bibs is palpable. The caddies are excited about the enhanced visibility and recognition that comes with their updated uniforms. This initiative not only boosts morale but also reinforces the commitment to providing exceptional service to members and guests alike.
But Paarl Golf Club is just the beginning. Following this successful launch, Steenberg Golf Estate is next in line to receive their new bibs. This rollout across multiple clubs signifies a broader effort to standardise and elevate the caddie experience throughout the region. Each club will have the opportunity to showcase their caddies in stylish and professional attire, further enhancing the overall golfing experience for everyone involved.
The partnership between iCaddies and Warwick Wealth exemplifies the growing recognition of the invaluable contribution caddies make to the sport. Sponsors are not only supporting the caddies, but also acknowledging their dedication and hard work on the course.
As we embrace the new golfing season, the excitement surrounding the launch of these new bibs is just the beginning. The enhanced visibility and professionalism of our caddies will undoubtedly enrich the golfing experience for all members and visitors.
The WP Winter Caddie Series has now officially ended, culminating in an exciting final event hosted at the prestigious Royal Cape Golf Club. This much-anticipated gathering not only showcased the talents of the participating caddies, but also featured a prize-giving ceremony that celebrated the top-performing playing caddies of the series.
Throughout the season, the competition was fierce, with caddies demonstrating exceptional skill and sportsmanship on the course. As the final scores were tallied, it was no surprise when Brian Daniels (Strand Golf Club) was crowned the overall winner of the series. His consistent performance and dedication to the game truly set him apart, earning him this well-deserved accolade.
In addition to individual achievements, the event also recognised the collective efforts of the teams. The winning team was determined based on overall cumulative points, and Team Steenberg emerged as the champions of the 2025 series. Their teamwork and collaboration throughout the season were instrumental in securing this prestigious title, highlighting the importance of camaraderie in the caddie community.
The atmosphere at Royal Cape Golf Club was electric as caddies gathered to celebrate the achievements of all participants. The prize-giving ceremony served as a fitting conclusion to a season filled with remarkable golf, showcasing the talent and dedication of the caddies who play an integral role in the sport.
As we reflect on the WP Winter Caddie Series, this event has not only provided a platform for competition, but has also fostered a sense of community among caddies. The bonds formed during this series will undoubtedly continue to strengthen the camaraderie within the golfing community.
Congratulations to all the participants for their hard work and dedication throughout the season. A special mention goes to Brian Daniels and Team Steenberg for their outstanding performances.
The Boland Regional Championships took centre stage at Paarl Golf Club, drawing attention from caddies and golf enthusiasts alike. This prestigious event invited the top four caddies from various clubs to compete, showcasing their skills and dedication to the sport.
Among the distinguished participants was the defending champion, Teswell Koopman from Stellenbosch Golf Club. As he prepared to defend his title, he faced stiff competition from a talented group of fellow invitees: Jermaine McCullam from De Zalze Golf Club, Shaun Dumzela from Hermanus Golf Club, and Mark Davids from Devonvale Golf Club. Each caddie arrived with high hopes, eager to prove their mettle on the course.
The day was filled with excitement as spectators gathered to witness the thrilling matchups. The atmosphere was electric, with cheers echoing across the fairways as each caddie displayed their talent and strategic prowess. However, the defending champion, Teswell Koopman, found the competition tougher than anticipated.
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Shaun Dumzela emerged as the new champion, defeating Koopman on the day. Dumzela’s motivation and focus were evident as he navigated the course with precision and confidence, ultimately securing the title. His victory not only earned him the championship crown but also the opportunity to represent the Boland region at a national level.
As the newly crowned champion, Shaun Dumzela will now compete against the country’s top individuals at the prestigious Nick Price Vaal De Grace Golf Estate in Bloemfontein on 2nd November 2025. This upcoming event promises to be a thrilling showdown, as the best caddies and golfers from across the nation gather to determine the national champion in their respective divisions.
The Boland Regional Championships highlighted the dedication and passion that caddies bring to the game, reinforcing their essential role in the golfing community. Congratulations to Shaun Dumzela on his well-deserved victory, and best of luck as he prepares for the national competition!
We look forward to following Dumzela’s journey and celebrating the achievements of all caddies who participated in this remarkable event.
