The I-CAN Centre has made an indelible impact within the Elsies River community and beyond

1. Woensdag, 12 April 2017 NEWS TYGERBURGER Eersterivier & Blue­Downs 15
Holiday spent revamping
Their presence worth more than presents: The team of helpers, consisting of representatives from ESI Attorneys from Tyger Valley and Ikamva
Ubomi, staff members and members of the community, who gathered at Vorentoe Primary school to assist with the painting of the school.
Seated second from left are ESI director Zayaan Samuels, school principal Elmara September (centre, in yellow shirt), ESI public relations
officer Mary­Ann McHardy. and ESI director Jacques Esterhuizen.
JAY­DEE CYSTER
@jaydeecyster
S
taff members at Vorentoe Primary
School in Ravensmead will be spend-
ing a large part of their holidays at the
school in an effort to revamp its facilities.
The project, the brainchild of ESI Attor-
neys based in Tyger Valley, forms part of
the firm’s corporate social investment (CSI)
initiative.
“We have adopted the school for the next
three years,” says the firm’s public rela-
tions officer, Mary-Ann McHardy. “Our im-
mediate goals include upgrading the li-
brary, which includes sourcing book dona-
tions, as well as upgrading the staff room,
kitchen facilities and administrative
block,” says McHardy. “We want to make
things a bit better for both teachers and
learners at the school.”
Other parties approached by ESI for this
effort include non-profit organisation
(NPO) Ikamva Ubomi, as well as JF Paints.
On Friday, ESI Attorneys closed their
doors for the day and brought along all their
employees to assist with the painting of the
inside of the school. School principal, Elma-
ra September, members of the community,
school staff members and employees from
the assisting groups were all ready to get
painting.
Eugene Walker, CEO and founder of Ik-
amva Ubomi, who could also be seen with
a paintbrush in hand, says that the NPO is
focused on getting the community involved
in the project.
“Our focus is on building cohesive com-
munities,” says Walker.
“We don’t only want to rely on our govern-
ment to make things happen. Our presence
here is worth more than presents,” Walker
adds.
Representatives from JP Paints, who do-
nated the paint, were also present, with re-
gional sales manager, Urmarie de Lange, ex-
pressing her excitement at being involved
in this project.
September says, “I’ve been at the school
for the past 18 years and this is the first time
that sponsors have come forward to support
us. It’s good to know that they are able to
see the need in the community.”
September says that initially ESI was on-
ly going to upgrade the library, but after as-
sessing the various needs of the school they
decided to enter into a three-year partner-
ship in order to make more of a difference
in the lives of the teachers and learners at
the school.
“We have identified that we need to focus
on the teachers and their morale as well.
That is why we will be developing a teach-
er’s hub to ensure that they feel motivated,”
says September.
“We’ve been at the school the entire holi-
day and it is tiring, but it’s a satisfying tired-
ness. This is our school’s new beginning.”
Vorentoe Primary School principal, Elmara
September, assisting with the painting of the
school’s foyer. PHOTOS: JAY­DEE CYSTER
YoungPeople@Work is inviting unem-
ployed youth to their upcoming free youth
empowerment workshops to be held at the
Bellville Library on Wednesday 19 and
Thursday 20 April.
Each workshop starts at 09:00 and ends at
13:00.
The facilitators are Frank Julie and Shirl-
ey de Jongh.
Participants will learn more about profes-
sional job-seeking skills, how to search for
a job professionally, and how to develop a
powerful CV.
Participants will also learn more about
what companies are looking for, interview-
ing skills, how the job market operates, how
to network with the right people, how to use
social media in the job search process, and
how to develop a job search plan.
There is also an opportunity to learn more
about basic bookkeeping skills, record keep-
ing, handling of cheques and online bank-
ing, receipts, reading bank statements, rec-
onciliations, reporting and petty cash.
The facilitators will also focus on basic of-
fice administration, the role of a reception-
ist, telephone etiquette, filing, diary man-
agement, bookings and minute taking.
Current employment and further study
opportunities will also be shared.
Participants will also be assisted with set-
ting up their CV and a free email account.
Certificates will be issued on completion
of the workshop.
Tea and coffee will be served, but partici-
pants are requested to provide their own
lunch.
To book your spot contact Shirley via
WhatsApp or sms on 073 820 1534.
VWhat is your opinion on this article? Let us know
at briewe@tygerburger.co.za.
Workshops to
help the youth
find jobs
ASTRID FEBRUARIE
@astridfebruarie
The Development Action Group (DAG) pre-
sented a research project conducted on the
Parow Station Arcade and provided various
recommendations on how to improve the
space. The research was done on behalf of
the Greater Tygerberg Partnership in an ef-
fort to better outline how the 14 hectares of
land can be improved.
Ryan Fester, the lead researcher, says the
recommendations were made after mapping
pedestrian movement routes and interview-
ing the City of Cape Town, Law Enforce-
ment, property developers and the VRCID.
Interviews were also conducted with formal
businesses and informal traders, as well as
civic organisations.
“We furthermore did 120 surveys to find
out from the public what their concerns are
and to find out what they recommend should
be done to improve the space,” he says.
Fester says the survey revealed that peo-
ple who travel in and out of the station ar-
cade are concerned about crime, while some
of the informal traders revealed that they
pay ‘gangster tax’. Other concerns include
drug dealing, prostitution, taxi violence,
health and hygiene, and illegal gambling.
Fester says their recommendations in-
clude greening Parow Station Arcade, for-
malising the trading space to ensure that pe-
destrians’ movements and visibility are not
restricted, upgrading the buildings to com-
plement the space, and improving vibrancy
in the area with a mix of housing options.
“We also need to establish a multi-stake-
holder forum to ensure that we avoid top-
down planning, as everyone who makes use
of the space must feel part of it,” Fester says.
Ward councillor Franchesca Walker urges
everyone to work together as partners to
bring about change. “We will present the re-
sults of the research to the community and
then we hope to start the project in the new
financial year,” she says.
Makeover
planned for
Parow station
ASTRID FEBRUARIE
@astridfebruare
The I-CAN Centre in Elsies River aims to
build healthy communities through gam-
ing and awareness of digital opportunities
for young people.
And in an effort to allow young people
to play games online and compete with
other gamers around the world, the centre
hosted a Gaming Day that saw about 121
gamers compete in the event.
I-CAN Centre manager Llewellyn
Scholtz says many young people are faced
with challenges in their local communi-
ties, but turn to gaming to be safe in their
homes.
“Parents also feel safe if they know their
children are safe. Gaming has created a
platform where young people come togeth-
er and compete against one another. This
digital activity has enormous potential to
drive gamers to become IT developers,
which the country is currently lacking,”
he says.
Scholtz says South Africa is faced with
a lack of high-end digital skills, but if
young people are assisted and pushed to
become high-end IT developers, then gam-
ing must be their launch pad toward suc-
cess.
“Through our event we urge gamers to
pursue a career in gaming development, as
it helps to develop cognitive skills through
strategic gaming,” he says.
He adds that the gaming event was start-
ed in an effort to move the youth away
from peer pressure, gangsterism and sub-
stance abuse, as
these are all factors
damaging today’s
youth.
“Young people
find gaming really
exciting, as it is a
new way to interact
with youth of other
communities,”
Scholtz says.
He adds that the
gaming day suc-
ceeded in its pur-
pose of bringing to-
gether youth from
different communi-
ties, including Bon-
teheuwel, Manen-
berg, Bishop Lavis,
Elsies River, Rav-
ensmead and Delft.
Hilario Esau, the
Street Fighter I-CAN champion, says he
entered for fun but in the back of his mind
he was in it to win it.
“I was really excited and overwhelmed
because I won the Street Fighter competi-
tion for the third time. Being a champ feels
good,” he says.
Yannick Vermeulen, the Naruto Fight-
ing I-CAN champion, says he had never
won a competition in his life before, and
receiving a trophy for winning his favour-
ite game was awesome.
“I have an Xbox at home that I play every
day, but this competition helped me im-
prove my skills and I beat guys that are
older than me,” he says.
Tohier Abrahams from Mitchells Plain,
who is the FIFA Soccer and Rugby I-CAN
champion, says his friend told him about
the event and how people battle each other
to win prizes. He entered the competition
because there is nothing else like it in his
community.
“The most fun part of this competition
was the crowd cheering for me being
called up and announced as the winner of
the tournament. It helps knowing that
there is always room for improvement and
that no matter how hard the challenge,
never give up,” he says.
Gamers battle it out during Gaming Day
From left are Llewellyn Scholtz (I­CAN Centre manager), Abdouraf
Barnes (gaming club member)and Yannick Vermeulen winner of the
Naruto Ninja Storm Fighting competition.

3. 4 TYGERBURGER Ravensmead & Belhar Woensdag, 18 November 2015NUUS
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GARY VAN DYK
@gvdcapejazz
C
onnectivity is becoming cool
in Elsies River with the open-
ing of the I-Can centre in Halt
Road.
In a world that is dominated by
cell phones and smart devices, our
lives are ruled by airtime and data
bundles for internet access.
The digital footprint is on the in-
crease, so how do we effectively
utilise the internet to improve the
quality of life in Elsies River?
The answer to these questions is
the Interactive Community Access
Network or I-Can centre, which is
a digital public access facility
based at the Elsies River multi-pur-
pose centre in Halt Road.
Director of the facility Llewellyn
Scholtz is excited about this new
development in the area, explain-
ing that it forms part of the roll-out
of the Western Cape government’s
broadband plan to connect commu-
nities across the province over the
coming years.
“As part of this plan, the resi-
dents of Elsies River and neigh-
bouring communities now have ac-
cess to the I-Can centre, the pilot
project of the broader I-Can initia-
tive,” he says.
“All education and training of-
fered at the centre will improve
skills, employment development,
grow innovation, as well as stimu-
late creativity, drive motivation,
support tertiary students to com-
plete studies and alleviate poverty
issues in the community.
“The boost in entrepreneurship
and support to SMMEs will occur
through access to information and
empower business owners through
entrepreneurship support pro-
grammes at the centre.
“It is here where digital services
and training occurs to upskill and
develop citizens in Elsies River to
have an improved chance of being
employed, becoming entrepre-
neurs and simply becoming more
digitally literate through the use of
broadband and technology.”
The I-Can centre has five zones:
Play Zone, Learn Zone, Create
Zone, Commercial Zone and Study
Zone, and is able to capture the at-
tention of toddlers, students, teen-
agers, adolescents, adults and sen-
ior citizens.
A gaming facility is available too
which covers a variety of gaming
platforms, including educational
gaming.
“The study zone provides a con-
ducive environment for students
to benefit from Caps aligned con-
tent, study methods and research
methodologies. It also offers con-
ference, hiring and recording stu-
dio facilities.
“From a cost saving perspective,
the I-Can centre can provide a
training programme specific to
your business needs and add value
to your business through raising
awareness about your company.”
Another important focus of the
centre is to increase employability
and upskill the unemployed
through basic, intermediate and
advanced computer training, digi-
tal marketing, in-house staff train-
ing, developing of mobile apps and
multi-media design.
V For more information about activities
at the centre call 021 202 0596 or email
reception@g­citi.org.
I­Can centre opens up the world
Isolde Dreyer, seated, gets some tips to improve her connectivity from Learn Zone administrator Marancia Fortuin and
Studies Zone administrator Nathan Scholtz at the I­Can centre in Elsies River. PHOTO: GARY VAN DYK
Issues at clinics addressed
A public meeting on health services at
the St Vincent and Chestnut clinics will
be held on Tuesday 24 November
starting at 18:30.
It will be taking place at the St
Vincent Clinic in St Vincent Drive,
Belhar, and will address current issues
at these facilities, including staffing,
availability and disbursement of medici-
nes, and waiting periods.
Refreshments will be served.
V For more information contact Sheynain
Benjamin on 084 573 5413.
The Dumela Community Foundation
will be hosting a special gospel con-
cert in aid of World Aids Day on Sun-
day 29 November.
Starting at 16:00 it will be taking
place at Rapha Ministries in Belvenie
Road, Elsies River. The concert will
feature artists such as Julie May, Al-
lan Dodgers and Sandra Butler
among others.
Tickets cost R30 for adults and R15
for children.
V Call Isaac on 071 581 3003 or Robin on
084 818 7064.
Gospel concert held

8. PEOPLE'S POST | ATHLONE
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Police
attacked
again in
Manenberg
Manenberg police officers were at-
tacked again while on patrol in the ar-
ea last week.
Police officers tried to carry out an
arrest in Sabie Walk on Friday at 17:00
when they were attacked.
“It seems as if the community is not
serious about peace and stability in
the Manenberg area,” says Lieutenant
Ian Bennett, Manenberg police’s
spokesperson.
He says police were patrolling when
they saw a group of men. As they ap-
proached, they saw one of the men had
a firearm. The men then started to
run, with officers isolating the one
with the firearm, confiscating it in the
process, along with ammunition.
Bennett says while the arrest was
being carried out, community mem-
bers started stoning the officers and
the police vans.
This allowed the suspect to flee the
scene as the officers proceeded to re-
treat.
They managed to hold onto the fire-
arm although they could not complete
the arrest.
“This is a serious offence. The com-
munity can be charged with aiding the
escape of a prisoner, defeating the
ends of justice and interfering in the
execution of police duties,” adds Ben-
nett.
This is the second incident in a week
in which police members have been at-
tacked by community members while
doing their jobs. People’s Post reported
last week how residents of Renoster
Road attacked officers after they ar-
rested a fleeing suspect (“Locals at-
tack police after chase”, 9 February).
“It has become sad that the commu-
nity now openly support gangs and
their evil activity. The community
rather wants murders, rape and vio-
lence perpetrated against children.”
Colonel Sanele Zama, Manenberg
police station’s commander, has
warned the community that these in-
cidents could be disastrous if another
community member needs police help
in the future, as the police may feel
that it could be a trap and will not re-
spond to the call for help.
“The very people stoning the police
will need the police help – never say
never. We hope that the community
could stand up and do the right thing
and stop crime or criminal behav-
iour,” says Zama.
V Anyone with information regarding this inci­
dent can call the Manenberg police station on
021 699 9400 or CrimeStop on 0860 010 111.
GRADUATING TO A
BETTER FUTURE:
The I­can Centre and
College of Cape
Town’s Crawford
campus held a
graduation ceremony
on Friday at the I­can
Centre in Elsies River.
Graduates received
certificates for
courses ranging from
Essential Business
Skills to IT Essentials.
ATHLONE
Rape Crisis celebrates 40 years
EARL HAUPT
@EarlHaupt
The Rape Crisis organisation is celebrat-
ing its 40th anniversary this year. It is
also the oldest organisation dealing with
the rape of adults in South Africa.
Rape Crisis has offices in Athlone, Khay-
elitsha and Observatory and bases at three
regional hospitals and five regional magis-
trates’ courts in the Western Cape.
Over 8000 sexual offences occur in the
Western Cape each year, with conserva-
tive estimates saying that the number rep-
resents just the one in nine cases that gets
reported, meaning that the true extent of
the problem is much larger, according to
Kathleen Dey, Rape Crisis’ director.
Rape Crisis is still regarded primarily as
a woman’s organisation.
“99% of the rape survivors that we offer
services to are women and they experience
the bulk of the problem. The impact that
we make on communities is that we really
are the go-to organisation for anybody
who has any kind of question or who he
is suffering the impact of rape.”
Dey says the change in government over
the last 20 years has made a very substan-
tive change to the way that rape is re-
sponded to by the criminal justice system.
They have also seen an improvement in
policing, in forensic examinations and
huge improvements in the court.
However, in the last decade she says
there has been a downturn in those im-
provements.
“I think that the government has not al-
located enough resources and there isn’t
budget for the kind of maintenance and
improvement and ongoing change that is
needed in the criminal justice system, spe-
cifically with regard to specialised offen-
ces court.”
What has been encouraging is that the
government has promised to roll out 200
of these specialised courts across South
Africa.
“We will be monitoring how they do that
in the Western Cape specifically, but also
across the rest of the country, to make sure
that they actually deliver on that promise.
If they do as they promise then we would
see that roll-out happening over probably
the next 10 years,” adds Dey.
“We would want to see an average of 10
new courts being rolled out each year from
now until 2025. Also, that each court must
actually meet the requirement of the blue-
print for a sexual offences court. Govern-
ment cannot just say that this is a sexual
offences court; it has to be operating and
functional as a sexual offences court to
meet the requirement.”
Rape Crisis has stood the test of time
and, despite numerous funding crises, the
organisation has managed to transform
the model it uses to operate to carry out
its duties more effectively.
The programme itself has also changed
to have more of a focus on advocacy.
Dey urges the various communities to
continue their involvement with Rape Cri-
sis in helping them make a difference by
way of donations, by getting involved in
the organisation’s campaigns or volun-
teering their time and expertise to make
Rape Crisis more accessible to the commu-
nities it serves.
“You can never reach out to people on
the subject without acknowledging that
some of them might be survivors who
might need help and therefore our coun-
selling services are available 24/7, 365
days a year.”
She cites the Anene Booysen rape and
murder case in 2013 as a turning point for
the campaign against rape, as it drew im-
mense outrage from the public in terms of
seeking justice.
“It used to be that you [needed to be] a
children’s charity or the SPCA in order to
reach people’s hearts enough for them to
be able to reach into their pockets. But
nowadays, you can talk about sexual vio-
lence and it will not be a subject that peo-
ple will keep quiet about.
“They want to see a change, they want
to see a difference, they want to see the
rape rate go down and I think that is a huge
victory.”
She goes on to say that people are actual-
ly prepared to talk openly about the sub-
ject.
That ordinary citizens actually do want
to get involved is also encouraging, as well
as that these ordinary citizens are the ones
who helped the organisation stay afloat
during its own time of crisis.
“It is ordinary citizens, people who will
reach out and give that R50 every month.
Some people are incredible and just give
R10 000 of their company money,” quips
Dey.
Rape Crisis will be conducting a series
of events throughout the year, especially
during Women’s Month in August and in
November as well during the 16 Days of Ac-
tivism campaign.
V For more information about Rape Crisis call
021 447 1467. Call the 24­hour crisis line on
021 447 9762 to get information and support or to
book a counselling appointment.

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