Cape police have searched the business premises of a man who is alleged to be central to an investigation into Arno Lamoer.

Cape Town - The business premises of a Goodwood businessman who is alleged to be central to a probe focusing on provincial police commissioner Arno Lamoer were searched on Thursday and items, including documents and computers, were seized.

Saliem Dawjee runs the business Towbars Cape.

It recently emerged that Crime Intelligence was investigating Lamoer for allegedly accepting a bribe from an alleged criminal.

Dawjee was then named in news articles as being the businessman from whom Lamoer allegedly accepted bribes.

National police commissioner General Riah Phiyega had been accused of tipping off Lamoer about the investigation and, in turn, accused Crime Intelligence of concocting a story and laying a charge against her to discredit her.

On Thursday, Dawjee’s legal representative, William Booth, who was at the Towbars Cape premises, confirmed officers had searched it.

He said items seized included hard drives, receipt books, financial registers and computers.

Booth said no one had been arrested, a docket had not been opened and no charges had been lodged against Dawjee.

He said Dawjee had not been informed of any investigation into his actions and it was not clear what the search was linked to.

Booth said he was meeting police on Tuesday and would try to have Dawjee’s seized items returned.

He said he then planned to meet police again to try to determine what further action they may take.

* On the Towbars Cape website, it said the business was family-owned and run. “Proprietor, Mr Saliem Dawjee has always had very close contact with his surrounding community and as such is deeply involved in various charities and community projects,” it said.

caryn.dolley@inl.co.za

Cape Times

Rashied Staggie phoned his wife to find out what was happening as he was being transported back to Pollsmoor Prison.

Cape Town - Former Hard Livings gang leader Rashied Staggie phoned his wife to find out what was happening as he was being transported to Pollsmoor Prison on Thursday after his parole was revoked, his legal representative said. Staggie was released on day parole on September 23, but this was withdrawn on Thursday.

Hours after the Correctional Services Department announced that Staggie was back behind bars, his advocate, Janos Mihalik, told the Cape Times: “It’s terrible, his parole was revoked without even telling him why.”

Mihalik was keeping in touch with Staggie’s wife, Rashieda, to see if they could get to the bottom of the decision.

While Correctional Services did not give reasons for revoking Staggie’s parole on Thursday, the Patriotic Alliance, the party Staggie signed up with on Sunday and which is headed by ex-convicts Gayton McKenzie and Kenny Kunene, said it was apparently over gang links.

“It is alleged that Mr Staggie violated a parole condition stipulating that he not associate with known gangsters.

“There is no proof of this as it is a patently false assertion. None of his parole conditions have been violated,” the PA said.

Staggie, who a decade ago was convicted of kidnapping and ordering the gang-rape (while he watched) of a Manenberg teenager he accused of working for the police, was on Thursday fetched at his workplace in Bellville South.

Ivan Waldeck, a gangster-turned-pastor who had employed Staggie at a premises used as a church and gangster rehabilitation centre, confirmed officials picked up Staggie from there.

“We were not informed of what was happening,” he said.

Waldeck said Staggie had arrived for work as usual on Thursday.

“I spoke to him. He said that (on Wednesday) night some officers spoke to him for a while about the Patriotic Alliance,” he said.

Waldeck had not asked anything about this or found it unusual.

He planned to meet Correctional Services officials on Friday.

The Correctional Services Department said that from Bellville South, Staggie had then been taken to Pollsmoor Prison where he was incarcerated.

“We believe he violated his parole conditions,” a department statement said.

The statement said the matter was being investigated and Staggie would have to appear before a case management committee and correctional supervision and parole board.

Simphiwe Xako, regional spokesman for the department, said it was too soon to disclose the reasons behind revoking Staggie’s parole as the matter was under investigation.

caryn.dolley@inl.co.za

Cape Times

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has paid tribute to Nelson Mandela at a church service at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town.

Cape Town - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu paid tribute to Nelson Mandela at a church service at St George's Cathedral in Cape Town on Friday morning, a report said.

“Thank you God for the gift of Madiba. Thank you for what he has enabled us to know... what we can become,” Tutu was quoted as saying.

According to EWN, the Grand Parade, where Mandela made his first speech after being released from prison in 1990, has been cordoned off as thousands are expected to pay their respects.

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille is expected to deliver an address at the Grand Parade at 9am on Friday.

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille is expected to brief the media at 10.30am regarding events in the city and province.

Metrorail also announced that there would free trains to Cape Town Station between 12pm and 3pm on Friday. - IOL

Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson has been found guilty of maladministration regarding a tender worth R800m.

Cape Town - The public protector has found Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson guilty of maladministration, improper and unethical conduct in the irregular awarding of an R800-million tender to the Sekunjalo consortium to manage the state’s fishery vessels.

In a report released on Thursday, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela recommended that President Jacob Zuma take disciplinary action against Joemat-Pettersson for her “reckless dealing with state money and services, resulting in fruitless and wasteful expenditure, loss of confidence in the fisheries industry in South Africa, alleged decimation of fisheries resources in South Africa and delayed quota allocations due to lack of appropriate research”.

She has instructed the director-general in the Presidency to come up with a plan, within 30 days, of how this “remedial action” would be carried out.

Madonsela’s investigation followed a complaint by DA MP Pieter van Dalen who asked her to probe the awarding to the Sekunjalo consortium of the multimillion-rand contract to manage the department’s fleet of research and patrol ships.

The public protector said on Thursday that Joemat-Pettersson had interfered with her investigation by trying to get Justice Minister Jeff Radebe to call off the investigation which she deemed “unnecessary” as the Sekunjalo contract had already been withdrawn.

Van Dalen also asked the public protector to investigate the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ failure to re-advertise the tender to run the fishery vessels - which had in the meantime been put under the management of the South African Navy - as this meant that the department was unable to carry out its work of anti-poaching patrols and fisheries research, crucial for establishing fish quotas.

The public protector found that:

* The awarding of the tender to Sekunjalo Marine Service Consortium was improper.

* Acting head of fisheries Joseph Sebola, on the tender evaluation committee, had been “irrational, biased and improper” when he gave bidding company Sekunjalo, with no experience in the field, the highest possible score, yet had given Smit Amandla, with 10 years’ experience, the lowest possible score.

* The fisheries department had failed to deal with issues of conflict of interest in awarding the tender to run patrol vessels to Sekunjalo because Premier Fishing was a subsidiary of Sekunjalo, which meant the Sekunjalo consortium would be referee and player.

*Joemat-Pettersson’s abrupt handover of the vessel management from Smit-Amandla to the South African Navy was ill-advised, improper and constituted maladministration.

* Joemat-Pettersson’s rejection of a request to hold off on her plan to hand the fishery vessels to the navy, which had allegedly led to lack of patrols and the deterioration of patrol vessels and fruitless and wasteful expenditure, constituted maladministration.

Madonsela referred the decision on whether Sekunjalo’s conduct constituted collusive tendering to the Competition Commission. She urged Joemat-Pettersson to ensure that the already-advertised tender for the services of a ship manager for crewing, management and maintenance of the research and fisheries vessels was finalised and the contract awarded within 60 days.

Joemat-Pettersson’s spokeswoman, Palesa Mokomele, said on Thursday the department had not received a copy of the final report and “we remain keen to receive it”.

“While the finalisation of the investigation is welcome, it is hoped that the response of the minister and the department, which highlighted inaccuracies, incorrect information and bias, will be reflected in the final report,” Mokomele said.

Sekunjalo Investments Limited said on Thursday it was pleased that the public protector had found no evidence of any wrongdoing on its part: “The company disagrees with the finding that it had a conflict of interest, but agrees that there had never been any concealment by the company of the relationship between the four bidders, Sekunjalo, Sekunjalo Marine Services Consortium, Premier Fishing and the Premier Fishing Consortium.”

Cape Times

Thandi Maqubela says it would be “virtually impossible” for her to hide in South Africa should she flee to evade sentencing.

Cape Town - Convicted murderer Thandi Maqubela says it would be “virtually impossible” for her to hide in South Africa should she flee to evade sentencing.

The Johannesburg widow, who has been locked away in Pollsmoor Prison for the past month, wants to be released on bail pending sentencing procedures scheduled to begin on February 17.

Her bail was revoked on November 7 when Judge John Murphy found her guilty of murdering her husband Patrick Maqubela, an acting judge at the Western Cape High Court, the same court in which she was convicted.

She was also found guilty of fraud and forgery for falsifying his will.

Maqubela has since lodged a bail application, which Judge Murphy heard on Thursday. He is expected to hand down a decision on Monday.

In an affidavit before the court, Maqubela pleaded her case for bail. Speaking about the likelihood that she would attempt to flee if she was released, she said she’d been prominently portrayed in the media and was “well known”.

“I submit… it will be virtually impossible for me to hide away in South Africa,” she said. In addition, she’d surrendered her passport to the authorities and she had “strong ties” in South Africa, particularly in Gauteng where most of her family lived.

Her defence counsel, Marius Broeksma, told the court it was highly improbable that she’d hide out “in some remote corner” of the country.

Despite the court’s adverse findings against her - among them that she’d lied under oath - Broeksma argued that she’d continued to attend the judgment proceedings, which were spread over four days.

“If she was going to flee it would have happened at this stage,” said Broeksma.

But State advocate Bonnie Currie-Gamwo contended that Maqubela’s lone affidavit in her bid for bail couldn’t be relied on considering the court’s findings on her credibility. She viewed Maqubela as a flight risk because of her ties in other provinces.

“She is well-connected, well-resourced and able to evade her trial.”

Although Broeksma argued that Maqubela had stuck to her bail conditions - with the exception of one incident where she’d been admitted to hospital - Currie-Gamwo said Maqubela hadn’t informed anyone, including her own legal team, when she’d been admitted to hospital.

She also hadn’t informed anyone when she’d changed her residential address.

Maqubela further contended that her release on bail wouldn’t endanger the public, or any particular person.

“Although I was convicted of murder, the degree of violence… as found in judgment was not very high,” she said.

Currie-Gamwo, however, said that murder by nature was violent and in Maqubela’s case she’d “strategically and calculatedly” attempted to conceal her crimes.

leila.samodien@inl.co.za

Cape Times

Mayor Patricia de Lille broke down in tears as she briefed the media about Cape Town's plans to honour Madiba.

Cape Town -

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille broke down in tears on Friday morning as she briefed the media about the City of Cape Town’s plans to honour Madiba. She was comforted by ANC chief whip Xolani Sotashe.

Speaking on the Civic Centre concourse, De Lille faltered as she spoke of “the unifier of this nation; (something) that no one else could achieve”.

Also present at the briefing were DA Speaker Dirk Smit and chief whip Anthea Serritslev.

Shortly before midday on Friday, the Presidency had not yet released a detailed plan of the events around Mandela’s funeral, but CNN reported a “10-day” plan, which would include the body lying in state at the Union Buildings and culminating in burial, in Xhosa tradition, at his home in Qunu in Eastern Cape.

The city has already activated its plans to honour Madiba, as thousands of people look for ways to pay tribute to him. Law enforcement teams are out in full force and have closed off the Grand Parade, which will be the site of many celebrations and memorial events over the next few days.

Huge banners depicting Mandela have been hung from the front of the Cape Town City Hall, where the national flag is flying at half mast.

Flowers have been placed in front of the hall, where Mandela made his historic speech after his release from prison in 1990.

The city hall and the Civic Centre, which has housed an exhibition celebrating Mandela’s life for the past few months, have been designated as public viewing areas.

There will be condolence books to sign and messages can also be posted on the city’s website capetown.gov.za/en/CCTEvent/Pages/Messages.aspx.

“As a city, we need to come together to say goodbye properly. We need places to pay our respects and come together to remember,” said De Lille.

She is due to host an interfaith ceremony at the Grand Parade at 5pm.

The city has encouraged all Capetonians to pay tribute to Madiba and public transport – MyCiTi and Golden Arrow buses and Metrorail trains – will be free between noon and 3pm for those wanting to come into the city centre and outbound transport from 7pm.

There will also be public viewing areas in other parts of the city, including Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha.

The city has set up a dedicated website – capetown.gov.za/nelsonmandela – with information about events as they are announced.

Sotashe said the ANC in the city was preparing several events, starting with an address by the provincial leadership at the Grand Parade at 1pm. There would also be a prayer service in Khayelitsha, possibly at OR Tambo hall.

A mass prayer service would be held in Mitchells Plain on Sunday, although the venue had yet to be confirmed.

Similar events were being planned by other branches of the ANC, including Drakenstein, where Mandela spent time in Victor Verster Prison, and on the West Coast.

Sotashe said in his tribute: “Let us release Tata again. It’s time for him to rest. This is the moment we must use to unite the people of Cape Town – black, white, coloured and Indian. That is what Madiba stood for.”

Sotashe said the DA, the ANC and other parties had had heated exchanges just days ago at the city’s last council meeting for the year, but on Friday they were speaking with “one voice”.

He said he had been called by the ANC’s provincial secretary at about 9pm last night and told to prepare the metro’s branches for an address by President Jacob Zuma. He said he was shocked to hear a few hours later that Mandela had died.

“We must accept his passing. We need to embrace his legacy and caution those who will use his death to spread fears about tensions in the nation.”

Mandela’s legacy was one of reconciliation, Sotashe said. “We need to sustain that.”

Before announcing the city’s plans, De Lille said: “Today, everyone is a South African.

“Madiba was the father of our young democracy; his story of triumph over adversity is part of the lifeblood of this country.”

She said South Africans had fooled themselves into thinking Madiba would live forever.

“We wanted him to stay alive for us. The pain of letting go seems too great.” But, she added: “After this man gave us so much, we have to let him rest.”

Crowds of people have already gathered at the Civic Centre to pay their respects and refresh their memories of Madiba by viewing the exhibition illustrating his life.

anel.lewis@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Western Cape residents will be able to visit one of 160 sites to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, premier Helen Zille said.

Cape Town - Western Cape residents will be able to visit one of 160 sites to pay tribute to former president Nelson Mandela, premier Helen Zille said on Friday.

“So many sites are associated indelibly with Mandela,” she told reporters in Cape Town.

People would be able to visit these sites, mostly at community halls across the province, and leave a message and memento.

Half of the sites would be running on Friday and the other half by Saturday morning.

The location and global positioning system co-ordinates would be made available on the province's website.

Zille said ferries to Robben Island, where Mandela was incarcerated during apartheid, would continue to operate for those who had pre-booked.

The city of Cape Town would also hold an inter-faith service at the Grand Parade at 5pm.

Zille said the focal point of the service was the balcony of the city hall overlooking the Grand Parade, where Mandela delivered his speech after being released from prison in February 1990.

She spoke kindly of Mandela, her eyes welling with tears.

“As we unite in our grief, we remember that no walk to freedom is ever done,” she said.

“Madiba was, quite simply, the greatest South African who has ever lived and we as a nation have an extraordinary honour of having given birth as a country to the greatest statesman and best-known international icon of today.”

She extended condolences to Mandela's family.

Mandela died at the age of 95 at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Thursday night.

Sapa

A jailed former pastor from Cape Town has been denied leave to appeal a four-year prison sentence for embezzling money from two of his elderly congregants.

Cape Town - The Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court has denied a jailed former pastor from Cape Town leave to appeal a four-year prison sentence imposed on him for embezzling money from two of his elderly congregants.

Magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg found that the sentence was lenient, compared to the prescribed minimum of 15 years, and was “by no means harsh and inducing a sense of shock” as Craig Vernon, Freeman's counsel, had contended.

On Monday, Sonnenberg sentenced Freeman, a former pastor at the New Apostolic Church in Durbanville, Cape Town, to eight years' imprisonment, four years of which was suspended for five years on condition he repay the money within five years of his release from prison.

On Friday, Sonnenberg said Freeman had faced a minimum prison sentence of 15 years for fraud involving more than R500,000, but that she had found compelling and substantial circumstances which justified a lesser sentence.

Defence attorney William Booth told the court he would now petition the Western Cape judge president for leave to appeal.

Sonnenberg also refused an application for Freeman's release on bail pending the outcome of the petition.

Freeman had pleaded guilty to falsely informing two members of his congregation that he was engaged in a development of the farm Rhebokskloof, near Paarl.

By offering them returns of between 28 and 38 percent, he duped them into investing in the non-existent development.

Richard Williams-Sims invested R3,350,000, and Deon Scritten R200 000, between July 2006 and January 2007.

Neither received the promised returns, or their money back.

Sonnenberg agreed with prosecutor Jannie Knipe that there was no reasonable prospect of success of either the appeal against sentence or the petition.

She said a clinical psychologist, who also had a law diploma, had recommended a wholly suspended prison sentence, to enable Freeman to earn a living and repay his victims.

However, she said the psychologist had considered only Freeman's circumstances, and not all the other aspects of sentencing, as she had done.

She said the four years imposed was reasonable and competent, and was not a misdirection.

She said Freeman had earned a monthly salary of R50,000, and had owned a villa in Durbanville.

He also drove a luxury vehicle, all of which indicated that he was able to repay the victims within a reasonable period.

She said Freeman, as a church pastor, had been his victims' spiritual leader.

He was also their financial adviser and had admitted that the embezzlement had been for personal gain.

The reason for the embezzlement was that he had been envious of his financial business partners, and had wanted to be like them, she said.

“That is morally disgusting,” said Sonnenberg.

Sapa

A mother of three awaiting sentencing for embezzling money from auctioneer Julius Buchinsky will hear next week whether she has been granted bail.

Cape Town - The Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court will rule on Tuesday on a bail application brought by a mother of three awaiting sentence for embezzling money from prominent Cape Town auctioneer Julius Buchinsky.

Najwa Taliep, 49, was 83-year-old Buchinsky's personal assistant, defrauded the company of R961,081 over a two-year period.

She will be sentenced on 631 counts of fraud on January 20

Taliep was out on a warning, as opposed to bail, until she was found guilty last Friday by magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg.

At the time, the court rejected legal aid attorney Hailey Lawrence's request for the warning to be extended, pending the finalisation of the case.

Sonnenberg said at the time that Taliep had been out on warning, based on the presumption of innocence until convicted, but that now she had been found guilty, Taliep could no longer rely on the presumption.

Sonnenberg said: “She admitted that she committed fraud 631 times against an old man of 83.”

This meant that Taliep sometimes committed fraud up to four times a day, she said.

On Thursday, the Taliep family ended the legal aid attorney's mandate, and engaged privately funded lawyer William Booth.

In support of the application, Booth handed the court an affidavit in which Taliep said she had been diagnosed with chronic asthma, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and angina.

She said she now held a senior post with Bank on Assets, which provided short-term loans, and that she could return to her job if released on bail.

In Friday's proceedings, Sonnenberg said there was a dispute between prosecutor Zama Matayi and Booth about the bail application.

Matayi submitted that the proceedings amounted to a second bail application, which could be brought only on new facts, and that the facts presented by Booth were merely a rehash of those presented in Taliep's first bail application.

Sonnenberg said various legal authorities had different opinions about this matter and that she needed to research it further before making her decision.

Sapa

The Mother City and towns across the Western Cape have unveiled plans for a massive farewell to the “Father of the Nation”.

Cape Town - The Mother City and towns and dorpies across the Western Cape have unveiled plans for a massive farewell to the “Father of the Nation”.

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille today announced that 80 “Places of Tribute” were due to be opened at midday today, with a further 80 open by tomorrow morning.

“The Grand Parade on Darling Street has been designated as the primary public space where residents of Cape Town can gather to mourn and bring flowers to commemorate Nelson Mandela and express the nation’s shared grief,” Zille announced.

“Members of the public are invited to make use of their nearest Place of Tribute to remember Madiba, celebrate his life and honour his legacy.”

At these “Places of Tribute”, people will be invited to write in special condolences books, “to pay tribute to Madiba in a dignified way”.

Included are towns in the Klein Karoo, the West Coast and Swartland and the Cape Winelands. “All the district municipalities will be included – Thusong centres, school halls, community halls and sports facilities,” Zille’s spokesman, Zak Mbhele, said.

Zille explained: “We all belong to the South African family – and we owe that sense of belonging to Madiba. That is his legacy. It is why there is an unparalleled outpouring of national grief at his passing. It is commensurate with the contribution he made to our country.”

A commemoration web page would go live at midday today on the Western Cape Government website (www.westerncape.gov.za/ madiba) offering:

* Street addresses and opening hours of 160 Places of Tribute – provided both on an interactive map and in a table.

* A place to record tributes and memories of Madiba.

* A history of his life and places in the Western Cape significance to Madiba’s life.

Cape Argus

A Western Cape money lender who illegally kept borrowers' bank cards was fined R5 000, or 18 months in jail, for violating the National Credit Act.

Cape Town - A Western Cape money lender who illegally kept borrowers' bank cards was fined R5000, or 18 months in jail, on Friday for violating the National Credit Act.

Paul Grey, 49, a father of five from Kalksteenfontein, appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Cape Town.

Magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg fined him R10,000 or three years, half of which was suspended for five years, and another three years', suspended for five years. The hearing took the form of a plea bargain.

Defence attorney Edward McCullam told the court that Grey illegally took possession of borrowers' identity documents and bank cards, and that the interest charged on loans was left to Grey's discretion.

This meant clients did not know how much interest they had to pay on loans, and had no control over it either.

McCullam said Grey used the bank cards to enforce the repayment of loans.

He had run the money lending business from his home, from May to July.

Borrowers also had to provide Grey with their bank card pin numbers, to give him access to their bank accounts.

McCullam said Grey made a profit of R500 a week, but that his business had since been stopped.

Prosecutor Zama Matayi said Grey's failure to inform borrowers how much interest he was charging indicated an element of dishonesty.

He said money lenders, including Grey, also retained borrowers' SA Social Security Agency cards to ensure repayment of loans, and that there was an outcry from all corners of society about this practice.

Sapa

Ordinary South Africans share their memories of their meetings with former President Nelson Mandela with Chelsea Geach.

Ayesha Ismail, freelance foreign correspondent and chief executive of Ayesha Ismail Media Inc, nicknamed “Madiba se kind” by a colleague

A major part of my career as a journalist was spent covering the latter part of Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment: the historic announcement on February 2, 1990, that Mandela and other political prisoners would be released and the unbanning of political organisations; his release in 1990; his first public appearance as a free man on the Grand Parade; his inauguration as president; as well as his last address to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland in 1999.

I was literally been walking behind him with a notebook, tape recorder and camera for many years.

I remember standing outside Victor Verster Prison with scores of journalists and thousands of other people. I took a minute to think about what South Africa would be like with Mandela as a free man. I looked up and there he was walking out of the gates of the prison waving to us with a clenched fist. I realised that his freedom was my freedom. I remember attending his very first press conference after his release. I sat at his feet with scores of other journalists. I was in awe of Mandela and hung on to every word he was saying. After fielding countless questions from journalists, Mandela looked down at me and said: “And you, don’t you have anything to ask me?” I was at a loss for words. After that press conference, I attended several others over the years and almost every time, Mandela would make a point of acknowledging my presence.

Carlyn Daniels, IT support at Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes

I had the pleasure and great honour of holding Madiba’s hand twice. I even flirted with him and he flirted back. I worked at the Mount Nelson Hotel reception at the time. It could have been in 1996. He asked me where I lived and how I got home, especially because it was late in the evening. I responded by making eyes at him and asked him if he wanted to take me home because of the questions. He responded with a beautiful smile and said: “Well, maybe.” This all happened while he held my hand. This was during peak season and news spread so quickly in the hotel. The next day I had almost all the guests coming to see who the young lady was who flirted with the president.

James Emslie, studying a master’s in law at University College London

As a kid, he came to my house in Newlands in the late 1990s, looking for property to buy, to retire to. He asked me if I wanted to be president one day. I said: “No way! I just wanna write music, man.” He seemed to find my response pretty funny. I was serious though – still am!

Dr Desmond Woolf, Oranjezicht doctor

On a Sunday afternoon in February 1990, we were sitting at home in Rondebosch just watching TV. A friend came to visit and said: “Nelson Mandela is sitting outside your house.” We trooped outside and there were three cars, and he was in the middle car, looking at notes. Winnie Mandela sat at the back on the opposite side. They were sitting as far apart as they could be. My twin boys were one year old, and I was holding one son, my wife had the other. Mandela rolled down the window and asked my son’s name, and bounced him on his knee. He tried to pick up my other son, who started crying. Mandela said: “He’s not as friendly as his brother.”

We found out later he’d come from prison and was on his way to town. But it was too crowded on Adderley Street, so they landed up on this little quiet road in Rondebosch, waiting for crowds to die down.

About a year later, I had a minute alone with him and asked if he remembered. He said that he did.

Goosain Emeran, former principal of Trafalgar High School

I met Mandela because I was the secretary of the principals’ forum. He invited us and our wives to his residence for supper in 1995. I didn’t have any paper for him to write on, so I gave him three R10 notes and he wrote beautiful messages on them for my three daughters, and signed them. That man was so human. He impressed all of us. Then at exam time, he wrote a message for the pupils, saying they must study hard and be successful. I printed copies of it and put it in everybody’s report cards.

Steve Kromberg, general manager of Grocott’s Mail newspaper in Grahamstown

Whenever I think of Nelson Mandela, I see the image of him singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to a nursery school full of adoring children.

I had watched him sing that song in his unmistakable rounded voice while he danced with his trademark bent-arm jive. He was relaxed and happy, clearly enjoying his newfound freedom having recently ended his term as president.

I’d been asked to write the business plan for the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which was to take forward his legacy.

That amazing morning in 1999, we visited three humble home-based nursery schools in working-class areas of Johannesburg. He insisted, of course, that the selection represented all shades of South Africa.

It was a “top-secret” visit. No press, no public schedule, just stopping off casually to hand out sweets and sing songs. Because he loved hanging out with children.

Sharon Neves, Rhodes University student

I met Nelson Mandela in 1995. I was a student at Waterford Kamhlaba in Mbabane, Swaziland. We had lunch with him because his children went to this school. I was honoured to share a table, a handshake and a conversation with him. Having had lunch with him is priceless. I heard people say they would love that opportunity and I was like, damn, I have. We spoke about June 16 and we sang struggle songs. He also asked how it felt being in a multiracial school.

He was impressed and deeply touched that at school we commemorated June 16 and sang songs like Senzeni Na.

Vivek Daya, manager at Guess jeans in Bloemfontein

I met Mandela in Aliwal North in 1994. I was chosen to give him a gift from the ANC office of Aliwal North. I was four years old at the time. I was given a task to present him with a gift or a token of appreciation. I ended up wetting my pants due to being very shy. The only words I remember him saying were: “You are the leaders of tomorrow,” and he smiled. Mandela indirectly had an influence on me due to my leadership roles during my schooling career, as well as my job. I do look up to the man as a figure of freedom and unity. I owe my inspiration to him.

Katherine Coutras, postgraduate accounting student at UCT

I met Nelson Mandela on March 21, 1995, when I was four. It was after a service for Human Rights Day at St George’s Cathedral, which was attended by Queen Elizabeth II while on an official visit.

After the service he started walking into the crowd, accompanied by bodyguards. I was on my dad’s shoulders and, not wanting to walk directly into the crowd, my dad positioned himself in an area towards which Mandela was walking.

He kept walking in our direction surrounded by his security and the crowds. Before we knew it, he stopped in front of me and my dad and the bodyguards surrounded the three of us, protecting us from the pushing crowd.

He extended his hand and greeted my father, and then looked up at me on my dad’s shoulders. I was holding a bunch of flowers which I offered to him. Mandela asked: “Are those for me?” with his beautiful smile.

As I reached down to give them to him he cupped my face in his hands, kissed my cheek and said: “You make me so happy,” in his warm measured way.

It was amazing how focused he was on the moment and oblivious to the huge crowds around us.

When my sister saw that I didn’t have my flowers anymore, she was devastated because she knew I must have given them to Mandela. A few days later, my mum posted her flowers to him with a letter, and we received a reply saying thank you from his office.

Chris Holdridge, studying towards PhD in history at the University of Sydney

In December 2008, I had the privilege of meeting Nelson Mandela for a brief moment as part of a Mandela Rhodes Scholarship. On the day we met Mandela, each Mandela Rhodes scholar queued to meet him individually in the next room. When my turn came, I sat in a chair next to him and shook hands. I immediately noticed his integrity, and his determined, vital personality despite his age of 90 at the time. He asked me what I was studying, to which I responded, “history”. His eyes lit up, as he stated the importance of South Africans studying their past, even if it is a painful one. The encounter was brief, but it left an impression on me. Nelson Mandela’s legacy is one of hope and reconciliation.

Taryn Lamberti, freelance writer and décor stylist in Johannesburg

I had a one-on-one chat with him on Christmas Day in 1995. I was a reporter at the Star and was sent to Qunu to see him hand out Christmas gifts to the local kids. It was an amazing experience.

Georgia Lahusen, theatre performance student at UCT

My mom, Mary-Anne Lahusen, was on the electoral college to elect the next chancellor of UCT, and they chose Graça Machel in 1999. They had a dinner to celebrate and, of course, Madiba was there. My mom decided to walk up to him after pudding. It turned out that he knew my grandfather, Carl Lahusen, who was the German ambassador to South Africa during the 1980s, and had supported Madiba when he was on Robben Island. My mom then asked him to write a message for me on the menu that was on the table. It says: “Dear Georgia, to one of our future leaders. With best wishes Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.” I still have the message.

*Buy any Independent weekend newspaper for the special Nelson Mandela supplement.

Weekend Argus

Hundreds of people converged on the Grand Parade in front of City Hall to pay tribute to Mandela.

By JANIS KINNEAR, JAN CRONJE and PAIGE SUTHERLAND

Cape Town - Cape Town paid tribute to Nelson Mandela on Friday with flowers, handwritten messages, prayers, posts on websites, songs and silent contemplation.

After Premier Helen Zille’s announcement on Friday that the Grand Parade in front of City Hall would be the “primary public space” for people to pay tribute to Mandela in the city, hundreds of people converged, bearing South African flags, wearing ANC T-shirts and Mandela rosettes.

The crowds sang and danced, waving flags, as they waited for an interfaith service in honour of Mandela to start.

A bank of flowers and messages of thanks, tributes and famous Mandela quotes were placed by Capetonians in front of the City Hall balcony, where, in 1990, Mandela gave his first public speech after his release from prison.

Some people at on Friday’s event were present on February 11, 1990, when Mandela addressed tens of thousands of people after almost three decades of imprisonment on Robben Island.

Khayelitsha resident Lineo Mosehle, 53, carrying a South African flag, remembered that historic day 23 years ago when she waited in anticipation to catch sight of Mandela and hear his message.

“It was a big day and we were all so happy. He told us to forget our past and bind together. He taught us to love each other and unite,” Mosehle said.

Posing for a photograph with rows of wreaths was Afrika Prins, 48, and his son Ethan, 10.

Prins said he couldn’t believe the country’s first democratically elected president had died.

When the news broke on Thursday night, Prins had been working a night shift. He started monitoring the news on TV, opting not to go to sleep.

On Friday he went to the city centre to pay his respects to the man he believes has been an “inspiration” to South Africans and the world.

Prins hoped that yesterday’s procession, which included messages and prayers by interfaith groups, would move Capetonians to bring an end to violence in the city.

“I hope this day will open people’s minds in Cape Town to stop the violence, killings and abuse of women and children,” said Prins.

A poster attached to the railing in the tribute section read: “Prisoner, president, father of our nation. We are forever grateful for your selfless sacrifice for us as a people.”

Struggling to hold back her tears, Julinda Gantana, 43, expressed her thanks, saying South Africa was so “blessed”.

“It is a freedom we need to cherish and protect. Even if you didn’t meet Madiba, his spirit just touches you and he inspired most of us to better ourselves,” she said.

Sesana Parks, 41, had brought along her four children and said her family represented the “rainbow” nation Mandela fought for his whole life.

Wearing an ANC flag wrapped around her waist, Parks said she believed the party once led by Mandela could still “live out the ideals in the Freedom Charter”.

Addressing the crowd from the City Hall steps, Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said it was “time for us to let him go”.

“We are all here tonight because we are moved by something larger than ourselves; that national spirit that has sometimes faded and sometimes shone since 1994.”

Zille said the province would set up 160 Places of Tribute where people could write in condolence books and leave floral tributes.

“The Places of Tribute will provide members of the public an opportunity to write in the condolences book and pay tribute to Madiba in a dignified way,” she said.

All places are expected to be open by Saturday morning.

At the Civic Centre officials said that by 3pm on Friday more than 1 000 people had written tributes in the three official condolence books.

The Western Cape Government has announced 160 Places of Tribute in the province. Below is a list of some of these places. For a full and updated list, with opening times, visit www.westerncape.gov.za/madiba/memorial-and-funeral

Places of Tribute

Cape Town:

City Hall

V&A Waterfront – Clock Tower Square

V&A Waterfront – Nobel Square

Civic Centre

St George’s Cathedral

University of the Western Cape, Main Hall (from Monday)

West Coast:

Clanwilliam – Multi-purpose Community Centre

Darling – Darling Community Hall

Malmesbury – Westbank Community Hall and Ilinge Lethu Thusong Centre

Saldanha – Diazville Community Hall

Cape Winelands:

Ashton – Ashton Town Hall and Zolani Community Hall

Paarl – Paarl East Thusong Centre and Paarl Town Hall

Overberg:

Arniston – Arniston Community Hall

Barrydale – Fortshaven Hall

Bredasdorp – Glaskasteel Community Sport Facility and Nelson Mandela Community Facility

Caledon – Vlei View Hall

Greyton – Greyton Primary Hall

Hermanus – Zwelihle Community Hall and Banquet Hall

Swellendam – Swellendam Town Hall and Railton Thusong Centre

Eden:

Calitzdorp – Bergsig Community Hall

George – Lawaaikamp Community Hall, Blanco Community Hall, Rosemoor Community Hall, Conville Community Hall and Main Civic Hall

Heidelberg – Duivenhoks Saal

Knysna – Cearn Hall

Mossel Bay – Mossel Bay Town Hall

Oudtshoorn – Civic Centre

*Buy any Independent weekend newspaper for the special Nelson Mandela supplement.

Weekend Argus

Characters dressed as Spock, Princess Leia, ET and Buzz Lightyear are expected to be among the 10 000 partygoers at the 20th Mother MCQP party.

Cape Town - Characters dressed as Spock, Princess Leia, ET and Buzz Lightyear are expected to be among the 10 000 partygoers at the 20th Mother City Queer Project (MCQP) party at Cape Town Stadium next Saturday.

Organisers and revellers are gearing up for South Africa’s biggest dress-to-theme costume party, which has Space Cowboys as its theme.

MCQP spokesman Stefan Joubert said 18 decor staff have been working since June to make items such as aliens and planets to fill a 20 000m2 area, which will include seven dancefloors, bars and food stalls.

Some costumes, he said, would be inspired by movies such as Star Trek, Star Wars, Avatar, Aeon Flux and Toy Story.

One of the decor managers, Willem Myburgh, said the event would allow partygoers to escape from reality “and get transported to strange and wonderful places far, far away”.

“The Space Cowboy theme immediately inspired us to rediscover classic sci-fi movies such as Barbarella, but also other strange cowboy sci-fi movies such as Westworld.

“We hope partygoers will be transported to distant galaxies, and have some weird and wacky adventures,” he said.

Neil Hosken, who has been working on his and his partner’s outfits for more than a month, will go as Mercury, the messenger of the Roman gods. His partner, Marc-Anthony Hewson-de Swardt, will go as Mars, the Roman god of war.

Hosken came up with their idea of being Roman gods with the same names as planets after thinking that if cowboys were the heroes of the Wild West, who would be the heroes of space?

Hosken built himself wings for head-and-ankle gear, consisting of golden-sprayed feathers.

And Hewson-de Swardt will dress as a gladiator, with a belt of brown leather straps, decorated with diamond-shaped studs.

Both will wear capes and skirts – Hosken’s made from Champagne-coloured fabric, while Hewson-de Swardt will be in red, along with body glitter in pearl for Hosken, and in gold for his partner.

Hosken, who has attended three previous MCQPs, said it was a party for people from all walks of life.

“Just about everyone who goes makes an effort. There’s a sense of community and camaraderie,” he said.

Peter Claassens, who will be attending his fourth MCQP, said he still didn’t yet have an outfit – “and it scares me because it’s only a week away”.

“Gays just wait for a theme to see what we’ll wear with our Speedos,” he quipped.

According to Claassens, the best thing about the MCQP was the chance to meet new people.

“Wearing a mask makes me more keen to meet people. You can be whoever you want to be,” he said.

Lawrence Killian, 21, who will work as a barman for the second time at the event next weekend, said he loved it. “People are having the time of their lives, everyone’s really friendly, and it’s very colourful and inspirational”.

Among the 21 DJs will be Grimehouse, Das Kapital, Tune Raider, Sway, Broken Toy, Psyguy and Deliriant.

Live music acts include indie bands Red Tape Riot and Al Bairre, electro swing duo Goodluck, and afro-electro performers TheCITY. Tickets are R320 and R480 for VIP.

henriette.geldenhuys@inl.co.za\

Weekend Argus

Cape Town Stadium is expected to host thousands of mourners at an official commemoration event for Nelson Mandela.

Cape Town -

Cape Town Stadium is expected to host thousands of mourners at an official commemoration event for former president Nelson Mandela on Wednesday, mayor Patricia de Lille has announced.

A series of other events would be held across the city and would be aligned to the national plan to commemorate Mandela's life, De Lille said on Saturday.

A special council meeting had been called for Sunday so the city's elected representatives from across the political spectrum could pay tribute to Mandela.

De Lille said there would he an interfaith service on the Grand Parade at 5pm on Sunday; an evening of remembrance at OR Tambo Hall in Khayelitsha at 7pm on Monday; and the screening of the national memorial service, in Johannesburg, at the Grand Parade on Tuesday.

The Cape Town memorial would start at 4pm on Wednesday and would be followed by an evening of remembrance in Atlantis at 7pm on Thursday, a night vigil on the Grand Parade from 5pm on Saturday and the screening of the funeral in Qunu, also at the Grand Parade, next Sunday.

De Lille encouraged Capetonians to attend Wednesday's memorial service, which would showcase local and possibly international artists.

“In order to maintain order and safety, the city will have a coupon system in place to regulate entry to the stadium,” she said.

The coupons were free of charge and would be available at Computicket and Shoprite outlets.

“This coupon allows free access to all modes of [public] transport in the form of the MyCiTi bus service, Golden Arrow bus service and the Metrorail into and out of the city,” she said. - Sapa

Capetonians are expected to gather at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday for the city’s own memorial service for Mandela.

Cape Town - Nelson Mandela’s family has spoken for the first time since his death, saying the past few days had been difficult. They thanked people around the world for their prayers and messages of support.

Acknowledging that Mandela was a global citizen, family spokesperson Themba Mathanzima said Madiba had taught his family that a life lived for others was a life well lived.

And his life is set to be celebrated far and wide, with at least two former US presidents among a host of world leaders, presidents and celebrities headed for South Africa, in an unprecedented display of global unity perhaps last seen when Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected president on May 10, 1994.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Charles are apparently on the guest list, along with US President Barack Obama, former president Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, media mogul Oprah Winfrey and U2 frontman Bono.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Capetonians are expected to gather at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday for the city’s own memorial service for Mandela, the day after the official memorial in Joburg, and ahead of the state funeral next Sunday in Qunu.

But while the city and even the provincial ANC held special press conferences yesterday to announce local plans to honour Madiba, the scale of the funeral and associated events appeared to have caught the national government off-guard.

By yesterday, the government had still to finalise most of the logistics for Tuesday’s memorial state service at Joburg’s FNB Stadium.

Speakers had yet to be identified, and the roads on which Mandela’s coffin would be transported from 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria to the Union Buildings had yet to be mapped out.

He is to lie in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria from Wednesday to Friday.

On Saturday Minister in the Presidency

Collins Chabane told the media the International Relations and Co-operation Department was also still finalising arrangements for the heads of state arriving to attend Tuesday’s service and Sunday’s burial in Qunu.

The ANC announced earlier this week there would be 54 memorial events around the country to give everyone a chance to pay tribute to Mandela.

However, Chabane was adamant that the government and security agencies were prepared for any security threats.

“We must always be concerned, but for us this does not represent any specific challenge,” Chabane said. “We have no sleepless nights”.

Heads of state have been advised of the limited space in Qunu, and were urged to select a service to attend.

Meanwhile, in Cape Town, mayor Patricia de Lille hosted a press conference on Saturday to outline local plans.

For Wednesday’s event, Capetonians need to secure free coupons from Computicket and Shoprite stores. They must present their ID or passport, and only those with coupons will be admitted.

De Lille said this would be Cape Town’s main memorial event.

“Members of the public are encouraged to attend this event to mark Cape Town’s own tribute to Madiba, but we will also be celebrating his life on that day.”

Gates open at 2pm and proceedings will start at 4pm.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday a live screening of Madiba’s official memorial service will be broadcast on the Grand Parade for Capetonians.

In line with Sunday’s national day of prayer and reflection, as declared by President Jacob Zuma, the city council is to pay tribute to Mandela with a special sitting on Sunday. There will also be a prayer service at 1.30pm by the ANC’s Dullah Omar region at the Rocklands Civic Centre in Mitchells Plain.

Sunday evening, from 5pm, an interfaith service will be hosted on the Grand Parade.

The provincial ANC announced its plans on Saturday night while paying tribute to Mandela on the Grand Parade.

ANC provincial chairman Marius Fransman said the news of Mandela’s death had shaken the leadership.

“It was very difficult because we all knew that Tata Madiba had to go at some stage. We all knew that six months ago we had a difficult period. He was so ill, but he was still fighting,” he said.

Fransman said Cape Town had a special meaning to Mandela because of his years spent on Robben Island.

“As the ANC in the province, we recognise that Tata Madiba spent more than 20 years in Cape Town, not because of his own will, but because of the way our people were oppressed.”

The leadership, including provincial secretary Songezo Mjongile, added floral tributes to the bank of flowers and then signed the official condolence books.

Other than the inter-faith service in Mitchells Plain at 2pm today, the provincial leadership will visit Drakenstein Correctional Centre (formerly Victor Verster Prison) between 6am and 8am.

They will then drive to Pollsmoor Prison in a motorcade of 95 black vehicles – one for every year Mandela lived – to lay a wreath.

Mandela was incarcerated in Pollsmoor after he was moved from Robben Island, and before going to Victor Verster.

On Thursday afternoon the provincial ANC will host an event for Cape Town’s African diaspora. Details have still to be confirmed.

Church leaders have called on all churches countrywide to ring their bells at noon on Wednesday, and to light candles in memory of Mandela.

Other events for Cape Town include an “evening of remembrance” at the OR Tambo Hall in Khayelitsha on Monday, and again on Thursday at the Wesfleur Civic Centre in Atlantis. Local residents can pay personal tributes at the two sites, from 7pm.

Next Saturday, on the eve of Madiba’s funeral, a night vigil, including carols by candlelight, will be held on the Grand Parade from 5pm.

There will be a military Guard of Honour when Madiba’s body, draped in the national flag, arrives at Mthatha airport in Qunu.

The SA National Defence Force will perform the ceremonial removal of his body from the aircraft. The coffin will be placed on a gun carriage and moved to a hearse for transporting to the Mandela family home in Qunu, for a traditional ceremony.

Tributes can also be posted online at www.capetown.gov.za/nelsonmandela, as well as on the government Facebook page. – Sunday Argus

* Additional reporting by Sunday Independent Reporters

Bunches of flowers tied to the railings outside Parliament, tributes to Nelson Mandela, hung wilting in the mid-morning sun.

Cape Town - More than a hundred bunches of flowers tied to the railings outside Parliament, tributes to statesman and struggle icon Nelson Mandela, hung wilting in the mid-morning sun on Sunday.

“Teacher of Humanity” proclaimed a poster, with a red heart drawn in the centre, pinned to the ironwork alongside a bunch of white chrysanthemums, outside the precinct's Plein Street entrance.

Opposite, worshippers streamed into St Mary's Cathedral for the 10am service.

Father Jerome Aranes sat at the door, welcoming them into the building. Nearby, an altar boy stood swinging a thurible, its smoky incense filling the church porch.

Asked whether he would be making mention of Mandela - who died on Thursday evening at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg - in his service, Aranes told Sapa there would only be a general reference to the former president, because a dedicated service for him had been held on Friday.

“But if you stay for (this) service, (Minister in the Presidency) Trevor Manuel is going to speak afterwards on anti-corruption,” he said.

Back across the street, just outside Parliament's main gates, a bare-footed man in a dirty blue overall lay face down on the pavement. Apparently asleep, one of his shoes lay a metre away; the other was nowhere to be seen.

Above him, along the security railings, multi-coloured bunches of flowers, including roses, irises and sunflowers, were shedding their petals in the rising heat.

Two tourists, who declined to be named, posed in front of them to take photos of themselves.

“He was a great man,” one of them said in a German accent.

“Your country is going to miss him,” said the other.

Downtown, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, photographs and a posters of Mandela were on display in the main foyer. The centre is hosting the 17th International Conference on Aids and STIs in Africa.

Just after 9am, a young woman stood behind a raised display in the foyer, answering questions on safe sex and contraception. About a dozen delegates had gathered, listening to her advice.

To her left, a black and white poster of Mandela, depicting his head and shoulders, hung next to one with the word “Lubricant”, the incongruous contrast set against a backdrop of brightly-coloured condoms.

A more poignant tribute could be found further along, at the bottom of the centre's main escalator.

There, a group of larger posters showed scenes from the dead hero's life, including photographs of him hugging supermodel Naomi Campbell, and posing with British royal Princess Diana and then Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

“The world has lost an extraordinary statesman and human being,” the International Aids Society (IAS) said in a statement, released at the conference.

The IAS paid tribute to Mandela and his efforts to make HIV and Aids “an issue that the world could no longer ignore”, citing a speech he made at the opening of the 13th International Aids conference in Durban in 2000.

“This is the one event where every word uttered, every gesture made, has to be measured against the effect it can and will have on the lives of millions,” he said on that occasion.

Mandela will be buried in his home town of Qunu in the Eastern Cape next Sunday. - Sapa

A 23-year-old woman from Kraaifontein has drowned at the West Coast seaside resort of Strandfontein.

Cape Town - A woman drowned in a tidal pool at the West Coast seaside resort of Strandfontein on Sunday.

Lifesavers had noticed the woman “in difficulties” in the water, the National Sea Rescue Institute said in a statement.

“It appears that WP Strandfontein Surf Lifesaving lifeguards had arrived early at Strandfontein beach for their day duty.

“While setting up, they had noticed a female in difficulties in the water in the tidal pool and they had immediately gone to her assistance, removing her from the water.”

The lifesavers had started CPR and called for medical back-up.

“Following extensive advanced life support CPR efforts, the female, a 23-year-old from Kraaifontein, was declared deceased.”

The NSRI said police had opened an inquest docket. - Sapa

Three teenage cousins from Cape Town are feared drowned after they were caught in a riptide in Hawston.

Cape Town - Three cousins from Kalksteenfontein are feared drowned after they went missing in the surf at Hawston over the weekend.

On Sunday, as police divers and volunteers on foot searched the sea and coastline for them, the youngsters’ mothers - who are sisters - sat in the shade at Hawston’s main beach.

Weeping, they told the Cape Argus about the circumstances and shared memories of their sons: Shelton Brewis, 12, Antonio Fisher, 15, and Rojei Spannenberg, 19.

They were swept out to sea by a rip current at about 2pm on Saturday. Two of their other cousins, Preslin and Tiaan Ross, were caught in the same rip but managed to swim back to shore and were reunited with their mother, Elna Ross, 45 minutes later. The boys had gone to Hawston on a bus as part of a day trip from Kalksteenfontein.

Sunburnt and with skin rashes, the younger of the two boys told his mother how Rojei Spannenberg had helped to keep him afloat, apparently saying he would “die” for his young cousin, and encouraged the other boys to be brave.

“Rojei was a good son. He worked hard and always helped our family with his pay cheque. Anyone could rely on him. When he got paid, he always shared his money with Antonio. They were very close,” Elvirene Spannenberg, Rojei’s mother, said as she clutched her son’s identity booklet.

Of Antonio, his mother Charlene Fisher said: “He was the smartest boy I knew. He had so much hunger for knowledge. On days that I could not afford to give him bus fare he would walk many kilometres just to get to school. He wanted a holiday job so that he could help with buying food and things we need at home,” she said, in tears.

Shelton was described as considerate and helpful.

“He was a churchgoing boy,” said his mother, Elizabeth Brewis. “He always went to Sunday school.

At home he did many chores and even made dinner from time to time. He would never talk back, and he loved his brother and sister very much. We had all become very close since my husband, his dad, died two years ago.”

The family expressed anger and confusion over the lack of lifeguards at the beach. It is the weekend of the 20th Hawston Fish Festival, one of the beach town’s busiest times of the year.

“We have been before, and in the past there were always lifeguards. Also, if the ocean conditions were dangerous, why then were there no warnings for the kids?” asked Brewis.

“We are very angry and disappointed in the municipality.”

The National Sea Rescue Institute was at the scene. Sea rescue craft and a helicopter were deployed, but the search was unsuccessful.

NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said the ocean was still experiencing the effects of a “new moon spring tide” which comes with strong rip currents. He urged bathers to exercise caution.

By late Sunday afternoon police confirmed that no bodies had been recovered.

The search continues.

* Meanwhile, a 23-year-old Kraaifontein woman drowned in a tidal pool at Strandfontein on Sunday.

Lifesavers had tried to help rescue her. .

* A boy, 14, who is yet to be named, drowned at a municipal pool in Piketberg on Sunday. Community leader Billy Klaasen, said the boy, from Prince Albert, had been playing with his friends in the pool. No lifeguards were on duty, he said.

daneel.knoetze@inl.co.za

Cape Argus and Sapa

A sculpture by Haroon Gunn-Salie on forced removals from District Six has been bought by US hip-hop star P Diddy.

Cape Town - A sculpture by young artist Haroon Gunn-Salie on forced removals from District Six has been bought by American rapper Sean Combs, known as P Diddy, at the ArtBasel MiamiBeach exhibition in Miami.

“I’m told he is not going to put it in his art collection but he is going to put it on a wall inside his house, which I think is great,” said Gunn-Salie, 24, from Athlone.

He felt inspired that a sculpture of his has sold abroad.

“This means a lot to me. I mean, P Diddy is the idol of all hip-hop fans. This means there is a market for artwork of this nature,’” said Gunn-Salie.

His graduate exhibition in his BA Fine Arts honours degree last year was entitled Witness, a site-specific, dialogical artwork installed in a derelict house in District Six.

One of the pieces in that exhibition, a triptych of mirrors emblazoned with “Turn the other way”, based on the life story of a resident forcibly removed from District Six and who told her story as part of the exhibition, was bought by P Diddy for $3 000 (R31 050).

Gunn-Salie’s artwork was put on exhibition in America by the Goodman Gallery, which represents him.

“The gallery told me P Diddy was completely bowled over by the piece and said he had to have it for his home. It symbolised apartheid.

“The piece asks viewers to consider their own role in the devastation of District Six that began in the 1960s, and the ongoing conflicts over the land on which it once stood.”

Gunn-Salie’s collaborative art practice translates community oral histories into artistic interventions and experiential installations. The artist’s multi-disciplinary practice focuses on forms of collaboration in contemporary art based on dialogue and exchange.

”I think we did well to make a fair reflection of District Six,” he said.

Gunn-Salie has staged a few exhibitions this year, including The Three Abdullahs, at UCT, in which he dealt with the life and times of the anti-apartheid activist killed in police detention in 1969, Imam Abdullah Haron, after whom he is named.

Next he is part of a group exhibition opening on Saturday at the Goodman Gallery at 176 Sir Lowry Road in Woodstock.

siyavuya.mzantsi@inl.co.za

Cape Times