Pamper party for Manenberg youth: A celebration of hope and community
Image: File
With Youth Day around the corner, Manenberg residents Valerie Olifant and Najumah Felix are gearing up to treat about 50 young people from her community to a heartwarming pamper party, a celebration designed to uplift and inspire.
They plan to cater for 100 children in total, providing meals, party packs, and entertainment. As part of the celebration, 50 of the children - 30 girls and 20 boys - will receive special hair makeovers as part of the pampering initiative.
Olifant and Felix started the nonprofit organisation 'Valerie's Soup Kitchen' in 2021. The duo annually hosts various community events to spread joy like a children's Christmas party, high teas for the elderly, weekly soup kitchens, amid the gloom of persistent gang violence and trauma experienced by residents on the Cape Flats.
This year, Olifant is pulling out all the stops with a pamper party where the youth will be treated to a day of relaxation and joy. Professional hairstylists will be on hand to give them fresh new looks.
On how the idea came about, Olifant said: 'We were sitting in the car and saw some kids coming out of school, we noticed their hair looked a bit messy, it looked like it hadn't been washed in days, maybe longer. That's when we said, 'Let's do something different this year.' Instead of just giving them food like we usually do, let's focus on their hair too, help them feel good about themselves."
She said it's about making the youngsters "feel seen, celebrated, and special'.
'We are also planning a talk to inspire them because if you don't nurture a child from a young age, they can lose their way. We want them to feel like they're not alone, not forgotten. We want them to know they can come to us, like guardians away from home.
"For us, this is important especially here in Manenberg, where gang violence is a constant shadow and many kids are growing up in broken homes with no real stability. We just want to show them that there are people who care, people who are here to support them. So much is happening to children today. They are scared and often they don't know who to turn to. We want to be that safe space,' Olifant added.
They are calling on any support in the form of donations to help bring the event to life. To assist, Olifant can be contacted on 062 630 1825.
Cape Times
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
30-07-2025
- IOL News
Miraculous maritime rescues recalled
The Safmarine mailship SA Vaal (ex-Transvaal Castle). When a passenger fell overboard, the master turned the ship on a reciprocal course – and a miraculous rescue followed. Image: BRIAN INGPEN COLLECTION Old newspaper clippings relating to shipping fascinate me. Hence, I was delighted to go through a wad of clippings from several years ago. Some were partial copies of George Young's inimitable Cape Times shipping pages from yesteryear, crammed with interesting news pieces. Among them I discovered Ships in Port Last Night (aka Harbour Log) – the Cape Times lists of shipping movements in Cape Town harbour, and ships expected within the next week. They evoked memories of the long school holidays when, as a langbroek, I compiled those lists for George and I had the privilege of accompanying him on his daily trips to the harbour. Among those clippings was reference to the rescue of a tug crew after their vessel had sunk off East Africa, a story that, in turn, reminded me of other notable rescues. One of those – in 1926 - involved the legendary Union-Castle commodore, JC Brown when he was the mate aboard the steamer Ripley Castle inward for Cape Town from Boston. Union-Castle's cargoship Ripley Castle from which a stoker fell overboard and miraculously was rescued. The ship was built in Japan in 1917 and was bought by Union-Castle in 1919. She was scrapped in 1931. Image: BRIAN INGPEN-GEORGE YOUNG COLLECTION A stoker aboard the steamer had sought counsel from Brown, a devout Christian, but he asked the stoker to come later. That night, the stoker began his watch in the stokehold, but when the lad became faint from exhaustion amid the tropical heat, the senior hand sent him on deck for fresh air. In his dizzy state, the stoker fell overboard, but was only missed later in the watch. After a fruitless search on board, the master turned the ship on a reciprocal course. The stoker related later that, totally exhausted, he saw a ship's portside light close to him. With his failing strength, he shouted, and minutes later, he saw a lifeboat being lowered. Soon, eager hands pulled the exhausted man aboard. Years later, in response to a question about his most harrowing experience at sea, Commodore Brown told an inquiring journo of the stoker's rescue. 'I was conscience-stricken,' said Brown. 'He had asked me about making his peace with God. I told him to call later. When I heard he was missing, I felt guilty. He would probably drown without hearing the gospel. I prayed that I could speak to him again, and I posted lookouts.' An engineer fell overboard from a Norwegian tanker on passage from Europe to the Cape. Following several hours astern, the Safmarine freighter SA Statesman picked up the tanker's PAN PAN radio call about the man overboard, and the master ordered the crew to keep a lookout for him. Hours later, a rating, working aloft on the derrick sheaves of the freighter, sighted something to starboard. The ship altered course to investigate, but only flotsam greeted the disappointed crew. However, a few minutes later, while the ship was turning to resume her course for Cape Town, another sharp-eyed crewmember - also aloft - saw the man who was rescued. Had the ship not altered course after the first sighting of an object in the water, the engineer would have drowned. After treatment aboard the freighter, he was transferred to the tanker that, on hearing that the engineer had been rescued, had altered course to rendezvous with the freighter. Image: BRIAN INGPEN Brown himself heard a shout from the dark sea, and took command of the lowered lifeboat. 'Praying for guidance,' Brown continued, 'I steered randomly into the darkness. As I shone my torch, I saw him close to the lifeboat." Hugh James, an officer aboard the mailship SA Vaal and later a highly respected educationist, told me of a similar rescue when the ship was northbound from Las Palmas. During her morning cabin clean-up, a stewardess reported that a passenger had not slept in his bunk the previous night. When his friends aboard did not know his whereabouts and a search of the ship yielded nothing, the master turned the vessel to retrace her course from the island. Crew and passengers lined the railings, but, as the hours-long search was proving fruitless, and as the vessel now was running very late, the master decided to resume the voyage to Southampton. However, to determine the vessel's exact position, he ordered that she continue to head for the island for the navigation officers to take bearings on the island. During that extended voyage at full speed through a calm sea towards the island, and despite the noise of the ship's exhaust fans, an officer and the Bosun stationed on the funnel deck heard a cry. 'A moment or two later,' the officer wrote, 'the reflection of the sun changed slightly, and we saw him, about one hundred metres off… Had the wind been slightly stronger and the sea choppy, we would not have sighted him.' About twelve hours after the man had fallen overboard, the rescue-boat crew hauled him from the water – alive! Here is another miraculous rescue. Sailing single-handedly from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro, a New Zealander was about 200 nautical miles out when his trimaran capsized in a storm, leaving him clinging to the hull. Off the usual shipping lane between South Africa and Argentina and with little hope of rescue, he feared for his life in the cold water – and he was wearing only his underpants. On the Great Circle Route to India from Argentina was an Indian bulk carrier that the yachtie saw, but was too exhausted to raise an arm or to shout. As the bulker's crew had not seen him, she continued on her course. However, on leaving the bridgewing and heading down the stairway, a cadet saw something to starboard of the ship's wake. As a swell rose some distance astern, he saw the upturned yacht. He raised the alarm, the ship turned round and, with great difficulty amid the heavy swell, rescued the very fortunate yachtsman, suffering from severe hypothermia for which he was treated aboard the bulker. As the ship was on a non-stop passage to India, the crew gave him clothes and, three weeks later, he disembarked in Kolkuta, eternally grateful for the rescue and for the warm hospitality of his rescuers. Maritime miracles indeed do happen. [email protected] Cape Times
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- The Citizen
School uniform donations help Emdeni learners focus on education
The Mduduzi Goodwill Foundation (MGF) donated more than 200 school uniforms to vulnerable learners at King Zwelithini Senior Primary School and Emseni Primary School during a handover event held on June 23 in Emdeni. MGF is an NPO founded by Mduduzi Goodwill Banda, Deputy Director-General in the Office of the Deputy President. The Mohoto Foundation also took part in the event, working hand in hand with MGF to make the day a success. ALSO READ: Pimville foundation celebrates Youth Day by honouring seniors Thabisile Mbada, a trustee of the foundation, told Urban News that the visit formed part of a series of ongoing activities with the schools. One of these is giving back to the community by donating school uniforms. 'Today we are handing over uniforms to more than 200 children who were identified as being in need, especially now during the winter season. Through this project, we are not just providing clothing. 'We are giving hope. We want learners not to feel different or less than others because of their circumstances,' said Mbada. 'We know children come from different backgrounds. Some can afford school uniforms, and others cannot. This donation is about creating a sense of equality among learners.' She added that the donated uniforms included school shoes, jerseys, blazers, socks, and other winter essentials to keep the children warm and comfortable. ALSO READ: Winnie Radebe Foundation donates clothing to support Embuzini informal settlement Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu of the Zulu Kingdom, daughter of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, graced the occasion with her presence. She encouraged learners to focus on their studies and to work hard for a better future. Speaking on behalf of the schools, Collen Modise, chairperson of the School Governing Body at King Zwelithini Senior Primary, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the MGM Foundation and all contributors to the initiative. 'We are gathered here to celebrate a truly transformative moment: the distribution of school uniforms generously sponsored for our learners. 'To the distinguished delegates from the sponsorship team, I extend our sincere thanks. 'Your benevolence has not only provided essential attire but has also instilled a profound sense of dignity, belonging, and renewed confidence in each child who will proudly wear this uniform,' he said. He added that this act of kindness would relieve a significant burden from many families and allow learners to focus on what truly matters: their education and personal growth. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- The Citizen
Students empower young minds on Youth Day
A group of IIE MSA students recently visited the Kgatlego Initiative to celebrate Youth Day with a socio-educational programme for primary school learners. The students, who are part of the IIE MSA Cares volunteer body, developed and delivered a programme to empower and educate the children. The initiative is a grassroots organisation that provides a safe space for young people. It offers after-school homework assistance, health awareness programmes, and extracurricular activities. The programme included a fun and interactive activity called the 'tree of success'. The children wrote down their dreams and aspirations on cards, which were then placed on the 'tree'. The dreams written on the cards ranged from becoming doctors and lawyers to police officers, all aimed at making a positive impact in their community. When they were done with educational activities, the IIE MSA Cares committee members prepared and provided lunch for the children. The kids then surprised the students with a special dance performance, showing their appreciation for the visit. 'My experience at the Kgatlego Initiative was eye-opening. We had the opportunity to see how passionate and excited the kids were to learn about our history. Their dreams inspired us to reflect on our own futures and the impact we want to make in society,' shared Thandiwe Ndlovu, a Bachelor of Social Science Honours student. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
