Something old, something new, something blue

New trains launched in Cape Town is the best news the province could have gotten.

You excused for assuming it was a political stunt, I mean it was exactly a month before the elections.

These new trains will be implemented along with the upgrading of the rail network. That upgrading commenced but sadly the rail network is crippling at a faster pace than what upgrades are taking place.

The features in the new trains are cool, big windows, cameras, intercom. You will even get a heads-up as the train is approaching a station. The driver can even see what is happening in the carriages

On the new train’s drivers will also be able to communicate with commuters. Now however they don’t have information when asked a question by commuters passing by.

Metrorail however has a delay in leadership, with management failing to use existing resources. How will they deal with a new ball?

For now, no one will board the two test trains and 35 new trains it anticipated to arrive sometime in 2020. The unanswered question is how systemic issues are being addressed.

Currently there are gate-keepers to proactive customer communication and management is awol with major delays.

Communication are not a priority to Metrorail, yet 5-years ago I pointed out to the current Regional Manager this is one of his two biggest challenges. If communication was a priority, why is there no customer communication strategy and for the past few years a permanent head of Customer Services has been cancelled. So, actors need to show leadership and give direction, and if their performance is too good the curtain closes.

Metrorail's other dilemma is getting all their staff on one train. With no consensus on its regional executive on many things it is no surprise there are delays. Senior managers do as they please. I once caught the HR Manager smoking on a platform, next to a no smoking sign and while that announcement was made. He got off with a warning.

Metrorail operates with policies and procedures written in the dark years of our country and many of the current staff will tell you it worked 20/30 years ago.

To be blunt Metrorail did not stay on track with environmental and behavioural changes. The rail operator is reactive, instead of proactive. Their actions are evident to this.

Something needs to happen for them to react.

They lack the leadership, vision and strategy to think about tomorrow, next week, next month and while they follow policy, they not system driven but person-driven. So, every new actor comes with their own taste and that is not always healthy.

One should rightfully ask how important are commuters for Metrorail, has there been any commuter awareness program?

Yet commuters are blamed for not taking ownership and responsibility. 

I am who I am, ME

Actors are activist who has a bigger role than acting.

Roberto Kyle says his career gives him a voice and a responsibility.

“People go to movies and see us on TV to relate and see their stories and themselves through us. We need to tell those stories.”

The actor from Paarl is openly gay and plays the role of a gay-character in kykNET&Kie’s telenovela, Arendsvlei.

According to Roberto it took him 25 years to love who he is.

“I fought. I still fight for my identity, for who I am and the space around me.

“I don’t have 25 years for others to accept and love who I am.”

Roberto was also in movies like Eye in the Sky and The Dark Tower, as well as the drama series Homeland.

Shortly before Arendsvlei Roberto was seen as Skalkie Fortuin in Knapsekêrels and before that as Aunty Merle’s son Carl Abrahams in the Marc Lottering musical.

Roberto gets serious when he says his sexuality does not determine which type of actor he is, or that he can or should only portray a gay-character.

“It is not why I went to drama school. If I have to play a tree, then I play a tree.”

SUPPORT

Roberto confess he always knew he was different, and how other people made him feel about himself.

“I was always the target of the one or other form of bullying. Especially by boys and simply because I was not like them. When I became a teenager, I started to understand the dynamics of masculinity and being a man. At 13-years it all started making sense… that I am gay.”

Even though he is a friendly, full of life person, there was some challenging times.

In his matric year he opened towards school friends about his sexuality.

“I was scared of who I am. When I told my school friends they started crying, because they have been waiting the whole time on me just to be happy for me. I then told my sister, and that same evening my mom. Both was, and they still are very supportive.”

Roberto now partially regrets the whole “coming out”.

“I believe no one should endure the trauma young boys and girls go through with the whole ‘coming out’ process. My sister never had to hide her love (for someone else) or explain her existence. Why should I?”

There is another thing that Roberto regrets. His dad passed away in 2013, to cancer and they never had the opportunity to talk about Roberto’s sexuality.

“I’m sure he knew. Before I “came out of the closet” my parents were busy getting a divorce and my dad moved out. I just didn’t want to still disturb him with this news. I know that he loved me, and he supported me.

“Still there is a part of me that feel I lack something that would make me a good son for him,” an emotional Roberto adds.

There is no shortage of love and support for Roberto from his mom – who raised him and his sister with faith, determination, acceptance and humility.

He is aware though many others are not that lucky.

“It breaks your heart if your loved-ones don’t accept and support you for who you are. Know that your identity and potential is not linked to any person, who rejects your presence. Just be who you are.

“My dad’s passing taught me we should love each other unconditionally, while we still with each other.”

AWARENESS

On the work front it seems Roberto and his character have a lot in common.

His character Lee-Roy is like Roberto also Ronel (played by Melanie du Bois) his mom’s everything. There is another thing. We got to know Lee-Roy when he was bullied on school. Roberto was bullied on primary and high school.

An honest Roberto says he was not only bullied by learners on school, but even teachers.

“Bullying takes on any form. It is not only to lift your hand. It is also people’s actions, words or even a simple look you give someone. On school I was bullied by teachers, about my sexuality and because I was different.

“I can recall two incidents where I was bullied. One being on high school when a teacher shouted, ‘stop being so gay’. I got up and walked out of the class. “Some classmates and myself went to the principal’s office, where I asked that the teacher be addressed for discriminating against me.”

Roberto’s mom was called in and it later came out, according to Roberto, that the teacher’s daughter is lesbian, and it appears as if the teacher took out her personal feelings and homophobia on Roberto.

“We need to point out homophobia, especially adults. We give permission if we pretend there is no injustice against other, or ourselves.”

Roberto reckons bullying on school is being address, but we all have a responsibility.

He is of the opinion victims should be given a bigger voice and more awareness.

Like he’s doing with his Arendsvlei-character.

Roberto says he almost immediately got the rol when he went for the Arendsvlei audition.

“I was wondering if it would be a challenge to play a schoolkid and what message I might be telling with that. When I read about the character and the big topic he’s taking on, I knew I wanted to play the role.”

Roberto says it was an adjustment to go from Skalkie, who walks with a firearm in Knapsekêrels, to Lee-Roy with schoolbooks.

“There are still people who recognize me as Skalkie, but I think many are getting used to Lee-Roy. I just don’t want Lee-Roy to become each to play.”

BE YOURSELF

What makes Lee-Roy so much fun is that he is quirky, friendly and likeable and he bring humor to every situation. From social media Roberto also successfully touch on the homosexuality topic and from the messages many of his supporters see him as a role-model.

“It is difficult to play a gay character on South African TV. I open myself to the public and all the risks that comes with that.”

Hy feels he has a responsibility to tell the truth. It is part of my goal to tell the story of my people.

“Whether it is sexuality, coloured, manly, Paarl or South African narrative.

“Irrespective if I play a straight, gay or asexual character. Lee-Roy is not who I am in life, it is the story I am telling now.”

Roberto is one of the youngest actors to play a gay-character on our TV-screens.

He is also one of a few, possibly the youngest, to openly talk about his own sexuality.

“I enjoy the reaction and messages from supporters and try to respond to everyone.

“Jinne but then I read some of the commentary and I think Rihanna don’t pay attention to rude and negative commentary, why should us plebs.”

The young man views all criticism as constructive, it helps him to be a better actor and person.

“I ask myself if I will be creative and live out my character if I’m only going to focus on negative comments.

“What concerns me is that I should not hurt people with my character.”

Roberto is aware it comes with the industry for him to be scrutinize and the backlash that can come from the public.

“It is a sad fact that a subject like homosexuality is still half taboo in our society. There is room to change that and it starts with something as simple as a conversation.”

Roberto did his thesis on the classification of the queer identity in the entertainment industry.

He says it often happens that gays bully each other.

“Gay culture is judging feminine men. The culture draws this from the heteronormativity rules of a relationship between a man and a woman, and the role of each in a relationship.

“It derives from the rooted homophobia, because gays have a view of what the perfect man should be and how he should act. If you don’t meet the standards of what a gay man should be, you judged.

“Where people are marginalized things are always sensitive, but actors can be a voice to address the topics.”

Roberto feels strongly if people irrespective race, class or sexuality are only seen as a person, who also have a story with successes and challenges, there is respect.

“People are scared to talk about homosexuality, because they don’t understand it. Aggression comes because people don’t want to talk about it and when someone comes out of the closet, especially if it is in your home, it is a problem.

“Some say you can only be gay from a distance, but when it is in your house it is a different case.”

A serious Roberto adds “people don’t always respect that you as a person have a right to express yourself, and how you feel.”

Our interview took place as the scenes of the Arendsvlei-matric camp was shot. Everyone loves Lee-Roy, and not because he is gay or being bullied, but because he is so sincere.

Ever since the barn-scenes there has been chemistry between Lee-Roy and Wesley (played by Craig Adriaanse) and viewers have been waiting and begging for a kiss between the two.

Will there be a kiss, will the two date?

“LOL” is Roberto’s reaction to the question.

“For three days a week Arendsvlei tells the stories of our people, by our people. No one came from abroad. Every day stories are being highlighted and things that are still taboo for some are now in our homes.”

Roberto hopes that viewers learn from Lee-Roy to take ownership of their life, to fight for what they believe in.

“I hope especially the gay, lesbian, transgender boy or girl learn from this that their sexuality doesn’t determine who they are and that they so much more.

“Be true to yourself and know no ones has a right to say who and what you are. You have ownership of your identity and no one can take that.”

The young actors mention he takes it with a pinch of salt how people and especially other gays judge him.

“I am not going to lay awake at night and don’t have time to wonder how others feel about my existence. It is important that I am who I am, me!”

Roberto gives his killer smile and says: “There is nothing as powerful as someone who can walk in a room and just be themselves, without having to defend their identity!”

• An edited version of this was published in Afrikaans in Kuier of 6 March 2019

All good deeds are not good

This is an open letter to the URCSA Wellington Presbytery

25^th February 2019

Chairperson & members

Brothers and Sisters

URCSA Wellington Presbytery

Greetings in the name of my Creator and Saviour.

In life I’ve learned not all good deeds are good and that some can cause more harm than good. Allow me to from the onset state I could not care two flies what you as Presbytery do or don’t do, as my God and I have a solid healthy relationship.

I’ve received numerous messages though, from LGBTQI young people within the Presbytery.

It firstly takes courage for any person to type a message to reach out. Secondly no cry for help should just be ignored. It is with the above background that I’m directing this communique to you.

In an open letter to the church in October 2016, myself and three fellow URCSA-members, wrote: “As members of URCA we are concerned at the churches prophetic voice towards LGBTQI congregants and community.”

We further asked: “The church in love and the spirit of the Belhar Confession not to let LGBTQI-members suffer any further.”

Prior to the above I wrote in an opinion piece: “Apart from the conservative view the church will always hold, you cannot help to ask yourself why it takes the church – who preach love – to show love. The answer is that the church must act church orderly, within ecumenical rules.”

As per my social media accounts I initially thought the panel discussion the Presbytery is planning for Thursday is something good. Having viewed the poster of the panel discussion I am deeply offended, insulted and ashamed.

I take offence in the use of the term “homoseksualisme”. In no formal or informal documentation of URCSA is this term used. It also has a negative connotation, that was used some years ago as part of hate-speech. The term itself and the use thereof creates the impression that the organisers and thus the Presbytery, and one can interpret the panel (unless a correction is made by them) have a preconceived opinion that homosexuality is wrong.

I’ve previously asked the numerous (waste of time) URCSA Commissions how many of the panel members are gay/lesbian or have immediate family who is?

If none, my interpretation is that your panel will share textbook experience.

Following the tragic events at 13:30 on Saturday 8^th October 2016 at the 7th General Synod of Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa, one of the members of the first URCSA Homosexuality Task Team, made the following remark: “URCSA has no testicular fortitude in leading the church on the LGBTQ-matter and therefore finds all kind of excuses for not pronouncing on it”.

Friends in Christ allow me with due respect to have the testicular fortitude to tell you that your approach is unconsidered; disrespectful; offensive; just plain wrong.

You are proving the stories of Angelo, Theo, Carlton, Ashwin, Astrid, Belinda, Lindsey, Victor and many others will thus never be told or heard.

If you ignore everything above, take this to heart: ill-advised actions have led to suicide. It is often not what is said but what not and how not. Many of you will never grasp the pressure and depression LGBTQI-persons sit with, just viewing your ill-advised poster. As Christian my plea is let's stop homophobia and not contribute to it. 

Be bold, be brave, be leaders.

You friend in Christ

Earl September

Social Media: Internet's wild wild west

Social media is the warzone of the internet.

One post can make you part of the unemployment figure, or worse make you end up behind bars.

This is not even some sort of myth, I know of people this happened to. Look at Penny Sparrow, McIntosh Polela and Lance Witten. Some of the less known people is the 23-year old who posted something about his boss on Facebook and the 25-year old from Durban who made malicious statements.

More and more institutions also stalk your timeline when you apply for a job.

Government departments can now even ask you your social media as reference. Government is not doing this to limit your right to privacy or change your political views – it is done as part of an attempt to create a more professional public service.

I recently as part of preparation for a social media workshop sat and wondered if the 33% of the 57 million South Africans know why they on Facebook?

It is off-course no shock that so many of us are online or that social media is growing at such a fast pace in the country. More than half of the country is under the age of 35 and grown ups do joke kids are these days born with a smartphone in the hand.

I’ve drawn the conclusion many of the more than 19 million South Africans on Facebook do not grasp the consequences, when posting on social media.

Even worse is that many have not read the terms and conditions of the various social media platforms.

When someone is caught or corrected, the defence is always “it was only a joke”. Everything will never always “just be a joke”, and for any post there are consequences.

Many tend to say, “it is my Facebook” and they can write what they want.

Yes, it is your Facebook profile, but not your Facebook. It will always be the Facebook of Mark, Eduardo, Andrew, Dustin and Chris.

There are also rules and now even laws that box us.

The rules might sound unnecessary but social media – specifically Facebook – have literally and figuratively killed people. Mind you it is not your place to post when someone passed on, and the next of kin have not been informed.

It is also inhumane to post about someone who passed away and you got the information from hearsay and you not even a loved-one.

What irks me more than the boring jokes are those with more than one profile. I’ve once even asked a friend if he has a psychological problem, why else would he have another profile?

As part of my day job I manage seven social media platforms, every day, and that does not even include my own six. I kid you not it is a nightmare and an confuse the living daylight out of you. 

Why, just why, would you still clone your Facebook? For those jumping on the “I forgot my password”, there is the reset-option. Those running away from someone on the friend list, just unfriend or block the person.

Many – especially older – folks are under the impression when you say “social media”, you referring to Facebook.

Yes, the platform can filter photos like Instagram, upload videos like YouTube and make notes like Twitter. You can even use Messenger like WhatsApp or meet a potential partner like on Tinder.

Fact remains Facebook is not social media, it is only one of many platforms.

Many forget or ignore that when they upload something on Facebook there can be consequences. Many create fake Facebook groups or pages, some because it is fun.

Unfortunately for you someone may own the intellectual rights to a name, slogan and even photo or video.

You might have freedom of expression but, like on street, that goes together with a responsibility.

A huge part of this is respect and not to infringe on the rights of others. Next time you go onto any social media platform, remember the following:

Think before you post, you can be charged for what you post. To take photos or videos from other is stealing. You can be fired for what you say on your personal social media platforms and to mislead the public can land you in the hot water.

To explain social media is difficult, because the definition will differ from person to person.

For me it is – as mentioned in the introduction – the wild wild west of the internet.

It is difficult to manage, rugged but exciting. It enables you to add your ten cents to any discussion with any person, anywhere in the world. It offers some nice reading material and a different view.

Social media is to discover the truth of others.

If you like or follow me on social media, be accurate, fair and honest. Read and be informed on what you post and respect others, even if you don’t see them!

• This opinion piece initially published in Afrikaans in Paarl Post of Thursday 21 February 2019

2018 Matric Pass Rate per district/school

Here are the 2018 matric pass rate per district per school

CAPE METRO: CENTRAL

CAPE METRO: NORTH























CAPE METRO: EAST
















CAPE METRO: SOUTH

CAPE WINELANDS DISTRICT



















EDEN EN SENTRAAL KAROO DISTRIK




















OVERBERG AND WEST COAST

Metrorail: The Rail Disaster

Cape Town mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith summed up the city’s embattled rail infrastructure as: “People talk as if Prasa [Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa] must still collapse. It has already collapsed.”

Once upon a time Metrorail was the backbone of transportation in the Western Cape.

No longer is the rail company the prime mover of most of those who contribute towards the economy in the province.

Commuters are subjected to daily train cancellations and, for those fortunate to get a train, it is almost always delayed.

Multiple factors contribute to the frustrating situation.

Most delays are due to obsolete infrastructure, the result of decades of disinvestment in passenger rail.

To make matters worse, there are daily incidents of vandalism and, since October 2015, there have been frequent train-related fire incidents.

“Commuters no longer depend on Metrorail because the failures of the rail agency are forcing them to make use of their own alternative transport,” said Dan Plato, Cape Town’s Mayor in waiting.

In January, Prasa went as far as to admit the system had derailed and that it was unable to guarantee a safe journey to commuters.

Fast forward 10 months to the beginning of October, and the Rail Safety Regulator (RSR) issued a suspension notice to Prasa which read: “Prasa Rail cannot demonstrate confidence to the RSR that it has the ability, commitment and resources to properly assess and effectively control the risks arising from its railway operation – to the detriment of the safety of those who may be affected by its railway operations.”

Two days later, Prasa dragged the RSR to court in a bid to stop the regulator’s intention to cancel train operations. In a supervisory order, Prasa was told by the Pretoria North Court to “stick to the safety requirements of the RSR or end up being cancelled”.

Judge Cassim Sadiwalla said: “This is a case of national importance. Prasa is responsible for creating a safe rail environment for employees and commuters.”

This reiterates a 2015 Constitutional Court ruling that Prasa had an obligation to protect commuters from any form of incident.

The directive by the RSR relates to the every-increasing number of manual authorizations of trains. This means Prasa’s maintenance management is not improving.

Prasa spokesperson Nana Zenani said: “At least 33% - or 165 488 – of the manual authorization incidents in the country are because of vandalism of signal equipment and cable theft”.

In terms of the court order, Prasa is obliged to give monthly written progress feedback to the RSR and the judge. The rail operator may also not deploy or use new rolling stock without prior approval by the RSR.

Furthermore, a comprehensive integrated asset condition assessment report – for all of Prasa’s railway infrastructure – needs to be handed over to the RSR by March 2019.

Metrorail Western Cape spokesperson Riana Scott was initially not keen to respond to a list of questions regarding train operations, security and customer communication, and their direct effect on commuters, staff and stakeholders.

Zenani referred all questions on the state of Metrorail Western Cape to the regional manager, Richard Walker.

“The operational responsibility in the Western Cape is with Walker and his team. They should account for operational matters.”

After doing so, Scott said: “Re-signalling for the Cape Flats Line and Southern Line between Salt River and Fish Hoek is complete. Central and North have yet to commence.”

When asked about plans to start on the other lines, Scott said she could only respond with the information she had available.

Walker, in August, told members of the media re-signalling for Central Line would start later this year to early 2019 and North between late 2019 and mid-2020.

On the effects of re-signalling, Scott explained: “Experience has shown the inadvertent impact of migration to new technologies has sporadic service system failures as part of commissioning and testing new technology.”

This, together with old infrastructure has largely contributed to major service disruptions.

At this stage there is no due date for completion.

While Metrorail and Prasa have yet to admit as much, frequent commuter experience has shown that until upgrades have been completed, commuters are in for a long tough ride.

Customer communication – the one thing Metrorail can control – does not seem to be a priority. This is also evident from the hundreds of complaints you read on social media.

In August 2017, Walker admitted to members of the Western Cape provincial legislature’s standing committee on transport that “Metrorail is not communicating enough with commuters.”

In February 2018, Prasa group executives told members of the parliamentary portfolio committee on transport “Commuters would be happy with more communication.”

According to Scott: “Customer concerns are assessed, and efforts are made to educate, elaborate on and explain issues.”

Like her boss, Scott concede that many complaints relate to lack of communication.

“Trains have no on-board announcement capability,” she said. “This leaves Metrorail reliant on SMSes, via an external service provider, on social media and on centralised announcements.”

Scott added not all stations have operable announcements systems.

“Stations with operable systems can make local announcements and loudhailers are available to be used at stations by staff.”

She further explains: “As modern systems replace outdated ones the integration of information is often temporarily not possible. Like information on electronic display boards often misaligned to real operating conditions during service interruptions.

Plato, who attempted to catch a train this week from Mitchells Plain to Cape Town station to experience first-hand what train commuters are subjected to, said: “Until problems at top level are not resolved, it is commuters who will continue to suffer because of a lack of action.”

In February, Economic Freedom Fighters MP, Nontando Nolutshungu, told Prasa: “Commuters only want to know how you take them to work or home and what are you doing if trains are cancelled.  There should be a simple plan.”

DA MP, Manny de Freitas, was less diplomatic, saying “Prasa has no clue what is happening on their tracks. This justify the frustration amongst commuters”

Transport portfolio committee chairperson, Dikiledi Magadzi said: “Commuters hanging on trains are torture and Prasa officials are not realistic when talking about modernisation plans.”

Apart from all the vandalism Metrorail Western Cape has since October 2015 lost half their trains sets in train fire incidents. To date train carriages lost in fire incidents in 2018:

4 on 22 Mei at Retreat 2 on 30 Mei at Ottery 3 on 18 Junie at Steenberg 2 on 25 Junie at Philippi 7 on 21 July at Cape Town 5 on 26 July at Retreat 2 on 28 July at Cape Town 2 on 21 August at Koeberg 5 on 28 September at Dal Josaphat 2 on 28 September at Firgrove 1 on 28 September at Cape Town 8 on 9 October at Cape Town

In the Ottery incident Leigh Jansen sustained third degree burnt wounds. A 35-year old female commuter, originally from the Eastern Cape, died in the fire. She was not the only train fire casualty.

In January 2016 navy cadet Gerald Gouws died in a train fire at Glencairn. It took DNA-test two months to confirm the identity of the 23-year old from Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape.

It remains a mystery who is behind the suspected arson attack at Metrorail. All stakeholders agree it is a well-orchestrated plan to destroy rail transportation.

In July while visiting torched carriages transport minister dr. Blade Nzimande said: “Prasa spends thousands on security but there is no value for money.

He declared the rail operator in the province a priority, but since then more carriages went up in flames and no plans implemented.

Magadzi is more frustrated that there is no movement at Prasa and said: “It is a concern that Prasa receives money to improve security, but it is not used for that. There is just no improvement.

Commuters want to know how is it that trains burn, even with a security presence on platforms.

In the province, Metrorail has only 1845 security officials. Of these,789 are employed by Prasa; the rest are contracted security.

These include officials who do special investigations, administrative duties, staff on leave and/or training.

In support of these officers, a joint project by the city, the Western Cape government and Prasa was meant to be launched this week. There was, however, a twist: The deployment of the City’s rail unit was delayed as it was still awaiting permission to operate on Prasa infrastructure.

Cape Town mayoral committee member for transport Brett Herron sum up how commuters feel: “To travel the way thousands of train commuters do daily is unimaginable. The conditions are horrifying… In my opinion unconstitutional!”

This is an unedited version of an article originally published in City Press on Sunday 21 October 2018