Taking a look back at 2024

The Plainsman was filled with its highs and lows that made headlines in 2024. We take a look back at the year that was.

The school year started off with good and bad news on the education front – a recurring theme throughout the year.

In January, schools were filled to capacity for Grade 1s and Grade 8s respectively (“Western Cape Schools full for 2024”, Plainsman, January 10).

However, there was reason for celebration when Darul Arqam Islamic High School in Eastridge took first place in Mitchell’s Plain with the highest pass rate for the National Senior Certificate examinations, (“Darul Arqam Islamic High matrics record 100% pass rate”, Plainsman, January 24).

In April, national government announced major budget cuts in education with several contract teachers let go as a result (‘Budget cuts bite ’Plain teachers’ Plainsman April 10).

Mitchell’s Plain schools were also affected by storms that had Spine Road High School closed for a day, (‘Plain schools weather the storm’ Plainsman July 17).

On the law enforcement front, police ushered in the new year on a positive note, arresting three men for unlicensed firearms and ammunition, (“Firearms and ammunition confiscated”, Plainsman, January 10).

However, crime spiralled as residents and neighbourhoods felt the brunt with shootings that claimed the lives of several young people – one of them Grade 7 pupil, Firdous Kleinsmidt, 12, who died after being hit by a stray bullet, (“Girl, 12, killed by stray bullet”, Plainsman, January 31).

In March, SAPS deployed police units in Mitchell’s Plain due to the ongoing shootings, (“Specialised police deployments in ’Plain”, Plainsman, March 20).

In August, six young people died in more senseless shootings (“Six youth shot dead in four days”, Plainsman, August 28).

In September, Mitchell’s Plain police station had the highest number of cases in various crimes, (“ ’Plain tops crime list,” Plainsman, September 4), and four people died due to ongoing gang violence and shootings in October, (“Another weekend of bloody murders”, Plainsman, October 16).

In December, murders were down in Mitchell’s Plain overall yet rose in Lentegeur and Strandfontein, (“Murders down in Mitchell’s Plain”, Plainsman, December 4).

The Mitchell’s Plain community also bade farewell to several community leaders, including Tafelsig West neighbourhood watch member Ganief Thompson, 71, who died on Saturday January 6 (“Watch member dedicated to serving”, Plainsman, January 10) and the late Sergeant Enslin Errol Williams from Eastridge who died on Friday January 12 after a heart attack, (“Sergeant ‘served with dignity and pride’ ”, Plainsman, January 24).

In April, Rachart Job, retired teacher and the first education area manager for the Mitchell's Plain and Philippi areas, and former chief education specialist at the Western Cape Education Department, passed away on Tuesday April 16 (“Tributes for Rachart Job and his commitment to education”, Plainsman, April 24).

In August, Rocklands High principal Nigel Pelston, 59, died on Saturday August 7 after a brief illness, (“Principal remembered for his teaching legacy”, Plainsman, August 21).

And earlier this month, Rachel Simmery, also known as “Ma Zim”, who celebrated her 100th birthday in April, sadly died on Monday December 2, (“Ma Zim a ‘pillar of strength’ ”, Plainsman, December 11).

Some light news and milestones include that of New Tafelsig resident, Sarah Lillian Williams, who celebrated her 100th birthday on New Year’s Day, (“Ma Sarah turns a splendid 100”, Plainsman, January 10).

Twelve-year-old Riley Valentine, from Rocklands, was also recognised for his work by the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS), (“Riley recognised for work with animals”, Plainsman, January 31).

Something that had tongues wagging this year was a proposal put forward by Gun Free SA to have the first bullet-proof park installed in Mitchell’s Plain (“Mixed feelings about proposed bullet-proof park”, Plainsman, April 10) and South Africa also voted in the 30th year of democracy, (“SA goes to the polls”, Plainsman, May 29), resulting in a government of national unity after no single party achieved an outright majority to become the ruling party.

In November, the Plainsman was once again the print media partner of the popular and widely enjoyed DStv kykNET Mitchell’s Plain Festival, which marked its 16th anniversary (“Feast of fun at 16th annual festival”, Plainsman, December 3).

The Plainsman team thanks all our readers and advertisers for their support in 2024 and we look forward to telling the community’s stories in the new year.

Have a safe and blessed holiday.