The largest and heaviest sunfish rescue recently took place in Cape Town. Various rescue teams came to lend a hand after being informed that an enormous sunfish, weighing approximately one ton, had been trapped in Sturrock Dock at the Port of Cape Town at the beginning of the year.

“Due to the sheer size of the sunfish, we had to construct a custom rescue stretcher platform on site, utilising wooden pallets, scaffolding, chains, and other available materials,” explained Martine Viljoen, Marine Wildlife Manager.

The largest and heaviest sunfish rescue in Cape Town

At the forefront of the rescue mission was the Two Oceans Aquarium team. Its Marine Wildlife team, based at the V&A Waterfront, was contacted on January 1 to help guide and lift a one-ton sunfish out of a dry dock. This was not going to be an easy operation and would need various teams to assist.

Biggest sunfish rescue to date

According to a media statement, the rescue was done in close collaboration with the dry dock team. Their extensive experience proved invaluable towards constructing the platform. It further reads that this rescue platform solution was carefully assembled with safety for the rescuers and the sunfish as the highest priority. Viljoen added that “a critical component” of this rescue was the incredible support from Teemane Cranes.

Viljoen added, “Teemane Cranes, who generously donated the use of their crane and operator on a public holiday. Without their assistance, this rescue would not have been possible”.

 

A crane was needed to help

The Communications Manager for the Aquarium, Heather Wares, explained that the rescue platform was lowered into the dry dock by crane. This allowed the Aquarium team to guide the sunfish onto it. Confirmation was then given to the crane operator, who lifted the sunfish out of the dry dock. He then lowered the marine animal back into the water on the other side of the caisson (dry dock door).

“Throughout the process, the sunfish’s breathing was monitored, and the team ensured water was moving across its gills.”

Flight and re-entry to water

According to Wares, following the sunfish’s flight and re-entry to water, their team entered the water themselves to untie the restraints securing the sunfish. She says they then swam alongside the fish as they guided it towards deeper water. This allowed the rescued sunfish time to reorient itself before safely swimming off.  Wares added that as part of an ongoing genetic study, a small genetic sample of the marine animal was collected. They require tissue sampling to better understand which sunfish species are present in our water.

 

“We always respond to these calls and try to assist where possible,” said Claire Taylor, Interactive Exhibits & Marine Animal Welfare Specialist for the Two Oceans Aquarium.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) has urged parents and learners to prioritise mental health as Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube prepares to release the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results later today.

The organisation says the period following the release of matric results can be emotionally overwhelming for many learners, regardless of their performance.

SADAG’s Project Manager for Education, Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha, is encouraging learners who are struggling with anxiety, disappointment or pressure to seek support, reminding them that matric results do not define their future.

Parbhoo-Seetha says learners should allow themselves to feel disappointed if their results are not what they had hoped for, but warns against facing those feelings alone.

“If your results are not what you had hoped for, allow yourself to feel disappointed, but try not to sit with those feelings alone. Talk to someone you trust, take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that there are other options to explore. You can always rewrite, do supplementary exams, apply to a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college or enroll in a skills programme. This is not the end; it is simply a different route.”

She stresses that a setback does not mean the end of the road, but rather a different path forward.

Meanwhile, Minister Gwarube has shared a message of encouragement with anxious matriculants who will soon access their results.

“To the matric class of 2025, I want to congratulate you for coming this far, for your discipline, your effort and your resilience. You should be proud of yourselves, and I want to remind you that South Africa is proud of you.”

Parbhoo-Seetha has also appealed to parents of learners who may not have passed to offer support and reassurance during this difficult time.

“Parents’ reactions are critical. Remember, you are a parent before anything else. Lead with empathy, not anger or blame. Tell them you love them, that you are proud of their efforts, and that you will overcome whatever the future holds together.”

Learners and parents who need additional support can contact SADAG on 0800 567 567 or via WhatsApp on 076 882 2775.

The matric results will be published in all accredited newspapers from tomorrow. The publications will display examination numbers and marks, but not learners’ names, surnames or identity numbers. Learners will also be able to collect their results from their schools after 10am tomorrow.

The Wemmershoek fire in Franschhoek continues to keep firefighters busy as their efforts to contain the blaze enter a new week.

The blaze started last Wednesday in the Langrug area, high up in the mountains, and spread as a result of strong winds and high temperatures. Fires in other parts of the region have since been contained.

But the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) confirmed on Monday that the fire was still active in the area.

On Sunday, a CWDM spokesperson, Anesca Roodt, noted that the blaze was moving closer toward farmland along the R301 Wemmershoek Road, but shifted back later in the day.

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High temperatures and windy conditions on Sunday further fuelled flare-ups in areas where the blaze had already been contained.

“[The flare-ups] were promptly attended to in previously contained areas. The CapeNature, Drakenstein Municipality and Volunteer Wildlife Services were deployed and successfully contained multiple flare-ups,” said Roodt.

She added that the Winelands Fire Protection Association and Stellenbosch Municipality have also assisted in firefighting efforts.

“The Winelands Fire Protection Association deployed aerial resources and, with assistance from the Stellenbosch Municipality, focused on structure protection at Mont Rochelle, Chamonix Wine Estate and surrounding farms.”

Roodt said efforts to contain the blaze or slow its spread continue.

“Active firefighting operations were conducted along accessible fire lines, with backburning implemented where necessary,” said Roodt.

While the fire is still blazing, authorities have confirmed that there have been no reported losses. Roodt said “no injuries, damage, or loss of property have been reported during this operational period”.

At the same time, she added that the SPCA is also on standby to assist should any animals be affected by the fire.

“Monitoring and mopping-up operations continue in areas where the fire has been contained… Fire line conditions will be assessed, after which actions for the next operational period will be determined.”

Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, and the mayors of the Cape Winelands, Drakenstein and Stellenbosch Municipalities are expected to meet in Wemmershoek on Monday on the matter.

Furthermore, the Cape Winelands District Municipality has extended its gratitude, saying Fire Services “extend sincere thanks to all individuals and community organisations for their generous donations and ongoing support,” as crews brace for another demanding day on the fire line.

The City of Cape Town says while it is ready to proceed with the urgent reblocking of Dunoon’s Site 5 informal settlement following a devastating fire on Friday, 9 January, contractors are being prevented from carrying out this work by residents.

Reblocking essentially involves the realignment of structures in an informal settlement to enable basic services to be delivered, and can also result in reduced fire risk and more usable communal spaces.

Some residents have already started rebuilding with salvaged materials rather than waiting for formal assistance.

The City’s MMC for Human Settlements, Carl Pophaim, says R12 million has been made available for the site to be reblocked, and contractors are on standby, ready to begin work immediately.

He says key City services are on-site and are ready to go, but they have noted the rejection by the affected community for that reblocking intervention.

“It is important to place on record that the City is ready to respond. The necessary budget has been identified, contractors are on standby, and essential services are on site and ready to begin work immediately.”

Pophaim has emphasised that the City’s ability to act is slowed by the absence of the directive required to enable an emergency housing response from the National Minister of Human Settlements. This policy gap is creating delays at a time when residents urgently need assistance.

City officials have now been instructed to step aside temporarily to avoid further conflict.

“We are not withdrawing from the area. We are ready to work with residents, community leadership and other spheres of government to find a way forward, which restores safe and dignified housing as quickly as possible.”

Pophaim has called on the national government to provide the necessary clarity on policy to enable emergency interventions.

“Our residents deserve a response which matches the urgency of this disaster.”

Devastating scenes are unfolding in Dunoon after a fire ripped through Site 5 on Friday, leaving thousands of residents without homes or belongings.

The blaze broke out on Friday morning and was only brought under control late that night. Many residents returned from work to find their homes completely destroyed. A fully tally of affected residents has not yet been released as Disaster Risk Management officials are still collating numbers.

With schools reopening on Wednesday, the impact on families has been severe. Many children have lost their school uniforms, stationery and shoes. Gift of the Givers has appealed to the Department of Home Affairs to deploy a mobile unit to assist with the re-issuing of identity documents.

The humanitarian organisation has also set up a mobile kitchen truck to provide daily meals, while emergency shelter has been arranged for displaced families.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is reporting that they are accepting many animals, some injured, as residents are no longer in a position to care for their pets.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis visited the area on Saturday morning alongside Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Carl Pophaim, as City teams continued relief efforts on the ground.

Frontline staff are providing immediate support, including safety assistance, debris clearing, coordinating interim relief with non-profit organisations, and registering affected residents for emergency aid.

Pophaim has called on the National Department of Human Settlements to urgently release reconstruction kits to those affected.

He added that as rebuilding begins, proper spacing between structures is critical to allow fire services access and prevent future fires from spreading as rapidly.

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