As the year draws to a close, Tabletalk takes a look back on the stories that made headlines in 2024.

The year kicked off to a kind start when residents came forward to pay the vet’s bill for Michael the cat who had fractured his back legs (“Kindness of strangers save cat’s legs,” Tabletalk, January 31).

Amber Jempson with her cat, Michael, and dog, Bailey. Picture:Supplied

However, in February, things were looking bleak for Brooklyn residents who mourned the loss of a brother and sister who were shot dead in Kings Road in the early morning hours of February 12 (“Brother and sister shot dead in Brooklyn,” Tabletalk, February 14).

Later that month, some hope was restored in Joe Slovo when the City’s Law Enforcement department said they would be putting an end to illegal dumping, vagrancy, and traffic violations in the community (“‘Big operation’ planned in Joe Slovo,” Tabletalk, February 28).

Joe Slovo residents struggled with illegal dumping and vagrancy. Picture:Tara Isaacs

But in May, Joe Slovo residents told Tabletalk that the community was in a bad state and that they are still having issues with vagrancy and illegal dumping (“Joe Slovo ‘going to ruin,’” Tabletalk, May 8).

To this day, Vandy Fourie, 53, of Parklands, is remembered by her family and friends who constantly post their memories of her on social media. Ms Fourie was murdered by her housekeeper and three other suspects (“Housekeeper and three others arrested for Parklands murder,” Tabletalk, April 10).

Vandy Fourie, 53, was found murdered in her Parklands home. Picture:Supplied

Lets go back to May, when residents welcomed the City of Cape Town’s decision to improve the water quality in Rietvlei when they had the weed harvester remove the alien invasive plants (“Otter leads the charge in vlei upgrade,” Tabletalk, May 15).

Another highlight for this year was when the City announced that they will be rebuilding the MyCiti bus stations in Dunoon and Joe Slovo (“Wrecked MyCiTi bus stations to be rebuilt,” Tabletalk, June 26).

An artist’s impression of the Dunoon station to be rebuilt.

As the colder months settled in around July, residents were impacted by the storms in various parts of the city.

We reported on the storm that caused flooding in some areas such as Dunoon, Phoenix, and Joe Slovo, and even the distribution of the Tabletalk was impacted (“Major flooding as storm batters city,” Tabletalk, July 10).

Waves in Blouberg crashing into the neighbouring streets during July’s stormy weather. Picture: Supplied

Nearly a month later, some Melkbosstrand residents were still experiencing flooding due to heavy rains and clogged drains (“City tackling flooding, say councillor,” Tabletalk, August 14).

September saw warmer temperatures creeping in but a dark cloud hung over Milnerton, when the crime stats were released and Milnerton ranked 13th in the province for murder (“Murder on the rise for Milnerton,” Tabletalk, September 4).

At the end of September, Milnerton received some good news when it was announced that Lupin Park would be upgraded and renamed after Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu (“Arch Tutu’s favorite park to be renamed and upgraded”, Tabletalk, September 25).

From left are Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and Mama Leah Tutu. Picture:Tara Isaacs

In October, some of our communities were left in the dark for several days after Eskom’s cables were stolen and vandalised. Earlier that month, Table View battled with a three-day black out (“Power cuts plague Table View,” Tabletalk, October 2), and towards the middle of the month, Bothasig was hit hard with power outages that lasted for three days, (“Bothasig fumes over three-day blackout,” Tabletalk, October 16).

November looked dark for Dunoon residents who were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs when fires ripped through the Doornbach informal settlement, twice in one week (“Fire strikes site 5 twice in one week,” Tabletalk, November 13).

Site 5 in Dunoon’s Doornbach shanty town had been hit by a second fire in the space of a week. PICTURE: BHEKI RADEBE

The well-known Fallen Angels Pet Rescue Centre will either have to move or close for good after the City served them with a compliance notice (“Melkbos animal shelter faces closure,” Tabletalk, November 27).

Earlier this month, a Belhar man drowned at Milnerton beach and authorities have urged beachgoers to be safe during the festive season (“Belhar man’s body recovered at beach,” Tabletalk, December 4).

And just last week, we reported on the statue of the late Professor Kader Asmal being unveiled at the Long March to Freedom exhibition in Century City (“Kader Asmal statue joins Long March exhibition,” Tabletalk, December 11).

Tabletalk thanks all our readers for their support in 2024 and we look forward to telling your stories in the new year.

Have a safe and blessed holiday.

#obituary

Closing the door on 2024

Bloubergstrand’s Professor Walker dies at 91

Tributes pour in for Professor Brian O’Connell