Reflecting on the key news stories of 2025
Harbour master Steven Bentley speaks at the restoration of Cape Town's historic Time Ball Tower in the V&A Waterfront last month.
Image: Fouzia van der Fort
The Atlantic Sun takes a look back at the news that made headlines in 2025, reflecting on the moments worth remembering.
In January, Bo-Kaap residents were concerned about a large proposed development of an aparthotel near the historic Auwal Mosque, in Dorp Street, one of the oldest mosques in the country (“Heritage concerns addressed in hotel development process,” Atlantic Sun, January 28).
Since then, the City of Cape Town has released a statement with mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis confirming the Municipal Planning Tribunal’s (MPT) decision to approve a smaller revised six-storey hotel development at 150 Buitengracht Street, after extensive community engagement facilitated by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA).
In March, Camps Bay police, together with Camps Bay non-government organisation Ignisive, took pupils from Bishops School of Skills up Table Mountain to show them that there were opportunities beyond their circumstances (“Empowering marginalised youth,” March 28).
In May, Atlantic Sun reported on the return of the Green Point Flea Market after a 15-year hiatus. The market returned to its original home, marking a momentous comeback for the development of the Cape Town Stadium precinct ("Green Point Flea Market returns after 15 years," May 7).
In July, rising Bo-Kaap star Haashim Pead gained international recognition for his standout performance at the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship, where he helped the Junior Springboks win the final. ("Bo-Kaap Star shooting his way up the ranks," July 4).
In August, disability rights activists called for the urgent restoration of Dial-a-Ride services. They expressed their frustration at not being able to access schools, healthcare, work, and other basic rights without the DaR service during a protest at the Cape Town Civic Centre on Monday, August 25 ("Disability rights activists call for urgent restoration of Dial-a-Ride services," Atlantic Sun 27).
In October, around 24 000 marathon entrants and their supporters were left disappointed after the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was cancelled just an hour and a half before the scheduled 6.10am start ("Why the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was cancelled: Insights and reactions," October 19). Strong winds caused safety concerns.
In November activists either downed tools for 15-minutes or took to the streets in support of the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, a United Nations global campaign, which runs from Tuesday, November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until Wednesday, December 10 (International Human Rights Day) ("Cape Town unites against GBV," November 21).
Service Dining Rooms celebrated its 90th anniversary. Pictured are cook Regina Philander, from Clarkes Estate in Elsies River, pictured with Rachel Browne from Botrivier and her sister Louisa Browne from Simon’s Town, along with their brother James Browne from Stellenbosch. They are grandnieces and grandnephew of the Rooms’ co-founder, Doris May Syfret.
Image: Fouzia van der Fort
At the end of November, the Mother City welcomed the start of the festive season with the annual festive lights switch-on in front of the City Hall, illuminating Adderley Street with a series of festive light motifs at 9pm ("More than 90 000 gather for the 56th annual Festive Lights Switch-On in Cape Town," on December 4).
Earlier this month, Cape Town Central Police Station celebrated its reduction in community-reported serious crime despite having the highest reported cases in the country ("Cape Town central reports crime dip," December 11). Station commander Brigadier Gerda van Niekerk attributed this success to partnership policing with the CPF, the public, neighbourhood, and block watches.