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Scientists have discovered traces of eland collagen on a 60,000-year-old ochre-rich surface at the Kilpdrift Complex in the De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape. The find offers rare evidence of how early humans may have combined animal materials with ochre during the Middle Stone Age.

Researchers used a technique called paleoproteomics, which identifies ancient proteins preserved in archaeological material. The presence of eland collagen suggests that animal-derived substances may have been deliberately mixed with ochre, or that eland hides treated with ochre were handled at the site.

The discovery is significant because organic materials usually disappear over thousands of years, particularly in African environments where ancient DNA is difficult to preserve. Researchers say the findings provide new clues about the technical and possibly symbolic behaviour of early Homo sapiens in southern Africa.

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Eight-year-old Evan de Wet from Gordon’s Bay has been selected to represent South Africa at the African Schools Individual Chess Championships in Windhoek, Namibia, from 6 to 14 December. He qualified through his performance at the recent Chess South Africa Open.

Evan began playing at Gordon’s Bay Primary School and has progressed through school competitions, the Western Cape Top Schools competition and the South African Junior Closed Chess Championships. Earlier this year, he also represented South Africa in the Under-8 section of the FIDE World Cadets Cup in Georgia and has competed against much older players in the Cape Town senior chess league.

After the Namibia tournament, Evan is due to compete in the Mzansi Youth Chess Championship in Bloemfontein, where his sisters Lila and Zoey will also participate. His family has launched a R90,000 fundraising campaign to help cover travel and accommodation costs for the three young players.

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The new Intercare Somerset West Physical Rehabilitation Hospital has opened at Vergelegen Plein Shopping Centre, bringing a dedicated 34-bed rehabilitation facility to the Helderberg. It is designed for patients recovering from conditions such as strokes, spinal cord injuries, major surgery and joint replacements, allowing more people to complete their rehabilitation closer to home.

The hospital includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy gyms, a heated hydrotherapy pool, cognitive rehabilitation rooms and a simulation kitchen where patients can practise everyday tasks before returning home. Patients are also encouraged to dress in normal clothing, eat in communal areas and take part actively in their recovery rather than remain confined to bed.

The facility is led by Dr Dale Cilliers and rehabilitation doctor Dr Fred Ferreira, working with Rita Henn & Partners and a multidisciplinary team. It offers 14 specialised rehabilitation programmes covering neurological conditions, orthopaedics, cardiac recovery and post-amputation rehabilitation.

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Romario Davids, 32, a Patriotic Alliance candidate contesting Ward 83 in Strand and Somerset West, has appeared in the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court following an alleged shoplifting incident at a retailer in De Beers Avenue.

Police say Davids was arrested on Wednesday, 14 October, after allegedly leaving the store at around 10:00 with items that had not been paid for. Security staff contacted police, and he later appeared in court on Friday, 16 October.

The case has been postponed to 8 December for further investigation. The matter has attracted political attention ahead of the upcoming local government elections, although the allegations against Davids have not yet been tested in court.

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