The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is conducting planned maintenance activities to preserve the water supply infrastructure. Zeropressure tests and state evaluations of the water supply network will be carried out from 29th April to 3rd May 2024, with water tankers provided for residents to minimize the inconvenience caused. The City has notified the Stellenbosch Municipality to make alternate arrangements during this maintenance period, and residents are advised to store enough water in clean, sealed containers and keep their taps closed. This initiative reflects the City’s dedication towards ensuring the longevity of its water infrastructure and commitment towards transparency and effective communication.
The gig economy in South Africa is booming, with an estimated 4 million gig workers in the country. This flexible work arrangement covers a wide range of professionals and offers a lucrative platform for businesses targeting freelancers. Financial management for gig workers can be complex, but startups like Craft are providing solutions to make transactions smoother and facilitate financial management. The gig economy is set to reshape the idea of work in the upcoming years and is a major component of South Africa’s employment scene.
The Investec South African Women’s Open has kicked off at the Erinvale Golf Club in Somerset West, with 120 golfers from 33 nations participating, including local star Cara Gorlei and fivetime champion Lee Pace. The tournament is the country’s oldest professional women’s golf tournament and has played a crucial role in raising the profile of women’s golf in South Africa. The event provides a platform to celebrate the city’s heritage in golf and its commitment to nurturing the sport.
Get ready to embrace the beauty of Cape Town’s biodiversity by participating in the global City Nature Challenge from April 26 to 29, 2024. All it takes is a snapshot of indigenous flora or fauna uploaded to the iNaturalist app, and Cape Town’s rich natural preserves and conservation zones offer abundant options for observation. Beyond a competition, this challenge is a chance for residents and tourists to marvel at the city’s ecological wealth and contribute to a colossal record of local wildlife data.
Siya Kolisi, the captain of South Africa’s Springboks rugby team, shared a heartwarming video on Instagram that captured a typical weekend at home with his family. The video showcased his wife Rachel and their two children, Nicholas and Keziah, enjoying board games and impromptu dance routines. The Kolisi family’s dedication to charity work and connectedness to their roots adds to the charm of their authentic family dynamic.
South Africa’s unpredictable climate silently adds to the struggle of the homeless population, making their already challenging lives even more uncertain. During winters, severe chill increases the danger of frostbite and other coldrelated health issues. However, the magnitude of this humanitarian crisis remains unknown, and statesanctioned shelters offer temporary relief. Regular citizens can also contribute by donating money, food, clothes, and blankets to these shelters; it’s a shared responsibility to help those without homes weather the storm.
The Bulls’ upcoming URC Round 14 game against Munster is highly anticipated, with Simphiwe Matanzima and Embrose Papier reaching their 50th cap landmarks. Matanzima is a crucial player in the Bulls’ defense, with an impressive record of 162 completed tackles and a 95% success rate. Papier, on the other hand, has been vital to the team’s offense with 11 tries and strategic gameplay. The Bulls’ coach, Jake White, remains optimistic despite injuryrelated challenges, and the team is determined to secure a highranking finish in the competition.
South Africa is transforming its national security apparatus through the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB). The Ad Hoc Committee on GILAB is seeking public feedback on critical aspects of the proposed amendments, including creating an Evaluation Committee to oversee intelligence activities, appointing a Deputy Chairperson for the JSCI, and empowering the IGI to perform oversight functions. This public engagement ensures diverse perspectives on shaping South Africa’s intelligence sector and strengthens parliamentary supervision. The Committee is welcoming written submissions on the issues and adopting technological solutions for more accessible and convenient participation.
In Mamre, a police sergeant was tragically killed while responding to a domestic violence report. The suspect managed to escape the scene, prompting a manhunt, while the Western Cape Provincial SAPS management and police community expressed their distress and disappointment. Despite the heartbreaking event, the police force remains steadfast in their dedication to securing the safety and wellbeing of the communities they serve, highlighting the importance of community collaboration in preventing such occurrences.
The Gauteng Department of Health in South Africa is extremely concerned about the growing number of food poisoning cases, particularly among children. One incident involved 41 children who accidentally consumed rat poison, mistaking it for candy. Another incident resulted in the death of a sixyearold student. These incidents are part of a broader trend of food poisoning cases in the area, with over 800 reported since October 2023 and 11 deaths. The Department is calling on everyone in the community to take responsibility and work together to protect children’s health.
Cape Town has launched Jobs Connect, a recruitment platform that aims to connect job seekers with potential employers in the city. The service offers work readiness training and a digital evaluation of numeracy and literacy skills, and has already attracted over 100,000 users. The initiative has been earmarked for a significant R5.5m budget, and is aimed at reducing the financial burden of job hunting and creating new opportunities in sectors such as call centres, hospitality, manufacturing and retail.
Propranolol, a medicine typically used to treat high blood pressure, could potentially diminish unconscious racial prejudices. This theory suggests racism might be a neurological aberration, a ‘brain bug,’ and could be medically addressed. While still in its infancy, this groundbreaking viewpoint on racial bias offers radical new insights in the fight against racism. However, it’s important to remember that societal efforts to address the basis of racism in cultural, educational, and systemic infrastructures are still necessary.
Kaizer Chiefs are changing their strategy in their search for a goalkeeper after their first choice, Stanley Nwabali, gained attention from European clubs and competition from rivals Orlando Pirates. Reports suggest the Chiefs may consider signing Pirates’ experienced Ghanaian goalkeeper, Richard Ofori, who could provide 57 years of service. Despite competition from other potential goalkeeper signings, signing Ofori could be a tactical move for the Chiefs, as they deal with their own goalkeeping issues and seek to secure their position for years to come.
The Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town brings together thousands of runners for a unique blend of athleticism and stunning landscapes. The city’s skyline provides the perfect backdrop for this grand event that showcases Cape Town’s dynamic culture and passion for sports. With dedicated safety and security staff, road closures, and route changes, the city is ready to host this global event and showcase its forwardthinking vision. The marathon is a cultural symbol of urban unity and sportsmanship that positions Cape Town as a bright star in the sporting world.
South African authorities, including the South African Police Service, collaborated to conduct a major crackdown on counterfeit and illegal trade in Johannesburg’s Fordsburg shopping center, leading to the confiscation of over R11 million worth of counterfeit goods and the arrest of 37 illegal foreign nationals. The operation targeted 18 stores and resulted in the seizure of over 8,000 fake products impersonating popular brands, contravening Acts that protect consumers and ensure fair trading. The operation is one of many successful efforts to disassemble the deeply rooted criminal networks of the counterfeit trade, aiming to safeguard consumers and honest enterprises, expose and penalize those who manipulate the system for their enrichment, and triumph over deceit.
The firefighters of Cape Town are not only extinguishing fires but also raising funds for the local hospital’s burn care unit. Burn injuries are the third leading cause of injuryrelated fatalities in children, and the firefighters are committed to strengthening burn services for children in the Western Cape. Their annual charitable initiative has transformed into a celebrated event that the local residents look forward to every year, raising funds through ticket sales and community contributions. The Burns Project aims to improve overall results and lighten the load on families residing far from Cape Town, supported by the City’s Mayoral fund and the Fire & Rescue Services.