The Drakensberg Boys Choir, nestled in the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa, is a shining example of musical talent and community spirit. For over fifty years, this choir has blended hard work in academics and sports with the joy of singing, creating a unique haven for young boys to grow and shine. As they embark on their exciting “Hear Us Sing UK Tour,” the choir offers a thrilling mix of classical and vibrant African music, captivating audiences with their harmonious sounds. Beyond the music, they also promote strong values and support for talented boys, ensuring that dreams can come true, no matter the challenges. With every note, the Drakies remind us of the power of music to connect and inspire people around the world.
The Emaan Solomons trial has begun, a crucial step towards justice for the sevenyearold girl who was tragically killed in a gang crossfire in Cape Town in 2020. Cape Town’s Mayor, Geordin HillLewis, attended the trial’s opening day to show solidarity with the Solomons family and emphasize the importance of making Cape Town a safer place. The trial represents a collective desire for justice from the Ocean View community, where gangrelated violence continues to claim innocent lives. HillLewis believes that Emaan’s story should ignite a drive for change and fuel the fight against crime to ensure the safety of Cape Town’s streets.
Cape Town’s Initiative for Esteemed Spaces is a policy that aims to enhance the aesthetic appeal and quality of public places in the city. The humancentered urban designs transform spaces into purposeful, relevant, and significant places that encourage community development. The policy draws inspiration from principles such as the greater public good, holistic approach, identity, context, and placemaking, among others, to create visually captivating, environmentally friendly, economically sound, and socially fair environments in the city.
Dunoon, a community in Cape Town with a high population density, is launching a sixmonth trial program to combat unauthorized dumping. The City of Cape Town plans to increase garbage collection from once a week to three times a week, starting on September 1, 2024. The initiative aims to promote a cleaner and healthier environment, improve community wellbeing, and protect the environment from pollution caused by litter. The city is urging all Dunoon inhabitants to participate in the program and refrain from unlawful dumping.
Professor Muse Nkondo was a towering figure in South Africa’s political and academic arena, with a legacy that permeates essential sectors like tourism and public administration. He was a defender of human rights and an exceptional advocate for social cohesion and unity. His wisdom and teachings will continue to guide South Africans towards a brighter and more prosperous future. As we honor Professor Nkondo, let’s strive to replicate his dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm, and advance his legacy of unity, social cohesion, and nationbuilding.
Cape Town’s exceptional governance is unmatched in South Africa, thanks to its transparent and accurate management of public funds for delivering services. The city has achieved a clean audit for over 10 years, reflecting its steadfast commitment to accountability, good governance, and careful financial management. However, other municipalities need to follow suit to ensure the responsible use of public funds, and Cape Town’s infrastructure investment plan sets new standards for other cities to follow. Overall, Cape Town’s unwavering pursuit of excellence and progress makes it an engineering marvel of efficiency, accountability, and good governance.
The law enforcement agencies in the city worked tirelessly to maintain safety and order during the recent holiday, making 399 arrests and imposing over 41,000 penalties for various violations. However, the alarming number of 60 individuals arrested for driving under the influence serves as a sobering reminder of the need to address reckless behavior. The city offers complimentary programs to help individuals struggling with alcohol addiction, and the authorities are using cuttingedge technology like the Eye in the Sky to enhance their operations.
Delft’s Urban Waste Management (UWM) EPWP Entrepreneurship Trainee Programme is a city initiative in South Africa that provides entrepreneurs with the necessary skills and abilities through a series of training and development modules. This programme’s holistic approach combines practical mentorship with theoretical knowledge and helps city entrepreneurs realize their business objectives while contributing to job creation and revenue growth among participating businesses. Bonolo Holdings, a family enterprise, has seen considerable growth under the guidance of this city initiative, and its success is a testament to the programme’s effectiveness in supporting small businesses on their journey towards expansion and success.
South Africa’s housing crisis requires a detailed plan of action, as announced on August 26, 2024 by the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements. The plan includes legislative changes for fair housing, amplified communication and collaboration, and empowering women to become property owners. The aim is to confront the challenges specific to the gap market and promote equal access to housing finance, leading to a more equitable South Africa. The successful implementation of this plan will mitigate issues of housing unaffordability and promote spatial transformation for the “missing middle”.
Francesca Lucia, an Italian property developer, experienced a legal nightmare in South Africa when she discovered a squatter occupying her dream property. Despite the law siding with squatters, Lucia was committed to respecting it and sought legal advice. After months of escalating legal fees, renovation expenses, and emotional distress, Lucia was forced to pay a settlement of R38,000 to the squatter, highlighting the urgent need for legal reform to address issues related to squatter’s rights and protect homeowners from similar predicaments.
Two students from Plumstead High School in Cape Town were caught on camera brandishing weapons and alcohol while wearing their school uniforms, sparking widespread backlash on social media. The Western Cape Education Department suspended the students and launched an inquiry into the incident. The incident has sparked discussions about the role schools play in molding behavior and ensuring safety, with the Diep River Community Policing Forum and South African Police Service planning increased patrols in and around the school. Parents are urged to monitor their children’s behavior outside of school hours.
The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games are set to be an enthralling event, bringing together approximately 4400 paraathletes from all over the world to compete in 22 unique sports. The event represents the triumph of the human spirit, showcasing the strength, resilience, and determination of these remarkable athletes who surmount conventional boundaries. While the Games are a showcase of athleticism, they are also a platform for inclusivity and unity, highlighting the power of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle.
Water supply maintenance is important for improving service quality and enhancing customer experiences. Scheduled maintenance work, such as zeropressure tests and condition evaluations, may cause changes in water pressure or periods without water flow. Residents are advised to make necessary preparations and store water beforehand in clean, sealed containers. The maintenance work is a crucial part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s program to secure the future of water supply and address the problem of unaccountedfor water.
Cape Town’s dams have exceeded 100% capacity, bringing a wave of comfort to its inhabitants. The extra water is a result of water cascading over the dam’s spillways, providing an ephemeral reservoir of water for rivers downstream. While the fixed baseline fee for water supply remains constant, the usagebased fee may increase to recoup expenditures associated with delivering trustworthy water services. Cape Town is investing in desalination, groundwater systems, and reuse, and aims to amplify water supply by an additional 300 million litres of new water per day by 2030 to ensure future water availability.
The Minister of Energy and Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, is working with the South African Local Government Association and local governments to combat rising electricity prices. The Minister emphasized the need for a strategy to restrain skyrocketing prices and collaborate closely with Eskom, local governments, and SALGA. Eskom has also made significant progress in the country’s electricity management, with 121 consecutive days of continuous power supply since March 26th, a milestone of 35,000MW of available capacity, and 87 days of steady supply throughout the winter season.
A cargo ship stranded off the coast of South Africa in July resulted in an oil spill, posing an ecological emergency. Despite rescuing the crew, the ship still threatens marine life. An immediate emergency salvage mission was triggered, with a new company tasked with assessing the ship’s structural integrity. However, the ship later split into four parts, intensifying the oil spill, and local authorities are working to contain the spill with the help of the community. This highlights the need for safe and sustainable maritime operations and effective crisis management.