South Africa’s National Roads Agency (SANRAL) celebrates its 25th anniversary, highlighting its achievements in engineering excellence, socioeconomic development, and transformative growth. The agency is dedicated to building and maintaining toptier infrastructure while fostering a more inclusive society for all South Africans. SANRAL invests in local economies, constructing durable roads that connect provinces and neighboring countries, while promoting community development programs and supporting small, medium, and microenterprises. As SANRAL moves forward, its vision and unwavering commitment will continue to positively impact the country’s development and the lives of its citizens.
Cape Town has been ranked the seventh most budgetfriendly city in the world by a recent study conducted by Bounce. The city offers affordable accommodation, food, and drinks, making it a perfect option for a city break. Visitors can explore the city’s natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and nearby regions, such as the Garden Route and Winelands, without financial limitations. With its enchanting experiences and affordability, Cape Town is a welcoming sanctuary for travelers seeking value for their money.
The 45th Loeries Creative Week is set to take place in Cape Town from October 2nd to 6th, celebrating the creativity and excellence of the African and Middle Eastern creative industry. With a theme of “Blood, Sweat, and Tears,” the event will offer a range of activities, including masterclasses, seminars, networking dinners, and award evenings, as well as opportunities for young talent to showcase their work and secure employment. The event is expected to attract over 8,000 attendees from over 20 countries and promises to be a fusion of diverse ideas and artistic expression.
Cape Town Welcomes Placido Domingo’s Operalia 2023: A Celebration of Operatic Excellence
Cape Town is hosting Placido Domingo’s Operalia 2023, a prestigious international opera competition, in October and November. The event will take place at the Artscape Opera House and features participants from 15 countries, including South Africa. The competition has been instrumental in launching the careers of numerous gifted singers, and Operalia’s vice president has highlighted the substantial representation of South African talent among the 34 successful candidates. The event is poised to leave a lasting impression on the local arts scene, offering a platform for the next generation of extraordinary singers.
The devastating floods in the Western Cape have left hundreds of residents struggling in the aftermath. The overflowing Kuils River and clogged drains have caused flooding in densely inhabited areas, forcing many residents to seek shelter in community halls. Civic organizations and authorities are providing aid to those affected, including hot meals, food parcels, blankets, and mattresses, but the flooding has highlighted the precarious living conditions of numerous communities. Despite the challenges, the Western Cape communities are demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Introducing Postbank, a stateowned commercial bank in South Africa, marks a new era for the country’s banking sector. The creation of this new institution aims to close the gap between social classes and ensure that accessible banking services reach even the most financially disadvantaged. Postbank plans to provide affordable and developmental commercial banking services, focusing on responsible lending for rural and lowerincome markets, ultimately contributing to a brighter future for the country’s citizens and reaffirming the government’s dedication to social and economic development.
Celebrating 126 Years of Cape Town’s Woodhead Dam: A Tribute to the City’s Water Heritage
Woodhead Dam has been providing water to the residents of Cape Town for 126 years, exemplifying the city’s perseverance in addressing water challenges. The dam’s construction in the 1890s was a groundbreaking project led by young Scottish engineer Tom Stewart, and was named in honor of thenMayor Sir John Woodhead who placed the final brick. The dam has been recognized as an International Civil Engineering Landmark and serves as a symbol of the city’s commitment to building lasting infrastructure and creating a waterresilient future.
Ivilitex is a new clothing and textile manufacturing facility in Epping, South Africa that aims to increase locally produced apparel from 44% to 65% by 2030. Equipped with advanced technology, the factory can produce a pair of jeans in under 13 minutes with minimal environmental impact. The company’s focus on local production and technological innovations serves as a beacon of hope for the South African textile industry, creating new opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
Attention residents of Athlone and neighboring areas: Please be advised that there will be a temporary water service interruption starting on Thursday, 28 September 2023 at 19:00 until Friday, 29 September 2023 at 08:00 due to emergency repairs on a water main in Bofors Circle, Epping. The affected areas include Athlone, Hazendal, Heideveld, Rylands, Belgravia, Crawford, Sybrand Park, Lansdowne, Rondebosch East, and Gatesville Melomed Hospital. Water tankers will be available for domestic use during this time, and residents are urged to store water ahead of time and keep taps closed to prevent water loss and damage. Thank you for your cooperation.
Cape Town’s cemeteries are facing numerous challenges due to the unpredictable weather patterns caused by global climate crises. Rising water tables and flooding are among the obstacles hindering cemetery operations. The Recreation and Parks Department is working tirelessly to address these ongoing weatherrelated challenges, ensuring the safety and welfare of residents and visitors. The recent severe weather event disrupted the efforts made to lessen the heavy rainfall’s impact during the winter months, and the city remains watchful, continually monitoring the situation and actively striving to address the challenges posed by climate change.
South African High Court Supports Auction of Lavish Home Tied to Unlawful PPE Contract
The South African High Court has supported the auction of a lavish home connected to Johannesburg businessman Hamilton Ndlovu, who obtained 19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tenders worth R172m from the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) through an irregular agreement. The court’s rejection of an application to halt the sale advances the enforcement of investigation findings and consequence management to recover losses incurred by NHLS and the state. The South African Special Investigating Unit (SIU) revealed that 90% of the funds received by Ndlovu were not spent on procuring PPE supplies but were diverted for personal benefit.
The exceptional storm that caused significant damage in Cape Town and the Western and Eastern Cape over the weekend has left a profound effect on the city’s most vulnerable inhabitants. City disaster risk management and frontline service teams have been working nonstop to provide aid and assistance to those impacted, particularly in informal settlements, where the destruction is most severe.
Cape Town, a city known for its remarkable landscapes and dynamic culture, often contends with an inconsistent and unpredictable climate. The resilience of its inhabitants is apparent in their ability to adjust and embrace the everchanging weather conditions. This article explores a recent weather event that swept through the Western Cape, bringing heavy rain and galeforce winds, followed by a swift return to sunny skies. We’ll also discuss the weather forecast for today and the natural phenomena that make Cape Town a truly unique and aweinspiring city.
South Africa’s Ongoing Struggle with Tuberculosis: Achievements, Obstacles, and Collaborations
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a significant global challenge, with South Africa being one of the most affected countries. The recent country statement by Minister Joe Phaahla at the HighLevel Meeting on Tuberculosis offers an overview of South Africa’s progress, obstacles, and collaborations in their fight against TB. This article explores the critical aspects of South Africa’s journey since the last UN HighLevel Meeting in 2018 and the consequences of their endeavors in the larger global context.
In the early morning of September 20, 2023, the Tlhabane community in South Africa experienced a significant clampdown on criminal activity. Several law enforcement agencies, such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), Rustenburg Crime Intelligence, Tlhabane Visible Policing, District Crime Combating Unit, Bafokeng Reaction Force, and Nuco Chrome Protection Service, teamed up to bring down a group of ten criminals. This victorious effort resulted in the arrest of the offenders, who faced charges including drug possession and dealing, robberies, motor vehicle theft, attempted murder, and burglary.
The Remarkable Tale of “Mr. Mageu”: Rising Above Struggles and Celebrating Cultural Differences
Every year, a video featuring a Parktown Boys’ High schoolboy named Phil Whitehead enjoying Mageu, a traditional South African drink, and suddenly erupting into isiZulu expressions, circulates on social media. The surprising and cheerful language switch always generates amusement and pleasure among those watching. However, the intriguing narrative of Phil, who is now a 24yearold man, is mostly untold.