Deputy President Paul Mashatile is scheduled to officially inaugurate the 9th Africa Engineering Week and 7th Africa Engineering Conference on Monday, 25 September 2023. This significant event will take place at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria and aims to celebrate and enhance engineering excellence in Africa. The theme for this year’s conference is “Celebrating and Growing Engineering Excellence in the African Region.”
Climate change impacts everyone, and the necessity for a worldwide approach to confront this critical issue is more urgent than before. South Africa is particularly susceptible to climate change, experiencing increasing occurrences of extreme events such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves. Consequently, the country has emphasized transformative adaptation actions with significant socioeconomic consequences for both smaller and major emerging economies.
Lieutenant Gillian Malouw will be celebrated as a maritime industry pioneer, making her mark as the first woman to navigate a submarine in Africa. However, her promising career came to a sudden halt during a recent submarine operation in Cape Town. On a tragic Wednesday in Kommetjie, three Navy crew members, including Malouw, perished in a devastating accident. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has since launched an inquiry to examine the details of this incident.
As the global community advances towards a more sustainable future, South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET) Summit provides a forum to discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from the shift to a lowcarbon economy. Hosted at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, the summit centered on the prospects of renewable energy, the evolution of hydrogenrelated technologies, and the essential skills needed to expand South Africa’s hydrogen economy.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has accomplished a considerable achievement in their ongoing battle against damage to critical infrastructure and theft of valuable railway items. On September 19, 2023, three suspects, aged between 41 and 51, were apprehended on the N4 Road in Middleburg. The individuals were discovered transporting a reportedly stolen railway track, with an estimated value of R3 million, using a truck.
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, stressed the need for policies informed by science in the water sector, claiming that this method is essential for the nation’s ongoing success. Mahlobo spoke at the 50th Congress of International Association of Hydrogeologists, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, and advocated for a sciencebased approach to policy development. This approach, he believes, will lead to better decisionmaking and ultimately improve the lives of the people.
On September 21, 2023, a pivotal gathering occurred within South Africa’s energy sector. Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister in The Presidency for Electricity, joined forces with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) to hold a Transmission Financing Seminar. The event’s purpose was to explore funding options for South Africa’s Transmission Development Plan, a strategic blueprint focused on enhancing, sustaining, and safeguarding the nation’s energy mix and electricity provision.
The Goodwood social housing megaproject is on the verge of completion, heralding a new era of affordable rental opportunities for over 1,000 families in Cape Town. This monumental project, set to begin tenanting in November 2023, is a shining example of the power of collaboration between different stakeholders to foster urban transformation and social integration.
In a crucial move to enhance South Africa’s housing landscape, the Human Settlements Sector has given the green light to the Updated Accreditation Framework for Municipalities to Administer National Housing Programmes (2023). This groundbreaking initiative ensures that municipalities gain the needed expertise to handle the assigned tasks without negatively impacting their delivery capabilities in the short term. The framework received considerable backing and was officially authorized on September 15, 2023, during a meeting attended by Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete, and provincial MECs of Human Settlements (MINMEC).
Reports of threats and extortion attempts against city staff and contractors in Cape Town have surfaced recently. The incident occurred during a critical public lighting project in Eerste River last Friday. As a result, the City’s Public Lighting teams and their associates temporarily withdrew from the area, pledging to return once safety is ensured. The City of Cape Town has issued a statement denouncing the intimidation and calling on residents to support in apprehending the culprits.
Karl Bremer Hospital, a highly respected medical facility, is making efforts to reunite patients with their loved ones. To achieve this, they are reaching out to the community for assistance. The hospital has emphasized that the patients’ family and friends will not be held accountable for any medical expenses incurred during their hospital stay. Below are descriptions of several patients whose relatives are currently being sought.
Brookdale Estate, located in Paarl, is all set to celebrate Heritage Day with an array of iconic South African dishes. Chef Gary Coetzee has crafted a special menu that pays homage to the country’s culinary heritage while offering a contemporary twist to these traditional delights.
South Africa is a country steeped in culture and history, with a rich culinary heritage. The country boasts an array of mouthwatering snacks that have been savored for generations. These snacks are not only delicious but also evoke fond memories of childhood and simpler times. Let’s take a journey through some of South Africa’s most cherished snacks that have stood the test of time.
Cape Town is abuzz with excitement as the city prepares for the 11th annual Open Book Festival, which takes place from September 8th to September 10th. Since its inception in 2011, this prestigious event has become an integral part of the literary calendar. It attracts a diverse audience of authors, publishers, and readers and offers a platform for three days of engaging discussions and a shared appreciation for the written word.
The persistent challenge of streetlight vandalism and theft in Cape Town has hindered the city’s ability to maintain a safe and welllit environment for its residents. Over a fourmonth period from May to August, more than 3,298 service requests for streetlight repairs were received by the city’s electricity teams, primarily in the Mitchells Plain area. City officials are calling for collaborative efforts between the city and its residents to mitigate these ongoing challenges.
Tensions between residents of Mandela Park and the nearby informal settlements of Siyakhana and Siyahlala have boiled over into violent conflict over a disputed piece of land. Shack dwellers have been attacked by Mandela Park residents, resulting in the burning and destruction of their homes.
