President Ramaphosa has appointed esteemed judges to enhance the High Court Divisions across South Africa, aligning with the mandates of the constitution. This move reflects his commitment to uphold justice and the strength of the legal system. The article provides details on the newly appointed judges and their roles in different courts, heralding a promising era for the nation’s judiciary.
The Western Cape province is strengthening climate resilience through a partnership between Stellenbosch University’s School for Climate Studies and the Departments of Agriculture and of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. The alliance aims to facilitate a just transition towards a climateresilient society and a sustainable, lowcarbon economy through partnerships and cooperation in research, capacity building, and the pursuit of climaterelated solutions. The MOA signed in 2023 emphasizes the importance of partnerships and the exchange of scientific expertise in developing a green, lowcarbon, and climateresilient province by 2050.
The Portfolio Committee on Infrastructure Development and Property Management in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature is set to revisit Mayibuye Primary School in Tembisa to assess any progress made since the school’s construction completion in 2017 and establish whether learners have started using the facility. The school has remained unoccupied for years after its completion, and the Committee aims to assess if any progress has been made in resolving the issue and holding the responsible individuals accountable. The Committee will also visit New Kempton Park High School and Lake Side Primary School to address other infrastructure challenges faced by schools in the region.
India secured an impressive 243run victory over South Africa in the Cricket World Cup, demonstrating a perfect mix of aggressive gameplay and strategic intelligence. The Indian batting lineup’s consistency and determination were key factors in constructing a daunting total that South Africa found challenging to chase. South Africa struggled to maintain their run rate and take wickets, and only three of their batters managed to cross the doublefigure mark, leaving them staggering in their pursuit. Despite the defeat, South Africa is still on track to reach the semifinals.
South African Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande, has been awarded an Honorary Professorship from Beijing Jiaotong University, highlighting the potential for increased collaboration between South Africa and China in science, technology, and innovation. This partnership can aid in South Africa’s railway development, learning from the success of Beijing Jiaotong University’s scientific research and vocational training integration. Dr. Nzimande expresses gratitude and pledges to support the ongoing advancement of the respected university, learning from its achievements to help South Africa conquer poverty and eradicate inequality.
The National Treasury of South Africa has invited taxpayers, tax practitioners, and the public to submit technical tax proposals for the 2024 budget. The proposals should address unintended anomalies, revenue leakages, loopholes, and technical issues within existing tax legislation that require correction. Substantive tax policy proposals are excluded from this invitation, and the proposals must be submitted by November 24, 2023. The National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service will evaluate the proposals, and selected proposals will be considered for inclusion in Annexure C of the 2024 Budget Review.
Cape Town has launched an interactive Waste Recyclers’ Map that connects residents and businesses to certified private recycling service providers. The initiative promotes ecoconscious and sustainable waste management practices by simplifying the process of locating recycling facilities for a wide range of recyclable materials. The city’s commitment to advancing a circular economy through the Waste Recyclers’ Map serves as an example for other cities and nations to follow, highlighting the power of innovation, collaboration, and community involvement in promoting sustainable waste management practices.
As Cape Town gears up for summer, the city’s hospitality industry buzzes with anticipation, transforming the metropolis into a lively epicenter of entertainment and excitement. At the heart of the Mother City, the Radisson RED Waterfront—a premier hotel—has an array of surprises planned for the Festive Season 2023 that will undoubtedly charm both residents and visitors. This vibrant period will mark the introduction of Radisson RED Summer Playlist parties in November and December, paving the way for unforgettable experiences.
South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, and her Ukrainian counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kubela, are scheduled to participate in political dialogues on November 6, 2023. The meeting aims to fortify diplomatic relations between South Africa and Ukraine by discovering mutual understanding on pressing matters, harmonizing interests, and exploring opportunities for partnership. Discussions will also include cultural and economic exchanges between the two nations.
The Accelerated Service Delivery Programme (ASDP) – Thuntsha Lerole is a groundbreaking initiative in South Africa’s Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality that aims to address service delivery challenges in rural areas. The program offers a wide variety of services, including education, infrastructure development, and social support, and involves various departments, stateowned entities, and municipalities. By prioritizing the most urgent service delivery challenges, the North West Provincial Government is demonstrating its commitment to improving the lives of its people and closing the gap between rural and urban citizens. This innovative approach to governance offers hope for a brighter future for rural communities and serves as a model for other regions.
The Western Cape Monitoring and Support of Municipalities Amendment Bill 2023 is a pioneering legislation that aims to enhance the province’s supervision and assistance to local governments, ensuring optimum functioning and the delivery of highquality services to their communities. The Amendment Bill concentrates on five key aspects to enhance provincial support and supervision in local governments, including proactive monitoring, enhancing support, information accessibility, preliminary assessments, and streamlining processes. If successfully executed, this trailblazing legislation could serve as a blueprint for other provinces seeking to enhance their management of local governments.
Toilets in Cape Town’s RR Section informal settlement have been overflowing with waste for almost a month due to a local extortion group targeting the cleaning company responsible for maintaining the facilities. The group demanded money for protection and threatened to kill workers if they returned without paying. Residents have been left with no choice but to use alternative methods such as buckets or going outside. The situation highlights the negative impact of extortion on service delivery and the daily lives of residents, prompting Cape Town Mayor Geordin HillLewis to initiate an AntiExtortion Campaign.
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi accepted and respected the Constitutional Court’s ruling on a personal cost order and acknowledged his responsibility for the Department of Home Affairs’ actions. He plans to take corrective action against all officials involved in the case and endorsed the court’s findings regarding former legal representatives. The Minister also prepared the immigration amendment Bill, addressing section 34 amendments, to ensure better compliance with court orders and prevent similar situations from arising in the future.
There has been a disturbing surge in attacks on emergency and enforcement personnel, endangering the essential services they provide to communities. The consequences on service provision and public safety cannot be underestimated. The Safety and Security Directorate is implementing body cameras and dashboardmounted devices to identify and prosecute culprits, and it is crucial to support and value the endeavors of our uniformed personnel and hold the perpetrators accountable.
South Africa’s Minister of Small Business Development, Stella NdabeniAbrahams, visited the Eastern Cape to support small businesses and informal traders by launching the Crudastar Incubator, providing essential business equipment, and facilitating access to funding. Her visit aimed to promote entrepreneurship and address critical issues such as unemployment and inequality. The government’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem capable of addressing the region’s pressing challenges was exemplified by her visit.
Cape Town is gearing up to celebrate the Springboks, South Africa’s rugby team, for their World Cup victory. The celebration will take place on November 3rd, 2023 and includes a miniconcert followed by a parade through the city’s central business district and surrounding communities. The parade aims to share the excitement of the Springboks’ victory with fans while showcasing the spirit of unity and determination that propelled the team to victory.
