At a recent event in Cape Town, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Mr. Buti Manamela, addressed high school learners about the Decade of the Artisan advocacy campaign. This ambitious initiative is designed to promote artisanship as a crucial career choice in the modern world and spur South Africa’s economic growth.
This past weekend presented an extraordinarily demanding situation for the City’s Safety and Security Directorate, as emergency call centers experienced an influx of calls due to severe weather conditions. The impact of these difficult circumstances was felt by thousands of residents, while law enforcement agencies observed a 20% increase in arrests compared to the previous week.
Gauteng province, a highly populated and industrialized region in South Africa, is grappling with significant water issues. Factors such as rapid population growth, increasing water losses in distribution systems, loadshedding, and insufficient infrastructure have put immense pressure on the province’s resources. To address these concerns, Senzo Mchunu, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, convened a meeting with Rand Water, a crucial water utility, and the mayors of numerous municipalities in Gauteng to discuss strategies for managing and safeguarding the area’s water resources.
In an era where sustainable energy is becoming increasingly vital, it is crucial for governments to keep the public informed about their energy action plans. A recent example of such communication was a media briefing by Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, the Minister of Electricity, on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan.
The South African Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has recently shifted its attention to the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works, following authorization by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Proclamation R 138 of 2023. The SIU is investigating claims of maladministration and corruption within Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, with the primary objective of recovering any financial losses experienced by the state.
The South African government held the Annual Thusong Service Centre Week from September 18 22, 2023, with the theme, “Building a Professional Public Service for Quality Service Delivery.” This event aimed to highlight the effectiveness of the Thusong Programme, an integrated mobile outreach initiative that addresses the needs of citizens.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile recently held discussions with distinguished religious and interfaith leaders at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre. This gathering aimed to appreciate cultural diversity and encourage inclusivity and involvement among the faithbased sector. Mashatile expressed his appreciation for the unity and collaboration that characterized the meeting.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile recently engaged with interfaith leaders to stress the significance of unifying South Africa’s multifaceted religious and cultural background and encouraging mutual respect and conversations among communities. The event was held at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, featuring numerous religious and interfaith leaders devoted to promoting social unity, interfaith discussions, and nationbuilding.
The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) has expressed its apprehension over the suggested changes to the Road Accident Fund Act, warning that the proposed amendments could have severe repercussions for all South African road users. The transport minister recently gazetted the draft amendment bill, which recommends significant alterations to the fund’s operation and the processes for claims payment. Of particular concern to the LSSA is the proposed elimination of the rights of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians to claim compensation for injuries they have sustained.
On a bright Wednesday afternoon, the usually tranquil ambiance of Kommetjie, a quaint town near Cape Town, was disrupted by an unexpected and disastrous event that led to the demise of three South African Navy officers. The harrowing episode took place near the Slangkop Lighthouse, as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) submarine SAS Manthatisi was participating in a vital training exercise.
The South African government teamed up with the Pan South African Language Board to organize a crucial workshop on the South African Sign Language (SASL) Charter on September 22, 2023. Held at the Government Communication and Information System in Pretoria, the event brought together representatives from national and Gauteng government departments to deliberate on the execution of the SASL Charter.
A recent gathering of the BASIC group, consisting of Brazil, South Africa, India, and China, was held alongside the 78th United Nations General Assembly session on September 20, 2023. The meeting focused on climate change strategies and showcased the group’s solidarity and continued leadership in addressing climate change.
The North West Government has taken the initiative to tackle numerous service delivery challenges faced by various localities. This has been accomplished through the second phase of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme (ASDP), also known as Thuntsha Lerole. The objective of the program is to enhance the living standards of North West residents by supplying essential services and addressing obstacles that have previously obstructed service delivery.
The Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Agriculture and Rural Development of the North West Provincial Legislature has announced public hearings on the Agricultural Product Standards Amendment Bill B15B – 2021]. These hearings are scheduled for Friday, 22 September 2023 and will occur at four separate venues: Barolong Boo Ratlou Ba Ga Seitshiro Community Hall in Khunwana, [Potchefstroom Agricultural College, Vryburg Banquet Hall, and Bokamoso Community Hall in Madibeng. The hearings will also be available for live streaming on the North West Provincial Legislature’s Facebook page and additional social media platforms like YouTube Channel, allowing for widespread public participation.
Cape Town, a picturesque city at the base of Table Mountain, is renowned for its stunning landscapes and dynamic culture. Nevertheless, like numerous urban centers worldwide, it also faces the intricate problem of homelessness. As the city continues to develop, finding effective and sustainable solutions to this issue becomes increasingly crucial. The local government, under the leadership of Mayor Geordin HillLewis, has recently made considerable progress in assisting homeless individuals, focusing on increasing transitional shelter capacities and offering allencompassing social services.
At the 2023 Public Finance Management Conference, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana spoke about the urgent need to develop innovative and agile strategies for public service funding and delivery in the midst of volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) times. In his address, Godongwana identified the difficulties facing South Africa’s public finance sector, emphasizing the significance of strategic alliances, consequence management, and ethical procurement as crucial tools to overcome these hurdles.
