A Russian-Spanish journalist and Cape Town native, channels his lifelong passion for South Africa into captivating stories for his local blog. With a diverse background and 50 years of rich experiences, Serjio's unique voice resonates with readers seeking to explore Cape Town's vibrant culture. His love for the city shines through in every piece, making Serjio the go-to source for the latest in South African adventures.
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has scheduled a series of maintenance activities for their water supply infrastructure from 7 to 14 June. The planned works include pipe and valve installations, repairs, replacements, and pressure management installations and operations. ## Maintenance Work: Pipes and Valves
The South African government and organized business have joined forces to address critical economic challenges and promote inclusive growth and job creation. This groundbreaking collaboration involves the CEOs of the country’s largest companies, who are committed to pooling their skills and resources to tackle key priorities.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has lost an accomplished and dedicated military doctor, Lieutenant General (Dr) Zola Wiseman Songo Dabula. He passed away on June 4, 2023, at his home after being discharged from a hospital in Pretoria. His untimely demise has left a void in the military medical fraternity, as his extensive knowledge and significant contributions to the development of military health services will be greatly missed.
Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Honorable Philly Mapulane, led a delegation to the International Telecommunication Union Global Symposium for Regulators 2023 (ITUGSR23) in Sharm elSheikh, Egypt. The event took place from June 6 to 8, 2023, and brought together prominent figures from the ICT industry, national telecommunications and ICT regulatory bodies, policy makers, and various stakeholders in the digital environment.
South Africa and Kazakhstan have been working towards building a strong relationship, and the recent visit by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms. Candith MashegoDlamini, to Astana, Kazakhstan, from June 69, 2023, is a testament to this. ## The Astana International Forum (AIF)
The South African government is hopeful following the country’s 0.4% increase in gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2023. This development shows that South Africa has the potential to overcome its current economic challenges. ## Positive employment growth in South Africa
On June 5th, 2023, the community came together to celebrate World Environment Day, in partnership with the Recreation and Parks Department, communitybased groups, and volunteers. The goal of this joint effort was to promote ecological awareness, conservation, and sustainability initiatives within the community.
Minister Sihle Zikalala’s Initiative to Tackle Unfinished Infrastructure Projects in Free State Province Minister Sihle Zikalala has taken significant action to improve the public works and infrastructure sector by addressing unfinished projects in the Free State Province. On June 8, 2023, the Minister conducted inspections of various stalled projects to drive accountability and enhance service delivery.
The Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande, has spoken out against the recent incidents of arson and vandalism at the University of Forth Hare Alice Campus. The destruction caused by the malicious acts included significant damage to the university’s property, specifically the foyer of the Indoor Sports Centre.
Cape Town’s marine manufacturing industry is currently experiencing unprecedented growth, thanks to its local talents and strong international partnerships. At the recent Boating South Africa Awards, key players in the industry were celebrated for their achievements in the past year, including new talent and work in sustainability.
The South African Department of Water and Sanitation has reintroduced their Blue Drop, Green Drop, and No Drop Watch Reports. These regulatory mechanisms were halted in 2014 but were recently revived by Minister Senzo Mchunu in late 2021. ### Enhancing Municipal Drinking Water Quality
On June 6, 2023, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed his Portuguese counterpart, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, to South Africa for his first visit to the country. The two leaders held a meeting at the Union Buildings in Pretoria and discussed various topics, including bilateral relations, energy cooperation, and pressing global issues.
The Western Cape Government’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism has launched the Export Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (ECEP) to support businesses working towards export readiness and expand their presence in international markets. This move aims to boost economic growth and create employment opportunities, which aligns with the provincial Growth for Jobs Strategy.
Unlocking the Potential of Cape Town’s Port: The Need for Private Sector Participation During the Ports, Customs, and Border Security Conference held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Mayor Geordin HillLewis emphasized the importance of private sector involvement in driving economic growth and job creation at the Port of Cape Town. Efficient ports are crucial for a country’s development, and South African ports, including the historic Port of Cape Town, have been underperforming in global efficiency rankings due to the stateowned entity’s issues.
The Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has announced its transformative infrastructure development agenda, aimed at fostering hope and resilience amid socioeconomic challenges. With a budget of R2.5 billion for the 2023/24 financial year, the DPWI intends to become a ‘nerve centre’ for infrastructure development, delivery, coordination, and investment in the Eastern Cape.
The Ministry of Transport has announced the removal of Mr. Leonard Ramatlakane from his position as a board member and chairperson of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). The decision was made following an investigation into the misuse of one of PRASA’s Cape Town properties by the chairperson, who failed to follow proper procedures.