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 Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has invited media professionals to apply for accreditation to cover the KwaZuluNatal Presidential Imbizo scheduled for June 30, 2023. This event is significant as it provides a platform for open dialogue between the government and citizens, aimed at addressing and resolving various issues.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is optimistic about the Western Cape’s dam storage levels following significant increases due to last week’s persistent rainfall. The hydrological report from June 5th shows a combined average of Western Cape dams at 59.93%, up from 56.95% last week.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) of South Africa has recently revised the regulations for water use license applications to ensure equitable allocation of water resources and streamline the licensing process. The revised regulations were published on May 19, 2023, in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to reduce the processing time from 300 days to only 90 days.
The North West Provincial Legislature extends its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Councillor Fikile Alfred Jakeni, who passed away on June 1, 2023, after a short illness. Honorable Basetsana R. S. Dantjie, the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, conveyed her sympathies on behalf of the Provincial Speaker’s Forum.
Cape Town is making significant strides towards a sustainable future in waste management. The city’s Urban Waste Management Directorate has released its budget for 2023/24, which emphasizes the expansion of landfill capacity, engineering innovation, and increased recycling efforts. ## Capital Expenditures
In Cape Town, a group of Junior Software Developers has completed an intensive 12month Career Sprint course at redAcademy, a local IT learning hub. These graduates are now ready to embark on their professional journeys, equipped with the necessary skills and training in coding and other aspects of software development.
The Castle of Good Hope, one of Cape Town’s oldest buildings and a Grade 1 National Monument, faces a contentious issue as the grounds surrounding the iconic structure have been unlawfully occupied for over two years. This occupation not only impacts the castle’s status as a top tourist destination but also poses safety hazards for the occupants themselves.
As the global population continues to grow and climate change impacts become increasingly apparent, water security has emerged as a pressing issue. Cape Town, in particular, has experienced fluctuations in rainfall patterns, with dams recording 19% lower levels than the previous year. This has raised concerns about the persistence of drought conditions in the longterm.
Main Road in St. James, Cape Town, was the site of an arrest on 2 June 2023, when a motorist with 169 double warrants totalling almost R160,000 was apprehended. The individual was the third on the Traffic Service Top 100 list of motorists with outstanding warrants, and one of 251 arrests made by the City’s enforcement services for the week.
Invasive alien plants, such as pines, gums, and wattles, are a significant threat to Cape Town’s water supply. Studies indicate that around 55 billion litres of water are lost annually due to these invasive species in the city’s dam catchments. To address this issue, the Greater Cape Town Water Fund was established, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to remove invasive alien plants from the city’s water catchment areas.
The Western Cape InterMinisterial Committee (IMC) on Rural Safety held a meeting on June 2, 2023, at Elsenburg, Stellenbosch, to emphasize the importance of partnership and collaboration in ensuring rural safety. Chaired by Dr. Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, and Reagen Allen, Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, the meeting focused on the collaborative efforts between the South African Police Services (SAPS), Western Cape Government (WCG), and community structures in advancing rural safety.
The North West Province of South Africa is mourning the loss of a dedicated and selfless public servant. Mr. Fikile Jakeni passed away on June 1, 2023. Jakeni served as the Speaker of Ditsobotla Local Municipality Council. He was elected to the position following the December 2022 ByElections. Jakeni’s commitment to the people of Ditsobotla and the North West Province was unwavering, as demonstrated by his illustrious career in public service.
The Free State Provincial Government is taking steps to invite both local and foreign investors to invest in renewable energy projects, specifically solar photovoltaic (PV) endeavors. The aim is to tackle South Africa’s energy crisis and mitigate the devastating effects of load shedding. Thabo Meeko, MEC for the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA), recently held discussions with representatives from small, medium and microsized enterprises (SMMEs), councilors, and other social partners in Kopanong Local Municipality.
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms. Judith Tshabalala, and the South African Female Riders Forum demonstrated an extraordinary act of kindness by donating 1.5 million litres of water to the community of Hammanskraal. The area is currently facing a cholera outbreak and severe water shortages, making this contribution critical.
In celebration of Youth Month, Tertuis Simmers, the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, visited Conradie Park, one of the Department’s flagship projects. The site serves as a training ground for learners in the Apprenticeship Programme, aimed at nurturing the growth of 100 young individuals over three years, with a focus on fieldbased training.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health concern in South Africa, with the city of Cape Metropole taking crucial steps towards identifying and treating highrisk populations as part of a national effort to confront the disease. The Western Cape region has a particularly high incidence of TB, making it essential to adopt a multipronged strategy that enlists public cooperation and empowers them to make informed decisions about their health.