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 Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Thembi Nkadimeng, has recently expressed her support and appreciation for the 2021/22 audit reports released by the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) on 31 May 2023. The audit reports provide valuable insights into the performance of individual municipalities across the country under the theme of “A culture of accountability will improve service delivery.”
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) in partnership with the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) will host a workshop on June 9, 2023, at Bolivia Lodge, Polokwane. This workshop aims to expose the Limpopo private sector to export opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The event follows a successful inaugural workshop in KwaZuluNatal last week.
In a heartening show of solidarity, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms. Judith Tshabalala, is teaming up with the South African Female Riders Forum to provide aid to the cholerastricken residents of Hammanskraal, a township in South Africa. ## The Initiative
Despite the current economic climate, the City has managed to maintain an impressive 97% payment ratio among its residents. This is a testament to the City’s financial resilience and its commitment to providing essential services to its citizens. ### Gratitude and Support
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms. Judith Tshabalala, and a team of bikers from the South African Female Riders Forum have joined forces to donate water to the people of Hammanskraal. The aim of the donation is to mitigate the effects of the cholera outbreak in the region, showcasing the power of community and government working together to alleviate public health crises.
The Health Ombud in South Africa, Professor Malegapuru W. Makgoba, has completed his nonrenewable sevenyear term on May 31st, 2023. The Health Ombud’s role is to promote and protect health and safety for healthcare service users. The office investigates and resolves complaints about noncompliance with prescribed norms and standards within the national health system.
On June 1st, 2023, the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations gathered in Cape Town, South Africa to discuss a range of political, economic, and social issues. The theme of the meeting was “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism.” The ministers emphasized the importance of solidarity, openness, and consensus in shaping global policies.
Cape Town is set to host a global event on June 5th, 2023 the World Environment Day (WED) 2023. This year’s theme, “# Beat Plastic Pollution,” will be spearheaded by South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Ms. Barbara Creecy, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The focus is on tackling all forms of waste and pollution, with particular emphasis on the detrimental impact of plastic.
As the winter season arrives, cities around the world need to prepare for several challenges, including treerelated emergencies. Such issues can cause severe damage to infrastructure, properties, and even pose a threat to human lives. To ensure public safety during such emergencies, the Recreation and Parks Department of the City has created teams of experts equipped to handle any treerelated problems that may arise during the cold season.
In recent years, the tension between ehailing operators and minibus taxi drivers has been on the rise in South Africa. This has resulted in various incidents of violent confrontations and attacks on drivers and passengers, raising concerns about the safety and security of public transport in the region.
In commemoration of Youth Month, Deputy Minister Philly Mapulane spoke at the Limpopo Digital Summit. The theme for the 2023 Youth Month is “Accelerating youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future,” which reflects the importance of empowering the youth in South Africa’s journey towards progress.
As Cape Town prepares for the onset of winter, the Urban Waste Management (UWM) Directorate is taking a proactive approach to minimize the adverse impacts of the season. One of the ways in which they are doing this is through the R48 million Winter Preparedness Programme.
Limpopo, a historically tranquil province, has experienced an unprecedented surge in cashintransit (CIT) heists, prompting a call to action from the Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. In response to the escalating situation, Hadebe has initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators and has called on local communities and stakeholders to join forces in tackling this alarming trend.
The Ministry of Health in South Africa is undergoing a significant change, as Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla prepares to announce the new Health Ombud on June 2, 2023. This appointment follows the conclusion of the previous Health Ombud’s term, Prof Malekgapuru Makgoba, on May 31, 2023.
The recent cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, a community north of Tshwane, has prompted action from the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr. Senzo Mchunu, and the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Cllr Cilliers Brink, to address critical water and sanitation issues in the area.
The City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management team has been working on a significant project to rehabilitate the Fish Hoek beach dunes. The project’s primary objective is to reprofile the dunes and create a profile more characteristic of foredunes, with a broader base and flatter profile that will trap windblown sand. This will safeguard public and private infrastructure near the beach, reducing sand accumulation on buildings, roads, and railway tracks.