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.
On a sustainable path: stabilizing SOEs in South Africa The presentation given by Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr. Pravin Gordhan and Deputy Minister, Mr. Obed Bapela, on the department’s budget vote for 2023/24 was an important event for numerous reasons. SOEs play a crucial role in the South African economy and their stability is vital for the country’s economic growth and development.
The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) Budget Vote for the 2023/24 financial year, presented in May by Deputy Minister Obed Bapela, highlights the efforts made to improve South African StateOwned Enterprises (SOEs). Despite structural, operational, and strategic challenges facing these entities, Bapela believes that significant progress is being made, thanks to President Ramaphosa’s vision of farreaching reforms.
Government’s District Development Model (DDM): Assessing Progress in Eastern Cape Provinces The District Development Model (DDM) is an initiative of the South African government that aims to improve service delivery and socioeconomic development by promoting coordination between different spheres of the government. The DDM has been implemented in various municipalities across the country since its launch in 2019.
Load shedding has become a common issue in South Africa, causing disruptions in daily life and businesses. In response, the Western Cape Government is taking proactive measures to eliminate power blackouts. The government has launched an ambitious project to provide selected towns in the province with continuous power supply and reduce the impact of load shedding.
South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande, recognizes the essential role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in addressing the country’s most pressing issues. The STI Presidential Plenary Forum, established by the Minister, seeks to unite multiple sectors in implementing a science for social justice agenda.
South Africa has been struggling with high unemployment rates for a long time, which have only been further exacerbated by the COVID19 pandemic. To combat this issue, the government has made job creation a priority in its economic recovery plan. One sector with tremendous potential for employment is the construction industry, and the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure is leading the charge in transforming the country into a bustling construction site.
The Kusile Power Station is an ambitious project that has been in construction for over a decade. With an estimated cost of R160 billion, it is one of the largest coalfired power stations in the world, with a capacity to generate 4,800 megawatts of electricity upon completion.
The City of Cape Town has recently launched its Energy Safety Team on May 24, 2023, to safeguard its electricity infrastructure. The initiative, led by Councillor Beverley van Reenen and Alderman JP Smith, aims to collaborate with law enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to focus on the protection of the City’s electricity infrastructure in the metro.
The Electoral Reform Consultation Panel is a significant step towards refining and improving South Africa’s electoral process. This panel is composed of members who will play a vital role in investigating, consulting, reporting, and making recommendations for potential reforms for the National Assembly and provincial legislature elections. The panel members’ selection process ensures that they possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience required to perform the task effectively.
The North West Provincial Legislature Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts has scheduled MFMA public hearings for May 24th, 2023. The hearings will focus on the 2019/20 audit reports of Mamusa, Kgetleng, and Ditsobotla Local Municipalities and aim to promote transparency and accountability in local government.
The LEAP initiative, implemented in the Western Cape as part of the Western Cape Safety Plan, has achieved significant progress in reducing crime rates since its initiation in 2020. ### Reduction of Murder Rates
The Western Cape has been facing significant energy challenges, including load shedding, high energy costs, and an overreliance on fossil fuels. To address these issues, the government has been actively exploring alternative energy sources, with a particular focus on green hydrogen.
Biodiversity and Climate Change: A Threat to Humanity Biodiversity loss and climate change are critical concerns that threaten the existence of humanity. Urgent action is required to safeguard ecosystems and the millions of species that rely on them.
The Department of Social Development recently hosted dialogues in Houtbay to discuss the importance of positive parenting and child protection, with a particular focus on boys. These discussions took place ahead of the Child Protection Week campaign launching on 28 May 2023. During the dialogues, boys emphasized the need for counseling, education, and support for parents to learn positive parenting techniques.
The Gauteng Geographical Names Committee (GGNC) plays a critical role in preserving the cultural and historical heritage of Gauteng Province. As one of eight provincial geographical names committees in South Africa, it guides local authorities in the naming and renaming of geographical features within the province.
Plastic pollution has become a significant global concern due to its harmful impact on the environment, wildlife, and human health. The production and disposal of plastic present several challenges that require immediate action. The second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC2) on Plastic Pollution aims to develop a comprehensive, legally binding global instrument to address these challenges.