The Departments of Communications and Digital Technologies and Social Development, together with their agencies Postbank, the South African Post Office, and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), have issued a joint statement apologizing to social grant beneficiaries who experienced difficulties in accessing their grants during the first week of September 2023. The payment delay disproportionately affected the elderly and those with disabilities, who rely on these provisions for their daily livelihoods.
The North West Provincial Government has shown its support to the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality’s plans to construct pedestrian and vehicular bridges throughout the region. This investment in infrastructure development aims to improve transportation connectivity and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Cape Town has made history by successfully initiating the first ever wheeling of clean, green energy via its energy grid. This groundbreaking development was led by Growthpoint Properties, in collaboration with licensed electricity trader Etana Energy. ## Wheeling: A Transformative Process
The South African Cemeteries Association (SACA) is celebrating its 10th anniversary by hosting this year’s national conference in Cape Town. The threeday event brings together delegates from across South Africa and beyond to discuss sustainable burial methods and share best practices. Through this nonprofit organization, SACA aims to empower local authorities, enhance service delivery, and advocate for good governance in cemetery and crematorium management.
The City of Cape Town is encouraging its residents to participate in the global action against littering and illegal dumping on World Cleanup Day, which takes place on September 16. This event coincides with the City’s annual cleanup campaign, #SpringCleanCT, providing an excellent opportunity for communities to make a significant difference in their environment.
On September 13, 2023, the City of Philippi’s electricity personnel, contractors, and law enforcement agencies joined forces to tackle the issue of illegal electricity connections in the area. Despite facing violent resistance from a small group of residents, the teams succeeded in disconnecting these unlawful connections.
The Western Cape Government (WCG) was recently recognized as a Top Employer in South Africa for 2023. This achievement is a testament to the hard work of the 80,000 government employees who continuously serve the residents of Western Cape. ### Acknowledging Dedication
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has announced the completion of phase one of the Silvermine Wetland dredging initiative. This project aims to enhance the lives of residents and wildlife by improving inland water quality, an essential aspect of the City’s ongoing environmental programs.
District Six, a historic neighborhood in Cape Town, South Africa, is set to undergo a creative transformation through a mural art workshop. The City of Cape Town is calling on residents, community members, and interested individuals to join the upcoming workshop on Saturday, 16 September 2023. The workshop aims to gather input from the residents for potential plans to adorn Chapel Street’s walls with art murals.
The Human Settlements Roadshow represents the City of Cape Town’s latest initiative to address the pressing need for affordable housing and to build trust with communities across the metro area. By bringing essential services and engaging directly with residents, the roadshow is making a tangible difference to the lives of Capetonians.
The Urban Mobility Directorate in Cape Town has impressed the city’s Portfolio Committee on Urban Mobility with its exceptional performance in MyCiTi bus service ridership numbers during the postCovid recovery phase. The past financial year has seen a significant increase in public transportation usage, reflecting a renewed confidence in the system and a growing trend towards sustainable urban mobility.
The City of Cape Town’s Public Participation Unit has officially launched the commenting process for the proposal to rename the historic Old Granary building to ‘Desmond and Leah Tutu House.’ The Naming Committee endorsed the initiative during a meeting on 28 August 2023, and City Mayor Geordin HillLewis subsequently approved the commencement of the participation process. Built between 1808 and 1813, the Old Granary building, located at 11 Buitenkant Street in Zonnebloem, has served various purposes throughout its 200year history.
In a world that is increasingly interconnected through digital means, a new and appealing magazine named This Is Cape Town has emerged to showcase the vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa, and its many wonders. The Place Marketing Department within the Economic Growth Directorate conceived this biannual publication with the aim of inspiring readers with authentic, unique, and valuable stories about the people, places, and products that make Cape Town an extraordinary place.
The City of Cape Town has made significant progress in its efforts to provide affordable housing options for its residents. Two projects in Woodstock are set to deliver 725 social housing units after successfully passing the heritage appeals phase. ### Earl Street Development
During this weekend, voting stations in the affected wards will be open from 08h00 to 17h00, allowing citizens to register, check their registration details, and provide or update address information as necessary. To register, voters must bring their identity document (ID) in the form of a green barcoded ID book, a smartcard ID, or a valid Temporary ID Certificate. They must also provide their physical home address or sufficient particularities of their place of residence.
In September 2023, South Africa’s Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) hosted a multistakeholder Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Dialogue in Pretoria, aiming to accelerate SDG achievement in South Africa by fostering partnerships and collaborations at national, regional, and international levels.