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 South African Women in Science (SAWISA) Awards 2023 is an esteemed event that honors women who have made influential contributions to the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) sector in South Africa. The theme for this year’s ceremony centers on “Harnessing technological change and innovation to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls,” stemming from the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW).
The City of Cape Town is working closely with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and the Housing Development Agency (HDA) in the development application process for the relocation of unlawful occupants on the central line. Despite being an independent planning authority, the city is impartially administering the application process under the Municipal Planning ByLaw.
On November 1, 2023, at 14:00, South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will present the MediumTerm Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament. This event aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the nation’s fiscal trajectory for the next three years.
The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate has decided to keep the MyCiTi bus service tariffs unaffected by the recent increase in diesel prices. The decision comes as a relief to commuters facing rising fuel prices. ### MyCiTi Tariffs and Fuel Price Fluctuations
South African films are set to make a remarkable presence at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which will showcase two productions supported by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). The 48th annual event is scheduled to run from September 8th to 17th, 2023.
Nongoma, a municipality in the Zululand District of South Africa, has experienced a surge in political violence resulting in the assassinations of more than 50 councillors and over 100 political office bearers in KwaZuluNatal (KZN) province since 2011. The latest victim, NFP Councilor Ntombenhle Mchunu, was murdered in her sleep at the age of 75 in July 2023.
The recent ruling by the High Court of South Africa: Gauteng Division, Pretoria, has upheld the integrity of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and its ongoing investigation into the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). The court dismissed Dr. John Marite’s application to influence the SIU’s procedures and change its NLC investigation team, labeling it as an abuse of process.
The passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a pivotal figure in South African history, has left the nation in mourning. The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Speaker, Honourable Ntombi Mekgwe, and the Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) recently expressed their sincere condolences to his family, the Inkatha Freedom Party, and the people of KwaZulu Natal.
During a recent weekend, Cape Town experienced adverse weather conditions that resulted in an increase in motor vehicle accidents and pedestrianrelated incidents. The city’s Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) received an alarming 76 calls regarding motor vehicle accidents, 18 of which involved pedestrians. The surge in accidents can be attributed to drivers who failed to adapt their driving behavior to the hazardous weather conditions and negligence, including alcohol consumption.
Cape Town is taking a significant step towards providing accessible and affordable housing opportunities to its residents with a groundbreaking initiative. The city has recently released R103 million worth of prime property along New Market Street, aiming to create desirable living spaces for those earning below R22,000 per month. This 9,000 m² land parcel is set to revolutionize urban living for the city’s lowerincome residents with its proximity to major transport routes in central Cape Town.
Every year, South Africa dedicates a month to raise awareness about the challenges faced by persons with albinism. National Albinism Awareness Month seeks to dispel myths surrounding albinism, a rare genetic condition characterized by reduced melanin pigment in the skin, hair, or eyes.
The recent investment by the Gauteng Department of Health in the Forensic Pathology Digital Fingerprint System has already yielded significant results. The innovative technology was able to identify additional fire victims from Johannesburg’s innercity building blaze, providing crucial closure for families of the deceased.
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) is set to embark on a weeklong journey across South Africa to oversee infrastructure projects and evaluate their impact on the delivery of services to communities. From September 11 to 15, the Provincial Week programme will proceed under the theme “Building Viable Provincial and Municipal Infrastructure for Effective Delivery of Services to Communities.”
The Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety (POCS) has revealed alarming statistics regarding genderbased violence (GBV) cases in the South African Police Services (SAPS). According to the report, 77 GBV cases were dismissed due to inefficiencies in the SAPS between October 2022 and March 2023. This is part of the broader finding that shows a total of 283 cases linked to 82 SAPS stations across 33 courts were struck off the court roll during the same period.
Tshwane, a city in South Africa, is facing a severe water crisis due to high water usage, especially in lowlying areas. The situation has caused the slow recovery of the water reservoirs, leaving those in highlying regions without access to water.
The illegal occupation of the PRASA Central Line in Cape Town has been a cause of concern for government officials. The South African Ministers of Human Settlements, Transport, and Public Works and Infrastructure, Mmamoloko Kubayi, Sindisiwe Chikunga, and Sihle Zikalala, will visit the area on September 11, 2023, to assess the progress made and plans in place for relocating the remaining occupants through Operation Bhekela.