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 recent ChinaAfrica Roundtable during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to South Africa emphasizes the critical role of regional integration in Africa. The discussion highlights how the African Union’s Agenda 2063 strategic framework can improve the continent’s socioeconomic landscape. The agenda seeks to promote the movement of goods, services, people, and capital, ultimately laying the foundation for a prosperous and sustainable future.
The Groundbreaking Green Point Site Lease Auction: Boosting Service Delivery and Economic Growth The traditional ways of leasing properties have been revolutionized in recent years, adapting to the everchanging world. An innovative approach was recently employed by the local government in Cape Town, where a coveted property in Green Point was leased through a groundbreaking auction process. This strategy proved to be successful, generating considerable revenue that will be utilized for service delivery throughout the city, showcasing the potential of modernizing property transactions.
The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) has partnered with the Eastern Cape Communal Wool Growers Association (ECCWGA) to organize the Provincial Flock Competition at the Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (TARDI). The main objective of the event is to support the Livestock Production Improvement Programme, which seeks to enhance the quality and quantity of sheep and wool production in the province.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is conducting a national consultation meeting on proposed raw water use charges for the 2024/25 financial year. The meeting will take place on August 25, 2023, at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg and will be chaired by DWS DirectorGeneral Dr. Sean Philips. The purpose of the meeting is to gather inputs and comments from stakeholders in the water sector before final approval by Minister Senzo Mchunu.
The Cape Town City Council has authorized the release of several land parcels, totaling around 13,000 square meters, for the expansion of social housing in strategic locations across the metro. The project represents a significant milestone in the publicprivate partnership for largescale social rental housing delivery.
Cape Town, a city rich in natural beauty, culture, and history, is home to exceptional individuals who have left a lasting impact on society through their talents, dedication, and service. In recognition of their achievements, Cape Town Mayor Geordin HillLewis has revived the city’s Civic Honours tradition after a 12year hiatus.
On August 23, 2023, three suspects between the ages of 27 and 42 were caught by the police in a minibus taxi while attempting to flee a business robbery in Ogies, South Africa. The suspects were arrested and firearms and ammunition were seized.
As globalization continues to bring nations and regions closer together, the importance of partnerships and collaboration cannot be overemphasized. Among the significant partnerships that have emerged in recent years is BRICS, a group of five major emerging economies comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICSAfrica Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue is a platform that seeks to foster cooperation between BRICS nations and African countries and the wider Global South.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions play a crucial role in preparing individuals for the evolving job market. As the global economy rapidly changes, South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande, recently addressed the TVET Curriculum Transformation and Innovation Summit. The summit was hosted by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in partnership with Vodacom Business, aiming to explore ways to unlock skills development for South Africa’s modern economy.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the outcomes of the XV BRICS Summit, which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa. The summit celebrated the partnership between Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, marking a significant milestone in their relationship. This was the first inperson gathering of the five leaders since the COVID19 pandemic began.
The 2023 Human Settlements Indaba, held in Kimberly, Northern Cape, successfully paved the way for women’s economic participation in the human settlements sector. Women from various sectors participated in the event, addressing capacity building, access to finance, and opportunities for small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) and Alternative Building Technologies.
On August 24, 2023, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Chinese President Xi Jinping cochaired the ChinaAfrica Leaders Round Table Dialogue with the theme “Promoting African Integration and Jointly Building a HighLevel AfricaChina Community with a Shared Future.” The event was initiated by the Chinese government to emphasize their political commitment to African regional and continental integration.
The Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) is hosting the 2023 Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction (ERWIC) Awards to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in the South African construction industry. This prestigious event amplifies the voices and accomplishments of women in the field.
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Ms. Makhotso Sotyu, will lead a significant cleanup and greening activity in Bothaville, Free State on August 25, 2023. ## Importance of Active Citizenry and Preserving Natural Resources
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) recently announced South Africa’s maiden gas reserves discovery in Amersfoort, Mpumalanga province. Kinetiko Energy, an Australian gas explorer, reported the discovery of 3.1 billion cubic feet of gas reserves, while contingent resources increased by 20%. The discovery signifies a significant step towards energy security and industrial development for South Africa.
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Ms. Makhotso Sotyu, led a cleanup and greening activity in Bothaville, Free State on August 25, 2023. The event, a collaboration between the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Lejweleputswa District, and Nala Local Municipalities aimed to raise awareness of the need to curb waste pollution and encourage active citizenry.