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 the occasion of the commemoration of the Marikana tragedy, the South African government has provided an update on the progress of litigation related to the incident. This update reflects the government’s commitment to achieving justice and healing for all those affected by the tragedy.
Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Facility was struck by a catastrophic fire, which resulted in the displacement of highrisk inmates to other correctional facilities. The facility, which previously accommodated 3,024 inmates, currently houses only 588 inmates with 170 more due to transfer by August 18, 2023. The South African Custodial Management is overseeing the evaluation of the damage and the restoration process to full operation.
The rehabilitation of previously mined areas in Riverlea has become a subject of concern and public attention. In this regard, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) seeks to clarify the situation and shed light on the efforts made to address the issue.
In response to high levels of youth unemployment, the City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate and Corporate Services Directorate have launched an 18month fulltime Learnership Programme to train and provide young candidates with valuable skills. The aim is to recruit and train 1,000 candidates in two key areas: Traffic Services and the Metro Police Department.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has recently faced controversy over an inaccurate report by Business Day claiming a discrepancy in the submission of the Draft Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill (2023) to Parliament. The DMRE has clarified that the submitted version is identical to the one approved by the Cabinet in March 2023.
The City of Cape Town has recently completed its annual proactive water maintenance programme, which focused on cleaning the Molteno and Newlands reservoirs. These two reservoirs are among the oldest water facilities in Cape Town, and they continue to prove their durability and significance to the city’s water supply.
The energy sector has seen a significant transformation with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has become a critical tool in stabilizing, optimizing, and improving energy generation. In the 21st Energy Digicon, Martin Svensson of AI Sweden shared his insights on how AI can bring positive disruption to the energy system.
As part of her commitment to ensuring the delivery of sustainable residences in South Africa, Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi recently visited the Northern Cape Province. The purpose of the visit was to assess progress and intervene in government projects to achieve set targets for the current financial year.
South Africa’s National School of Government (NSG), in partnership with the University of South Africa (UNISA), is taking steps to achieve its vision of a professional and meritocratic bureaucracy in the midst of rapid globalization. On August 18, 2023, the NSG will host a MasterClass on “Building Professional and Meritocratic Bureaucracies: A Challenge for South Africa and the Global South” at ZK Matthews Great Hall, UNISA Muckleneuk Campus, Pretoria. This educational initiative aims to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities for creating an ethical, capable, and developmental state.
The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) is committed to promoting the commercialization of communal and emerging farmers. As part of this mission, the DRDAR recently handed over a fully equipped shearing shed to the Ubunye Farmers Association in Gqogqorha village, Tsomo. This investment in the R1.2 million facility empowers 24 woolgrowers comprising eight women and 16 men to improve the quality of their wool and access commercial markets.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), workrelated accidents or illnesses claim the lives of 2.3 million people annually. In response to this alarming statistic, the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) in South Africa is taking action to reinforce the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. The purpose is to protect vulnerable workers and impose more severe penalties on noncompliant employers.
Home Affairs Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has unveiled a comprehensive plan for the redevelopment of the busiest land Ports of Entry in South Africa. The project, which is expected to cost billions of rand, aims to enhance the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and strengthen economic ties across the continent.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in South Africa is seeking input from stakeholders on draft regulations related to the access and use of government waterworks and surrounding stateowned land for recreational purposes. This collaborative process aims to promote transparency and allow stakeholders to provide feedback before the regulations are finalized.
South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mr. Mondli Gungubele, is preparing to attend the 2023 G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting in Bengaluru, India from 18 to 19 August. This meeting is a platform where ministers from the G20 countries can collaborate and discuss the priorities of the digital economy. Gungubele’s participation in this event will allow South Africa’s perspective to be wellrepresented on the global stage.
The Western Cape Government (WCG) and City of Cape Town have taken a landmark decision to make the agreement that ended the minibustaxi strike a legally binding order of the High Court. This strategic move is expected to reduce the potential for conflict between taxi operators and officers on the road.
The Western Cape Government (WCG) has taken a significant step towards embracing a technologydriven future by officially opening Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) first international Skills Centre in Cape Town. As a part of the AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region, this investment aims to contribute an estimated R80 billion to South Africa’s gross domestic product from 2018 to 2029.