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.
As the winter rains retreat and the warmer months draw near, Cape Town gears up to welcome the vibrant colors of early spring flowers. The Recreation and Parks Department of Cape Town has initiated its annual spring season readiness plan to enhance the beauty of public open spaces and parks while nurturing the growth of indigenous flora.
In honor of Women’s Month, Koleka Makanda, a former female footballer and sports enthusiast, is pursuing her PhD in Environmental and Water Sciences with a focus on Water Resource Protection. Makanda, who hails from Buffalo Nek, Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape, is currently in her final year at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, highlights the need to address the challenges faced by women in obtaining governmentsubsidized homes. In this article, we explore her recent call for policy changes and her efforts towards empowering women in the housing sector.
North West Acting Premier Patrick Dumile Nono Maloyi is leading an initiative to enhance service delivery in the province. The Accelerated Service Delivery Programme Thuntsha Lerole, launched in Mamusa Local Municipality, aims to involve communities in addressing the service delivery issues faced by the region. This program will be implemented across four districts, emphasizing community involvement and feedback on service delivery progress.
South Africa is set to host the BRICS Trade Fair and Summit, organized by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) in collaboration with the South African BRICS Business Council. The event will take place at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand from August 1923, 2023. Minister Ebrahim Patel and his BRIC counterparts will inaugurate the event on August 19, 2023.
South Africa’s Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has launched a series of training projects in the Eastern Cape Province to reduce unemployment levels and mitigate poverty. The programme was coordinated through the Labour Activation Programme and funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). Minister Nxesi outlined the programme’s objectives, which include providing jobseekers with marketrelevant skills, encouraging entrepreneurship, and preserving jobs.
In February 2023, the National Treasury launched the Energy Bounce Back Loan Guarantee Scheme (EBB) to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and households in investing in solar equipment. This initiative is in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to adjust the BounceBack Loan Scheme (BBS) for small businesses.
To ensure that the media is wellprepared for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections in South Africa, the Electoral Commission and the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) organized a ‘Media in Elections’ training session on August 8, 2023. The training aimed to educate journalists and editors on the provisions of the Electoral Amendment Act, which is the new legal framework that will govern the upcoming elections.
The Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch of the Department of Employment and Labour is organizing a threeday Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) conference. The event will take place at the Emerald Resort & Casino in Sedibeng and will focus on the “Prevention of injuries and diseases in the Iron and Steel sector.” The conference aims to address workplace safety, especially in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic.
The Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) is responsible for providing water to the City of Cape Town and its surroundings. Recently, the system has seen significant improvements in its stability. The National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) reports that the system’s water capacity is now slightly above 100%, a considerable increase from last year.
The ongoing minibus taxi strike led by the South African National Taxi Council in the Western Cape (SANTACOWC) is causing distress for leaders and vulnerable residents alike. The strike is having an adverse effect on the province’s economy and the ability of residents to access essential services.
Three individuals, aged between 29 and 32, have been apprehended in connection with a series of crimes in the Ritavi policing area of Limpopo, South Africa. The suspects have been positively linked to a string of kidnapping and business robbery cases that took place between March and July of 2023.
On August 10, 2023, the Deputy Minister of Communications & Digital Technologies, Hon. Philly Mapulane, will launch the Ya Rona Digital Ambassadors Programme in the Buffalo City Metro Municipality in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The program is a collaboration between the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA) and the government. Its goal is to enhance basic digital literacy skills in communities and promote digital inclusivity.
South Africa celebrates Women’s Day to honor the significant role that women play in the country’s development. On this special day, South Africans reflect on the historical struggles of women against discrimination and oppression, identify the areas of progress, and recognize the challenges that still need to be addressed.
On August 7th, 2023, a fire broke out at the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Facility, privatelyoperated by South African Custodial Management (SACM) through a PublicPrivate Partnership. Minister Ronald Lamola recently addressed the incident and inspected the damage with the Deputy Minister.
The recent strike by Cape Town taxi drivers, which began on August 1, 2023, has resulted in a significant increase in criminal activity and has disrupted the lives of the city’s residents. As law enforcement focuses on handling the strike, other important aspects of policing have been neglected, leading to a surge in criminal activity in the city.