Tumi Makgale

Cape Town is a vibrant city that offers a range of leisure activities for visitors, from hiking mountains to relaxing on blueflag beaches. Alderman James Vos highlights the city’s treasure trove of attractions, which can be enjoyed without a hefty investment. With a focus on fostering economic growth through tourism, the city has established safety procedures and resources for visitors, ensuring a safe and satisfactory experience for all. Alderman Vos encourages both locals and tourists to explore the endless array of stunning and fascinating places Cape Town has to offer.

South Africa is preparing for the crucial 2024 national election, with the Electoral Commission scheduling a voter registration weekend for November 18th and 19th, 2023, and a media briefing on November 15th, 2023, to provide insight into the preparations. The government is committed to ensuring an inclusive, participatory democracy, leveraging digital platforms to keep citizens informed and engaged. The media briefing is part of a larger government initiative aimed at keeping the public informed and involved, highlighting the government’s commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and citizen empowerment.

GenderBased Violence (GBV) is a significant problem worldwide, with one in three women experiencing it during their lifetime. In South Africa, it is a prevalent societal issue that demands collective action. Initiatives like Transforming MENtalities challenge gender biases, stereotypes, violence, and discrimination to foster an environment where GBV is less likely to happen. Recent incidents, like the brutal act of violence against a female student in Cape Town, serve as a reminder of the urgency to address GBV and the need for diverse approaches to tackle this multifaceted problem.

South Africa’s White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration, and Refugee Protection represents a daring step towards comprehensive reform of the country’s migration framework. The document seeks to unify existing legislation concerning citizenship, immigration, and protection for refugees under a single policy framework, and suggests tightening procedures for immigration, bolstering the authority of immigration officers, and establishing an autonomous body to handle appeals and reviews. The White Paper marks the beginning of a new era in South Africa’s migration policy, signaling a definitive move from outdated legislation to a wellstructured, allencompassing policy framework.

South African professor, Dire Tladi, has been elected as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by the United Nations. The ICJ resolves legal disputes between States and provides advisory opinions on legal matters. This is not only a personal achievement for Prof Tladi but also a cause for national celebration in South Africa, highlighting the country’s active participation and substantial contributions to the international legal order.

The National Disaster Management Centre has officially designated the floods that hit the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces in September as a National Disaster. This will enable the provincial government to seek relief funds from the NDMC to aid the recovery process, including the repair of public infrastructure. Although the financial burden is significant, the collaborative approach taken by the government presents a sense of optimism for the eventual healing and reconstruction of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces.

The UAE and South Africa share a strong bond that began with the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1994. They maintain flourishing economic ties, with the UAE being South Africa’s largest trading partner in the Middle East. Both nations are committed to promoting peace, dialogue, and support for marginalized communities. They invest in each other and foster a positive image of robust collaboration and integration with other nations and peoples worldwide. As the world faces ongoing global challenges, the UAE and South Africa remain steadfast in their dedication to promoting peace and cooperation.