Tumi Makgale

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is encouraging public involvement in discussions regarding marine outfall discharge permit applications and Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) permits. Residents and stakeholders can share their comments and suggestions on five WWTW facilities across 60 days through inperson and virtual meetings and alternative platforms. The City’s inclusive approach to policy development reinforces its dedication to transparency, inclusivity, and accountability, and promoting a culture of environmental stewardship. The public’s feedback will influence the future of wastewater management and ensure effective and sustainable policies are created.

*Cape Town’s Mayor, Geordin HillLewis, has successfully secured a High Court order to prevent the National Coloured Congress (NCC) from shutting down businesses and interfering with the city’s development.* The NCC had been presenting disruptive plans and had already halted a City construction project and service station. *Mayor HillLewis stressed the importance of adhering to the rule of law and reminded that violent disruptions or threats are unconstitutional. The High Court order serves as an example of how legal channels can effectively counter disruptive political aims and safeguard the rights of citizens and businesses.*

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is dedicated to improving the performance of the public service sector by addressing ethical challenges, promoting professionalism, and handling complaints and grievances. The PSC’s upcoming Quarterly Bulletin, “The Pulse of the Public Service,” will provide valuable insights into these crucial matters and offer solutions to refine the public service domain. Through fostering transparency, accountability, and good governance, the PSC aims to create a workforce that upholds the nation’s values and prioritizes the wellbeing of citizens. Citizens can report instances of corruption or unethical conduct through the National AntiCorruption Hotline.

In the captivating Cape Peninsula, an extraordinary effort is currently in progress to safeguard the indigenous Chacma baboon population while also addressing the concerns of urban communities that may encounter them. The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (JTT), a collaboration between SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, is ardently working on creating and implementing a longlasting management strategy for the Chacma baboons residing in the Cape Peninsula.

A gripping highspeed chase took place in the Northern Cape as the Kimberley Flying Squad pursued an alleged armed robbery suspect. The chase began on the N8 Bloemfontein and continued on the Griekwastad road, about 15 kilometers outside Kimberley, ultimately leading to the arrest of the 31yearold suspect.

In a bold effort to entice international tourists and investors, Cape Town has recently joined forces with Gecko Digital Global, a local service provider, to create a cuttingedge virtual tour. Led by the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, this initiative seeks to highlight the city’s various attractions, experiences, and offerings, in line with Cape Town’s sixpillar Destination Marketing Strategy.

In the face of growing concerns about the impacts of climate change, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa emerged as a key figure at the Climate Ambition Summit held in New York, USA, promoting vigorous and comprehensive climate initiatives. The increasingly harmful effects of environmental deterioration, resource depletion, and unsustainable production on human health and welfare have heightened the demand for viable solutions to address these issues.

With summer temperatures reaching new heights in South Africa, concerns about the nation’s water supply are growing. A recent report from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) showed a gradual decrease in dam levels across the country. Currently, South Africa’s overall water storage capacity is at 90.7%, a small decrease from the previous week’s 91.4%. This emphasises the need for citizens to comply with water restrictions set by municipalities, ensuring a consistent water supply in the waterstrapped country.

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) recently acknowledged the importance of adhering to labour legislation within the taxi industry. In a meeting with the Minister of Employment and Labour, T.W Nxesi, and his Deputy, Boitumelo Moloi, SANTACO’s leadership discussed the challenges faced during the Covid19 pandemic, which revealed the industry’s noncompliance with labour laws. Many taxi industry employees were unable to claim monetary benefits due to this lack of adherence, emphasizing the need for immediate action to follow all relevant labour regulations.