Tumi Makgale is a Cape Town-based journalist whose crisp reportage on the city’s booming green-tech scene is regularly featured in the Mail & Guardian and Daily Maverick. Born and raised in Gugulethu, she still spends Saturdays bargaining for snoek at the harbour with her gogo, a ritual that keeps her rooted in the rhythms of the Cape while she tracks the continent’s next clean-energy breakthroughs.
In a world facing the severe consequences of biodiversity loss, it’s encouraging to witness a rare sign of recovery for an endangered species. The African rhino, which has been a prime target of relentless poaching for decades, has recently shown a promising resurgence. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 2021 marked a notable increase in rhino numbers throughout Africa, bringing the first piece of “good news” for these extraordinary animals in ten years.
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.
City enforcement agencies have recently had a challenging week as they face a 41% increase in assault cases. Although the overall number of arrests has fallen during this time, the significant rise in violence has prompted the city’s Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) and the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security to confront these growing issues.
The Department of Employment and Labor in the Mpumalanga Province is conducting a weeklong series of inspections from September 18th to 22nd in Malelane to maintain labor standards and ensure adherence to employment laws. Led by the Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES), this comprehensive inspection campaign targets various sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, wholesale and retail, community services, forestry, and hospitality.
The family of Dr. Kar Hao Teoh, a British doctor who was tragically murdered during a taxi strike in Cape Town, South Africa last month, is actively seeking witnesses who can shed light on the circumstances surrounding his untimely death. The 40yearold foot and ankle surgeon from the staterun Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in England was traveling with his wife and twoyearold son when he was shot and killed after a road blockade by striking taxi drivers forced him to detour into a Nyanga informal settlement.
Multidisciplinary artist Robert Hamblin’s latest exhibition, ‘Strange Bright Blooms,’ at the 99 Loop gallery in Cape Town explores the interdependence between humanity and nature. This thoughtprovoking collection invites viewers to contemplate the sensual and intimate relationships between plants, drawing inspiration from the 18thcentury botanist Carl Linnaeus.
Growthpoint Properties, in partnership with licensed electricity trader Etana Energy, has made a significant achievement in Cape Town’s energy grid by wheeling renewable electricity. This pioneering move is a step towards utilizing clean, green energy and providing greater access to affordable renewable energy sources, ultimately contributing to resolving the nation’s energy crisis.
Former police officer Thandolwethu Faku stood trial for the murder of his exgirlfriend, Wendy Papu. The trial was riddled with deceit, abuse, and shattered lives. ### The Night of the Murder
Raymond Ackerman, the founder of Pick n Pay, one of South Africa’s most respected supermarket chains, passed away at the age of 92 on Wednesday. Following his demise, an outpouring of heartfelt condolences emerged, reflecting the nation’s deep respect for his significant contributions to South Africa and the retail industry during his illustrious career.
In South Africa, genderbased violence and femicide are pervasive issues that continue to plague university campuses across the nation. The brutal murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana, a young student at the University of Cape Town, serves as a stark reminder of the deeply entrenched issues that need to be addressed urgently.
Cape Town’s port has been facing various challenges, including underperformance and inadequate equipment. However, the recent development in Durban sheds light on the potential benefits of private sector participation in the city’s harbor. ## Private Sector Involvement Could Bring Significant Economic Benefits
South Africa’s agriculture industry has the potential for growth and development, but it faces considerable challenges. The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy’s (BFAP) Baseline Agricultural Outlook 2023/2032 report highlights these challenges and provides projections for the coming decade. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) considers this report an essential tool for informed decisionmaking.