News - Page 156

The Accelerated Service Delivery Programme (ASDP) – Thuntsha Lerole is a groundbreaking initiative in South Africa’s Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality that aims to address service delivery challenges in rural areas. The program offers a wide variety of services, including education, infrastructure development, and social support, and involves various departments, stateowned entities, and municipalities. By prioritizing the most urgent service delivery challenges, the North West Provincial Government is demonstrating its commitment to improving the lives of its people and closing the gap between rural and urban citizens. This innovative approach to governance offers hope for a brighter future for rural communities and serves as a model for other regions.

The water levels in Mpumalanga Province have slightly decreased, but remain favorable with an average level above 90%. Local communities and authorities have demonstrated their adaptability and resilience in handling the situation, despite declining dam levels. The Department of Water and Sanitation encourages responsible water usage and has launched various initiatives to promote water conservation. The region’s efforts serve as a testament to the importance of preserving this invaluable resource.

The South African National Defence Force is cracking down on the unauthorized use of its patented camouflage, which is a criminal offense under South African law. The SANDF is calling upon the public to avoid utilizing, selling, or repurposing any SANDF materials and is expected to adopt stricter measures to ensure its materials are secure and accessible only to authorized personnel. The patented camouflage serves a functional purpose in military operations and represents a contemporary manifestation of the evolution of military uniforms tailored to the unique needs of the South African military forces.

The Western Cape Monitoring and Support of Municipalities Amendment Bill 2023 is a pioneering legislation that aims to enhance the province’s supervision and assistance to local governments, ensuring optimum functioning and the delivery of highquality services to their communities. The Amendment Bill concentrates on five key aspects to enhance provincial support and supervision in local governments, including proactive monitoring, enhancing support, information accessibility, preliminary assessments, and streamlining processes. If successfully executed, this trailblazing legislation could serve as a blueprint for other provinces seeking to enhance their management of local governments.

David Millar has been appointed as the new Chief Evaluator of the Schools Evaluation Authority (SEA) in the Western Cape, responsible for improving the quality of education in the province. With extensive experience in education and a master’s degree in Education Planning, Mr. Millar aims to lead a transparent and valuesdriven SEA that focuses on the wellbeing of learners and evidencebased policies. His appointment symbolizes a promising development for education in the Western Cape, as the SEA continues to promote school improvement and elevate educational standards.

The recent court ruling supports the government’s decision, raising discussions on the role of government intervention in higher education and the equilibrium between institutional autonomy and public interest, as The University of South Africa (Unisa) has faced legal conflict over the government’s decision to appoint an Administrator to oversee its operations, with Unisa arguing that this would encroach on its autonomy and potentially harm the quality of its academic programs. The outcome of this decision and its impact on Unisa and the broader higher education landscape remain uncertain.

In an impressive demonstration of collaboration and dedication to the public, South African Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, and MEC for Cooperative Governance Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, Ketso Makume, teamed up on November 3, 2023. They aimed to provide title deeds to beneficiaries in the Fezile Dabi District of Moqhaka Local Municipality in Free State Province. This noteworthy occasion marked an essential achievement in the continuous efforts of the Department of Human Settlements to encourage secure housing and enhance the living standards for citizens throughout the nation.

Attention South Africans! The Electoral Commission has announced that voter registration for upcoming Municipal Ward Byelections in numerous wards will take place on 45 November 2023. Eligible voters must present a valid identity document and can register, verify registration details, and update their address information if needed. Special voting procedures will be available for those who cannot vote on 13 December 2023, and it is crucial for citizens to participate in the democratic process and influence decisions at the local level.

Cape Town will see a significant decrease in human settlements grants, losing over R107 million in the 2023/24 financial year, resulting in R37 million being eliminated from the Informal Settlement Upgrading Partnership Grant and R70 million from the Urban Settlements Development Grant. The cuts will impact vulnerable members of society who depend on grant funding for vital services and aid. The city is now emphasizing privatesector housing delivery and giving priority to the rapid release of land for affordable housing.