News - Page 184

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has achieved a remarkable milestone of producing and delivering one million vehicle driving licence discs. To mark the occasion, RTMC CEO Advocate Makhosini Msibi personally presented the millionth disc to Mr. Lukie Mashishi in Ivory Park, Tembisa. The NaTIS online system, a governmentprovided service, has rapidly grown into the most reliable and costeffective platform for renewing motor vehicle licenses across South Africa since its launch in February 2022.

The City of Cape Town is seeking public feedback on proposed traffic calming measures to improve pedestrian safety, especially in school zones where vulnerable road users are most prevalent. Feedback can be given through email, written responses, or inperson submissions. The initiative is dependent on funding availability, and the city aims to implement the measures across various locations. The city is emphasizing the importance of community involvement in the planning process to create a safer and more pedestrianfriendly environment.

The City of Cape Town is seeking public feedback on proposed traffic calming measures to enhance pedestrian safety in various neighborhoods. Residents can provide their opinions on the plans, which are available on the city’s website and at various subcouncil offices and libraries. The city is offering special assistance to disadvantaged groups to ensure their input is documented and submitted. Cape Town’s approach to involving local communities in urban planning serves as an example for others to follow in creating safer and more inclusive cities.

Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate is seeking public feedback on proposed traffic calming measures for 14 communities, including school zones, to protect vulnerable road users. Residents can view the proposed designs and provide feedback through various channels until December 2, 2023. The City is dedicated to addressing each site and highlights the critical role of public participation in the decisionmaking process. Various channels are available for submitting feedback, including inperson at various Subcouncil offices and libraries throughout affected communities, ensuring all voices are heard.

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga inaugurated the R37 national road in Burgersfort, Limpopo Province on November 3rd, 2023, after a R780 million partnership with SANRAL to upgrade the road between Burgersfort and Polokwane, promoting better connectivity and addressing traffic demands and road safety concerns. The project aims to link rural areas to Central Business Districts, fostering socioeconomic activity for communities. Additionally, Minister Chikunga distributed Shova Kalula bicycles to selected learners in the Sekhukhune District Municipality, emphasizing the significance of connectivity for education and development.

South Africa is preparing for six municipal ward byelections on November 8th, 2023, across four provinces. 25 candidates from 11 different political parties are competing for seats in their respective wards, making the upcoming elections a critical test for political parties and their candidates. With a diverse range of contenders and different voter turnout percentages in previous elections, South Africa’s political environment is experiencing a dynamic period of growth and transformation. The candidates, their parties, and the voters all have a crucial role in shaping the future of their respective municipalities and the country as a whole.

The National Children’s Day Dialogue in South Africa brought together stakeholders to discuss investing in children’s wellbeing and growth. The dialogue addressed violence against children, with emphasis on proactive prevention and early intervention programs. The government has adopted a life cycle approach to violence prevention, including communitybased prevention and early identification programs to support the wellbeing of young children and their parents, and the goal is to ensure a brighter future for South Africa’s children.

South Africa is committed to protecting journalists’ rights and promoting democracy. The government supports the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and honors journalists on Black Wednesday. The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) holds panel discussions on cyberbullying against female journalists and strives to foster safe reporting during elections. While challenges like cyberbullying and harassment remain, South Africa’s commitment to protecting journalists is praiseworthy.

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.