In a bid to stay at the forefront of tourism and showcase the allure of Cape Town, the city authorities have joined forces with local service provider, Gecko Digital Global, to create a stateoftheart virtual tour. This partnership aims to present Cape Town’s attractions, experiences, and products to a worldwide audience, emphasizing the city as the perfect destination for tourists, professionals, students, and investors.
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has scheduled a series of essential maintenance works on the water supply infrastructure from 26 September to 5 October 2023. These vital measures aim to benefit customers by reducing water wastage, but they will result in temporary water supply disruptions in several areas. The City sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience caused and encourages residents to stay informed about the maintenance timetable.
The city’s Law Enforcement Department (LED) has revealed an astonishing 12,069 arrests made from July 2022 to June 2023. This number represents a noteworthy 89% upsurge compared to the prior year, emphasizing the department’s unyielding dedication to maintaining safety and security.
As Cape Town’s Arbor Month comes to an end, the city’s Recreation and Parks Department has been actively involved in planting, distributing, and fostering tree growth throughout the region. The department has spearheaded multiple tree planting and greening projects aimed at improving Cape Town’s urban landscape. Since the beginning of the year, more than 3,000 trees have been planted or handed out to communities, demonstrating the city’s dedication to a more sustainable future.
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.
September is recognized as Deaf Awareness Month, which aims to bring attention to the difficulties faced by the deaf community. One critical issue is the lack of sign language interpreters in courts, brought to the forefront by civil rights organization Action Society. A recent case involving a deaf rape survivor highlights the urgent necessity to address this problem.
Cape Town’s East City is a lively urban center filled with enthusiasm and innovation. Its streets showcase enormous murals and various architectural designs, encapsulating the spirit of a community experiencing a rebirth. The convergence of East City’s history, current state, and future is apparent in its architecture, art, and culinary scene, culminating in a unique atmosphere.
In the busy streets of South Africa, a revolutionary taxi service is changing how commuters pay for their transportation. Manenbergbased entrepreneur Imtiyaaz Riley has created the Loop taxi service app, which enables passengers to pay digitally via their bank cards or mobile devices. As the first service of its kind to digitize payments for a majority of taxis on its route, Loop has already begun operating on the Mitchell’s Plain/Bellville route.
Within the heart of Cape Town lies the Circle of Kramats, providing a mesmerizing insight into the city’s precious Islamic heritage. As we commemorate Heritage Month, let’s explore the importance of these holy shrines and the influence they continue to have on local communities.
On 23rd September 2023, the International Day of Sign Languages was celebrated, with the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities joining the global community in raising awareness about the importance of sign languages in fostering inclusive communication. In a notable achievement, South Africa recently amended its constitution to recognize South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th official language.
In a world where injustice can sometimes feel insurmountable, it is heartening to observe the proactive actions taken by the South African Department of Social Development. They have embarked on an initiative to consult with children on the National Strategic Plan on GenderBased Violence and Femicide (NSPGBVF). This consultation process has taken place in multiple provinces such as Gauteng, Western Cape, Northern Cape, KwaZuluNatal, North West, and Limpopo. The department intends to expand this initiative to Free State and Mpumalanga on the 23rd of September.
In an ongoing battle against substance abuse, cities worldwide have grappled with the challenges posed by addiction and its devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities. Ten years ago, Cape Town’s Parkwood Matrix® treatment site pledged to address this pressing issue by offering comprehensive support and treatment to those in need. The program’s accomplishments were evident as nearly 300 clients recently celebrated their progress at a certification ceremony held at the Kensington Civic Centre.
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.
South Africa’s Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, has actively led essential endeavors to tackle the country’s challenges in governance, land reform, and service delivery. During a recent National Assembly session, Mashatile detailed government strategies and initiatives aimed at reinforcing South Africa’s governance structures and uplifting rural communities.
Heavy rainfall has been a recurring issue for Govan Mbeki Road in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, causing severe flooding and disruptions. With more rain predicted for the coming weekend, the city has urged commuters and residents to find alternative routes. Despite the persistent efforts of the City’s Road Infrastructure Management teams to drain the flooded area, the situation has remained challenging due to factors such as illegal dumping and threats to team members.
In a groundbreaking effort to ensure the sustainable preservation of South Africa’s most remarkable wildlife, Ms. Barbara Dallas Creecy, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, recently unveiled a draft Policy Position on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Elephant, Lion, Leopard, and Rhinoceros. This proposed policy aims to strike a balance between safeguarding these aweinspiring animals and realizing the economic advantages that stem from their utilization and commerce.
