In honor of Tourism Month, Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, hosted a stakeholder session in the Overberg District Municipality. The region, situated in the Western Cape, is home to a unique combination of tourism treasures. The event aimed to report on the state of tourism and connect with businesses across the value chain. The government’s commitment to bolster partnerships and capacity building was exemplified.
The City of Cape Town’s Road Infrastructure Management Department has announced a critical road maintenance project set to commence on September 17, 2023, in the suburb of Tokai. This project aims to improve the condition of roads and facilitate smoother traffic flow in the area.
On September 14th, 2023, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr. Alvin Botes, hosted a crucial meeting between South Africa and the Argentine Republic. The event marked a significant milestone in the countries’ diplomatic relations. ### Reviewing Bilateral Relations
On September 15, 2023, the South African Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete made a visit to the Moses Kotane Community Residential Units (CRU) in North West. The CRU project is aimed at providing affordable rental housing for lowincome earners. Representatives of the three spheres of government were also present at the event, held in Bojanala Platinum District. The primary aim of the visit was to assess the provincial performance in delivering affordable rental housing and decent accommodation.
The Western Cape Government (WCG) in South Africa is committed to unlocking the full potential of the province’s tourism and hospitality sectors. This mission aims to stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities. One of the key strategies in achieving this goal is to increase the number of flights into the province, particularly from North and West African regions.
The City of Cape Town, in collaboration with the Water Research Commission (WRC), is leading the way in introducing climateresistant sanitation units. These units are versatile and can be used in a variety of settings, including disaster relief and marginalized communities that lack conventional infrastructure. They promise efficient water recycling and minimal energy consumption, making them a sustainable solution to sanitation challenges.
Residents of Philippi East have been informed of the temporary suspension of waste collection services, the second time such services have been withdrawn by the City of Cape Town’s Urban Waste Management (UWM) Directorate in the area this year. ### Security Incident Leads to Suspension
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that a special official funeral will be held to honor the life and legacy of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a celebrated figure in South African history. The ceremony will take place on September 1516, 2023, reflecting the nation’s deep appreciation for his remarkable contributions.
The 3rd Annual Southern African Oil & Gas Conference was recently held in Cape Town with industry leaders and delegates from across the continent gathering to discuss the theme of “Oil and Gas development to address Southern Africa’s energy challenges while ensuring a just energy transition.” The conference aimed to address the energy poverty and climate change challenges that hinder Africa’s economic growth and exacerbate issues such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
The Departments of Communications and Digital Technologies and Social Development, together with their agencies Postbank, the South African Post Office, and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), have issued a joint statement apologizing to social grant beneficiaries who experienced difficulties in accessing their grants during the first week of September 2023. The payment delay disproportionately affected the elderly and those with disabilities, who rely on these provisions for their daily livelihoods.
The North West Provincial Government has shown its support to the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality’s plans to construct pedestrian and vehicular bridges throughout the region. This investment in infrastructure development aims to improve transportation connectivity and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Cape Town has made history by successfully initiating the first ever wheeling of clean, green energy via its energy grid. This groundbreaking development was led by Growthpoint Properties, in collaboration with licensed electricity trader Etana Energy. ## Wheeling: A Transformative Process
The City of Cape Town is encouraging its residents to participate in the global action against littering and illegal dumping on World Cleanup Day, which takes place on September 16. This event coincides with the City’s annual cleanup campaign, #SpringCleanCT, providing an excellent opportunity for communities to make a significant difference in their environment.
On September 13, 2023, the City of Philippi’s electricity personnel, contractors, and law enforcement agencies joined forces to tackle the issue of illegal electricity connections in the area. Despite facing violent resistance from a small group of residents, the teams succeeded in disconnecting these unlawful connections.
The Western Cape Government (WCG) was recently recognized as a Top Employer in South Africa for 2023. This achievement is a testament to the hard work of the 80,000 government employees who continuously serve the residents of Western Cape. ### Acknowledging Dedication
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has announced the completion of phase one of the Silvermine Wetland dredging initiative. This project aims to enhance the lives of residents and wildlife by improving inland water quality, an essential aspect of the City’s ongoing environmental programs.
