The Human Settlements Roadshow represents the City of Cape Town’s latest initiative to address the pressing need for affordable housing and to build trust with communities across the metro area. By bringing essential services and engaging directly with residents, the roadshow is making a tangible difference to the lives of Capetonians.
The Urban Mobility Directorate in Cape Town has impressed the city’s Portfolio Committee on Urban Mobility with its exceptional performance in MyCiTi bus service ridership numbers during the postCovid recovery phase. The past financial year has seen a significant increase in public transportation usage, reflecting a renewed confidence in the system and a growing trend towards sustainable urban mobility.
The City of Cape Town’s Public Participation Unit has officially launched the commenting process for the proposal to rename the historic Old Granary building to ‘Desmond and Leah Tutu House.’ The Naming Committee endorsed the initiative during a meeting on 28 August 2023, and City Mayor Geordin HillLewis subsequently approved the commencement of the participation process. Built between 1808 and 1813, the Old Granary building, located at 11 Buitenkant Street in Zonnebloem, has served various purposes throughout its 200year history.
In a world that is increasingly interconnected through digital means, a new and appealing magazine named This Is Cape Town has emerged to showcase the vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa, and its many wonders. The Place Marketing Department within the Economic Growth Directorate conceived this biannual publication with the aim of inspiring readers with authentic, unique, and valuable stories about the people, places, and products that make Cape Town an extraordinary place.
The City of Cape Town has made significant progress in its efforts to provide affordable housing options for its residents. Two projects in Woodstock are set to deliver 725 social housing units after successfully passing the heritage appeals phase. ### Earl Street Development
During this weekend, voting stations in the affected wards will be open from 08h00 to 17h00, allowing citizens to register, check their registration details, and provide or update address information as necessary. To register, voters must bring their identity document (ID) in the form of a green barcoded ID book, a smartcard ID, or a valid Temporary ID Certificate. They must also provide their physical home address or sufficient particularities of their place of residence.
In September 2023, South Africa’s Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) hosted a multistakeholder Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Dialogue in Pretoria, aiming to accelerate SDG achievement in South Africa by fostering partnerships and collaborations at national, regional, and international levels.
The recent Timber Construction Conference held in Pretoria provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the role of timber in promoting sustainable construction in South Africa. This conference has sparked renewed enthusiasm for the use of timber in the country’s construction industry.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, in collaboration with the Law Society of South Africa and other stakeholders, has successfully concluded National Wills Week on September 15, 2023. The weeklong campaign aimed to educate the public about the importance of drafting wills and to provide assistance in doing so, free of charge.
The Southern African Oil and Gas Conference recently took place, where delegates from developing nations gathered to discuss the impact of the upstream petroleum industry on their economies. The conference aimed to seek solutions from developing countries, rather than developed countries, and facilitated the sharing of experiences, including Guyana’s experience.
The Department of Employment and Labour, in partnership with the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), recently concluded the 2023 National Employment Equity Roadshows in Cape Town. These roadshows, which began in July in Limpopo, aimed to increase awareness regarding the recent amendments to the Employment Equity (EE) Act of 1998 and its regulations, as well as sectorspecific EE numerical targets.
Protea Heights Academy (PHA) in Brackenfell, South Africa, is a leading example of environmental stewardship in the education sector. Since 2019, the school’s solar installation has prevented the emission of nearly 250 tonnes of carbon dioxide and generated over 200,000 kWh of clean energy. By installing an additional 144 solar panels, PHA is further boosting the school’s sustainable practices and reducing its reliance on carbonintensive energy sources.
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
The Independent Police Investigating Directorate (Ipid) has opened an investigation into a disturbing incident of police brutality that took place over the weekend in Kensington, South Africa. A viral video captured the event, which saw a man handcuffed to the back of a police vehicle and dragged for two kilometers before being assaulted further.
In recent news, the head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Andy Mothibi, has accused former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter of maladministration due to his approval of a covert investigation into the operations of the South African power utility. This action was taken without the authority or knowledge of the board, leading to calls for accountability and a parliamentary inquiry.
Authorities in Thabazimbi, Limpopo Province, South Africa, have successfully detained five individuals suspected to be involved in illegal mining activities. The coordinated effort by Thabazimbi Crime Intelligence and the Waterberg Illegal Mining Combating Task Team demonstrates the authorities’ commitment to clamping down on unlawful mining operations within the region.
