The City of Cape Town recently announced plans to host a public information day on September 13th, 2023, to discuss the upcoming MyCiTi bus service expansion in Mitchells Plain. The event aims to inform residents and interested parties about the construction and its benefits for the community.
The City of Cape Town’s annual beach lowering program is set to begin on September 6th at Fish Hoek beach, followed by Muizenberg, Gordon’s Bay, and Bikini Beach. This essential project is aimed at mitigating the effects of windblown sand and maintaining ecological stability in altered coastal systems.
The University of KwaZuluNatal (UKZN) has taken a bold step in addressing the deeprooted issue of genderbased violence and gender inequality within educational institutions by introducing a compulsory module on these topics as part of its academic curriculum. The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) views this initiative as a progressive step and commends UKZN for its proactive approach.
The longawaited 2023 Public Economics Conference in South Africa gathered professionals, academia, and government officials to exchange ideas and find effective solutions to tackle the country’s pressing unemployment issue. Minister Enoch Godongwana, a passionate advocate for the nation’s wellbeing, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the need to address the soaring unemployment rates in the country.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), along with the National Empowerment Fund and Industrial Development Corporation, recently unveiled their revamped film and television incentive guidelines. The launch of these guidelines aims to foster a positive environment of engagement and accessibility, promising a sustainable future for film and television production in South Africa.
On September 7th, 2023, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, will hand over a fullyfurnished house to Mme Maria Motale in Ntswelengwe Village, Kuruman. The house was constructed using offender labor, an innovative approach that provides skill development for inmates and empowers communities.
An InterMinisterial Committee (IMC) has taken on the responsibility of investigating politically motivated killings in KwaZuluNatal. The IMC, composed of ministers from various sectors, is chaired by the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele. Their efforts aim to bring justice to those affected by the violence and ensure a safer environment in the province.
Paarl, located in South Africa’s Western Cape, regularly experiences power cuts. The nation’s stage 6 loadshedding poses a challenge for communities to maintain essential services. To address this issue, the Western Cape Government (WCG) allocated nearly R89 million in early 2023 for municipalities to purchase generators. The Drakenstein Municipality used this funding to purchase two generators, which were installed at the Paarl Wastewater Treatment Works to ensure that water and sanitation services could continue during power cuts.
The Milnerton Lagoon, situated in Cape Town, has suffered from poor water quality due to urban pollution for many years. However, the City of Cape Town has taken significant steps towards restoring this valuable natural resource. The City has implemented shortterm solutions that have had a considerable impact on the water quality of the lagoon. Nevertheless, the City’s longterm vision involves multibillion rand sewerage and stormwater infrastructure upgrades and ontheground pollution mitigation measures to restore the lagoon’s environment.
The Western Cape Government has been actively working to coordinate and plan projects aimed at mitigating the extensive effects of climate change. Recently, a formal task team led by Minister Bredell, Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, and supported by Minister Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, convened to discuss progress on multiple climate change initiatives.
Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Buti Manamela, will deliver a keynote address at the AntiGenderBased Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) Assembly in Cape Town on September 7, 2023. The event aims to address the persistent issues of genderbased violence and femicide, which continue to plague South African society.
Nonferrous metal and essential infrastructurerelated crimes are a significant threat to South Africa’s economy and social welfare. Gauteng province carries a significant responsibility and influence in ensuring the prevention and eradication of these crimes. ### Collaborative Efforts of Law Enforcement Agencies
The Importance of Transparency and Accountability In today’s world, transparency and accountability are highly valued. Organizations like the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) play a crucial role in promoting and protecting these principles. The HSF has issued a statement and court application, putting the Minister of Home Affairs on notice that they will not back down from ensuring that the rule of law is upheld in South Africa.
Libraries are often seen as antiquated institutions, but recent reports from the City’s Libraries and Information Service (LIS) suggest otherwise. The LIS annual report highlights impressive growth in library membership, with a 38.6% increase in just one year. This growth indicates that libraries are not only surviving the digital revolution but also thriving by integrating technology and evolving according to community needs.
The National Planning Commission (NPC) has conducted a tenyear review of South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) since its adoption in 2012. The NDP is the country’s only longterm plan for national development, with strategic objectives aimed at reducing poverty, inequality, and unemployment by 2030.
