Cape Town has announced an extension of the deadline for pensioner support applications from 31 August 2023 to 30 November 2023. The extension aims to provide ample time for pensioners aged 60 and above, as well as individuals receiving social grants or a pension of no more than R22,000 per month, to seek assistance from the City.
As security concerns continue to rise, the need for capable and competent leaders in law enforcement has become paramount. To address this need, the United Kingdom’s College of Policing has recently introduced an innovative and transformative policing course, the Police Leadership Workshop.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has launched an Integrated Community Registration Outreach Program (ICROP) to provide essential social security services to underprivileged residents of Leslie Township in the Govern Mbeki Local Municipality, Mpumalanga. ### Challenges of Leslie Township
Cape Town, one of South Africa’s busiest cities, is undergoing a groundbreaking infrastructure project that promises to revolutionize transportation. The Sky Circle Project, a unique undertaking, involves building an elevated traffic circle at the intersection of Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17) in Lansdowne. The primary objective of the project is to enhance traffic flow and public transportation by segregating MyCiTi buses from general traffic. With a quarter of the project already completed, commuters can expect new traffic arrangements and contraflow systems.
The North West Office of the Premier is collaborating with the National AntiCorruption Advisory Council (NACAC) to host a Provincial AntiCorruption Roadshow in Matlosana Local Municipality. This initiative is part of the South African government’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and promote transparency.
The National Treasury of South Africa has recently released the fourth quarter local government revenue and expenditure report for the financial year 2022/23. This report is a crucial source of information for understanding the performance of municipalities and the challenges they have faced throughout the year.
In 2023, Western Cape’s MEC of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, launched Tourism Month in Plettenberg Bay. The event highlighted the significance of the tourism and hospitality industries in the region, which generate R15.5 billion in revenue and support 174,000 direct jobs, according to 2019 data.
Cape Town has long been grappling with power outages that have impeded the city’s growth and development. However, a hydroelectric facility has emerged as a gamechanger in Cape Town’s energy landscape. The Steenbras Hydro Pump Station, located near the Steenbras Dam, is a pump storage facility that plays a crucial role in Cape Town’s energy infrastructure, providing a reliable power supply to its residents and alleviating the strain on the energy grid.
Suppliers in the correctional services sector have been encountering a growing issue of fraudulent purchasing orders. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has issued a warning to their suppliers to exercise caution when dealing with purchasing orders. ### Deceptive Tactics Employed by Scammers
The City of Cape Town, in collaboration with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and the Housing Development Agency (HDA), is actively working to relocate unlawful occupants along the central line. As the independent planning authority, the City’s impartial role is to oversee the application process under the Municipal Planning ByLaw and provide basic services for the project.
In August 2023, the Council approved the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City’s Economic Growth Directorate’s Enterprise and Investment Department and Khulisa Social Solutions. This agreement secures funding for the Presidential Employment Programme (PEP): Central Business District (CBD) Regeneration Project for the 2023/2024 financial year.
Efforts Underway to Update Prepaid Electricity Meters in Cape Town The City of Cape Town is making significant progress in its prepaid electricity meter upgrade program. The initiative aims to update all prepaid metering software in South Africa before the current software expires in 2024. Failure to update the meters would result in customers being unable to recharge their meters with new tokens and, consequently, losing power supply.
The High Court of South Africa in Pretoria has made a significant ruling that draws attention to the crucial issue of government procurement and project management. The court declared two decisions made by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to appoint Masetlaoka Scott Wilson (Pty) Ltd (MSW) as project manager and assessment service provider as unconstitutional and unlawful.
The inaugural African Critical Minerals Summit saw various leaders convene in Johannesburg for a twoday conference. The summit aimed to foster collaborative efforts to unlock the potential of the valuable minerals found across Africa and develop a shared vision for them.
The Western Cape’s Premier, Alan Winde, has recently reached out to President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss the imminent reductions in the 2023 mediumterm expenditure framework (MTEF). The issue requires urgent attention at the upcoming President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) meeting on September 1, 2023.
Little Lambs Christian Daycare and Educare Centre, located in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, is a preschool that provides care, education, and meals to approximately 300 children. The organization employs certified educators and obtains meal ingredients from the nearby community. It has transformed lives, particularly for women, by empowering them to live better lives.