The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) is committed to promoting the commercialization of communal and emerging farmers. As part of this mission, the DRDAR recently handed over a fully equipped shearing shed to the Ubunye Farmers Association in Gqogqorha village, Tsomo. This investment in the R1.2 million facility empowers 24 woolgrowers comprising eight women and 16 men to improve the quality of their wool and access commercial markets.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), workrelated accidents or illnesses claim the lives of 2.3 million people annually. In response to this alarming statistic, the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) in South Africa is taking action to reinforce the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. The purpose is to protect vulnerable workers and impose more severe penalties on noncompliant employers.
Home Affairs Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has unveiled a comprehensive plan for the redevelopment of the busiest land Ports of Entry in South Africa. The project, which is expected to cost billions of rand, aims to enhance the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and strengthen economic ties across the continent.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in South Africa is seeking input from stakeholders on draft regulations related to the access and use of government waterworks and surrounding stateowned land for recreational purposes. This collaborative process aims to promote transparency and allow stakeholders to provide feedback before the regulations are finalized.
South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mr. Mondli Gungubele, is preparing to attend the 2023 G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting in Bengaluru, India from 18 to 19 August. This meeting is a platform where ministers from the G20 countries can collaborate and discuss the priorities of the digital economy. Gungubele’s participation in this event will allow South Africa’s perspective to be wellrepresented on the global stage.
The Emma Animal Rescue Society (TEARS) in Cape Town is calling on residents to become temporary foster volunteers for animals during times of crisis. This vital campaign aims to encourage people to offer emergency foster care during natural disasters or sociopolitical turmoil that may threaten the safety and welfare of animals under TEARS’ care.
Four students from Paarl Girls’ High in Western Cape have emerged as winners in the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) 2023 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Schools Challenge. This prestigious event is organized by SARB in conjunction with the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
The Western Cape’s Department of Education experienced a marked increase in student attendance following the end of an eightday taxi strike that caused significant disruptions to teaching and learning. At the peak of the unrest, approximately 852,000 students and 17,700 staff members were absent. However, a recent update by MEC David Maynier has revealed that 89% of the total student body, equivalent to 1,074,649 students, have since returned to their classrooms. Additionally, 93% of the school workforce, comprising 52,271 staff members, resumed their duties this week.
Mowbray Cemetery in Cape Town has recently launched a new salah facility to cater to the needs of Muslim visitors. The cemetery’s management has been working hard over the past two years to introduce significant improvements that reflect a more empathetic approach towards the bereaved.
A recent court case in South Africa has brought about a ruling that highlights the importance of eyewitness testimony in the fight against animal cruelty. The case involved the fatal stabbing of a dog by a 19yearold named Ridawaan Strydom. The conviction of Strydom serves as a testament to the power of the human voice in seeking justice for animals.
Two immigrants who were working at a restaurant in Mowbray, Cape Town, experienced a traumatic event when they were confined in the holding cells at the Mowbray Police Station for three weeks. ### Arrested for Lack of Valid Documents
On Tuesday morning, a tourist from the Czech Republic tragically passed away while out for a run in Sea Point. The 45yearold jogger suffered a fatal heart attack, collapsing in the midst of his exercise routine along Beach Road. This unexpected and heartbreaking event serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.
On the morning of August 13, 2023, tragedy struck the community of Bonteheuwel when Annelle Jantjies, a 36yearold woman, was shot and killed in her sleep. Her boyfriend, Waleed Khan, a 49yearold resident of Bonteheuwel, turned himself in to the South African Police Services (SAPS) and confessed to the crime. He brought with him the firearm used in the murder.
The Western Cape Government (WCG) and City of Cape Town have taken a landmark decision to make the agreement that ended the minibustaxi strike a legally binding order of the High Court. This strategic move is expected to reduce the potential for conflict between taxi operators and officers on the road.
The Western Cape Government (WCG) has taken a significant step towards embracing a technologydriven future by officially opening Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) first international Skills Centre in Cape Town. As a part of the AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region, this investment aims to contribute an estimated R80 billion to South Africa’s gross domestic product from 2018 to 2029.
As South Africa gears up to host the BRICS Summit for the second time, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) has taken measures to ensure a safe and secure event. The summit will see Heads of States and Ministers from various nations gather in the country from August 22nd to 24th, 2023.
