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.
South Africa’s agriculture industry has the potential for growth and development, but it faces considerable challenges. The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy’s (BFAP) Baseline Agricultural Outlook 2023/2032 report highlights these challenges and provides projections for the coming decade. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) considers this report an essential tool for informed decisionmaking.
On a Saturday afternoon, a vigilant bystander named Brandon played a crucial role in a daring rescue that took place off the harbour wall at Kalk Bay, Cape Town. The location is notorious for posing risks during high tide and rough sea conditions. Nevertheless, Brandon’s swift actions, supported by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) duty crew, saved the lives of two men from potentially tragic consequences.
A search and rescue operation is currently underway at Groot Wolfgat Beach, located between Monwabisi and Mnandi on the False Bay Coast in Cape Town, to locate a 35year old man who went missing while swimming with friends. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) was alerted to the incident by the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement shortly after 1pm on Saturday.
Six wine farms in South Africa’s Western Cape have been recognized as WWF Conservation Champions for their exceptional commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable production practices. These farms Boland Cellar, De Grendel, Glenwood Vineyards, Hartenberg Family Vineyards, Lomond Wine Estate, and PaardenKloof Estate have demonstrated an unwavering dedication to regenerative farming practices, such as biodiversity conservation and land protection for endangered species.
During a council meeting in Cape Town, a group of councillors from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party staged a silent protest, leading to a temporary adjournment. ### Silent Protest by EFF Councillors
A pivotal legal battle is currently underway in South Africa, with significant implications for the future regulation of mining in the country, particularly environmental approvals and public participation. ## The Challenged Mining Rights
