Cape Town Mayor Geordin HillLewis announced a massive R5.2 billion upgrade project for the Potsdam Wastewater Treatment Works, the secondlargest infrastructure project in the Western Cape. The project aims to restore the environmental health of Milnerton Lagoon and increase the facility’s capacity.
The Western Cape Government is requesting a provincial disaster declaration from the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) following severe weather from June 1419 that caused significant damage. Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning Anton Bredell presented a consolidated damage report to the cabinet, which estimated unfunded damages at R703.3 million.
Table Mountain, located in the heart of Cape Town, is a natural wonder that has captured the imagination of millions. Its flattopped summit has earned a spot among the ‘New7Wonders’ in 2012 and is South Africa’s most photographed attraction. It’s also the fifth most popular natural wonder worldwide, surpassing even Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) celebrated their 10th anniversary on July 29th, 2023, with a grand event at the FNB Stadium in Nasrec, Soweto. The party, known as the Red Berets, claimed to have made an impressive R18 million in revenue from the sale of 10,000 limitededition jackets at the event.
In the busy streets of Cape Town, chaos ensued when city authorities began clamping down on taxis during law enforcement operations in the Central Business District (CBD). Taxi drivers, feeling unfairly targeted, expressed their anger and allegedly attacked a traffic police officer. This led to the blocking of the taxi rank’s departure path, prompting the intervention of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Public Order Policing to restore order.
Community housing schemes are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, offering residents a sense of security, convenience, and belonging. South Africa has seen rapid growth in this industry and is now estimated to have over 70,000 community schemes, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy and job creation. Therefore, good governance is critical to ensuring the continued success of these schemes.
The transport departments of South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in TransportRelated Matters. The agreement was signed by South African Minister of Transport, Ms. Sindisiwe Chikunga, and her DRC counterpart, His Excellency Minister Marc Ekila Likombo, on August 4th.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile addressed the nation on August 4, 2023, during the National Dialogue on Coalition Governments held at the University of the Western Cape. The event brought together representatives from different sectors of society, including political parties, academic institutions, and leaders of organized labor and business. It marked the first time that such diverse leadership had convened to deliberate on the issue of coalition governments in South Africa.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully implementing their new direct payment method to 86% of university beneficiaries in just two months. This new system has streamlined the process of disbursing funds for eligible students and ensures swift and accurate delivery of financial aid.
As the SANTACO strike takes a toll on Cape Town, both commuters and the City’s services are grappling with the aftermath of the violence and lawlessness that has ensued. Attacks on other public transport services, roadblocks, and stoning of private vehicles have left thousands of commuters stranded. In addition, several City facilities located in volatile areas have been closed to prioritize staff safety and prevent vandalism and infrastructure attacks.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, and entrepreneur Elon Musk have recently engaged in a heated debate over the “Kill the Boer” song. The song has caused controversy due to its contentious lyrics and themes, and Musk publicly criticized the EFF for embracing it.
Cape Town’s rail system is facing a crisis, leading to a 15year public transport plan focusing on roadbased transport. The plan aims to expand the MyCiTi bus service to address the growing reliance on roadbased transport. The City has allocated a budget of R5.2 billion for the next three years to implement the plan, enabling it to apply for Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG) funding from the national government.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Government is set to host the 9th District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo on August 11, 2023. This significant event will be led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and attended by national Ministers, Members of the Executive Council, Executive Mayors, and Councilors from various municipalities. Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane extends a warm welcome to the gathering on behalf of the provincial government.
The Giyani Water Project was initiated with the aim of providing a reliable water supply to the people of Giyani, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Unfortunately, the initiative faced several obstacles, including poor management, corruption, and financial irregularities that resulted in the loss of billions of rands and years of delay.
South African National Taxi Council in the Western Cape (SANTACOWC) has been on a provincewide strike, which has resulted in violence, endangering the lives of commuters and damaging public property. To address the issues raised by the industry leaders, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde calls for peaceful negotiations and collaboration with the Western Cape Government (WCG) and the City of Cape Town (CoCT).
As the Rugby World Cup (RWC) approaches, the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, are making strategic moves with new combinations and roles. The team has assigned new roles to some familiar faces and brought in fresh talent to prepare for the RWC. The warmup match against Argentina will see Bongi Mbonambi leading the team as the new captain. The Springboks are eager to prove their mettle on the global stage, and this newlook team is a testament to the incredible depth of talent available for the Springboks.
