Cape Town’s Mayor, Geordin HillLewis, has announced an increased commitment to supporting nonprofit organization (NPO)run homeless shelters across the city. The initiative is part of the Winter Readiness campaign, which provides temporary bed spaces in various shelters to assist the homeless population during colder months. Additionally, the campaign will deploy Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers to help alleviate the workload at these shelters for six months.
The Cannes Film Festival, which will run from May 16th to 27th, has announced that the South African film “SARAFINA!” has been included in its 2023 Official Selection for the esteemed Cannes Classics category. This category is dedicated to showcasing films of exceptional quality that have significantly contributed to the evolution of cinema and fostered the growth of the international film industry.
The Wilderness Search and Rescue Western Cape (WSAR) team has seen a recent surge in incidents and urges outdoor enthusiasts to exercise caution when exploring nature. The WSAR has had to respond to five situations in a short period, requiring the aid of both professionals and volunteers.
As a regional power and a member of the BRICS bloc, South Africa is facing a challenging position as it attempts to navigate the complex global dynamics between the West, particularly the United States, and the BRICS countries. The country must delicately balance its relationships with both sides while also promoting its national interests.
South Africa is about to take a significant leap forward in HIV prevention with the upcoming local production of antiHIV injections. The South African branch of Cipla, an Indian pharmaceutical company, is set to manufacture a generic version of the longacting cabotegravir (CABLA) HIV prevention injection at its plants in Benoni and Durban. This development marks a significant step in providing accessible and effective HIV prevention in South Africa. It has the potential to make a substantial impact on HIV infection rates and the overall health of the population.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD), South Africa is currently experiencing a mumps outbreak which has raised concerns. The infection is caused by the rubavirus and is most commonly found in children between the ages of 5 and 9; however, it can infect individuals of all ages. The symptoms of mumps include painful swelling of the salivary glands, which can occur on one or both sides of the face.
The city of Cape Town is taking significant steps towards improving its business environment by launching the Ease of Doing Business Index. The initiative is a response to feedback from the private sector, which identified the ten critical indicators required for the city to improve. The ten indicators will track the ease of doing business in the city, with a focus on facilitating infrastructure investment and economic growth.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Mpumalanga region has recently cleared up rumors regarding the SASSA gold card’s expiration date. This clarification states that beneficiaries can continue using their cards until 31 December 2023. By doing so, SASSA hopes to ease the panic and confusion that has caused large crowds to flock to their offices, seeking reassurance about their financial support.
The recent incidents of violent disruptions, arson, vandalism, and intimidation at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and the University of the Western Cape have raised concerns amongst university communities and the public. In response, Dr Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, has expressed his strong condemnation of these criminal acts.
The Gauteng Executive Council held a special meeting to discuss and make significant decisions regarding various urgent matters. The council approved a new concessionaire for Gautrain, discussed a potential railway link between Gauteng and Limpopo, and announced several new appointments.
Sudan is on the brink of a civil war as the conflict between the head of Sudan’s Armed Forces, General Abdelfatah ElBurhan, and the head of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, continues to escalate. This crisis poses severe challenges for those attempting to deliver humanitarian aid in the region, leading to a significant increase in refugees fleeing to neighboring countries.
The South African Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete will hold an imbizo in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on May 12, 2023, at 11:00 am. The purpose of this event is to engage with informal communities and provide feedback on the provision of fundamental services. The gathering follows previous government engagements aimed at addressing community leaders’ concerns.
The City of Cape Town is committed to making local government more accessible and improving the quality of life for its residents. Two initiatives have been deployed the Mobile Office and Basket of Services to provide residents with convenient opportunities to receive assistance from City officials representing various departments.
Maitland Mews Social Housing Project: A Sustainable and Accessible Initiative for Western Cape Residents The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (WCDOI) has launched a new social housing project, the Maitland Mews, to provide affordable housing to residents of the province. This 204unit development is a publicprivate partnership project that is situated within a 10 km radius of the Central Business District and connected to the Metro’s transport network. The project aims to provide sustainable and accessible housing to a diverse range of income groups.
Police Minister General Bheki Cele and Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale will pay their respects to Sergeant Lwando Lawrence Bunga and Sergeant Mario Nel, two fallen heroes who were tragically shot while on duty in the Eastern Cape’s Nelson Mandela Metro and Buffalo City Metro respectively.
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has recently addressed a number of critical issues affecting the country. These include energy generation, corruption within stateowned power company Eskom, South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, and the integrity of the financial system.
