Cape Town and the Western Cape have experienced a recordbreaking cruise tourism season between October 2022 and May 2023, establishing the region as a top destination for luxury cruise holidays. Highspending tourists from the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom have contributed to the success of the season.
Kenya experienced its worst mass suicide incident in the southeast of the country, with over a hundred confirmed deaths, including children, at the New Life Prayer Centre and Church. Led by Pastor Paul Mackenzie, the church captivated followers from all over Kenya with his apocalyptic narratives and controversial teachings. Autopsies revealed that most victims had starved to death at his urging to “meet Jesus” in the afterlife, while others, including children, had been strangled or suffocated.
South Africa’s tourism industry is pushing to reach preCOVID visitor numbers by 2030. Patricia de Lille, the Tourism Minister, has called on stakeholders to unite and foster growth to achieve over 21 million tourist arrivals before the end of the decade.
The funeral of Katlego Bereng, a young man whose charred body was used as a decoy in a convicted murderer and rapist’s plot to escape prison, occurred at Bloemfontein’s South Park cemetery last Sunday. The funeral was attended by Bereng’s family, friends, and community members, who were all filled with sadness and confusion due to the many unanswered questions surrounding his death.
The water and sanitation crisis affecting several towns in South Africa has led to broken pipes and maintenance holes, causing severe sewage issues that impact the lives and health of thousands of residents. This crisis is evident in towns like Sannieshof, Ottosdal, and Delareyville, where raw sewage has flooded parts of the local cemetery and forced some households to avoid using their toilets due to backflows from the blocked sewerage system.
Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has called for the acceleration of water projects in the Waterberg District during a recent multistakeholder water and sanitation engagement session held on May 9th, 2023, in Mokopane, Limpopo. This session brought together various representatives, including traditional leaders, provincial leadership of the Department of Water and Sanitation, mayors, municipal managers, and ward councillors from the local municipalities within the Waterberg District.
Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mme Hendrietta BogopaneZulu, has partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to launch ChommY, a social and behavioral change program. The program aims to support children aged 10 to 14 years from Ekurhuleni hostels, promote awareness, develop essential life skills, and empower young individuals to make informed choices.
South Africa faces an alarming energy crisis, with citizens experiencing daily blackouts for up to 10 hours due to current Stage 6 load shedding. The situation is becoming increasingly severe as Stage 9 and beyond protocols are being finalized, leaving citizens and experts alike profoundly concerned about the future.
The City of Cape Town has announced its plans to construct a new overnight shelter for homeless individuals in Green Point to house 300 people by the end of this year. The “Safe Space” project received full support from the Green Point Ratepayers and Residents Association (GPRRA).
South Africa is in mourning following the death of Klaas de Jonge, an exceptional Dutch activist who fought against apartheid and was a member of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK). De Jonge died at the age of 85 on May 5, 2023. This article pays tribute to his life and legacy as a symbol of international solidarity in the fight for justice and freedom.
The RMB National Rowing Squad of South Africa has begun their international season with a remarkable performance at the Rowing World Cup in Zagreb, Croatia. The team’s athletes have shown their skills and determination, securing silver and bronze medals in the Men’s Four and Women’s Double Scull events, respectively.
South Africa is hosting the Fifth Global Conference on Biodiversity Finance in Cape Town, bringing together delegates from various parts of the world, including representatives from Brazil, Cambodia, Germany, and UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen, to discuss crucial challenges and opportunities related to financing biodiversity conservation.
South Africa’s agricultural sector must undergo transformation and evolution to redress the historical injustice of the Native Land Act and ensure economic growth, social wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. This article explores the necessary steps to revitalize the agricultural sector, including investments in underutilized communal lands, enhancing rural economies, tackling climate change, empowering previously disadvantaged farmers, and leveraging technology for rural development.
In May of 2023, Minister Senzo Mchunu of Water and Sanitation, along with Deputy Ministers David Mahlobo and Judith Tshabalala, conducted a crucial ministerial visit to the northern KwaZuluNatal district of uMkhanyakude. The purpose of this visit was to evaluate the progress made in refurbishing and upgrading the water supply schemes in KwaHlabisa and Mtubatuba Local Municipalities.
At the Second Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting of BRICS memberstates in Port Alfred, Eastern Cape, the Compensation Fund made a plea to employers to support the reintegration of injured workers into the workplace. This urgent request was made by Nthabiseng Magonono, the Director responsible for the Vocational Rehabilitation Programme at the Compensation Fund, from the perspective of the Department of Employment and Labour.
Over the last ten years, Cape Town has made impressive strides in addressing pet overpopulation, thanks to the combined efforts of local government and various animal welfare organizations. Through the sterilization of domestic animals, close to 15,000 animals have been sterilized, thanks to a total investment of over R6.3 million from the Community Services and Health Directorate.
