The Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the transformation, preservation, protection, and promotion of sport, arts, and Culture at all levels of participation will be showcased during the 2023 Budget Vote Debate Week, led by Minister Zizi Kodwa.
The South African Post Office (SAPO) has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including financial difficulties, strikes, and mismanagement of funds, leading to its provisional liquidation. Despite these setbacks, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has reassured the public that efforts are underway to save the entity.
The South African government has recently invested ZAR500m ($32m) to refurbish small harbors in the Western Cape as part of the Small Harbours Repairs and Maintenance Programme. Spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the initiative aims to improve the local economy, efficiency, and job market.
The high demand for housing in Soweto has resulted in a backlog in title deeds and home allocations, forcing many people to live in informal settlements. As the area experiences an influx of people looking for work and housing, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi is calling for collaboration between the government and Soweto residents to address the challenges in the human settlements sector.
The City of Cape Town’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department has launched the annual #YouthStart Entrepreneurial Challenge. The initiative aims to stimulate small businesses and/or ideas through skills development and innovation, contributing to job creation. ## New Challenge Categories Encourage Innovation
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently addressed the 2nd Presidential Health Summit at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Gauteng, reflecting on the Presidential Health Compact signed four years ago. The summit brought together stakeholders from various sectors to develop short and longterm solutions to challenges facing South Africa’s healthcare system.
The National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have recently gazetted a notice that grants a tax exemption for bulking payments made to former members of closed retirement funds. This notice aims to provide consistency in tax treatment, clarity, and certainty for South African taxpayers.
South Africa has been grappling with frequent power blackouts, forcing the government to seek alternative solutions to address the power crisis. In a bid to focus on the potential of renewable energy sources, Premier Alan Winde recently hosted the 9th Energy Digicon in the Western Cape province.
The construction of a new electricity switching station in Morgen Gronde, Brackenfell, is a significant step towards ensuring reliable and adequate electricity supply to the residents and businesses of Cape Town. ## Upgrading the Network
The recent escape of three suspects from a highly secure police cell raises concerns about the effectiveness of the police system in South Africa. This incident also highlights the importance of implementing proper security measures and constant vigilance in police stations.
World Hand Hygiene Day is celebrated annually on May 5th to raise awareness of the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infections and diseases. This year’s theme emphasizes the need to reduce the spread of infection and antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings.
The Loskop Bulk Water Supply Project is a significant initiative to address the water supply challenges experienced by communities in the Thembisile Hani Municipality and eight other villages in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The project is worth R1.67 billion and has five work packages, including laying 30 km of pipelines from Loskop Dam and constructing two water reservoirs, pump stations, and water treatment works.
Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming is transforming the food and beverage industry in Cape Town. Maltento, a local company, is leading the way in this emerging industry, which offers significant environmental benefits and boosts the local economy. ### The Benefits of Black Soldier Fly Farming
The City of Cape Town is implementing a prepaid electricity meter software upgrade program to ensure that all prepaid meters in South Africa are updated before their expiry date in 2024. The upgrade requires the installation of new software to ensure compliance. Approximately 300,000 prepaid meters have already been updated, and the remaining 26 areas will be addressed in the coming months.
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has allocated R62 billion for the COVID19 TERS relief funds, of which KwaZuluNatal businesses received R9.2 billion. To verify that the monies were paid to workers who were meant to receive the relief funds, the “follow the money” audit was set up.
The Netball World Cup is a highly anticipated event among netball fans worldwide. It allows teams from different countries to showcase their skills and compete against each other. Cape Town has been preparing by undertaking various activities to ensure the event is hosted successfully. The latest development is the unveiling a new mural at the Desmond Tutu Recreation Centre in Makhaza as a legacy of the 2023 Netball World Cup.
