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Cape Town News
Cape Town is taking action against the pothole crisis caused by heavy rainfall, with Road Infrastructure Management teams prioritizing repairs based on specific criteria. The city also focuses on maintaining and preserving the road network through regular resurfacing and resealing interventions. Residents can report potholes through various channels, and Cape Town’s response reflects its dedication to keeping its transportation network running smoothly. The city’s decisive response to the issue demonstrates its resolve to overcome the crisis.
Cape Town’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) plays a crucial role in generating employment opportunities and developing skills for its residents. The program has evolved from creating job opportunities to serving as a platform for skills development, enabling recruitment into a variety of fields. The city has invested over R460 million in multiyear skills development projects, providing practical work experience and training for unemployed residents and fostering a more inclusive economy.
The Community, Arts and Culture Department of Cape Town is offering nonprofit organizations the opportunity to apply for GrantsinAid funding amounting to R3 230 046. This funding is dedicated to creative and cultural projects that target young individuals and marginalized groups such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The projects aim to enrich the city’s cultural milieu and enhance the community’s overall wellbeing, with a focus on accessibility and diversity. The city is committed to making cultural and creative activities more accessible, nurturing talent, and promoting cultural activities in neighborhoods.
The City of Cape Town is gifting title deeds to its residents, providing them with a sense of ownership, stability, and empowerment. The Human Settlements Directorate is coordinating the title deedtodoor campaign, delivering these crucial pieces of paper to homeowners throughout various communities in Cape Town. The City has established systems to ensure transparency and prevent fraudulent activities, and residents can easily identify the individuals responsible for title deed delivery. The title deed handover is more than a formality; it’s a promise of a safe and secure future for many South Africans.
Constable Reanoldar Nsuku Mathonsi is a remarkable female police officer in South Africa’s Public Order Policing unit who has set a laudable example. She is a longdistance runner and the first female SAPS athlete to complete the Comrades Marathon. Mathonsi’s story offers a beacon of inspiration, reminding us that our future destinations hold more significance than our past origins. As we mark Women’s Month, Mathonsi stands out as a shining example of physical strength and mental agility.
Delft’s Urban Waste Management (UWM) EPWP Entrepreneurship Trainee Programme is a city initiative in South Africa that provides entrepreneurs with the necessary skills and abilities through a series of training and development modules. This programme’s holistic approach combines practical mentorship with theoretical knowledge and helps city entrepreneurs realize their business objectives while contributing to job creation and revenue growth among participating businesses. Bonolo Holdings, a family enterprise, has seen considerable growth under the guidance of this city initiative, and its success is a testament to the programme’s effectiveness in supporting small businesses on their journey towards expansion and success.
Cape Town has launched a new branding strategy called “Embrace Cape Town” to boost tourism. The initiative builds upon previous successful marketing efforts and showcases the city’s diverse oceanic adventures, investment opportunities, and rich cultural spectrum. The comprehensive fivepoint action plan aims to enhance flight connectivity, cruise tourism, conferences, tourism attractions, and targeted marketing to catapult the tourism economy to new heights. The city’s commitment has already generated significant growth and success in the tourism sector, contributing to the local economy and generating employment opportunities.
Charlene Van der Berg is the only female diver in her unit in South Africa. She is known for her resilience and ambition and takes on duties such as managing waterrelated incidents and executing rescue missions, often diving in zero visibility and at depths of fewer than 10 meters. Van der Berg is driven by a sense of purpose to help people, and her dedication has earned her awards, commendation certificates, and recognition for her exceptional service. She is an inspiration to all women, especially those seeking to excel in traditionally maledominated fields.
South Africa is among the nations most intensely affected by natural disasters, making the development of early warning systems vital in mitigating the effects of climate change. The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, stressed the importance of collective adaptation and collaboration during a national workshop orchestrated by the South African Weather Service. The ‘Early Warnings for All’ initiative led by SAWS aims to provide an adequate warning dissemination system that reaches remote areas and vulnerable populations.
Cape Town’s ‘No Mow’ initiative transforms public areas into a vibrant display of spring flowers and indigenous vegetation from August through November. This initiative fosters critical environmental processes and contributes to the larger ecological puzzle by creating resilient networks of varied habitats. It invites a diverse population of fauna, including birds, butterflies, moths, and bees, each adding their unique touch to this vivid scene. The initiative represents a deliberate shift towards greener and more sustainable methods, highlighting the city’s dedication to preserving its local biodiversity.
South Africa’s housing crisis requires a detailed plan of action, as announced on August 26, 2024 by the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements. The plan includes legislative changes for fair housing, amplified communication and collaboration, and empowering women to become property owners. The aim is to confront the challenges specific to the gap market and promote equal access to housing finance, leading to a more equitable South Africa. The successful implementation of this plan will mitigate issues of housing unaffordability and promote spatial transformation for the “missing middle”.
Luspin Manufacturers is a successful textile company in Khayelitsha, led by entrepreneur Pinkie Hlengisa. Their commitment to quality and dedication to handson learning experiences for degree students has contributed to their growth. Luspin’s workforce includes four fulltime employees, 12 trainees, and 13 distributors, with expertise spanning a variety of clothing items. Pinkie’s entrepreneurial journey has been guided by the City’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Entrepreneurship Trainee Programme, highlighting the transformative power of governmentfunded education and training schemes. Luspin’s success story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs in the community.
Bloemfontein, known as the “City of Roses,” is a hidden gem filled with natural beauty and historical significance. It is one of South Africa’s three capitals and serves as the judicial capital, with the Supreme Court of Appeal located within its bounds. The city boasts a diverse cultural heritage, including being the birthplace of J.R.R. Tolkien, and celebrates its emblematic flower every October with an impressive rose festival. Bloemfontein’s connection to nature is evident in its lush spaces and nature reserves, and it played a pivotal role in the AngloBoer War through its War Museum of the Boer Republics. Its railway station, one of the oldest in South Africa, is a crucial link in the country’s transportation history.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber is leading a campaign to remove undocumented immigrants from Cape Town with the assistance of the Department of Home Affairs and law enforcement agencies. The campaign has made progress in locating and deporting individuals without legal documents, with recent operations leading to the apprehension of 34 individuals and the examination of 72 people. Minister Schreiber’s vision includes modernising the Department of Home Affairs to boost its digital prowess and strengthen national security, highlighting the balance between humanitarian and security concerns in contemporary urban societies.
The Annual Celebration of Education in Western Cape is a vibrant event that honors teachers who go above and beyond to provide exceptional education to learners. The ceremony recognizes the unwavering dedication and passion of educators who consistently strive for excellence and make significant contributions to their students’ lives. The event pays tribute to exceptional educators in various categories, including core subject excellence, specialized teaching, and lifetime achievement. The winners of the Teaching Awards will represent Western Cape at the National Teaching Awards, and the event is a fitting tribute to the remarkable talents that adorn the education sector in Western Cape.
Francesca Lucia, an Italian property developer, experienced a legal nightmare in South Africa when she discovered a squatter occupying her dream property. Despite the law siding with squatters, Lucia was committed to respecting it and sought legal advice. After months of escalating legal fees, renovation expenses, and emotional distress, Lucia was forced to pay a settlement of R38,000 to the squatter, highlighting the urgent need for legal reform to address issues related to squatter’s rights and protect homeowners from similar predicaments.
