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Cape Town News
Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate is proposing to transform Acacia Road in Kraaifontein into a oneway street to tackle traffic congestion and improve accessibility for local businesses. The proposal is part of a democratic process that encourages public participation, with feedback and suggestions being accepted until 27 September 2024. The city is also providing various avenues for inclusivity and transparency, such as information days and detailed plans on their website. The proposal reflects the city’s commitment to involve its citizens in shaping the future of urban mobility in Cape Town.
South Africa is eagerly anticipating the arrival of Elon Musk’s Starlink project, which aims to revolutionize internet accessibility in rural and secluded regions. However, regulatory hurdles have hindered its entry into the country. South Africa’s Electronic Communication Act requires that any communications license holder must be 30% owned by historically disadvantaged groups, which could pose a significant hindrance to Starlink’s application process. Recent events suggest potential progress, but it remains to be seen if Starlink can navigate regulatory constraints and bring about a new era of connectivity in South Africa.
British Airways is increasing its flight frequency to Cape Town, with an extra daily flight set to launch by October 2024, aiming to meet the demand from international travelers and improve global connectivity. The airline plans to increase the total weekly flights between Cape Town and London Heathrow to 21 by January 2025, reflecting its dedication to enhancing the travel experience and capitalizing on the commercial prospects of the route. This strategic adjustment promises to stimulate the local economy, elevate Cape Town as a toptier destination, and revolutionize the global aviation landscape.
South African Paralympic athletes Mpumelelo Mhlongo, Collen Mahlalela, Christian Sadie, and Simone Kruger made history at the Paralympics with their outstanding performances. Mhlongo set a new T44 world record while securing a bronze medal, Mahlalela exhibited resilience in the T47 men’s 400m race, Sadie established a new African record in the S7 men’s 50m butterfly final, and Kruger won the gold medal in the F38 discus, breaking her own world record. These athletes’ remarkable achievements serve as a testament to their unwavering spirit and inspire us to push beyond our limitations.
The GreenPitch Challenge in Cape Town is more than just a contest, it’s a launchpad for ecofocused innovation. Entrepreneurs are crucial to the success of the green economy, generating concepts and inventions that can change lives and create employment opportunities. Dragonfly, Aero Greens, and Silence SA were the winners of the 2024 GreenPitch Challenge, each demonstrating a remarkable commitment to green economic principles. The future of green innovation looks positive thanks to the resources provided by GreenCape, who are steering Cape Town towards a more resilient and ecoaware future.
Good news for South African consumers as fuel prices have dropped unexpectedly due to the convergence of the international oil price and the strength of the rand against the US dollar. Petrol prices have dropped by 92 cents per litre and diesel prices by between 79 and 107 cents per litre. This reduction in fuel prices could result in significant savings for the average consumer during this phase of economic uncertainty.
The Department for Communications and Digital Technologies is excitedly anticipating a comprehensive briefing to the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies. The briefing will focus on financial outcomes and reporting for the third and fourth quarters of the 2023/24 fiscal year and will be held virtually. The meeting will cover exciting advancements in AI, legislative developments, and operational realignments. The event highlights South Africa’s commitment to progress, technological innovation, and transparency.
The growing alliance between South Africa and China represents a symbol of collaboration and shared advantage amid global politics fraught with discord. South Africa has suggested upgrading their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to an allround strategic cooperative partnership in a new epoch to foster their reciprocally beneficial political and economic links for the collective prosperity of both nations and their residents. The developmental synergy between South Africa and China is ascending with growing bilateral trade and shared objectives, which reaffirms the strength of collaboration and strategic alliances in navigating the intricacies of international relations in an everevolving world.
Cape Town is facing conflict over increased electricity tariffs and meter meddling, particularly in the Lavender Hill enclave where negotiations between the city administration and the 7945 Community Action Group take place. The city’s commitment to stopping meter meddling has revealed tampered meters, potentially resulting in cost hikes for revealing actual electricity consumption. The city has established a dispute resolution mechanism for customers, and effective collaboration is needed to find sustainable solutions. This struggle reflects wider sociopolitical and economic complexities and highlights the need for government and citizen collaboration to tackle challenges faced by urban governance.
SEACOM South Africa and the ICT SMME Chamber have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a new phase of shared ambition and cooperation in South Africa’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. This partnership presents an opportunity for SMMEs in the ICT sector to leverage SEACOM’s digital services and expedite their growth, while also serving as a model for future collaborations in the industry. The MOU signifies a significant shift in South Africa’s digital economy and reflects the Parliament’s dedication to promoting meaningful economic transformation and participation.
South Africa’s Springboks achieved an incredible win against New Zealand’s All Blacks in the Cape Town Rugby Championship Test match, with a score of 1812. The team showed their resilience and determination, staging a remarkable comeback after being behind 93 at halftime. The Springboks were led by Captain Siya Kolisi, whose early secondhalf try marked the turning point in the match. Despite encountering hurdles such as missed tackles and yellow cards, the Springboks’ unwavering spirit led them to an unforgettable triumph, securing their fourth consecutive defeat of the All Blacks.
The Northern Cape in South Africa transforms into a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers every year during August and September, attracting nature lovers and photography enthusiasts from all over. The Namaqua National Park is one of the best places to witness this display, but the region also offers other experiences such as wildlife spotting at the Goegap Nature Reserve, exploring the bulb capital of the world in Nieuwoudtville, and embarking on a rugged adventure at the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve. Witnessing the bloom is more than just visual, it’s an immersive experience that captivates all your senses.
The Peers family, selftaught archaeologists, played a significant role in uncovering the ancient history of Fish Hoek through their exploration of Peers Cave. A pictorial lecture is set to honor the family’s legacy and focus on their influence beyond Fish Hoek, including their remarkably named houses. The lecture will be delivered by Margaret Gundry, who delves into the narratives behind the names of Fish Hoek’s homes, uncovering fascinating stories behind them. Gundry’s investigation into the Peers family led her to New Zealand, showcasing the intertwined nature of histories and the legacy of the Peers family beyond Fish Hoek.
The budget cuts in education that could lead to over 2,000 teachers losing their jobs have caused controversy and opposition for the Western Cape government. Teacher unions have lodged disputes against the department, with the possibility of a strike looming. Additionally, there is debate over the effectiveness of the BackOnTrack program, which aims to offset learning losses due to the pandemic. The WCED is fighting for its teachers and quality education, urging unions to ally with them instead of opposing them.
The Western Cape is facing a potentially turbulent fire season due to excessive rainfall, which has led to an increase in vegetation. This surge in growth has created a significant fire hazard, which will be further intensified by predicted high temperatures and winds. In the previous year, over 9,500 fires ravaged more than 135,000 hectares of land, leading authorities to allocate significant funds to prepare for the inevitable fire season. The region is in the ironic situation of being endangered by its own natural beauty.
In September 2023, a routine South African Navy drill turned into a tragedy when an abnormal wave hit the SAS Manthatisi submarine, taking the lives of three sailors. Despite their utmost efforts, they were unable to prevent the catastrophe. The aftermath led to several improvements in the safety regulations of naval operations, including the replacement of life jackets with versions capable of supporting up to 270kg and the strengthening and shortening of the safety line. The legacy of the heroic sailors continues to inspire and is immortalized in the bravery of their comrades.
