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Cape Town News
The South African Police Service showed their bravery and commitment to public safety during a highrisk car chase and gunfight in Umlazi. Three suspects were killed and a police officer was wounded but recovered. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle between law enforcement and criminal forces.
Pharmacists are the unsung heroes of healthcare, armed with extensive knowledge in medication and serving as custodians of medicinal knowledge. City Health, with its team of pharmacists and postbasic pharmacist assistants, is an example of the profession’s significance. Pharmacists also play a vital role in combating antimicrobial resistance and ensuring proper drug disposal. As we celebrate Pharmacy Month, let us acknowledge their contribution and heed their advice on medication use for better health outcomes.
The MyCiTi bus service on Turfhall Road is an exciting project that aims to revolutionize public transport in Cape Town. It will connect travellers from Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha to Wynberg and Claremont through dedicated bus lanes and improvements to roads and transportation facilities. The project, set to be completed by July 2027, involves extensive construction and is being carried out in phases to minimize disruption to local residents. Despite the disruptions caused by construction, the project promises to provide accessible, dependable, and affordable public transportation, shaping a new era of connection and mobility in Cape Town.
In the Western Cape Tactical Response Team, there is only one female member, Constable Thabisa Ntyinkala. Her journey is a story of courage and determination, as she climbed the ranks of the South African Police Service. Despite being a single mother of two, Ntyinkala is devoted to maintaining her fitness and readiness for her demanding job. Her accomplishments serve as a source of inspiration for others, and she hopes to eradicate corruption within the SAPS ranks.
On World Ranger Day 2024, we celebrate the inspiring women rangers who protect Cape Town’s reserves. These conservation champions have received comprehensive training and provide diverse skills to preserve the environment. From Victoria Day, a reserve supervisor at False Bay Nature Reserve, to Vuyokazi Rubushe, a field ranger at Helderberg Nature Reserve, these women’s journeys highlight the importance of offering equal opportunities and embody the pillars of success: passion, dedication, and a commitment to learning.
A Zambian man suspected of leading a kidnappingforransom syndicate was apprehended at OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa. The authorities linked the man to the kidnapping of a businessman in July and discovered a stash of crystal meth worth R300 million on the same day. The arrest was the result of a joint effort by multiple law enforcement agencies and serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight against organized crime.
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.
