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Cape Town News
Get ready to indulge in South Africa’s favorite pastime of braai with the best deals from the country’s leading supermarkets. Makro tops the list and offers the most value for money, while Woolworths’ braai basket saw a R30 increase due to higher prices. Check out the indepth look at each supermarket’s braai basket to make the most of the weekend feast without breaking the bank. So, ignite your grills and enjoy the warm weather, pleasant company, and appetizing flavors with the best prices on offer.
Dr. Stefano Corso, a Maltese doctor, disappeared during a medical conference in Cape Town, sparking a comprehensive search effort that involved the police and organizations like Missing Children in South Africa. He was eventually found, but the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unknown. The case highlights the importance of prompt reporting of missing persons and the power of collaboration in search efforts. While many questions remain unanswered, Dr. Corso’s safe recovery offers hope and comfort to those dealing with similar situations.
Sure! South Africa has launched its Safer Festive Season Operational Plan, a nationwide initiative aimed at ensuring a safer environment for all residents during the holiday season. The plan focuses on seven areas, including genderbased violence, severe and violent crime, and road safety. The police have increased their presence and resources, with regular roadblocks, stop and searches, and tracking down wanted suspects. Additionally, SAPS has introduced an online service rating platform for the public to assess police station performance, encouraging community involvement and collaboration to enhance service delivery.
The quick response and dedication of airport personnel and the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services led to the reopening of Cape Town International Airport’s runway early on the next morning after it was closed in October 2023 due to an aircraft hydraulic fluid leak. This incident emphasized the growing need for more runway capacity as the airport prepares to welcome 215 flights per week from 30 international destinations in the upcoming summer season. The expansion of the airport’s capacity will have a significant impact on local businesses and communities, promoting growth and prosperity for residents and tourists alike.
Cape Town’s coastal suburbs are experiencing water supply issues due to a damaged water main that occurred during a storm. The Water and Sanitation Directorate is addressing the problem with emergency repairs and residents are encouraged to decrease their water usage during this period. The repair serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive planning and maintenance for a city’s ongoing growth and development. By working together and making small individual sacrifices, Cape Town residents can help to alleviate the immediate crisis and contribute to the longterm sustainability of their city’s water supply.
South Africa has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusing the Israeli government of deliberately depriving Gazans of vital resources such as food, water, electricity, and fuel. The Fourth Geneva Convention provides protection for civilians in conflict zones and occupied territories, including protection from murder, torture, and discrimination. Israel’s recent directive ordering 1.1 million Gazans to relocate to the south is poised to worsen the disaster, and the UN has called for vital lifesaving supplies to be allowed into Gaza.
The 3rd South AfricaNamibia BiNational Commission brought together leaders from both nations to address shared challenges, strengthen economic cooperation, collaborate on energy security and climate change, and reinforce global governance institutions and multilateralism. Notable achievements include auditing legal instruments, enhancing investment and trade, and jointly combating terrorism and extremism in Northern Mozambique. Both nations pledge their support for sustainable peace and the reinforcement of global governance institutions and multilateralism. Overall, through cooperation and dialogue, South Africa and Namibia are wellpositioned to create a brighter, more prosperous future for their citizens.
Being prepared and aware of disaster risks is crucial in mitigating their impact, as climate change has the potential to cause severe weather events that expose vulnerable populations to disasters. Effective strategies can be devised by recognizing the connection between inequality and disaster risk and fostering resilience through communitybased risk assessments, disaster planning, and collaboration among government, NGOs, the private sector, and humanitarian partners. Through heightened awareness and knowledgesharing, a more resilient future for all can be built. This was emphasized at the Disaster Risk Management Centre’s seminar in Cape Town commemorating the United Nations International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The National School of Government (NSG) is celebrating its 10year anniversary with a range of activities and events showcasing its contributions to building public sector capacity in South Africa. Over 526,000 participants have benefited from its training programs, generating more than R1 billion in course fee revenue. The NSG has hosted highimpact engagements and demonstrated good governance and financial management through consecutive years of unqualified and clean audits, while effectively navigating the challenges presented by the COVID19 pandemic and increasing online enrolments for eLearning courses. Its efforts align with the South African government’s decision to prioritize the development of a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
Cape Town’s beloved Kloof Road has been declared offlimits to the public for at least the next 12 months due to severe landslides caused by a level nine storm event. The City is working with a civil engineering geotechnical specialist to assess the damage and devise appropriate repairs, with estimated timelines of 12 to 18 months before the road can fully reopen. The closure presents an opportunity to rediscover other historic streets and landmarks and emphasizes the importance of investing in infrastructure and adapting to changing climates.
SARS and law enforcement agencies in South Africa conducted a search and seizure operation in five provinces, aiming to dismantle an elaborate criminal network of coalsmugglers responsible for the energy crisis and load shedding in South Africa. The operation was initiated by SARS after discovering numerous tax crimes allegedly perpetrated by members of the coalsmuggling network. The accused coalsmugglers and their associated entities are known to be operating in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZuluNatal, the Free State, and Limpopo. The success of this operation is due to the remarkable intergovernmental collaboration and information sharing.
The public’s involvement is crucial in shaping regulations that protect the nation’s threatened species and cultivates a stronger connection with their natural surroundings. The South African government is seeking public feedback on draft regulations and lists related to threatened or protected land and freshwater species. The consultation period is open for 30 days, and feedback can be submitted by mail, handdelivered or email. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment is dedicated to a transparent and inclusive decisionmaking process to safeguard South Africa’s rich natural heritage for future generations.
Children from the Strandfontein Early Childhood Development center in South Africa recently took part in a litter pickup event as part of Cape Town’s SpringCleanCT campaign. The initiative encourages community participation in neighborhood cleanups and offers rewards for tipoffs leading to convictions for illegal dumping. The involvement of young children in the campaign highlights the importance of instilling environmental consciousness and accountability from a young age, with the hope that they will carry this sense of responsibility throughout their lives.
Cape Town is fighting against infrastructure vandalism and theft to protect essential assets that ensure lighting, safety, and security for its residents and visitors. The City has a zerotolerance stance against criminal conduct and has established several preventative initiatives to pinpoint and reinforce infrastructure hotspots. The City encourages public participation by providing rewards for information that leads to arrests or the seizure of stolen and illicit goods. Thanks to the combined efforts of committed teams, Cape Town is determined to defend its infrastructure from vandalism and theft, ensuring the welfare of its people.
The Mini Galaxy flower, once thought extinct, has been rediscovered in the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area in South Africa. The yellow flower blooms for only a few hours after rain and grows in dangerous locations such as road verges, making conservation efforts challenging. The area in which the Mini Galaxy was found is of significant ecological importance, containing nearly 50% of all remaining Agulhas Sand Fynbos and 20% of Agulhas Limestone Fynbos worldwide, both of which are critically endangered.
Saldanha Bay, a town in South Africa, is taking a bold step towards energy security by issuing a groundbreaking tender for independent power producers to establish power generation plants, providing a consistent supply of approximately 100 MW of electricity. The project aims to supply electricity to the town’s power grid within three years and consists only of gas and renewable energy sources, highlighting the town’s commitment to sustainability and fighting climate change. The tender represents a turning point for Saldanha Bay and energy policy in South Africa, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for others to follow.
