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Cape Town News
The Western Cape government is working to reopen roads, restore economic activity, and ensure traveler safety after severe weather caused extensive damage. The estimated cost of repairs is R500 million, and the process cannot be expedited. The government urges travelers to pay attention to safety and road closure signs, and Premier Alan Winde emphasizes the significance of repair and rebuilding efforts.
The Telkom Foundation’s Connected Schools program aims to provide digital skills and tools to learners, educators, and young people in rural areas through the creation of modern ICT laboratories. Nyanga High School recently unveiled a cuttingedge ICT laboratory as part of this program, which will help close the digital gap in remote communities and enhance academic growth through internet connectivity and digital access. The initiative represents a significant step towards achieving academic excellence through technology and empowering the youth with knowledge and competencies that can contribute to the country’s socioeconomic development.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has a new spokesperson, Ms. Mmemme Mogotsi, who brings over 20 years of domestic and international communications expertise to the role. As the Deputy Assistant Commissioner and spokesperson, she will be responsible for communicating the BMA’s initiatives and achievements to the public and promoting better understanding of the organization’s role in maintaining secure borders for development. Ms. Mogotsi’s appointment is a testament to the BMA’s commitment to maintaining open communication with the public and enhancing public trust in the organization.
Deputy Minister of Basic Education Dr. Reginah Mhaule is taking part in an Outreach Program in Dealesville, Free State, which aims to raise awareness about various issues faced by schools and communities, such as genderbased violence, bullying, learner pregnancy, and drug and substance abuse. The event at Kgololosego Secondary School highlights the government’s commitment to addressing crucial social issues and providing assistance to communities in need, with the involvement of Free State Premier Dukwana and MEC Mohale reinforcing the importance of addressing these pressing concerns in the region. The Outreach Program serves as a valuable platform for stakeholders to unite and work towards achieving lasting, meaningful change.
The unveiling of these borehole systems represents a beacon of hope, highlighting the possibility for more sustainable, equitable, and ecofriendly solutions to our global water crisis. The Coke Ville Groundwater Harvesting Project involves the development of four solarpowered borehole systems that will supply up to 4.6 million liters of water annually, at no cost, to the communities of Mankweng and Moletjie in Polokwane, South Africa. The project is a collaboration between CocaCola Beverages South Africa and the Department of Water and Sanitation, aimed at providing essential water to thousands of inhabitants in the region.
The City of Cape Town has launched an online booking system for managing vehicle registrations and licensing, helping residents to streamline their motor licenses and accounts. The system simplifies the process with five easy steps and sends an SMS and email confirmation containing an appointment reference, reducing waiting times and overcrowding in walkin centres. The City also offers eServices for conducting business without physical visits, and has improved facility resilience with generators, inverters, and photovoltaic solar systems at various locations.
A weekend of violence in Cape Town saw ten lives lost, including a 15yearold girl and a 17yearold boy, in a series of violent incidents. Law enforcement officers are investigating these heinous crimes, including a shooting in Hout Bay that claimed the lives of four men and an assault in Heinz Park that killed three people. Overall, the violence highlights the ongoing battle faced by Cape Town’s law enforcement amid a backdrop of gang warfare and violent crime, with both the citizens of Cape Town and law enforcement having to consider the origins of such brutality and address its root causes.
The National Treasury has extended the application deadline for the Eskom Municipal Debt Relief Support Programme to help ease the financial pressure experienced by South African municipalities. The initiative aims to alleviate Eskom’s financial and debt crisis by providing eligible municipalities with the opportunity to apply for debt relief under strict terms and conditions. By September 22, 2023, 28 municipalities have been approved, while nine applications remain under review, and another 25 are pending submission for approval. The programme is just one aspect of a broader strategy to address the systemic issues plaguing the South African utility sector, requiring collaboration and reforms for a sustainable future.
Makwana’s exit signifies a crucial turning point in Eskom’s leadership during a time of significant restructuring and reform. The recent resignation of Mpho Makwana, Eskom’s chairperson, has created waves across South Africa’s energy sector. Makwana’s departure comes just one year after he took on the role, making him the shortestserving chairperson in the company’s history. His resignation will take effect at the end of October, following Eskom’s Annual General Meeting. Although his tenure was brief, Makwana’s exit signifies a crucial turning point in Eskom’s leadership during a period of significant restructuring and reform.
Violent protests, house burnings, and injuries have erupted in Malmesbury’s Lingelethu suburb after the stabbing of a 15yearold teenager. The situation has caught the attention of Gayton McKenzie, who called on authorities to send reinforcements, likening the scenes to a war zone. The ongoing unrest highlights the importance of addressing community grievances and tackling systemic issues such as poverty and unemployment, and calls for a united response to promote reconciliation and unity.
On World Mental Health Day, it’s important to break the silence surrounding mental health and make treatment more accessible. Mental health conditions affect more people than we realize, and seeking help is an act of courage, not weakness. We need to foster open conversations and demand government accountability for mental health facilities. It’s also crucial to rethink our approach to substance abuse disorders and treat them as manifestations of mental illness rather than criminal behavior. By embracing honesty and seeking assistance when necessary, we can save lives.
This article takes us on a journey down memory lane, exploring the early days of South African cricket and the impact it had on a group of young boys from Salt River. Through vivid imagery and simple language, we are reminded of the excitement and opportunity that surrounded the reintroduction of cricket to South Africa, and the lasting impact it had on the country and its people. As we celebrate the presentday Proteas and their recent victory over Sri Lanka, we are reminded of the rich history and evolution of South African cricket.
Eagle Encounters, a wildlife rehabilitation center in South Africa, has been found to have serious issues regarding animal welfare by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.Inspectors found hidden and injured birds without veterinary care, snakes lacking water, and dangerous equipment. The facility now faces additional criminal charges and a complaint will be filed due to suspected permit violations. The case serves as a reminder of the obligation wildlife rehabilitation centers have towards the animals in their care and the pursuit of justice will advocate for higher standards in wildlife rehabilitation centers worldwide.
The City of Cape Town is revamping the road infrastructure in Camps Bay and Bakoven to ensure a smoother and more pleasurable journey for both locals and tourists. The project will involve resurfacing several roads in the region until 10 November 2023 as part of the city’s wider initiative to prioritize urban mobility and enhance the overall quality of life for its inhabitants. Road users are advised to consider alternative routes during the construction period to avoid traffic jams and delays while also reducing the strain on affected roads.
In Cape Town, there are 13 Champion Trees that hold immense historical and ecological significance. Sadly, one of these giants, a 80100 year old Turkish oak, fell in October due to factors such as rainfall and heart rot. This event marks the second loss of a Champion Tree in two years, emphasizing the need to protect these natural wonders under the National Forests Act of 1998. Despite the loss, the fallen oak will be repurposed to continue contributing to the beauty and sustainability of Arderne Gardens.
South Africa has performed its firstever MitraClip implantation surgeries, a minimally invasive alternative to openheart surgery for patients with mitral regurgitation. Five patients underwent the innovative procedure in a collaboration between Tygerberg Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital in the Western Cape. The specialist team overcame years of careful planning and training to achieve the groundbreaking surgeries, which are less invasive and offer a quicker recovery time than conventional treatments. This development represents a new era for South African medicine and offers hope to patients suffering from mitral regurgitation.
