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Cape Town News
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.
Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts led the signing ceremony of the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Development Model (DDM) One Plan document in the North West Province on October 16, 2023. The DDM One Plan is a government initiative aimed at enhancing integrated planning and service delivery across the three spheres of the South African government. The signing of this document marks the start of a new era in the North West Province, with government departments and other stakeholders pledging to work together to ensure effective service delivery and bring transformative change to the region.
The government will invest R3.5 billion to introduce new vaccines, including a derivative vaccine and a combination vaccine, while COVID19 vaccinations will now be integrated into routine primary health care services. South Africa’s National Health Council Meeting covered various topics, including the introduction of new vaccines, integration of COVID19 vaccinations, online birth registrations, cost containment measures, audit outcomes, medicolegal issues, avian influenza infection risk, and nurses’ uniforms and allowances. Online birth registrations have been expanded, and nurses will receive a onceoff uniform allowance of R3153.
South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis has prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government to launch a comprehensive strategy to tackle the issue. This includes the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, the Presidential Employment Stimulus, and collaborations with the private sector. These initiatives provide young people with temporary earning opportunities, promote selfemployment and informal microenterprises, and have generated over 1.4 million jobs and livelihood opportunities, with more than 80% going to young people. Despite progress, there is still much work to be done to ensure all young South Africans have access to job opportunities.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a gamechanging initiative aimed at creating a unified market for goods and services across Africa. By promoting trade integration and economic liberalization, the AfCFTA could lead to diversified exports, increased production capabilities, faster growth, and higher income levels throughout the continent. Industry sectors such as chemicals and cosmetics are already gearing up to harness the potential of the AfCFTA, which could increase intraAfrican trade by 52.3% and grow Africa’s economy to $29 trillion by 2050. The successful implementation of this initiative would be a significant milestone in Africa’s economic transformation.
South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Candith MashegoDlamini, partnered with the Embassy of the State of Qatar to donate twenty laptops to underprivileged schools in Mpumalanga, South Africa, in an effort to bridge the digital divide. This initiative not only provided essential resources to the students but also showcased the impactful collaboration between nations. The laptop donation aims to promote digital literacy, empower students, and unlock their potential through technology. This act of generosity and international cooperation may inspire future similar projects and contribute to lasting change.
South Africa’s Freight Logistics Roadmap aims to improve the performance of the country’s ports and rail network, with the government committed to maintaining public ownership. The government is focused on reforming the logistics system to increase efficiency, attract private investment, and promote competition. The establishment of the National Logistics Crisis Committee and government engagement with the private sector highlights the collaborative approach towards enhancing the logistics system, with no intention to privatize strategic national assets. It is important to distinguish fact from fiction and appreciate the government’s dedication to improving the lives of its citizens.
On October 12, 2023, Councillor Carl Pophaim, a member of the City’s Human Settlements Mayoral Committee, along with other officials, presented 25 deserving beneficiaries with the keys to their new homes in the Breaking New Ground (BNG) Greenville Phase 4 project. This ambitious initiative, situated in Fisantekraal, Durbanville, is set to be completed by June 2025. Its goal is to offer over 1,000 houses to eligible residents and their families, including some of the most vulnerable individuals in the metropolitan region.
Janet Yetta Love has been appointed as a Commissioner in South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission, responsible for maintaining the integrity of the country’s electoral process. Love is an antiapartheid activist and former Member of Parliament known for her commitment to human rights and democracy. Her appointment is a proud moment for South Africa and signifies a new chapter for the Electoral Commission, with Love’s diverse experiences and steadfast dedication poised to contribute to the Commission’s ongoing work.
South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has formed a partnership with Cisco to enhance the country’s digital economy. The collaboration will focus on economic growth, digital skills, sustainable infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the digital transformation of government services. Cisco will support South Africa’s digital skills drive, contribute to job creation, and extend its network of EDGE Centres to assist small and mediumsized enterprises in the technology sector. The partnership aims to create a brighter digital future for South Africa, ultimately boosting the nation’s economic expansion.
South Africa is tackling youth unemployment and socioeconomic challenges by empowering its youth. The government has implemented policies and initiatives to enhance youth economic participation, such as the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and the National Pathway Management Network. Additionally, entrepreneurship is being emphasized, with support for small businesses and programs like the Khoebo Innovation Promotion Program. These efforts are expected to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and foster socioeconomic change in the country.
On October 12, 2023, five suspects attacked police officers in Edenpark, South Africa, raising concerns about public defiance and the effectiveness of law enforcement. The incident highlights the erosion of trust in the police force and the need for ongoing reform and community engagement to rebuild that trust. Lieutenant General Mawela’s response to the assault emphasizes the importance of a united front against crime and sends a clear message that lawlessness will not be tolerated. As South Africa faces various challenges, the prompt response of the police officers demonstrates their commitment to protecting the public and upholding the rule of law.
The South African Police Service is taking proactive measures to ensure safety during the holiday season through their nationwide Safer Festive Season Operations. Highdensity measures such as roadblocks, stopandsearch activities, and tracking wanted suspects will occur daily to prevent, combat, and counter severe and violent crimes. The initiative reflects a commitment to maintaining law and order and requires the public’s cooperation and vigilance in reporting suspicious activity. The presence of media at the launch event promotes transparency and trust between the police and the communities they serve, cultivating a vital partnership in the battle against crime.
The Agricultural and Other Critical Skills Careers Expo 2023 in Wellington, South Africa, led by Deputy Minister Buti Manamela, aims to enlighten youth about career possibilities and economic prospects in the Western Cape region. The expo will focus on the agricultural sector and other diverse career trajectories, providing participants with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their future. Attendees will have the chance to learn about a wide range of career options, attend workshops, and engage in panel discussions with industry experts, inspiring them to pursue fulfilling careers and contribute to their community’s development.
