President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that a special official funeral will be held to honor the life and legacy of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a celebrated figure in South African history. The ceremony will take place on September 1516, 2023, reflecting the nation’s deep appreciation for his remarkable contributions.

The 3rd Annual Southern African Oil & Gas Conference was recently held in Cape Town with industry leaders and delegates from across the continent gathering to discuss the theme of “Oil and Gas development to address Southern Africa’s energy challenges while ensuring a just energy transition.” The conference aimed to address the energy poverty and climate change challenges that hinder Africa’s economic growth and exacerbate issues such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

The Departments of Communications and Digital Technologies and Social Development, together with their agencies Postbank, the South African Post Office, and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), have issued a joint statement apologizing to social grant beneficiaries who experienced difficulties in accessing their grants during the first week of September 2023. The payment delay disproportionately affected the elderly and those with disabilities, who rely on these provisions for their daily livelihoods.

The North West Provincial Government has shown its support to the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality’s plans to construct pedestrian and vehicular bridges throughout the region. This investment in infrastructure development aims to improve transportation connectivity and enhance the quality of life for residents.

Cape Town has made history by successfully initiating the first ever wheeling of clean, green energy via its energy grid. This groundbreaking development was led by Growthpoint Properties, in collaboration with licensed electricity trader Etana Energy. ## Wheeling: A Transformative Process

The City of Cape Town is encouraging its residents to participate in the global action against littering and illegal dumping on World Cleanup Day, which takes place on September 16. This event coincides with the City’s annual cleanup campaign, #SpringCleanCT, providing an excellent opportunity for communities to make a significant difference in their environment.

On September 13, 2023, the City of Philippi’s electricity personnel, contractors, and law enforcement agencies joined forces to tackle the issue of illegal electricity connections in the area. Despite facing violent resistance from a small group of residents, the teams succeeded in disconnecting these unlawful connections.

The Western Cape Government (WCG) was recently recognized as a Top Employer in South Africa for 2023. This achievement is a testament to the hard work of the 80,000 government employees who continuously serve the residents of Western Cape. ### Acknowledging Dedication

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has announced the completion of phase one of the Silvermine Wetland dredging initiative. This project aims to enhance the lives of residents and wildlife by improving inland water quality, an essential aspect of the City’s ongoing environmental programs.

The Human Settlements Roadshow represents the City of Cape Town’s latest initiative to address the pressing need for affordable housing and to build trust with communities across the metro area. By bringing essential services and engaging directly with residents, the roadshow is making a tangible difference to the lives of Capetonians.

The Urban Mobility Directorate in Cape Town has impressed the city’s Portfolio Committee on Urban Mobility with its exceptional performance in MyCiTi bus service ridership numbers during the postCovid recovery phase. The past financial year has seen a significant increase in public transportation usage, reflecting a renewed confidence in the system and a growing trend towards sustainable urban mobility.

The City of Cape Town’s Public Participation Unit has officially launched the commenting process for the proposal to rename the historic Old Granary building to ‘Desmond and Leah Tutu House.’ The Naming Committee endorsed the initiative during a meeting on 28 August 2023, and City Mayor Geordin HillLewis subsequently approved the commencement of the participation process. Built between 1808 and 1813, the Old Granary building, located at 11 Buitenkant Street in Zonnebloem, has served various purposes throughout its 200year history.

In a world that is increasingly interconnected through digital means, a new and appealing magazine named This Is Cape Town has emerged to showcase the vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa, and its many wonders. The Place Marketing Department within the Economic Growth Directorate conceived this biannual publication with the aim of inspiring readers with authentic, unique, and valuable stories about the people, places, and products that make Cape Town an extraordinary place.