In the suburb of Cape Town, South Africa, known as Mitchells Plain, vandalism and theft have become a persistent issue, leading to an increase in streetlight service requests. This has put a severe strain on the city’s resources, with the majority of faults attributed to vandalism and theft, and over 1,600 streetlight repairs attended to by the City of Cape Town’s electricity teams in the area over a fourmonth period.

On September 6, 2023, the Western Cape Cabinet held a meeting led by Premier Alan Winde to discuss pressing issues such as the upcoming Provincial Economic Review and Outlook (PERO) report. This annual research publication by the provincial treasury is critical as it sheds light on the province’s economic, governance, and social context.

On September 8, 2023, South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr. Senzo Mchunu, conducted an inspection of the ongoing refurbishment and upgrading of the Mtubatuba Water Supply Schemes in KwaMsane township, KwaZulu Natal. This intervention addresses the water challenges experienced by the district municipality in uMkhanyakude.

On September 7, 2023, the vibrant community of Nyanga in Cape Town, South Africa, hosted the City’s Human Settlements Roadshow. The event brought together local residents, Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements Councillor Carl Pophaim and Human Settlements Directorate senior officials to tackle various human settlementsrelated concerns.

The ongoing issue of skills shortages in South Africa has become a growing concern for businesses in the region. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is taking steps to address this issue by launching a survey to identify highdemand occupations, occupational shortages, and skills gaps at national and provincial levels.

The KwaZuluNatal Women Economic Assembly (WECONA) is making a significant impact on the economic landscape of South Africa by empowering womenowned, managed, and led businesses and enterprises. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, and Bongi SitholeMoloi, MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, are leading the provincial rollout of WECONA.

On September 8, 2023, Hon. Basetsana S.R Dantjie, the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, will host a Provincial Speakers’ Forum in the Madibeng Local Municipality Chamber. This gathering aims to promote voter education, registration, and campaigns for various municipalities.

The Department of Transport, under the Maputo Corridor Development initiative, recently completed a significant project: the N4 Montrose Road Infrastructure Investment Interchange. This multimillion rand project was made possible through collaboration between South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) and Trans African Concessions (TRAC). The official opening was attended by various dignitaries, including Mpumalanga Premier, Honourable Refilwe MtsweniTsipane, provincial leadership, the SANRAL Board of Directors, CEOs of Transport Department road entities, TRAC CEO, traditional leadership, and community members of the Mpumalanga province.

Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Home Affairs, is scheduled to visit Blouberg Municipality in South Africa on September 8, 2023. The primary purpose of this visit is to engage with key stakeholders and discuss the Department’s services within the region. The goal is to enhance collaboration among local authorities and strengthen service delivery to improve the lives of Blouberg’s residents.

The recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) sheds light on the controversy surrounding the electrification of several villages in Limpopo Province. This decision marks a significant milestone in the fight against corruption and maladministration in South Africa.

South Africa’s tourism sector has emerged as a symbol of the nation’s resilience and adaptability. The theme of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) Leadership Conference, “Tourism: the engine of growth for South Africa,” perfectly captures the vitality of this industry in spurring economic growth and generating employment.

The City’s Safety and Security Portfolio Committee recently commended the outstanding enforcement performance achieved in the past financial year. The Directorate has achieved several predetermined goals, including proactive prevention patrols, technological investments, budget expenditure, and staff training and development programs.

In September 2023, the Cape Animal Welfare Forum (CAWF) launched the Mass Animal Sterilisation Project (MASP) in Macassar and Eerste River, a program that has been successful over the past decade with support from the City of Cape Town. The project has made a significant contribution to animal welfare and has resulted in healthier communities. Since 2013, a total of 14,842 animals have been sterilised, with a cost of over R6 million.