South Africa is taking a bold step towards improving its border management system. The Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, has issued a Request for Proposal to redesign and redevelop six of the country’s busiest land ports of entry. The project will significantly enhance trade, security, and efficiency at these critical economic gateways.

The City of Cape Town recently announced plans to host a public information day on September 13th, 2023, to discuss the upcoming MyCiTi bus service expansion in Mitchells Plain. The event aims to inform residents and interested parties about the construction and its benefits for the community.

The City of Cape Town’s annual beach lowering program is set to begin on September 6th at Fish Hoek beach, followed by Muizenberg, Gordon’s Bay, and Bikini Beach. This essential project is aimed at mitigating the effects of windblown sand and maintaining ecological stability in altered coastal systems.

The University of KwaZuluNatal (UKZN) has taken a bold step in addressing the deeprooted issue of genderbased violence and gender inequality within educational institutions by introducing a compulsory module on these topics as part of its academic curriculum. The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) views this initiative as a progressive step and commends UKZN for its proactive approach.

The longawaited 2023 Public Economics Conference in South Africa gathered professionals, academia, and government officials to exchange ideas and find effective solutions to tackle the country’s pressing unemployment issue. Minister Enoch Godongwana, a passionate advocate for the nation’s wellbeing, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the need to address the soaring unemployment rates in the country.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), along with the National Empowerment Fund and Industrial Development Corporation, recently unveiled their revamped film and television incentive guidelines. The launch of these guidelines aims to foster a positive environment of engagement and accessibility, promising a sustainable future for film and television production in South Africa.

On September 7th, 2023, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, will hand over a fullyfurnished house to Mme Maria Motale in Ntswelengwe Village, Kuruman. The house was constructed using offender labor, an innovative approach that provides skill development for inmates and empowers communities.

The Dube Tradeport Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Durban, South Africa, is a sign of economic growth and development. Its strategic location near Durban’s King Shaka International Airport makes it an ideal location for businesses to capitalize on access to global markets.

An InterMinisterial Committee (IMC) has taken on the responsibility of investigating politically motivated killings in KwaZuluNatal. The IMC, composed of ministers from various sectors, is chaired by the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele. Their efforts aim to bring justice to those affected by the violence and ensure a safer environment in the province.

Paarl, located in South Africa’s Western Cape, regularly experiences power cuts. The nation’s stage 6 loadshedding poses a challenge for communities to maintain essential services. To address this issue, the Western Cape Government (WCG) allocated nearly R89 million in early 2023 for municipalities to purchase generators. The Drakenstein Municipality used this funding to purchase two generators, which were installed at the Paarl Wastewater Treatment Works to ensure that water and sanitation services could continue during power cuts.

The Milnerton Lagoon, situated in Cape Town, has suffered from poor water quality due to urban pollution for many years. However, the City of Cape Town has taken significant steps towards restoring this valuable natural resource. The City has implemented shortterm solutions that have had a considerable impact on the water quality of the lagoon. Nevertheless, the City’s longterm vision involves multibillion rand sewerage and stormwater infrastructure upgrades and ontheground pollution mitigation measures to restore the lagoon’s environment.

The Western Cape Government has been actively working to coordinate and plan projects aimed at mitigating the extensive effects of climate change. Recently, a formal task team led by Minister Bredell, Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, and supported by Minister Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, convened to discuss progress on multiple climate change initiatives.