On August 31, 2023, the Community Safety and Education portfolio committees of the Gauteng Legislature will jointly host a session to discuss interventions aimed at restoring safety for learners in schools. This collaborative effort is a response to the growing concern regarding the high levels of crime and violence experienced by learners in schools across the province.

Communities worldwide need accessible healthcare facilities more than ever due to the numerous health challenges. The Phola Clinic in Emalahleni Local Municipality, Mpumalanga, was inaugurated on August 31, 2023, officially handed over by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe. Seriti Coal and Khutala Colliery collaborated to establish this health facility as part of their Social and Labour Plan project.

As the 2023 Employment Equity reporting season begins, employers are advised to adhere to the existing legislation despite the recent amendments to the Employment Equity Act (EEA) signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 6 April 2023. The amended act has yet to come into effect, and employers are expected to report based on their 2023 obligations using the current legislation.

Cooperatives are powerful tools for economic and social empowerment, yet their potential in South Africa has yet to be fully realized. To address this, the Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Dipuo Peters, held a CoOperatives Policy Dialogue to examine the progress made in implementing the last 10year Integrated Strategy for the Development and Promotion of Cooperatives and to strategize for the future.

South Africa is currently facing a critical problem with genderbased violence (GBV). Unfortunately, a woman is raped every three hours, and the country has been labeled the rape capital of the world. The first quarter of 2022 saw 10,818 rape cases reported in the country. The lifetime risk of experiencing GBV in South African women is 45.6%, which is higher than the global average of 35% (WHO, 2013). The prevalence of sexual GBV and intimate partner violence is high, particularly among young women aged 1625 years (UNICEF). The rate of women killed by intimate partners in South Africa is five times higher than the global average.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently attended the Presidential Young Men and Boys Indaba, which aimed to address the pressing issues faced by young males in South Africa, including their role in tackling violence against women and girls. The event was held at the bustling Maponya Mall in Soweto and was attended by aspiring leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and tech gurus from different regions of South Africa.

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, is enthusiastic about the progress made so far in the Sedibeng Sewer Scheme Project and Vaal River System Interventions. This progress is due to the Emfuleni Section 63 intervention projects. On August 29, 2023, Mchunu conducted an oversight visit in the Vaal region to assess the upgrades and refurbishments of critical bulk pipelines and pump stations in the regional networks.

The South African Employment and Labour Ministry, led by Thulas Nxesi and Boitumelo Moloi, is gearing up to address the Chatsworth community and surrounding areas during a roadshow session on Thursday, 31 August 2023. The primary focus of this session will be on the updated Employment Equity Act (EEA), workplace equity, affirmative action, and related topics.

On August 29, 2023, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa held a critical meeting with the chairpersons and chief executives of strategic stateowned enterprises (SOEs) at the Union Buildings. The meeting aimed to discuss measures to stabilize the financial and operational performance of SOEs and unlock their full economic potential.

On August 31, 2023, the BroadBased Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Commission and the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) collaborated to host a hybrid roundtable discussion titled “Mainstreaming Women’s Economic Empowerment through BBBEE.” The event was part of the Women’s Month Campaign, which aimed to bring together women leaders from various sectors to discuss policies and practices for promoting women’s economic empowerment in South Africa.

On August 29, 2023, a joint operation conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS), Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), and private security officers resulted in the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of stolen goods in Gauteng. The operation was a remarkable display of diligence and collaboration among the law enforcement agencies.

South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, has recently introduced the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Amendment Bill in parliament. This significant move follows the approval of the bill by the cabinet on 14 August 2023, with adjustments made for future ad hoc investigative directorates. The purpose of this amendment is to strengthen South Africa’s anticorruption law enforcement strategy, particularly in response to the recommendations made by the State Capture Commission.

South Africa is a country rich in diversity and cultural experiences that has seen a steady increase in tourism over the years. To ensure the safety of tourists, the government and private sector have collaborated to establish the National Tourism Safety Forum. This forum includes members from various tourism sector bodies, the Department of Tourism, the South African Police, the National Prosecuting Authority, and the Department of Transport.

Plettenberg Bay, a picturesque coastal town, is undergoing a significant transformation with the implementation of several infrastructure projects. On August 28th, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, MEC of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers, Executive Mayor Dave Swart, and Ward Councillor Claude Terblanche gathered to commemorate the groundbreaking Ebenhaeser housing project’s progress.

In recent weeks, fraudulent health officials have been targeting unsuspecting business owners in an attempt to defraud them. While these tactics are not new, a lack of awareness can lead to significant financial losses. Therefore, the City urges everyone, particularly business owners, to take precautions against these scammers.

Cape Town has announced an extension of the deadline for pensioner support applications from 31 August 2023 to 30 November 2023. The extension aims to provide ample time for pensioners aged 60 and above, as well as individuals receiving social grants or a pension of no more than R22,000 per month, to seek assistance from the City.