The picturesque landscapes of Limpopo province in South Africa became the backdrop for a tragic event on September 17, 2023. A severe collision on D2692 Venetia Road, situated between Musina and De Beers mine, resulted in 22 fatalities and four injuries. Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga expressed profound grief and sadness over the devastating loss of lives, offering her sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.

The North West Province in South Africa is on the brink of an extraordinary transformation as various local businesses, multinational organizations, and government entities pledge over 100 billion worth of investments. This comes after the recent Premier’s Dinner with investors, held at the Sun City Superbowl, which aimed to accelerate the coordination of investments in the region. Acting Premier Nono Maloyi, along with Members of the Executive Council, Executive Mayors, senior government managers, and StateOwned Enterprises representatives, led the charge.

In an effort to serve justice to the victims of a horrifying crime, the Gauteng Serious and Violent Crimes Unit has made a public appeal for help in locating two men believed to be linked to a recent business robbery and murder in the Orlando police precinct. Through an official statement from the South African Police Service (SAPS), the unit has requested the community’s support in providing any information that could lead to the successful location of these individuals, as they possess crucial information that could greatly contribute to the ongoing investigation.

During the recent HighLevel Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (PMNCH) event at the UN General Assembly in New York, President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of safeguarding the wellbeing of women, children, and adolescents worldwide. The PMNCH gathering marked a pivotal moment in the journey towards providing a healthier future for these susceptible groups.

As the fourthlargest province in South Africa, Western Cape is gearing up for its annual budget cycle. The Provincial Economic Review and Outlook (PERO) will be presented by Mireille Wenger, Western Cape’s MEC of Finance and Economic Opportunities, at the Provincial Parliament on 21st September 2023. This critical report includes data trends and analysis on sectoral development, labor markets, and socioeconomic dynamics, paving the way for budgetary decisions and policy responses to be unveiled later this year in the MediumTerm Budget Policy Statement.

The Goodwood social housing megaproject is on the verge of completion, heralding a new era of affordable rental opportunities for over 1,000 families in Cape Town. This monumental project, set to begin tenanting in November 2023, is a shining example of the power of collaboration between different stakeholders to foster urban transformation and social integration.

City enforcement agencies have recently had a challenging week as they face a 41% increase in assault cases. Although the overall number of arrests has fallen during this time, the significant rise in violence has prompted the city’s Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) and the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security to confront these growing issues.

Cape Town, a flourishing city adorned with stunning mountain and sea views, is set to transform the spatial planning of its vibrant Central Business District (CBD). To promote the CBD’s ongoing economic success while making it more livable, inclusive, and resilient, the City of Cape Town intends to establish a local spatial development framework (LSDF).

In a groundbreaking effort to enhance the connection between the City of Cape Town and the communities it serves, the local government has introduced its Mobile Office initiative. This program is designed to bring municipal services closer to the residents of Wolwerivier, Nomzamo, Macassar, Lotus River, and Blackheath by establishing temporary offices in various community halls and municipal buildings. In addition to providing access to the City’s Basket of Services and engaging with Human Settlements staff, the initiative encourages residents to take advantage of these offerings.

The trial of seven Chinese nationals charged with human trafficking and child labour has been delayed until Thursday, 21 September. This postponement allows the defendants time to secure funds for their legal representation. J. Kruger, the counsel for the accused, announced his intention to withdraw from the case due to nonpayment by the main accused.

The recently restructured UmngeniUthukela Water Board has introduced its new members following the Cabinet’s approval on September 13, 2023. Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu, accompanied by Deputy Minister Judith Tshabalala, met with the 12 newlyappointed board members in KwaZulu Natal to discuss their mandate. The board is composed of experts in Science, Engineering, Law, Accounting, and Finance, and is led by Advocate Vusi Khuzwayo as Chairperson and Ms. Noluthando Mkhize as Deputy Chairperson.

In this age of rapid technological progress and worldwide development hurdles, the significance of science, technology, and innovation (STI) is of utmost importance. The recent General Debate at the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the G77 + China emphasized the crucial role of STI in tackling present and future barriers. On September 16, 2023, Dr. Naledi Pandor, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, led the discussion on “Current Development Challenges: The Role of Science, Technology, and Innovation.”

In a crucial move to enhance South Africa’s housing landscape, the Human Settlements Sector has given the green light to the Updated Accreditation Framework for Municipalities to Administer National Housing Programmes (2023). This groundbreaking initiative ensures that municipalities gain the needed expertise to handle the assigned tasks without negatively impacting their delivery capabilities in the short term. The framework received considerable backing and was officially authorized on September 15, 2023, during a meeting attended by Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete, and provincial MECs of Human Settlements (MINMEC).

South Africa recently welcomed H.E. Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in a significant event that marked 30 years of formal diplomatic ties between both nations. The visit emphasized their joint dedication to enriching political and economic relations and boosting regional and multilateral collaboration.