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Cape Town News
Attention South Africans! The Electoral Commission has announced that voter registration for upcoming Municipal Ward Byelections in numerous wards will take place on 45 November 2023. Eligible voters must present a valid identity document and can register, verify registration details, and update their address information if needed. Special voting procedures will be available for those who cannot vote on 13 December 2023, and it is crucial for citizens to participate in the democratic process and influence decisions at the local level.
Cape Town will see a significant decrease in human settlements grants, losing over R107 million in the 2023/24 financial year, resulting in R37 million being eliminated from the Informal Settlement Upgrading Partnership Grant and R70 million from the Urban Settlements Development Grant. The cuts will impact vulnerable members of society who depend on grant funding for vital services and aid. The city is now emphasizing privatesector housing delivery and giving priority to the rapid release of land for affordable housing.
NatJOINTS, a collaboration of multiple government departments, has executed a detailed safety and security operation plan with increased police presence, strict accreditation processes, and road closures around the Johannesburg Expo Centre, where the 20th AGOA Forum was held. The comprehensive security measures exemplify NatJOINTS’ dedication to ensuring a safe environment for all attendees, showcasing their expertise in safeguarding highprofile events.
Cape Town is facing a housing crisis due to budget cuts of over R107m, with significant reductions in funding for informal settlement upgrading and urban settlements development. The city is shifting its focus to private sector housing delivery and advocating for a higher share of funding to support its growing population. Despite financial obstacles, Cape Town remains committed to its vision of being a progressive, propoor, and progrowth city.
Hiring a professional bartender is essential to creating a desirable atmosphere and driving sales. A skilled bartender ensures quality service, customer satisfaction, and helps your establishment comply with alcohol regulations. Look for essential skills and character traits when hiring a bartender, and be wary of red flags and legal considerations. Attracting top talent involves posting job openings on platforms like Indeed, and a wellcrafted job description is crucial. Once hired, continue to train and motivate your bartender to foster a positive work environment and contribute to your establishment’s success.
Cape Town recently celebrated 17 businesses and organizations for their exceptional efforts in responsible water management. These entities were recognized for their adherence to the City’s Water bylaws and their advocacy for water conservation and prevention of water pollution. The recipients included Finlar Fine Foods, Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, and the University of Stellenbosch’s Tygerberg Campus, who all received the highest fivestar rating for implementing exceptional watersaving solutions. The Water Star Rating Certification system encourages organizations to make sustainable changes towards achieving a watersensitive urban living.
Cape Town has introduced new regulations to reduce organic waste production by businesses, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2022 and 100% by 2027. The city is emphasizing the importance of minimizing organic waste, which generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Noncompliance with the waste management regulations can result in steep fines, with penalties ranging from R2,000 to R2,500. To facilitate compliance, the City of Cape Town is offering online waste management plan submissions.
Minister Enoch Godongwana’s MediumTerm Budget Policy Statement outlines South Africa’s plans to stabilize public finances, accelerate growthpromoting reforms, and restructure the state while delivering highquality public services. The economic and fiscal context of South Africa is discussed, including rising debt levels, combating crime and corruption, and infrastructure investment and growth. The government aims to invest in infrastructure, implement growthenhancing reforms, and address challenges to promote economic growth and social development for all citizens.
Blaauwberg Nature Reserve, located in Cape Town, South Africa, has been awarded Green Flag status by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA). This recognition highlights the efforts of the City of Cape Town and its partners to protect the reserve’s unique flora and fauna. The sevenkilometer coastline of the reserve is home to over 200 plant species and offers ecofriendly tourism opportunities, including a wellmaintained hiking trail. By involving local communities and adhering to rigorous Green Coast criteria, Blaauwberg Nature Reserve sets an example for coastal conservation and sustainable tourism.
The K9 units in Western Cape have collaborated with other law enforcement organizations to make arrests and seize drugs and stolen items. Mossel Bay’s K9 unit has already shown its effectiveness in arresting individuals for drug possession, while Swartland’s K9 unit arrested individuals for trading in liquor without a permit, drug dealing, and possession. The Overstrand K9 unit made significant arrests and confiscated drugs and stolen items. The collaboration between citizens and law enforcement agencies is crucial for maintaining safety and security in any community.
The Springboks’ victory in rugby represents unity and reconciliation in South Africa, and serves as a reminder of the power of sports in bringing people together. The government recognizes the importance of sports development at the grassroots level, and the Springboks’ triumph has inspired a new generation of rugby enthusiasts. The team’s success also symbolizes social cohesion and national pride, offering valuable lessons in leadership and decisionmaking for scholars and business leaders alike. The Springboks’ achievements serve as a source of inspiration for future generations, fostering a sense of unity and belonging among all South Africans.
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi accepted and respected the Constitutional Court’s ruling on a personal cost order and acknowledged his responsibility for the Department of Home Affairs’ actions. He plans to take corrective action against all officials involved in the case and endorsed the court’s findings regarding former legal representatives. The Minister also prepared the immigration amendment Bill, addressing section 34 amendments, to ensure better compliance with court orders and prevent similar situations from arising in the future.
The Eastern Cape is empowering young farmers like Sihle Maseko by providing them with the necessary resources to succeed. MEC Nonkqubela Pieters is providing Maseko with a tractor to expand his business, which has already generated employment opportunities and expanded market reach. Maseko’s success story serves as an inspiration for the next generation of farmers and highlights the importance of education, hard work, and perseverance in the agricultural sector. The support of government initiatives and organizations like DRDAR and MEC Nonkqubela Pieters is crucial for the development and prosperity of South Africa’s agricultural resources.
There has been a disturbing surge in attacks on emergency and enforcement personnel, endangering the essential services they provide to communities. The consequences on service provision and public safety cannot be underestimated. The Safety and Security Directorate is implementing body cameras and dashboardmounted devices to identify and prosecute culprits, and it is crucial to support and value the endeavors of our uniformed personnel and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has denied allegations of delayed payments to eligible students and disbursing funds to “ghost students”. The organization insists that allowances for all eligible beneficiaries have been dispensed on time, but extra security measures have been implemented to protect against fraudsters, causing a onetime delay in fund disbursements to universities. NSFAS has also adopted measures to streamline disbursement processes and enhance fund transfer efficiency, aimed at reducing delays and facilitating faster access to funds for students. The organization has dismissed baseless allegations made by former CEO Andile Nongogo and remains committed to assisting students in need.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Pinky Kekana, visited the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality to evaluate economic and service delivery initiatives. The visit included meetings with influential individuals, such as MEC Ketso Makume and Executive Mayor Cllr Gregory Nthathisi, to discuss progress on addressing past challenges and creating an enabling environment for growth and development. The DPME has already offered support through frontline monitoring reports and interventions, and Deputy Minister Kekana emphasized the importance of a united approach to overcome remaining hurdles and restore the municipality’s former standing.
