South African Premier Alan Winde recently visited Paarl, a city in the Western Cape province, to assess the measures in place to protect essential services during power outages. Through collaboration between the Western Cape Government and local authorities, key areas, including the Paarl Wastewater Treatment Works, have been fitted with generators to ensure the continuation of essential services during power cuts.

On September 1, 2023, South Africa’s Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, announced that Advocate Pieter Smit will assume the role of Acting Director of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC). This appointment will be in effect for six months, ending on February 29, 2024, or until a new Director is appointed.

In celebration of Public Service Month, the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure is expanding its public services to assist residents with a range of housing inquiries. This annual celebration highlights the importance of public service and the commitment of officials to serve the residents of Western Cape.

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) Commission, led by Professor Adriaan van der Walt, is calling on stakeholders to submit written representations on possible adjustments to the NMW in 2024. This call for inputs is a crucial step in the commission’s review process, allowing for a broad range of perspectives to be considered.

Rand Water Completes Phase 1 of Flagship Project Rand Water, the largest water utility on the African continent, has completed Phase 1 of its flagship project the Station 5A filtration plant. The plant, situated at the Zuikerbotch Water Treatment Works, will produce 150 megalitres per day of potable water. The completion of Phase 1 ensures water security for the Gauteng province and extends to parts of Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West provinces.

On September 3rd, a highlevel roundtable discussion was initiated by Alderman James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, and Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism. The event focused on “Women in Business” and brought together corporate leaders and emerging entrepreneurial stars from various sectors like boatbuilding, clothing and textiles, tourism, technology, and call centers.

Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has arrived in Nairobi, Kenya to attend the firstever Africa Climate Summit (ACS) from September 4 to 6, 2023. The summit, under the theme “Green Growth and Climate Finance for Africa and the World,” is hosted by the Kenyan government and headed by the African Union’s (AU) Committee of African Heads of States on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), led by Kenya.

In the midst of South Africa’s energy crisis, the Steenbras Pumped Storage Station stands as a crucial facility in Cape Town. Often referred to as the city’s “battery,” it showcases innovation and foresight, protecting the city from power cuts. Premier Alan Winde and Mayor Alderman Geordin HillLewis recently visited the facility during the 23rd Energy Digicon, commending the team behind its upkeep and success.

The Office of the Ombudsman in the City of Cape Town has launched a series of outreach events to increase awareness and provide assistance to those who need help with municipalrelated complaints. These events aim to promote the services offered by the Ombudsman, attract more visitors, and clarify their mandate. The first information session will be held on September 5, 2023, at the Kuils River Walkin Centre.

On September 4, 2023, the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms. Makhotso Sotyu, presented her keynote address at the 17th Air Quality Governance Lekgotla in Polokwane, Limpopo. The conference, which lasted for several days, centered on the theme of “Scalable Emission Reduction by 2030” and aimed to shape the future of air quality management and regulation in South Africa.

On September 4th, 2023, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, the National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), held a media briefing at the GCIS Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre in Hatfield, Pretoria. The purpose of the briefing was to outline the significant accomplishments made by the DPCI in the first quarter of the financial year 2023/2024.