The Electoral Commission of South Africa has recently responded to concerns raised by the Good Party regarding the registration of voters in the George Municipality. These concerns were related to a series of byelections held on 20th July 2023 in which the Good Party lodged an unsuccessful application to postpone the election.

South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, recently announced the inauguration of an innovative higher education program aimed at endowing students with valuable skills and knowledge. The Higher Health Civic Education and Health Skills Programme is a groundbreaking cocurriculum that has attained nationwide recognition, making it the first of its kind in South Africa and Africa as a whole.

Overcome Heights has been selected as the location for a pilot project to address the growing hazard of fires in informal settlements. The City and Mandoval Vermiculite Pty Ltd are working together to treat at least 300 structures with a fire retardant substance over the next six months. The aim of this ambitious initiative is to minimize the risk of injury, death, and damage to infrastructure, property, and the environment.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile attended the launch of the South Africa National Human Development Report 2022, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on July 25th, 2023 in Pretoria, Gauteng Province. The event was held to address the critical challenge of youth unemployment in South Africa, which affects the country’s economy, social cohesion, and public resources.

The recent decision by South Africa’s Constitutional Court on the suspension of Public Protector Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane has recognized and commended President Cyril Ramaphosa’s adherence to due process and fairness. This landmark decision has sparked conversations and debates among the public and observers regarding the political landscape in the country.

Small businesses face numerous challenges in today’s world, but Cape Town’s Smart Supplier Programme provides a beacon of hope. The programme aims to nurture small businesses and contribute to the city’s economic growth. The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, recently joined small business leaders to celebrate their participation in the seventh edition of the programme, a collaboration between the City and Smart Procurement World.

Fraud and corruption have long been major issues in South Africa that have hindered the government’s ability to provide quality services to its citizens. In response to the growing need for protection of whistleblowers, the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) collaborated to host a symposium on July 21, 2023.

Amid reports of irregularities in the awarding of a tender to Ndhuna Civils, MEC Gaoage Oageng Molapisi has directed an internal investigation to be conducted urgently. As the MEC for Public Works and Roads, Molapisi expressed his concern regarding allegations and the Department’s admission that the contractor has underperformed on previous projects due to poor workmanship.

The issue of river pollution caused by municipal wastewater treatment plants is a pressing concern in South Africa. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has recognized the urgency of addressing this issue and has launched several initiatives to mitigate the problem.

The City of Cape Town is making great strides towards achieving its goal of providing electricity to informal settlements. Recently, 43 households in the Skeem Saam informal settlement in Lotus River were electrified, marking an important milestone in the City’s efforts.

Minister Sihle Zikalala, the head of South Africa’s Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, held a productive meeting with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to discuss critical issues facing the construction sector. ### Restoring Infrastructure in Johannesburg

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime team has taken a significant step in disrupting the infiltration of illegal drugs into South Africa. The team executed a multidisciplinary operation in Mpumalanga on Sunday, 16 July 2023, which led to the arrest of a 49yearold foreign national and the seizure of 250 kilograms of heroin.

On July 19, 2023, Minister of Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi delivered a powerful speech at the Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference in Sandton. She spoke about the challenges facing South Africa’s economy and the need to reduce inequality in the country.

The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has announced essential maintenance work to take place from the 13th to the 15th of July. The work aims to enhance the city’s water supply infrastructure for the benefit of its residents. While the planned work may cause some disruptions in water services, the City expresses regret for any inconvenience caused.