With World Drowning Prevention Day fast approaching, the City of Cape Town is committed to raising public awareness and emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts to prevent drowning incidents in and around water bodies. The Recreation and Parks Department is leading the charge with yearround drowning prevention awareness programs, spearheaded by Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) recently executed a successful intelligencedriven operation in the Western Cape that led to the arrest of two foreign nationals and the confiscation of drugs worth approximately R4.5 million. The individuals are now facing charges of dealing in drugs.

Cape Town has witnessed an important event this past weekend as the Junior City Council (JCC) elected new Executive Committee Members for the 2023 term. This article will cover the JCC’s role in the community, the electoral process, and the newly elected Executive Committee.

The Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has issued a stern warning to residents against engaging in vigilantism. The Committee’s call comes in response to the incident in which five men were set on fire by the community of Setjwetla Section in Alexandra for allegedly possessing illegal firearms and harassing residents. In the wake of this incident, the Committee has urged residents to trust and cooperate with law enforcement agencies instead of taking the law into their own hands.

South Africa’s democracy celebrated a momentous occasion when President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill into law. The event recognized South African Sign Language as the nation’s 12th official language, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of the rights and social inclusion of the deaf community.

In any city, the public transport system plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and efficient movement of people to various destinations. However, recent reports show that the impoundment of public transport vehicles has significantly increased, indicating a concerning trend of reckless behavior among operators.

Cape Town is wellknown for its picturesque beaches and the iconic Table Mountain. However, beneath the surface lies an ongoing battle against unusual sewer blockages. Over the past year, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate spent nearly R417 million addressing this issue. The culprits of these blockages are not the average waste materials one might expect. Tyres, rags, clothes, kitchen cutlery, TVs, and even car parts have been extracted from the city’s sewer pipes.

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has successfully replaced 55,163 meters of sewer pipes and 50,170 meters of water pipes across the city in the period from July 2022 to June 2023. This impressive project cost R307.6 million for the sewer pipes and R140.4 million for the water pipes. The city’s annual water and sewer pipe replacement programs and individual capital projects demonstrate their ongoing commitment to improving infrastructure throughout the city.

The City’s Environmental Management Department is committed to bridging the gap between city life and nature through the [Experiential Education Garden](https://capetown.today/floridagatorsandradyouthcentrecollaboratetocreateselfsustainingvegetablegarden) (EEG) at Green Point Park. In December 2020, the EEG project began, spearheaded by the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews. The project’s success has paved the way for the construction of the domeshaped classroom.

The South African government is taking action to address the delays and obstacles encountered in several construction and infrastructure projects in Limpopo Province. Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, recently met with the MEC for Transport and Community Safety in Limpopo, Florence Radzilani, to lay out specific timelines and execution plans for the completion of these projects.

The City of Cape Town’s Library and Information Services welcomed 20 emerging leaders to the world of library leadership in honor of South African Librarians Day. These individuals participated in the Strengthening Innovative Library Leaders (SILL) training program, designed to empower library professionals to make a difference in their communities.

In the North West province of South Africa, Acting Premier Nono Maloyi has taken an assertive stand to eradicate mud houses. The goal is to restore the dignity of countless residents living in such conditions. Mud houses pose significant risks, as they can collapse, causing injury or even death, particularly during heavy rain. Therefore, Acting Premier Maloyi has instructed his team to treat this issue with urgency, emphasizing the restoration of dignity for the people.