Water and Sanitation Regulations: Transforming Water Use Licensing in South Africa

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) of South Africa has recently revised the regulations for water use license applications to ensure equitable allocation of water resources and streamline the licensing process. The revised regulations were published on May 19, 2023, in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to reduce the processing time from 300 days to only 90 days.

Honoring the Legacy of Councillor Fikile Alfred Jakeni

The North West Provincial Legislature extends its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Councillor Fikile Alfred Jakeni, who passed away on June 1, 2023, after a short illness. Honorable Basetsana R. S. Dantjie, the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, conveyed her sympathies on behalf of the Provincial Speaker’s Forum.

Addressing the Castle of Good Hope Occupation: City’s Efforts and Collaboration with the National Government

The Castle of Good Hope, one of Cape Town’s oldest buildings and a Grade 1 National Monument, faces a contentious issue as the grounds surrounding the iconic structure have been unlawfully occupied for over two years. This occupation not only impacts the castle’s status as a top tourist destination but also poses safety hazards for the occupants themselves.

Diversifying Water Resources: A Critical Measure for Future Water Security

As the global population continues to grow and climate change impacts become increasingly apparent, water security has emerged as a pressing issue. Cape Town, in particular, has experienced fluctuations in rainfall patterns, with dams recording 19% lower levels than the previous year. This has raised concerns about the persistence of drought conditions in the longterm.

Motorists Who Ignore the Law Face Severe Consequences

Main Road in St. James, Cape Town, was the site of an arrest on 2 June 2023, when a motorist with 169 double warrants totalling almost R160,000 was apprehended. The individual was the third on the Traffic Service Top 100 list of motorists with outstanding warrants, and one of 251 arrests made by the City’s enforcement services for the week.

The Greater Cape Town Water Fund’s Fight Against Invasive Alien Plants

Invasive alien plants, such as pines, gums, and wattles, are a significant threat to Cape Town’s water supply. Studies indicate that around 55 billion litres of water are lost annually due to these invasive species in the city’s dam catchments. To address this issue, the Greater Cape Town Water Fund was established, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to remove invasive alien plants from the city’s water catchment areas.

Woolworths: Controversy Over Pride Month Campaign

South African retailer Woolworths’ Pride Month campaign has sparked mixed reactions on Twitter. While some users applauded the company’s initiative, others criticized it for being “woke” and warned of possible financial consequences, citing similar incidents with DisChem and Target. Despite the backlash, the campaign has also garnered significant support from social media users.

Collaborative Efforts to Enhance Rural Safety

The Western Cape InterMinisterial Committee (IMC) on Rural Safety held a meeting on June 2, 2023, at Elsenburg, Stellenbosch, to emphasize the importance of partnership and collaboration in ensuring rural safety. Chaired by Dr. Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, and Reagen Allen, Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, the meeting focused on the collaborative efforts between the South African Police Services (SAPS), Western Cape Government (WCG), and community structures in advancing rural safety.

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