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Cape Town News
Triumph of Ownership: The City’s Door-to-Door Title Deed Initiative Celebrates a Centenarian Victory
The City of Cape Town is making a renewed effort to distribute title deeds to beneficiaries of older housing projects. The DoortoDoor Deed initiative involves title deed representatives conducting doortodoor visits to verify ownership details and collect necessary documents. This campaign is about more than just paperwork, it’s about delivering dreams of homeownership, belonging, and historical justice. The recent success of delivering a title deed to a 102yearold homeowner in Maitland represents a new phase in the City’s commitment to its people.
Resolving traffic fines in Cape Town is straightforward and can be done online, inperson at City offices, or selected stores. Thirdparty providers should be avoided as they can result in financial loss and unresolved fines. Opting for the City’s official channels guarantees safety and transparency, and those who contest fines can submit applications to the City’s traffic representation email. By paying fines responsibly, individuals can contribute to fostering a culture of responsible road usage in Cape Town.
Cape Town’s Waste Education Week, a joint effort by CPUT and GTP, aims to create a culture of treating waste as material to be sorted, recycled, and reduced. CPUT has introduced a threebin separation system across all its campuses to become Cape Town’s first zerowaste university. The initiative serves as a model for sustainable living, emphasizing the significance of partnership and collaboration in achieving sustainability goals. The effects of this initiative are anticipated to reach far beyond the boundaries of the CPUT campus, marking a substantial stride towards environmental stewardship.
Excitement is building in Cape Town as preparations for the inaugural sittings of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces are underway. The Parliament’s Secretary, Mr Xolile George, is meticulously organizing the event, with a media briefing scheduled for 13 June 2024 to offer an enhanced understanding of the preparation process. The Parliament’s dedication to transparency and inclusivity is evident, with the event being livestreamed and various communication channels established to answer any questions. The preparations offer a promising preview of the dedication, gravity, and professionalism with which the sessions will be engaged.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is making changes to the ecommerce landscape to promote fair competition. Two highprofile Far East businesses, Shein and Temu, have been leveraging the ecommerce atmosphere in South Africa, but SARS’s new policy will overhaul how Customs and Excise handle smallscale orders, which will dramatically influence the pricing structure of these digital storefronts. The change is a counteraction to charges from indigenous South African businesses who allege that Shein and Temu have been manipulating the former law to gain a pricing edge over local retailers.
Cape Town is supporting the growth of small and micro businesses with a unique event called the Supplier Matchup Session. This event, part of the Smart Supplier Programme, offers a platform for SMMEs to connect with industry leaders, network, and enhance market penetration. The city is committed to empowering budding entrepreneurs with the tools and support necessary for success, and this initiative continues to help Cape Town become a businessfriendly city. The event attracted 300 SMMEs and significant businesses from various sectors, and participants shared their success stories, highlighting the transformative potential of the programme.
The Jive Cape Town Funny Festival is celebrating its silver jubilee this year with a monthlong celebration of humor, showcasing both local and international comedic acts. The festival has consistently served as a beacon of hope and a haven of laughter, especially in challenging times. Its enduring legacy is founded not only on its starstudded rosters but also on its commitment to paving the way for emerging talents, making it much more than just a comedic event and a cornerstone of Cape Town’s vibrant cultural calendar.
South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) has assembled a team to lead the party through the uncharted waters of coalition negotiations following its historic election upset, which resulted in the weakest vote count for 30 years. The team is led by Fikile Mbalula and includes Gwede Mantashe, Nomvula Mokonyane, Maropane Ramokgopa, and Gwen Ramokgopa. The Democratic Alliance has also assembled a team led by Tony Leon and Helen Zille in preparations for the upcoming fiveyear tenure. The parties will need to engage in pragmatic and strategic negotiations to shape South Africa’s political future.
The BRICS Dialogue with Developing Countries is a global conference of emerging and developing countries Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa working towards a more inclusive and fair world order. The recent meeting in Russia saw the participation of global dignitaries and diplomats, emphasizing the bloc’s crucial role in reforming global governance for economic, political, and social collaboration. The conference addressed critical global challenges, advocated for accountability and reform, and called for unity to establish a stable multipolar world. At a time of uncertainty, the BRICS Dialogue offers hope for progress through collective action and multilateralism.
Nasreddine Nabi is the new head coach of South African football club Kaizer Chiefs. Nabi, from Tunisia, has a wealth of international coaching experience and is known for his entertaining and offensive football style. This appointment promises a new era for the club, with fans and players eagerly awaiting Nabi’s impact on their performance.
Alistair Stanbull, a staffer at the City of Cape Town’s Human Settlements Department, disappeared under mysterious circumstances on April 29. A month later, a decomposed body was discovered at the Silvermine Nature Reserve, and officials are conducting DNA assessments to confirm if it is Stanbull. Adding to the peculiarity of the case, Stanbull was involved in a fraud controversy allegedly involving roughly R2.5 million. The case has left the city engulfed in uncertainty as the truth remains concealed somewhere among the rugged footpaths of the reserve.
The Bokramspruit River in Cape Town is a vital part of the local water system and a model for river upkeep. The City has allocated over R890,000 for maintenance work, which provides jobs and promotes socioeconomic growth. By removing vegetation, silt, and litter, and with residents playing their part in keeping the river clean, the vibrancy of the Bokramspruit River can be safeguarded for continued benefits to the local population. The future of the river lies in the hands of both the city authorities and its residents.
Misha Abarder, an 11yearold girl, has shown incredible resilience and determination in pursuing her dreams of playing football. Despite facing discouragement and neglect from coaches and peers, she persevered and has been selected for the Western Province’s Schools Metro Central girls’ team. Her journey serves as a beacon of hope for other girls and is an embodiment of the shifting attitudes towards girls’ empowerment. Misha’s story ignites a spark of inspiration for every girl dreaming of success in a world that is gradually but steadily opening up to them.
Cape Town is facing a critical challenge of sewer blockages, with an alarming 2,799 blockages reported in a week, causing a massive problem for the city. The city’s maintenance teams work relentlessly to deblock sewers, but household waste items such as candy and chip wrappers, cooking oils, and fats often contribute to the problem. The city has implemented preventative measures, but citizens also have a crucial role to play in mitigating the problem by utilizing proper waste disposal and refraining from pouring cooking oils or fats down the sink.
STEM education is becoming increasingly important in modern times, with coding and robotics integrated into the curriculum from an early age. This trend is reflected in the youthled narratives occurring globally, as demonstrated by 15yearold Matt Greenwood, who won the prestigious FIRST® Tech Challenge international competition, showcasing the potential of STEM education in fostering crucial skills. Matt’s journey serves as a beacon of inspiration, emphasizing the transformative power of an education focused on STEM and painting a hopeful vision of the future.
The city’s traffic officers are determined to enforce traffic rules and regulations, detaining violators with unpaid warrants totaling over half a million rand in fines. Their relentless efforts have resulted in successful law enforcement and emphasize the importance of obeying traffic regulations. Despite challenges such as emergency incidents, the officers remain committed to upholding law and order, arresting offenders and impounding vehicles. These instances serve as a warning to those who evade legal responsibilities, as their actions will inevitably lead to confrontation with the uniform.
