In the ongoing war against crime, the impressive alliance of Mossel Bay, Overstrand, and Swartland K9 units, together with Rural Safety Units (RSUs) in the Overstrand and Swartland areas, have achieved remarkable progress. Collaborating with municipal law enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service (SAPS), these teams arrested 76 individuals from 5 September to 19 September. The arrests encompassed the Overstrand municipal area (43), the Mossel Bay region (17), and the Swartland region (16).
The City of Cape Town, in collaboration with the Water Research Commission (WRC), is leading the way in introducing climateresistant sanitation units. These units are versatile and can be used in a variety of settings, including disaster relief and marginalized communities that lack conventional infrastructure. They promise efficient water recycling and minimal energy consumption, making them a sustainable solution to sanitation challenges.
In the Cape Peninsula, a diverse group of organizations has formed the Baboon Management Joint Task Team (JTT) to address the future of the area’s Chacma baboon population. The JTT consists of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town. The team has been working on a Baboon Strategic Management Plan (BSMP) draft, which they aim to finalize by the end of September. This project has sparked considerable public interest, with over 800 comments submitted by concerned citizens.
The Emma Animal Rescue Society (TEARS) in Cape Town is calling on residents to become temporary foster volunteers for animals during times of crisis. This vital campaign aims to encourage people to offer emergency foster care during natural disasters or sociopolitical turmoil that may threaten the safety and welfare of animals under TEARS’ care.
In early August 2023, a distress call was received by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Mossel Bay, sparking a race against time to save those in peril. The tranquil Cape coastline was shattered by a series of events that would lead to a dramatic rescue mission.
Clint Abrahams, an architect, lecturer, and PhD candidate at the University of Cape Town (UCT), has received the prestigious 2022 Social Responsiveness Award for his work in the Bong’s Inn project. The award was established in 2009 to recognize work that contributes significantly to South Africa’s cultural, economic, political, scientific, and social domains.
Botshabelo, a vibrant community in the heart of the Free State Province, is set to host a community engagement event on June 23, organized by the Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Department of Small Business Development and the Free State Department of Economic Development, Small Business, Tourism, and Environment Affairs (DESTEA). The main objective of this gathering is to explore ways to upskill and empower the youth in the tourism sector.
In Botshabelo, located in the Free State Province of South Africa, the Department of Tourism, along with the Department of Small Business Development and the Free State Department of Economic Development, Small Business, Tourism and Environment Affairs, is organizing a community engagement event aimed at empowering the youth in the tourism sector.
In June each year, Mangaung, Free State Province, South Africa commemorates the 47th anniversary of the 1976 student uprising. This historical moment has inspired a new initiative to empower and uplift the youth of today through tourism. The Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Department of Small Business Development and the Free State Department of Economic Development, Small Business, Tourism, and Environment Affairs (DESTEA), has announced a community engagement event to discuss opportunities for upskilling and empowering the youth in the tourism sector.
On June 9, 2023, Minister Senzo Mchunu, accompanied by his deputies Ms. Judith Tshabalala and Mr. David Mahlobo, visited Lekwa Local Municipality to evaluate the progress of intervention projects dedicated to addressing water and sanitation challenges. The purpose of the visit was to assess the impact of last year’s allocation of R350 million to the municipality and to engage with community members to ensure transparency and accountability.
Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), Bernice Swarts, will spearhead a threeday Imbizo in Mpumalanga Province, addressing major challenges faced by communities in the Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande, and Nkangala districts. ### A Collaborative Effort to FastTrack Service Delivery
The Cape Town police executed a swift and decisive operation to prevent a planned robbery at a Langa supermarket. As a result, four suspects, aged between 30 and 36, were apprehended, and illegal weapons, ammunition, and potentially stolen items were confiscated. This successful operation highlights the crucial role of community vigilance and cooperation in ensuring public safety.
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms. Judith Tshabalala, and a team of bikers from the South African Female Riders Forum have joined forces to donate water to the people of Hammanskraal. The aim of the donation is to mitigate the effects of the cholera outbreak in the region, showcasing the power of community and government working together to alleviate public health crises.
On May 29, 2023, Cape Town’s Portfolio Committee Chairperson for Human Settlements, Councillor Albert Anda Ntsodo, visited the Tambo Square informal settlement in Gugulethu. The visit celebrated the installation of new street name signs that will impact the lives of residents in various ways.
The cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal has brought to light the ongoing water and sanitation crisis in South Africa. The lack of access to safe and reliable water and sanitation services has been a persistent issue in the country, affecting millions of people.
On 19th May, President Cyril Ramaphosa led the District Development Model Presidential Imbizo in the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Western Cape. The Imbizo aimed to promote collaboration and open communication between citizens, community organizations, businesses, and the government for inclusive economic growth.