South Africa’s Department of Transport has faced obstacles in securing service providers for the launch of the 2024 driver’s license cards, causing delays and frustration among citizens. The procurement process has been slow and lacking transparency, leading to public distrust. Despite reassurances from the Transport Minister, the project remains mired in controversy and technical intricacies. The department has received offers from five companies and has new printing machinery, but contradictory information and inconsistencies have left the public uncertain about when the cards will be available.
Cape Town’s Cultural Conflict: PRASA’s Relocation Plan Meets Resistance from Traditional Authorities
PRASA’s plan to relocate 900 households along a section of the railway line in Cape Town has met resistance from traditional authorities. The proposed relocation site near the Stock Road train station in Philippi East conflicts with traditional circumcision rituals that take place on the land during the months of June and December. The Somagwaza Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving traditional Xhosa culture, has taken a firm stance against the plan and is actively opposing it. The future of the Metrorail Central Line remains uncertain as the conflict continues.