South Africa Connect Phase 2 Project is a groundbreaking initiative to reduce the digital divide and provide comprehensive connectivity to all educational, health, and governmental facilities. The project aims to enhance the digital footprint of SMMEs and create job opportunities for trained experts and semiskilled workers. Collaborative efforts by Broadband Infraco, SENTECH, and SITA are striving to deliver broadband services to South African citizens, ensuring digital inclusivity and promoting the country’s digital economy. With the launch of this project, South Africa is taking a significant step towards bridging the digital gap and ensuring universal connectivity for all.
The President Hotel in Cape Town is a hub of inclusivity, catering to guests with diverse needs. The hotel has adopted Deafgard devices in every room to help deaf and hardofhearing guests. It also has accessible parking and wheelchairfriendly access, petfriendly policies, familyfriendly amenities, and halal menus for Muslim guests. The hotel continually improves its services, making it an ideal retreat for everyone.
The Universal Ballot Template (UBT) is a voting aid designed for individuals with disabilities or special needs, enabling them to cast a confidential and autonomous vote. This innovative solution was devised by the South African Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in collaboration with the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB). The UBT incorporates a hard black plastic design with high contrast, into which a standard ballot paper can be inserted, allowing the voter to cast a vote in a simple and seamless process while maintaining the voting integrity. The UBT stands as a testament to the power of innovation to overcome hurdles and ensure that the fundamental pillar of democracy, the right to vote, is genuinely universal.
The Free State Investment Conference invited business tycoons to explore the many investment opportunities the province has to offer. Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina encouraged investors to take advantage of the province’s economic potential and emphasized the government’s commitment to revitalizing the economy. She highlighted the importance of attracting foreign direct investment and supporting local industrial parks while promoting inclusivity and Black Industrialists. The conference served as a strategic initiative to jumpstart the province’s economic engine and breathe new life into sectors in decline.
The Retreat Yourself Festival is a magical event that brings together wellness, inspiration, and connection in a beautiful popup community. Located in the stunning Elandskloof Farm, the festival offers a variety of venues for spiritual and physical wellbeing, music, and laughter. With accommodations ranging from quaint cottages to glamorous bell tents, the festival is open to people of all backgrounds and ages. Come join the celebration of life and retreat into yourself at the Retreat Yourself Festival.
South African Rugby has announced that their national match official panel for 2024 will include five women, making a groundbreaking shift towards achieving a balanced representation regardless of gender. Aimee BarrettTheron is at the forefront of this change, having won two Outsurance Referee of the Year awards and breaking gender norms in the sport. SA Rugby’s dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity is reflected in these appointments and promises a bright future for rugby officiating. The successful results of identification programmes run by provincial unions have given rise to an invigorating generation of younger referees making their way through the ranks.
The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth held its annual meeting in Kampala, Uganda in January 2024. The conference focused on topics such as climate change, diversity and inclusivity in parliaments, security measures, and the role of speakers and presiding officers in building consensus for parliamentary business. Beyond political and academic significance, the event provided a platform for diverse voices and informal networking opportunities. The event celebrated the diversity of the Commonwealth’s parliamentary institutions and reaffirmed the crucial role that parliamentary figures play in shaping the future of democracy.
Cape Town’s ‘No Cost Transfer’ programme is a revolutionary initiative that transforms tenants into proud property owners. It offers financial support for attorney transfer fees and insurance costs, eradicating financial impediments that typically discourage potential homeowners. The programme focuses on addressing historical injustices and is a launchpad for future initiatives aimed at empowering citizens via property ownership. Cape Town stands firm in its commitment to nurture dignity and inclusivity through property ownership, building a city of hope for all its residents.
The Search Festival at Utopia is a fourday New Year’s celebration focused on music and sustained by volunteers. It takes place at a farm near Swellendam and showcases local and international performers. The festival emphasizes independence, volunteerism, safety measures, and staff training. With a commitment to inclusivity and sustainability, it offers a unique festival experience centered on community, creativity, and a dedication to nurturing a safe and stimulating atmosphere.
Muizenberg’s surf community recently hosted the Wave Challenge, an event celebrating accessible leisure and collective effort. The event engaged over 40 surfers, 120 volunteers, and emphasized the importance of collaboration and reciprocal aid. The Roxy Davis Foundation funded the induction of 30 new adaptive surfers and plans to provide six surf therapy sessions each, highlighting the transformative power of surfing and Cape Town’s dedication to creating accessible and inclusive environments. The event was a powerful testament to the strength of community, inclusivity, and the transformative power of surfing.
The ArtsAbility Festival at Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre Centre celebrates diversity and inclusivity by showcasing performers with disabilities. The festival offers workshops, conferences, and theatre performances to give a stage to all participating talents. Structural changes at Artscape ensure an inclusive and accessible arts environment, enriching the comprehensive artistic experience for all visitors. The festival aligns with the seventh African Network for EvidencetoAction in Disability (AfriNEAD) Conference, reflecting a dedication to fostering inclusivity.
The Great Optimist Race is an annual sailing competition that brings together 70 skippers from diverse backgrounds, including celebrities, children, differentlyabled individuals, and cancer patients. The event celebrates inclusivity and unity through sailing, promoting inspiration and making a difference. Proceeds from the race go to various charities, and it is a symbol of hope that demonstrates that anything is possible with determination and optimism.
September is a special month in South Africa as it recognizes and supports the deaf community through the National Month of Deaf People celebration. Among the organizations championing this cause is I Love Coffee, a coffee shop that has uplifted the lives of deaf individuals since it was established in June 2016.
Skims, the innovative shapewear brand launched by Kim Kardashian in 2019, has recently gained attention for its unexpected benefits. American woman Angelina Wiley’s life was saved when she wore a Skims bodysuit during a shooting in Kansas City earlier this year. The intense compression of the garment prevented her from bleeding out after being shot four times, highlighting the innovative design of Skims and sparking a discussion on the evolution of shapewear and its role in modern fashion.
In Cape Town, a unique event is taking place to celebrate Youth Day. The nonprofit organization Be MyVoice has organized a baking competition called The Great Youth Day Bake Off. The event is specifically designed for special needs youth. The Great Youth Day Bake Off highlights the creativity and talents of these young participants. It also serves as a platform for raising awareness and promoting inclusivity within the community.
The City of Cape Town has taken a significant step towards building a more inclusive and cohesive society by establishing a Naming Committee. This committee, chaired by the city’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, will focus on the naming and renaming of councilowned streets, buildings, public open spaces, and other entities.