In February 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in his State of the Nation Address that South Africa would complete the transition to digital television signal by the end of the year. This marked a critical milestone in the switchoff of analogue transmission that had been announced in December 2022.
Drug trafficking is a significant problem that affects countries globally, and South Africa is not immune to its effects. The South African government has taken measures to curb the spread of drugs within the country, and one practical approach is the creation of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The primary role of the SAPS is to maintain law and order in South Africa.
The Dalai Lama is one of the most recognized spiritual leaders in the world, renowned for his teachings on compassion, nonviolence, and the importance of inner peace. He was born in Tibet in 1935 and was identified as the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama by the age of two. At 15, he assumed political power in Tibet but was forced into exile in India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule. Since then, he has been a vocal advocate for the rights of Tibetans and has worked tirelessly to promote peace and understanding around the world.
The Western Cape government has recently pledged R68 million to improve facilities and resources for students with autism in existing schools. This funding will be used to build two new special needs schools and 28 classrooms in existing schools that will cater specifically to students with autism. In addition to this, the Western Cape Education Department has earmarked an additional R214 million to support these students until 2026, in addition to existing special education funding. The move has been widely welcomed by the autism community, as rising incidences of autism in recent years have created a backlog that needs to be addressed urgently.
Volunteering in Cape Town is a rewarding experience and a window into the city’s social issues. The city is known for its natural beauty but is also home to many social challenges, including poverty, homelessness, and mental health. Volunteering allows engaging with these challenges and actively contributing to positive change.
Cape Town, known for its natural beauty and biodiversity, faces a significant threat to its urban forest. The Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB), an invasive beetle from Southeast Asia, has been infesting trees in certain areas throughout the City. The beetle is known for its ability to rapidly invade a range of tree species, leading to branch dieback, gumming, and, ultimately, the host tree’s death. The PSHB is a global problem, and the City of Cape Town has responded with a list of recommended trees to help mitigate its impact.
