The impact of the Covid19 pandemic on education has been devastating, as evidenced by the recently released Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2021 results. South Africa experienced a 32point drop in its average PIRLS score, a concerning trend that demands swift action to address.
Four years after the UNHCR protests, refugees at Bellville Paint City camp in Cape Town are resisting returning to local communities due to concerns about xenophobia and crime. This article discusses the challenges faced by these refugees and the efforts being made by the South African government and the UNHCR to address the situation.
The Western Cape has launched the #BackOnTrack campaign, a massive R1.2 billion educational program aimed at addressing the significant decline in learning outcomes due to the Covid19 pandemic. The campaign aims to improve learning outcomes in the region over the next three years and secure a brighter future for children.
The recently concluded #AnimateCT Challenge has gained immense popularity among South Africa’s creative community and animation enthusiasts. The festival marked the firstever street animation competition in South Africa, centered around the theme of “Unexpected”. Thirtythree animators from across the nation submitted videos set in ten chosen hotspots around Cape Town, such as Radisson RED, Sea Point Pavilion, and Camps Bay Tidal Pool.
Cape Town and the Western Cape have experienced a recordbreaking cruise tourism season between October 2022 and May 2023, establishing the region as a top destination for luxury cruise holidays. Highspending tourists from the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom have contributed to the success of the season.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has received a significant boost by handing 251 new operational vehicles to various stations and units in the Western Cape Province. The cars are equipped with the latest technology, including dash cameras and onboard computers, and are expected to improve response times and make policing more accessible to the public.
