Government criticised for blaming Covid for the country’s literacy crisis
Department of basic education needs to take responsibility for “devastating” literacy rates, say opposition and civil society
Department of basic education needs to take responsibility for “devastating” literacy rates, say opposition and civil society
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to lead the Africa Day celebrations to be held on Thursday at the Cradle of Humankind in Krugersdorp.
Johannesburg, South Africa – Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo, an acclaimed photographer based in Lawley, Johannesburg, will be showcasing his award-winning Slaghuis I and II photo series at the 2023 RMB Latitudes Art Fair from 26 – 28 May, where he’ll be joined by artists and exhibitors from across the continent. Winner of the 2019 CAP Prize for …
The role of fraud examiners is vital in winning the fraud prevention war During the recently held Southern African Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS) Fraud Prevention Summit – which was held on 17 May – it became clear that the South African fraud landscape is increasingly risk-based, with many more consumers at risk of becoming potential …
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has assured that it is working on an integrated model to respond to the current cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria.
We are making a public appeal to parents who have applied for the 2024 school year to please ensure that their login details are correct before 29 May 2023.
The 2024 admission process ended on 14 April 2023, and School Governing Bodies have been applying their admission policies over the past month to determine placements for next year.
From 29 May 2023, parents and caregivers will be able to log in to the online system to view the outcome of their applications as schools upload them.
During the on-time applications period from 13 March 2023 – 14 April 2023, thousands of parents that had applied previously on the system had forgotten their passwords and needed password resets.
That is why we encourage parents to make sure that they have their correct password details now, so that we can assist them before the outcomes of their applications become available from 29 May 2023.
We appeal to parents to test their passwords NOW by visiting:
https://westerncapegov.custhelp.com/(link is external)
If parents wait until 29 of May 2023 to request assistance, it could result in having to wait for a response if password reset request volumes are high.
The reality is that over 150 000 parents and caregivers have been eagerly awaiting the outcome of their applications under very stressful circumstances. We therefore ask if you can test your passwords in advance so that you can resolve any reset issues before 29 May 2023. By doing so, you will have immediate access to the website on the day to view your application status.
For assistance on password resets – please contact:
Call Centre: 0860 142 142
Email: service@westerncape.gov.za(link sends e-mail)
Or use the “Contact us” link on the login page!
Please “Don't Wait” – test your login details today!
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Education Department, South Africa.
Following the excitement of the Cape Town leg of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series that took place just over a week ago, Stillwater Sports is thrilled to announce that Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw, who is currently the World Record Holder in the 10km, will headline the women’s race at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN …
Lawyers for the accused say they won’t evade trial
Superdry South Africa announces a new partnership with leading retailer Woolworths in a move to further strengthen the brand’s vision towards a more sustainable future! Known for timeless quality and contemporary design, Superdry is a global premium fashion brand guided by the heart of craft, the spirit of culture, and ongoing innovation for a sustainable …
Africa Communications Week activities, led by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), have kicked off today (Tuesday).
Since 2020, the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers have time-and-time again shown how effective they are in combating crime, particularly murder. LEAP stems from the Western Cape Safety Plan (WCSP) and is an initiative of the Western Cape Government (WCG) in partnership with the City of Cape Town (CoCT). The WCSP commenced in September 2019.
Since LEAP commenced, up until 30 April 2023, officers have confiscated 360 firearms. These committed officers have during the same period, also arrested 16 270 individuals for various offenses. The homicide report using provincial forensic pathology data indicates some promising results. LEAP areas recorded a total of 428 homicides in quarter 4, January to March 2023, of the 2022/23 financial year. This means homicides in LEAP areas decreased by 9% from 468 cases in 2021/22 to 428 in 2022/23, when compared with the same period of the previous year.
Comparing the 2021/22 financial year with the 2022/23 financial year, homicides in 8 LEAP precincts decreased, while 5 increased. This is the first time in LEAP's 3-year history that so many precincts recorded a decrease.
More than R 1 billion has already been invested in LEAP. For this current financial year, a further R 350 million has been allocated. In addition to this, R 10 million has also been set aside for the establishment of LEAP stations.
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said: “These preliminary results are truly encouraging. It shows that our investment is paying dividends. One murder will always remain one murder too many, and we must continue doing everything in our power to combat these murders and all other crimes across the entire Western Cape.
We are deeply concerned about the steep increases in some of the areas. We have our work cut out for ourselves. Our primary goal in the Western Cape Safety Plan (WCSP) is very clear. We have committed to reduce the murder rate by 50% by 2029. It is of utmost importance that safer communities are created.”
LEAP is strategically deployed, and its operations are based on evidence and data. This approach is also used as part of monitoring and evaluation to determine the effectiveness of LEAP and inform a cycle of continuous improvement. This includes our top 10 murder areas in the Western Cape, such as Delft, Gugulethu, Harare, Khayelitsha (Site B policing precinct), Kraaifontein, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Philippi East, and Samora Machel. Other high crime areas in which they are deployed are Atlantis, Bishop Lavis and Hanover Park, along with Lavender Hill, Steenberg and Grassy Park.
LEAP officers work with a multitude of law enforcement agencies which is inclusive of other City of Cape Town Law Enforcement Agencies, the South African Police Service (SAPS), neighbourhood watches (NHWs), Community Policing Forums (CPFs) and various other stakeholders.
“In order for us to ensure areas where we can live in peace and dignity, it is vital that we all pull in the same direction. None of us should perpetuate crime or be a hindrance when any law enforcement agency is seeking to fulfill its mandate, which is to keep us safe. Let us all play our part,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety, South Africa.
Make sure you have the correct will to cover your offshore assets. Your last will and testament gives instructions to the appointed executor on how you wish for your estate to be distributed after your death. In other words, who will inherit what. But what if you live in South Africa and own a property in another …
Ahead of the Tourism Budget Vote tomorrow, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela, visited the Agulhas National Park to assess progress on the Department's infrastructure development programme at the Lighthouse Precinct in the Park.
“Cape Agulhas is such a unique place as the official meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans as well as the most southernmost tip of Africa. Through product enhancements at the Agulhas National Park, the Department of Tourism aims to boost tourism numbers to the Overberg area,” said the Deputy Minister.
Tourism is one of the main economic drivers and a significant generator of jobs and revenue. To give expression to its mandate, the Department has been at the forefront of the commissioning and construction of destination enhancement tourism facilities through its Working for Tourism which is an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to promote economic empowerment, employment opportunities and the transfer of skills to members of the community.
In 2016, the Department signed an agreement with South African National Parks (SANParks) for tourism enhancements at the Agulhas National Park which focussed on the construction of the iconic Map of Africa monument, construction of 1 km road, rehabilitation of the terrain and the re-alignment of the boardwalk. This R14 million project, which was Phase 1, was completed in 2018.
“The second phase namely the Lighthouse Precinct Project, commenced in 2017. It includes a 60-seater ocean view restaurant, a reception area, an interpretive centre, a curio shop, vendor stalls, paving and walkways and a conference facility. This project is set to be completed by early 2024,” said the Deputy Minister.
The Department provided a budget of R54,740,000 for Phase 2 with SANParks being the implementing agent. To date, the project is 43% completed and has employed 88 local people of which 62 were women and 52 youth.
“The Department of Tourism is excited to partner with SANParks on this tourism enhancement project as both Phase I and II serve as a springboard for further tourism developments and job creation in the Overberg region,” concluded Deputy Minister Mahlalela.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Tourism, Republic of South Africa.
Introduction: In the vast world of design, furniture plays a pivotal role in shaping the ambiance of our living spaces. Each room reflects our personal style and preferences, and the furniture within it serves as a canvas on which we paint our unique stories. From the living room to the bedroom, the dining area to …
President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) as a project that has not only made history, but has brought hope to the citizens of both Lesotho and South Africa.
In today’s educational landscape, students face diverse challenges when it comes to mastering various subjects. While classrooms provide a solid foundation, individualised attention and tailored guidance can significantly enhance a student’s understanding and performance. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of subject-specific tutors across a range of disciplines, including maths, English, physics, …
The DHL Stormers take on Irish side Munster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final at DHL Stadium on Saturday. Here is all you need to know ahead of the showpiece match. – There is a large crowd expected, with tickets sold out, so please plan accordingly for congestion. There will be no tickets …
Munster, a team steeped in historic triumphs, has resurfaced with an unrivalled tenacity, surpassing their Dublin rivals Leinster and assuming a place of prominence in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final. Within Munster’s hallowed halls lie the echoes of glorious conquests, epitomised by their unforgettable 1978 dismantling of the mighty All Blacks and their …
Springbok Women interim head coach Louis Koen tweaked his match-23 for their second Rugby Africa Women’s Cup match against Kenya in Madagascar on Wednesday, after opening their campaign with an 87-0 win over Cameroon. Koen recalled two of his most experienced front rankers, Lindelwa Gwala (hooker) and Sanelisiwe Charlie (loosehead prop) into the starting team, with Roseline Botes …
John Dobson takes great pride in the fact that it has taken close to 60 players to get the DHL Stormers to a second successive Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final. He is even more delighted that the defending champions will get to play at their Cape Town home, the DHL Stadium, in front of …
The International Cricket Council (ICC), on behalf of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), has charged West Indies player Devon Thomas with seven counts under their anti-corruption codes and he has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. The ICC, in its capacity as the Designated Anti-Corruption …

Earlier today, during a small ceremony, Speaker Daylin Mitchell presided over the swearing-in of Mr Peter de Villiers, representing GOOD, as the newest Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. Hon De Villiers, a former Springbok coach, has served as a councillor at the Drakenstein Local Municipality.
The Vodacom United Rugby Championship will set a new record for season-long attendance with over 1.6million fans attending games by the time the final whistle is blown at this weekend’s Grand Final. A sold-out crowd of 55,000 will watch defending champions DHL Stormers take on Munster this Saturday in Cape Town where a new record …
Since 2020, the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers have time-and-time again shown how effective they are in combating crime, particularly murder. LEAP stems from the Western Cape Safety Plan (WCSP) and is an initiative of the Western Cape Government (WCG) in partnership with the City of Cape Town (CoCT). The WCSP commenced in September …
