New Plan for Cape Town Inner-City Housing
City centre should accommodate up to 50,000 people by 2040
News
40 Prime Cape Town Properties up for Auction
In the News Today: The DHL Stadium in Green Point will be buzzing with anticipation on Wednesday (2 October) as the City of Cape Town puts 44 properties – including 41 vacant and improved sites, along with three council-owned lease properties – on auction. The proceedings will be conducted by High Street Auctions. “This diverse …
Africa’s Running Royalty Heads for Cape Town
In the News Today: Running royalty is heading to Cape Town next month to race the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon (SCTM) in what is a foretaste of what is to come in the next few years. Some of the biggest names in the marathon game will be racing Africa’s premier marathon in just over four weeks …
Hundreds Join Cape Flats “Recovery Walk”
The annual event celebrating recovery from substance use started in 2015
SA20 Player Auction: On Today
In the News Today: The third SA20 player auction will take centre stage in Cape Town on Tuesday, as the six franchises finalise their squads ahead of the 2025 season. With only 13 picks available, plus the six rookie draft picks, there is expected to be fierce competition to close out some of the quality …
Durban Metro Patrolling Joins the Gti Club
In the News Today: South Africa’s police car fleet may not boast the extravagant luxury of Dubai’s with its million-dollar supercars, nor does it use Lamborghinis like the Italian police for high-speed organ transport. However, what South Africa’s police force lacks in brand prestige, it more than makes up for in sheer numbers and performance. …
Water Rationing for Durban for at Least the Next 12 Months
In the News Today: The eThekwini mayor, Cyril Xaba, told a council meeting on Monday that new water restrictions in the metro would come into effect on 10 October. This comes after the city received a government directive that requires the metro to reduce its water consumption by 8.4% (or 118 Ml/day) over the next …
Africa’s Ultra-Wealthy Spend in Cape Town
In the News Today: Cape Town is where the world’s superrich prefer to live in South Africa. The city has more centi-millionaires than Johannesburg , and also other cities including Cannes, Prague, Naples, Montreal, Budapest – although currently it has two fewer than Cairo. The Egyptian capital, placed 90th on Henley & Partners’ list of …
Amazulu Part Ways With Franco
In the News Today: AmaZulu have confirmed late on Monday evening that they have parted ways with their head coach Pablo Franco after 15 months at the club. Following a dismal start to the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season, AmaZulu have taken the decision to part ways with the Spanish coach. In a brief statement shared …
Correctional Services Blamed for Thabo Bester Escape
Two officials have faced disciplinary processes and received final written warnings
Battery Thrown From Bridge Kills Woman
In the News Today: Pietermaritzburg businessman Shakthi Bunwarie wants people to be more aware of the fatal practise of criminals throwing dangerous objects over bridges on highways. This follows the death of his wife, Madhumathie Bunwarie (61), who was killed on Sunday afternoon when a battery was thrown from a bridge and struck their car. …
Lusikisiki Massacre Motive Unknown
In the News Today: LUSIKISIKI, Eastern Cape – Police Minister Senzo Mchunu will visit Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday. This as the community reels from the massacre of 18 people. Deputy national police commissioner, Tebello Mosikile is at the forefront of the ongoing investigation. Mosikile says the motive remains unclear. Meanwhile, President Cyril …
The Crazy Store Celebrates the Opening of Their 500th Store!
The Crazy Store, South Africa’s leading value retailer, has opened its 500th store in Bayside Mall, situated in Blouberg, Cape Town. Since the start in 1997, the brand has grown into one of the largest discount variety retailers. With a store on almost every corner, customers can conveniently find The Crazy Store in South Africa, …
WTS Eases WTF for Matrics
In the News Today: THE ticking clock is getting louder for matric pupils. They have less than 40 days before their final examinations. Many have started to panic and feel anxious as the countdown has officially begun. However, it’s a different story for these pupils, who are confident they’ll excel and are certain they’ll achieve …
Impressive R147K Prize Purse unveiled for Boxer Super Run Tshwane debut in 2024
Celebrating its highly anticipated Tshwane debut on Sunday, 10 November 2024, the Boxer Super Run will boast an unprecedented R147K prize purse, adding even more excitement to South Africa’s most social 5km run in the Jacaranda City. “In 2024, we are excited to host not one but two Boxer Super Run 5km races—the first in …
‘Scam Artist’ Attempts to Extort R50K From Snowstorm Victim’s Family
In the News Today: The family of a man who died of hypothermia after he went missing in a snowstorm in KwaZulu-Natal was preyed on by a scam artist attempting to make money from their tragedy. The body of Wayne Bhengu of Glenwood in Durban was discovered at an Estcourt mortuary in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands …
Condolences for Lusikisiki mass shooting victims’ families
Condolences for Lusikisiki mass shooting victims’ families
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences to the families of the 18 people tragically killed in a mass shooting over the weekend in Ngobozana village, in Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape.
The President has also extended his sympathies to the survivors of the two separate attacks, which took place on the same street and predominantly claimed the lives of women.
President Ramaphosa assured the grieving families that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has mobilised all available resources to bring the perpetrators to justice. A specialised team of detectives and forensic experts has been deployed to the crime scene to expedite the investigation.
In addition, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, along with the national SAPS leadership, will visit the affected families and engage with the community to offer support and address the tragedy.
The President noted that this incident is part of a troubling pattern, with 38 people having been killed in similar attacks over the past two years. To date, 25 suspects remain in custody in connection with these incidents.
“I feel deeply for all the families and members of the broader community affected by this attack and on behalf of all of us as South Africans, I offer you our deepest sympathies.
“While we are united in our grief, we are also united in our outrage and condemnation of this excessive criminal assault which will not go unpunished.
“The South African Police Service has proven its effectiveness in dealing with random and organised crime and I am confident the Lusikisiki case will be added to the successes recorded recently by our police service,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa added that community members should therefore feel free to provide investigators with information that can help police apprehend the attackers and prepare a watertight case for the courts to process.
“We will not allow criminals to prevail,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Mon, 09/30/2024 - 12:29
519 views
How to Sell a Damaged Car: A Comprehensive Guide
If you’re dealing with a car that’s no longer in top condition, you may be wondering about your options. Selling a damaged or non-running vehicle can seem daunting, but there are many ways to make the process smooth and profitable. Whether your car has mechanical issues, has been in an accident, or simply won’t start …
Nominations open for boards of PIC, Sasria and Land Bank
Nominations open for boards of PIC, Sasria and Land Bank
National Treasury has called for nominations of candidates to serve on the boards of directors of the Public Investment Corporation, Sasria and the Land and Agricultural Development Bank.
Qualifications and/or experience required to serve are as follows:
- Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited: leadership, strategy, governance, law, actuary, economics, investment and asset management, corporate and project finance, human resources, auditing, accounting, risk, auditing, finance, information and communications technology, public administration, and social sciences.
- Sasria SOC Limited: actuary; investments; insurance, reinsurance, leadership, strategy, governance, information and communications technology, law, accounting, auditing, risk, finance, and human resources.
- Land and Agricultural Development Bank: leadership, strategy, governance, law, accounting, auditing, risk, finance, human resources, information and communications technology, asset and liability management, corporate law, corporate treasury, agricultural economics, agricultural research and development, rural development, development finance, credit risk (modelling), banking, and financial markets.
“Appointments will be subject to verifications of qualifications, relevant checks, and the preferred candidates obtaining the necessary security clearance.
“Preference will be given to candidates whose appointments will enhance representativity. The Minister of Finance determines the remuneration allowances and other benefits of the chairperson and other board members,” Treasury said.
Nominations to serve must be accompanied by:
- The full names, address and contact numbers of the person or organisation making the nomination.
- A written and signed acceptance of the nomination by the nominee, in the form of a letter also certifying that he/she is not disqualified from serving as a director in terms of the Companies Act, 2008 and in relation to the Land Bank nomination that he/she is not disqualified to serve as a member of the board, as determined by Section 10 of the Land Bank Act, 2002.
- A curriculum vitae of the nominee, providing the following information: full name; identity number and gender; physical address; contact numbers and email; previous experience quoting dates and organisations or institutions concerned; academic qualifications and service as a non-executive director on other boards.
- Certified copies of the identity document and qualifications.
- Any other information that may be of assistance to National Treasury in making recommendations.
Nominations must be sent to the department no later than 14 October at National_Treasury_Boards@zatreasury.onmicrosoft.com.
Enquiries should be directed to Languta Manganye at 078 782 9421. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 09/30/2024 - 12:48
326 views
Creecy Under Fire From Penguin Conservation Groups
And new environment minister George has also been criticised
Answering Services for Various Professional Sectors
Professional answering services for lawyers are specifically designed to meet the demands of law firms and legal practices. In this industry, maintaining a professional and trustworthy image is crucial. An effective answering service for solicitors ensures that client inquiries are handled promptly, building trust and reliability within the legal profession. Similarly, answering services for hotels …
Northern Cape records second-lowest HIV prevalence rate in SA
Northern Cape records second-lowest HIV prevalence rate in SA
The Northern Cape had the second-lowest HIV prevalence at 8.9% in 2022, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) said on Monday.
This means an estimated 120 000 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the province, which is 21 000 more PLHIV compared to 2017.
The information is based on the HSRC’s key findings of the Sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI) for the Northern Cape.
SAnews reported last week that the Western Cape had the lowest HIV prevalence (7.4%) in 2022 and second lowest in 2017 (8.6%).
READ | W Cape records lowest HIV prevalence rate in SA
According to the overall principal investigator of the study, the HSRC’s Professor Khangelani Zuma, the survey showed that in 2022, HIV prevalence in the Northern Cape was 3.3% among those aged 15 to 24 overall, and higher among females (5%) than males (1.8%) in this age category.
Among those aged 25 to 49, HIV prevalence was 12.6% overall, and higher in females (14.9%) than males (9.6%).
HIV prevalence was also higher among those residing in urban areas (9.6%) and lower among those residing in rural informal or tribal areas (7.6%) and rural formal or farms (6.2%).
“HIV prevalence peaked at 25.7% among those aged 35 to 39 years in 2022 compared to 26.1% in 2017 among those aged 40 to 44. HIV prevalence increased from 24.3% among 30 to 34-year-olds in 2017 to 25.7% among those aged 35 to 39 in 2022.
“There was a notable downward shift in the epidemic curve in 2022 among the age categories between 20 to 34 years,” Zuma said.
Antiretroviral treatment
Data show that antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage in the Northern Cape increased from 54.9% in 2017 to 86.2% in 2022.
This translates to an estimated 103 440 PLHIV in the province receiving ART in 2022.
In 2022, ART use among all PLHIV in the province was 82.6% among those between 25 and 49 years.
Data for youth and adolescents aged between 15 and 24 years and among males aged between 25 and 49 could not be analysed owing to a small sample size.
The SABSSM VI survey, conducted between 2022 and 2023, aimed to maintain surveillance of HIV infection and behaviours in South Africa, evaluate the progress of the South African National HIV and AIDS, STI and TB Strategic Plan, and monitor HIV indicators for national and international reporting.
Knowledge of HIV status
Zuma expressed concern that PLHIV aged 25 to 49 accounted for the majority of PLHIV in Northern Cape who were unaware of their HIV status (62.4%), those who were aware of their HIV status but not on ART (72.7%) and those who were on ART with no VLS (73.1%).
However, adolescents and youth aged between 15 and 24 contribute disproportionally to gaps in treatment, accounting for just 8.1% of all PLHIV.
People residing in urban areas accounted for the majority of PLHIV and most of those gaps along the clinical cascade.
Sexual debut
Regarding the key drivers of the HIV epidemic, Zuma noted that the Northern Cape had the second-lowest prevalence of early sexual debut among the nine provinces.
The proportion of adolescents and youth aged between 15 and 24 years who reported having sex before the age of 15 decreased from 11.4% in 2017 to 8% in 2022.
Sexual debut before the age of 15 among adolescents and youth between 15 and 24 years in 2022 was higher among males (10.2%) than females (5.1%).
Multiple sexual partners
The survey revealed that 11% of people aged 15 years and older reported having multiple sexual partners in 2022, compared to 8.4% in 2017.
The proportion of people aged 15 and older, who reported having multiple sexual partners was 11.2% higher among males compared to females (5.4%).
The proportion who reported having multiple sexual partners was highest in urban areas, sitting at 9.2%.
Condom use with recent sexual partner
Regarding condom use, the survey revealed that 30.4% reported using a condom with their most recent sexual partner in 2022, compared to 39.9% in 2017.
Condom use with their most recent sexual partner among people aged 15 and older was higher among males (34.9%) than females (25.7%), and lower among those aged 25 to 49 (27.8%) compared to those aged 15 to 24 (64.3%).
Condom use was substantially lower among those residing in rural formal or farm areas (14.6%) compared to those living in urban areas (32%).
Condom use with their most recent sexual partner among people 15 years and older was 40.2% in Frances Baard.
Nationally, more than 70% of individuals aged 15 and older had never or sometimes used a condom with their most recent sexual partner.
In the Northern Cape, a higher proportion (52.3%) also reported that they had never used a condom with their most recent sexual partner. Only 7.6% reported that they had used condoms almost every time.
Consistency of condom use with their most recent sexual partner among people aged 15 and older in the province was lowest among those aged 25 to 49 (15%) compared to adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24 (41.2%).
However, less than 50% of adolescents and youth reported using a condom sometimes or never using a condom.
“We also recommend a continued focus on increasing coverage and demand for medical male circumcision among males aged 15 years and older. We must also enhance public awareness and uptake of effective HIV prevention measures, such as regular HIV testing, condoms and PrEP [pre-exposure prophylaxis],” said Zuma. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Mon, 09/30/2024 - 12:56
430 views
Homegrown Talent Tayla Kavanagh Set for Action at the Boxer Super Run in Durban
With a 5km personal best of 15:50 set in Latvia in 2023, local running sensation Tayla Kavanagh is set to be a top contender when she lines up for the Boxer Super Run in Durban on Sunday, 13 October 2024. Kavanagh expresses her fondness for the 5km distance, mentioning its fast pace and intensity. “Runners …
Government registers 217 Fire Protection Associations to deal with veld fires
Government registers 217 Fire Protection Associations to deal with veld fires
In an attempt to be proactive in managing uncontrolled fires, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has to date registered 217 Fire Protection Associations (FPAs).
“The department is empowered by the National Veld and Forest Fires Act, 1998 (NVFFA) to prevent and combat veld, forest and mountain fires throughout the Republic, and provides for a variety of institutions, methods and practices for achieving this purpose,” the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, said on Monday.
Addressing the closing of the 2024 Arbor Month Campaign, Swarts said one of the biggest threats to natural vegetation, property and valuable life is uncontrolled veld and forest fires.
“Some areas in the country are rated as extremely high veld risk areas due to the fact that more than 90% of the area is covered with woodlands. Every year, many lives are lost and millions of rands worth of damages are caused to property, livestock, the environment and the livelihoods, especially that of the rural poor,” Swarts said.
The department is in a process of aligning the FPAs to municipal boundaries to ensure effective use of resources and increased participation and inclusivity, especially for previously disadvantaged communities.
“To ensure that the FPAs are functional, the DFFE provides financial support to FPAs through the Working on Fire Programme and is in the process of transferring vehicles to district municipalities for use by FPAs.
“This will be done in phases, noting that that there are certain requirements that must be met by the FPAs for benefiting from this support. We are aware of other challenges and the department will work closely with Umbrella FPAs to ensure that such challenges are addressed,” the Deputy Minister said.
The responsibilities of FPAs include developing and applying a veld fire management strategy for an area, identifying natural conditions that can cause fire, and regularly communicating fire danger ratings to members in a designated area.
Forestry Sector Masterplan
Meanwhile, government has developed the Forestry Sector Masterplan as a growth, transformation and investment plan for the sector, which is a collaborative effort of government.
One of the key deliverables of the masterplan is the New Afforestation Programme, which refers to the establishment of new plantations on virgin land (undisturbed soil).
“For one to establish plantations, a licence is required in terms of the provisions of the National Water Act, 1998, National Environmental Management Act, 1998 and the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983. The process involves satisfying the issues of water availability, undertaking costly Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies and issues related to soil conservation.
“The DFFE, through the then Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, undertook a study to assess the potential for afforestation in the country, except in the Western Cape. The results reflected an opportunity of 100 000 hectares in the Eastern Cape and 39 000 hectares in KwaZulu-Natal,” Swarts said.
The department has been playing a role of streamlining the afforestation licensing process by paying for the costly EIA studies on behalf of communities.
“This ensures that delays in afforestation are reduced, and communities are supported in obtaining licences. Currently, the period for issuing licences from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is 90 days.
“The department has about 44 000 hectares worth of licences in the pipeline, which are due for EIAs. The department is in the process of finalising the appointment of Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) to conduct the studies,” Swarts said.
The masterplan had set a minimum investment target of R16.5 billion, with a maximum target of R30 billion for the year 2025/26.
“Currently, the Rand value of private sector investment has reached R33.2 billion, clearly indicating that the sector has well exceeded the R30 billion target set for the 2025/26 financial year.
“Ensuring that the plantations under the management of the department are brought back into production is high on the agenda of the masterplan. Currently, about 6213,58 hectares have been transferred to communities through the Community Forestry Agreement Model, in line with Section 29 of the National Forests Act, 1998.
“This translates to 27 plantations transferred to communities through the signing of 23 Community Forestry Agreements. Plans are in place to continue with this process, including the leasing of the remaining plantations in the Western Cape.
“As these transfers take place, it is important for the industry to work closely with the department in ensuring that post settlement support is provided for these communities so that they can thrive in the sector,” the Deputy Minister said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 09/30/2024 - 14:01
221 views