Buffalo City Wastes Millions on Vanity Projects While Essential Infrastructure Crumbles
More than R200-million blown on mismanaged tourist attractions while beaches are polluted by sewage
Sea
New Oil Transfer Regulations a ‘Lifeline for Penguins’, Says Minister
But bird conservation organisations fear that the regulations will be ineffective
How to Harness the Ocean for Prosperity: Funding African Innovations Can Unlock the Blue Economy
Millions of jobs could be created from sustainable economic ocean development.
250,000 Ethiopians Migrate Every Year: What Drives Them and What Needs to Change
Legal ways to make a decent life inside and outside Ethiopia should be increased.
Zero Affordable Housing in the CBD
GOOD Speech by Axolile Notywala, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor. Note to editor: This speech was delivered during today’s council meeting
The post FRUIT & VEG SITE RELEASED AGAIN: 20 YEARS OF DA RULE, ZERO AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CBD appeared first on For Good.
Cape Town Journalists Protest Against Israel for Killing Palestinian Reporters
“There is nothing random about what Israel is doing,” says Palestinian journalist
Counting the Dead Is Not a Safety Plan
GOOD Speech by Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of the Western Cape Parliament. Note to editor: This speech was delivered by GOOD Secretary-General & Member of the Western Cape Parliament Brett Herron during today’s interpellation on Mass Shootings
The post CONFRONTING THE WESTERN CAPE’S MASS SHOOTING CRISIS – COUNTING THE DEAD IS NOT A SAFETY PLAN appeared first on For Good.
Crumbling Sewage Infrastructure Leads to Closure of Several Beaches
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) places the blame for the second closure of Kings Beach within a month squarely on the shoulders of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM) due to its failure to maintain sewage infrastructure and replace ageing systems. Kings Beach was closed for the second time on 30 July after a […]
The post NMBM’s crumbling sewage infrastructure leads to closure of several beaches appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
At Least a Decade of Waiting for Social Housing
After years of struggle and public pressure, there are encouraging signs that the Western Cape Government (WCG) is finally listening. At a follow-up public meeting held in Sea Point last night, consultants appointed by the WCG presented revised concept proposals for the redevelopment of the Tafelberg School site, now quietly renamed “353-on-Main.” These new plans reflect a shift in response to public calls for more social and affordable housing.
The post TAFELBERG SCHOOL SITE: STILL AT LEAST A DECADE OF WAITING FOR SOCIAL HOUSING appeared first on For Good.
Gqeberha Ward Councillor Leads Protest for Services in Soweto-On-Sea
Demonstrators led by ANC Councillor Xolile Vingqi blocked entry to the municipal Lillian Diedericks Building
In 3 Years the World Will Run out of Time to Avoid the Worst Impacts of Climate Change
Planet Earth is living on borrowed time, a new global report reveals. The world must stop burning fossil fuels now and take urgent steps to reduce global warming.
Lessons for Modern Times From Africans That Survived 10,000 Years of Climate Changes by Adapting Food Systems
Blending livelihood strategies based on what works at different times in specific environments has been key to human survival for thousands of years.
200 Shacks Destroyed as Fire Rips Through Isiphingo Informal Settlement
More than 300 people displaced, says eThekwini municipality
Budget: Cape Town’s Deadly Divide
GOOD Statement by Axolile Notywala,GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor 26 June 2025 *Note to Editors: This speech was delivered during today’s City of Cape Town Council meeting, Budget Vote Speaker, I RISE today, on behalf of the GOOD Party, to dispel the DA’s pro-poor myth, to call out the DA lies and to highlight […]
The post CAPE TOWN’S DEADLY DIVIDE: THE LIVES LOST TO DA NEGLECT appeared first on For Good.
104 Darling Street: Two Decades After Grootboom, the Promise of Housing Remains Empty
Today, GOOD Party Councillors stood in solidarity with Ndifuna Ukwazi and residents of 104 Darling Street, better known as the Irene Grootboom House (IGH), who are facing an eviction by the National Department of Public Works. We say public land must be used for public good. Just this week, in a response to parliamentary questions […]
The post 104 DARLING STREET: TWO DECADES AFTER GROOTBOOM, THE PROMISE OF HOUSING REMAINS EMPTY appeared first on For Good.
Cape Town Mothers in Silent March for Gaza
Israel has blocked food from entering Gaza and killed more than 200 people at distribution points
In 2013, Zakes Mda Was Horrified to See 110 Learners in a Class in This School. Twelve Years Later, Nothing Has Changed
A third of schools in the Eastern Cape do not meet minimum norms and standards
We Are Cautiously Optimistic About Slight Improvement in Crime Stats
It is hard to be optimistic when one is adrift in a small boat in a sea of crime. There is some good news for South Africa, though, there does not seem to be any new leaks in this small boat. The harsh reality of the South African crime crisis is that the country’s rape […]
The post Crime: Cautiously optimistic about slight improvement appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Colder weather expected next week
Colder weather expected next week
South Africans can brace themselves for cold weather conditions in the new week as two cold frontal systems are expected to develop from Monday until Friday.
According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), the two cold frontal systems are expected to develop from 19 until 23 May 2025 with a high likelihood of disrupting the current mild to warm weather conditions that has been prevailing for some days.
“On Monday, 19 May, a cold front will make landfall over the south-western parts of the country, resulting in wet, cold, and windy conditions over the western parts of the Western Cape. While this system will not be intense, it serves as a precursor to the more significant weather system that will follow the next day.
“On Tuesday, 20 May, the above-mentioned weather conditions will spread to the east, affecting the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape,” the weather service said.
This continued impact of the weather conditions will be due to a well-developed cold front, resulting in isolated to scattered showers and rain.
Rainfall accumulations are expected to range between 15 to 25 mm, with a possibility of reaching 30 to 50 mm in mountainous areas.
“The persistent and continuous rainy conditions may lead to localised floods, particularly in areas with poor drainage and low-lying regions. Strong and gusty westerly to north-westerly winds, with wind speeds averaging between 55 and 65 km/h, are expected across the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and the Eastern Cape more especially over the interior.
“Possible impacts might result in outdoor activities being disrupted with a high likelihood of localised damage to infrastructure, uprooted trees, increased traveling time on the roads, problems for high sided vehicles, especially along the national routes through the provinces as well as disruptions to power lines,” SAWS said.
For maritime operators and coastal residents, westerly to north-westerly gale-force winds (65-75 km/h) are expected along the coastline, particularly from Alexander Bay through to Plettenberg Bay.
These high winds will result in very rough seas on Tuesday and Wednesday, leading to sea conditions that could impact small vessels and coastal activities.
There is also a possibility of abnormal waves along the south-eastern coast, with wave heights of 5 metres to 6.5 metres, occasionally peaking at 7 metres, with a 10 seconds wave period on Wednesday.
“In addition, freezing levels are expected to drop considerably, creating conditions favourable for some snowfall over high-lying areas and a general drop in temperatures. These very cold conditions are expected to spread to the central and the eastern parts of the country from Tuesday late evening, persisting until Friday morning, 23 May 2025,” SAWS said.
The weather service will continue to monitor any further developments relating to the weather systems and will issue subsequent updates as required.
Updates may be followed on X (@SAWeatherServic), Facebook (South African Weather Service) or other SAWS-supported social media platforms. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 05/18/2025 - 12:10
76 views
Synagogue President Apologises for Calling for Genocide
South African Jews for a Free Palestine call for his resignation
President engages with various technologies at the CSIR
President engages with various technologies at the CSIR
President Cyril Ramaphosa engaged with various researchers and technologies on his visit to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) earlier this week.
The President was hosted by the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande when he toured several facilities at the CSIR on Tuesday.
Among the technologies the President interacted with, was the Oceans and Coastal Information Management System (OCIMS), a sophisticated digital platform developed by the CSIR.
It enables South Africa to monitor, protect, and sustainably manage its extensive coastal and oceanic zones through real-time, data-driven insights.
The initiative is led by Dr Lulama Wakaba, Executive Cluster Manager of the Next-Gen Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The initiative is a collaboration between the CSIR, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the South African Environmental Observation Network, and the South African Weather Service.
“Many people don’t realise this, but South Africa’s exclusive economic zone, our marine territory, is larger than our land mass. That gives us an extraordinary opportunity in the blue economy, which holds immense potential for GDP [gross domestic product] growth, job creation, and sustainable development,” Wakaba explained.
According to the CSIR, OCIMS is not just a data repository, but also an integrated, scalable system that forms the backbone of multiple research projects used by the state to manage and safeguard marine environments.
These range from coastal erosion monitoring and maritime traffic control, to harmful algal bloom forecasting, oil spill detection, and marine spatial planning.
By using satellite data, sensor networks, and intelligent analytics, the system ensures that South Africa’s coastal resources are preserved and fully utilised for economic benefits.
“What we’re showcasing is a living example of applied science. This system translates complex marine data into actionable insights that policymakers and environmental authorities can use to make informed decisions. It’s about turning scientific research into national impact,” Wakaba explained.
The importance of OCIMS is amplified by South Africa’s strategic position at the meeting point of two oceans, with more than 3 000 km of coastline.
The country’s location, combined with the rising threats of climate change and unsustainable exploitation, make the need for intelligent ocean governance urgent.
“For us, the real breakthrough lies in unlocking the power of science and innovation to support the state's capacity to manage this frontier responsibly,” he said.
“From supporting marine biodiversity to bolstering economic development, OCIMS is a cornerstone in building resilient, knowledge-based ocean governance.”
The CSIR said having President Ramaphosa visit the exhibition was both a validation and a celebration of the platform’s significance.
“What we hope to communicate is the strategic power we can unlock when we take up the mantle of what the CSIR stands for, applying cutting-edge science and technology to our national priorities. In this instance, it’s the blue economy, a massive frontier that, if fully harnessed, can transform our country’s economic trajectory.”
The CSIR’s work on OCIMS also supports international obligations, including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, climate resilience efforts, and commitments under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
It also provides South African citizens and coastal communities with tools to better understand and protect the natural wealth that surrounds them.
“Our oceans are not just scenic landscapes; they are vital economic assets and ecosystems,” he said.
“OCIMS is about equipping our country with the means to both care for and benefit from those assets responsibly and sustainably.”
With this bold initiative, the CSIR said OCIMS stands as a beacon of what is possible when innovation meets vision and when digital infrastructure is aligned with national imperatives.
During his visit, the President hailed the CSIR as a “South African success story” as the institution marks 80 years since its establishment.
READ | CSIR critical for innovative solutions to resolve challenges - President Ramaphosa
The President was delivering remarks at the institution’s headquarters following a tour of the facility on Tuesday afternoon. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 04/10/2025 - 09:47
136 views
West Coast Surfers Go for Gold in Para Surfing Championships
A team from Extreme Abilities in Saldanha Bay will compete in Durban
Conference places the spotlight on ocean sustainability
Conference places the spotlight on ocean sustainability
As the current holder of the G20 Presidency, South Africa is leading global efforts for ocean sustainability, particularly focusing on advancing sustainable ocean initiatives in Africa.
The country is hosting the 14th International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography (ICSHMO), which is currently underway in Cape Town.
This premier scientific gathering, being held in Africa for the first time since 1997, brings together renowned meteorologists, oceanographers, and climate scientists to address the unique atmospheric and oceanic challenges of the southern hemisphere.
The five-day event, which kicked off on Monday, is hosted by the National Research Foundation (NRF) through the South African Environmental Observation Network, with support from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI).
The conference shows South Africa’s growing influence in global climate science.
Opening the conference, the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, emphasised the urgent need for scientific collaboration to combat the escalating threats of climate change.
“The world is experiencing intensified heatwaves, prolonged droughts, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events that disrupt economies, displace communities, and strain infrastructure,” the department said.
South Africa has witnessed the devastating impact of climate change in repeated floods and recurring droughts.
These events highlight the pressing need for enhanced climate prediction, risk management, and adaptation strategies, all key topics at ICSHMO 2025.
The Deputy Minister stressed the importance of turning scientific knowledge into tangible, actionable solutions.
Through the NRF, the country continues to support cutting-edge research in marine and coastal science, weather forecasting, and climate adaptation, to inform global policy and action.
Gina welcomed the integration of ICSHMO with the Ocean20 initiative, a flagship programme introduced under Brazil’s G20 Presidency, which is designed to promote sustainable ocean governance, and reiterated South Africa’s commitment to leveraging science, technology, and innovation for sustainable development.
The Deputy Minister stressed the importance of equitable access to artificial intelligence, big data and remote sensing technologies, which were transforming climate science, enabling more accurate forecasting, early warning systems, and disaster preparedness.
Collaboration and knowledge-sharing were key to building a more stable and resilient global future, especially for nations that were most vulnerable to climate change.
A group of learners from Luhlaza and Usasazo high schools in Khayelitsha attended the conference and had a special interaction with Gina on the benefits of science for society.
During the opening session, Kenya’s representative for the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Patricia Nying’uro, highlighted the critical role of indigenous knowledge in promoting sustainability. She stated that the extensive knowledge accumulated by indigenous communities over centuries should be utilized to enhance climate action efforts.
NRF CEO, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, said the conference would provide a vital platform for advancing scientific collaboration, sharing cutting-edge research, and addressing the pressing challenges of climate variability and change in the southern hemisphere.
“The insights and discussions over the next few days will undoubtedly contribute to shaping policies and strategies that enhance climate resilience in our region and beyond,” he stated. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 04/01/2025 - 09:39
163 views
Former Woodstock Hospital Can Be Developed Without Displacing Its Occupiers
City of Cape Town should work with and not against the building’s residents, say urban researchers