Day: May 9, 2022

Premier Winde & Minister Schäfer launch new R36 million facility providing skills education opportunities for Struisbaai youth.

Today, the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, and the Provincial Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer, launched the Struisbaai Primary Skills Facility building, which is linked to the Western Cape Government’s priority of providing technical and vocational skills learning opportunities to learners.

 

The facility is an extension of Struisbaai Primary School and will cater for two new skills subjects which include civil maintenance and food production. The civil maintenance component will include welding, metalwork, woodwork, plumbing, electrical work, motor mechanics, glasswork, and building, whereas food production will focus on hospitality. This has been made possible through a collaboration with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), totalling R36 million.

 

The Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde said: “The opening of this facility is aligned with our province’s commitment to skills education. This is critical in ensuring that all of our learners have an opportunity to develop the skills they need to participate meaningfully in our economy.”

 

The launch was further attended by Cape Agulhas Mayor Paul Swart, the WCED’s Superintendent-General, Mr Brent Walters, Chief Director of Districts, Mr Alan Meyer, Acting Director of the Overberg Education District, Mr Lance Abrahams, and Mr Andre Lamprecht, who heads up the WCED’s Collaboration Schools unit. During the launch, the ribbon was cut by Struisbaai’s well-known retired teacher, Mrs Katy Hammer.

 

This model is aimed at developing not only practical skills but also soft skills like value-based leadership, for a successful life. This is a pilot project, that can be rolled out in many communities in the Western Cape to equip learners with employable and economically viable skills.

 

Before the establishment of the new facility, 27 learners started the skills schooling at Onse Hoop community centre in January 2022 and have since moved to the new facility at the beginning of the second term.

 

Minister Schäfer elaborated on the partnership which made this school a reality and said: “The people of Struisbaai knew what local businesses and learners needed, and they came to the table because schooling is not just a matter of wellbeing – it is integral to economic growth and job creation. Schools are the driving engine of our economy, and partnerships like this are the fuel for our learners’ futures.”

 

It was found that 80% of learners who started Grade 1 in Struisbaai Primary between 2002 and 2006, left school without having enrolled for matric. Many learners who suffer academically have a great aptitude for practical skills. With the development of appropriate skills, this project opens the door for employment and entrepreneurial businesses for these learners.

 

Of the R36 million used towards construction:

 

The WCED contributed R14.4 million or 40% of the total budget; and

The Struisbaai SOS Trust committed to raising the other 60% and received R14.3 million in donations from private and corporate donors, educational trusts and individuals.

 

Premier Winde said: “This unique school building, designed by architect Theus Coetzee, aims to match the specific needs of the learners and provided a fully equipped building in under a year. It also has the advantage of being easily adaptable for growth, adding new subjects and perhaps expanding into a full-service school in future.”

 

Premier Winde concluded: “This project is a perfect example of what can be achieved through public-private participation, and I want to commend the trustees of the Struisbaai SOS Trust and well as the numerous stakeholders who made this project a reality. You can be very proud of what you have achieved today.”

 

Source: Government of South Africa

The City of Cape Town welcomes the release of the White Paper on National Rail Policy earlier today, which confirms that the City is on the right track with its feasibility study on taking over the management of passenger rail from National Government.

The White Paper represents a welcome sea change in transport policy, and all but fully endorses the move to devolve the rail function to local government.

‘This is a very exciting development. It is the closest we’ve come to an official national blessing of our effort to devolve the rail function in Cape Town to the metro government. On 29 April 2022, I announced to Capetonians that the City has begun a feasibility study on taking over the management of passenger rail from the National Government.

‘The study will assist us to comprehend what this entails in detail. I want to say to Capetonians that we will undertake this study with urgency as we need a fully functioning and efficient passenger rail system to grow our economy,’ said the City’s Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis.

The City agrees with Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula that radical structural reforms are needed to restore passenger rail as the backbone of public transport in South Africa.

‘There is finally a realisation that the private sector should get involved with independent companies competing in competitive bidding processes for contracts to operate rail services. Healthy competition is needed to improve service delivery that has been dire in this sector for nearly two decades now,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

‘This is in line with the City’s intentions with passenger rail. We have been saying for years now that Capetonians need an alternative to the limping service. The feasibility study the City is undertaking from 1 July this year will inform us of the associated financial costs and risks, and which functions of the passenger rail system we should take over, and how to phase this takeover. We are clearly on the right path,’ said Councillor Quintas.

 

 

Source: City Of Cape Town

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) will from 12 – 13 May 2022 host the 1st Annual Integrated Youth Development Strategy (IYDS) Summit in Johannesburg. Close to 250 young people representing civil society structures, political youth formations, government and the business, will gather at the Ekurhuleni Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre for this year’s Summit to discuss and reflect on the implementation of youth development in the country as guided by the Integrated Youth Development Strategy (IYDS).

 

Post the consultations and approval of the National Youth Policy 2030, the NYDA had committed that to drive accountability for the implementation of integrated youth development, it would provide an annual update of the progress that was being made in the implementation of the Integrated Youth Development Strategy.

 

It aims to knit together critical areas that are key in creating an enabling environment for effective and efficient monitoring and evaluation of the Strategy and stakeholders’ efforts.

 

The development and implementation of the IYDS is a legislated mandate as per the NYDA Act 54 of 2008 and aims to enforce government and private sector policies and programs to prioritise the development of young people, with clear monitoring and evaluation tools against which these sectors will account on the impact of their policies on the lives of young people.

 

The Summit takes place within the background of increasing numbers of youth unemployment, further compounded by the recent devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic. It therefore presents an opportune moment for various sectors of society to asset their commitments recovery efforts in improving the lives of young people.

 

A number of youth development exhibitors will also be present to offer networks and opportunities to young people. The Summit will be held under the theme, “Tracking youth development interventions in South Africa”. Members of the media are welcome to cover the Summit.

 

Source: Government of South Africa

The City’s Traffic Service, Law Enforcement and Metro Police Departments had another successful enforcement week where officers arrested 256 suspects and issued 72 738 fines. Metro Police officers arrested a suspect in Sea Point who had 54 packets of Tik as well as Mandrax tablets in his possession.

On Sunday, 8 May 2022, Metro Police officers from the Gang and Drug Task Team were following up on information about a possible illegal firearm in Heideveld. They found an individual with a firearm in hand, and when asked to drop the gun, he ran into a nearby house.

Officers gave chase and apprehended the 28-year-old. They also recovered a firearm, magazine and a live round of ammunition. The suspect was detained at Manenberg SAPS.

On the same day, officers arrested a suspect for dealing in drugs in Sea Point, after CCTV operators witnessed an apparent drug deal in progress. The 40-year-old suspect was found in possession of 54 packets of Tik, 29 Mandrax halves and just under R500 in cash.

Metro Police officers arrested 96 suspects and issued 3 395 fines during weekly patrols.

TRAFFIC SERVICE

Traffic officers issued 66 683 fines, which included speeding offences and other traffic and vehicle related transgressions. Officers also arrested 51 suspects of which 35 were for driving while under the influence of alcohol and 16 for reckless and negligent driving.

The number of public transport vehicles  impounded amounted to 139 and 1 209 warrants of arrest were executed.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Law enforcement officers conducted 433 enforcement operations during which 109 arrests were made and 2 660 fines issued. Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers accounted for 106 arrests.

‘The week-on-week enforcement efforts by our officers continue to get criminals off the street. The weekly arrests also reflect the important crime prevention role of our CCTV control room. The planned expansion of our CCTV footprint across the metropole will definitely increase the effectiveness of the City’s crime prevention interventions. We also remind residents to utilise the reporting channels available should they have any information about illegal activities. Please save the Public Emergency Communication Centre number in your phone, on speed dial, and let us know if you see or hear anything that is a threat to public safety,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

 

 

Source: City Of Cape Town

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Fannie Masemola has bid farewell to Warrant Officer Michael Jameson at a private cremation ceremony held in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

The Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele, the Provincial Commissioner of Kwa-Zulu Natal, and Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi together with the management of the Public Order Policing (POP) unit were also in attendance.

Warrant Officer Jameson had witnessed and subsequently attempted to stop a hijacking in progress outside his daughter’s school last Thursday, when he was shot and killed.

Today, colleagues, family and friends gathered to pay their last respects to the fallen hero.

At the time of his death,the member had 32 years’ service having joined the organization in 1990 as a student constable.

The member spent most of his time as an operator in the Public Order Policing (POP) unit serving various communities across KwaZulu-Natal. At the time of his untimely passing, he was attached to the Marianhill Public Order Policing (POP) unit.

The National Commissioner says the attacks and killing of police officials cannot continue unabated.

“Warrant Officer Jameson was killed in broad day light while responding to our mission of preventing and combating anything that may threaten the safety and security of any community. In the last 48 hours, we have sadly lost yet another member, Constable Donay Phillips was shot and killed after a patient at the new Somerset Hospital in Cape Town snatched the member’s firearm and fired several shots. As a result, three people died including the 32-year-old police Constable. The attacks and murders of our members cannot continue. I am therefore calling on all South Africans and the entire nation to rally against police killings #When you see something, Say Something!”, said General Fannie Masemola.

Meanwhile, police in KwaZulu-Natal remain on a manhunt for the killers of Warrant Officer Jameson. Those who know of the whereabouts of the suspects are encouraged to call the CrimeStop hotline number on 0860010111 or share information on the MYSAPS APP.

 

 

Source: South African Police Service

Throughout the year, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate maintains an extensive sewer network of pipeline and pump stations that conveys sewage from properties to the wastewater treatment works. In gearing up for winter, the team has ramped up its efforts to proactively maintain and clear blockages caused by foreign items that should not be in the network, with a focus on hot spot areas. This is to ensure that this critical infrastructure, which includes just under 10 000km of sewer pipeline, can accommodate the increased flow of rainwater that enters the network during wet months and help reduce the overflows and impact on communities.

 

Extensive proactive work already under way in various areas across the city includes:

• Cleaning main sewer pipelines using jetting machines weekly
• Cleaning sand and litter traps/ booms, ponds, canals and culverts and monitoring them for additional cleaning where needed to avoid blockages that could lead to flooding.
• Cleaning pump station sumps and wet wells
• Monitoring telemetry alarm systems at pump stations
• Repairing collapsed sewers in the shortest timeframe possible when needed
• Replacing broken, stolen or damaged manhole covers regularly
• Replacing electrical/mechanical components on critical pump stations
• Inspecting illegal stormwater to sewer connections at properties
• Ongoing public awareness education through the Bin it, Don’t Block it campaign. This informs residents about getting rid of waste properly, and not to dump illegally or flush and pour items down sinks and drains that can cause blockages in the network.

 

‘For the past few months, our Water and Sanitation teams have been out and about proactively maintaining and clearing the sewer network in different areas in addition to the existing day-to-day reactive operations. This is because preparing our sewer network to navigate the rainy days starts in summer, not winter.

 

‘Typically there is a trend that sees an increase in sewer overflows in winter because of the combined impact of various factors.

 

‘Generally, the sewer system is already dealing with foreign items that are flushed, poured down sinks and drains which cause blockages and overflows. During heavy rain, overflows increase because illegal dumping of debris, sand, rubble, etc also wash into the sewer network system, via open manholes where covers have been stolen or damaged. Coupled with this, more rainwater enters via these open manholes and from illegal stormwater-to-sewer cross-connections on your properties, where water is channelled from roofs, gutters, and paved or hard yard surface areas into sewer drains. All these factors contribute to blockages or reduces the capacity of the pipes to convey wastewater, and damage infrastructure like pump stations, resulting in overflows and flooding.

 

‘As a City, while we are doing our part to prepare the sewer system, which services residents as much as possible, for winter as much as possible, we are calling on residents to join in on the action to help us from their side by being mindful of what is being flushed, poured down drains and sinks and how they dispose of their waste.

 

‘Residents are also encouraged to report missing, stolen or damaged manhole covers as well as illegal dumping and refrain from channeling (along gutters etc.) any storm water into sewers on their properties. Let’s work together to help reduce overflows on our streets this winter,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation Councillor, Zahid Badroodien.

Residents can help prevent sewer blockages and overflows

Generally, (avoidable) blockages remain the primary cause of sewer overflows:

• Residents are reminded that they can help prevent such sewer blockages and overflows by disposing of unwanted materials using the appropriate solid waste collections and disposal services.
• Only human waste, toilet paper and grey water should be disposed via sinks and toilets in homes and communities. It is illegal for residents to place any another materials into the system because it causes overflows due to blockage

 

Some tips for residents

• Put a strainer in the sink to catch food or other waste before it goes down the drain and creates blockages.
• Wipe cooking fats, oil or grease off the pan, and don’t pour it down the drain.
• Don’t flush nappies and sanitary products, they absorb water and expand, which causes blockages.
• Check that rainwater gutters don’t flow into the sewer system, as it overloads.
• Visit the City’s drop-off facilities to dispose of recyclables, electronics, garage waste and builder’s rubbl

 

 

Source: City Of Cape Town