Day: June 16, 2022

Programme Director,
Acting Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Mlungisi Mvoko
Minister of Employment and Labour, Mr Thulas Nxesi,
Executive Chairperson of the NYDA, Ms Asanda Luwaca,
Young people of South Africa,

Thank you for the opportunity to visit the Mthatha 4IR Youth Expo on this special day, Youth Day. We know that the world around us is evolving at a very fast pace. The way we work, the way we live and the way we connect with each other is changing all the time.

I wish to congratulate St John’s College and Mthatha High School, and all their partners, for organising this event. It is in technology where the jobs of the future lie. To attract the best jobs and the newest industries, we need to invest in cutting-edge science and innovation. We need to invest in the skills of our people from the earliest age. We need to invest in transportation and communications networks that move goods and information quickly and seamlessly.

Access to data has emerged as one of the most significant barriers to digital equality and access. We have some of the highest data costs on the continent. By simply lowering data costs, young people are more readily able to access information, and seek learning and earning opportunities.

This isn’t just about cheaper or faster internet or having access to social media. It’s about connecting every corner of South Africa to the digital age. It’s about a rural community in Limpopo or Eastern Cape where farmers can monitor weather across the province and market their produce across the globe. It’s about an entrepreneur with a great idea she hopes to sell to into the supply chains of large companies.

It’s about every young person who no longer must leave their home town to seek new opportunity, because opportunity is right there on their doorstep. To make this happen, we are investing in research and the development of emerging technologies and applications.

As so many young people know, access to broadband by itself won’t make an entrepreneur more successful, or a learner smarter, or a citizen more informed.
It takes hard work.
It takes late nights.
It takes hustle.

These are all important elements of success. We have a responsibility to guarantee all young people the access they need for them to meet their full potential.Every young South African deserves access to the world’s information. For two years in a row South Africa has been named as the leading global destination for investment in the business process centres, better known as call centres. That is why we are working with our partners to develop this industry.

Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, for example, identified 60,000 high-skill digital job vacancies in the local economy, with the potential for 500 000 more by 2030. Other government activities, such as the digitisation of government processes, provides opportunities for work experience and employment for young people at scale. But it is the opportunities that we do not yet know about that are most exciting. It is about the new industry that is just around the corner, the new product that is waiting to be created, the new technology that is waiting to be developed. This 4IR Youth Expo is demonstrating the very many opportunities that exist right now for young people thanks to technology. At the same time, it is preparing them for the opportunities that still lie ahead.

It is our shared responsibility to ensure that all the young people of this country have the skills, knowledge and desire to seize these opportunities and to thereby realise their great potential.

I thank you Source: Government of South Africa

Happy Youth Day to all young Capetonians!

It was a pleasure to join Thuli Madonsela’s “Social Justice Walk” this morning, because beating poverty is the most important moral issue of our time, and it is what motivates all we do in Cape Town.

In Cape Town, we are working to give young people a sense that there is hope for them, and that they can feel optimistic again about the future.

Everything we do is with one goal in mind: growing our economy faster so that more people – and more young people – are lifted out of poverty and into work.

Youth Day is often filled with empty speeches.

The truth is that turning around our youth unemployment crisis – 7 out of 10 young people can’t find work – will take dedication to doing many small things right, over many months and years, to grow the economy. This is the only sustainable way to get young people out of poverty.

This clear higher purpose is what motivates us in Cape Town.

That is why we are putting so much into making communities safer, especially in communities where young people- and young women in particular – are so vulnerable to violent crime.

That’s why we are pursuing energy independence to end load-shedding – because this will lift the single biggest handbrake on our economy.

That’s why we’re working towards managing the rail service that is affordable and reliable.

While Cape Town and the Western Cape have the lowest unemployment rates in the country, far too many people do not have access to opportunities and a sense that their future is filled with possibility.

We are inspired and motivated by the scale of the challenge to change this for every young person.

A number of activities and programmes are offered by the city for the youth on this Youth Day.
 
The City of Cape Town’s Community Services and Health Directorate will mark Youth Day with various empowerment and information activities.

Source: City Of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town’s Road Infrastructure Management Department in collaboration with the Water and Sanitation Department, has done extensive work to the detention pond adjacent to Plantation Road, on the border of Wallacedene and Belmont Park, to mitigate severe future flooding in the area. The work was undertaken after an unforeseen blockage in the outlet system caused the pond to overflow, leaving several houses flooded in Belmont Park last year. Read more below:

‘We have ponds like this one across the city and their purpose is to control water flow and make the surrounding areas safe. Last year, when we were informed about the flooding, sandbags were provided to residents as a temporary measure, while officials started working on a more permanent solution. The officials have been working on this pond since the incident. I deliberately chose to be here a day after Cape Town experienced severe floods, to see for myself the fruits of their labour and ensure that the pond is secure and functions optimally,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

The detention pond adjacent to Plantation Road was constructed about 26 years ago to collect and detain stormwater during a flood situation and to let the water out within the 48 hours after the flood, once it is safe to do so. The pond is designed to accommodate a 1:50 year flood event. A normal blockage will clear itself due to the pressure of the water, however, an unknown and unforeseen blockage in the 300mm diameter outlet resulted in the pond overflowing its embankment on 28 June 2021.

Numerous interventions were undertaken to prevent, as far as possible, a reoccurrence of the situation this winter.

• Work done to date includes:
• construction of a new 375mm pipeline to enable the retention pond to drain
• filling the detention pond embankment with milling to raise the embankment and to channelise the overflow to a specific point
• ensuring that the existing overflow is functional and working
• Water and Sanitation Department embarked on a massive clean-up action using specialised mechanical equipment to remove all solid waste from the pond, among which mostly litter that ended up in the pond through the stormwater system
• Roads Infrastructure Management (RIM) Department cleared the partially blocked outlet structure from the pond which entailed the reconstruction of approximately 10m of outlet pipe and new headwalls
• numerous inspections and the cleaning of the outlet pipe system downstream from the pond. This pipe system is now recognised and marked as a ‘RED Gulley’ item, meaning that it will be inspected and cleaned before the winter each year
• RIM has inspected and cleaned the overflow piped system located in the services servitude running south to north from Old Paarl Road to the railway line in 12th Avenue. This pipe system is now also recognised and marked as a ‘RED Gulley’ item and will again be cleaned before the winter
• RIM has placed a grid at the outlet structure of the Plantation pond. The purpose of the grid is to restrict litter from entering the piped system downstream of the pond
• RIM has made use of a long-boom excavator to open the earth canal traversing the land that was invaded in June 2020 opposite the racetrack north of Old Paarl Road and south of the Water Sanitation Transfer Station. In sections where mechanical plant access was impossible due to informal housing structures on the embankments, we have used manual labour to remove reeds from our canal
• Secured the assistance of Catchment Stormwater and River Management Department who will fund and facilitate the modelling of the pond catchment area. This will enable us to re-visit the design and to determine how we can improve the functionality of the pond seeing that the surrounding environment has changed significantly since July 2020 with the invasion of large areas of open land

Furthermore, the City intends to:

• look at additional measures to address sewerage ingress into our stormwater system, to address solid waste ingress and the removal thereof
• erect a new fence approximately 4m closer to Old Paarl Road to enable movement of heavy machinery on the embankment of the pond
• clean all the catchpits in Belmont Park as part of our annual catchpit cleaning programme in preparation for winter. There are more than 22 000 catchpits that are cleaned in this district every year.

‘The driving force behind all our activities and interventions is the intention to keep on improving our service delivery, and the safety and wellbeing of residents. The reconstructed pond will significantly reduce run-off and is now able to withstand extreme weather conditions. Belmont Park residents can rest assured that we have done all we can to reduce the risk of flooding in their area.

‘We will continue with our regular maintenance and upgrading, where necessary, to ensure that the heavy rains flow safely. I must also appeal to all to please refrain from dumping litter and objects in our stormwater system. Last year’s incident demonstrated the devastating impact illegal dumping has on surrounding communities,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Source: City Of Cape Town

Residents, businesses, stakeholders and interested parties are reminded to comment on the City of Cape Town’s proposed local spatial development framework (LSDF) for the Philippi Opportunity Area. The closing date for comments is 4 July 2022. The LSDF provides guidance on detailed local planning and public infrastructure investment to unlock development opportunities. Read more below:

The Philippi Opportunity Area (POA) is located in the metro-south east, in close proximity to the Philippi Horticultural Area, the Cape Town International Airport, and the key access routes of the N2 and R300. It includes portions of Philippi East, the Philippi Industrial Area, Heinz Park, Nyanga, Crossroads and a small portion of Gugulethu, all-in-all approximately 817 ha in total.

‘The POA’s strategic location is pivotal to its regeneration into an inclusive, thriving, sustainable, and resilient area. The draft LSDF for the POA concludes that this area has the potential to become a catalyst for the development and transformation of the metro-south east.

‘The draft LSDF proposes that the POA be transformed into a mixed use and transit-oriented development (TOD) node, with green spaces and an industrial character. It seeks to create urban spaces with a mix of higher density residential development, retail and recreational spaces, within walkable precincts supported by transport facilities and quality social amenities. I encourage residents and interested parties to please participate and to submit their comments on the draft Local Spatial Development Framework for this area,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

To participate:

The draft LSDF documents are available for download from www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay;

Can be viewed at the offices of Subcouncils 12, 13, 14 and 17

Can be viewed at the following libraries:

– Browns Farm Public Library, Bristol Road, Philippi West

– Crossroads Public Library, Philippi Village, Cwangco Crescent, Philippi

– Nyanga Public Library, Freedom Square, Nyanga

– Philippi East Public Library, Lower Crossroads, Philippi East

Email: Philippi.LSDF@capetown.gov.za

Economic development can be ignited by improving the road links with the PHA, the airport, and existing industrial activities, but also upgrading spaces and facilities to better organise the informal economy and giving it a chance to grow. At the same time, it pursues opportunities to create safe and easily accessible neighbourhoods for living, working, and visiting.

The POA is currently characterised by high unemployment, low household incomes, and crime; there is poor access to and from the area; lack of critical public facilities; and insufficient housing. Its central location, however, is a key asset, and with improved access, the POA can link with the city, the Airport Industrial area, and the South Peninsula.

The draft LSDF for the POA seeks to unlock the area’s potential by, among others:

improving access through redesigning and upgrading major local roads – these are the road networks linking the POA with the airport, the PHA, and industrial areas

releasing vacant or underused State owned land to address local needs

developing a range of mixed use affordable housing typologies for different income groups and lifestyles

supporting emerging economic activities such as agri-processing and the expansion of the Fresh Produce Market, food production, waste recycling and processing

supporting informal trading with well-located markets and trading spaces

encouraging the development of safe and pedestrian-friendly public spaces and celebrating the area’s unique character and heritage, including historic tree avenues

creating a green network with parks, multi-functional stormwater and sport facilities, and food garden spaces

The draft LSDF for the POA proposes interventions; projects related to roads, infrastructure and placemaking; and investments to support the implementation of the spatial vision, once approved by Council.

‘The draft LSDF is available for comment from tomorrow, Tuesday, 3 May 2022, for 60 days. I want to encourage those living and working in this area to please participate. Once the public participation process has been concluded, the draft LSDF will be revised to include the comments received from all local stakeholder groups and residents. After Council approval, the LSDF will become City policy and guide land use, development and investment in the POA,’ said Alderman Andrews.

Source: City Of Cape Town

NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has learned with shock an incident in which a young man who was admitted in hospital was surprisingly found hanging on a tree. The incident occurred in the early hours of today, 16 June 2022 at Schoemansdal in Nkomazi.

According to the information at around 08h00 am police and the paramedics received information from members of the public about a lifeless body of a man in the bushes. Upon arrival at the scene the young man was found hanging on a tree whilst wearing the attire normally worn by patients in hospital. He was unfortunately certified dead by the medical personnel. An inquest case is being investigated by the police.

Preliminary investigation has since revealed that the 21-year old man who has not yet been identified by his family was earlier admitted as a patient at Shongwe Hospital but then reportedly discharged himself earlier in the morning without permission from the authorities at the hospital.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has been saddened by the death of the young man and on the same breath made a clarion call upon young people to make use of social services for their well-being whenever they are troubled with life issues. “Young people are the future of our country. It is therefore sad that this incident ironically happened in the time in which the country celebrates youth day. We urge young people to seek professional help whenever they are faced with life challenges” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service

POTCHEFSTROOM – Mmabatho Police are searching for suspect/s after a 21-year-old student’s lifeless body was found in his room at one of the students’ residences of North West University, Mahikeng Campus on Sunday, 12 June 2022.

According to information received, the victim was found lying on bed by a friend. It is alleged that the victim was last seen on Friday night, 10 June 2022, with his friends. The parents became suspicious after failing to reach their son on his cell phone on Saturday and Sunday morning. The university security managed to open the victim’s room and he was found lying dead on his bed. Initially, an inquest docket was registered, but it was changed to murder after a preliminary post-mortem report revealed that the victim died due to head and multiply body injuries.

The police request anyone who may have information that can assist in the investigation, to contact Investigating officer Sergeant Neo Motswadira on 079 897 1944 or to call the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number: 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via My SAPS App. 

Source: South African Police Service

FREE STATE – The Police members of Theunissen are requesting the community to assist them in finding Makgala Molise (36) who went missing on Saturday, 27 November 2021.

Makgala was last seen by her sister at their home in Lusaka Park Masilo Theunissen. She was last seen wearing black leather pants, she is light in complexion, a small body, could be 1,45 in height, and has black hair.

Anyone with information that will help bring Makgala Molise safely back home, can contact Detective Sergeant Khathi Thekiso of Theunissen Detective Services on 071 442 9749 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Information can also be shared on the My SAPS App.

Source: South African Police Service