Day: October 6, 2022

SA’s energy crisis high on agenda of Premier’s international investment drive.

Following a fruitful week in the United Kingdom and Belgium, Premier Alan Winde and a Western Cape Government (WCG) delegation took their investment drive to France and Germany this week.

Throughout the trip the delegation has been exploring ways to make the province more energy resilient by talking with our European partners. With the country buckling under an unprecedented spate of mass power cuts – the longest stretch since load shedding had to be implemented more than 14 years ago – the WCG is looking for opportunities abroad to address the power crisis at home. The Premier said: “We must approach all solutions to this energy catastrophe with an open mind. South Africa’s energy production woes are never far from my mind and at almost all the discussions through this trip where energy-related matters were raised we were keen to listen to our European counterparts about how they are looking at alternative, sustainable ways to generate power. What is at the forefront of my mind is how do we as the Provincial Government enable an energy-resilient environment and what is the right energy mix for the province.”

South Africa is not alone confronting energy challenges. The UK and parts of Europe are, in varying degrees, also grappling with similar issues due to the Russia-Ukraine war, and in the longer-term we have to think about an energy mix that meets our demands and confronts the need to also address the growing and worrying climate crisis.

An exciting new “energy market” in Europe is Green Hydrogen (GH2). The WCG delegation was hosted by Hydrogen Europe in Belgium. The province is well-positioned to produce GH2 for local offtake and export. The Western Cape is positioning itself as South Africa’s green economy hub. A number of companies working in the renewable energy space have chosen Cape Town as their home. Harnessing the potential of the likes of GH2 and solar energy as well as attracting more investment in this sector was a key message at discussions with Hydrogen Europe as well as representatives of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

Particular emphasis has also been placed on investing in and growing entrepreneurship. The delegation – which Includes Wesgro Chief Executive Wrenelle Stander – met with officials from BPI France, which is described as a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs. The Premier said: “If we can attract increased foreign investment and entice more would-be entrepreneurs into the power production field, especially renewable energy, we can help resolve South Africa’s electricity shortfall and create more jobs in the process.”

In France, discussions around renewable energy were also held with:

•             The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD);

•             Proparco Groupe AFD

“In the province’s ongoing push for renewable energy, small and medium term businessowners will play an important role in making us less reliant on Eskom,” Premier Winde pointed out.

Commenting on the ongoing load shedding, he lamented: “I am gravely concerned generally at the situation, which is not improving. The damage rolling power cuts are doing to the provincial economy is considerable. That is why we have to intensify and expand our green energy drive by boosting our relations with European partners and finding the right energy mix for our province”

The Premier’s next stop was Bavaria, Germany. Last year, the WCG and the State of Bavaria initiated discussions with potential areas of collaboration, including a just energy transition and Green Hydrogen. “We had another opportunity to further cement and deepen relations between our regions on numerous issues of importance, among them finding mutual solutions to energy security,” said the Premier at a meeting with Bavarian State Minister for European and International Affairs, Melanie Huml.

Apart from the focus on energy, the delegation is ostensibly looking to build and bolster investment relations with key European markets, like France.

The Western Cape and France have enjoyed a healthy relationship for years. An agreement was signed in 2002 between the region of Bourgogne Franche Comte in particular and the Western Cape. Under the agreement the regions committed to co-operating in the areas of:

•             Renewable energy

•             Agriculture;

•             Agri-processing;

•             Viticulture;

•             Innovation;

•             Tourism and

•             Education

“The existing partnership between our province and Bourgogne Franche Comte has been successful. Building on this relationship and sustaining ties is critical and mutually beneficial,” the Premier remarked after meeting with the Bourgogne Franche Comte Regional Council, the Regional development Agency and the area’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Premier Winde concluded: “Huge opportunities await the Western Cape following our trip.”

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister Lindiwe Sisulu briefed the media following the tragic death of a German tourist earlier this week

Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has expressed outrage following the attack on four German tourists on Monday 3 October 2022 while making their way to a lodge near Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga during which one of the tourists was fatally shot.

Minister Sisulu met with the family members this morning, before their departure to Germany to express her deepest condolences.

“I would like to again convey my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the tourist who was killed in this incident. I also call on law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators of the crime to book.”

The German tourists arrived in the country on 20 September 2022, landing at Cape Town International Airport. They stayed in Cape Town for 4 nights and 5 days, then proceeded to Durban and stayed there for 4 days and 3 nights. From Durban, they travelled to Drakensberg and stayed there for 2 nights, and then on Monday, 03 October 2022, drove over 600km to Mpumalanga.

During their interaction with the Minister, while still traumatised, the tourists indicated that this was an isolated incident that could have happened to anyone and that all countries are dealing with some level of criminality. The tourists said they love South Africa and the beauty of the country.

“The tourism industry has rallied around the family to give the assurance that all measures are being taken to prevent such an incident from happening again. The Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism has also issued a R50 000.00 reward to anyone who may come up with information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators” said Sisulu

The Minister further assured the tourists that the Tourism Department will continue its efforts within Government to ensure tourist safety in the area.

“The attack of tourists is not a daily occurrence in the country and South Africa is a safe destination,” Sisulu said.

Minister Sisulu views tourism as a happiness industry which is requires the safety and security of all tourists, local and international.

“ Tourism is at the heart of our economic growth strategy contributing 3,7% to South Africa’s GDP, more than agriculture, utilities and construction. The sector has capacity to handle over 14.80 million visitors by 2019 estimates. Tourism safety has been consistently identified across a number of studies, media and crime reports as a challenge which threatens tourism growth and therefore, foreign direct investment, visitor spend and employment.”

She said incidents of crime directed at tourists and tourism products tarnish South Africa’s reputation and create a negative perception of our country and destination and in turn, impact on both the visitor experience and visitor numbers.

“It is not correct that South Africans are predisposed to crime. We are a peace-loving nation that ended one of the worst crimes in modern-day humanity, the apartheid system peacefully,” Sisulu said.

Source: Government of South Africa

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate, as part of its routine maintenance programme, will be repairing and replacing the plumbing infrastructure at the Newlands Spring on Main Road, Newlands, on Wednesday, 12 October 2022. This will render the facility temporarily inaccessible to the public from 10:00 until 15:30 as the Spring water flow will be diverted during this period to enable the maintenance work to be done safely and unhindered. 

The Newlands Spring on Main Road is one of the most frequently visited springs in Cape Town with people coming from all over the city to collect their supply of  spring water.

The facility is open daily from as early as 05:00 in the morning until 23:00 at night to provide sufficient access to consumers of this water source.

‘This water facility will be temporarily closed to enable the maintenance crew to do the necessary repairs and replacement of the plumbing infrastructure. We know that people love to frequent the facility to stock up on their favourite spring water and we sincerely apologise for the temporary disruption in the supply. The repairs however are necessary to sustain the spring water supply for the consumers,’ said Councillor Siseko Mbandezi, Acting Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.

The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused.

Source: City Of Cape Town

In September, the City of Cape Town launched its new online booking system for motor vehicle licence renewals, as well as for account payments and queries. The new system, which allows customers to get ahead of the queue by making a booking ahead of time, assisted more than 111 residents since its launch last month.

The City encourages more residents to make use of the new and innovative online booking system, which is currently available at 11 City customer offices across the metro, where Queue Management Systems (QMS) are installed.

‘All residents need to do is to visit the City’s website and follow the quick and easy steps to make their booking.

‘We are pleased to see so many residents use the online booking system since its launch last month, and call on more residents to make use of the system so that they spend less time in Walk-in Centre queues. The service will be introduced to more City Customer Walk-in Centres in the coming months.

‘Residents should remember that the November and December months are traditionally the busiest times for the City’s customer offices, so now is the perfect time to try our booking system.

‘The City is constantly looking for new ways to enhance and streamline its service offering to residents across the city, and we urge residents to use the system and  avoid long queues during the peak office periods,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Siseko Mbandezi.

Follow five easy steps and make your booking:

Visit the City’s website: https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Book/walk-in-centre-bookings/how-to-make-a-walk-in-centre-booking or https://bookings.capetown.gov.za

Select your Customer Office

Select a date and time for your booking

Enter your contact details

Customers will receive an SMS and email confirmation with their appointment reference, which will be required and checked on the day of the appointment.

Checking in

Once the resident arrives at the Walk-in Centre where the booking has been made, the booking reference number must be inserted on the touch screen terminal to receive their Queue Management System (QMS) ticket. The next available City consultant will then call the QMS number.

It is important to note that bookings will only be valid from 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after the appointment time. Bookings are automatically cancelled when the customer misses the 15-minute window.

For more information contact the City’s Customer Call Centre on:

086 010 3089 or email us at contact.us@capetown.gov.za  

Source: City Of Cape Town

The City’s Human Settlements Directorate took their City’s Basket of Services to the Langa community. On Wednesday, 5 October 2022, a Basket of Services session was hosted at the Langa Community Hall and provided residents with the opportunity to speak to officials directly about their Human Settlement’s enquiries.

The City of Cape Town’s Human Settlements Directorate is on a mission to provide services to residents in all areas of the metro. Over the coming weeks, teams from the Human Settlements Directorate will travel to various other communities across the metro to assist residents.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi, visited the Langa Community Hall to have a closer look at the customer service in action.

‘City officials assisted residents with a number of customer related matters. These included assisting residents who qualify for affordable housing opportunities to register on the City’s Housing Needs Register, logging maintenance service requests for residents residing in Community Residential Units (CRUs) and other housing enquiries.

‘We are aiming to make services accessible for all residents. The residents of Langa had the opportunity to speak directly to officials, receive assistance and resolve any enquiries they may have had. We will be travelling to other areas of the metro and we encourage residents to make use of the opportunity when it reaches their area,’ said Councillor Booi.

Register of the City’s Housing Needs Database:

Residents who qualify for housing opportunities, can register on the City’s housing database, either at the nearest City housing offices, or online at www.capetown.gov.za/housingdb

To qualify for a housing opportunity, you need to be:

• 18 years and older;

• married or co-habiting, and not the owner of a property;

• Single with financial dependents who are able to prove their dependency (not applicable if you have a disability or are over the age of 60 years);

• A South African citizen, or in possession of a permanent residency permit;

• Legally competent to sign a contract;

• An individual who has not been a beneficiary of a government-housing subsidy;

• earning a gross monthly income (with your spouse/partner) of not more than R3 500 per month.

With your application, you need to submit certified copies of:

• Your identity document (ID)

• Your spouse’s ID (if applicable)

• Your children’s birth certificates (if applicable)

• Marriage or divorce certificates (where applicable)

Be aware of scammers:

Registering on the City’s housing database is free of charge.

Check your status on the City’s Housing Needs Register:

To check your status, SMS your ID number, followed by a space and your surname to 44108, or visit www.capetown.gov.za/housingdb

If your contact number has changed since you registered on the system, you need to go to the nearest City housing office and update your details in person (you will not be able to check your status on the register until you do so). Remember to take along your ID or a certified copy.

Source: City Of Cape Town

The City’s Coastal Management Branch, in conjunction with the Recreation and Parks Department, is busy with urgent maintenance repairs to the tidal pools located along the Atlantic Seaboard. This includes Saunders Pool, which will undergo repairs from 10 October 2022 and will be closed to the public for several days to allow the work to be completed

Work at the Camps Bay tidal pool commenced on 28 September 2022 and is almost complete. Favourable weather has allowed the contractor to complete the necessary repairs a week earlier than anticipated.

The schedule for the coming weeks includes the following:

Saunders Pool: 10 to 28 October 2022 – The pool will be closed for a maximum of eight working days during this time to allow the contractor to seal the walls and improve the access walkway. Recreational cold swimmers are requested to use alternative pools or Saunders beach in the interim.

Maiden’s Cove: The pools will be closed for a day or two each to seal the walls and repair cracks. Another two-day closure will be required to replace each of the valves. The work is scheduled to run from 31 October to 11 November 2022.

Milton’s Pool: Milton’s pool require significant repairs (paid for by the Recreation and Parks Department) which includes repair of large cracks in the wall, repairs to the access staircase and removal of valves. This pool will be closed for approximately two weeks. The work is currently scheduled for 14 to 30 November 2022 to ensure that the pool is ready for the summer season.

An attempt will be made to finish the works earlier than scheduled if possible.

These maintenance projects largely entail aesthetic improvements to these tidal pools, as well as some concrete crack repairs and stone pitching wall repairs. The intention is to improve the experience for all of those using the tidal pools, and importantly, to prolong the design life of these assets.

The works form part of the Coastal Management Branch’s planned annual maintenance where specific tidal pools were identified for operational repairs based on the popularity of the pools and the lack of safe swimming locations in the area.

At the Camps Bay tidal pool, we have improved the wall surfaces; at Saunders a safer access walkway will be provided; better water retention will be implemented at Milton; and repairs to the valves and cracks will be effected at Maiden Cove’s two tidal pools.

Graaff’s Pool is not part of the current works, but will be evaluated as part of a capital refurbishment programme.

Source: City Of Cape Town