Day: October 14, 2022

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IGAD is Cognisant of the Imminent Risk Posed by the Ongoing Ebola Outbreak

(KAMPALA, Uganda):  A High–level Emergency Ministerial meeting held on Cross-border Collaboration for Preparedness and Response to Ebola Virus Disease today opened in Kampala.

The Government of Uganda, with the support of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation funded and hosted a High-level Emergency Ministerial meeting for all neighbouring countries, relevant regional economic communities and partners.

The meeting brought together high-level Ministers from the Government of Uganda; Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, including, delegates from The Office of the Executive Secretary of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Regional Economic Communities, African Union, World Health Organisation and Partners working in the health security area.

The main objective of the one-day High–level Emergency Ministerial meeting is to strengthen and enhance collaboration and coordination for cross-border preparedness and response to the on-going Ebola Virus disease outbreak and other health emergencies.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of IGAD, the IGAD Head of Mission to Uganda,  Lucy Daxbacher, disclosed that as a Regional Economic Community IGAD Secretariat will continue to play its critical role of strengthening coordination of responses through regional and continental collaboration.

‘We would like to encourage all of us to collaborate using a regional and continental approach to help build a resilient health system that leverages on the strengths of one another”, she stressed.

Furthermore, the Head of Mission recalled that IGAD has implemented successful cross-border initiatives in TB/HIV (IRRAP) and Malaria, Polio eradication, drug regulation, reproductive, maternal, new born, child, and adolescent health programs, and COVID-19 response among other initiatives in the social pillar.

She also vowed that the IGAD secretariat will continue to engage the development partners and other stakeholders to support the regional efforts in combating the ongoing Ebola outbreak and mitigate its social economic impact on the people.

The high-level Ministerial meeting builds on the existing experiences and previous collaborations within the region and beyond, including the collaborative framework to coordinate Ebola Virus Disease and other public health preparedness and response in at risk member states of 2019.

Source: Inter Governmental Authority on Development

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Information day about MyCiTi station, road improvements for Claremont

The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate is hosting a public information day on Tuesday, 18 October 2022, about the proposed MyCiTi station, facilities for other bus services, and upgrades to Stanhope Road and Claremont Boulevard in Claremont. The investment in this precinct forms part of the expansion of the MyCiTi footprint to Claremont, Wynberg, Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha. Residents are encouraged to use this opportunity to ask officials questions about the concept design for the facilities and road upgrades. The closing date for comment is 10 November 2022.

The public information day is hosted as follows:

Tuesday, 18 October 2022

From 14:00 to 18:00

At the Claremont Library, Wilderness Road, Claremont

‘Residents and interested and affected parties should try and attend the information day as the officials working on this project will be present to answer their questions and give explanations. The proposed upgrades and expansion of the existing bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard will revitalise this precinct with world-class public transport facilities. The new MyCiTi station will be in the heart of Claremont, within walking distance of student accommodation, shopping malls, and other amenities, and literally a block away from Main Road, the main artery connecting this area with the Cape Town CBD. I encourage residents to please take a look at what we propose for this precinct, and to submit comments and proposals by 10 November 2022,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

The existing bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard, between Hawthorne Road and Newry Street, will be upgraded and expanded to include a new MyCiTi bus station within walking distance from the Claremont railway station and the minibus-taxi facility in Ralph Street.

‘Once the upgrade has been completed and the new MyCiTi station is operational, commuters will have a choice of five different modes of public transport – MyCiTi, GABS, UCT Shuttle, passenger rail, and minibus-taxis – within a radius of less than 120m.

‘This will revolutionise the way commuters travel to and from Claremont as they will have quick and easy access to different modes of transport with seamless transfers between their mode of choice. The MyCiTi station will serve destinations in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain via the planned trunk route that is to connect the metro-south east with Wynberg and Claremont,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Proposals for new bus facility along Claremont Boulevard:

The MyCiTi station will comprise of four enclosed platforms

The MyCiTi station precinct will include a ticket office, 10 electronic access gates, lock-up facilities for bicycles and ticket vending machines

All facilities and walkways will be universally accessible

The concept design includes an overhead concrete slab or deck which could accommodate a multi-storey building above the MyCiTi station for a future mixed use development in line with the City’s transit-oriented development strategic framework

A small bus holding facility will be located under the Stadium-on-Main for a maximum of five off-peak buses and driver shift changes

GABS buses will operate from a dedicated bus lane along Central Street, as is currently the case

The UCT Shuttle Service will still operate from Central Street, at the Ground Floor entrance of the Stadium-on-Main

The planned upgrade includes the planting of trees and other landscaping which will benefit the surrounding area and pedestrian experience

‘We are bringing the MyCiTi service to Claremont as part of our commitment to giving more Capetonians access to safe, affordable, dignified and reliable public transport. Apart from adding to our public transport offering, the surrounding area will also benefit from this investment in the existing infrastructure and roads in the immediate vicinity,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Given that the upgraded bus facility will be located on land of high development value, the proposed concept design of the new MyCiTi station accommodates the possibility of overhead development in future.

‘Mixed use developments add to the vibrancy and efficiency of public transport precincts, and we are excited that the transit-oriented development principles are included in this proposal,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Proposed changes to surrounding roads:

Claremont Boulevard will be upgraded with the addition of dedicated bus lanes to and from the bus facility

Stanhope Bridge will be realigned to ease access from Imam Haron Road, and will include dedicated bus lanes

Palmyra Road will be realigned into a T-junction with Imam Haron Road

Residents, and interested and affected parties are encouraged to comment on the draft concept design for the facility, including the proposed changes to roads in the area. The closing date for comments is 10 November 2022.

Source: City of Cape Town

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Let’s all unite for ‘universal hand hygiene’

The City’s Environmental Health Service put a group of Grade R learners through their paces in a hand washing exercise to mark Global Handwashing Day.

‘Washing hands properly, with soap and water, is acknowledged as one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs, and this was re-emphasised during the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s imperative that we hold onto those hand hygiene habits that became more commonplace over the past two years, to protect ourselves and our loved ones from other health risks. The sooner we start entrenching these habits, the better, which is why our education and awareness outreaches are so often directed at schools and ECDs. Children can be great ambassadors for this very important cause,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.

In order to be better prepared for any future increases in infectious diseases, the practice of hand hygiene must become an essential  part of daily life for all  Capetonians.

This is especially important in the most vulnerable communities where increased risk from diseases exist due to environmental conditions.

In order to support communities to protect their health, the public and private sectors and civil society must work together to enable a culture of hygiene by ensuring that all people have access to the supplies they need to clean their hands as often as needed.   

Between July and September 2022, the City’s Environmental Health Practitioners conducted 280 handwashing outreach activities across the metropole and during October another 58 interventions specifically targeted at the importance of correct hand washing techniques will be completed to support the need for hand hygiene to become normalised and habitual.

In line with the need for universal hand hygiene approach, representatives of City Health, Libraries, SOS, Lush, and Dischem joined learners at Cavalleria Primary in Scottsdene in role-play on the eve of Global Handwashing Day to emphasise the ability of handwashing to save lives.

‘On this Global Hand Washing Day, we encourage everyone to heed the call by the United Nations, and to wash their hands during critical points of the day at least for 20 seconds, as it is a proven affordable way to prevent spread of diseases. This becomes even more critical as we head into the warmer months, which is generally associated with an increase in gastro-enteritis or the stomach flu, as it’s commonly referred to,’ said the Portfolio Committee Chairperson for Community Services and Health, Councillor Ronel Viljoen.

KEY TIMES TO WASH YOUR HANDS

Before, during, and after preparing food

Before and after eating food

Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea

Before and after treating a cut or wound

After using the toilet

After changing nappies or cleaning a child who has used the toilet

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

After handling pet food or pet treats

After touching garbage

Source: City of Cape Town

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Body of baby found during area cleaning operation

Sadly yesterday, the body of a baby was found during a clean-up operation in Kraaifontein. This was immediately reported to the police

The City of Cape Town’s cleansing team was busy cleaning an illegal dumping spot along Maroela Road in Kraaifontein, when they found the body of the baby.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management Alderman Grant Twigg was part of the clean-up operation when this incident occurred. 

‘For weeks communities and cleansing teams have been cleaning public spaces across the city as part of a spring clean campaign which targets litter and illegal dumping to help keep our city clean.  However, it was a complete shock for all on site when a body of a baby was found. The City immediately reported this to the South African Police Service who came to the site and are investigating this incident. Staff who were on site will be offered counselling,’ said Alderman Twigg.

CAPTION: City cleansing team at the illegal waste dumping spot in Kraaifontein where a body of a baby was found.

Source: City of Cape Town

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Mayor Welcomes Global Dining Experience arriving in Cape Town in 2023

It is also testament to the appeal of Cape Town as a place to bring premier initiatives which not only are enjoyable for all foodies

The Time Out Market is a concept that showcases a city’s best food and drink experiences under one roof and in 2023 the V&A Waterfront will welcome this major international tourism drawcard to its precinct.

I am excited that this popular dining experience, which has seen great success in leading cities around the world will now for the first time be hosted on the African continent. We congratulate the team at the V&A Waterfront for securing this top-tier food and drink experience.

It is also testament to the appeal of Cape Town as a place to bring premier initiatives which not only are enjoyable for all foodies, but also continue to drive critical growth for our economy through job creation.  WESGRO’s Economic Overview Report issued last month noted that wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants have been among the top five industries, in terms of their contribution to gross value added (GVA is the measure of the total value of goods and services produced in an economy), confirming that the tourism and hospitality sectors are key growth sectors for Cape Town’s economy, said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

According to WESGRO’s Report, the first quarter of 2022 saw the Western Cape record the second highest economic growth rate among the nine provinces of South Africa (only KwaZulu-Natal performed slightly better than the Western Cape).

About the market:

The origins of the first Time Out Market date back to 2014 when the first experience was offered in a historic market hall in Lisbon, Portugal and rapidly became a must-see global tourism attraction, with over 3,9 million visitors in 2018, and was expanded to other countries.

Source: City of Cape Town

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City concludes new Fire Service collective agreement

MEDIA STATEMENT BY MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY, ALDERMAN JP SMITH

The City’s Fire and Rescue Service has concluded a new collective agreement with unions, which is binding until the end of June 2030.

The agreement regulates ordinary working hours, standby time, weekends and public holidays, as well as night work for Fire Services officers, firefighters and control room staff.

In recent years, we have experienced ad hoc disruptions to services, amid ongoing disagreement over the terms of the last collective agreement that was concluded in 2007. Efforts to conclude an updated agreement too were affected.

In 2020, the Labour Court ruled that the previous 24-hour shift agreement and standby allowance afforded to firefighters was valid and binding until such time as a new collected agreement had been concluded.

We are very happy to announce that this has now happened, and this morning, all signatories to the agreement put pen to paper.

The standby allowance has been a contentious issue for the past 15 years and I have personally been very keen to see this matter resolved as it was today, with the adoption of the new collective agreement for the Fire and Rescue Service, as the working conditions and happiness of our firefighters and all other Safety and Security staff matter a great deal to me.

Under the new collective agreement, firefighters will now receive a standby allowance of 37% of their monthly salary, compared to the previous 22,8%.

However, deductions will be made in the event that a staff member is not available for standby duties.

This agreement has been a long time coming, and while we are relieved that it has been concluded, we do hope that future negotiations will be far less cumbersome.

Residents rely on our essential services, and we cannot allow our city to be left vulnerable when lives and property are at stake.

Source: City of Cape Town

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City’s mobile office off to Fisantekraal

On 20 October 2022, the City’s Mobile Office will be in Fisantekraal from 09:00 until 13:30 at the Fisantekraal Community Hall, corner of Dullah Omar and Peter Mokaba Street, Fisantekraal.

The intention is to provide customer services to communities who are far from municipal facilities such as customer services, housing and subcouncil offices or Free Call lines.

The City’s Customer Relations Department’s mobile team will assist residents with logging queries and service requests electronically. To date, the mobile office team has been very effective in resolving long outstanding queries for residents.

‘We are bringing our services to the residents, and affording them the opportunity to engage with officials and enquire about services without having to spend time and money on transport. Thus, we encourage all residents to take advantage of this opportunity and to visit the mobile office. Residents are reminded to please bring their municipal accounts and/or ID to help ease the process,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys.

Source: City of Cape Town