Month: October 2022

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Cape Town Bonsai Festival returns to Company’s Garden

The City’s Recreation and Park Department was proud to host the 10th Annual Bonsai Festival, in partnership with the Cape Regional Association of Bonsai this past weekend. The two-day festival returned to the Company’s Garden, with a spectacular exhibition of bonsai trees open to the public to view. 

The purpose of the bonsai exhibition is to raise awareness about the importance of growing trees in cities and to encourage first-time participants to learn how to grow trees in bonsai style.

 The annual event gives all bonsai clubs and nurseries in the Western Cape an opportunity to display trees grown by their members in a competition.

 Bonsai is a Japanese recreational art of growing trees in small pots and shaping them for beautification. The event was attended by the Consul General of Japan to Cape Town, Mr Jiro Nishimura.

 The festival attracted a large crowd of visitors who took advantage of the good weather and free demonstrations offered by the experts. This signifies a successful return of the event to the Company’s Garden after two years of being limited to a virtual event due to the pandemic.

 Also popular with attendees were the pruning and shaping demonstrations offered by locals recognised as masters in the bonsai fraternity.

 Visitors were delighted to be able to purchase their very own tree as part of a starter-kit, with a container and tools to take home for cultivation. By signing up to the nearest club in their neighbourhood, newcomers will now have the support of a community of bonsai masters and other enthusiasts to guide them with useful tips offered at club meetings, held generally once a week.

 Urbanisation requires a shift in perceptions on environmental conservation. Society needs to consider new ways of planting trees in order to sustain life with limited availability of green spaces.

 ‘The exhibition could not have been at a better venue than the Company’s Garden, as it is a well-known park enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors annually. The exhibition is a celebration of trees and nature and puts the spotlight on the importance of conservation and protecting biodiversity and green open spaces in the urban environment. The art of growing bonsai has so many advantages – from developing discipline and respect for nature to learning a hobby that is relaxing and self-fulfilling.

‘Sport and recreational activities have historically brought South Africans of all races, ages and ethnicity together. When communities engage in positive pastimes together it creates a sense of family and belonging. It is through sport and playing together that we make new connections, grow and learn from each other,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.

 Below is the list of winning  members  in the following categories:

 >60cm tall: Brett Simon from Oyama Bonsai Kai Club

40 – 60cm: Brett Simon from Oyama Bonsai Kai Club

20 – 40cm: Mark Polson, Blaauwberg Bonsai Kai

Less than 20cm: Hennie Nel, Cape Bonsai Kai

Source: City Of Cape Town

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MyCiTi Sky Circle Project in full swing

Today, the City of Cape Town’s Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, helped dig the first trenches of the Sky Circle Project in Lansdowne as the City is concluding its site visits on the last day of Transport Month. The project entails a freestanding elevated traffic circle at the intersection of Jan Smuts Drive and Govan Mbeki Road, the first of its kind in South Africa, as part of the roll-out of the MyCiTi service to the metro-south east. 

Once constructed, the elevated circle at this busy intersection will separate the MyCiTi buses from the general traffic on ground level.

The sky circle will be about 6,2m above the ground, and for the exclusive use of the MyCiTi buses. The construction of the sky circle forms part of a construction works package that includes improvements to the section of Govan Mbeki Road from Jan Smuts Drive (M17) to Heinz Road which is approximately 2,3km in length.

‘This innovative new sky circle is part of the roll-out of the second phase of the MyCiTi network linking Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha and Claremont and Wynberg. Every resident of our city should have access to world-class public transport. This is not the preserve of wealthy areas, but for all areas, and residents. Dedicated infrastructure like this, that is smart and cutting-edge, also helps build community pride. One of the key pledges of this administration is to make public transport work by expanding the MyCiTi bus service to link poorer residents with work opportunities.We are steadily working towards that goal and I’m pleased to mark the commencement of this project,’ said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

A number of future MyCiTi routes that form part of the metro-south east corridor will meet at this intersection, which required the City to consider the impact of the additional bus traffic on the current general traffic, and the impact of the latter on the buses running on schedule.

The chosen design will mean that MyCiTi commuters will also experience a positive impact by reducing the travelling time to their destinations.

‘The Sky Circle Project is an inspirational undertaking, not only in the extent of the work and the commuting benefits it will bring to commuters, but also in the investment in the surrounding communities in the form of temporary job and training opportunities and sub-contracts to local businesses. We are on track to deliver on our commitment to widen the choice of public transport offerings to residents from the metro-south east,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

Apart from the sky circle, the City is also upgrading the intersection on ground level to improve traffic flow. The improvements entail the reconfiguration of the intersection, dedicated turning lanes, improved traffic signals and signalisation.

Pedestrians and cyclists will also benefit, as dedicated lanes for walking and cycling along Govan Mbeki Drive and at the intersection form part of this project.

As with most road upgrade projects, lane closures are necessary and will remain in place until 30 April 2024.   

A MyCiTi station will be built at a later stage on a centre median, as each stage of the project progresses, and will serve commuters along the trunk route that will operate along Govan Mbeki Road. Work on the overall metro-south east corridor will continue over the next seven years, if all goes as planned.

Source: City Of Cape Town

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Updated lists of areas affected by temporary water supply disruption on Tuesday 1 November in the south

As a precautionary measure, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has increased its boundary of affected areas in the South to include those that may also possibly experience low water pressure when the second dummy shutdown is conducted on the 915mm diameter water supply main from 08:00 until 17:00 on Tuesday, 1 November 2022. Read more below for the updated lists of areas:

This work will result in a water supply disruption to these areas below and possibly lower than usual water pressure in the immediate surrounding areas.

·       Areas to be affected include:

Pelican Park, Eagle Park, Peacock Close, Pelican Heights, Phumlani, Lotus River, Ottery, Parkwood Estate, Grassy Park, Fairways, Plumstead and Wynberg areas

·       Areas possibly affected to experience low water pressure include:

New Horizon, Retreat, Steenberg, Marina Da Gama, Lavender Hill, Seawinds, Vrygrond, Muizenberg and Lakeside.

This work forms part of the final preparation for the shutdown to repair a leak on a water main which will happen from 10:00 on Saturday, 5 November 2022 overnight until 18:00 on Sunday, 6 November 2022. 

The dummy shut-off was done on Wednesday 26 October did not yield the desired results as the water was still passing through some critical control valves while in a closed position which did not allow for a complete shut-off. The water supply has to be shut-off completely to enable the maintenance team to conduct the repairs in a safe working environment.

This work will inform the Water and Sanitation maintenance team of the course of action to be taken to address the current serious leak on the 915mm diameter water main.

‘This dummy shutdown will assist the planning teams to assess the capability of the water supply network for rerouting of water supply in preparation for the actual shutdown, before making water tankers and standpipes available. This is a very important exercise as it provides an indication of the extent of the impact and what mitigation measures need to be implemented and what the possibilities are to maintain the water supply to these areas. It is no mean feat and our maintenance teams will be doing their best to minimise the impact in terms of areas and disruption timeframe,’ said Councillor Siseko Mbandezi, Acting Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.

Residents are kindly requested to store sufficient water upfront in clean sealed containers for domestic use during this period and to ensure that all taps are closed to prevent water loss and/or damage when the supply is restored.

The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused, but it must explore opportunities within its water supply infrastructure network to benefit its consumers.

Source: City Of Cape Town

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Bellville South recreational facility gets Netball World Cup treatment

As we draw closer to Africa’s first ever Netball World Cup, the City of Cape Town is unveiling more of its Netball legacy murals. This morning, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis along with Alderman JP Smith and Councillor Patricia van der Ross were joined by the Netball fraternity to reveal the latest in the series of artworks. 

The fourth mural in the legacy project is situated at the Proteaville Recreation Centre in Bellville South.

Adorned with the colours of the Netball World Cup 2023, the artwork is reflective of Africa’s golden sunrises, Cape Town and the South African Netball team the Proteas.

It is the work of local artists Riedwaan Marcus and Ethan Hendricks who followed the themes of “Netball”, “Women Sport” “Cape Town”, “Africa”, “healthy life style”, “women empowerment” and “hope” in conceptualising the 4m x 13m painting.  

‘Bellville South is known as the home of Netball in Cape Town and this facility plays a crucial part in that status with indoor and outdoor amenities. It is only fitting that the Proteaville Recreation Centre forms part of the legacy of this historic Netball World Cup by getting its own mural. We want the impact of this world cup to be felt beyond 2023 to grow the status of Netball as a national sport. As part of our commitment to this, the City has allocated approximately R2 million for the upgrades of Netball facilities for the current 2022/23 financial year,’ said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

The murals project is a joint undertaking between the City’s Events, Recreation & Parks and Arts & Culture departments with 12 planned Netball World Cup murals ahead of the event in July next year.

Three murals were previously unveiled in Langa, Khayelitsha and Strand.

‘As we get even closer to the Netball World Cup, it is important that we get communities involved in this momentous event. These murals are the City’s commitment to ensuring residents who play or follow Netball have a stake in this World Cup by seeing it represented in their communities.  It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the world cup and ensure as many of our residents get the chance to watch the event in person,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith

Proteaville Recreation Centre is also home to the Recreation and Parks Department’s Afterschool programme focused on the development of player skills, rules of play and teamwork as well as mentorships for coaches.

The pilot project is also available at 12 City facilities including:

·       Rebecca van Amsterdam Recreation Centre/Westfleur SG, Atlantis

·       Scottsdene Recreation Centre & SG, Kraaifontein

·       Du Noon Recreation Centre

·       Sarepta Recreation Centre, Kuilsriver

·       Nomzamo Recreation Centre, Strand

·       Khayelisha CBD Centre, Khayelitsha

·       Ravensmead Recreation Centre

·       Gugulethu Indoor Centre

·       Portlands Indoor Centre, Mitchells Plain

·       Lotus River Recreation Centre

·       Ottery Centre / Coniston Park

‘While the programme provides participants with physical activity and a healthy lifestyle associated with Netball, it also aimed to facilitate a sense of ownership of community facilities and building community relations. With a focus on legacy linked to the Netball World Cup, this programmes becomes integral in ensuring residents safeguard facilities such as Proteaville Recreation Centre and others in order for future generations to benefit from similar initiatives,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.

As part of the day’s activities, four schools who benefit from the use of the facility played a friendly match with the new mural as their backdrop.  

Source: City Of Cape Town

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City expands its mental health services

As Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, City Health commits to keeping mental health a priority and urges the public to do the same. 

Mental Health Awareness Month aims to educate the public about mental health and reducing the stigma and discrimination experienced by those suffering from mental illness.

‘City Health is committed to providing comprehensive and holistic care to the communities of Cape Town without stigma or discrimination. Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse and occupational stress are common.

‘These conditions affect not only the quality of life of the individual but also their families and co-workers, and the broader community. There is also a knock-on effect on the economy and industry through increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, and increased costs,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.

Mental health problems are the result of a complex interplay between biological, psychological, social and environmental factors.

‘There has been a gradual increase in the number of mental health screenings at our clinics. In 2020 our practitioners saw 3 269 people, 4 412 last year and until August this year 3 463. I want to encourage our residents not to suffer alone and in silence. Help is available and it’s free of charge,’ added Councillor Van der Ross.

Like physical disorders, mental and brain disorders vary in severity. There are those that are:

  • Transient, e.g. an acute stress disorder,
  • Periodic, e.g. bipolar disorder, characterised by periods of exaggerated elation followed by periods of depression, and
  • Long-lasting and progressive, e.g. major depressive disorders, Alzheimer’s disease.

     

Mental illness may present in different ways for different people. The most common mental illnesses are depression and anxiety. Some symptoms of depression or anxiety may include:

  • little interest or pleasure in doing things
  • feeling sad, depressed or hopeless
  • fatigue or loss of energy
  • disturbed sleep – too little or too much
  • change in appetite or weight
  • feeling guilty or worthless
  • reduced concentration or difficulty making decisions
  • thoughts or plans of self-harm
  • feeling nervous, anxious or on edge
  • feeling restless or agitated
  • not being able to stop or control worrying
  • body pain, headaches, gastrointestinal disturbance
  • change in functioning – unable to cope with previous responsibilities or tasks

It is important to be aware of the more subtle signs of mental illness or disturbance such as:

  • absenteeism from school or work
  • decreased performance academically or at work
  • social isolation – declining social invites, no longer attending religious activities
  • children of sufferers: unkempt, poor behaviour, poor school performance
  • irritability, aggression, increased time away from home ‘working late’ or ‘going to the pub’, physical symptoms, disengaged or pre-occupied
  • hoarding or poorly maintained home/yard
  • increased need for sleeping tablets or pain medication

Despite increased awareness and advocacy for mental health and wellness, a large number of people still avoid seeking treatment for their mental symptoms due to stigma and lack of access.

Reducing stigma to mental health and the treatment of mental health has far-reaching benefits including:

  • Improved help seeking behaviour
  • Improved quality of life
  • Improved treatment outcomes
  • Reduced adverse outcomes like self-harm, community inflicted violence, imprisonment
  • Increased demand for mental health services – improved funding and provision of mental health services

     

Staff at clinics are trained to screen for and manage common mental health conditions. The department currently has three clinical psychologists servicing 15 facilities, namely Albow Gardens, Phumlani, Ikhwezi, Langa, Wallacedene, Bloekombos, Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Masiphumelele, Kuyasa, Matthew Goniwe, Dr Ivan Toms, Delft, Gugulethu and Wesbank.

Source: City Of Cape Town

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St James beach main access temporarily closed during construction work

The City of Cape Town is pleased to announce that the St James beach project is well under way. Next up is the concrete works, and as such, beachgoers are informed that the main access underpass, next to Folk Café, will experience intermittent closures from Wednesday, 2 November 2022, for approximately two weeks. 

If all goes as planned, the work should be completed in time for the festive season.

  • Those wanting to visit St James beach can still do so by using the alternative access underpass next to the St James train station, or the St James walkway from Muizenberg. Signage will be visible on site, indicating alternative access points.

Work is underway to replace the derelict bathing boxes, as well as improvements to the beach area itself with a widened walkway and a picnic area for visitors.

‘St James beach is an iconic beach destination along the False Bay coastline and this project will benefit all visitors and locals. I’m again asking residents and visitors to please be patient while the project is under way; to avoid the areas where work is happening, and adhere to the signage indicating the alternative access points,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

Source: City Of Cape Town

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MVAs, fatalities and drunk driving arrests raise serious red flags

More than a hundred drunk driving arrests, at least 77 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents and numerous fatalities – the latest recorded early this morning on the N1, are of grave concern. 

‘These statistics are incredibly concerning, because once again it illuminates the very poor adherence to the rules of the road. This continued carnage is an indictment on our society, because so much of it relates directly to the mindset, attitude and behaviour of a person in the driving seat of a vehicle. It’s also further proof that road safety is a year-round crisis, and not just over the holiday periods. When and where do we draw the line? Road safety is not a joke. Losing a loved one because of their own reckless actions, or the actions of another road user is no laughing matter … so when will we start treating it with the seriousness it deserves?’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Among the motor vehicle accidents recorded since Friday are:

  • A collision on the N1 this morning, where the driver of a vehicle heading outbound lost control, breached the median and collided with a vehicle heading into the CBD. One person died in that collision
  • A single vehicle accident in the early hours of Sunday, 30 October 2022, where the driver apparently lost control of his vehicle at the Jakes Gerwel exit to Weltevreden Road. An adult male was declared deceased on scene
  • Four vehicles involved in a collision along Baden Powell Drive on Saturday afternoon, 29 October 2022. A 41-year-old male was declared deceased on scene



    In general enforcement operations over the past week, the City’s enforcement agencies made 408 arrests and issued 81 377 fines for traffic and by-law transgressions.

     

    The week before, officers made 343 arrests – an increase of nearly 20% week on week.

     

    TRAFFIC SERVICE

A total of 125 arrests were made for the following offences:

  • 110 for driving under the influence of alcohol  
  • 15 for reckless and negligent driving

Officers recorded 71 794 traffic offences, impounded 120 public transport vehicles and executed 1 319 warrants of arrest.

On Sunday, 30 October 2022, officers attached to the Ghost Squad were involved in a high speed chase with a motorcyclist who was driving recklessly on the N1, and had no number plates on display either.

He was eventually forced to stop on Plattekloof Road, and was found in possession of a modified 9mm firearm and ammunition.

The 23-year-old suspect was charged for reckless or negligent driving, failure to stop, possession of a dangerous weapon and for failing to display a number plate on his motorcycle, and detained at Brackenfell SAPS.

The motorcycle was impounded.

LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT

Law Enforcement officers conducted 587 operations, during which they made 139 arrests and issued 4 146 fines.

METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Officers made 144 arrests, including nine for driving under the influence of alcohol, and issued 5 437 traffic and by-law notices.

At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 30 October 2022, officers were on patrol in Mitchell’s Plain, when they spotted a vehicle without number plates.

They stopped the vehicle and noticed that the occupants appeared nervous, so officers requested permission to search the vehicle – they found tyres in the boot, and underneath the tyres, the officers found a set of number plates. Upon checking, the plates were linked to a case in Claremont of business robbery and Assault GBH.

They also found just over R2 000 in counterfeit notes in the vehicle, as well as a mandrax tablet.

Two men, aged 38 and 41 were detained at Lentegeur SAPS.

PUBLIC EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTRE (PECC)

The past weekend saw the PECC record 2 203 incidents, up from 1 864 the weekend before, which included 223 assaults, up from 141, 30 domestic violence cases and 55 motor vehicle accidents and 22 pedestrian-vehicle accidents.

Residents are reminded to report any criminal activity or emergency by contacting the PECC  on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.

Source: City Of Cape Town