Day: December 5, 2022

The City of Cape Town would like to congratulate Cape Town Opera (CTO)  on receiving an accolade at the International Opera Awards  held at the Teatro Real in Madrid last week. CTO  receives support through the City’s Grant-in-Aid funding programme.

 

The City of Cape Town’s Arts and Culture Branch, which is part of the Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department, is proud to share in the success of Cape Town Opera.

 

The CTO Foundation Studio programme won the ‘Equal Opportunities and Impact’ category at the awards ceremony.

 

 

 

The Foundation Studio had its pilot year in 2021, and aims to give high school learners and young singers without a music literacy background the knowledge and skills needed to enrol for a music course at a tertiary institution. Learners receive one voice, one music theory and one keyboard skills lesson per week with all materials needed including stationery, a meal and transport to and from the Artscape Theatre Centre. This assists participants in bridging the gap towards becoming subject music pupils.

 

‘Being nominated for this award, alongside fellow South African nominees Pretty Yende, Golda Schultz and Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, makes us so proud and shines a bright spotlight on the world-class singing talent found in absolutely every corner of South Africa. We are thrilled to be recognised for this educational initiative which focuses on disadvantaged young learners and introduces them to a potentially fulfilling and life-changing career path utilising their vocal talent,’ said CTO Managing Director Alex Gabriel.

 

‘We are so honoured to have received this incredible accolade that acknowledges the sterling work our teams do in the communities in and around Cape Town. It is a phenomenal accolade!’ said Cape Town Opera’s Artistic Director Magdalene Minnaar.

 

In August this year, the Cape Town Opera together with the City’s Arts and Culture Branch  hosted educational  sessions in Delft and Rocklands, Mitchells Plain. These Opera Block sessions for children and caregivers were well received as communities do not often have the opportunity to experience opera and the learning experiences it unlocks.

 

‘We would like to congratulate Cape Town Opera on this wonderful achievement. This is a wonderful example of the connective value of well-designed creative programmes, linking educational, knowledge sharing  and cultural opportunities in such a way that young aspiring musicians can realise their potential. We are proud to be associated with Cape Town Opera  and will continue to partner and work closely with them for the betterment of our communities and the learning experiences created for children, said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.

 

 

Source: City Of Cape Town

According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food (MAPF), since 24 February 2022, Ukraine exported1 29.1 million tonnes of agricultural products. As of 28 November, in the 2022/23 marketing year, Ukraine exported 17.3 million tonnes of cereals (including about 50 000 tonnes of flour) compared with 25.3 million tonnes during the same period in the previous marketing year.

 

• The Government of Ukraine has developed a new initiative entitled “Grain from Ukraine”. Through this initiative, developed countries can now purchase Ukrainian grain for low-income countries in Africa and Asia to ensure food availability in these areas and support the Ukrainian economy.

 

• As of 27 October 2022, the estimated number of internally displaced people within Ukraine is 6.5 million.

 

• Through its Rapid Response Plan (RRP) and Grain Storage Support Strategy (GSSS), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) requires a total of USD 180.4 million to assist 979 320 people in Ukraine by the end of 2022; address 30 percent of the grain storage needs; and strengthen government capacity for food commodity testing and certifications necessary for export at border facilities.

 

• To date, FAO has mobilized USD 84.7 million, leaving a gap of USD 95.7 million, which must be filled urgently to support vulnerable households in rural areas during the winter season.

 

• FAO continues to work on the ground in Ukraine with a team of over 95 members, including technical and operational personnel deployed to support the scale-up.

 

 

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Post Office hits 60,000 mark for online car licences

More than 60,000 vehicle licences have been renewed on the online platform of the SA Post Office since its launch at the beginning of the year.

The Post Office attributes this success to the fact that vehicle licences can now be renewed 24/7 from any laptop or smartphone.  This is a huge bonus for car owners who live in remote areas.

It also saves you money: There is no charge if you collect the new licence from a nearby post office, and only R75 for delivery to your address.

The Post Office has advice for vehicle owners who want to do the renewal online. Avoid renewing the licence a day or three before the month end – should there be a slight problem with the paperwork, the month end might pass before the problem is sorted out, and the Natis system will automatically add the licensing fee for another month.

The applicant uploads the documents that are presented to the teller when a licence is renewed at a Post Office branch, and this is how you can ensure the process is seamless when you apply online:

• ID copies must be certified (certification not older than 3 months)
• The application must be signed
• Proof of address must not be older than 3 months.

If you renew a company-owned vehicle, the following requirements apply:

• The proxy letter must be on the company letterhead and signed by the proxy
• BRNC form must be attached (this is the Business Register Number form – essentially, it is an ID document for businesses)
• The ID of the proxy must be certified
• Proof of address of the company must be submitted.

Payment is done safely and securely through Masterpass, which the user can download from the Google Play Store for Android devices and the Apple App Store for Apple devices.

The service is available for vehicle owners in all provinces of South Africa except, currently, the Western Cape.

 

 

 

Source: Government of South Africa

The City’s enforcement agencies made 312 arrests in the past week – several of these were the result of CCTV detections

 

On Sunday 4 December 2022, CCTV operators attached to the Metro Police Strategic Surveillance Unit detected two motor vehicle accidents – one on Robert Sobukwe Road, at the intersection with De Lay Rey Road, and another at Voortrekker Road and Jakes Gerwel Drive.

 

The detections and subsequent response by officers on the ground resulted in two arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol. One suspect was detained at Ravensmead SAPS and the other at Goodwood SAPS.

 

On Saturday 3 December, a CCTV operator spotted an individual busy with what looked like an illegal substance – the Metro Police Camera Response Unit investigated, and found the 23-year-old suspect in possession of a packet of cocaine – he was detained at Cape Town SAPS.

 

 

 

At the corner of Buitengracht and Strand streets, the cameras detected a robbery in progress. SAPS responded, and apprehended two suspects. And, while the victim refused to open a case, officers ascertained that one of the suspects was wanted on an outstanding case in Sea Point.

 

On Wednesday, 30 November, CCTV operators spotted three men trying to remove a gate in a park in Woodstock, but the groundsman stopped them. Law Enforcement was dispatched, and arrested two suspects, aged 60 and 29 for damage to Council property – they were detained at Woodstock SAPS.

 

In another incident on Tuesday, 29 November, a CCTV operator alerted ground forces to two suspicious individuals who were scoping out stationary vehicles at the intersection of Stellenbosch Arterial and Adam Tas Roads. SAPS officers apprehended both suspects and found car and housebreaking implements in their possession. The suspects were detained at Delft SAPS.

 

‘These CCTV successes once again show the efficacy of technology as a crime fighting tool, particularly where the information is relayed quickly and followed by a response, whether City or SAPS. The camera network might be the property of the City, but it is a tool available to all enforcement agencies. As we head into one of the busiest periods of the year, we will rely even more heavily on this and other technology to act as a force multiplier and to guide the efforts of staff on the ground.

 

‘However, the detection of crime is only the half of it. We also use CCTV over the festive season to help manage traffic, particularly around our coastal areas, to detect fires or other emergency incidents where these occur in the camera footprint, and to redirect our resources accordingly,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

 

In general enforcement efforts over the past week, the City’s enforcement agencies made 312 arrests and issued 66 563 traffic and by-law fines.

 

Cape Town Traffic Services arrested 68 suspects, recorded 59 402 offences, impounded 96 public transport vehicles and executed 1 313 warrants of arrest.

 

Law Enforcement officers made 157 arrests and issued 4 021 fines, while Metro Police officers made 87 arrests and issued 3 140 fines.

 

 

Source: City Of Cape Town

Statemeont by Councillor Rob Quintas, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility

 

On Friday, 2 December 2022, one of the City of Cape Town’s road marking contractors was hijacked while performing maintenance work on roads in Delft.

 

The contractor, who was working under the supervision of the Urban Mobility Directorate, was hijacked and lost his vehicle and road marking equipment in the process. Not only has this left the affected contractor without the means to complete his work, but has traumatised the roads teams in the area who are now unwilling to enter the area without an escort to ensure their safety.

 

This unfortunate incident has resulted in a delay in the project intended to improve the condition of the roads in Delft.

 

The City condemns this criminal act in the strongest terms, and urges members of the Delft community to come forward with any information regarding the incident. We cannot allow such criminals to undermine the essential work that the Urban Mobility’s roads teams are doing to improve services in the community.

 

Witnesses are encouraged to come forward to share any information that will assist with the investigation by either visiting their nearest police station, or by calling the Transport Information Centre (TIC) on 0800 65 64 63. The TIC line is operational 24/7 and anonymous tip-offs are welcome.

 

 

Source: City Of Cape Town