During a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon, Manyi rose on a point of order and excoriated Ramaphosa for referring to Hlophe as “judge”.

Manyi vs Ramaphosa in National Assembly

“We have a president, who was part of an impeachment process, that now continues to mock our party leader here in Parliament.

“The president cannot continue to keep mocking our party leader as a judge when he knows that he participated in a process to unfairly impeach him,” Manyi said in the House.

Ramaphosa, moments earlier, said “honourable judge” when answering a question posed by Hlophe, the MK Party leader in Parliament.

“He impeaches him on the one side and mocks him on the other. That cannot be allowed,” Manyi said.

Ramaphosa was seemingly contrite in response to Manyi’s complaint, apologising for addressing Hlophe as “judge”.

“I would like to say to honourable Manyi and honourable Hlophe that if my reference to the title is offensive, I apologise and I withdraw,” Ramaphosa said.

Background into ‘judge’ issue

Former Western Cape judge president Hlophe was impeached by members of Parliament (MPs) in February after he was found guilty of gross misconduct by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). MPs voted 305 in favour versus 27 against.

A month later, Ramaphosa hammered the final nail in Hlophe’s career, formally removing him from judicial office.

“The president accordingly removed Judge President Mandlakayise Hlophe of the Western Cape Division of the High Court from judicial office following the National Sssembly resolution to remove Judge Hlophe as stipulated in section 177 (1) (b) of the Constitution,” Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in a statement at the time.

The removal meant Hlophe lost the title of “judge” and a guaranteed salary, plus benefits, for life.

John Hlophe: Journey to impeachment

Trouble started for Hlophe in 2008 when he was accused by Constitutional Court (ConCourt) justices Chris Jafta and Bess Nkabinde of trying to influence them over a case involving former president Jacob Zuma, which was before the ConCourt for consideration.

Eleven ConCourt justices lodged a complaint after Jafta and Nkabinde complained that Hlophe “had visited them separately in their chambers to discuss pending judgments” involving corruption cases against Zuma, reported TimesLIVE.

They complained that he had improperly attempted to influence the outcome of the matter in favour of Zuma.

Fast forward to April 2021, when “a tribunal inquiry found Hlophe guilty of gross misconduct, a decision upheld by the JSC [without the parliamentarians] in August 2021”, reports Judges Matter.

Is Ramaphosa mocking Hlophe or is Manyi overreacting?

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According to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway’s social media pages, snow fell on Table Mountain on Wednesday morning.

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Cape Town has been gripped by icy, wet and windy weather conditions in the last 48 hours which has resulted in widespread damage, as reported by The South African website.

It might well the reason you’re struggling to feel your fingers and toes!

Wednesday was reportedly the coldest day of the ongoing winter in the Mother City.

Thankfully for Capetonians, the sun is expected to shine for the rest of the week, but temperatures will remain low as spring struggles to break through.

The six major dams in the Western Cape are all at over 100% of capacity at present.

Meanwhile, the Table Mountain aerial cableway is currently closed for maintenance, but is expected to reopen on 2 September 2024.

Did you spot snow on Table Mountain?

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In some respite from the wet weather, the sun made an appearance for 48 hours in large parts of the Western Cape over the weekend, but rain return with a vengeance this week.

As reported by The South African website, a series of strong cold fronts during July and August brought both rain and snow to the Western Cape – with more in the forecast before spring does eventually arrives.

The six major dams in the Western Cape – the Berg River, Steenbras Lower, Steenberg Upper, Theewaterskloof, Voelvlei and Wemmershoek – have all seen increases in capacity.

Up on last year

The City of Cape Town uploaded its latest stats on Wednesday, 28 August.

The latest figures show the six dams are a combined 104.8% of total storage.

That’s marginally up from the 103% the previous week.

The current levels are also up on the same period a year ago when the combined percentage stood at 103.8%.

Theewaterskloof, which accounts for more than 50% of the province’s total dam capacity (480 188 MI of a total of 898 221 MI) is at 106.6% of capacity, while the next biggest dam, Voëlvlei (164 095 MI), is at 103.6%.

Western Cape residents need no reminding of life during the ‘Day Zero’ water crisis from mid-2017 to mid-2018.

Follow The South African website for the latest dam level news in the Western Cape

Do you have any pictures or videos of the weather, sunrise or sunset in your area?

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WESTERN CAPE DAM LEVELS

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza presided over the ceremony, where Molefe and Gama – along with former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa CEO Lucky Montana – took their oaths and swore to be “faithful to the Republic of South Africa”.

Molefe, Gama (both charged with State Capture-era corruption at Transnet) and Montana were joined by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) defector Mzwanele Manyi and musician Gezani Eric Kobane – popularly known as Papa Penny – in becoming new MK Party MPs.

Kobane was previously an ANC councillor, before leaving in May 2024 to join MK Party.

Manyi was an EFF MP until two weeks ago, when he quit the party to join the Jacob Zuma-led MK Party.

Sworn-in along with the cohort of MK Party MPs were two EFF members, namely Sinawo Thambo and Nazier Paulsen, who were filling the EFF seats left vacant by Manyi and Floyd Shivambu’s departures from the Red Berets.

The other MPs who were sworn in are:

• Thembinkosi Siboniso Mjadu (MK Party)
• Nompumelelo Matilda Gasa (MK Party)
• Thulani Innocent Gamede (MK Party)

Battles over MP positions in MK Party

The swearing in of the eight new MK Party MPs is certain to cause further ructions within the party.

Last week, 10 out of 18 fired MK Party MPs approached the Western Cape High Court on an urgent basis, in a bid to nullify their expulsions from the party and consequently, the National Assembly.

There were also asking the court to halt the swearing in of replacement MPs. The case was postponed to 3 September 2014.

The aggrieved MPs, who were fired on 7 August 2024, contend that their signatures were forged on the proffered resignation letters.

They claimed they were being muscled out in order for the MK Party to replace them with EFF defectors.

Molefe returns to Parliament

This is not Molefe’s first stint as an MP. He represented the ANC in the National Assembly for a little under three months in 2017, joining the House on 23 February and resigning on 12 May.

When he was sworn in 2017, he was filling in a vacancy as representative of the ANC from the North West but on Wednesday, he joined the National Assembly representing KwaZulu-Natal.

Similarly to Manyi, Molefe – who is also a former Eskom CEO – is now representing his second different political party in Parliament.

Cape Town has been gripped by icy, wet and windy weather conditions in the last 48 hours which has resulted in widespread damage, as reported by The South African website.

While the sun is expected to shine for the rest of the week, temperatures remain cold as spring struggles to break through.

The six major dams in the Western Cape are all at over 100% of capacity at present.

Meanwhile, the Table Mountain aerial cableway is currently closed for maintenance, but is expected to reopen on 2 September 2024.

Did you spot snow on Table Mountain?

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Now, IOL reports that the City of Cape Town has made inroads as Home Affairs removes illegal immigrants off the streets across multiple operations. This is according to statements by Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith, the man who’s remit includes tracking and removing undocumented persons.

HOME AFFAIRS REMOVES ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Smith said last week that the Department of Home Affairs teamed up with local authorities for key operations. Following extensive tracing of suspected illegal immigrants, the teams descending on an area along the N1 between Paarden Eiland and Woodstock. Several informal structures had been erected believed to house undocumented immigrants. A week prior Home Affairs removed illegal immigrants from the area of District Six, too.

“Home Affairs and the City has made good progress working together. Last week, we did a large operation in District Six and now we have conducted yet another big operation. We worked the entire length of the N1 highway close to the city. There are a lot of structures along the side of the road, most of which are occupied by illegal foreign nationals. 34 people were arrested yesterday for not having the relevant documentation or permits to be in the country,” explained Smith.

FACING DEPORTATION

A further 72 people were surveyed – 40 of them undocumented men and 32 women – and they now face deportation. Minister Schreiber has been vocal about a zero-tolerance approach to illegals. Likewise, he believes in deploying the latest digital technology at Home Affairs to protect national security.

Corruption within the department’s ranks is rife and threatens the country’s safety. And undocumented persons living in the country will continue to go undetected until ‘wholesale digital transformation’ takes place within the department, said Schreiber. He says he is working tirelessly to revitalise the department.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PLIGHT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS?

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The South African Weather Services issued a Level 6 warning for damaging winds over the Garden Route, eastern Overberg, eastern parts of the Cape Winelands and southern Central Karoo on Tuesday. 

High waves of between 4m and 8m between Lambert’s Bay and Plettenberg Bay are expected from Tuesday until Thursday. 

Strong north-westerly to westerly winds of 60km/h to 80km/h, gusting from 80km/h to 100km/h, are expected along the same stretch of coast.

The combination of high waves and strong winds is expected to cause very choppy and rough sea conditions.

“We call on people to be mindful of the expected severe weather. Soils are saturated from the recent rains, so we can expect trees being uprooted, and damage to wind exposed structures are possible. 

“Please avoid activities along the coast and at sea. Of particular concern is recreational sailors in small boats and rock anglers,” Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell said. 

Bredell said the incoming storm was another good example of why coastal provinces should work together regarding disaster risk management. 

“This weather system will also impact on the Northern Cape coast and could potentially reach the Eastern Cape coast as well. It makes sense for us to work together during these severe weather events,” Bredell said.

As reported by The South African website, the overhead structure at the entrance to Access Park in Cape Town was blown over from strong gusts of wind.

Do you have pictures of the waves – or wind?

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The SAPS says she’s a fitness fanatic who wears a stern-looking ‘operator’s face’ all the time. So, if you see her approaching, you better watch out. Better still, Ntyinkala says she’s not fazed by the fact she’s the only woman on the SAPS Tactical Response Team in the Western Cape. She bonds and works well within the male-dominated environment.

SAPS TACTICAL RESPONSE TEAM

Ntyinkala joined the SAPS in September 2014, undergoing basic training at the Mthatha SAPS Academy in the Eastern Cape. She started her career at Cape Town Central Police Station performing court duties. She then found her groove participating in functional fitness like tug of war and football. Identified due to her high level of fitness, she was encouraged to join the SAPS Tactical Response Team. And has not looked back …

The top policing force in the province deals with high-risk situations and must be operationally ready at all times. Ntyinkala advises all women who aspire to achieve highly in their careers to pull their weight and not expect to be treated differently. Encouragingly, she says she’s not once received a negative response when giving a command to either a team member or someone from the public.

IT’S HOW YOU CARRY YOURSELF

Furthermore, she believes the manner you carry yourself speaks volumes as to how you are perceived. That is why she advocates for good physical appearance, posture, facial expression and operational readiness. In a personal capacity, prayer helps sustains her and she always relies on her fitness routine for ballast.

Next up for Ntyinkala is a six-week training course to select the next SAPS Tactical Response Team in the Western Cape. “My wish is for members to remain true to the oath they take when they join the South African Police Service. In that way, corruption among the ranks of SAPS members, will be eliminated,” concluded Ntyinkala.

DO YOU WANT TO EXPLORE A CAREER IN SERVICE?

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But even the latest 12.8% increase that came into effect back in July is considered illegal. It was challenged because municipalities did not do any Cost of Supply (COS) research to come to the figure. Following NERSA’s appeal being denied in High Court last week, the latest Eskom tariff increase is therefore null and void and AfriForum argues millions of residents are entitled to a refund. The regulator has taken leave to study the court’s findings.

ESKOM TARIFF INCREASE

Nevertheless, another proposed Eskom tariff increase has found its way onto NERSA’s desk. And Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is not happy about it, reports TimesLive. According to Hill-Lewis, Eskom has not formally submitted the application yet. However, he says: “Early consultations reveal their intention for a 44% hike to municipalities, and a 36% increase to direct Eskom customers”.

In a letter directed to NERSA, the mayor explained he was strongly opposed to the Eskom tariff increase. “This is a mammoth Eskom increase. It is unthinkable. On behalf of Cape Town, we are calling for the rejection of this proposed 44% electricity tariff hike. The economic impact, especially on lower-income families and small business, will be devastating,” explained Hill-Lewis.

LEGACY OF MISMANAGEMENT

Currently the power utility is enjoying 150 days without load-shedding – a run that’s anticipated to last all summer. Nevertheless, Hill-Lewis says the increase is due to: “The parastatal’s poor operational choices, including the legacy of mismanagement and corruption. We believe the power utility can improve its efficiency, reduce costs and develop new revenue streams rather than passing this huge Eskom tariff increase on to consumers who are struggling.” Eskom’s total debt has increased by 2%, from R389 billion in 2022 to R399 billion, according to its last financial results published in March 2023.

As a way to skirt around the proposed Eskom tariff increase, Cape Town is purchasing power from the open market. Likewise, it will invest R4 billion in electricity grid upgrades over the coming years. “We know the fine detail of what it costs to operate a future-focused electricity service. Eskom only accounts for 70% of our buying costs, however, even at the amount there’s no way we can absorb this unconscionable 44% increase.”

DO YOU THINK A 44% INCREASE IS REASONABLE?

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Eskom pleaded with the public to reduce demand by switching off non-essential appliances, especially geysers and pool pumps, particularly between the hours of 17:00 and 21:00.

WHAT IS ESKOM?

Eskom is a South African electricity public utility. It was established in 1923 as the Electricity Supply Commission.

The utility is the largest producer of electricity in Africa and was among the top utilities in the world in terms of generation capacity and sales.

It is the largest of South Africa’s state-owned enterprises.

WHICH POWER STATIONS DOES ESKOM OPERATE?

The power utility manages several noteworthy power stations, such as Matimba Power Stations and Medupi Power Station in Lephalale, Kusile Power Station in Witbank, Kendal Power Station in Mpumalanga, and Koeberg Nuclear Power Station in the Western Cape, the only nuclear power plant in Africa.

Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town adjusted its schedule following the Eskom announcement.

CITY OF CAPE TOWN SCHEDULE

FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE MAJOR METROS, LOAD-SHEDDING SCHEDULES ARE AVAILABLE BELOW:

• City of Johannesburg
• City of Ekurhuleni 
• City of Cape Town (PDF)
• Nelson Mandela Bay
• Buffalo City

 Six tips to mitigate against risks caused by load shedding:

• Ensure that your alarm system is working and the backup battery is fully functional to provide power to the system in the event of load shedding.
• Spare torch or headlamp: Keep a torch in your car if you arrive home at night during a power outage. Most smartphones have a built-in torch or torch apps, which come in handy during unexpected power outages.
• Charge your cell phone, laptop, and tablet: Charge your cellphone, laptop, and tablet devices fully before scheduled blackouts, and recharge them promptly once the power returns. Additionally, keep an emergency phone charger, such as a power bank, nearby for use during extended power outages.
• Gas for cooking and lighting: For cooking and lighting, acquire a small LP gas bottle and lamp, providing high-quality illumination for a large area while also serving for cooking and boiling water.

The City of Cape Town water and sanitation directorate will be doing planned maintenance work which will result in water supply disruptions.

CAPE TOWN WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTION

In a statement, the City of Cape Town said maintenance work, including pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements will cause supply disruptions in the following areas:

Part of Brackenfell Industria—The City of Cape Town said the maintenance teams will shut off the water supply to Brass Street, Nickel Street, Ferrous Street, and Industria Street in Brackenfell Industria from 8:00 until 20:00 on Sunday, 25 August.  This will enable the maintenance team to safely repair and upgrade the existing water supply infrastructure in the area.

Constantia and Tokai, including Steenberg Golf Estate – The Water and Sanitation Directorate will shut off the 535mm diameter water main opposite the Greenbelt in Lower Constantia from 19:30 on Tuesday, 27 August, overnight until 4:30 on Wednesday, 28 August. 

The City of Cape Town said this will enable the maintenance team to repair a severe pipeline leak safely. 

Affected residents in this area are advised to store water in clean, sealed containers in advance.

ZERO-PRESSURE TESTS AND CONDITIONAL ASSESSSMENTS

Additionally, the City of Cape Town said zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be done on the water supply network in the following areas:

Oakdene, Old Nooiensfontein, New Nooiensfontein, Sarepta, Danarand, and Rietvlei in Kuils River. – On Wednesday, 28 August 2024, from 9:00 until 17:00.

The metro municipality said zero-pressure testing and step-testing are part of the installation process for zone management infrastructure. Tests are done in advance to determine whether any unmapped inflows need to be considered before installing new infrastructure (such as pressure-reducing valves for pressure management). 

In these affected areas, some residents may experience low water pressure, and some may have no water coming out of their taps for some time during the testing period.

“Unfortunately, predicting which areas or streets will experience disruptions is impossible. 

Additional zone management investigations will be carried out to ensure that existing infrastructure is operating effectively. Pressure fluctuations may be experienced, but every effort will be made to minimize the impact as far as possible,” the City of Cape Town said.

HOW DO YOU THINK PREPARE FOR WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS?

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Agricultural research centre warns beachgoers

The state veterinarian at the Elsenburg Agricultural Research Centre in Stellenbosch, Dr Lesley van Helden, said people visiting beaches along the Cape coast should be careful of Cape fur seals amid the outbreak of rabies, as reported by RSG.

Increase in Cape fur seals with rabies

The number of Cape fur seals that have tested positive along the Cape coast has increased significantly since earlier this year when authorities confirmed the first case.

The population of Cape fur seals ranges between 1,7 and 2,1 million. It spans an approximately 2 800km-long coastline from southern Angola to Plettenberg Bay – a vast stretch of land often inaccessible to researchers, according to Daily Maverick.

The Western Cape government’s Veterinary Services suggest that people should consider rabies endemic in the seal population, meaning the disease is now a regular occurrence in their normal environment. Dr van Helden agrees and said that a long-term management plan is necessary.

How dangerous is rabies for humans?

Rabies is a serious disease that is primarily spread through dog bites. It kills approximately 60 000 people worldwide each year. Direct contact between infected animals transmits the disease. Markedly, rabies is fatal to all mammals, including humans.

The virus moves along the nerves to the brain. It takes anywhere between a week and a year to reach the brain. Once that happens, symptoms of the disease start to show and the affected person dies. There is no treatment for rabies, only prevention.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), early symptoms of a rabies infection can include a fever with pain and unusual or unexplained tingling, pricking, or a burning sensation (paraesthesia) at the wound site. In later stages, the virus spreads to the central nervous system, causing fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

For more information and answers to possible questions you may have about rabies, click here.

Were you aware of the rabies outbreak among Cape fur seals?

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Whale capital of the world

Hermanus, along the shores of Walker Bay in the Overberg, is a popular holiday destination and also the official whale-watching capital of the world, according to Africa Blue Tours. It offers both spectacular scenery and many activities.

So far this whale season, 265 whales and their young have been spotted near Hermanus.

Between New Harbour and Grotto Beach, the best whale-watching points are along cliff paths that line the coast. Spectators often see up-close views of the whales. Markedly, sightings can occur within 10 metres of the coast.

Hermanus Whale Festival

Hermanus is so synonymous with whale-watching that it hosts an annual Whale Festival in September. The festival is undoubtedly very popular and attracts an estimated 75 000 to 130 000 visitors each year.

Markedly, the Hermanus Whale Festival is the only eco-marine festival in the world.

Visitors have the opportunity to get up close with southern right whales as they make their annual migration to the coastal waters of Hermanus. In addition, the festival includes markets, marine and nature talks, a street parade, and live music.

The 2024 Whale Festival takes place from 27 to 29 September.

Top spots for whale-watching

Dr Els Vermeulen of the Whale Unit of the Mammal Research Institute (MRI) at the University of Pretoria says the 2024 numbers are lower than 2023.

“This [lower numbers] indicates that it takes whales longer to produce a healthy baby, which could be attributed to a drop in food availability.”
Dr Els Vermeulen

In addition to Hermanus, there are many other spots you can make your way to if you are hoping to see some whales. As published by capetownetc, following is a list of where to go:

• Boyes Drive
• St James
• Kalk Bay
• Clovelly Corner
• Jager’s Walk in Fish Hoek
• The coastal road between Fish Hoek to Simon’s Town
• Cape Point’s Rooikrans
• Baden Powell Drive
• Clarence Drive between Gordon’s Bay and Betty’s Bay
• Betty’s Bay
• Kleinmond
• Struisbaai
• Arniston
• Stilbaai
• Nature’s Valley
• Elands Bay
• Saldanha Bay
• Langebaan
• Paternoster
• Doringbaai
• Llandudno
• Hout Bay
• Melkbosstrand

Have you been to the Hermanus Whale Festival before?

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These stunning blooms, stretching as far as the eye can see, typically flower from late July to September, creating a picturesque setting that draws visitors from near and far.

If you’re planning a visit, here are some of the best places to experience the beauty of the canola fields in the Western Cape…

1. Swartland region: A tapestry of yellow and green

Malmesbury

Malmesbury, just an hour’s drive from Cape Town, is one of the most accessible destinations for viewing canola fields. The fields here are expansive, with the Riebeek Valley offering a stunning backdrop. The ease of access makes Malmesbury an excellent day trip for those in Cape Town, providing a quick escape into nature’s beauty.

Moorreesburg

Known for its wheat fields, Moorreesburg is also home to expansive canola fields that turn the landscape into a vibrant yellow wonderland. The town’s agricultural roots are evident in the sweeping farmlands that surround it, offering visitors a quintessential view of the Swartland’s rural beauty. The contrast between the golden canola and the green wheat fields creates a mesmerizing visual experience.

2. Overberg region: A canola wonderland

Caledon

Caledon is often referred to as the heart of the canola fields in the Western Cape. Surrounded by rolling hills draped in yellow, this area is a prime spot for canola viewing. The town itself is also known for its natural hot springs, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and scenic beauty. With the backdrop of mountains and vast fields, Caledon is a photographer’s dream.

Napier

Just a short drive from Caledon, Napier offers its own unique charm with picturesque canola fields that seem to stretch endlessly into the horizon. The town’s tranquil atmosphere makes it a perfect getaway for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. The contrast between the bright yellow fields and the surrounding mountains provides a perfect setting for photography and nature walks.

Bredasdorp

Bredasdorp, another gem in the Overberg region, offers more than just canola fields. While the golden landscapes are a highlight, the nearby De Hoop Nature Reserve adds an extra layer of adventure to your visit. Here, you can combine the beauty of the canola fields with coastal walks and wildlife viewing, making it a diverse and exciting destination.

3. West Coast: A fusion of wildflowers and canola

Darling

Darling is famous for its wildflower displays, but during canola season, the fields here are equally spectacular. The blend of wildflowers and canola creates a colourful and diverse landscape that is a must-see for nature lovers. Photographers flock to Darling to capture the unique combination of flora that makes this region so special.

Hopefield

Another West Coast gem, Hopefield offers a unique mix of canola and indigenous fynbos. The combination of these two creates a stunning contrast of colours and textures, making Hopefield a destination worth visiting during canola season. The nearby West Coast National Park also offers an added bonus with its spring wildflowers, making the entire region a feast for the eyes.

4. Ceres Valley: The hidden canola treasure

Though better known for its fruit orchards, the Ceres Valley is also home to beautiful canola fields. The valley’s rugged mountains provide a dramatic contrast to the bright yellow fields, making it an ideal location for landscape photography. The Ceres Valley is a hidden gem for those looking to explore beyond the more popular canola destinations.

Have you visited the canola fields before or would you want to?

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 Air Botswana recently announced a major route network expansion between South Africa and Botswana.

Now, as reported by Travel News, the airline has revealed the starting dates for the new routes, reinstated flights and increased frequencies to SA.

The airline also announced that it had recently taken delivery of three Embraer aircraft in June, with Air Botswana CEO Lulu Rasebotsa saying that, with Air Botswana’s expansion plans, it is likely that it will need to purchase a fourth aircraft soon.

“The airline views the acquisition of the Embraer jets and the expansion of routes as crucial steps towards achieving financial stability and operational efficiency,” Rasebotsa said.

New routes

The new routes will include flights from Kasane to Cape Town, from Maun to Cape Town, from Kasane to Kruger (KMIA) and from Kasane to Windhoek.

Gaborone routes will kick off on 1 October, while Maun and Kasane flights will start from 1 November.

Gaborone to Durban and flights will operate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Maun to Cape Town and Kasane to Cape Town will then take off on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. There will also be a Kasane to Mpumalanga flight on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Reinstated routes

The reinstating routes from Air Botswana, which were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will start on 1 and 15 September between Johannesburg and Maun, Johannesburg and Kasane, and Johannesburg and Francistown. 

Johannesburg to Maun flights will be on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Johannesburg to Kasane flights will take off on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The Johannesburg to Francistown will start on 15 September, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Increased frequencies

The airline will also increase frequencies along the existing Gaborone to Cape Town route.

These flights will start from 1 November and operate on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

What do you think of Air Botswana’s added routes to SA?

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General tips

Ideal viewing times for the flowers are in the late morning between 10:00 and 11:00 and also in the late afternoon between 15:00 and 17:00, according to capetownetc.

Generally, the flowers thrive in cooler temperatures. However, the flowers remain closed on rainy or overcast days, so it is best to avoid visiting during these times.

National parks and nature reserves

The West Coast National Park, famous for its Postberg Flower Reserve, offers beautiful displays of wildflowers along with coastal vistas. The Langebaan Lagoon is the focal point of the park.

The !Khwa ttu Nature Reserve is located 70 kilometres from Cape Town along the R27 West Coast road. Aside from a well-curated museum and San-guided tours, the reserve offers guided wildflower strolls across its expanse.

“Absolutely amazing! Definitely worth a visit.”
Visitor, !Khwa ttu Nature Reserve

Situated approximately 200 kilometres southeast of Cape Town lies the Agulhas National Park. In addition to its notable historic lighthouse, this park boasts a rich tapestry of plant life, encompassing a diverse array of species, including enchanting wildflowers.

The Bontebok National Park near Swellendam displays an enchanting array of wildflowers within its natural setting. This park is an ideal spot for an overnight stop for travellers between the Eastern Cape and Cape Town.

Rocherpan Nature Reserve is rich in birds and vibrant wildflowers. A seasonal vlei primarily makes up the reserve that is located 25 kilometres north of Velddrif. It was proclaimed a nature reserve in 1966, and the adjacent section of the Atlantic Ocean was designated as a marine reserve in 1988.

Charming towns where you can see the wildflowers

Indigenous fynbos burst into blooms during the spring season in Piketberg, located at the base of the Piketberg Mountain range.

Darling is a quaint town that forms part of the Cape Floral Region, a biodiversity hotspot comprising a profusion of flowering plant species. The annual Darling Wildflower Show is a vibrant showcase of wildflowers in their resplendent diversity.

Velddrif is a charming town situated against the banks of the Berg River. Its location makes it an ideal spot for exploring the captivating West Coast flowers.

Clanwilliam, situated approximately 200 kilometres north of Cape Town, is surrounded by stunning landscapes that bloom in a kaleidoscope of colours during the wildflower season.

Have you been on a trip to see the Western Cape wildflowers?

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UNESCO World Heritage site

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Robben Island as a World Heritage site in 1999. It qualified for selection due to two criteria. Firstly, the buildings of the island bear eloquent witness to its sombre history. Secondly, the island and its prison buildings symbolise the triumph of the human spirit, freedom, and democracy over oppression.

The island was used between the 17th and 20th centuries as a prison, hospital for outcast groups, and a military base.

Customised, private tour

If you prefer to explore the island solo, you can arrange a private tour with a tour guide.

The tour guide, a former political prisoner, will share information on how they overcame many adversities, their journey to the island, and insights about former president, Nelson Mandela.

The tour is tailored to your needs, allowing you to decide how you would like to structure it.

Guided walking tours

A walking tour is available that starts at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town with a 38-minute ferry ride there and back.

Those who decide to take part in this tour will visit eight historic sites including the Murray’s Bay Harbour exhibition, the Second World War precinct, and the maximum security prison.

“The full Robben Island tour route is one that words do not give justice to and you truly have to experience it for yourself. “
Juanita Abrahams, Robben Island visitor

Stay overnight

Robben Island activities also include overnight accommodation available at Robben Island’s guest house, which can accommodate 15 guests at a time. While there is no on-site restaurant or kitchen, you can arrange meals depending on the length of your stay.

Have your your next birthday party on Robben Island

One of the more unique Robben Island activities is hosting a party on the island. The guest house has a conference room that people can book for events such as birthday parties or workshops.

In addition to the guest house, there is also a hall available for events, the John Craig Hall. Both of these venues can accommodate 70 to 80 people at a time.

Have you been to Robben Island?

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The municipality’s water and sanitation directorate will be doing planned maintenance work which will result in water supply disruptions.

12-HOUR WATER SHUTDOWN TO AFFECT PARTS OF CAPE TOWN

In a statement, the City of Cape Town said maintenance work, including pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements will cause supply disruptions in the following areas:

Brackenfell Industria and Everite Industria—The water supply to these areas will be shut off from 8:00 to 20:00 on Sunday, 11 August. 

The City of Cape Town said this will enable the maintenance team to safely replace four control valves and a failing T-piece on the main water supply pipeline to these areas. As a result, the management of future water supply shut-offs in these areas will be improved.

Part of Fresnaye—The Water and Sanitation Directorate will be rehabilitating the water main in De Wet Road, Fresnaye, from Monday, 12 August, until Friday, 8 November 2024. 

“The work will be done in the servitude between Numbers 22 and 24 De Wet Road and involves the relaying of the water main, which may result in an unavoidable temporary inconvenience, including the local traffic in the area.

“Shut-off of water in the area is only planned for close to the end of the project, and residents will be notified accordingly closer to the time,” the City of Cape Town said.

Wemmershoek Water Treatment Plant’s temporary shutdown will occur from 0:00 on Tuesday, 13 August, until 20:00 on Wednesday, 14 August. The municipality said the shutdown would enable the team to maintain some of the plant’s sand filters. 

Notably, the reservoirs supplying the city’s northern parts will be filled in advance. Residents in these areas are urged to reduce their water consumption during this period.

Diep River, Elfindale, Heathfield, Southfield, Parkwood, Meadowridge, Plumstead, and Constantia—The water and sanitation directorate will replace valves and fire hydrants on the water supply network in various streets in these suburbs from 8:00 to 17:00 on Tuesday, 13 August. 

The water supply to these streets will be shut off intermittently during this period, allowing the maintenance teams to do the replacements safely. Affected residents in this area have been urged to store water in clean, sealed containers in advance.

Tokai, Retreat, and Steenberg – The City of Cape Town said its water and sanitation directorate will replace valves and fire hydrants on the water supply network in various streets in these suburbs from 8:00 until 17:00 on Wednesday, 14 August. 

The water supply in these streets will also be shut off intermittently during this period, allowing the maintenance teams to do the replacements safely. 

Noordhoek, Ocean View, Sunnydale, and Kommetjie—Lastly, the Water and Sanitation Directorate will replace valves and fire hydrants on the water supply network in various streets in these suburbs from 8:00 to 17:00 on Thursday, 15 August. 

The water supply to these streets will be shut off intermittently during this period, allowing the maintenance teams to do the replacements safely. Affected residents  are advised to store water in clean sealed containers in advance.

ZERO-PRESSURE TESTS AND CONDITIONAL ASSESSSMENTS

Additionally, the City of Cape Town said zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be done on the water supply network in the following areas:

Pinehurst, Langeberg Hoogte, Durbanville Meadows, and Uitzicht, Kraaifontein – Wednesday, 14 August, from 10:00 until 16:00.

The metro municipality said zero-pressure testing and step-testing are part of the installation process for zone management infrastructure. Tests are done in advance to determine whether any unmapped inflows need to be considered before installing new infrastructure (such as pressure-reducing valves for pressure management). 

In these affected areas, some residents may experience low water pressure, and some may have no water coming out of their taps for some time during the testing period.

Unfortunately, the municipality said predicting which areas or streets will experience disruptions is impossible. 

HAS THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN’S PLANNED MAINTENANCE WORK AFFECTED YOU?

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Here are more details …

Wildflower season returns

South African National Parks (SANParks) has officially announced the start of the 2024 wildflower season in West Coast National Park.

In a statement, SANParks said that from 1 August 2024, and continuing through to 30 September 2024, the Postberg section of the West Coast National Park is open to the public, offering a great opportunity to view the beautiful seasonal blooms.

The parks body also said that this year, there will be three food trucks stationed in the Geelbek precinct, Tsaarsbank and Preekstoel area of the park, to provide a variety of food and refreshments for visitors.

When and how much?

The West Coast National Park will be open at the following times:

Gate times for Postberg are:

• 09:00 to 17:00 with the last entry at 16:30

Gate times for the general park area are:

• August: 07:00 to 18:00 with last entry at 17:30
• September: 07:00 to 19:00 with last entry at 18:30

Conservation fees for August and September are as follows (child < 12 years old):

• SA adult (with ID) – R110 per person
• SA child – R55 per person
• SADC National adult (with passport) – R169 per person
• SADC National child – R85 per person

Standard Conservation Fee/International Visitors:

• Adult – R247 per person
• Child – R124 per person

Are you planning on going to see the flowers this year?

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Next year’s race will be the 54th Two Oceans Ultra.

The 2025 Ultra Marathon will take place on Saturday, 5 April and will cover 56km.

Next year’s Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, 6 April and will cover 21.1km.

Two Oceans Marathon will take place before Easter

The Two Oceans Marathon for several decades took place on the Easter long weekend, before moving to the weekend after – or a fortnight later – in recent years.

However, the 2025 race will take place two weeks BEFORE Easter, with Easter Sunday scheduled for 20 April.

Gerda Steyn is the reigning women’s Two Oceans Marathon champion, while Onalenna Khonkhobe, also from South Africa, won this year’s race.

Entries will open soon – and The South African website will keep those interested in taking to the start line updated.

Are you planning on running?

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As reported by The South African website, a series of strong cold fronts during July and early August brought both rain and snow to the Western Cape – with more in the forecast for the coming days, weeks and no doubt months.

The six major dams in the Western Cape – the Berg River, Steenbras Lower, Steenberg Upper, Theewaterskloof, Voelvlei and Wemmershoek – have all seen increases in capacity.

Up on last year

The City of Cape Town uploaded its latest stats on Monday, 5 August.

The latest figures show the six dams are a combined 101.3% of total storage.

That’s up from the 100.1% the previous week.

The levels are also up on the same period a year ago when the combined percentage stood at 100.4%.

Theewaterskloof, which accounts for more than 50% of the province’s total dam capacity (480 188 MI of a total of 898 221 MI) is at 104% of capacity, while the next biggest dam, Voëlvlei (164 095 MI), is at 93.7%.

Western Cape residents need no reminding of life during the ‘Day Zero’ water crisis from mid-2017 to mid-2018.

Follow The South African website for the latest dam level news in the Western Cape

Do you have any pictures or videos of the weather, sunrise or sunset in your area?

If so, email them to info@thesouthafrican.com or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

WESTERN CAPE DAM LEVELS

PRASA service extension

Along with the new modern trains, PRASA is extending its service from Nyanga to Mandalay station, according to The South African Government News Agency.

This marks a significant milestone as it is the first time PRASA has deployed the ‘People’s Train’ on this line, following the completion of essential electrical and perway infrastructure between Nyanga and Nolungile.

PRASA added that this development is expected to bring positive socio-economic benefits to the communities of Langa, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, and other areas along the line.

“The completion of signalling from Langa to Mutual Line marks a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance the safety and reliability of our services. Work to re-signal the rest of the Central corridor continues.”
PRASA

What features do the modern trains have?

Commuters using the central line will now be able to make use of the new high-tech modern trains in Cape Town.

Each EMU has advanced features such as automated doors, CCTV cameras, and air-conditioning. An EMU is a train where each car has its own power source. The name comes from the fact that multiple cars work together, each contributing to the train’s power.

With the rollout of the new trains PRASA aims to ensure a comfortable and secure trip for all passengers. It also aims to show its commitment to revitalising and modernising commuter rail services.

Watch this video to see more.

Another addition is an advanced signalling system that will improve the frequency and punctuality of the trains. Also, it will reduce delays and congestion.

PRASA also recently refurbished 263 out of 463 stations.

Management of Cape Town’s trains to move from PRASA to the municipality?

Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has been responsive to the City of Cape Town’s request to discuss shifting the management of Metrorail from PRASA to the municipality, according to GroundUp.

Mayco Member for Urban Mobility Roberto Quintas said that he is “confident that serious inroads can be made, with many things … including our account-based ticketing, including the rail devolution strategy”.

In August last year, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis threatened to lodge an intergovernmental dispute against PRASA. This followed after numerous unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a Service Level Agreement with PRASA over the running of Metrorail. This entailed the rail passenger service in Cape Town and to surrounding areas such as Stellenbosch and Wellington.

Do you think the municipality should take over the management?

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The municipality’s water and sanitation directorate will be doing planned maintenance work which will result in water supply disruptions.

NINE-HOUR WATER SHUTDOWN IN CAPE TOWN

In a statement, the City of Cape Town said maintenance work, including pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements will cause supply disruptions in the following areas:

The Molteno Reservoir will be shut down for annual maintenance from Monday, 29 July, until Monday, 12 August. No water supply disruptions are anticipated during this period, as water from other parts of the Bulk Water supply network will be rerouted to the Molteno Reservoir supply areas.

The water supply to Site C in Khayelitsha will be shut off from 8:00 until 17:00 on Tuesday, 6 August. 

The City of Cape Town said the shutdown will enable the maintenance team to relocate the pressure-reducing valve (PRV) into the newly constructed valve chamber.

Residents are urged to store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance for domestic use during this period. However, water tankers will roam through the area to provide water where required.

The water and sanitation directorate will do a test shut-off on the 500mm water supply pipeline to the Mowbray and Rondebosch areas above and below the Main Road between Durban Road and Belmont Road, from 9:00 until 18:00 on Tuesday, 6 August.

The City of Cape Town said this would enable the maintenance team to safely assess the water supply network in preparation for planning the actual shut-off required for repairs to the pipeline.

“Some parts of these areas may have water at low pressure, while others may have no water. The Mowbray Maternity Hospital may be affected by the shut-off,” the municipality said.

Residents and businesses are urged to store enough water in advance as a precautionary measure. Water should ideally be stored in clean, sealed containers.

HOW HAS THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES AFFECTED THE WATER SUPPLY IN YOUR AREA?

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Plettenberg Bay Airport was officially closed by SACAA on 31 July. The aviation authority states runway safety risks as the primary concern.

RIGHT TO APPEAL

Enforcement specialist legal and compliance officer at SACAA, Joseph Mtsweni, informed the Bitou municipality, the airport’s licence holder, that Plettenberg Bay Airport’s Aerodrome Operating Licence had been suspended with immediate effect.

He said the municipality indeed had the right to appeal against the decision to the Director of Civil Aviation if it felt aggrieved.

KnysnaPlettHerald reports that the Bitou Municipality has therefore convened to discuss the matter.

PLETTENBERG BAY AIRPORT RUNWAY

The council has also passed a motion after reaching a decision. It has decided to attend to the condition of Plettenberg Bay Airport’s runway.

It has authorised a team, consisting of municipal directors, to negotiate the terms of a new agreement to find the best method to repair the runway and thereby reach compliance with SACAA requirements.

IMPACT OF PLETTENBERG BAY AIRPORT CLOSURE

As a result of the closure of Plettenberg Bay Airport, CemAir has thus suspended all its flights to and from the town.

CemAir, which operated flights to Plettenberg Bay Airport has had to come up with alternate plans. The airline’s CEO Miles van der Molen said that affected passengers would be accommodated on flights into George Airport.

TravelNews states that CemAir was the only airline offering commercial services to Plettenberg Bay Airport.

AVIATION WOES

South Africa is currently experiencing a series of setbacks in its aviation space in recent times.

Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) suspended procedures for all instrument-navigation flight approaches at several airports over a week ago.

The airports include George, Kimberley, Polokwane, Mthatha and Richards Bay.   

LIMITS ON APPROACHES

Under this suspension, pilots are still permitted to perform visual approaches in favourable weather conditions.

George Airport is the country’s airport which is most likely to be impacted by recent ATNS procedure suspensions.  

GEORGE FLIGHTS

Passengers travelling to George should be aware that flights into that airport are in fact mostly likely to be affected by the latest ATNS procedure suspensions.

This is because weather conditions at George often do not allow for aircraft to land safely using visual approaches.

CONDUCTING MAINTENANCE

ATNS explained that it was in fact conducting a maintenance programme for instrument flight procedures at various airports in South Africa.

Flights to smaller airports in South Africa are likely to be impacted by the suspension of instrument-navigation approaches.

ATNS says it will try its best to complete this maintenance speedily, to reduce effects for airlines and passengers.

“To minimise the impact on safety and operational flight delays, we will fast-track activities to ensure speedy upliftment of the suspensions.” it said.

1. Explore Cape Town’s colourful Bo-Kaap

The Bo-Kaap, formerly known as the Cape Malay Quarter, is an iconic area in Cape Town on the fringe of the city centre. It is markedly recognisable by its colourful houses and dates back to the 1760s. During this time, Dutch colonists built numerous rental houses and leased them to slaves, according to South African History Online. These slaves came from Malaysia, Indonesia and also the rest of Africa to work in the Cape. The Dutch called them Cape Malays.

Many families in the Bo-Kaap have been living there for generations.

The free walking tour of the Bo-Kaap takes place three times a day, every day, at 9:30, 14:00 and also at 16:20. Many of the participants tip the tour guides as they are not paid for this service. 

Visitors joining the tour can look forward to visiting the oldest mosque in South Africa, The Auwal Mosque, and the Atlas Trading Company, established in 1946, for a huge variety of spices from the East and other products.

What is the story behind the colourful houses?

There are many stories surrounding the bright colours of the Bo-Kaap houses. One story suggests that residents painted their houses in vibrant colours as a way to symbolise the end of slavery. However, most of the houses were white until around 1980, even though slavery was abolished in 1808. The exact reason for the bright colours remains a mystery.

2. Historic city tour

The historic city tour introduces visitors to the different eras of Cape Town and South Africa’s history and some of the people who shaped it. The walking tour includes a visit to the Company’s Garden, Parliament, Greenmarket Square, the Castle of Good Hope, and the Iziko Slave Lodge.

Built between 1666 and 1679, the Castle is known as the oldest surviving building in South Africa.

Greenmarket Square was established in 1696 when the first market house was built. At that time, people used it as a trading post for slaves and also livestock. In the 18th century, the square became a centre of trade for textiles and other goods. It continued to be an important commercial hub well into the 19th century, according to Cape Tourism.

Have you been on one of these walking tours?

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Popular American publication, Architectural Digest, also known as AD, recently released their list of the Top 20 Most Beautiful Cities in the World, and it comes as no surprise that beautiful Cape Town claimed a spot.

The publication claimed that although 20 cities were far too few to sum up all the world’s beauty, they took ‘a stab at highlighting some supremely spectacular places’.

For the purpose of the list, AD considered a few factors such as a city’s architecture, cultural treasures, historical relevance, as well as natural appeal in order to be named ‘beautiful’.

Cape Town placed at number 14, with the publication stating:

“Brilliant blue waters, buzzing nightlife, an ever-emerging arts scene, and the majestic Table Mountain make Cape Town a stunning city no matter your definition of beauty. For both nature lovers and thrill seekers, getting a closer look at the city’s main mountain never disappoints. Table Mountain National Park has a cable car that offers panoramic views of the city, plus whale-watching from Cape Point and the chance to peep penguins at Boulders Beach.”

The three cities which clinched the top spots were Adelaide, Australia in number one, Tallinn, Estonia in number two and Portsmouth, Dominica in the third spot.

The 20 most beautiful

According to Architectural Digest, these 20 cities made the list:

The maintenance is scheduled to start at 8:00 until 20:00.

CITY OF CAPE TOWN TEAMS TO CONDUCT MAINTENANCE ON WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

In a statement, the City of Cape Town said maintenance work, including pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements will cause supply disruptions in the following areas:

The water supply to the Brackenfell Industria will be shut off from 8:00 until 20:00 on Sunday, 28 July. The municipality said the maintenance team needs to install new control valves and replace a leaking connection on the main water supply pipeline. In turn, this will help reduce the impacted areas during future shut-offs.

In addition, the Molteno Reservoir will be shut down for annual maintenance from Monday, 29 July, until Monday, 12 August. No water supply disruptions are anticipated during this period, as water from other parts of the Bulk Water supply network will be rerouted to the Molteno Reservoir supply areas.

Lastly, the water supply to the Oakdale area below the N1, bounded by Carl Cronje and Bill Bezuidenhout Avenue, will be shut off from 9:00 to 18:00 on Tuesday, 30 July.

The City of Cape Town said this will enable the maintenance team to safely install a valve near the corner of Raglan and Durban Roads, Oakdale. It will also help reduce the impacted areas during future shut-offs.

The municipality added, “Residents are advised to store enough water in advance as a precautionary measure. Water should ideally be stored in clean, sealed containers.”

HERE’S WHAT RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW

The City of Cape Town said:

• Careful consideration has been given to the planning of this work to ensure it is being done at a time that is least disruptive to the water supply.
• All sites where water and sanitation repairs and upgrades are conducted are deemed to be construction sites and, as such, are off-limits to members of the public.
• Sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, which means the work could take longer.
• For a short period after the supply has been restored, the water may be discoloured or look milky. This is because of trapped air in the pipes. If left to stand in a glass, the appearance will become clear, like normal.

HOW HAS THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES AFFECTED THE WATER SUPPLY IN YOUR AREA?

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These are the hotspots with the most incidents

According to Safety and Security MMC JP Smith, the total of 212 smash-and-grab incidents comprise 126 actual smash-and-grab incidents, four attempts, and 82 involved suspects looking for opportunities.

Smith identified the following hotspots for smash-and-grab incidents, as reported by Head Topics:

• Jakes Gerwel Drive, between the N2 and Voortrekker Road – currently the primary hotspot
• The N7, which includes Jakes Gerwel Drive
• 35th Avenue in Bishop Lavis/Elsies River

Recent cases

In a recent incident on Malibongwe Drive in Dunoon, just off the N7, criminals smashed a car window around 17:45. The driver managed to escape. Shortly after this incident, a video captured two men breaking the windows of three cars within five minutes on Malibongwe Drive. Drones recorded the incident.

The drone footage shows thieves appearing unconcerned about being watched. In the video, one man walks along the highway while motorists are stuck in traffic. He smashes the window of a vehicle, but fails to steal anything. He then crosses the highway and hides in Dunoon. Shortly thereafter, a second accomplice joins him. He then returns to look for his next smash-and-grab victim, according to an article published by IOL.

Smash-and-grab crimes are opportunistic crimes says Safety and Security MMC

JP Smith described smash-and-grab crimes as opportunistic and mentioned that while the police have made some arrests, many suspects manage to escape quickly, as reported by capetownetc. He also noted that incidents often go unreported or victims refuse to press charges even after arrests.

The City’s metro police conduct awareness campaigns at hotspot locations, advising motorists to store valuables such as laptops and handbags in their car boots. They recommend keeping valuables like cell phones out of sight, locking doors and windows, and staying alert. Additionally, they ask that motorists be cautious of people loitering at traffic lights, stop streets, and intersections. This includes those offering pamphlets and also those selling goods.

“While the City of Cape Town’s metro police department continues with awareness drives, the motoring public have yet to do their part.”
Safety and Security MMC JP Smith

Have you ever been a victim of a smash-and-grab incident?

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South Africa is seeing an increasing number of tourists visiting the country. Cape Town is a huge part of the country’s allure.

CAPE TOWN FOR A SOLO TRIP

That said, Cape Town is not just a place for families or couples. The city is indeed the right place for solo travellers.

The city offers so much. From history to nature, dining to adventure, the Mother City has a lot to offer.

WHY TAKE A SOLO TRIP?

Sometimes, doing things alone is just better. Alone time can be the best time.

A solo trip allows you to check in with yourself and recharge your batteries.

Travelling solo can be an excellent way to discover new destinations and learn more about yourself.

It’s also a perfect way to seek out opportunities and learn more about locals, communities and cultures.

CAPE TOWN: TOP DESTINATION FOR SOLO TRIPS

According to Timeout, Cape Town is a top travel destination.

With its blend of stunning scenery, vibrant culture, and a strong emphasis on safety, the Mother City is a solo traveller’s paradise.

However, don’t skip out on other gems, including the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal, which also boast their own unique charm and adventure.

REASONS WHY CAPE TOWN SHOULD BE ON SOLO TRAVELLERS LIST:

SELF-INDULGENCE

Picture yourself strolling through the artsy Capetonian streets during first Thursdays or immersing yourself in the wild beauty of the Cape.

Just you and your heart’s desires floating in the wind. Well, solo travel is your golden ticket to introspection. It’s like a crash course in YOU 101.

Cape Town is perfect for this. With its gorgeous scenery, vibrant nightlife, and delicious food scene, the Mother City is well suited for anyone looking to get lost in their own thoughts.

A SPACE TO EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN

Few things feel better than being the master of your own itinerary.

One of the perks of solo travel is the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want. Just remember that failing to plan is planning to fail.

Leigh Myles, Senior Business Development Manager Africa at the award-winning booking technology Profitroom, says “A little bit of planning can go a long way. Booking ahead of time and directly through hotels can end up saving you a ton of money and potentially give you access to great promotions and deals.”

EASY TO PLAN ON YOUR OWN

One of the best ways to connect with fellow travellers and enhance your travel experience is by booking accommodation directly with the hotel.

By booking directly with Cape Town’s hotels, guests can enjoy a range of exclusive offers and add-ons that are not available through third-party booking sites.

These add-ons may include exciting activities such as tours and game drives, allowing travellers to explore the local area and meet new people.

See some tips for planning your trip here.

Would you like to take a solo trip to Cape Town?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and for the latest news.

Schreiber said this following his visit to the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office in Epping.

HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER PROVIDES UPDATE ON EVICTION OF REFUGEES

In 2019, hundreds of refugees were part of a group that had staged a protest outside the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. They refused to be reintegrated into local communities or to be sent back home. They said they would rather be settled in other countries such as Canada or the US where they felt they would be safer than they currently were. 

The South African previously reported that a total of 500 refugees, that included 200 children remained in Paint City in Bellville during the Covid-19 pandemic. They refused to return to South African communities and clung to a dream of being relocated to another country. 

In an interview with Cape Talk Schreiber confirmed that the City of Cape Town and his department will work together to launch a joint application to evict the refugees and asylum seekers currently in Paint City and Wingfield.

Schreiber said over the years, the Department of Home Affairs has offered alternative options such as repatriating or resettling and the refugees have blatantly refused. The department now feels it is time to take decisive action.

“Both the City of Cape Town and the Department of Home Affairs are suffering under this particular arrangement as it is not sustainable anymore, especially for the residents of these communities,” he said.

DEPARTMENT IS DEALING WITH THE BACKLOG OF ASYLUM APPLICATIONS

During the interview, Schreiber said they’re also looking at ways to accelerate asylum applications for those who submitted the applications as there is a massive backlog.

“No one can claim that they have not been offered a reasonable alternative. Therefore, using those precedents that I’m referring to, there really is no alternative than to say they should vacate these sites or reintegrate or alternatively have their asylum applications dealt with,” Schreiber said.

Additionally, Schreiber emphasised that South Africa does not have massive refugees camps or facilities to keep people away from communities.

“South Africa does not decide which countries must accept refugees that have come to South Africa. It is only third countries who can make decisions about that and quite clearly for the last five years that has not materialised,” he added.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE FOREIGNERS WHO ARE REFUSING TO RETURN TO THEIR COUNTRIES?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing The South African. You can also send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021. Remember to follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.

Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) suspended procedures for all instrument-navigation flight approaches at several airports last Friday.

CONDUCTING MAINTENANCE

ATNS says that it is conducting a maintenance programme for instrument flight procedures at various airports in South Africa.

Flights to smaller airports in the country could be impacted by the suspension of instrument-navigation approaches.

ATNS says it will try its best to complete this maintenance speedily, to reduce effects for airlines and passengers. “To minimise the impact on safety and operational flight delays, we will fast-track activities to ensure speedy upliftment of the suspensions,” it said.

AFFECTED AIRPORTS

BusinessLive says 177 weekly flights are scheduled to land at the airports where instrument approaches have been suspended. 

The airports include George, Kimberley, Polokwane, Mthatha and Richards Bay.   

RESTRICTIONS ON FLIGHT APPROACHES

During cloudy, misty or rainy conditions, or at night, approaches for landing will not be permitted. 

Flightdeck crew may not land aircraft using solely the aircraft’s navigation instruments.  

Under this suspension, pilots are, however, still permitted to perform visual approaches in favourable weather conditions.

DISRUPTION TO GEORGE FLIGHTS

The suspension could indeed have severe effects on scheduled flights landing in destinations where weather conditions are poor.

Of the airports where these types of approaches have been suspended, George Airport is most likely to be impacted due to the frequency of bad weather conditions there.  The airport is operated by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA).

Airports at Kimberley, Polokwane, Mthatha and Richards Bay do not often experience poor weather conditions, so they are likely to be less impacted.

AIRLINES RESPOND TO ATNS APPROACH SUSPENSIONS

Airlines operating scheduled flights into George Airport have expressed concerns about this suspension.

Cemair’s CEO, Miles van der Molen, said that the impact of the ATNS suspensions could be significant.

He said that Cemair’s flights to George were likely to be the most affected since the city frequently experiences poor weather conditions.

FlySafair’s Chief Marketing Officer Kirby Gordon is also concerned about the effect of bad weather on its flights to George. 

“We have some concerns, because this does place a limitation on our ability to land in weather conditions that we would ordinarily be able to land in.” Gordon said. 

OFFER TO HELP ATNS

Airlink, which also operates flights to George Airport, said that the ATNS procedures were taking longer than expected to complete.

The airline’s CEO, Rodger Foster said that Airlink would in fact be willing to help ATNS in securing experts that could help to design the appropriate procedures for these airports.  

“Given the disruption to our services, the inconvenience to our customers and the likely economic harm to business, trade and tourism at those cities, Airlink has offered to assist ATNS in securing the services of international experts in airspace and approach procedure design, so that it can expedite the review and reinstate or implement new, fully-compliant procedures.” Airlink’s CEO Rodger Foster said.

ATNS has provided an update on its maintenance work. It has said that there is likely to be a positive outcome as a result of its efforts.

Early indications are it may be that of a fisherman, an adult male, who went missing at Small Bay on Saturday after being swept off rocks while angling.

However, formal identification will need to be made in cooperation with Police and Forensic Pathology Services.

The body has been taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

NSRI Melkbosstrand, the SA Police Services, Police WPDS, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Community medics, WC Government Health EMS and Table View Neighbourhood Watch attended at the scene.

Condolences are conveyed to family of the deceased man.

EARLIER REPORT

Terence Lawson, NSRI Melkbosstrand duty coxswain, said: On Saturday, 20 July at 15:02, NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crew and the CoCT (City of Cape Town) water rescue network were activated following eyewitness reports of a fisherman washed off rocks at Small Bay, Bloubergstrand.

The local coast watch community immediately initiated a visual search along that stretch of coast.

NSRI rescue swimmers, Big Bay Blouberg lifeguards, WC Government Health EMS and rescue squad, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, the SA Police Services (SAPS), Community Medics, ER24 ambulance Services, Netcare 911 ambulance services, CoCT Law Enforcement and Table View neighbourhood watch responded.

The NSRI rescue craft Rescue 18 Alpha was launched.

An NSRI headquarters rescue craft, Spirit of Rotary, was diverted to the scene from a training exercise and assisted in a search operation.

On arrival on the scene a search commenced for an adult male fisherman who was swept off rocks by a wave while shoreline angling and he was last seen by a family member in the surf line.

SAPS WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) were alerted.

A Metro EMS rescue drone unit joined in the search.

The EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, returning to base from the West Coast, and SAPS WPDS, joined in the search.

Despite an extensive air, sea and shoreline search, at the time there was no sign of the missing man.

The Urban Studies Shopper Index (USSI) has ranked the V&A Waterfront as the best mall in South Africa.

According to BusinessTech, the quarterly USSI is based on a ‘consumer analytics tool’ that collects Google Review ratings for shopping malls and centres that have a Google Page.

“By focusing on the consumer’s voice, the USSI provides insights and tracking of performance and service levels over time for retailers, property managers, and investors. The index is calculated on a rating out of five.” the USSI revealed.

When looking at South Africa’s 13 super regional malls for the second quarter (Q2), the V&A Waterfront came first, with a score of 4.77, while Sandton City came in second place with a score of 4.68, followed by Eastgate’s 4.66.

TOP 13 MALLS IN SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa’s 13 super regional malls placed as follows:

V&A commits to sustainability

The V&A Waterfront is also surging ahead on its mission to be green and is set to meet 70% of its power needs with energy from solar and wind farms operated by independent electricity producers.

According to reports, V&A Waterfront will be able to do this due to a recent power purchase agreement (PPA) which was signed with Etana Energy for 43 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of renewable energy every year.

This 10-year PPA will be a key landmark in the V&A Waterfront’s sustainability plans, which includes a commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2035.

Joslin’s mother, Chantel Smith, her stepfather, Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis, and close friends Steveno van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombard face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. The four appeared at the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 July.

WHAT’S THE LATEST ON MISSING JOSLIN SMITH?

As previously reported by The South African, the six-year-old girl went missing from her home in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, on 19 February. At the time, she was under the care of her mother’s boyfriend.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies deployed officers and resources to assist in the search.

Following her disappearance, allegations surfaced that she was allegedly sold for R20 000.

On Monday, the court was expected to hear an update about the investigation, including forensic reports and cellphone records. However, the State indicated that some of the forensic evidence is still outstanding, TimesLIVE reported.  

Magistrate Yolisa Sikhoyo said due to the amount of the investigation that is still outstanding, the matter is going to be postponed again to give the state an opportunity to complete its investigation.

“The date agreed to between the state and the defence is the 16th of September for further investigation. You are all in custody until then,” she told the four accused.

DO YOU THINK JOSLIN SMITH’S MOTHER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HER DISAPPEARANCE?

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An age worth celebrating

Markedly, Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains in the world. To put its age into perspective, the Alps are 40 million years old.

Table Mountain was once three to four times higher. However, millions of years of erosion have caused it to shrink. In ancient times, Table Mountain and Lions Head connected the Peninsula to the Hottentots Holland mountains.

The mountain’s highest point is 1 086m above sea level, called Maclear’s Beacon named after the man who built a stone marker at the site in 1865.

World-famous people atop Table Mountain

Many famous people have graced the mountain with their presence over the years from Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) in 1947 to Oprah Winfrey and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Other world-famous figures who have visited the mountain include Sting, Steffi Graf, Margaret Thatcher, Prince Andrew, Michael Schumacher, Brooke Shields, Michael Bublé, Tina Turner, and Jackie Chan.

The cable car’s beginnings

The cable cars were originally made of steel and wood and have been upgraded three times, first in 1958, again in 1974, and most recently in 1997, when the round cars with revolving floors called ‘rotairs’ were introduced. Originally the Norwegian engineer Trygve Stromsoe’s idea, the Cableway Company was founded by Stromsoe and his partners, Sir Alfred Hennessy, Sir David Graaff, and Sir Ernest Oppenheimer and managed by their descendants until they sold it in 1993.

The first set of cable cars, the very set that ferried King George VI and princesses Elizabeth and Margaret to the top of Table Mountain, are on display at the Transport Museum in Johannesburg and at the Lower Station. One of the cars is now a popular ice cream kiosk.

For those who prefer hiking up the mountain, there are more than 350 trails to get to the top.

Table Mountain’s history of names

The mountain’s original name was Hoerikwaggo. The indigenous Khoisan people of the Cape named the mountain Hoerikwaggo, which means ‘Mountain in the Sea’. Portuguese explorer, Antionio de Saldanha, was the first white man to hike the mountain. He did so in 1503 and named the mountain Taboa de Cabo. This means ‘Table of the Cape’. Following this, around 1652, Dutch settlers started calling it Tafelberg, which translates as ‘Table Mountain’.

The only mountain in the stars

Lastly, one of the facts you may not know is that Table Mountain is the only terrestrial structure in the world to have a constellation named after it. In 1754, French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lecaille named the southern constellation Mensa after the iconic landmark. He originally called it Mons Mensae, which is Latin for ‘the table mountain’.

Did you find any of these facts particularly interesting?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news. 

The hotel is expected to close for renovations lasting a few months, from February next year.

LUXURY WATERFRONT HOTEL

The Table Bay Hotel opened its doors in the late 1990s. The luxury hotel has accommodated volumes of guests and tourists for over a quarter of a century.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela opened the property by cutting the opening ribbon for the luxury hotel, known for its world-class hospitality, over 25 years ago.

HOTEL IN NEED OF REVAMP

Timeout reports that the 25-year lease on the property was coming to an end during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, the Table Bay Hotel is showing signs of age, with dated furnishings and décor. 

BILLION RAND UPGRADE FOR CAPE TOWN HOTEL

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (V&A) owns the hotel and is eager for it to be upgraded.

The owners of the property will spend R1 billion on revamping the hotel.

‘We are delighted to see this uniquely located hotel undergo an extensive transformation to re-launch under the prestigious InterContinental brand,” said David Green, CEO of V&A Waterfront.

REBRANDING FOR TABLE BAY HOTEL

Furthermore, the hotel will no longer be operated as a Sun International property. When it reopens late next year, it will operate as an InterContinental hotel.

Sun International, which has run the hotel since 1997, will manage the revamped property under the InterContinental brand.

INTERCONTINENTAL TABLE BAY CAPE TOWN

IHG Hotels & Resorts, which operates 6383 hotels in over 100 countries across the globe will bring its presence to the Mother City with the launch of the InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town.

Being a member of IHG’s luxury brands, the InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town will also become a member of the global IHG One Rewards loyalty programme.

This loyalty programme has more than 130 million members worldwide. 

Being a member of the IHG Hotels & Resorts is advantageous for the Table Bay Hotel since it stands to gain more exposure and better visibility to travellers all over the world.

RENEWAL FOR CAPE TOWN HOTELS

The Table Bay Hotel will not be the only Cape Town hotel that will have undergone major renovation work.

The Cullinan Cape Town recently reopened its doors after completing major renovations.

The increased visitor numbers arriving in Cape Town means that the city’s hotels need to improve their offerings for guests.

Much of the increased tourist flows into Cape Town can be attributed to the efforts of Cape Town Air Access and Wesgro.

The city is seeing increased numbers of tourists due to a number of new flight routes.

As reported by The South African website, dam levels in the area jumped over 6% in just 24 hours.

High winds, heavy rain

Schools started in the country on Tuesday and motorists faced lengthy delays in traffic as roads were both closed – and flooded.

In addition, the strong winds and heavy rains damaged buildings and left thousands of homeless, as weather services warned that more bad weather was forecast for the remainder of the week.

The Western Cape government said 82 schools were damaged, forcing five to remain closed on Tuesday. In some cases, wind gusts blew away roof sheeting.

Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis took to social media platform X to post an extraordinary video of a waterfall on Table Mountain that was being blown UPWARDS due to the wind.

Fallen trees

Over the weekend, almost 4 000 people were left homeless as strong winds destroyed about 1 000 homes and other structures in the impoverished township of Khayelitsha.

Localised flooding, fallen trees, electricity outages and road closures were reported across the province, authorities said.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) said 18 crew members of a cargo ship were rescued on Monday after they were forced to abandon their vessel as it listed severely in the rough seas.

The seafarers, all Filipino nationals, were found in a life raft off South Africa’s Atlantic coast and recovered by two nearby cargo vessels, it said.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) said more “disruptive rain leading to flooding and possible mudslides” was expected to hit the province on Wednesday and continue on Thursday.

The Western Cape region has been battered by several cold fronts over the past few days, with mountainous areas experiencing rare heavy snowfalls.

The Western Cape government said 82 schools were damaged, forcing five to remain closed on Tuesday. In some cases, wind gusts blew away roof sheeting.

Fallen trees

Over the weekend, almost 4 000 people were left homeless as strong winds destroyed about 1 000 homes and other structures in the impoverished township of Khayelitsha.

Localised flooding, fallen trees, electricity outages and road closures were reported across the province, authorities said.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) said 18 crew members of a cargo ship were rescued on Monday after they were forced to abandon their vessel as it listed severely in the rough seas.

The seafarers, all Filipino nationals, were found in a life raft off South Africa’s Atlantic coast and recovered by two nearby cargo vessels, it said.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) said more “disruptive rain leading to flooding and possible mudslides” was expected to hit the province on Wednesday and continue on Thursday.

“We always talk about the transformative power of giving and here we have it in action,” says Karen Bruns, Senior Director: Development and Alumni Relations at SU.

“The donor opted to remain anonymous and though we would have loved to publicly name and honour a person with such foresight, we will respect their wishes,” says Bruns.

“We are however incredibly grateful. This wonderful gift of education will undoubtedly leave a legacy.” 

According to Hugo Steyn, Acting Director: Principal Giving at the University of Stellenbosch, the R50 million is specifically earmarked for bursaries allocated to financially disadvantaged undergraduate and postgraduate students within the Faculty of Theology and the Department of Music.

“The funds will be invested and create a sustainable annual income stream, benefitting countless theology and music students for years to come. The first round of funds will be available soon and we should be able to award bursaries from 2025,” explained Steyn.

“Bursary programmes are crucial for providing access to higher education. These programmes bridge the financial gap for talented students, ensuring their potential is not hindered by economic constraints,” he added.

Professor Reggie Nel, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, said: “Religious communities continue to play a decisive role on our continent and specifically to pursue the calls for justice, peace and healing. At times it failed this call by merely serving its own interests. This donation will ensure that the rigorous study of these communities and the formation of its leaders takes place in dialogue with all the various sciences and different worldviews, to serve the common good. The donor is to be commended for leaving this legacy for generations to come. It will leave a footprint in our country and on our continent.”

According to Professor Mario Nell, Chair of SU’s Department of Music, bursaries for study in music are crucial.

“They help to remove financial barriers, promote equal opportunities, and assist in fostering excellence in the musical arts. They can provide support to committed students towards unlocking their full potential, and ultimately enrich the broader community with their talent, contributing to societal cohesion through cultural activity – a vision which we hold as essential at the SU Music Department.”

Professor Wim de Villiers, SU’s Rector and Vice-Chancellor, expressed his appreciation for the donor’s generosity. “This gift to our institution will allow talented students to pursue their theological and musical goals free from financial worries. This donor’s vision and unwavering commitment to higher education in South Africa is an inspiration.”

This is good news for the city of Cape Town, which is seeing increased tourist flows in recent times.

GROWING TOURIST NUMBERS

Cape Town has seen growing numbers of international visitors arriving in the city.

Much of this can be attributed to the efforts made by Cape Town’s Air Access Team, an initiative driven by Wesgro – a project driving economic growth in the Western Cape.

However, higher tourist numbers are also being reported across the country.

Another prominent hotel in Durban is also expected to reopen soon.

CAPE TOWN HOTELS

The city is indeed home to some of the best hotels in South Africa and the African continent.

The reopening of the Cullinan Hotel Cape Town is positive news for the local economy and all guests and travellers to the city.

The Cullinan Hotel belongs to the Southern Sun Group. Southern Sun is a South African multinational hospitality company with head offices in Johannesburg.

In 1999, Southern Sun acquired a 50% interest in a consortium with Liberty Group Limited, called The Cullinan Hotel Proprietary Limited, which owned three hotels.

CULLINAN HOTEL CAPE TOWN

Visitors staying at the Cullinan Hotel will enjoy revamped facilities and its fresh new look.

Moreover, the hotel has undergone major interior design changes that combine classical styling with fresh contemporary elements.

Refurbished guest rooms, public areas and enhanced dining options mean that The Cullinan Cape Town is ready to host guests from near and far.

“The Cullinan has always been a symbol of elegance and luxury. Our goal with this refurbishment was to honour our heritage while embracing the future. We believe we have succeeded in creating a space that offers both timeless beauty and contemporary comfort. We look forward to welcoming guests old and new to experience the enhanced Cullinan,” said Jacques Moolman, the hotel’s General Manager, per TravelNews.

CULLINAN DIAMOND

In fact, the hotel shares the same name as the largest diamond in recorded history. The Cullinan Diamond was found in a mine located in Gauteng Province.

The diamond is indeed the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever to have been found.

It was discovered at the Premier No.2 mine in Cullinan on 26 January 1905.

That said, the diamond weighing 3 106 carats (621.20 g) was named after Thomas Cullinan, who was the owner of the mine at the time.

SAWS confirmed that an intense weather system will result in gale to strong gale westerly to north-westerly winds (70-90km/h gusting 90-120km/h) over the City of Cape Town, Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, Overstrand and Theewaterskloof municipalities on Sunday.

The prolonged strong winds with guts exceeding 100km/h are a cause for concern.

Widespread damage to settlements (both informal and formal) and structural damage may be expected. Widespread disruption to power, communication and utilities is also possible. Expected travel delays and high sided vehicles may be at risk of falling over as a result of strong crosswinds.

Meanwhile, as reported by The South African website this week, a cold front forecast to hit the Western Cape on Sunday means it’s possible snow could fall on Table Mountain in Cape Town.

According to the latest Vox Weather update, another cold front is due to arrive on Sunday.

Sunday, 7 July

More significant and widespread snow possible over the Cape provinces as a stronger front reaches the country.

At the time of publishing, the weather model shows heavy disruptive snow could fall over the mountain peaks in the Western Cape (Matroosberg Nature Reserve, Cederberg and Swartberg Mountain Range), and Northern Cape (Nuweveld and Roggeveld mountains), including the town of Sutherland, spreading to the Great Karoo and the high-lying areas in the Cape provinces (around Calvinia, Loxton, Beaufort West, Molteno, Barkley East and surroundings), southern Drakenberg and Lesotho.

Snow chasers

YES! Snow IS possible on Table Mountain.

Medium confidence

Freezing levels are likely to drop to about 1 000m to 1 200m on Sunday, which could mean a light snow dusting for Table Mountain, but this could quickly melt if it falls with rain or when it starts raining afterwards.

Medium to high confidence

Snow is still very likely to fall at the foot of the mountains at the Matroosberg Nature Reserve in the Western Cape on Sunday.

Monday, 8 July

Ground snow is possible on Sunday into Monday morning around the escarpment and over the high-lying areas and small towns in the Eastern Cape (around Barkly East, Molteno, Lady Grey and surrounding towns).

More snowfall is likely into Monday over the mountain peaks in the Western Cape (Matroosberg Nature Reserve, Cederberg and Swartberg Mountain Range, also including the Hottentots Holland mountains and Boland mountains), with ground snow possible in Ceres.

Snow showers are possible over the Northern Cape (Nuweveld and Roggeveld mountains), the town of Sutherland, spreading to the Great Karoo and the high-lying areas in the Eastern Cape with significant snow possible over the southern Drakensberg and Lesotho.

Very light snow is also possible on Monday as far north as Griekwastad, south of Postmasburg in the Northern Cape, and the southern parts of the Free State, but again, this could quickly melt if it falls with rain showers.

Small town bordering the Maluti mountains in the Free State (Ficksburg and Clarens) as well as the southern high-lying areas near Fauresmith and Reddersburg could see a light dusting of snow early on Monday morning.

Stay warm outside, fellow South Africans!

For the latest weather-related news, bookmark The South African website’s dedicated page

GOT PICTURES OF THE SNOW?

If so, let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

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The planned maintenance will start on Sunday, 7 July.

WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTION IN CAPE TOWN FROM SUNDAY

The City of Cape Town said zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be done on the water supply network in the following areas:

Hout Bay – The streets that will be affected are Valley Road, Longkloof Road, Boskykloof Road, Forest Hill, North Oaks Avenue, Chestnut Drive, Blackwood Drive, and immediate surrounds: Thursday, 11 July, from 9:00 until 17:00.

Vredekloof, Welgelee, Arauna, Morgenster, St Kilda, Marlborough Park, Brackenfell Industrial and Okavango Park: Thursday, 11 July, from 10:00 until 16:00.

WHICH OTHER AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED BY PLANNED MAINTENANCE?

The metro municipality said maintenance work, including pipe and valve installations, repairs, and replacements, will also result in water supply disruption to these areas: 

Newlands, Rondebosch, Rosebank, UCT, Kenilworth, and Wynberg—The Water and Sanitation Directorate has started the annual cleaning of the Newlands Reservoir by gradually reducing the reservoir level. 

The water and sanitation teams will isolate the reservoir from the bulk water supply network on Sunday, 7 July, and cleaning will commence from Monday, 8 July, until Sunday, 14 July. Residents in these areas may experience lower-than-usual water pressure during this period.

Montague Gardens—The water supply main to Montague Gardens will be shut off from 6:00 until 18:00 on Sunday, 7 July, to enable the maintenance team to safely attend to a leaking 500mm diameter control valve on the pipeline. Consumers have been urged to store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance.

Site C—Khayelitsha—The pressure-reducing valve (PRV) on the main water supply to the Site C area in Khayelitsha will be relocated to the new valve chamber from 10:00 to 17:00 on Tuesday, 9 July.

The City of Cape Town said this will disrupt the water supply during this period. Residents are kindly requested to store water in clean, sealed containers in advance. Water tankers will be made available to provide water for domestic use where required.

Ocean View—The water supply main to Ocean View will be shut off from 9:00 until 18:00 on Tuesday, 9 July, and Wednesday, 10 July. This will enable the maintenance team to safely connect the newly installed water pipelines along Sirius Way and Andromeda Way to the existing water reticulation system. Residents are kindly requested to store water in clean, sealed containers in advance. A water tanker will be parked outside the school on Hydra Avenue to provide water for domestic use where required. 

Part of Claremont – The City of Cape Town said two new connections will be made, and two control valves will be installed on the main water supply in Main Road, Claremont, from 9:00 until 18:00 on Wednesday, 10 July. This period will disrupt the water supply to the area bounded by San Souci  Street, the railway line, Stellenberg Avenue, and Cavendish Street in Claremont. Some consumers may experience no water and others low water pressure. Consumers are kindly requested to store water in clean, sealed containers in advance.

THE ZEITZ MOCAA (MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AFRICA)

Also at the V&A Waterfront, Zeitz MOCAA is the largest museum of contemporary African art in the world, housed in a beautifully repurposed grain silo. You can wander through its multiple floors and galleries to experience contemporary art from across the African continent.

THE TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM

Located at Cape Town‘s V&A Waterfront, the Two Oceans Aquarium is an excellent indoor activity for rainy days, showcasing a variety of marine life from the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

Explore the diverse exhibits, including the predator tank, penguin exhibit, and touch pool. Great for families and marine enthusiasts.

IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

Located in the Company’s Garden, Iziko South African Museum offers a vast array of exhibits, including natural history, paleontology, and cultural artifacts.

Visit on a rainy day and discover ancient fossils, dinosaur skeletons, and a wide variety of South African cultural artifacts.

THE DISTRICT SIX MUSEUM

The District Six Museum offers a poignant look at the history of District Six and the impact of apartheid, providing a deeply moving and educational experience. The museum features personal stories, photographs, and artifacts, making it a powerful place to reflect on Cape Town’s history.

CAPE TOWN SCIENCE CENTRE

Situated in Observatory, the Cape Town Science Centre is a fun and educational destination for all ages, featuring interactive exhibits and science demonstrations. Engage with hands-on exhibits, puzzles, and workshops designed to make learning about science enjoyable.

Boyes Drive was flooded in parts, while debris in Godfrey Road made the road undriveable for motorists. 

Meanwhile, as reported by The South African website, a second even stronger cold front is forecast to hit the Western Cape on Sunday.

It could even result in snow falling on Table Mountain and an almost guaranteed rise in the dam levels in the province.

Stay safe, and warm, South Africans!

According to the latest Vox Weather update, another cold front is due to arrive on Thursday night with an even stronger front to move in on Sunday.

Thursday and Friday, 4 -5 July

More light snowfall is expected very late on Thursday over the high peaks of the Western Cape, the Matroosberg mountain range and over north-eastern Lesotho.

Light snow is also expected over northern high grounds (Sneeuberge and surroundings) in the Eastern Cape, southern Drakensberg and on the mountains around Uniondale.

Saturday, 6 July

Light snow is possible over the Cederberg mountains in the Western Cape and around Sutherland.

Sunday, 7 July

More significant and widespread snow possible over the Cape provinces as a stronger front reaches the country.

At the time of publishing, the weather model shows heavy disruptive snow could fall over the mountain peaks in the Western Cape (Matroosberg Nature Reserve, Cederberg and Swartberg Mountain Range), and Northern Cape (Nuweveld and Roggeveld mountains), including the town of Sutherland, spreading to the Great Karoo and the high-lying areas in the Cape provinces (around Calvinia, Loxton, Beaufort West, Molteno, Barkley East and surroundings), southern Drakenberg and Lesotho.

Snow chasers

YES! Snow IS possible on Table Mountain.

Medium confidence

Freezing levels are likely to drop to about 1 000m to 1 200m on Sunday, which could mean a light snow dusting for Table Mountain, but this could quickly melt if it falls with rain or when it starts raining afterwards.

Medium to high confidence

Snow is still very likely to fall at the foot of the mountains at the Matroosberg Nature Reserve in the Western Cape on Sunday.

Monday, 8 July

Ground snow is possible on Sunday into Monday morning around the escarpment and over the high-lying areas and small towns in the Eastern Cape (around Barkly East, Molteno, Lady Grey and surrounding towns).

More snowfall is likely into Monday over the mountain peaks in the Western Cape (Matroosberg Nature Reserve, Cederberg and Swartberg Mountain Range, also including the Hottentots Holland mountains and Boland mountains), with ground snow possible in Ceres.

Snow showers are possible over the Northern Cape (Nuweveld and Roggeveld mountains), the town of Sutherland, spreading to the Great Karoo and the high-lying areas in the Eastern Cape with significant snow possible over the southern Drakensberg and Lesotho.

Very light snow is also possible on Monday as far north as Griekwastad, south of Postmasburg in the Northern Cape, and the southern parts of the Free State, but again, this could quickly melt if it falls with rain showers.

Small town bordering the Maluti mountains in the Free State (Ficksburg and Clarens) as well as the southern high-lying areas near Fauresmith and Reddersburg could see a light dusting of snow early on Monday morning.

Stay warm outside, fellow South Africans!

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GOT PICTURES OF THE SNOW?

If so, let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest weather news.

CAPE TOWN CREDIT RATING UPGRADE

The Western Cape is the only Democratic Alliance (DA) run province in South Africa following the 29 May elections. And while the Gauteng Cabinet is mired in Government of National Unity (GNU) indecision and infighting, a credit rating upgrade for the city has highlighted its continued progress in revenue collection and infrastructure improvement.

Cape Town is quite literally leaving the rest of South Africa behind, with a ‘Ba3’ long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt rating. This trumps South Africa’s sovereign rating of ‘Ba2’, which still languishes two notches below investment grade. The city’s proactive revenue collection and reduced expenditure have demonstrated strong governance and effective budget management, said the agency.

STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Moody went on to say, “The positive outlook reflects our view that Cape Town’s financial performance could strengthen further in the next 18 months, well-surpassing baseline forecasts. In our view, the city’s progress in improving revenue collection should contribute to consolidating its financial performance and mitigate the reliance on debt for its substantial investment programme,” said the agency.

Geordin Hill-Lewis, the City of Cape Town mayor, said he’s happy that Moody’s has not taken a blanket approach, assuming all local governments are in poor financial shape. “Our financial health and balance sheets are significantly stronger. And efforts to differentiate ourselves and demonstrate our solid financial standing appear to be paying off. This is an encouraging sign that our investments and hard work are yielding results,” said Hill-Lewis.

RAPID POPULATION GROWTH

Following the no-majority 2024 election, Cape Town’s population continues to grow at a rapid rate as residents relocate from politically volatile areas like Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Therefore, the city is turning to an aggressive infrastructure rollout. Top priority are water and sanitation, transportation, security, electricity, upgrading existing infrastructure and installing new infrastructure in poorer communities, said Hill-Lewis.

Moody’s also noted a track record of improved management policies and practices, which led the city to sound financial metrics. The city’s liquidity has helped maintain a moderate debt burden, despite a massive investment of R49 billion over five years.  

HAVE YOUR SAY

What do you think of Cape Town’s credit rating upgrade? Is the Western Cape the best province in South Africa as credit rating agencies seem to think? Be sure to share your thoughts with our audience in the comments section below. And don’t forget to follow us @TheSANews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest updates.  

The municipality said the critical maintenance work is done on its water-supply infrastructure to benefit customers.

CITY OF CAPE TOWN ANNOUNCES PLANNED MAINTENANCE

The City of Cape Town said zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be done on the water supply network in the following areas:

Vredekloof, Welgelee, Arauna, Morgenster, St Kilda, Marlborough Park, Brackenfell Industrial and Okavango Park – Tuesday, 2 July, from 9:00 until 16:00.

PIPE AND VALVE INSTALLATIONS, REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS IN THESE AREAS:

The City of Cape Town urged residents to store enough water as a precautionary measure as maintenance work, including pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements will result in water supply disruption to these areas: 

Newlands, Rondebosch, Rosebank, UCT, Kenilworth and Wynberg

The Water and Sanitation Directorate will start the annual cleaning of the Newlands Reservoir on Monday, 1 July, by gradually reducing its level. The reservoir will then be isolated from the bulk water supply network on Sunday, 7 July, and cleaning will commence from Monday, 8 July, until Sunday, 14 July. Residents in these areas may experience lower-than-usual water pressure during this period.

Part of Scottsdene

The City of Cape Town said control valves would be installed on the main water supply to Neville Crescent, Didi Street, and Vera Street in Scottsdene in preparation for the pipe replacement project in the area. This will disrupt the water supply from 10:00 until 17:00 on Monday, 1 July. Residents are kindly requested to store water in clean, sealed containers in advance. 

Site C –  Khayelitsha

The City of Cape Town said a meter and pressure-reducing valve (PRV) will be installed on the main water supply to the Site C area in Khayelitsha. This will disrupt the supply from 10:00 to 17:00 on Tuesday, 2 July.

“Residents are kindly requested to store water in clean, sealed containers in advance. Water tankers will be available to provide water for domestic use where required.

“Sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, which means the work could take longer. For a short period after the supply has been restored, the water may be discoloured or look milky. This is because of trapped air in the pipes,” the City of Cape Town emphasised.

1. OUTENIQUA MOUNTAINS

The Western Cape’s Outeniqua Mountains can experience snowfall on its higher peaks during the winter months, particularly around the Outeniqua Pass. The Pass, which lies just north of George on the national highway that connects George and the Garden Route with Oudtshoorn and the Little Karoo, is a must if you yearn for breathtaking views and photographs, especially when it’s snowed up!

The Outeniqua Pass gets an occasional dusting of snow during winter. Image: canva

2. STORMBERG MOUNTAINS

Located in the Eastern Cape, the cold Stormberg mountain range occasionally receives snow, particularly around the towns of Dordrecht and Barkly East, which in recent winters have seen some epic snowfall.

3. NIEU-BETHESDA

Situated in the Eastern Cape, the quaint village of Nieu-Bethesda at the foot of the Sneeuberge Mountains can sometimes experience a snowy blizzard, and when it does, the little town is transformed into a winter wonderland. Quite mesmerizing to see!

4. HEX RIVER MOUNTAINS

Also in the Western Cape, the Hex River Mountain range, particularly around the Hex River Valley, can see snow on the higher elevations and sometimes even lower down close to the town of De Doorns.

5. GOLDEN GATE HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK

A three-hour drive from Bloemfontein sits the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State and wintertime sees it get pretty snowed-up! Temperatures in the national park can drop to between an icy -9 and -15 degrees Celcius, creating perfect conditions for snowfall.

It seems that penguins now know how to bodyboard, after a video was captured of an African penguin doing exactly that off the coast of Cape Town recently!

In what is now a viral video, the ‘cool dude’ was seen balancing on a bodyboard, which was being held in place by a surfer.

As reported by Cape Town Etc, the video, which was posted by Accuweather on Facebook on Friday, 21 June, has amassed over 2.3 million views, over 1 500 comments and 37 000 reactions.

”Surf’s up, bruh!’ An inquisitive African penguin shredded some waves on a bodyboard off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa,’ the caption of the video read.

Check out the video:

A COUPLE OF SHARK SNACKS

While the video may be adorable and seeing the creature on a bodyboard may be hilarious, comments on the video highlight another reason why the penguin was up on the board.

Melissa Cloud said: “It’s all fun and games until you realize he’s doing it to get away from the shark “

David Goding adds: “Penguin on a human’s board. Dawg, the shark isn’t too far behind.”

Brenda Snow commented our thoughts exactly: “I thought it was cute until I read the comments  get out of the water and have a beach picnic with your sweet penguin  “

When comparing the pictures sent to The South African website over the weekend (below) to those at the bottom of the article, it’s clear the new owner plans on doing a complete rebuild of the house.

As exclusively reported by The South African website in February this year, the house was sold to an “international” buyer who “spends a lot of time in South Africa and wants to spend even more time in the country”.

Richard Huxham-Hardie from Hardie Property, who was the sole agent overseeing the sale of the property, confirmed exclusively to The South African website that the house has been transferred to its new owner.

Huxham-Hardie added that the full asking price of R20 million was achieved.

At the time, pictures from the 10 Dawn Avenue home in Upper Constantia were sent to The South African, displaying the ‘SOLD’ sign on the main gate – which is currently held together by a lock and chain.

Numerous weeds were clearly evident as well as the state of neglect the 8 105m² house was in.

Huxham-Hardie added that at the time of the sale, the house was “currently uninhabitable and requires major renovation with huge gaping holes in the thatch roof”.

The property was one of the assets seized by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in 2021.

Guptas bought house from Mark Thatcher

The Gupta family bought the mansion in 2005 from the son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Mark Thatcher, for R17 million.

A video of the property showed how badly the mansion has deteriorated after being left vacant for several years.

The pool is a sickly green colour, the thatched roof has holes and the interior has been severely damaged by water.

Seven bedrooms, six bathrooms

Huxham-Hardie said prior to the sale that the property was on the market for a steal, at a fraction of the price of what properties are worth in one of South Africa’s most sought-after areas.

“The structure is safe, it’s sound. So, I think someone can take the structure of it. Obviously, it needs a new roof, everything inside needs to be stripped back but I believe the structure of the property is solid,” Huxham-Hardie said.

The former Gupta property boasts seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, two garages, a separate one-bedroom cottage and a guard house.

Monthly rates are reportedly R11 577.