| Flags up as lifeguards hit the beaches and Resort bookings open | The City’s beach lifeguards are on duty from today, to coincide with the weeklong school holiday. | <span><p>The City’s beach lifeguards are on duty from today, to coincide with the weeklong school holiday. </p><p>Lifeguards will be stationed at 26 bathing areas between 10:00 and 18:00 daily, until 12 April 2021.</p><p>Beachgoers are reminded to please only swim at beaches where lifeguards are present, and only in the areas demarcated for swimming, as indicated by the red and yellow flags.</p><p>‘Designated bathing areas help lifeguards keep an eye on everyone in the water, but these areas are also determined at the start of each shift, based on the tide and potential rip currents at the beach. It’s therefore imperative that bathers do their bit and adhere to the instructions from lifeguards.</p>
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<img class="responsive" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/lifeguards%20at%20their%20induction%20at%20Muizenberg%20on%2022102020.jpg" alt="" style="width:951px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>‘Already this week we had an incident where one of our senior lifeguards was at Strand Beach for a training session, and managed to save two teenage boys who were caught in a rip current. Furthermore, if you are not a strong swimmer, stick to the shallow water, for your own safety and that of others, and parents please do not allow your children to visit the beach, tidal pool or local swimming pool unsupervised,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.</p><p>The beach deployment comes just a week after the City opened a number of swimming pools for the summer season.</p><p>In addition to water safety, the Recreation and Parks Department is also placing emphasis on COVID-19 health and safety protocols.</p>
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<img class="responsive" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/lifesavers1.jpg" alt="" style="width:898px;" /> </figure></span><span>As such, swimming pools will only allow 50% of capacity, in line with national disaster management regulations. Patrons will also be required to undergo screening and sanitise before they are allowed entrance to the facility.<p>‘We realise that the restrictions could prove tricky, particularly on very warm days, but the City urges patrons to work with us and take cognisance of the bigger picture. We have moved to Alert Level 1 which has seen the return of many public amenities, but it is incumbent on every individual to continue aiding efforts to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure and a potential second wave of infections in Cape Town. We cannot afford to be reckless and risk another lockdown,’ added Councillor Badroodien.</p><p><strong>RESORTS</strong></p><p>Bookings for resorts will be open on 2 November 2020, with availability from 1 December.</p><p>Early booking is essential as resorts will also only be booked to a 50% capacity. Unfortunately, camping sites will be closed due to the health risks.</p><p>The booking of chalets between the period of 1-14 December 2020 will have no restrictions in terms of the minimum number of days that have to be reserved. Clients will however be required to book a chalet for a minimum of seven days during the peak period of 15 December 2020 to 15 January 2021. Please note that guests will not be allowed to have visitors at the resort.</p>
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<img class="responsive" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/lifesavers2.jpg" alt="" style="width:951px;" /> </figure></span><p><br>‘Recent medical research of the COVID-19 virus indicated that the virus can remain viable for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel. It is therefore recommended that a gap of at least five days is left between bookings of chalets. This would allow for sufficient cleaning time and ventilation of the chalet. While we encourage the public to take advantage of the opportunity to take a break at our beautiful and affordable resorts, safety remains our topmost priority. All non-essential items have been removed from the chalets. Guests are also required to bring their own bedding and towels as a precautionary measure,’ said Councillor Badroodien.</p><p>Day picnic areas will be available between 10:00 and 18:00. </p><p>Staff will be on site at communal areas to attend to the continuous cleaning and sanitising however it is important the public takes responsibility for sanitising hands and the surfaces that they use regularly, especially when utilising play equipment, as it will not be practical for resort staff to sanitise equipment after each person, based on the predicted frequency of use.</p><p>Children are welcome to bring their own play equipment, except inflatable swimming pools which require large volumes of water to fill. Parents are also asked to assist in ensuring that items are safely stored away when not in use. </p><p> <br><strong>End</strong><br> <br></p><p></p> | 2020-10-22T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City hosts women’s wellness day | Wellness Day in Bellville. | <p>Some of the services available to the women included a breast examination, a pap smear, and a HIV/AIDS, TB and blood pressure test.</p><span>
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<img class="responsive" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/IMG_5942.jpg" alt="" /> </figure></span><p>'Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women and early detection saves lives. While our services are dedicated to raising awareness of the disease, we also partner with existing role players to help women access healthcare no matter who or where they are,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.</p><span>
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<img class="responsive" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/Wellness1.jpg" alt="" style="width:1381px;" /> </figure>The women were also treated to tea and mini pamper sessions.</span><p><br>End</p> | 2020-10-22T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| EPWP parking attendants to assist Bellville library visitors | Three Expanded Public Works Programme workers have been employed as parking attendants to help manage parking for visitors to the Bellville library since Monday 19 October. | <p>Parking bays will also be reallocated and designed for the exclusive use of library patrons and the necessary lines and signs will be implemented by next week.</p><span>
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<img class="responsive" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/Launch%202.jpg" alt="" /> </figure><p>The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg, and Subcouncil 6 chairperson Councillor Mercia Kleinsmith, visited the parking attendants on Wednesday 21 October.</p><p><br>‘Parking has always been a challenging matter within the Bellville CBD and more so with the building of the new hospital. The Bellville Library has been approaching the Subcouncil 6 for the past two years with regards to the loss of visitors due to the unavailability of parking. The current parking opposite and to the side of the library is currently being shared by the hospital and other neighbouring institutions,’ said Councillor Kleinsmith.</p><p><br>‘As Urban Management Directorate, we are pleased that from the Mayoral Urban Regeneration Programme (MURP) Funding Allocation, Subcouncil 6 has earmarked R100 000 for the employment of three EPWP parking attendants to assist library visitors with parking. <br>‘We want to thank the Subcouncil 6 for allocating these funds which is creating employment for three people and responding to a need identified by the library which is a hub of information and centre of learning for our residents. We hope the parking experience will be more pleasant and will encourage more residents to visit the library,’ said Alderman Twigg. <br></p><p>End</p></span><p> </p> | 2020-10-22T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Rollout of prepaid electricity meters continues | The City of Cape Town is continuing to roll out its R40 million replacement programme to convert old electricity meters to prepaid meters | <p>The areas which will be upgraded next include Bellville South, Manenberg, Bonteheuwel, Langa, Crossroads, Steenberg and Hanover Park. The programme has been running across the city for the past seven years.</p><p>The meter replacement programme is free of charge to residents. The order in which areas benefit is determined based on the number of electricity meters in need of replacement. The programme is currently being rolled out in several different areas across the city. For the programme schedule, please visit <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/electricitymeters">www.capetown.gov.za/electricitymeters</a></p><p>Council recently decided that the meter replacement programme be declared mandatory to improve revenue collection and to reduce future maintenance costs.</p><p>‘Our meter replacement programme has many benefits for residents. A prepaid meter puts the power in the homes and hands of the customer as it enables them to have more direct control over their usage and household budgeting is made easier as the meters show consumption clearly. It helps to eliminate the chances of month-end electricity account shocks. The chance of electricity supply being cut off due to non-payment is also eliminated and the risk of meter failure is reduced when a prepaid meter is installed.</p><p>‘One of the biggest advantages of switching to a prepaid meter is that it enables qualifying customers the opportunity to move to the subsidised Lifeline Tariff. This makes it possible for them to access financial aid and free units. This will help to keep monthly household utility costs down and provides some much needed assistance to our more vulnerable residents.</p><p>‘It is also important that the City invest in the maintenance and replacement of older electricity infrastructure to thrive and become more resilient. Credit meters are more than 30 years old and require replacement to avoid inaccurate readings.</p><p>‘Contrary to some of the urban myths that exist, electricity is not more expensive via a prepaid meter. It actually enables customers to limit or reduce their usage directly and manage their household expenditure. We encourage customers to join others in making the switch and reaping the potential rewards,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy and Climate Change, Councillor Phindile Maxiti. </p><p><strong>How it works</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">A contractor appointed by the City will do a mail-drop at each targeted customer’s address once that area is reached requesting that they make an appointment at a time convenient to them. </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Once the appointment has been made, a reference number will be generated. If residents have not received a mail-drop or are in any doubt as to whether this is a legitimate City project, they can contact the City’s call centre on 0860 103 089.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">When the municipal worker or contractors arrives at a resident’s home, they must carry a work order number specific to that dwelling and a City-issued identification card. Residents should ask to check the official identification card before allowing anyone onto their property.</div></li></ul><p>‘The identification card must display the City logo, the name and surname of the staff member or mandated contractor, and must contain an embedded photo of the staff member or mandated contractor. Residents are not to allow anyone onto their premises until they have verified these details. Our residents should always be vigilant when allowing anyone into their homes,’ said Councillor Maxiti.</p><p>The new prepaid meter will be located outside on the street, with an in-house display inside the customer’s home. Locating the meter outside the premises allows the City easy access to the meter. </p><p><strong>Common myths busted about buying electricity</strong></p><table width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:50%;"><strong>MYTH</strong></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:50%;"><strong>TRUTH</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">You should buy units on the 1st of the month if you want to get the full free units, otherwise the amount you get drops throughout the month.</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><strong>You don't have to buy on the 1st of the month to get free units. </strong>Free units or free basic electricity is only applicable to customers on the Lifeline Tariff. Two free allocations are applied depending on the average level of consumption: an allocation of 60 units if you use less than 250 kWh per month on average OR 25 units if you use between 250 kWh and 450 kWh per month. Free units are granted on your first purchase of every calendar month, irrespective of when that is.</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">You should buy units on the 1st of the month because the rate per unit increases as the month goes on. </td><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><strong>It isn't cheaper to buy on the 1st of the month. </strong>The City has an inclining block tariff which is refreshed every month, so if you only purchase in the first block, you pay the same amount; the higher cost of the second block kicks in once you reach the threshold of the first block.</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">You should buy as many units as you can in one go as they are cheaper in bulk. </td><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><strong>Buying in bulk is not cheaper! Only buy what you need! </strong>You should only buy what you need in a given month – this will keep your costs down. When buying in bulk, you move onto the second block for units above the monthly usage threshold, which is more expensive. So, buying in bulk can be considerably more expensive.</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">You should rather make many small purchases in the month so that you stay within the cheapest block rate with each purchase.</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><strong>Many small purchases could cost you more! </strong>The rate applied on each purchase is dependent on previous purchases in the month (i.e. it accumulates). Once the first block is bought up, you automatically move to the second block irrespective of the number of times you made a purchase.</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Monthly totals are based on how much you use, not on how many units you buy at a time.</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><strong>It is about how many units you buy. </strong>Prepaid meters are not intelligent meters. The meter merely accepts tokens and then reduces as the units are consumed. When buying electricity at a vending station, our computer server determines what has been bought previously in the month and what block rate to apply to the purchase of electricity for the given amount.</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">You pay more per unit when you use electricity in winter months or during peak hours in the evening.</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><strong>The price is the same no matter the time or season.</strong><br> Residential tariffs do not differ according to the time of the day or the year when electricity is consumed.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong></strong> </p><p><strong>End</strong></p><p><br></p> | 2020-10-21T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
