MEDIA RELEASE
NO. 638 / 2010
31 AUGUST 2010


H e a d l i n e s

• Public invited to comment on proposed transfer of MyCiTi buses
• City says no to bottled water
• City supports international housing conference
• City sponsors under 20 football tournament
• City extends baboon monitoring programme
• Loerie Awards ‘nest’ in Cape Town
• Wheelchairs for Bloekombos
• Desmond Tutu Centre donates TB equipment
• City to consider policy for reservists
• Kite Festival flies high with City support
• City supports conference on Street People

Public invited to comment on proposed transfer of MyCiTi buses
The City invites the public to comment on the proposed model for title holding of the MyCiTi buses for the initial phase (phase 1A) of its Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system. Phase 1A of the MyCiTi system will provide public transport services in the inner city and between the CBD and the Blaauwberg/Atlantis areas. It also includes a regular airport service to the CBD and a shuttle to the Cape Town Stadium during events.
Media enquiries: Cllr Elizabeth Thompson, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Major Projects, Tel: 021 400 1221 or Cell: 072 336 0497
Media enquiries: John Martheze, Acting Project Manager: IRT, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 9140/9139 or Cell: 084 220 0256

City says no to bottled water
The City has decided to stop buying bottled water for meetings of Council and Council committees. However, vendors will be allowed to continue selling bottled water at City facilities. This decision was motivated by the fact that it costs the City R125 000 per annum to purchase 20 000 bottles of water – whilst the City’s own tap water is of a high quality.
Media enquiries: Cllr Stuart Pringle, Chairperson: Corporate Services Portfolio Committee, Tel: 021 360 1344 or Cell: 082 4461520

City supports international housing conference
The City has agreed to contribute R100 000 towards hosting an international housing conference and exhibition in Cape Town. About 450 delegates from all over the world are expected to attend the event which takes place from 10 -13 October 2010. With the theme, ‘Green Technology for Sustainable Human Settlements’, the conference will focus on climate change, global warming and the carbon footprint.
Media enquiries: Cllr Shehaam Sims, Mayoral Committee Member for Housing, Tel: 021 400 1128 or Cell: 073 115 4447

City sponsors under 20 football tournament
The City has approved a sponsorship of R1.4 million for the Premier’s Cup under 20 soccer tournament which focuses on the development of youth football. The event takes place at Athlone Stadium from 27 September to 03 October.
Media enquiries: Cllr Brett Herron, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, Tel: 021 400 1298 or Cell: 082 518 3264

City extends baboon monitoring programme
Council has approved additional funding of R4.75 million to keep baboon monitors around the Peninsula in the field until the end of the current financial year. The City is, however, in the process of appealing to the Cape High Court to urgently decide upon each sphere of government’s role and financial responsibility towards baboon management, as the City is currently the only funder.
Media enquiries: Ald Marian Nieuwoudt, Mayoral Committee Member for Planning and Environment, Tel: 021 400 1307 or Cell: 084 224 0023
Stephen Granger, Manager: Major Programmes and Projects, Environmental Resource Management, Tel: 021 487 2236 or Cell: 084 331 8638

Loerie Awards ‘nest’ in Cape Town
South Africa’s premier awards ceremony for the advertising and marketing industry, the Loerie Awards, will be hosted in Cape Town for the second year. The event, which will be held at the Good Hope Centre during October 2010, is seen as a high profile opportunity to market Cape Town as a global business and tourist destination. The City has invested R600 000 in the event to gain economic benefit for the visitor economy, and approved City services to the value of R250 000.
Media enquiries: Ald Felicity Purchase, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Development and Tourism, Tel: 021 400 1299 or Cell: 083 629 0829
Nombulelo Mkefa, Director: Tourism Tel: 021 483 9046 or Cell: 084 888 3822

Wheelchairs for Bloekombos
The Council has welcomed a donation of five wheelchairs from the Hillsong Church to be used at the Bloekombos Clinic. This will be of tremendous help to those patients who have difficulty walking to the clinic as a result of their illness.
Media enquiries: Dr Ivan Bromfield, Executive Director: City Health, Tel: 021 400 2100 or Cell: 084 629 5364

Desmond Tutu Centre donates TB equipment
The City has welcomed a donation of over half a million rands worth of medical equipment from the Desmond Tutu Tuberculosis Centre. The equipment will be used during routine investigations and will assist with the implementation of infection control measures in City Health facilities
Media enquiries: Dr Ivan Bromfield, Executive Director: City Health, Tel: 021 400 2100 or Cell: 084 629 5364

City to consider policy for reservists
The City has given the green light for its Safety and Security Directorate to compile a policy for the appointment of reservists to help bolster its law enforcement service. This decision is in response to numerous requests from members of the public who wish to serve as members of the City’s Law Enforcement Department on a voluntary basis.
Media enquiries: Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Tel: 021 400 1311 or Cell: 083 675 3780
Anton Visser, Safety & Security, Tel: 021 400 2933 or Cell: 082 312 5176

Kite Festival flies high with City support
Cape Town’s annual kite festival has received a R250 000 boost from the City. Organised by the Cape Mental Health Society, this fund-raising event showcases top international kiters from all over the world and attracts over 22 000 visitors over two days. This year’s event takes place at Muizenberg on 23 and 24 October.
Media enquiries: Cllr Grant Pascoe, Mayoral Committee Member for Social Development, Tel: 021 400 1346 or Cell: 082 748 3998

City supports conference on Street People
As part of its comprehensive policy to address the plight of street people, the City has agreed to contribute R60 000 towards hosting a conference to promote the social and economic development of homeless people. The event will be held on 14 October 2010 at the Good Hope Centre.
Media enquiries: Cllr Grant Pascoe, Mayoral Committee Member for Social Development, Tel: 021 400 1346 or Cell: 082 748 3998
Lungelo Nokwaza, Social Development, Tel: 021 400 1492 or Cell: 084 568 8755


END

ISSUED BY:
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT, CITY OF CAPE TOWN

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
JAN KRUGER
MEDIA SECTION
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
TEL: 021 400 1292 CELL: 084 300 0630