| Cape Town Executive Mayor Dan Plato takes Clean-Up Campaign to Hanover Park | Cape Town Executive Mayor Dan Plato takes Clean-Up Campaign to Hanover Park | <p>The 'Keep Cape Town Clean’ campaign was launched in March this year and has had a meaningful impact, inspiring clean-ups by organisations at various sites across the city. </p><table class="ms-rteTable-default" cellspacing="0" style="width:55%;"><tbody><tr><th style="width:410px;">
<strong>Date</strong></th><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:809px;">16 August 2019<br></td></tr><tr><th style="width:410px;">
<strong>Time</strong></th><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:809px;">08:00<br></td></tr><tr><th style="width:410px;">
<strong>Venue</strong></th><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:809px;">Meeting point is Lower College Road, Hanover Park<br></td></tr></tbody></table>
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<p>All media are welcome to attend.</p><p>
<strong>End</strong></p> | 2019-08-14T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Extra staff in the pipeline for Driving License Testing Centres | Extra staff in the pipeline for Driving License Testing Centres | <p>The City of Cape Town’s Traffic Service plans to increase its administrative staffing complement at some of its busier Driving License Testing Centres (DLTCs).<br> <br>There are 18 centres around the metropole that administer learner and driving license applications, as well as replacement and renewal of documentation and payment of fines, amongst others.<br> <br>R4 million has been set aside to appoint more clerks at Gallows Hill, Joe Gqabi, Milnerton, Durbanville, Brackenfell and Hillstar. Any further appointments will be allocated on a priority basis at other DLTCs. </p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/image002.jpg" alt="" style="width:1068px;" /></figure>‘Long waiting times at our Driving License Testing Centres is a common complaint. To some extent, the delays are beyond our control, as the Natis system which we use to process transactions is a national system, as are the eye testing machines that form part of the licensing applications. We have in the past highlighted these issues, including the continued delays in the issuing of driving license cards, which is also a national competency.<br> <br>‘However, we acknowledge that we do need to increase our staffing levels to fast-track service delivery, and so we will start the process of appointing additional cashiers and clerks in the coming months to help improve the customer experience,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.<br> <br>Other measures that have been introduced at some of the major DLTCs include queue management systems, improved signage and weekly activity reports to measure staff performance against pre-determined service delivery standards.
<br> <span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/image003.jpg" alt="" style="width:1894px;" /></figure>Not all of our DLTCs are equipped to incorporate the business improvement measures, either because they’re too small or the buildings in which they are housed do not allow for expansion. Unfortunately, space is at a premium, so this is not an easy fix. We also continue engaging with the Road Traffic Management Corporation to resolve the issues with the machines in use at our centres. There was talk of a software upgrade some time ago, but that has yet to materialize,’ added Alderman Smith.<br> <br>In the 2018/19 financial year, the City’s DLTCs administered 76 178 driving tests and 124 135 learner license tests. This was a slight decline on the previous year when 85 510 driving tests and 134 182 learner license tests were processed.<br> <span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/image004.jpg" alt="" style="width:1894px;" /></figure></span></span>‘Driving lessons are not cheap, and this could be a possible reason for the decline. We could also look at the increasing use of e-hailing services and how this might have impacted on the need or urgency for a driving license. However, the number of unlicensed drivers fines by our traffic officers also suggests that many people are breaking the law and putting themselves and other road users in harm’s way,’ said Alderman Smith.
<br> <br> <br><strong>End</strong><br> | 2019-08-14T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Statement By The City’s Mayoral Commitee Member For Economic Opportunities And Asset Management, Alderman James Vos | Statement By The City’s Mayoral Commitee Member For Economic Opportunities And Asset Management, Alderman James Vos
| <p>According to the forthcoming City of Cape Town Economic Performance Indicators for Cape Town report, the strict unemployment rate for individuals aged between 15 to 24 years is estimated at 44,7% for the first quarter of 2019. This figure has marginally increased from 44,4% in the previous quarter. Youth entrepreneurship is a large part of the solution to reduce youth unemployment.</p><p>Youth unemployment continues to be problematic and current statistics paint a grim picture. However, young people need not despair as opportunities abound for them to enter the world of entrepreneurship.<br> <br>I was joined by the chairperson of the City’s Economic Opportunities and Asset Management Portfolio Committee, Councillor Anda Ntsodo on my recent visit to a Harambee, a youth employment accelerator that focuses on addressing the high unemployment rate in South Africa. <br> </p><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/Harambee.png" alt="" /></figure>Harambee sources candidates from a large pool of young people with high potential but limited work experience. It assists them to become work-ready and then connects them to the correct employer in their area. To date, the organisation has placed over 500 000 young people with more than 450 of South Africa’s top companies such as Hollard, Standard Bank, Nando’s, Pick n Pay and Burger King. Those interested in joining the network can visit harambee.mobi and follow the steps provided. <br> <br>My advice to young people is to consider entrepreneurship as a career. This is means to tackle the challenges of unemployment instead of looking for a job in a market that offers very limited opportunities and that face extreme economic pressures. <br> <br>By choosing to be entrepreneurs our youth will not only create jobs for themselves but may even be able to create jobs for others and in this way reduce the rising level of unemployment. All it takes to get started as an entrepreneur is the right attitude, drive, energy, creativity and perseverance.<br> <span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/Harambee%202.png" alt="" /></figure>Additionally, I would like to personally encourage private companies and potential employers to get involved by hosting unemployed individuals for workplace experience opportunities. Government alone cannot create job opportunities. While we do as much as we can, we need the private sector as partners in this journey to eradicate youth unemployment.<br> <span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/Harambee%203.png" alt="" /></figure>Whether it’s a fresh business idea or information needed for something specific to further develop a business, help is at hand in the form of the following resources to assist with either research for their ideas, or to get their business up and running:<br> <br><ul><li><span><span>Make use of the City’s SmartCape facility, which provides free internet access in public libraries. This will enable them to conduct research and use online resources to develop their business ideas. Organisations such as the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) are available to assist.</span></span></li><li><span><span>Consider studying business management at a local college for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, such as the College of Cape Town, False Bay College or Northlink College, for which full bursaries are available.</span></span></li><li><span><span>Visit the NYDA office at Shop P18A, Golden Acre, 9 Adderley Street, Cape Town or contact them on 021 415 2040.</span></span></li><li><span><span>Consider applying for Cape Town-based development programmes such as the Raymond Ackerman Academy, the Rainbow Academy or the Tsiba Academy.</span></span></li><li><span><span>It is also possible to become a leading African entrepreneur by joining one of the African Leadership Academy’s programmes aimed at youth leaders and entrepreneurs from 15 to 22 years old.</span></span></li><li><span><span>Join the Entrepreneur Bootcamp and take part in a collection of nine free courses for entrepreneurs that are offered by South Africa’s leading entrepreneurs.</span></span></li><li><span><span>The Stellenbosch University Business School runs the Small Business Academy that offers an intensive nine-month course that is targeted at small business owners from low-income communities in the greater Cape Town area.</span></span></li></ul>Individuals who are ready with a business proposal can visit the City’s Business Hub for assistance to register their business. The City is here to support your small business ideas. Visit the walk-in centre that is located in the Strand Street Concourse or call <strong>021 417 4043 </strong>or email: <a href="mailto:business.support@capetown.gov.za"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"><strong>business.support@capetown.gov.za</strong></span></a><br> <br> <br><strong>End</strong></span><strong></strong></span><strong> </strong><p> </p> | 2019-08-14T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Park Buddies lend a helping hand | Park Buddies lend a helping hand | <p>Championed by the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the initiative is part of the Expanded Public Works Programme. The City’s Recreation and Parks Department invested more than R2,7 million to deploy Park Buddies to various parks across the city, in close proximity to where they are residing. <br>The programme was launched at Mandela Park in Khayelitsha and will run until 30 June 2020. The launch also included a tree-planting ceremony in the lead up to Arbor month in September.<span></span></p><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/Park.png" alt="" style="width:1068px;" /></figure>‘The Park Buddies Programme will encourage communities to take ownership of parks in their areas. The appointed park buddies will also be the City’s ambassadors in their communities. The City invests heavily in outdoor recreational facilities. They play an important aesthetical role in the urban environment but also allow for community cohesion in creating opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. This has been proven an effective measure in creating positive and long-lasting relationships to see real changes in communities,’ said Councillor Badroodien.<p> </p><p>The purpose of the programme is to increase awareness and appreciation of community parks. Key daily duties that will be assigned to the Park Buddies includes keeping the park tidy, ensuring that play equipment is correctly used and reporting any broken or defective components on play equipment.</p><p><span></span> </p><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/image010.jpg" alt="" /></figure><p>In addition to the above, Park Buddies will exercise access control based on the relevant City By-Laws and Policies, collating statistics on usage and reporting any anti-social behaviour and vandalism.</p><p>‘I grew up playing in this park and am proud to be able to make a difference by working here. We need everyone to play their part and support us in keeping this park safe and clean so that children can enjoy the environment,’ said Martin Majalisa, the appointed Park Buddy for Mandela Park in Khayelitsha.<br></p><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/image009.jpg" alt="" style="width:810px;" /></figure></span><p>‘The City strives to promote active communities and healthy lifestyles through parks and open spaces. I am certain that the park buddies will, with the help of their communities, promote co-responsibility that will increase security in the various communities and open up more opportunities for community parks to be utilised for their intended recreational purpose. I would like to thank the park buddies for their willingness to be this important interface between the City and communities. Let us all work together to protect and serve our communities – it will be the communities who will reap the benefits of this initiative,’ added Councillor Badroodien.</p><p><strong>End</strong></p> | 2019-08-14T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
