| Your City in 60 seconds | Catch up on the latest important City news updates with your City in 60 seconds. | <p>Each week, we share a new video giving you a snapshot of what we are up to in your community.</p><div class="responsive-media">
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<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Thanks%20to%20City%20customers%20for%20the%20support%2c%20storm-related%20power%20faults%20mostly%20resolved">
<img class="responsive" alt="Thanks to City customers for the support, storm-related power faults mostly resolved" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/City-News-380x220.jpg" />
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<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Thanks%20to%20City%20customers%20for%20the%20support%2c%20storm-related%20power%20faults%20mostly%20resolved">
<strong>Thanks to City customers for the support, storm-related power faults mostly resolved</strong></a>
<br>The City thanks its customers for their support during the extraordinary storm over the long weekend. The majority of storm-related power faults have been resolved.<br>
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<img class="responsive" alt="Spring into fun with the City’s holiday programmes" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Holiday-programme-380.jpg" />
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<strong>Spring into fun with the City’s holiday programmes</strong>
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<br>The City of Cape Town’s recreational facilities are offering a wide array of exciting programmes and activities to keep learners engaged, active and inspired during this holiday. <br>
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<img class="responsive" alt="Public invited to follow discussions on passenger rail, minibus-taxis, congestion, extortion, spatial equity at City’s Urban Mobility Summit" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/City-380x220.jpg" />
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<strong>Public invited to follow discussions on passenger rail, minibus-taxis, congestion, extortion, spatial equity at City’s Urban Mobility Summit</strong>
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<br>The panel discussions will be live-streamed and I invite residents and businesses to join us online on 3 and 4 October 2023 as we map the way forward in an uncertain and volatile environment. (City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas)
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<br> | 2023-09-28T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City receives two-ton rice donation from Taipei Liaison Office | Rice is one of the most important staple foods in South Africa, particularly when it comes to providing low-cost nourishment. | <p></p><span><p>Rice is one of the most important staple foods in South Africa, particularly when it comes to providing low-cost nourishment. For many households, rice serves as a cornerstone of their meals, offering sustenance that is both economical and nutritious.</p><p>In terms of perspective, this generous contribution has the potential to feed approximately 10 000 people. </p><p>This is not only a significant contribution under Director-General Ms. Lily Chen's leadership, but also a commendable act of generosity and a meaningful step towards addressing a crucial aspect of our society – affordable sustenance.<br></p>
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<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Alderman%20Felicity%20Purchase%20Director-General%20Ms.%20Lily%20Chen%20and%20Second%20Assistant%20Director%20Mr.%20William%20Wang%202.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:1138px;" /> </figure></span><p>The ripple effect of this contribution cannot be understated – it directly translates into food security for families that might otherwise struggle to put meals on their tables.</p><p> </p><p>In a nation where economic disparities persist, and especially in light of the recent, devastating storms that have caused floods, mudslides and the desolation and destruction of many households, the significance of this contribution is immense.</p><p> </p><p>'The Taipei Liaison Office's donation will not only aid in alleviating immediate hunger, but is also a testament to the power of collective action and social responsibility, and the tireless efforts of DG Chen and her team. Their commitment to making a positive impact in our society is commendable and serves as an example for us all. </p><p> </p><p>'As we express our gratitude, let us also remember that this is not just about rice – it is about acknowledging the needs of our fellow citizens and working collaboratively to address them – and symbolises the potential for transformation when compassion, commitment, and collaboration intersect.</p><p> </p><p>'I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Taipei Liaison Office under DG Chen, and all those who have been part of this initiative. Your contribution has illuminated a path towards a more inclusive and sustainable future, one where every member of our society can share in the benefits of progress. </p><p> </p><p>'As the world struggles with inequality and many, many challenges, it is inspiring and hopeful to see a group of people such as yourselves, working to uplift the lives of others, and to put food on the table where there might have been none.' Said Speaker, Alderman Felicity Purchase. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Caption (L to R): </strong>Alderman Felicity Purchase, Director-General Ms Lily Chen and Second Assistant Director Mr William Wang</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>End </strong></p><p><br></p> | 2023-09-28T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Cape Town’s rooftop solar boom at record levels | Cape Town’s rooftop solar boom is at record levels, with August 2023 seeing the highest ever solar PV installation applications to the City. | <p></p><span><p>The City is working to shorten authorisation times by developing a forthcoming easy-to-use online applications portal. Turnaround times are further expected to be drastically reduced from 1 October 2023, the date from which all SSEG systems will need a City-approved inverter and professional sign off, with all systems to be regarded as grid-tied. This is due to an increase in fly-by-night operators offering systems of inferior quality, or which are not wired correctly, a practice which is contributing to extended outages when power returns after load-shedding.</p><p> </p><p>'Each new month has broken the solar PV applications record for four months straight since May 2023, with over 100 MW and counting of installed capacity in Cape Town. We are determined to make it more viable for households to go solar, with a cheaper AMI meter option to be rolled out early in the new year, alongside Cape Town's cash for power incentives for households and businesses to sell their excess power to us<br></p>
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<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/mayor%20solar.JPG" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>'Enabling more rooftop solar forms part of our broader plans to add 1GW of independent power from various sources to Cape Town's grid over time. The first 650MW is forecasted to come online by 2025/26 to protect against the first four stages of Eskom's load-shedding, which will be achieved largely through a mix of Steenbras Hydro Plant; 500MW of dispatchable energy; and demand management programmes, including the forthcoming Power Heroes incentives for households to flatten peak usage,' said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.</p><p> </p><p>'The City is moving toward a future grid for all – where customers use and generate electricity as part of an integrated network. This is the exciting future of the changing energy environment internationally and also in our own backyard. We have been sending the signal for a few months now that from 1 October, only SSEG systems using City-approved inverters with professional sign-off will be authorised, and all systems will be regarded as grid-tied. This will dramatically improve<span style="text-decoration:line-through;"> </span>the authorisation turnaround time, improve safety, prevent the risk of area outages due to inferior systems connected to the grid and help to protect our homeowners from the many fly-by-night operators out there. We thank those in the industry who are already driving safe and legal systems, our teams are here to assist all stakeholders in this transition,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen in a recent address to solar industry stakeholders.<br></p>
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<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/mayor%20solar2.JPG" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure></span><p><strong>National legislation and regulations require authorisation:</strong></p><p>National legislation and regulations require the authorisation of all <span style="text-decoration:underline;">power generating systems </span>connected to the electricity supply. Authorisation requirements have been around for almost a decade and the City continues to work to refine processes to the benefit of customers. <br></p><p><strong>Making the application process faster, safer</strong></p><p><strong>1.</strong> From October 2023 all SSEG systems will need a <a href="https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%2520notices%2c%2520tariffs%2520and%2520lists/Approved%2520Photovoltaic%2520%28PV%29%2520Inverter%2520List.pdf&umid=82924705-f0e0-4b01-ab5a-ee4e55d31a6a&auth=2ad3eefb43d42e4af99fdc07ba99e48e7318d45f-d157519a106b4a50912f142fccad4fe7db55ba03" target="_blank">City-approved inverter</a> and professional sign off. Currently many systems using non-approved inverters are not wired correctly, posing risks to the safety and integrity of the network. This significantly slows down the registration process because there are too many different wiring configurations for the City professionals to consider. Reducing the wiring configurations speeds up the process. </p><p><strong>To note:</strong> this applies to solar PV and battery systems connected <span style="text-decoration:underline;">into wiring of the building</span>. It doesn't apply to the trolley inverters for example that plug into wall sockets. These are regarded as electrical appliances.</p><p><strong>2.</strong> Applications for standby and off-grid systems will not be accepted. <strong>Pre-October authorisations and applications will remain valid and be processed, but priority will be given to grid-tied systems using City-approved inverters.</strong></p><ul><ul><ul><ol><li>The City is working on an online application process. <br></li></ol></ul></ul></ul><p><strong>Checklist to guide customers through the process: </strong><a href="https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%2520and%2520educational%2520material/CCT-Energy-PV-Brochure.pdf&umid=82924705-f0e0-4b01-ab5a-ee4e55d31a6a&auth=2ad3eefb43d42e4af99fdc07ba99e48e7318d45f-54d56c24774e8a1c03f16f28c30823ae03acc34d" target="_blank">https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/CCT-Energy-PV-Brochure.pdf</a><br></p><p><strong>Caption: </strong>Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis visits the rooftop solar installation at the ABSA headquarters in Century City, Cape Town on Thursday 28 September.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>End</strong><br><strong> </strong><br></p><p><br></p> | 2023-09-28T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| An EVENTful week for the permit office | The Events Permit Office had a busy week monitoring 62 permitted events between Friday, 22 September and Thursday, 28 September 2023. | <p>The Events Permit Office had a busy week monitoring 62 permitted events between Friday, 22 September and Thursday, 28 September 2023. </p><p>While the week was incident-free, the permit office was forced to shut down an event for non-compliance, fined an event organiser and saw three event cancellations due to the inclement weather. </p><p>Collectively, more than 65 000 participants and spectators attended the events hosted in Cape Town.</p><p>'The increase in the number of events over the last month is a great indication of what our events permit office will have to deal with in the coming months as we approach the busier summer season. On behalf of the City of Cape Town, I would really like to extend our gratitude to the event organisers for working hand-in-hand with the City's Events Coordinating Committee to ensure that all these events were hosted in a compliant and safe environment. It is through this working relationship that Cape Town was able to successfully host more than 60 events this past week in spite of the inclement weather conditions,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. </p><p>'As we head into the busy season, it will be crucial for event organisers to ensure they are compliant with requirements of the Events By-law as well as the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act aimed at guaranteeing safety at events. While the events office is easily available to assist event organisers in meeting these requirements, the officials will also not hesitate to close down any events where the standards are not met. It is the City's responsibility, working with the SAPS, to ensure that we safeguard the lives of all those who attend these events,' added Alderman Smith. </p><p>Comprehensive information on the event permit application process is available <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Filming-and-events/Apply-for-an-event-permit">here</a>.</p><p>The Events Permit Office and the Events Coordinating Committee, which includes various City departments such as Disaster Risk Management, Metro Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Transport and Health Departments , are gearing up for another month of busy events. </p><p>In October, Cape Town will host an array of events including:</p><p>· Totalsports Women's Race – Grand Parade, 1 October </p><p>· Loeries Creative Week – City Hall, 2 - 6 October </p><p>· Rygate Cubs Festival – Johnson Road Sports Ground, 3 – 7 October </p><p>· Kapstadt CUP – Greenpoint, Observatory & Mowbray, 4 – 8 October </p><p>· FIA World Rallycross – Killarney Raceway, 7 & 8 October </p><p>· SAFA Cape Town's Coke Cup Finals, Athlone Stadium, 14 October </p><p>· Sanlam Cape Town Marathon – 14 October </p><p>· FNB Wine to Whales - Lourensford Wine Estate, 20 – 29 October </p><p>· Abantu Festival - DHL Stadium, 28 October </p><p>· Cape Town International Kite Festival, Melkbosstrand Beach – 29 October</p><p>· Cape Town Triathlon – from Grand Beach, 29 October </p><p>· Operalia – Artscape Theatre Centre, 30 October – 5 November </p><p> </p><p><strong>End</strong></p><p><br></p> | 2023-09-28T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
