| City libraries offer unique study spaces | Our libraries are more than knowledge hubs and are going the extra mile to ensure matric learners have as much resources as possible ahead of their final exams | <p></p><p>'Our libraries are more than knowledge hubs and are going the extra mile to ensure matric learners have as much resources as possible ahead of their final exams. While libraries provide a safe space to study, some have set aside their halls or other open spaces to ensure quieter areas conducive to swotting. For many learners, the library is the only place where they can study without interference or the hustle and bustle of their daily and family lives,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.</p><p>The City's libraries also offer study guides and past matric exam papers, while others provide a matric support group and reference sections.</p><p>Some of the libraries with matric exam specific resources are listed here: <a href="https://bit.ly/3run2G4">https://bit.ly/3run2G4</a>. </p><p> </p><p>Visit your nearest library to find out what is available for matric learners and other students.</p><p> </p><p>'This is the last dash before the finish line and I want to wish all our learners the best as they work towards their goals. I encourage our matric learners to make use of the spaces, resources and opportunities presented by our libraries.</p><p> </p><p>'Vandalism and theft remain a challenge and the impact and implications for those learners who depend on the facility is far-reaching and goes beyond the damage caused. Libraries play a critical role in providing information and support for education and I want to implore our communities to take ownership of these facilities and look after them for this generation and the next,' said Councillor van der Ross.</p><p>Report any suspicious behaviour to the City's Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.</p><p> </p><p><br></p> | 2023-10-01T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Zandvlei estuarine management plan available for public comment | The City of Cape Town encourages residents and interested and affected parties to comment on the draft management plan for the Zandvlei Estuary in Muizenberg. | <p></p><span><p>The Zandvlei Estuary – the point where Zandvlei meets the False Bay ocean in Muizenberg – has a catchment area of 92km². The estuary is highly modified, a temporarily open-closed system, and impacted by the surrounding urban suburbs of Constantia, Plumstead, Tokai, Retreat and Muizenberg that drain into the catchment.</p><p> </p><p>The City's Environmental Management Department is responsible for the management of the estuary and must develop an Estuarine Management Plan (EMP) that assesses its current state and determines management and monitoring actions. </p><p> </p><p>The EMP is a strategic planning document that must be updated every five years, and the public now has the opportunity to comment on the latest review.<br></p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Zandvlei%20Estuarine%20.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:1172px;" /> </figure></span><span><p><strong>Zandvlei</strong></p><ul><li>Is a 2,5km long, shallow estuarine system, and is 0,5km wide at its widest point</li><li>Receives flows from the Keysers, Sand and Westlake rivers</li><li>Has a long history of alteration and management since the establishment of the Simon's Town railway line across the estuary in the 19<sup>th</sup> century, and further alterations in the early 1970s </li><li>Is a popular recreational waterbody with water-based activities including canoeing, yachting, paddle-boarding, angling etc.</li><li>Is a critical nursery area for marine fish species, and provides a habitat for waterbirds such as waterfowl and waders</li><li>Receives significant quantities of polluted and poor quality runoff from the urban catchment</li></ul><p> </p><p>'The Zandvlei estuary is the last truly functional estuary on the False Bay coast, and it is vital from an ecological, social and economic perspective that we conserve this asset. It is possible with good management, targeted remediation and rehabilitation to reduce the nutrient build-up in the vlei. By improving the mouth management, we can enhance the estuary's connection with the ocean, and rehabilitate the terrestrial and wetland areas that border the vlei,' said the City's Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.<br></p>
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<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Zandvlei%20Estuary%202.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:1066px;" /> </figure></span><p>The revised estuary management plan provides short-, medium-, and long-term management priorities and actions to maintain and enhance the estuarine function; protect the critical biodiversity and existing urban infrastructure bordering the vlei; and enable recreational and educational uses for current and future generations.</p><p> </p><p>'The quality of inflow from the catchment area, and sewage spills related to infrastructure failure and load-shedding, pose the biggest threats to the estuary's water quality and overall health. The City is committed to addressing these challenges. We also note the priority action items listed in the revised plan, among which the proposal to dredge the marine sediments from the lower channel, the development of sewer pump station protocols to manage surcharge and failure events, the installation of back-up power for sewage pump stations in the catchment area, enforcement of residential, agricultural and commercial compliance in the wider catchment in accordance with the City's stormwater by-laws, and to monitor runoff from sources such as agricultural areas and golf courses.</p><p> </p><p>'I encourage residents, the immediate community, recreational users, businesses and interested and affected parties to read the draft revised plan, and to submit comments. We are eager to receive your input on this very important plan that has been revised to help us improve the Zandvlei Estuary, its health and water quality over time,' said Alderman Andrews. </p><p> </p><p>The draft plan is available on the City's website at: <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay</a>. </p><p> </p><p>The commenting period closes on 30 November 2023. </p><p> </p><p><strong>End</strong></p><p> </p><p><br></p> | 2023-09-30T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Cape Town hosts milestone 45th edition of the Loeries | The largest gathering of Africa and the Middle East brand communications and creative industry – the Loeries Creative Week – is back.
| <div>For a third consecutive year, Cape Town is the host city for the festival which brings together the very best in the industry for a week of networking, celebration and recognition of great work.</div><div> </div><div>In celebration of 45 years of creative excellence and innovation, this year’s theme – Blood, Sweat and Tears – embodies the tough conditions that the brand communications industry has weathered over the past few years.</div><div> </div><div>Cape Town is home to many extraordinary creatives and for the third consecutive year, the City of Cape Town is a proud partner of Africa and the Middle East’s prestigious creative festival. </div><div><br></div><div>District Six will once again be the main hub for Loeries Creative Week, which runs over five days from 2 to 6 October 2023.</div><div> </div><div>Renowned for its top-tier masterclasses, Loeries Creative Week brings about 8 000 innovative thinkers together from over 20 countries to explore cutting-edge trends from key organisations and industry leaders.</div><div> </div><div>‘The Loeries is the apex of creative excellence in Africa and the Middle East and we are thrilled to be hosting the 45th edition of the Loeries in our vibrant city. This also strengthens Cape Town’s reputation as a creative capital. As part of the City of Cape Town’s broader strategy to support creative industries, supporting events such as these serve as powerful engines to share experiences, knowledge and encourage best practice. </div><div><br></div><div>‘It also gives us the opportunity to nurture a platform that consistently drives the brand communications industry to elevate creativity and push the boundaries. I am encouraged to see the effort the Loeries contributes in fostering and developing young creatives through providing student showcases and employment opportunities,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith.</div><div> </div><div>The week is made up of Awards evenings, MasterClasses, Seminars, workshops, networking dinners, an Official After Party and several partner and agency events. </div><div> </div><div>Attendees can look forward to new additions to the Creative Week programme, including the Agency Expo and Student Expo showcasing some of the best work from top agencies and final year students.</div><div> </div><div>A detailed programme can be viewed <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"century gothic", sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.loeries.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Loeries-Creative-Week-Event-Schedule-final-v2-compressed_1.pdf"><span style="color:windowtext;">here</span></a> </span></div><div> </div><div><br></div><div><strong>End</strong></div><div><br><br></div><p><br></p> | 2023-09-30T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City invites applications for Grants-in-Aid funding | The City’s Arts and Culture Branch invites registered non-profit organisations to apply for funding
| <div>The Arts and Culture Branch within the City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department supports various organisations to deliver projects through GIA funding.</div><div><br></div><div>The focus is on projects and programmes for young people (seven – 35 years) and vulnerable groups, including women, children, senior citizens and persons living with disabilities as the primary beneficiaries. These projects and programmes should contribute to building a city of hope through sustainable cultural development (taking cultural, social, economic and environmental outputs into account), and foster an appreciation for the arts, creativity and heritage. </div><div><br></div><div>The GIA funding application process will only consider projects in the categories of visual and performing arts, temporary public art, heritage awareness and storytelling and therapeutic interventions. The therapeutic value of arts relates to supporting the social wellbeing of individuals, families and communities by using arts, culture and creative activities to assist vulnerable groups in overcoming stress, trauma and disability and have a positive impact on the participants cognition, emotions, and overall wellbeing. </div><div><br></div><div>Proposals for grants-in-aid must be made in writing on an official application form available at www.capetown.gov.za/grants-in-aid.</div><div><br></div><div>Completed applications may be delivered to the Arts and Culture Branch, 5th Floor, Honda Building, 73 Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town. Alternatively completed applications can be sent to: artsand.culture@capetown.gov.za</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to the above, applicants are required to register with the Central Supplier Database at https://secure.csd.gov.za/Account/Register and the City’s Supply Chain Management Database before submitting their application:<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Register/Business-and-trade/Register-as-a-supplier" style="font-family:"century gothic", sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><span style="color:windowtext;">https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Register/Business-and-trade/Register-as-a-supplier</span></a></div><div><br></div><div>Both registration numbers are required on the grants-in-aid application form.</div><div><br></div><div>It’s important that applicants take note of the Grants-in-Aid Policy, which is available from the City’s website or from the Arts and Culture Branch on request. Projects must be completed by 31 December 2024.</div><div><br></div><div>‘Supporting Arts and Culture and assisting organisations with projects is an investment in education and creates opportunities for young artists to build careers. Cape Town has a proud and rich cultural heritage and these projects will help to strengthen diversity, respect and appreciation for the important role that art plays. The grants-in-aid funding also creates platforms and artistic stages where young people can live their dreams and where established artists can share knowledge and skills. By assisting organisations to create opportunities we are building a City of Hope, said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross. </div><div><br></div><div>The closing date for applications is 17:00 on 28 October 2023. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.</div><div><br></div><div>For further information liaise with Rhyno Jansen on 021 417 4104 or via e-mail at: artsandculture.gia@capetown.gov.za</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>End</strong></div><div><br><br></div><p><br></p> | 2023-09-30T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
