| Mayco recommends support for first ever Cape Town E-Prix | The FIA recently announced Cape Town as a new host city for its provisional FIA Formula E race calendar for the 2021/2022 season. | <p></p><p>The FIA recently announced Cape Town as a new host city for its provisional FIA Formula E race calendar for the 2021/2022 season. <br><br> ‘Over the last two years we have been working hard behind the scenes within the administration and with the event organisers putting together all the requirements necessary to put together an event of this magnitude. Approval from council will allow us to begin the civil engineering works on the racetrack and ensure we can finalise all the logistics before the first ever Formula E race on the African continent,’ said Executive Mayor Alderman Dan Plato. <br><br>The proposed race track will be around the Green Point Park and Cape Town Stadium area.<br><br>‘We have already had great engagements with local residents and ratepayers’ association who are fully behind this race event coming to Cape Town. They share our belief that hosting this new exciting international event in a time when the events industry has been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic could assist in the long run in reviving the struggling sectors. This event will help Cape Town create job opportunities for residents, business opportunities for local entrepreneurs, the hospitality sector and benefit communities who are still feeling the economic effects of the pandemic. The City notes the various issues raised by local civic and ratepayers associations around managing the events impact on residents during such a major event and these will be factored into the events approval,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith.<br><br><strong>ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY </strong><br>With 24 cars run on 100 percent renewable energy and a major focus on alternative energy solutions – staging Formula E in Cape Town will assist the City in raising awareness and take action against the adverse effects of air pollution. Additionally, as part of Cape Town E-Prix, Formula E will host a Climate Change Summit by the World Bank.<br>The event will also include local communities and schools to educate them about electric cars, how they can contribute to a sustainable future of mobility and the impact of inner-city air pollution.<br><br><strong>ECONOMIC BENEFITS </strong><br>‘The City’s contribution to this race event is dwarfed in comparison to the return on investment from hosting such an established international sporting event. In the three years that Formula E has been hosted in Hong Kong, it has contributed approximately R1,5 billion to that economy. This benefits a wide range of business in the event chain including manufacturing and service industries,’ adds Mayor Plato.</p><p>As per the Executive Mayor’s delegations, he has approved supporting the event with R2 million in cash subject to the event returning to the City for future tournaments, as per the recommendation by the Special Events Committee. A further R2million will be provided in the form of services, on the above premise. Council is asked to approve support for the road infrastructure upgrades required to host the Formula E event. </p><p>Approval is sought for road upgrades in the race event footprint in the Greenpoint Precinct for the 2022/23 financial year. The upgrades, which will cost approximately R44 million, will provide a long-term benefit to residents and reduce the need for future budget allocation to perform routine maintenance and upgrades.</p><p>Cape Town has already demonstrated its capabilities in hosting major international motor sporting events with the success of the FIA Rallycross Championship, the Extreme Festival National Championship (at Killarney), as well as the annual Drift City at the iconic Grand Parade.</p><p>The Mother City is geared up to host another international motor sporting event to add to an already impressive annual events calendar. </p><p><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2021-08-02T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City offices closed on Women’s Day, 9 August 2021 | The City of Cape Town advises residents to use e-Services, where possible | <p></p><p>The City of Cape Town advises residents to use e-Services, where possible. The City’s customer offices in the Lansdowne Corner Mall, Liberty Promenade Mall, and Table Bay Mall will also be closed for the holiday. Residents are urged to do their urgent business before the public holiday or to visit the following day when offices are open to members of the public.</p><p>Municipal accounts may be paid at any Shoprite/Checkers, Pick n Pay, PEP, Woolworths, USave, Ackermans, Lewis, Top It Up and selected Spar shops. Online payments may be made at <a href="http://www.powertime.co.za/" target="_blank">www.powertime.co.za</a> or <a href="http://www.easypay.co.za/" target="_blank">www.easypay.co.za</a>, and the renewal of motor vehicle licences may be made online at <a href="https://eservices.capetown.gov.za/" target="_blank">https://eservices.capetown.gov.za/</a><br> <br>Payment of pre-due date traffic fines may be made online at <a href="http://www.paycity.co.za/" target="_blank">www.paycity.co.za</a> or selected Spar shops. </p><p><strong>For account payments:</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Online: <a href="http://www.easypay.co.za/" target="_blank">www.Easypay.co.za</a> or <a href="http://www.powertime.co.za/" target="_blank">www.powertime.co.za</a></div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">EFTs: Select the City as a bank-listed beneficiary. Use only your nine-digit municipal account number as reference</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Retailers: Checkers, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Spar and Woolworths</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">e-Services: Use the City’s online e-services portal</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">ATM: contact your bank to add the City as an ATM beneficiary</div></li></ul><p> <br><strong>Register on e-Services</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Renew vehicle licenses</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Submit water/electricity readings</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Pay accounts online</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">View current account and account history</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Apply to receive accounts via email</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Log service requests</div></li></ul><p> <br>To register for e-Services visit: <a href="https://eservices.capetown.gov.za/" target="_blank">https://eservices.capetown.gov.za/</a> <br> </p><p><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2021-08-02T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City’s Freedom Park upgrade project progressing well | The City of Cape Town’s Freedom Park upgrade project is on track | <span><p>This project will provide upgrades and services for the registered 159 families of Ottery’s Freedom Park informal settlement, securing tenure for residents who have been living there for many years and improving their lives in a very real way. The settlement currently has limited basic services due to the lack of space and access as this was an unplanned settlement. </p><p>The sites will have sewer and water connections on a one-on-one basis, black-top roads and stormwater services. This is in line with the City’s commitment of bringing greater formality to informal settlements where it is possible to do so; to mainstream basic services provision and to improve the lives of its most vulnerable residents amid rapid urbanisation.</p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/freedom11.jpg" alt="" style="width:839px;" /> </figure></span><p>‘The upgrade of this informal settlement aims to improve living conditions of the residents and their families. I am pleased to see this project progressing so well. Construction of the civil and electrical engineering services commenced in February 2021 and is expected to be completed toward the end of this year, if all goes according to plan.</p><p>‘We are not going to address the extreme accommodation need in Cape Town by focusing on only one type of housing delivery. We are going to have to be innovative and continue to drive the upgrade of informal settlements where it is possible to do so. It is a mindset shift that must happen across our communities, one involving the move away from the expectation of formal State-supplied subsidy housing alone as the only acceptable housing type. </p><span>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/freedom12.jpg" alt="" style="width:770px;" /> </figure></span><span><p><strong></strong></p></span><p>‘Urbanisation is not a municipal challenge alone. All tiers of government, the private sector and civic organisations must work together to address rapid urbanisation. We must bring our communities on board with the alternatives that are on offer. Our upgrade projects are about partnerships and innovation. </p><p>‘We will continue to engage with the community throughout this process and we remain committed to engaging with the affected parties regarding this project while endeavoring to balance the needs of residents in surrounding areas. Should any residents have any queries or concerns, they are encouraged to contact the City.</p><p>‘This project, as with all City projects, is dependent on community support and cooperation. We thank the communities for their patience and for working with the City over the years to ensure that this upgrade project becomes a reality,’ said Councillor Booi.</p><span>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/freedom13.jpg" alt="" style="width:944px;" /></figure></span><p><strong>Anonymous tip-offs welcomed:</strong><br>Residents can give anonymous tip offs if they are aware of illegal activity that is taking place; that has happened or is still to happen. Please call 112 from a cell phone (toll free) and 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 for emergencies.</p><p>Human Settlements Strategy: <a href="http://bit.ly/CCT-HSStrategy" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/CCT-HSStrategy</a> </p><p><br><strong>End</strong></p><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> </figure></span><span></span> | 2021-08-02T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Active cases increase as City urges increased vigilance | The City of Cape Town’s Health Department has called for increased adherence to health protocols. | <span>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/MRC.jpg" alt="" /> </figure>The graph, provided by the Medical Research Council, shows a potential levelling out of deaths. It shows an increase in excess deaths in the province, indicative of the number of deaths that are occurring above what is expected. <br> <br>‘The metro is seeing about 1 280 new cases a day and while this figure has slowed, it’s not cause for us to drop our guard. It is disheartening that funeral protocol adherence continues to be problematic, with only a 72% adherence rate at funerals assessed by City Health in the past week. These events could become super spreaders if we’re not vigilant,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.<br> <br>During the past week there were 547 burials compared to 649 in the previous week. </span><p>‘Even though this is a notable decrease of 102 burials, at the same time we are seeing a steady increase in the demand for cremations, having cremated 150 deceased in the past week,’ said Councillor Badroodien. </p><p>The busiest cemeteries were Klip 154 (215 the previous week), Maitland 139 (on par with previous week) and Welmoed 113 (an increase of 74).</p><p><strong>VACCINATION PROGRESS</strong><br>Registration and the administering of Covid-19 vaccines for the 35 – 49 age group is well underway, with the 18 – 34 age group expected to become eligible for registration from 1 September. </p><p>Of those vaccinated to date, 58.8% are women across all age groups.</p><p>‘Women are once again taking the lead in ensuring the health and well-being of our communities. It cannot fall on their shoulders alone I want to encourage men to step up. We have been heartened by the excitement shown by those in the younger age groups to be vaccinated. Assist someone you know, who is eligible, to register for the vaccine. It is in everyone’s best interests to vaccinate as many eligible persons as possible,’ said Councillor Badroodien.</p><p><strong>The lowest registration rates for those over 60 are in the following areas: </strong><br>Nomzamo: 9.8% <br>Phillipi : 11.36 % <br>Fisantekraal : 16.1%<br>Imizamo Yethu: 17.57 % <br>Crossroads : 21%</p><p>‘We are concerned about the number of residents who aren’t registered and the City is doing what it can to ensure the process is as smooth and accessible as possible,’ said Councillor Badroodien.</p><p><strong>The measures in place to reach these residents is:</strong><br>- Pop up vaccine sites in the Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha sub districts , at SASSA pay points, community halls, farms and shopping centres. This is driven by Western Cape Government Health (WCGH) while City Health staff assist with vaccinations.<br>- We do same day registration and vaccination of persons >60 at all City sites as well as provincial sites.<br>- We are in the process of registering a mobile van as a vaccination site. This vaccination van will operate in Area South. WCGH has mobile vans operating as vaccination sites in other areas</p><p>Any resident 60 years and older who has not registered, or has not received an appointment, can go to their nearest public sector vaccination site for assisted registration and vaccination. </p><p><strong>BE VIGILANT OF COVID SYMPTOMS:</strong><br>Symptoms of infection with the Delta variant are the same as the symptoms of the common cold, namely a runny nose, headache, sore throat and fever. If you experience Covid-19 symptoms please isolate yourself immediately. </p><p>All persons who have symptoms should stay at home and not visit public places as they can pass the infection on to others. They have to isolate for 10 days and also inform the persons they have been in contact with that they have Covid-19 symptoms so they can isolate and observe for symptoms. In the public sector Covid-19 testing is only done for those older than 45 with symptoms, all persons with co-morbidities who have symptoms and healthcare workers.</p><p>In addition to wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose, handwashing and hand sanitising, City Health advocates for avoiding the 3 Cs: crowded places, congested space, and close contact. </p><p>‘If you do gather, keep it small (under 10 people), keep it short and take it outside. Until we can protect everyone, continue to social distance, wash your hands and wear a mask,’ said Councillor Badroodien. </p><p><strong>Those who have not yet registered on EVDS, are encouraged to do so using the following options:</strong></p><p>USSD free service: dial *134*832# <br>OR send the word “REGISTER” to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp <br>OR visit <a href="http://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/">http://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za</a> </p><p><br><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2021-08-02T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
