City of Cape Town Link

What is heritage?

<h2 class="sectHeading">Cultural and natural heritage</h2><p>The Cape Town Metro extends from Mamre in the north and Gordon’s Bay in the east to Cape Point in the south. The unique cultural and natural heritage of Cape Town forms part of our sense of identity and of place.</p><p>The City of Cape Town is tasked to identify, protect, conserve and manage the rich cultural heritage of the people of the Cape for future generations.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">What is a heritage resource? </h2><p>A heritage resource is any place or object that is of cultural or natural significance. It could include cultural sites, landscapes of historical significance, areas of scenic beauty, places of spiritual importance, oral traditions, and indigenous knowledge systems. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">What is cultural heritage?</h2><p>Cultural heritage can refer to places or objects – those things which are the result of human action and activities. Some objects or places, such as archaeological sites and artefacts, can be the result of human activities which took place thousands of years ago. Cultural heritage also includes towns, buildings, landscapes and traditions.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">What is natural heritage?</h2><p>Our natural heritage is unique. It includes geological formations like<a href="https://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/" target="_blank"> Table Mountain<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>, rare and endangered biomes like our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Nature-and-the-community/Our-natural-city/Our-floral-kingdom">Cape Floristic Kingdom</a> and fossil sites such as Wolwegat, Swartklip and Duinefontein. </p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p> <b></b>South Africa has <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/za" target="_blank">eight World Heritage Sites<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>. Cape Town is home to two of these: Robben Island and Table Mountain, including Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Kirstenbosch is the first botanical garden in the world to be included as a natural World Heritage Site.</p></div></div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Explore our cultural and natural heritage</h2><p>Explore our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Heritage-and-the-community/Heritage-sites-and-buildings/Museums-landmarks-and-heritage-sites">museums, landmarks and heritage sites</a> or find out about our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Heritage-and-the-community/Heritage-sites-and-buildings/Walking-heritage-tours-of-the-city">walking tours across the city</a>. View more <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Heritage-and-the-community/Heritage-resources/Heritage-information-and-resources">Heritage Information resources, maps and displays</a>. If you are interested in how our heritage sites are protected by law, you can read about how we <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Heritage-and-the-community/Our-history-and-heritage/Protecting-our-heritage">protect our heritage</a>.</p><span><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p> <b></b>Visit the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Environmental%20Management%20Department">Environmental Management Department page</a> to see how we, the City, manage our heritage resources.</p></div></div></span><p>Read more about Cape Town's heritage in our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Enviroworks_Jul11.pdf" target="_blank">Enviroworks heritage edition</a>.</p>

Heritage is much more than just old buildings, statues, museums and tours: Heritage is our roots; our spirit; that which makes us who we are, and it is very much ‘alive’.

Enviroworks, Volume 1/11: Special Edition Heritage Newsletter

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2011-05-31T22:00:00Z

Comment on the proposed contract relating to the management and operation of our Transport Information Centre

We intend to conclude a contract for the management and operation of our Transport Information Centre.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Have-your-say/Issues-open-for-public-comment/tender-136s-2019-20"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">tender-136s-2019-20</a>

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The City's Draft Budget 2020-2021

The City of Cape Town's budget reflects its key policy decisions and priorities, determines rates increases and indicates where money will be spent on programmes and services.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Meet-the-City/the-city-budget/the-citys-budget-2020-2021"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">the-citys-budget-2020-2021</a>

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District plans

The District Plans are medium term (10 year) plans that aim to guide spatial development processes and land use management within the district and are approved by the Council of City of Cape Town as policy.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/planning-portal/Spatial-Plans-and-Frameworks/district-plans"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">district-plans</a>

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Informal trading

Informal trade is a very important part of Cape Town's economy and benefits both traders and locals.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/doing-business-in-the-city/business-support-and-guidance/informal-trading"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">informal-trading</a>

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The Business Hub

The Business Hub provides information on starting and growing your business.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/doing-business-in-the-city/business-support-and-guidance/the-business-hub"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">the-business-hub</a>

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Pay your traffic fine

The City has a number of different options for paying traffic fines. If you would like to pay your fine.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Driving-and-vehicles/Fines/Pay-your-traffic-fine"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">Pay-your-traffic-fine</a>

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Request a refund

You can request a refund on your account by following a few simple steps.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Request-a-service/Municipal-services-and-maintenance/request-a-refund"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">request-a-refund</a>

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Housing opportunities

South African citizens living in Cape Town may be eligible for different housing opportunities in the city.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-property-and-houses/city-housing-opportunities/housing-opportunities"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">housing-opportunities</a>

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Pay your rates and services accounts

You can pay your rates and services account in a number of different ways.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Municipal-accounts/Electricity/pay-your-rates-and-services-account"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">pay-your-rates-and-services-account</a>

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Prevent illegal dumping

We are calling on all our residents to stop and report illegal dumping … Illegal dumping costs us money It costs the City R350 million every year to clean up illegal dumping …

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Safety-in-the-home/Environmental-health-in-the-home/prevent-illegal-dumping"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">prevent-illegal-dumping</a>

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Water restrictions explained

Cape Town is situated in a water-scarce region. In order to conserve our precious water resources, we need to change the way we consume water.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/greener-living/water-wise-in-the-home/water-restrictions-explained"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">water-restrictions-explained</a>

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Load-shedding

Loadshedding power outages generally last for about 2 hours and 30 minutes, with one area being affected at a time during stage 1 and four areas being affected at a time during stage 3b.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-electricity-services/load-shedding-and-outages">load-shedding-and-outages</a>

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Upgrade to a new prepaid electricity meter

Find out if your suburb has been selected for a compulsory electricity meter upgrade

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Electricity/apply-for-an-upgrade-to-a-new-prepaid-electricity-meter"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">apply-for-an-upgrade-to-a-new-prepaid-electricity-meter</a>

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Submit a building plan

If you are planning any building work on a property, you may need to submit a building plan for approval.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Planning-building-and-development/Building-plan-applications/Apply-for-a-building-plan"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">Apply-for-a-building-plan</a>

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Jobs and opportunities at the City

The City offers a range of employment and career development opportunities to suitably qualified applicants from a range of social and educational backgrounds.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/jobs-and-skills-development/work-for-the-city-of-cape-town/city-jobs-and-opportunities"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">city-jobs-and-opportunities</a>

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2019/2020 Tariffs

Find out about the latest tariffs that affect you

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/local%20and%20communities/meet-the-city/the-city-budget/city-wide-tariffs"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">city-wide-tariffs</a>

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Coronavirus updates

We are operating with reduced services and communication channels as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and national lockdown.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/general/coronavirus-updates">coronavirus-updates</a>

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Coronavirus

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new disease that was recently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO)

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/personal-health/contagious-and-chronic-diseases/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>

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View the Council Meeting Calendar

Access the Council meeting calendar and agendas for upcoming meetings.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Meet-the-City/city-council/meeting-calendar"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">meeting-calendar</a>

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Submit your proposals for the C40 Reinventing Cities Competition

We are calling on all architects, developers, environmentalists, neighbourhood groups, innovators and artists to submit proposals for delivering healthier, greener and economically viable urban development.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Have-your-say/requests-for-information/c40-reinventing-cities-competition"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">c40-reinventing-cities-competition</a>

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Informal trading events

Our informal trading information sessions and events will provide you with relevant information to ensure compliance with the City’s policies and by-laws, as well as various business support initiatives that could help you develop your business.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/general/information-sessions-and-events-for-informal-traders"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">information-sessions-and-events-for-informal-traders</a>

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Apply for replacement wheelie bin

The City will replace or repair a damaged or stolen wheelie bin free of charge.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/solid-waste/Apply-for-replacement-wheelie-bin" target="_blank">Apply-for-replacement-wheelie-bin</a>

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Pay and renew your vehicle licence

There are a number of different options you can use when paying for and renewing your vehicle licence renewal.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Driving-and-vehicles/Vehicle-licences/Pay-your-vehicle-licence" target="_blank">Pay-your-vehicle-licence</a>

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Dam levels

The dam levels are critical for Cape Town’s water supply and are a key contributor to the Day Zero water dashboard

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/this-weeks-dam-levels">this-weeks-dam-levels</a>

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Apply for new or replacement driver's licence

Find out how to get a new or replacement driver’s licence.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Driving-and-vehicles/Apply-for-new-or-replacement-drivers-licence">Apply-for-new-or-replacement-drivers-licence</a>

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