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City’s Ease of Doing Business index shows real improvement across indicators

The City of Cape Town this week took to the stage at the Western Cape Investment Summit.

‘It has been my privilege to drive this initiative in partnership with senior City officials across departments, who have worked tirelessly to streamline processes and deliver tangible improvements for businesses. Together, this cross-departmental team is making it easier for entrepreneurs and investors to get things done in Cape Town,’ said Alderman James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.Now in its third volume, the Index measures ten key business-facing indicators, including land use rights, building plan approvals, wayleaves, energy connections, and business licences, by assessing the number of procedural steps, timelines, and costs involved.‘In a World Bank report released earlier this year, it was noted that cities should be made engines of inclusive growth to shrink economic distances and provide opportunities for all. This Ease of Doing Business initiative has become an essential tool for the City of Cape Town to simplify processes that can feel like quicksand for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and corporations wanting to grow and invest,’ said Alderman Vos.First conceptualised in April 2022, the EoDB Index not only captures process duration and complexity, but also identifies where reforms are most urgently needed to support competitiveness and inclusive growth. These insights directly inform the City’s reform programme, which focuses on implementing practical solutions. Two examples of this systemic improvement were the launches of the online Wayleave Management System and Energy Services Platform to streamline applications. As a result, the wayleaves indicator shows that applications now take an average of six days, down 34 days from the baseline of 40 days. This shows a performance improvement of 85%.<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Ease%20of%20doing%20business%201.jpeg" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:880px;" /> ‘Overall, we’ve seen an improvement of 15% across indicators in the 2024/2025 financial year since tracking began in 2022. As readers of the Index will see, there are still areas where we need to step up our game. But that’s exactly the point of this tool: to be transparent, identify bottlenecks, and then get on with fixing them. The EoDB Index underscores our collective efforts and commitment to continuous improvement,’ said Alderman Vos.<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Ease%20of%20doing%20business%203.jpeg" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:880px;" /> To see a breakdown of performance across the ten indicators, go to Dashboard.InvestCapeTown.com. Flip through the full Ease of Doing Business 2025 publication here.End

2025-11-08T22:00:00Z

Hot, windy summer awaits Firefighters

The City's Fire and Rescue Service is getting ready for the summer season

Cape Town faces a range of fire risks. In summer, vegetation fires are more prevalent as a result of hot, dry and windy weather conditions. Over the past few years, there has been an upward trend.Between October 2021 and January 2022, the Fire and Rescue Service recorded 5 331 vegetation fires. The number has increased every summer since, to 7 480 vegetation fires in 2024/25 – a 40% increase. ‘The pressure is relentless, because of course, the Fire Service also responds to structural fires and a range of other emergencies, from motor vehicle accidents to hazmat incidents and even water rescues where needed. And, the same weather conditions that promote the spread of wildfires, also increase the risk of devastating fires in our informal settlements.‘The City has, over time, invested heavily into our firefighting response, including seasonal reinforcements like wildland firefighters and aerial support. The public can lend a hand by being alert to fire risks, behaving responsibly to reduce the risk of fires and other emergencies, and by reporting incidents as soon as possible, to reduce the impacts,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.The Fire and Rescue Service will have the following resources available for summer:• Fire crews on duty at all 32 City fire stations, 24/7, to deal with any type of emergency • Aerial firefighting support from 1 December in the form of two Huey helicopters • A fixed wing light spotter aircraft to provide assistance to the Command & Control Centre during veld fires • 96 Wildland Firefighters that will be strategically deployed to cover those areas prone to runaway vegetation fires. This will also free up our on-duty staff to attend to other types of emergencies.The Fire and Rescue Service also forms part of the City’s inter departmental Festive Season operational meetings that oversees and implements the Festive Season Safety Plan. A comprehensive list of fire safety tips is available here: www.capetown.gov.za/firesafetyThe public is reminded to report any fires or other risks to life or property to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700.

2025-11-08T22:00:00Z

City urges parents to act early and prevent diarrhoea this summer

City's Health Service information on the prevention and treatment of diarrhoea this summer

The hot weather over summer promotes the spread of germs, and this increases the number of children who get sick with diarrhoea and dehydration, especially during the months of November and May – known as the “surge season”.Dehydration is a common side effect of diarrhoeal disease and can be dangerous especially for babies and young children. That is why healthcare workers are on high alert with staff ready to provide quick, compassionate care and emergency treatment when needed.But prevention starts at home. ‘We ask parents to stay alert, know the signs of dehydration and take simple steps to protect their children. Prevention remains the simplest way to protect your children, and that starts with clean water, regular handwashing, and proper food handling,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.While City Health is ready to respond, prevention and early home care remain the most powerful tools. Parents and caregivers can reduce the risk through the following daily habits: • Use safe, clean water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning bottles • Breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of life • Keep food covered and discard leftovers that have been standing for long periods • Dispose of nappies safely and keep play areas clean. In addition to the above, it’s very important to wash hands with soap and clean water before preparing food, feeding a child, and after using the toilet or changing nappies. In the event that a child has diarrhoea, it is essential to increase their fluid intake, to prevent dehydration. An oral rehydration solution or the Sugar-Salt Solution (SSS) can be prepared at home by mixing one litre of clean, safe water with eight level teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt. Stir until completely dissolved and give the child small sips often — even if they vomit, keep offering slowly. For mothers that are breastfeeding, continue to do so as it’s the best fluid for your baby. Seek help immediately if you notice any of the following danger signs: · Child is very thirsty or unable to drink · Sunken eyes or dry mouth · Few or no tears when crying · Drowsiness, weakness, or irritability · Blood in the stool · Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea lasting more than two days · Less or no urine (dry nappies) Caregivers are encouraged to ensure that all children are up to date with their routine immunisations. In addition, Rotarix drops is particularly important as we enter the surge season, to help protect children under six months against severe diarrhoeal disease caused by rotavirus. All City Health clinics have activated their summer surge plans and are stocked with supplies to treat dehydration. For more information visit your nearest City Health clinic: <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/City%20Health%20Department">https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/City%20Health%20Department</a> End

2025-11-07T22:00:00Z

Your City in 60 seconds

Catch up on the latest important City news updates with your City in 60 seconds.

Each week, we share a new video giving you a snapshot of what we are up to in your community.<div class="responsive-media"> <iframe width="560" height="315" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/leNC0FpmBlQ?si=c6apq7mT0AE4K4IG" frameborder="0"></iframe> </div> <div style="clear:both;margin-bottom:5px;"> <figure class="figure-credits left" style="margin:0px 15px 10px 0px;"> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Composting%20is%20easy%20%E2%80%93%20get%20your%20bin%20this%20month"> <img class="responsive" alt="Composting is easy – get your bin this month" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/compost-bins-2-380.jpg" /> </a></figure> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Composting%20is%20easy%20%E2%80%93%20get%20your%20bin%20this%20month"> Composting is easy – get your bin this month</a> Claim your FREE home composting bin this November. </div><div style="clear:both;margin-bottom:5px;"> <figure class="figure-credits left" style="margin:0px 15px 10px 0px;"> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/safety-in-the-home/environmental-health-in-the-home/prevent-illegal-dumping"> <img class="responsive" alt="Prevent illegal dumping" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Illegal-dumping-380.jpg" /> </a></figure> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/safety-in-the-home/environmental-health-in-the-home/prevent-illegal-dumping"> Prevent illegal dumping </a> Report illegal dumping: 0800 110 077 | To clear dumping: 0860 103 089. </div><div style="clear:both;margin-bottom:5px;"> <figure class="figure-credits left" style="margin:0px 15px 10px 0px;"> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Open%20Streets%20in%20the%20Inner%20City%2c%20Langa%20this%20summer%20as%20City%2c%20Young%20Urbanists%20team-up"> <img class="responsive" alt="Open Streets in the Inner City, Langa this summer as City, Young Urbanists team-up" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/street-car-free-380.jpg" /> </a> </figure> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Open%20Streets%20in%20the%20Inner%20City%2c%20Langa%20this%20summer%20as%20City%2c%20Young%20Urbanists%20team-up"> Open Streets in the Inner City, Langa this summer as City, Young Urbanists team-up </a> Bree Street is car-free every Sunday till March! </div><div style="clear:both;margin-bottom:5px;"> <figure class="figure-credits left" style="margin:0px 15px 10px 0px;"> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Chess%40Libraries%20delivers%20bold%20moves"> <img class="responsive" alt="Chess@Libraries delivers bold moves" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/chess-lib-win-380.jpg" /> </a></figure> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Chess%40Libraries%20delivers%20bold%20moves"> Chess@Libraries delivers bold moves</a> 50+ City libraries now host regular chess clubs! </div>

2025-11-06T22:00:00Z

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