| City libraries place in the top 10 at Mandela World Coding Championship | The City of Cape Town’s Valhalla Park, Belhar and Ocean View Libraries did the city and the country proud.
| <div>The three City libraries represented South Africa with pride at the event on 5 December, which was also the 10th anniversary of Madiba’s passing. </div><div><br></div><div>Belhar, Ocean View and Valhalla Park’s library teams competed against 55 teams from 21 countries in the virtual competition. </div><div><br></div><div>The atmosphere at the libraries was electric and the teams were fired up, supported by the coaches, library staff and members of the public. <br></div><div><br></div><div><span><p><img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/coding%201.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:1348px;" /></p></span>Ocean View scooped third place, while Belhar and Valhalla Park placed sixth and eighth place respectively.</div><div><br></div><div>‘What makes this achievement more amazing, is that the teams have only been coding for a few short months. They have done the City proud and we are impressed by their analytical and problem-solving skills. They’ve done well and I want to encourage more young people to join the coding clubs at participating libraries,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.</div><div><br></div><div>The unplugged coding initiative was spearheaded at City libraries through a small team led by Randal Rousseau, a librarian at Bonteheuwel Library. <br></div><div><br></div><div><span><p><img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/coding%202.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:2052px;" /></p></span>The dedicated staff at the individual libraries, notably Ulfah Davids from Ocean View Library and Shadwell Overmeyer from Valhalla Park Library, coached their teams tirelessly, ensuring that three of the five South African teams came from City of Cape Town libraries.<br></div><div><br></div><div>The library teams were part of a South African contingent and went up against teams from Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Germany and the United States.</div><div><br></div><div><span><p><img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Coding%203.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /></p></span>The award-winning tangible coding movement is an engagement project of the Nelson Mandela University Computing Sciences Department and the Leva Foundation. </div><div><br></div><div>Tangible Africa is responsible for creating coding applications, TANKS and RANGERS, which allow participants to play offline, using minimal resources. </div><div><br></div><div>Unplugged coding allows libraries to bring coding to communities who do not have access to expensive resources. <br></div><div><br></div><div><span><p><img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Coding%204.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:1274px;" /></p></span>By downloading a very small app (7MB), participants can play TANKS or RANGERS offline, using the app and the tokens from the game packs.</div><div><br></div><div>To find out more about coding in your region, contact info@levafoundation.org.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Caption 1:</strong> Ocean View Library’s team gearing up to represent SA at the World Championship. From left are Meah Jacobs, Orlando Baker, Aqeelah Abrahams, Aaron Smith and Grace Frank.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Caption 2:</strong> Ocean View Library’s team eagerly awaiting the results with coach, assistant librarian Ulfah Davids. From left are Meah Jacobs, Orlando Baker, Grace Frank, Aaron Smith, Aqeelah Abrahams and coach Davids.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Caption 3:</strong> Valhalla Park Library’s team are from left Muneer Arnold, Junaid Hendricks, Aden Petersen and coach, assistant librarian Shadwell Overmeyer.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Caption 4:</strong> Belhar Library’s team with coach Ricardo Antha in front, one of the parents. At the back from left are Aidan Nissen, Chloe Valentine, Jordan Leaner, Keziah Antha, and James Adams.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>End</strong><br></div><p><br></p> | 2023-12-09T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Thank you for two thousand comments on marine outfalls and wastewater treatment permits | The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate appreciates the active citizenry of all those who submitted written comments through the City’s ‘Have Your Say’ platforms | <p></p><div>Some 2 063 submissions were received on the City’s website during the 60-day public participation period, from 21 September to 21 November 2023.</div><div><br></div><div>‘Thank you to all residents and stakeholders who responded to the call for comment and participated in these important discussions through the appropriate channels,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.</div><div><br></div><div>The City is currently collating the inputs received in preparation for a response to the permit applications for the Hout Bay, Green Point and Camps Bay marine outfalls, as well as the wastewater treatment works.</div><div><br></div><div>‘Both the public comments and the City’s responses will be submitted to the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for its decision on the applications,’ said Councillor Badroodien.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>End<br></div><p><br></p> | 2023-12-09T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Additional planned water supply maintenance: 11 - 15 December 2023 | The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be doing planned work in the identified areas, which will result in water supply disruptions. | <p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong></strong></span></p><div style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Pressure management installations, tests and conditional assessments</strong></div><div> </div><div><strong>Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be conducted on the water supply network in Oakdale, Blommendal, Blomtuin, Eikenbosch and Chrismar from 10:00 until 16:00 on Tuesday, 12 December 2023.</strong></div><div> </div><div>Zero-pressure testing and step-testing is part of the installation process for pressure management technology. Tests are done in advance to see if any unmapped inflows need to be considered before installing smart pressure-reducing valves. </div><div> </div><div>In these affected areas, some residents may experience low water pressure, and some may have no water from their taps for some time during this overnight testing period. It is not possible to predict which areas or streets will experience disruptions. </div><div> </div><div>Conditional assessment/testing, on the other hand, ensures that the pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) in the water supply network are operating effectively. It manages the pressures at the determined settings to preserve the lifespan of the pipeline and reduces the occurrence of water wastage resulting from pipe bursts. Pressure fluctuations may be experienced, but will be minimised as far as possible.</div><div><br></div><div>This work forms part of the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy to manage water pressure more effectively, which reduces the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Additional maintenance work:</strong></div><div> </div><div>Maintenance work on pipe and valve installations, including repairs and replacement, will result in water supply disruption to these areas: </div><div> </div><div><strong>Large part of Gordon’s Bay (Dobson)</strong></div><div>The water supply to a large part of Gordon’s Bay, bounded by Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Dennehof Road, Disa Road, and the Coastline will be disconnected <strong>from 22:00 on Monday, 11 December 2023 overnight until 05:00 on Tuesday, 12 December 2023</strong> and <strong>again from 22:00 on Tuesday, 12 December 2023 overnight until 05:00 on Wednesday, 13 December 2023</strong>. </div><div> </div><div>This will enable the maintenance team to isolate and disconnect unmapped pipelines, which connect to the old water supply infrastructure. Residents are kindly requested to store enough water in advance for domestic consumption.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Previously announced maintenance work on pipe and valve installations (including repairs and replacement):</strong></div><div> </div><div><strong>Fairview Heights (Somerset West) </strong></div><div>The main water supply to this area will be shut off <strong>from 10:00 until 17:00 on Tuesday, 12 December 2023</strong>. This will enable the maintenance team to install a water meter on the water supply network to the area. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Macassar Village </strong></div><div>The main water supply to this area, bounded by Bermuda and Link Roads, will be shut off <strong>from 07:30 until 17:30 on Tuesday, 12 December 2023</strong>. The adjacent Shell and Engen garages next to the N2 will also be affected. This will enable the maintenance team to connect a phase of the new housing project to the water supply network in the area. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Southfield and Plumstead</strong></div><div>The water supply to Victoria Road, Hobhouse Road, Banier Street, Lourie Street, Monty Road, Corly Road, Renee Avenue, Erie Road and Tecoma Road in Southfield, as well as Bramley and Broxburn Roads in Plumstead, will be shut off intermittently <strong>from 09:00 until 17:00 on Tuesday, 12 December 2023</strong>. This will enable the maintenance team to repair and replace valves and fire hydrants on the water supply network in the area. Adjacent roads may also be affected. </div><div> </div><div><strong>Plumstead, Diep River, Elfindale and Retreat </strong></div><div>The water supply to Lympleigh Road, Southfield Road, Gabriel Road, Pluto Road, Silverton Road and Medway Road in Plumstead, as well as Estmil Road in Diep River, Estmil Road in Elfindale and Consort Road in Retreat, will be shut off intermittently <strong>from 09:00 until 17:00 on Thursday, 14 December 2023</strong>. This will enable the maintenance team to repair and replace valves and fire hydrants on the water supply network in the area. Adjacent roads may also be affected.</div><div> </div><div>This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programme, which ensures the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted for water. </div><div> </div><div>The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused.<br></div><p> </p><table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:100%;"><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>What residents need to know about larger-scale planned water supply disruptions:</strong></span></p><ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li>Careful consideration has been given to the planning of this work to ensure where possible that it is <strong>being done at a time that is least disruptive</strong> to the water supply.</li><li><strong>All sites where water and sanitation repairs and upgrades are conducted</strong> are deemed construction sites and, as such, <strong>are off-limits to members of the public.</strong></li><li>Sometimes the <strong>maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, which means the work could take longer.</strong></li><li>For a short period <strong>after the supply has been restored, the water may be discoloured or look milky.</strong> This is because of trapped air in the pipes. If left to stand in a glass, the appearance will become clear, like normal.<br></li></ol><p>For updates on the maintenance work <strong>(and</strong> <strong>location of tankers</strong> <strong>where applicable)</strong>, follow <strong>@CityofCTAlerts</strong><strong> </strong>which is a City of Cape Town Twitter account.<br></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>How residents are advised to prepare for planned water supply disruptions:</strong></span></p><ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li><strong>Store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance</strong> for use during this period.</li><li><strong>Keep your taps closed</strong> to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.<br></li></ol></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p> | 2023-12-08T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| 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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<strong>Identikidz loading for the festive season</strong></a>
<br>The project, aimed at promoting child safety at the City’s beaches, has grown to be trusted by thousands of parents and caregivers as an additional layer of protection while enjoying a day at the beach.
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<strong>Cape Town awards Civic Honours</strong>
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<br>Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has conferred Civic Honours on exceptional Capetonians for their significant contribution to society in Cape Town and throughout the world.
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<strong>City Invites Grade 10 and 11 Learners to Apply for 2024 Junior City Council Term</strong>
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<br>The City of Cape Town, through the Office of the Speaker, Alderman Felicity Purchase, and in collaboration with Junior City Council (JCC) Custodian, Councillor Donovan Nelson, is thrilled to announce the official opening of applications for the 2024 JCC term.
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