Mayor's Portfolio of Urban Sustainability

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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/J52PzA9AsW8?si=nlgu6Qw3RbKLazak" 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/More%20than%20100%20000%20Capetonians%20unite%20to%20celebrate%20Festive%20Lights%20Switch-On"> <img class="responsive" alt="More than 100 000 Capetonians unite to celebrate Festive Lights Switch-On" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/festiveLights-25-380.jpg" /> </a></figure> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/More%20than%20100%20000%20Capetonians%20unite%20to%20celebrate%20Festive%20Lights%20Switch-On"> More than 100 000 Capetonians unite to celebrate Festive Lights Switch-On</a> Capetonians came together in festive spirit as crowds filled the Grand Parade and city streets. </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/MyCiTi%20expansion%20creates%20R38%20million%20in%20temporary%20jobs%20for%20local%20residents"> <img class="responsive" alt="MyCiTi expansion creates R38 million in temporary jobs for local residents" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/myciti-construction-380.jpg" /> </a></figure> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/MyCiTi%20expansion%20creates%20R38%20million%20in%20temporary%20jobs%20for%20local%20residents"> MyCiTi expansion creates R38 million in temporary jobs for local residents </a> MyCiTi projects created nearly 600 temporary jobs. </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/Drive%20fine-free%20this%20festive%20season"> <img class="responsive" alt="Drive fine-free this festive season" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/traffic-fine-2-380.jpg" /> </a> </figure> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Drive%20fine-free%20this%20festive%20season"> Traffic fine roadshow at the Civic Centre. </a> Motorists have a week to get fines and warrants reduced at the popular ‘one-stop shop’. </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/World%20AIDS%20Day%20City%20clinics%20ramp%20up%20treatment%20and%20prevention%20measures"> <img class="responsive" alt="World AIDS Day: City clinics ramp up treatment and prevention measures" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/clinic-2-380.jpg" /> </a></figure> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/World%20AIDS%20Day%20City%20clinics%20ramp%20up%20treatment%20and%20prevention%20measures"> World AIDS Day: City clinics ramp up treatment and prevention measures</a> HIV testing, PrEP, ART and counselling are free at your nearest City clinic. </div>

2025-12-04T22:00:00Z

Council gives in principle approval for Public Private Partnership to secure Cape Town’s new water projects

Over 100 comments were received for each project during the public participation sessions held in 2025 for both Faure NWS and Desalination.

This approval is another important step to building Cape Town’s water secure future, through implementing the City’s New Water Programme (NWP). It aims to diversify water sources, including water re-use, desalination, clearing invasive species and groundwater extraction, to add 300 million litres of water per day to Cape Town’s supply soon after 2030. Based on the separate feasibility studies, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model was supported as the most suitable model to use for these two complex projects. Over 100 comments were received for each project during the public participation sessions held in 2025 for both Faure NWS and Desalination. These were incorporated in the feasibility reports that were recommended to Council for their decision. A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Artist%20impresson%20desalination%20plant.png" alt="" style="width:685px;" /> </figure> A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a formal, regulated arrangement where the private sector helps deliver a function that the City would normally perform, such as designing, building and operating a water treatment plant. <ul><li>The City sets the output specification on what must be delivered, at what quality and at what volume.</li><li>The private partner designs, builds, finances and operates the project for a defined period.</li><li>The City only pays if the private partner meets the required performance standards.</li><li>The infrastructure remains City-owned throughout.</li><li>The responsibility to provide clean water to end users remains with the city throughout.</li><li>PPPs transfer significant project and operational risk to the private sector and must meet strict tests for affordability, value for money, and risk transfer.</li></ul> The private sector brings capital, skills and long-term operational capacity while the City retains ownership and regulatory control. A PPP is not privatisation. It is a tightly regulated partnership, not a sale of public water services. <ul><li>It does not involve selling City water assets.</li><li>It does not hand over ownership or long-term control of public water services to private companies.</li><li>It does not allow private operators to set water tariffs or run water services independently.</li></ul> <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Cape%20Town%20gaining%20traction%20towards%20securing%20new%20water%201.png" alt="" style="width:802px;" /> </figure> ‘I am pleased that this crucial step has now been concluded. In 2026, we will commence the procurement phase of the Faure New Water Scheme and Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant. By undertaking these projects through a PPP, the City will remain the infrastructure owner and responsible for providing safe, high-quality drinking water. This implementation model will also create economic and employment opportunities through construction, operations and supply of equipment and chemicals.‘While the City is investing in the NWP, residents are reminded to be water-wise at all times, regardless of the season or the status of our dams,’ said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien. Way ForwardThe Faure New Water Scheme will aim to add between 70 and 100 million litres of purified, recycled wastewater per day to our water supply with first water expected in the financial year 2030/31. The procurement process for the PPP will follow a two-stage competitive bidding process:<ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Request for Qualification (RFQ): This stage will invite interested parties to demonstrate their technical capability to deliver the project. This is scheduled to be advertised in the second half of 2026. </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Request for Proposal (RFP): Shortlisted bidders from the RFQ stage will be invited to submit detailed proposals. This is expected in the second half of 2027.</div></li></ul>This approach ensures transparency, competitiveness, and alignment with the City’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) policy and requirements. For more information see:<ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Project Details: City's Water Reuse Project</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Procurement Requirements: Refer to the City’s SCM Policy and Guidelines. Potential bidders are encouraged to register as a Supplier with the City. All information is available here. </div></li></ul>The Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant involves removing salt from seawater to yield between 50 and 70 million litres per day with first water forecasted for the financial year 2030/31. ‘These projects represent more than infrastructure investments—they are a testament to Cape Town's resilience and our unwavering commitment to water security. Through the PPP model, we harness private sector expertise and innovation while maintaining firm public ownership. Every litre of water, every pipe, and every pump remains the property of our city. This is progress built on trust, delivering jobs, economic opportunity, and the certainty our residents and businesses deserve,’ said Councillor Badroodien. Caption 1: Artistic impression of the planned Faure New Water Scheme (FNWS).Caption 2: Preliminary artistic impression of the planned Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant.Caption 3: (Dropbox link) The proposed site location for the Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant.

2025-12-04T22:00:00Z

Cape Town welcomes final court order on Nersa decision timetable

The court accepted the City’s argument that Nersa’s timelines come too late for municipal budgeting processes

In terms of section 172 (1)(a) of the Constitution, the court declared invalid Nersa’s public participation process for 2025/26 municipal tariff applications, ordering that Nersa must: <ul><li>By 31 January each year, inform municipalities of increases granted to Eskom and other generators</li><li>Consider and publish every municipality’s cost-of-supply study and tariff application for public participation</li><li>Finalise decisions on all municipal tariff applications by 5 May, and simultaneously publish the reasons for each decision</li></ul>The court accepted the City’s argument that Nersa’s timelines come too late for municipal budgeting processes, and so the proposed timeline is now an order of the court in line with City proposals during the course of this application brought by Afriforum.‘This final order makes it clear that Nersa cannot deviate from this court-ordered time table without approaching the courts for permission. ‘This is most welcome as it brings to an end Nersa’s delinquent handling of municipal tariff applications and the common practice of late decisions, without reasons, after the municipal financial year has already begun. This has made a mockery of complex budget calculations and public participation, which are all complete by the time Nersa decisions have arrived in the past. ‘Now Nersa will have to inform municipalities of decisions timeously, and publish the reasons immediately. This is a positive step for residents in all municipalities across South Africa, who will benefit from more transparency in electricity tariff-setting decisions,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis. End

2025-12-04T22:00:00Z

Refuse collection, City drop-off facilities and Christmas boxes over the festive season 2025

Ensure all bins are placed out for servicing as early as possible, as reduced peak traffic over this period means crews travel quickly on their routes.

Waste and recycling collection Waste and recycling (for areas that receive this service) are scheduled to be collected as usual throughout the festive season, including these public holidays: • Tuesday, 16 December 2025 • Thursday, 25 December 2025 • Friday, 26 December 2025 • Thursday, 1 January 2026 Ensure all bins are placed out for servicing as early as possible, as reduced peak traffic over this period means crews travel quickly on their routes. Residents should also leave bins out until 21:00 each night to ensure collection. If not collected on the scheduled day, please bring it out again each day until it is emptied. Report uncollected bins after 48 hours. ‘As we enjoy the festive season together, we urge residents to avoid illegal dumping and to look after our neighbourhoods and shared spaces. When you visit our beaches, parks or other recreational areas, please make use of the Bingo bins provided and help us keep Cape Town clean,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg. Christmas boxes and donations Residents are under no obligation to give cash donations or Christmas boxes to the City's Solid Waste Management staff and contractors. The City of Cape Town has a policy in place which prohibits staff and contractors from soliciting Christmas boxes, or money from residents. However, residents are welcome to give a voluntary donation. Reports of staff requesting donations will be investigated immediately and, where residents are willing to testify, the City will be able to take appropriate disciplinary action. To investigate such a report, we will need at least the vehicle registration number and the date and time of the incident. Residents should also be aware that certain opportunists attempt to pose as collections staff at this time of year. If it is suspected that the people who approach them are misrepresenting themselves, the matter should be reported to the South African Police Service. Drop-off facilities A detailed list of drop-off facilities, their locations, general operating times and the kinds of materials accepted can be found <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/SW_Drop-off%20_Table_and_Operating_Times.pdf" target="_blank">here.</a> All drop-off facilities will operate as per the below on the following days over the festive season: <table width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:50%;">Dates</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:50%;">Operating Hours</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">24 Dec 2025</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">08:00 - 16:30 (all facilities)</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">25 Dec 2025</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">All facilities closed</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">26 Dec 2025</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Operating on public holiday hours: see <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/SW_Drop-off%20_Table_and_Operating_Times.pdf">schedule</a></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">31 Dec 2025</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">08:00 - 16:30 (all facilities)</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1 Jan 2026</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">All facilities closed</td></tr></tbody></table> Log service requests, such as waste collection issues, on one of these channels: • Online: <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests</a> • Call: 0860 103 089 • Email: <a href="mailto:wastewise@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">wastewise@capetown.gov.za</a> • City App

2025-12-04T22:00:00Z

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