​As 2018 draws to a close, I would like to wish all the residents of and visitors to Cape Town a safe, fun and prosperous 2019!

2018 had its fair share of highlights, among which included Cape Town being awarded the Events and Festival Capital of the world, a title that will no doubt see more visitors flock to our shores and, with that increase in visitors, more job opportunities and skills development for our communities.

With the celebrations that are expected this evening, I would like to urge everyone to please celebrate responsibly. If you are going to be driving, please do not drink any alcohol. You will be putting your own life as well as the lives of others risk. Rather use a taxi service or don’t drive at all.

To the beachgoers, please enjoy our beaches but understand that if you try to bring alcohol to our beaches this will be confiscated. All our beaches are alcohol-free zones.

For those wanting to let off fireworks, please pay attention to the designated firework zones, and enjoy those spaces, because you cannot let off fireworks wherever you want.

2019 will be a year of delivery and the staff in the City of Cape Town know what is expected of them. We will need all hands on deck, and that includes city officials as well as our residents, who I am asking to work with us, so that we can meet our targets and ensure that the people of Cape Town enjoy the most effective and efficient service delivery.

Executive Mayor Dan Plato
City of Cape Town