It’s been a very eventful weekend in the Western Cape, and the country, as holidaymakers make their way to their destinations. Here’s a summary of what happened at the weekend.
Fire Rips through Valhalla Park
A fire ripped through the informal settlement of 7 De Laan in the early hours of this morning. Around 150 structures were destroyed, leaving 300 people displaced, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
Thousands expected on Cape Town beaches ahead of Boxing Day festivities
Officials are expecting thousands of people on Cape Town beaches today. The City’s mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said that there are currently 4000 people outside Sea Point public pool. Smith added that more than 800 officers have been deployed to popular beach spots.
ANC’s Newly-elected President Cyril Ramaphosa meets with Khoi group
Cyril Ramaphosa met with the Khoisan activists at the Pretoria Union Building on Sunday. The activists handed over a memorandum demanding recognition of the Khoisan language, and for the Khoisan to be declared as the first citizens to originate in South Africa. The Khoisan group walked for two weeks from the Eastern Cape to Pretoria as part of their cause. Ramaphosa said that the demands will be carefully assessed.
UWC and UCT hikes fees by 8%
The University of the Western Cape has joined the University of Cape Town in a 8% fee increase for the 2018 academic year. UWC announced on Friday that fees will be increased. However, students from households whose income is less than R600,00 per annum, will be allowed to apply for gap funding to cover the 8% adjustment. The University of Cape Town also announced on Friday that they will be increasing fees by 8%, as well as its residents fees by 10%.
Plans in the pipeline to ensure hospitals in the WC are not affected by the drought
The provincial health department has announced that there are various water augmentation plans in the pipeline to ensure that hospitals are not affected by the ongoing drought crisis in the province. Some of the plans include harvesting of rainwater at False Bay Hospital and recycling of grey water at Mitchells Plain and Lentegeur hospital.
Tributes pour in for Robbie Malinga
Tributes have continued to pour in for the Afro-pop producer Robbie Malinga. The 47-year-old musician suffered from anaemia and passed on yesterday. However, the exact circumstances surrounding his death are still not known.
Picture: Wayne Dyason