Category: Uncategorized
City of Cape Town to raise property rates and tariffs on 1 July – is it fair?
City centre of Cape Town, Table Mountain. Wikimedia Commons/Discott By Amy Fraser, 25 April 2025 The new structure introduces fixed charges for water, sanitation, and a city-wide cleaning fee – each scaled according to property values. CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit interviews Kevin Allan, Founder and Managing Director of Municipal IQ… LISTEN HERE
The silent crisis – Water Boards and the unfolding disaster in South Africa’s water system
By Siyabulela Mama – Apr 17, 2025 South Africa is facing one of its most pressing crises: water scarcity. From the Nelson Mandela Bay Water Crisis to the unfolding water shortages in Johannesburg and Komani, millions of South Africans are bearing the brunt of a crisis that seems to be getting worse with each passing…
Mosquitoes are the world’s most dangerous animals, but here’s why they shouldn’t all disappear
Malaria-carrying mosquitoes are expected to breed faster and bite more often as temperatures increase. (Photo: Pixnio) By Shüné Oliver – 22 Apr 2025 Wouldn’t it be better for us all if mosquitoes disappeared. One answer is that it would save about 500,000 lives per year, but that’s not the whole story. Most people in the…
“Is there a place for the poor?’ Artists and activists try to revive Johannesburg, crumbling City of Gold
Margaret Ngubane lives in a house with others in the inner city district of Berea in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photograph: Madelene Cronjé/the Observer Rachel Savage – Sat 19 Apr 2025 Issues around basic services, corruption and class trouble vibrant Johannesburg, which this year hosts the G20 summit Bethabile Mavis Manqele mops the veranda of the…
The health impact of public murals
The premise of the Porch Light program, a venture between Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, is that public art can heal both communities and individual residents. A 2015 Yale School of Public Health evaluation found promising results for individuals, but recommended further study. For communities, though,…
The evolution of street art in Woodstock and Salt River
Published by Kate Wilson on April 26, 2025 Welcome to Cape Town’s coolest canvas—where the walls do talk, and they’ve got a lot to say. If you’ve ever taken a walk through Woodstock or Salt River, chances are you’ve stopped in your tracks, tilted your head, and thought: “Wow, that’s art?” Yep, it is—and it’s…
Declutter Your Home in 20 Days: A Guide for Capetonians
April 17, 2025 Looking to reclaim your living space? This 20-day decluttering plan will help you transform your home without overwhelming yourself. Plus, I’ll share where Capetonians can donate or responsibly dispose of their unwanted items. Days 1-5: The Quick Wins Day 1: Clear kitchen countertops and dispose of expired food items… SEE MORE
What if Table Mountain had a voice?
Table Mountain Rights is a community-based initiative seeking the formal recognition of the Table Mountain range – including its vibrant associated ecosystems, as a living being with inherent rights. This majestic mountain is more than just an iconic landmark – it is a vital, interconnected community that sustains life. We believe Table Mountain has the…
rom exotic to indigenous – a groundbreaking guide to South Africa’s rich plant diversity
A spring mix of indigenous annual flowers adds a splash of colour to a local garden. (Photo: Random Harvest) By Tony Carnie – 28 Apr 2025 Three of the country’s top indigenous plant fundis have been collaborating for more than 10 years to produce the most ambitious guidebook to date on South African indigenous garden…