Victoria Masterson – 15 December 2023 2024 will be a record-breaking year for elections. Around the world, more than 2 billion voters in 50 countries will head to the polls, according to The Center for American Progress, a US policy institute. The United States, India and Mexico are among the countries holding national elections in 2024… READ…
What should I do if I am not going to be in my voting district on voting day?
If you are outside of the voting district where you are registered on voting day, 29 May 2024, you must notify the Electoral Commission by completing an online Section 24A form to inform us in which voting district you would like to vote on voting day. By capturing the address where you will be, the…
Manifestos of SA’s big three parties fail to realistically address climate crisis, environmental issues
From left: DA leader John Steenhuisen. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach) | EFF leader Julius Malema. (Photo: Gallo Images / Laird Forbes) | ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Papi Morake) Onke Ngcuka – 18 March 2024 We perused the ANC, DA and EFF manifestos and consulted an expert to assess their…
In the age of coalitions, an involved, active citizenry is paramount
Lindiwe Mazibuko, the former DA parliamentary leader and CEO and co-founder of Futurelect, speaks at The Gathering Twenty Twenty-Four Election Edition at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 14 March 2024. (Photo: Shelley Christians) Nonkululeko Njilo – 14 March 2024 No one is coming to save you. Active citizenry is necessary now more than…
From South Africa to Palestine: Art, culture, and the anti-apartheid struggle
Medu members Tim Williams, Wally Serote, and Sergio-Albio Gonzalez print the poster ‘Unity Is Power’ in Gaborone, Botswana, 1979. Photo: Freedom Park via Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research January 29, 2024 by Mongane Wally Serote, Tings Chak Anti-apartheid fighter and cultural worker Mongane Wally Serote spoke at a recent event about the centrality of art…
Gauteng’s Green Army — cleaning and greening as they fight environmental degradation
Spinach is among the vegetables grown at the Rev Motlalepula Chabaku Food Garden. (Photo: Sandile Nkomo / GDARDE) Onke Ngcuka – 11 March 2024 The Green Army employs more than 6,000 people in Gauteng who clean illegal dumping sites and clear open and green spaces while promoting communal and household food gardens. The Green Army,…
Budget cuts dampen Cape Town’s river rehabilitation, with key projects delayed for 10 years
Kristin Engel – 19 March 2024 Cape Town’s urban landscape has been transforming as the city rehabilitates its waterways through its Liveable Urban Waterways programme. But recent decisions have prompted 10-year delays in key river projects, despite millions already spent on design and technical planning. Many of Cape Town’s inland waterways are in poor condition…
The new Arctic: Amid record heat, ecosystems morph and wildlife struggle
Sharon Guynup – 14 February 2024 Walruses have traversed the Arctic for millennia, gregarious pinnipeds that rest en masse on drifting pack ice, diving to feed on crabs, clams and other seafloor delicacies. Icy platforms also serve as safe birthing and nursery grounds. But as the far north rapidly warms and sea ice disappears, some herds…
Town Hall meeting in Observatory 27th March
Communication from OCA chair Leslie London to Ward 57 councillor Yusuf Mohamed: Dear Yusuf The Observatory Civic Association will be hosting a Town Hall meeting on the Wed 27th March at 6pm and hope that you will be able to attend and share an update on plans for the Village Green. The meeting is intended…
SAAO Open Nights
SAAO Open Nights The SAAO’s headquarters are in the Cape Town suburb of Observatory on the site of the former Royal Observatory. The historic building is recognised as a National Heritage Site, and houses administration facilities, offices, and the SAAO library. You are welcome to visit the SAAO in Cape Town on SAAO Open Nights, on…