THE Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is taking a good step in the right direction in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

This comes as Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson this week handed over 10 properties that will be used as shelters for victims of GBV.

“The handover of these properties is part of the work we are doing to ensure that the Department plays a meaningful role in improving the lives of all South Africans. By working together, we are using public assets for the public good to build a better country. Let’s build South Africa,” the Minister said at a handover ceremony in Mpumalanga.

Five of the properties are located in Badplaas, four in Lothair, and one in Delmas.

They had previously stood vacant and unutilised by the department but will now be renovated by the Mpumalanga provincial department. Macpherson said Monday’s handover to the Mpumalanga MEC for Social Development, Brenda Moeketsi, aligns with the department’s mission to ensure that public properties do not stand idle, but are instead used for the public good.

The handover follows a similar transfer last month of five unutilised properties in Waterkloof, Pretoria, to the Gauteng Social Development department. Source: SAnews.gov.za 

THIS week it is time honour our emergency medical services workers as National EMS Week is celebrated across South Africa and the rest of the world.

EMS week is held annually during May and this year is celebrated from 18 to 24 May.

EMS professionals’ dedication and lifesaving skills are put to the test every day. They are called out in big cities and in small towns, in private homes, businesses, schools and roads to help people.

Whether it’s saving a young victim of a motor vehicle crash, helping an elderly patient who’s forgotten to take their medication, stabilizing a construction worker experiencing chest pain on the jobsite, or treating an overdose on a city street, they are trained and ready to deliver a range of medical interventions and support.

There has been calls for better protection and care of EMS crews in the Western Cape who face serious safety concerns, including being targeted by violent criminals, which leads to trauma and disruptions in essential healthcare services. 

There are also concerns about ambulances entering certain areas and the potential for staff to be attacked. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is working with relevant stakeholders to address them, including the South African Police Service (SAPS). 

Let’s all celebrate our EMS workers and show them we care, just like they care for everyone!

Excellent work by vigilant Auxiliary Officers of the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit have ensured a suspected crayfish smuggler will get his day in court.

On Friday, 16 May 2025, the officers received a tip-off and intercepted a vehicle in Athlone with the assistance of private security. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered 900 crayfish tails, packed and ready for the market.

The suspect was immediately taken to Athlone SAPS, where he was charged and detained, said JP Smith, the City’s Mayco member for Safety and Security.  

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) was called in to assist and has taken over the matter for further investigation.

“Illegal crayfish poaching is devastating South Africa’s marine ecosystems and undermines lawful fishing communities. The West Coast Rock Lobster, commonly known as crayfish, is a protected species and harvesting it is strictly regulated under the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No. 18 of 1998).

“This in conjunction with Abalone, considered a delicacy in East Asia, has already been well documented on the manner in which syndicates use gangs across the Cape flats to guarantee a steady supply into the Chinese black market,” said Smith.

– It is illegal to catch, be in possession of, or transport crayfish without a valid permit.

– Crayfish may only be caught during the designated season, and only specified amounts are allowed.

– Possession of crayfish tails only (without the heads) is often an attempt to avoid detection and may indicate illegal harvesting.

“Poaching isn’t just a conservation issue — it’s organised crime. The City of Cape Town remains committed to working with all role players, including SAPS, DFFE, and private stakeholders, to protect our natural resources.

“A big thank you to the vigilant officers and supporting teams who made this bust possible,” said Smith. Source: JP Smith via Facebook

MADE in South Africa, exported to china!

This sounds to good to be true, but it certainly is not.

The season’s first batch of South African avocados recently arrived in Shanghai, Chin. Now the SA Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has hailed the country’s avocado industry’s active pursuit of international markets.

“The expansion of markets stimulates the demand for South African products, and this demand in turn, drives economic growth and job creation across the sector. This ‘early bird shipment’ to China is a testament to the hard work, innovation, and strategic foresight within our avocado industry,” Steenhuisen said.

The Minister noted that South Africa’s position as a major player in the global avocado market was supported by private sector investment made by companies like ZZ2, a leading farming conglomerate, in cutting-edge packhouses and nurseries, Core Fruit’s well-established expertise in exports, and Mission Produce’s global reach.

He also noted that South Africa holds a distinct logistical advantage compared to major competitors like Peru, thanks to shorter shipping times to China.

“This logistical edge, coupled with ZZ2’s early production timing, allows South African avocados to access the Chinese market during a period of lower supply.”

In August 2023, South Africa and China concluded a phytosanitary agreement that saw the first 21 tons South African avocados from Westfalia Fruits arriving in Shanghai on 8 October 2024. Source: SAnews.gov.za

THIS week marks the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week (GRSW).

THE GRSW kicked off on Monday and runs until Sunday. The Western Cape Government said it was committed to the week. This year’s theme, #MakeWalkingSafe and #MakeCyclingSafe, focuses on ensuring the safety of pedestrians and cyclists on the roads. 

Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with nearly 1.2 million people killed and as many as 50 million people injured each year. In the Western Cape pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable, making up more than half of all road traffic fatalities.

“Pedestrians and cyclists remain among the most vulnerable, and the number of drunk driving arrests is deeply troubling. Behind every incident is a real person – a parent, a child, a friend, neighbour or colleague. We urge all road users to slow down, stay alert, and take personal responsibility for making our roads safer for everyone,” said Muneera Allie, Western Cape Mobility head of communication.

The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week is a chance to inspire action of all road users to ensure walking and cycling are safe in the Western Cape. 

Safety Tips for Pedestrians: Cross only at designated pedestrian crossings and bridges, avoid walking on highways and busy roads, wear visible or reflective clothing, especially at night or in poor weather conditions and stay alert – avoid distractions like phones or headphones near traffic.

Safety Tips for Cyclists: Use bike lanes where available, stay close to the left edge of the road, follow traffic signs and signals, ride with the flow of traffic, be visible, use front and rear lights when riding in the dark or when visibility is poor, signal with your hands when turning or changing lanes, watch out for road hazards and other road users, especially at intersections, always wear a properly fitting helmet and avoid using headphones while riding.

Tourism continues to be a cornerstone of economic development across Africa, driving job creation and investment while showcasing the continent to the world.

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille emphasized this during her address at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, currently taking place in Durban.

As South Africa welcomes millions of visitors annually, the government is working to ensure sustainable growth in the sector and expand its impact on employment and local economies, says De Lille.

She highlighted South Africa’s strong performance, noting that the country welcomed 8.9 million tourists in 2024, with their direct spending contributing R91.6 billion to the economy and supporting an estimated 1.6 million jobs.

“In the first quarter of 2025, South Africa welcomed close to 2.6 million tourists, reflecting a 5.7% growth compared to the same period in 2024,” de Lille said.

Africa’s tourism sector is showing remarkable resilience, with UN Tourism reporting a sharp rebound in 2024, reaching 96% of pre-pandemic levels and cementing Africa as one of the fastest-growing travel destinations.

At this year’s Indaba, over 1,300 exhibitors and delegates from 27 African countries have gathered, along with more than 1,200 vetted international buyers representing 55 markets worldwide. The Minister highlighted the importance of regional tourism, noting that 75% of South Africa’s international arrivals come from within Africa.

“The tourism economy of tomorrow is African. It is diverse, youthful, digital, and green. But we know that we cannot rest. We need to break through to a much higher rate of growth. We need a plan we can implement immediately,” de Lille said.

The Department of Tourism is finalizing a five-year Tourism Growth Partnership Plan aimed at increasing employment in the industry, growing domestic spending by 25%, raising tourism’s GDP contribution from 8.8% in 2024 to 10%, and attracting an additional one million international air arrivals annually.

With the G20 2nd Tourism Working Group meeting happening alongside the Indaba, African tourism is taking center stage in global discussions, reinforcing the continent’s role in shaping the future of travel. Source: SAnews.gov.za

As South Africa joins the world in celebrating International Nurses Day today, the Department of Health is calling for stronger efforts to protect nurses and ensure safe working conditions.

Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, providing essential patient care, education, and counselling.

Despite their vital role, many nurses face safety threats, including physical and verbal abuse. The department urges communities, law enforcement, and stakeholders to work together to create safer healthcare environments.

This year’s theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies,” highlights the connection between well-supported nurses and a thriving healthcare system. South Africa is also participating in the global launch of the State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report, which will provide key insights into nurse employment, education, and leadership.

To address staffing challenges and reduce burnout, the government plans to recruit 200 additional nurses as part of the Human Resources for Health Strategy 2030, reinforcing efforts toward universal health coverage and improved patient care.

Today, we recognize nurses’ unwavering dedication and the importance of supporting them for a healthier future. Source: SAnews.gov.za