Category: News

WC Taxi routes remain closed in response to ongoing violence

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The Western Cape Provincial Government has announced the closure of several taxi routes in the Cape Town metropolitan area for a period of 30 days due to ongoing violence within the industry. 

The closures, which began on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, are being enacted under Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act (2009), applying specifically in Mfuleni, Somerset West, Khayelitsha, Nomzamo and Lwandle.

“This measure is aimed at preventing further violence, ensuring commuter safety and restoring stability.

“It is important to note that taxi ranks and roads will not be closed. Only the affected routes directly linked to the ongoing instability will be suspended,” a statement from the provincial department read. 

To ensure continued mobility for residents, the provincial government said Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) and Metrorail will provide alternative transport options during this period. 

Meanwhile, they announced that temporary permits may also be issued to substitute operators where needed.

In addition, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the City of Cape Town law enforcement and provincial traffic officers will be deployed to enforce the extraordinary measures. 

The province warned that operators, who contravene the notice, face fines of up to R5 000 or imprisonment of up to six months.

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku acknowledged the gravity of the decision. 

“This was not an easy decision, but it is one that had to be taken to protect the lives of commuters and residents. 

“The safety of our communities is our top priority. While extraordinary measures are in place, we will continue to engage with Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) to work toward a sustainable resolution and long-term peace in the mini-bus taxi industry.” 

The routes that will be closed for 30 days include: 
611 Khayelitsha – Somerset West
43 Lwandle – Khayelitsha
M18 Mfuleni – Somerset West
X19 Nomzamo – Mfuleni
AA20 Khayelitsha – Somerset West CBD via Vergelegen Medical Clinic
AA21 Khayelitsha – Sitari Village Mall
R96 Khayelitsha – Somerset West via Somerset Mall
R97 Khayelitsha – Waterstone Mall – Somerset West
YEX63 Mfuleni – Somerset West
YEX64 Mfuleni – Strand via Somerset West

Closed lanes of ranks:
Lane 1 - Khayelitsha (Nonkqubela and Makhaza)
Lane 1 - Mfuleni (new and old facilities)
Lane 2 - Somerset West Interchange
Lane 4 - Nomzamo taxi rank
Lane 4 - Lwandle taxi rank

“The Western Cape Mobility Department remains committed to open dialogue with all stakeholders to secure a peaceful and sustainable resolution,” the statement read.

Consumer inflation slows in August

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Statistics South Africa has recorded a slight decrease in annual consumer inflation for August – easing from some 3.5% to 3.3%.

This as fuel and food inflation slowed last month.

“The monthly change was also lower. The consumer price index (CPI) decreased by 0.1% between July and August, with four of 13 categories in the inflation basket registering monthly declines.

“These were food and non-alcoholic beverages [NAB] (-0,1%); furnishings, household equipment & routine maintenance (-0,1%); transport (-0,2%); and information & communication (-0,2%),” Stats SA said.
The annual rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) edged lower to 5.2% in August from 5.7% in July.

Lower rates were also recorded in cereal products; fish and other seafood; milk, other dairy products and eggs; fruits and nuts, and vegetables.

“The rate for cereal products retreated from 2.1% in July to 1.5% in August. Some staples are cheaper than a year ago, including hot cereals (-7.8%) and white rice (-7.2%). Bread and pasta products recorded zero or low-price increases. 

“Examples include white bread (0.0%), brown bread (+0.4%), macaroni (+0.5%) and spaghetti (+0.6%). Some items are notably more expensive, such as samp (+14.8%) and maize meal (+8.2%),” the institution said.

Although beef continues to have high annual rates, the monthly increase in August is the lowest since April.

“Beef mince recorded a 12-month change of 27.2% and a monthly rise of 0.2%. Stewing beef reached an annual rate of 32.3% while its monthly change was 0.6%. Beef steak prices were 28.6% higher than a year ago but down by 1.2% between July and August.

“These low monthly changes follow factory-gate inflation of -7.8% in July for beef carcasses,” Stats SA noted.

Furthermore, the price index for milk, other dairy products and eggs “declined by 1.1%, the lowest annual print since March 2011 when the rate was -1.4%. Prices for fresh full-cream milk decreased by 2.9% between August 2024 and August 2025”. 

Eskom and BYD Partner to Drive South Africa’s Electric Vehicle Future

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Eskom has taken a bold step toward cleaner mobility by signing a Memorandum of Cooperation with BYD Auto South Africa. The agreement, reached on 16 September, paves the way for collaboration on electric vehicles and coincides with the launch of the BYD Dolphin Surf — a compact, all-electric car aimed at affordability and accessibility.

The move follows Eskom’s own rollout of 20 electric vehicles and 10 charging stations for internal use earlier this month. Acting Group Executive for Distribution, Agnes Mlambo, says the utility is now ready to extend that capability to the public by supporting wider EV adoption and charging infrastructure.

The Dolphin Surf is positioned as an affordable entry into cleaner mobility, offering lower running costs compared to petrol and diesel and significant lifetime savings for owners.

Through the new partnership, Eskom and BYD will explore expanding charging infrastructure across the country, supporting South Africa’s national drive to decarbonise transport, and creating opportunities for local skills development, small businesses, and job creation in the EV sector.

Future discussions may also cover renewable-powered fast-charging hubs, the repurposing of used EV batteries for energy storage, and integrating electric vehicles into Eskom’s demand-side management to help balance supply and demand.

Mlambo says Eskom is committed to driving a cleaner future by enabling affordable and innovative mobility solutions for South Africans, while continuing its broader strategy of shaping a smarter and more inclusive energy future.

Help CT Mayor ‘Wear the Hope’ this summer

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The City of Cape Town has launched a new challenge this year and is calling for Capetonians to design and make the Mayor’s annual festive-wear top.

This year, the Festive Lights Switch-On adds a new layer of creativity and community spirit with the launch of the Mayor’s Festive-wear Challenge 2025 - under the banner Wear the Hope – Share the Light.

For the past three years, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has kicked off the festive season in a different Christmas-themed jersey for the annual Festive Lights Switch-On. In 2025, that tradition evolves into something with a bit of fun for the whole city: a public design competition inviting all Capetonians - from young designers and fashion students to sewing clubs, schools, elders, and crafters - to create a fun festive-wear top (a jersey, pullover, shirt etc). 

The winning creation will make its first public appearance, together with its creator at the testing of the City’s Festive Lights on 11 November 2025, before being worn by the mayor at the official Festive Lights Switch-On concert in front of 80 000 Capetonians. 

‘The Festive Lights Switch-On is about more than switching on the bulbs - it’s about shining a light on Cape Town’s creativity, joy and hope.  This year, through the “Wear the Hope - Share the Light” challenge, I’m inviting every Capetonian to help usher in some festive fun. I can’t wait to wear the winning creation and showcase the talent of our people on stage,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.

How to enter:

Challenge opened on 12 September 2025 and closes at midnight on 6 October 2025
Open to all Capetonians, individuals or groups (e.g. schools, clubs, families, communities).

Entry process:
1. Submit a design sketch or concept description (PDF or photo) with a short write-up (max 300 words) explaining the inspiration, use of sustainable materials (if using), and the story behind the design.
2. Entries must be emailed with the subject line: Wear the Hope Challenge 2025
3. Include your full name, contact details (mobile phone and email), your location in Cape Town, and group/organisation name if applicable.
4. Email to: [email protected]
5. Judges will review entries and select finalists based on creativity, sustainability, theme interpretation, and craftsmanship.

Judging criteria includes creativity & originality – festive in a fresh, unexpected way. Theme interpretation – a strong symbolic/visual expression of hope and unity. There will also be points for use of sustainable or upcycled materials, as well as craftsmanship and presentation that looks at the creation’s wearability, construction, and stage presence. Of equal importance, is the story behind the stiches and the community spirit. 

Creative hint: The winning creation should visually shine under stage lights and reflect Cape Town’s vibrancy – joyful, hopeful, bold, and dignified.

The winner’s prize:
Unlike traditional competitions, this one is about honour, recognition, and community pride. The winner of the Wear the Hope - Share the Light challenge will:

Have their creation worn by the Mayor at the 2025 Festive Lights Switch-On, test drive and the main stage event to be witnessed by thousands.
Be invited on stage with the Mayor to help shine the lights.
Receive a professional photo shoot of the creation and the winning entrant(s),
Have a community donation of creative material up to the value of R5 000 made in their name to a local sewing/knitting group, school, or creative hub.

Production of the design is for the entrant’s own account. 

Entries opened on 12 September and close 6 October 2025. Submission details available here

#DontBeTrashy campaign fights waste on land and sea in Western Cape

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CapeNature, with Soapbox and the Western Cape’s Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, has launched the “Don’t Be Trashy” Drive to fight waste threatening ecosystems on land and at sea.

The campaign promotes awareness, education, and community action to reduce pollution, with a special focus this year on protecting Marine Protected Areas. Minister Anton Bredell said waste should be seen as a resource in a circular economy, while CapeNature CEO Dr Ashley Naidoo called on communities, schools, and businesses to take part in clean-ups, recycling, and reducing single-use plastics.

Soapbox’s Captain Fanplastic Programme adds a creative, youth-focused element, using storytelling and outdoor experiences to inspire learners to become “Plastic Pirates.” Over the past three years, it has reached more than 15 000 children in 11 countries.

CapeNature urges the public to support the drive by reducing waste, reporting illegal dumping, and sharing the message online using #DontBeTrashy.

Cape Town to host G20 outreach on climate resilience, coastal protection

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The spotlight will be on Cape Town when Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa leads the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Ministerial Outreach in the city next week.

The high-level gathering on 22 September is themed ‘Coastal Protection and Eco-Based Disaster Risk Reduction’. It will demonstrate the urgent need for stronger coastal defences as rising seas, storm surges and erosion threaten cities worldwide.

According to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Cape Town’s own challenges — from frequent storms to erosion along the Green Point coastline — make it an ideal case study for showcasing innovative approaches to environmental and climate resilience.

“The Green Point coastline and Green Point Urban Park highlight both the risks and opportunities for urban resilience, underscoring the need for sustainable coastal protection that blends engineering with Ecosystem-based Approaches (EbA),” the department said.

The outreach will showcase disaster risk reduction strategies rooted in climate adaptation and risk-informed urban planning, aligning with South Africa’s G20 Presidency priorities. These include climate resilience, infrastructure investment, nature-based solutions, and inclusive resilience.

CoGTA said the programme is expected to:
*Build a shared understanding of coastal resilience as a global priority.
*Deliver policy recommendations to shape the G20 DRR Ministerial Declaration.
*Strengthen international cooperation through partnerships, joint research and innovative financing for resilience.

The event will also feature exhibitions of local disaster risk reduction projects, volunteer programmes, and community-based resilience efforts. Participants will include the City of Cape Town Disaster Management Volunteer Corps, NGOs, private sector partners, the National Sea Rescue Institute, the South African Weather Service, the Langa Advice Forum, and other emergency and community organisations.

By hosting the outreach, South Africa aims to position itself as a leader in advancing practical solutions to the climate challenges under its G20 Presidency.

Western Cape Agriculture records strong growth in second quarter of 2025

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Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, has welcomed the positive performance of the province’s agricultural sector as reflected in the Agricultural Economic Quarterly Report for the second quarter of 2025.

The report provides an overview of the economic performance in the Western Cape, with a focus on the agricultural sector, and is informed by the national and sub-national economic performance statistics for the second quarter of 2025 (Q2 2025) released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) last week.

According to the report, the Western Cape economy expanded by 0.7% quarter-on-quarter and 1.3% year-on-year, with agriculture making a significant contribution to this growth. The agricultural sector accounted for 4.7% of the provincial economy and recorded a robust 2.5% growth quarter-on-quarter and an impressive 14% year-on-year increase.

Minister Meyer stated, “Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the Western Cape’s economy. The sector’s resilience and growth are a testament to the hard work of our farmers, agri-workers, and agri-processors. This performance supports our Growth for Jobs Strategy, which aims to achieve 4–6% economic growth per annum and create 6,000 new jobs by 2035.”

The report highlights that the Western Cape consistently contributes 20% to South Africa’s national agricultural gross value added (GVA), driven primarily by the horticultural sector. In Q2 2025, horticulture generated R44 billion in gross farm income nationally, with citrus, vegetables, and deciduous fruits leading the way.

Employment figures also reflect the sector’s importance. Agriculture and agri-processing combined supported 302,604 jobs in the province, representing 11% of total employment. Of these, 202,120 jobs were in primary agriculture, with crop production accounting for 81% of agricultural employment. The agri-processing sector added 100,484 jobs, with food manufacturing and beverage production being the largest contributors.

Minister Meyer added, “The agricultural sector not only drives economic growth but also plays a vital role in job creation, especially in rural communities. We remain committed to supporting this sector through innovation, infrastructure investment, and market access initiatives.”

Western Cape Government places Knysna Municipality under administration

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The Western Cape Government recently decided to place the Knysna Municipality under administration in terms of Section 139(1)(c) of the Constitution. At a special Cabinet meeting, it resolved to dissolve the Municipal Council and appoint an Administrator with full executive and legislative authority until fresh elections are held within 90 days.

Premier Alan Winde said the decision was taken as a last resort after repeated failures in governance and service delivery. He stressed it was necessary to protect residents, restore stability, and ensure reliable services.

Local Government MEC Anton Bredell said Knysna has faced escalating crises despite years of support, including a Section 154 Support Plan, technical assistance, and millions in provincial funding. Chronic infrastructure breakdowns have left residents exposed to sewage spills, water shortages, and irregular waste collection.

A recent provincial assessment found that of 67 sewage pump stations, only 11 were fully functional, while nearly half were non-operational or missing pumps altogether. These failures have resulted in raw sewage flowing into homes, streets, waterways, and the Knysna estuary, creating severe health and environmental risks.

Despite interventions such as emergency water tankers, backup generators, and refuse vehicles, the municipality has not fulfilled its obligations, and conditions have continued to deteriorate.

“The situation has become untenable,” Winde said. “We must act in the interests of Knysna’s residents.”
Bredell added that recovery will take time but assured residents the province will work with national government, the Garden Route District Municipality, and local civil society to stabilise the municipality and prepare for fresh elections.

Eskom maintains reliable power supply

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Eskom reports that it continues to reliably supply electricity to South Africa, with unplanned losses from breakdowns remaining well below the 10 000 megawatt (MW) threshold, currently recorded at 7 394MW.

“This reflects sustained structural improvements in plant performance driven by the ongoing implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan,” the statement read. 

In addition, the state-owned power utility said the open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs), or diesel generators, maintained a load factor of just 0.001% for the second consecutive week.

“The sustained technical improvements have ensured a reliable power system, meeting more than 97% of electricity demand since the beginning of the financial year.” 

South Africa has experienced no load shedding since 15 May 2025, with only 26 hours recorded between 1 April and 11 September 2025.

Between 5 and 11 September 2025, planned maintenance increased as Eskom entered the summer period, averaging 4 624MW. 

During this period, the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) fluctuated consistently between 69% and 73%, with the month-to-date average further remaining above the 70% mark.

“This upward trend reflects growing stability and improved reliability across the generation fleet. These figures exclude Kusile Unit 6, which has been contributing 720MW to the national grid since 23 March 2025. 

“Although not yet in commercial operation, the unit is expected to reach that milestone by September 2025.”

To further strengthen grid stability, Eskom has planned to return a total of 2 835MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 15 September 2025, and throughout the coming week.

Between 1 April and 11 September 2025, the Unplanned Capability Loss Factor (UCLF), which reflects the percentage of generation capacity lost due to unplanned outages, further decreased to 26.53%. 

The utility said this represents a week-on-week improvement of approximately 0.4%, although it remains about 1.2% higher than the 25.38% recorded during the same period last year.

From 1 April to 11 September 2025, the diesel spend remains well under the allocated budget.

“As of today, 119 consecutive days without load shedding have been achieved,” said the utility on Friday.

Summer outlook
Meanwhile, Eskom recently published the summer outlook, covering the period 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026, which forecasts no load shedding due to the structural progress in plant performance because of the ongoing implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan.

The available generation capacity stood at 28 776MW, with Eskom stating that the current capacity is sufficient to meet requirements over the weekend.

From 1 April to 11 September 2025, Eskom spent approximately R5.9283 billion on fuel for its OCGT plants, generating 1 000.91 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity. 

“While there was no notable increase in expenditure over the past week, the electricity generated represents a significant rise compared to the 578.14GWh produced during the same period last year. 
“It is important to note that diesel expenditure is not consistent throughout the year but fluctuates seasonally in response to system demand and operational requirements.”

Load reduction 
During the previous winter peak periods in the mornings and evenings, load reduction eased slightly – from an average of 544MW in April 2025 to 529MW in June 2025 – with Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng accounting for approximately 87% of the total.

“Eskom appreciates the progress achieved in reducing load nationally, with a 3% improvement recorded between April and June 2025.

“The largest gains were seen in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, with reductions of 13% and 5% respectively. Looking ahead, Eskom is committed to further reducing load reduction by 15–20% by March 2026 and eliminating it within two years.” 

Eskom said this will be achieved by addressing 640 000 illegal connections by March 2026, upgrading infrastructure, including the rollout of smart meters, reducing zero buyers and illegal vending, and expanding free basic electricity registrations in priority areas.

The primary causes of load reduction remain illegal connections and meter bypassing. 

These practices amount to electricity theft and place severe strain on the network, leading to transformer overloads, equipment damage, and, in extreme cases, explosions and extended outages.

“Electricity should only be purchased through Eskom-accredited vendors, and customers are encouraged to regularise their electricity usage. These actions are critical to securing safe, reliable, and fair access to electricity for all.”

Any illegal activity impacting Eskom’s infrastructure should be reported to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp on 081 333 3323.

5000 Ford Rangers recalled

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More than 5,000 brand-new Ford Ranger vehicles in South Africa are being recalled for brake inspections.
The Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) announced over the weekend that certain 2025 Ranger models may develop brake system issues. The defect could cause drivers to require extra stopping distance, raising safety concerns.

The recall specifically involves the brake booster. According to Ford, affected drivers might notice changes in how the brake pedal feels, or they may need to press harder than usual to stop the vehicle. If the booster fails, the ABS warning lights, electronic stability control light, and regular brake lights will switch on, accompanied by an audible warning sound.

Ford warned that the loss of brake assistance could increase the risk of an accident. In South Africa, 5,387 Rangers are affected, along with 113 in Botswana, 157 in Namibia, and 19 in Eswatini.

FMCSA said it is reaching out to affected customers directly. Owners are advised to schedule an appointment with their preferred dealer, who will inspect the vehicle and carry out any necessary repairs. A related software update will also be applied at no cost.

Customers unsure if their vehicle is included in the recall can check by entering their VIN on a dedicated recall website created by FMCSA. They can also confirm using the FordPass smartphone app, calling the customer relations centre at 0860 011 022, or emailing [email protected].
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