...Cape Town Discussion (Closed Feb 2009) [Archive] - Page 3

Mo Rush

October 12th, 2008, 11:18 AM

The best cities to work in

Anton Ferreira

Cape Town battles to shake its laid-back image

Laid-back party town where sipping Chardonnay is as hectic as it gets? Or innovative, buzzing centre of excellence that just happens to be on the beach?

Cape Town is battling to become a magnet for the best and brightest talent the world can offer.

One of the leading voices in the debate is Guy Lundy, chief executive of Accelerate Cape Town, a business- led initiative for long-term growth in the Western Cape.

“We’ve got to change our image from being a place where you just come to lie on the beach,” he told Business Times.

“One of the city’s messages that it’s putting out there for 2010 is that Cape Town is Africa’s party capital ... I have a big problem with that because the message is that Cape Town is a place where you come for a jol. It’s not a place where you come to do business.

“And we’ve got to address that perception.”

Adding fuel to the fire is a survey conducted earlier this year that confirmed the usual stereotypes about Cape Town versus Johannesburg: the mother city is a great place to live, but if you want to be rich and powerful, go to Gauteng.

The survey by the Human Capital Institute think tank, conducted among members of the “knowledge worker” segment in Johannesburg and Cape Town, ranked Cape Town ahead of Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria in nine categories out of 11.

It trumped the competition in lifestyle categories like the environment, friendliness and suitability to raise kids, but trailed Johannesburg and Pretoria as a place to get ahead professionally.

Port Elizabeth failed dismally in most categories but was ranked first for affordability.

Anton Schlechter, an expert in organisational psychology at the University of Cape Town, said the survey was about perceptions.

“You can say it might not be the reality, but what people think is important.”

He said the survey showed that “place” was a key factor in how people decided where to live and work, and employers and regional governments needed to take this into account in devising strategies to attract and retain talent.

“Cape Town came out very, very well as a desirable place to live, but there are a couple of problems. It’s still seen as career limiting. You are paying a mountain/sea tax — you have to be prepared to play off the lifestyle against your income.”

Schlechter said the survey reflected the views of the kind of highly skilled people who could find work anywhere in the world and who were “one mouse-click” away from their next job. Cities had to make themselves attractive to this kind of person.

“The fact that a city works is important. If you flush a toilet, it actually flushes... Cities need to function properly, and there’s a whole lot of issues around that. Like working virtually — you can live in Cape Town and work for a company in Joburg.”

Mike Herrington, director of the centre for innovation and entrepreneurship at the UCT Graduate School of Business, said Cape Town had a significantly higher level of entrepreneurship than Johannesburg.

He said his supposition for why this was so was the attraction that Cape Town held for young people.

“It’s a lovely city, it has a relatively good infrastructure, it has a wonderful vibe about it, so younger people tend to migrate towards Cape Town rather than the other cities, if they don’t want to join corporates.

“If you’re a relatively young bright South African and you want to earn plenty of money, you’re going to go to Johannesburg — that’s where the corporates pay the big money.

“But if you really want to start new businesses, it seems as though we attract those sort of people.”

Herrington dismissed the notion that Cape Town was a relaxed resort for the chronically idle.

“I think that’s a load of rubbish. I think that may have been the situation 20 years ago... It’s not like that anymore.

“Things have changed dramatically. I really do think Cape Town is bringing in some really amazing ideas.”

Lundy said Cape Town owed a lot to the tourist industry and should continue to promote it. But it also needed to move on.

“One of the challenges that we face in developing business is that the perception is largely as a tourist town. That is not ideal if you’re wanting to attract talent.”

He said the city could learn some lessons from the advertising industry.

“It’s really about messaging. You can change perceptions about something quite easily if you send out the right messages.”

Perhaps Bloemfontein needs to do the same.

In the Human Capital Institute survey, 40% of respondents said it was the city to which they were least likely to relocate.

Schlechter said: “I’ve no idea how you persuade people to move to Bloemfontein.

“You would have to pay them an insanely big amount of money.”

Lydon

October 13th, 2008, 10:55 PM

It seems our dear Helen Zille was named World Mayor 2008!

Die Kapenaar

October 13th, 2008, 11:28 PM

Zille wins world mayor award

13/10/2008 18:39 - (SA)

Johannesburg - The mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille, has been awarded the 2008 World Mayor prize by City Mayors, an international urban affairs think tank, a statement said on Monday.

Editor of City Mayors, Tann vom Hove, said Zille had dedicated her professional life to improving the well-being of South Africans.

"Helen Zille was the judging panel's unanimous choice for the 2008 World Mayor Prize. This amazing woman was making a difference and giving people hope.

"Her only equals in South Africa are Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela," the statement said.

Zille is also leader of South Africa's opposition, the Democratic Alliance.

The runner-up for the award is Emar Ledergerber, mayor of Zurich.

Hove said Ledergerber had been successful in "building bridges between the privileged and less privileged communities in his city."

The third place was awarded to the mayor of Chacao, Leopoldo Lopez, who was cited for his work as a hands-on mayor and a national politician who fought for democratic openness and fairness in Venezuela.

The think tank aims to raise the profile of mayors as well as to honour those who have made "long-lasting contributions to their communities and are committed to the well being of their cities nationally and internationally," the statement said.

- SAPA

Inertia

October 14th, 2008, 12:14 AM

Congrats guys. I think Zille fully deserved it. Next stop, presidency :tongue2:

Mo Rush

October 14th, 2008, 07:21 AM

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Mo Rush

October 14th, 2008, 07:29 PM

Cape Town to tap into cruise liner industry

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/PublishingImages/News%20Images/ocean_cruiser_s.jpg

The City of Cape Town has set up a working group to explore ways to tap into one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism sectors – the international cruise liner industry.

Given its location at the tip of the African continent, its maritime history and popularity as a tourist attraction, Cape Town is an obvious cruise ship destination. It has a great deal of untapped potential to develop this important sector of the tourism market.

The upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup™ adds impetus to focus on this industry, which is worth an estimated $29-billion.

The establishment of the working group comes in the wake of a business potential report for the City’s Portfolio Committee for Economic, Social Development and Tourism that was undertaken by international tourism consultants. They recommended an in-depth study into the market potential for the cruise liner industry in the region, and Cape Town in particular.

They also proposed linking up with other roleplayers, such as other port cities, to develop a joint strategy and commission an in-depth cost benefit study to assess the potential of the ports and the value of the industry.

The potential benefits to the city are enormous. "Globally, the number of cruise liner passengers has grown from about four million in 1990 to 13.6 million in 2005. This high level service industry has enormous job creation potential, sustaining over half a million jobs each year," says Councillor Simon Grindrod, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Social Development and Tourism.

The City’s working group will focus on two areas: to establish a multi-use cruise liner terminal and marketing initiatives to stimulate demand for Cape Town as a port of call.

"If South Africa is serious about the cruise liner industry it will need to provide facilities of an international standard. We need to explore a special form of private, public partnership to develop dedicated cruise liner terminals such as those of Sydney, Melbourne, Vancouver and Auckland," Grindrod said.

At present, smaller cruise ships are able to dock at the V&A Waterfront, but the larger ships have to dock at cargo berths in Duncan Dock, which are not ideal for tourists, and are not always available.

Cruise liners are likely to be chartered by FIFA to provide accommodation for soccer fans during the World Cup™, meaning that the timing is right for the initiative.

There are also plans for the proposed extension to the Cape Town International Convention Centre to double up as a cruise liner terminal, Grindrod added.

Mo Rush

October 15th, 2008, 07:43 PM

http://www.greenpointstadiumvc.co.za/home

Lydon

October 16th, 2008, 12:21 AM

UCT climbs world rankings
15 October 2008

UCT has been ranked 179th in the Times Higher Education QS World University Rankings 2008, climbing 21 spots from 200th place last year.

The Times Higher Education rankings are considered the primary benchmark for comparing universities across borders.

UCT was the only African university to be listed in the top 200. It was ranked 257 in 2006.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Max Price said: "It is great that UCT rates so high. We are pleased that we are competitive in the international higher education sector."

He added: "The rankings give us a sense of our position when measured using a specific set of criteria. As an institution, we constantly measure ourselves and the quality of our entire enterprise on our own well-developed set of criteria. This is an ongoing process aimed at continuously improving and strengthening our institution."

This year's THE-QS World University Rankings have reflected the increasing value attached to technology. Many top technology-based universities improved their position, a fact linked to a demand by international employers for more technology-literate graduates.

The Top 10 was still dominated by institutions from the US and UK. Harvard University kept their top spot, with Yale moving ahead of Cambridge for the second spot. Oxford dropped to fourth, while Princeton dropped out of the top 10, replaced by the only new entrant in the top 10, Columbia University.

Among the top 100 universities were 13 Asian institutions, the same figure in 2007. The number of North American universities in the top 100 dropped to 42 (43 in 2007).

Another striking trend was the "unprecedented" response levels to the survey - 6354 academics (compared with 5101 in 2007) and 2339 employers (compared with 1 482 in 2007).

Universities from 33 different countries (28 countries in 2007) are represented in this year's top 100.

- Author: Helen Théron

http://www.uct.ac.za/dailynews/?id=6867

Mo Rush

October 16th, 2008, 07:14 PM

City develops strategy to address problem buildings

The City of Cape Town has started a process to close legislative loopholes that prevent it from acting effectively on problem buildings.

"Rundown and dilapidated buildings and abandoned erven are becoming an ever-increasing problem across the metropole," says Cllr Brian Watkyns, Chairperson of the Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee (Pepco).

"These buildings are often unsightly, unhealthy and unsafe, as well as being havens for anti-social and criminal activities. Pepco has endorsed the first draft of the municipality’s Problem Building Strategy that aims to get rid of them," he says.

The City’s Planning and Building Development Management Department will develop the new strategy with the help of an interdepartmental task team.

"There are laws dealing with dilapidated buildings, but often there are practical difficulties in implementing them. In many cases the owners of problem buildings are absent, deceased or have abandoned the properties. The new strategy will address these problems.

"Once the new policy is fully developed, there will be a public participation process to give residents an opportunity to comment on the policy," adds Cllr Watkyns.

"In terms of the draft policy, problem buildings are any buildings which appear to have been abandoned or are derelict or overcrowded and in a deplorable state. Other criteria include buildings which contravene by-laws, have been invaded by illegal squatters or pose a serious health or safety risk," says Cllr Watkyns.

Mo Rush

October 17th, 2008, 01:33 PM

England choose Cape as 2010 base

By CHARLES SALE
Last updated at 8:22 AM on 17th October 2008

Unbeaten group leaders England are less than halfway through their qualifying campaign but have already pinpointed their favoured training base in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup finals.

The five-star Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa on South Africa's Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth is acclaimed as one of the country's most luxurious destinations.
Its Indian Ocean-side location on the outskirts of Knysna will also make it the perfect venue for the travelling camp of WAGs - if they are allowed to accompany the squad.
Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa

Lions den: The magnificent Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa - a venue that could be England's base during the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Their presence overshadowed England's 2006 World Cup campaign in a fateful month in Baden Baden - described as 'a bit of a circus' by England stand-in captain Rio Ferdinand before the 3-1 victory in Belarus on Wednesday that has sparked World Cup fervour again.

Knysna is a party town for South Africa's rich and famous and its swish bars, clubs, restaurants and beach life will be heaven on earth for the WAGs, even if hardline manager Fabio Capello keeps his squad locked away within the resort's heavily-guarded 1,000-hectare grounds.

World Cup wonder: Wayne Rooney beats Dmitri Verhovcov of Belarus on his way to scoring his second goal for England this week

The entire hotel with its £300-a-night, 78 individual suites has already been booked from May 29 to July 14 2010 for the exclusive use of a World Cup team and the staff expect to find out next month if England will be staying there.

An FA delegation visited the property in July and are said to have been highly impressed with the venue, which has plenty of room and facilities on site for England to train on what Pezula describe as their 'field of dreams', while nearby airports allow easy travel to all match venues.
pezula pool

Hotel general manager Russell Binks said: 'The FA told us they were very pleased with everything they saw and we think it's the best possible base for their World Cup preparations. Security can be guaranteed and the WAGs will have a great time in Knysna. We would love to host the England team here but other football federations have also shown an interest.'

The Pezula has stunning views of the Indian Ocean, Knysna Lagoon and the Outeniqua Mountains and has a championship golf course next door. Facilities include a 25metre indoor pool, a spa with nine therapy rooms, award-winning restaurants and a castle that acts as a private beach club for guests.

But the big question is whether the FA will be put off such an idyllic location because of the potential of the WAGs 'Class of 2010' to turn Knysna into a repeat of Baden Baden.

The FA would make no comment yesterday about their World Cup plans.

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Mo Rush

October 17th, 2008, 09:26 PM

Launch of the Green Goal Action Plan by host City of Cape Town for the 2010 Fifa World Cup

Video (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/2010/gallery/media/GG_promo_Oct_08_ss.wmv)

Green Goal PDF
(http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/GreenGoal/Documents/2010_GREEN_GOAL_ACTION_PLAN.pdf)
The City of Cape Town and the Provincial Government of the Western Cape today launched the Green Goal Action Plan by Host City Cape Town for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ at a breakfast at the Vineyard Hotel.

Both Mayor Helen Zille and Premier Lynne Brown officiated at the launch attended by 150 people from national, provincial and local government, the media, business and civil society.

The development of the Green Goal Action Plan by Host City Cape Town for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is a product of co-operation between the Provincial Government of the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town, who jointly hosted a series of workshops and discussion forums, facilitated by Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) and made possible with the support of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). The synergy between Host City Cape Town and the other 8 host cities, coordinated by the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Organising Committee South Africa (LOC) Environment Forum and the national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), in working on sustainability aspects of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, is key to the success of Green Goal. Some aspects of the greening programme, notably offsetting the carbon generated by air travel to and within South Africa, is beyond the scope or mandate of individual host cities and can only be achieved through strong coordination at national and international level. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is working on a draft greening framework for 2010, and the LOC is developing minimum environmental standards and targets, which will guide Host City Cape Town’s Green Goal programmes.

The environmental legacy opportunity presented by implementing the Green Goal programme in Host City Cape Town is two fold:

Firstly, the high media profile of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ can be leveraged to create awareness for the environment, leading to changed behaviour patterns, reduced consumption of critical resources such as water, electricity and fuel, and increased biodiversity protection.

The second legacy opportunity is concerned with infrastructural improvements, including city beautification and tree planting, new public open space and a modern new stadium with a significant green profile.

A total of 41 projects have been identified across nine target areas to achieve the objectives of the greening programme.

The nine target areas are:
Energy and climate change
Minimise the carbon footprint of the 2010 event
Water
Minimise the use of potable water and promote conservation of water resources
Integrated Waste Management
Reduce, reuse and recycle waste
Transport, mobility and access
Promote energy efficient and universally accessible mobility and minimise air pollution
Landscaping and biodiversity
Promote indigenous landscaping and enhance biodiversity
Green building and sustainable lifestyles
Promote environmental awareness, sustainable lifestyles and environmentally efficient building practices
Responsible tourism
Promote responsible tourism for 2010 and beyond
Green Goal communications
Communicate the message of Green Goal to residents and visitors
Monitoring, measurement and reporting
Monitor, measure and report on progress with the implementation of Green Goal

The Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Ms Helen Zille, stated that the launch of the Green Goal Action Plan by Host City Cape Town for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ followed more than a year of hard work by many people, in hosting workshops, conducting feasibility studies and reviewing the impact of major events in Germany and elsewhere.

The Mayor highlighted some of the actual projects outlined in the Green Goal Action Plan and shared with guests that the City is currently scoping the feasibility of an "ECO Centre" within the Green Point Urban Park, which will serve to promote environmental awareness with regard to sustainable lifestyles and be an important destination for both fun and entertainment and for promoting a clear message about sustainability.

The Mayor added that the City is also proposing to establish a showcase indigenous biodiversity garden, linked to the ECO Centre, which will be created by restoring a portion of the park to its original ecosystem and offering recreational and educational benefits. Other Green Goal projects outlined by the Mayor include actions that seek to find alternative sustained sources of water to irrigate the Green Point Common, a Green Goal volunteer training programme and a soccer and environment poster and educational resource pack that aim to communicate environmental messages to the youth of Cape Town using the medium of soccer.

The Mayor concluded by saying that the City is serious about limiting the carbon footprint of the event. "We are including a number of energy and water-saving measures in the construction of the Green Point Stadium, partly as a result of an environmental audit of the stadium facilitated by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. These measures will be extended to the operation of the FIFA Fan Park and the public viewing areas in the City", she said.

Premier Lynne Brown spoke about a "2010 green legacy" and mentioned a number of projects identified in the Green Goal Action Plan by Host City Cape Town for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ that would have a long-term benefit to residents.

More trees, increased waste reduction and recycling, energy and water saving technologies, increased use of non motorized transport, infrastructural development that benefits all communities and encouraging responsible tourism are some of the long-lasting benefits from the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ that residents of the Western Cape will enjoy long after the 2010 FIFA World CupÔ has come and gone.

Premier Brown shared the example of the 2006 FIFA World CupÔ held in Germany, which clearly showed that transport was by far the major contributor to carbon emissions. "Given that South Africa and Host City Cape Town would be receiving the FIFA family and World Cup fans from around the globe, the carbon footprint is expected to be considerably larger than in the case of Germany. It is therefore important to determine the extent of the carbon footprint on Host City Cape Town and the Western Cape and then find ways to offset this footprint," she said.

The Premier mentioned that new and existing accommodation establishments also played an important role in advocating the message of environmental action to their clients, further contributing to what responsible tourism is all about and cultivating a lasting green legacy.

Speaking at the launch, Mike Marsden, City of Cape Town Executive Director: Service Delivery Integration, said that the Green Goal Action Plan by Host City Cape Town for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ marked another important milestone in Host City Cape Town’s preparation to host one of the greatest sporting events in the world and was an indication of the commitment of the City to the success of the event at all levels. "All the pieces of the 2010 jigsaw are now falling into place, including event greening. If there was ever any doubt, any hesitation over the readiness of the City to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, I can give you the assurance that we will meet and surpass the targets and tasks set before us by FIFA", he said. Mr. Marsden disclosed that funding to the value of R8 million, for the implementation of the 41 Green Goal projects, has already been identified by the City and additional partnerships and funding are now being sought from business and civil society to ensure the best possible delivery of Green Goal 2010 outcomes.

Mo Rush

October 20th, 2008, 09:17 AM

Cape Town Shines as an Investment Paradise

SUBSTANTIAL capital injection and sound public sector directives on rejuvenating Cape Town has transformed the city into a haven for private residential investment returns with the effects filtering across the broader region, a new report has revealed.

The Trafalgar City Report 2008, now in its seventh edition, has confirmed that Maitland is among the country’s leading residential areas with average property prices escalating 417% in the past two years. In the Cape Town city centre, prices have grown 37% annually amid a strong demand for three bedroom properties and a decline in bachelor and one and two-bedroom homes.

This reflects the rising average household incomes, growing families and changing space requirements among Cape Town’s city dwellers.

Franschhoek has benefited from a 50% increase in average prices and more than three-quarters of the properties available on the market were transferred to new owners within the prior two-year period.

Nationally, data collated from deed office information indicates that highly sought-after areas have experienced dramatic property price hikes despite climbing interest rates. Elsewhere, the interest rate has claimed victims via lower sales prices or a marked decrease in sales activity and transfers.

Some areas show a sales growth in three-bedroom houses and a corresponding drop in smaller home purchases, whereas other areas show an increase in smaller home purchases as entry-level homeowners seek cheaper options in bachelor flats and one-bedroom homes.

The flipside were decreases in the average prices achieved in Woodstock (25% lower), Mowbray (20%), University Estate (18%) and further afield in Hermanus (13%). Although University Estate sustained more sales in 2007 than the previous year, the report commented that the lower average price reflected the growing demand for cheaper one and two-bedroom units.

Stellenbosch also experienced a drop in sales activities across the board.

According to the report, the Cape Town Partnership – an independent public private sector body established to develop, manage and promote the Cape Town central city – has put into place quality urban management systems and guidelines based on the specific local characteristics for areas within the central city. This has prompted investments totalling R18 billion and the upgrading of more than 170 buildings with another R28-30 billion earmarked for the next three to five years.

“Virtually all projects are progressing well and there is overall optimism in the Cape Town city centre, which remains the major economic node in the Cape Town metropolitan area, both in terms of gross geographic product and jobs,” the report says.

Considering broader issues, the report highlighted the attempts by national government to improve housing delivery as well as the role the private sector should be playing in meeting social housing demands.

Nationally 186,000 houses had either been completed or were under construction by the third quarter of the 2007/2008 financial year with 23,438 of these situated within the Western Cape. An Affordable Housing Conference held last year noted South African metropolitan areas demand 55,000 new houses annually against the current 6,700 being built.

In the foreword, Trafalgar managing director Andrew Schaefer says social housing – the provision of rental housing for lower-income earners caught between government-subsidised homes and having the capital to purchase their own accommodation – has not typically been viewed as a private sector realm.

Yet, particularly among developed nations, the private sector has been expected to contribute towards boosting the social housing stock. Black households dominate the South African rental market, followed by the coloured population and annually 105,670 new units are demanded.

The report indicates that mixed income developments such as N2 Gateway and the R30 million Aliwal Gardens Development in Ruyterwacht – the province’s first wholly integrated housing development now accommodating people across the racial and socio-economic spectrum – are making progress on addressing the backlog.

Essentially, South Africa has the systems, legislation and policies in place to deliver on its housing requirements. The way forward demands large-scale implementation; unrelenting follow-through on non delivery; consistent engagement with stakeholders and communities and the strict enforcement of existing legislation,” Schaefer says.

Mo Rush

October 20th, 2008, 06:41 PM

Cape Town tops Conde Nast Traveller Africa/Middle East rankings

If consistency is a virtue, these cities should be canonized. From Florence
(84.5) in Europe, to Buenos Aires (82.2) in the Americas, to Cape Town
(83.0) in Africa, to Bangkok in Asia (82.8), each of these winners has maintained its monopoly since last year’s poll. Perpetual victor Sydney (87.2) doesn’t disappoint, claiming top honors among all cities for the seventh consecutive year. Local favorite San Francisco (85.2) takes the United States category for a whopping sixteenth year in a row, a feat never before accomplished by any destination or property. One reason:its worldwide high Restaurant score of 93.1. • In Europe, Prague makes a splash,reappearing after a four-year absence with a robust 77.9. Hong Kong’s Shopping score
(88.1) is tops in Asia, while Dubai’s rising skyscrapers and man-made islands lead Lodging (88.2) in the Middle East, and Cuzco’s Culture and Sites (94.2) rule the Americas.

1. Sydney (87.2): Australia/Pacific winner
2. San Francisco (85.2): United States winner
3 .Florence (84.5): Europe winner
4. Cape Town (83.0): Africa/Middle East winner
5. Bangkok (82.8): Asia winner
6. Buenos Aires (82.2): Americas winner

In Africa/Middle East

1 Cape Town 83.0
2 Jerusalem 75.6
3 Damascus 73.3
4 Dubai 72.5
5 Beirut 70.8

Mo Rush

October 20th, 2008, 06:52 PM

Conde Nast Traveler: Top 15 African Hotels

Cape Town and Western Cape Province hotels in bold

1 Cape Grace, Cape Town 94.9
2 Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town 94.2
3 Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town 93.2
4 Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza 92.4
5 The Plettenberg, Plettenberg Bay 91.9
5 Victoria & Alfred Hotel, Cape Town 91.9
7 Four Seasons Cairo at The First Residence 90.5
8 Westin Grand Cape Town 87.4
9 La Mamounia, Marrakech 85.1
10 Bantry Bay, Cape Town 84.7
11 Mena House Oberoi, Cairo 83.8
12 Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town 83.5
13 Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, South Africa 82.9
14 Radisson SAS Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town 82.6
15 Grace in Rosebank, Johannesburg 81.9

Mo Rush

October 20th, 2008, 07:07 PM

Cape Town tops in Africa

Cape Town has been voted the top city in Africa and the Middle East by Conde Nast Traveler in the Readers’ Choice Awards, in the company of Buenos Aires (The Americas), San Francisco (USA), Bangkok (Asia), Sydney (Australia/Pacific) and Florence (Europe). San Francisco has won as the best USA city sixteen years in a row, mainly based on its good restaurants. Singapore Airlines won the best airline award on international routes for 20 out of the past 21 years, and Virgin America won on domestic routes for the first time. Crystal won the large cruise liner award, and Seabourn the small cruise liner award.

Jerusalem and Damascus took second and third place after Cape Town as Top Cities in the Africa/Middle East category.

Three Cape Town hotels were rated the best in Africa, namely the Cape Grace Hotel, the Twelve Apostles Hotel and the Table Bay Hotel. The Grande Roche in Paarl was voted the second best Resort in Africa. Reported in the November issue, the awards list reflects the votes of more than 32 000 readers.

briker

October 21st, 2008, 04:34 AM

TO THE MOTHER CITY AND THE HARDWORKING CAPETONIANS WHO MAKE THIS HAPPEN YEAR AFTER YEAR! :cheers:

Mo Rush

October 23rd, 2008, 05:22 PM

Cape Town to be positioned as a global events city

The City of Cape Town has reached a significant milestone to position Cape Town as a global events city. Mayco today recommended that the events policy, a first of its kind in South Africa, be approved by Council during next week’s sitting.

"Events play a major role to stimulate economic development. The Two Oceans Marathon and the Cape Argus Cycle Tour annually attract thousands of visitors to the metropole providing the city with economic growth, job creation and free marketing to visitors locally and abroad," says Cllr Simon Grindrod, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Social Development and Tourism.

"Together with other top line events such as the International Jazz Festival and the SA Navy Festival, Cape Town is becoming known as the ‘event capital’ of South Africa and a 365-days-a-year, multi-faceted destination.

"As such, the hosting of events is a significant part of the City’s global competitiveness strategy and our well developed events industry is an important economic, investment and social driver in terms of promoting tourism and community development," says Grindrod.

However, while the City has a good track record in the hosting of major events, the absence of a strategy and policy has meant that the City has not been able to maximise the benefits flowing from these opportunities.

According to Carol Wright, the manager responsible for the policy in the City, "The staging of events was often done in an ad-hoc manner, lacking strategic co-ordination and direction. Also, the number and complexity of events continue to grow each year. The City is increasingly being requested to provide significant resources for the staging of events (including financial support) and to manage the impact on the city.

"The City needs to act in a co-ordinated manner and provide clear strategic, administrative and operational guidelines in order to build on the existing momentum and minimise the risk of failure.

"We have seen how poorly organised events can have severe repercussions for the city and the industry. It was thus essential to develop a policy to provide direction for Cape Town’s current and future events, processes and events calendar," says Wright.

Following an extensive process with Council committees, the relevant municipal departments and full public participation including three public hearings, a final draft City of Cape Town Events Policy has been considered by Mayco with a recommendation that is approved by Council.

The policy applies to all events within the City’s jurisdictional area on public land as well as on private land which impact on public resources.

It covers aspects such as the City’s role in events, safety and environmental standards, legislative compliance, land use management requirements, communication protocols, and the compilation of an operations manual and a calendar of events.

It also proposes a pro-active, integrated approach to the provision of City services, with a single entry point for event applications and a consistent approvals procedure.

"It is a strategic policy framework to align events with the City’s Integrated Development Plan, ensure the co-ordination of all City departments, and link the City’s financial and logistical support to those events that can facilitate strategic benefits to the city and its citizens," says Grindrod.

The development of a draft City Events By-law has also commenced and is expected to be published for public comment once approved by Council.

The Events policy framework is an important step to support the City’s strategic objectives, including Cape Town’s position as SA’s event capital.

Mo Rush

October 24th, 2008, 07:02 PM

133 international conferences secured for CTICC until 2016

By AUDREY D’ANGELO

Cape Town - The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), which contributed R2.7 billion to the national gross domestic product (GDP) in the year to June, already had 133 large international conferences booked for the next eight years, managing director Dirk Elzinga said yesterday.

A study by economist Barry Standish and economic modeller Anthony Boting of the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business forecasts that the centre's contribution to GDP will rise to R3.38 billion next year and R5.67 billion by 2013.

Elzinga said at the centre's annual meeting yesterday that consistently high occupancy levels had raised revenue by 28.5 percent to R129 million from R100 million last year.

This showed a 37 percent rise in the CTICC's contribution to its holding company, Convenco. Covenco's shareholders are the City of Cape Town with 50.2 percent; the Western Cape provincial government with 25.1 percent; and SunWest International at 24.7 percent.

Elzinga pointed out that the CTICC's contribution to the national economy and that of the Western Cape had risen continuously since it was opened five years ago - with the main objective of attracting national and international business to the city and creating jobs, rather than making a profit.

In the past year it had hosted 550 000 delegates, which was well above target, and its kitchen had catered for 325 banquets.

But further expansion of business would be difficult until a planned extension had been built on the neighbouring site of Cape Town's Old Custom House. Lengthy negotiations with the department of public works, which owns the site, have delayed a start on the new building and prevented the CTICC from accepting bookings for events as early as 2010. The department is expected to become one of the shareholders in the CTICC, and the extension should be ready by 2012.

Discussing the impact of the global economic crisis, Elzinga said this had been minimal so far, although the number of delegates attending international conferences since the beginning of last month had been slightly less than expected.

But "while it is possible that continued long-term economic pressure may have an effect on the business of the CTICC, it is a very real possibility that the need by organisations for more effective methods of face-to-face marketing may well have a positive impact on the centre's bottom line in years to come."

Published on the web by Business Report on October 24, 2008.

Mo Rush

October 25th, 2008, 07:42 PM

Cape Town to create 2.5km pedestrian friendly City to Stadium Fan Mile

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2915431529_192783df2c_o.jpg
By Helen Bamford

City engineers have unveiled a pedestrian-and cycle-friendly plan to link Cape Town Station and CBD with the Green Point Stadium before the 2010 soccer World Cup.

The R35-million project, due for completion in December 2009, will include two pedestrian bridges across Buitengracht Street - one at Coen Steytler Avenue and the other at Waterkant Street.

Two shared pedestrian, cycle and vehicle routes have been identified - one via Waterkant Street and the other via the Waterfront.

The plan means people will be able to walk or cycle from the station to the stadium without having to cross a number of busy roads along the way.

City executive director for transport, roads and stormwater Eddie Chinnappen said disruption to traffic would be kept to a minimum during construction.

The lightweight steel bridges would be assembled on the Foreshore and then driven to the respective sites and placed on their supports.

Senior city engineers Paul Vink and Paul Booth presented the plans on Friday. They are expected to significantly change the face of the city.

The Pedal Power Association's Dave Bellair said it was excellent news.

"It's a fantastic start and we hope this project becomes a springboard for many more cycle routes in the city."

Booth said the route along Waterkant Street would be similar to St George's Mall, although there would still be one-way traffic between Lower Burg Street and Buitengracht.

"But it will be pedestrian-friendly, with the entire route paved and landscaped."

Booth said a 3m wide cycling route would be built in Somerset Road. Ebenezer Road - which was now a "dark and uninviting road" - would be widened to accommodate a cycle and pedestrian lane on the eastern side.

The two pedestrian bridges are expected to make life a lot safer for the 4 500 people who cross Buitengracht Street daily.

Vink said the bridges would be simple but elegant steel structures, with access via stairs, because ramp structures would be too intrusive.

He said heritage issues played an important part at the Waterkant location because of sensitivities around St Andrew's Square and the church.

A full heritage impact assessment was required in respect of the permanency of the proposed bridge and was now being undertaken, he said.

While ideally the bridge would be retained after 2010, it would be built in such a way that it could be dismantled.

"People crossing there on a day-to-day basis will still use the street level crossing, but for events at the stadium the bridge will make it a lot safer."

A permanent pedestrian bridge at the Coen Steytler intersection will carry pedestrians and cyclists across Buitengracht inbound, between North Wharf Square and the median island.

Vink said this crossing was very hazardous with a lot of fatal accidents.

He said they had been planning to have a pedestrian bridge over both the inbound and outbound lanes, but it could have affected the future completion of the Foreshore freeways.

"We also looked at building a subway, but there is a large underground stormwater culvert at this location."

Vink said because the intersection was a "gateway" to the city, architects were involved in the bridge's design.

It would have a glass screen along the western edge to provide weather protection as well as act as a noise barrier for the adjacent hotel.

People in wheelchairs will be able to get onto the bridge via a lift. Security on the bridge and surrounding areas would be monitored with CCTV.

Sadia Chand of Chand Environmental Consultants said the project had undergone an extensive public information process.

The last public "open house" will take place on November 3 at the Don Bosco Salesian Institute.

crazyloca

October 25th, 2008, 08:20 PM

He said they had been planning to have a pedestrian bridge over both the inbound and outbound lanes, but it could have affected the future completion of the Foreshore freeways.

Seriously? This has been on and off soooo many times that I'm surprised to still even hear about it happening. Mo / Captonians - what are the real reasons that its never gone ahead because I've heard about engineering problems to land ownership to heritage and its just not clear. Guessing when Greenpoint was finally decided on it was too late to get started on it for 2010? I know it was discussed ages ago but don't remember what the issues were......
Thanks

Mo Rush

October 25th, 2008, 09:37 PM

Seriously? This has been on and off soooo many times that I'm surprised to still even hear about it happening. Mo / Captonians - what are the real reasons that its never gone ahead because I've heard about engineering problems to land ownership to heritage and its just not clear. Guessing when Greenpoint was finally decided on it was too late to get started on it for 2010? I know it was discussed ages ago but don't remember what the issues were......
Thanks

The completion of the freeway was considered but its not necessary and the benefit does not exceed the cost. It is more likely that it will be demolished, than for it to be completed. The setup of parking outside the CBD, using western boulevard for VIP's, public transport, FIFA and accredited vehicles and the inner city bus system would not have been benefitted much by the foreshore freeway completion.

Secondly, there won't be high capacities of cars going towards Green Point during the world cup as there are various exclusion zones, e.g. no private vehicles allowed into the stadium precinct or on western boulevard 5 hours before matches. The city itself will become one big pedestrian zone.

The cost and issues and the basic lack of a need for it resulted in it not being considered.

I heard it was due to a small shop owner not wanting to move or sell his shop.

crazyloca

October 26th, 2008, 05:34 PM

The completion of the freeway was considered but its not necessary and the benefit does not exceed the cost. It is more likely that it will be demolished, than for it to be completed.

So even in the long run you don't see it getting finished? I think thats such a pity - it would have a pretty big impact on getting the traffic flowing better through that crammed little area - kind of like the overpass currently being built in Durban - so small but so worth it!!

I heard it was due to a small shop owner not wanting to move or sell his shop.

Yes, I also heard a version like this which I figured must have been from someones imagination.... something that some guy owns a tiny spot which was passed down like 8 generations since it was donated by the city fathers for some good deed, and due to this he wont give up his rights to it even though there is nothing on the spot!!??! (like, its just where the highway ends). Seems a bit much to me and I didn't hear the shop story (where are there any shops that could be in the way?)

I can't find the great pic you posted recently showing the waterfront, ICC and both ends of the highway (think I had the right page but the links are broken). Please repost - thanks Mo!

Mo Rush

October 26th, 2008, 05:50 PM

Mo Rush

October 26th, 2008, 05:58 PM

So even in the long run you don't see it getting finished? I think thats such a pity - it would have a pretty big impact on getting the traffic flowing better through that crammed little area - kind of like the overpass currently being built in Durban - so small but so worth it!!

Yes, I also heard a version like this which I figured must have been from someones imagination.... something that some guy owns a tiny spot which was passed down like 8 generations since it was donated by the city fathers for some good deed, and due to this he wont give up his rights to it even though there is nothing on the spot!!??! (like, its just where the highway ends). Seems a bit much to me and I didn't hear the shop story (where are there any shops that could be in the way?)

I can't find the great pic you posted recently showing the waterfront, ICC and both ends of the highway (think I had the right page but the links are broken). Please repost - thanks Mo!

A Visit to Cape Town
October 25, 2008
Posted by: Carol

Like all South African cities, Cape Town is a city with a complicated history. But the city’s natural setting is breathtaking. Its central district declined along with most other cities, but, under the leadership of Andrew Boraine, Chief Executive of the Cape Town Partnership and former city manager, it is making a big comeback. Andrew toured me through the district Wednesday after I spoke to the National Business Initiative and Accelerate Cape Town. (More on Accelerate Cape Town and its leader Guy Lundy tomorrow.)

The most striking part of the central district is the take back of space from cars and converting it to pedestrian space. Andrew has been heavily influenced by Copenhagen-based planner Jan Gehl, the champion of pedestrians, who advises cities to take away space for cars by stealth over time. We saw multiple streets that have been closed in very simple ways -- gates dropped at half blocks to prevent cars from going farther, turning the remaining street into a pedestrian space. Cape Town has also removed parking from at least one square, converting it back into public realm.

One result of the increased pedestrian activity is a boom in coffee shops. Two hundred of them have sprung up in the central district. To accelerate pedestrian activity, new buildings are required to use first floor space as retail shops or restaurants.

Informal markets are thriving in downtown Cape Town. There are 1400 informal traders in the central districts. The markets are encouraged – “We want to promote life on the street” – but Andrew would like to see more authentic Cape Town crafts available in the market.

To promote the city’s culture, Andrew has produced a CD of Cape Town music that is being distributed to clubs worldwide and he is hoping to take over old City Hall – a beautiful building – to convert it to a music venue.

Andrew is pushing more aggressive densification in the city, making sure, though, to preserve view corridors. It was interesting to hear Andrew quote Gehl on density exactly as Melbourne chief architect/planner Rob Adams quoted Gehl to me last summer. People don’t like density? Refer them to Barcelona. That’s what appropriate densification looks like.

Andrew even refers to Cape Town’s St. George’s Mall, the street that ran from sea to mountain until the sea was pushed out a mile, as “our Ramblas.” Andrew hopes to tear down the freeway that separates the central district from the ocean.

As in Jo’burg, the 2010 World Cup is being used to speed development on transit and, of course, a new stadium. “2010 realigned the politics on transit in the city,” according to Andrew by moving the city (in addition to the provincial government) into transit.

Turns out that FIFA host city agreements are powerful motivators for action. Even an accidental conversation with someone attending a meeting of South African and Botswana security officials pointed to 2010 as the reason for the gathering and increased security concerns.

crazyloca

October 26th, 2008, 06:37 PM

KomSakkie

October 26th, 2008, 07:23 PM

If they did tear down the freeway what alternate mass road transport into the city would be made avaliable.......

crazyloca

October 26th, 2008, 07:44 PM

The freeway is likely to be demolished and replaced with an underground route.

I wonder if there will be problems due to this being reclaimed land... might make the digging easier but going below the water level could be a major issue. It is only 5m above sea level as it is (can't remember where I remember the 5m from, but think its about that)

Mo Rush

October 26th, 2008, 09:00 PM

herb21

October 27th, 2008, 02:35 PM

Wow - sounds great, but is it really justified? Tearing down the current highway at huge cost would link the city not with the ocean but the industrial side of the harbour - not exactly pedestrian friendly etc etc...

But does sound like a fantastic long-term plan to free up space and make the city more friendly. Is it too early to ask about timeframe when this actually becomes a serious project: +10 years?

I read an article a while back which as a detailed analysis showed that likely cost of such a project would long term be made back in the land value of land which would be gained. However the biggest problems that such a project would face would be the intermediate transportation issues during construction and the stability of the reclaimed land on which a underground project would most likely be built.

With regards to the connection been with the back of a the industrial harbour, were such a project to go ahead the area would probably be greatly improved visually and pedestrian wise. One must also realise that allready up to the Customs house site has been given over to more visually refined property and in some cities parts of the working harbours are easily intergrated into the city.

Mo Rush

October 27th, 2008, 11:17 PM

Cape Town adopts 'monster'
Article By:

http://sport.iafrica.com/cm_pics/sport/2665-6526-8893-0_1591512.jpg

The Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 is underway and Cape Town will become the official home of PUMA’s il mostro (the monster) yacht when it is adopted by the Royal Cape Yacht Club for the duration of the stopover at the end of the first leg.

It is the first time a Volvo Ocean Race yacht is being adopted by the Royal Cape Yacht Club and il mostro will fly under the club’s burgee (flag) for the duration of its stay in the Mother City. The yacht is expected to arrive in Table Bay in early November.

“It is an absolute pleasure and honour for the Royal Cape Yacht Club and our members to extend our hospitality towards the skipper, crew and shore team of il mostro. Due to the Royal Cape Yacht Club’s historical support towards trans-ocean international events and crew, the club has become known as ‘The Tavern of the Seas’, where sailors and their supporters of all colours and creeds can freely mix in a social environment. It is in this spirit that the club and members eagerly await the safe arrival of all participating vessels and look forward to the opportunity of adopting the il mostro,” said John Martin, Commodore of the Royal Cape Yacht Club.

Ronald Rink, Managing Director PUMA South Africa, said: “On behalf of PUMA, we are honoured to have the PUMA Ocean Racing Team and il mostro adopted by the Royal Cape Yacht Club. We would like to thank the Commodore, the staff and members of RCYC for the gesture and il mostro will proudly fly under the Royal Cape Yacht Club burgee for the duration of the Cape Town stopover.”

The adoption will take pace at the V&A Waterfront when the yacht arrives in the Mother City on or about Monday, 3 November. A member of the PUMA Ocean Racing team will hand an il mostro burgee to the Commodore of the Royal Cape Yacht Club, who in return will handover the club’s burgee.

The Volvo Ocean Race began in 1973 as the “Whitbread Round the World Race”. The 11 legs of the legendary yacht race take about nine months to complete as the world’s fastest monohulls cover 39 000 nautical miles in often dangerous waters. The race blends state-of-the-art design and technology, elite sporting performance and extreme adventure. It is a high-endurance, physically-challenging race, sailing continent to continent, in an easterly direction around the globe.

For more information about the race, team and PUMA sailing collections, visit www.pumaoceanracing.com or contact PUMA on (021) 551 0832.

briker

October 28th, 2008, 08:29 AM

SA cities score in global poll
Oct 28 2008 07:14

Johannesburg - South Africa has performed well in a survey of the best cities for business in the developing world.

The project, funded by MasterCard, indentified cities with the highest potential for commercial activity.

South Africa has more cities (Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban) among the top 40 cities than any country outside of Brazil, Russia, India and China (the BRIC nations).

Johannesburg, in the 11th position, has fared better than any cities in Russia, India or Brazil.

China has four cities amongst the top ten.

"South Africa is clearly on the move and worth watching," says the report, which goes so far as mooting the country as a possible future Bric component.

South African cities performed well in a number of categories, including the tax system, the ease with which an enterprise can be established or shut down, and the effective enforcement of contracts.

Johannesburg also scored well for its standard of financial services.

Cape Town, in turn, came first for quality of city life, while Durban and Cape Town shared first place in terms of safety.

In the safety category Johannesburg took eighth position among the 65 cities rated.

Emerging economies will, according to MasterCard, soon contribute 12 times as much to world growth as the developed world does.

Mo Rush

October 28th, 2008, 07:15 PM

Not proposed or planned or possible but happening!

Cape Town set for R30bn facelift

By Leila Samodien

The Cape Town Partnership has revealed its new R30-billion development plan that is intended to change the face of the city.

In its annual report, Cape Town Partnership head Andrew Boraine devoted his full chief executive's report to the Central City Development Strategy (CCDS), which is at present open for public comment.

The R30-billion plan, to be implemented over the next three to five years, would mostly include new developments in the city business district.

Boraine said the CCDS was designed around five outcomes, in the hope of developing a "measurable and realistic" delivery plan for a sustainable future for the central city.

Those outcomes were:

# To expand Cape Town's global reputation as a premier business location.

# Creating a high-quality urban environment that is sustainable.

# Entrench the city centre as the starting point of a greater Cape Town tourism experience.

# Become a leading centre for knowledge, innovation, creativity and culture in the context of Africa and the south.

# Bring all these factors together in a city where diversity is celebrated.

"This is a process to establish a shared vision for the central city and a preferred development path and implement- ation plan for the next 10 years," Boraine said.

"It supports private sector investment within a guiding framework that is consistent with public sector policies and planning."

The annual report, he added, had been drawn up after discussions with a wide range of stakeholders in the city centre.

The document went on to show financial statements, that showed the Cape Town Partnership had this year had a surplus of just over R1-million after covering all its operating expenses.

This figure was significantly higher than the last financial year's surplus, which had amounted to about R77 000.

The Partnership grossed about R7,8-million in revenue and R490 340 in other revenue this financial year, but had also incurred operating expenses of almost R7,3-million.

The financial statements were audited by independent auditor Steven Jennings, who found all the documents to be in order.

"We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion," the auditor said.

In the report, the Partnership also highlighted a number of its other activities, including smaller developments, the creation of business partnerships, events, tourism achievements and its role in the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

"We understand that people may still have preconceived notions about the central city," Boraine said in a note on the way forward.

"We will keep on challenging these through information and educational means, as well as one-on-one interactions …"

Mo Rush

October 28th, 2008, 07:22 PM

Planning for 2010 Soccer World Cup - Cape Town Central City

28 Oct 2008 - eProp - CTP

Intro
Given the location of the 2010 Stadium, Main Transport Hub, CT Station and official FIFA Fan Park, the proper coordination, functioning and management of the Cape Town Central City is essential for a successful World Cup

Following recent discussions, the Cape Town Partnership and the City of Cape Town have agreed to organise activities, spaces and places in the Central City so as to:
• Contribute to a well-organised, efficient and safe World Cup
• Provide a unique and authentic Cape Town experience for visitors
• Enhance involvement of Capetonians
• Maximise economic and social benefits for the poor
• Showcase public and private developments
• Showcase Cape Town’s heritage and culture
• Support branding and marketing of the City of Cape Town
• Contribute to a lasting legacy for the city.

The Partnership and the City of Cape Town are in the process of concluding an agreement for the Partnership to support the Host City in the following ways:
1. Organise, manage and promote the Central City area in such a way so as to complement and support the official FIFA Fan Park on Grand Parade, the proposed Fan Mile, the Main Transport Hub in Hertzog Boulevard and the Stadium.
2. Convene a 2010 Central City Partner’s Forum to communicate and consult with stakeholders and role-players in the Central City about activities, events and opportunities leading up to as well as during the World Cup.

Speaking at the Partnership’s AGM, Andrew Boraine said: “We have seen that many successful experiences for visitors during Germany in 2006 and Switzerland and Austria this year were organised in city centres. In the Cape Town Central City in 2010, we would like to create opportunities for local and international fans to meet in a historic urban setting, and experience local heritage and culture as well as some of the best bars, clubs, restaurants and coffee shops the city has to offer.”

Pieter Cronje of the City of Cape Town said: “In addition to the official FIFA Fan Park planned for the Grand Parade, we want to make use of other public squares such as Greenmarket Square, which will celebrate its 300th birthday in 2010. The City also wants to involve local stakeholders and partners as much as possible, in order to maximise economic and social benefits for Capetonians”.

The first meeting of the 2010 Central City Partner’s Forum will take place on 26 November 2008 at 09h00 at the Cape Sun Hotel. Organisations, businesses, traders and individuals wishing to attend can register with Aziza Patandin of the Cape Town Partnership on 021 419 1881, or online at www.capetownpartnership.co.za.

Mo Rush

October 28th, 2008, 07:37 PM

almost everything you wanted to know about the Cape Town CBD, its current status, future and vision

http://www.capetownpartnership.co.za/images/fileuploads/CCDS%20POP%20DOC_opt.pdf

Kwame

October 29th, 2008, 08:02 AM

Wow, just wow. :eek:

The re-invention of Cape Town will truly be amazing. Those plans are probably some of the best I've seen for a CBD, from the entire continent.

Great updates Mo Rush, Cape Town is truly amazing.

Pule

October 29th, 2008, 08:35 AM

The planned pedestrian bridge over Buitengracht Street looks awesome. had though that CT will consider a tram system but from the article it seems like there's not future for it in CT.

briker

October 29th, 2008, 09:07 AM

Very interesting document. Thanks a million Mo.
Now we know where we are heading to. The city is going to be one amazing place- capable of competing with the best in the world.

Mo Rush

October 29th, 2008, 10:38 AM

The planned pedestrian bridge over Buitengracht Street looks awesome. had though that CT will consider a tram system but from the article it seems like there's not future for it in CT.

BRT is almost as great at a fraction of the cost.

Mo Rush

October 29th, 2008, 10:44 AM

CTP wants to put entire railway station underground

Cape Town Partnership 2008 Annual Report (http://www.capetownpartnership.co.za/images/fileuploads/CTAR2008.pdf)

By Anél Powell

MORE than 150 000 people could be living in the central city within the next 10 years, the Cape Town station could go underground, with subterranean lines all the way to Woodstock, and the historical Camissa River could be transformed into a viable water link between Table Mountain and the sea if an ambitious multibillion-rand strategy to rejuvenate the area is realised.

The Cape Town Partnership's (CTP) central city development strategy was announced at a meeting at which its annual report was discussed yesterday.

With a year to go to its 10th anniversary, the CTP has developed a strategy that would encourage a more "integrated and co-ordinated" response to private and public investment in the city.

Its chief executive, Andrew Boraine, said the strategy was a working document that required public participation and consultation. It would be formalised into a delivery plan by March.

The strategy has five key outcomes that could be achieved in the next 10 years.

Boraine said appropriate densification and housing opportunities would bring people back into the city centre. The strategy aimed to triple the number of inner-city residents from 55 000 to 150 000 by 2018.

"Densification does not necessarily mean high-rise."

There would be 35 to 150 residential units to a hectare and at least 20% of these would be affordable homes.

The city would follow "best use" rather than "best price" practices, Boraine said.

The R400-million upgrade of the Cape Town station is under way. Second-phase possibilities include sinking below ground level some or all of the railway lines to the Woodstock station. This would allow for the equivalent of 35 city blocks of land east of the station to be used for affordable housing, office space or public open spaces.

Boraine said land needed to be reclaimed to allow for further growth. It was proposed that this would also be achieved by dividing the city into 20 neighbourhoods with different height, building form, streets and land use mixes.

Boraine said the City of Cape Town's inner city transport plan would improve public transport. This included the integrated rapid transit system, the first phase of which would be completed by 2010.

"The city will not be sustainable if it cannot solve its transport congestion."

An appropriate parking policy was also needed.

The CTP wants to reinstate the historical connection of the city to the sea along the Camissa River in the next few years.

Given the location of the 2010 stadium, the fan park at the Grand Parade and the importance of Cape Town station as a transport hub, the central city is to be integral to World Cup preparations.

"It is clear if the central city does not work, 2010 won't work."

In keeping with the City of Cape Town's infrastructure-based budget, the CTP has also identified infrastructure as a "key lever" of development.

Boraine said the CTP had experienced good co-operation on projects, despite political tensions between spheres of government. One of the biggest obstacles, however, was red tape or restrictive legislative processes.

Despite the global economic downturn, there was "generally still a lot of development going ahead" in the city. Almost R30 billion in investment is on the cards for the central city and more than R1bn in investment has been completed in the past year or is under construction.

Recent projects include the R230m Convention Towers development, the R345m upgrade of 11 Adderley, the completion of the R260m The District development in Woodstock, and the R100m Holiday Inn Express hotel.

Future projects include the Taj Palace Hotel, to be completed by the middle of next year, the five-star Coral Hotel on Buitengragt, and the R420m hotel on Orange Street.

Hotel developments are essential for 2010, and the central city provides almost 50% of all bed space in Cape Town.

More than 300 events a year are held in the central city.

anel.powell@inl.co.za

Published on the web by Cape Times on October 29, 2008.

Pule

October 29th, 2008, 10:45 AM

BRT is almost as great at a fraction of the cost.

I know but trams will be sexier for CT.

Dames

October 29th, 2008, 01:51 PM

For now BRT is the way to go. Long term...they should consider trams but only maybe for the city bowl and surrounds to minimise costs. Would be great if you can hop on and hop off at different locations in the city.

Mo Rush

October 29th, 2008, 06:54 PM

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TXZGnDS5dKs/SQaerQNGtmI/AAAAAAAABHc/u19KKLtV3Pw/s1600/PP%2B207%2Bcycle%2B2010.jpg

Mo Rush

October 31st, 2008, 04:51 PM

Volvo Ocean Race: Cape Town is calling Team Russia

Thursday, 30 October 2008

Although power reaching in intolerably harsh and wet conditions, the lure and promise of Cape Town is driving Team Russia to battle its way up the rankings for a hero’s welcome in South Africa.

Cape Town locals, Mikey Joubert (bowman) and Cam Wills (grinder and trimmer) have kept the boats spirit high with stories and tales of what to expect at their first port of arrival.

Mikey’s most recent blog mentions he has, “been bragging about our beautiful city (Cape Town) for many years and I now have the chance to show it off.”

Thoughts of course also turn to matters of the stomach; Cam writes; “Cape Town is now drawing close and I’m starting to get that hometown feeling in me of cold beer and rare steak!!”

No doubt Cam is looking forward to the celebrations planned by his friends and family, who from the messages on the Team Russia website, look certain to ensure his requirement for a cold beer and good food will be more than satisfied.

New dad Mikey is also receiving plenty of messages from his family and friends. His blog reports; “We are counting the minutes. How far to go? We keep asking the navigator, much to his annoyance. This is the general feeling on board Kosatka. Cape Town, for many it is a much anticipated stop with unbelievable hospitality and an amazing chance to take a few days out to savour paradise. I am lucky enough to call it home.”

Mikey continues, “Leg one has more than lived up to expectations. Competitively it is exceptionally close. Life on a Volvo 70 has been described in so many different and imaginative ways by people far more qualified than myself, I have read many of these accounts, and I only have one word as comment. Understated.”

“We are racing arguably the most high tech yachts on the planet today. We are being paid to push this awesome machine to its limits and beyond. We are here to discover new boundaries as a team and within ourselves. This yacht has become our second home and I feel proud to be a part of such a project.”

Although everything is under water on board Kosatka and it is unbelievably wet there are only 4 days left to Cape Town and the guys can’t wait to get there.

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/83474975.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193003A50471BAAE0D597C5CEE4FD9019D4E30A760B0D811297

EduardSA

November 1st, 2008, 11:17 PM

Just imagine how cool this photo will look when One&Only, Portside and the stadium are completed. :banana:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/eduardm2/Clipboard01.jpg

Mo Rush

November 1st, 2008, 11:52 PM

Just imagine how cool this photo will look when One&Only, Portside and the stadium are completed. :banana:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/eduardm2/Clipboard01.jpg

'Crime in Cape Town's CBD down'

By Anel Powell

Despite the past financial year being "one of the most difficult in its eight-year history", the Central City Improvement District (CCID) has managed to reduce crime by 28 percent, recycle 15 percent of collected waste and upgrade several public open spaces in Cape Town.

Speaking at Thursday's release of the district's annual report, CCID chair Theodore Yach said there was "huge optimism" about the future of the central city and the role it would play in the 2010 World Cup.

Yach said the CCID, with its partnership with the SA National Defence Force and J & M Cleansing, had successes in reaching its target of recycling 15 percent of its collected waste.

More than 1 000 tons of waste were collected in the past year, with 86 tons of glass, tins, paper and other recyclable waste being diverted from landfill.

J & M Cleansing removes about 100 tons of waste from the city each month.

The CCID has placed 50 cigarette bins and reinstalled more than 50 electrical pole covers. Its cleaning team have removed graffiti from public spaces more than 800 times in the past 12 months.

Yach attributed the CCID's achievements to solid partnerships with the SA Police Service, the CCTV control room, law enforcement, traffic and the Metro police.

He said crime had come down by more than 60 percent in the past five years and by 28 percent in the past year.

More than 200 CCID security officers patrol the CBD.

Chief operations officer Tasso Evangelinos said the CCID had made more than 9 500 arrests in the past year.

The CCID's social development partner Straatwerk has created more than 2 300 shifts for people to work, especially in the removal of graffiti, weeding, taking down illegal posters and the cleaning and sweeping of streets.

The CCID has worked with NGOs to take street children off the street. There are now only 14 children between the ages of 12 and 16 living on the streets, compared with 25 last year.

More than 50 children have been returned to their homes.

"Eight years ago our mandate was to make the central city clean and safe through sound urban management and effective security strategies. The underpinning premise was that if these attempts were successful, it would provide a sound foundation for investment and further development," said Evangelinos.

Yach said the CCID had to devote next year to preparations for the World Cup and beyond.

The CCID has been involved in the first phase of the Integrated Rapid Transit system by giving advice on what will be important for developments in the central city.

Yach said there had been several upgrades to public open spaces, including the R21-million Grand Parade project.

Mo Rush

November 2nd, 2008, 08:51 PM

Volvo yachts speed towards city
Yacht race pumps R250m into city, 30000 bed-nights

By Alison Bevege

Cape Town's V&A Waterfront is bustling with activity as shore crews prepare for the arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race teams expected tomorrow.

It is not known who will take line honours: Ericsson 4, skippered by Torben Grael of Brazil, or Puma skippered by Ken Read of the United States.

Last night the Ericsson 4 team officially held pole position but Puma dropped out of sight at 6am yesterday, entering StealthPlay mode which allows it to hide from the rest of the fleet for 12 hours.

The winner of the leg from Alicante to Cape Town will earn eight points, giving a slight but important early advantage.

The first yacht is expected to sail into Table bay after noon tomorrow. But race stop-over managers World Sport believe it may arrive nearer 5pm.

Media spokesman Chris Haber said it would be good timing for the first-leg winners to arrive just before the official opening ceremony of the race village at 6pm.

A flotilla of yachts from the Royal Cape Yacht Club will be sailing in and the Waterfront will host a free concert by rock group Flat Stanley.

People will be able to watch an "immersive film'' on the race in the onsite dome theatre, or try their luck on the race simulator.

The eight 11-person crews are expected to be exhausted from the gruelling 6 500 nautical mile voyage.

They have been sailing for 22 days. The round-the-world race ends in St Petersburg in Russia in June next year.

The shore-based crews, numbering from 12 to 40 members per team, have been flying into Cape Town since Monday and setting up at the Waterfront in preparation for the arrival of the 70-foot yachts.

Entrants fly in all their own tradespeople, including sail makers, doctors, boat builders, laminators, technology provi-ders and media crew.

Including corporate guests, race managers and other visitors, more than 800 extra people have come to town as part of the contingent, Haber said.

Once the yachts reach port they are hoisted out of the water by crane and given a thorough going-over

Every nut and bolt is inspected to make sure they are in the best possible condition when they set out on November 15 for the next leg of the journey to Kochi in India, a 4 438 nautical mile voyage expected to take three weeks.

"This race is one of the toughest endurance races on the planet,'' Haber said.

"The fatigue is enormous, the guys are nursing various injuries, so a lot of it is rest and relaxation.

"For three weeks they've only eaten freeze-dried food and had limited fresh water.''

Haber said World Sport begins working on organising the R8 million Cape Town stop- over up to two-and-a-half years before the yachts arrive.

He said the race would pump R250m into the Cape Town economy.

"Of that, R45m is spent on accommodation, which is 30 000 bed-nights,'' he said.

The smallest campaign is Delta Lloyd, skippered by Ger O'Rourke of Ireland, with a budget of e4.5 million, which was last night in seventh position. The Irishmen are sailing the yacht that won last year's race, said shore support manager Jeff Condell.

"We are the smallest team and budget,'' Condell said. "If we can fight for podium position at the end of the race we'd be happy.''

"We will be very busy in port,'' he said. "Our hydraulic system needs service work and we have to change an engine.''

Team Puma spokeswoman Kate Fairclough said the yachts that reached port first had more time to get ready for the next leg than the slower yachts.

"If they have broken parts, as some have, they will be extremely busy,'' she said.

"It will be a real race against time.''

As of last night Ericsson 3, skippered by Anders Lewander of Sweden, was in third place, followed by Green Dragon, skipped by Ian Walker of Britain, then Telefonica Blue, skippered by Bouwe Bekking of the Netherlands, and Team Russia, skippered by Andreas Hanakamp of Austria, Delta Lloyd, and, in last place, Telefonica Black, skippered by Fernando Echvarri of Spain.

Published on the web by Cape Argus on November 1, 2008.

Mo Rush

November 3rd, 2008, 11:44 AM

City supports Volvo Ocean Race

The City of Cape Town has pledged R750 000 to support one of the world’s premier yacht racing events, the Volvo Ocean Race. The funding is intended to help position Cape Town as a desirable investment and tourist attraction to the 1.8 billion television viewers who are expected to watch the event.

Ericsson 4 arrives in Cape Town on Sunday morning 2 November 2008

Eight yachts are competing in the race, which started in Alicante, Spain on October 11 and finishes in St Petersburg, Russia, in June next year. When complete, the yachts will have covered a total distance of 31000 nautical miles and stopped over at 10 other ports. If current winds hold, the first yacht to complete the 6 500 mile leg between Alicante and Cape Town is expected to arrive on in the early hours of Saturday, 1 November. The fleet begins the second leg of the race on 15 November.

The yachts are expected to attract several hundred thousand visitors to the V&A Waterfront.

“Cape Town is honoured to once again host the Volvo Ocean Race,” says Councillor Simon Grindrod, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Social Development and Tourism. “The previous visit in 2005/2006 provided substantial financial and promotional benefits. It enhanced Cape Town’s international profile as a world-class tourist destination and contributed R250 million to its economy. Furthermore, in a maritime city like Cape Town, with its strong leisure craft building sector, this event provides an ideal opportunity for studying the world’s leading yachting technology first hand.”

The City of Cape Town’s Tourism Department will promote local tourism and small businesses at the Volvo Race Village by facilitating
access to international visitors, including more than 2000 accredited media representatives.

“During the stopover, a youth sailing academy will be held over three days,” says Gert Bam, Director: Sport, Recreation & Amenities. “Twelve students per day from the Izivunguvungu cadets will be part of this. The Izivunguvungu Sailing School is part of the City’s partnership with the yachting fraternity to promote this sport amongst a broad spectrum of our people, especially disadvantaged youth. One of the graduates of this programme, Seraj Jacobs was selected as a member of Team Shosholoza, South Africa’s entry in the 2007 America’s Cup. Furthermore, the Sport and Recreation Department’s volunteers will be used in areas such as accreditation and logistics. These are valuable training experiences for the big event in 2010. We partner these events to enable us to be ready for 2010.”

Mo Rush

November 3rd, 2008, 12:16 PM

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/83536947.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193003A50471BAAE0D5CEB5205B0E842987E30A760B0D811297
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/83536948.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193003A50471BAAE0D5055E05EE60C57D71E30A760B0D811297

annman

November 5th, 2008, 03:38 PM

Mo Rush

November 5th, 2008, 05:04 PM

Blue Flags for SA beaches
From www.iol.co.za
Now I understand why Durbanites think Sutcliffe is a "kat in hollands" as a tourist city like Durban where beaches mean SO MUCH should not think like this...:ohno:
Anyone know which beaches in CT were awarded Blue Flag status?

November 05 2008 at 02:26PM

Cape Town and Port Elizabeth between them have nine of the 19 beaches that were officially awarded Blue Flag status on Wednesday at a ceremony on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.

The accredited beaches received their Blue Flags at a ceremony held on Marina Beach in San Lameer near Port Shepstone.

Four beaches on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast were accredited along with four beaches in Port Elizabeth and five beaches in Cape Town.

South African municipalities applied to have 35 beaches accredited. The remaining 16 beaches were granted pilot status and could be Blue Flag beaches by 2010.

A glaring omission from the Blue Flag programme were the beaches from Durban.

The eThekwini municipality had six beaches on the programme, but lost their status after unacceptably high sewage-related pollution was detected at five of the city's Blue Flag beaches.

The Blue Flag Programme is owned and run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) which has its head office in Copenhagen.

The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) has been accredited to run the Blue Flag programme in South Africa. Not all beaches are graded by the organisation - only those where the respective municipality has applied to receive a Blue Flag.

There are 2 585 beaches and 614 marinas in 31 countries in the Northern Hemisphere that currently have Blue Flag status.

When the Durban beaches lost their Blue Flag status earlier this year due to poor water quality, the city's municipal manager Sutcliffe demanded that international Blue Flag beach scheme fire its South African co-ordinator, accusing her of "double standards".

Both Wessa and the Blue Flag programme organisers rejected his call.

The eThekwini Municipality then announced that it would be operating its own quality system - the details of which still have to be announced. - Sapa

Cape Town tops in blue flag status

November 05, 2008, 17:30

South Africa will have fewer Blue Flags flying over its beaches this festive season. The number of beaches that received the international approval has dropped slightly, mainly due to higher standards.

Blue Flag national coordinator, Alison Kelly, says: �The drop is attributed to the adherence to the criteria. We have dropped from 22 last year to 19 (beaches) this year and we�re working hard to get those beaches back into the programme."

The Blue Flag symbolises that the beach is environmentally sound and clean. Currently, 35 beaches are participating in the programme and only 19 have received their official Blue Flag accreditation.

Cape Town came out on top and was followed closely by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. A noticeable absence was Durban's famed beaches. The city decided to withdraw from the beach scheme, disapproving of its methods.

Other KwaZulu-Natal coastal attractions such as Margate, Ramsgate and Hibberdene are likely to get a major economic boost.

Mo Rush

November 5th, 2008, 05:05 PM

One&Only to open May 2009
November 05, 2008, 16:45

The father of the modern South African hotel industry, Sol Kerzner, says the R1 billion resort, One & Only Cape Town, will open four months before the scheduled time. Kerzner says the hotel will officially open in May 2009 instead of September, as it was initially planned. He says the resort will create about 550 new jobs.

The new resort, which is still under construction, is situated at the centre of Cape Town's fashionable Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with panoramic views of Table Mountain.

At the media briefing, Kerzner said One & Only Cape Town is the first hotel since he completed the palace of the Lost City in 1992. He says the resort is built by the same contractors building the Green Point stadium.

The seven-storey interiors are created by international acclaimed designers. The resort rooms and suites, the largest in Cape Town with a minimum size of 60 square metres, will all have a private balcony. It is designed to display the hallmarks of excellence found in all resorts around the world.

The rooms will cost about R6 000 a day. The first four-bedroom penthouse on the top floors was pre-sold for about R116 million and Kerzner is aiming for the same price or more for the others.

Mo Rush

November 5th, 2008, 05:19 PM

Cape Town gets its own 2010 show!

Project 2010 editor Craig Urquhart is interviewed by San Reddy on Signal Hill above the Green Point stadium for Cape Town television’s popular new 2010 programme which will be broadcast tonight. The show will focus on Project 2010’s role in providing 24/7 news coverage of South Africa’s World Cup preparations. The weekly programme which is produced by former etv Sport’s anchor Zaid Omar aims to highlight all the progress and developments in the Mother City in the build-up to the tournament.
Photo: Terry February

SA BOY

November 6th, 2008, 07:21 AM

Mo Rush

November 7th, 2008, 01:53 AM

Happy Guy Fawkes

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/3005752111_852de59e4a_o.jpg

Lydon

November 9th, 2008, 11:09 PM

I nearly had a heartattack on Friday night taking a walk along Tableview beachfront when a firecracker went off. A little late for Guy Fawkes. Was just happy it wasn't a gunshot!

annman

November 11th, 2008, 06:23 AM

Seems to be some trouble in paradise, but at least our council communicates their problems and intentions with Capetonians.

2010 costs to delay improvements

November 10 2008 at 08:01PM

By Lindsay Dentlinger

The burden placed on the City of Cape Town to meet the shortfall of R1,9-billion over the next three years to host the 2010 World Cup could delay the improvement of services in the city next year and the appointment of staff.

The city's 2010 team is expected to submit a revised budget requirement list to the council's budget committee this week, after telling the committee on Friday that it needed R450-million more in operational spending during the 2009/10 financial year to meet shortfalls on developing the stadium precinct, the Green Point common and the urban park.

Meeting these requirements alone would require an extra 27 percent in the city's rates income.

Budget committee chairperson Ian Neilson said the city could not afford this and the 2010 team had to reduce the request to R300-million.

On Sunday, the council's DA and ANC caucuses are expected to receive briefings by its officials on the 2010 budget to decide how it will plug the funding gaps over the next three years.

The stadium is already running R685-million over budget and from an original cost of about R3-billion, is now projected to cost at least R4,5-billion.

The director of budgets, Johan Steyl, said the rates increases that would have to pay for the extra funding requests of the city's various departments would not be "palatable".

Over the past three weeks, the budget committee has been considering the extra funding requests from various departments, but Steyl said it was unrealistic to increase the city's revenue by 69 percent to satisfy them.

Steyl has proposed cutting salary hikes for council staff from 13,89 percent to 11,5 percent, increasing tariffs by an average of 11,5 percent and not 8 percent as suggested, transferring 10 percent of electricity sales to the rates account, and using 4 percent of funds allocated for the attrition of staff in rates-funded departments.

The city would replenish the money saved on vacancies in the next financial year, in the 2010/2011 budget.

Neilson said this would allow the city to get through the "2010 bubble".

Mo Rush

November 11th, 2008, 12:34 PM

http://www.cherryflava.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/11/09/pumaracing01.jpg

Mo Rush

November 11th, 2008, 01:02 PM

Where are SA's best beaches?

Article By: Rebekah Kendal
Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:38

Sunscreen: check. Sunglasses: check. Big beach towel: check. Bottle of water and some yummy snacks: check. Ah, the anticipation of spending hours just lounging on the beach, salty seawater, sun-kissed bodies and hot soft sand. Fantastic.

But when you get there, your sandcastle in the sky is shattered. The howling wind whips sand into your eyes, the backwash is so bad that you can’t swim and the annoying horde of teenagers camped next to you keep blowing cigarette smoke in your face.

South Africa has a host of world class beaches, but creating a list of the best ones is a tricky exercise. Not because there is a shortage, but because not everyone wants the same thing from their beach experience.

Ideal conditions for a surfer often involve uncomfortable conditions for everybody else and the nature bunny’s paradise will fall far short of the fashionista’s expectations. Here are some of the best beaches across South Africa that’ll keep everybody happy…

Everybody’s gone surfing…

Surfers are unquestionably the most dedicated beach goers — getting up before the crack of dawn, through all seasons, in their quest for the perfect wave. They also tend to know every nook and cranny along the coastline, but for those still in the dark, here are a few of South Africa’s great surf spots.

Jeffrey's Bay, which is home to the Billabong Pro each July, has been dubbed the surf Mecca of SA. What was once a rustic hippie town, now attracts surfers from all over the world. J-Bay has earned its reputation as the soul of South African surfing because of its perfect points and classic reefs. Hotspots along this stretch of coastline include Supertubes, Kitchen Windows, Boneyards and Bruce’s Beauties(actually at St. Francis).

The west coast’s answer to Jay Bay is Eland’s Bay — a sensational surf spot with classic waves, lovely dunes and great walks. At the best of times, however, its water is icy and the winds pump.

Mdumbe, the jewel of the wild coast, also rivals Jay Bay when it is at its best. Its waves can break for an amazing 500 to 800 metres. On the downside, it is pretty tricky to get to, the facilities are basic and the sharks are a bit pesky.

Durban has a reputation as South Africa's 'surf city' and there are a number of fantastic surf spots along this stretch of the coastline. Bay of Plenty tends to get a bit too overcrowded, with between 60 and 100 surfers battling it out on the waves, while New Pier puts up a consistent wave and at its best is incredibly fast and hollow. Cave Rock is the best big wave spot in Durbs.

First footprint lovers

For those who dream of pristine beaches, untouched by the hordes of summer tourists, and home to almost-extinct species of plants and animals, there are still a number of eco-friendly beaches in South Africa. You just need to know where to find them…

In the Western Cape, the fairly well-known Boulders beach is home to a colony of jackass penguins. It offers fantastic swimming conditions and is the perfect spot if you want to learn how to snorkel. The entrance fee tends to keep the crowds away.

If you venture a little further, Platboombay in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve has unique flora and fauna and beautiful rock pools.

In the Eastern Cape, Port St. Johns is one of the more accessible sections of an otherwise secluded stretch of coastline. Unspoilt and tropical, this beach offers good lazing in the waters of the lagoon.

Kosi Bay, on the north-east corner of South Africa’s coastline (very close to Mozambique) is a paradise for eco-tourists. The pristine estuary is protected by lush marsh forest and mangroves, while crocs and hippos lurk in the Sihadhla River and turtles nest on the beach.

Babes, bikinis and bottles of self-tan...

For some, the beach is the perfect place to see and be seen. Gorgeous bodies, fashion that would make a model proud and just enough feigned indifference to make it all seem irrelevant.

Clifton in Cape Town reigns as South Africa’s most trendy beach. Divided into four separate beaches, Clifton is the watering hole of local celebrities, fashionable gays and Cape Town’s happening crowd. Sheltered by the mountain and immune to most of Cape Town’s nasty wind, this picturesque beach, with its clear icy aquamarine water and white sand, has earned its reputation — it’s postcard perfect.

Slightly less trendy, but still a major hotspot, is Camps Bay. This well-known stretch of palm-lined beach offers a little more action with beach volleyball and the occasional surfer. When you’re done on the beach, pop in to one of the many stylish bars overlooking the sea for a cocktail.

Sandcastles, spades and sticky fingers

Kids want something slightly different out of their beach experience — easy warm waves to play in, endless stretches of sandcastle ingredients and ice-creams. Most of these family-friendly beaches fall along the more forgiving eastern seaboard.

Muizenberg’s almost iconic colourful changing rooms set the tone for a beach that is all about family fun and action. This long stretch of beach, where most Capetonians learn to surf, offers great swimming, walks and even a market.

Not far from this is Fish Hoek, a quiet seaside village with a family-oriented beach. With warm water and an ever-present lifesaving team, this beach offers safe swimming (as long as you don’t venture too far) and fun activities such as sailing or boogie boarding and a play area for young kids.

North Beach, the busiest on Durban’s Golden Mile, also has lifeguards who ensure safe swimming in the warm waters. A wide promenade runs along the beach and on the other side of this are a number of entertainment options from pools and fun-fair attractions to shops and restaurants.

There you have it — a guide to all that’s great about South Africa’s beaches. So, pick a beach, smear on some sunscreen and relax!

Mo Rush

November 11th, 2008, 02:10 PM

Design proposals for the re-facading of the 24-storey provincial government offices in the heart of the Cape Town city bowl. The proposal incorporates several ground breaking sustainability elements including the use of photovoltaic panels in the glass façade of the building.

http://www.bamarchitects.co.za/images/projects/27a.jpg
http://www.bamarchitects.co.za/images/projects/27b.jpg
http://www.bamarchitects.co.za/images/projects/27c.jpg

Dames

November 11th, 2008, 02:41 PM

^^ This is how buildings should be revamped!!! I still can't understand what they did to that podium block in front of the civic centre...still looks unfinished and frankly, much better without that horrible steel structure and 'fruit bowl'. This city really regressed under mfeketo.

Is this pre 2010?

DoviJozi

November 11th, 2008, 06:06 PM

The design has the potential to be quite attractive me thinks.

Lydon

November 11th, 2008, 06:31 PM

^^ That is a really hot design.

briker

November 12th, 2008, 12:34 AM

a monolithic black block. I'm not so sure about this one. Doesnt seem to gel too well in that area.

EduardSA

November 12th, 2008, 07:32 AM

^^ Ya that's what I was thinking. It's an awesome design, but I'm not sure it will work with its surrounding. But hey anything is better than what is currently there lol

hsark

November 12th, 2008, 10:59 AM

black def isn't working for me either hope they change the colours

herb21

November 12th, 2008, 12:12 PM

maybe if the modulate the colours sort of like between a light chacoal to a black or add something in to break up the facade. hmm maybe even a very small modulation. ie within a few tones of each other

Mo Rush

November 12th, 2008, 01:17 PM

Cape Town gears up for holiday visitors

CITY OF CAPE TOWN
MEDIA STATEMENT
11 November 2008

The City of Cape Town has announced a comprehensive safety and cleansing plan for the summer holiday season.

More than a million visitors are expected between November and January next year.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Councillor Dumisani Ximbi, says a Festive Season Co-ordination Committee, representing various City departments, will monitor the implementation of the plan to ensure a safe, clean and enjoyable experience for visitors and residents during the festive season.

"All the relevant City Departments, including Metro Police, Traffic Services, Law enforcement, Fire and Rescue Services, Sport and Recreation, Cleansing, the Event Office and the Marketing and Communication Departments have devised a co-ordinated plan for the festive season. It covers all high risk eventualities such as road traffic accidents, fires, safety and security at beaches, power failures, crowd surges and festival events," Councillor Ximbi says.

"The City of Cape Town extends a warm welcome to all visitors. It will do its best to enhance their stay and ensure their safety. At the same time, we appeal to visitors and residents to help keep the City clean and safe during the holiday period."

As one of the most popular international holiday destinations, Cape Town offers a 307 km coastline with 72 beaches and a variety of parks and nature reserves which will bustle with recreational and leisure activities over the next three months.

The City’s festive season starts on November 30 when the festive lights in Adderley Street are switched on. Thereafter, a series of special events will be held well into the new year.

"Despite the good winter rains, Cape Town still has water restrictions. We appeal to residents and visitors to support our water conservation policies by being water wise," says Cllr Ximbi.

The City’s measures to ensure safety and enhance cleanliness include:

The City's Disaster Management Team is on 24-hour full alert and is geared for all eventualities. The public may report any emergency(including medical, crime, fire and traffic) to the 107 emergency number from a Telkom line. Cellphone users need to dial (021) 480-7700.

About 1 000 staff from Metro Police, Traffic Services, Law Enforcement, and Security and Specialised Services will be on duty. An additional 150 temporary law enforcement staff will be appointed to assist them from the start of the season to January 2009.

There will be regular safety patrols at popular tourist attractions. Operations targeting substance abuse will be held throughout the festive season.

Safety initiatives will include partnerships with other agencies such as the city improvement districts and displaced persons support unit.

The summer season is also the fire season in Cape Town. Fire and Rescue Services are on high alert with 700 full-time fire fighters at 28 fire stations either on duty or on standby across the city. By December 15 another 122 trainee fire fighters will have been deployed. Two helicopters, one operating from the Table Mountain National Park’s fire service headquarters and the other from the Fisantekraal airfield, will provide aerial fire-fighting support. These teams will be reinforced by 112 seasonal fire-fighters currently undergoing training and due for deployment by the end of November. Another 26 reservists will undergo training to assist and support the fire fighters.

The City has a partnership with Western Province Lifesaving which will be on duty at 44 beaches. Two hundred and sixty nine multi-skilled lifeguards will be on duty at major beaches, as well as at regional and community pools across the city.

Twenty five shark spotters are deployed at five beaches - Fish Hoek, Muizenberg, St James, Noordhoek and Glencairn.

There are no new road works planned from mid December to mid January 2009. However, in emergencies where road closures are required, motorists are urged to proceed with caution.

More than R15 million has been budgeted for cleansing. Refuse removal will continue - even on public holidays. Extra refuse removal trucks will be used and more than 900 additional contract cleaners have been appointed to keep business districts, scenic routes and beaches clean.

Ends

bloatedstomach

November 12th, 2008, 09:35 PM

The design is quite cool, but the colours don't fit in with the surrounding buildings. It may stand out like a sore thumb.

RavenX

November 13th, 2008, 10:05 AM

http://www.bamarchitects.co.za/images/projects/27a.jpg
http://www.bamarchitects.co.za/images/projects/27b.jpg

For those that think that this doesn't fit well with the surrounding buildings, ~ this impression is caused by the low quality of the render lighting on the model.

The black glass should have a higher reflective index in the render ~ which would have both the sky & neighbouring buildings reflected in it, as well as the sunlight reflecting off of it ~ this would make the black less matt, and lessen the stark contrast against the sky & existing buildings.

Also the shadowing & shading is way off on the render as well.

Knowing how glass works in being able to blend a tall structure into it's surrounding landscape, I think that this facade will look pretty darn cool, also the yellow trim is also meant to be metallic (think a lighter shade of gold).

Cheers

RavenX

Jakes1

November 13th, 2008, 10:22 AM

I quite like it... better then a brown or grey monolith!

Mo Rush

November 13th, 2008, 11:16 AM

was at HSBC today and thought I'd visit this building which is opposite mandela rhodes.

the building is quite fantastic but in need of an upgrade.
i would not change much wrt the first ten floors or so i.e. the non-tower structure. its a beautiful, imposing and classy structure.

I would only change the tower that rises to the top. I would do a Mandela Rhodes type vibe which btw is bloody amazing!!, and consider a glass structure like the one proposed but keeping it very simple and clean.

anyway, walked through st. georges mall! its bloody fantastic...a quick coffee at riboville, or a walk by the cape argus and cape times entrance..its got an awesome vibe! the reality of our cbd is so much better than pics or plans.

crazyloca

November 13th, 2008, 01:20 PM

Mo Rush

November 13th, 2008, 04:42 PM

I also had a walk around the CBD after work yesterday - it is fantastic! (imagine without the wind.. ahh). The new paved squares all over the place really make it pedestrian friendly, and there were city security guys everywhere. One square has funky metalic shark-shaped wind sock things which float around happily - really great. I did get charged R45 for parking for a few hours %$^&*!! Watch out for that!

Anyone know what is going on in the pic below. It is opposite Portside (like right by all the larger buildings. Investec etc..)

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/stevehanauer/CT%20Discussion/12112008.jpg

I actually can't keep track, 4 buildings on Adderley are under construction or being refurbished, some more in Long, another near the waterfront being refurbished and holes everywhere and new little roads!!

Our CBD won't be perfect come June 2010 but it will be the best CBD RSA has ever seen.

Mo Rush

November 14th, 2008, 01:47 PM

'Stadium will be elegant, a true winner' - Managing Director of SBP

By Clayton Barnes

Elegant and respectful to its surrounding beauty. That's how award-winning structural engineer Knut Goeppert on Thursday described what Cape Town's multimillion-rand 2010 World Cup stadium will be once completed.

Goeppert, managing director of the structural engineering company Schlaich Bergermann and Partner, is responsible for the spokewheel-shaped stadium roof.

Goeppert said the Green Point stadium was the only stadium in the country that was complemented by internationally renowned landmarks.

"The most challenging aspect of deciding on a roof design for Cape Town was the site and location," said Goeppert. "All the other stadiums in the country were away from the city and on flat land, but in Cape Town we had a challenge. The stadium was in the middle of the city and we had a huge mountain in the background."

Goeppert said in the end, he and his team decided on the spoke-wheel structure.

"This shape has been used before, but it will be elegant in Cape Town because of the location," he said. "I'm confident that Green Point stadium is going to be our number one stadium. A true winner."

Goeppert added that Green Point stadium was set to become one of the most recognised stadiums in Africa after the 2010 World Cup.

Goeppert is an award winning structural engineer. He has been involved in building 15 World Cup stadiums across the world.

"Different from many recent large-scale stadiums, the 2010 Green Point stadium will be an elegant and sustainable solution, structurally sound and unique.

"The 36 000m2 roof is curved to give the stadium a flowing look from every perspective. It will be translucent to take full advantage of natural light."

Because of Cape Town's notorious south-easter, the roof will be weighted down using 3 500 tons of steel and 1&nbsp000 tons of glass. Construction of the roof, which started in September, will take almost a year.

http://www.animago.com/animago/2007/animago/high/0777.jpg

waltjie

November 15th, 2008, 11:48 PM

I quite like it... better then a brown or grey monolith!

Me too.. I think it looks great. And like RavenX says, it will be much more reflective.

dysan1

November 16th, 2008, 12:48 PM

Mo Rush

November 16th, 2008, 04:39 PM

Alot of what it says is true, but its not the only stadium being built "in the city"

it is a beauty tho. It and the Durban one are frightfully similar, the architects must have saved a fortune on design costs

Moses was adapted from the GMP competition entry for a new stadium in Russia.
Green Point's design was a result of the ROD, location and initial conceptual design by Louis Karol and Paragon.

The facade columns are definitely similar, but thats a GMP look, for almost all its new stadia. The stadium bowl is nothing like Moses, since its designed for excellent sight lines and atmosphere. Secondly, its roof is the first of its kind in the country, adapted from the Berlin Olympiastadion roof.

Mo Rush

November 16th, 2008, 04:48 PM

Cape Town says goodbye to Volvo Ocean Race fleet

http://www.volvooceanrace.org/images/Assets/L1_FIN_E3_RT_6941_600x400.jpg

Excitement is beginning to mount as the eight Volvo Ocean Race yachts prepare to depart on the second leg of the race to Cochin, India on Saturday, 15 November.

The state of the art yachts are competing in the internationally renowned Volvo Ocean Race, a notoriously tough course which covers 31 000 nautical miles and stops at 10 other ports besides Cape Town.

The race began in Alicante, Spain on October 11 and is scheduled to finish in St Petersburg, Russia in June 2010. Cape Town is the first stopover along the route, and whilst the crew have been resting, the yachts have been hauled out to repair damages sustained during the first leg of the race, which lasted a gruelling 3 ½ weeks.

For Capetonians, the race restart (as the start of the second leg is known) is a unique opportunity to participate directly in the thrill of this world class race. Proceedings will begin with a blessing of the fleet at 11:35, after which there will be a departure ceremony, in which the boats will leave the dock to go to the race course. The actual race will restart at 13:00.

The City has received a routing for the yachts’ departure (click here to view the route and schedule of the event). The fleet will leave the Waterfront, sail out towards Milnerton and Blaauwberg, return inshore towards the Radisson Hotel area and finally sail along the coast to Camps Bay and Llandudno before heading out to open waters.

The City of Cape Town would like to encourage residents to demonstrate Cape Town’s unique brand of hospitality by giving the yachts the best send-off ever. The event will be televised to an estimated 1.8 billion people, and the publicity will help position the city as a desirable investment and tourist choice.

The best viewing sites for the restart are the Milnerton and Blaauwberg beaches, the area just past the Radisson Hotel and the various parking spots along Victoria Road, which stretches from the Waterfront, goes past the Mouille Point Lighthouse, Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Camps Bay and Llandudno and finishes in Hout Bay.

Once over, the restart will be celebrated at the PUMA official Volvo Ocean Race Cape Town Stopover farewell party, which will be held at Quay 4, at the Waterfront at 15:00. For many, this is the only fitting way in which to mark the end of what has truly been a thrilling – and beneficial experience for the people of Cape Town.

One sector that has boosted its income via the stopover is Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the craft industry. The Cape Town Stopover Craft Showcase, held in collaboration with the Cape Craft and Design Institute and the City of Cape Town, gave up to 30 different artisans the opportunity to demonstrate their manufacturing processes and products during the stopover.

The race has also been a powerful mechanism to educate young people about a variety of issues including technology, teamwork, the environment and the virtues of sporting achievement. Combining these important lessons with the fun of a visit to the specially set up Volvo Race Village made for an unforgettable educational experience for youths from a range of Western Cape Communities.

Schoolchildren from over 10 different schools and clubs and over 50 underprivileged township youths were brought to the Race Village for a general tour and entertaining day out. The Bathandiwa House in Khayelitsha, which houses 24 children with various disabilities, also sent a group to experience the magic of the Volvo Race Village.

http://www.volvooceanrace.org/images/Assets/VOR11195_600x400.jpg

The race also provided the city with a valuable learning opportunity ahead of the 2010 World Cup. Over the course of the two-week stopover, over 50 local volunteers were deployed to perform duties in the Race Village, such as managing operations and event logistics.

The Volvo Ocean Race organisers and the Isivunguvungu Sailing Academy also hosted a Youth Sailing Academy at the Race Village over three days. On each day, twelve students from the Izivunguvungu Sailing Academy were given the opportunity to learn the art of sailing from the yacht crews.

The City of Cape Town would like to take this opportunity to wish the participating yachts a safe and pleasant race.

http://www.volvooceanrace.org/images/Assets/L1_FIN_ERT4_DK_2732_600x400.jpg

dysan1

November 16th, 2008, 07:11 PM

Moses was adapted from the GMP competition entry for a new stadium in Russia.
Green Point's design was a result of the ROD, location and initial conceptual design by Louis Karol and Paragon.

The facade columns are definitely similar, but thats a GMP look, for almost all its new stadia. The stadium bowl is nothing like Moses, since its designed for excellent sight lines and atmosphere. Secondly, its roof is the first of its kind in the country, adapted from the Berlin Olympiastadion roof.

Maybe us non experts dont get it, but they look like good knock offs of each other

Mo Rush

November 16th, 2008, 07:31 PM

Maybe us non experts dont get it, but they look like good knock offs of each other

All of GMP's new designs and competition entries use column facades or features of previous stadia.

GMP's Camp Nou stadium competition entry

http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/gif/20070925/campnoudos6.jpg
http://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/1209153549_102_2088.jpg

The arch and cables of GMP's St Petersburg stadium entry

http://www.avant-spb.ru/images/konkurs/new_gmp_1.jpg
http://www.avant-spb.ru/images/konkurs/new_gmp_2.jpg

GMP's Warsaw stadium design

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/2/4891/z4891512X.jpg
http://www.greenpointcommon.co.za/_imgs/gpca_stadium_4.jpg

herb21

November 16th, 2008, 08:03 PM

The cape town one is possibly the most elegant realistation of a lot of similar designs

Durbsboi

November 17th, 2008, 07:09 AM

its nothing fancy but looks good. I think the main aspect will be the lighting that will bring the stadium to life. Just like that render. Nothing out of the ordinary like Allianz with red, blue but the soft yellow or bright white.

Pule

November 17th, 2008, 10:24 AM

A bird's eye view of the Mother City
November 17 2008

A six-year dream will be realised this December in the form of hospitality management company Relais Hotels' newest and most innovative hospitality offering in Cape Town - Harbour Bridge Hotel and Suites.

Shortly after the environmental impact assessment and urban design guidelines and directives were concluded in 2001, Relais Hotels initiated its plans for the Harbour Bridge Hotel and Suites, this venture will soon become known as the most pioneering, modern and inventive of hotels in Cape Town's Roggebaai Tourism Precinct.

Harbour Bridge is situated on the Roggebaai Canal Waterfront in Cape Town's CBD within the CTICC (Cape Town International Convention Centre) Precinct and is ideally positioned on the fringe of the V&A Waterfront.

This six-floor state-of-the-art hotel offers no less than a 360-degree view of the best the Mother City has to offer. With a fresh water canal running through the hotel development, complete with "Venetian" water-taxis, Harbour Bridge Hotel and Suites links the city to the sea. The paved pedestrian walkway of the Precinct follows a cool and exciting cosmopolitan look and feel, seamlessly connecting the hub of the Convention Centre to the V&A Waterfront.

Offering forty quality rooms and seventeen luxury suites, Harbour Bridge Hotel and Suites offers clear lines and high-quality furnishings, along with pure luxury and modern elegance.

A cool and exciting cosmopolitan look and feel A Business Centre offers Internet, faxing, printing and photocopying services. High-speed wireless Internet connection for individual laptops is also available. The hotel's boardroom accommodates up to twenty delegates.

Five-star amenities combined with state-of-the-art meeting facilities will make Harbour Bridge Hotel and Suites the hottest property on the business and conference circuit. There is also a roof top pool & sundeck and a bistro café. Ample secure onsite undercover parking is also available.

Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites is open for business from December 22, 2008.

Opening Special Rates are priced from R420 per person sharing per night on a room only basis.

For reservation enquiries, call 0861 RELAIS (735 247), toll free via 0800 600 889 or email cro@relais.co.za. To contact the hotel directly, call 0801 111 777.

CTMAN

November 17th, 2008, 11:06 AM

joburg

November 17th, 2008, 11:17 AM

a dolphin or a shark?

EduardSA

November 17th, 2008, 11:25 AM

^^ Most probably a seal. Lots of them in that area...

Mo Rush

November 17th, 2008, 04:21 PM

City issues tender to enhance global competitiveness

14 NOVEMBER 2008

The City of Cape Town has issued a tender calling on expert consultants with local and international experience to present proposals to enhance Cape Town’s global competitiveness.

Mansoor Mohamed, the City’s Executive Director for Economic, Social Development and Tourism said: “A key strategy of the City is to create an enabling environment for Cape Town’s economy to grow and become globally competitive. The proposed research will look into the competitive strengths and weaknesses of Cape Town in comparison to its global competitors. The research findings will be incorporated in the City’s economic development strategy and implementation plan.

Cape Town has a competitive advantage in tourism and boasts one of the leading convention centres in the world; it has a high concentration of tertiary learning institutions and has recently been ranked No. 1 in entrepreneurship in South Africa in a 10 year independent study. The City is positioning Cape Town as a global knowledge, creative and innovation hub with a strong focus on small, medium and micro enterprises (smme’s).

It is busy implementing a world class bus rapid transit system and the fibre optic cable for its municipal broadband network is being laid. Cape Town has established itself as a favoured operating base for the world film industry and is a preferred location for the call centre sector. It has a well established base for operations related to the West African offshore oil industry. The region is also a leading producer of agricultural produce and wine.”

Executive Mayor Helen Zille said: “This study is part of a range of initiatives being undertaken by the City to guide its planning and investments for the next decade, with a view to promoting sustainable economic growth and job creation. We hope that it will help guide broader, coordinated efforts to promote economic growth in Cape Town involving business, academic institutions, various spheres of government, parastatals and development agencies.”

The tender closes on 04 December 2008 and further details can be found on the City’s website: www.capetown.gov.za It is listed as a new tender on the Finance Directorate, Supply Chain Management page: http://www.capetown.gov.za/tenders

Mo Rush

November 17th, 2008, 04:21 PM

Major community/tourism project to hit Cape Town

MEDIA ALERT/INVITATION

14 NOVEMBER 2008

All media are invited to the launch of a major community and tourism project in Cape Town, initiated by Koos Bekker and Prof Rachel Jafta of Naspers. It is fresh and exciting and aims to bring the diverse people of Cape Town together through music, dance and above all FUN.

It will be all inclusive, bringing together communities, commerce, the tourism industry and government to the benefit of the communities of Cape Town. It promises to be one of the biggest events in the Cape Town ‘season’, attracting South Africans and foreigners to our shores.

This is one event where you want to be there from the beginning.

The actual nature of the event that is being launched is a secret and all will be revealed by Executive Mayor Helen Zille.

Date: Monday 17 November 2008
Time: 18:00
Venue: Long Street (between Dorp & Leeuwen Street), Cape Town (follow the sounds of mirth

Mo Rush

November 18th, 2008, 02:35 AM

City launches Cape Town Carnival

MEDIA RELEASE
NO. 639/2008
17 NONVEMBER 2008

Executive Mayor Helen Zille has announced an exciting new venture on the tourism calendar for Cape Town. From 2010, Cape Town will have an annual all inclusive Carnival that will aim at bringing together the diverse communities of the city through music, dance, creative and cultural expression, culminating in a weekend of inclusive fun for Capetonians and visitors alike.

“Upon visiting Rio, we identified that Cape Town has no shortage of cultural offerings combining music, dance and other kinds of creativity, however, these all seem to be catering for particular niches. One thus never sees the rich tapestry of music genres, cultural representations and dance styles together, as an expression of the heart of Cape Town, rich in its diversity,” says Professor Rachel Jafta, founding member and chairperson of the Cape Town Carnival Trustees.

“We wanted to create something new, where communities interact and celebrate our uniqueness, but also unite as citizens of one of the most beautiful cities of the world,” says Rachel.

She goes further by identifying the three main objectives of the Carnival as being “the enhancement of social cohesion and cultural expression, the building of community self-esteem and development and the creation of positive spin-offs for the local economy and especially tourism.”

The inaugural Cape Town Carnival will be held from 12–14 March 2010, in between the Argus Cycle Tour and the Two Oceans Marathon, therefore adding to the tourism calendar. The theme for the 2010 Carnival is “Rhythm, Roots & Boots”, giving the participants a chance to put on their dancing shoes, fire up their rhythms and tell wonderful visual stories of diverse and common roots that span lifetimes.

The Friday night of the Carnival will be known for Carnival balls and dancing, whether it is in a community hall, at a participating hotel or club or a beach or street party. The Trust would love everyone to accredit their event to be formally included in the Carnival programme.

On the Saturday, eight groups consisting of between 1500–3000 artists (dancers, musicians, singers etc.) will parade through the streets with magnificent floats reaching 2–3 storeys’ high. At midday the actual competition will start, with the groups performing for 60 minutes each. Professional judges will evaluate the groups with their input accounting for 50% of the points. The rest will be determined by SMS voting from the public. At the stroke of midnight the winners will be announced and the top five groups will automatically qualify to enter into the next Carnival. The other three places will be competed for again in knock-out rounds. And then the city will party on.

The Carnival songs will be recorded and distributed for months prior to the event with the intention that the public will get to know the songs and join in whilst their favourite group dazzle the judges and audiences.

More
The Carnival model has been developed to create groups of communities, crossing across geographical and cultural boundaries, working towards a common goal. The Trust would ideally like to see large corporate firms adopt a group, not only through corporate sponsorship, but also through the involvement of their corporate employees, assisting in the designing and building of floats and costumes and participating in the actual performances. “The idea is that ordinary citizens from diverse groups will work together to create something amazing the engineer from Rondebosch, getting to know the Grade 12 student from Langa. We hope that the ‘creative’s ad agencies, designers, architects, engineers, musicians and tailors will all offer their expertise to create the largest, most exciting Carnival in Africa,” says Isabel Meyer, Programme Manager of the Cape Town Carnival.

Although the idea was inspired by the Rio Carnival, the Cape Town Carnival will be uniquely South African. The Rio Carnival attracts approximately 500 000 visitors to the city and is broadcast across all the continents. The Carnival Trustees are confident that, with the buy-in of everyone in our communities, commerce, tourism and creative industries, Cape Town could follow suit in the years to come.

http://www.capetowncarnival.com

The Cape Town Carnival Trust (CTCT) is an organization for Public Benefit. Its aim is to create and sustain a community project which will bring together the communities from Cape Town across cultural and socio-economical boundaries through music, dance, creative and cultural expression, culminating in a weekend of inclusive furn for Capetonians and visitors alike.

briker

November 18th, 2008, 06:22 AM

Mo Rush

November 18th, 2008, 07:21 AM

Just read a similar article. It's awesome news. The Cape Coons festival has lost its shine over the years, and it was time to replace it with something more spectacular & on par with the Rio carnival.

the minstrel festival has lost its shine because of the DA and ridiculous barriers and rules in place!!
it wont be replaced, it will still run in december janauary and remains popular.

Lydon

November 18th, 2008, 11:07 AM

I hate that minstrel carnival. I'm sorry but those people drive me nuts.

herb21

November 18th, 2008, 04:16 PM

The problem is the minstrel carnival lacks a certain cohesion and funding

Mo Rush

November 18th, 2008, 06:28 PM

The problem is the minstrel carnival lacks a certain cohesion and funding

exactly.the DA have just made it worse with their sudden "disaster management" plans. they kill the atmosphere with fencing and aggressive police.

Mo Rush

November 18th, 2008, 06:59 PM

Terminal 2010 on track for 2009

By Clayton Barnes

The construction of Terminal 2010, Cape Town International Airport's new multimillion-rand passenger terminal, is on track and expected to be complete by the end of 2009, the airport's general manager has disclosed.

Speaking to the Cape Argus in an exclusive interview on Monday, Airports Company South Africa's (Acsa) Cape Town general manager, Deon Cloete, said that in spite of the "nasty" winter weather, construction work on the new terminal was up to date and well on track ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

He said the "substantial progress" was thanks to dedicated workers committed to "getting the job done".

Work on the new R1,5-billion terminal development, which is scheduled to be complete by August, started in 2006 and is predicted to change the face of Cape Town's airport forever.

"We will be phasing in the new terminal, but it should be fully operational by early 2010," said Cloete.

"By 2009's third quarter, T2010 (Terminal 2010) would have been completed already."

Other big airport projects include a second 4 000-bay multistorey parkade, an R82m road network upgrade, and upgrades to the apron.

All the projects are expected to be completed by next year, and fully operational by May 2010, Cloete said.

About 80 percent of the projects would be commissioned and completed in 2009.

"The rest of the work will just be minor additions, but will be completed by 2010."

Cloete said he was not too concerned about the actual building and construction as he was confident that the structures would be completed in time.

Instead, he said, Acsa was focused on planning, and how to staff its operations during the World Cup.

"The focus is shifting away from the building side to the operations side of it," Cloete explained.

"We are working with all the role-players and partners to make sure we host a successful World Cup, and to make sure our guests and visitors reach Cape Town, their hotels, the stadium and their home countries safely."

Cloete said all airlines, tourist companies and the government were working together to make sure everything went according to plan.

"There is extensive planning under way," he said.

"In terms of security, which is absolutely critical, we are constantly in negotiations and planning with the police and all the agents in the security fraternity.

"The airport's police station has recently also doubled its manpower from 100 police officers to 200 officers."

Terminal 2010 will have 120 check-in desks, 20 self-service customer machines, 10 carousels, 11 security points and 10 passenger-loading bridges.

Upon completion of the parkades, there will be more than 8 000 parking bays, and the road network around the airport will be able to accommodate about 2 500 cars an hour. The current capacity is 1 200 cars an hour.

About 23 000 passengers pass through Cape Town International Airport every day.

Mo Rush

November 18th, 2008, 07:14 PM

Zakumi is that scary 2010 creature. Laser lights...lights...and funny singers.

Cape Town Mayor, Zakumi to switch on festive lights

By Luyanda Makapela

Cape Town - The 2010 FIFA World Cup mascot Zakumi and other soccer icons will join Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille in officially launching the city's summer holiday season when the festive lights are switched on 30 November at 8pm.

According to a statement released by the city on Monday, the aim of the festive lights is to spread joy by lifting the spirits of local residents and welcoming tourists during the summer holidays.

Mayor Zille said the event will provide Cape Town with an opportunity to test its ability to stage big events in the run-up to 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"We are expecting an influx of over one million visitors and the municipality has devised a comprehensive festive season co-ordination plan to promote a safe, secure and clean holiday for residents and visitors," the mayor said.

The event will kick off on 30 November, at 4pm with a star-studded stage concert at the Heerengracht Fountain, featuring local stars such as Loyiso; Idols winner Jody Williams; Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels; Dozi; Die Burger U-tune winner Alfredo Prins; Loading Zone; Maphello and Drum Caf,.

Drumming whiz kid, the six year-old Daniel Petersen from Kraaifontein, who recently returned from a standing ovation performance in New Orleans, will demonstrate his drumming skills and do a special drum roll in the countdown to the switch on, according to City of Cape Town.

A musical tribute to the late Mama Africa, Miriam Makeba will also be performed by the South African Youth Choir which will include her best known international hit, "The Click Song".

Mayor Zille further said a special team designed the new light crossings to incorporate a strong emphasis on the world cup soccer themes.

"This will be done with some of the more traditional elements being retained, but the huge Christmas tree at the top end of Adderley Street will be replaced with an indigenous aloe plant," she said.

Two large LED screens will be placed in Adderley Street to allow the expected 50 000 spectators to follow all the action on stage.

The show will be complemented by a dazzling laser light display which will be bounced off mirrors and buildings along the street.

The Adderley Street lights will stay on up until mid-January 2009.

From 25 November, another 11 festive lights switch-on have been confirmed in Bothasig, Kensington, Lwandle, Macassar, Parow, Strand, Gordon's Bay, Sir Lowry's Pass, Melkbosstrand, Sea Point and Ysterplaat.

City of Cape Town Public Lighting Manager, Charles Kadalie said this will help in creating a festive atmosphere across the metropole.

"We want to spread joy to all communities, especially to those who are unable to experience the Adderley Street display," he said. - BuaNews

Lydon

November 18th, 2008, 07:21 PM

Join the Facebook group: "Whoever designed the Zakumi should be put inside of it. And set on fire."

EduardSA

November 18th, 2008, 07:33 PM

exactly.the DA have just made it worse with their sudden "disaster management" plans. they kill the atmosphere with fencing and aggressive police.

Hhhmm I don't really think that this is the cause of the recent problems with the Minstrel Festival, however I'm not excluding that it might have some sort of effect. But to tell you the truth, the Minstrel Festival did get out hand sometimes and it was hard to coordinate, which can dangerous. The DA didn't instil anything that is more strict or restrictive than any other city in Europe, America, or Australia. I think they care more about public safety than anything else, which is good cuz that what I expect my local government to think about. Anyway the main problem with Minstrel Festival is the lack of funding and regulation/coordination. But it's great we will have another festival, the more the merrier :)

Mo Rush

November 18th, 2008, 08:10 PM

Hhhmm I don't really think that this is the cause of the recent problems with the Minstrel Festival, however I'm not excluding that it might have some sort of effect. But to tell you the truth, the Minstrel Festival did get out hand sometimes and it was hard to coordinate, which can dangerous. The DA didn't instil anything that is more strict or restrictive than any other city in Europe, America, or Australia. I think they care more about public safety than anything else, which is good cuz that what I expect my local government to think about. Anyway the main problem with Minstrel Festival is the lack of funding and regulation/coordination. But it's great we will have another festival, the more the merrier :)

It was and is a cause. Saw the attacks(on video too), and this bitch DA planner who knows shit about the minstrel festival put down ridiculous restrictions making the event more of a risk than it was before. This coming from a DA supporter.

There are major problems though with funding, too many wanting to be in charge etc. but its meant to be an "open" event for the communities, to celebrate the liberation, and has run well without the ridiculous rules by the DA.

EduardSA

November 18th, 2008, 08:25 PM

It was and is a cause. Saw the attacks(on video too), and this bitch DA planner who knows shit about the minstrel festival put down ridiculous restrictions making the event more of a risk than it was before. This coming from a DA supporter.

There are major problems though with funding, too many wanting to be in charge etc. but its meant to be an "open" event for the communities, to celebrate the liberation, and has run well without the ridiculous rules by the DA.

Did it go through public participation before these restrictions were put in place? Cuz if you're right, someone should speak out about it. Btw what restrictions did they put in place? Because I know of the new guidelines they introduced regarding events and festivals putting it in line with other major cities around the world, but it sounds as though special guidelines were put in place for this event.

The E.N.D

November 18th, 2008, 08:29 PM

Come on,Zakumi is not that bad.The cartoon version of Zee is cute and on par with other successful mascots.Does anyone remember Germany's Goleo,now that was a hot mess of a mascot.

Lydon

November 18th, 2008, 09:01 PM

Leopards don't have manes...'nuff said.

Mo Rush

November 19th, 2008, 05:52 AM

Cape Town R210m short on R18 billion budget

By Anél Powell

THE City of Cape Town will have to find another R210 million for extra 2010 World Cup costs - down from the initial ask for R450m - but it could mean ratepayers may have to make do with lower levels of service delivery.

Despite this, the city was "closer to a solution" than it was last week, said budget committee chair and mayoral committee member for finance Ian Neilson.

The city's budget committee met yesterday for the third time to review possible ways of funding the shortfall without making drastic changes to rates and tariffs.

City director of budgets Johan Steyl said the amount needed in the city's operating budget for 2010 was R539m, but provision had been made for a "considerable" proportion of this. The city had provided R97m in its 2008/09 operating budget for 2010 costs. Some of this money would continue to be available in 2009/10.

Steyl said R103m had been projected in the 2009/10 budget, so the amount that had yet to be provided for was R210m.

The city could generate this revenue if it set the CPIX at 8%. If it set the CPIX at 6%, with a rates increase of 7.5%, additional revenue of R257m would be available for 2010 projects.

Neilson said he was concerned that a CPIX or inflation base of 6% would have a "serious impact" on the city's service delivery. The CPIX or rate of inflation is used by the city as a base to estimate its cost increases for the next financial year. It also determines tariff increases.

Neilson said the city had "seriously underprovided" in its 2008/09 budget by setting the CPIX at 6.5%, only for the inflation rate to reach 13%.

A CPIX of 10% would be more "comfortable" because it would allow the city to allocate money for maintenance and repairs in essential services.

"If it was cut to 6%, it would mean a 4% cut to all departments, which would have a serious impact on service delivery."

The ID caucus leader and mayoral committee member for economic development, Simon Grindrod, said the city had a responsibility not to place more financial pressure on ratepayers.

Peter Gabriel (ANC) agreed that more time was needed to review the city's budget options.

Neilson said a date for a fourth budget review would be set in the next few days. But he assured the committee that a solution to the 2010 shortfall was possible.

"In terms of the R18-billion budget, we are going to cope and we are going to deliver 2010. But we do believe the national government must come on board. This is not something that will break us in any way."

anel.powell@inl.co.za

Published on the web by Cape Times on November 18, 2008.

Mo Rush

November 19th, 2008, 03:52 PM

World Cup won't hit peak-hour traffic

By Clayton Barnes

Peak-hour traffic in and out of the city will not be affected during the 2010 Fifa World Cup as seven of the nine Cape Town matches will be played at night, the Cape Town Partnership has revealed.

Cape Town Partnership chief executive Andrew Boraine said motorists need not panic about their driving routines during the 2010 event, as most of the World Cup games were expected to kick off at 8:30pm.

He said seven of the nine Cape Town matches were scheduled for the evening, two matches were expected to be played on a Saturday, with only one match scheduled for a week day. The scheduled times have been confirmed on the Fifa website.

"We don't foresee any traffic problems during that time as peak traffic time won't really be affected," said Boraine.

"There won't be any hassles as most people leave the city by 5pm and travel into the city to start their working day at about 8am."

However, the city's roads and stormwater executive director, Eddie Chinnappen, said interventions were still being planned to minimise congestion and ease traffic flow in the city centre during the World Cup.

The alignment of the school and tertiary education holidays over the event period, to reduce background traffic movement, had already been made.

The implementation of a strategy to encourage people to take leave on match days, and for companies to allow employees to work more flexible hours, was also being negotiated.

The introduction of the Inner City Rapid Transit Feeder service, to reduce internal CBD trips in private vehicles, was on track too.

"The city has prepared a 2010 World Cup Host City Transport Operations Plan and Venue Operations Plan for the Green Point precinct, CBD and airport," said Chinnappen.

"These operation plans will guide the implementation and operation of transport measures during the event.

The plans are also being continually updated as new information becomes available."

Chinnappen said no restrictions would be placed on the number of vehicles travelling in and out of the CBD on match days.

There would, however, be temporary road closures in the Green Point precinct and CBD for a few hours before and after matches.

"These will, however, be publicised and alternative routes will be identified," he said.

Mo Rush

November 20th, 2008, 05:19 AM

Cape Town an investment paradise

SUBSTANTIAL capital injection and sound public sector directives on rejuvenating Cape Town has transformed the city into a haven for private residential investment returns with the effects filtering across the broader region, a new report has revealed.

The Trafalgar City Report 2008, now in its seventh edition, has confirmed that Maitland is among the country’s leading residential areas with average property prices escalating 417% in the past two years. In the Cape Town city centre, prices have grown 37% annually amid a strong demand for three bedroom properties and a decline in bachelor and one and two-bedroom homes.

This reflects the rising average household incomes, growing families and changing space requirements among Cape Town’s city dwellers.

Franschhoek has benefited from a 50% increase in average prices and more than three-quarters of the properties available on the market were transferred to new owners within the prior two-year period.

Nationally, data collated from deed office information indicates that highly sought-after areas have experienced dramatic property price hikes despite climbing interest rates. Elsewhere, the interest rate has claimed victims via lower sales prices or a marked decrease in sales activity and transfers.

Some areas show a sales growth in three-bedroom houses and a corresponding drop in smaller home purchases, whereas other areas show an increase in smaller home purchases as entry-level homeowners seek cheaper options in bachelor flats and one-bedroom homes.

The flipside were decreases in the average prices achieved in Woodstock (25% lower), Mowbray (20%), University Estate (18%) and further afield in Hermanus (13%). Although University Estate sustained more sales in 2007 than the previous year, the report commented that the lower average price reflected the growing demand for cheaper one and two-bedroom units.

Stellenbosch also experienced a drop in sales activities across the board.

According to the report, the Cape Town Partnership – an independent public private sector body established to develop, manage and promote the Cape Town central city – has put into place quality urban management systems and guidelines based on the specific local characteristics for areas within the central city. This has prompted investments totalling R18 billion and the upgrading of more than 170 buildings with another R28-30 billion earmarked for the next three to five years.

“Virtually all projects are progressing well and there is overall optimism in the Cape Town city centre, which remains the major economic node in the Cape Town metropolitan area, both in terms of gross geographic product and jobs,” the report says.

Considering broader issues, the report highlighted the attempts by national government to improve housing delivery as well as the role the private sector should be playing in meeting social housing demands.

Nationally 186 000 houses had either been completed or were under construction by the third quarter of the 2007/2008 financial year with 23 438 of these situated within the Western Cape. An Affordable Housing Conference held last year noted South African metropolitan areas demand 55 000 new houses annually against the current 6 700 being built.

Trafalgar managing director Andrew Schaefer says social housing – the provision of rental housing for lower-income earners caught between government-subsidised homes and having the capital to purchase their own accommodation – has not typically been viewed as a private sector realm.

Yet, particularly among developed nations, the private sector has been expected to contribute towards boosting the social housing stock. Black households dominate the South African rental market, followed by the coloured population and annually 105 670 new units are demanded.

The report indicates that mixed income developments such as N2 Gateway and the R30 million Aliwal Gardens Development in Ruyterwacht – the province’s first wholly integrated housing development now accommodating people across the racial and socio-economic spectrum – are making progress on addressing the backlog. “Essentially, South Africa has the systems, legislation and policies in place to deliver on its housing requirements. The way forward demands large-scale implementation; unrelenting follow-through on non delivery; consistent engagement with stakeholders and communities and the strict enforcement of existing legislation,” Schaefer says.

Mo Rush

November 20th, 2008, 05:30 AM

Argus Cycle Tour wins top award

By Staff Writers

The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour was named as the country's top race of 2008 at a cyclist awards ceremony in Johannesburg last night.

Announcing the award at the Intelligent Lifestyles South African Cyclist of the Year function last night, cycling commentator Phil Liggett described the tour as the most impressive he had seen in ages.

Cape Argus Editor Chris Whitfield said he was "delighted" by the recognition of what has become a Cape Town institution. "All credit to the organisers, sponsors and the volunteers who make it happen. Then there's the cyclists themselves and the many thousands of Capetonians who get behind the tour."

David Bellairs, head of the Cycle Tour organising team, said the award would put a "good kind of pressure" on his team to deliver a great event on race day in March.

Next year's tour will take place on March 8.

John-Lee Augustyn, Greg Minnaar, Marissa van der Merwe and Sifiso Nhlapo were the major winners at the ceremony last night.

Mo Rush

November 20th, 2008, 10:38 AM

Shipping giants opt for Cape route in bid to dodge pirates

LONDON: More of the world's big shipping firms are quietly diverting their fleets around the Cape of Good Hope instead of risking the hijacking of their vessels by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden, a senior industry executive has disclosed.

Rob Lomas, secretary-general of Intercargo, an industry group representing shipowners hauling dry commodities, said more firms were avoiding the Suez Canal.

He said, however, that there was no "stampede" to use the Cape route.

Meanwhile, the Saudi supertanker seized by pirates with a $100-million oil cargo in the world's biggest ship hijacking has reached Somalia, while a cargo ship loaded with wheat bound for Iran has been captured in the Gulf of Aden.

The Hong Kong cargo ship loaded with 36 000 tons of grain has 25 crew members.

The United States Navy said pirates had taken the Sirius Star - seized 450 nautical miles southeast of Kenya at the weekend in the boldest strike yet by Somali pirates - to Haradheere port, halfway up Somalia's long coastline.

The tanker's operator, Vela International, shipping arm of oil giant Saudi Aramco, said it was believed the 25-man crew was safe.

The Sirius Star, the size of three soccer fields, is the largest vessel yet seized by pirates. It had been hijacked further out to sea than any of the other vessels seized by Somali pirates, the US Navy said.

Shipping experts said the pirates had shown that few ships sailing the Indian Ocean were safe.

A spokesperson for the Bahrain-based US Fifth Fleet said the Sirius Star was believed to be heading towards the Somali port of Eyl.

"There is no information yet about the pirates' demands."

The US Navy's operations chief, Admiral Michael Mullen, said he was "stunned" by the Somali pirates' range and the size of the vessel seized. "(The pirates) are very good at what they do. They're well armed. Tactically, they are good," Mullen said.

Meanwhile, the British Navy said it had handed over to the Kenyan authorities eight suspected pirates captured in a clash a week earlier.

Pirates are well organised in the area where Somalia's northeastern tip juts into the Indian Ocean, preying on a key maritime route leading to the Suez Canal, through which an estimated 30% of the world's oil is transported.

The pirates use high-powered speedboats and are well armed, sometimes holding ships for weeks until they are released for large ransoms paid by governments or owners.

"This (hijacking was) incredibly far from Somalia," said Roger Middleton, consultant researcher for think-tank Chatham House in London.

"It puts a huge ring around Somalia where it isn't safe for international shipping."

The pirates were able to operate in deep water, "so they're a needle in a haystack", Nick Davis, head of Anti-Piracy Maritime Security Solutions in Britain, said.

He said even a vessel the size of the Sirius Star was a fairly easy target for pirates operating from a mother ship.

The pirates approach the ship from the stern with two or three speedboats that far outpace their prey, throw grappling hooks tied to rope ladders on to the deck, and then board.

The International Maritime Bureau has reported that at least 83 ships have been attacked off Somalia since January. Thirty-three of them were hijacked and, of these, 12 vessels and more than 200 crew members remain in the hands of pirates.

Last week, the European Union launched a security operation off the coast of Somalia to combat the growing threat from piracy and to protect ships carrying aid agency deliveries.

The naval mission is the EU's first. Dubbed Operation Atlanta and endorsed by the EU's defence ministers at talks in Brussels, it is being led by Britain and has its headquarters in Northwood, near London. - Sapa-AFP

Published on the web by Cape Times on November 18, 2008.

Caisson Boy

November 20th, 2008, 11:41 AM

Join the Facebook group: "Whoever designed the Zakumi should be put inside of it. And set on fire."

Gawd, you're quite an angry little bugger, aren't you?:lol:

Lydon

November 20th, 2008, 11:44 AM

Gawd, you're quite an angry little bugger, aren't you?:lol:

Hey! It's not like I created the group :lol:

Die Kapenaar

November 20th, 2008, 08:03 PM

Simon Grindrod, Mayco member of economic development and tourism in the City of Cape Town, is stepping down as he has joined Patrick Lekota's new party after he resigned from the ID.

Mo Rush

November 20th, 2008, 08:06 PM

Simon Grindrod, Mayco member of economic development and tourism in the City of Cape Town, is stepping down as he has joined Patrick Lekota's new party after he resigned from the ID.

I think I made myself clear about him before. I'm not surprised. But I think you are....

Die Kapenaar

November 20th, 2008, 08:09 PM

I think I made myself clear about him before. I'm not surprised. But I think you are....

I only mentioned him on this thread as he was involved in economic policy in CT and his departure could have consequences for the multi-party government in CT if there is a mass defection to COPE. But we'll keep this discussion in the Shebeen.

Dames

November 20th, 2008, 08:10 PM

I like Zakumi, the animated version though. They seriously effed up that real mascot though. Mascots aren't supposed to be accurate though, hence the term anthropomorphic.

Pule

November 21st, 2008, 09:58 AM

New R156m hotel for CT

2008/11/20

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_405ELc36Xbs/SMq-vMMPgEI/AAAAAAAACeQ/WsJlqNgQlO8/s1600/The%2BEdge%2Bexterior%2B72doi.jpg

Owners and investors will find the position of The Edge irresistible with Table Mountain as the backdrop and the abundance of modernization going on in the area. With prices like these there is no doubt that this is an opportunity to acquire property in the centre of a world class city." John Schooling CEO of STAG.

STAG has announced that the R156 million project is scheduled to commence in January 2009 and be completed in the first quarter of 2010.

And our marketing campaign to the public will start with the opening of our new sales centre at Wembley Square.

SOME NEWS ABOUT “THE EDGE” AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD: THE REGENERATION OF THE EASTERN CITY PRECINCT

Smart investors will soon see the incredible value in The Edge and they will be pleased to know that there are major regeneration initiatives programmed for the Cape Town East city precinct.

Andrew Boraine, CEO of the Cape Town Partnership, the private public partnership that manages the Central City Improvement District says that The Edge’s general area is under going a renaissance and being turned into an important cultural hub. The Edge therefore benefits from general upgrading proposals for Harrington Square, Buitenkant and Darling street corridors, and the close proximity to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. This means that The Edge is well placed to attract investors and occupants to its low rise studio, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.

A CHANCE TO GET REAL EQUITY IN PROPERTY

Because construction is due to commence in 2009 with transfer in 2010 this means that investors can secure property at 2008 prices without having to make any repayments for at least 18 months.

By delaying transfer the developer has leveraged a situation where buyers can take transfer once the economy has improved and emerge with some real equity in the property market. This is excellent value and provides the best possible option for buyers.

The Edge in total will consist of a total of 166 units and facilities read like a check list of must haves: restaurant, internet café, internal circulation spaces protected by high tech security, dedicated basement parking for each unit, pool, fully equipped gym, laundromat and a range of stylish finishes for owners to choose from.

Buyers at STAG’s previous similar development “Urban Spin” in Dieprivier have recently taken ownership of their properties, and they are fully let and occupied and on the list of desirable new urban places to stay.

BE A PART OF THE FUTURE OF A WORLD CLASS CITY

At The Edge investors have the security of knowing that they have bought into an area that is being regenerated such as the Grand Parade precinct. This zone will soon benefit along with the rest of the city from the new Bus Rapid Transit scheme which is going to make it possible to live in the city without a car – improving the public realm through pedestrianised upgrades to public space.

The Edge is another of our developments which affirm our confidence in Cape Town. Like New York, Boston, Sydney, Dublin and London, Cape Town has that unique quality that attracts innovation. Its outstanding natural beauty and architecture truly make it one of the great cities of the world and it is ready to showcase this in 2010.

The STAG ONLINE page will keep you up to date with development news and pictures as you can view the progress. If you have friends and family that are looking to find a way to get onto the property ladder and gain real equity and only take transfer in 2010 - The Edge is the way to go.

Mo Rush

November 21st, 2008, 02:08 PM

Cape Town gears up for holiday visitors

The City of Cape Town has announced a comprehensive safety and cleansing plan for the upcoming summer holiday season.

The plan has been devised to enhance the safety of the more than one million visitors who are expected to visit Cape Town between November 2008 and January 2009. “It covers all high risk eventualities such as road traffic accidents, fires, safety and security at beaches, power failures, crowd surges and festival events," says Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Councillor Dumisani Ximbi.

The plan is a co-ordinated effort by relevant City Departments, including Metro Police, Traffic Services, Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue Services, Sport and Recreation, Cleansing, the Event Office and the Marketing and Communication Departments.

The City’s plan includes:

* Placing the Disaster Management Team on 24-hour full alert and ensuring that it is geared for all eventualities. The public may report any emergency (including medical, crime, fire and traffic) to this office by dialling 107 from a Telkom line. Cellphone users need to dial 021 480-7700
* Placing 1 000 staff from Metro Police, Traffic Services, Law Enforcement, and Security and Specialised Services on duty. An additional 150 temporary law enforcement staff will be appointed to assist them
* Ensuring that there are regular safety patrols at popular tourist attractions. Operations targeting substance abuse will also be conducted
* Creating partnerships with other agencies such as the city improvement districts and displaced persons support unit

Fire and Rescue Services will be on high alert with 700 full-time fire fighters at 28 fire stations either on duty or on standby. Another 122 trainee fire fighters will be deployed by 15 December. Two helicopters, one operating from the Table Mountain National Park’s fire service headquarters and the other from the Fisantekraal airfield, will provide aerial fire-fighting support. These teams will be reinforced by 112 seasonal fire-fighters currently undergoing training and due for deployment by the end of November. Another 26 reservists will undergo training to assist and support the fire fighters.

The City is partnering with Western Province Lifesaving to oversee public safety at 44 of Cape Town’s beaches. Two hundred and sixty nine multi-skilled lifeguards will be on duty at major beaches, as well as at regional and community pools across the city.

Twenty five shark spotters will be deployed at five beaches - Fish Hoek, Muizenberg, St James, Noordhoek and Glencairn.

More than R15 million has been budgeted for cleansing. Refuse removal will continue - even on public holidays. Extra refuse removal trucks will be used and more than 900 additional contract cleaners have been appointed to keep business districts, scenic routes and beaches clean.

Councillor Ximbi has made a special appeal to residents to conserve water. "Despite the good winter rains, Cape Town still has water restrictions. We appeal to residents and visitors to support our water conservation policies by being water wise."

"The City of Cape Town extends a warm welcome to all visitors. The City will do its best to enhance their stay and ensure their safety. At the same time, we appeal to visitors and residents to help keep the city clean and safe during the holiday period," says Councillor Ximbi.

There are no new road works planned from mid December to mid January 2009. However, in emergencies where road closures are required, motorists are urged to proceed with caution.
The City’s festive season starts on November 30 with the official switch-on of the festive lights in Adderley Street. Thereafter, a series of special events will be held well into the new year.

Mo Rush

November 21st, 2008, 08:33 PM

Cape Town: The safe haven for shipping companies

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Mo Rush

November 21st, 2008, 09:52 PM

'24' movie shot in Cape Town

'24's' Clock Starts Ticking Again

Once again, Jack's back.

"24" has been off the air for nearly 20 months, and the seventh season doesn't begin until Jan. 11. To tide fans over, Jack Bauer returns in "24: Redemption" on Sunday at 8 p.m. on Fox.

Like the series, the two-hour movie will unfold in real time. Jack (Kiefer Sutherland) is avoiding a subpoena to appear before a Senate sub-committee and is living in the fictional African country of Sangala. The world-weary former federal agent is working at a school run by his old friend Carl Benton (Robert Carlyle).

And, back in the United States, it's Inauguration Day for new President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones). Series fans know it won't be long before these two disparate story lines are intricately and mysteriously connected.

While the movie, filmed on location in Cape Town, South Africa, can stand alone, it also links seasons 6 and 7.

"We had a very existential way we ended Season 6," executive producer Howard Gordon said. "Jack was sitting on the cliff and it was a very uncertain and atypical '24' ending and it really could have meant a lot of things. The emotional framework of Jack's character just needed some more context and this helps draw that bridge emotionally from Season 6 to Season 7."

"24" also must win back fans who became disillusioned during Season 6 -- including those who accused Jack of being unnecessarily violent. The show had to confront the notion that "Jack is this torture-happy secret agent," Gordon said. "Seven years after 9/11, Jack Bauer has become a different character. Things that he's gone through and things that he's done make him a far darker and more complex character."

"Redemption" reestablishes Jack as a heroic figure. When a rebel group, funded by some nefarious characters, begins a coup attempt, all of the children at the school are in danger. The rebels want the students for an army. At great personal risk, Jack must lead the children to safety.

"It is a western," Gordon said. "Jack is cast in the role of the hero who has hung up his six-guns but whose past won't let him go. It comes from the central idea of who could possibly touch Jack? Through whose eyes could we make Jack human again?"

The violent unrest in Sangala will be a key plot point of Season 7, which will begin with Jack on trial for the illegal detention and torture of prisoners. The thought-to-be-very-dead Tony (Carlos Bernard) will return -- except this time he's on the wrong team.

"It's a bit of a 'Heart of Darkness' story," Gordon said. "Somebody that Jack knew who has gone to a dark side and who Jack is enlisted to hunt down."

Gordon conceded it was a "risk" to make a fan favorite a villain, but that the story came alive with Tony in it. "Hopefully the audience will go along for the ride."

For theater actress Jones, playing the president has been a thrill ride.

"With '24' there's no past, there's no future there's literally just that moment," said the Tony Award-winning actress. "You come in to '24' knowing so little about your character. I didn't know what state I was from. I didn't know how many children I had. I didn't know whether I was a good guy or a bad guy."

But she is the show's first female president. "I feel like they've done two male black presidents, two or three white presidents," Jones said. "They were going to really start to look antiquated and '24' doesn't like to look antiquated."

Jones had not seen an episode of "24" when she joined the cast in 2007, but once she started watching DVDs to catch up, she couldn't stop.

"I became addicted like everybody does. We have shot 20 episodes [of Season 7] and we just have four more to go and I don't know how it ends," she said earlier this month. "I'm dying to know. I'm the ultimate audience member right now. I really care."

Durbsboi

November 24th, 2008, 07:30 AM

how was the Lineol Richie concert, I had tickets for the portnet box but couldnt get plane tickets :bash: ..........not that Im complaining, I dont like the dudes music anyway.

Mo Rush

November 24th, 2008, 12:05 PM

how was the Lineol Richie concert, I had tickets for the portnet box but couldnt get plane tickets :bash: ..........not that Im complaining, I dont like the dudes music anyway.

not sure.
heard on kfm it was pefect. perfect weather and sunset...and view.

Mo Rush

November 24th, 2008, 12:32 PM

Mo Rush

November 24th, 2008, 04:53 PM

Cape Town station to get piece of 2010 pie

By Anél Powell

Cape Town Station will be transformed into a retail and entertainment hub by 2010, with a R480-million upgrade of shops and informal trading areas.

In a presentation to the city's Good Hope subcouncil, Intersite's Pierre Cronje said public/private partnerships were needed to build a new "creative Cape Town Station" of an international standard. "We need to upgrade for 2010, but also for beyond."

Cronje said R480m had already been approved for the 2010 priority projects. These included upgrades of the station deck precinct, the retail outlets and informal trading areas.

According to a survey of commuter needs, informal traders should only be in designated areas, the station should offer better quality eateries with restaurants for families, all alcohol outlets should be closed and tourism-related activities should be based at the station.

Cronje said 60 percent of commuter and shoppers moving through the station were not spending money there. The station forecourt precinct would include formal retail activities, more technology shops and recreational facilities.

The Strand Street precinct would have convenience shops for commuters who have little time for shopping. There would also be two accessible ticket offices.

Cronje said shop fronts on Strand Street were already being demolished and the new shops would be ready by April or May. Shops on the Old Marine Drive precinct would be used by long-distance commuters and tourists using the airport/rail link. There would also be medical facilities.

The station deck would be reserved for informal trading, but with lockable permanent stalls.

None of the traders already working on the station deck would be asked to move. There would also be some office space on the deck. Cape Town Tourism would have an office at the station.

Good Hope subcouncil chair JP Smith said plans to take the railway lines underground would change the flow of the city. It would also recover substantial office and retail space.

anel.powell@inl.co.za

Mo Rush

November 25th, 2008, 09:50 PM

Cape Town and Western Cape Launch Cape Media Services for 2010

New services and offerings to the soccer fraternity are being launched at the Soccerex 2008 Expo stand of Cape Town and the Western Cape.

These include a preview of the activities around the Final Draw for 2010 to be held in Cape Town on 4 December 2009, the launch of Cape Media Services, an editorial and logistical support service for journalists, new visitor information and other services, and the facilities offered for potential base camps in the Western Cape.

A high-powered delegation of politicians and officials are at the stand in the Sandton Convention Centre. There is a daily media briefing session.

At 16:30 today Executive Deputy Mayor Grant Haskin will report on Cape Town’s readiness to host eight 2010 matches, including a semi-final and preview preparations for hosting the Final Draw in Cape Town. Cape Media Services will also be officially launched.

The Provincial Government and various towns in the Western Cape have presented a directory of potential base camps where participating 2010 teams could stay. The sites meet FIFA and Organising Committee requirements in terms of access, training, accommodation and technology standards.

On Wednesday at 13:00 Cape Town Tourism will present its Visitor Services at a media briefing at the stand (312 in Hall Two).

Deputy Mayor Haskin said: “Our presence here as a professional team is re-affirming our position as a preferred destination for 2010. This is confirmed by the lively interest in our stand and our offering to fans, business, visitors and media. The Final Draw in Cape Town in December 2009 is the curtain raiser for 2010. It comes at the start of our summer festive season when Cape Town is already alive. We will use this opportunity to showcase our readiness and ability to host a world event and to entice teams to base themselves in Cape Town and the Western Cape.”

Cape Media Services will be launched at today’s media briefing session. This is an editorial and logistical support service for visiting journalists covering preparations for World Cup 2010. In the initial phase they will receive a DVD which contains video and still images of Cape Town and the Western Cape’s preparations, infrastructure, places, people, events and lifestyle. The DVD will contain fact sheets and contact details of 2010 role-players and spokespersons. This will help journalists who are pressed for time or who fail to get all the interviews and footage they want during their stay to write illustrated articles and compile radio and television programmes from their home base.

Cape Media Services will update the material and in due course offer additional technical support services (e.g. editing, repairs) as well as introducing newsworthy topics and opportunities.

Mo Rush

November 26th, 2008, 08:45 AM

Leona Lewis shoots new music video in Cape Town

A music video aimed to promote Leona Lewis' song "Run" has been debuted. Filmed in Cape Town, South Africa earlier this month, the music video is directed by Jake Nava, the same man who helped Beyonce Knowles making "Crazy in Love" music video.

On the video, Leona is captured walking through the African forest all alone while singing the song. "The feel for this video is kind of like an enchanted, haunted forest," Leona commented on the experience of filming the video.

"Run" is Snow Patrol's song which is recorded for their third studio album "Final Straw" (2003). The track is then covered by Leona for the deluxe edition of her 2007 debut effort "Spirit", which has hit the U.K. market since November 17.

Leona Lewis' "Run" music video:

Mo Rush

November 27th, 2008, 04:03 AM

27 Nov 2008 : Stade de France/SAIL appointed Green Point Stadium Operator

The City of Cape Town’s Bid Adjudication Committee approved the award of the service contractor for the operation of the new Green Point stadium to the consortium of Stade de France and South Africa’s SAIL Group. The legal entity formed by the consortium is Business Venture Investments 1317 (Proprietary) Limited.

The award includes for the consortium to be involved with the management of the Green Point stadium from January 2009 to help ensure the successful hosting of eight World Cup matches. The City will pay the consortium to manage the stadium up to and during World Cup 2010 as a 68 000 seater stadium.

Thereafter the consortium will lease the stadium from the City for a period of not less than ten and not more than thirty years with review periods at certain points. The City will receive 30% of Earnings before Tax (inclusive of municipal rates) on a fixed percentage basis. Thus, if the stadium becomes very successful, the City’s returns rise significantly. The approval of the lease of the stadium resides with Council and will be considered on 3 December 2008.

After 2010, the stadium will be reduced to a 55 000 seater. The stadium can cater for rugby, soccer and other sport events, music concerts, major events and spectaculars. It will have, amongst others, corporate hospitality suites, medical, training, conferencing and banqueting facilities. The consortium will operate the stadium as well as manage and maintain the defined areas of the surrounding urban park and sport precinct on the 85 hectare Green Point Common from stadium revenue.

Mike Marsden, Executive Director of Service Delivery Integration of the City of Cape Town, said: “The City is very pleased that this comprehensive and detailed negotiating process has come to fruition. Cape Town is gaining a world-class, purpose-built stadium in arguably the most beautiful setting in the world. It is getting a team with an international and local track record of experience and success to maximize the value, revenue and viability/sustainability of its stadium.

“Cape Town residents and visitors are getting a world-class facility which will host prime sports matches and spectacular events as well as gaining an upgraded sport and recreation precinct. This is very good news for Cape Town,” said Marsden.

The in principle agreement provides for a detailed contract to be signed between the parties which will describe the roles and responsibilities of the City and the operator in terms of aspects such as maintenance, parking, informal trading, insurance for eventualities and sureties. The operator has offered sureties totaling R10 million.

Stade de France is a successful and profitable 80 000 seater multi-purpose stadium in Paris, France that hosted the 1998 FIFA World Cup™ and the Rugby World Cup in 2007. SAIL is one of the largest sport marketing companies in South Africa.

Mo Rush

November 27th, 2008, 04:34 AM

http://www.backpagepix.co.za/live/imgadmin/getimage.php?id=23655&type=c

briker

November 27th, 2008, 04:58 AM

Crisis clouds rain on Cape Town
November 26, 2008

Johannesburg - The number of visitors to Cape Town is expected to dip this southern summer season as the international financial crisis grounds many Western travellers, South Africa's Business Day reported Wednesday.

South Africa's "Mother City", with its spectacular Table Mountain backdrop, sandy beaches and nearby vineyards, is the country's top tourist destination.

The city is particularly popular with moneyed Europeans. In 2007, 1.7 million people visited Western Cape province, where Cape Town is located, according to the provincial tourist authority, Cape Town Routes.
"There is definite evidence of a slowdown in the inbound leisure business," the sales director of Southern Sun Hotels group told Business Day.

The manager of another hotel in the city's ritzy Camps Bay beach front neighbourhood also said business was down on last year and said the first quarter of 2008 - peak tourist season - would be "a struggle."

Two airlines serving Cape Town, Comair, operator of British Airways and domestic airline kulula.com reported a fall of nearly 10 per cent in passengers to the city compared to last year, the report said.

Tourism has boomed in South Africa since the end of apartheid and the advent of democracy in 1994. Nine million foreign visitors visit the country dubbed the Rainbow Nation each year - a figure the government aims to nudge up to 10 million by 2010, the year South Africa hosts the football World Cup.

While the effects of the international financial squeeze on South African mining, manufacturing and financial markets are being closely monitored, this is the first indication that the tourism sector, which employs 1.2 million people directly and indirectly, could also be seriously affected. - Sapa-dpa

t-bang!

November 27th, 2008, 11:12 AM

UK newspaper readers vote Cape Town “Best World City”

The Telegraph Travel Awards for 2008 were released today and New Zealand, Australia and South Africa were voted the readers’ “favourite destinations on earth”; while their favourite cities were voted as Cape Town, San Francisco, Sydney and Vancouver.

Cape Town the “Best World City”

The Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town was named one of the favourite city hotels in the world to visit.

More than 25,000 readers were polled in Britain’s biggest survey of travel habits and an overwhelming 92 per cent of them maintain that the financial crisis will not affect their choice of holiday destinations. 96 per cent of the readers polled refuse to downgrade their holiday accommodation.

The readers’ favourite destinations (outside of Europe) can be identified as ones where the pound has strengthened against the respective foreign currencies in the past year (the Australian and New Zealand dollars, and the South African rand). The same can be said for the choices of cities, with the exception of San Francisco (where the pound has fallen against the dollar).

The Telegraph readers’ holiday budget remains high – more than half of the readers polled spent more than £1,000 (R15,220) on their last holiday: one in six spent between £2,500 (R38,000) and £5,000 (R76,000) and one in twenty spent more than £5,000.

“As Britain enters a new winter of discontent, taking a break may never feel more needed, but the value for money it provides will be scrutinised like never before,” said Charles Starmer-Smith.

“This is why, during belt-tightening times, readers return to destinations they know – namely, the English-speaking former colonies.”

For more information visit www.telegraph.co.uk

Mo Rush

November 27th, 2008, 11:14 AM

Mo Rush

November 27th, 2008, 01:47 PM

Cape Town gears up for 2010 base camps
27 November 2008
By:
Simangaliso Zwane

Pretoria – The government of the Western Cape says it is ready to host countries who will be participating in the 2010 Fifa World CupTM in South Africa in less that two years’ time.

“The Western Cape is ready to host world cup teams at a number of venues that it has identified as potential base camps for countries participating in the finals of the 2010 Fifa World Cup,” said MEC for Cultural Affairs in the province, Cameron Dugmore.

Dugmore gave assurance that the province had infrastructure that would make 2010 a “very special experience” for those teams who elected to be based in the Western Cape.

The Western Cape Province is offering six recreational districts as possible base camps for countries in 2010. These districts include Cape Garden Route, Cape Central Karoo, Cape Overberg, Cape Town, Cape West Coast and Cape Winelands.

Beaufort West, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Worcester, Bredasdorp, Kleinmond, Oudtshoorn, George, Mossel Bay and Knysna are some of the towns poised to make the most of South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

The Western Cape is one of the country's most beautiful provinces, attracting the lion's share of foreign tourists. It is a region of majestic mountains, colourful patchworks of farmland set in valleys, long beaches and, further inland, the wide-open landscape of the semi-desert Karoo.

The province has completed a few milestones in its quest to lure countries to consider base camps in 2010. These milestones include:

• Functional accommodation and training handbook has been completed
• MATCH and the Local Organising Committee have conducted site inspection
• The province is involved in active lobbying with potential teams
• Research on Germany 2006 base cape experience has been completed
• Potential base camp site have been identified
• A strategic municipal engagement forum meets regularly to prepare potential base camps

The Western Cape Province boasts impressive road infrastructure and extensive rail network. The province has three functional airports, the Cape Town International Airport, George Airport and Overberg Airforce Base.

Getting around the province is simple and convenient by air, sea, taxi, coach, train and by foot.

“The Western Cape is ready, it has the infrastructure and the capability to be the place for business, fun and more importantly football during 2010,” said Acting Head of Department for Cultural Affairs and Sport and base camp coordinator in the province, Brent Walters.

briker

November 28th, 2008, 12:58 AM

cool!
this is such a bad & annoying habit to quote a long paragraph or set of photos just after it was posted, and to respond with something like 'cool' :ohno:

Klausenburg

November 28th, 2008, 01:09 AM

This evening I had watch a movie filmed in Cape Town on Romanian channel tvr2, "The Diamonds Hunters". The city was shown in his best shape!

Mo Rush

November 28th, 2008, 06:57 AM

Mo Rush

November 28th, 2008, 07:30 AM

Century City second to Cape Town CBD

THE Century City office market, which has almost tripled in size to more than 200 000 sq m in the past four years, is now the fourth largest office node in the Western Cape and within a year will move into third position as further new development comes on stream.

Over the next six to 12 months an additional 20 000 sq m of offices will come to the market on a phased basis with more than half of this new space already spoken for in terms of owner occupiers or tenants.

Based on the historical take up of space at Century City in recent years – over 105 000 sq m in the past four years of which 65 800 sq m was taken up in the past 14 months alone — most of these developments are expected to come on stream after existing vacancies have been mopped up, says Greg Deans, a director of developers Rabie Property Group which acquired the remaining undeveloped land at Century City in 2004.

Deans says that ten years after it was launched the Century City development has matured significantly and they were now seeing the emergence of a two tier market with tenants having a much broader choice of product at varying rentals.

“Previously all the available offices were much of a muchness in terms of quality and all largely owner occupied. The precinct was not perceived to be a rental node. Development in recent years has changed that and created a sustainable rental market with a diversity of product and rentals which are varying considerably from a low of around R90 per sq m to around R135 depending on the age, the quality and location of the building within Century City.”

Developments achieving premium rentals include Rabie’s Central Park office park development, which is a low rise office park set around a village green, and where rentals of R135 per sq m are being achieved. This development followed Rabie’s The Forum sectional title office development which was fully let at rentals of between R115 and R120 a sq m six months ago.

Deans says of the 206 000 sq m of offices already built, 26 000 sq m or 13% currently remains to be let.

“While this is currently higher than most other nodes in the Western Cape, it is not surprising given the fact that this is where the bulk of new development has been taking place in recent years as we are in a very enviable position of having our rights in place. Most of the current vacancies are in the 35 000 sq m The Estuaries office park, where we sold land to a variety of developers who have undertaken office developments, half of which have been on a speculative basis. These offices have come to the market at a time of economic uncertainty with many potential tenants adopting a wait and see attitude.”

Deans says since The Estuaries was launched in September 2006 Rabie conscientiously intervened to prevent an oversupply of office space coming on the market and had been undertaking all new developments at Century City to their own account and only selling land to owner occupiers or other developers who had a committed tenant in place.

“As such the bulk of speculative development has already been built and it is only a matter of time before these vacancies are mopped up,” he says.

He points out that the annual take-up of office space at Century City has grown exponentially. “This was a function of not only the upturn in the commercial property market but also Century City’s growing popularity as a commercial destination.”

“The take up for the 12 months to June 2005 was a mere 8 000 sq m, rising to 13 000 sq m in the following 12 months and 18 400 sq m in the year to end June 2006. Since then an astounding 65 800 sq m of space has been taken up,” he says.

Deans says there is no doubt Century City has achieved critical mass and has established itself as a premier office destination in the Western Cape attracting a growing number of blue chip corporate as well as smaller to medium size companies with an estimated 20 000 office workers currently based there.

Century City has development rights for a total of 600 000 sq m of offices so when it is fully developed it will be second only in size to the Cape Town CBD, which has a total of 750 000 sq m of offices.

Mo Rush

November 28th, 2008, 07:31 AM

FIFA selects Cape Town as 2010 corporate base

CAPE TOWN — Of the expected 300000 visitors coming to SA for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, about 80% were expected to visit Cape Town, the city’s 2010 co-ordinator, Mike Marsden, said yesterday.

Marsden was briefing the provincial standing committee on 2010 and said the soccer extravaganza provided an opportunity for major investment in the city, which had already seen R8,6bn from the government and related transport infrastructure development flowing in .

Related spend from the private sector on such as hotels, other infrastructure and upgrading of facilities had not yet been determined. This could run into many more billions of rands.

Laurine Platzky, who heads the province’s 2010 planning committee, said Fifa’ s decision to use Cape Town as the base for its corporate sector was a “huge opportunity” for the city and province to position themselves as a more serious business destination.

She said discussions had started on how to maximise the corporate spend and corporate exposure presented by Fifa and its partners and guests based in the city.

Marsden said the city has already spent more than R1,9bn on the stadium at Green Point and the total budget for its completion now stood at R4,5bn.

The city faced a deficit of R528m but it had put into place a plan to meet this deficit.

Among plans for wiping out the deficit was the city’s “fall-back” position on a guaranteed loan from the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

The loan would be subsidised by the government, and the sale of naming rights, which offered “great prospects”, was also part of the plan, Marsden said.

He said the fact that the city had concluded an operating contract with an internationally renowned consortium, including Stade de France and SA’s Sail group, augured well for the sale of naming rights.

As an example, he said, the Emirates Stadium, which is the home of English premiership club Arsenal, had secured a 15-year naming rights contract for £80m.

Marsden said one of the areas that had increased costs for the city was the stipulation by Fifa that generators be installed at the stadium to ensure electricity supply when the eight matches were played there.

He said Cape Town was not the only host city that had to comply with this requirement.

Escalation had also been a worry but there were signs that this was easing due to the world economic crisis and the drop in commodity prices, especially of steel.

Marsden said the proposed sharp increases in rates for the city related to the cost of operations the city had to incur in preparing for the event, such as policing, traffic and emergency services.

Mo Rush

November 28th, 2008, 08:14 AM

City won't increase rates to fund R500m shortfall needed for World Cup stadium

By Anél Powell

THE City of Cape Town will not increase rates to fund the R500 million shortfall needed for the construction of the World Cup stadium.

"We have a strategy to fund the deficit without increasing the rates," city service delivery integration executive director Mike Marsden said at yesterday's briefing of the provincial 2010 World Cup committee.

Proposed rates increases of 8.5% in the 2009/10 budget were related to the city's operational costs, Marsden said.

Funding was needed for transport, infrastructure, bulk services and other operational needs.

"There is a concern that services will be impacted by 2010 unless the city gets extra funding on its rates."

The estimated cost of the 2010 stadium at Green Point, scheduled for completion in December next year, is R4.5 billion.

To date, almost R2bn has been spent on the stadium, with R1.1bn coming from the national government. The city has spent R500m and the provincial government has spent R212m. A further R30m will come from Development Bank of South Africa funds.

But even with the R4bn assured with funding from other sources such as grants, interest and ticket income, there is a shortfall of R500m.

The city's directorates have in the past month made submissions to the city's budget committee for more funding. The 2010 committee initially asked for R400m.

This has since been pared down to an allocation of R82m from the city's estimated revenue surplus of R245m.

Marsden said the city's 2010 costs needed to be shared with the national treasury. The city is considering a loan from the Development Bank of South Africa that would be subsidised by national government.

The province's 2010 committee chair, Richard Dyantyi, said he was concerned that city departments would use 2010 as a "soft landing" for extra budget allocations for their own projects. "The city could embark on other creative measures to raise funds."

Marsden said the city's income potential for 2010 would be evident once its commercial agreement with Fifa had been signed.

Preparations have attracted billions of rand in investment, with R2.2bn being invested in the airport upgrade, and R553m in the refurbishment of six stations.

anel.powell@inl.co.za

www.6000.co.za

November 28th, 2008, 03:04 PM

Leopards don't have manes...'nuff said.

It's not real, you know?

Lydon

November 28th, 2008, 03:09 PM

It's not real, you know?

Your point? If they want to make the mascot into a leopard they could at least do it properly. It looks like some sort of attempt at an animal gone rasta.

Mo Rush

November 28th, 2008, 04:01 PM

Skyscrapercity South Africa gets a mention!! Listen to show #151

http://www.thezashow.com/?p=291

www.6000.co.za

November 28th, 2008, 04:18 PM

Charity evening: all in aid of a very worthy cause. Please visit http://6000.co.za/2008/11/28/amandas-china-challenge-2009/ and DONATE!

Thanks. Now... carry on!

www.6000.co.za

November 29th, 2008, 12:25 PM

Your point? If they want to make the mascot into a leopard they could at least do it properly. It looks like some sort of attempt at an animal gone rasta.

You're worried about the presence of a mane? The thing is green, FFS. Did you really miss that?

To be fair to Zakumi's originators, I don't think they want(ed) it to look exactly like a leopard. Otherwise, it would... er... look like a leopard.

Lydon

November 29th, 2008, 12:34 PM

You're worried about the presence of a mane? The thing is green, FFS. Did you really miss that?

To be fair to Zakumi's originators, I don't think they want(ed) it to look exactly like a leopard. Otherwise, it would... er... look like a leopard.

No I didn't miss that. Thank you for proving my point. I was using the mane as an example. It looks plain stupid.

annman

November 29th, 2008, 07:38 PM

Many photographic updates on Cape projects will be posted in their relevant threads within the next couple of hours:

They include, CTIA, Table Bay Blvd, Granger Bay Blvd, GP Stadium, R300 upgrade, Airport Approach upgrade, Hospital Bend, Koeberg interchange, The Boulevard offices, Habourbridge, Cape Quarter and Portside.

Mo Rush

December 1st, 2008, 08:17 AM

I was at the switching on of the festive lights. The city centre was jam packed!!! i feel sorry for the 2010 transport planners. most of Adderley street from the convention centre circle until mandela rhodes end was filled with people.

our 2010 fan mile will be lots of fun and chaos.!!!!

Mo Rush

December 1st, 2008, 08:17 AM

Central Cape Town abuzz
1 December 2008, 07:25

By Devin Hermanus

Thousands of people got the holiday season off to an early start on Sunday night in a kaleidoscope of colour, music and communal fun with the traditional switching on of the festive lights on Adderley Street.

With 12 new light installations this year the display highlights the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Although more traditional elements were retained, the huge Christmas tree on Government Avenue has been replaced with an indigenous aloe.

Mayor Helen Zille and Zakumi, the 2010 Fifa World Cup mascot, officially switched on the lights at 8pm.

For some it was a return to roots. Attending the switching on of the lights was a family tradition, Blue Downs couple Abduraghman and Gabeba Pietersen said as they sat in deckchairs beside Adderley Street.

"My parents used to bring me to see the lights, (from) our days in District Six," said Mrs Pietersen. "Now we bring our four children so they also experience the culture."

Bishop Lavis mother-of-three Azure Fredericks said she brought her children - including seven-month-old Zayden - for "the spectacle".

A parade, with a 2010 World Cup host city float and 2 000 people, followed the switch-on. The procession included brass bands, drum majorettes, dancers, a fire engine with Santa Claus, and the Rolling Thunder Hot Rods.

A star-studded line-up of South African artists entertained the crowd from 4pm. The SA Youth Choir performed a tribute to the late Miriam Makeba. Other artists included Loyiso and Pop Idol winner Jody Williams.

Mo Rush

December 1st, 2008, 08:19 AM

Cape Town voted no.1 - Telegraph Travel Awards

Cape Town remains a favourite destination for British tourists, despite the current credit crunch forcing holidaymakers worldwide to seriously consider more affordable travel options.

Cape Town has just been voted readers' favourite city in the world in The Telegraph's 2008 Travel Awards. South Africa was voted their third favourite travel destination on Earth (outside Europe).

Sporting a sunset image of Cape Town's Table Mountain, the newspaper's website said about 40 000 readers were polled.

Readers voted New Zealand as their favourite destination on Earth (outside Europe), followed by Australia, South Africa and Canada.

In the favourite city category, Cape Town was followed by San Francisco, Sydney and Vancouver. - Mercury Correspondent

Mo Rush

December 1st, 2008, 09:40 AM

50 000 attend ‘World Cup’ lighting festival

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/lights.jpg crowds that the event provided Cape Town with an opportunity to test its ability to stage big events in the run-up to 2010 World Cup. ’We are expecting an influx of over one million visitors and the municipality has devised a comprehensive festive season co-ordination plan to promote a safe, secure and clean holiday for residents and visitors.’ A special team designed the new light crossings to incorporate a strong emphasis on the World Cup soccer themes. Two large LED screens enabled the crowds in Adderley Street to follow the action on stage.

Mo Rush

December 1st, 2008, 11:38 AM

Spectacular R1m opening for Dreamworld

Revenue of R2.5bn a year

By Melanie Peters

The first phase of Cape Town's long-delayed and controversial R450 million "Hollywood-style" film studios will finally be launched on Monday at a glitzy, R1m bash.

The party has been sponsored by the local film industry.

It should be completed in just over a year if everything goes according to plan, said its newly appointed chief executive officer Nico Dekker.

Speaking in an interview before the launch planned for Monday at the Faure site, Dekker said he was confidant the plan was finally "coming to fruition".

Dekker, who previously ran the successful Table Mountain Motion Picture Studios at an old fertiliser plant in Milnerton, said he had been sceptical when he started up the old studio but it had been a success until the rented studio land was sold.

Plans for state-of-the-art film studios at Faure were launched with a great deal of hype five years ago but the development has been bogged down. Initially the studios were to be called Dreamworld but some in the industry grew so sceptical it would ever see the light of day that they jokingly referred to it as "Dream On".

Shareholders include Videovision Entertainment's Anant Singh, Sabido Investments/etv's Marcel Golding, the Rico Trust, the Helderberg African Chamber of Commerce and Wesgro, the Western Cape's investment and trade promotion agency.

Dekker said: "This is a 10-year, multi-million-rand project that has no equal in South Africa - it is the greatest investment in the South African film industry to date. This is not simply about building studios - it's about establishing a home for film in South Africa that will benefit everyone."

He envisaged that Cape Town Film Studios would be a bridge between the South African and the international film industry.

The film industry brings in billions in revenue to the Western Cape; it was calculated that the industry in the province has a direct turnover of more than R2.5 billion a year.

According to the City of Cape Town's film commission, on average, 30 feature films, 600 commercials and 2100 still productions are filmed every year. Movies shot locally include the major feature films 10 000 BC, Blood Diamond starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Flashbacks of a Fool, starring Daniel Craig, and Lord of War, starring Nicolas Cage.

Dekker said phase one of the massive studio construction was already well under way. Foundations at the site in Faure have already been laid and construction of the main building has begun.

Phase one includes four studios of varying sizes, adding up to 7 000m2. These will also include hi-tech production offices and workshop space in excess of 5 000m2.

The whole site was 200ha but a major component of the wetlands will remain untouched.

There will also be a residential area, a hotel, restaurants, shops and business that will service the industry.

New developments are already springing up in the largely barren surrounding area.

"Cape Town Film Studios is unique to South Africa because it will be a part of a mixed-use film city that includes commercial and light industrial spaces. A designer from the Sydney's Fox Studios is working on our studios, aiming at a self-sufficient, fully integrated 'film city'."

Dekker said a film complex of this nature would entrench South Africa's ability to compete with other major film destinations like Australia and Canada.

He said Monday's launch would be "spectacular". The film industry was so confident of the project's success that it had sponsored the launch to the tune of R1m.

Singh and Golding will make a presentation on the future look of the studios, while the entertainment will include the DDK Choir from the film U-Carmen E-Khayelitsha, the new voice of South African opera Golda Schultz and stand-up comedian Riaad Moosa.

Published on the web by Cape Argus on November 29, 2008.

Durbsboi

December 1st, 2008, 11:43 AM

I hear things didnt go down too well at the King of the Mountain yesterday :ohno:
2 crashes into the crowd, both Chevy Lumina UTE's, both times a girl got knocked over (not the same girl btw) the 2nd one was nasty with the girl apparently loosing both her legs :(

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q224/diablo-wp/n669094934_1691798_9927.jpg

Mo Rush

December 1st, 2008, 11:47 AM

no idea about that event. spectators are always at risk

Durbsboi

December 1st, 2008, 11:55 AM

seeing its a MSA event, they should have taken better precautions & spectators should not have been allowed to stand there in the first place, its an exit from 1 corner leading into the bend & to top it off no barriers for protection. Its a pitty, it normally is such a cool event to attend.

Mo Rush

December 1st, 2008, 11:57 AM

Durbsboi

December 1st, 2008, 12:00 PM

Malaysia is one of the best I think for a fan wanting to attend. Just remember to carry lots of sun screen & buy lots of fluids, you have no idea how bad the humidity is there.....Durban is nothing!

Thinking of doing Singapore night race next year, this years one looked fantastic!

Mo Rush

December 1st, 2008, 01:32 PM

annman

December 1st, 2008, 04:10 PM

So Many Awards... What to do With All of Them?! :lol:
Cape Town takes the cake

December 01 2008 at 05:53AM

Cape Town remains a favourite destination for British tourists, despite the current credit crunch forcing holidaymakers worldwide to seriously consider more affordable travel options.

Cape Town has just been voted readers' favourite city in the world in The Telegraph's 2008 Travel Awards. South Africa was voted their third favourite travel destination on Earth (outside Europe).

Sporting a sunset image of Cape Town's Table Mountain, the newspaper's website said about 40 000 readers were polled.

Readers voted New Zealand as their favourite destination on Earth (outside Europe), followed by Australia, South Africa and Canada.

In the favourite city category, Cape Town was followed by San Francisco, Sydney and Vancouver. - Mercury Correspondent

Mo Rush

December 1st, 2008, 04:17 PM

annman

December 1st, 2008, 04:20 PM

^^ We need a thread that is called: "The Trophy Cabinet" with all of Cape Town's accolades in them! The cabinet is getting quite large... yipee for us! :D

Mo Rush

December 1st, 2008, 04:35 PM

Explosion in Cape Town

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/3073710131_ac1dd2f1fa.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/3074544612_cb3a3550d2.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3074370290_04561ec514.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/3073562459_74482359d4_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/3074395776_1b8c363e4f_o.jpg

Mo Rush

December 1st, 2008, 04:39 PM

Bus blast rocks Cape Town

Article By: Staff Reporter and Sapa
Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:38
A bus exploded in Cape Town city centre on Monday afternoon. The bus had arrived in Cape Town from Johannesburg and was carrying 14 passengers and two drivers. All escaped unhurt.

Eyewitness Biba Pearce told iafrica.com that at exactly 1.23pm an enormous explosion rattled buildings in Adderley street on the Foreshore as a Translux bus burst into flames.

"In neighbouring Pier Place, an arty square in the centre of the Foreshore, the corporate employees, fearing the worst, emerged in droves from their various high rises, drawn by the deafening blast," said Pearce, to watch as flames reduce the double decker bus to its carcass.

The heat could be felt 50 metres away, said Pearce.

Minutes later, firefighters had extinguished the fireball and cordoned off the area.

Police Captain Randall Stoffels said the fire may have been caused by a mechanical problem.

Durbsboi

December 2nd, 2008, 06:50 AM

been there, just never to their F1 grand prix.

Then you should know that you must leave a good 4 hours before the race to get to the track, traffic on race days is not good, and with the track being a good 80-100km outside KL you need to be there on time.

Mo Rush

December 2nd, 2008, 07:01 AM

Then you should know that you must leave a good 4 hours before the race to get to the track, traffic on race days is not good, and with the track being a good 80-100km outside KL you need to be there on time.

Fortunately I dont have to organize anything.

Mo Rush

December 2nd, 2008, 07:47 AM

^^ We need a thread that is called: "The Trophy Cabinet" with all of Cape Town's accolades in them! The cabinet is getting quite large... yipee for us! :D

In October this year, Cape Town was chosen by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the 10 cities in the world that are most likely to become global sustainability centres by 2020.

The latest award comes on the back of Cape Town's already impressive list of accolades, which includes Africa’s Best City (US Travel and Leisure Best in the World Awards, July); Best Travel Destination in Africa and Middle East (US Travel & Leisure magazine, 2004 through 2007); and One of the World’s five Bluest Sky Destinations (expedia.co.uk).

Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille was recently also honoured being the world's number one mayor by City Mayors, a global local government think-tank. Zille came out tops out of a group of 820 mayors from around the world in the competition which spanned 18 months.

Mo Rush

December 2nd, 2008, 12:11 PM

Public sector invests R11bn in Cape Town for 2010

By Anél Powell

AT LEAST R11 billion has been invested by the public sector in the Green Point stadium and vital infrastructure for 2010.

City of Cape Town executive director of service delivery integration Mike Marsden told more than 200 people at yesterday's first Central City Partners Forum that increased investment in infrastructure, particularly roads and transport, was among the key goals in hosting the World Cup.

"It is not just about the stadium. The investment will lay the (foundation) for economic growth."

The city's acting director for operations, Sam Naidoo, said the city had spent R2.4bn on World Cup preparations, including the stadium.

Capital spending is needed for disaster management requirements, the buying of additional fire engines and law enforcement vehicles, lighting for the coastal landfill site that will be needed for waste generated during the event, and improving transport.

The city's operating budget for 2010 is to cover the costs of its stadium contractor, fan parks, final draw event, other events, private security, the temporary seating that is to be installed in April 2010 to take the stadium from 55 000 seats to the Fifa-required 68 000, and overtime pay for traffic and law enforcement officers.

The mayoral committee has accepted the budget committee's proposal that R82m in surplus revenue be used to meet the extra 2010 costs.

The 2010 committee has submitted several requests for extra funding, including proposals for replay screens at the stadium, and access roads for the Green Point Common.

The mayoral committee member for finance, Ian Neilson, said R82m was a fairly small portion of the projected rates income of R4bn.

To generate the extra R245m the city expects will be needed for programmes, projects and service delivery in the next five years, the council is to set its CPIX rate at 8%.

The city's director of finance, Johan Steyl, said in a report to the mayoral committee that higher tariff increases were inevitable.

Neilson said the 33.3% increase in electricity tariff was "unfortunate", but was determined by Eskom's expected 27% tariff increase.

Concern has been expressed that the city is spending too much on the World Cup.

Neilson said Cape Town would derive "significant benefits" from 2010 and the investment in infrastructure. "We are hoping for additional funding from the national government."

The net private sector investment over the next three years is expected to be R30bn.

Naidoo said $150m in World Cup tickets had been sold, while the television rights had been sold for R40.7bn.

Research suggested four in five World Cup visitors would prefer to visit Cape Town.

anel.powell@inl.co.za

Published on the web by Cape Times on November 26, 2008.

Mo Rush

December 2nd, 2008, 04:57 PM

main transport hub at hertzog boulevard??

http://www.capetownpartnership.co.za/images/cms/2010%20map.jpg

www.6000.co.za

December 2nd, 2008, 08:56 PM

Durbsboi

December 3rd, 2008, 07:19 AM

She must have seen the pictures of the bus on fire and thought it was an attempted hi-jacking :lol:

Mo Rush

December 3rd, 2008, 03:09 PM

After the 50,000 that filled the streets for the switching on of the festive lights, thousands more filled the streets last night for the Twilight run.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/run.jpg

Mo Rush

December 3rd, 2008, 03:22 PM

Speech by Helen Zille, mayor of Cape Town
MEDIA RELEASE
NO. 683/2008
03 DECEMBER 2008

Council meeting - 03 December 2008
Civic Centre council chamber, 10h00

Speaker, I would like to welcome councillors, colleagues, members of the media and members of the public to the last Council meeting for 2008.

As we begin today’s session, I would also like to wish councillors and staff a blessed festive season.

I hope they will have time to be with their families and loved ones over the recess, and that they will return with renewed strength.

As we reach the end of 2008, our IDP objective of attracting and nurturing investment through improved infrastructure and services is more urgent than ever.

The global economic downturn has reduced our national growth to less than one percent. It is also costing jobs, especially in our manufacturing sector, and pushing up interest rates.

This period will not last forever, but it requires that we put in extra effort to make Cape Town more globally competitive in the years ahead. Doing that is the only sustainable way to combat poverty.

Speaker, I am happy to say that the First Quarter Progress Report for 2008/9, which is before council today, shows that we are heading in this direction, with improved service delivery in a number of areas that affect investment. I would like to congratulate all mayoral committee members, Executive Directors and Staff concerned.

For example, the report shows we have so far spent 16% of our Capital Budget for the 2008/2009 financial year, which puts us well ahead of where we were this time last year.

By the end of the first quarter of 2007/8, we had only spent 8.5% of the capital budget, but by the end of that financial year we achieved record expenditure.

It therefore looks like we may break our record for infrastructure investment once again in the financial year to come – may that be so.

The report also shows we have cut delays in our planning department, which have been a problem for years, and have slowed down building developments.

We exceeded our 75% target for finalising land use management applications within the statutory timeframe, processing 97.2% on time.

And we have exceeded our 96% target for building development applications, achieving a rate of 124.5%.

Our Supply Chain Management department has also further improved its efficiency in procuring contractors for the city, which will ensure that key projects and service delivery in general are accelerated. We have reduced the average turn around time for procurement to 5.6 weeks, down from 15 weeks in 2005/6 and down from 6.5 weeks in 2007/2008.

We have therefore raised the national benchmark for awarding contracts quickly, efficiently and transparently, a standard we set ever since being the first municipality in South Africa certified under the rigorous ISO 9001 international quality management system.

In terms of helping our poorest residents to get a foothold into the formal economy through infrastructure and services, we have also made significant progress.

We have exceeded our first quarter target for housing opportunities by nearly 75%, delivering 2422 opportunities, which is more than the City delivered in an entire year in 2003/4. We are hoping to break Cape Town’s previous annual record for housing delivery by the end of the current financial year.

We have also exceeded our 90% target for the introduction of electricity to informal settlements.

And we have met our targets for solid waste removal, the provision of community facilities, early childhood development centres and our informal settlement upgrade programme.

The First Quarter Progress Report also shows that our large infrastructure projects are on track, including preparations for 2010.

By the end of the first quarter, 45% of the stadium construction was complete.

Since then, we have completed the concrete work and almost all of the 72 compression beams for the roof have been placed.

In the remaining twelve months of work ahead, specialist sub-contractors responsible for the roof and façade will complete their work.

I would like to thank the 2 500 workers on site, as well as our joint venture construction company, Murray & Roberts and WBHO, the City’s professional team and our 2010 Project Team for their hard work to ensure we maintain this pace of delivery.

Apart from the stadium itself, we have also executed 55% of the detailed transport plans for 2010, 30% of the event operating plan, and nearly 28% of the other planning work required.

There are two work streams where we are behind schedule.

Firstly, we have fallen short of our target for the installation of electricity infrastructure as a result of an imported switchgear being damaged during shipping.

Secondly, we are still trying to recover time lost on the reconfiguration of the Green Point Common as a result of delays by the former MEC for Planning and Environment in finalising the record of decision for the new design.

There are other missed targets in the Progress Report, and some of these, especially regarding air quality and space management in our solid waste dumps, are cause for concern.

There are also some important developments in the City that the report does not reflect, but which I would like to raise here.

Firstly, in recent months we have seen important developments in our fight against crime and corruption.

Last week the City secured judgement in the Cape High Court against former SALGA CEO, Thabo Mokwena, in the Jewellery City case.

We handed this case to the police after a forensic audit we launched in 2006 found the R8 million contract for a ‘Jewellery City’ had been awarded illegally by former City Manager, Wallace Mgoqi.

This will either result in the repayment to the City of R2.6 million of Mr Mokwena’s unlawful consulting fees, or the attachment of Mr Mokwena’s assets.

We have also concluded our investigation into Full Swing Trading by serving a summons on its director.

This company was paid R3.3m for a ‘social facilitation project’ by the City under the ANC administration without a tender process, and without any tangible outcome.

These developments prove, once and for all, that our forensic audits were not empty witch hunts, as the ANC claimed, but valid efforts to clean up this administration.

Of course, this year we have also taken important steps to stop other forms of crime, with the formation of our specialist units, particularly our narcotics unit and the Copperheads.

Since our substance abuse unit was established four months ago, for example, it has arrested 50 suspects, closed down 15 shebeens and illegal clubs, and held raids leading to the eviction of 40 council tenants for illegal activities.

A further 36 cases are awaiting court dates, and 195 warning letters have also been sent to new suspects.

The unit has seized narcotics worth about R370 000 during this time, including R200 000 worth of tik. On Monday this week a further R4500 worth of tik and R4500 of drug money was seized in Seawinds.

In this regard, it is disappointing that the South African Police have twice delayed our plans to implement a Cape High Court ruling to evict people from a council property in Washington Street, Langa, where drugs were being illegally traded.

We were supposed to carry out the eviction this morning, but were told that the SAPS did not have personnel available. This is the second time that justice has been delayed on this case.

Speaker, the positive results recorded in our Progress Report can be attributed to the ongoing improvements to the City’s administration.

For much of 2006 and 2007 we have been gearing the City up to meet its IDP objectives.

This has seen the right people being assigned to the right places, and the introduction of a proper management structure through the Organisational Realignment Process.

The realignment has been a challenging process for everyone concerned. Many vacancies still need to be filled, and some discrepancies still have to be resolved.

But we have the basics in place, and of 6200 placement objections received about 6000 have been brought to conclusion.

Our most recent milestone has been the finalisation of the second phase of pay parity, which will be implemented with the 24 December pay run.

This has brought to an end the disparities and unfairness of the past, and will give managers the tools and structure they need to ensure that all staff get fair recognition according to the value that they add.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work done by City staff and councillors in helping us to come this far with improving delivery.

They have done so in the context of a range of crises and challenges that confronted our local government during 2008, and, as the year draws to a close, it is appropriate that we reflect briefly on how these challenges have affected the City, and how they have been addressed.

Among the most serious was May’s outbreak of xenophobic violence, which displaced 20 000 people in Cape Town, and many more in the rest of South Africa.

After six months of hard and often thankless work by City, Provincial and NGO staff, and more than R200 million in expenditure, over 97% of displaced people have been repatriated, reintegrated into their original communities or relocated to new communities of their choice.

Less than 3% remain behind in Blue Waters and Youngsfield.

The City has continued to provide water, sanitation, refuse removal and medical services at these sites, despite their formal closure.

But we do not agree with critics of the relief effort that the sites should be reopened.

Many of the remaining people have refused repeated offers of assistance to relocate, and are abusing the system. At Youngsfield, for example, there were 38 applications for relocation. Twenty people left, 8 changed their minds and 10 are in process for repatriation. At Blue Waters site B, 5 applied for relocation, but changed their mind. At Blue Waters site C, 19 cancelled their application at the last minute, and 12 applications are in process. There are still 68 cheques issued by the United Nations High Commission to help people with rental assistance that have not been collected.

Prolonging safety sites is therefore not a solution, and we are preparing papers for an eviction order where all persuasion fails and reasonable alternatives are rejected. In the interim, we have established protocols to ensure orderly management of the sites, processing of remaining applications and the safety of both the displaced people and staff. This means entry, but not exit, is controlled and granted by prior arrangement and permission.

Apart from the aftermath of the xenophobic violence, our City staff have also faced major challenges in dealing with natural disasters, including relief work and repairs to infrastructure after heavy winter storms.

And, more recently, shack fires have rendered thousands of people homeless in Imizamo Yethu, Kosovo, Endlovini and other regions.

Today Council will have the opportunity to reduce the risk of fires in Khayelitsha by granting blanket authority for land to be transferred to Eskom for electrical infrastructure in informal areas. I hope that Councillor Sikhutshwa and the ANC will support this recommendation, and stop trying to block service provision to informal settlements for their own narrow interests.

Bringing safe electricity connections to informal areas helps reduce the need for paraffin stoves and candles, which are among the leading causes of shack fires. It will also reduce dangerous illegal connections, which often injure residents, especially children.

I also hope that Council will support today’s recommendation that the City accept financial support for an informal settlement fire early warning system from NGK Ceramics, worth nearly R3 million.

The City has continued to build capacity in its fire services, with our existing fire fighters receiving backup from 122 trainee fire fighters, 112 seasonal fire-fighters, and 26 reservists.

But we also need residents to be vigilant.

We have been handing out information pamphlets with practical tips, which include: having an emergency exit route, a bucket of sand and a bucket of water in every informal home; keeping matches, lighters and paraffin in a safe place out of reach of children; keeping stoves on a flat surface away from drafts and flammable materials; never leaving open fires, stoves or candles unattended; using sand to extinguish paraffin fires; switching off electricity at the mains before trying to extinguish an electrical fire; keeping roads clear for fire engines; not obstructing or vandalising fire hydrants; not interfering with fire fighters; and keeping emergency services numbers, including 107 on a Telkom line and 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.

I urge all ward councillors to communicate this information to constituents living in informal settlements.

Turning to the rest of today’s council agenda, there are a number of items which will support our objective of infrastructure-led economic growth in the year ahead.

One of the most critical of these is the long term contract for the Green Point Stadium and stadium precinct, which council will be asked to consider.

We have recommended that council approve the lease of the stadium to a consortium of Stade de France and the Sail group, which was named as the preferred bidder following an open tender process.

If approved, this consortium will operate the multi-purpose facility for a minimum of ten and a maximum of thirty years.

I would like to welcome executives from the two companies concerned to this council meeting.

The City is very happy to have a reputable, successful and experienced consortium to operate one of its newest and most valuable assets.

We believe that Stade de France’s track record of operating a profitable multi-purpose 80 000 seat stadium in Paris and Sail’s local expertise as the largest sport marketing group in the country is a winning combination.

We are also pleased to have the opportunity to secure the consortium’s management services for the stadium on a contract from next year until 2010. Stade de France has successfully hosted world finals in soccer and rugby and knows the governing bodies, their standards and requirements.

I would like to assure the consortium that if council approves the contract, we will commit ourselves to supporting it in order to turn Green Point stadium into an international success story.

This brings me to a key point about Cape Town hosting the World Cup 2010, and its commitment to building the Green Point Stadium.

It is simply wrong to claim, as some commentators have, that basic services will be curtailed in order to finance the stadium.

Firstly, the funds that the City receives from service charges are specifically used for maintaining services, and hikes on these charges have nothing to do with the stadium costs.

Charges for electricity, water, refuse removal and sanitation are committed to constructing new sub-stations, sewerage plants, water pipes and other critically needed services such as refuse transfer and reclamation stations.

These charges have increased sharply over the past two years because the city has had inadequate investment in these basic systems for decades, and we now have to catch up.

Next year we are expecting to have approximately 33% increases in electricity prices, but this is the result of Eskom’s demands for more money and the National Government’s 2% levy on electricity generation. It has nothing to do with the costs of 2010.

The City has made it clear that it will also limit the impact of the stadium on rates.

Our officials are currently in talks with National Treasury over the remaining funding gap of around R550 million on the project, and we are also looking at other sources of funding, which include selling the naming rights, ticket sales and income from the operating contract.

The stadium cost overruns are a national problem affecting all stadiums to a greater or lesser extent. This is the result of an overheated construction industry, rising material costs and inadequate budget parameters for escalation and contingency set by National Treasury, which we said at the time were way too low.
The R498 million needed for the operational budget for 2010 over the next three years is also not all for the City’s account. There are other sources of income which will help cover this cost. National Government has so far given the City an operating grant of R78 million and indicated that host cities can expect further help. FIFA has made the equivalent of R16 million available in equipment for the Fan Park.

Any income derived from the City’s three planned public viewing areas will be used to further reduce the operating budget. Line department estimates have undergone a review and the 2010 transport operating budget has been reduced from R167 million to R80 million. We will continue to look at ways to reduce the costs over the next few months to meet the affordability limit of the City.

There is also an even more important point which we cannot emphasise often enough.

Cape Town is receiving huge national government investments for its relatively small contribution to the new stadium and operating costs.

In return for putting in around R1 billion of rates money for the stadium, operating costs and public transport, ratepayers of Cape Town will benefit from a R2 billion upgrade to the airport, a R1.3 billion Bus Rapid Transit system, over R1 billion worth of upgrades to major roads, around R1 billion in upgrades to electricity generation infrastructure, a R400 million upgrade to the central station, R1,2 billion for new trains, and hundreds of millions of rands worth of upgrades to public spaces and facilities.

All of these things, as well as the stadium itself, will benefit residents after the event.

So will the marketing opportunity of hosting the event, which will bring in extra tourism and investment, and boost job creation.

If we had not agreed to build the stadium, most of these investments from national government would instead have been focused in Johannesburg and other cities.

That would have been a tragic missed opportunity for Cape Town.

Speaker, another important item that will impact on development in Cape Town during the year ahead is a recommendation that we begin the process of forming a municipal entity to manage public transport within the City’s jurisdiction.

This recommendation follows our decision not to adopt the Provincial Government’s 2007 proposal that it take over our public transport operating responsibilities through a Public Transport Operating Entity.

There are several reasons for this.

Firstly, the Constitution makes public transport within municipal boundaries a municipal responsibility, and it does not allow us to delegate our functions to Provincial or National Government.

Secondly, the National Land Transport Transition Amendment Bill and Cabinet’s National Public Transport Strategy also place the responsibility for municipal public transport with local government, in line with the Constitution.

We therefore can not legally hand this responsibility over to Province, and this would, in any event, be out of step with what other municipalities are doing around South Africa.

The recommendation to form a municipal entity is also based on the outcome of consultation and assessment of alternatives by the City to determine which mechanism would be best suited for managing public transport.

This process, carried out in terms of Section 78 (3) of the Municipal Systems Act, found that forming a municipal entity would be more sustainable and financially viable than increasing our existing staff capacity.

The entity we are proposing today would be mandated to procure and/or administer public transport services, and would be managed by the City through a service level agreement, in a similar way to the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Before we can set it up, however, we have to go through a further financial impact assessment and public participation process in terms of Section 84 (2) of the Municipal Financial Management Act, which council will be asked to approve.

If council agrees to move ahead with the project, we can expect the entity to be established by the second half of 2009.

This will be an important milestone in the larger process of overhauling public transport in Cape Town through our Integrated Rapid Transit plans.

In this regard I would like to make it clear that our local taxi industry has no reason to be concerned about their future role in the new scheme.

The Bus component of the Integrated Rapid Transit System should benefit taxi operators and make their job easier. It is a scheme that will get more people on public transport, and, in the end, that means more customers for the taxi operators, and more income.

Speaker, before I finish I would like to raise one final issue.

Today is International Disability Day, and I therefore ask that this Council take a moment to reflect on the challenges faced every day by those affected by disabilities, physically, emotionally and economically.

Today we should pay tribute to the many disabled people in Cape Town and the rest of the world who have risen up to face these challenges, and have become a source of inspiration to the disabled and able-bodied alike.

And we should recognise the efforts of the dedicated citizens who provide services and support to the disabled, often with very little financial compensation.

The City has made some progress with services to the disabled, including Dial-a-Ride and wheelchair friendly library and IT centres.

Most importantly, as we continue our work to promote economic growth in Cape Town, we will also facilitate more private sector opportunities for disabled people to reach their full potential with the assistance of improved technology, better medical services, and more job opportunities.

I thank you.

END

Mo Rush

December 3rd, 2008, 11:08 PM

Another ocean race to stop over in Cape Town

Portimao Global Ocean Race: Event returns to Cape Town

Wednesday, 03 December 2008

At the formal prize giving ceremony for the Portimão Global Ocean Race hosted Tuesday evening by Executive Deputy Mayor, Cllr Grant Haskin, there were two major announcements. The first announcement was that the second Portimao Global Ocean Race will commence in 2010. Race Director Josh Hall, who served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, declared the following:

“We are proud to announce that there will definitely be a Portimão Global Ocean Race starting in October 2010 and that we plan to run this event every two years thereafter,” he said. “This inaugural event has proven that there is a need for a round the world race which is attainable and cost-effective for skippers and sponsors. We anticipate 15-20 boats on the start line of the next race. We chose our host cities based on the practical requirements of our entries and community involvement potential rather than the financial incentives demanded by some events. Our target is to have continuity of the race course in order to develop real and sustainable relationships with the host cities and their communities so I can therefore confirm that we will indeed be back here in Cape Town in two years time. The Fairest Cape, a stunningly beautiful setting, warm, friendly people and what we regard as one of the finest yacht clubs in the world, the Royal cape Yacht Club, what more could one wish for?”

In his speech of the evening Executive Deputy Mayor, Cllr Grant Haskin reiterated the support of the City of Cape Town: “We have long welcomed sailors to Cape Town and are delighted that the Portimão Global Ocean Race will be returning to the Tavern of the Seas. We can see that this is an event that will grow from strength to strength and we are very happy and proud to be part of that growth. There is a certain spirit among the sailors that in many ways embodies the spirit of the South African people, so we are pleased and honoured to be associated with this global around-the-world yacht race.”

To add weight to the announcement the first official entry of the 2010 race was introduced. Local sailor and businessman Adrian Kuttel confirmed his entry in the next race. “It’s humbling to be here among these sailors who are already following their dream of racing around the world,” said Kuttel. “This has also been a dream of mine since I watched my father race in the early Whitbread Round the World races. Now I am looking forward to creating a campaign that will reflect South African values and involve the youth of South Africa.”

Kuttel’s campaign will work closely with the City as well as with Izivunguvungu, a non-profit foundation aimed at broadening the lives of underprivileged youth. It is an exceptionally successful programme thanks in part to the support of Admiral Koos Louw, who was on hand to pass on a message and gift from the Deputy Mayor of Portimão to Deputy Mayor Haskin. Admiral Louw, a fervent supporter of both Izivunguvungu and the Portimão Global Ocean Race, was gracious in his comments.

“It’s fabulous to see an event like this that brings around-the-world racing back to its roots and makes it affordable for sailors. The Portimão Global Ocean Race has really captured the spirit of earlier races and in a direct way returned Portugal to its rich seafaring history.”

kilps

December 4th, 2008, 10:20 AM

Mo - where can I find the opposition's reply to Helen Zille's speech? Would be interesting to see their take on it all...

Mo Rush

December 4th, 2008, 12:33 PM

Mo - where can I find the opposition's reply to Helen Zille's speech? Would be interesting to see their take on it all...

do they reply?

Mo Rush

December 4th, 2008, 01:53 PM

Zille: 2010 a sound investment

The return on the City of Cape Town's 2010 FIFA World Cup™ investment will be considerable and have far-reaching benefits for the city long after the tournament's come and gone.

This was the confident assessment today from the Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Helen Zille, as she addressed the city's Council members.

The beautiful "Mother City" is South African tourism's crown jewel, with millions of visitors annually flocking to the city's pristine beaches, mountain ranges, wine farms and myriad of tourist spots. The city's magnificent Green Point Stadium is set to host a 2010 FIFA World Cup semi final, while the city also hosts the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final Draw on December 4 next year.

"In return for putting in around one billion rand of rates money for the stadium, operating costs and public transport, ratepayers of Cape Town will benefit from a two billion rand upgrade to the airport, a 1.3 billion rand Bus Rapid Transit system, over 1 billion rand worth of upgrades to major roads, around 1 billion rand in upgrades to electricity generation infrastructure, a 400 million rand upgrade to the central station, 1.2 billion rand for new trains, and hundreds of millions of rands worth of upgrades to public spaces and facilities," said Zille in a speech to the City of Cape Town's Council this morning.

She said considerable construction progress had been made, with the project very much on track to meet its deadlines, with the focus over the next year on the erection of the roof and completion of the stadium façade.

"I would like to thank the 2 500 workers on site, as well as our joint venture construction company, Murray & Roberts and WBHO, the City's professional team and our 2010 Project Team for their hard work to ensure we maintain this pace of delivery. Apart from the stadium itself, we have also executed 55 percent of the detailed transport plans for 2010, 30 percent of the event operating plan, and nearly 28 percent of the other planning work required," said Zille.

Responding to the issue of budget overruns, she says this was a global phenomenon and being well managed by the City.

"The 498 million rand needed for the operational budget for 2010 over the next three years is not all for the city's account. There are other sources of income which will help cover this cost. National Government has so far given the city an operating grant of 78 million rand and indicated that host cities can expect further help," said Zille.

In addition to the legacy benefits of the airport, road and transport infrastructure upgrades for the city of Cape Town, Zille also spoke of the significant impact that hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup will have on tourism and job creation for the area. She mentioned that without the 2010 FIFA World Cup, none of these improvements would be possible.

"If we had not agreed to build the stadium, most of these investments from national government would instead have been focused in Johannesburg and other cities. That would have been a tragic missed opportunity for Cape Town" said Zille.

kilps

December 4th, 2008, 03:22 PM

do they reply?

I've always assumed there is a response to such things... I'll go look around the City's website...

Edit: Minutes from the council meeting are not up ... will look a bit later again

Die Kapenaar

December 4th, 2008, 07:58 PM

I've always assumed there is a response to such things... I'll go look around the City's website...

Edit: Minutes from the council meeting are not up ... will look a bit later again

The minutes is where the various parties make their comments in council on all types of issues but it usually takes the council about two weeks to post the council minutes in PDF format on the website.

Mo Rush

December 5th, 2008, 09:27 AM

City to host opening ceremony of S.A. 2008 International Badminton Tournament

04 DECEMBER 2008

The City of Cape Town will host the opening ceremony of the annual South African 2008 International Badminton Tournament. Executive Deputy Mayor Grant Haskin will officiate.

Date: Thursday 04 December 2008
Time: 15:00
Venue: John Tyers Hall, Kennilworth

All media are invited to attend.

The tournament is part of the International Badminton Federation’s (IBF) calendar of International Badminton Tournaments. Players from several countries including USA, England, Germany, Denmark, France, Egypt, Nigeria, Mauritius, Zambia and Botswana are expected to participate in this year’s tournament.

Mo Rush

December 5th, 2008, 09:34 AM

Cape Town, one of the most spectacular summer destinations on earth

By Bianca Coleman

Congratulations! It's a gorgeous summer's day - although it might be a bit breezy - and you're in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Those are good enough reasons to declare this holiday season officially open.

Cape Town is South Africa's top tourist destination, with close to two-million local and international visitors a year and it's easy to see why they flock here.

We have spectacular natural beauty, from mountains and beaches to vineyards and nature reserves. Those vineyards yield some jolly fine wines to go with award-winning cuisine at the best restaurants in the country.

The festive season heralds countless special events, concerts and parties, while the hot sunny days demand that you get out and try fun and/or exciting activities, whether it's something that gets the adrenaline rushing or simply entertains and educates.

We do a pretty fine job of pleasing all of the people, all of the time.

From today until the middle of January, EsCape Times will be a daily feature in the Mother City's favourite morning newspaper. We are going to make an heroic effort to cover as much as what Cape Town has to offer as possible, with first-hand reports on a diverse range of activities and events.

Of course, Cape Town is not only for visitors.

Locals often don't get a chance to be tourists in our own city, and we really should take advantage of its attractions. Ask any Capetonian when last they went up to the top of Table Mountain in the cable car - without an overseas visitor in tow - and chances are they'll scratch their heads and gaze off into the middle distance. Not recently, I'll warrant. Now's the perfect time to remedy that, with half price specials after 6pm for the best sundowner spot on the Peninsula.

Speaking of sundowners, we approach that particular activity with something akin to evangelical zeal. Or we would, if we weren't so laid back and super cool, not to mention chronically late.

It's not unusual for al fresco lunches to stretch into late afternoon mojitos, especially on Fridays, which is an unofficial day of rest.

We do love our cocktails, especially when sipped within sight of the Atlantic Ocean so you can expect a round-up of some of the best places to do this, and where to go much later, after the sun has gone down.

Whether you prefer to shake it to a DJ or a band, there's a night club or bar for you. Besides the regular live music happenings in and around the city, there's the Little Hearts Festival at the V&A Waterfront all this weekend, as well as the legendary OBZ Festival, both of which will feature some of our best known musicians.

The summer sunset concerts every Sunday at Kirstenbosch have become something of an institution, and packing a picnic and watching Freshlyground, Johnny Clegg, Arno Carstens or the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra is a soothing way to unwind at the end of another busy weekend.

Also happening this weekend is the 2008 Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival which will showcase the real French stuff as well as our own locally made cap classiques which are arguably just as good, if not better in some cases.

Cape Town is a glorious place for sight seeing and there are tour operators falling over themselves to take you around and show off all the pretty, cultural and historic things, from Chapman's Peak, Cape Point, the winelands and beaches, to Robben Island and any number of museums containing everything from whale bones to toys.

There is an aquarium, a planetarium, and places where you can look at lions, monkeys, butterflies, reptiles and ostriches.

If that's too tame, a safari at Fairy Glen in Worcester, just an hour from Cape Town, promises to reveal the famous Big 5: lion, elephant, cheetah, rhino and wildebeest, as well as a selection of other wild animals.

This wonderful place of ours can be enjoyed by land, sea or air.

There is a choice of two tours to be taken on board a topless double decker bus; sunset cruises, trips to Seal Island and shark cage diving; and helicopter flips, hot air ballooning and paragliding.

You can rent a Harley-Davidson or a classic car to get around, which is guaranteed to turn heads when tootling down Victoria Road in Camps Bay.

There are beaches for baking in the sun - but don't underestimate its brutality, high SPF sunblock is essential unless you want to look like a blistered lobster at sundowner time which is definitely not cool - and others for surfing, kite surfing and more mellow kayaking.

Go horse riding or attend one of the special race days at Kenilworth, try sandboarding, quad biking, fly fishing or smack a ball around a golf course.

Take in a cabaret or check out some stand-up comedy, and shop till you drop at the V&A Waterfront while the kids try out all the rides at the funfair which opens there on Saturday.

If you're more Bohemian than designer label, cruise up and down Long Street where quirky and original boutiques reside incongruously alongside second-hand bookshops and Adult World (if you need that explained, give us a call) with a watering hole every few metres.

All this barely scratches the surface of what Cape Town has in store for you, and EsCape Times is going to be essential daily reading to either help you decide what to do next, or to let you live vicariously through us. I definitely recommend the former.

Mo Rush

December 5th, 2008, 09:37 AM

we got it , we won we won!!

Cape Town - new home of the Loeries

The 2009 Loerie Awards will take place at the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town in 2009, the Loeries Committee finally announced this morning, Friday, 5 December 2008. And with the move to Cape Town, the date of the Festival Weekend is changing from July to 25 - 27 September 2009. [poll]

Earlier this year, the committee invited Margate - where the Loeries has been held for the past four years - Cape Town, Johannesburg and Sun City to pitch to host this prestigious event. Sun City declined to pitch for capacity reasons, and the three remaining destinations presented their proposals for hosting South Africa's premier advertising awards.

“Margate, Johannesburg and Cape Town all rose to the challenge and bent over backwards to accommodate the Loeries, making the committee's decision very difficult,” says Andrew Human, MD of The Loerie Awards.

“I'd especially like to thank all our Margate and KwaZulu-Natal partners as well as the local community for everything they have done over the last few years. Choosing to host the Loeries in 2005 was a brave decision and Margate proved they were up to the task. I am sure these years will always be remembered well in the annals of the Loeries.”

“Many things taken into account”

“Many things have to be taken into account when choosing the host town, including event logistics such as accommodation, transport and the venue. In the end, Cape Town's pitch was selected by the committee as it provided the best solution to all our needs,” added Human.

“It was very important for the committee to ensure that the event remains accessible and affordable and we will be working with our partners in Cape Town to meet this requirement. We know everyone is facing hard times and we will be doing what we can to keep costs down. And while some people have expressed reservations about holding the awards in a big city, we feel very confident that we will keep the intimate atmosphere that the Loeries is renowned for, while offering all the glamour of Cape Town.”

Says Mansoor Mohamed, executive director for economic, social development and tourism for the City of Cape Town, “The legacy projects that accompany the Loeries will help to position Cape Town as a home for the creative industries. It offers great economic opportunities for the residents of Cape Town.”

Good Hope Centre

The site earmarked for the awards ceremony is the Good Hope Centre in the East City Precinct, a site of great historic importance. The precinct has also become a home to the creative industry in Cape Town, with many advertising, design and marketing companies already making their home there.

“The Good Hope Centre has been somewhat forgotten in Cape Town and we feel this is a perfect challenge for the Loeries. It's a fantastic building and an exciting opportunity to do something different - we're confident that it's going to rock!” enthuses Human on the new venue. “Of course we will be putting together a full weekend programme including transport to and from the awards as well as other functions and parties.”

Comments Andrew Boraine, CEO of the Cape Town Partnership, on the significance of hosting the Loeries in Cape Town: “The Loeries is a huge opportunity for Cape Town. It will add to the regeneration of the East City, which is currently a site of significant creative industries clustering and a major part of the city's cultural hub. By attracting such a major event into the East City, our city can fast-track the redevelopment of the Good Hope Centre, and mobilise our creative community to engage with the Loerie's extensive programme of activities.”

Regarding the significance of the Loerie Awards for the tourism economy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, says, “Already in the enviable position of being both a fantastic city to visit, and a great city to live in, Cape Town is gearing up to stake our claim as Africa's cultural and creative centre. The opportunities linked to hosting The Loeries are endless. Not only will it attract more than 5000 visitors to our city, but it will create a platform for Capetonians to celebrate their city with the creative industry at large.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the Loerie Awards to the Mother City.”

Mo Rush

December 6th, 2008, 12:34 PM

I knew it!! It definitely felt like 100,000

100,000 people attended Festive lights switch-on

Festive lights carnival smashes attendance records
05 DECEMBER 2008

A RECORD 100 000 people attended this year’s official switch-on of the Adderley Street festive lights on November 30, almost double that of last year.

According to Lesley de Reuck, Cape Town’s 2010 World Cup Director, the festivities proved the municipality’s mettle to stage big events in the run-up to 2010. "We were expecting around 50 000 spectators and are grateful that no incidents of crime or injury were reported. It proved that our safety and security plans were spot on.

"The music concert and 2 000-strong carnival parade emulated the festive atmosphere we want for the fan parks during the 2010 Fifa World Cup tournament – the world’s largest sports event. We used the switch-on to test various safety and security systems.

"The 1,5 kilometres of fencing along the carnival parade route ensured the safety of the public, as well as the carnival participants. The City’s CCTV surveillance team kept a watchful electronic eye over the proceedings allowing them to alert security staff on the ground in case of emergencies," he says.

Some 900 marshals oversaw the safety of the carnival parade. Other safety staff included nearly 200 officers of the SAPS and Metro Police, 75 private security guards, 38 security staff from the Central City Improvement District (CCID), as well as 16 Disaster Management and 12 Health personnel.

"In addition to these safety precautions, no hand outs from the stage were allowed as these could cause stampedes, thefts or injury. There were also carefully planned emergency exits around the area," says De Reuck.

The event also tested the City’s cleansing abilities. In addition to 300 bins, which were strategically placed around the demarcated area, 40 cleaners and water trucks swept the area after the event. By Monday morning the only evidence of the huge party, was that of workers dismantling the stage at the Heerengracht Fountain.

"The comprehensive medical team included a dedicated doctor, an advanced life support paramedic, three ambulances, a dedicated medical operations officer and 15 disaster management volunteers.

"The festive light event has confirmed that Cape Town’s Traffic Services is geared to manage road closures, parking and the traffic flows associated with huge events. We are confident that Cape Town will live up to its reputation of being the party capital during the 2010 Fifa Soccer World cup," says De Reuck.

Mo Rush

December 7th, 2008, 09:50 AM

Olduvai sculpture at CTICC (warrenski at flickr)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/3087819362_51d91019ae_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/3086983399_c2639b019e_b.jpg

fearless880

December 8th, 2008, 12:38 AM

Durbsboi

December 8th, 2008, 06:56 AM

Sad to see the Loeries move away from Margate, even tho if it was there only for a short time, they made it like their "Oscars"......oh well another thing for CT.

Mo Rush

December 9th, 2008, 12:11 PM

Cape Town and the Western Cape shine at big EIBTM Show in Barcelona

Tuesday, December 09, 2008
A strong team from Cape Town and the Western Cape pulled out all the stops to promote our destination in the highly competitive international meetings, conferences and incentive (MICE) tourism sector. The occasion was the annual Global Meetings and Incentives Exhibition (EIBTM) that took place in Barcelona, Spain from 2 – 4 December. The show attracted a record of 3,711 hosted buyers, with a total of 11,000 visitors including meeting planners, conference organisers, convention bureau representatives, destination management companies and the like. The number of hosted buyers increased by 12% compared with EIBTM 2007.

The Cape delegation, led by CTRU’s Convention Bureau, included the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Arabella Starwood and Southern Sun hotels as well as three destination management companies (DMCs) namely Fairfield Meetings & Incentives, Into Africa and Propel Africa. Despite the effects of the global financial crisis there was significant interest in Cape Town and the Western Cape as an incentive / corporate meetings destination with some enquiries with regard to potential Association Conferences in the destination to be followed up. The Cape Town Convention Bureau (CTRU) provided a branded destination platform for our partners and this combination worked well with many walk-ins onto the stand and pre-scheduled appointments being able to conclude business with the hotels and the DMCs. This follows a very successful quarter for the Cape Town Convention Bureau where the bureau was able to confirm 9 Association Meeting’s conferences for Cape Town between 2009 and 2018.

Speaking from Barcelona, CTRU CEO Calvyn Gilfellan, who headed up the delegation, commented about the high level of co-operation amongst the Western Cape delegation. “International meeting planners, corporate and incentive buyers and organisers would come to our stand and get all the information they want with the highest levels of service excellence. Many of the 195 visitors to our stand and presentation area complemented the team for this” This has translated into strong leads for CTRU’s Convention Bureau as well as the other Cape based exhibitors. Some of these include:
- A potential 600 strong Singaporean incentive programme in 2009;
- 200 confirmed delegates from the UK Corporate Group Gulliver’s;
- 3 groups of Dutch incentive and association buyers planning to visit Cape Town during Meetings Africa in early 2009
- A potential 500 delegates in 2009 coming to the VISA International Programme and
* 5 000 delegates for a planned European pharmaceutical conference.

“EIBTM attendees have shown a huge interest in South Africa and the Western Cape as an incentive and meetings destination during 2010. This bodes well for us because one would expect some displacement of regular leisure tourism during a big sport’s tournament such as the FIFA World Cup 2010” remarks Gilfellan.

Although EIBTM took place during a time of extreme economic turmoil in the developed economies of the world, the mood amongst delegates and organisers remained buoyant. The economic crisis was viewed as an opportunity for the meetings and incentives industry to reposition itself with regard to issues like the environment, social and economic responsibility and the new financial reality. “Discussions focused on carbon neutrality, corporate social responsibility and energy efficiency – all issues hitherto largely ignored by this sector of the tourism industry” says Gilfellan.

bloatedstomach

December 9th, 2008, 01:35 PM

I am a college student interested in studying in at the University of Cape Town for a semester. I am debating between CT and Edinburgh (big difference..). So i am looking for some feedback on temp living in CT. How is the public transportation since i will not have a car? Is this a good city to live on your own for half a year? I am already well read on the crime issue. Cost of living is much cheaper in SA i know. Can anyone provide insight as to what life is like for a college student in the cape?

Lots of accommodation in the area around UCT: Rondebosch, Newlands, Rosebank etc. Good UCT shuttle service to these areas which is free for UCT students. Crime is known, but it's not a huge issue in Rondebosch. Cape Town is a good city to live in no matter how long you're here for. I've lived here my whole life and will never get tired of it. Student life is pretty decent particularly if you live near the university where most of students live. So much for young people to do whether you like the outdoors, shopping, sport, nightlife, etc.

Link for off campus accommodation at uct: http://cal.uct.ac.za/generic.php?m=/offcampus/findaccom.php

fearless880

December 9th, 2008, 05:15 PM

thanks for the insight! ^

Mo Rush

December 9th, 2008, 05:16 PM

Enjoy a unique shopping experience at Adderley street night market

08 DECEMBER 2008

It’s that time of the year again, when Adderley Street comes alive with the festive extravaganza that is the Adderley Street Night Market. This year the City of Cape Town will once again play host to this memorable event.

Come and enjoy a unique shopping experience at the 2008 Adderley Street Night Market.

The Night Market, one of the biggest events the City of Cape Town has to offer, with over 150 stalls, entertainment and fun for the whole family, will this year brighten up the city as Adderley Street comes alive.

The City’s Executive Director: Economic, Social Development and Tourism, Mansoor Mohamed, said that they expect in the region of 400 000 visitors to the Night Market over a period of 13 days.

The Market will run from the 16 - 29 December at 19h00 - 23h00. With the best local cuisine that the city has to offer, visitors will also be entertained by roving magicians, mimes and local music and entertainment, including The Rockets and Larry Soffer. Local arts, crafts and goodies for the kids will also be on sale. The organizers are also planning a competition, Cape Town is the Future.

“The Adderley Street Night Market offers visitors a safe & secure shopping and dining experience in a unique Cape Town environment,” says Mohamed.

“This night market is one of Cape Town’s important festive season events and has an assortment of products, food items and a variety of outstanding entertainment on offer! Part of our strategy for developing markets is targeted towards boosting local trade and tourism by growing this and other night markets to levels that are similar to night markets you would find in Asia and North America, says Executive Mayor Helen Zille.

Since its inception this popular event has been influential in making the inner city come alive with entertainment over the festive season. As a platform for showcasing local cuisine, talent and arts and crafts and experiencing Cape Town in its true cultural diversity, it is unmatched. Over the years the event has moved from strength to strength, and the stakeholders are very excited about the prospects for 2008.

Come and shop till you drop as Adderley and Darling Streets will be lined with over 150 gift, jewellery, clothing and food stalls. The shops in the Golden Acre will also be open till late for shoppers.

“During the time the Market takes place, roads will be closed to traffic from 5:30pm until 1am. These roads are: Adderley Street at Bureau Street, Adderley Street at Strand Street, Darling Street at Plein Street, Hout Street at Burg Street, Longmarket Street at Burg Street and Longmarket Street at Parliament Street. The Adderley Street Night Market is easily accessible to all with over 800 secure free parking bays at the Golden Acre Shopping Centre. Parking will also be available at Grande Central Shopping Centre, Greenmarket Square and Picbel Parkade between 7pm and midnight to festival-goers and traders. We have improved the cleaning and ablution facilities of the market and strict security will be adhered to as the SAPS, traffic police, CCID security and an additional private security company will be in attendance for the duration of the market,” says Mayor Zille.

Achievements and highlights 2007:
• 400 000 people visited the Market
• 180 traders exhibited and sold local cuisine and other goods
• 50 emerging crafters were present
• 30 artist performed
• Visitors spent R15 million over a period of 14 days
• 40 security staff from were present from SAPS, Metro Police & CCID

Cape Town – Come do your thing! COMPETITION
Tavern of the seas, must-see-city-before-you-die, a city with breathless natural beauty with all four seasons likely to be encountered in one day. These are some of the flattering descriptions of home that makes us proud to be associated with our own El Dorado … wherever we are in the world.

However, murder capital of the world, the most racist city in the country, ‘as brutal as it is beautiful’ are descriptions we are aware of, but prefer not to deal with - as with a good family scandal.

But what is Cape Town to you? What is the Cape Town of tomorrow like? Come do your thing!

YOU, plus at least three more of your friends, are invited to present through whatever artistic expression you choose, what Cape Town means to you.

The theme of the competition is: Cape Town is the Future – This is our Thing! and is organized in conjunction with Heart 104.9

First Prize R 10 000. 00
Second Prize R 5 000. 00
Third Prize R 2 000. 00
SMS Prize R 5 000.00

The City of Cape Town once again invites all residents and visitors to the Adderley Street Night Market to come and experience this magical exhibition of Cape Town tradition.

Mo Rush

December 10th, 2008, 10:54 PM

Cape Town’s tourism season buoyant despite economic woes

Mother City - The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) reports indicate that global economic turmoil has resulted in declines throughout the world travel market. Despite these trends, Cape Town’s tourism season remains intact with some regions reporting good occupancy levels for the season ahead.

The latest Cape Town Tourism’s dipstick research shows that there is a slight decline in visitors, in comparison to the previous year this time, to the Northern (Blaauwberg and Northern Suburbs) and Eastern (Somerset West, False Bay coast) regions of the Cape Metropole. The South (Cape Point to Strandfontein) is holding steady with last year. The same is true of the Central areas (Atlantic Seaboard, V&A Waterfront and City) with some accommodation establishments in the CBD reporting very good occupancies and excellent return visit numbers.

Key attractions like the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company and the V&A Waterfront are confident that they will experience the same influx of visitors as in prior years. ‘Our locals have been particularly pleased with the fact that we have extended our half price sunset special over four months. This attracted over four-thousand South Africans who have made use of the service in November’, said Sabine Lehmann, CEO Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company. In December last year, 100 000 visitors enjoyed a trip up to Table Mountain on the Cableway and the V&A Waterfront had 2 million visits in the same period. ‘The V&A Waterfront is still very popular amongst tourists and local visitors regardless of the economic situation. The weakness of the South African rand at the moment encourages international visitors to spend more’ says Maureen Thomson, Executive Marketing Manager and Media Spokesperson for the V&A Waterfront.
An increase in Cruise Liner ships is also anticipated, with 46 ships docking in Cape Town this high season alone. Cruise Liner packages are increasingly popular with both domestic and international travellers. Cape Town Tourism, in partnership with the City of Cape Town and key stakeholders, is working on improving Cape Town’s position as a Cruise Liner tourism destination.

A recent (November 2008) UK Telegraph poll cited Cape Town as their readers’ Favourite World City. Of the 25 000 readers polled, a clear preference emerged for destinations where the pound had strength against the local destination currency. The need for assured value also meant that many readers were likely to return to destinations they already know, good news for Cape Town; a long-time favourite with British visitors.

Due to the weakness of the rand, local holiday-makers are more likely to forgo their overseas plans in favour of a South African holiday, particularly after a significant drop in the petrol price brings some relief.

Cape Town Tourism’s CEO, Mariëtte du-Toit Helmbold, points out that the global money squeeze has led to a strong international trend towards last-minute travel making visitor predictions more difficult this season. Du-Toit Helmbold advises; “Potential visitors are looking for value, authenticity and specific specials that will suit their lifestyle choices. We are assisting our members in creating the kind of packages that we know these visitors are looking for. Travellers are increasingly web-minded so we are ensuring that our members’ last-minute specials and value-add propositions will be easy to find on our new-look website www.capetown.travel as of the 15 December as part of our new e-marketing campaign.”

Cape Town Tourism continues to work with the industry and stakeholders like Cape Town Routes Unlimited to market destination Cape Town. This provides a platform for joint marketing, alignment and partnership. Cape Town Tourism is focusing on eMarketing, PR and Guest Relations, citizen mobilisation and joint marketing agreements with the industry and trade to position Cape Town as one the world’s most iconic business and leisure destinations.

Of no less significance, is the arrival of citizen journalism, whereby the people market their own experiences of the cities they live in and visit. This year, Cape Town Tourism’s visitor welcome campaign is called Love Summer, Love Cape Town. The campaign focuses on highlighting the many incredible summer experiences on offer in the Mother City - from entertainment, things to do for families, special deals, safety tips, activities and more. To encourage the people of Cape Town to participate in welcoming visitors, the public is being invited to create short video clips of their warmest “Welcome to Cape Town” messages for entry into the Welcome to Cape Town Competition.

Visit http://www.youtube.com/group/WelcomeToCapeTown , the official You Tube site for entries. From the 15 December 2008, the public can start visiting www.capetown.travel, to view all the submissions and vote for the best entries. The entrants with the most popular clips, as chosen by the voting public, stand to win great prizes.

Mo Rush

December 11th, 2008, 01:42 PM

Cape of Great Events returns

The official tourism destination marketing organisation for Cape Town and the Western Cape, Cape Town Routes Unlimited (CTRU), will be bringing back its Cape of Great Events stamp of approval for events, it announced at its Events Organisers' Forum last week.

Said Itumeleng Pooe, acting chief executive and head of the Events Unit of CTRU: “The event organisers present were unanimous in their support of the re-launch of the Cape of Great Events concept - a model that was introduced during the Joint Marketing Initiative of 2002. The stamp of approval is a win/win concept for both the event and the host destination - more credibility for the event and heightened recognition for the destination.”

The selection process had to consider several criteria, including addressing the issues of seasonality, regional spread and transformation.

“Events are recognised as an integral part of the overall strategy to market the province and act as catalyst to bring in volumes to our destination. Globally events are also seen as a catalyst for trade and investment, film and structural developments. The relationship with event organisers has always been one of funding and PR opportunities, so with the Cape of Great Events we are expanding our marketing horizon. Events tourism will reinforce the pillars of our destination marketing efforts,” said Pooe.

“This stamp of approval is long overdue and is one of the best things to happen in further marketing our many event offerings,” says Eddy Cassar from Eddy Cassar Public Relations and Promotions.

Juliana Meridith of the Riebeek Valley Olive Festival echoed Cassar's sentiments: “We commend this move and we should all aspire to be part of the Cape of Great Events.”

“Cape Town Routes Unlimited is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead, but we are determined to make the Cape of Great Events concept work to further profile our vibrant destination. We want it to be recognised as the destination‘s stamp of approval and excellence by various audiences around the globe,” added Pooe.

The Events Unit also unveiled its plans for 2009 at the forum and shared which events it will be focusing on in the new year.

Mo Rush

December 15th, 2008, 12:35 PM

South Africa: Cape Town Gets Clean Bill From Auditor General

15 December 2008

Cape Town — For the fifth consecutive year, the Auditor- General has given the City of Cape Town an unqualified report for the financial year ending 30 June 2008.

Welcoming the report, the City of Cape Town's Chief Financial Officer, Mike Richardson, said this confirms the city's financial resources are being managed in accordance with strict national guidelines.

"This will give confidence to all our stakeholders that their money is in safe hands and that we have all proper financial controls in place," he said.

The Auditor-General's reports come in three categories:

* An unqualified report, which indicates that, overall, the city's finances have been found to be in order. Concerns of a minor or technical nature are listed as "matters emphasised."

* A qualified report is issued where there has been mismanagement, over-expenditure or unauthorised expenditure.

* A disclaimed report indicates major irregularities that should send out a red light to stakeholders.

"The report will also give confidence to all our stakeholders that our financial systems are being run efficiently as we approach the FIFA 2010 World Cup", said Richardson, adding that it " indicates that we have the financial management skills required for the build-up to the FIFA 2010 World Cup and thereafter."

There are two minor "matters emphasised" in the city's unqualified audit report for the 2007/08 year.

One relates to the lapse in the approval authority for the appointment of a labour broker, while the other concerns an amendment to comparative figures from earlier years.

The various stakeholders in the city's finances will be reassured that all control processes appear to be in line with accepted standards and that the only concerns expressed are technical in nature.

To the national and provincial treasuries, the unqualified report means that the funds they have provided have been properly utilised and accounted for.

Residents and ratepayers are also reassured that the money they have paid for rates and services has been spent prudently, while financial institutions can take comfort from the knowledge that their loans to the city are in safe hands, and will be repaid.

Also commenting on the report, Councillor Ian Neilson, Mayoral Committee Member for Finance said: "The unqualified report indicates to ratepayers that the city is managing the ratepayer's money in a responsible manner and is conforming to the requirements of law.

"Their money is secure and expenditure is properly authorised. Adequate controls are in place to ensure that corrupt practices are strongly discouraged."

Mo Rush

December 16th, 2008, 01:24 PM

103 000ha Garden Route Mega-park is step closer to reality

By Environment Writer

THE Garden Route National Park, which will stretch from the Wilderness to Storms River, is one step closer to becoming a reality with the publication of the proposal in the Government Gazette.

The new mega-park, which will incorporate several national parks and conservation areas as the core of the park, will also include privately-owned land.

Environmentalists have welcomed the proposal, and say that a bigger park will give plant and animal species a better chance to adapt to climate change.

SANParks have said there is a 60-day period for the public to comment on the proposals.

Mvusy Songelwa, regional manager of SANParks Garden Route, said in a statement that the Garden Route National Park would incorporate the Wilderness and the Tsitsikama National Parks, the Knysna National Lake Area, the southern Cape indigenous forests and mountain fynbos in the catchment areas.

"There will be no other park in the country that will include the unique combination of marine, coastal, lakes, indigenous forest and mountain areas.

"Our economic drive will be 'conservation without boundaries', unlike other parks with fenced boundaries," Songelwa said.

Steve du Toit of the Wildlife and Environment Society of SA in George, said yesterday the organisation strongly supported the new mega-park.

"We encourage this sort of conservation strategy because, not only does it create conservation corridors from the mountain peaks to the ocean, it also creates corridors running east to west.

"These corridors are extremely important for plant and animal migration, and will become more important as the effects of climate change become more pronounced. Plant populations will be able to shift in response to changes in temperature or rainfall patterns, and will be able to migrate along these corridors," Du Toit said.

Smaller, fenced conservation areas, separated by urban development, made this migration of plant populations impossible, he said.

"The bigger the conservation area, the more resistant it can be to climate change. Having smaller conservation areas means that they become 'islands' of vegetation types, and in the long-term this is bad," Du Toit said.

Published on the web by Cape Times on December 15, 2008.

cthighflyer

December 16th, 2008, 10:18 PM

Hey finally a cape town banner!!!!!!!!

The mountain looks amazing,pity we dont have some more iconic building alongside it though.
Well hopefully that will change in a couple of years.

Mo Rush

December 16th, 2008, 10:59 PM

Hey finally a cape town banner!!!!!!!!

The mountain looks amazing,pity we dont have some more iconic building alongside it though.
Well hopefully that will change in a couple of years.

????

Mo Rush

December 16th, 2008, 11:03 PM

Festive Lights: Danie VDM at flickr.com

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/3114335010_f648ce798f.jpg?v=0
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/3113503249_72c074e7c5.jpg?v=0

Mo Rush

December 16th, 2008, 11:11 PM

I see it now!

Dames

December 17th, 2008, 10:07 AM

pity we couldn't sneak in a few renders of Portside and Adderley-on-Strand in that banner

Lydon

December 17th, 2008, 10:41 AM

Finally another banner for us.

hsark

December 17th, 2008, 12:29 PM

yeah

Mo Rush

December 17th, 2008, 01:39 PM

In the last few weeks literally 200,000 plus people have flocked to our very safe and fantatsic CBD. Hundreds of thousands more are expected as the records continue to tumble!

South Africa: Thousands of Tourists Expected to Visit the Mother City

17 December 2008

Cape Town — A total of more than a hundred thousand tourists are expected to throng to the centre of the Mother City as the festive season is celebrated in a dozen major, crowd-attracting events.

However, as Councillor Belinda Walker, Ward Councillor for the CBD, points out, the festivities will impact on those who live and trade in the city centre.

"Every effort will be made to ensure that noise, increased traffic volumes and post-event clean-ups are carefully controlled and managed so that CBD residents and businesses are not badly affected."

She said the major scheduled CBD events will also impact on the availability of parking and result in certain roads being closed to traffic.

This includes the Adderley Street Night Market which will see this thoroughfare closed to traffic between 5pm and 1am each evening from 16 December until 29 December (excluding 25 December).

Ms Walker further said the Mother City Queer Project Party will take place at Harrington Street (between Roeland & Caledon Street) from 8am on Saturday, until 8pm on Sunday, adding that this year's party will host some 4 000 revellers.

A number of other events, particularly focusing on New Year's Eve, are also scheduled.

As part of the Festive Season Safety Plan, the City of Cape Town's Traffic Services has already started clamping down on motorists driving under the influence of alcohol and speedsters.

According to Principal Inspector Merle Lourens, media spokesperson for Cape Town Traffic Services, the legal alcohol limit is 0.05g/100ml blood.

Meanwhile, the Central Drug Authority (CDA) has urged all motorists and pedestrians to celebrate responsibly during the festive season by not drinking alcohol and taking drugs when driving.

"Alcohol and drugs are the leading causes of road fatalities in South Africa and affect one's ability to make sound judgments and therefore impede on one's ability to drive safely," CDA Deputy Chairperson David Bayever said last week.

Mo Rush

December 17th, 2008, 03:30 PM

136 International Congresses booked at CTICC until 2016

CTICC lands another major conference

One thousand delegates, from unions representing 30-million teachers around the world, will be in attendance.

The Cape Town International Convention Centre will host the Sixth World Congress of Education International in July 2011. One thousand delegates, from unions representing 30-million teachers around the world, will be in attendance.

The congress, held every four years by Brussels-based Education International, was last held in Berlin in 2007. The global union federation of organisations representing teachers and other education workers has 401 members in 172 countries and territories.

Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) managing director Dirk Elzinga said that winning such bids "has done more than any other factor to put Cape Town on the international map.

Putting Cape Town on the global map

"Congresses like the Education International bring a small but prestigious group of people to our shores, and for most of them it is the first time they have set foot in Africa," Elzinga said in a statement last week.

"The Mother City's natural beauty strikes a chord with everyone who comes here, and the world-class amenities at the CTICC match, or better, those international standards they are accustomed to elsewhere."

The new win brings CTICC's portfolio of international congresses booked for the next eight years, through to 2016, to 136. In recent weeks, the CTICC has won a number of big bids, including:

* The Society of Incentives and Travel Executives (SITE) Conference (2010)
* The Youth Nuclear Congress (2010)
* The triennial International Congress on Hyperbaric Medicine (2011)
* The 62nd International Astronautical Congress (2011)
* The 8th International Aquarium Congress (2012)
* The UNI-Global Union Congress (2014)

Petra Gwyn-Jone of Education International (EI) said the organisation's board had unanimously agreed on the choice of Cape Town and the CTICC for the Sixth World Congress in 2011. She said the organising team would visit Cape Town in February 2009 to firm up their specification.

In Africa, EI's affiliated member organisations function in difficult conditions and environments, and in countries which account for the bulk of out-of-school children.

EI represents 111 affiliates in 50 African countries, from Algeria in the north to South Africa in the south, and from Sierra Leone in the west to Mauritius in the east.

EI works on two current problems that are confronting the continent as a whole: the realisation of the UN Millennium Development Goal of education for all, and the halting of the HIV/Aids pandemic.

SA BOY

December 17th, 2008, 06:20 PM

just boarding a plan in Sarawak and see CT in the banner go CT

Mo Rush

December 18th, 2008, 12:55 AM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/3116185409_d1d77f8791_b.jpg

briker

December 18th, 2008, 03:01 AM

The Cape Town Eye. :lol:

Durbsboi

December 18th, 2008, 10:14 AM

^^:lol:

Why we love Cape Town in the summer ;)

http://www.gta-mods.co.za/pics/albums/events/08-11-02%20carwash/08-11-02_094.jpg

http://www.gta-mods.co.za/pics/albums/events/08-11-02%20carwash/08-11-02_082.jpg

http://www.gta-mods.co.za/pics/albums/events/08-11-01%20carwash/08-11-01_271.jpg

Pule

December 18th, 2008, 12:13 PM

I'm drulling DB. Girls on bikes just turn me on.

Lydon

December 18th, 2008, 12:43 PM

http://www.gta-mods.co.za/pics/albums/events/08-11-02%20carwash/08-11-02_082.jpg

Look! It's Lord Voldemort!

Durbsboi

December 19th, 2008, 06:22 AM

Who?

Lydon

December 19th, 2008, 09:11 AM

Who?

From Harry Potter. The chick on the right has a striking resemblance to him :lol:

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/5/54/Voldermortimage.jpg

Durbsboi

December 19th, 2008, 10:09 AM

Sylvana Easton? better not tell that to her face, she'll f*#k you up, LOL

Durbsboi

December 19th, 2008, 10:10 AM

I'm drulling DB. Girls on bikes just turn me on.

you want a link to the galleries? over 300's pic's of drooling fun!

Mo Rush

December 19th, 2008, 11:49 AM

The new bids could come in at close to R1.5 billion but the climate might see it staying at R1 billion

Fresh bids to be sought for Somerset Hospital site

By Staff Writer

THE bidding battle for the R1-billion contract to redevelop the Somerset Hospital precinct will have to begin afresh as the Western Cape government has formally terminated the redevelopment process.

Development proposals are to have to be presented as a public-private partnership process.

The provincial executive said the redevelopment of the Somerset Hospital precinct, a critical node in Cape Town, had to be part of a "broader strategic property development plan that encompasses the City Bowl".

Premier Lynne Brown's office said the termination of the process had been communicated to the bidders.

The province had given bidders 21 days to convince it that the request for qualification process for the site should not be scrapped.

After a "comprehensive review", the province had decided to discontinue the process.

In a statement, the premier's office said that plans for the precinct would be subject to a "proper feasibility process" that precluded the retention the hospital redesign as central to the redevelopment of the site.

A suitable model, designed with the national and provincial treasuries, should make the most of the potential social, spatial, environmental and economic returns from government-owned properties in the city, the statement said.

The proposed redevelopment of the Somerset Hospital precinct has been dogged by controversy, with the Democratic Alliance claiming that then-premier Ebrahim Rasool offered the prime site to Dubai World, new owners of the V&A Waterfront.

Opposition parties asked whether financial promises had been made to Dubai World in the event that it bought the land.

Rasool denied this.

He said the deal would be concluded in a transparent process and that it would include a nine-year lease and a 33% broad-based black economic empowerment component.

The development was initially intended to comprise a 260-bed public hospital and a residential development.

It was also intended that it would be up and running by 2010.

It was delayed, however, by confusion over the bidding process and whether the development should be put to tender or managed by a public-private partnership.

In May, the province's standing committee on finance and economic development called for a full review of the Somerset Hospital tender and its redesign.

Somerset Hospital was placed back on the agenda when Brown took over as premier of the Western Cape earlier this year.

Published on the web by Cape Times on December 17, 2008.

hsark

December 19th, 2008, 12:38 PM

haha who gives a damn shes got huge boobies and thats hot to me think shes in2 role playing i'll play harry potter of course and i'll bring my fantasic magic wand ;-)

Durbsboi

December 19th, 2008, 12:43 PM

dont forget ur "wizards hat" ;)

Lydon

December 19th, 2008, 01:02 PM

haha who gives a damn shes got huge boobies and thats hot to me think shes in2 role playing i'll play harry potter of course and i'll bring my fantasic magic wand ;-)

Erm, Harry kinda kills Voldemort :lol:

Mo Rush

December 19th, 2008, 05:14 PM

The Top 10 cities to visit in 2009
Guidebook publisher Dorling Kindersley reveals its top spots for city breaks in the new year
There's more to Buenos Aires than tango, one of the top 10 cities

(Christina Wilton / Alamy)

There's more to Buenos Aires than tango, one of the top 10 cities

The world’s bestselling city guidebook publisher, DK Eyewitness Travel, has named its pick of the best cities to visit next year.

After mulling it over a few cups of continental coffee and a biscotti biscuit, or two, the team that creates the DK Top 10 guidebook series have revealed their favourite cities for 2009, with a distinctive Northern European and Americas feel.

Vilnius – European Capital of Culture in 2009, the Lithuanian capital is planning 120 art and culture projects, and over 900 cultural events.

Highlights include the Vilnius Book Fair in February, Street Musician Day in May, Culture Night on Midsummer Night, and the LUX Festival of Lights in November which brings socially deprived groups into the ‘lighted’ city, using science, nature and art to ‘light’ Vilnius at its darkest period of the year.

Buenos Aires – The old port district of La Boca will feature a major exhibition of France’s surrealist master Marcel Duchamp at the recently revamped Fundación Proa art gallery in February. In June the Puerto Madero docklands district opens the first-ever Fosters & Partners (led by Sir Norman Foster) design project in Latin America. The uber-hip residential space will be the centrepiece of a new cultural district. The bicentenary of Argentina’s independence from Spain is in 2010 but next year offers the chance to go before the hordes do.

Gdansk – Reputed to be the new Krakow in 2009, Gdansk’s old town has been spruced up and the picturesque Bergher houses that line its streets are interspersed with an influx of new hotels, restaurants and shops. With direct flights from Liverpool, Stansted and Birmingham with Ryanair, Poland’s coastline could see a new influx of visitors to this part of the Baltic Sea.

Seattle, USA – With a new Four Seasons hotel just unveiled, a new Hyatt at Olive 8 opening in January 2009 from the Hyatt brand, and a large new “eco-friendly” hotel called “1” scheduled to open mid 2009, a good nights sleep in Seattle is scheduled for next year. Something you need in a city that can see you catching a rock show or taking in the sleek downtown area by kayak, all in one trip. A truly modern American city surrounded by acres of stately redwoods, misty coastline, and glacial caves makes for intriguing juxtaposition.

Bristol – Dita Von Teese recently opened a new Harvey Nichols store alongside a Cinema de Lux and a wealth of luxury apartments at Cabot Circus - a long awaited boost to the Broadmead shopping district. Not long after, Bristol’s robust eco-appeal got stronger as it was named the ‘most sustainable city in Britain’. Luxury consumerism and environmental sustainability look set to coexist in 2009.

Fes – With new direct flights from Gatwick starting in December 2008, with the low cost airline Atlas Blue, it won’t take long before the tourists turn east from Marrakech’s crowded souks, to explore Morocco’s spiritual and cultural hub. The narrow streets of Fes are alive with commerce, and all lanes lead to the Karaouiyne mosque, established in 859, one of the oldest and most illustrious mosques in the western Muslim world.

Washington DC – Fresh with reinvigorated patriotism, tour the Eastern Seaboard by train or bus, heading south from New York to the home of the founding fathers in Philadelphia, then on to the seat of American government. With the largest library in the world (Library of Congress), the National Museum of American History and Arlington National Cemetery, not to mention the White House, Washington DC is a vision of marble and light, with icons and monuments at every turn.

Copenhagen – With 12 Michelin stars awarded in 2008 (that’s more than Vienna, Rome, or Madrid) plus a clutch of new boutique hotels and minimalist designed budget hostels, Copenhagen has become the ultimate gourmet and style destination. Its green-credentials aren’t bad either, recently becoming the world’s first ‘Bike City’ with 36 percent of all Copenhageners cycling to work, school and university.

Cape Town – The hosting of the world cup in 2010 means that visitors in late 2009 will see an upgraded Cape Town Station and the arrival of the One&Only Cape Town luxury resort, complete with Africa’s first branch of Nobu. Cape Town looks set to raise its tourist game in 2009 as it gears up for the sporting events of the following year. Add this to the world famous vista, outdoor activities, and affordable prices due to the exchange rate, and it’s a good time to visit.

Vienna – Vienna’s festival calendar is a true ballroom blur, kicking off with the city’s glittering New Year balls and the annual splendour of the Vienna Opera Ball on 19 February 2009. Come mid-May the city’s greatest festival, the Wiener Festwochen, comes into play with operas, theatre, music and performing arts, and Mozart’s operas are performed in the beautiful Schönbrunn Park until late August.

www.traveldk.com

The list has been compiled by the DK Eyewitness team.