City of Cape Town COVID-19 Business Impact Survey

Good day

At the start of lock down, the City of Cape Town engaged businesses across the City on the impact that the lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic was having on their businesses.  The inputs from that survey have been used to inform the City’s response to business support in the pandemic.  The economy is now gradually re-opening and people are returning to work.  This is not without its challenges.  In order to continue to support businesses in this time, we are undertaking another survey.

The purpose of this survey is to gather information to determine the impact of the current COVID-19 virus pandemic on businesses operating in the Cape Town/Western Cape region with the aim of directing those in distress to suitable institutions for assistance.  We would appreciate it if you could take ten minutes to complete the survey which can be found at the following web link:

https://forms.gle/pXe43oKALLH22sz37

The City of Cape Town will continue to support businesses in distress as we seek to minimize the economic impact of the pandemic.  Two useful online resources that can assist business returning to work and looking for government and private sector support can be found at:

If you have any queries regarding the survey or your business requires assistance please contact:

 

Gerschwin Williams 

Head: Investment Facilitation Unit (Atlantis)

Gerschwin.Williams@capetown.gov.za

Cell – 078 6733 997

Makeya Karlie 

Professional Officer: Investment Facilitation Unit (Atlantis)

Makeya.Karlie@capetown.gov.za

Cell – 079 518 0406

 

Winston Richards 

Professional Officer: Investment Facilitation Unit (Atlantis)

Winston.Richards@capetown.gov.za

Cell – 072 902 1691

 

 

Covid-19 – Essential services during nationwide lockdown

Strict regulations in place

Those on the road will be required to produce a permit and proof of identification to law enforcement officers

27 March 2020 – Cape Argus – BALDWIN NDABA AND MWANGI GITHAHU

ESSENTIAL services workers who will be allowed to report for work during the 21-day nationwide lockdown will do so under strict regulations.
Yesterday police emphasised that all people classified as essential workers would have to adhere to the regulations gazetted by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on Wednesday.
Each worker will be expected to carry a permit which they will have to present to law enforcement agencies during the execution of the lockdown.
According to the permit, under Regulation 118(3), “the person to whom this permit is issued must at all times present a form of identification to be presented together with this permit. If no identification is presented, the person to whom the permit is issued will have to return to his or her place of residence during the lockdown”.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula also announced that minibus taxis, metered taxis and e-hailing services would be limited to the public during the lockdown.
He said only staff rendering essential services and those out for essential purposes, such as buying groceries or going to work, would be allowed to leave home.
Taxis will only be allowed to transport people for these essential trips from 5am to 9am and 4pm to 8pm.
A vehicle licensed to carry up to four people will only be permitted to load one passenger. A vehicle licensed to carry up to eight passengers will only be permitted to load a maximum of three people.
Buses will also have limited operations – only transporting essential services workers and people making necessary trips.
Police Minister Bheki Cele also issued a warning to those who might want to transgress the regulations, saying law enforcement officers would act against them.
Gatherings would be banned, except for funerals, which could be attended by only 50 people or less.
Movement between provinces, metros and district areas would also be banned and roadblocks on the community, provincial and national roads would be conducted, to enforce this with health screenings to ensure movement was restricted.
With the SANDF possibly aiding the SAPS to police the lockdown, military sociologist Professor Lindy Heinecken of Stellenbosch University said sending in the army once again placed the military in a situation it might not be adequately prepared for.
“With just 10 companies (roughly 1400 soldiers), which implies less than 400 boots on the ground at any one time to allow for rotation, one wonders how much support they can render,” said Heinecken.
Meanwhile, Premier Alan Winde said staying home was the only way to save lives.
“I know what we are asking for is difficult, and it is scary, but we have overcome many, many challenges as a country. We can do it again, together. If we all do this, we will be able to go back to our lives again and start to rebuild our economy.
“If we do not, and the virus continues to spread, many people will die and the lockdown may be extended. So now is the time. We can do this together. Let us be strong now for each other,” said Winde.
He underlined that the lockdown meant: “You will be required to stay in your home unless it is to go and buy groceries, go to the pharmacy or to seek medical attention.”
He said that as of 9am yesterday morning, “the province had confirmed 181 positive cases of Covid-19. Three residents are currently in hospital as a result of this virus.”
Winde said they had put measures in place to assist victims of violence.
“Rendering services to victims of crime and violence is an essential service. The Western Cape Department of Social Development and civil society organisations will continue to provide these services through provision of shelters and psycho-social support.”
Winde said four shelters had been identified as Stage 1 shelters to admit at-risk victims of crime and violence.
“Only referrals from a social worker with safety risk assessment and SAPS referral will be accepted.
“After the initial 14 days, clients will be transferred from a Stage 1 shelter to a Stage 2 shelter with the assistance of the SAPS,” said Winde.
He said the Department of Health would assist with medical screening and the medical needs of clients.

Guide on how to Apply for a new, lost or stolen wheelie bin.

Apply for a new bin

The registered property owner or property managing agent must download and fill in the Supply of Services Application Form (English | Afrikaans | isiXhosa). Please ensure that you fill in all the sections related to refuse removal.

If you are renting, you will need to submit a letter of authority from the property owner or managing agent with your application form.

Click Here to guide.

Replace a stolen or damaged bin

If your bin has been stolen, you will need to report the theft of your bin at the nearest SAPS office to obtain an affidavit.

Click Here to guide.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 2019

Notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Salt River Business Improvement District NPC that will take place on 22 October 2019, Conference Venue, Double Tree by Hilton Cape Town, Upper East Side, 31 Brickfield Road, Woodstock, 7935 at 16:00 where the following items will be discussed:

AGENDA

 

  1. Registration
  2. Welcome & Apologies

2.1        Membership

2.1.1     Resignations

2.1.2     New members

2.2        Quorum to constitute a meeting

  1. Previous AGM minutes

3.1          Approval

3.2          Matters arising

  1. Chairman’s Report
  2. Feedback on operations 2018-19
  3. Noting of Audited Financial Statements 2018-19
  4. Budget

7.1          Approval of use of additional surplus funds

7.2          Approval of budget 2020-21

  1. Approval of implementation plan 2020-21
  2. Appointment of auditors
  3. Confirmation of Company secretary
  4. Election of Board Members
  5. General / Q & A
  6. Adjournment

For more information please go to the AGM Page

MEDIA RELEASE – Mayor Plato announces City’s move to Level 3 ‘recovery’ restrictions

  • From Saturday 1 December 2018, water restrictions and the associated tariffs will be lowered from Level 5 to Level 3 recovery restrictions, which includes increasing the daily usage from 70 litres per person per day to 105 litres per person per day; or from 500 million litres to 650 million litres of collective usage per day
  • Tariffs will also be lowered to Level 3. If for example residents use less than 6 000 litres per month (Step 1) they can expect to pay 35,5% less
  • This decision follows on from the National Department of Water and Sanitation’s latest water assessment
  • Restrictions remain on a fairly strict recovery level as a precaution to deal with rainfall uncertainty in 2019 and 2020
  • We encourage Cape Town’s water ambassadors to maintain their water-wise approach during the recovery phase and as the metro moves towards becoming a more water-sensitive city in the near future
  • The 40% restriction on water usage applicable to businesses has been removed but the sector is strongly encouraged to continue implementing and investigating the further efficient use of water in their operations

 

The City of Cape Town’s water users can expect a considerable reduction in the cost of water to be reflected in their municipal invoices from next month. This is due to the lowering of water restrictions from Level 5 to Level 3 recovery restrictions from Saturday1 December 2018.

 

The City views 2019 as a recovery year after having successfully emerged from the unprecedented drought.

 

This decision to lower restrictions comes after a meeting between the National Department of Water and Sanitation and the water users of the Western Cape Water Supply System, namely the agricultural sector, Western Cape Government, municipalities and the Cape Town metro regarding the water assessment for the year ahead.

 

Based on National Government’s assessment of the hydrological year, a saving of between 10% and 20% for urban water users has been proposed. However, the City has decided to implement a more cautious 30% saving to help with the recovery of the dams and to cater for the uncertainty that exists around rainfall volumes and frequency in 2019.

 

‘I want to thank all the residents, officials, and visitors to Cape Town who played their part in helping us get through one of the worst droughts this city has ever seen. While the drought is not yet over, we have seen that there is room to bring some relief to our residents. I know it has been tough and I hope that this reduction in tariffs will bring some comfort over the festive season. We will still need to be water-wise though, as we do not know what the next rainy season holds.

 

‘We are no longer in a period of extreme scarcity, but it does not mean that we should forego some of the great water-wise ways that we have made a part of our daily lives – and for which we have become world famous. We are situated in a water-scarce region and the water-wise efforts and ways to diversify and augment our water supply should and will continue.

 

‘If one looks at international drought experience, water restrictions are either implemented too late or lifted too early. Hence our decision to take a conservative approach to the recovery while we continue to monitor the situation,’ said the City’s Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato.

 

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services; and Energy, Councillor Xanthea Limberg added: ‘We see 2019 as a recovery year after having successfully emerged from the severe and unprecedented drought. Based on our own assessment, we are following a conservative approach in the light of rainfall uncertainty over the coming two years. These Level 3 recovery restrictions are also a measure to help support the great change we have seen in the relationship that we have with water while, at the same time, providing some financial relief to residents and businesses. This is not only a period of recovery for our dams, but also for our economy as a whole as well as for our residents and businesses who truly made huge sacrifices to help us get Cape Town through the drought.’

 

Due to the extreme economic and rural hardship that has been suffered as a result of the drought, the agricultural sector will only reduce water usage by 10% as it too enters a period of recovery. The City fully supports this move as the agricultural sector also supported the City as an urban water user during the height of the drought.

 

Please see the following links for information on:

·       Level 3 FAQs: http://bit.do/L3-faqs

Salt River BID deals with wide variety

Salt River BID deals with wide variety 

Nazeem Davids 1Anything from sweeping streets and confiscating trolleys, to de-weeding sidewalks, repairing uneven surfaces, assisting the public, clearing up illegal dumping, dealing with bin-scratching and cleaning drains for winter are some of the tasks that are all in a day’s work for the Salt River Business Improvement District (SRBID) team. 

Special mention can be made of Nazeem Davids, who is an exceptionally dedicated member of the team (see photo). 

Here are some of the team’s most recent projects: 

Public Safety 

Engagement with public: 

  • While on patrol, the public safety officers came across a lady who complained that she was feeling ill.  The public safety officers contacted the control room and asked for help from the response vehicle. The control contacted the ambulance services and Woodstock SAPS. The latter arrived on the scene and assisted the lady. 

 

lady feeling ill in public 2 lady feeling ill in public 3 lady feeling ill in public 1

In an unrelated incident at a different time, Public Safety Officer Louw informed his control room about a lady who had collapsed at the Biscuit Mill entrance. Although it was inside the Biscuit Mill premises, the officer still felt obliged to lend a hand and requested help from his control room.  The public safety officer stayed by the lady’s side until medical help arrived. The lady’s family was grateful for the assistance.  

assisting collapsed lady at BiscuitMill 3 assisting collapsed lady at BiscuitMill 2 assisting collapsed lady at BiscuitMill 1

Illegal dumping: 

Illegal dumping is a challenge that we overcome on a daily basis in the area, says BID Manager Andre Geslin. One of the most recent sites that was cleaned up by the maintenance and cleaning team, was on James Street. Another incident of illegal dumping occurred on the corner of Briar Street and Durham Avenue. 

 

James Street 1 James Street 2 James Street 3

Public assistance:  

  • Whilst going about his normal duties, an SRBID maintenance and cleaning team member redirected a person who had lost his way in Salt River Road. In another incident, a visually impaired person was kindly helped across a busy street by a member of the SRBID team. 

 

helping visually impaired person 4 helping visually impaired person 3 helping visually impaired person 2

Cleaning  and De- Weeding:  

After a project of de-weeding in Stowe Street was done by the maintenance and cleaning team, the area looked fresh and well maintained again.  

 

before 1 before 2
during 1 during 2
after 1

Winter preparation program:  

Our winter preparation program includes cleaning storm water drains to ensure free flowing of water. Here the SRBID maintenance and cleaning team cleaned up a blocked storm water drain in Albert Road. 

 

drain cleaning 1 drain cleaning 2 drain cleaning 3

 Street sweeping and urban maintenance: 

  • One of the most recent street sweeping projects was on the corner of Percy and Albert Road 
  •  A stormwater drain was repaired on the corner of Briar and Shannon Street  
  •  An uneven pavement surface was repaired by an SRBID maintenance and cleaning team member (see photos) 

 

urban management 1 urban management 4
urban management 3 urban management 5
urban management 6

 

 

 

The City of Cape Town draft Budget 2018-2019 comment period is open

The City of Cape Town draft Budget 2018-2019 comment period is open
Dear Cape Town residents and businessesThe draft Budget 2018-2019 is available for comment until 16:30 on Friday, 4 May 2018.

A budget of R 49.1 billion will be spent in the metropolitan area to ensure that services are maintained, improved and expanded, that capital projects are rolled out and that the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) is implemented.

The effect of the unprecedented and continuing drought is a strong theme and has influenced many factors, including tariff increases and reviews in tariff structure.
1

2016-2017 Budget highlights: Created 45 370 EPWP job opportunities; invested R 3.7 billion (2015/16: R 3.3 billion) in repairs and maintenance; installed 1 747 subsidised electricity connections; provided 676 new taps and 2 085 new toilets to informal settlements; achieved 69,86% employment rate of people from employment equity target groups at the highest levels of management.

Highlights from Annexure A:

  • An allowance of R 76 million for indigent relief.
  • Introduction of a fixed service charge for both water and electricity.
  • Planned capital expenditure includes R 5 billion for Informal Settlements, Water & Waste. Services, R 1.7 billion for the Transport & Urban Development Authority and R 1.1 billion for Energy.
  • Simplifying the steps of the water and electricity tariff from six to four.

The proposed average rates and tariff increases for 2018-19 are shown the table below.

2

Important things to remember:

  • The City does not make any profit on the sale of water or electricity.
  • The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) approved an average percentage price increase of 5.23% to Eskom for the 2018-19 financial year, which translates to a 7.32% increase for municipalities.

Frequently asked questions:

W57 | STATEMENT BY EXECUTIVE DEPUTY MAYOR: ALD. NEILSON: Let’s keep our water-saving focus Team Cape Town

CITY OF CAPE TOWN

 

20 MARCH 2018

 

STATEMENT BY THE CITY’S EXECUTIVE DEPUTY MAYOR, ALDERMAN IAN NEILSON

 

Let’s keep our water-saving focus, Team Cape Town

 

As at Monday 19 March 2018, our collective consumption over the past week was 565 million litres of water per day. Unfortunately, usage has increased by 54 million litres per day from last week’s record low of 511 million litres per day. Nevertheless, we are confident that our water users will again shatter water use records in the weeks ahead. Read more below:

 

Our dam levels have shown only a slight decline of 0,3% to 22,7% . This is the lowest decline in dam levels this year to date. This can likely be attributed to somewhat lower evaporation rates and small amounts of rainfall, especially in the Steenbras Dam area.

 

We will continue to monitor the water usage trend to see whether the increase in consumption is a once-off occurrence or whether there is another underlying reason that would need to be addressed.

 

Level 6B water restrictions are still in place. Water pressure reduction remains in place, water management devices continue to be installed on the connections of high water users and the bills based on 6B tariffs are reaching consumers. It is essential that we all continue to save water.

 

All water users are reminded that the City is still required by the National Government to reduce water usage to 450 million litres per day in order to stretch the available water supplies through the rest of the year. This equates to a reduction of 45% from normal usage. We are currently hovering at just below a 40% reduction. A sustained collective push is now required to reduce consumption by just 5% in order to achieve our target.

 

We will continue to drive our initiatives to reduce water consumption. This will include advanced pressure management, the installation of water management devices at the properties of high water users and proactively implementing advanced water restrictions and associated tariffs to encourage behaviour change.

 

If all Capetonians join us by keeping their consumption down to 50 litres of water a day, or less, we will avoid having to take more drastic actions.

 

Please visit www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater for all water-related information, including Level 6B restrictions and FAQs about Day Zero as well as tips to lower usage even further.