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The Herald
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Herald
Cape Town lab tests thousands of samples as city notes increase in foodborne illnesses
Noting a gradual increase in foodborne illnesses, the City of Cape Town says its microbiological laboratory has tested nearly 5,000 food samples over 10 months to verify the items were safe to eat. Tests are conducted on ready-to-eat and dairy products, from sushi to baked goods. The laboratory also conducts testing of samples in cases of foodborne illnesses. Food handling, production and processing environments from manufacturers to retailers and takeaways to old age homes, informal traders and spaza shops are included in the sampling. 'The testing is essential for identifying unhygienic conditions, poor food handling practices and possible contamination to prevent potential outbreaks,' said the city. 'Over 10 months since July 2024, the laboratory received 4,853 samples that were subjected to 17,759 analyses. The sample results yielded an overall compliance rate of 84.55%.' The city said it had noted a 'steady increase' in reported foodborne illnesses from July 2022 to April 2025. 'As Covid-19 restrictions eased, there was a return to normal food handling, dining and social behaviours. This may have led to increased exposure to foodborne pathogens and a rebound in reported cases. The increase in notifications, specially in 2024, may also reflect better detection, reporting and surveillance systems as public health operations normalised post-pandemic,' said community services and health MMC Francine Higham. 'However, as the underreporting of foodborne illness is known to be extensive, the actual incidence is likely to be far higher, which reinforces the need for regular testing of foodstuffs in the public domain.' The city described its health department's food microbiological laboratory and environmental health practitioners as frontline defenders against foodborne illnesses. TimesLIVE
Zawya
15-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Athlone Power Station's redevelopment hits roadblock
Cape Town's ambitious plans to transform the long-defunct Athlone Power Station into a flagship green energy hub are facing a major setback, as a provisional heritage protection order placed on the site by Heritage Western Cape (HWC) threatens to stall the development indefinitely. The City of Cape Town, which has been exploring the redevelopment of the site since the iconic cooling towers were demolished in 2010, now finds itself entangled in a legal and bureaucratic dispute that pits sustainable development goals against historical preservation. The provisional protection order, issued in 2022, covers not just the old power station structure but also adjacent land including a wastewater treatment plant, a refuse transfer station, and even a section of the N2 highway. According to HWC, the entire precinct holds cultural and historical significance and must be preserved or carefully assessed before any new development is allowed. In a bid to move the project forward, the City has filed a case in the Western Cape High Court, challenging the legitimacy of the heritage order. Officials argue that while some components of the site may hold historical value, the blanket protection of the entire area is excessive and counterproductive. Environmental protection measures The City, meanwhile, reports efforts to secure the site, limit environmental harm, restore structural integrity, and undertake a comprehensive environmental clean-up. "The City has done a considerable amount of work to secure the site and ensure that there's minimal environmental impact. To further secure the site, the city intends to remove and restore the structural integrity of some of the structures in addition to conducting an environmental clean-up," City Mayco member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg, said. For residents of Athlone and surrounding areas, the debate feels personal, with some having advocated back in January 2024 for the site to be used for housing instead. Heritage Western Cape, however, is standing its ground. Although its spokespersons are unable to comment directly due to the matter being sub judice, HWC has previously stated that the Athlone precinct represents an important piece of the city's industrial and social history. The power station, operational from the 1960s until its decommissioning in 2003, was central to Cape Town's electricity supply for decades and is viewed by heritage advocates as a landmark worth preserving—at least in part. The City of Cape Town continues to make it clear that it will not abandon its renewable energy ambitions and insists that it remains committed to working within legal frameworks. However, unless the heritage protection order is overturned or amended, the future of the Athlone redevelopment hangs in the balance. As South Africa continues to grapple with energy insecurity, the stakes are high. The Athlone power station's transformation could become a beacon of green innovation—or a cautionary tale about red tape in the face of climate urgency. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Herald
08-05-2025
- Climate
- The Herald
Capetonians in for weekend cold front with gale-force wind, big waves
Capetonians were warned on Thursday to batten down the hatches before an incoming weekend cold front with damaging wind and waves forecast along the coast. 'The South African Weather Service has issued a yellow level 4 warning about damaging wind and waves associated with an incoming cold front,' said City of Cape Town disaster risk management spokesperson Sonica Lategan. 'The forecast is for strong to gale-force northwesterly to westerly winds along the Western Cape coast between Friday evening and Saturday evening, with the wind starting to moderate from Saturday afternoon. 'Potential effects could include uprooted trees, damage to roofs, an increased risk of runaway fires and disruption of coastal activities.'
