Latest news with #CommunityServicesandHealthmayco
IOL News
31-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
City's initiatives help over 5,000 people off the streets
Rough sleepers at various unlawful occupation hot spots in Cape Town agree to move to City shelters. Image: Picture: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers Some 5 073 people were helped off the streets in 2024/25, compared to 4 409 the previous financial year, through shelter placements, reunifying families, and other forms of reintegration, the City said. "The City does as much as possible, but we cannot do it alone. Our partners play an integral part in assisting rough sleepers and we can do more, because of their role. I want to thank them for their selfless dedication and commitment to some of the City's most vulnerable people," said Community Services and Health mayco member, Francine Higham. Further efforts to get people off the streets included: 691 people participating in development programmes at City-run Safe Spaces. 80 Expanded Public Works Programme work placements to help those staying at the Safe Spaces and in shelters get back on their feet. 627 referrals for social grants, identity documents, specialised care facilities, and substance abuse treatment. The City's support for people sleeping rough on the streets includes access to City-run Safe Spaces and partner shelters, work and reintegration programmes and assistance in overcoming substance abuse as part of its Rough Sleeper Strategy. One of the people who was assisted is 40-year-old Legidas Ndaviragiye who returned to his home country of Burundi in early July. Legidas was in the country legally, but had fallen on hard times after a fire destroyed his home and he had no alternative place to stay. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "Our field officers first met Legidas in 2022 as a rough sleeper after a complaint was received. Our staff arranged shelter placement, and followed up for two years. Along with the Haven Night Shelter, we assisted him with the reunification process and soon he was ready to return to his home country. "His life is one of many changed through our interventions. We are serious about restoring dignity and impacting the lives of those who find themselves on the street, in a positive way. We are committed to assisting as many people as possible with solutions that make an impact and are sustainable," Higham said. The 2025/26 budget includes a proposed R9.9 million for upgrading and expanding existing safe spaces; and a proposed operations budget which includes, R 1.7 million for street people programmes, i.e. support programmes and winter readiness, and R 1.4 million for the EPWP street people economics project. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
City wraps up R 77 million refurbishment of key athletics stadiums
Work on the Blue Downs Athletics Track is still in progress. Image: CoCT Upgrades to the Wesfleur Athletics Track in Atlantis and the Blue Downs Athletics Track is still in progress and expected to be completed before the upcoming athletics season, the City announced. This, as it completed a major refurbishment at Vygieskraal Athletics Stadium in Athlone, including the installation of brand-new floodlighting, roofing repairs valued at nearly R1 million, and the restoration of the shot put and long jump areas. Plumbing and electrical systems have also been improved, while new spectator seating will enhance the visitor experience. Further upgrades at Vygieskraal include ongoing work on the effluent line as part of scheduled maintenance. The works are part of a wider investment intended to improve the stadium's functionality. Vygieskraal's adjacent rugby facility has also seen upgrades, with parking and fencing projects completed during the current financial year. Additional lighting will be installed in the new financial year. "These milestones demonstrate the City's commitment to quality public sporting infrastructure. By investing in these upgrades, we're ensuring that athletes of all ages and abilities have safe, welcoming, and well-equipped spaces to train and compete. It will ensure our sports facilities offer safe, quality spaces for communities. By continuing to invest in these refurbishments, we are creating lasting value and supporting a healthier lifestyle for residents," said Community Services and Health mayco member, Francine Higham. The total investment in the reinstatement of athletics tracks at Wesfleur and Blue Downs is approximately R60 million. The athletics refurbishments are part of a strategic citywide programme guided by a 2021 Athletics Study, with the goal of achieving SASREA compliance and expanding access to facilities across Cape Town. The objective is to secure SASREA grading and ensure safer, more accessible facilities across Cape Town. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
