On track for 2010
From media reports it’s hard to get a picture of how far along the road to the 2010 Soccer World Cup our cities are. But when the host cities gathered to brief Members of Parliament on progress, an exciting vision of what this huge event means to the country and its people began to emerge.
Having a ball in Berlin
The dust has settled from the last World Cup and life in cities across Germany is returning to normal. YAZEED KAMALDIEN was in Berlin during the event and says we could learn a lot from this city.
Craft from waste
A group of mostly women, who previously earned a living helping to clear Cape Town’s beaches of litter, are now turning waste that can’t be recycled into appealing craf t items.
EDI: more questions than answers
A Cabinet decision has placed South Africa’s electricity restructuring process on a new foot ing. But as the process inches forward important details still need to be ironed out in a process that remains critical for the future of the country.
Planning future Cape Town
What will the city look like in 2030, and how can the local authority drive and guide development in a way that will serve the inhabitants and the regional economy best in the long term? These are a few of the questions a bold new vision for Cape Town seeks to address.
Working together for efficiency and prosperity
In an historic first, Gauteng municipalities and the provincial government held a joint sitting in the legislature to throw their weight behind a Strategy for a Globally Competitive City Region. But how will it work and what will be the impact for ordinary residents?
Is there enough money for health?
In a developing country like South Africa, environmental health services should receive high priority, argues Dr Thuthula Balfour-Kaipa, warning that new funding arrangements could leave some municipalities short of money.
Emergency cover for shacks
What started out as a warm gesture to an employee has given rise to a non-profit company that aims to improve the living conditions in informal settlements.
The changing carbon finance market
The race is on for South Africa to secure a portion of the lucrative carbon finance market ahead of 2012, when the current Kyoto Protocol ends.
Dreaming of World Cup glory
Tor! Tor!’ blared the large flatscreen TV in the smoke-filled bar. There I sat in a Hamburg bar emerging from a drunken stupor trying to get to grips with the fact that Brazil was out of the World Cup.
Luring investors pays off
Since it acquired provincial capital city status and became more investor friendly, Pietermaritzburg’s economy has flourished. DELIVERY spoke to Msunduzi’s Strategic Executive Manager: Economic Development and Growth about this new-found prosperity.
A 10 point plan of action for cities
The South African Cities Network recently released its authoritative State of the Cities Report, which culminates in an action plan that will equip them for the challenges ahead.
Talking to ... Waste managers
Responsible for one of the most basic and visible of municipal services, the officials tasked with directing solid waste management handle a complex business. DELIVERY spoke to two of them about their services.
When information is power
Using the law to access information has helped speed up service delivery, and an NGO is empowering rural communities to make use of their rights.
Becoming employers of choice
As South Africa’s municipalities grapple with their many challenges there is a growing recognition that investing in staff is part of the solution.
Youth issues fall off the municipal agenda
Young people bear the brunt of poverty and unemployment in South Africa, and municipalities are not doing enough to support them, argues PHENYANE QADDAFI SEDIBE, following a conference hosted by the National Youth Commission on the state of youth development in local government.