Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen embarked on visits to all districts to ensure safety efforts and initiatives are aligned across the Western Cape, so that safer communities are created.

The engagements commenced on 29 April 2024 with the Overberg District Municipality, where Overstrand, Swellendam, Theewaterskloof and Cape Agulhas Municipalities were all represented. On 8 May 2024, it was the turn of the Cape Winelands District Municipality, where the Drakenstein, Breede Valley, Stellenbosch and Witzenberg Municipalities were also present. 

This was followed by the Central Karoo District Municipality engagement on 17 May, where the Beaufort West and Laingsburg Municipalities joined, and finally on 21 May, the Garden Route District Municipality hosted the meeting, with the Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn and Bitou Municipalities, all in attendance.

Along with their various safety initiatives and programmes, municipalities were afforded the opportunity to advise how their activities tie in with the Western Cape Safety Plan (WCSP). In addition to this, they were asked about their efforts to ensure the integration of operations with all relevant stakeholders particularly the South African Police Service, neighbourhood watches and Community Police Forums.

Minister Reagen Allen said, “I am grateful for the robust engagements we could have with the various municipalities. I also wish to extend my sincere gratitude to all district mayors, mayors, and mayoral committee members, for the manner in which they are driving safety initiatives in their areas. Various programmes clearly show how safety is being prioritised across the Western Cape. Residents of can rest assured that we have their best interests at heart and are working together to create safer environments for all.”

“As we move forward, we will now embark on wider district engagements, where more stakeholders will be incorporated. It is critical that we are all flexible enough to adopt new and amend methods to be more effective in our crime fighting efforts. We will not shy away from including new partners, as we must remain one step ahead of criminals and their activities. We have a huge task on our hands.”

“As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to supporting the efforts of our colleagues at a local government level to combat crime,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

President William Ruto has wound up his first leg of the State Visit to the United States of America where he urged private and public sectors to explore a range of mutually beneficial partnerships.

He arrives in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday morning where he is expected to meet the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Mike Johnson at the United States Capitol.

President Ruto will also engage the U.S. Senate Leadership led by Majority Leader Charles Schumer and address a Black Caucus at the Library of Congress.

Washington, D.C. has been a beehive of activities with its streets dotted with American and Kenyan flags.

On Thursday, the President will be at the White House for the State Visit.

In Atlanta, Georgia, the President appealed to the U.S. business community to invest in Kenya’s diverse investment opportunities.

Speaking during a meeting with Fortune Company Chief Executive Officers, he said investing in Kenya promises better returns, particularly in the renewable energy, housing, manufacturing, agriculture, and ICT sectors.

“Kenya means business. We urge international businesses to capitalise on the 60-year-old Kenya-U.S. relationship that is grounded on shared values of democracy, freedom and enterprise to invest in Kenya,” he said.

During his tour of the Coca-Cola Company Headquarters, it was announced that Coca-Cola will invest Sh23 billion ($175 million) over the next five years to expand its operations in Kenya.

“This is a milestone in the firm’s presence in Kenya and Africa, a testimony that we must sustain our strong collaboration for us grow,”

The President also visited the New Vivo Fashion Group Retail Store in Atlanta where he lauded the business’s move to include Made in Kenya brands in its stores.

“This is an African spirit where businesses find innovative ways to support each other’s advancement as we take the global stage,” he said.

The President spoke at the Spelman College where a partnership on education was signed to enhance student and faculty exchange, joint research and innovation to accelerate our country’s Silicon Savannah ambition.

At the Centre for Disease Control Headquarters, President Ruto witnessed the signing of MoUs between CDC and Kenya Medical Research Institute, the Ministry of Health and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in developing a Sustainability Roadmap for Kenya’s HIV Programme and the joint proclamation for the operationalisation of the Kenya National Public Health Institute.

He noted that the U.S. has been a key ally in Kenya’s healthcare sector and intends to further this partnership by expanding infrastructure, research, and local vaccine manufacturing.

The President also interacted with Kenyans living in the United States of America at the Cobb Galleria Centre, held talks with the Mayor of Atlanta Andre Dickens and toured the Tyler Perry Studios.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

On May 6 (local time), Chad held a presidential election, and on May 16 (local time), the Constitutional Council of Chad announced the election of H.E. Mr. MAHAMAT IDRISS DEBY ITNO as president-elect. Japan welcomes the efforts of the Chadian people having conducted this election in a generally peaceful manner in order to consolidate democracy.

Japan looks forward to the progress of democracy in Chad in an inclusive, peaceful and transparent manner by conducting further national dialogue following this presidential election, which constitutes an important process for the democratic transition in Chad.

Japan reiterates its respect for the important role that Chad plays for peace and stability in the region, and will continue to support peace and stability in African countries, including Chad, through the TICAD process among others.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande will officially open the Gert Sibande TVET College, Balfour Campus, in Mpumalanga, on 24 May 2024.

The official opening event will be preceded by a Career Expo on 23 May 2024, which aims to attract learners and the communities in and around the Balfour area.

The Career Expo is aimed at exposing learners and communities to available opportunities in the post-school education and training sector.

This new campus is part of the Department of Higher Education and Training’s programme to take Technical and Vocational Education and Training to rural communities.

The Balfour campus came about as a solution to accommodate the increasing enrolments at colleges across South Africa.

The College was established in the year 2014 and began enrolment in the same year with 170 students, currently sitting at 571 students.

This is a huge milestone for the Department and a unique opportunity for the youth and nearby communities in Balfour for their education and skills development needs.

Equally important, this campus forms part of the 12 campuses that the Department has built so far as part of expanding infrastructure in our PSET system.

The media are invited as follows:

Date: 23 – 24 May 2024
Time: 09:00
Venue: Gert Sibande TVET College, Balfour Campus, 110 Minaar Street, Balfour, Mpumalang

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.