It is with great satisfaction that I can inform the House that the European Commission decision 2004/262/EC of 17 March 2004 which lead to the suspension of equine exports from South Africa, was repealed in Brussels on Wednesday, 25 October 2006.  > 

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will soon announce a comprehensive media advocacy campaign as part of its Literacy and Numeracy strategy, to try and make parents understand and accept that mother-tongue education is best, but that a second language, mostly English, will be added.  > 

Multi-billion Rand investment in a world-class multi-purpose stadium, improved transport systems, other infrastructure and extensive preparations for 2010 World Cup are contained in the joint business plan of the Western Cape Provincial Government and the City of Cape Town.  > 

One of the oldest rugby clubs on the Cape Flats celebrates its Centenary tomorrow with a gala reception hosted by Deputy Mayor Andrew Arnolds.  > 

The first 'soccer and environment' workshop will be held in Manenberg on Saturday, 28 October as part of this year's LA21 Community Festival.  > 

A flood of calls from residents to the City of Cape Town's call centre 0860 103 089, incorrectly trying to either seek relief under the City's Indigent Policy or make an arrangement to pay off their arrears debt, is blocking the lines and frustrating callers.  > 

About 46% of South African households are considered poor or low-income, more then 15 million poor people living in rural areas in South Africa and over 60% of black households can be defined as low-income and rely mostly on the informal sector for an income.  > 

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has decided to side with the SA Wine Council in their opposition against a request to the Registrar: Genetically Modified Organisms for permission to use genetically modified malolactic yeast ML01 for the commercial production of wine in South Africa.  > 

Drowning is a major cause of death by injury, this according to the Medical Research Council of South Africa. The graphs peak in the age groups 1-4 and again in 10-14. In the teen category the majority of deaths are from disadvantaged communities. There are ...  > 

The City of Cape Town is to act on the fire safety and environmental health hazards posed by overcrowding in the "Pipetrack" area of Imizamo Yethu informal settlement, Hout Bay.  > 

The City of Cape Town will permit the discharging of fireworks in public on Sunday night, 5 November, Guy Fawkes Night, but only at the sites listed below, and nowhere else without special permission. Metro Police will be monitoring the sites.  > 

The City of Cape Town has identified six areas that can be used for the discharge of fireworks for Diwali Religious Celebrations on Saturday, 21 October 2006.  > 

A fire occurred at approximately 02:00 this morning within the Masiphumelele Informal Settlement, Fish Hoek. The fire razed 292 structures leaving 1076 people destitute (709 adults and 367 children).  > 

by Sandy Godlwana ...  > 

Prince Edward Count of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, visited the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital on Monday, 16 October.  > 

In order to improve its customer service, the City's Town Planning Department has introduced a new single, city-wide standardised application form and submission requirements for Land Use Management applications such as rezonings, subdivisions and departures.  > 

Seven project managers at the City of Cape Town have received special awards for their exceptional service delivery in implementing water, electricity and waste management projects in the Cape Metropole.  > 

The City of Cape Town's successful Youth Environmental School (YES) Programme, traditionally held during World Environment Week, is expanding to include other major commemorative days and weeks on the annual calendar.  > 

Mayor Helen Zille will host a tea in support of the Ruan Belcher & Other Near Drowning Survivors' Rehabilitation & Educational Trust on Wednesday, 18 October 2006, in Cape Town.  > 

The City of Cape Town has plans to release a further 10.4 hectares of housing land in addition to the already approved 42 hectares of land to be developed for affordable housing for the so called GAP housing market.  > 

Good news for road-users. The N7 bridge in the vicinity of Acacia Park has been reopened for normal two-way traffic i.e. using both the the southbound and the northbound carriageways. The bridge, which belongs to Spoornet, was damaged by a fire in an informal settlement ...  > 

One of the largest Danish scientific expeditions in more than 50 years is due to sail into Cape Town harbour on Sunday, 15 October.  > 

With the closure of one library in Hangberg, and with a number of other libraries at risk of closure due to staff shortages, the City is taking immediate steps to rectify the situation.  > 

A leading Western Cape Education Department (WCED) Engineering and Technology Focus School is celebrating the donation of a Hot Metal Workshop to the value of R250,000.00, which will form part of government's bid to address the skills shortages in the country.  > 

The City of Cape Town and the Macassar Dune Co-Management Association, in partnership with Cape Flats Nature, are hosting a Weedbuster Day on Thursday, 12 October 2006, at the Macassar Dunes Nature Reserve.  > 

The City of Cape Town's dream to create a nature reserve with roaming herds of eland and other game species near Blaauwberg Hill is hedging closer to reality with the erection of the first game fence in the Blaauwberg Conservation Area (BCA).  > 

Following a media report concerning possible structural problems at the Athlone stadium, one of the 2010 World Cup practice venues, a site visit by Executive Deputy Mayor Andrew Arnolds today revealed no flaws or cause for concern.  > 

Nutrition week is celebrated from the 9-16 October annually. The Western Cape Provincial Department of Health will be launching the Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) during nutrition week.  > 

As from October 2, only individuals registered with the professional architect's body will be allowed to submit building plans to the City for approval.  > 

Top youth facilitators from Berlin are in Cape Town to address a conference on how to equip young adults with disabilities to earn a living.  > 

A free polio immunization campaign will sweep across the province from the 8th to 14th October 2006, when all children under five years of age will be immunized.  > 

This month I would like to invite all residents who owe council money for rates and services but who are unable to pay their debts to come forward and take advantage of our indigent policy.  > 

Dr Joey Cupido has been appointed as Deputy Director-General (DDG) of District Health Services and Health Programmes from 1 November 2006. He has acted in this position since 13 January 2006.  > 

The N7 bridge in the vicinity of Acacia Park that was damaged by a fire in an informal settlement under the bridge in the early hours of Monday morning will partially re-open at 15:30 today, Thursday, 5 October.  > 

The City's Mayoral Committee has approved a business plan to rehabilitate Zeekoevlei and to manage its urban drainage system at an estimated cost of some R150 million, provided that the City can secure external funding for the project.  > 

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is fully prepared for the 62,251 learners who have entered to write the Senior Certificate Examinations this year, and it is all systems go.  > 

The N7 bridge in the vicinity of Acacia Park that was damaged by a fire in an informal settlement under the bridge in the early hours of Monday morning will remain closed for at least the next 24 hours.  >