27 November 2024 by Guest Work on the removal of the last batch of loosened parts of the wreck of the fishing trawler, FV Elke M, that ran aground near St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape in January 2024, has resumed, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed at the weekend. According to SAMSA, the removal of the loose steel parts of the vessel began on Thursday last week and continues this week. Resumption of the work, halted since May 2024 due to a hostile wintry weather … [Read more...] about Wreck Removal of Grounded Fishing Trawler, Fv Elke-M Underway in St Francis Bay
EC Adjustment budget cuts R402 million from economic development
Dear Editor The adjustment budget presented by Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko yesterday, underscores that the Eastern Cape government is doing little more than paying lip service to addressing unemployment and crime – two of the biggest crises facing this province. After touting that government intends to grow the economy by 2%, the MEC slashed the budget of the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT), the very department tasked with growing the economy, … [Read more...] about EC Adjustment budget cuts R402 million from economic development
Mandela Bay Arts Festival 2025
The Mandela Bay Arts Festival is back this summer; live on stages in the Bay stages from 22 February to 2 March 2025. A project of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the event is managed by the National Arts Festival and gives the vibrant talent of the area a platform to perform and exhibit their works for visitors and residents of the city and surrounds. The artists who will be participating in the Mandela Bay Arts Festival have been announced after being selected from over 216 … [Read more...] about Mandela Bay Arts Festival 2025
R65 Million Wasted on Stalled Bhisho Precinct Project
Dear Editor More than a decade of broken promises and squandered funds have left the Bhisho Precinct project as nothing more than a costly patch of vacant land. With expenditure now reaching R65 million, this project has failed the residents of the Eastern Cape. Originally envisioned as a central hub to house seven provincial departments that currently rent costly office space in Buffalo City, the Bhisho Precinct was intended to save over R200 million annually in rental costs and improve … [Read more...] about R65 Million Wasted on Stalled Bhisho Precinct Project
EL airport needs full landing system calibration, not just “approval”
Dear Editor The DA in Buffalo City welcomes the news that the Instrument Landing System (ILS) flight procedure at the East London King Phalo Airport has been approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), but this is only the first step in the right direction. Over the past few months, repeated shutdowns have been experienced at the King Phalo Airport. On several occasions, flights were delayed or cancelled, and passengers had to cancel their travel plans. Many lost … [Read more...] about EL airport needs full landing system calibration, not just “approval”
Heidi Comments on #EndPunitiveWaterTariffsNow
On 26/11/2024 Heidi voted Yes in our poll on ending punitive water tariffs. Heidi Says: Have your say here: All responses are also submitted to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Director of Water. … [Read more...] about Heidi Comments on #EndPunitiveWaterTariffsNow
Debbie Comments on #EndPunitiveWaterTariffsNow
On 22/11/2024 Debbie voted Yes in our poll on ending punitive water tariffs. Debbie Says: This is theft, and actually needs prosecution. Our metro is run by criminals. Have your say here: All responses are also submitted to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Director of Water. … [Read more...] about Debbie Comments on #EndPunitiveWaterTariffsNow
Eastern Cape confirmed as the murder capital of the country
Dear Editor The DA in the Eastern Cape is deeply concerned that residents of our Province face the highest chance of violent murder, of all provinces in the country. The latest crime statistics, released today for the second quarter of 2024/25 (July – September 2024), tragically confirm that the Eastern Cape is the murder capital of South Africa. The bloodbath experienced in the province paints a horrifying picture for the people of the Eastern Cape. A total of 1,315 murders were … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape confirmed as the murder capital of the country
Gqeberha Pride Festival: Sports Uniting Communities
At least eight netball teams competed in this year’s Gqeberha Pride Festival in New Brighton on Saturday. It was the second year the organisers chose to have sports rather than a colourful parade. They believe this fosters more community involvement. Organisers of the annual Gqeberha Pride Festival have taken a different approach to the event by hosting friendly netball matches. The event was held in New Brighton on Saturday by Sicebise Social Inclusion+, an organisation formed in 2018 to … [Read more...] about Gqeberha Pride Festival: Sports Uniting Communities
GBV Survivors need 365 days of support, not 16 days of lip service
Dear Editor As we mark the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, we must remember that the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is ongoing and requires 365 days a year of focus. Focusing on it for just 16 days is not enough. GBV is out of control in the Eastern Cape, where women and children are continuously murdered, sexually assaulted, and attacked. Today, I was joined by DA EC Provincial Chairperson Yusuf Cassim MPL, DA Shadow MEC for … [Read more...] about GBV Survivors need 365 days of support, not 16 days of lip service
Spaza Shop Landlords Shocked by R2,200 Permit Fee
Hundreds of landlords in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality were shocked to learn that they have to pay R2,207 to apply for a permit to rent out “spaza shops”. Landlords and immigrant spaza shop owners from Pakistan, Somali and Ethiopia were called to a meeting at Babs Madlakane Hall in KwaNobuhle, Kariega, on Thursday. The meeting was convened by SAPS, the community policing forum, and a group of pastors. The pastors have an office at the police station called Spiritual Crime Prevention … [Read more...] about Spaza Shop Landlords Shocked by R2,200 Permit Fee
16 Days of no violence
On 25 November 2024, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape will be marking the start of 16 Days of no violence against women and children with a peaceful protest in Nelson Mandela Bay. The DA will protest at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Ward 11 office in Schauderville in Gqeberha, in support of the Enough Now organisation, which is advocating for the establishment of a victim support centre for abused women at the ward office. Enough Now has been following all the right … [Read more...] about 16 Days of no violence
EC out of recession, but….
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape notes the news that the Eastern Cape economy technically emerged from recession in the second quarter of 2024, but we caution that this recovery is minimal and remains fragile. According to an official report from the Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council (ECSECC), which came into our possession yesterday, the EC economy expanded by 0.1% in the second quarter of 2024, meaning the province is now technically out of … [Read more...] about EC out of recession, but….
Kathy Comments on #EndPunitiveWaterTariffsNow
On 22/11/2024 Kathy voted Yes in our poll on ending punitive water tariffs. Kathy Says: The dam levels have increased substantially and overflowed in some cases. Hundreds of homes have had water tanks fitted saving municipal water use. All water leaks need to be fixed which is a huge part of the problem. Have your say here: All responses are also submitted to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Director of Water. … [Read more...] about Kathy Comments on #EndPunitiveWaterTariffsNow
Keeping NMB punitive water tariffs while dams fill, is a money-making racket that must end – #EndPunitiveWaterTariffsNow
Before you read on - please complete our Poll: Your responses are sent directly to the Municipality and the Director of Water and published on MyPE: Dear Editor While recent good rains have been filling our dams up to average capacity of 85%, the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality insists that residents continue to fill their coffers with punitive tariffs, and this must end now! For a drought that no longer exists, there is no longer any need for punitive water tariffs in Nelson Mandela … [Read more...] about Keeping NMB punitive water tariffs while dams fill, is a money-making racket that must end – #EndPunitiveWaterTariffsNow
