DA-run City of Cape Town Delivers for All

DA-run City of Cape Town delivers for all

John Steenhuisen MP
DA Shadow Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

The DA is pleased that the City of Cape Town has made significant strides in creating a safe, well-run, caring and inclusive city of opportunity for all its residents.

In her Mid-Term Review speech yesterday, the Executive Mayor of Cape Town Alderman Patricia De Lille, revealed:
- A 278% increase in the number of toilets provided in informal settlements, from 14 591 in 2006 to around 40 700 in 2013;
- The City has prioritised a massive allocation of resources to improve living conditions in informal settlements, specifically in the provision of electricity, water and sanitation, refuse removal, area cleaning and rodent control.
- The City is funding Eskom to the amount of R190 million to connect over 20 000 households in informal settlements and temporary relocation areas with electricity;
- The City has provided over 37 000 work opportunities created from 228 projects, with more than R60 million paid out in fortnightly wages;
- 27 separate out-dated legacy zoning schemes were integrated into a single Cape Town Zoning Scheme, reducing 1 507 pages of regulation to 185;
- The City has handed 3 710 residents keys to their newly-built units;
- The City has transferred 3 308 title deeds related to historical housing projects, as well as 404 title deeds to Council rental stock transferred to home buyers;
- Moody's International's latest Credit Rating report, released in April 2013, reaffirmed the City's strong credit rating of Aa3, the highest rating a South African municipality can obtain from Moody's;
- The 2012/13 financial year saw the City spending a record R5.78 billion, comprising 92.9% of its budget; and
- The City received its eighth consecutive unqualified audit.

The DA-led City of Cape Town remains the best-run municipality in the country, with the best record of providing basic services and financial relief to the poor - 64% of the City's budget is spent on the provision services to the poor – the most extensive cross-subsidisation in the country.

In the run-up to the 2014 general elections, the DA encourages South Africans to use their votes to elect DA governments where they live.

The DA has demonstrated that with political will and a commitment to clean governance it is possible to ensure that the poor benefit from the delivery of basic services. We want to bring the same to all of South Africa.

---

PLEASE SHARE THIS and help spread the message of how the DA delivers for all, and wants to deliver improved basic services in government throughout South Africa.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151806456483111&set=a.412609998110.187573.6011868110&type=1&relevant_count=1
Regards,

Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.wix.com/onlinebio

ANC Minister Mthwethwa Threatens Media Over Nkandla Pictures

Minister Mthethwa should retract his comments on the publishing of photos on Nkandla residence

Dianne Kohler Barnard MP
DA Shadow Minister of Police

During a post Cabinet briefing this morning, the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, levelled a threat against members of the media when he stated that people who publish photographs of President Jacob Zuma's private residence in Nkandla could "face the full might of the law". The Minister was basing his threat on the unconstitutional National Key Points Act of 1980.

Minister Mthethwa would do well to refrain from making such threats when he has also acceded to the fact that the National Key Points Act is highly problematic in a constitutional democracy. He must now do the right thing and unconditionally retract these comments.

It is clear that the Minister of Police, like his colleagues in the Security Cluster, are hell-bent on using this unconstitutional law to hide details surrounding the inexplicable splurging of hundreds of millions of rands of public money on President Jacob Zuma.

These comments are even more worrying if one considers the steadfast refusal of Minister Mthethwa to reveal the list of National Key Points, as I have asked him to do so in numerous parliamentary questions. This means that if he were to apply this as a law of general application, members of the public could also be arrested for taking photographs of the Government Printing Works (revealed by the Minister of Home Affairs), the SABC or pictures at the opening of Parliament.

If anything, these comments highlight the need once and for all to repeal this draconian Apartheid-era law. The DA has submitted a Private Members Bill, the Protection of Critical Infrastructure Bill, to do just this. This Bill would:
- Establish an inter-departmental board to oversee the functions surrounding the protection and classification of critical infrastructure installations, as opposed to the Minister of Police having sole responsibility and discretion for declaring areas or structures that require government protection;
- Create strict criteria for the classification of critical infrastructure installations under specific sectors, based on national security and vulnerability;
- Allocate the responsibility of managing the costs associated with declaring a place or area a critical infrastructure installation to the government, and not to the owner as is the case under the current legislation;
- Ensure that there is a publicly available list of all critical infrastructure installations and that this list is regularly reviewed and tabled in Parliament; and
- Ensure that the Police Portfolio Committee oversees the implementation of the Act, allowing for, regular open committee sittings.

Minister Mthethwa must bring his Department in line with our constitutional democracy and stop levelling threats at South Africans who are committed to our Constitution.

He must now do the right thing and unconditionally retract these comments without delay. Anything less would reveal that he is more committed to Apartheid-era draconian legislation than to accountability and transparency.

---

Image found at http://www.grafika24.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/zumaville1eb.jpg

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151806744083111&set=a.412609998110.187573.6011868110&type=1&relevant_count=1
Regards,

Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.wix.com/onlinebio

Rapunzel Children's Theatre Show at the Catalina Theatre

Show: Rapunzel

By: Sandy Bigara

Dates: 2^nd December – 4^th January

Times: 2pm weekdays,  11am Saturdays

Price Options:

1) Show Only 

Adult: R100, Child: R80

2) Show + Lunch

Adult: R160, Child: R130

3) Show + Boat ride

Adult: R145, Child: R105

4) Show, Lunch + Boat ride

Adult: R205, Child: R155

Suits ages: 1 and up.

Bar Available: Yes, drinks and snacks and other goodies available at The Cash Bar.

Bookings: Bookings are with Computicket.  Online www.computicket.com or at any Checkers or Shoprite store.

Buy Your tickets now by clicking on this picture! 

DA Blocks Controversial Bill Through Uniting the Opposition

DA blocks controversial Bill through uniting the opposition

14 November 2013
Release: immediate

This week, the DA, as the official opposition, with the support of opposition parties in the Police Portfolio Committee succeeded in preventing the Private Security Industry Regulation Authority (PSIRA) Amendment Bill from being debated in Parliament.

Backed by all opposition parties who participate in the Police Portfolio Committee, the DA sent a letter to the Speaker, Max Sisulu, requesting his intervention regarding the unilateral, 11th-hour re-insertion of a xenophobic expropriation clause in the PSIRA Bill.

The Speaker agreed to have the PSIRA Bill sent back to the Portfolio Committee for further deliberation on this clause.

The expropriation clause was unilaterally slipped in by the Chairperson of the Committee who was presumably acting on instruction of the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa. It allows for the state to expropriate at least 51% of any foreign-owned security-related company. The clause further stated that the Minister could at his discretion, prescribe a different percentage of ownership and control for different categories of security businesses. This could, of course, mean that 100% of any security-related company with a head office in another country, would be expropriated in their entirety.

Equally, for example, a Greek locksmith who has been a permanent resident for 30 years, would be branded a threat to state security, and have to hand 51% of his tiny business over to a South African citizen. As would any foreign owned firm that imports, manufactures or exports any security-related equipment, such as cameras that are commonly used by householders who want to see who is at the door before opening it.

As many security firms are listed on the stock exchange, the nationality of individual shareholders is unknown.

The clause had already been exhaustively debated during extensive public hearings at which time the DA raised all these and many other issues time and time again. The offending clause was then removed from the Bill.

The DA looks forward to deliberating on this clause when the Bill comes once again before the committee and with the backing of other opposition parties, ensuring that it is not included in the final version of the Bill. Expropriation, or indigenisation as it is otherwise known, is the fastest way to destroy international investor confidence and our economy.

The DA will at all times fight all Bills that are deemed unfair, discriminatory and non-beneficial to the public.
Regards,

Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.wix.com/onlinebio

Blue Monday @ The Catalina

The Blue Monday Platform is an initiative of PANSA – the Performing Arts Network of SA – which focuses on creating opportunities and support to the professional and newly-professional echelons of the performing arts industry.


Blue Monday Platform is on a mission to change the perception of arts, get newcomers involved in the industry and new audiences into theatre foyers, and also as a showcase for eventors, theatre managers and the public to see what is out there and available. The Blue Monday Platform is trying to make theatre universal, accessible and appropriate for all walks of life - and appealing and challenging to newcomers – and youth in particular - to engage with their culture.
 
Get involved in Blue Monday Platform. Entry is free and all are welcome. The bar is open, and it is a perfect opportunity for networking. 
 
Where: Catalina Theatre, Wilsons Wharf
When: Monday 11 November 
Time: 18h00

Entry: free and all are welcome

For more info: Radwinn on kzn@pansa.org.za / 0312014750
Regards,

Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.wix.com/onlinebio

Rapunzel 2013/2014 - Meet The Cast!

It is almost time! rehearsals and preparations are in full swing :) the following is a short info burst about the show, followed by a "Meet the Cast" segment :) 

Enjoy! 

Sandy Bigara xx 

----------------------------------------------

RAPUNZEL will be running at The Catalina Theatre, 18 Boatman’s Way, Wilson’s Wharf from the 2nd December till the 4th January. Shows will be daily at 2pm weekdays and 11am Saturdays. This is traditional Family Theatre fare and will suit ages 2 to 92, there will be a little bit of something for everyone! Following the lines of the original tale written in 1812 by the Brother’s Grimm, Director Sandy Bigara has used her comedy skill to weave a story that is dramatic as well as funny. There will be a prize give-away at each performance, and after the show there will be an opportunity to have a photo with Rapunzel herself! 

BOOK THROUGH COMPUTICKET. 

Adult: Show for R100

Adult Show + Harbour Boat ride for R145

Adult: Show + Lunch for R160

Adult: Show, Lunch + Boat ride for R205

Child: Show for R80

Child: Show + Harbour Boat ride for R105

Child: Show + Lunch for R130

Child: Show, Lunch + Boat ride for R155

Wilson’s Wharf … Make a day of it! 

MEET THE CAST! 

Chanel is on Facebook! 

Chanel Meager recently matriculated from Durban Girl's High School, she has been an avid art student from Sherwood in KZN – Chanel has always shown a flair for creativity. Chanel has performed in a variety of school productions, and brings with her a fresh approach as she takes on her biggest role yet. Her goal within this role is to broaden the smiles of her young spectators and bring to life the romance that all fairytales contain, keeping their dreams alive. She is just as excited to be a part of this play, as your young ones are to watch it! Chanel is joining this fun-loving cast to play the lead role of Rapunzel.

Savanna is on Facebook! 

Savanna Bigara is from Durban North and she is almost 6 years old. Savanna is no stranger to showbiz, appearing in her first short film at the age of 3. Savanna performed in her first theatre production in December 2012’s Animal Tails II at The Catalina Theatre performing a number of roles. In February she performed alongside her sister Kelsey, singing in a Valentine show called “Songs of Love”. She has also starred in a Panado Advert for corporate marketing. Savanna has performed at venues around Durban with her Mother Sandy Bigara. Savanna has completed a year of Modelling with Model Dynamics and a year of Ballet with Janet Smith. Her clothing range Savanna Designs debuted this September with 21 ball gowns designed by herself (Sunday Tribune, pg 3, September 8^th 2013). This will be her first speaking role as the young Rapunzel.

Ndalo is on Facebook! 

Ndalo Mchunu hails from Pinetown, and has just this year left the corporate world to pursue her passion for theatre and acting! She performed in a children's Literacy programme earlier in the year, where she acted out books - to encourage children to read. Her favourite character was 'Ms Leaky', who was a freaky health teacher in a primary school – “it was lots of fun playing a crazy person!” She is ecstatic to be part of Rapunzel because she absolutely adores children, and making them happy (and getting them to laugh out loud)! Ndalo is a natural talent, a dynamo on stage and grabs young children’s attention with her full bodied and rounded characterizations  She will be playing the role of The Crone Gothel in Rapunzel.

Kim is on Facebook! 

Kim Kandan is a 3rd year drama and performance studies major at Howard Collage UKZN. He comes from New Germany in KZN. His best known production was “Peace Love Recycle” that was on show at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival 2013. He has focussed mainly on university productions, he has a real love for everything dramatic and artistic. Kim’s enthusiasm is both enchanting and infectious, and he will woo audiences young and old. Kim will be taking on the role of Prince Mortimer in Rapunzel.

 

Sandy is on Facebook!

Sandy Bigara is Directing, Producing and Writing Rapunzel this year at The Catalina Theatre. Sandy is a longstanding Performing Artist with a colourful stage history. With a passion for all artistic endeavours, and always being called an “Ideas-man” Sandy brings a personal touch to all of her productions. Sandy sews, paints, designs, glues and creates every piece of set and most of the costumes and props by hand, spending hours painstakingly forming reality from ideas. With a Drama and Music teaching history behind her (6 years in Government and Private schools, followed by Road Shows across KZN, educating over 1 million children) Sandy brings her wealth of experience and sense of humour to her work.
For more information about Sandy Bigara, please visit her website. 

When You Lose Fat...

I saw the image below on a friends wall and thought it was rather interesting, the following dieting images and links are food for thought (punny...) and something that I struggle with personally.

http://www.thetakedownchallenge.com/

The next picture is just way cool. Freaky.

http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/

This one takes a bit of thought, worth looking into each of these possible causes of weight gain.

http://healthyurbankitchen.com/blog/top-10-reasons-you-havent-lost-weight/

The ever present cycle of Yo-Yo dieting...

http://timeforchangepersonaltraining.com/

Use it. Don't use it.

I'm under a pile of paperwork for an upcoming show, so haven't been able to write more! Forgives mee!


Have a great day people! xx

Firecrackers Diwali and New Year

Sheraine Reddy is Miss P's Mom. Miss P is Autistic and struggles with the loud 'bangs' that come with Diwali/Guy Fawkes/New Years celebrations.

Please share. Not to spread any 'hate' but to encourage awareness and compassion for neighbours and children who don't always understand the 'loud bangs' at all hours day and night for up to SIX weeks after Diwali and New Years have passed.

Raise awareness. Be considerate. Stick to the time schedules set out by local and national government. Internationally 5pm - 10pm are considered the appropriate and respectful times to let off any fireworks - this allows for people to tranquilise their pets and calmly prepare their small children for the often scary bangs, squeals and crashes that accompany these festivals and celebrations.

GOOD TO KNOW: DEFINITIONS

“Fireworks” - that is goods that intended to be of pyrotechnic effect that are classified low hazard fireworks such as firework showers, fountains, golden rain, lawn lights, pin wheels, sparkles and volcanoes etc.

“Fire Cracker” means small fireworks with entwined fuses used solely as noise makers and not for pyrotechnic effect.

“Nuisance Fireworks” means a fireworks product that produces an effect involving a screech or noise, or is being altered   or misused that has the effect of creating fear or disturbance to residents.  These include fireworks such as air bombs, supersonic bang, sound shells, fountain whistle, screeches etc.

“Family Package”- means outdoor low hazard recreational fireworks.

An interesting quote from a Hindu gentleman:
"Fireworks has no links with Diwali whatsoever. I am an educated Hindu who read scriptures and meditate on a daily basis, so I have some authority on Hinduism. There is no instruction from any God to burn fireworks, so Hindus stop saying this is our culture. Exploding bombs (fireworks/firecrackers) amongst babies, children, animals, birdlife and ordinary human beings is not satvik (divine vibrations)." (He did not name himself and was commenting on a firecracker newspost) 

Worth thinking about xx

http://www1.durban.gov.za/durban/government/policy/fireworks