Progress on Malmesbury Bypass Project Continues with Site Visit from Premier Alan Winde and Provincial Minister Tertuis Simmers The Western Cape Government is pleased to report significant progress on the ongoing construction of a vital 6.7km greenfield road link in the Swartland region. Premier Alan Winde and Provincial Minister of Infrastructure conducted a site visit today to oversee the developments of this key infrastructure project is an integral component of the Malmesbury Bypass upgrades aimed at improving connectivity and safety in the region The new road link connects the Hopefield Interchange on the N7 highway to the intersection of the R45 and the R46 towards Riebeek Kasteel near Malmesbury "This project is testament to our enduring commitment to infrastructure-driven economic growth and job creation Our infrastructure development must meet the needs of a rapidly growing population which requires us to become more future-fit and innovative given the added pressures of climate change," said Premier Alan Winde the project includes the construction of five new bridges and a grade-separated interchange at the R45/R46 intersection These upgrades are designed to enhance safety and bolster economic activity by improving accessibility in the Swartland region Provincial Minister Tertuis Simmers emphasised the strategic importance of this development saying "The Malmesbury Bypass not only exemplifies our dedication to advancing regional infrastructure but also highlights our priorities to drive growth and prosperity We are working tirelessly to accelerate the delivery of this project ensuring that we meet our deadlines without compromising on quality." Construction began in May 2023 and is on track for completion by November 2025 The Malmesbury Bypass project represents a significant milestone in the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure’s ongoing efforts to deliver world-class infrastructure to its residents The Western Cape Government remains committed to accelerating infrastructure delivery across the province ensuring that communities are connected and that the region's infrastructure can support sustained economic growth Regan ThawMedia Liaison Officer, Office of the PremierCell: 083 627 7246Email: Regan.Thaw@westerncape.gov.za Mr. Ntobeko MbingeleliTel: 021 483 8067Cell: 061 447 7851Email: ntobeko.mbingeleli@westerncape.gov.za AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale CAPE TOWN - Western Cape police have described the alleged rape of a woman while in custody as a shame and embarrassment for the service A 41-year-old detective stationed at the Malmesbury police station made his first appearance in the local magistrate's court on Monday kidnapping and driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with the incident that played out on Christmas Day READ: Cape Town rape-accused police officer denied bail The defence objected to having footage of the accused captured in court while it’s been highlighted that more witnesses may come forward A formal bail application will be heard in the Porterville magistrate’s court on 8 January The accused will remain behind bars until then Subscribe to daily business and company news across 19 industries These locales are quickly becoming investment hotspots chief executive officer of Fine & Country Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) provides insights into why these areas are attracting interest and what makes them prime investment opportunities: Natural beauty and lifestyle appeal – "Wellington is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbours like Stellenbosch and Paarl but it offers an incredible quality of life," says Herbst Nestled at the foot of the Groenberg Mountain makes it an attractive option for those seeking a balance between convenience and tranquillity licensee of Fine & Country’s Swartland office adds that Bovlei Winery in Wellington is the second oldest winery in the country and the world famous Bains Whisky is made there too Educational and cultural hub – Wellington is also home to several renowned educational institutions including the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Wellington campus and top-tier primary and secondary schools "Education is a significant drawcard," Herbst notes "Families are looking for areas that offer excellent schooling options without the congestion of larger cities." Affordability and investment growth – From an investment perspective Property prices here are still relatively affordable compared to Stellenbosch or Franschhoek yet the area is experiencing steady growth "Investors are recognising the value in Wellington’s real estate market," Herbst explains "With ongoing developments and infrastructure improvements we anticipate significant appreciation in property values over the next few years." Expanding infrastructure – Malmesbury "The government’s investment in infrastructure is transforming Malmesbury into a more accessible and attractive destination," says Herbst there’s the excitement of new shopping nodes enhances its appeal to commuters and investors alike Agricultural and wine industry growth – Known for its fertile soils and robust agricultural sector Malmesbury is at the heart of the Swartland wine region which has gained international acclaim for its innovative and high-quality wines "The wine industry’s growth has a ripple effect on the local economy," Herbst explains "There’s a burgeoning interest in agri-tourism and related business opportunities making Malmesbury a strategic investment choice." Community and lifestyle – Malmesbury offers a strong sense of community and a lifestyle that appeals to a broad demographic "We’re seeing a mix of young families and entrepreneurs moving to Malmesbury," says Herbst Shift towards remote work – The global shift towards remote work has made it feasible for more people to live further from city centres while maintaining their careers "People are no longer tied to offices in big cities They’re looking for places that offer a better quality of life and areas like Wellington and Malmesbury fit the bill perfectly," Herbst states Value for money – In comparison to Cape Town’s skyrocketing property prices Wellington and Malmesbury offer excellent value for money Investors can acquire larger properties or even estates at a fraction of the cost with the added benefit of future growth potential Sustainable living – There’s a growing trend towards sustainable living and eco-friendly developments Both Wellington and Malmesbury are well-positioned to cater to this demand "The natural environment and existing agricultural practices in these areas align well with sustainable living initiatives," Herbst notes "Investors are keen on projects that promote sustainability which is another reason these areas are gaining traction." Wellington and Malmesbury represent the next frontier in the Cape Winelands’ real estate market With their unique blend of lifestyle benefits these areas are poised to offer substantial returns for discerning investors "The Cape Winelands will always be a desirable destination but the smart money is now looking beyond the traditional hotspots to places where the future growth is most promising." Choose a topic below and thereafter view all articles on the topic using the "Next >" button or swiping left Choose a topic below and thereafter view all articles on the topic using the "Next >" button or the keyboard right arrow key 0861 99 00 44    Studio@smile904.fm If holidaymakers are planning to head to the Swartland District this festive season as Malmesbury boasts a brand new municipal swimming pool The small town already had a facility of this kind due to the high demand and the scorching hot temperatures another municipal pool was built in the Wesbank area The pool officially opened to bathers today The Swartland District Municipality’s Communications and PR Officer Mart-Marié Haasbroek said construction for the project commenced in February 2024 at a cost of R20 The project has reportedly been on Executive Mayor Harold Cleophas’ to-do list since he took office three years ago “Swartland Municipality is thrilled to announce the grand opening of a brand-new municipal swimming pool This project represents the Municipality’s commitment to providing accessible What makes the 25m x 50m pool unique is the fact that it uses a sodium hypochlorite chlorination system instead of a conventional chlorine gas chlorination system environmentally friendly and cost effective READ MORE: Festive season road closures in the Western Cape the swimming bath has a depth range f 1,35m at the shallow end The new site is also home to a kiddie’s pool and a baby pool “We do however want to urge the community to take ownership of this facility and to take care of it Do not allow vandalism or mean-spirited ignorance to damage or destroy this world-class facility Do not stay silent when you see acts of vandalism by any member of the community This is a significant investment in providing facilities for the community and it is up to our residents to make sure it can be enjoyed for many years to come,” Haasbroek implored © Smile904.fm hosted and supported by ImmediaTerms of Use | General Contest Guidelines|Archive|Advertise with us|Privacy Policy|Contact Us Police have arrested a suspect wanted in an attempted murder case in Malmesbury in the Western Cape members of the Malmesbury Crime Prevention Unit responded to information about a wanted suspect The suspect had evaded arrest after perpetrating attempted murder over the weekend The information led the members to the hiding place of the suspect on Anemone Street in Wesbank where they found and apprehended the 22-year-old suspect.  When the members searched the suspect and the premises they found a .38 special revolver and four rounds of ammunition Further investigation revealed that the suspect had stolen the firearm during a burglary The suspect will appear in the Malmesbury Magistrates’ Court on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition General Enquiries newsfiles@gcis.gov.za Tel: 012 473 0213Editor Roze Britz roze@gcis.gov.za News Editor Janine Arcangeli janine@gcis.gov.zaEditor-in-Chief Zanele Mngadizanelemngadi@gcis.gov.za  The construction of a 6.7km greenfield road link between the Hopefield Interchange on the N7 highway and the intersection of the R45 and the R46 towards Riebeek Kasteel near Malmesbury is progressing well This project will feature five new bridges and a new grade-separated interchange at the R45/R46 intersection This R640 million Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) project is a crucial part of the Malmesbury Bypass upgrades in the Swartland region These upgrades are significant components of the Strategic Integrated Project 5 under the National Infrastructure Plan 2050 Construction commenced in May 2023 and the project is expected to be completed by November 2025 Acting Head of the provincial Department of Infrastructure “The main contractor in large DOI contracts such as this must report against a set of agreed to contract participation goals (CPGs) the project is expected to have created 295 work opportunities and will have provided a total of 43 081 person-days of work A proportion of the contract amount will be spent on targeted enterprises and materials from local companies A proportion will also be spent on developing emerging contractors.” Tertuis Simmers said; "The Malmesbury Bypass link road project is a testament to our commitment to enhancing infrastructure and stimulating local economies with the aim of creating more jobs in this critical sector This project not only improves transportation and connectivity but also creates significant job opportunities and supports local businesses We are dedicated to ensuring that this development benefits the community both now and in the future." Spokesperson for Provincial Minister Tertuis Simmers ntobeko.mbingeleli@westerncape.gov.za Email: Jandre.Bakker@westerncape.gov.za Amy Fraser8 August 2024 | 8:25VIDEOS: Collapsed dam wall floods homes near Malmesbury Residents alerted emergency services at 4.30am on Thursday morning.Views and News with Clarence FordSeveral homes of the Swartland community of Chatsworth, Malmesbury have been flooded Clarence Ford interviews Heinrich Robertson, West Coast Disaster Management Spokesperson. Residents in Chatsworth and Riverlands, near Malmesbury, have been severely impacted after the Riverlands Dam walls burst. Robertson reports that they received calls from residents at 4:30am and arrived shortly. He says residents are deeply distressed as their homes have been engulfed by water and infrastructure has been severely damaged. Robertson confirms that their team is working around the clock to assist the affected residents. Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview. Sections a portfolio of black-owned and managed private equity and impact investment manager has inaugurated the Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital is located near the N7 and Voortrekker Road at the northern gateway of Malmesbury and it will provide affordable quality medical care by over 18 specialists to people in the greater Swartland region of the Western Cape where previously certain patients needed to travel over 40kms for such services “Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital is a perfect fit in our aim to diversify across asset classes and geographic footprint We are incredibly excited about the future of Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital not only in being affiliated with such a reputable healthcare operator but also about the region’s potential over time,” comments CEO of Twin City Opening for admissions on the 1st of August 2024 the hospital will feature 84 beds and four advanced operating theatres including a high-tech laminar flow theatre the hospital will see to immediate and short-term treatment of any critical or life-threatening injury or disease with several specialist areas such as emergency and trauma care as well as neonatal and paediatric intensive care units we’re not just improving community health outcomes-like increasing life expectancy and reducing maternal and infant mortality rates We are also driving significant economic growth,” says Charl Hambridge “Bringing critical acute care closer to communities has a ripple effect: every hospital bed added creates 1.5 direct jobs and each R1 million invested in a hospital can generate an equivalent annual income for local SMMEs This approach doesn’t only address immediate health needs; it fosters thriving The launch of Crestcare Malmesbury follows the opening of the newly expanded Crestcare Zoutpansberg in December 2023 a 92-bed fully equipped acute hospital in Louis Trichardt for the people of Makhado and the broader Vhembe District Please check your email and enter your one time pin below:   Open in Gmail Sorry there was an error loading the audio Fourteen people are in hospital, 444 are receiving humanitarian support and 224 people are being housed at a local church and a community centre after three dams collapsed, flooding and destroying a number of homes near Malmesbury and leaving the area of Riverlands without potable water. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads the wall of one of the dams on a property known as Dassenberg breached affecting two neighbouring dams and resulting in severe flooding to parts of Riverlands communications manager for the West Coast District Municipality said three of four dams located on the Dassenberg property were compromised when the wall of one was breached The Swartland Municipality in partnership with West Coast Disaster Management Centre investigated the cause of the dam collapse “It was discovered that the third dam initiated the breach resulting in the first and second dam being overwhelmed resulting in the extensive and devastating floods affecting Riverlands,” the Municipality said Fourteen people are being treated in hospital while 444 people are receiving humanitarian support and 224 people are being housed at a local church and a Thusong service centre The Riverlands town is without potable water and the Swartland and Drakenstein Municipality will temporarily provide water to the community until water supply is restored Jessica Solomons, a Riverlands resident who was affected by the floods, struggled to find words as she recalled how her father’s home was destroyed. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “I was crying yesterday when they [her father’s family] called for us for help and we walked through the water to reach them and they had to open their back door so the water could flow through the front door that was torn down by the water to the outside.” Solomons said they are living in fear as the water rises “We are not satisfied because there is another dam that is full We live in fear because the dam can also collapse and the water can come out to affect us.”  Solomons told Daily Maverick that she lost her son to the dams two years ago “It was a hot summer day on 13 January 2022 My son and some boys and girls were going to the dams to swim there and on that day he never came out and they took him out the next day,” Solomons said Humanitarian relief organisation Gift of the Givers which was called by the Swartland Municipality and local disaster management team in the early hours of Thursday morning to provide assistance in evacuating people and suppling aid is still on the site and will remain there for the next week “We [are] going to be here for the next seven days; there is a need for clean drinking water, so we have already called on two water tanks from the Eastern Cape to come and assist here,” Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay said.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads The above update was published on 9 August at 15:20 Residents in Dassenberg, Riverlands and Chatsworth near Malmesbury were left homeless after their homes were flooded when two retention dams in the area burst in the early hours of Thursday, 8 August 2024. The dams are located within the municipal borders of the City of Cape Town. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Environmental Affairs and Development Planning who was on site after receiving calls about the flooding the dam located on the property known as Dassenberg breached and resulted in severe flooding to parts of Riverlands Gift of the Givers was called by the Swartland Municipality and local disaster management team in the early hours of the morning to provide assistance in evacuating people and supplying humanitarian aid “We found out that it was two retention dams that had burst destroying a number of houses along the way people have lost absolutely everything,” Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay said The organisation has set up a base at Riverlands Primary School, where it will provide humanitarian relief to the affected communities for the next few days. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads no plain drinking water; it is total damage on the ground Our team will be here to assist the areas of Dassenberg blankets and baby care packs,” Sablay said The West Coast Disaster Management is on site as well as Disaster Management teams from the Swartland Municipality including fire and rescue and law enforcement services No fatalities or missing persons have been reported “Victims have been treated for near-drowning and 14 people have been transported to nearby hospitals for observation and further treatment. At this moment, no fatalities or missing persons have been reported,” Bredell’s spokesperson, Wouter Kriel, said.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Gift of the Givers helps residents in the Riverlands community after two retention dams in the area burst Gift of the Givers is on site to help residents in Dassenberg Riverlands and Chatsworth near Malmesbury who were affected by the flooding caused by the collapse of two retention dams Residents have been urged to stay safe and remain vigilant, as the South African Weather Service has predicted more rainfall for the coming weekend. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Heinrich Robertson, communications manager for West Coast District Municipality, said it will take a few days to clear the affected areas. Leon Basson, chairperson of Parliament’s water and sanitation portfolio committee, has called for the Department of Water and Sanitation to monitor the situation to ensure safety of residents. “The collapse of the Riverlands dam wall is symptomatic of shortcomings regarding dam safety across the board. It is necessary for the Department of Water and Sanitation to enhance their monitoring capabilities to ensure adequate safety standards for its own dams and enhance monitoring of private dams to ensure that the safety of people downstream is not threatened,” Basson said. The investigation is still ongoing to determine the cause of the disaster and to determine if other dams in the area are safe. DM If the affected area and/or houses are informal settlements, then my reaction is different. If the affected are rate payers who have respected the law and live in legally approved residences then I hope we can marshall all the help possible to help them get through this disaster. A quick Google maps search will give you the answer. People have lost their houses and everything. Luckily people like Gift of the Givers don’t care whether you have a job that allows you to live in nice residence and pay rates. They’ll help you all the same. Equally lucky that no one cares about your reaction as you sit without lifting a finger to help in your residence paying your rates. Perfect answer, Claire, thank. I can’t understand the kind of cruelty expressed in the above post. And if we all actually obeyed the law EVERYONE would be in a much better place today, and likely these land invasions would not exist at all. Ignoring the law when it suits you, whatever your motivation, leads to anarchy and more of what these poor souls endure. (“these” land invasions above is a typo – I speak in the context of land invasions generally as John does) Since when is advocating “obey the law” equated with eugenics? Since when is advocating “obey the law” equated with eugenics? There but for the grace of God go I. Even poor desperate people need help Johns. Great opportunity for Gift of Givers and Al- Jama to push their political agenda if the properties are informal settlements – if they are not then the Western Cape Municipality and Central Government should be doing their bit and helping out. As sad as I am to say this, my respect for Gift of the Givers went down significantly when they started overtly pushing a political view, and I cannot support any charity which does so. Kindness must be respected and appreciated universally. So Johns No – Like to buy a t-shirt printed: If you’re poor – You deserve it! ?? As hard as this is for those affected, for heaven’s sakes people pause and think. Everything that makes things work for everyone is underpinned by law, and laws must be obeyed. If we ignore this basic truth, society burns – for everyone. I agree with you wholeheartedly Fanie, if the informal settlers keep ignoring the law and set up settlements wherever they like, where will it all end? Beyond Claire’s I’m really happy with the comments here that highlight Johns No’s bad taste. Hope lives. Hope does not live for anyone where the law is not obeyed. Anarchy does. You are disagreeing with John and agreeing with him at the same time. If the ANC obeyed the law and enforced it – which is what John is saying, then these poor people would not be in this situation – which is what you want. Relieved that nobody died or went missing to date. Residential planning takes into account risks such as living in the flood zones of dams. Unfortunately those advocating land grabs and informal settlements do not, they don’t care as they don’t have to live there. ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " after three dam retention walls collapsed on 8 August 2024 CAPE TOWN - More than 220 Western Cape residents have been moved to shelters after two retention dams collapsed causing flooding and destroying homes in Chatsworth It's understood that 50 homes were swept away leaving over 400 people in need of humanitarian assistance on Thursday ALSO READ: Some residents hospitalised after dam wall collapses near Malmesbury Swartland Municipality spokesperson, Heinrich Robertson, said the cause of the dam collapse is being investigated. "A few weeks ago, this area and the broader Kalbaskraal area, which is very close to one another, obviously had to bear the brunt of severe weather conditions.  “So, whether it was overfull or whether it was just a defect in the wall of the dam, that's obviously going to be in the report and we are waiting for those engineers to return." Melikhaya Zagagana8 August 2024 | 10:00Some residents hospitalised after dam wall collapses near MalmesburyThe Riverlands retention dam wall collapsed in the early hours of Thursday morning, flooding several homes.Western CapeHumanitarian aid group provided relief to aid to residents of Riverlands after a retention dam wall collapsed on 8 August 2024 CAPE TOWN - Western Cape disaster officers say near-drowning victims have been rushed to hospital after their homes flooded near Malmesbury in the Western Cape The Riverlands retention dam wall collapsed in the early hours of Thursday morning Relief workers say thousands of people have been displaced Mart-Marié Haasbroek: "We call on all residents to remain calm and please give their full cooperation to officials on site We are also aware of various rumours and unsubstantiated reports being spread We ask residents and outside parties to refrain from spreading fake news and unsubstantiated rumours." Gift of the Givers and emergency services are on site to provide humanitarian aid to the affected families. pic.twitter.com/7Lfg081PyG who were swept away by floodwaters in Chatsworth near Malmesbury but taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment This after a farm dam in Riverlands burst its banks in the early hours of this morning Gift of the Givers says thousands of people have been displaced and they will be providing humanitarian relief Police say they responded to frantic calls from the public at around 04:45 on Thursday morning The police immediately activated their disaster plan and responded with all role players together with the Swartland Municipality is busy assessing the situation has meanwhile extended his gratitude to the West Coast Disaster Management Centre and Swartland Municipality for their prompt and effective response accompanied by engineers from the Department of Local Government was on-site this morning to assess the damage to infrastructure and coordinate humanitarian aid efforts The priority is to ensure that all affected individuals have access to clean water and basic services throughout the weekend He says the flooding was caused by a breach in a dam located on the Dassenberg property leading to significant flooding in parts of Riverlands and Dassenberg An Incident Command Post has been established at the Riverland Primary School CAPE TOWN - One of the people injured in an explosion at a factory in Malmesbury has died. Police said that three people aged between 25 and 45 were injured in Monday's incident at a feed manufacturing plant in the town. Two are still in hospital receiving treatment for their injuries. Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said that the cause of the incident was under investigation. "The 25-year-old victim succumbed in hospital due to injuries sustained. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation." CAPE TOWN - A dam breach has resulted in severe flooding to parts of Riverlands and Dassenberg According to reports by the humanitarian organisation the collapse has led to the flooding of houses in the area The Gift of the Givers is in the area providing humanitarian needs to the affected residents "Gift of the Gives teams were called in the early hours of the morning by the residents of Dassenberg in Riverlands informing us that the Riverlands dam wall collapsed destroying a number of homes and leaving thousands of people displaced We were then called by the Swartland District Municipality and the local disaster risk management teams asking for our urgent assistance." CAPE TOWN - The Riverlands community near Malmesbury wants answers from local authorities after three retention dams burst, affecting over 500 residents. According to the Swartland Municipality, an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collapse. While some residents said that the authorities knew about the risk of the dams, the municipality has since distanced itself from the accusation. Over 220 destitute residents have been accommodated at nearby shelters, including schools and churches. Swartland Municipality Spokesperson, Heinrich Robertson said the restoration of water and electricity in the area has been hampered by bad weather. "I must stress that for the next two days, water will be a problem due to infrastructure damage, and we will not be able to restore the electricity in the short span of time. But Swartland Municipality along with West Coast Disaster Management, we are working around the clock to make sure that we get municipal services to the community of Riverlands at least early next week," Robertson said. Quantum Foods – the parent company of Nova Feeds – has hired an engineer to conduct an independent investigation after an explosion at its Malmesbury factory killed one man sending shockwaves throughout the small town residents flooded social media with questions about the “loud bang” While describing the intensity of the blast some residents said they thought it was an earthquake The Swartland Municipality’s Fire and Rescue Service rushed to the site and extinguished the flames “The three people were treated and moved to hospitals We have learned that one patient has succumbed to his wounds during the night The explosion occurred at a loading zone where raw materials were offloaded The Municipal Fire and Rescue Services contained the fire and extinguished it,” said spokesperson Mart-Marié Haasbroek Haasbroek further elaborated that the damage caused by the blaze is minimal “The damaged area has been roped off and the rest of the site has been declared safe for continued operations The company has contracted an engineer to conduct an independent investigation into the incident and the Municipality will give its full cooperation where necessary,” added Haasbroek Malmesbury Police stated that an inquest docket has been opened for further investigation: “Three victims between 25 and 45 were hospitalised The 25-year-old victim succumbed in hospital due to injuries sustained The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation Anyone with any information about this incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” said Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Wesley Twigg The affected company issued statements on its website: QUANTUM FOODS INCIDENT AT MALMESBURY FEED MILL  The company is saddened to announce that the critically injured individual passed away during the night The other two injured individuals are in a serious but stable condition The company will support the affected individuals and families where needed  The investigations to determine the cause and impact of the explosion will continue during the day and the company will provide all the necessary assistance to the relevant authorities  Feed production operations continued during the night and as reported damage was limited to the raw material intake area