Adverse weather in the WC classified as provincial disaster

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21 May 2026

Adverse weather -farmworkers rescued — Some of the people trapped on the roof of a farm building in Worcester. IMAGE: NSRI

The Western Cape Government has announced that the adverse weather conditions experienced in the province earlier this month have been classified as a provincial disaster.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the Western Cape Government Cabinet, along with Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, to discuss the impact of the recent severe weather and ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts.

Cabinet welcomed the classification of a provincial disaster following the severe weather between 10 and 14 May 2026. This decision forms part of the process led by the National Disaster Management Centre toward the formal declaration of a disaster.

This is essential to unlock additional funding to support the province’s emergency response and recovery plans.

Premier Winde stressed the need for urgency in ensuring that funding is made available as quickly as possible to support affected communities, restore damaged infrastructure, and strengthen resilience against future disasters.

“These kinds of disasters are becoming more frequent and more destructive. We need a new approach from national government that prioritises proactive budgeting and futureproofing of public infrastructure,” said Premier Winde.

It was noted that the provincial response has now shifted toward ongoing humanitarian relief, the repair of critical infrastructure, and the restoration of essential services.

Eskom representatives informed Cabinet that electricity supply has already been restored to 72% of the areas affected by the severe weather. Restoration teams continue to work to reconnect remaining communities in the Boland/Cape Winelands, Garden Route, Overberg/Overstrand and West Coast.

Catch a train and avoid traffic delays this Sunday

By

Merentia Van Der Vent

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21 May 2026

Catch a train and avoid traffic delays this Sunday. That’s the call from the Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, after PRASA Western Cape announced dedicated train services for those taking part in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on Sunday. Supporters and other residents who want to miss the traffic jams can also opt for trains.

“Our vision is a safe, affordable, and well-connected transport system where trains become the first choice for residents,” says MEC Isaac Sileku.

Catch a train and avoid traffic delays this Sunday

Several roads will be closed in the Mother City on Saturday and Sunday, in anticipation of the race. These roads are in various suburbs. It will have an effect on traffic. According to a media statement, the special train services will operate across the Northern, Southern, and Cape Flats lines. MEC Sileku says this train service will provide a safe, affordable, and convenient travel option for those travelling to and from marathon events.

“Residents are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at the Marathon Expo taking place at DHL Stadium in Green Point from 21 to 23 May 2026.”

Another addition is a dedicated supporter train

He added that large events held in the Mother City place pressure on roads and parking facilities. Sileku says that by choosing rail, people can avoid congestion, reduce their travel stress, and help keep Cape Town moving. Another addition is a dedicated supporter train between Cape Town and Claremont. This will allow spectators to travel between popular viewing points along the marathon route. You will be able to embark and disembark at places, including Victoria Road, Main Road, Palmyra Road, Campground Road, and Liesbeek Parkway.

Park and Ride facilities also available

The MEC has also welcomed PRASA Western Cape’s continued investment in modern rail services. This includes new Electric Multiple Unit trains, which residents will be able to view at Woodstock Station during marathon weekend. He says Park and Ride facilities will be available at several stations. Sileku added that this will support commuters travelling to the event.

“Sileku adds that major events such as the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon allow residents and visitors to experience the benefits of rail travel, with recent international cycling and soccer events showing how rail can safely and efficiently move large numbers of people.”

The MEC, on behalf of the Mobility Department, MEC Sileku has further stressed that the initiative supports the Province’s long-term vision of rebuilding passenger rail as the backbone of public transport in the province. This is being done alongside reliable bus services, minibus taxis, e-hailing, walking, and cycling infrastructure.

train navy — Photo: Tariro Washinyira/GroundUp

Where to find the train timetables

People can visit the social media platforms of PRASA Western Cape to access the train timetables or go to stations for further details. Runners and supporters can also find additional information on the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon website.

“MEC Mobility, Isaac Sileku, welcomes PRASA Western Cape’s dedicated train services for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on Sunday, 24 May 2026, and encourages runners, supporters, and residents to choose rail to avoid road closures and traffic delays along the marathon route.”

UPDATE: “Compliance check” and crackdown on illegal immigrants in CPT CBD

By

Caitlin Maledo

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21 May 2026

Compliance check and crackdown on illegal immigrants in CPT CBD — Government authorities on the scene carrying out labour law compliance checks at a construction site along in the Cape Town CBD on Wednesday morning. IMAGE: Caitlin Maledo

Several groups of workers were carried away in police vans from a construction site on Lower Long Street in Cape Town’s CBD on Wednesday morning, as the Department of Employment and Labour visited the site for a compliance check.

The department was joined by SAPS and Metro Police personnel as they brought work to a halt and called out all those working on the site.

SmileFM was on the scene as the workers and management teams filled Jetty Street.

Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya was also there. He said his department, in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and the Builders’ Council, visited the site to ensure labour law compliance.

“We are here to check whether they are complying with our labour laws, Occupational Health and Safety Act, whether their workers are registered with the UIF compensation fund, whether they get paid salaries that they need to be paid… We are just here to check whether all our labour laws are observed, respected and implemented,” Sibiya told SmileFM.

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By extension of this, Sibiya noted that they also checked whether the non-South Africans working on the site were legally in the country and legally able to work there.

“Because we are having Home Affairs, we are here to check whether they do have people who are non-South Africans who are working on this site. If they are non-South Africans, are they illegal, are they illegal in the country?”

All the construction workers were split into various groups, initially into groups related to the company they work for and then into whether they are South Africans or foreign nationals.

Some of the groups were taken away in police vans:

Sibiya confirmed that Tri-Star Construction was spearheading the project and was working with several subcontractors. He said that overall, Tri-Star was following due process, but noted some concerns with the subcontracted companies and their employees.

“The only negative is the subcontractors. The subcontractors have employed quite a number of illegal foreign immigrants. We have picked up quite a number of them. Some, we are still verifying them.”

He said that by 10:30 on Wednesday morning, 80 people had been identified as possible illegal immigrants. However, their documents and information still needed to be verified.

“But there are those who are illegal already, that we have verified, which is very negative,” said Sibiya.

Some people were later seen being removed from the building, as authorities walked through the site for a final check:

Sibiya said it was important to ensure compliance on the site, especially in terms of citizenship/immigration status, because he wants to ensure that South Africans are not being compromised.

“That is one of our areas of focus: to make sure that employment goes to South Africans deserving… Don’t allow people who are illegal in our country to come and do work that is supposed to be done by South Africans. We want to prioritise South Africans,” said Sibiya.

Further to this, Sibiya confirmed that what is under construction on 17 Lower Long Street is a housing project. A gym used to occupy the space before construction on this new project began.

Police confirmed on Thursday morning that the integrated operation led to the arrests of 60 foreign nationals for contravention of the Immigration Act.

They are due to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ court once they have been charged.

*This article has been updated to reflect that 60 arrests were made

Africa to the World Weekend

By

Mileanne Kabwe

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21 May 2026

As Africa Day approaches on Monday, Smile FM is celebrating the music, rhythm and spirit of a continent that continues to inspire the world.

From timeless legends to modern global stars, African music has crossed borders, filled dance floors, and shaped sounds across every genre. It’s bold, joyful, powerful and proudly rooted in culture — music born here that found its place on the world stage.

This weekend, we bring you Africa to the World Weekend — a celebration of the artists, voices and beats that carry the energy of Africa far beyond its shores.

Join us Saturday and Sunday, 23 & 24 May from 9am, for a weekend filled with rhythm, soul and unmistakable African flavour.

Africa to the World Weekend is brought to you by Food Lover’s Market — It’s in the Experience.

Only on Smile FM.

US hotels report weak demand for rooms ahead of FIFA World Cup

By

Smile Staff Reporter

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21 May 2026

With just a few weeks before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a new report warns that the expected World Cup hotel boom in the US may fall well short of expectations, with some cities reporting weak demand.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association released its FIFA World Cup 2026 Hotel Outlook earlier in May, highlighting some of the challenges the hotel industry is facing ahead of the soccer showpiece.

The report, which surveyed hoteliers across US host cities, found that anticipated demand has not translated into strong hotel bookings and that domestic travellers are outpacing international visitors.

FIFA room block cancellations, international travel barriers, and rising costs have been identified as key drivers of softened hotel demand.

Key findings from the report include:

80% of respondents say hotel bookings are tracking below initial forecasts.
65 – 70% of respondents across markets say visa barriers and broader geopolitical concerns are significantly suppressing international demand. These factors consistently rank as the top constraint on World Cup-driven travel.
FIFA room block overcommitment created an artificial early demand signal that has since recalibrated, with roughly half of respondents in host markets reporting material room block releases.
Only a limited subset of markets – those with strong baseline leisure demand or confirmed team base camps – are seeing meaningful incremental uplift, representing roughly 25 – 30% of respondents overall.

The Association says hotels have spent years preparing for the World Cup, but a range of factors have tempered early optimism.

They say the US and FIFA must ensure a welcoming and seamless experience for international travellers.

That means avoiding unnecessary cost increases on visas and transportation to and from the games, and discouraging local jurisdictions from adding last-minute tax hikes that hurt the games and consumers.

The report drew on survey data from hoteliers across 11 host markets, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Some respondents have described the tournament as a “non-event” due to FIFA room releases and weak international fan travel.

Adverse weather in the WC classified as provincial disaster

“These kinds of disasters are becoming more frequent and more destructive. We need a new approach from national government that prioritises proactive budgeting and futureproofing of public infrastructure,” said Premier Winde.

Catch a train and avoid traffic delays this Sunday

Catch a train and avoid traffic delays this Sunday

Another addition is a dedicated supporter train

Park and Ride facilities also available

Where to find the train timetables

UPDATE: “Compliance check” and crackdown on illegal immigrants in CPT CBD

“Because we are having Home Affairs, we are here to check whether they do have people who are non-South Africans who are working on this site. If they are non-South Africans, are they illegal, are they illegal in the country?”

“The only negative is the subcontractors. The subcontractors have employed quite a number of illegal foreign immigrants. We have picked up quite a number of them. Some, we are still verifying them.”

“But there are those who are illegal already, that we have verified, which is very negative,” said Sibiya.

“That is one of our areas of focus: to make sure that employment goes to South Africans deserving… Don’t allow people who are illegal in our country to come and do work that is supposed to be done by South Africans. We want to prioritise South Africans,” said Sibiya.

Africa to the World Weekend

US hotels report weak demand for rooms ahead of FIFA World Cup

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