South African Cities Network

Today, we commemorate #HumanRightsDay2025, honouring those who fought for our liberation and the rights we enjoy today. 🇿🇦

The 2025 budget stated that nearly 28 million beneficiaries will access social grants in South Africa, including old age and disability grants, child support grants, foster care grants, and the Social Relief of Distress (SRD), which will be extended by a year to end March 2026.   Social grants are a critical intervention to address poverty and vulnerability, but the rising number of beneficiaries is not a sign of a growing economy, particularly in our cities.    Amongst high poverty, inequality, and unemployment, a sustainable intervention moves suitable grant beneficiaries into productive activities by providing employment, income support, and skills development through Public Employment Programmes (PEPs). The SACN has articulated in its various reports, such as the EPWP (Re)-Skilling Tomorrow’s Workforce: https://lnkd.in/djc-kMwy, how different ecosystem partners can improve access to these opportunities. For cities, partnering may involve having ‘full service’ partners who leverage PEPs by providing end-to-end, programmatic type services, including counselling (directing work seekers along work pathways), training, direct work provision, and job matching and placement.    Where cities prioritise inclusive economic development, targeted social programs, and skills training, communities will be empowered to live less dependent on social grants and achieve sustainable livelihoods. #Budget2025 #SocialGrants #EconomicEmpowerment #SkillsDevelopment #PublicEmploymentProgrammes #InclusiveGrowth #SustainableLivelihoods #UrbanDevelopment #PartnershipsForChange #SouthAfrica

Day 3 of #AFUF2025 kicks off at 9am! Join the LIVE stream below⬇️ #JoburgUrbanForest #JoburgReimagined https://lnkd.in/dkCFmUTk

Day 2 of #AFUF2025 kicks off at 9am! Join the LIVE stream below⬇️ #JoburgUrbanForest #JoburgReimagined https://lnkd.in/dzQ8YAn5

Join the LIVE Stream below of #AFUF2025 #JoburgUrbanForest #JoburgReimagined City of Johannesburg FAO UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) Centre on African Public Spaces https://lnkd.in/dh5YX2Np

🌳 The 2nd African Forum on Urban Forests kicks off today @ 9am under the theme Green Horizons: Shaping the Future Resilience of African Cities through Urban Forests. 🌍 🌱 #AFUF2025 #JoburgUrbanForest #JoburgReimagined Join in the LIVE Stream: https://lnkd.in/d7huXCDY

Episode 3 of the Municipal Bill Podcast is now available! This episode unpacks the role of international development organisations like the United Nations in shaping post-apartheid rural-urban spatial integration and municipal borders. Tune in here: https://lnkd.in/dC3F6hib

🌊 Today is International Day of Action for Rivers! 🌍💧 In honour of this special day, our 10th Cities' Lunchtime Chat will dive into the theme "Our Rivers, Our Future". 🌱 Join us at 12:30 PM today to explore the crucial role rivers play in sustaining livelihoods, ecosystems, and the future of our cities. South African Local Government Association Let's work together to protect these vital lifelines! 💙🌿 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dfeU5vpb Don't miss it—let's make a splash for change! #InternationalRiversDay #OurRiversOurFuture #WaterForAll #CitiesForSustainability #RiversMatter 💧

The #BudgetSpeech2025 revealed that income tax brackets will not be adjusted for inflation. But what does this mean for people who earn regular wages? Less money in their pockets. In a productive city, most residents should be able to earn an income that covers their cost of living (SoCR, 2021). This includes expenses such as municipal services, housing, transport, food, and personal needs. However, many households in metropolitan areas are experiencing stagnant incomes. Despite cities' efforts to manage service costs, municipal services remain unaffordable for many, particularly lower-income households. Exploring the Spatial Economic Activity Data South Africa #SEADSA, we examine how cities fare in providing a ‘'reasonable income,’' particularly in the formal jobs market. Look at the City Wage Distribution 2024 below:

"Building a Sustainable Future: Best Practices for Social Housing Construction in South Africa" 🏗️ 🏡 by Kopano Ntsoane Climate Change Writers Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dj2EgxVR