Thursday, 2nd of April, 2026
Today’s Headlines
- Homeowners have 29 days left to oppose property valuations
- Ravensmead backyarders say housing project sidelines locals
- Two men shot dead in Hanover Park as gang violence escalates
- Easter flights to Cape Town surge to nearly ten thousand rand for a return
- Stormers expose Scotland’s lack of depth in Cape Town clash
- Pretty Woman The Musical continues its run at Artscape
- Rain showers expected before cloudy and mild conditions
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Cape Town Homeowners Have 29 Days To Oppose New Property Rates
Cape Town homeowners have just 29 days to challenge the municipal value placed on their properties, a move that could directly impact monthly costs for years to come.
Cape Town homeowners have been given a limited window to challenge the municipal value placed on their properties, with just 29 days remaining before the figures are locked in and used to calculate rates for years to come.
The City of Cape Town’s latest General Valuation Roll, known as GV2025, reassesses the municipal value of approximately 970,000 properties across the metro. These valuations will form the basis of property rates from July next year and remain in effect until the next valuation cycle, making this one of the most significant financial checkpoints for property owners.
While the process may appear administrative, the implications are far-reaching. Municipal valuations directly influence what homeowners pay towards rates and services, including infrastructure maintenance, refuse collection, and other essential city functions. Even modest increases in property value can translate into noticeable monthly cost increases over time.
Homeowners have until Wednesday, 30th of April to inspect their valuations and lodge objections if they believe the figures do not accurately reflect current market conditions. Once this deadline passes, the valuations become binding, leaving little recourse for those who fail to act in time.
Property analysts warn that the valuation process should not be taken lightly. According to industry experts, municipal valuations often rely on automated systems that assess factors such as property size, zoning, and location. However, these systems may not fully account for real-world conditions, including property condition, surrounding developments, environmental factors, or access limitations.
This has raised concerns that some properties may be overvalued, placing homeowners at risk of paying inflated rates for extended periods. Critics argue that while the system is designed to standardise valuations across a large number of properties, it lacks the nuance of on-site assessments.
The City has proposed a reduction in the residential rate-in-the-rand of just over 10% in an effort to cushion the impact of rising property values. However, this relief is unlikely to be evenly distributed. In areas where property prices have surged over the past decade, particularly along the coast and in high-demand suburbs, homeowners could still face significant increases in their municipal bills.
The valuation roll also provides a broader snapshot of Cape Town’s evolving property market. Strong demand in lifestyle areas, combined with semigration trends, has driven price growth in many parts of the city, contributing to higher valuations across the board.
For homeowners, the message is clear: reviewing the valuation is not optional. It is a critical step in protecting household finances. Failure to object within the given timeframe could result in higher monthly costs being locked in for years, with limited opportunity for correction.
As the deadline approaches, property owners are being urged to act promptly, review their valuations carefully, and seek professional advice if needed to ensure their assessments accurately reflect market reality.
Source: BusinessTech – Staff Writer
Ravensmead Backyarders Say Housing Project Leaves Them Behind
Backyarders in Ravensmead say a new housing development is leaving them behind, despite many residents having spent decades on the waiting list for formal housing in the area.
Frustration is growing among residents as the City of Cape Town moves ahead with the Elsies River Infill housing project, which is expected to deliver more than 700 housing opportunities across multiple sites. However, only 44 units will be built in Ravensmead during the first phase, raising concerns about fairness and allocation.
At the same time, more than 3,000 people remain on the housing waiting list in Ravensmead, some for as long as 30 years. Many of these residents continue to live in overcrowded backyard structures, often under difficult and unsafe conditions.
For families who have lived in the area for decades, the perception that people from outside the community may benefit from nearby developments has added to the sense of frustration. Residents argue that those with the longest waiting times should be prioritised, particularly when housing is being built within their immediate surroundings.
Community members have also raised concerns about transparency in the allocation process, with some questioning how beneficiaries are selected. Calls have been made for greater clarity and engagement, with local leaders urging the City to review aspects of the project.
The City of Cape Town has defended the development, stating that housing allocations are carried out in accordance with official policies, including the Housing Needs Register and national subsidy frameworks. Officials say the project follows a structured planning process and that only part of Ravensmead falls within the current phase of development.
Authorities have also pointed to additional housing projects planned in nearby areas such as Manenberg, Hanover Park, Athlone, and Heideveld as part of a broader strategy to address housing demand across the metro.
However, for many backyarders, these explanations offer little immediate relief. Daily life remains marked by overcrowding, limited access to basic services, and ongoing uncertainty about when they will receive permanent housing.
With housing demand continuing to outstrip supply, the situation in Ravensmead reflects the broader challenges facing Cape Town’s housing system, where long waiting lists and limited delivery continue to shape the lived reality of thousands of residents.
For those still waiting, the question remains whether future phases of development will bring meaningful change, or whether they will continue to watch opportunities pass them by.
Source: GroundUp – Marecia Damons
Two Men Found Murdered In Hanover Park As Gang Violence Escalates
Two men have been shot dead in Hanover Park, in an incident that has once again placed the spotlight on escalating gang violence in one of Cape Town’s most affected communities.
Police were called to a shack in Turfburg Walk in the early hours of Wednesday morning, where they discovered two victims, aged 25 and 33, both suffering from gunshot wounds. One man was declared dead at the scene, while the second died on the way to hospital.
Authorities have confirmed that the motive for the attack is still under investigation, and no arrests have been made at this stage.
The latest killings have intensified concerns about ongoing violence in Hanover Park, where residents and community leaders say daily life has become increasingly dangerous. Reports of frequent shootings and criminal activity continue to shape the lived reality of many in the area.
Local voices have described the situation as a crisis, with some residents referring to the area as a “war zone” as gang-related violence continues to spread.
There are also growing fears that younger members of the community are being drawn into gang activity. Some residents claim that children are being used to carry weapons after shootings, raising serious concerns about the long-term impact on the community.
In addition to violent crime, residents say they face regular intimidation and safety risks during everyday activities, including travelling to work in the early hours of the morning.
Community organisations have called for stronger intervention, warning that without decisive action, the situation could continue to deteriorate.
Police have urged anyone with information to come forward as investigations continue, while residents remain on edge following the latest attack.
The incident adds to mounting pressure on authorities to restore safety and stability in Hanover Park, where gang violence continues to disrupt lives and threaten community wellbeing.
Source: Athlone News – Nabeelah Mohedeen
Easter Flight Prices To Cape Town Surge To Nearly R10,000 Return
Travellers planning to fly to Cape Town this Easter weekend are facing sharply increased costs, with return flights on some routes climbing to nearly R10,000.
The spike in prices is most noticeable on the Johannesburg to Cape Town route, traditionally one of the busiest domestic corridors during peak travel periods. With demand rising ahead of the long weekend, available seats have become limited, pushing fares significantly higher.
Across several airlines, ticket prices for peak departures and return flights have surged well beyond typical off-peak rates. In some cases, travellers are paying more for domestic flights than they would for certain international routes, highlighting the severity of the current pricing environment.
A key factor behind the increase is the rising cost of jet fuel, which has seen sharp increases in recent weeks. Global oil price pressures have filtered through to airlines, with some introducing additional fuel surcharges while others have incorporated the costs directly into ticket pricing.
These surcharges can add several hundred rand per leg, significantly increasing the overall cost of a return journey.
At the same time, demand for travel remains strong. Easter is one of the busiest travel periods in South Africa, with many people travelling to visit family or take advantage of the long weekend. This combination of high demand and limited airline capacity has created a pricing environment where fares rise quickly as flights fill up.
The trend is not limited to Cape Town. Routes to Durban and George have also seen notable price increases, indicating broader pressure across the domestic travel network.
In contrast, travellers booking outside of peak periods can expect significantly lower prices, with similar return flights costing less than half the current Easter rates.
For those still planning to travel, options are becoming increasingly limited. Passengers are being encouraged to consider off-peak flight times, flexible travel dates, or alternative routes where possible.
The current surge highlights the ongoing challenges within the aviation sector, where fuel costs, demand pressures, and limited capacity continue to shape pricing.
Source: Cape {town} Etc – Staff Writer
Stormers Highlight South Africa’s Depth In Win Over Edinburgh
The Stormers have reinforced the strength and depth of South African rugby with a commanding 33–14 victory over Edinburgh in Cape Town.
While the Scottish side showed resilience compared to their previous outing, the match once again exposed the gap in squad depth between South African franchises and their international counterparts.
Edinburgh started strongly but struggled to maintain momentum as the game progressed, particularly in the forward pack where the Stormers were able to rotate experienced players without losing intensity.
Coach Sean Everitt acknowledged after the match that his side was unable to match the quality coming off the Stormers bench, pointing to South Africa’s player depth as a decisive factor.
The Stormers, by contrast, were able to call on multiple high-level replacements across key positions, allowing them to sustain pressure and dominate in the latter stages of the game.
This ability to maintain performance across the full eighty minutes reflects the strength of South Africa’s rugby development structures, particularly the school system which continues to produce a steady pipeline of top-tier talent.
The contrast was evident as Edinburgh relied heavily on their starting lineup, with fatigue becoming a factor and penalties beginning to mount as the Stormers increased their control of the game.
The result not only secures a strong home victory for the Stormers but also reinforces a broader trend within international club rugby, where South African teams continue to benefit from superior squad depth.
For Edinburgh, the tour has highlighted areas requiring improvement, particularly in building depth and maintaining competitiveness over the full duration of matches.
For the Stormers, the performance underlines their growing momentum and their ability to compete consistently at a high level.
Source: Rugby365 – Jan de Koning
Pretty Woman The Musical Continues Its Run At Artscape Theatre Centre
Pretty Woman The Musical continues its run at the Artscape Theatre Centre, offering Cape Town audiences the opportunity to experience the internationally acclaimed production live on stage.
Based on the iconic 1990 film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, the stage adaptation brings the well-known story to life through a blend of romance, humour, and music, appealing to both long-time fans and new audiences.
The production features original songs by Grammy Award-winning artist Bryan Adams, including the classic “Oh, Pretty Woman”, adding a familiar musical element to the performance.
Having already achieved success on Broadway and the West End, the show arrives in Cape Town as part of its global run, drawing strong interest from local theatre-goers.
Performances are scheduled to run until 19 April, with evening shows during the week and both matinee and evening performances available over weekends.
Ticket prices start from R200, with organisers encouraging early booking as availability becomes more limited closer to the final performances.
The production forms part of a broader lineup of live entertainment at the Artscape Theatre Centre, which continues to host major local and international shows throughout the year.
For audiences seeking a live theatre experience, the musical offers a combination of nostalgia and contemporary stage production, making it one of the notable ongoing events in Cape Town’s cultural calendar.
As the run continues, demand is expected to remain steady, particularly over weekends and peak show times.
Source: Showtime Management – Event Listing
Financial Markets:
Cape Town Weather Forecast For Friday
Cape Town can expect a mild and slightly damp start to Friday, with rain showers moving through in the morning before conditions begin to settle later in the day.
Cloudy skies are expected through the afternoon, with some breaks developing into the evening, bringing partly cloudy conditions across the region.
Temperatures will remain comfortable, reaching a high of 24 degrees in Cape Town with a low of 20. Paarl will be warmer at 27 degrees, while Stellenbosch is expected to reach 25 with a cooler low of 18.
There is around a 30% chance of rain, with approximately 3 millimetres expected. Humidity will remain high at around 80%, which may keep conditions feeling slightly heavier during the day.
Winds will be light, coming from the south-south-west at between 10 and 15 kilometres per hour.
Ocean conditions show a swell of 1.6 metres with a 12 second period, keeping conditions manageable along the coastline.
High tide is at 03:54 and 16:12, with low tide at 10:05 and 22:09.
The sun will rise at 07:00 and set at 18:38, with a high UV index of 7.
Overall, expect a cooler start with some rain early on, but improving conditions as the day moves on, making it a fairly manageable autumn day across the Western Cape.
Source: South African Weather Service – SAWS
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TODAY’S NEWS SOURCES:
Provincial News – BusinessTech – Staff Writer
City News – GroundUp – Marecia Damons
Crime Report – Athlone News – Nabeelah Mohedeen
Traffic Updates – Cape {town} Etc – Staff Writer
WP Sport – Rugby365 – Jan de Koning
Local Events – Showtime Management – Event Listing
Weather Forecast – South African Weather Service – SAWS
MONEY MARKET SOURCES:
Currencies: FNB FX – FirstRand Bank Ltd
Commodities: Goldbroker.com – Gold Broker Ltd
Crypto Market: Binance.com – Binance Holdings Ltd
CTNews will continue to track these stories and bring updates as new information becomes available. For the latest bulletin remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel and visit ctnews.co.za for daily coverage and special features
Chief News Editor: Mark Botes-Lashmar
Written by: CTNews team
Publisher: Cape Town News
Region: Cape Town and Western Cape, South Africa
Contact: editorial@ctnews.co.za
