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The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Wierda Park taxi rank facilities get a boost
The metro has begun upgrading the ablution facilities used by taxi drivers next to the Wierda Park shopping centre, following complaints about the condition of toilets and shelters in the area. The upgrades follow earlier concerns raised by taxi drivers, business and property owners about the deterioration of public infrastructure inside the shopping centre, poor hygiene conditions of the toilets used by taxi drivers and the lack of space around the existing taxi rank. According to Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the project began on May 12 and is expected to be completed by June 27. He said the upgrade is being implemented by contractor Matlailas Plumbing and Builders CC in a joint venture with Bafihleli Business Enterprise, with a total project cost of R630 295. 'There are no phases in this project. The current improvements are strictly limited to ablution block refurbishments and shelter upgrades,' Mashigo clarified. He also confirmed that there are no plans to expand the taxi rank or launch a second phase. 'The city would like all public transport facilities to be of a high standard and to give dignity to public transport users and stakeholders. However, this exercise is based on the funding available, and there is a backlog of facilities that require upgrades,' he said. Although no formal complaints have been received since the upgrades began, Mashigo said that the project is being monitored closely by the Transport Development Division under the Roads and Transport Department. 'The project manager conducts regular site visits and receives constant updates from the contractor,' he added. On broader planning, he said the initiative is informed by the city's comprehensive integrated transport plan, which aims to reduce the distance people need to walk to access public transport by bringing facilities closer to users. Regarding community safety and waste management, Mashigo said that since the scope of work is not large-scale, pedestrian safety has not been significantly impacted. 'Waste generated during the upgrade will be disposed of by the contractor, and the metro's environmental waste management unit is also monitoring the project.' He added that the Department of Roads and Transport will continue to manage the completed facilities and is in discussions with the metro police and the energy and electricity departments about improving lighting and security in the area. Ward 70 Councillor Marika Kruger-Muller confirmed the project's commencement in May and said the last official planning meeting took place in March. 'At the March 11 meeting, city planners discussed not just the shopping centre but also the wider area, including the taxi rank. Currently, we are in what was referred to as Phase 1, covering maintenance and refurbishment of the ablution facilities and shelter upgrades,' Kruger-Muller said. She added that the work includes a refurbishment of the ablution block and the taxi platform shelters. Kruger-Muller acknowledged the lack of a follow-up meeting to discuss what many, including herself and taxi association leaders, hoped would be Phase 2, which is the expansion of the rank. 'This will likely be raised again at the end of the financial year in June. The taxi rank is simply too small for the number of taxis it now needs to accommodate,' she said. She previously said the increase in the number of taxis over the years has caused congestion in the shopping centre, resulting in complaints from business owners over the lack of customer parking. She also highlighted that the toilets had been in a deplorable state and that rubbish bins were often broken or overflowing. Chairperson of the Zwanani Marabastad Taxi Association, Mpho Motsepe, expressed his satisfaction with the current upgrades. 'I think the upgrading of the facilities is a great improvement for us taxi drivers and commuters,' said Motsepe. 'The toilets were old, and now they are building advanced ones that will be easier to clean. They are also fixing our shelters here at the taxi rank, trying to improve them.' Motsepe confirmed that the association was consulted before the project began. 'We were engaged and consulted before the project started. It was myself, the councillor, and the Tshwane Transport Department,' he said. However, like Kruger-Muller, Motsepe believes the upgrades should go further. 'Our expectations going forward as the taxi association are that we want an extension of the taxi rank because it is too small,' he said. 'We even proposed the idea to them to extend it by adding more shelters and benches for the comfort of our commuters, and they said they will take that into consideration.' Motsepe said feedback from commuters has been positive. 'So far, the commuters are happy, as they've told us that what they have been crying about for the longest time is finally being taken into consideration,' he said. He added that the taxi rank will now be considered a permanent fixture, and the association will continue to monitor and improve the facilities. In April, business owners at the shopping centre reported that the small size of the existing rank forced taxis to park in the shopping centre itself, limiting parking for customers and contributing to a sense of disorder and lack of safety. At the time, business owner Morne Hattingh of Buffalo's and property manager Lufuno Tshivhase voiced concerns about broken infrastructure, crime and a drop in sales linked to taxi activity in the area. ALSO READ: Menlyn shopping centre evacuated — Here's what you need to know Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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Business Standard
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
SA20 Season 3 sets record growth in stadium attendance, global broadcast
The third edition of the SA20 has delivered its most successful season yet, breaking multiple records across live attendance, television viewership, and digital reach. With more than 400,000 fans attending matches across six venues, Season 3 was officially the best-attended in the league's history. A 70 per cent rise in sold-out fixtures, including a packed house for the Final for a third consecutive year, highlighted the competition's growing popularity. MI Cape Town, crowned champions this season, added to the historic tone by selling out all five home games at Newlands — a league first. The SA20 also hit a major milestone, selling its one-millionth ticket during a clash between Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Wanderers. Television and digital reach break new ground The league's broadcast success was equally staggering. According to Nielsen Sports SA, SuperSport's viewership figures soared by 47 per cent, reflecting the collaboration between the broadcaster and the league to attract new fans. The opening game of the season — MI Cape Town vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape — was the most-watched opener ever. Viewership of the Final jumped by 72 per cent from Season 2, as fans tuned in to see MI Cape Town lift the trophy. International audiences across India, the UK, the US, and Africa grew by 37 per cent, solidifying SA20's stature as a top-tier global T20 league. Digital, media and fan engagement soar Digital engagement also witnessed a boom. The league reported a 62 per cent rise in total social media followers, while video views grew by 93 per cent. Franchise pages gained 87 per cent more followers, and web traffic spiked by 233 per cent from last year. Media presence expanded as well, with media value increasing 30 per cent in South Africa and a massive 96 per cent in India. Commissioner Graeme Smith called the growth 'game-changing' and credited the fans, franchises, and partners for their shared passion. Strong social impact and youth focus Season 3 also highlighted SA20's commitment to social upliftment. Through its learnership programme, 26 young professionals gained hands-on experience, while a total of R630,000 was raised for the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation. The inaugural Schools SA20, featuring over 600 schools, concluded with Steyn City and Bishops Diocesan College winning the girls' and boys' finals. The league also awarded full scholarships to two standout Grade 7 cricketers. Looking ahead to Season 4 Planning is already under way for Season 4, which begins on December 26, 2025. Smith said fans can expect fresh announcements on player auctions and fixtures soon, promising another memorable season for one of the world's fastest-growing T20 leagues.
News18
28-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Betway SA20 Season 3 Betway SA20 Season 3 Witnesses Record Growth and Attendance
Betway SA20 Season 3 saw record-breaking performances, 70% more sold-out matches, 400,000+ fans, and a 233% surge in website traffic. Betway SA20 has firmly established itself as one of South Africa's best-supported live sports events, with Season 3 showcasing record-breaking performances and continued growth across broadcast, attendance, and digital platforms. News18 The season was marked by capacity crowds, with a remarkable 70% increase in sold-out matches and a sold-out final for the third consecutive year, making it the most attended Betway SA20 season to date. Over 400,000 fans attended the six venues around the country. Newlands, home of the Season 3 champions MI Cape Town, made history by selling out all five home matches. The League achieved a significant milestone by selling its 1 millionth ticket during the match between Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Wanderers. According to an annual survey, 93% of fans described their stadium experience as 'excellent,' and 90% indicated they were likely to attend Season 4. Betway SA20 continues to show impressive growth in the digital landscape, with a 62% increase in followers across all social media platforms, an 87% increase in following for Franchise teams, a 93% increase in video views, and a 233% rise in website traffic users from Season 2. advetisement The League also achieved a 30% growth in media value in South Africa and saw excellent results in India, with a 96% increase in media value and a 231% surge in print stories. League Commissioner Graeme Smith stated: 'Season three of the Betway SA20 has been a game-changer. For the third year in a row, we've seen unprecedented growth across broadcast, attendance, and digital platforms. We've firmly established ourselves as one of the leading sports and entertainment brands in the country." 'Globally, our numbers continue to increase, supporting our vision of being the biggest T20 cricket league outside of India. This success wouldn't be possible without the fans, partners, world-class players, broadcasters, franchises, and stakeholders. The passion and commitment towards the League have been incredible." Betway SA20's commitment to youth and talent development was highlighted through various initiatives in Season 3. Through its learnership program, the League provided 26 young industry talents, including 4 Laureus YES (Youth Employment in Sport) program recipients and 6 photography students, with the opportunity to gain experience as part of the competition's delivery team. The League also raised R630,000 for its social impact partner, the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation, which uses sport, including cricket programs, to help young people overcome challenges such as poverty, homelessness, violence, drug abuse, and AIDS. A highlight of the season was the launch of the inaugural Schools SA20, with over 600 schools competing and the first-ever national girls' competition being incorporated. The fourth season of the competition will commence on 26 December 2025, with major announcements about fixtures, player signings, and the auction to be communicated soon. Watch CNN-News18 here. Stay updated with all the latest news on IPL 2025, including the schedule, Points Table, IPL Orange Cap, and IPL Purple Cap. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : SA20 First Published: May 28, 2025, 18:17 IST Latest News 'Said It Out Of Love': Kamal Haasan Reacts To His 'Tamil-Kannada' Remark, Says Won't Apologise Politics Bollywood Tamannaah Blames Instagram For 'Liking' Deepika Padukone Clip, Fans Recall Virat Kohli-Avneet Kaur Row Bollywood Mohit Suri Recalls How A 10-Year-Old Alia Bhatt Backed His Remix Vision India Series Of Earthquakes Hit Manipur, Strongest One Being 5.2 Magnitude Viral 'Is There Anything He Can't Do?' Fans On Video Of Tom Cruise Conducting Orchestra latest news
