What's up in Cape Town, Cape Town Weekly , 23 Feb - 1 March 2026

Pride Mardi Gras — This Saturday

Budget Speech Recap & Currency

Budget 2026 — “A Turning Point”

Property Rates — Good News Continues

The City’s proposed 10.2% reduction in the residential rate-in-rand remains on the table following the General Valuation 2025. Cape Town already has the lowest property rates of any metro in SA. The rates-free benefit is proposed to rise to the first R500,000 of property value (up from R450,000). The GV Roll is available for inspection at capetown.gov.za.

Exchange Rates (27 Feb)

The rand strengthened past R16/$ following the Budget, trading near multi-year highs. Analysts note the budget signalled further fiscal consolidation, boosting expectations of rating upgrades from Fitch and Moody’s. Record gold prices, political stability under the Government of National Unity, and the FATF grey list exit continue to support the currency. The Reserve Bank held the repo rate at 6.75%; inflation at 3.5%.

Water Watch — Early Drought Caution

The City stresses this is not a repeat of 2018 — alternative water sources (groundwater, aquifer recharge, desalination planning) are now in place that did not exist then. But everyday conservation is essential. Practical steps: fix leaking taps and toilets immediately, water gardens at night only, avoid topping up pools, and monitor household usage. The City’s target is below 975 million litres per day — current usage remains above that. Long-term infrastructure plans aim to add up to 300 million litres per day to Cape Town’s supply from 2031.

Airport Fire — What Happened

The incident drew widespread criticism of ACSA’s communication during the crisis, with passengers reporting minimal official updates and staff working with paper manifests. Travellers flying this weekend should confirm their flight status directly with airlines and allow extra time. All systems are now operational.

This Weekend — 27 Feb – 1 March

Still Running

Twelfth Night at Maynardville — Shakespeare meets La Dolce Vita in a jazz-infused outdoor production (until 7 March, 8:15pm, from R212). The Galileo Open Air Cinema — closing out February with outdoor screenings at Kirstenbosch and Blaauwklippen. Weekend markets — Neighbourgoods, Oranjezicht City Farm, Bay Harbour, and more. SA Open golf at various venues (26 Feb – 1 Mar).

Weekend Weather

A pleasant late-summer weekend with highs around 17–20°C — comfortable for Pride outdoors and festival hopping. Sunday may bring a touch of cloud with a small chance of scattered showers, but nothing significant for dam levels. UV levels remain high — wear sunscreen if you’re spending the day at Green Point or The Ostrich. Light winds keep conditions pleasant.

Safety & Power Update

Load Shedding: Still Over

SANDF Deployment Update

The army deployment to the Cape Flats announced during SONA is underway. The SANDF is supporting police in anti-gang operations, with visible deployments in Nyanga, Philippi, and Khayelitsha. Community leaders have expressed cautious optimism while civil society continues to call for accountability and clear rules of engagement.

Emergency Contacts

The Week Ahead (1–8 March)