Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Mourns the Passing of Former Speaker, Alderman Barnie Groenewald
17 April 2024
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is deeply saddened by the passing of its former Speaker, Alderman Barend (Barnie) Groenewald, who served from 2016 to 2021. Alderman Groenewald passed away earlier today, 17 April 2024.
After he was informed of the passing of Ald. Groenewald, GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen had the following words to share: “It is with great sorrow that we bid farewell to Alderman Barnie Groenewald, a cherished colleague and former speaker of our Council. I had the privilege of working closely with Barnie for five years, during which his presence was a cornerstone of both leadership and stability. Barnie had a unique ability to balance the intricacies of politics with the demands of administration, ensuring that our council’s decisions always reflected the best interests of the community we serve. His passing is a tremendous loss for all of us at the GRDM. My thoughts and prayers are with his beloved family during this difficult time. We mourn together with them and honour Barnie’s enduring legacy in our hearts and through our continued dedication to the people of the Garden Route.”
Alderman Groenewald, who married Daleen in 2012, is survived by her, his son, Bern, and two grandchildren, Zarah and Nielen. His deep passion for people and community service was evident throughout his career and life. He lived by the motto, “do unto others, what you want others to do unto you” and believed in the value of every individual, saying, “I am what I am because of others.”
His political career was marked by significant contributions and roles, starting as a Town Clerk at the Ikageng Town Council in 1983 and later serving in various capacities including as the City Secretary and Acting Director of Corporate Services. He also held significant positions at the Potchefstroom Town Council and worked with the Independent Electoral Commission as a Municipal Electoral Officer for over a decade. His final professional role was with the George Municipality, where he served on the Disciplinary Council.
During his tenure as Speaker, Alderman Groenewald was known for promoting constructive debate within the council, always with the goal of improving the lives of the community. His leadership was instrumental in ensuring care and support for councillors and municipal staff, helping them fulfill their roles effectively.
Alderman Groenewald was inspired by figures like Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., drawing on their visions to fuel his own work in politics and community service. He often reflected on the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley, particularly resonating with the lines, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul,” which guided his public service.
His educational contributions were also notable, as he facilitated courses in Local Government Law and Governance Administration at Nelson Mandela University, impacting and shaping future leaders.
The Garden Route District Municipality extends its heartfelt condolences to Alderman Groenewald’s family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable life and career. We mourn the loss of a true community pillar and a beacon of moral and civic virtue.
The late Alderman Barnie Groenewald (right) with Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu.
Former Ald. Barnie Groenewald at a Strategic Session.
The Garden Route District Municipality invites unemployed persons currently residing within the Garden Route District Municipal area, to apply for an opportunity to be placed at a Tourism and/or Hospitality Organisation for an 18 month work experience opportunity as part of a Garden Route Skills Mecca Initiative. Preference will be given to persons with disabilities. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35.
Opportunities are currently available within the following municipal areas within Garden Route District. Each municipal area will be able to accommodate up to 30 people.
Programme and Entry Requirements
This is an eighteen-month work experience placement programme at Tourism / Hospitality organisation in the Garden Route.
Applicants will be selected based the following sequentially prioritised criteria:
1st Criteria: Persons with a NATED N6 Tourism / Hospitality Qualification that need 18-months work experience for a National Diploma.
2nd Criteria: Persons with any Local or International Tourism / Hospitality Qualification that have had no work experience.
3rd Criteria: Persons with any Local or International Tourism / Hospitality Qualification that have had less than six months’ work experience.
4th Criteria: Persons with at least a NQF 1 Qualification that have a desire to work in the Tourism / Hospitality Sector.
Persons with a disability supported by a medical certificate are encouraged to apply and will be exempt from any of the above criteria.
In addition, the GRDM, subject to receiving enough applications and available workplaces, will also attempt to allocate applicants evenly across all Municipal Wards in the District.
Scope of Work and Duties
This will be determined by the Tourism / Hospitality organisation but could include administration, reception, room services bar services, restaurant services, food services customer services or any other typical work within tourism and hospitality.
All shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a pre-assessment to assist with correct career development.
Stipends will be paid for eighteen months by the Garden Route District Municipality. Stipends must be used for meals, accommodation, and travel costs. The Programme also does not include uniforms, PPE or any equipment unless supplied voluntarily by the host employer.
THE GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY WILL ONLY CONSIDER APPLICATIONS COMPLETED IN FULL AND IF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN UPLOADED:
A copy of South African ID Document certified within the last six months.
A copy of highest educational qualifications certified within the last six months.
An affidavit certified within last six months that confirms previous work experience, including any Learnerships.
A criminal record clearance report from the SA Police Services.
For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Mr Reginald Salmons on 044-803 1363, or Mrs Angela-Ziva Coetzee at 044 803 1344 during office hours only. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.
Media Release: GRDM continues to create fire breaks on its properties
16 April 2024
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in collaboration with Working on Fire (WoF), created several fire breaks on its properties. The GRDM owns several properties along coastal areas like Rheebok, Glentana, Herolds Bay, Hansmoeskraal, Victoria Bay, Swartvlei and Buffalo Bay. WoF and GRDM work hand-in-glove to create fire breaks in high-risk fire areas.
During Autumn and Winter, properties are prioritised for several reasons – the effects of a change in climate, compliance with relevant legislation, wildfire risks, as well as management of alien invasive plant species. Compliance with the National Veld and Forest Fire Act 101 of 1998, also remains a priority.
The teams already covered Rheebok in February 2024 and concluded the project by clearing the highly invasive Rooikrans (Acacia cyclops) trees in the first week of April 2024. On 15 April, the team proceeded to a second property based in Glentana, which borders the George and Mossel Bay Municipalities. This property has significant fuel load and especially dozens of Black Wattle Trees need to be reduced.
It is important to note that alien Invasive plants contribute mostly to fire fuel loads. Some of the most prevalent invasive plants include Black Wattle, Rooikrans, Pine (wild growing), Gum trees (Eucalyptus), Hakea, Port Jackson, Long leaved wattle, and Black Wood.
According to Deon Stoffels, the GRDM Fire Chief: “Landowners are responsible for preparing and maintaining fire breaks. Each owner on whose land a veldfire may start, or from whose land it may spread must prepare and maintain a firebreak on his or her side of the boundary between his or her land and any adjoining land.”
Firebreaks are particularly important as it provides for an area of reduced fuel load which will reduce the intensity of a wildfire and allow for more effective combating.
Feature Image: A firebreak on a Rheebok property that is owned by the Garden Route District Municipality.
