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Author: Herman Pieters

26 March 2024 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality once again empowers Small and Medium Enterprises with Equipment and Support

Media Release:  Garden Route District Municipality once again empowers Small and Medium Enterprises with Equipment and Support

26 March 2024

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Council has again supported Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) with a significant allocation of R600,000 in the 2023/2024 budget. This funding is geared towards interventions and needs of SMEs within the region.

During a formal handover ceremony held yesterday, 25 SMEs meeting the specified criteria were provided with equipment in order to grow their businesses.

The selection process for beneficiaries began with widespread outreach efforts, including advertisements in local newspapers and rural areas within the Garden Route. A total of 83 businesses responded to the call for proposals. Facilitated by the SEDA, the vetting, screening, and verification process ensured fairness and transparency. The Adjudication Committee, comprising Local Economic Development (LED) Managers, the Department of Agriculture, the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership  (WCEDP), and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT, carefully reviewed pitches from businesses and made recommendations.

During the ceremony, Alderlady Rosina Ruiters, Portfolio Chairperson of the Planning and Economic Development Department, welcomed attendees and highlighted the program’s origins. Dr. Keith du Plessis, CEO of Casidra, expressed appreciation for the SME program, acknowledging its vital role in supporting small businesses, which are recognised as the backbone of many economies worldwide. “I want to take my hat-off to the GRDM for recognising the plea of the struggling SME’s, what these small businesses are facing, and what our programme assists with,” Du Plessis said.

Program Director and Acting Manager of District Economic Development and Tourism Unit, Richard Dyantyi, emphasised the program’s focus on reaching rural businesses and collaboration with SEDA to provide ongoing support and assistance in marketing.

The Western Cape Provincial Manager of SEDA, Alex Qunta, delivered an inspiring message to SME owners, urging them to prioritise working on their businesses for long-term success. “You have to work on your business first, before it can work for you.  As entrepreneurs and business owners, we always want the business to work for us.

GRDM Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen reiterated the municipality’s dedication to changing lives through initiatives like these, despite budget constraints. “Every year during this gathering I say the same things, but the fact of the matter is, facts don’t change, the truth doesn’t change, circumstances might change from time to time.” He elaborated on the District Municipality Council’s proactive decisions made five years ago to positively impact the lives of people in the district.

Alderman Booysen further acknowledged the GRDM’s commitment to prioritising initiatives like supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), even if it meant reallocating funds from other projects. He stressed that a project like this, despite not being part of the GRDM’s core functions, is essential for the growth and prosperity of the community.

Dyantyi shared the success story of 68 previously benefited SMEs, all of which remain operational, highlighting the program’s impact and sustainability.

GRDM Acting Municipal Manager, Lusanda Menze, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their support and contributions in all the different forms, to the success of the SME Program.  He said that GRDM remains committed to empowering SMEs and driving economic growth and prosperity across the region.

Below are photos of the beneficiaries with Ald. Memory Booysen (GRDM Executive Mayor), Ald. Rosina Ruiters (Portfolio Chairperson: Economic Development and Planning), Lusanda Menze (GRDM Acting Municipal Manager), Dr. Keith du Plessis (CEO: Casidra), and Alex Qunta (WC Manager: SEDA).

ENDS

25 March 2024 Media Release: Prohibition of Animals at Food Premises

Media Release: Prohibition of Animals at Food Premises

25 March 2024

The food trading sector is responsible for adherence to Food Safety Management Procedures at all times.

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), are represented within each local town and are responsible for enforcing legislation pertaining to, amongst others – food premises.

According to Johan Compion, GRDM Senior Manager: Municipal Health and Environmental Services: “Food premises refer to any premises where food is being manufactured, processed, produced, packed, prepared, kept, offered, transported, stored, or displayed for sale or for serving to the public in any serving area”.

The current Regulation Governing General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises, the Transport of Food and related matters is known as Regulation 638 of 22 June 2018, promulgated under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972). In terms of duties of a person in charge of food premises, Regulation 638 states the following in article 10:
“10. A person in charge of food premises shall ensure that-
(10) an animal, subject to the provisions of any law, is not kept or permitted in a room or area where food is handled, except that –

(a) a guide or service dog accompanying a person with a disability may be permitted in the sales or serving area of the food premises.
(b) fish, molluscs, or crustaceans may be kept alive until prepared for consumption.”

No animal (including any domestic pet), is allowed at any food premises or any area where food is being served to the public, with the exemption of the above scenario.

Regulation R638 also states that a person in charge of food premises must ensure that-

“10(1)(a) he or she is suitably qualified or otherwise adequately trained in the principles and practices of food safety and hygiene, as appropriate, and that the training is accredited or conducted by an inspector, where applicable.”

It remains the responsibility of all food premises owners/managers to empower themselves with knowledge, in terms of their legal obligation regarding all relevant legislation and the requirements contained within the Act, to ensure general compliance of the food trading property which they manage/operate or own.

Offences: Any person who contravenes a provision of these regulations, or allows such a contravention to take place, shall be guilty of an offence and liable for a penalty as provided for under Section 18 of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act of 1972):
1. On the first conviction R400.00.
2. On the second conviction R800.00.
3. On the third conviction R2 000.00.

The GRDM is currently reviewing the enforcement of fines in the greater Garden Route and will implement these structures as soon as the processes are completed.

This includes all premises wanting to apply for exemptions in terms of Regulation 638 of 22 June 2018, promulgated under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972).

For more information or report any issue elated to this article, contact the following GRDM offices within the Garden Route:

Johan Compion – Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management & Air Quality Control
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: 082 803 5161

Klein Karoo and Kannaland Region
Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health Klein Karoo
Cell: 083 678 6530

Langeberg (Mossel Bay)
Acting Chief: Municipal Health, Mossel Bay
Cell: 083 630 6108

George (Outeniqua)
Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health George (Outeniqua)
Cell: 078 457 2824

George (Wilderness)
Acting Chief: Municipal Health George (Wilderness)
Tel: 044 803 1522

Lakes (Knysna)
James McCarthy – Chief: Municipal Health Knysna
Cell: 082 805 9417

Lakes (Bitou)
Gawie Vos – Chief: Municipal Health Bitou
Cell: 083 557 1522

Langeberg (Hessequa)
Haemish Herwels – Chief: Municipal Health Hessequa
Cell: 083 678 6545

ENDS

Feature image: Shutterstock.

20 March 2024 Media Statement: Legal Action withdrawn against Garden Route District Municipal Manager, Mr Monde Stratu

Media Statement: Legal Action withdrawn against Garden Route District Municipal Manager, Mr Monde Stratu

For Immediate Release
20 March 2024

20 March 2024 – The legal proceedings relating to property disputes in Knysna, initiated against Monde Stratu, Municipal Manager of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), have been officially withdrawn, at Knysna Regional Court today. All costs relating to the baseless accusations will be carried by those who brought it before the court.

The case pertained to unsubstantiated allegations surrounding the disclosure and the treatment of contingent assets (properties) valued at approximately R64 million in the 2018/2019 Annual Financial Statements of both Knysna and Garden Route District Municipality. These frivolous allegations included forgery, utterance, and the manipulation of a 2018/19 audit report.

“This decision did not come as a surprise, because from the onset the GRDM Council has unanimously and categorically refuted the allegations as frivolous, vexatious, and unfounded. The decision of the court confirms that the GRDM Council has always been correct in its assessment of such unfortunate allegations,” said Ald. Memory Booysen, GRDM Executive Mayor.

Before the official withdrawal of the case by the Knysna Regional Court Judge, the State made recommendations for the charges against Mr Monde Stratu to be withdrawn by the National Prosecution Authority.

GRDM remains committed to maintaining transparency and accountability in all of its dealings and will continue to work diligently to serve and protect the interests of communities.

ENDS

20 March 2024 Media Release: Environmental Health Practitioners protect public health through rigorous sampling

Media Release: Environmental Health Practitioners protect public health through rigorous sampling

For Immediate Release
20 March 2024

An extensive sampling program is continuously rolled out across various Garden Route district. The region is divided into several focus areas which include the Klein Karoo, Lakes (Knysna), Lakes (Plettenberg Bay), George (Outeniqua), George (Wilderness), Langeberg (Mossel Bay), and Langeberg (Hessequa).

According to Johan Compion, GRDM Senior Manager: Municipal Health and Environmental Services, “sampling is central to our mission to ensure the protection of public health , compliance with current legislation and the identification of potential contaminants in the products our communities consumes”.

Food and water can become contaminated at various stages, from production to distribution. The GRDM’s sampling approach enables the precise identification of harmful bacteria, viruses, chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants.

Public Health Protection

Sampling efforts have the potential to identify food and water contaminants, pathogens, or toxins. EHPs are proactive in sampling various sources to detect hazards, initiate timely measures to mitigate risks and prevent possible outbreaks of foodborne illnesses or waterborne diseases.

Monthly routine bacteriological and chemical water testing are done at established sampling points, complemented by additional sampling in response to complaints or known spillages. Similarly, bacteriological food samples are collected monthly from various locations to verify hygienic standards in storage and preparation. Chemical food samples are evaluated quarterly to confirm the accuracy of product labels.

GRDM EHPs capture sampling data on the institution’s data management system where they can draw reports and monitor compliance. Furthermore the sampling data is available on our Municipal Health Dashboard where they can track the areas of non-compliance as well as historical data to identify any trends of concern.. The historical data also assists EHPs with investigations to determine possible causes and to remedy them as soon as possible to ensure the water or food are compliant to legislated standards.

Collaborative Laboratory Analysis

Chemical and bacteriological water and food samples are analysed by an accredited laboratory for bacteriological samples and the Forensic Chemical Laboratory do all the GRDM’s chemical food samples.

Johan Compion – Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management & Air Quality Control
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: 082 803 5161

Klein Karoo and Kannaland Region
Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health Klein Karoo
Tel: 044 272 2241 / Cell: 083 678 6530
94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn

Langeberg (Mossel Bay)
Acting Chief: Municipal Health Mossel Bay
Tel: 044 693 0006 /Cell: 083 630 6108
C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay

George (Outeniqua)
Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health George (Outeniqua)
Tel: 044 803 1537 / Cell: 078 457 2824
Mission Street, Industrial Area, George, 6530

George (Wilderness)
Acting Chief: Municipal Health George (Wilderness)
Tel: 044 803 1522
Mission Street, Industrial Area, George

Lakes (Knysna)
James McCarthy – Chief: Municipal Health Knysna
Tel: 044 382 7214 / Cell: 082 805 9417
26A Queen Street, Knysna

Lakes (Bitou)
Gawie Vos – Chief: Municipal Health Bitou
Tel: 044 501 1600 / Cell: 083 557 1522
7 Gibb Street, Plettenberg Bay

Langeberg (Hessequa)
Haemish Herwels – Chief: Municipal Health Hessequa
Tel: 028 713 2438 / Cell: 083 678 6545
23 Michell Street, Riversdale, 6670

Feature Image: Water Sampling being done by an Environmental Health Practitioner at the Kaaimans River mouth

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16 March 2024 Media Release: GRDM ranked third best amongst other non-water services authority municipalities

Media Release: GRDM ranked third best amongst other non-water services authority municipalities

16 March 2024

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is now ranked as the 3rd-best District Municipality in South Africa, according to the 2024 Governance Performance Index (GPI). Good Governance Africa (GGA) rated South Africa’s 8 metros, 205 local municipalities, and 44 district municipalities.

The top four (4) district municipalities under the C1 category are all located in the Western Cape, with the Cape Winelands District Municipality ranked first, West Coast District Municipality second and the GRDM third. Overberg District Municipality is ranked fourth.

GRDM is known as a C1 district, which has no water supply and sanitation responsibilities like 22 other districts in South Africa. Twenty-one of the 44 district municipalities (known as C2 district municipalities) of South Africa are water services authorities (WSA).

Under the GPI, the GRDM demonstrated exceptional performance across various sectors, including administration, governance, and service delivery.

Who is the Governance Performance Index?

They have centres and coverage in Eastern Africa, Nigeria, the South African Development Community (this includes Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe). and West Africa.

Feature Image: GRDM has been under the leadership of Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen (left) and Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu (right), since 2017.

ENDS