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Author: Herman Pieters

8 July 2021 Media Release: COVID-19: Executive Mayor Memory Booysen receives his first vaccination

Media Release: COVID-19: Executive Mayor Memory Booysen receives his first vaccination

For Immediate Release
8 July 2021

Executive Mayor for Garden Route District Municipality, Alderman Memory Booysen, encourages Garden Routers, in particular, those 50 years and older to register to get their COVID-19 vaccinations. Booysen received his first Pfizer dose at the Thembalethu Clinic on Thursday, 8 July 2021. He will return to the clinic on 19 August, after 42 days, for his second jab.

Mayor Booysen arrived at 12:05 pm and got his jab at 12:35 pm. He waited in line with other Garden Routers for his turn.

“I felt a little sting when they gave me the injection, but otherwise I feel perfectly fine. I trust that the public will continue to turn out in big numbers to get vaccinated. I also urge the public to help stop the spread of misinformation, fear and fake news about vaccines.”

To date 53 582 people in the Garden Route have been vaccinated since the start of the vaccine program and more are expected to register to get their injections going forward.

COVID-19 Facts

Here are the facts about COVID-19 vaccines:

  • COVID-19 vaccines are tested rigorously and are proven to be safe and effective.
  • If you are an adult with an underlying medical condition or illness, you have a greater risk of severe COVID-19 and should get the vaccine to protect you.
  • It gives protection against severe COVID-19 and COVID-19 related death.
  • It cannot give you COVID-19 as it does not contain any live virus.
  • It cannot change your DNA.
  • No COVID-19 vaccine contains animal products or eggs. The vaccines are suitable for vegans and are halal. The rubber stoppers of the vaccine vials do not contain latex.

Feature image: Alderman Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor for Garden Route District Municipality excited and relieved to have received his first Phizer Jab – Zilla North (Manager: Medical Services for the George Sub-District) was by his side throughout the process. The wall behind them was painted by students from the Life Skills Club at the Inkcubeko Youth and Science Center.

ENDS

6 July 2021 Media Release: Garden Route DM remains committed to uplifting SMMEs

Media Release: Garden Route DM remains committed to uplifting SMMEs

For Immediate Release
6 July 2021

Well supported Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMME) are key drivers of sustainable job creation and remain one of the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) priority focus areas. GRDM supports SMMEs to promote and develop the economic footprint of small businesses to boost the district economy. For this reason, GRDM donated equipment and resources amounting to R608 000.00, with a maximum value of R40 000 to each SMME.

The official SMME Support and Development Programme Handover Ceremony took place virtually on 6 July 2021. During the event, Alderman Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor for GRDM, said: “The private sector remains bigger than government, and you as SMMEs play a massive role in driving our economy and creating jobs. I see our job as government to create an environment where you can thrive. Hence we continue to embark on these programmes year on year.”

“My message is clear – SMMEs, we need you to help the economy grow even further. I know the state of the economy in South Africa is not great, and we are aware that many people have lost jobs. My vision is to see you grow to a point where you can employ others, particularly vulnerable groups like women and those who are differently-abled,” said Booysen.

Alderman Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor for GRDM (left) during his keynote address. Lusanda Menze (right), GRDM Executive Manager for Planning and Economic Development was the Programme Director for the handover ceremony.

Booysen also said that his travels abroad have confirmed to him that successful economies have strong small businesses. “I also don’t want anyone to lose hope – start small, you have to start somewhere. Sometimes we think we need to start big, but that is not important, rather think big – you will then grow to that goal”.

Mayor Booysen also encouraged beneficiaries to create a footprint in other municipal areas within the district and beyond.

Two SMMEs were presented with an opportunity to share a special word of gratitude to GRDM and stakeholders. The first was Fundi Tonisi from Creamillion General Trading. She said: “Without your assistance, it would not have been possible. Many of us need capital, be it financial, equipment and land. Thank you, GRDM for prioritising us. She said that many are going through traumatic and difficult times but urged beneficiaries to keep looking ahead and reaching their goals.

Neil Moos (Ouma Barbie se Stoepkombuis), shared the second word of appreciation. “GRDM didn’t overlook us, and we are thankful for that. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed many of our financial statuses. Alderman Booysen, and role players, in particular the Local Economic Development Unit of GRDM – thank you for seeing the potential in us and taking us forward with you.” Moos also reminded all beneficiaries that within each person lies the seed of unlimited possibilities and that it should be embraced.

Some of the beneficiaries also thanked the GRDM and its partners in the Zoom chatbox by saying: “Thank you Melanie Wilson and her team – you are all excellent”. Another thanked the GRDM by saying: “We see the assistance as a big stepping stone for helping our business grow”.

In light of the current lockdown restrictions, GRDM Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu said that it’s unfortunate that “we cannot celebrate this day under one roof”.  Stratu commended the GRDM Council, the Planning and Economic Development Department and its partners for the role they played to ensure that the beneficiaries meaningfully benefited from the contributions. “We would have loved to have made the slice of cake bigger but could only share what was available.

Stratu urged beneficiaries to become more resilient and shared his concerns about how the pandemic has caused many to lose their jobs, homes, and livelihoods. “There might be difficult days ahead, but I think our futures will be filled with brighter days”.  He pleaded with beneficiaries to guard the resources given to them and reminded them that the GRDM would keep a close watch on their progress going forward.

According to the Programme Director and Executive Manager for Planning and Economic Development at GRDM, Lusanda Menze, the initiative also forms part of the GRDM’s Economic Recovery Plan and Growth and Development Strategy. “We would like to create economic opportunities within our ecosystem, and this initiative is another step in that direction,” he said.

Many conversations around the economic impact of Covid-19 has focused on the formal economy; however, the devastation on smaller businesses has been enormous. The GRDM Council, also during the 2019/2020 financial year, endorsed monetary support that totalled R400 000.00 towards a similar initiative (read here).

Who are the beneficiaries?

The list of beneficiaries includes Sharlebel, South Cape Funeral Home, Camagwini Services, Elsie’s Handmade Products, Massimo Leather Crafts (PTY) Ltd, Artsmart, BTL Sewing, Debongs Café, Eden Event Management, Mange & Mtsolos Project, Sew Happy Primary Co-op, Ouma Barbie se Stoepkombuis, Max 21st Century Projects, Candidas Event Management, Creamillion General Trading, Figree Joy, George Backpackers, Gwaing Trading Enterprise and Kairos Foods & Services.

Who assisted GRDM to make this initiative a success?

Getting relief to people on the ground can be a challenging task. Therefore, a partnering approach was followed during the evaluation and adjudication process of selecting the most eligible beneficiaries. This approach involved a number of stakeholders, including the Department of Agriculture (DoA), Provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), Local Economic Development Managers of local municipalities and the Garden Route Development Partnership. The procurement of the capital items was efficiently done by CASIDRA, George Office.

Feature Image: Some of the many items sponsored to SMMEs in the Garden Route

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21 June 2021 Media Release: Garden Route COVID Update

Media Release: Garden Route COVID Update

For Immediate Release
21 June 2021

The Garden Route District has seen a 105 % increase in cases the last 7 days compared to 7 – 14 days ago.  All sub-districts had large percentage increases.

None of our district hospitals are currently under pressure, but we are seeing an increase in admissions.

George Hospital is not under pressure, but has had a big increase in admissions. Harry Comay Hospital is commissioning a 20-bed Covid ward to provide support for step-down patients from George Hospital.

COVID-19 stats as of 21 June 2021

Sub-district Total Active Recovered Died
Bitou 2917 74 2 742 101
George 12835 526 11 851 458
Hessequa 2088 80 1 900 108
Kannaland 924 11 867 46
Knysna 5015 105 4 750 160
Mossel Bay 8237 543 7 476 218
Oudtshoorn 4281 81 3 900 300
TOTAL 36297 1420 33 486 1 391

What follows a social gathering

Without being aware of it you may have picked up the virus after spending time with friends and family. As you then return home, back to work, back to school, or visit an elderly and vulnerable person – all these people who you have come into contact are now also at risk of being infected. They in turn continue with their daily routine – return back to their primary environment which could be there homes or workplace.

Here they then can pass on the virus to their household members. And so the transmission chain continues to grow, and spreads faster.

We can avoid a transmission chain from setting in by protecting our air space. We need to break the chain of transmission – here is how:

  • Avoid large gatherings;
  • Also, avoid social gatherings which are outside your immediate household;
  • If you need to go out, always wear your mask;
  • If you need to meet up, keep it outdoors, small and short;
  • When gathering indoors, dress warmly and ensure the windows are open so your space is well ventilated with fresh air;
  • If sick, stay home

 Vaccination roll-out

A total of 26 878 vaccines have been administered since the start of the vaccine program. This includes healthcare workers, old age homes and public sites.

 Over the last few weeks, we have come across several misconceptions about being vaccinated. We would like to remind the public that the vaccine gives great protection against severe illness and death.

However, it does not offer a guarantee that you will not contract (or transmit) Covid-19. So even if you have been vaccinated, and do not practice the necessary safety measures, you can still contract the virus, albeit a mild disease. It is therefore crucially important that we continue to adhere to the golden rules of keeping safe as set out above.

 The following sites in the Garden Route District will administer vaccinations on the following days for week 21 – 25 June.

Knysna sub-district Knysna CDC 23, 24
Knysna sub-district Knysna Town Hall 25
Knysna sub-district Karatara Satellite Clinic 21
Bitou sub-district Plettenberg Bay Clinic 25
Bitou sub-district Kranshoek clinic 22
Bitou sub-district Kwanokuthula CDC 24
Bitou sub-district Crags Clinic 23
George sub-district Harry Comay TB Hospital 21 – 25
George sub-district Thembalethu CDC (Sandkraal road) 21 – 25
George sub-district George Central Clinic 21 – 25
George sub-district Uniondale Hospital 21 – 25
George sub-district George Mobile Routes 21 – 25
George sub-district Touwsranten Clinic 25
George sub-district Pacaltsdorp Clinic 24, 25
Hessequa sub-district Riversdale Civic Centre 23,24
Hessequa sub-district Heidelberg Duivenhoks Hall 23
Hessequa sub-district Albertinia Theronsville Hall 24
Hessequa sub-district Melkhoutfontein Satellite Clinic 23
Hessequa sub-district Still Bay Civic Centre 24, 25
Hessequa sub-district Slangrivier Satellite Clinic 25
Hessequa sub-district Gouritsmond Hall 23
Kannaland sub-district Zoar Sports Club 23
Kannaland sub-district Calitzdorp DRC Church Hall 24
Kannaland sub-district Van Wyksdorp Kerksaal 25
Mossel Bay sub-district Alma CDC 21, 22, 23
Mossel Bay sub-district Wolwedans Community Hall 23, 25
Mossel Bay sub-district Mossel Bay Town Hall 21, 22,23
Mossel Bay sub-district D’Almeida Community Hall 21, 22,23
Oudtshoorn sub-district Toekomsrust Community Hall 23, 24, 25
Oudtshoorn sub-district De Rust (Blommenek) Clinic 24

Please remember that we prioritise those who are registered and have received their appointment.

Disclaimer: Dates and sites are subject to change.

ENDS

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Town Clinic, Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 044 813 1831
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za 
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

15 June 2021 Public Awareness: How to register to vote?

Public Awareness: How to register to vote?

Who can register as a voter?

  • You must be a South African citizen.
  • You must have a South African green barcoded identity document (ID), a smart ID card or a temporary ID certificate.
  • You must be 16 years or older (but you will only be able to vote when you are 18 years or older).
  • You have to register in person. Nobody can do it for you.

Once you have registered to vote, you do not need to re-register in future elections unless:

  • You have moved house and are living in a different voting district.
  • You have been affected by the re-drawing of the voting district and/or ward boundaries

REMEMBER: If you do not have your green barcoded ID book, a smart ID card or temporary ID, you need to apply for one at the Department of Home Affairs.

 Why should you register?

  • You should register to be included on the national common voters’ roll.
  • If you don’t register, you cannot vote, and if you don’t vote, you are giving up a very important way of making your voice heard.
  • It is your right and responsibility to register.

Where can you register?

  • Register at your local Electoral Commission (IEC) office from Monday to Friday during office hours. Registration is ongoing, so you can register at any time, whether an election is taking place or not.
  • Register to vote in person at a registration station in the voting district in which you live. The IEC opens its registration stations during a registration weekend just before general elections.

How does registration work?

When registering at your registration station or local IEC office (using IEC Voter Management Device-VMD) the barcode of your ID book or smart ID card or temporary ID certificate will be scanned. This receipt will be SMSed or emailed to you and will show:

  • Proof of application
  • Your ID number
  • The voting district number of your voting station
  • Date and time of your application.

REMEMBER: 

  • You must provide sufficient details of where you live (a full residential address or a description of where you live) for the IEC to confirm that you are registering in the correct voting district. Proof of address is not needed.
  • If you give false address information, it is a crime. You could go to jail for up to 10 years.
  • Your ID will be checked when you vote to make sure that it is YOU.

How to check if you are registered and that your voters’ roll address is up to date

  • Registration will take no more than 24 hours to process.
  • Check at your local IEC office from Monday to Friday during office hours. SMS your ID number to 32810 (R1 per SMS).
  • Go to the IEC website www.elections.org.za and follow the link “Am I registered to vote?”
  • Check the voters’ roll at your voting station where you are registered to vote during the voter registration weekends.
  • As a registered voter you can visit elections.org.za create a secure profile for yourself, check, and update or provide your voters’ roll address.
  • You can also help family and friends to check; remember you will need their ID number, full name, address and cell phone number or email address to check and update their voters’ roll address.
  • Even if you are registered, remember to check that your voters’ roll address is up to date.

iStock.com/piyaset

15 June 2021 Media Release: Reflecting on the 2021 GREF Climate Change Indaba and Fire Commemoration event

Media Release: Reflecting on the 2021 GREF Climate Change Indaba and Fire Commemoration event

For Immediate Release
15 June 2021

Recalibrate resources to restore the balance in dealing with the environment

The Annual Garden Route Fire Commemoration event and Climate Change Indaba, including a field visit to severely affected areas by the 2018 wildfire disaster near Karatara, in the Garden Route district, came to a close on Wednesday, 9 June 2021. The event was hosted by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

Dr. Fanie Botha, a water resource specialist at Water Hunters, emphasises that South Africa must adopt a more proactive and even aggressive approach to water resource management. For example, innovative evaporation reduction methods should be considered. (Photo: Cobus Meiring)

As a result of Covid-19 restrictions, protocols and cautionary procedures, the event was a combination of face-to-face and virtual platforms. It was well attended with the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Ms Makhotso “Maggie” Sotyu, delivering the keynote address virtually from Pretoria.

In her address, Sotyu said climate change was a key concern within South Africa. The annual temperatures have increased by at least 1.5 times the observed global average of 0.65ºC over the past five decades, and extreme rainfall events have increased in frequency. She said her department is finalising the climate change bill to enable a coordinated and coherent approach to address climate change across the spheres of society. It is expected that the climate change bill will strengthen climate change governance in the country.

The department is currently revising the National Coastal Management Programmes (NCMP) as per the Integrated Coastal Management Act (ICM Act). The review of the NCMP will inform the review and development of the Provincial and Municipality Coastal Management Plans. The second NCMP will also focus on the ocean’s economy and the district-delivery model primarily aimed to address poverty and livelihoods support.

The newly appointed principal of the George Campus of the Nelson Mandela University (NMU), Dr. Kaluke Mawila, was one of the guest speakers at the Garden Route Climate Change Indaba held in George on 8 June 2021. (Photo: Cobus Meiring)

Reflecting on the event, the chairperson of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF), Mr Cobus Meiring, said the theme for the 2021 Garden Route Climate Change Indaba, “Adapt to a sustainable future“, was apt and relevant, and coinciding with World Oceans Day on 8 June, drew high-level attention and participation. He said the Indaba included several remarkable presentations that were of an international standard.

Ms Pamela Booth, Environmental Manager at Knysna Municipality and one of the facilitators at the Climate Change Indaba. (Photo: Cobus Meiring)

“The fact that the GRDM, GREF and partners can host an event like this, with direct input from top-tier national (DFFE) and the provincial (Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning – DEA&DP) echelons and academic institutions, speaks volumes and demonstrated that the GRDM has the entrenched capacity to act and collaborate as a leading municipality when it comes to all matters environmental, including disaster management, climate change, planning, and risk reduction,” Meiring said.

“Slowly but surely, the region is attracting more funding from various sources, and that is indicative of the trust foundation that has been consistent in the making over a sustained period.”

Meiring concluded: “An important message that came across from the Indaba was that countrywide, Covid-19 had drained away almost all resources formerly earmarked for vital interventions in the environmental sector, but, as the collective grow accustomed to dealing with the perpetual impact of Covid-19, we urgently need to recalibrate resources to restore the balance in dealing with the environment as well as Covid-19, because if we do not, we will create another and more significant climate-related crisis through important but one-dimensional funding allocation in dealing only with Covid-19 right now.”

People who are interested in viewing some of the high-profile presentations made at the event can view them on the video-sharing YouTube link: https://youtu.be/fbf_siHAyvk.

ENDS

15 June 2021 Media Release: Skills Mecca to become central to job and skills alignment in the Garden Route

Media Release: Skills Mecca to become central to job and skills alignment in the Garden Route

For Immediate Release
15 June 2021

South Africans have almost become immune to bad news as day to day survival remains for many the single most important priority, especially with the arrival of COVID 19 and the world of Lockdown. Many of us would probably not even realised that on 1 June 2021, Statistics South Africa (STATS SA) released the first quarter of 2021 Labour Force survey that shows the official national unemployment stands at 32,6%. This is the highest unemployment rate since the start of the Labour Force survey in 2008. Although the Western Cape is somewhat better off at 23,7%, the smaller percentage makes no difference to those still unemployed and without a job.

Turning such a catastrophic scenario around in a long term sustainable manner is only possible through targeted economic growth and development. This is why the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) developed 20-year Growth and Development Strategy. A well-designed strategy requires a solid foundation with many cross-cutting enablers, one of which is skills development.

A critical question then arises: “What are the skills requirements and challenges that constrain this priority area?”

The GRDM and its relevant stakeholders have ramped up efforts to roll out the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM). A dedicated GRSM Coordinator, Dr Florus Prinsloo, has subsequently been appointed by the GRDM. Dr Prinsloo has already established an internal task team, as well as an external stakeholder forum. An implementation plan for the Skills Mecca have been finalised and submitted to the Management of GRDM, the Municipal Managers Forum of the District (MMF) and a Council workshop today for further deliberations and input in the month of June. The next step is to develop a website where residents of the Garden Route can access up to date information on the GRSM.

Another essential part of the GRSM concept is establishing a clear link between skills development and jobs, which will only be possible by the GRSM team working closely with Local Economic Development (LED) Units at each municipality in the Garden Route. This approach will help to inform decisions by utilising demand-based methods toward skills development.  This means that economic demand would need to be linked to skills development projects and programmes.  This will result in people studying towards careers where there are jobs vacant.

A partnership-based approach is the only way that such an ambitious process will succeed. At the moment, a pressing and challenging risk faced is the lack of funding available for skills development. Creating partnerships between all the relevant public and private sector is vital to the success of this programme. However, the GRDM is engaging all economic levels to try and source funding for this innovative approach to skills development and job creation.

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10 June 2021 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality establishes a dispersion modelling function

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality establishes a dispersion modelling function

For Immediate Release
10 June 2021

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently procured the Enviman AERMOD (Air Quality Dispersion Modelling) software programme that enables the GRDM Air Quality Unit to conduct dispersion modelling studies. This is a new initiative to expand the scope of work of the GRDM Air Quality Officers.

According to Dr Johann Schoeman, GRDM Manager: Air Quality: “Air dispersion modelling is defined as a series of mathematical simulations of how air pollutants disperse in the ambient atmosphere. It is performed with computer programs that solve the mathematical equations and algorithms which simulate the dispersion of pollutants.”

Dr Schoeman says AERMOD is also listed as an approved dispersion model in the Regulations that governs Dispersion Modelling, 2014, Government Notice R533. Thus, the program allows for creating air quality maps for comparison against national guidelines and limit values.

The application of this software will assist the Air Quality unit in dealing with air quality complaints. It predicts the emissions and effect of a specific source on a particular residency, depending on real-time weather data availability. For example, suppose a person phones the GRDM to complain about the smoke from a stack of Facility X. In that case, the GRDM can execute a theoretical predication of the dispersion by entering the real-time weather data and stack parameters, and the model will determine the concentrations at the complainant’s residency. GRDM can then determine if the complaint is indeed justified by comparing it with the National Ambient Air Quality standards.

The GRDM can also determine the air quality impact of area sources such as landfill sites on communities. The below dispersion model for Methane was done for the proposed GRDM Landfill site in Mossel Bay, based on the predicted landfill volumes during year one and the historical weather data for Mossel Bay over the last three years.

The programme can also determine various percentile equations to determine a specific source’s worst-case scenario on a community. The 99 percentile, for example, predicts the highest concentration of a pollutant for 1% of the year. This is demonstrated in the picture below.

Feature image: Average hourly period concentrations for Methane from the proposed Landfill site in Mossel Bay computed over a year. As can be seen in both examples, the methane concentrations are insignificant and will not cause any harm to the community. 

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27 May 2021 Public Notice: Final Review of 2021/2022 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and 2021/2022 – 2023/2024 Multi-Year Budget

GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
NOTICE
51/2021

FINAL REVIEW OF 2021/2022 INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP) AND 2021/2022 – 2023/2024 MULTI-YEAR BUDGET

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Final Review of the 2021/2022 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Multi-Year Budget for the period 2021/2022 to 2023/2024 were compiled in accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) and Municipal Finance Management Act 2003 (Act 56 of 2003).

These documents were adopted by the Garden Route District Municipal Council at a District Council meeting on Wednesday, 25 May 2021.

These documents will be available for public viewing on the Garden Route District Municipality’s website www.gardenroute.gov.za.

Please contact the District IDP Manager (Ms Mercy James) or Budget Manager (Ms Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300 with any enquiries

MG STRATU
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY