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Author: Herman Pieters

Garden Route Environmental Forum Logo

Are we better prepared to deal with fire disasters?

“Blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, the Garden Route can be a deadly deceiving place, as the recent wildfire catastrophes and crippling drought proved,” says Dr Nina Viljoen, Manager: Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and a spokesperson for the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

“The one question which we are likely to discuss at the Annual Fire Commemoration event and Climate Change and Adaptation Indaba on 7 June, is if we are now better prepared to deal with a repeat of the 2017 and 2018 fire disasters, or if we are increasingly relying on fire-fighting capacity on the ground and from the air,” says Dr Viljoen.

“In many instances, the very same conditions conducive to set the scene for out of control wildfire, such as regrowth of invasive alien plants which burnt down with the last wildfire, are again a feature on the landscape. Built-up areas in the rural/ urban interface are often still exposed to the build-up of biomass in the landscape, providing ample fuel for runaway wildfire. We do get the sense that communities are often vaguely aware of potential dangers, but are slow to react proactively, therefore we have to focus on investing in a better-informed fire-wise community.”

“Similarly, constant rain during the past weeks and months along the Garden Route creates a false sense of security against drought, but the regional population most certainly must prevail with fresh water conservation measures to permanently reduce consumption, and to accept those measures as a new way of life,” says Dr Viljoen.

More information on the upcoming event will be made available in due course.

WEBSITE: https://www.scli.org.za/GREF/

** The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a regional forum for collaboration in conservation, environmental adaptation and community interaction. The forum aims to coordinate regional conservation efforts, serve as a catalyst to drive climate adaption practices in the Southern Cape and strive to establish a better-coordinated approach to environmental management.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Dr Nina Viljoen: Manager, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and a spokesperson for the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF)

Tel/Cell: +27 (0)44 803 1318 | +27 (0)67 035 9203

Email: nina@gardenroute.gov.za

Acting Speaker elected by GRDM Council

Cllr Barend Groenewald, has been elected by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Council on 28 May 2019, to act as Speaker. Both sides of the house nominated Cllr Groenewald for the position. This move comes after the previous Speaker of GRDM, Cllr Eleanore Bouw-Spies, submitted her resignation as Speaker on 8 May 2019. She is now a member of the National Assembly.

During Cllr Groenewald’s first address to Council, he said: “I will, at all times, act in a way that is acceptable to Council.” Cllr Groenewald previously acted in the position of Speaker before Cllr Bouw-Spies was appointed and he is well-known to Councillors for the humble and dignified manner in which he conducts proceedings of Council.|

Councillor Eleanore Bouw-Spies was Speaker from 13 December 2018 till 8 May 2019. During a short interview with her, she said: “It is a dream come true and indeed the top of the iceberg for any politician to represent voters at a level where:

  • laws are passed,
  • oversight of the executive and organs of state provided,
  • facilitation of public participation takes place
  • Promoting and overseeing cooperative governance; and
  • participating in international, regional and continental bodies.”

 

Meet the GRDM Internal Audit Team, fltr: Mr Siphelele Notyhanga (Internal Auditor), Ms Pamela Lufele (Senior Internal Auditor, now Acting Chief Audit Executive) and Ms Mariska Pieterse (Internal Auditor).

Garden Route DM’s Internal Audit Unit’s Motto:

“Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success”

What Is Internal Auditing?

Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organisation’s operations.

Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Internal Audit Team affiliates with the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIA SA). The IIA SA is part of an international network representing the interests of Internal Auditors worldwide.

As part of this international network, the IIA SA upholds and supports the fundamental principles of the profession – its Code of Ethics, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards) and International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF).

 

Why International Internal Auditors Month?

The IIA SA encourages its members, chapters and institutes around the world to actively promote internal auditing’s value during the month of May.

Annually, and especially during the month of May, the following misconceptions about the role of an internal auditor, are addressed:

 Myth #1:  Internal auditors are accountants by training

There is an obvious grain of truth in this myth as an accounting background can be helpful for a career in internal auditing. However, internal auditors commonly address fraud risks, compliance issues, and a myriad of operational issues that are unrelated to accounting, therefore the auditors’ backgrounds are likely to be as diverse as the operations they audit.

A recent survey by IIA SA indicated that executives are now recruiting applicants with analytical/critical thinking ability, data mining skills, business acumen, and information technology skills more frequently than applicants with training in accounting.

Myth #2: Auditors are nit-pickers and fault-finders

At the heart of several jokes about internal auditors is the misperception that internal auditors are dead-set on picking apart processes and ruining the reputations of the people who do the “real work”.

In reality, internal audit’s focus is on major risks rather than on nit-picked issues. Audit resources are limited and when auditors focus too much attention on minor issues, they are limiting the time available for addressing the major risks and controls that are at the heart of the audit.

Any auditor would rather report on major cost savings than a minor error.

Myth #3: It’s best not to tell the auditors anything unless they specifically ask

This myth can be actively damaging, it results in less efficient audits and wastes everyone’s time.

If auditors believe that their clients are purposefully hiding information, whether by omission or commission, they will normally increase the scope of the audit to determine whether other important information has gone unreported.

The purpose of internal auditing is to add value and improve an organisation’s operations, and hiding information is against everyone’s best interests.

Myth #4: Internal auditors select certain audits and use standard checklists

This myth is less true with each passing year. Professional standards require risk-based plans to determine our priorities, both in developing audit plans and in planning individual audits. Obviously some risks justify repeat audits on a regular basis and there are certain types of audits required by regulators (e.g. compliance reviews). But in general, internal auditing has become a dynamic profession that changes as an organisation’s risks change.

Myth #5: Internal audit is the corporate police function

In my opinion, the best auditors are almost always those who create a relationship with audit customers. When an auditor’s behaviour is accusing or aggressive, they are far more likely to be met with resistance rather than when they treat findings as an opportunity to assist in accomplishing objectives and facilitate improvement.

“Changing perceptions takes time but with collaborated efforts, we can break down these stereotypes. Our profession’s image is rapidly improving but more work has to be done to enhance our stakeholders’ understanding of our profession. Each of us can help to re-shape these myths and misperceptions through sharing pertinent information” said Lufele.

INTERNAL AUDITING = ASSURANCE, INSIGHT AND OBJECTIVITY

Council and management rely on internal auditors for insight and objective assurance, ensuring that existing internal controls are adequate to mitigate the organisation’s risks, governance and risk management processes are optimised. Lastly, internal auditors provide assurance and consultation services to assist the organisation in achieving its goals and strategic objectives as stipulated in the Integrated Development Plan.

True Professionals

Internal auditors have to be well-disciplined in their craft. The GRDM Internal Auditing team embodies this workmanship through a commitment to growth, development and fulfilling their roles and responsibilities effectively.  Acting Chief Audit Executive, Ms Pamela Lufele said: “To fulfil our roles effectively, we must be alert about emerging issues and quick to react with long-lasting solutions. My team has business acumen and critical thinking skills required of the job. It’s certainly not easy, but for these skilled and competent professionals, it’s all in a day’s work.”

“Last but not least, we would like to convey our gratitude to the GRDM Council, management and Audit Committee for entrusting us with this great responsibility and for the tremendous support they have afforded us through the years,” said Lufele.

Wildfire in Ruitersbos, Mossel Bay

Garden Route Wildfire Update, Ruitersbos 2019/05/14 @ 13:45

Ruiterbos Wildfire Extinguished

Garden Route District Municipality’s fire fighters have departed from the Ruitersbos area. Cape Nature and Witfontein Working on Fire crew members will continue with mopping-up operations and will monitor the area for any flare-ups.

————————————————————

Garden Route Fire Update, Ruitersbos 2019/05/14 @ 11:00

Affected area stretching over approximately 6 hectares. The wildfire is reported to be under control and not posing a threat to life or infrastructure.

Role players / teams on the scene:
Garden Route DM
Mossel Bay Municipality
Cape Nature

————————————————————

Garden Route Fire Update, Ruitersbos 2019/05/14 @ 10:00

Mossel Bay Fire Services requested assistance from Garden Route District Municipality Fire Services.

Initial Response:
5 Crew
1 Skid Unit
1 Medium Pumper

Issued by Garden Route DM

#GardenRouteFire
#RuitersbosFire
#MosselBayFire

More updates will be posted to our social media page: www.facebook.com/gardenroutedm

GR&KK Tourism and ACSA hosting an Easter Welcoming Campaign

Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) George, in collaboration with Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism (GR&KK) section of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) are hosting an Easter Welcoming Campaign at the George Airport on 17 & 18 April 2019. The campaign aims to create awareness about the Garden Route and Klein Karoo and its tourism offerings, which are mostly accessed by tourists whose first point of entry is the George Airport.

Visitors to the region are given goodie bags filled with promotional marketing materials, while  ACSA concurrently runs an Easter Egg Give-Away to kids and they are also giving them the opportunity to partake in a colouring competition. Great prizes are up for grabs.

Algoa FM and Eden FM are also broadcasting from George Airport at the moment.

GRDM’s GR&KK section and ACSA George would like to thank the following organisations for sponsoring tourism products:

Cango Caves Estate: Coffee Roastery, Cango Caves Zipline, Kobus se Gat and the Cango Wildlife Ranch.

 

16 April 2019 A first SODA for the Garden Route

On 12 April 2019, the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Executive Mayor, Councillor Memory Booysen, took an unprecedented step for the District by delivering its first State of the District Address (SODA). The purpose of such an address is to outline the council’s achievements, as well as to emphasise the exciting future projects and spin-offs for local municipalities (Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland) in the region.

More than 200 people attended the event, including the mayors of all b-municipalities, councillors, faith-based community leaders, business owners, stakeholders, media and municipal officials.

The programme was directed by the GRDM Speaker, Cllr Eleanore Bouw-Spies. In a moment of reminiscence, Bouw-Spies touched on how council, even before she became speaker, have been able to take non-partisan decisions to the benefit of the region’s brand and economy.  “I might not have been actively involved at the district council, but since my appointment as speaker late last year, I have been responsible for mediating some vigorous – sometimes robust debates, but in my objective view as the Speaker, I have also seen how both sides of the house have been in agreement on many occasions. A prime example of our synergy and decisions made in the best interest of our region was changing our municipality’s name and visual identity. Have you ever seen a name-changing process unfold with such ease as well as a new logo adopted without much hassle? The transition was indeed a beautiful, inclusive and a well-thought-through process,” she said.

Garden Route DM Speaker and Programme Director, Cllr Eleanore Bouw-Spies directed the Garden Route DM SODA.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
During Councillor Booysen’s keynote address, he focused on the following topics:

  • Improvement in local service delivery;
  • Current socio-economic risks;
  • Embracing the district municipality’s functions and powers as set out by Section 84 of the Local Government Structures Act 117 of 1998;
  • 2019/2020 GRDM budget;
  • Regional investment opportunities;
  • Disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction funding;
  • A future of sustainable energy future;
  • Game changers going forward;
  • Empowerment of youth and women;
  • Building a cohesive region through signature events; and
  • Empowerment of women and the youth.
Cllr Memory Booysen (GRDM Executive Mayor), Cllr Eleanore Bouw-Spies (GRDM Speaker) and Mr Leiee Edwin Mosesi (Public Sector Provincial Manager), presents a cheque of R15 000.00 to Group of Hope Disability Group.
Cllr Memory Booysen (GRDM Executive Mayor), New Horizon Pensioners Forum representative and Mr Leiee Edwin Mosesi (Public Sector Provincial Manager), presents a cheque of R15 000.00 to New Horizon Pensioner’s Forum.

EMPOWERMENT OF YOUTH AND WOMEN

Mayor Booysen also placed emphasis on the fight to empower youth and women, which must be taken to the mainstream economy so that it reflects the diverse character of the Garden Route. “GRDM has transitioned young men and women to the driving school program, which is currently underway. Out of 26 participants in the driving school program, 23 are women.

The municipality continues to provide bursaries to the youth of our district, through the office of the executive mayor. “It is through education that we can unleash creativity and cultivate a spirit of resilience among citizens,” said Booysen.

SPECIAL WORD OF APPRECIATION

Mayor Booysen extended a special word to Ms Erina de Villiers, Personal Assistant to the municipal manager, Mr Monde Stratu. She retires at the end of April 2019. Booysen described Erina as “not only an employee of this municipality or a colleague to others but a mother to the institution.”

“She has been with this institution for 22 years, happily married to Mr Jacobus de Villiers, blessed with two (2) children and five (5) grandchildren. I can tell you that she inherited more children at GRDM with the municipal manager being her first-born.

During her employment at GRDM, Erina worked in the following sections:

  • Office of the Municipal Manager (current);
  • Records and Archives;
  • Project Management; and
  • Office of the Mayor.
Honoring one of the District Municipality’s employees, Ms Erina de Villiers, who will be retiring at the end of April 2019, are b-municipal Executive Mayors (fLTR), Cllr Mark Willemse (Knysna), Cllr Grant Riddles (Hessequa), Cllr Memory Booysen (GRDM), Cllr Magdalene Barry (Kannaland), Ms Erina de Villiers (PA to the MM at GRDM) and Cllr Eleanore Bouw-Spies (GRDM Speaker

GRANT-IN-AID ASSISTANCE

Later during the course of the programme, Grant-in-Aid funds were handed over. The following organisations identified for this year, in no particular order, include: Albertinia Museum, Zoar Culture and Heritage Festival, Bambino Voorskool, Emmanuel Pre & aftercare Centre, Neskuikentjie Daycare, Plett Active Youth, Piet Julies Aids Action Group, Heidal Senior Citizens Club, Die Mosselbaai Benevolent Vereniging vir Bejaarde Sorg, Joey’s Babies kleuterskool, Soete Uurtjies Dagsorgsentrum, Suurvlakte Initiative, Rehoboth and Yona – Yethu Initiative.

Nedbank sponsored the New Horizon Pensioners Forum and Group Of Hope Disability Group.

IN CLOSING

Mayor Booysen shared some of his dreams for the district: “A ‘One District’ …a dream of what we can be.”

“How we share and shape our future together – a future where more and more of our people see and believe in rich vistas of opportunity; an environment where the Garden Route dream is embraced as the district dream,” Booysen said.

Booysen’s ideas on how to collectively build a “One District” of our dreams where everyone has the opportunity to participate in a diverse and thriving economy, could be achieved through the following:

  • Being able to live in a safe neighbourhood, free from crime;
  • Having the opportunity as parents to send one’s children to a quality public school of your choice;
  • Living a limitless life – allowing one to thrive as an individual and/or family;
  • For a business to be given a solid return on their investment by their government and high-quality customer service from public servants; and
  • A region that is environmentally sound in a sustainable world-renowned region.

In closing, Mayor Booysen pleaded with everyone to take full advantage of their lives and to follow a path that would provide a prosperous future, harness change for the better, and build the elusive “One District” that we all dream of.

To access the speech of Councillor Memory Booysen, click on the following link: https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2019/04/13/2019-soda-speech-executive-mayor-cllr-memory-booysen/

Pictures of the SODA can be accessed by clicking on the following link:

https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/galleries/2019-state-of-the-garden-route-district-address/

2019 SODA Speech – Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen

If the things we face are greater and more important than the things we refuse to face, then at least we have begun the re-evaluation of our world. At least we have begun to learn to see and live again. But if we refuse to face any of our awkward and deepest truths, then sooner or later, we are going to have to become deaf and blind. And then, eventually, we are going to have to silence our dreams, and the dreams of others. In other words, we die. We die in life. (Ben Okri, 1997)

Madam Speaker, Honourable Eleanore Bouw-Spies

Deputy Executive Mayor, Honourable Ruiters

Members of the Mayoral Committee

Honourable Councillors and Leaders of Political Parties Present

Executive Mayors and Representatives from B-Municipalities

Municipal Manager; Mr Monde Stratu and the Executive Management;

Municipal Managers’ and Executive Managers from B-Municipalities

Leaders of Faith-Based Community

Leaders of Business Organisations;

Various stakeholders and the people of Garden Route District

Today, I stand before you, as a humble servant of the people of Garden Route, to deliver this inaugural state of the District Address, which will clearly reflect on our current programmes and plans going forward. One amongst us reminded me, that this day marks 955 days for this Council in office. In our magnificent diversity as this council, and despite our differences, we resolved to advance the values of our Constitution and to once again place at the center our district agenda of the poor, unemployed, marginalised and address inequalities.

Madam Speaker, the President of the Republic of South Africa, proclaimed 8 May 2019, as the date in which the country will hold its sixth (6th) national elections. As we count down, the elections will exactly be 26 days from this day, and we must be reminded of the millions of people that waited hours in long queues to cast their votes in a democratic South Africa in 1994. Accordingly, we dare not take for granted our right to vote. In our country, 17 million of those eligible to vote are young people. However, only 8 million of these have registered to vote. We need to collectively encourage our people to vote on 8 May 2019.

As we gather here this evening, we are all well aware that today the District of Garden Route is blessed with tremendous progress. Moreover, because of that I am proud to share that the state of the District is strong and getting stronger. Over the years, our district has undergone major changes, especially in the administration. We have reconfigured our organisational structure to meet the changing circumstance and to address the demand.

We have also improved our Inter-governmental Relations Structures a platform aimed at promoting and embedding good governance with full participation of B-Municipalities and Sector Departments operating in our space. This has assisted in building sound relationships and a united district.

Madam Speaker, our population has grown to 635 600 (2019) estimated to 679 213 (2024), the built environment of our district has changed profoundly, as the result of access to basic services as from 2016. The population is expected to grow in our region at a rapid pace – research done by South African Cities Network reveals that 63% of the current population in South Africa reside in urban areas, this will rise to 71% by 2030. By 2050, 8 in 10 South Africans will live in urban areas. This places increasing demand on basic infrastructure requirements.

Despite the challenges we may be confronted with in the near future, there has been remarkable improvement in the level of service delivery in our region.

  • ACCESS TO WATER: households with access to piped water inside the dwelling or yard or within 200meters from yard is at 96.9%
  • ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY: households with access to electricity as primary source of energy for lighting purposes is 96.1%
  • ACCESS TO SANITATION: households with access to flush toilet connected to sewerage system is 94.3%
  • ACCESS TO REFUSE REMOVAL: is 88.8%
  • ACCESS TO FORMAL DWELLING: is 85.7%

 

Madam Speaker, these qualitative changes in the lives of the people of Garden Route represent a towering monument of progress during the twenty-five years of our democracy.

Working together with all sectors of the population of our district, we must do everything in our power to ensure that this progress is consolidated and all enjoy the opportunities.

Given all the achievements as indicated, in the humankind it is the law of life that every achievement is accompanied by its challenges.

Our district is confronted by perpetual dependency ratio which has grown to 56, 1%, with a proportion of poor people below poverty lines within the district standing at 40, 5%.

We are also confronted by the three-(3) socio economic risks;

  • Risk 1: Slow Economic Growth.
  • Risk 2: Increase Population & Demand for Services.
  • Risk 3: Rising Unemployment.

Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that our programme to reposition Garden Route District and enhance its relevance has captured the imagination of thousands of people. We are creating an enabling environment for the growth and sustainability of our district.

We always need to ask ourselves three questions and we must begin to answer those questions quiet frank and honest;

  • What do we do?
  • For whom do we do it?
  • How do we excel?

In responding to those three questions, our Council has taken a conscious and clear decision to implement the functions and powers assigned to District Municipalities as embedded in s84 of Local Government Structures Act 117 of 1998. These relates to:

  • Potable water supply systems
  • Firefighting services servicing the area of the district municipality as a whole
  • Bulk supply of electricity (including for the supply, transmission, distribution and generation of electricity)
  • Waste Management Services for the area of the district as a whole
  • District Roads – in collaboration with the Provincial Government for the benefit of the Garden Route

Consultation is underway with all affected stakeholders. We intend this to be collaborative process; we will not impose ourselves but will work with our partners as equals.

Madam Speaker, allow me to indicate on the financial status of our district municipality, linked to IDP objectives for 2019/20 financial year

  • Healthy and Socially Stable Communities; Expenditure R47 Million.
  • A skilled Workforce and Community; Expenditure R15 Million.
  • Bulk Infrastructure Co-ordination; Expenditure R170 Million.
  • Environmental Management and Public Safety; Expenditure R62 Million.
  • Good governance; Expenditure R77 Million.
  • Financial Viability; Expenditure R24 Million.
  • An inclusive District Economy; Expenditure R13 Million.

 

Our total expenditure for 2019/2020 financial year is estimated at R410 Million, inclusive of capital and operating expenditure.

GRDM is currently operating the Roads function on an agency basis on behalf of the Department of Transport and Public Works. The Roads budget forms the biggest portion of our budget.

INVESTMENT AND PROPERTIES

Madam Speaker, we will also leverage on municipal assets through property development towards economic growth and sustainability of our district. Resolutely on March 2018, we hosted a two (2) day Garden Route Investment Conference themed “Creating Opportunity in Global Uncertainty, which involved domestic and international investors in an effort to attract investment and positioning the Garden Route region as the investment option outside Cape Town.

In looking further at the journey we want to traverse, it would be naïve of us not seek for investment opportunities to stimulate the economy of this region. We did this as Garden Route District Municipality! Before the President of the Republic of South Africa announced this summit for the Country. We were indeed pro-active on our efforts. This platform was not intended to benefit GRDM but it was a concerted draw-card for B-Municipalities to outline their investment propositions to various investors.

I can safely report that there is positive commitment to invest in this region. Last year we signed a couple memoranda of agreements with different companies local and others with massive international footprint. Collectively bringing a total investment of over R2billion in the GRDM region.

I am quite certain that you have witnessed the turn-around strategies that we have implemented on our properties in various print media platforms. Negotiations for a long-term lease agreement are close to completion with Len24 GmBH (a company that originated in Germany) and Ithuba Credit Corporation (a company that originated in USA) on the management, operation, and renovations of Calitzdorp Spa and De Hoek Mountain Resort.

The lease agreement is the cornerstone of a key social-entrepreneurial venture, which will have an immense socio/economic and environmental impact on the region. The lease will attract a multi-million rand investment into the local economy, boosting job creation and reducing unemployment, investment in relevant and quality skills development, and investment in green technology at the resorts.

We are focusing our attention on programmes on the key parts of the economy that are labour intensive. These include Agriculture and Tourism.

The potential of agriculture in our region for job creation and economic growth remains largely underdeveloped. Our region has large areas of unproductive land or land laying-fallow.

To this end, our focus on properties is not merely influenced by investment drive. In our effort to grow the economy of the region particularly focus on SME’s development, and empowering previously disadvantage SME’s Council has taken a decision of availing vacant land for economic development initiatives. An MOU with the Department of Agriculture is being finalised for the development of emerging farmers. We have already leased land to black farmers for Aquaponics farming in Glentana and Western Cape Honey-bush Tea near Oudtshoorn.

Agricultural exports are an important source of revenue for our economy, and developing our agricultural sector is key to enhancing our food security and for attracting investment.

It is for this reason that we launched an SME Export Development programme as resolved by the 2018 GRDM Investment conference, which entails one-one-one assessments of SME’s with products that are ready for the export market and also serve an incubation centre focusing on logistics and market access. An MOU with SEDA has been signed and funding will be availed for SME’s to partake in this programme.

Our efforts of marketing the region as a prime destination of choice is gradually yielding results. This is a result of the sound and impeccable relationships that have been established by the GRDM with Local Tourism Organisations (LTO) and [the] Private Sector. Our team is currently attending as Garden Route and Klein Karoo the World Travel Market in Cape Town. We are also planning to attend the Tourism Indaba in Durban, Gauteng Gateway and next financial year, for the first time, attend the Namibian Tourism Expo. These platforms enable us to sell the region as a destination.

We will deepen the partnership between government and business to realise our vision of increasing the number of tourists to our region.

Our highest priority of enhancing destination marketing was evident in the four (4) events that we financially supported i.e.  Herold Meander Saxophone Festival, Ostrich Crawl Festival in Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay Soul Festival and Hessequa Proe Bietjie Festival.

For 2019/20 financial year, Council availed an amount of R130 000 for the development of the Kannaland Tourism Strategy. A draft strategy is now available inclusive of a proposed structure to drive the strategy to be discussed with Kannaland Municipality later this month for final adoption in June 2019.

Madam Speaker the Cater Care project is a skills programme focusing on training the unemployed youth for the hospitality industry to either move on to become an assistant Chef as part of career pathing in the chefs industry and or starting their businesses. Its’ successfully implemented in partnership with the Francios Ferreira Academy for the last 8 years with a zero dropout rate.

Participants also include vulnerable youth such as people living with disabilities. Approximately 200 youth benefited from this programme since inception. We increased the allocation for 2018/19 financial year and we will again implement this programme for 2019/20 budget.

OUR ENVIRONMENT IS THE ECONOMY

Over the past two years, our region has been under siege by wildfires, which ravaged our area. These fires did not only destroy our vegetation that brought the aestheticism in which our area’s fondly known for, but also destroyed valuable properties of people staying in our region.

Whilst we once again sincerely convey our condolences to all the families that lost their loved ones, we must also extend our profound gratitude to the firefighters that fought these fires. Their efforts will never go unnoticed and they are our ambassadors of goodwill.

Our Spatial Development acknowledges that our Economy is the Environment. Therefore, any rehabilitation and restoration of the natural environment needs priority. As such, we have assisted and motivated for Disaster rehabilitation and Reconstruction funding to the value of R75 million which was approved by National Treasury after the 2017 Knysna fires.

As our area is prone to these disasters, our fire risk assessment project is set to be completed by April 2019. Furthermore, as a District, we recently developed an Invasive Species Monitoring, Control and Eradication Plan, which is a requirement for organs of state to have in terms of National Environmental Management and Biodiversity Act (NEMBA).

GRDM PATH TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE

Madam Speaker, Today I want to share some thoughts about our collective future – in particular, about the challenges we face in developing a secure, more resilient and more sustainable energy system in the Garden Route region. Our planning department is doing a scenario approach to energy as the driver of the local economy.  The scenarios cannot predict the future, but they can give us the tools to anticipate what could happen. In other words, they deepen our strategic thinking.

In looking at our future energy challenge and in aligning our functions and mandate as stated in Section 84 of the Municipal Structures Act, we believe three actions be taken now to get us firmly on the road toward a more sustainable energy system:

  • First, we need to take advantage of the region’s abundant solar and wind resources;
  • Second, we want to support development of renewable energy technology and local manufacturing of components and storage technology to compliment the reliability of renewable energy and this will be coupled with human capacity development more especially youth and women;
  • And third, we need to promote smarter urban planning to reduce energy demand, especially in transportation e.g. manufacturing of Electric Vehicles(EV) in the region and conversion of waste to energy

Around the world, we have already seen pragmatic energy policies put in place to prepare for a future in which energy demand will soar. Therefore, as GRDM, we are taking a pro-active role to issues of energy and as such, we are the only District Municipality;

  • that held the green energy summit in 2018,
  • that launched the Green Energy Forum,
  • that is currently developing a comprehensive Energy Master Plan,
  • that is currently participating in the Small Systems Embedded Generation (SSEG) programme.

This goes on to show how much the district value and prioritize renewable energy as the future of the region. The country faces an incredible challenge to meet our future energy demand, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and manage the stresses on our water and food resources.

GRDM believe governments and industry can take far-sighted actions now that will reap benefits for decades to come. These actions include taking advantage of the region’s abundant natural resources, localised manufacturing and storage technology, and focusing on smarter urban planning. The District would also like to leverage some of its properties to support this goal of energy sustainability in the region that will in turn promote socio-economic development. We remain committed to working with all the stakeholders to realise the region’s ambitious energy objectives of energy driven regional economy, energy driven job creation and energy driven livelihoods.

Madam Speaker, as the District we are enthralled by the reports about the Brulpadda block in the Outeniqua Basin, which even the president described as Game Changer. This could well be a game-changer for our region and its benefit will transcend throughout the Country. In unison, we must congratulate Total for this discovery!

We currently working with Transnet Ports Authority, PetroSA, ACSA-George and Mossel Bay packaging an application for this region to be considered as the next Special Economic Zone. We concluded a very successful meeting with Department of Trade and Industry (the DTI) which advises the Minister on such applications. I must attest that we have received positive response from the Department.

Honourable Councillors, we have reported in Council that plans are afoot to construct the regional landfill site. This is a project, which has been on the pipeline for the last 10years. In July 2019, the contractor will be on site.

The Regional Waste Management Facility preliminary prediction – job opportunities: 150 temporal and 30 permanent jobs but will escalate, as the project is expanded.

These include small local business development and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment opportunities resulting from potential implementation of Alternative Waste Management Technologies and waste minimisation processes;

  • Waste-to-Energy Facilities.
  • Producing Bio Gas to PetroSA.
  • Producing steam to Industry.
  • Producing electricity directly to the national grid.

This facility strategically positioned to assist with the processing / management of domestic and hazardous waste originating from the planned Brulpadda project of Total.

EMPOWERMENT OF YOUTH AND WOMEN

Madam Speaker, the fight to empower youth and women must be taken to the mainstream economy so that it reflects the diverse character of our district.

This year, 2019, marked the beginning of a prosperous year for approximately 120 young people from the Knysna and Plettenberg Bay municipal areas, as they benefited from the Garden Route Municipal Training Programmes, which included First Aid Level 3 Training; Driver’s License Training and Law Enforcement Training.

These training programmes originated from the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative (GRRI), established after devastating fires that hit the district (Knysna/Plettenberg Bay) in June 2017, and the need for a District Skills Mecca was identified.

The Training Programmes are funded by the GRDM, managed through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The project’s primary focus is on youth development in the Garden Route, building capacity among young people; breaking the chain of unemployment and ensuring a marketable labour force in the region.

Madam Speaker, during 2016/17 we have offered 140 job opportunities through EPWP. During 2017/18, we have offered 480 and 2018/19 we have currently offered 349.

We have transitioned young man and woman to the driving school program, which is underway currently; we have enrolled 23 young woman out of 26 young people.

Madam Speaker, We are also offering the opportunity for interns to gain experience through a Municipal Graduate Internship Programme.

We are also giving study bursaries to the youth of our district, through my office.

Investing in people is the most decisive act of national development. It is through education that we can unleash creativity and cultivate the spirit of resilience among citizens.

BUILDING A COHESIVE REGION

Lastly, Madam Speaker, you will recall that we have adopted a Concept Note for Garden Route Cultural and Sporting events, which entailed signature events for the district municipality. In the previous DCF and MMF meeting in Knysna the MM shared these planned events with all the Executive Mayors and Municipal Managers.

The purpose of the GRDM Cultural and Sporting Events not only underpinned by the economic dividends of these events but to address a number of social ills currently predominant in our society and to build a more cohesive region. We are building values-based initiatives to engender social cohesion and societal renewal. The National Development Plan in its diagnostic assessment of South Africa, revealed that the country is largely divided on so many levels, to such an extent that there is a need to create and develop a number of social cohesive programmes with pragmatic solutions to this diagnosis. The concept note entails a number of proposed signature events for the region, which will envisage that it will complement the already existing tourism programme in the region, and will further contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the area. Some of the abstracted events will have national and international footprint and may further spiral into the mainstream economy of the country due to their enormousness

Business Plan on each of these events currently being done and an internal team has been established. In spite of this, for the current year we want to launch and host Garden Route Music and Cultural extravaganza in September 2019. The Garden Route Mayoral Golf Challenge planned for December 2019.

Ladies and Gentleman, the Garden Route Mayoral Golf is conceived as one of the legacy projects of GRDM which will at an international level like SA Open, Presidents Cup, PGA Championships and US Open etc. We will use this tournament to market the region as a whole. This tournament will attract amateurs, as well as, professionals who will participate in the tournament. Golf is widely regarded as a sport that promotes development proceeds of these tournaments will be used on the legacy programmes of the Mayor that aimed at community development.

The cultural event on the other side promotes cultural exchange and bring communities together united in their diversity. Moreover, it is indicated that festivals are emerging as a fast-growing sector of the tourism and leisure industry and can have a significant impact on the host communities.

CONCLUSION

I would like to thank the Deputy Mayor and Members of the Mayoral Committee for their support. Also special word of gratitude to all the Councillors of the GRDM, especially my colleagues from the opposition for their constructive criticism.

I also thank all seven (7) B-Municipality Executive Mayors for their support and encouragement.

Mr. Monde Stratu leads the GRDM team with unflagging energy. Thank you MM!

 

The GRDM Senior Management and staff in my office still tolerate me with good grace and endless patience.

Madam speaker I would personally like to thank a very special person present here today and I thank her for coming! She is not only an employee of this municipality or a colleague to others; she became a mother in this institution.

She has been with this institution for 22 years, happily married, Mr. Jacobus de Villiers, blessed with two (2) children and five (5) grandchildren. I can tell you that she inherited more children in GRDM with MM being her first born.

She has worked in Records and Archives, Project Management Unit, Office of the Mayor, at the time of retirement she is the MM’s Personal Assistant. It is indeed emotional to announce that Ms. Erina De Villiers will be retiring on 30 April 2019. She has served this institution with distinction! And we wish her success in her new journey!

I must remind her that life begins at retirement!

In so many ways, we are a district of firsts.

We are the #1 region with two best cities in the country’s top five, the #1 place for young professionals to move, and #1 for quality of living in the country. While economic growth is a priority, we must remain committed to getting our unemployed citizens back to work.

The question is:

Will we sit, satisfied with the progress we have made over the past years, content to let the next chapter in the District’s history simply write itself?

Or

Will we seize this moment; seize the chance to grab hold of our shared destiny –- to chart the course to the new future that we want for the District.

Therefore, the fundamental question we face as a district at this moment is whether we will seize our future!

Will we settle for a district where some are increasingly well off while a large number live nearby in enduring poverty and without opportunity?

Or

Will we forge our future together to develop a diverse economy accessible to all, where we grow the pie for everyone, where everyone does their fair share, and where everyone has a chance to succeed?

Will we embrace the ambition that we are all better off together? And that, my fellow countrymen, is where the vision of One District is absolutely critical.

Well, I am here to say I harbour no illusions of where we are right now. But I am also not afraid to dream of where we can and should be. 

Admittedly, “One District” is an aspiration … a dream of what we can be. However, it can also be a practical guide for how we share and shape our future together -– a future where more and more of our people see and believe in rich vistas of opportunity; an environment where the Garden Route Dream is embraced as the District Dream.

And so tonight, I am presenting the ideas on how to seize the future, a call to arms to build the “One District” of our dreams – a district where every resident: Participates in a diverse, thriving economy;

  • Lives in a safe neighbourhood, free from crime;
  • Is able to send his or her children to a quality public school;
  • Has a good quality of life that allows them to prosper as individuals and families;
  • Gets a solid return on their investment in their government and high-quality customer service from public servants;
  • And where every resident lives in the most environmentally sound, sustainable region in the world.

Our plan for building “One District” focuses on three priorities:

  1. Creating a new economy for the District that is growing and diversified;
  2. Ensuring that District residents are prepared for the jobs of the new economy;
  3. Improving the quality of life for all.

My friends, let’s take advantage of this moment in our district’s history to seize our future, harness change for the better, and build the elusive “One District” that we all dream of.

Let us get to work!

Thank you, and good night.

 

Wellness day for Garden Route District and George Municipalities

Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Employee Assistant Practitioner, Ms Shandré Abrahams, in collaboration with George Municipality’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) section hosted a joint Wellness event earlier today at the George Civic Centre.  GRDM’s EAP section partners with George and Oudtshoorn municipalities on an annual basis to provide such a platform where employees in from their northern and southern offices can engage with professionals in the field of finances, health, social well-being and emotional advice. Joint sessions like these also provide a substantial cost-saving for all those involved.

During today’s event, the official welcoming was done by Cllr Raybin Figland, a Councillor who serves on both the Garden Route District and George Municipal Councils. During his address, he said: “We understand that in life it is not always as simple as we think to share one’s vulnerabilities, many might feel embarrassed. We must, however, put our trust in EAP officers as they have to keep all information confidential.”

Comments from GRDM employees at the session:
“I am here today to check my health – it is a time that our employer gives us to check our fitness, wellness, medical aids, pension funds and insurance. I work out of town most of the time so this platform provides a perfect opportunity for me to check up on all these matters” – Mr Patrick Masongo.

“Ek is vandag hier om uit te vind of oor gesondheid en ek beoog om vrae te vra aan die verskillende organisasies wie hier is vandag.” – Ms Gail Bekeer.

“I am here to find out more details from the banks about investment opportunities, our provident fund and women’s health issues” – Nocwaka Ndabeni.

This session catered for countless employees from both municipalities, who engaged with the following stakeholders: Absa, Nedbank, Capitec, Standard Bank, Old Mutual, Medical Aids (Bonitas, SAMWUMED, HOSMED, LA Health), Aloe Vera, Assupol Life, Metropolitan Financial Solutions, AVBOB, Sanlam, Herbalife, Liberty Life, HRMA ministries, Law for All, Cook for Life, Western Cape Department of Health, ASSEPOL, Virgin Active, Wellness World Gym, South African Narcotics Association and the Cancer Association of South Africa.

 

Editor’s note: The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is designed to assist the identification and resolution of problems associated with employees impaired by personal concerns, but not limited to health, family, financial, alcohol, drug, legal, emotional, stress or other personal concerns and addictions which may adversely affect employee’s performance.