Joint Media Release: COVID-19 Vaccinations: Garden Route Executive Mayors lead by example and encourage others to do the same

For Immediate Release
16 August 2021

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen and Executive Mayors from local municipalities in the Garden Route call on all Garden Routers eligible to register (35 years and older) to get their COVID-19 jab.

 “I received my first COVID-19 jab at the Thembalethu Clinic in George on 8 July 2021 and will receive my second 19 August 2021,” said Ald. Booysen.

He added: “I want to make it clear, the Medici has clearly stated that minor side-effects after receiving your jab is normal and doesn’t mean that it is more or less effective”.  Mayor Booysen also stated that with the help of Western Cape MEC for Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo’s three-day visits, two weeks ago, a lot of awareness was created and many Garden Routers became better informed about the importance of taking the COVID-19 vaccines to prevent severe illness.

Details of each Mayor’s vaccination status has been made publicly available and include:

• Hessequa Executive Mayor Cllr Grant Riddles received his first jab on 19 July 2021 and will get his second one at the end of August.
• Mossel Bay Executive Mayor Ald. Harry Levendal received his first jab on 9 June 2021 and his second in July.
• Knysna Executive Mayor, Cllr Ricky van Aswegen, received his first jab on 9 July 2021 and his second one is on 20 August 2021.
• Bitou Executive Mayor, Cllr Sandiso Gcabayi, received his first vaccine dose on 16 July and will receive his second one on 27 August 2021.
• Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Chris Macpherson, received his first vaccine dose on 10 June 2021 and his second one 22 July 2021.
• Kannaland Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Magdalena Barry, received her first vaccine dose on 23 June 2021 and received her second one on 11 August 2021.

Mayors agree that there remains a strong alignment between saving lives and saving livelihoods – two inseparable priorities. They’ve asked that the generation of tech-savvy youngsters go out of their way to help their elders with registering. It is easily done in a quick and simple process. Mayors also trust the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) findings of the current vaccines and their efficacy, safety and quality are up to standard. This is only one of many other reasons why all Garden Routers are urged to register when it’s their turn to fight back against COVID-19 and continue to save lives and livelihoods.

People 35 or older must register to receive their free COVID-19 vaccine by following these quick and easy steps:

• You can also dial *134*832# and follow the prompts (FREE on all South African Networks) or WhatsApp the word REGISTER to 0600 123456
• You will need your ID/Passport/Refugee number, as well as a smartphone, tablet or computer
• The welcome screen will tell you what to do next
• Follow the instructions to complete your registration
• When you have registered, the EVDS system will send an SMS to the phone number you provided. You will receive a second SMS to tell you when and where to get your vaccination. You will need to show this at vaccination sites together with your identification document.

ENDS