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04 October 2024 MEDIA RELEASE: Garden Route District and Hessequa Municipalities Join Forces with more stakeholders to clean parts of the Stillbay beach

MEDIA RELEASE: Garden Route District and Hessequa Municipalities Join Forces with more stakeholders to clean parts of the Stillbay beach

4 October 2024

Yesterday, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in partnership with Hessequa Local Municipality, rolled out a coastal cleanup at Stillbay. The cleanup, which began at the Preekstoel Caravan Park, forms part of the GRDM’s ongoing support to local municipalities to clean areas from illegal dumping and other waste.

GRDM annually coordinates resources for these clean-up events with support from the Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) and the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE). This year, the GRDM secured 237 bottles of still water, 237 notebooks with pens, gloves from the Provincial DEA&DP, and additional resources from DFFE to equip the youth participants engaged in today’s clean-up.  The resources were handed over by the GRDM Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services, Councillor Jobieth Hoogbaard, to Cllr Hendrik Saayman, Hessequa’s Portfolio Chairperson for Development Planning.

Besides officials from the GRDM and Hessequa Municipality, today’s cleanup was supported by stakeholders including the DEA&DP, DFFE, and the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR). The collective aim was to celebrate International Coastal Cleanup by removing litter from beaches and waterways, contributing to the global effort to protect oceans and coastal environments.

During the session, Mondray Arries, Drowning Prevention Instructor from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), stationed in George, gave a brief and insightful awareness presentation on water safety, the factors contributing to drowning, and what to do if you get into trouble in the sea. He also demonstrated how to apply CPR if someone is saved from drowning and explained what steps to take after rescuing someone.

GRDM Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services, Councillor Jobieth Hoogbaard, delivered a brief speech at the event’s commencement, expressing gratitude to all stakeholders and highlighting the significance of the initiative. “Today, we will make a difference by removing waste from our coastline, we also help preserve our valuable marine life so that future generations can enjoy the beauty and biodiversity of our oceans. This is a step in the right direction to ensure the protection of our coast and marine life,” Hoogbaard stated.

Marine Week, celebrated during the second week of October each year, complements International Coastal Cleanup Month in South Africa. These events, driven by DFFE, focus on raising public awareness about the importance of oceans and coastal ecosystems, promoting sustainable usage and conservation. Numerous coastal and river cleanups are organized across the country in September and October to commemorate these events.

Dr. Nina Viljoen, Head of Environmental Management at GRDM, extended a challenge to all residents living near oceans, rivers, or lakes to take part in their own cleanup efforts. “Grab gloves, a sun hat, and a couple of refuse bags. Head down to your local beach, riverbank, or lakeside and pick up some litter. Make it an event—invite friends or colleagues and enjoy a coffee afterwards. One bag makes a difference, especially when thousands take action,” she encouraged.

Featured image and collage: Activities during yesterday’s Coastal Clean-up in Still Bay, where volunteers worked together to remove litter and debris from the shoreline, helping to preserve the local marine environment.

The GRDM is proud to support initiatives like today’s coastal cleanup, which are essential for raising awareness about marine conservation and ensuring a healthier, cleaner environment for future generations.

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