Notice is hereby given that an COUNCIL MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers and via Zoom, 54 York Street, George, on 24 May 2024 at 10:00.
Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 33 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, No.56 of 2003 that the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) intends to enter into a provision for banking services agreement with Nedbank Limited as the recommended preferred bidder for the tender GRDM/06/23-24. The tender is awarded to Nedbank Limited for the period 1 May 2024 – 30 April 2029.
In terms of the Supply Chain Regulations issued in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Financial Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003), the Municipality must procure banking services through a competitive bidding process. During August 2023 the Municipality advertised Tender No. GRDM/06/23-24 – Procurement of Provision of banking services for the Garden Route District Municipality for a 5-year period.
Following an extensive evaluation and due diligence process, the GRDM Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC) accepted the tender of Nedbank Limited for the provision of banking services for the period 1 May 2024 – 30 April 2029. A section 33 process as prescribed in terms of the MFMA must be followed for contracts beyond three (3) years.
The estimated value for the expenses on this 5-year contract amounts to R500 000. Future interest revenue will be linked to the prime interest rate less 4% as tendered. Provision for the expenditure has been made in the Operational Budget and will be made in future budgets for the duration of the agreement.
Notice is further given in accordance with section 21 and 21A of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, No. 32 of 2000, that the local community and other interested persons are invited to submit comments or representations to the Municipality in respect of the proposed draft contract. Such comments or representations must reach the Municipality within 21 calendar days, via electronic mail on the email address or delivered by mail to the address details provided hereunder. If no submissions and/or correspondence is received within the given time, GRDM will presume that there are no recommendations or views to this matter.
The detailed specifications and the proposed contract as contained in the Tender GRDM/06/23-24: Procurement of Provision of Banking Services for the Garden Route District Municipality for a period of 5 years through a formal tender process is available at the municipal offices and GRDM website at https://www.gardenroute.gov.za.
Submission must be marked as:
PROVISION OF BANKING SERVICES AGREEMENT GRDM/06/23-24: SECTION 33 PROCESS
MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
PO Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel: 044 803 1300
Email submissions to: Mr T Mpuru
Email address: tebello@gardenroute.gov.za
Notice number: 42/2024
For Immediate Release
9 May 2024
On an annual basis, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) provides fencing subsidies for a selected number of landowners on neighbouring provincial rural roads with fencing of their properties.
This is subject to a budget as received from the Western Cape Government.
The funding will only be applicable on a subsidy basis. It effectively means that 60% subsidy will be contributed towards the cost of the fencing. The subsidy is determined by an average price for material. The material is deemed as 60% of total cost. Labour cost is deemed as 40% of the total cost and must be carried by the applicant. All initial costs must be carried by the applicant and subsidy will be paid out after the successful completion of the fence. For more information refer to the Fencing Subsidy Policy of Garden Route District Municipality.
The new fences must adhere to the specifications of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape: Roads Infrastructure Department. Minimum specifications will be made available to successful applicants.
Application process
Status of road, traffic count, operating speed of vehicles, type of farming, condition of current fence, etc
Closing date: 31st May 2024
Notice number: 46/2024
Application Form and Annexures
Fencing-subsidy-letter-for-applying-applicants-2024
7 May 2024
South African Tourism, in collaboration with Wesgro, is pleased to announce the hosting of a group of seven travel trade professionals from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland on a familiarization trip to the Garden Route from 9-13 May 2024. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote South Africa as a premier tourist destination ahead of the Africa’s Travel Indaba trade show which will take place in in Durban from 13 – 16 May 2024.
The planned familiarization trip will immerse the participants in the unparalleled beauty and diverse offerings of the Garden Route and Klein Karoo region. Throughout their itinerary, the group will explore the towns of George, Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and the Tsitsikamma area.
During their stay, the travel trade professionals will experience a rich tapestry of experiences, including our scenic landscapes, vibrant culture and heritage, abundant wildlife, thrilling adventures, and delectable food and wines. To give visitors a tantalizing taste of our destination’s diversity and allure. The Garden Route and Klein Karoo Tourism Unit has curated goodie bags featuring items from across the region.
Familiarization trips, also known as FAM trips, are an integral to the tourism industry, serving as vital tools for developing business and marketing destinations. These trips provide first-hand experiences of tourism products and services to industry opinion makers and business providers, enabling them to make informed decisions and effectively promote the destination to prospective visitors.
“We are thrilled to welcome our esteemed guests from the UK and Ireland to experience the wonders of the Garden Route and Klein Karoo,” said Denver Johnson, Tourism Officer at the Garden Route District Municipality. Through this familiarization trip, we aim to showcase the incredible offerings of our destination and encourage meaningful partnerships with key stakeholders in the travel trade industry.”
For more updates and insights from the familiarization trip, follow our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/grandkk.
END
For immediate release
07 May 2024
The Western Cape Government’s (WCG) Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) has officially opened the 2024/25 ‘Tourism Growth Fund’ and is inviting organisations to apply for project funding for tourism development, tourism infrastructure, and tourism product development.
Speaking about the launch of the latest iteration of the fund, Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, said “tourism in the Western Cape is on the up. We have moved from post-COVID recovery and into impressive growth, showing that the province is a tourism destination of choice and very much in demand.”
“This is why I am very excited to launch the latest R4 million Tourism Growth Fund so we can work with more organisations across the sector to further improve our world-class attractions and offerings. This fund will allow us to add to and boost the already impressive array of offerings we have across the province, attracting even more visitors, and creating many more jobs in the Western Cape,” continued Minister Wenger.
The Fund challenges those involved in the tourism ecosystem – both public and private – to co-invest in high-impact attractions and experiences in order to offer a more compelling reason to visit the Western Cape and its districts.
The Fund will provide co-funding to:
There are two categories for which funding can be applied for:
Category 1: Tourism Infrastructure Support initiatives with a focus on upgrading high-volume attractions
The Fund will support regional and local tourism organisations, industry associations, district and local authorities, and tourism enterprises with initiatives to enhance high-volume tourism attractions through tourism infrastructure development or upgrades and/ or place making/ beautification activities.
Tourism infrastructure upgrade means the enhancement or development of any existing or new infrastructure required to ensure that tourists can visit attractions and experiences in a safe, clean, comfortable, and accessible manner. Examples of tourism infrastructure include trails, walkways, signage, street furniture, public lighting, public toilets, shelters, hides, and more.
Category 2: Tourism Product Development Support initiatives with a focus on assisting tourism enterprises (specifically small, medium and micro enterprises) with tourism product development
The Fund will provide financial support to enhance and/or expand collaborative programmes and projects aimed at assisting SMMEs with tourism product development. Regional and local tourism organisations, industry associations, and district and local authorities can apply for support through the programme; in exceptional circumstances, individual enterprises will be considered.
Tourism product development support includes, but is not limited to:
This year, the Tourism Growth Fund will prioritise private sector-led initiatives aimed at stimulating high-growth, high-yield forms of tourism including in Halal, adventure, food, wine, culture and heritage, and township-based tourism offerings.
Minister Wenger emphasised that “As part of our ambitious economic action plan, ‘Growth For Jobs’, we are determined to double the number of visitors to the province by 2035 to aid in our overarching goal of enabling a R1 trillion, jobs-rich, inclusive, diverse, and resilient provincial economy that is growing at between 4% and 6% in real terms.”
“I would like to encourage those organisations who may benefit from the fund to apply without delay, and I look forward to working with the sector to attract more and more tourists to this wonderful province – because more tourists mean more jobs in the Western Cape,” concluded Minister Wenger.
For more information on the fund and on how to apply, interested applicants can visit this website: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/site-page/economic-sector-support-tourism-growth-fund
Enquiries can be directed to Mrs Lindy Cambouris at:
G4Jtourismfund@westerncape.gov.za or at 021-483-6527.
ENDS
By Mireille Wenger, Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities
Media Queries:
Georgina Maree
Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities
(Responsible for the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism)
Cell: 076 423 7541
Email: georgina.maree@westerncape.gov.za
Issued by Corporate Communication, Department of the Premier
For immediate release
03 May 2024
On Monday, 29 April 2024, the Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Ms Mireille Wenger, paid a visit to some of the beneficiaries of the Tourism Development Fund in the Garden Route, Mossel Bay, namely; Nova Hot Air Balloons and The Skipper Foundation.
Whilst in Mossel Bay MEC Wenger also paid a visit to The Mossel Bay cruise port to discuss some of the future expansion plans of the Mossel Bay port for cruise tourism with the port management and Mossel Bay Trading Hub. With the Western Cape Governments’ assistance to small businesses at the trading hub in relation to alternative energy solutions to ensure business continuity during loadshedding, the MEC was joined by the Executive Mayor of GRDM, Alderman Memory Booysen, and Mossel Bay Councillor, Cllr Anton Dellemijn.
What is The Tourism Product Development Fund?
The Tourism Product Development Fund supports the development of new tourism products and experiences and/or major upgrading of existing tourism products and experiences to increase the Western Cape’s destination attractiveness to visitors.
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) requested organisations and businesses from both private and public organisations to apply for project funding via the Tourism Product Development Fund.
The Tourism Product Development initiative seeks to develop new or existing tourism products and experiences within the Western Cape. The Fund supported new or existing tourism products and experiences that address gaps and opportunities identified by the draft Tourism Blueprint 2030. A total of R 5 million was made available for disbursement during the 2022/2023 government fiscal year by the Western Cape Government.
Additional: The Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s Tourism Growth Fund is open to receive fund applications.
Click here to visit the dedicated web page for DEDAT’s Tourism Growth Fund for more information and to apply online.
The Tourism Growth Fund – APPLY TODAY!
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism is requesting organisations implementing tourism development projects or programmes in the categories of Tourism Infrastructure Support and Tourism Product Development Support to apply for project funding via the Tourism Growth Fund. The Fund will provide financial support to development programmes and projects that benefit Western Cape-based tourism attractions and businesses. A total of R4 million is available in 2024 for disbursement to successful applicants.
Applications and criteria:
There is no closing date, however funds are subject to availability. Don’t delay, apply today!
For more information, contact Lindy Cambouris on 021 483 6527 or G4JTourismFund@westerncape.gov.za
ENDS
03 May 2024
The Gwaing project is still in its construction phase with . The progress of the project currently stands at 78% works completed.
The Road Construction team is currently busy with the cement stabilisation of the subbase layer on the RHS lane, which is the second to last layer that will be placed on the newly constructed road, after which, the construction of the final Basecourse layer will begin.
The main focus areas at this stage remain the processing of the layer works. Material is still being carted in from the approved source. The drainage network on the entire section of road has been improved, with minor concrete structures currently being constructed for erosion control.
The intended final completion date is set for 18 September 2024.
-ENDS-
3 May 2024
The Constitution of South Africa states that: “Everyone has the right to have access to sufficient water “(Section 27 (1) (b).
Water that is unsafe for consumption poses a serious health risk. Those at greatest risk of water borne diseases are infants, the elderly, immune compromised individuals, and those living in settlements without basic water supply and sanitation services.
This is why water quality monitoring is important and encompasses a range of actions by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP), aimed at ensuring the safety and purity of water sources accessible to communities. These actions include the following:
The role of the EHP: Water Quality Monitoring of Water tanker trucks:
Water is distributed through various methods, including:
The role of the EHP:
Through these duties, EHPs play a critical role in safeguarding public health and ensuring the provision of safe and clean water to communities.
For inquiries and further information, please contact the respective individuals in charge:
| Region | Person in Charge | Contact Number | Address |
| Klein Karoo Region & Kannaland Region | Desmond Paulse, Manager: Municipal Health (Klein Karoo) | Tel: 044 272 2241, Cell: 083 678 6530 | 94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn |
| Mossel Bay | Monique Anthony, Acting Chief | Tel: 044 693 0006, Cell: 061 445 1932 | C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay |
Featured image caption: Garden Route District Municipality EHP, Linden Herwels, ensuring water trucks comply with prescribed procedures.
END
For immediate release
30 April 2024
This year, with the Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism (GR&KK), once again used the opportunity at the World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2024 to successfully exhibit in a 90m2 space with local tourism offices and small business.
The GR&KK’s presence at the platform allowed the region to engage with tour operators, travel agents and travel media to direct more visitors to the region. These platforms contribute significantly to the increasing of numbers of international and domestic tourists as per the Wesgro survey report applicable from November to January 2023/24.
With approximately twenty (20) products exhibited under the GR&KK umbrella, three (3) of the products were beneficiaries of the GRDM Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) Support & Development programme. The collective initiative is just one of the development aspects to support SMMEs.
Numerous engagements and meetings took place, and these engagements included the following topics of interest:
With the interaction at the GR&KK stall over the three-day period, connections through meetings with these contacts (international, domestic buyers and media) were built and it delivered fruitful discussions and possible future relations. Some products furthermore indicated their interest to form part of the GR&KK representation at next year’s WTM. The Western Cape Minister of Finance, Economic and Tourism also visited the GR&KK stand where discussions were mainly focused on the current performance of the GR&KK as the destination.
This regional initiative sent out a strong message of unity/collaboration to ensure that the GR&KK is undoubtedly recognised as the preferred tourism destination.
ENDS
25 April 2024
The Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Human Settlements officers continue their work to facilitate accessible housing opportunities for eligible residents. Over the weekend of 19 to 20 April, Human Settlements Officials embarked on another successful marketing blitz aimed at encouraging eligible individuals falling within the qualifying monthly income threshold to register on the Human Settlements Database.
Officials reported a strong turnout from communities across the various locations, showcasing significant interest in the initiative. The momentum remains strong as officials forge ahead with the registration process, aiming to add between 1500 to 2000 applicants to the current database. The affordable housing database consist of social rental and individual home ownership interests. These are primarily for households whose monthly income streams and thresholds are between R3 501 – R22 000.
The applicants have to also meet the qualifying criteria which can be summed as follows:
Be a South African.
Be positioned between the aforementioned income streams.
Meet affordability requirements.
Be 18 years and above.
Have dependents.
The management of the Human Settlements Section extends a genuine appreciation to Messrs. Lubabalo Ketani and Luyolo Ndima for their gallant efforts in driving this initiative forward. Their dedication and hard work have been instrumental in the success of the registration drive thus far.
Interaction between GRDM Human Settlements officials and the community.
For more information regarding the GRDM Human Settlment Database, please contact Messrs. Lubabalo Ketani and Luyolo Ndima at 044-8031300.
Related article: https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2024/03/19/19-march-2024-media-release-public-encouraged-to-register-on-grdm-human-settlement-database/
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