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Author: GRDM Council

26 July 2023 Impact Based Warning: Yellow Level 1 – Damaging Waves

Impact Based Warning: Yellow Level 1 – Damaging Waves

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued a Level 1 Impact Based Warning for Damaging Waves valid from 20h00 on 26 July to 17h00 on 27 July 2023.

Areas in the Garden Route district affected by damaging waves include Bitou, George, Hessequa, Knysna and Mossel Bay.

Legal notice:
“This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance.
It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”

Report weather related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at: 044 805 5071.

ENDS

25 July 2023 Media Release: Oudtshoorn Local Municipality progress in clean-up, recycling initiatives by Garden Route District Municipality and Community involvement

Media Release: Oudtshoorn Local Municipality progress in clean-up, recycling initiatives by Garden Route District Municipality and Community involvement.

For Immediate Release
25  July 2023

The Oudtshoorn Municipality is pleased to report significant progress in the comprehensive clean-up of the Greater Oudtshoorn area, with numerous residents and schools actively participating in maintaining a cleaner town. Additionally, the Garden Route District Municipality has launched a Recycle Campaign Initiative in two schools, aiming to foster a cleaner and more sustainable environment for the entire community.

This recycling campaign initiative from Garden Route District Municipality aims to tackle the pressing issue of waste management and promote recycling practices in the region. The Oudtshoorn Municipality has partnered with two schools, De Villiers Primary School, and Protea High School, to implement the campaign. The involvement of these schools is pivotal as it represents an investment in our future leaders and demonstrates the significance of active youth participation in environmental conservation.

These two schools will spearhead the recycling drive in its immediate vicinity. The recycling launch raised awareness about the importance of recycling and demonstrated the processes involved. The school will establish recycling stations on its premises, encouraging students and their families to embrace sustainable waste management practices.

“The Clean-Up and Recycle Campaign is an embodiment of our commitment to the environment and the well-being of our community,” stated Ambrose Carelse, Municipal Environmental Officer, expressing the municipality’s enthusiasm for the project. “By involving our local schools, we are nurturing a culture of environmental consciousness from an early age. We believe that this project will inspire positive behavioural change and forge a cleaner, greener future for Oudtshoorn.”

During the cleanup and recycling event, Councillor Berry, Councillor of Ward 7, urged learners to be ambassadors for Cleaning and Greening, educating peers and friends by discouraging dumping in open spaces. She commended the community’s responsible use of open spaces for sports and expressed gratitude to the Garden Route Municipality and Cape Nature for their initiative and for using the municipality as a pilot to launch the recycling campaign.

“Local businesses, residents, and community leaders are encouraged to support the Clean-Up and Recycle Campaign by actively participating in the organized clean-up events and embracing recycling practices in their daily lives.”

These projects also form part of the MyTownMyProblem initiative, whereby it is crucial that all the residents young and old commit to their responsibility to look after the areas in which they live, work, and play with the help of the municipality. We want to encourage all residents to take pride in the areas where they reside in. Furthermore, the municipality would also like to encourage residents to report any illegal dumping activity within their areas.

Together, let us embrace this collective responsibility for the betterment of our environment. For further information or to get involved in the campaign, please contact Ambrose Carelse on 044 203 3982.

Students, teachers, and municipal officials will join forces to clean up litter and debris, restoring the beauty of the surrounding area and fostering a strong sense of civic pride.

Issued by Oudtshoorn Municipality Media & Communication Services on Monday, 24 July 2023.

Pictures of the different stakeholders who took part in the Clean-Up and Recycle Campaign.

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21 July 2023 Media Release: Home and Veld Fire Safety education rolled out to agricultural workers

Media Release: Home and Veld Fire Safety education rolled out to agricultural workers

For Immediate Release
21 July 2023

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Fire and Rescue Services, last week, held a ‘Fire In-and-Around the Home, Safety Awareness session at the Geelhoutboomberg Village and Avocado Farm near Blanco, George. “Firefighters focused on educating workers through practical demonstrations related to home and veld fire safety,” said Heinrich Leslie, GRDM Acting Station Officer.

“There were more than 20 enthusiastic agricultural workers in attendance and the event proved to be a valuable learning experience for all.”

Leslie says the importance of fire awareness and safety education continues throughout the year, especially for remote workers who frequently encounter potential fire hazards.

Several critical topics were covered during the session, which included:

  • Cooking and fire safety;
  • Electrical system maintenance: Emphasing the regular inspection and upkeep of electrical systems and equipment to prevent electrical fires;
  • Handling flammable materials: Educating workers on safe practices when dealing with fuels and chemicals;
  • Vegetation clearance: Stressing the importance of clearing vegetation around living spaces, storages, and barns to reduce fire risks;
  • Proper fire equipment handling: Equipping workers with knowledge on handling fire safety equipment and responding to emergencies;
  • Regular maintenance of equipment: Encouraging routine maintenance of equipment, gas container connections and installations, gas stoves, heating systems, and other devices to prevent fore incidents;
  • Safety around candles and heating appliances: Raising awareness about potential fire hazards relating to candles and heating appliances;
  • Load shedding considerations: Educating workers on safely switching off appliances during load shedding periods;
  • Sources of ignition: Identifying potential ignition sources such as smoking, welding, or ploughing on hot days.

The workers actively participated in the educational activities, demonstrating enthusiasm and excitement for the knowledge gained.

By empowering workers with knowledge about fire safety, the GRDM Fire and Rescue Services created a safer working environment. “We try our best to create a culture of preparedness and responsible fire safety practices when we do awareness sessions,” said Leslie.

Feature image: Agricultural workers with firefighters from Garden Route District Municipality.

GRDM Brand- en Reddingsdienste hou ‘n suksesvolle brandveiligheidsbewusmakingsessie

Die Garden Route Distriksmunisipaliteit (GRDM) Brand- en Reddingsdienste het onlangs ‘n ‘Brand In-en-Om die Huis’ Veiligheidsbewusmakingsessie by die Geelhoutboomberg en Avokadoplaas naby Blanco, George, gehou. Die geleentheid het gefokus op die opvoeding van meer as 20 landbouwerkers deur praktiese demonstrasies wat verband hou met huis- en veldbrandveiligheid.

Heinrich Leslie, waarnemende stasiebeampte van GRDM, het sy tevredenheid met die sessie uitgespreek en gesê: “Die geleentheid was ‘n waardevolle leerervaring vir almal.” Met die klem op die belangrikheid van brandbewustheid en veiligheidsopvoeding, het Leslie die belangrikheid van deurlopende opleiding beklemtoon, veral vir afgeleë werkers wat gereeld potensiële brandgevare teëkom.

Tydens die sessie is verskeie kritieke onderwerpe gedek, insluitend kook- en brandveiligheid, behoorlike elektriese stelsel instandhouding, hantering van vlambare materiale, plantegroei opruiming en die korrekte hantering van brandveiligheidstoerusting. Werkers is ook opgevoed oor veiligheid rondom kerse en verwarmingstoestelle, beurtkrag-oorwegings ens.

Die entoesiastiese deelname van die werkers het hul gretigheid gewys om verantwoordelike brandveiligheidspraktyke te leer en te implementeer.

19 July 2023 Financial Assistance towards Further Studies 2024 – National Government

19 July 2023 Financial Assistance towards Further Studies 2024 – National Government

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) intends to award comprehensive bursaries to qualifying applicants pursuing and/or intending to further their studies in identified careers in the agriculture, land reform and rural development sector for the 2024 academic year. The bursary will cover tuition, accommodation, books, meals and monthly allowance. The bursary awards target the previously disadvantaged and impoverished persons from poverty-stricken and rural communities.

Application forms are available on the GRDM’s website at https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2023/07/19/19-july-2023-financial-assistance-towards-further-studies-2024/ as well as on the DALRRD website The Department Of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (dalrrd.gov.za) under vacancies.

Relevant documents:

18 July 2023 Media Release: Garden Route DM Municipal Health Services achieve a stellar 96.7% Compliance Rate

Garden Route DM Municipal Health Services achieve a stellar 96.7% Compliance Rate

For Immediate release
18 July 2023

The Western Cape Provincial Department of Health and Wellness conducted an audit of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Health Services in February 2023. It was recently made public that the GRDM achieved a 96.7% compliance rate.

The following municipal health-related KPIs and administration processes were audited: Client rights, operational management, facility and infrastructure, leadership and corporate governance, operational – vector control, environment pollution control, waste management, water quality monitoring, law enforcement, health surveillance of premises, etc.

The primary aims of Municipal Health Services are to promote health and to ensure a healthy environment for the community.

According to the Audit report summary, non-compliance was observed only in two areas: human resources and vector control. With a compliance rate of 96.7%, it is evident that the Community Services Department of GRDM are making substantial progress towards the goals outlined in the GRDM Integrated Development Plan (popularly known as an IDP), indicating a positive direction.

Feature image: An image depicting some of the functions of Municipal Health at the Garden Route District Municipality

AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING

Die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Departement van Gesondheid en Welstand het in Februarie 2023 ‘n oudit van die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (GRDM) Gesondheidsdienste uitgevoer. Dit is onlangs bekend gemaak dat die GRDM ‘n 96,7% voldoeningskoers behaal het.

Volgens die ouditverslagopsomming is twee areas wat ge-oudit is wat opgeskerp moet word: menslike hulpbronne en vektorbeheer. Met ‘n voldoeningskoers van 96.7%, is dit duidelik dat die Gemeenskapsdienstedepartement van GRDM aansienlike vordering maak in die rigting van die doelwitte soos uiteengesit in die GRDM Geïntegreerde Ontwikkelingsplan (algemeen bekend as ‘n GOP), wat ‘n positiewe rigting aandui.

ENDS

 

13 July Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality’s Electronic Records Audit, well received

Garden Route District Municipality’s Electronic Records Audit, well received

For immediate release
13 July 2023

The Western Cape Archives and Records Services (WCARS) conducted an Electronic Records Audit at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) on Tuesday 4 July 2023. As part of the process, an Electronic Records Management Survey was provided to complete, prior to the Audit in order to determine if the GRDM complies with the law.

After completion of the audit process, the WCARS recommended that a Records Control Schedule and the Registry Procedure Manual become part of the Electronic System. This means that the retention periods of records should also be incorporated into the electronic system. They also needed clarity regarding the metadata that is electronically backed up, as well as the Electronic Records Disaster Management Plan.

Government bodies have increased the use of electronic systems to conduct their business significantly which changed the manner of how records are created and being stored. Electronic recordkeeping poses particular challenges to governmental bodies and the National Archives and Records Services, both which need to ensure that trustworthy records are being maintained over time as evidence of official business for Accountability, Operational Continuity, Disaster Recovery and Institutional and Social Memory. With paper-based records a well-structured file plan is maintained, and the records are physically protected, the evidence they contain remains accessible and readable over time. Due to rapid changes in technology the same cannot be said of electronic records.

The WCARS was pleased with the outcomes of the GRDM Audit and furthermore expressed their satisfaction with GRDM’s electronic system that was in place and operational. After also visiting the GRDM Registry Office, the team were furthermore impressed by the layout of the office and how daily operations are managed.

Feature Image: Yolandi Dyantyi (Supervisor) and Gideon Joubert, Senior Registry Clerk/Fleet (right), proud officials of the Records & Archives section at Garden Route District Municipality, who assisted the Western Cape Archives and Records Services (WCARS) team during the Electronic Records Audit.

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22 June 2023 Media Release: GRDM awarded more than R5.2 million to train Garden Route unemployed youth as Home Based Care Personal Assistants

Media Release: GRDM awarded more than R5.2 million to train Garden Route unemployed youth as Home Based Care Personal Assistants

For Immediate Release
22 June 2023

GRDM was awarded more than R 5.2 million for training of 140 unemployed persons as Home Based Care Personal Assistants across the Garden Route district, including all seven (7) B-municipalities under the coordination of the Garden Route Skills Mecca Programme.

Dineo Ramasesane (GRSM Home Based Care Project Manager), Francisca Bruintjies (Former GRSM Technician), Clayton Peters (HWSeta), Chantolene Wilskut and Siphokazi Zukelwa (Home Based Care Personal Assistant programme participants), Ms Zubayda January (HWSeta), as well as Denise Marshall (Africa Skills Private College). The participants are placed at the Groenkloof Retirement Village.

The programme commenced on 1 March 2023 and will end by 31 August 2023. Training takes place at various training venues across the Garden Route district where students are exposed to both theoretical training and work-based learning. As part of the programme, learners receive monthly stipends, and at the end of the programme, subject to successfully completing a final assessment, they will be issued with a certificate of completion.

Provincial Manager of the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA), Zubayda January, on Friday, 31 March 2023, visited the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) as part of a monitoring process organised by the GRDM Corporate Services Department.

The Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) aims to create an integrated approach to the development and provision of suitably skilled health and social development workers, to render quality services similar to world class standards. Their ultimate vision, therefore, is to create a skilled workforce for the health and social development needs of all South Africans.

Dineo Ramasesane, one of the twelve (12) Garden Route Skills Mecca Technicians who is based at the GRDM’s Economic Development Unit, currently provides project management assistance with the Programme’s monthly meetings and continuously gives feedback and updates to the GRDM.

All participants of the Training Programme are placed for practical experience at old age homes such as Groenkloof, Tuiniqua, Specare Old Age Home and others situated across the Garden Route district. Many of these young people that applied themselves to the learning process may be offered permanent work once the programme is completed since this an occupational programme that allows a person to earn while they learn and create a positive relationship with a possible future employer over a six month period.

ENDS