Author: Herman Pieters

31 May is World No Tobacco Day

Today is World No Tobacco Day – 31 May 2023

This annual celebration aims to raise awareness among the public around the world and South Africa about the risks associated with tobacco use. For the Garden Route District Municipality, the issue of individuals smoking in non-designated areas or businesses allowing smokers to smoke in non-designated areas is critical to address.

You as an individual have the right to a healthy and safe environment, while also standing your ground to safeguard the well-being of future generations.

Umhla ye-31 kuCanzibe lusuku lokuthi Hayi kwiCuba kwiHlabathi

Lo mbhiyozo waminyaka le ujolise ekukhuliseni ulwazi kuluntu kwihlabathi jikelele noMzantsi Afrika malunga neengozi ezayanyaniswa nokusetyenziswa kwecuba. KuMasipala weSithili saseGarden Route, umba wabantu abatshaya kwiindawo ezingachongwanga okanye amashishini avumela iintshayi ukuba zitshaye kwiindawo ezingachongwanga kubalulekile ukuba kulungiswe.

Wena njengomntu unelungelo lendawo enempilo nekhuselekileyo, ngelixa ungama ngelungelo lakho ukukhusela impilo-ntle yezizukulwana ezizayo.

 

Vandag is Wรชreld Geen-Tabak dag

Hierdie jaarlikse viering het ten doel om die publiek regoor die wรชreld en Suid-Afrika bewus te maak van die risiko’s verbonde aan tabakgebruik. ๐—ฉ๐—ถ๐—ฟ ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ฒ ๐—ง๐˜‚๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ฒ๐˜๐—ฒ ๐——๐—ถ๐˜€๐˜๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ธ๐˜€๐—บ๐˜‚๐—ป๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฝ๐—ฎ๐—น๐—ถ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ถ๐˜ ๐—ถ๐˜€ ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ฒ ๐—ธ๐˜„๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฒ ๐˜„๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—น ๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฒ ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—ธ ๐—ฒ๐—ป ๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฒ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐˜„๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฑ ๐—ผ๐—บ ๐˜๐—ฒ ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—ธ ๐—ฏ๐˜† ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐˜€๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ฒ, ๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—ธ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ด.

Jy as individu het die reg op ‘n gesonde en veilige omgewing, terwyl jy ook jou plek volstaan om die welstand van toekomstige geslagte te beskerm.

30 May 2023 Budget Speech by the Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality

Budget Speech by the Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality

30 May 2023

Honourable Speaker, Deputy Mayor, Councillors, Municipal Manager, officials, and members of the public, I want to welcome you at this stage of the tabling of my budget.

It is privileged to be here and to table the 2023/24 MTREF Budget to the council for approval. It is my pleasure to present to you a fully funded budget, given the Municipalityโ€™s financial position. The MTREF budget is projecting a deficit of R5.7m (2023/24), R6,2m (2024/25) and R7,7m (2025/26). However, it is comforting that although we are budgeting for a deficit the budget is fully funded, through the cash-backed reserves.

The total budgeted revenue for the Municipality is R526m and the total budgeted expenditure is R R532m. Our two main sources of income are the Equitable Share, which is R178m, and the Roads function allocation of R193m. This means that more than 70% of our income is derived from these two allocations. The roads allocation can only be used to finance Roads Department activities, which include resealing, re-graveling, maintenance, and upgrading of roads.

The budgeted road allocation includes capital project allocations of R 91m. The breakdown of these is as follows:

The remaining amount of R R101m will cover operational expenditure for the Roads and Transport department.

On 15 May 2023, I and the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, visited the Gwaiing Project and we were all happy with the progress on the construction of this road. It was agreed that the project will be fast-tracked to ensure that it is delivered earlier than planned but within the available budget.

I was personally pleased to see considerable investment in EPWP workers. These projects are not only about building roads but do create much-needed employment within the region. Our EPWP workers are also being upskilled and enrolled on NQF level 2 Road Construction Course, as well as Learners and Driverโ€™s Licenses. This project alone created 40 EPWP working opportunities. In essence, it has put bread on the table of 40 families. This process of appointing EPWPโ€™s is replicated in other projects as well. At this stage, I would like to show gratitude to all our roads staff, from the Executive Manager to the person in his or her little corner. We are one of the best-performing roads department, although as others, we do face challenges.

The other functions and projects of the GRDM are financed mainly from the Equitable Share Allocation of R178m. This allocation will never be adequate to finance our ambitious programs or merely our function as envisaged by Section 84 of the Municipal Structures Act. The equitable share over the MTREF period grows at a slow pace. The Equitable Share only increases by about 3% per annum (R5.6m), and that is not sufficient to ensure the financial sustainability of this municipality, as it is below the annual CPIX.

If one excludes the Roads income from our budget, the remaining main revenue source to finance projects outside the roads department is R333m. More than 50% of this income is from the Equitable Share.
In addition to the Equitable Share, we apply for and received conditional grants to the value of R40m. This brings the number of Transfers from National and Provincial Governments to R220m. This means that 66% of the revenue to finance GRDM is from transfer income. This excludes the income from various SETAs which is about R15m. The reality is that the Municipality must continue to explore alternative sources of income in order to deliver on its legal mandate. This is exactly what we have been busy doing over the past few years

Our limited revenue resources have compelled the GRDM to pursue additional income sources in order to deliver the services in the region and this remains a challenge as we have limited own income sources. Turnaround strategies are compiled for properties and resorts and alternative revenue enhancement strategies are being explored – for example becoming a water services authority.
The GRDM has developed an investment prospectus containing regional catalytic investment opportunities across the Garden Route. The purpose of the prospectus is to display the regionโ€™s investment-friendly climate and its economic activities and opportunities to the national and international business community and in so doing, attract new investments and retain and expand existing investments in the Garden Route region.

The prospectus includes the investment opportunities of all seven (7) municipalities within the boundaries of the region, as well as the District Municipalityโ€™s specific opportunities. The investment opportunities identified for our region amount to more than R508 billion. These projects are classified as medium to long-term projects. As can be seen from the value of these projects, they cannot be financed through the current municipal resources. A task team will be established to ensure that credible business plans are compiled and submitted to relevant private (local and abroad) and public institutions for possible investments.

This prospectus can be accessed here https://invest.gardenroute.gov.za

Having been faced with the above challenges we have managed to allocate funding to various projects that are key to our communities. We have made available R4,2m to fund the EPWP projects. I have already explained the importance of this funding. In the LED and Tourism section, we will be providing much-needed assistance to the SMMEโ€™s to the tune of R600 000, amongst few projects in this area. An allocation of about R 15m has been made to create employment and provide skills to our youth, through our Skills Mecca projects. Thanks to various SETAs and various government departments for their financial contributions to this project. Further details about this exciting project can be found in our investment prospectus above.

Part of our strategy is to ensure that we turn around our resorts to generate much-needed revenue for the GRDM. We have therefore made provision for R9.5m for the resorts. We have also budgeted R14m income from the same.

Our Capital projects amount to R159m. The major projects are the construction of the Regional Landfill site and the Fire Station. Both these projects are regional projects, and they will be serving the region. The Construction of the Fire Station is at the advanced stage and the Landfill site will be starting in June 2023.

The GRDM embarked on a procurement process to obtain borrowing to finance the landfill site construction. An intensive tender adjudication process was followed. Consequently, after consultative process with all the participating municipalities to analyse and determine the best and most appropriate tendered loan option, it was collectively decided that the preferred option of the tenders offered would be clearly the 10-year loan. This loan will have an all-in floating rate of 6.89% and is offered by Standard Bank.

GRDM has negotiated service-level agreements with participating b-municipalities. It is imperative that the participating local municipalities provide a signed SLA, indicating the participation for 10 years. The tariffs are included in the GRDM tariff structure to cater to the provision of this service. A Regional Waste Management Facility Project Steering Committee has been established, consisting of various sections to provide inputs and assist the project manager to ensure that the project will commence and be completed as per the timeframes set up.

Finally, I would like to thank the Municipal Manager and his management team for the sterling work they have done in ensuring a funded budget for the institution. There is still a lot of work ahead in order to realise the projects that are part of our investment prospectus. To that end, a task team will be established to ensure that credible business plans are compiled and submitted to relevant private (local and abroad) and public institutions for possible investments.

The attached detailed budget is therefore submitted for approval by this council.

Yours in Governance,
Alderman Memory Booysen

15 May 2023 Update two (2): Gwaing Road (DR1618) Rehabilitation on schedule

Media Release: Update two (2): Gwaing Road (DR1618) Rehabilitation on schedule

For Immediate Release
15 May 2023

The R67 million Gwaing Road (DR1618) rehabilitation is progressing smoothly and remains on track for completion by June 2024. The budget for this project was allocated by the Western Cape Government (WCG). Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) continues its function through an Agency Agreement for the WCG and remains committed to delivering critical regional road infrastructure projects as planned.

A site inspection visit was conducted today, 15 May 2023 by WCG Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers with the GRDM Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, George Executive Mayor Ald. Leon van Wyk and other representatives from Provincial and Local Governments. Findings were positive with Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers and municipalities working towards common goals of completing a world-class road within the planned budget and on schedule.

According to John Daniels, GRDM Executive Manager for Roads Services, “a team of 70 employees are working on the project, with 44 of them being employed under the EPWP”. Simmers also took time to engage with the EPWP workers and to hear what their needs were. He was subsequently briefed during a walk-about on the DR1618 by Chesney Roelf, GRDM Senior Engineering Technician about the progress of the project.

Simmers boasted about projects of nearly R500 million that were completed in the Western Cape months ahead of schedule, of which one will be officially handed over by July and the other towards the end of November 2023.

“The WCG has exceeded all our Full-Time Equivalent EPWP targets and plans to push for more EPWP workers to be upskilled going forward,โ€ said Simmers.

Chesney Roelf, during the walkabout, said: “As of now, we are focused on erecting new fencing along the project site and busy with the first of four road layer works. The GRDM is also constructing the roadbed, and upgrading the storm-water network. The road will be 6,8m bituminous surfaced width, ideal for commercial agricultural transport.” Simmers alluded to the impact of commercial Agricultural transportation on such roads and it was confirmed by Daniels that the road layers will include cement and bitumen mixes that are flexible to provide structural strength.

Chesney Roelf, GRDM Senior Engineering Technician (middle), briefs WCG Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers on the progress of the rehabilitation of Gwaing Road. Pictured (l-r), George Mayor Ald. Leon van Wyk, WCG Minister Tertuis Simmers, GRDM Engineering Technician Chesney Roelf, GRDM Executive Manager for Roads John Daniels and GRDM Municipal Manager Monde Stratu.

Roelf also explained that GRDM is installing 27 pipe crossings with concrete headwalls to ensure effective stormwater management. This was in response to George Municipalityโ€™s Executive Mayor, Ald. Leon van Wyk, pointing to the importance of proper stormwater management. GRDM will upgrade stormwater drainage channels.

โ€œAt specific sections of the project, concrete-lined drains will be implemented to enhance drainage efficiency and prevent water-related issues,” said Roelf.

WCG and the GRDM sincerely appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as it works diligently to upgrade the road infrastructure.

Feature Image caption: John Godfrey Daniels, GRDM Executive Manager for Roads Services, answered several questions from WCG Minister Tertuis Simmers (right), and George Executive Mayor, Ald. Leon van Wyk (middle). With them is Ald. Memory Booysen, who expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the project.

Afrikaanse Opsomming:ย Opdatering twee (2): Gwaingweg (DR1618) Rehabiltasieprojek op skedule

Die Gwaingweg (DR1618)-rehabilitasieprojek, met ‘n begroting van R67 miljoen, vorder goed en sal na verwagting teen Junie 2024 voltooi wees. Die projek word deur die Wes-Kaapse Regering (WKR) befonds en deur die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit bestuur (TDM) โ€“ die TDM voer die Paaie-funksie namens die WKR uit. ‘n Terrein-inspeksiebesoek is onlangs deur staatsamptenare, insluitend die WKR Minister van Infrastruktuur Tertuis Simmers en die TDM se Uitvoerende Burgemeester, Raadsheer Memory Booysen gedoen, wat hul tevredenheid met die vorderingย  uitgespreek het.

Die projek het ‘n span van 70 werkers in diens, van wie 44 deel vorm van die Uitgebreide Openbare Werke Program (UOWP/EPWP). Tydens die besoek het Simmers met die UOWP/EPWP werkers gesels om hul behoeftes te verstaan โ€‹โ€‹en het ook die belangrikheid bespreek om hulle op te lei vir toekomstige werksgeleenthede. Die projek behels die oprigting van nuwe heinings, die bou van die padbed, die opgradering van die stormwaternetwerk, en die implementering van 27 pypkruisings met betonkopmure vir effektiewe stormwaterbestuur.

Die pad sal ‘n 6,8m bitumineuse oppervlakwydte hรช, geskik vir kommersiรซle landbouvervoer. Die padlae sal sement- en bitumenmengsels insluit om strukturele sterkte te verseker. Addisioneel, sal beton-gevoerde dreine in spesifieke afdelings geรฏmplementeer word om dreineringsdoeltreffendheid te verbeter en negatiewe waterverwante kwessies te voorkom.

Tydens sy toespraak het Simmers die suksesvolle voltooiing van ander projekte in die Wes-Kaap, met ‘n totale waarde van nagenoeg R500 miljoen, wat voor hul voltooing skedule klaar was, uitgewys. Hy het die WKR se verbintenis tot die bereiking en oorskryding van EPWP-teikens asook die bevordering en opleiding van werkers beklemtoon.


Upapasho lwesaziso: uhlaziyo lobuyiselo lwesigcwangciso sendlela: iGwaing Road (DR1618)

Ukulungiswa kwendlela exabiso libalelwa kwi-R67 yezigidi zeerandi eGwaing Road (DR1618) kuqhubeka kakuhle kwaye kulindeleke iqukunjelwe kwinyanga yeSilimela ka-2024. Uhlahlo lwabiwo-mali lwale nqubo/projekthi lwabelwa nguRhulumente weNtshona Koloni (WCG). UMasipala weSithili seGarden Route (i-GRDM) uyaqhubeka nomsebenzi wakhe njenge-Arhente yeeNdlela karhulumente weNtshona Kaloni kwaye uhlala ezinikele ekunikezeleni ngeeprojekthi zeziseko zophuhliso zengingqi ezibalulekileyo njengoko kucwangcisiwe.

Utyelelo lokuhlolwa komsebenzi lwenziwe namhlanje, ngomhla we-15 kuCanzibe 2023 nguMphathiswa weZiseko zoPhuhliso kwiPhondo leNtshona Koloni, u-Tertuis Simmers kunye noSodolophu wesiGqeba sikaMasipala weSithili seGarden Route, u-Alderman Memory Booysen, uSodolophu weSigqeba sikaMasipala wengingqi yaseGeorge uCllr Leon van Wyk nabanye abameli abasuka kuRhulumente wePhondo nooRhulumente beKhaya. Iziphumo zibe zincomeka kubasebenzi beNkqubo eYandisiweyo yeMisebenzi yoLuntu (EPWP) kunye noomasipala besebenzela kwiinjongo ezifanayo zokugqibezela indlela ekumgangatho wehlabathi ngokocwancwiso.

Ngokusho kukaJohn Daniels, uMphathi oLawulayo kwiiNkonzo zeNdlela kuMasipala weSithili seGarden Route, โ€œiqela labasebenzi abangama-70 basebenza kule projekthi, abangama-44 kubo baqeshwe phantsi kweEPWPโ€. Umnumzana uSimmers uthathe ixesha ethetha nabasebenzi be-EPWP nokuva ukuba zithini na iimfuno zabo. Emva koko ngethuba besenza utyelelo kumsebenzi osowenziye umnumzana Simmers ememane echazelwa ngenkqubela phambili ngenkqubo-DR1618 nguChesney Roelf, iGcisa lobuNjineli obuPhezulu kuMasipala weSithili seGarden Route .
Umnumzana uSimmers uqhayise malunga neeprojekthi ezibalelwa kwimali ephantse ibeyi-R500 yezigidi zeerandi ezigqitywe kwiPhondo leNtshona Koloni phambi kwexesha ebelibekiwe, enye yazo iza kunikezelwa ngokusesikweni kwinyanga yeNtlaba ize enye inikezelwe ekupheleni kwenyanga yeNkanga kulonyaka imiyo ka2023. โ€œUrhulumente wePhondo leNtshona Koloni ugqithisele kujoliso olulinganayo lwe-EPWP kunye nezicwangciso zokuqhubela phambili kubasebenzi be-EPWP ukubaxhobisa ngezakhono ukuya phambili,โ€ utshilo uSimmers.

UChesney Roelf, ngethuba lotyelelo, uthe: “Ukuza kuthi ga ngoku, sigxile ekufakeni ucingo olutsha ecaleni kwendawo esisebenza kuzo kwaye sixakeke ngumsebenzi wokuqala kwezine zomaleko wendlela. I-GRDM ikwakha amandlalo wendlela, kunye nokuphucula uthungelwano kumanzi esiphango. Uthungelwano. Indlela iya kuba yi-6,8m ububanzi bebhituminosi umphezulu, ilungele uthutho loshishino lwezolimo.” USimmers ibhekiselele kwimpembelelo yothutho lwezoLimo lwezorhwebo kwiindlela ezinjalo kwaye kwaqinisekiswa nguDaniels ukuba iileya zendlela ziya kubandakanya imixube yesamente kunye nebhitumene eguquguqukayo ukunika amandla esakhiwo.

U-Roelf uphinde wachaza ukuba i-GRDM ifakela i-27 yemibhobho inqumlayo kunye neendonga zekhonkrithi ukuqinisekisa ulawulo olusebenzayo lwamanzi emvula. Oku bekuphendula uSodolophu oLawulayo kuMasipala waseGeorge, uLeon van Wyk, esalatha ukubaluleka kolawulo olululo lwamanzi emvula. I-GRDM iya kuphucula imijelo yokukhupha amanzi emvula. โ€œKumacandelo athile eprojekthi, imibhobho yokuhambisa amanzi ekhonkrithi iya kuphunyezwa ukuze kuphuculwe ukusebenza kakuhle kwamanzi nokuthintela imiba enxulumene namanzi,โ€ utshilo uRoelf.

Urhulumente wePhondo leNtsona Koloni ebambisene noMasipala weSithili seGarden Route sibulela ngokungazenzisiyo umonde nokuqonda koluntu njengoko sisebenza ngenkuthalo ekuphuculeni iziseko zendlela.

15 May 2023 Media Release: Indaba to reflect on invasive alien plant management and control scenarios

Media Release: Indaba to reflect on invasive alien plant management and control scenarios

For Immediate Release
15 May 2023

โ€œIn February 2023 academics from Nelson Mandela and Stellenbosch Universities co-hosted a workshop with knowledgeable experts on the subject in order to share thoughts and experiences on the impact and possible solutions when dealing with invasive alien plants on a large scale.ย  It is quite clear that invasive alien plants remain one of the biggest risk factors facing the Southern Cape in terms of severe wildfire disasters, damaging floods, water security as well as loss of biodiversity,โ€ says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

“Dr Romain Pirard who holds a PhD in Environmental Economics from Universitรฉ Lyon presented at the workshop. Dr Pirard is seconded to the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University which, as part of the South Africa โ€“ France scientific cooperation, develops research on the economics of land use for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and he provided some leading answers to the question:- Can value-added industries support the control of invasive trees in South Africa and beyond?โ€

Meiring added that โ€œBecause of its favourable climate and it is a high rainfall area, the Southern Cape is a hotspot for a host of invasive alien plants and trees, and their presence is on the increase with more species becoming visible as they spread over the landscape.ย  Pampas grass as a prime example of an alien invasive plant (there are many more) which was introduced as a garden plant in this region in the last fifteen to twenty years is now firmly established throughout the Garden Route landscape, especially in river beds and seep- lines where conditions are ideal for seeds travelling in the wind, and the spread is prolific.โ€

โ€œDue to costs associated with eradicating and controlling invasive alien plants in general, landowners and land managers are constantly looking for options to mitigate the expense of dealing with IAPโ€™s, which include options in the clean energy sector, soil enrichment as well as bio-char and stock feed mixes. Invasive trees such as pine, wattle and eucalyptus make for fine timber, but finding suitable trees in large quantities is not sustainable, and difficult to come by and harvest before they can reach sawmills. Supply is also finite throughout the region as there are no structured replanting nor harvesting regimes in place.โ€

โ€œThe charcoal and firewood industry in South Africa and Namibia is a multi-million rand industry, but as demand grows, those in the industry have to reach further and further away from the market to source sufficient supplies.ย  Areas of the Southern Cape and the Overberg have large areas covered by Rooikrans, Port Jackson, wattle and pine and that is where large-scale harvesting is currently taking place. Despite the potentially viable option to clear the land of unwanted plants and trees by selling the biomass to contractors looking for firewood, some landowners who allow harvesting entities access to their land often complain that harvesting contractors cause more harm than good when working with invasive species on their land. This can lead to aggressive regrowth when there is no methodology applied, and increased wildfire risk from dry debris left behind provides an exponentially high volume of fuel load for wildfires”.

Nevertheless, the search for solutions for the viable use of large volumes of biomass that can be harvested from landscapes badly affected by IAPโ€™s must continue, and Dr Pirard will be delivering a presentation on the topic at the GREF Climate Change and Environmental Management Indaba which will be hosted at Nelson Mandela University on 29 June 2023.

โ€œThe GREF 2023 Indaba theme is Creating climate-smart, resilient landscapes in the Southern Cape.โ€

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform and climate change think tank for all those in the Southern Cape involved in active and ongoing conservation and environmental management efforts to meet up, interact and showcase what they are busy with and what they are doing in terms of planning ahead.

ENDS

Photo caption: The Southern Cape is a hothouse for invasive alien plants such as pampas grass, pine and eucalyptus which is now seen all over the Garden Route
Photo: Pamela Booth
Contact: cobus@naturalbridge.co.za

Indaba sal indringer-uitheemse plantbestuur- en beheerscenario’s bespreek

Akademici van Nelson Mandela en Stellenbosch Universiteite het onlangs ‘n werkswinkel gereรซl om die impak en potensiรซle oplossings vir die hantering van indringerplante op groot skaal aan te spreek. Cobus Meiring van die Tuinroete-omgewingsforum het beklemtoon dat IAP’s aansienlike risiko’s vir die Suid-Kaap-streek inhou, insluitend ernstige veldbrande, skadelike vloede, watersekuriteitskwessies en verlies aan biodiversiteit. Dr. Romain Pirard, ‘n kenner van omgewingsekonomie, het by die werkswinkel ‘n voorlegging gelewer waar hy sy insea gedeel het oor of waardetoegevoegde industrieรซ die beheer van indringerbome in Suid-Afrika en verder kan ondersteun.

Die Suid-Kaap, met sy gunstige klimaat en hoรซ reรซnval, is veral vatbaar vir ‘n verskeidenheid van indringer uitheemse plante en bome. Spesies is alreeds teenwoording en neem toe en versprei drasties. Pampasgras het byvoorbeeld stewig gevestig in die Tuinroete-landskap, veral in rivierbeddings waar windgedraagde sade ideale toestande vir voortplanting vind.

Die uitwissing en bestuur van IAP’s is duur, wat grondeienaars en bestuurders aangespoor het om kostedoeltreffende opsies te soek. Hierdie alternatiewe sluit in die ondersoek van geleenthede in die skoon energiesektor, grondverryking, en voorraadvoermengsels. Dit bly egter ‘n uitdaging om volhoubare en volop alternatiewe vir indringerbome soos denne, wattel en bloekom te vind, aangesien daar geen gestruktureerde herplant- of oespraktyke in plek is nie.

Die houtskool- en vuurmaakhoutbedryf in Suid-Afrika en Namibiรซ is ‘n winsgewende sektor, maar die vraag na voorrade het gelei tot verkryging van verre plekke. Grootskaalse oes van indringerspesies, soos Rooikrans, Port Jackson, wattel en denne, vind tans in gebiede van die Suid-Kaap en Overberg plaas. Terwyl die verkoop van biomassa aan kontrakteurs wat vuurmaakhout benodig lyk na ‘n lewensvatbare opsie, spreek sommige grondeienaars kommer uit dat oeskontrakteurs meer skade as goed kan veroorsaak. Onbehoorlike metodologie kan lei tot aggressiewe hergroei, en droรซ takke ens. wat agtergelaat word, verhoog die risiko van veldbrande deur oorvloedige brandstof te verskaf.

Ten spyte van die uitdagings, moet die soeke na oplossings om groot volumes biomassa van IAP-geaffekteerde landskappe te benut, voortduur. Dr. Pirard sal ‘n aanbieding oor hierdie onderwerp lewer by die GREF ‘Climate Change and Environmental Management Indaba’, wat geskeduleer is om op 29 Junie 2023 by die Nelson Mandela Universiteit plaas te vind.

Die tema van die Indaba is “Die skep van klimaatslim, veerkragtige landskappe in die Suid-Kaap.”

GREF dien as ‘n platform en dinkskrum vir natuurbewaarders en omgewingsbestuurpraktisyns in die Suid-Kaap streek, wat interaksie fasiliteer, deurlopende pogings ten toon stel en toekomstige beplanning bevorder om klimaatsverandering en omgewingsuitdagings aan te spreek.

09 May 2023 Media Release: GRDM Appoints Rian Boshoff as its New Chief Financial Officer

Media Release: GRDM Appoints Christian Boshoff as its New Chief Financial Officer

For Immediate Release
09 May 2023

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rian Boshoff as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the municipality. The decision was made during a Special Council meeting held at the GRDM CA Robertson Council Chambers in George today.

Boshoff replaces Jan-Willem de Jager, who previously held the post. Thembani Loliwe (Strategic Manager) was acting in the position during the time that the position was advertised.

The new CFO joins an already thriving executive management team and will be responsible for managing the municipality’s finances, ensuring compliance with financial regulatory requirements, and leading the development of financial strategies to support the municipality’s growth and development.

“We are delighted to have Rian Boshoff join us as our new CFO,” said GRDM Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen.

“With his wealth of experience and expertise, we are confident that he will help us achieve our strategic objectives and continue to deliver the highest quality services to our residents.”

Boshoff’s wealth of expertise in financial, audit, and risk management spans over three decades, with a distinguished career that has seen him hold influential positions in both the public and private sectors. His academic qualifications are equally impressive, as he has earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from reputable institutions.

Boshoff has previously worked as a Senior-Auditor for the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA), Internal Auditor at Ernst & Young, CFO at Ventersdorp Local Municipality, and in various other government institutions, including the Development Bank of South Africa. He was also appointed by the North West Department of Local Government to provide financial turn-around expertise to struggling municipalities.

Additionally, Boshoff was also appointed on a contract basis by the Drakenstein Municipality to perform investment and growth analysis, revenue forecasting, financial ratio analysis, strategic cost modelling, and other financial-related tasks.

The GRDM wishes Boshoff all the best in his new role as CFO and looks forward to the positive impact he will bring to the municipality.

ENDS

5 May 2023 Media Release: Garden Route DM Employees Step Up and Support Slipper Day

Garden Route DM Employees Step Up and Support Slipper Day

For Immediate Release
5 May 2023

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) employees showed their big hearts today by participating in Slipper Day, an annual fundraiser driven by the Employee Wellness office for Reach For A Dream Foundation. The campaign aims to help children battling life-threatening illnesses.

By swapping their work shoes for cosy slippers and purchasing supporter stickers for R20 each, the employees demonstrated their commitment to supporting a good cause. Slipper Day is a national movement that encourages South Africans to donate their small change to make a big difference in the lives of children in need.

“We are proud to participate in Slipper Day and to support Reach For A Dream Foundationโ€™s mission to fulfil the dreams of children fighting serious illnesses,” said Trix Holtzhausen, Executive Manager: Corporate Services for GRDM.

“Our employees are passionate about making a positive impact in our community, and Slipper Day is a fun and meaningful way for us to do so.”

Slipper Day is Reach For A Dream’s largest and most celebrated fundraiser, with the goal of raising R10 million this year to help 2,000 children with life-threatening illnesses experience moments of joy by fulfilling their dreams. All proceeds raised from the day go towards Reach For A Dream Foundation, and the funds will be used to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families. The Garden Route District Municipality employees showed their creativity and sense of fun by wearing an array of slippers and supporter stickers, ranging from fuzzy monsters to bunny-eared slippers.

Slipper Day is more than just a fun event; it is a chance to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families. By supporting Slipper Day, South Africans can help to combat the gravity of serious diseases and bring moments of joy and hope to those who need it most.

For more information on Reach For A Dream Foundation and how you can support their mission, visit their website at www.reachforadream.org.za

Werknemers van Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit het vandag deelgeneem aan Pantoffeldag, ‘n jaarlikse fondsinsameling wat deur die Werknemerwelstand-kantoor van Tuinroete DM vir ‘Reach For A Dream Foundation’ gedryf word. Deur plakkers vir R20 elk te koop en hul werkskoene vir pantoffels te verruil, het die Tuinroete werknemers hul toewyding om ‘n goeie doel te ondersteun, getoon.

Pantoffeldag is ‘n nasionale beweging wat Suid-Afrikaners aanmoedig om hul kleingeld te skenk om ‘n groot verskil in die lewens van kinders in nood te maak. Die doelwit van Pantoffeldag is om vanjaar R10 miljoen in te samel om 2 000 kinders met lewensgevaarlike siektes te help. Alle donasies wat op 5 Mei ingesamel word, gaan vir Reach For A Dream Foundation.

 

21 April 2023 Media Release: 125 Homeless people attend health education session at George Night Shelter

Media Release: 125 Homeless people attend health education session at George Night Shelter

For Immediate Release
21 April 2023

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is dedicated to improving, amongst others, the health and well-being of marginalized members of the Garden Route. On 19 April, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) held an education session with homeless community members. EHPs Sive Mkuta and Lusizo Kwetshube who drove the initiative educated the attendees about communicable diseases, personal hygiene, and environmental hygiene.

The session took place at George night shelter where 125 homeless people gathered. EHPs also distributed pamphlets and disinfectants.

These types of health education sessions are of critical importance as marginalized communities often do not have adequate access to healthcare resources. This is why empowering the homeless serves as a preventative measure for them to adopt best practices linked to hygiene practices. It empowers them to take control of their health and reduce their risk of contracting illnesses.

Die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit se Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns (OGP) Sive Mkuta en Lusizo Kwetshube, het gister ‘n inligtingsessie met 125 hawelose persone by die George-nagskuiling gehou. Die doel van die sessie was om wenke met die groep te deel oor die verbetering van algehele gesondheid en welstand. Die praatjie het hoofsaaklik gefokus op onderwerpe soos oordraagbare siektes, persoonlike higiรซne en omgewingshigiรซne. Dis geen geheim dat hawelose persone beperkte toegang tot gesondheidshulpbronne het wat die impak van siektes kan verminder.


UMasipala weSithili saseGarden Route (i-GRDM) uthathe amanyathelo okuphucula impilo kunye nentlalontle yoluntu eGarden Route, ngokubamba i-yokufundisa ngezempilo kuluntu olungenamakhaya. Abasebenzi beMpilo yokuSingqongileyo uSive Mkuta noLusizo Kwetshube bafundise abo bebezimase lendibano ngezifo ezosulelayo, ucoceko lomntu, kunye nococeko lokusingqongileyo, kwaye basasaza amaphecana kunye nezibulali ntsholongwane kubantu abayi-125 abebezimase kwindawo yokhuseleko yaseGeorge ebusuku. I-mfundiso eziloluhlobo zibalulekile kuluntu njengoko zibaxhobisa ngobalulekiyo ngococeko kunye nokunciphisa umngcipheko wokugula.

Lusizo Kwetshube also shared health education with approximately 125 homeless people about.

ENDS

Feature image caption: Sive Mkuta educates homeless people from George about communicable diseases, personal hygiene, and environmental hygiene.

20 April 2023 Impact Based Severe Weather Warning: Level 2 for Damaging Winds

Impact-Based Severe Weather Warning: Level 2 for Damaging Winds

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued an Impact Based Warning for damaging winds for today until 23h00 tonight.

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

Legal notice:
โ€œThis 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.โ€

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