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Author: Herman Pieters

02 November 2026 Progress Update 7 on the GRDM Regional Waste Management Facility

Progress Update 7 on the GRDM Regional Waste Management Facility

02 November 2026

Construction of phase one of the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM’s) Regional Waste Management Facility (RWMF) is 90% complete. The facility is located approximately 15km outside Mossel Bay, next to PetroSA.

According to Johan Gie, GRDM Manager: District Waste Management: “The only critical items to be completed are the leachate & contaminated water dams; these are currently 81% complete, and they require the final layer of geocells filled with concrete. This was initially scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2026; however, recent rains caused some delays in the pouring of concrete, and it is now due to be completed within the next two weeks. Regardless of the delay, the contractor is still on track with the programme.”

The remaining construction works mainly comprise finishing works for all buildings, access road marking, stone pitching at stormwater headwalls, and final shaping around the facility.

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Images in this update: Placement of geocells that will be filled with concrete remains ongoing for the leachate & contaminated water dams

20 October 2026 Media Release: Garden Route Skills Mecca Bags Top Honours for Service Excellence

Media Release: Garden Route Skills Mecca bags top honours for service excellence

20 October 2026

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has achieved top honours at the 2026 Western Cape Provincial Government’s Service Excellence Awards, where its flagship Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) programme was awarded Gold for the Best Municipal Project category.

Presented at Paarl on 16 October 2027, the award acknowledges the outstanding achievements of the GRSM. Since 2017, the initiative has attracted more than R157 million in external funding, delivered more than 31 projects and provided skills development and employment opportunities to more than 3 891 unemployed people, with a strong focus on youth Garden Routers, particularly the youth, across all seven Garden Route local municipalities.

GRDM Strategic Manager, Thembani Loliwe, who leads the programme, said the award is a tribute to the learners, host employers, training partners, and funders who have driven this success. “When the devastating fires swept through Knysna and Bitou, communities lost more than homes and businesses; many people lost hope for their future. The Skills Mecca was created as a response to that challenge.

“We moved away from fragmented interventions and built an integrated system where training providers, funding partners, employers, and communities work towards a shared goal,” said Loliwe.

“Our success is not measured by the number of certificates issued, but by the lives transformed, households supported, and people who have been given a pathway back into employment and opportunity.”

Executive Mayor, Ald. Marais Kruger congratulated the team and dedicated the award to the people of the Garden Route. “For thousands of families, a monthly stipend and a workplace placement have meant food on the table, school fees paid and a young person with real experience on their CV. That is service excellence in its truest sense. I am proud that a district municipality in the Western Cape has built a model that others in South Africa and beyond would like to duplicate.”

Acting Municipal Manager, Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu said this recognition confirms the value of working together across government. “This award shows what is possible when the GRDM, the seven local municipalities in the Garden Route, the Western Cape Government, SETAs, TVET colleges and business commit to one plan. The GRSM is no longer a programme; we are moving to institutionalising it as a permanent part of how this district delivers skills aligned to industry needs. Our task now is to grow it and ensure that more residents can walk through its doors.”

ORIGINS OF THE GRSM

The GRSM emerged from a time of a crisis. In 2017, devastating wildfires swept through Knysna and Bitou, destroying homes, businesses, and livelihoods, while leaving tthousands of residents without work in key sectors such as tourism, forestry, agriculture and construction.

Prior to the disaster, skills development in the district was characterised by fragmented efforts, with municipalities, training providers and employers working in isolation, and available funding streams not being fully utilised.

Recognising the need for a more coordinated approach, GRDM developed South Africa’s first municipality-led, fully integrated regional skills ecosystem bringing together communities, employers, government, training providers and funding partners under one integrated system designed to connect people with meaningful economic opportunities.

KEY MILESTONES OF THE GRSM

  • active projects grew from zero in 2017 to 31 today, demonstrating the rapid expansion of the initiative.
  • more than R175 million in external investment has been mobilised to support skills development and employment opportunities across the district.
  • more than 3 891 beneficiaries: unemployed residents have participated in accredited training, learnerships, workplace learning, artisan recognition, and driver training
  • with most learners receiving monthly stipend, an estimated 15 564 household members have benefited directly from the programme
  • learners have been placed with host employers across the district, and number of those placements resulting in permanent  employment opportunities
  • programmes span a wide range of sectors, incduding driver’s licence training, firefighting, plumbing, electrical trades and artisan recognition, cooks, In-service training, construction etc.

The programme has attracted growing interest from municipalities and other stakeholders across South Africa and beyond, who are exploring opportunities to replicate the model.

The Western Cape Service Excellence Awards honour public sector projects that deliver measurable, resident-centred results. The GRSM’s win reflects its alignment with the Provincial Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030 priority pf helping businesses grow and create jobs, and equipping residents to get those jobs.

FUTURE OF THE GRSM

Going forward, the GRDM has proposed a Shared Services Model that seeks to establish a sustainable, collaborative funding and governance arrangement between GRDM and its seven local municipalities to secure the long-term future of the GRSM. Through pooled resources, shared financial responsibility and coordinated planning, municipalities can collectively invest in this regional initiative, ensuring that it remains responsive to industry needs and accessible to communities throughout the district. By investing in the Skills Mecca, municipalities are investing in the long-term development of the region’s human capital, strengthening local economies and improving the livelihoods of residents across the Garden Route.

Residents interested in upcoming Skills Mecca opportunities can follow the Garden Route District Municipality on Facebook or visit www.skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za.

Feature image: Acting Municipal Manager, Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu with Thembani Loliwe, the GRDM Strategic Manager and Skills Mecca Programme lead showcasing the Service Excellence Awards

END

 

 

15 October 2026 Media Release: Garden Route’s Skills Coordinator named HR Practitioner of the Year

Media Release: Garden Route’s Skills Coordinator named HR Practitioner of the Year

For immediate release
15 October 2026

When 200 unemployed people from across the Garden Route enrolled to train as cooks, few would have guessed that some of them would end up on an international cruise ship. For Reginald Salmons, that is what skills development initiatives aim to achieve.

Salmons, Coordinator: Skills Development at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), has added a feather to his cap when he was awarded the 2026 Human Resource Practitioner of the Year by the Institute of Municipal People Practitioners of Southern Africa (IMPSA) on 9 October 2026.

The award recognises more than two decades of work developing young people. Most importantly, the award acknowledges his contribution to the development of the Garden Route Skills Mecca, a pioneering district-wide model he helped establish with former GRDM Executive Manager for Corporate Services, Trix Holtzhausen, and former GRSM Project Manager, Dr Florus Prinsloo. Today, the initiative continues to flourish under the leadership of Mr Thembani Loliwe, Strategic Manager in the Office of the Municipal Manager.

Today, municipalities, SETAs, TVET colleges, government departments, employers, and training providers work together under a shared vision for skills development, replacing fragmented efforts with coordinated action. Through this collaborative model, the Garden Route Skills Mecca has successfully secured and coordinated more than R157 million in skills development funding and investment across the district.

A notable example of the Garden Route Skills Mecca’s impact is the Occupational Certificate: Cook Programme. The initiative provided training and assessment opportunities to 200 unemployed learners, many of whom completed the programme successfully. The programme has since opened doors to meaningful employment, with several graduates securing permanent jobs and others embarking on international careers with MSC Cruises.

This is one of several large projects that Salmons has coordinated with funding from the National Skills Fund. Together they have opened doors for unemployed youth and municipal employees through internships, apprenticeships, occupational qualifications, and workplace-based learning.

Behind the scenes, he has also helped shape the policies that keep municipalities running well. These include training and succession planning, Recognition of Prior Learning, bursaries, and councillor development.

“I’m deeply honoured and humbled,” said Salmons. “This recognition reflects my own journey, but it belongs just as much to the Garden Route District Municipality, my former and current leaders, our municipal partners, the SETAs, government departments, educational institutions, and employers who share the vision of transforming lives through skills.

“I dedicate this award to every learner, intern, apprentice, and employee whose commitment to growing themselves inspires us to keep building a skilled, capable and prosperous Graden Route.”

Salmons also chairs IMPSA’s Cape Branch, which represents the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and the Free State.

GRDM Strategic Manager, Thembani Loliwe, who currently champions the Garden Route Skills Mecca, congratulated Reginald Salmons on this significant achievement, noting that the award reflects years of dedicated service to empowering individuals and building stronger municipalities. He also extended sincere gratitude to the SETAs, the National Skills Fund and other strategic partners whose sustained commitment has helped drive skills development and employment creation across the Garden Route, despite increasingly constrained financial resources.

Feature image: Reginald Salmons, Skills Development at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), has added a feather to his cap when he was awarded the 2026 Human Resource Practitioner of the Year by the Institute of Municipal People Practitioners of Southern Africa (IMPSA) on 9 October 2026.

ENDS.

Media Release: Garden Route retains its place among leading Blue Flag destinations for 2026/27

Media Release: Garden Route retains its place among leading Blue Flag destinations for 2026/27

For Immediate Release
14 October 2026

Hessequa Municipality continues to set the benchmark for Blue Flag excellence countrywide after again achieving full Blue Flag status at all six of its designated swimming beaches.

The Garden Route is known globally for its quality coastal tourism and responsible environmental management. This year, 14 beaches across Hessequa, George and Bitou municipalities were awarded full Blue Flag status for the 2026/2027 season. Blue Flag status is an internationally recognised eco-label that highlights beaches meeting established criteria relating to water quality, environmental management, environmental education, safety and the provision of appropriate facilities.

In a proud moment, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Executive Mayor, Marais Kruger, shared a few words by saying “congratulations to the participating municipalities, marina operators and tourism businesses on their achievements”.

“It is rarely seen in other parts of the country where a region comes together like the Garden Route to maintain environmental standards, protect coastal resources and provide quality experiences for visitors.”

“I am proud to form part of a region where these standards are upheld to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy well-managed coastal destinations while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the Garden Route’s tourism economy,” Kruger concluded.

Hessequa achieves full status across all six its designated beaches

The municipality on the western border of the Garden Route, Hessequa, received special recognition for achieving full Blue Flag status at all six of its designated swimming beaches for the 2026/2027 season. These are:

  • Lappiesbaai
  • Gouritzmond
  • Stilbaai-West
  • Witsand
  • Jongensfontein
  • Preekstoel
Stilbaai West, one of the total of six beaches in Hessequa that achieved a Blue Flag Status.

Blue Flag beaches across the Garden Route

In addition to Hessequa’s six Blue Flag beaches, George Municipality has three beaches with full Blue Flag status, while Bitou Municipality has five.

George Municipality

  • Herold’s Bay
  • Victoria Bay
  • Wilderness

Bitou Municipality

  • The Dunes
  • The Waves
  • Singing Kettle
  • Nature’s Valley
  • Lookout Beach

Two additional beaches have been recognised under the Blue Flag pilot programme:

  • Leentjiesklop – George Municipality
  • Robberg V – Bitou Municipality

Pilot status provides an opportunity for participating beaches to work towards meeting the requirements for full Blue Flag status.

Recognition extends to marinas and tourism boats

The Garden Route’s coastal tourism offering also includes recognised marinas and tourism boats.

The following marinas have Blue Flag status:

  • Thesen Harbour Town Marina
  • Thesen Island Homeowners Marina, which has achieved Blue Flag status for 10 consecutive years and received recognition of excellence.

Offshore Adventures’ Robberg Express: Oceanic has also been recognised under the Blue Flag Tourism Boats programme.

Green Coast recognition for four sites

Four sites in the Garden Route have been recognised under the Green Coast programme for 2026:

  • Swartvlei Beach – Knysna
  • Nature’s Valley – Bitou Municipality, achieving five consecutive years of recognition
  • Gwaiing Beach – George Municipality
  • Kanon Beach – Mossel Bay
Nature’s Valley – Bitou Municipality, achieving five consecutive years of recognition

The Green Coast programme recognises coastal areas where communities and stakeholders work to protect natural coastal environments while promoting responsible use and sustainable tourism.

Feature Image: Hessequa – Stilbaai Preekstoel Beach (Supplied by Hessequa Tourism)

ENDS

13 October 2026 Media Release by Western Cape Department of Infrastructure

Media Release: Good progress on Seven Passes flood-damage repairs

13 October 2026

Good progress is being made on a R73.6 million Western Cape Government Department of Infrastructure flood damage repair project on 10km of the MR355 (Seven Passes) road near George, as well as district roads west of George, and a district road in Wittedrif near Plettenberg Bay. The project is anticipated to be completed in March 2027, depending on whether there are further weather delays at several river crossings.

Causeway repairs on DR1639

Five failed culverts are being replaced on MR355 with concrete pipes. Slips on this road are being repaired using piling and reinforced concrete decks in three places. Slips are being repaired with reinforced earth and gabion retaining walls in seven places, and with reinforced earth and a dry stack stone wall in one place. The drainage pipes on this road are being replaced with larger diameter concrete pipes. Layerworks are being restored on surfaced parts of MR355 that have subsided. These sections will be resurfaced when the layerworks are complete.

One failed causeway will be replaced on each of the district roads DR1602, DR1633 and DR1639 in the agricultural areas west of George and north of Brak River. A failed causeway on DR1602 will be replaced with a bridge once environmental authorisation has been obtained. The geometric alignment of this road is also being improved to make it safer. A failed causeway will be replaced on DR1791 at Wittedrif between Plettenberg Bay and Keurboomstrand, and a 150m section of this road is being raised by about 1 metre to tie into the new causeway.

“In addition to the benefits for residents and visitors of our infrastructure projects, these projects also benefit local labourers, targeted enterprises, local enterprises and emerging contractors”, said Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers. “

A total of 10 458 person-days of local labour has so far been utilised on this project against a target of 11 500. A total of 92 work opportunities has been created against a target of 135. R10.3 million has been spent on targeted enterprises against a target of R18.9 million. Goods and services have been procured from 4 local enterprises against a target of 6, and from 4 emerging contractors against a target of 3”, he added.

Media enquiries

Stephen Heyns
Acting Head of Communication
Western Cape Department of Infrastructure
stephen.heyns@westerncape.gov.za, 021 483 0597

07 October 2026 Media Statement: Protecting Public Health Through Safe Food Handling

Media Statement: Protecting Public Health Through Safe Food Handling

7 October 2026

The spaza shop business sector within the Garden Route District has grown significantly in recent years. With this in mind, it becomes more important by the day to ensure that compliance remains in place at every formal and informal food trader, no matter how big or small.

The Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) throughout the country have noted that, specifically spaza shop owners, have developed enterprising methods of supplying and selling food products to the general public at reduced prices. The GRDM recognises the important role that spaza shops play in communities by making everyday food products accessible and affordable.

“We understand that many consumers have limited household budgets and that selling smaller quantities can help families purchase only what they can afford. However, some methods used to repackage or divide food products are not permitted under national food safety legislation because they may create a risk of contamination,” said Johan Compion, Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Waste Management and Air Quality.

To assist spaza shop owners with compliance and ultimately protect consumers of the food products available at these premises, the following important tips are presented in order to comply with relevant legislation in terms of Regulation 638; Regulations Governing General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises, the Transport of Food and Related Matters (promulgated under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, Act 54 of 1972):

Please refrain from the following practices when handling food products in your shop because this is against national Regulations and Acts:

  • Repackaging food products into smaller bags or containers (e.g. sugar, coffee and rice) – rather buy small, already originally sealed food products.
  • Cutting/division of perishable food products (e.g. cabbage, polony and bread).

If spaza shops repackage food, or cut it up, it may lead to cross-contamination of food and lead to foodborne diseases that cause diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever and dehydration. Severe infections can lead to kidney failure, liver disease, neurological complications, hospitalisations or death.

The public is also urged to remain vigilant about the importance of food traders being in possession of a valid Certificate of Acceptability. This is particularly important when they sell perishable homemade products such as vetkoek, scones, jams and sauces.

These products must be kept under prescribed conditions (under refrigeration or heating by means of an oven).

It is important to note that the certificate issued to Spaza Shops only allows the selling of food products (unless stated otherwise in the Nature of Handling section of the Certificate of Acceptability).

Who to report safety concerns to:

Johan Compion (entire region)
Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Cell: 082 803 5161

George Municipal Area
Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health (Outeniqua)
Tel: 044 803 1501 / Cell: 078 457 2824

Klein Karoo & Kannaland Municipal Areas
Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health (Klein Karoo)
Tel: 044 272 2241 / Cell: 083 678 6530

Mossel Bay Municipal Area
Dr Johann Schoeman – Manager: District Air Quality Management and Municipal Health (Mossel Bay)
Tel: 044 693 0006 / Cell: 083 530 3709

Knysna Municipal Area
James McCarthy – Chief: Knysna
Tel: 044 382 7214 / Cell: 082 805 9417

Bitou Municipal Area
Gawie Vos – Chief: Lakes (Bitou)
Tel: 044 501 1600 / Cell: 083 557 1522

Hessequa Municipal Area
Haemish Herwels – Chief: Hessequa
Tel: 028 713 2438 / Cell: 083 678 6545

If your report is unanswered, please contact communications@gardenroute.gov.za

Feature image caption: Some of the repackaging food often found by EHPS which are not allowed. These smaller portions may seem like a way to make food more affordable and accessible, but it can create food-safety risks when not done under proper hygienic conditions.

ENDS