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Author: Herman Pieters

20 May 2025 Media Release: Reinforcing the Garden Route & Klein Karoo’s place in Domestic & International Tourism

Media Release: Reinforcing the Garden Route & Klein Karoo’s place in Domestic & International Tourism

20 May 2025

The Garden Route and Klein Karoo Tourism (GR&KK) Regional Tourism Office (RTO) exhibited at Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI), last week from 13 – 15 May. This year’s ATI was hosted at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.

The RTO secured space alongside the Cape Town and Western Cape platform – a space provided by the official Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for the Western Cape (Wesgro). GR&KK was joined by three Local Tourism Offices (LTO); George, Wilderness & Uniondale, Iconic Mossel Bay and Visit Knysna.

Africa’s Travel Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing platforms on the annual African calendar and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar. The platform provided representatives from the region the opportunity to engage with domestic and international tour operators, travel agents and travel media. In time, more visits would therefore be directed to the Garden Route & Klein Karoo.

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel highlighted: “This region is one of the top destinations in South Africa, attracting tourists and holidaymakers from our continent and the six others. It is therefore critical that, as part of our mandate as the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), we continue to actively market our region on both national and international platforms”.

“Our presence at the ATI shows our commitment to supporting tourism businesses, including guesthouses, hotels, golf courses, shark cage diving operators, and more to excel, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth. That is why, as a Mayor, I consider it a priority to strengthen our region’s visibility and appeal through every available platform.”

Exhibitors included, above and beyond the travel trade and media partners, also provincial authorities and products and African countries, accommodation, game lodges, transport providers, online travel, luxury products, hidden gems, publications and industry associations. Outdoor exhibitors focused primarily on transport, camping and safari companies.

Denver Johnson (GR&KK Tourism Officer), Richard Dyantyi (GR&KK Tourism Manager), and Zama Mcambi (Assistant Director National Department of Tourism)

Throughout each day, panel discussions and networking sessions for tourism industry practitioners took place where experts exchanged insights, explored emerging trends, shared best practices

To date, the GR&KK RTO has participated in ATI since 2004. However, it is important to note that several global events have disrupted the consistent hosting of ATI, of which the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a three-year suspension. The event resumed virtually in 2022 and made its full physical return in 2023.

For further enquiries contact the GR&KK Tourism Officer, Denver Johnson.

Cell: 067 037 0352
E-mail: denver@gardenroute.gov.za

RTO and LTO websites for this region

Feature image: Western Cape Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, with GRDM Tourism Officer, Denver Johnson at the GR&KK exhibition space. 

ENDS

 

20 May 2025 Media Release: GRDM Municipal Health Services awarded a ‘Gold Certificate of Recognition’

Media Release: GRDM Municipal Health Services awarded a ‘Gold Certificate of Recognition’

20 May 2025

The Western Cape Provincial Government (WCG) held an award ceremony earlier today, 19 May 2025, at the Lentegeur Hospital in Cape Town, for several categories relating to Health and Wellness. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM)’s Municipal Health Unit received a Gold Certificate for its performance coined “the technological advancement of environmental health and outstanding performance and adherence to Municipal Health Norms and Standards”. The Central Karoo District landed 3rd position with the City of Cape Town in 2nd position.

In his congratulatory message, GRDM Mayor Andrew Stroebel said: “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) on this remarkable achievement. Receiving a Gold Certificate of Recognition reflects every EHPs dedication, innovation, and excellence that define the GRDM’s approach to environmental health.”

Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, who is the MMC for Community Services also shared a word by mentioning: “As the MMC for Community Services, I am excited and I want to congratulate the team on the excellent work they keep doing. I’m pleased that the residents of the greater Garden Route remain safe through the services delivered, especially in terms of food safety and water quality. We will continue to prioritise these efforts and put the safety of residents first.”

GRDM Municipal Manager Monde Stratu also shared a word on behalf of the GRDM administration to the Municipal Health Unit by saying: “Your hard work sets a benchmark for service delivery across the province. Well done!”

Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu, the Executive Manager for Community Services, said: “During the audit done by WCG, we achieved a compliance rate of 96.7%. For me, it is evident that we are making substantial progress and that my team of 32 EHPs are moving in a positive direction. I am proud of every EHP in my Department”.

Johan Compion, Senior Manager of Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality Control at GRDM, who received the award on behalf of all the EHPs, has been heading the Unit since 2006 and is one of the longest-serving employees of the GRDM.

The WCG Directorate Facilities Management of the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health and Wellness conducted the audit of the GRDM’s Municipal Health Services during the 2023/2024 year and does this on an annual basis.

The following municipal health-related key performance indicators and administration processes were audited:

  • client rights;
  • operational management;
  • facility and infrastructure;
  • leadership;
  • corporate governance;
  • vector control;
  • environment pollution control;
  • waste management;
  • water quality monitoring;
  • law enforcement;
  • health surveillance of premises.

Image caption: Simon Kaye, Deputy Director: Corporate Services; Johan Compion, Senior Manager of Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality Control at GRDM; Stanley Nomelo, Program Manager: Environmental Health Services, WCG Health and Wellness; and Laura Angeletti-du Toit, Chief Director: Integrated Facilities Management.

Editors’ Note:

Municipal Health Services is defined in the National Health Act of 2003 and include the following Key Performance Areas: Water Quality Monitoring, Food Control, Solid Waste Management, Health Surveillance of Premises, Supervision and Prevention of Communicable Diseases, Vector Control, Environmental Pollution Control, the Disposal of Human Remains and the Safe handling of Chemical substances. The primary aims of Municipal Health Services are to promote health and to ensure a healthy environment for the community.

 

19 Mei 2025 Mediaverklaring: Die Son sal weer Skyn oor Calitzdorp Warmbron

Mediaverklaring: Die Son sal weer Skyn oor Calitzdorp Warmbron

19 Mei 2025

Die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM) beplan om nuwe lewe in die ikoniese Calitzdorp Warmbron oord te blaas, geleë sowat 25 km buite Calitzdorp. Al het die fasiliteit onlangs sy deure vir die publiek gesluit, beteken dié besluit geensins die einde van die oord nie; inteendeel, dit dui die begin aan van ’n opwindende nuwe hoofstuk deur middel van ’n voorgestelde langtermyn-huurooreenkoms.

Volgens Dzivhuluwani Mashila, Bestuurder: Projekte, Eiendomme, Fasiliteite en Oordbestuur by TDM:

“Die TDM het verskeie interne werkswinkels gereël om die kwessie aan te spreek voordat die Oord se deure gesluit is. Dit is gedoen om ’n volhoubare plan vir die oord se toekoms te ontwikkel. Die voorlopige plan behels die bewaring en instandhouding van die terrein terwyl die grondslag gelê word vir die Raad om ’n potensiële langtermyn-huurooreenkoms met ’n vennoot te oorweeg (die proses sal na afloop van die TDM-Raad se finale besluit, kan afskop). Hierdie benadering sal verseker dat die oord beskerm word en strategies geposisioneer is vir toekomstige ontwikkeling. Daar word beoog om Calitzdorp Wamrbon se volle ekonomiese, omgewings- en toerismepotensiaal te ontsluit. Dit hou groot voordele in vir Calitzdorp, sy inwoners en die breër streek.”

’n Juweel wat wag om te skyn

Calitzdorp Warmbron kan beskryf word as ’n ongeslypte diamant wat, met die regte belegging en visie, in ’n ware toerismejuweel omskep kan word.

Met moontlikhede vir spa en welstand-behandelings, eko-toerisme en kulturele ervarings, het hierdie natuurlike warmbron die potensiaal om veel meer te bied as slegs akkommodasie en kleiner ontspanningsaktiwiteite soos reuse-skaak, vlugbal en staproetes. Die realiteit is egter dat die munisipaliteit, weens huidige begrotingsbeperkings, nie in staat is om alleen aan die vereistes vir formele stergradering of grootskaalse opgraderings te voldoen nie.

 Grondeise en ontwikkeling

Die eiendom is tans onderhewig aan ’n grondeis, wat reeds die aandag van die Grond-eise Kommissie geniet. Verskeie onderhandelinge is reeds gevoer, en die TDM benader die proses op ’n billike en inklusiewe wyse. Enige voorgestelde oplossings sal aan die TDM-Raad voorgelê word vir oorweging voordat daar met enige tender- en verhuurprosesse voortgegaan word.

Terwyl langtermynplanne oorweeg word, gaan die munisipaliteit voort om die oord se infrastruktuur in stand te hou – met een duidelike boodskap:

Die son sal weer skyn oor Calitzdorp Warmbron – helderder en mooier as ooit tevore.

15 May 2025 Update: GRDM continues to support Knysna Municipality during water infrastructure repairs

Update: GRDM continues to support Knysna Municipality during water infrastructure repairs

15 May 2025

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Disaster Management has had a busy week assisting Knysna Municipality (KM). This, after the GRDM received a formal request to assist KM with water tankering to communities in Rheenendal.

KM activated a Joint Operations Centre (JOC) yesterday after the main domestic water pump broke. The response to the service delivery challenges will be coordinated from their JOC. Role players in the JOC include the Western Cape Provincial Government, GRDM Disaster Management, Knysna SAPS, Knysna Infrastructure Group, The Greater Knysna Business Chamber, KM Law Enforcement, Traffic Services, and KM Fire & Rescue Services.

“Only one 6000-litre water tanker was dispatched initially to assist Knysna, but it soon became evident that additional tankers would be required. The tankering service was beefed-up to two units, which now includes an additional 10 000-litre unit. The GRDM has been assisting since last weekend and continues to provide its support the Knysna and its communities,” said Andrew Stroebel, GRDM Executive Mayor.

“We will continue to assist local municipalities within our resource capacity. Previously we assisted Kannaland and Oudtshoorn Municipalities when they also experienced challenges with their water infrastructure.”

According the GRDM Head of Disaster Management, Gerhard Otto, the “coordination of the water tankering is done by the Knysna Technical Services Section. Up to yesterday, 14 May, the focus was to provide water to the Rheenendal community but due to the water situation deteriorating, the tankering of water had to be extended to other areas in Knysna like Dam-se-Bos and Nekkies”.

ENDS

23 April 2025 Media Statement by Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel – Garden Route Roads Department Investigation – A Step Toward Clean Governance

Media Statement by Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel

Garden Route Roads Department Investigation – A Step Toward Clean Governance

23 April 2025

During October 2024, I, together with the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Mayoral Committee Member (MMC) for Roads Services, Cllr Daniel Cronje, engaged in discussions relating to an investigation by the Western Cape Provincial Government (WCG) Department of Infrastructure. The investigation was said to focus on the performance, efficiency, and possible irregularities pertaining to the Roads Department at the GRDM.

GRDM is the agency function contracted to execute work on behalf of the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure over many years.Funding for this function is provided by the WCG through a grant.

On 22 April 2025, the WCG Member of the Executive Council for Infrastructure, Minister Tertuis Simmers, presented a broad summary of the findings of their investigation to the GRDM Council, municipal management, several employees and representatives of the Garden Route Ratepayers Association, amongst others.

As part of the turnaround strategy I committed to rolling out from July 2024 after I was inaugurated, the new political leadership of GRDM welcomes the findings that will be outlined in the report by WCG.

At the GRDM, we believe that transparency, accountability, and clean governance are fundamental pillars in building a successful and trusted public service model.

Therefore, once the written report is received, it will be formally tabled at a full sitting of the GRDM Council for consideration and implementation of the recommendations to bring those involved to accountability.

Clean governance is non-negotiable. Our residents expect nothing less – especially when public funds are involved.

Service delivery remains a top priority. Our dedicated employees will continue to uphold their duties as the municipality transitions through this important period of reform.

Andrew Stroebel
Executive Mayor
Garden Route District Municipality