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Author: Herman Pieters

10 April 2024 Drivers License (Code B) 140 Training opportunities for unemployed

Drivers License (Code B) 140 Training opportunities for unemployed

Another Garden Route Skills Mecca Initiative!

Garden Route District Municipality invites unemployed persons between ages of 18 to 40, male or female residing within the Garden Route district municipal area, to apply for an opportunity to be trained for a Drivers License Code B as part of a  Garden Route Skills Mecca initiative. Opportunities are currently available within all seven (7) municipal areas within the Garden Route District: Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland.

 The total number of opportunities available for each municipal area is 20 each.

 Applicants must register and apply using the online UNEMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS (RED BUTTON) on the Garden Route Skills Mecca Website at https://skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za/ or browse to this shortlink: https://tinyurl.com/34unespk

 Programme and Entry Requirements

  • Applicants need to have Grade 11 (NQF 3) or equivalent as a minimum requirement.
  • Persons must be between ages of 18 to 40.
  • Men and women are invited, but they must reside within the boundaries of the Garden Route district.

 Scope of Qualification

A qualified learner will be able to:

  • Demonstrate attitudes related to drivers to reduce driving risks and maintain safety on the roads.
  • Demonstrate techniques to improve driving skills and apply the system of vehicle control.
  • Drive a motor vehicle in accordance with the system of vehicle control requirements with specific reference to the applicable K53 tests.

 The GRDM will only consider applications completed in full and if the following documents have been uploaded on the system: 

An up to date-

  • Certified South African ID Copy (ID Card both sides must be copied).
  • Certified copy of highest educational qualifications.

 For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Reginald Salmons at 044 803 1363, or Sisanda Sajini at 044 803 1450 during office hours only.  

 Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.

Download the notice here

Join the Garden Route WhatsApp Channel for Skills, Jobs and Tenders, by clicking here with your phone: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va92oJoJpe8eiTvq3q33

Closing date:  25/04/2025
Notice number: 36/2025

24 March 2025 Media Release: 8th Climate Change Indaba to be hosted in June 2025

Media Release: 8th Climate Change Indaba to be hosted in June 2025

24 March 2025

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) Annual Climate Change and Environmental Management Indaba will be co- hosted by the Garden Route District Municipality and the Nelson Mandela University on 27 June 2025,” says GREF Convener Cobus Meiring.

The Climate Change Indaba was introduced to the GREF bouquet of deliverables in 2018 following the devastating Knysna and Outeniqua wildfire disasters which coincided with severe drought affecting large areas of the Garden Route and the unfolding Day Zero scenario in the Western Cape.

Through the years the Climate Change Indaba succeeded in attracting environmental experts and high level delegations from all over South Africa and abroad to share their knowledge and input on climate change and environmental management issues with local practitioners and all levels of government.

Perhaps not as hard- hit as KZN in the recent past, the Garden Route is no stranger to environmental disasters and regularly suffers from drought, heavy rain and floods, strong wind and storm surges, loss of bio- diversity and infrastructure and regular wild fire disasters. Keeping track of the impact of a changing climate and how best to mitigate its impact is vital to regional environmental stability and disaster management.

Through entities such as the Nelson Mandela University, SANParks, Cape Nature and many others the Garden Route is blessed with some of South Africa’s leading experts in environmental management and the Indaba is a showcase of regional collaboration and cooperation.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and a climate change think- tank.

Those interested to attend the Indaba can contact Louise Mare at louisemare@gmail.com

(www.grefscli.co.za)

Feature image: Climate change has an impact on Garden Route environmental sustainability and bio- diversity

ENDS

24 March 2025 Media Release: District Leadership Discusses rehabilitation of Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Railway line, Budget Pressures, Water Security, and Waste Management at DCF and MMF Forum

Media Release: District Leadership Discusses rehabilitation of Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Railway line, Budget Pressures, Water Security, and Waste Management at DCF and MMF Forum

For Immediate Release
24 March 2025

The District Coordinating and Municipal Managers’ Forums took place on 19 March in Knysna. These engagements drew several stakeholders from the private sector, as well as mayors from all municipalities in the Garden Route and their respective municipal managers and support staff. There were many items discussed, with some including a review of the Garden Route Bulk Water Master Plan, enacting a District Firefighting Services Bylaw, Licensed Drone Operations for Municipalities, Mossel Bay Courts, and the rehabilitation of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Railway Line, to name a few.

According to GRDM Mayor, Andrew Stroebel, the engagements were insightful. Solutions to possible cross-cutting risks and solutions, collaboration, and educational content were on the table for discussion.

Some extracts of discussions, include the following:

Rehabilitation of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Railway line

A tender was advertised by Transnet on 6 April 2023 to invite interested respondents to submit bids to rehabilitate the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe railway line. An award letter was issued on 28 August 2024. At the moment contract negotiations are underway. The branch line between George and Knysna is 67km long and it is also envisaged to attract rail cargo like waste and timber.

Water and Sanitation: A Critical Priority

During these forums, participants reaffirmed the need for a long-term strategy to address water security. While past drought measures were somewhat effective, sustainable solutions for a future that caters for all towns, are essential. The Garden Route District Municipality has formally requested information from sub-regions, including Oudtshoorn, Kannaland, Mossel Bay, Hessequa, Bitou, and Knysna, to develop bulk infrastructure funding proposals. Water shortages not only impact households but also threaten business sustainability, particularly industries reliant on water and energy.

Regional Waste Management and Energy Solutions

Progress on the Regional Waste Management Facility was discussed, with a call for Hessequa to consider participation and Knysna to finalise them joining the initiative. Waste transfer stations must be relocated, and municipalities are encouraged to explore energy solutions, such as gas-to-energy projects. The importance of power purchase agreements to ensure project viability was emphasized, along with the need for cost-reflective tariffs across the district.

Collaboration in Fire Prevention and Governance Challenges

The forum acknowledged collaborative efforts in fire prevention and the challenges posed by conflicting legislation between fire and environmental acts. The review of the White Paper on Local Government and municipal demarcation was noted as critical, given that many municipalities face sustainability issues due to financial constraints.

Municipal Support and Economic Impacts

Kannaland Municipality expressed appreciation for GRDM’s support, particularly with water tankers. However, concerns were raised over infrastructure collapse and the decline in population, which affects economic growth and service delivery. Over-extraction of boreholes and industrial water demands continue to pose significant risks.

As the region navigates these challenges, the GRDM remains committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure a resilient governance.

Feature image: GRDM Executive Manager for Integrated Planning and Economic Development, Lusanda Menze, GRDM MM, Monde Stratu, GRDM Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel and Cllr Beauty Charlie, representing the Mayor of Knysna

More images captured during the DCF and MMF. Presentations were done via MS Teams and in-person.

ENDS

18 March 2025 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Commends Progress on Montagu Pass (DR1640) Repair Project

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Commends Progress on Montagu Pass (DR1640) Repair Project

For Immediate Release
18 March 2025

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) commends the Western Cape Government (WCG) and particularly its Department of Infrastructure (DoI) for their significant progress in repairing efforts of the Montagu Pass (DR1640). The GRDM is responsible for performing a Roads Agency Function (maintenance and upgrades) on behalf of the WCG DoI, receiving allocations annually from them.

GRDM Mayor Andrew Stroebel said: “Through collaboration, the WCG DoI has successfully navigated complex legislative and environmental processes to bring this critical project back on track with the backing of the private sector”.

“It is no secret that the Montagu Pass sustained severe flood damage, which required a comprehensive repair strategy to ensure its long-term resilience. The Pass is of vital importance to the residents of George and surrounds as it is also a tourism asset and an agricultural corridor that supports jobs,” said Stroebel.

George Executive Mayor, Jackie Von Brandis also added: “I am pleased about the clear way forward to restore this historical pass to its former glory. The Montagu Pass remains one of our country’s oldest unaltered mountain passes, completed in 1847. Beyond its historical significance, the pass has for long been a weekend favourite for adventure seekers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and hikers who enjoy its rugged beauty and nostalgic charm. I look forward to seeing domestic and international tourists using it again.”

The CEO of Agri Western Cape (AWC), Jannie Strydom, also added: “Fully functional and well-maintained infrastructure is vital for the agricultural sector to function optimally, because this without a doubt supports the sustainability and operational efficiency of the sector”. Strydom has been instrumental in coordinating engagements between AWC, GRDM, WCG Department Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, as well as the George Business Chamber, Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHI), Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the WCG DoI.

Willie-John van Niekerk, the Chairman of the George Heritage Trust, extended his thank yous to all relevant authorities, organisations and support groups too, who have contributed to the traction of the project. “We trust that the work on the Pass will be carried out in accordance with heritage principles, ensuring that it does not lead to further degradation of the road due to a lack of understanding of its structure or through well-intentioned but misinformed alterations to the natural environment.”

Following the aforementioned comments, Mayor Stroebel thanks to all stakeholders for their collaborative spirit during this process to date.

The reality on the ground, which will be addressed soon as per the timeline provided below by WCG DoI. 

The timeline provided by the DoI for the project is as follows:

Project Initiation & Assessment

  • October 2024: Western Cape Government receives additional funding through the National Disaster Management Grant to address flood damage and repairs.
  • November 2024: Zutari engineering firm appointed to provide professional engineering services.
  • November 2024 – February 2025: On-site assessments conducted, with stakeholder consultations (business representatives, heritage agencies) to align objectives and mitigate delays.

Design & Environmental Processes

  • End of February 2025: Design scope approved, allowing the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) application process to commence.
  • Early March 2025: Survey results received and processed to inform detailed engineering design.
  • By End of March 2025: NEMA application submission target.
  • March – late September 2025: NEMA and other environmental authorisations expected (subject to public participation and appeals process).

Construction Phase

  • Late October 2025: Anticipated construction commencement (if authorisations are secured on time).
  • October 2025 – August 2026: Estimated construction period (8-10 months) at a projected cost of R80 million.

Project Completion and Maintenance

  • August 2026: Expected full reopening of Montagu Pass (subject to all conditions being met).

Beyond August 2026

  • Routine maintenance to align with heritage practices.
  • Maintenance overseen by the District Roads Engineer: Garden Route and Central Karoo.
  • Continued efforts to enhance road resilience against future flood damage.

Read the full WCG DoI statement here: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/infrastructure/article/good-progress-being-made-montagu-pass-repair-project

Issued by Garden Route District Municipality and endorsed by the Western Cape Provincial WCG Department Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, George Municipality, Agri Western Cape, George Business Chamber, AHI and ACSA.

Feature image: A scenic image of the Montagu Pass, showcasing its natural beauty as it is nestled within the Outeniqua Mountains.

ENDS