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Author: Herman Pieters

27 February 2025 Update 5: Gwaiing Road upgrade planned to continue from early April

Update 5: Gwaiing Road upgrade planned to continue from early April

27 February 2025

The Gwaiing Road (DR1618) construction project when completed by the Garden Route District Municipality will see a 4.4 km stretch, between the R404 (Blanco side) and the R102 (George Airport side), upgraded from gravel to a tarred surface. The project has previously been halted when teams were redeployed to areas impacted by heavy rains.

“Firstly, I extend my sincere gratitude to the residents and road users who have shown remarkable patience during the construction delays,” said Mayor Andrew Stroebel.

“During April, in line with the new budget cycle for Provincial Government, the Gwaiing road is planned to commence. The project should take a minimum of 10-months to be completed”. 

Some insights on tarred road construction

The construction of tarred surfaced roads, like the Gwaiing one, consists of various underlying gravel layers, finished with a sealed (tarred) surface layer.

The layer works specific to the Gwaiing project are:

  1. Lower Selected Subgrade (Roadbed): The natural soil prepared to support the road.
  2. Upper Selected Subgrade (SSG): A layer of material placed on the roadbed to provide additional support.
  3. Cemented Subbase: A layer of material placed on the subgrade to provide additional support.
  4. Base Course: The main load-bearing layer, crucial for structural integrity.
  5. Bituminous Surface (Tarring): The uppermost layer sealing the underlying layerworks and providing a smooth and durable surface.

Of the five layers, the base course is next in line to be prepared and completed. Surfacing (tarring) is the final step and is anticipated to be completed two weeks after the curing phase of the base course has been done. The GRDM therefore anticipates having one fully completed lane ready by the middle of the 2025 calendar year. Keep in mind again that every step of the process is dependent on the weather.

The second lane has been completed up to the SSG layer. Materials for the remaining layers will be procured and delivered over a 30-day period per layer, once the first lane has been successfully completed. This phased approach is designed to minimize traffic disruptions for residents, as traffic will be shifted to the completed lane, allowing for construction to take place on the last lane. As material is being delivered, processing, compaction, and testing will be done continuously on the remaining layers.

Mayor Stroebel also shared that “the entire project is done by GRDM. Fully in-house with our permanent staff, and with the utilisation of the Expanded Public Works Programme where we appoint labour on a contract basis for developing their skills”.

Feature image: Processing and compacting of a subbase layer previously done on the 4.4km Gwaiing Road (DR1618) between the R404 (Blanco side) and the R102 (George Airport side).

ENDS

23 February 2025 Media Release: Successful Demonstration of Honeybush Retort is good news for Garden Route wild harvesters and small-scale farmers

Media Release: Successful Demonstration of Honeybush Retort is good news for Garden Route wild harvesters and small-scale farmers23 February 2025

23 February 2025

Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning recently congratulated the different entities that worked together to make progress with a project to support emerging farmers, wild harvesters and local producers of honeybush herbal infusion in the Garden Route District.

“This project is another good example of how different government entities can plan, budget, and execute together to the benefit of our residents.”

The Western Cape Department of Local Government (DLG), Department of Agriculture (DOA), Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), successfully demonstration an innovative honeybush processing unit at the ARC Infruitec/Nietvoorbij facility in Stellenbosch. This technology, developed by ARC, has the potential to be upscaled and rolled out to the agriculture sector, enhancing economic opportunities for local communities.

The Garden Route Agro-processing Support Project aims to strengthen the honeybush tea value chain, and this demonstration marks a significant milestone in the project. At the demonstration event Prof. Bongani Ndimba, the ARC research director, welcomed the stakeholders and provided opening remarks, highlighting the importance of this initiative and its history dated back to 1992. “This project is part of a broader effort to support Agro-processing and food security in the region. The Garden Route District Municipality has sourced R1 million in funding for the project, which will help to expand production and processing of agricultural products,” Prof Ndimba said.

Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism said: “The honeybush processing plant is a platform that empowers smallholder farmers and communities. It enables them to access the value chain, which includes packaging and marketing honeybush. Their role is not just significant but integral to the success of this project.
Our support for developing smallholder and commercial propagation of honeybush is not just a standalone initiative. It is backed by the Western Cape Government’s Growth from Jobs Strategy, a testament to the government’s commitment to increasing the contribution of SMMEs to economic growth in the Western Cape.

Our aim is not just to provide affordable honeybush processing to communities, but to stimulate local understanding of the product and health benefits. We are committed to promoting inclusivity in the Honeybush value chain, making everyone feel included and part of a larger community. This commitment will advance a sustainable, resilient, diverse, and prosperous honeybush industry that inspires confidence, hope, and prosperity for all.”

Garden Route District Municipality Mayor, Andrew Stroebel said: “This initiative aligns with the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan and the Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy, focusing on expanding Agro-processing capabilities in the region.”

Project costs of R4 million was shared between the DLG, providing R2 million, and the DOA, also investing R2 million.

The project has three phases: Phase one being the design and construction of the honey bush retort, phase two will be the construction of an Agro-processing hub and the housing infrastructure on land belonging to the Garden Route District Municipality close to the Cango Caves outside Oudtshoorn, and phase three involves branching out to Agri-tourism, with a focus on training tea sommeliers.

ENDS

Photo supplied by Nomkhosi Ngcobo: From left to right:

Minister Anton Bredell; Andrew Stroebel, Executive Mayor for the Garden Route District Municipality; Prof Bongani Ndimba, Research Director at the ARC.

20 February 2025 Media Release OBO Outeniqua WheelChair Challenge: Garden Route Mall jumps in, and the Outeniqua Wheels start spinning

Media Release: Garden Route Mall jumps in, and the Outeniqua Wheels start spinning

20 February 2025

George, Garden Route (February 2025) – Much has been penned in local publications and posted on social media about the fabulous joint effort made by George businesses and provincial bodies to get this year’s Outeniqua (Wheel)Chair Challenge (OCC) back on track.

The event takes place on 15 March, with Carpe Diem School once again serving as race hub. Participation in the 5km fun event is free for participants from George.

One of the biggest contributions came, literally overnight, from the Southern Cape’s foremost shopping centre. Garden Route Mall general manager, Rion Olivier, explains: “Around 5am on a Friday morning I saw the previous day’s George Herald article about the OCC being postponed for lack of funds. I immediately forwarded the info to our stakeholders and CEO, saying ‘We need to jump in here’.”

“It’s a unique event, the first in South Africa to focus exclusively on athletes who are physically challenged. Having known the late OCC founder, Esther Watson, it’s an event I’m really passionate about. This year, the OCC celebrates over two decades of the community taking hands, but of course Covid has had its impact and all businesses have had to recover, which is why the 21st OCC event was at risk of not taking place. That would have been a shame.”

“We understand that sponsorships for the race were limited during this recovery period, and it took us only 24 hours to make the call. Halfway through our financial year, business is going well at Garden Route Mall, and it was a pleasure to pledge R250,000 towards this excellent cause,” says Olivier.

Presented by the Disabled Road Race Foundation, OCC25 is also supported by the Western Cape Government, George Municipality, Master Cargo, Lancewood, Safari, Garden Route District Municipality, George Herald, AlgoaFM, and iX; many of these sponsors have previously been involved, and organisers thank them as well as new backers on the OCC block.

On Saturday 15 March, the OCC will be hosted for the 21st time and once again cyclists in the starting line-up of pro races will include stars of the South African Paralympic Team, as well as racers from Ghana, Botswana, Namibia and other continental neighbours.

The only race of its kind in the country, the OCC serves as a major economic and tourism boost for George. But most importantly, it is an occasion greatly anticipated by scores of members of SA’s disabled community every year.

Race director Alewijn Dippenaar says this year’s 5km fun event will be free for local participants, and he invites young and old to join in the name of community spirit. “The professional races over 10km, 21.1km and the 42.2km marathon attract world-class athletes, and this combination of fun and pro participants makes our George event a true flagship event for SA para-cyclists.”

Entries close on 28 February and event registration takes place on 14 March from 11am to 6pm at the Carpe Diem grounds. Download entry forms at www.outeniquachairchallenge.co.za and contact Alewijn Dippenaar on 082 457 5675 or at dyndev@mweb.co.za for more information or to contribute towards OCC25!

Press release on behalf of the Disabled Road Race Foundation:
interface by goji
mimi finestone | mimi@gojipr.net | +27 84 583 3144

12 February 2025 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Assists Vulnerable Communities in Disaster Recovery Efforts

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Assists Vulnerable Communities in Disaster Recovery Efforts

12 February 2025

The Emergency Call Centre, a crucial component of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Disaster Management Centre (DMC), handles approximately 25,000 emergency calls per month. However, disaster management extends far beyond immediate incident response—it encompasses four key pillars:

  1. Mitigation
  2. Preparedness
  3. Response
  4. Recovery

Disaster management also includes planning and development, ensuring a proactive approach to both natural and human-made disasters. Beyond coordinating responses during major incidents, the DMC continuously works to enhance the district’s resilience against disaster risks.

DISASTER REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS

The GRDM DMC is responsible for facilitating local disaster declarations and motivating funding requests from both provincial and national governments for disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Currently, GRDM DMC is overseeing the implementation of several disaster rehabilitation projects, including:

2021/22 Flood Disaster Grants:

  • George: R237.5 million
  • Oudtshoorn: R26.6 million

2023 Storm Surge Disaster Grants:

  • Knysna: R2.6 million
  • Hessequa: R5.18 million

June 2024 Floods:

A disaster grant request of R115 million has been submitted to the National Disaster Management Centre and National Treasury and is currently pending approval.

RELIEF TO COMMUNITIES IN NEED

GRDM DMC plays a crucial role in ensuring that disaster-affected communities receive urgent assistance.

Emergency Water Relief – Gamka West (Calitzdorp) | 26 January 2024

After residents of Gamka West, who rely on the Klein Karoo Rural Water Supply Scheme, were left without water for over four days, GRDM DMC dispatched a water tanker from the Ladismith Fire Base to deliver several loads of water to affected families.

GRDM Firefighters recently assisted families after they were left without water from the Klein Karoo Rural Water Supply Scheme for four days.

Storm Damage Relief – Volmoed (Oudtshoorn) | 29 January 2024

Following heavy rain and gale-force winds, 32 households in Volmoed, outside Oudtshoorn, were left destitute. Responding to a request from the GRDM Deputy Mayor, GRDM DMC provided:

  • 52 blankets to the Oudtshoorn Municipality for evacuated residents housed in a local church hall.
  • The Oudtshoorn Municipality also distributed 32 mattresses and 32 starter kits to affected families.
  • GRDM DMC facilitated additional support from the Gift of the Givers, who provided food relief to affected individuals the following day.

A property in Volmoed that was severely damaged after rain and gale-force winds.

STRENGTHENING WATER AND SANITATION SECURITY

Recognising the importance of water security, GRDM DMC is spearheading the development of a District Water and Sanitation Master Plan. This initiative focuses on identifying and implementing bulk water and sanitation projects across municipal boundaries to enhance water security for all residents in the district.

The GRDM is assisted by the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership (WCEDP) to develop this Master Plan. The assistance of the company Partners in Performance (PiP) was subsequently obtained to develop this District Water and Sanitation Master Plan. At this point in time most of the technical information required, have been obtained from the current Water Services Authorities in the District. PiP is currently busy analysing this data.

The GRDM is working towards having a first draft available by the end of March this year.

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

The DMC also assists local municipalities in developing Disaster Risk Reduction Plans (DRR) ensuring alignment with local risk assessments.

It is important to remember that DRR should always be a holistic multi‐hazard/threat and multi‐stakeholder approach, and it should be mainstreamed into development projects to increase the resilience of the built environment.

DRR must be considered and where relevant implemented at the earliest appropriate stage of the design and planning process rather than added onto a project as an after‐thought. It is important to build back better, especially when opportunities arise in the aftermath of a disaster. Professional institutions can play a very positive role in educating students and members about their roles in disaster risk reduction.

DRR Plans vary for each local municipal area with the focus on addressing the following priority disaster risks in the District, namely flooding, fires – especially wildland fires, drought, coastal as well as river erosion, transportation incidents including Hazmat incidents as well as human and animal diseases .

Some of these plans include the following:

  1. Flood hazard mapping linked to the Spatial Development Framework of each Local Municipality.
  2. Emergency breaching of estuaries protocol and the pro-active management of low-lying flood prone areas.
  3. Eradication of invasive alien plants.
  4. Protection of riverbanks – especially in the Duiwenhoks River.
  5. Establishment of integrated fire management protocols.
  6. Public awareness campaigns.
  7. District Safety Forum as well as establishment of Local safety Forums.
  8. Building back better as an integral part of post disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction projects.

When these plans are updated, they form part of spatial development frameworks. This ensures that that emerging disaster risks are factored into planning of town infrastructure.

Feature image: GRDM Firefighters recently assisted families after they were left without water from the Klein Karoo Rural Water Supply Scheme for four days.

ENDS

13 December 2024 Media Statement: Investigation Concludes on alleged Foodborne Illness Incident Involving Schoolchildren

Media Statement: Investigation Concludes on alleged Foodborne Illness Incident Involving Schoolchildren

13 December 2024

“The Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) have concluded their investigation into the reported illness of schoolchildren on 18 November 2024 in Mossel Bay,” said Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel.

The GRDM previously reported about the children were reported to have fallen ill after consuming chips purchased from local spaza shops and vendors near their school.

The mandate of GRDM is to send similar batches of chips packets for testing to the National Health Laboratory Service – Forensic Chemistry Laboratory, to screen for potential contamination. Whereas the mandate of the South African Police Service (SAPS) is to send the actual foreign objects found in the food packaging for testing.

“Testing a specific batch of a product is crucial for pinpointing contamination or irregularities linked to a particular production or handling period. This process ensures traceability and prevents inaccurate generalizations about a product’s safety,” said Stroebel

“According to the laboratory test results, the toxicology analysis confirmed that no traces of toxic chemicals were present in any of the batches of chips.”

“The EHPs have concluded that there is no evidence that the chips were cause of the illness of the children,” said Stroebel.

The South African Police Service (SAPS), however, is busy conducting testing on substances found as part of their ongoing investigation.

To report any incidents of suspected counterfeit or tampered foods, members of the public are urged to contact their nearest SAPS or reach out directly to the Garden Route District Municipality’s Environmental Health Services.

  • Johan Compion – Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management & Air Quality Control. jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 803 1550 / 082 803 5161
  • Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health Klein Karoo. desmond@gardenroute.gov.za;  044 272 2241 / 083 678 6530; 94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn.
  • Rinay Cloete – Acting Chief: Municipal Health Mossel Bay. rinay@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 693 0006 / 083 630 6108; C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay.
  • Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health George (Outeniqua). emmy@gardenroute.gov.za;  044 803 1537 / 078 457 2824; Mission Street, Industrial Area, George.
  • Jessica Erasmus – Acting Chief: Municipal Health George (Wilderness); jessica@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 803 1522 / 081 346 3118; Mission Street, Industrial Area, George.
  • James McCarthy – Chief: Municipal Health Knysna (Lakes). james@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 382 7214 / 082 805 9417; 26A Queen Street, Knysna.
  • Gawie Vos – Chief: Municipal Health Bitou (Lakes). Gjvos@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 501 1600 / 083 557 1522; 7 Gibb Street, Plettenberg Bay
  • Haemish Herwels – Chief: Municipal Health Hessequa (Langeberg).  haemish@gardenroute.gov.za; 028 713 2438 / 083 678 6545; 23 Mitchell Street, Riversdale.

 ENDS

Closure of Offices on Friday, 13 December 2024 at 12h00

Public Notice: Closure of Offices on Friday, 13 December 2024 at 12h00

10 December 2024

Notice is hereby given that the offices of the Garden Route District Municipality will close on Friday, 13 December 2024 at 12:00 and re-open on Monday, 6 January 2025 at 07:30. All emergency services will continue to be rendered during this period. The number 044 805 5071 can be contacted at all hours for such services.

MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P.O. Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel: 044 803 1300

05 December 2024 Media Release: Initiation Schools – GRDM’s Roles, Responsibilities, and Frequently Asked Questions

Media Release: Initiation Schools – GRDM’s Roles, Responsibilities, and Frequently Asked Questions

5 December 2024

Within the jurisdiction of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), initiation forums play a central role in ensuring the safe and culturally respectful management of initiation processes. Similarly, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) ensure that public health standards are upheld throughout these traditional practices.

Structure of Initiation Forums

Each town in the district has an Initiation Forum comprising representatives from the GRDM, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Western Cape Government Department of Health (WCG DOH), the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), Local Municipalities, Garden Route District Municipal Health Services, and members of the public.

Frequency of Initiation Seasons

Initiation seasons occur twice a year, in June and December. To prepare stakeholders, EHPs facilitate education sessions in schools and communities ahead of these months.

Education sessions for the summer season focus areas

  • Awareness of communicable diseases (including tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV screening);
  • Health and hygiene practices;
  • Guidelines and prohibitions before attending an initiation school; and
  • Community and high schools.

Over the past few months, all high schools and secondary schools were approached for education sessions. Similar training was also conducted within communities, including sessions for parents.

Key messages

  • New Processes: Parents must follow specific steps, starting with completing registration forms granting permission for their child to undergo traditional initiation;
  • Parental Involvement: Fathers, in particular, are encouraged to participate actively during health screenings;
  • Health, Hygiene, and Nutrition: Importance of maintaining food safety, providing healthy meals three times a day, and ensuring a father figure is present 24/7 for each boy;
  • The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (WCG DCAS) donated water bottles, first aid kits, and other essential supplies to various towns in the Garden Route District; and
  • Local municipalities will ensure clean water is available at all initiation school sites.

Monitoring and Registration

Members of the WCG DCAS, along with Initiation Forum representatives, conduct regular visits to initiation schools. Parents are expected to remain available 24/7, with fathers taking leave to take responsibility for their children during initiation.

All initiation school sites, traditional surgeons, and traditional nurses must be registered with the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) for each season, in accordance with the Customary Initiation Act, No. 2 of 2021.

Contact Information
Johan Compion
Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste, and Air Quality
Email: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: 044 803 1300 | Cell: 082 803 5161

Feature Image: Mail & Guardian

ENDS

29 November 2024 Media Release: Marine Protected Areas – an ecosystem treasure chest

Media Release: Marine Protected Areas – an ecosystem treasure chest

29 November 2024

“The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and a team of specialist consultants responsible for drawing up the management plans for the Garden Route Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) wrapped up their public participation effort on 27 November and will be collating the input received into a final report going forward”, says Chairperson of the Garden Route Marine and Coastal Committee Cobus Meiring.

Besides the demarcated Marine Protected Areas along the scenic Garden Route coastline, there are two seamounts located some four hundred kilometres offshore of Mossel Bay and two more east of Cape Agulhas. The seamounts are large submarine landforms that rises from the ocean floor without reaching the water surface and sustain invaluable marine ecosystems.

Because of their elevated position in the water interaction between seamounts and underwater currents attract plankton, corals , fish and marine animals alike. Seamounts are fish factories and their sustained survival is vital to South Africa’s commercial fisheries and future ocean economy.

Coastal Marine Protected Areas along the Garden Route coast are well controlled and monitored by the powers that be and serve as vital breeding ground for all marine life and eco- systems.

The seamounts deep in the Indian Ocean is, however, in a perilous position as South Africa no longer has the human capacity, littoral patrol and navy vessels nor aircraft capable of  monitoring and safeguarding the country’s natural infrastructural assets in the open ocean from plundering.

As the 2024/25 festive season is approaching recreational fishermen are encouraged to make sure they have their relevant permits in place, stay clear of Marine Protected Areas and stick to the rules that apply when practicing their sport. This is needed to ensure that our South African marine life has a sustainable future.

Happy fishing!

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is an environmental and climate change think- tank (www.grefscli.co.za).