Author: Herman Pieters
9 April 2026 Garden Route District Municipality Recognises Industry Excellence in Air Quality Management
Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Recognises Industry Excellence in Air Quality Management
9 April 2026
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has officially launched its Annual Industry Air Quality Best Practice Recognition Programme, culminating in a handover ceremony held to honour industry excellence in environmental stewardship.
The programme, aligned with the objectives of the GRDM’s 2025 Air Quality Management Plan, seeks to recognise industries that demonstrate outstanding commitment to compliance, innovation, and collaboration in air quality management.
This initiative forms part of the Municipality’s broader commitment to proactive environmental governance, developed in partnership with industry stakeholders, local air quality officers, and provincial authorities.
Dr Johan Schoeman highlighted the importance of the programme, stating: “This recognition programme is designed to encourage a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within industry. It acknowledges those Section 21 industries that not only comply with regulatory requirements but actively engage with authorities and implement innovative solutions to improve air quality outcomes.”
- Industries are assessed against a transparent and rigorous set of criteria, including:
- Active participation in Air Quality Working Group meetings
- Timely submission of statutory reports
- Compliance with minimum emission standards
- Implementation of voluntary measures to enhance air quality performance
The evaluation process is conducted by a multi-stakeholder panel and internally audited to ensure fairness, transparency, and credibility.
The 2026 recipient of the Air Quality Best Practice Award, based on performance during the 2025 evaluation period, is Cape Karoo International Tannery in Mossel Bay, which achieved full marks across all evaluation criteria.
Charl du Pisani, who is the Technical Director, said “Cape Karoo International Mossel Bay Tannery feels privileged to receive the recognition for our efforts to continually improve environmental matters in line with international requirements”.
Cape Karoo International is a globally recognised leader in the tanning of ostrich and other exotic leathers and has consistently demonstrated excellence in environmental management. As one of the first industries to receive an Atmospheric Emission Licence from GRDM, the company has remained an active and committed participant in the Municipality’s Air Quality Working Group.
During the assessment period, the tannery:
- Attended all working group meetings
- Submitted all required quarterly and annual reports
- Maintained full compliance with licence conditions and emission limits
- Demonstrated continuous improvement in air quality performance
- In addition, the company implemented targeted interventions to reduce the release of harmful gases, further strengthening its environmental impact.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Executive Mayor of the Garden Route District Municipality said:
“Today’s recognition is not only about compliance, but about leadership. It is about acknowledging those industries that go beyond minimum requirements and actively contribute to protecting our environment while supporting economic growth.
Cape Karoo International has set a benchmark for responsible industrial practice in our region, demonstrating that sustainability and economic success can go hand in hand. As a Municipality, we are proud to partner with industry in building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Garden Route.”
The programme is designed to complement, not replace, regulatory enforcement, and aims to foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration across the district.
The GRDM continues to make significant progress in environmental health, with a Municipal Health Compliance Rate of 88%. In addition, Oudtshoorn, within the Garden Route district, was recognised by IQAir as the least polluted city in Africa during the 2022/23 period.
Caption: The winners of the Air Quality Best Practice Award from Cape Karoo International Mossel Bay Tannery, front (fltr): Ms Anya Bits (Environmental Officer), Dr Francois de Wet (Managing Director) and Mr Charl du Pisani (Technical Manager / Director). Back (fltr): Angus Andries (District Air Quality Officer), Dr Johann Schoeman (Manager: District Air Quality Control), Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard (Mayoral Committee Chairperson: Community Services) and Ald. Marais Kruger (GRDM Executive Mayor).
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Media Queries
Kabelo Mohlohlo (Manager: Support Staff)
079 133 0543 / kabelo@gardenroute.gov.za
Herman Pieters (GRDM Communication Manager)
081 4555 699 / communications@gardenroute.gov.za
Public Notice: Adjusted 2025/26 GRDM Top Layer Service Delivery & Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP)
Public Notice: Adjusted 2025/26 GRDM Top Layer Service Delivery & Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP)
8 April 2026
Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipality’s SDBIP for 2025/26 has been adjusted.
All questions must be directed to:
GRDM Manager: Performance Management, Ms Ilse Saaiman
Tel: 044-803 1300 / E-mail: pms@gardenroute.gov.za.
Click here and download the document
Public Notice: Closure of Offices on Thursday, 2 April 2026 at 12h00
CLOSURE OF OFFICES: THURSDAY, 2 APRIL 2026
Notice is hereby given that all the offices of the Garden Route District Municipality will be closed on Thursday 2 April at 12:00 and re-open on Tuesday, 7 April 2026 at 07:30.
All emergency services will continue to be rendered during this period. The number 044 805 5071 / 081 709 5193 (WhatsApp too) 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
Notice number 27/2026
SLUITING VAN KANTORE: DONDERDAG,2 APRIL 2026
Kennisgewing geskied hiermee dat die kantore van die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit op Vrydag, 2 April 2026 om 12:00 gesluit sal wees en op Dinsdag 7 April 2026 om 07:30, sal heropen.
Alle nooddienste sal steeds gedurende die tydperk gelewer word. Indien nodig, kan die nooddiensnommer 044 805 5071 / 081 709 5193 (WhatsApp ook) te enige tyd geskakel word.
MG Stratu
Munisipale Bestuurder
Yorkstraat 54
Posbus 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel: 044 803 1300
Kennisgewing nommer 27/2026
UKUVALWA KWEEOFISI: NGOLWESINE, 2 APRIL 2026
Kunikwa isaziso sokuba zonke iiofisi zeGarden Route District Municipality ziza kuvalwa ngoLwesine, umhla wesi-2 kuApril 2026 ngo-12:00 kwaye zivulwe kwakhona ngoLwesibini, umhla wesi-7 ku April 2026 ngo-07:30.
Zonke iinkonzo zongxamiseko ziya kuqhubeka zinikezelwa ngeli xesha. Inombolo 044 805 5071 / 081 709 5193 (nakwi-WhatsApp) inokuqhagamshelwa ngamaxesha onke ukuze ufumane ezo nkonzo.
MG Stratu
UMphathi kaMasipala
54 York Street
P.O. Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Umnxeba: 044 803 1300
Inombolo yesaziso 27/2026
31 March 2026 Media Statement: Garden Route District Municipality concludes Human Settlements Unit after delivering key housing milestones
Media Statement: Garden Route District Municipality concludes Human Settlements Unit after delivering key housing milestones
31 March 2026
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) formally concluded the work of its Human Settlements Unit today, 31 March 2026.
According to Lusanda Menze, the GRDM Executive Manager for Integrated Planning and Economic Development: “The Unit was established in 2021 through a Memorandum of Agreement with the provincial government to strengthen the delivery of affordable housing programmes across the Garden Route district. Over its operational period, the GRDM was able to strategically coordinate and support seven local municipalities, focusing on long-term planning, partnerships, and unlocking housing opportunities.”
Over the past five years, the Human Settlements Unit achieved several important milestones that will continue to benefit the region:
- The development and adoption of an Integrated Human Settlements Strategic Plan, including annual reviews and alignment across municipalities.
- Approval of the Human Settlements Sector Plan, providing a comprehensive pipeline of housing programmes and projects across the district.
- Submission of an Accreditation Business Plan aligned to national frameworks, supported by several local municipalities.
- Development and Council approval of an Incentives Policy Framework to support affordable housing delivery by local municipalities.
- Contribution to the review and amendment of the district’s Spatial Development Framework.
- Creation of a district-wide housing demand database, with over 1 500 applicants registered for social housing and home ownership opportunities.
Transition and continuation of work
“The Human Settlements Sector Plan and Incentives Policy Framework will be handed over to the WCG DOI to ensure continued implementation. The Spatial Development Framework will remain with GRDM as part of its ongoing planning mandate,” said Menze.
Commitment to sustainable human settlements
According to Mayor Marais Kruger, the establishment of the Human Settlements Unit marked an important step in positioning the Garden Route as a proactive partner in addressing housing challenges, particularly within the affordable housing market segment, which has historically been under-served.”
“The conclusion of the Unit’s operational phase does not mark an end, but rather a transition,” he said. “The solid foundation built by the GRDM with regards to strategic planning, strong partnerships, and progressive policy development, will continue to guide and support housing delivery across the Garden Route.”
Kruger added that GRDM remains committed to working hand-in-hand with provincial and local stakeholders to expand access to housing opportunities and build more inclusive communities for all residents.
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30 March 2026 Media Release: Garden Route Mountains Key to SA’s Water Future
Media Release: Garden Route Mountains Key to SA’s Water Future
30 March 2026
During a recent workshop hosted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), South Africa has once again highlighted the importance of the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains as critical water-producing landscapes for the Southern Cape.
These mountain catchments form part of South Africa’s Strategic Water Source Areas (SWAs) often called the country’s “natural water factories”. Although these areas cover less than 10% of the country’s land surface, they generate around half of the water that ends up in rivers and dams.
“For farmers, the message is clear: without healthy mountain catchments, there is no long-term water security,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).
According to GREF, almost every catchment in the Garden Route is negatively impacted by invasive alien plants. These invasives reduce streamflow, damage soil health and weaken the ability of rivers to recover after drought.
The situation is made more challenging because of geography. Most coastal catchments in the Garden Route are short and flow quickly from the mountains to the Indian Ocean. This means there are very few opportunities to build large dams, making the protection of natural catchments even more important for agriculture.
South Africa is already a water-scarce country, and climate change is expected to bring hotter and drier conditions to many farming regions. However, the country still has a major advantage: a well-defined network of SWSAs that, if protected, can secure water supply for the future.
Over decades, South African engineers built world-class dams and inter-basin transfer schemes. But infrastructure alone cannot solve the problem. Without healthy mountain ecosystems, the system simply cannot function optimally.
The focus now is on cooperation between farmers, municipalities, conservation organisations and landowners to protect these vital catchments before further damage is done.
For the Garden Route and the wider agricultural sector, the message from the workshop was simple: protecting water source areas is not only an environmental priority – it is an economic one.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and a climate change think- tank – www.grefecf.co.za
Picture Caption: A view of the Outeniqua Mountains (Photo: Herman Pieters)
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