Author: Herman Pieters
11 July 2023 Media Release: Paperless Inspections by Environmental Health Practitioners continue to reduce GRDM’s carbon footprint
Media Release: Paperless Inspections by Environmental Health Practitioners continue to reduce GRDM’s carbon footprint
For Immediate Release
11 July 2023
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) continues to reduce its carbon footprint. Developed in 2012, an innovative mobile app for Municipal Health Practitioners, combines traditional paper prints, personal computers, laptops, and cameras into one efficient device, revolutionising the way inspections are conducted.
With approximately 8,000 inspections carried out annually, including 6,000 food and water samples, the introduction of the paperless inspection yielded significant time-saving for 32 EHPS of GRDM. Time saved has resulted in a 25% reduction in their workload, equivalent to having an additional eight (8) EHPs.
The app’s effectiveness is also measured by its positive environmental impact. By eliminating the need for thousands of prints, GRDM has taken a significant step towards reducing paper waste. The production of paper involves the consumption of millions of trees, chemicals, and water, with much of it ending up in landfills as it remains largely unrecycled. The Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry is responsible for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. Embracing a digital approach to inspections significantly mitigates these environmental hazards.
In line with its commitment to environmental stewardship, GRDM has also transitioned to electronic communication wherever possible. Feedback to clients is predominantly conducted via email, further reducing the reliance on paper. For clients without access to email services, a short SMS is sent to inform them about inspections conducted and the results thereof.
Environmental Health practitioners using their app to perform daily inspections.
Previously, EHPs conducted a certain number of education sessions annually. However, over the past decade, EHPS have significantly increased their public educational sessions to approximately 500. These informative sessions cover a range of topics, including food safety, chemical safety, handwashing at schools and crèches, as well as door-to-door campaigns aimed at combating illegal dumping in the Garden Route communities.
The development team improves and updates the app frequently, ensuring it stays aligned with 21st-century advancements. The Municipal Health Dashboard, serving as a support system, provides visuals of the region to highlight evolving trends at the grassroots level.
GRDM prides itself on being a frontrunner in technological advances, in particular within municipal health services.
Feature image: An Environmental Health Practitioner using the GRDM Municipal Health App – saving thousands of Rands annually.
ENDS
11 July 2023 Public Notice: GRDM appoints AK Consultants to supply and deliver diesel-powered generators
Public Notice
11 July 2023
GRDM appoints AK Consultants to supply and deliver diesel-powered generators
After following a competitive bidding process the Garden Route District Municipality appointed AK Consultants to supply and deliver five (5) mobile 100 KVA diesel powered generators to be used as back-up units during the current energy crisis.
These units will be placed at Garden Route District Municipal offices in the district.
Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit stel AK Konsultante aan om diesel kragopwekkers te verskaf
Nadat ‘n mededingende bodproses gevolg is, het die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit AK Consultants aangestel om vyf (5) mobiele 100 KVA diesel-aangedrewe kragopwekkers te verskaf, wat as rugsteuneenhede gebruik sal word tydens beurtkrag.
Die eenhede sal by Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaleit se kantore, regoor die streek, geplaas word.
UMasipala Wesithili iGarden Route uchonge inkampani i-AK Consultants ukuba babonelele kwaye inikezele ngeejenereyitha ezisebenza ngedizili
Emva kokulandela inkqubo ekhuphisanayo nemigaqo yezibophelelo uMasipala weSithili seGarden Route uchonge inkampani i-A K Consultants ukuba ibonelele kwaye inikezele ngeejenereyitha ezintlanu ezisebenza ngedizili eziyi-100 KVA eziza kusetyenziswa njengeeyunithi zokuxhasa ngexesha lobunzima bombane obukhoyo.
Ezi yunithi ziya kubekwa kwii-ofisi zikaMasipala weSithili saseGarden Route kwisithili ukuze zifumaneke zincedise njengamacandelo ombane axhasayo kwimeko kaxakeka.
 MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
PO Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel:Â Â 044 803 1300
Notice number: 96/2023
Download the official notice here.
4 July 2023: Media Statement: Condemnation of Crime – Ald. Memory Booysen, GRDM Executive Mayor
Media Statement: Condemnation of Crime – Ald. Memory Booysen, GRDM Executive Mayor
For Immediate Release
4 July 2023
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) condemns all forms of crime and we are deeply troubled by violent murders that continue to take place in our region and beyond. The most recent local murder is that of Ruan Hechter on 2 July at Saasveld in George.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving families, friends, and colleagues of everyone who have been murdered.
As the Executive Mayor of GRDM, I strongly denounce such senseless acts and call upon the South African Police Services (SAPS) to ensure that the perpetrators face the full force of the law.
When assessing the past six months, we have lost, amongst other areas several George residents due to violent crimes:
- Zimkhitha Ntshisela was stabbed to death at Nelson Mandela University in George, in June 2023.
- Juwayne Domingo was murdered in Pacaltsdorp, George, in May 2023.
- Karen Fleming was killed by her husband in Bodorp, George, in April 2023.
- Lihle Tshaka was murdered in Zone 9, Thembalethu in March 2023.
- Welele Mbudede from Thembalethu, George, was murdered in March 2023.
Last week in Bitou, a resident was beheaded in Kwanokuthula. Oudtshoorn also lost Almay Hurling in April 2023 after she was murdered by her boyfriend. At the Dysselsdorp/De Rust road near Rosevalley in Oudtshoorn in March 2023, a 60-year-old man was found murdered in a vehicle by the driver. In 2022, Kirsty James was stabbed 30 times by a close friend at her workplace in Mossel Bay, and Heila Kilian, was murdered on her farm in 2018 near Still Bay.
According to SAPS, between October and December last year 7 555 murders were reported in South Africa. This equates to 82 murders every day and an increase on the same period in the previous year of 74 per day.
LOCAL COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUMS ESTABLISHED
Over the past few months, GRDM has taken action by coordinating the establishment of Local Community Safety Forums throughout the district, with the exception of Knysna who are yet to submit a safety plan. These safety forums serve as platforms for municipalities to access funding for effective crime prevention initiatives. The development of these safety plans is essential as they serve as comprehensive guidelines for our towns to proactively combat crime. By prioritising community safety, we aim to create an environment where individuals can flourish and realise their full potential, free from the fear of falling victim to crime.
In addition to our focus on safety plans, GRDM remains dedicated to enhancing the work carried out by neighborhood watches and farm watchers. We have donated surveillance cameras and various resources to active community groups in George, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn and Knysna, to bolster their efforts in safeguarding our communities.
GRDM encourages communities to join their respective neighbourhood watches whose details can be accessed by contacting local police stations. Also, members of the public are welcome to contact their local municipalities to join their Local Community Safety Forums.
GRDM stands firm in its commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents. We will continue to work with law enforcement agencies, community organisations, and local residents to foster a secure environment for all.
ENDS