Author: Herman Pieters
26 June 2023 Media Release: In order for communities to survive climate change, it’s back to the basics for government
Media Release: In order for communities to survive climate change, it’s back to the basics for Government
For Immediate Release
26 June 2023
“The still rising Cholera death toll in Gauteng and elsewhere in the interior should serve as a rude awakening for Local Governments as well as the communities they serve. In order for all to enjoy essential necessities such as clean running water and health, we need to refocus our attention on better managing our natural resources and fixing and maintaining the basics before we even consider anything else”, says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) and Councillor of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) on the eve of the Annual Climate Change and Environmental Management Indaba at the Nelson Mandela University.
Whilst the impact of a changing climate and rainfall patterns is complicated and threatens drought and hardship for the unprepared, the management of our natural resources is not difficult at all if the collective, and especially Local Governments, apply their minds, resources, and efforts. As an example, raw sewerage spewing from moribund waste water works countrywide has changed the river ecology and water quality of the Vaal and Olifants and almost all other river systems and estuaries in South Africa to levels that will be difficult to recover from. This has significant consequences for the quality of life of our citizens and South Africa’s food security.
A government can rightly be judged by the way it takes care of its precious natural resources, and water is by far the most important. The management of sewerage water is not a sexy subject, but by ignoring the functioning and maintenance of sewerage treatment plants at local municipalities they allowed the first domino to fall towards excessive misery and deprivation for communities already suffering from economic hardship and poverty.
But there is light at the end of the tunnel, and unfortunate disasters such as the Cholera outbreak will force authorities back to managing the basics. Similarly, the multimillion-Rand fine recently imposed on the Standerton Municipality by the Blue Scorpions for allowing raw sewerage to flow into the Vaal River may well be a turning point in an otherwise downward spiral.
Another promising example of potential environmental prosperity is the billions of Rand being made available by the Western world to assist South Africa in its transition to clean energy presenting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for South Africa to become a global leader in environmental management and at the same time allowing the country to prepare for what the changing climate will be throwing at us.
Inquiries: cobus@naturalbridge.co.za
Feature image: Little hope the Vaal River’s sewage pollution crisis will end any time soon (Picture: Nneka Nwogwugwu).
Editor’s note: The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a Climate Change think- tank and public platform for environmental managers and conservation entities in the Southern Cape.
ENDS
20 June 2023 Media Release: 8 000 Hectares more veld and mountain fires burned over the past 12-months
Media Release: 8 000 Hectares more veld and mountain fires burned over the past 12-months
20 June 2023
Throughout the past municipal calendar year, spanning from July 2022 to June 2023, the Garden Route district, including Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Oudtshoorn, and Kannaland, has witnessed several wildfires. Deon Stoffels, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Chief Fire Officer, says a staggering 82 fires, including several wildfires, have ravaged the region since July 2022, leaving 23,848 hectares of land burned. Comparatively, although the previous year saw three additional wildfires between July 2021 and June 2022, the extent of the damage was slightly lower, with approximately 14,500 hectares consumed.
“It remains a priority for us to continue to address this concerning trend and prioritise fire management and prevention strategies to safeguard communities,” said Stoffels.
The major areas most affected by the past year’s wildfires included the Rooiberg Mountains in Van Wyksdorp, the Swartberg Mountains in Oudtshoorn, and Molenrivier (N9 South) in the George area. The primary cause of these wildfires was due to lightning strikes, which are typically prevalent during the January and February months.
Stoffels said: “On one particular day, we experienced seven (7) lightning-induced wildfires”. He says firefighters swiftly responded to this critical situation by deploying rapid aerial firefighting techniques, successfully suppressing three of these fires. “We were able to suppress the remaining wildfires through a combination of ground and aerial firefighting.”
Deon also pointed to November 2022, when a significant fire outbreak occurred in the Hessequa municipal area. “This incident was triggered by a permitted fire that escalated beyond control.”
“During this time of the year, late October and November, the Hessequa area is prone to experience gusty and rapidly changing winds, which proved to be a challenge GRDM firefighters have since learned from.”
PROACTIVE MEASURES, EDUCATION AND RISK REDUCTION MEASURES
The top priority of GRDM’s Fire and Rescue Services Unit remains to implement proactive and preventative fire management strategies. Public education initiatives are central to this, which forms part of their risk reduction measures.
According to Stoffels, the Fire Danger Index, provided by the South African Weather Services, plays a crucial role in assessing risks and guiding planning and preparation efforts.
“We urge all landowners to consult with the Local and District Fire Services, as well as the Fire Protection Association, to obtain expert advice on reducing fire risks,” said Stoffels. “Adequate measures such as maintaining fire breaks, clearing alien vegetation, and ensuring safe prescribed burning practices are essential components of fire prevention.”
Regarding the implementation of Fire Breaks, the District is actively seeking funding to establish and maintain them on its properties. However, all Local Municipal Areas already have Fire Management Systems, including Permitted Burning Systems, aimed at reducing risks and supporting ecological and agricultural objectives.
GRDM places significant emphasis on enhancing its rapid response capabilities, including the deployment of aerial firefighting resources. This method has proven highly effective in dealing with remote and inaccessible wildfires. The measures prevent such incidents from escalating into large-scale and destructive events.
An important number to save: The emergency call centre of GRDM is linked to all the emergency call centres of the region and operates 24/7, 365 days a year – dial 044 805 5071 to report any fire incident.
Feature image caption: In November 2022, a devastating wildfire swept through the Spuithoek area, leaving a trail of destruction across dozens of hectares.
END
15 June 2023 Media Release: First-of-its-kind Municipal Health Dashboard created by Garden Route DM
Media Release: First-of-its-kind Municipal Health Dashboard created by Garden Route DM
For Immediate Release
15 June 2023
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has launched a first-of-its-kind Municipal Health dashboard this year to provide easy access to data that Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) gather and analyse on a daily basis. “This innovative tool utilises maps to present a heatmap of areas where persistent health issues, amongst others, are flagged, enabling GRDM to identify areas requiring additional interventions to meet health standards,” said Jessica Erasmus, a GRDM Environmental Health Practitioner. Erasmus was involved in the business analysis and communication side of the system development to help the system builders bridge the gap between municipal health function and technology.
According to Clive Africa, GRDM Executive Manager for Community Services, “the dashboard aligns with Section 1 of the National Health Act, 2003 (Act 61 of 2003), which mandates Municipal Health Services to monitor various aspects such as water quality and safety, food control, waste management, premises health surveillance, disease prevention (excluding immunisations), vector control, pollution control, disposal of the dead, and chemical safety”.
“To monitor these focus areas, daily inspections are conducted and linked to the system, capturing details of businesses, owners, addresses, and GPS coordinates, to name a few,” said Jessica.
“The data from these inspections are then repurposed for monthly monitoring reports, providing the number of inspections per EHP, per region, and per premises.”
GRDM has leveraged its existing Geospatial Information System (GIS) Unit and an external GIS company, to help build a system that maps data and provides real-time satellite views.
“Integrating addresses of premises and GPS coordinates into the system allows GRDM to plot business and premises locations, sampling points, illegal dump sites, and communicable disease trend data,” said Africa.
“This integration also enables GRDM to access historical data on businesses, including compliance and non-compliance issues, with a single click, facilitating a better understanding of the municipality’s data.”
Benefits of the Municipal Health Dashboard:
- Real-time data access allows GRDM to gain in-depth insights into the causes of specific communicable disease outbreaks in certain areas.
- It enables GRDM to investigate whether shared water sources or common shopping areas contribute to disease outbreaks, which helps in community education and prevention efforts.
- The dashboard information facilitates collaboration with relevant authorities responsible for addressing water source issues or other underlying problems, thereby assisting in resolving health-related concerns.
- Overall, the dashboard offers a holistic and real-time view of GRDM’s daily activities, serving as an early warning system to prevent environmental health-related disasters.
- The dashboard allows for the management of municipal health services. This is done by looking at the birds’ eye view of the whole district to make important managerial decisions and to enhance the functioning of the Environmental Health Practitioners.
EHP Francois Koelman, recognised as one of the best EHPs in South Africa in 2018, also played a similar role as Erasmus when he worked closely with Business Engineering in 2016/17 to develop a municipal app for EHPs – another first-of-its-kind app for municipalities. The app is also used today to link information to the Municipal Dashboard.
Feature image: Green is compliant and red is non-compliant/or requires intervention (illegal dumping) and indicates the status of the region.
ENDS
6 June 2023 Media Release: Second Consecutive Clean Audit for Garden Route District Municipality
Second Consecutive Clean Audit for Garden Route District Municipality
For Immediate Release
6 June 2023
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently garnered a remarkable achievement, earning recognition from the Western Cape Government (WCG) for securing its second consecutive Clean Audit. This recognition was again highlighted after an announcement was made last year by the Auditor General (AG). This time during a Western Cape Ministerial and Mayoral Forum held in Saldanha where the Auditor General.
The GRDM is one of 21 Western Cape Municipalities out of 38 across the country that obtained a clean audit. There are 257 municipalities in South Africa, which means 14,79% of municipalities in South Africa managed to obtain a Clean Audit.
A Clean Audit signifies the meticulous financial management and accountability demonstrated by a municipality. It serves as a testament to the effective utilisation of public funds, ensuring transparency, and the absence of any irregularities or misappropriation. By achieving a Clean Audit for two consecutive years, GRDM exemplifies its commitment to sound financial practices, thereby fostering trust and confidence among its constituents.
The GRDM’s success not only enhances its standing within the region but also serves as an inspiration for others to emulate similar standards of excellence.
Feature image caption: Monde Stratu (GRDM Municipal Manager and head of the GRDM administration) presenting the Clean Audit Trophee. To his right is GRDM Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, who officially received the Clean Audit award in Saldanha.
𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝘀𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗶𝘁
Die GRDM is een van 21 Wes-Kaapse munisipaliteite uit 38 regoor die land wat ’n skoon oudit gekry het. Daar is 257 munisipaliteite in Suid-Afrika, wat beteken 14,79% van munisipaliteite in Suid-Afrika het daarin geslaag om ‘n Skoon Oudit te verkry.
‘n Skoon Oudit dui op die noukeurige finansiële bestuur en aanspreeklikheid wat deur ‘n munisipaliteit getoon word. Dit dien as ‘n bewys van die doeltreffende aanwending van openbare fondse, wat deursigtigheid verseker, en die afwesigheid van enige onreëlmatighede of wanbesteding. Deur ‘n Skoon Oudit vir twee opeenvolgende jare te behaal, toon GRDM sy verbintenis tot gesonde finansiële praktyke, waardeur vertroue en vertroue onder sy kiesers bevorder word.
Die GRDM se sukses verbeter nie net sy aansien in die streek nie, maar dien ook as ‘n inspirasie vir ander om soortgelyke standaarde van uitnemendheid na te volg.
𝗨𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗼 𝗹𝘄𝗲𝗦𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘆𝗼 𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘆𝗼 𝗸𝘂𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶 𝘀𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲
𝗨𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶 𝘀𝗲𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗺𝗻𝘆𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗡𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗮 𝗞𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶 𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗮-𝟮𝟭 𝗸𝘄𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗮-𝟯𝟴 𝗸𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝘄𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗳𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗼-𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘄𝗮𝗱𝗶 𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗲. 𝗞𝘂𝗸𝗵𝗼 𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗮-𝟮𝟱𝟳 𝗲𝗠𝘇𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗶 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗮, 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗮 𝘂𝗸𝘂𝗯𝗮 𝗶-𝟭𝟰.𝟳𝟵% 𝘆𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗲𝗠𝘇𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗶 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗸𝘄𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗸𝘂𝗳𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝘂𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗼-𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘄𝗮𝗱𝗶 𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘆𝗼.
Uphicotho-zincwadi olucocekileyo lubonakalisa ulawulo lwemali olucokisekileyo kunye noxanduva olubonakaliswa ngumasipala. Lusebenza njengobungqina bokusetyenziswa ngokukuko kwemali karhulumente, ukuqinisekisa ukuba izinto ziselubala, nokungabikho kwazo naziphi na iziphene okanye ukusetyenziswa gwenxa. Ngokufezekisa uPhicotho olucocekileyo lweminyaka emibini elandelelanayo, i-GRDM ingumzekelo wokuzibophelela kwayo kwimisebenzi yezemali ephilileyo, ngaloo ndlela ikhuthaza ukuthembana nokuzithemba phakathi kwamalungu.
Impumelelo kaMasipala weSithili seGarden Route ayiphuculi nje ukuma kwayo ngaphakathi kwingingqi kodwa ikwasebenza njengenkuthazo kwabanye ukuba balandele imigangatho efanayo yokugqwesa.
5 June 2023: A mapping system for visualizing the impact of climate change, socio-economic pressure, municipal and infrastructure collapse in a future South Africa
A mapping system for visualizing the impact of climate change, socio-economic pressure, municipal and infrastructure collapse in a future South Africa
For Immediate Release
5 June 2023
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) approached Dr Roy Marcus, a Systems and Design Thinking specialist, to address the 29 June 2023 Annual GREF Climate Change and Environmental Management Indaba on the projected impacts of climate change in South Africa. The impacts, which are amplified by real-time socio-economic pressures and the systemic collapse of governance, high levels of corruption, violent crime, political instability in major municipalities and severe and sustained power blackouts in South Africa are becoming more real every day.
In 2018 Dr Roy Marcus was invited by (GREF) as a keynote speaker to commemorate the devastating June 2017 Knysna wildfire disaster which left a trail of destruction on a scale never seen before in South Africa, and at the time he also visualized a post- Covid 19 South Africa, identifying many of the impacts which are only now manifesting in the RSA economy compounding the destruction and vandalizing of vitally important hard infrastructure, poverty and increased joblessness.
Dr Marcus makes use of a mapping system for visualizing a future South Africa to better understand the socio-economic and political relationships, challenges and opportunities facing the country, for example the Just Energy Transition away from coal-based energy generation towards green energy.
According to Cobus Meiring, convener of the Garden Route Environmental Forum, much of the 2017 series of wildfire disasters, recent drought in the Karoo, flash floods in the Southern Cape and especially KZN, as well as measurable sea-level rise along the Mossel Bay coastline are the result of a changing climate. This is the case not only for South Africa but globally, where out-of-control wildfire disasters have destroyed millions of hectares of land and infrastructure in Canada, Portugal and California.
Says Dr Marcus, “As South Africa emerges from one of its worst political and economic crises since democracy was achieved in 1994, the country finds itself having to cope with the aftershock of the surreal Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, social media was awash with commentaries, advice and a whole lot of confusion. Sadly, in all of the confusion, there was little evidence of a systemic approach to gain a better appreciation of the real impact of both the virus itself, as well as the raft of legislation that was promulgated to lessen the burden of the pandemic.”
“As a present-day example, we are witnessing the demise of Eskom and Transnet which are both grossly underperforming, and there is a justified fear of what the economic impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resultant precarious RSA foreign policy decisions may have in alienating the country from the Western world, putting the country’s already fragile economic survival at risk.”
There is limited evidence of any discussion relating to the harsh realities the country will face going forward with severely restricted electricity and water security risk on the rise.
In view of these realities, it is suggested that a way of gaining some insight into the effect of the current impacts, as well as testing some ideas that may go some way in alleviating the burden, is to produce a systems map. Such a map will go a long way to “tell the story” and present some ideas as to what the implications of various actions could be on the long-term future of the country.”
This map attempts to present all the key role players and their influence on the future of this country. The map is based on a Systems and Design Thinking approach and suggests a number of possible outcomes, which could result from either ill-defined decisions or well-informed actions taken by key stakeholders.
Dr Marcus incorporates a mapping system called Kumu. The developers describe the system as a powerful visualization platform for mapping systems and better understanding relationships.
“We blend systems thinking, stakeholder mapping, and social network analysis to help the world’s top influencers turn ideas into impact”.
“Based on a Design Thinking approach, the model sets out to identify all those factors which contribute to the ‘Mess Formulation’. Identifying the “mess” is key to finding a way out of the difficulties. The key question in identifying all those factors that contribute to the mess is to determine how the country would eventually destroy itself if it were to continue behaving as it currently is. The mess provides a factual, verifiable and unemotional picture of the current reality.”
As part of an ongoing debate series on parallels drawn between the impact of COVID-19 and that of climate change, GREF intends to have a follow-up discussion with Dr Marcus in order to track the development of the mapping system and its indicators.
In order to enhance collaboration and the sharing of critical information, the GREF programme for the Indaba will include a host of provincial, regional and local environmental speakers who will focus on land management, environmental risk management, water stewardship, coastal management, legislation, biodiversity and possible future scenarios to enable the region to implement and fast- track adaptation models.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental management entities in the Southern Cape and a regional think tank on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
- Dr Roy Marcus, Design thinking specialist
Mobile: +27 82 600 0202
Email: roy@thecollab.co.za
- Cobus Meiring: Chair of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) Secretariat
Mobile: 083 626 7619
Email: cobus@naturalbridge.co.za
Afrikaanse opsomming:
Die Tuinroete-omgewingsforum (GREF) het dr. Roy Marcus genooi om by hul klimaatsveranderingkonferensie op 29 Junie 2023 te praat oor die geprojekteerde impak van klimaatsverandering in Suid-Afrika. Dr. Marcus sal ‘n karteringstelsel genaamd Kumu gebruik om die toekoms van die land te visualiseer en die sosio-ekonomiese en politieke uitdagings wat dit in die gesig staar, beter te verstaan. Die impak van klimaatsverandering word versterk deur sosio-ekonomiese druk en die ineenstorting van bestuur, insluitend korrupsie, misdaad, politieke onstabiliteit en kragonderbrekings. Hierdie kwessies word verder vererger deur Suid-Afrika se stryd om te herstel van sy onlangse politieke en ekonomiese krisisse, sowel as die nasleep van die COVID-19-pandemie. Die karteringstelsel het ten doel om insigte in die huidige impakte te verskaf en potensiële oplossings te verken. GREF beplan om samesprekings met dr. Marcus voort te sit om die ontwikkeling van die karteringstelsel en sy aanwysers te monitor. Die konferensie sal ook sprekers bevat wat onderwerpe aanspreek wat verband hou met omgewingsbestuur en aanpassingsmodelle.
31 May is World No Tobacco Day
Today is World No Tobacco Day – 31 May 2023
This annual celebration aims to raise awareness among the public around the world and South Africa about the risks associated with tobacco use. For the Garden Route District Municipality, the issue of individuals smoking in non-designated areas or businesses allowing smokers to smoke in non-designated areas is critical to address.
You as an individual have the right to a healthy and safe environment, while also standing your ground to safeguard the well-being of future generations.
Umhla ye-31 kuCanzibe lusuku lokuthi Hayi kwiCuba kwiHlabathi
Lo mbhiyozo waminyaka le ujolise ekukhuliseni ulwazi kuluntu kwihlabathi jikelele noMzantsi Afrika malunga neengozi ezayanyaniswa nokusetyenziswa kwecuba. KuMasipala weSithili saseGarden Route, umba wabantu abatshaya kwiindawo ezingachongwanga okanye amashishini avumela iintshayi ukuba zitshaye kwiindawo ezingachongwanga kubalulekile ukuba kulungiswe.
Wena njengomntu unelungelo lendawo enempilo nekhuselekileyo, ngelixa ungama ngelungelo lakho ukukhusela impilo-ntle yezizukulwana ezizayo.
Vandag is Wêreld Geen-Tabak dag
Hierdie jaarlikse viering het ten doel om die publiek regoor die wêreld en Suid-Afrika bewus te maak van die risiko’s verbonde aan tabakgebruik. 𝗩𝗶𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗧𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝘀𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗸𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗯𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗱𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲, 𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴.
Jy as individu het die reg op ‘n gesonde en veilige omgewing, terwyl jy ook jou plek volstaan om die welstand van toekomstige geslagte te beskerm.
30 May 2023 Budget Speech by the Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality
Budget Speech by the Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality
30 May 2023
Honourable Speaker, Deputy Mayor, Councillors, Municipal Manager, officials, and members of the public, I want to welcome you at this stage of the tabling of my budget.
It is privileged to be here and to table the 2023/24 MTREF Budget to the council for approval. It is my pleasure to present to you a fully funded budget, given the Municipality’s financial position. The MTREF budget is projecting a deficit of R5.7m (2023/24), R6,2m (2024/25) and R7,7m (2025/26). However, it is comforting that although we are budgeting for a deficit the budget is fully funded, through the cash-backed reserves.
The total budgeted revenue for the Municipality is R526m and the total budgeted expenditure is R R532m. Our two main sources of income are the Equitable Share, which is R178m, and the Roads function allocation of R193m. This means that more than 70% of our income is derived from these two allocations. The roads allocation can only be used to finance Roads Department activities, which include resealing, re-graveling, maintenance, and upgrading of roads.
The budgeted road allocation includes capital project allocations of R 91m. The breakdown of these is as follows:
The remaining amount of R R101m will cover operational expenditure for the Roads and Transport department.
On 15 May 2023, I and the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, visited the Gwaiing Project and we were all happy with the progress on the construction of this road. It was agreed that the project will be fast-tracked to ensure that it is delivered earlier than planned but within the available budget.
I was personally pleased to see considerable investment in EPWP workers. These projects are not only about building roads but do create much-needed employment within the region. Our EPWP workers are also being upskilled and enrolled on NQF level 2 Road Construction Course, as well as Learners and Driver’s Licenses. This project alone created 40 EPWP working opportunities. In essence, it has put bread on the table of 40 families. This process of appointing EPWP’s is replicated in other projects as well. At this stage, I would like to show gratitude to all our roads staff, from the Executive Manager to the person in his or her little corner. We are one of the best-performing roads department, although as others, we do face challenges.
The other functions and projects of the GRDM are financed mainly from the Equitable Share Allocation of R178m. This allocation will never be adequate to finance our ambitious programs or merely our function as envisaged by Section 84 of the Municipal Structures Act. The equitable share over the MTREF period grows at a slow pace. The Equitable Share only increases by about 3% per annum (R5.6m), and that is not sufficient to ensure the financial sustainability of this municipality, as it is below the annual CPIX.
If one excludes the Roads income from our budget, the remaining main revenue source to finance projects outside the roads department is R333m. More than 50% of this income is from the Equitable Share.
In addition to the Equitable Share, we apply for and received conditional grants to the value of R40m. This brings the number of Transfers from National and Provincial Governments to R220m. This means that 66% of the revenue to finance GRDM is from transfer income. This excludes the income from various SETAs which is about R15m. The reality is that the Municipality must continue to explore alternative sources of income in order to deliver on its legal mandate. This is exactly what we have been busy doing over the past few years
Our limited revenue resources have compelled the GRDM to pursue additional income sources in order to deliver the services in the region and this remains a challenge as we have limited own income sources. Turnaround strategies are compiled for properties and resorts and alternative revenue enhancement strategies are being explored – for example becoming a water services authority.
The GRDM has developed an investment prospectus containing regional catalytic investment opportunities across the Garden Route. The purpose of the prospectus is to display the region’s investment-friendly climate and its economic activities and opportunities to the national and international business community and in so doing, attract new investments and retain and expand existing investments in the Garden Route region.
The prospectus includes the investment opportunities of all seven (7) municipalities within the boundaries of the region, as well as the District Municipality’s specific opportunities. The investment opportunities identified for our region amount to more than R508 billion. These projects are classified as medium to long-term projects. As can be seen from the value of these projects, they cannot be financed through the current municipal resources. A task team will be established to ensure that credible business plans are compiled and submitted to relevant private (local and abroad) and public institutions for possible investments.
This prospectus can be accessed here https://invest.gardenroute.gov.za
Having been faced with the above challenges we have managed to allocate funding to various projects that are key to our communities. We have made available R4,2m to fund the EPWP projects. I have already explained the importance of this funding. In the LED and Tourism section, we will be providing much-needed assistance to the SMME’s to the tune of R600 000, amongst few projects in this area. An allocation of about R 15m has been made to create employment and provide skills to our youth, through our Skills Mecca projects. Thanks to various SETAs and various government departments for their financial contributions to this project. Further details about this exciting project can be found in our investment prospectus above.
Part of our strategy is to ensure that we turn around our resorts to generate much-needed revenue for the GRDM. We have therefore made provision for R9.5m for the resorts. We have also budgeted R14m income from the same.
Our Capital projects amount to R159m. The major projects are the construction of the Regional Landfill site and the Fire Station. Both these projects are regional projects, and they will be serving the region. The Construction of the Fire Station is at the advanced stage and the Landfill site will be starting in June 2023.
The GRDM embarked on a procurement process to obtain borrowing to finance the landfill site construction. An intensive tender adjudication process was followed. Consequently, after consultative process with all the participating municipalities to analyse and determine the best and most appropriate tendered loan option, it was collectively decided that the preferred option of the tenders offered would be clearly the 10-year loan. This loan will have an all-in floating rate of 6.89% and is offered by Standard Bank.
GRDM has negotiated service-level agreements with participating b-municipalities. It is imperative that the participating local municipalities provide a signed SLA, indicating the participation for 10 years. The tariffs are included in the GRDM tariff structure to cater to the provision of this service. A Regional Waste Management Facility Project Steering Committee has been established, consisting of various sections to provide inputs and assist the project manager to ensure that the project will commence and be completed as per the timeframes set up.
Finally, I would like to thank the Municipal Manager and his management team for the sterling work they have done in ensuring a funded budget for the institution. There is still a lot of work ahead in order to realise the projects that are part of our investment prospectus. To that end, a task team will be established to ensure that credible business plans are compiled and submitted to relevant private (local and abroad) and public institutions for possible investments.
The attached detailed budget is therefore submitted for approval by this council.
Yours in Governance,
Alderman Memory Booysen