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Author: Herman Pieters

09 May 2023 Media Release: GRDM Appoints Rian Boshoff as its New Chief Financial Officer

Media Release: GRDM Appoints Christian Boshoff as its New Chief Financial Officer

For Immediate Release
09 May 2023

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rian Boshoff as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the municipality. The decision was made during a Special Council meeting held at the GRDM CA Robertson Council Chambers in George today.

Boshoff replaces Jan-Willem de Jager, who previously held the post. Thembani Loliwe (Strategic Manager) was acting in the position during the time that the position was advertised.

The new CFO joins an already thriving executive management team and will be responsible for managing the municipality’s finances, ensuring compliance with financial regulatory requirements, and leading the development of financial strategies to support the municipality’s growth and development.

“We are delighted to have Rian Boshoff join us as our new CFO,” said GRDM Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen.

“With his wealth of experience and expertise, we are confident that he will help us achieve our strategic objectives and continue to deliver the highest quality services to our residents.”

Boshoff’s wealth of expertise in financial, audit, and risk management spans over three decades, with a distinguished career that has seen him hold influential positions in both the public and private sectors. His academic qualifications are equally impressive, as he has earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from reputable institutions.

Boshoff has previously worked as a Senior-Auditor for the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA), Internal Auditor at Ernst & Young, CFO at Ventersdorp Local Municipality, and in various other government institutions, including the Development Bank of South Africa. He was also appointed by the North West Department of Local Government to provide financial turn-around expertise to struggling municipalities.

Additionally, Boshoff was also appointed on a contract basis by the Drakenstein Municipality to perform investment and growth analysis, revenue forecasting, financial ratio analysis, strategic cost modelling, and other financial-related tasks.

The GRDM wishes Boshoff all the best in his new role as CFO and looks forward to the positive impact he will bring to the municipality.

ENDS

5 May 2023 Media Release: Garden Route DM Employees Step Up and Support Slipper Day

Garden Route DM Employees Step Up and Support Slipper Day

For Immediate Release
5 May 2023

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) employees showed their big hearts today by participating in Slipper Day, an annual fundraiser driven by the Employee Wellness office for Reach For A Dream Foundation. The campaign aims to help children battling life-threatening illnesses.

By swapping their work shoes for cosy slippers and purchasing supporter stickers for R20 each, the employees demonstrated their commitment to supporting a good cause. Slipper Day is a national movement that encourages South Africans to donate their small change to make a big difference in the lives of children in need.

“We are proud to participate in Slipper Day and to support Reach For A Dream Foundation’s mission to fulfil the dreams of children fighting serious illnesses,” said Trix Holtzhausen, Executive Manager: Corporate Services for GRDM.

“Our employees are passionate about making a positive impact in our community, and Slipper Day is a fun and meaningful way for us to do so.”

Slipper Day is Reach For A Dream’s largest and most celebrated fundraiser, with the goal of raising R10 million this year to help 2,000 children with life-threatening illnesses experience moments of joy by fulfilling their dreams. All proceeds raised from the day go towards Reach For A Dream Foundation, and the funds will be used to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families. The Garden Route District Municipality employees showed their creativity and sense of fun by wearing an array of slippers and supporter stickers, ranging from fuzzy monsters to bunny-eared slippers.

Slipper Day is more than just a fun event; it is a chance to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families. By supporting Slipper Day, South Africans can help to combat the gravity of serious diseases and bring moments of joy and hope to those who need it most.

For more information on Reach For A Dream Foundation and how you can support their mission, visit their website at www.reachforadream.org.za

Werknemers van Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit het vandag deelgeneem aan Pantoffeldag, ‘n jaarlikse fondsinsameling wat deur die Werknemerwelstand-kantoor van Tuinroete DM vir ‘Reach For A Dream Foundation’ gedryf word. Deur plakkers vir R20 elk te koop en hul werkskoene vir pantoffels te verruil, het die Tuinroete werknemers hul toewyding om ‘n goeie doel te ondersteun, getoon.

Pantoffeldag is ‘n nasionale beweging wat Suid-Afrikaners aanmoedig om hul kleingeld te skenk om ‘n groot verskil in die lewens van kinders in nood te maak. Die doelwit van Pantoffeldag is om vanjaar R10 miljoen in te samel om 2 000 kinders met lewensgevaarlike siektes te help. Alle donasies wat op 5 Mei ingesamel word, gaan vir Reach For A Dream Foundation.

 

21 April 2023 Media Release: 125 Homeless people attend health education session at George Night Shelter

Media Release: 125 Homeless people attend health education session at George Night Shelter

For Immediate Release
21 April 2023

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is dedicated to improving, amongst others, the health and well-being of marginalized members of the Garden Route. On 19 April, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) held an education session with homeless community members. EHPs Sive Mkuta and Lusizo Kwetshube who drove the initiative educated the attendees about communicable diseases, personal hygiene, and environmental hygiene.

The session took place at George night shelter where 125 homeless people gathered. EHPs also distributed pamphlets and disinfectants.

These types of health education sessions are of critical importance as marginalized communities often do not have adequate access to healthcare resources. This is why empowering the homeless serves as a preventative measure for them to adopt best practices linked to hygiene practices. It empowers them to take control of their health and reduce their risk of contracting illnesses.

Die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit se Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns (OGP) Sive Mkuta en Lusizo Kwetshube, het gister ‘n inligtingsessie met 125 hawelose persone by die George-nagskuiling gehou. Die doel van die sessie was om wenke met die groep te deel oor die verbetering van algehele gesondheid en welstand. Die praatjie het hoofsaaklik gefokus op onderwerpe soos oordraagbare siektes, persoonlike higiëne en omgewingshigiëne. Dis geen geheim dat hawelose persone beperkte toegang tot gesondheidshulpbronne het wat die impak van siektes kan verminder.

UMasipala weSithili saseGarden Route (i-GRDM) uthathe amanyathelo okuphucula impilo kunye nentlalontle yoluntu eGarden Route, ngokubamba i-yokufundisa ngezempilo kuluntu olungenamakhaya. Abasebenzi beMpilo yokuSingqongileyo uSive Mkuta noLusizo Kwetshube bafundise abo bebezimase lendibano ngezifo ezosulelayo, ucoceko lomntu, kunye nococeko lokusingqongileyo, kwaye basasaza amaphecana kunye nezibulali ntsholongwane kubantu abayi-125 abebezimase kwindawo yokhuseleko yaseGeorge ebusuku. I-mfundiso eziloluhlobo zibalulekile kuluntu njengoko zibaxhobisa ngobalulekiyo ngococeko kunye nokunciphisa umngcipheko wokugula.

Lusizo Kwetshube also shared health education with approximately 125 homeless people about.

ENDS

Feature image caption: Sive Mkuta educates homeless people from George about communicable diseases, personal hygiene, and environmental hygiene.

20 April 2023 Impact Based Severe Weather Warning: Level 2 for Damaging Winds

Impact-Based Severe Weather Warning: Level 2 for Damaging Winds

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued an Impact Based Warning for damaging winds for today until 23h00 tonight.

Areas in the Garden Route district affected by damaging winds include Bitou, George, Hessequa, Knysna, and Mossel Bay.

Legal notice:
“This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance.
It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”

Report weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071.

17 March 2023 Media Release: Oudtshoorn Air Quality rated the best in Africa

Media Release: Oudtshoorn air quality rated the best in Africa

For Immediate Release
17 March 2023

A recent study conducted by Swiss technology company IQ Air, with the backing of the United Nations Environment Programme, has revealed that Oudtshoorn, located in the Western Cape of Africa, has secured the top spot in the list of 15 least polluted regional cities in Africa. The efforts invested over the past decade to enhance the air quality in Oudtshoorn have paid off, as it was historically one of the most polluted towns in the Garden Route district.

According to Dr. Johann Schoeman, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Manager: District Air Quality Control: “The positive strides made to mitigate air pollution in the region have been attributed to Garden Route’s appointment as the Licensing Authority for Listed activities”.

“Air Quality management requires teamwork and needs the collaboration of various role-players.”

“Credit must be given to the Western Cape Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs, Oudtshoorn Municipality, and Industry. Air Quality in Oudtshoorn is managed through an Air Quality Management plan, coordinated by the GRDM and adopted by the Oudtshoorn Municipality,” said Dr Schoeman.

Industry buy-in has played a crucial role in achieving the visible results we see today. As residential developments continue to encroach upon industrial zones, it becomes increasingly vital to effectively manage emissions through innovative technology. Johnsons Bricks has set an excellent example with the introduction of their rotary kiln system, which has significantly reduced hazardous emissions such as Sulphur dioxide and Particulate Matter through advanced mitigation and control. Similar technological advancements have been implemented in other industries in Oudtshoorn, including the Cape Karoo International Tannery and abattoir.

Another innovative solution has been the GRDM Clean Fires campaign.  For the last seven years, GRDM has incorporated air pollution awareness as part of its community awareness-raising activities. The project was identified due to poor air quality in especially the informal settlements, caused by fires used for household purposes such as cooking and heating. A three-year tender was awarded to Mingcele (PTY)Ltd to develop the study packs and facilitate the training at Primary Schools within the Garden Route until 2024. The Western Cape Education Department was approached whereby the Clean Fires campaign is now incorporated as part of the Grade 3 curriculum. The course material is printed in Xhosa, Afrikaans and English.

Each participating school receives a study pack with the study material that is very convenient for the teacher. The course material is in line with the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS), is printed in English, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans. Since its inception, the project reached all the primary schools in the garden route. The project is rotated in the region with last year (2022), again focusing on the Klein-Karoo region. Thirty-nine schools were reached, amongst others in Oudtshoorn, Uniondale, Volmoed, De Rust, Calitzdorp, Avontuur, Haarlem and Ladismith areas.  It is anticipated that 4 family members are reached per child with a cumulative impact of 8132 community members reached through this project for last year alone.

We acknowledge that there is still room for improvement and GRDM Air Quality unit will continue to strive for Air Quality worthy of the name: “Garden Route”, We want to protect the region against exploitation and build on the constitutional right to a clean environment.

The public is also welcome to contact the District Air Quality office for any further information on the project.  The office number is 044-6930006 during normal office hours.

Feature Image: Istock: Beautiful wine valley in Oudtshoorn Western Cape South Africa

ENDS

Previous articles relating to Air Quality:

Garden Route is at the top of its game in controlling air quality

New Mobile Air Quality Sensor for the Garden Route

14 March 2023 Media Statement: GRDM Council takes action to protect the institution’s reputation and that of MM Monde Stratu

Media Statement: GRDM Council takes action to protect the institution’s reputation and that of MM Monde Stratu

For Immediate Release
14 March 2023

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Council unanimously expresses its support for the GRDM Municipal Manager (MM), Monde Stratu, who has been maliciously prosecuted for fraud, forgery, and uttering. The Council has granted approval for the MM to be legally represented.

The Council also granted the administration permission to take legal action to protect the reputation of the institution and that of the MM.

The Council believes that there are no reasonable grounds or evidence available to date to conclude that the MM has committed an act of misconduct. The Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Anton Bredell, will be notified about the recent Council developments.

Pictured: Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen (left), with Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu (right)

ENDS

Previously related article: https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2023/03/09/9-march-2023-statement-legal-action-against-garden-route-dm-municipal-manager-a-distraction-from-ongoing-discussions-between-municipalities/

9 March 2023 Statement: Legal action against Garden Route DM Municipal Manager a distraction from ongoing discussions between municipalities

Media Statement: Legal action against Garden Route DM Municipal Manager a distraction from ongoing discussions between municipalities

9 March 2023

On 8 March 2023, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Municipal Manager (MM), Mr Monde Stratu was ordered to appear before the Knysna Magistrate Court on 9 March 2023. A docket was opened regarding the treatment of properties belonging to the GRDM in the Annual Financial Statements of both the GRDM and Knysna Municipalities.

Both municipalities have, for years been engaged in discussions regarding the properties of the GRDM that are situated in the Knysna municipal area.

As the Executive Mayor of the GRDM, I am expressing my disappointment at how this matter is being handled by the law enforcement agencies and that it flies in the face of the fruitful discussions that are taking place between the two municipalities.

The Executive Mayor of Knysna, Councillor Aubrey Tsengwa has reiterated that both municipalities agreed not to declare any disputes, but to continue with discussions to find an amicable solution.

According to Mr Phineas Sebola, the Municipal Manager of Knysna, the Knysna Municipality did not even receive any legal documents related to the impending case against the GRDM MM. He believes that the matter does not need to go to court, as negotiations between the two municipalities are already proving to be productive.

Furthermore, Knysna Municipality took a resolution on 21 July 2021 to continue with engagements to find amicable resolutions in the spirit of cooperative governance. However, I am astounded that despite the ongoing discussions a criminal case was opened against the MM of GRDM.

A delegation from GRDM met with Knysna on 1 February 2023 to further discuss the properties in question and the meeting was very positive. Knysna Municipality delegation, led by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Alberto Marbi, Cllr Neil Louw, Cllr Susan Campbell and the Municipal Manager agreed to write an item to the Knysna Municipal Council and recommend a possible solution for these properties. It is extremely surprising that during or after deliberations, the information regarding a case opened against the GRDM MM was not disclosed.

I and the Executive Mayor of Knysna have agreed that this amounts to malicious prosecution marred with procedural flaws aimed at tainting the reputation of the two institutions and further embarrassing the MM of GRDM.

The Executive Mayor of Knysna and I have come to a mutual agreement that the actions being taken against the two institutions are an act of malicious prosecution. Furthermore, we have noted that there are significant procedural flaws in the process, with the intention to harm the reputations of these organisations and to cause further embarrassment to the MM of GRDM.

Issued by the GRDM Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen

7 March 2023 Alert: Garden Route Water Security Workshop is underway

Alert: Garden Route Water Security Workshop is underway

7 March 2023

Water is a precious resource that’s essential for all living organisms. The Garden Route region in South Africa is facing significant water challenges due to climate change, population growth, and economic development. Today, 7 March 2023, a meeting is being held to discuss strategies for achieving a water-secure future. Representatives from various sectors will identify key water-related challenges and develop sustainable solutions.
The proposal to designate the Garden Route District Municipality as a Water Services Authority for Bulk Water and Sanitation Infrastructure will also be discussed. This will enable better coordination and implementation of strategies to improve water security.
Achieving water security is critical for sustainable development, and all stakeholders are going to participate in the workshop.
Together, we can build a resilient and sustainable future for the Garden Route.