Media Release: Garden Route Skills Mecca Forum Focuses On Youth Development And Agriculture
14 March 2022 For Immediate Release
The first quarterly Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) Forum for 2022 was held on 25 February 2022 and was attended by delegates in person and online via Microsoft Teams. This setting provides Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and its stakeholders a chance to collectively work towards achieving Skills Summit resolutions.
The forum was chaired by Ald. Stephen de Vries briefly explained the role of the GRSM in relation to the National Skills Development Plan. He alluded to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate where he stressed the importance of skills development to support economic growth as part of the economic recovery plan. The GRSM aligns itself with the National Development Plan 2030 vision to improve access to occupations in high demand and priority skills in supporting economic growth, job creation, and social development.
We want to contribute to the vision of an educated and skilled workforce for South Africa.
The forum hosted two keynote speakers. The first was Clyde Lamberts from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture who outlined, in detail, the department’s growth and development strategy.
The second keynote speaker, Tshepo Manyama – Regional Manager of National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Western Cape – presented on matters of skills development plans, opportunities, and needs that support youth development in the Garden Route.
Dr. Florus Prinsloo (Skill Mecca Co-ordinator, GRDM) officially launched the GRSM website, which has been in development since last year.
The aim of the website is to serve as a central point of communication and to close the gap between service providers, investors, and candidates with learning opportunities needs.
There is still work that needs to be done which, once completed, will see the ‘partnership’ page going live. Once this happens, service providers will be able to register and list learning opportunities, which will then be communicated by GRDM’s Communication unit. A process has been established to vet all applicants before registration to ensure that the highest standards are always met.
Ald. Stephen de Vries chaired the engagement
Clyde Lamberts represented the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.
Dr Florus Prinsloo is the Coordinator of the Garden Route Skills Mecca.
Media Release: Garden Route Business Advisory Forum Established
For Immediate Release 9 March 2022
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Knysna Municipality, Business Chambers and business forums in the region today, 8 March 2022, connected in Knysna to establish a quarterly Garden Route Business Advisory Forum. The forum will serve to promote an inclusive business environment. Being a first of its kind in the Western Cape at a district level, the GRDM Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen also plans to form task teams to promote critical sectors like Tourism, Agriculture, and Construction.
At the first engagement, Cllr Levael Davis, Knysna Municipality Executive Mayor, said: “The Garden Route is filled with a kaleidoscope of opportunities. He shared that Knysna Municipality understands the value the GRDM adds and the importance of the platform’s establishment. “I think it is the right time for this, and we, as the Knysna Municipality, are in full support of this platform, and we know the rest of the region will follow suit.”
Ald. Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor of GRDM wants to involve business chamber and forum members in future investor engagements.
GRDM Executive Manager for Planning and Economic Development, Lusanda Menze, sees this platform as a seed planted by Mayor Booysen, which would need to be ‘watered by its members to grow’.
Paul Hoffman presented the proposed structure for GRAF, amongst other key issues. With him is the Senior District Economic Development Officer of GRDM, Natalie Arries.
Deputy Executive Mayor, Adv. Gert van Niekerk was also present at the engagement with the Mayoral Committee Members, as well as Portfolio Committee members of GRDM.
During Booysen’s overview of the advisory forum, he explained that the forum was established as envisaged in the Garden Route Economic Recovery Plan. This recovery plan is widely consulted, with both government and private sector playing an active role, and subsequently, adopted by the GRDM Council on 30 March 2021. Booysen also touched on his past experiences where investors frequently asked questions that only the business chambers representatives would have had answers to. “The GRDM does not plan to engage with international investors without business chamber representatives being present. This platform will also help us to establish which business would be the best suited for the type of investor we are planning to engage with.
“Today is a new beginning – the first steps of the ‘marathon’,” said Booysen.
He urged all political parties present at the engagement not to play dirty politics and to work with businesses to promote the region.
Paul Hoffman presented the proposed structure for GRAF, and how it fits into the structure adopted by the Garden Route to drive the implementation of the Garden Route Growth & Development Strategy and Recovery Plan. Chambers, Associations and other business Forums will form part of GRAF at an advisory and strategic level, while individual businesses and sector bodies will be more involved at the implementation level of the Strategy, and will be integrated into the 7 Priority Clusters, namely Tourism, Agriculture, Wellbeing and Resilience, Energy Transition, Water Security, Circular Economy, and a Connected Economy. Hoffman further reiterated that it is not the intention to duplicate existing structures but to be complementary to the current business structures at both a regional, as well as a local municipal level. Knowledge sharing and best practices will be key components of such an engagement, and the engagements will be driven by a “Private Sector driven – Government supported” approach.
Paul Hoffman (left) with GRDM Proportional Councillor, Virgill Gericke, who stated that he is in full support of the platform that was launched by the GRDM.
Mayoral Committee members of GRDM with Knysna Executive Mayor, Cllr Levael Davis (middle). They are (fltr): Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard (Portfolio Chairperson: Property and Asset Management), Ald. Rosina Ruiters (Portfolio Chairperson: Planning and Economic Development), Cllr Nompumelelo Ndayi (Portfolio Chairperson: Community Services) and Cllr Jerome Lambaatjeen (Portfolio Chairperson: Strategic Services)
GRDM Chief of Staff, Siphiwe Dladla with GRDM Cllr Nompumelelo Ndayi (Portfolio Chairperson: Community Services)
Ald. Virgil Gericke, one of the GRDM Proportional RepresentativeCouncillors, was also at the event and said that he fully supports the Mayor in the establishment of this forum. He asked that no one stands in the way of this forum’s agenda. “The issue of transformation is critical,” said Gericke. He also emphasized the relaxation of bylaws to make it easier for businesses to thrive – currently, bylaws are not as inclusive as they should be. “The reduction of red-tape and excessively complicated administrative procedures must become a thing of the past.” Gericke said that he personally experienced startup capital as one of the biggest hurdles when he started a small business. “Many are left with loans at a high-interest rate,” he said. It is no secret that small businesses face widespread challenges with a limited cash flow when they are getting on their feet.
The forum provides a “unique opportunity for businesses to position themselves as part of the decision making processes,” said Rachel Wall, Chairperson of the Stillbay Business Chamber. She is also in full support of the advisory forum but requested for more local municipality representatives to form part of future engagements.
A member of the George Small Business Forum, Basil Myners, urged all stakeholders at the forum to help educate small businesses by mentoring them and sharing information. “I have recently registered six co-operatives in Friemersheim to boost agriculture in the area.” Cooperatives are people-centred enterprises that are owned, controlled and run by and for their members to reach common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations.
Lusanda Menze, GRDM Executive Manager: Planning and Economic Development and the current Acting Municipal Manager of GRDM, in wrapping up the session, said: “It is fitting to say this is the start of many more engagements we will have with the business sector.” He assured those present that he fully supported the newly established organized platform and sees the GRDM fulfilling its coordination role. However, he indicated that the business fraternity will need to take the leading role.
“The GRDM Mayor has planted the seed, and it is now up to us to water it so that it can grow.”
“We are building an enabling environment for business to grow,” Menze concluded.
Feature image:
Pictured at shortly after the first regional Business Advisory Forum – Ald. Memory Booysen, GRDM Executive Mayor (wearing chain) and Knysna Executive Mayor, Cllr Levael Davis (back-right), with stakeholders from various business forums and chambers in the region, as well as municipal representatives.
MEDIA RELEASE: LOCAL PRODUCED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO BE SHOWCASED BY SMALL BUSINESSES AT A POP-MARKET IN GEORGE, GARDEN ROUTE MALL, 10-13 MARCH 2022
For Immediate Release
4 March 2022
Small Enterprise Development Agencies (Seda) in partnership with the Department of Economic Development, and Tourism (DEDAT), and Garden Route District Municipality will provide 30 SMMEs in the Garden Route District an opportunity to showcase their products at a Pop – Up Market in George, Garden Route Mall from 10-13 March 2022. Alex T Qunta, Seda Western Cape Provincial Manager believes that this programme will respond and address one of the key challenges that hamper the growth of small businesses in South Africa, which is access to the market.
Advocate Gert Van Niekerk, Executive Deputy Mayor of the Garden Route District is expected to do a walk-about on Thursday, 10 March 2022 from 13:00. The Deputy Mayor will be joined by Seda Provincial leadership and the Portfolio Committee for Economic Development of the District Municipality.
List of businesses who will exhibit at the mall include:
Business name
Product/Service offering
Kaaihaar
Hair Care Products
Insomniac Party Bus:
Party Bus Events
Lakhiwe’s Creations:
Formal Hats and Clothing
Consistency Group:
Clothing and Clothing Printing Services
Mayan Chocolate:
Chocololate Manufacturing
Litch & Titchi (Pty) Ltd:
Hand & Body cream manufacturing
Favors Galore:
Cosmetics & soap shop
Ilovani Manufacturing:
Home Décor & Furnature manufacturing
Porcupine:
Ceramic Manufacturing
Elsies Handmade Products (Pty) Ltd:
Sheepskin Slippers
Karootjie (Pty) Ltd:
Knitted clothing items
Western Cape Honey Bush Co-operative Ltd:
Honeybush Tea
Nelton Willemse t/a Nelton Art:
Art
Catchemia Crafts:
Art
Barely There Gems:
Jewellery
BMD Engineering:
Braais
In the Gap Clothing:
Apparel
Lumarco Food Distributors:
Garlic Food Items
Piekant:
Picnic blankets and cooler bags
Rise Coffee Co:
Coffee
Rococo:
Chocololate Manufacturing
Sharlebel:
Mushroom Preserves
Silk Screen Stencils:
Silk Screen Stencils
90s Urban Store:
Clothing
Omaz Projects:
Jewellery
Zukiswa Gqirana:
Jam
Fusion Africa:
Décor
Living Rocks:
Art
Amanda Barendse t/a Keiko:
Manufacturing of play dough
Aweh Arts Gifts and Crafts (Pty) LTD:
Crafts and Soap
Kaukou (Pty) LTD:
Honeybush Tea
Bunting Boutique:
Clothing
Sasa-Zee:
Clothing (Manufacturing)
Couture By Austin:
Clothing
Besige Bytjies:
Honey
Lethemba Art and Crafts:
Arts and Crafts
Kairos Foods and Services:
Catering/Baking
Ouma Barbie se Stoepkombuis:
Baking/cakes
Issued by Seda Market Unit
For media inquiries, please contact Mr. Sibongile Somdaka, Seda Western Cape Provincial Marketing & Stakeholder Relations Specialist on 072 573 2193.
APPLICATION FOR CONSOLIDATION, REZONING AND CONSENT USE: ERVEN 22494 & 22495, GEORGE
Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 46 of the George Land Use Planning By-Law, 2015 that the undermentioned application has been received on Erven 22494 and 22495, George by the George Municipality, Directorate: Planning and Development.
Any objection(s) and/or comment(s) with full reasons therefore and how their interests are affected, should be lodged in writing via email to the responsible Administrative Officer (Primrose Nako – pnako@george.gov.za) or if no email facility is available, via SMS to the cellphone number of the said Official (only provided on request) and/or to the applicant, in terms of Section 50 of the George Land Use Planning By-Law, 2015, on or before 02 April 2022, quoting the application erf number, your property description, physical address and full contact details (email and telephone) of the person or body submitting the objection/comment, without which the Municipality/applicant cannot correspond with the said person/body.
Enquiries or requests for more information on the application may be directed to the Town Planning Department on Telephone: 044 801 9171 or email the responsible Administrative Officer (Primrose Nako – pnako@george.gov.za) or the applicant (details below). The application will also be available, on the Municipal Website (https://www.george.gov.za/george-documents/land-use-applications/land-use-submissions) for 30 days. Any comments received after the aforementioned closing date may be disregarded.
Media Statement: Garden Route Municipalities not affected by Typhoid Fever
For Immediate Release 22 February 2022
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Executive Manager, Community Services, Clive Africa, also confirms that there are no cases of Typhoid Fever in the Garden Route.
Typhoid fever also known as enteric fever is a bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body, affecting many organs. Typhoid Fever is caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi, related to the bacteria that cause salmonella food poisoning. It is highly contagious and an infected person can pass the bacteria through contaminated faeces. If someone else eats food or drinks water that has been contaminated they can become infected with the bacteria and develop typhoid fever.
Typhoid fever is most common in communities that have poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.
Municipal health services as defined in the National Health Act, 2003 do monthly water sampling of all municipal water sources in the Garden Region and potable water in the region is still safe for human consumption. Cases of typhoid in the Western Cape have also not been linked to municipal water sources. Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) form part of the Garden Route District Response Team and will investigate any suspected cases.
SYMPTOMS Typhoid fever symptoms include weakness, stomach pain, headache, diarrhoea or constipation, cough and loss of appetite. Some people with typhoid fever develop a rash of flat, rose-coloured spots.
PREVENTION
Proper hand hygiene, which includes thorough washing of hands with water and soap.
After using the bathroom/toilette, and before preparing or eating a meal.
After handling nappies.
Maintain good hygiene in the kitchen when you are handling and preparing a meal.
Ensure that household water from a safe source.
Safe disposal of human faeces and nappies.
Environmental Health Practitioners provide health and hygiene training on a monthly basis at crèche and schools in the district to illustrate and practice of proper handwashing techniques as well as the importance thereof.
For any further information, please contact us at the respective Regional offices within the Garden Route District Municipality:
Johan Compion
GRDM Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za Tel: 044 803 1300
Mosselbay: Sam Bendle Chief: Municipal Health (Mossel Bay), Tel: 044 693 0006 Address C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay.
George Outeniqua: Emmy Douglas Chief: Municipal Health (Outeniqua) Tel: 044 803 1501 Address: Mission Street, Industrial Area, George, 6530
George Wilderness: Pieter Raath Chief: Wilderness (George) Tel: 044 803 1501 Address: Mission Street, Industrial Area, George
Klein Karoo Desmond Paulse Chief: Municipal Health (Klein Karoo) Tel: 044 272 2241 Cell: 083 678 6530 Address: 94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn
Media Release: Council unanimously agrees to reappoint Monde Stratu as Municipal Manager for Garden Route DM
For Immediate Release 22 February 2022
Yesterday, 21 February 2022, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Council unanimously agreed, for the second time, to appoint Monde Stratu as the Accounting Officer of the GRDM. He is set to start his duties after all formal processes are finalised.
Similar to 2017, the GRDM Accounting Officer position was advertised nationally. This time around 35 applicants applied, of which three (3) were shortlisted for the top spot.
According to Memory Booysen, GRDM Executive Mayor, “an extensive interview process took place with three (3) candidates undergoing a competency-based structured interview conducted by a selection panel”. With Stratu being a lawyer and having approximately 20-years of experience in local government, he unsurprisingly performed the best of those shortlisted.
Editor’s note: Section 57(6) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000, provides that an MM must be appointed on a fixed-term contract for no longer than five (5) years at a time. This contract may not exceed a period ending one year after the election of a new council.
Pictured: Monde Given Stratu, GRDM Municipal Manager for the 2021/22 – 2026/27 term.
Media Release: Reported “Higher than usual” number of Enteric (Typhoid) Fever cases based on historical data
For Immediate Release 21 February 2022
Though cases of enteric fever (typhoid fever) are reported annually, the recently reported increase in the number of laboratory-confirmed cases in the Western Cape was interpreted incorrectly as new cases. The cases in the province were reported to be higher than in previous years. However, these reports are based on cumulative historical data as set out below.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) recorded the following annual number of cases:
31 in 2020
48 in 2021
7 in 2022
Since 2020 to date, three clusters were identified in the province which have now been reported by the NICD. In these clusters:
14 cases were recorded in the Metro with the first case reported in November 2020 and the most recent case in January 2022,
11 in Cape Winelands with the first case reported in July 2020 and the most recent case in May 2021, and
12 in the Garden Route with the first case reported in August 2020 and the most recent case in December 2021.
It is important to note that these reported clusters are based on historical data as per 2020 and 2021 data.
Whole-genome sequencing of enteric fever isolates, as part of the health responses, has identified specific ‘strains’ responsible for separate clusters in these districts, confirming that in those districts cases are linked and there is ongoing local transmission.
These local outbreaks of enteric fever are amidst an annual surge of diarrhea, which occurs annually at this time. Cases of enteric are fever being managed by Department of Health in specific areas, and we urge the public to be assured that there is no cause for panic.
Response teams activated
The response teams had been activated with guidance for further public health response and surveillance activities received from the National Institute for Communicable Disease, Enteric Unit.
The identification and investigation of enteric fever cases and clusters involves ongoing surveillance, thorough case management, contact tracing and environmental investigations (food, water and sanitation), and health promotion activities. All recent single cases and clusters are currently under investigation.
Healthcare professionals are encouraged to be alert for possible cases and have a low threshold for collecting blood cultures when investigating cases of acute febrile illness.
Water safety
District Municipality Environmental Health Services officials are part of the response teams to address sanitation and water safety-related issues. They are responsible for the routine monitoring of municipal water supply to communities which involves routine sampling for indicator organisms. In areas where water samples were collected (municipal sources and untreated water) and tested at specific laboratories as part of the investigations, enteric fever could not be isolated. There is currently no cause for water safety concern.
Healthcare provision: how is this done?
A healthcare worker will collect and send samples of blood or stool to a laboratory for testing. Enteric (typhoid) fever is treated with antibiotics as well as to treat carriers.
If you become very sick, you may need to be hospitalised.
Prevention
District and sub-district services also conducts health promotion activities (as part of the diarrhoeal season) that includes general hygiene and handwashing.
Proper hand-hygiene which includes thorough washing of hands with water and soap after using the bathroom/toilette, and before preparing or eating a meal.
Maintain good hygiene in the kitchen when you are handling and preparing a meal.
Household water and sanitation supplies is safe.
Avoid water that may be contaminated (polluted) with sewage (wastewater that contains human waste etc.)
Safe disposal of human feaces (stools/poo) and nappies.
Symptoms
If you have enteric (typhoid) fever you may have mild or severe symptoms, which include:
Fever
Headache
Feeling unwell in general
Abdominal pain or cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation or diarrhea
A rash on the stomach
Dry cough
The symptoms may appear as early as 3 days to as late as 60 days after you were exposed to the bacteria. You usually start to get sick within 9 to 21 days after exposure. If you experience symptoms, seek health care immediately.
