Author: Herman Pieters
Profiles of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Speaker and Mayoral Committee Members
Get to know the Executive Mayor, Deputy Executive Mayor, Speaker and Mayoral Committee Members of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM).
A biography of the following Councillors are available for you to read:
Ald. Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/executive-mayor/
Adv Gert van Niekerk, Deputy Executive Mayor
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/deputy-executive-mayor/
Ald. Georlene Wolmarans, Speaker
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/speaker/
Cllr Nompumelelo Ndayi, Portfolio Chairperson: Community Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/community-services-3/
Ald. Iona Kritzinger, Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/corporate-services-3/
Cllr Anco Barker, Portfolio Chairperson: Financial Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/mayco-financial-services/
Ald. Rosina Ruiters, Portfolio Chairperson: Planning and Economic Development
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/mayco-planning-and-economic-dev/
Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, Portfolio Chairperson: Property and Asset Management
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/property-and-asset-management/
Ald. Petru Terblanche, Portfolio Chairperson: Roads and Transport Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/mayco-roads-and-transport-planning/
Cllr Jerome Lambaatjeen, Portfolio Chairperson: Strategic Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/strategic-services/
The rest of the full council include the following members
03 February 2022 Wesgro to promote Tourism, Export and Investment for the Garden Route District
WESGRO TO PROMOTE TOURISM, EXPORT AND INVESTMENT FOR THE GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT
Interested in investing in any of these opportunities offered by the Local Government in the Garden Route District? Contact the District Economic Development Office, Ms Melanie Wilson, invest@gardenroute.gov.za
28 January 2022 Media Release: New District Health Council introduced
Media Release: New District Health Council introduced
For Immediate Release
28 January 2022
The newly appointed district health council for the Garden Route District was introduced by the Western Cape Minister of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, on 24 January 2022.
‘Community involvement in health is a crucial part of a good health system functioning. It is also an integral part of Primary Health Care, that is why I am committed to meaningful engagement with communities and civil society. This is critical because it gives the district mayors and councillors representing local municipalities an opportunity to interrogate our Annual District Health Plan checking to see whether their local health priorities are considered,’ said Minister Mbombo.
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen, together with councillors reviewed the Annual District Health Plan to confirm whether their local priorities have been considered.
‘This collective approach to health in the Garden Route works because it raises the bar on health service standards,’ said Ald. Booysen. ‘Over the years, GRDM also extended its expert advice about municipal health services and will continue doing so in future.’
Councils represent their respective districts and ensure the coordination of health services with their respective municipalities. The appointment of the district health council is in accordance with the National Health Act, 2003 (Act 61 of 2003) which stipulates the establishment of district health councils.
A district health council consists of:
- a person appointed by the provincial minister to represent her
- a member of the relevant district council, who will also be the chair
- a member of the council of each local municipality nominated by the member of the relevant council
- not more than five other persons, appointed by the provincial minister, after consultation with the district council.
Members of the council are:
- Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen
- Garden Route District Director: Mr Zee Brickles
- Cllr Melvin Roelfse (George)
- Cllr Betsi Van Noordwyk (Hessequa)
- Cllr Mavis Busakhwe (Bitou)
- Cllr Anna Janse van Rensburg (Mossel Bay)
- Cllr Joey R Canary (Oudtshoorn)
- Ms Rita Kayster (District Council on Aids and TB)
- Knysna (outstanding)
- Kannaland (outstanding)
Members of the public are requested to make use of the channels available to them, such as the district health council, to voice any matters that might need attention.
Caption:
From left: Ms Rita Kayster ( District Council on Aids and TB), Cllr Melvin Roelfse (George), Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen, Cllr Betsi Van Noordwyk (Hessequa), Western Cape Provincial Health Minister Nomafrench Mbombo, Cllr Mavis Busakhwe (Bitou), Cllr Ruiters representing Mossel Bay in the absence of cllr Janse van Rensburg, Mr Zee Brickles(district director: Garden Route and Central Karoo) and Simo Sithandathu(Provincial Council on Aids and TB Civil Society representative).
END
Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Tel: 044 813 1831
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za
17 January 2022 Impact Based Weather Warnings for Western Cape and Namaqua: Veld Fire Conditions
Impact Based Weather Warnings for Western Cape and Namaqua: Veld Fire Conditions
17 January 2022
| Hazard | Affected Municipalities | Valid from (SAST) | Valid to (SAST) |
| Veld Fire Conditions | Beaufort West, Kannaland, Karoo Hoogland, Laingsburg, Oudtshoorn, Prince Albert and Swellendam | 18/01/22 10h00 | 18/01/22 18h00 |
Discussion: The warm temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds could result in the development of runaway and veld/bush fires.
Impact: Conditions are such that the FDI index is above 75. Under these conditions, fires may develop and spread rapidly resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.
Instruction: Fireteams, labour and equipment are to be placed on stand-by. At first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time.
SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE
Cape Town Weather Office
2nd Floor: Oval Office Park
Cape Town Int airport
Freight Road
Matroosfontein
Cape Town
E-Mail: factfc@weathersa.co.za
Tel: 021 935 5700
Report any weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at: 044 805 5071.
17 January 2022 Impact Based Weather Warnings for Western Cape and Namaqua: Yellow level 2: Damaging Waves
Impact Based Weather Warnings for Western Cape and Namaqua: Yellow level 2: Damaging Waves
17 January 2022
| Hazard | Alert Level | Affected Municipalities | Valid From (SAST) | Valid To(SAST) |
| Damaging Waves | Yellow(L2) (High likelihood of Minor Impacts) |
Bergrivier, Bitou, Cape Agulhas, Cape Agulhas, Cederberg, City of Cape town, George, Hessequa, Kamiesberg, Knysna, Matzikama, Mossel Bay, Nama Khoi, Overstrand, Richtersveld, Saldanha Bay, Swartland and Table Bay | 18/01/22 15h00 | 20/01/22 00h00 |
Discussion: Strong to gale force SW’ly winds (50-70km/h) are expected from Tuesday afternoon between Cape Point and Plettenberg Bay. This will cause rough, choppy seas with quick successive steep waves. From Wednesday, winds drop down, but wave heights increase to 4-6m along the entire coastline (Alexander Bay to Plettenberg Bay) from the morning. Wave heights may reach 7m along the southwest coast on Wednesday. Periods of 16s is expected on Wednesday and Thursday which will result in high energy waves. Springtide this week will also result in waves reaching further up the beach.
Impact: Difficulty in navigation for small vessels and personal watercraft may lead to vessels being at risk of taking on water and capsizing. Localised disruptions of small harbours or ports is possible for short period. Localised damage to coastal infrastructure is possible (mainly Wed-Thurs). Localised disruption to beachfront activities. The public at risk of being swept off coastal rocks due to infrequent large waves (Wed-Thurs).
Instruction: Small vessels are advised to seek shelter in harbours, bays or inlets.
SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE
Cape Town Weather Office
2nd Floor: Oval Office Park
Cape Town Int airport
Freight Road
Matroosfontein
Cape Town
E-Mail: factfc@weathersa.co.za
Tel: 021 935 5700
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.”
17 January 2022 Joint Media Release: SALGA Western Cape hands over a cheque of R54 862 to Kwamdlezane Baby Care Centre as part of its Mandela Day initiative for 2021
Joint Media Release: SALGA Western Cape hands over a cheque of R54 862 to Kwamdlezane Baby Care Centre as part of its Mandela Day initiative for 2021
For Immediate Release
17 January 2022
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Western Cape in collaboration with the Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Alderman Memory Booysen identified Kwamdlezane Baby Care Centre in Plettenberg Bay as part of SALGA’s initiative for Mandela Day 2021. A cheque of an amount of R54 862 has been handed over to the centre, on Monday, 17 January 2022 by SALGA and the Executive Mayor.
During his keynote address, Ald. Booysen said that their municipality tends to focus on primary and high schools when they do outreaches, however, after discussions with my Mayoral Committee, they have decided to shift the focus towards Early Childhood Development centres (ECDs).
Kwamdlezane Baby Care Centre own is a centre headed by a 25-year-old Sipeshihle Mafani, who took over the centre from her mother when she passed away in 2017. Mafani thanked SALGA and the Executive Mayor for the funds donated to the centre. She said it will be used for the better upkeep of the children accommodated at the centre.
“Thank you for your continued support. This donation will definitely go a long way in sustaining our mission and it will definitely make a difference in the centre,” she said.
GRDM Mayoral committee member for financial services, Cllr Anco Barker said the municipality needs to bend a tree while it’s young. This means that the GRDM should make an impact on the lives of ECDs.
“We tend to forget that we need to start making a difference to the lives of community members when they are still young,” said Barker.
She also thanked Kwamdlezane Baby Care Center committing to report on how they will share the funds donated to them.
2021 marked 12 years of Nelson Mandela Day Celebrations under the theme “Take ActionInspire Change – Make Every Day a Mandela Day”, Action Against Poverty” while Mandela Day calls to action remain a general call to reach out to those in need, SALGA’s focus was to be on the challenge of food security, sanitation and ECD work.
Since the pandemic, this devastating reality worsened. Staff members at SALGA were called to support efforts related to these goals during Mandela Month 2021.
SALGA Western Cape’s Provincial Director of Operations Mr Khalil Mullagie mentioned that they meant to do the donation in July last as part of SALGA’s Mandela Day initiative. But due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the project was delayed.
“Covid-19 disrupted our plans last year, as a result, this project was delayed. But we are happy that we got to finally handover the much-needed funds to Ms. Mafani’s centre,” said Mr Mullagie.
He further said that, with the help of the GRDM, they identified this centre as the suitable beneficiary, because the Principal of the ECD is a young person contributing to her community by creating jobs through the centre.
End
Issued by: South African Local Government Association Western Cape
For further media enquiries, please contact:
Joyce Moholola
082 874 9222
jmoholola@salga.org.za
Herman Pieters
081 4555 699
communications@gardenroute.gov.za
Chief Communication Officer
Garden Route District Municipality
15 January 2022 Impact Based Warning: Severe Thunderstorms
Impact Based Warning: Severe Thunderstorms
15 January 2022
| Hazard | Alert Level | Affected Municipalities | Valid From (SAST) | Valid To (SAST) |
| Severe Thunderstorms | Yellow (L2) (High likelihood of Minor Impacts) | Beaufort West, Hantam, Kannaland, Karoo Hoogland, Khâi-Ma, Laingsburg, Oudtshoorn, Prince Albert | 15/01/22 11h00 | 15/01/22 22h00 |
Discussion: Showers and thundershowers are expected to develop over the interior of the Namakwa as well as the Central and Little Karoo from early afternoon, where some may become severe with quick and heavy downpours (30-40mm/hour) which can lead to flash flooding as well as possible large amounts of small hail (diameter of 2cm and less).
Impact: Localised flash flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges (main concern being the N1 and the Swartberg Pass) which can lead to difficult driving conditions especially where the roads are slippery due to the combination of hail and pooling of water on the roads and the heavy downpour that can reduce visibility. This may contribute to minor vehicle accidents and longer travel times. Localised damage to infrastructure and settlements (mainly informal) and localised and short term disruption to municipal and other essential services are also possible.
Instruction: If possible stay indoors away from metal objects. Do not seek shelter under trees or tall objects. Do not go fishing or play golf as both the golf clubs and fishing rods are good conductors of electricity. Be aware that any combination of hail, strong winds and/or heavy downpours can accompany the storms.
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.”
SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE
Cape Town Weather Office
2nd Floor: Oval Office Park
Cape Town Int airport
Freight Road
Matroosfontein
Cape Town