Fire Update 3: Klein Bavaria on 11 January 2022 at 10:55 am
Mopping-up operations ended yesterday at 17H00. A 12-hour patrol and monitoring period by the landowner was done and it is confirmed that the wildfire is extinguished. No lives were lost and no infrastructure damages were recorded.
Garden Route District Municipality would like to extend its thank yous to all the supporting agencies who assisted its firefighters during this period. These role players include South Cape Fire Protection Association, Bitou and Knysna Municipality Fire Services and Working on Fire (ground and aerial firefighting).
Issued by Garden Route District Municipality Communications
Media Release: Garden Route DM HAZMAT crash simulation conducted in Hessequa
For Immediate Release 15 December 2021
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) collaboratively conducted an emergency preparedness exercise (EPE) recently, along the N2 at the Still Bay turn-off, with the Hessequa Municipality, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as well as emergency response staff. The primary purpose of this particular simulation was to test the current systematic approach in dealing with a hazardous material (HAZMAT) incident in a safe manner.
“Our experience and knowledge of past incidents inform many of our responses; however, we need also to be adaptable to the unknown,” said Martina MacDonald, GRDM Disaster Management Officer in Hessequa.
“During this type of incident, we assess the response, collaboration and communication of stakeholders during a disaster-related incident.”
The EPE simulation involved a tanker carrying a hazardous substance (UN 1828) that collided with a light motor vehicle. This led to a HAZMAT spill from the tanker and resulted in injuries and death.
The simulation exercise took place at the Still Bay turn-off on the N2 in Hessequa
Various role players were involved in the multi-agency response.
A debriefing session took place whereby all stakeholders raised matters that required attention. “Refresher training, compatibility of radio communication, and crowd control were some of the issues identified that require attention,” said MacDonald.
The GRDM considers EPEs as the most vital part of learning about emergencies, plans and procedures experimentally.
According to Gerhard Otto, GRDM Head of Disaster Management, the GRDM needs to ensure that what is written on paper can be used in real life. “The Garden Route Disaster Management Centre, in collaboration with Local Municipalities and first responders, resolved to do more of these types of simulations and exercises,” said Otto.
According to him, Covid-19 has resulted in face-to-face exercises being limited and for most preparedness exercises to be done as informal, discussion-based sessions. “This specific simulation was done when Covid-19 positive cases were at its lowest point towards the end of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Garden Route,” concluded Otto.
Media Release: GRDM embraces Occupational Based Learning
For Immediate Release 13 December 2021
The Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA), the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and various Municipalities in the Garden Route have partnered to implement an occupationally based course for Public Office Administrators.
An Occupational Certificate is a combination of theory and on-the-job learning that is delivered in an integrated manner to give a person knowledge and practical skills too, rather than only a theoretical background. This means that students will acquire the work experience needed to enter the job market far earlier. Once enrolled, most of the learning will take place at a workplace and not at an educational institution.
These students are learning in the real world for the real world.
Occupational qualifications and certificates fall under the control of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO); one of three (3) Quality Councils in South Africa.
“The vision of the QCTO is to qualify a skilled and capable workforce.”
These occupational qualifications are destined to become the new way of learning in South Africa as the country moves towards a more demand-led system that develops young people with the skills needed in the labour market.
As aspiring Public Office Administrators, those enrolling for this CPUT Occupational Certificate, learn core skills such as managing, organising, and analysing the effects of government policies and using business and statistical tools to solve public sector challenges in an ethical way. Added to this, learners will also learn skills in planning, organising, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting, and budgeting.
The eight (8) Batho Pele principles of “people first” guide the implementation of public service delivery and is core to the values taught during this course. The duration of the certificate is over a period of six (6) months and students from various towns in the Garden Route to take part in it. Once selected, each student is placed at a municipality within their hometown and given tools of the trade such as a laptop and data bundles.
An example of this is the two learners who work with the rest of the Garden Route Skills Mecca Team. Both assist with skills development processes across the country, whilst getting to know all the sections and their main functions within GRDM. They work 40 hours a week and report to a supervisor who mentors them under strict supervision and signs their work experience records (logbooks). A percentage of the marks scored during this period counts towards their final marks.
The outcome of the course is to ensure that each learner is qualified and fit to be employed by the public sector with the newly acquired skillsets and valuable work experience they gained during the time.
Feature image caption: Anelisa Myeki (left) and Trishke Roodman (right), are two of the current CPUT students working with other Garden Route Skills Mecca stakeholders.
ENDS
Information supplied: Anelisa Myeki and Trishke Roodman
Media release: Water flowing in the Olifants River brings some relief to drought-stricken farmers
For Immediate Release 13 December 2021
Widespread heavy rains over the past few weeks have resulted in areas in the Garden Route experiencing flash floods. Meteorologists globally attribute this phenomenon to a “La Niña” weather season.
Rains in the Klein Karoo resulted in the Olifants River (Afrikaans: Olifantsrivier) flowing again after being dry for an extended period. The last time the river had this much water was in 2006.
It rained twice a week in the Klein Karoo for the past month and the recent cloud burst over Oudtshoorn pushed large amounts of water into the Olifants River.
Mr Gerhard Otto, Head of Disaster Management at Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) said that the GRDM, in conjunction with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), are carefully monitoring the water levels of the Olifants and Gamka rivers. They are also keeping a close eye on the upstream river water levels of Calitzdorp Spa. “We have several early warning systems in place should the Spa be affected by flash floods,” said Otto.
This Olifants River has its origins in the Traka and Kalkwal Rivers north of the Swartberg, becoming the Olifants River after flowing through the Toorwaterpoort, flowing west through Oudtshoorn. It then joins the Gamka River to form the Gourits River and heads south to its mouth at Gouritsmond in the southern coast of the Western Cape.
Melanie Wilson, GRDM Manager, Economic Development and Tourism responded with enthusiasm about the rains by saying: “This is welcomed with open arms and will definitely give a break to the agricultural sector in that area.” She cautioned that the challenge still exists of the water running away from the area and that a system to store it is not in place yet. “This does not benefit the agricultural sector to the extent we’d like it to yet – those residing in the area barely cope with the severe drought that gripped the area for a few years”.
Otto agreed and noted that all possible measures should be taken to optimise every drop of rainwater, which is crucial for water-stressed areas like the Klein Karoo.
Although farmers are extremely grateful for each drop of water received, it must be noted that those who farm with stock, will only find themselves in a better position in about six weeks’ time. This is because grazing will become possible again, instead of having to rely on food pallets to feed the animals.
The Olifants River flows through a part of the Calitzdorp Spa Resort property.
Water covering some roads were also witnessed.
The levels of the major dams that provide drinking water for the Garden Route are as follows:
Korente Vet/ Poort dam: 104,23% Source of drinking water for Riversdale;
Duiwenhoks dam: 102,38% Source of drinking water for Heidelberg;
Roodefontein dam: 102,1% – source of drinking water for Bitou; and
Calitzdorp dam: 64,55%- Source of drinking water for Calitzdorp.
The levels of the dams that provide water for irrigation in the Klein Karoo are in stark contrast to those in the rest of the Garden Route and the community remains hopeful that this will change. The levels of Stompdrift and Kammanassie are currently below 6 and 4% respectively.
Caption: Feature image: Olifants River flowing again after an extended dry period.
Media Release: Committees established for the new term of Garden Route District Municipality Council
For Immediate Release 10 December 2021
During a Special Council meeting on 10 December 2021, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen, and the GRDM Council, appointed various chairpersons and members into section 79 and 80 committees. According to section 79 of the Municipal Structures Act, ‘a municipal council may establish one or more committees necessary for the effective and efficient performance of any of its functions or the exercise of any of its powers.
A Special Council meeting took place during which the Mayoral Committee was elected.
Alderman Memory Booysen elected his seven (7) Mayoral Committee during a Special Council Meeting.
GRDM Council Secretary, Advocate Sinekaya Maqekeni said: “a section 80 committees are designed to assist the Executive Mayor and are chaired by a member of the Mayoral Committee. They thus report to the Mayoral Committee, not to the Council”.
“Section 79 committees, on the other hand, report directly to the Council. They scrutinise reports referred to them by Council emanating from the Executive. These committees advise the Executive Mayor, Mayoral Committee and Council. Lastly, they provide an oversight role on the performance of the Executive on behalf of Council and play a legislative advisory role,” said Maqekeni.
Section 80 committees include Roads and Transport Planning Services; Financial Services; Planning and Economic Development; Community Services; Property and Asset Management; Corporate Services; and Strategic Services. According to Maqekeni, section 80 committees “deal with the implementation of policy and the performance of the municipal administration”.
Chairpersons of the section 80 committees are as follows:
Ald. Petru Terblanche (Roads and Transport Planning Services);
Cllr Anco Barker (Financial Services);
Ald. Rosina Ruiters (Planning and Economic Development);
Cllr Nompumelelo Ndayi (Community Services);
Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard (Property and Asset Management);
Jobieth Hoogbaard, Mayoral Committee Chairperson for Community Services
Nompumelelo Ndayi , Portfolio Chairperson: Community Services.
Ald. Petru Terblanche, Portfolio Chairperson: Roads and Transport Planning Services
Section 79 committees include a Budget Steering; Governance; Municipal Public Accounts; Training and Development; Occupational Health and Safety Committee; and Local Labour Forum.
Chairpersons for these respective section 79 committees include:
Cllr Anco Barker (Budget Steering);
Ald. Georlene Wolmarans (Governance);
Cllr Clodia Lichaba (Municipal Public Accounts Committee);
Ald. Stephen de Vries (Training and Development); and
Ald. Virgill Gericke (Occupational Health and Safety).
Ald. Stephen de Vries, Chairperson: Training and Development
Cllr Clodia Lichaba, Chairperson: Municipal Public Accounts Committee
Ald. Virgill Gericke, Chairperson: Occupational Health and Safety
GRDM sees oversight committees as one of the characteristics and formal structures that promote good governance because it advocates the municipality’s accountability of the Executive.
Media Release: Seasonal Firefighters appointed to assist the Garden Route over the fire season
For Immediate Release 9 December 2021
The Garden Route region’s summer season is synonymous with high occurrences of veld, bush and mountain fires. This time of the year is popularly known as a ‘Fire Season’ across the Western Cape. However, climate change has blurred the timelines of fire seasons and authorities now remain on high alert throughout the year, even though summer is considered the peak season for fires.
In response to the risks associated with higher temperatures experienced locally and globally, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Fire Services recently recruited twenty (20) temporary firefighters.
Seasonal firefighters must have the following essential qualifications: Firefighting 1, Hazmat Awareness and First Aid Level 3, as it provides a solid foundation for firefighting. Additional to their qualifications, each person attended an annual Fire Line Safety Training Refresher course, facilitated by the Western Cape Department of Local Government, as well as in-house training specific to wildfires. Such qualifications create superior skills, knowledge and leadership capabilities. It is therefore evident that the recruited seasonal firefighters, without a doubt, will enhance the GRDM Fire and Rescue Services’ effectiveness to fight wildfires.
During their time with the GRDM, they will work day and night shifts. Day shifts start at 06h00 and end by 18h00. Night shifts run throughout the evening from 18h00 until 06h00 in the morning. Each person will be deployed across the district at GRDM Fire and Rescue Service stations, including George, Ladismith and Riversdale. They are contracted until 31 March 2022.
BE VIGILANT
GRDM urges the public to practice fire awareness, be vigilant at all times and be extremely cautious when braaing in open spaces. Acting Fire Chief, Deon Stoffels encourages the public not to make fires in any unpermitted areas and not to make fires on windy and hot days. “Those making fires in designated areas must douse fires after they’ve had a braai and use water, sand or moist soil to do this,” said Stoffels. The Acting Fire Chief also reminds the public not to discard any cigarette buds in the environment, because this remains one of the biggest causes of wildfires across the globe.
Media Release: Garden Route DM celebrates Clean Audit and commits to retain it
For Immediate Release
6 December 2021
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is pleased to announce that it has achieved a clean audit outcome for the 2020/2021 financial year. A clean audit is an unqualified audit opinion, with no findings, issued by the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) during their audit on financial statements, annual performance report and compliance to legislation.
This outstanding achievement confirms that the GRDM spent the public funds according to the applicable laws, regulations and policies.
Watch the video:
Nine (9) months ago, GRDM reported that it had missed a clean audit because of one finding. However, the municipality gradually addressed all the issues that the AGSA raised in the past while ensuring its financial management ethos at all levels of the organisation were enhanced. “We have instilled a culture of sound financial management, prudent financial choices, efficiency and accountability,” said Monde Stratu, Municipal Manager. “We will do our very best to retain a clean audit for years to come and not to drop our standards,” he said.
Alderman Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor.
Monde Stratu, Municipal Manager.
Re-elected GRDM Executive Mayor Alderman Memory Booysen says that although South Africa faces a challenging economic situation, those in the Garden Route and investors can be assured that the Municipality remains committed to good governance.
“We will continue to spend public money to the best of our ability.”
Booysen hopes that this achievement will inspire other municipalities in the Garden Route to do better and improve governance. Mayor Booysen also made particular reference to Dr Adele Potgieter, Independent Member and Chairperson of the Audit and Performance Audit Committee (APAC) and her team for the oversight they provided on the Municipality’s financial reporting process. Other members of APAC at GRDM include Advocate Derick Block, Geoff Stenekamp and Suren Maharaj.
Also, Ald. Booysen extended his appreciation to Cllr Clodia Lichaba, Chairperson: Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) and her fellow Councillors who exercised oversight over the executive functionaries of the council to ensure good governance in the institution.
Dr Adele Potgieter, Chairperson of APAC.
Cllr Clodia Lichaba, Chairperson of MPAC.
Jan-Willem De Jager, Chief Financial Officer and Thembani Loliwe, Strategic Manager, also played a pivotal role in ensuring that the GRDM achieved a clean audit status. They worked hand in hand to ensure the municipality’s Operational Clean Audit Report (OPCAR) was implemented in response to the AGSA Management Reports from the previous financial years. “Various controls had to be put in place to ensure that the AG did not find similar issues as last year,” said Loliwe. “To mention just one example of control improvement, during the 2017/18 financial year, procurement through the supply chain deviation process was valued at more than R23 000 000 and in 2020/21 financial year that amount has reduced to less than R2 000 000, which is a result of thorough control interventions” added Loliwe.
“During their audit, the AGSA focused on bulk infrastructure, supply chain management, and financial statements.”
De Jager specifically referenced the strides the GRDM made with procurement. “This year, we had no findings on procurement.”
Jan-Willem De Jager, Chief Financial Officer
Thembani Loliwe, Strategic Manager
The CFO has also shared his thank yous to officials who engaged with the AG because it was done in a respectful manner. The AGSA has been victimised for years in other parts of the country, where they often receive death threats, get offered bribes and are victims of intimidation.
GRDM remains committed to ensuring that it has all preventative controls in place and good governance, as organisational culture, continues for years to come. The audit outcome is, therefore, is a result of a concerted effort by all officials to ensure that good governance and sound financial management remain at the heart of what we do at the Municipality,” said Monde Stratu.
