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Author: Herman Pieters

21 May 2020 Media Release: Door-to-Door screening to continue

Media Release: Door-to-Door screening to continue

For Immediate Release
21 May 2020

Health Teams in the Garden Route District have screened more than 70 000 people and have referred 404 for testing through the  door-to-door screening and testing program. These community screening and testing outreaches are aimed at finding as many people as possible who might have COVID-19. During the community screening and testing the support of the community is essential for the success in stopping the spread of the virus.

Health teams are identifiable by their badges and clothing/uniform and allow them to screen you (ask questions regarding symptoms). If you are referred for testing, be assured these tests are safe. Testing for coronavirus is done by taking a swab in your nose.  While you await your results, we ask that you please quarantine at home in a separate room, if possible. We appeal to people who need to quarantine to stay home and not have visitors. If you cannot quarantine at home, speak to the health worker who will advise on facilities that are available for isolation and quarantine. Remember that only people who CANNOT isolate/quarantine at home will be advised on available facilities to do so.

Western Cape Government Health cannot do this alone.

“Every single person can help us in our effort, by staying home as much as possible, keeping a distance at all times, avoiding gatherings of people wherever it may occur, by always following the golden rules of good hygiene, and by properly wearing a clean cloth mask whenever out in public”, said Premier Alan Winde.

Members of the public are encouraged to continue practicing the 5 Golden Rules of Good Hygiene and to wear a cloth mask when in public spaces.

The 5 Golden rules of prevention:

  1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  2. Keep surfaces clean
  3. Do not touch your face
  4. Cough and sneeze in your elbow fold
  5. Keep 1,5m away from people when you leave your home.

Teams have tested the following number of people as part of the door-to-door screening and testing program from 8 April to 20 May 2020:

  • Bitou subdistrict: 15 540 of which 37 were referred for testing
  • Knysna subdistrict: 5 134 of which 20 were referred for testing
  • George subdistrict: 14 961 of which 71 were referred for testing
  • Mossel Bay subdistrict: 12 307 of which 143 were referred for testing
  • Hessequa subdistrict: 14 939 of which 119 were referred for testing
  • Kannaland subdistrict: 3 034 of which 5 were referred for testing
  • Oudtshoorn subdistrict: 8 934 of which 9 were referred for testing

Door-to-door screening and testing sites for subdistricts 25 May – 29 May 2020

  • Bitou subdistrict: Crags (Kurland)
  • Knysna subdistrict: Sedgefield
  • George subdistrict: 25 May: Thembalethu Zone 3 / 26 – 29 May: Zone 4 (Lusaka-area)
  • Mossel Bay subdistrict: Alma
  • Hessequa subdistrict: 26 – 28 May: Slangrivier; 28 May: Albertinia; 25 – 26 May: Melkhoutfontein; 25 – 28 May: Riversdal; 27 May: Gouritsmond
  • Oudtshoorn subdistrict: 25 – 26 May: Bridgton; 27 – 28 May: Toekomsrus; 25 – 28 May: Dysselsdorp; 25 – 28 May: De Rust

Note: community screening is not the only place where screening is possible. Other methods of screening for COVID-19 include:

  1. 1.Self-assessment risk tool (https://www.westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/sars-cov-2-risk-assessment-form)
  2. Any Primary Healthcare facility is able to conduct screening (please be sure to call ahead)
  3. Your local GP and District Hospital (please be sure to call ahead)Caption: Community Health Workers will visit your home to ask you a few questions(screen).

-END-

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health

21 May 2020 NMU George Campus remains closed for recreational activities

On 29 April 2020, the Government announced the easing of the national lockdown regulations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These regulations included the shift from lockdown alert level 5 to alert level 4, which allows for physical exercise within a 5-km radius of your home from 06h00 – 09h00.

We plead with the extended George community to honour this regulation and not use the George Campus for recreational or any other purposes so as to ensure the health and safety of those staff and students who are living on campus. The safety of our campus community is of paramount importance in these trying times as we strive to implement all COVID-19 related health and safety measures in line with Government regulations. We are unable to do so when there is ongoing unauthorised access to the campus via alternative entry points.

We trust that George residents are appreciative of these challenges and will seek alternative avenues for their exercise and recreational activities until such time as the pandemic is behind us and national regulations are lifted.

Thank you for your support.

Communication & Marketing
Nelson Mandela University: George Campus

20 May 2020 Media Release: Environmental Health Practitioners – Garden Route DM’s frontline workers

Media Release: Environmental Health Practitioners – Garden Route DM’s frontline workers

For Immediate Release
20 May 2020

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) are working in the frontline through communities and workplaces, among others, to promote health and safety protocols that aim to address the spread of COVID-19. The National Health Act 61 of 2003 makes provision for a single national health system that includes EHPs who play a vital role in the management of pandemics.

“The roles and responsibilities of EHPs in response to COVID- 19 is significant and extensive.  EHPs employed at GRDM continue their work as essential workers during this COVID-19 pandemic and they are doing an excellent job in our sub-districts. I take my hat off to all our EHPs who work in the frontline – many of them have families at home who worry about them too and we are grateful for their selfless service, dedication and compassion,” said GRDM Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen.

Executive Manager Community Services Mr Clive Africa echoed Mayor Booysen’s sentiments and added that the “monitoring of the disinfection of high risk areas is also done by GRDM EHPs. Local municipalities are responsible for the disinfection of  communal and public toilets, taxi ranks and marketplaces, sidewalks, municipal properties, state owned properties, private properties, and camping sites.”

With their usual responsibilities, education by means of awareness programmes and visits to businesses have increased a lot. “GRDM EHPs have increased their education and awareness programmes in a bid to reduce the number of persons that could become exposed to COVID-19,” said Mr Johan Compion, Manager GRDM Municipal Health Services.

“When the risk of COVID-19 became more apparent, EHPs started distributing thousands of pamphlets and posters at shopping malls, supermarkets, food stores, spaza shops and to informal food traders,” Compion said.

Awareness about COVID-19 has been done through promoting proper hand washing techniques, social distancing, cough etiquette, cleaning, sanitising and continual disinfection of frequently touched surfaces.

EHPs also participate daily in the outbreak response teams activated at provincial and district levels by performing a range of activities, including:

  • ensure decontamination and disinfection of affected homes
  • contact tracing of those infected and their close contacts
  • monitoring of the management of the human remains and disposal of the dead
  • monitoring of the management of health care waste.

GRDM we would like to again extend a word of gratitude to our EHP essential workers out in the field leading the fight against the COVID-19 disease.

ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za

15 May 2020 New regulations issued: Nurseries not open to general public but to agricultural sector

UPDATE 2020/05/18

The position of SAPS is that this media statement about the closure of nurseries is still valid – this is therefore the District Command Centre’s position. This position remains until new directives about nurseries are issued.

Media Statement
For Immediate Release
15 May 2020

New regulations issued: Nurseries not open to general public but to agricultural sector

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Command Centre on 5 May 2020 informed the public that nurseries are allowed sell all their items and are open to the general public. Yesterday, 14 May 2020, new regulations were promulgated and directives about nurseries and their operations during level four (4) were changed.

As it stands, the general public will not be permitted to visit nurseries under level four restrictions, but the public will now be permitted to buy plants online. This also includes the trading, donating, giving, and receiving plants online. Importing of plants are not allowed yet, but the export of plants will be allowed for bio-prospecting purposes only.

It is important to note that amendments of regulations are issued by national government, while local and provincial governments receive directives and have to follow suit. If there is ambiguity in a directive the GRDM Command Centre directs their concerns to the Western Cape Government or the South African Police Services for a legal opinion and/or  clarity.

ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za

15 May 2020 Covid-19 positive – communities to be supportive

Community transmission of Covid-19 is now well established in the Western Cape, which means that many people will be infected. However, it must also be noted that about 80 – 90% of people who contract Covid-19, will be able to recover without hospitalisation.

When facing a threat on a global scale, such as Covid-19, it is normal to feel anxious, scared, confused, and overwhelmed. Even more so with the overload of information available and our numbers of positive cases increasing.

It is normal to feel alone and frustrated. However, by limiting your exposure to other people, you can protect your family and yourself. If you must leave the house ONLY to go to work or essential shopping, wear a cloth mask, do not touch your face, stay 1,5 m away from others, and wash your hands often. We should try to avoid all physical contact with other people so that we can limit our chances of becoming infected or infecting others. If we do have contact, we should ALWAYS observe a distance and hygiene practice.

However, this does not mean we should be unkind to others and not offer to help our friends and neighbours. It is important that we stand together and that we support each other, especially our neighbours and friends who have tested positive for Covid-19.

Anyone can be infected with Covid-19 and anyone can carry the virus, even without showing symptoms. The Coronavirus does not discriminate between age, gender, race, or disability. However, not everyone is at the same risk of becoming very ill. Vulnerable people have a higher risk.

This is why it is so important that we take all the precautions we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones from Covid-19. People who are especially vulnerable are those with underlying medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, lung disease, TB, and HIV.

 When someone in my community or neighbourhood tests positive

Please remember that there is no shame in being referred for testing or testing positive. Also remember most people will recover after a mild illness. Covid-19 does not discriminate, and anyone can be infected.  Communities need to support those who have tested positive.

It is normal to feel scared, anxious, confused and even panic because of the virus and what we don’t know. But these feelings should not make you discriminate against someone who has tested positive.

We should not stigmatise people who have tested positive. We must offer our support. Although you should avoid physical contact, you can support them by messaging or calling to ask how they are doing. As they and the rest of their household will be in isolation, you can offer to help by buying food or medication and dropping it off at their door.

Remember, we are in this together and must support each other.

 Health risk due to social stigmatisation

When someone who tested positive for Covid-19 feels scared or threatened by their community or neighbourhood, they might hide their illness to avoid discrimination. This can result in them not seeking healthcare, which can lead to their condition deteriorating and eventually spreading the virus to others. Remember, it is a difficult time for the infected or affected people and they need compassion, love, and support.

Instead of stigmatising or discriminating, you can offer to help them.

 

-END-

 

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Town Clinic,Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 044 5333846

5 May 2020 Media Release: Effects of the National Lockdown on Air Quality within the Garden Route District

Media Release: Effects of the National Lockdown on Air Quality within the Garden Route District

For Immediate Release
5 May 2020

The major outdoor (ambient) air pollution contributors in the Garden Route district include industrial activities, vehicle emissions and wood burning for household purposes. Due to the current lock-down, only around 20% of these industries have rendered essential services, while vehicle movement decreased by estimate of between 10 and 25%.

According to the World Health Organisation (2013), ambient air pollution, as annual PM2.5, accounted for 3.1 million deaths and around 3.1% of global disability-adjusted life years and the health effects includes respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity, such as aggravation of asthma and respiratory symptoms.

The lockdown has resulted in a reduction of some air pollutants across the district, but not all pollutants react as immediate as others, for instance, carbon monoxide is known to remain in the atmosphere for a couple of years. It is however estimated that there is a 6% global reduction in carbon dioxide emissions due to countries partially shutting down their economies.

As the cooler winter months, approaches some domestic emissions may increase in the informal residential areas, for example, particulate emissions from woodstoves and fires that are used for household purposes. According to experts, economic recovery will receive priority after the lockdown, even if it is to the detriment of the environment. It is therefore vital that authorities involved in air quality management must continue to strive towards a reduction in emissions.

Air quality in George appears to indicate a general decreasing trend in air pollution between 1 March and 27 April 2020 as seen in figures one and two. These results have undergone quality assurance and are compared with time average concentration limits in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for each criteria pollutant to determine any exceedances or non-compliances with standards.

Demonstrates a decrease in SO2 levels in George, 6µg/m3 to 4µg/m3
Demonstrates a decrease in O3 levels in George, from 12µg/m3 to 2.5 µg/m3

During the development of the GRDM 3rd Generation Air Quality Management Plan, ambient air quality modelling was undertaken in most of the towns in the district. Emissions from industrial activities and traffic were estimated and modelled to identify any possible air quality hotspots for further monitoring. Below are images of dispersion modelling with an estimated 10% of the vehicle data count before the national lock down in Knysna Central Business District and ambient emission with only one listed activity in operation during the NLD in Oudtshoorn.

The impact of industrial activities and vehicle emission are estimated by making use of emission factors obtained from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and modelled by making use of dispersion modelling software.

The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries has developed a country-specific Air Quality Index (AQI) in line with best international practices to simplify the reporting of air quality to the general public. This data can be viewed live by the general public at www.saaqis.environment.gov.za. The AQI is derived from six (i.e. PM10, PM2.5, CO, O3, SO2 and NO2) criteria pollutants, for good air quality (scale 1) to hazardous (10) based on National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Currently, there are three Western Cape Government-owned ambient air quality monitoring stations located in the GRDM, viz. in Mossel Bay, George and Oudtshoorn. The George monitoring station reports live data to the South African Air Quality Information Systems (SAAQIS). The current status in terms of the AQI is one (1 = very good) in George, while for the entire country it is currently 3, which is also considered to be good.


According to satellite images below, obtained from (Copyright (c) 2020 Cameron Beccario 2020), there was a 48% reduction in ground level SO2 pollution on 22 April 2020, when compared with 28 April 2019. The same phenomenon occurred with PM10, which indicates a reduction of almost five times. This correlates well with international studies reported by the international media in respect of PM2,5 concentrations being four times lower than normally experienced in major polluted cities across the world.

Although there is a reduction in air pollution, the effect of air pollution is experienced over years. It is indeed so that the current improvement in air quality is too little over a short period of time to make a significant effect. However, people could again see clear skies over places where it was not possible for the last couple of years. The most valuable benefit therefore would be the awareness that flow from the visible improvement and the subsequent effect on people’s perceptions. The perceptions of affected communities is paramount for effective air quality management.

Reference:
World Health Organisation, Health effects of particulate matter, 2013. Accessed, 30 April 2020. http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/189051/Health-effects-of-particulate-matter-final-Eng.pdf

ENDS

Acknowledgements:

  • Western Cape Government, Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (Directorate: Air Quality Management)
  • Letabo Air Quality Specialists
  • South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS) – http://saaqis.environment.gov.za/
  • Garden Route District Air Quality Unit
  • Dr Johann Schoeman, Manager: Air Quality Management, Garden Route DM

Issued by the Garden Route District Command Centre

Media Queries: Herman Pieters
Senior Communicator
communications@gardenroute.gov.za

30 April 2020 Media Release: Eco-friendly ways of repurposing kitchen scraps and garden waste

Media Release: Eco-friendly ways of repurposing kitchen scraps and garden waste

For Immediate Release
30 April 2020

Garden Route residents, who have space in their gardens, are reminded that they can create their own compost with kitchen scraps and garden waste to add nutrients to their gardens during the lockdown. Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recommends that residents keep their kitchen scraps in a plastic bucket with a lid. Once this bucket is full, add it to one of your preferred composting methods.

“The lockdown is the perfect opportunity for residents to start contributing to the environment by diverting their organic waste from landfill and putting the much needed nutrients back into the soil by means of composting,” said Morton Hubbe, GRDM Manager: Waste Management.

“Composting is a simple way to add nutrient-rich humus to fuel plant growth. It restores vitality to depleted soil – and it is great for the environment.”

COMPOSTING PROCESSES

There are three types of composting namely cold-, hot- and worm composting. Cold composting is as simple as collecting garden waste or taking out the organic materials in a bucket and then moving it over to a bin or pile where material will gradually decompose. Hot composting is for the more serious gardener, but is a much faster process and requires regular aeration and attention. Four ingredients are required for fast-cooking hot compost: nitrogen, carbon, oxygen and water. Together, these items feed microorganisms, which speeds up the process of decomposing. In worm composting (Vermi-composting), worms eat food scraps and release nitrogen-rich castings. Worms also produce “worm tea”, an excellent organic fertiliser which prevents some plant diseases, reduces insect infestation and promotes nitrogen fixation in soil. Only Red Worms (Eisenia fetida) can be used for this process. Worm composting is a perfect method for those residents who don’t have gardens or live in apartments to divert their kitchen scraps from landfill.

COMPOSTING BENEFITS

  • Soil conditioner – compost creates rich humus for a garden, which adds nutrients to plants and helps retain moisture in soil.
  • Recycling kitchen and garden waste – composting can divert as much as 30% of household waste away from garbage bins.
  • Reduce landfill waste – most landfills in the Garden Route district are already closed and the remaining ones are close to their maximum capacity. Diverting organic waste from a landfill site extends its lifespan and reduces transport costs and air pollution.
  • Beneficial organisms for soil – microscopic organisms in compost help aerate the soil, breaks down organic material for plant use and wards off plant diseases.
  • Good for the environment – composting offers a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers.
  • Cost saving – no need to purchase compost or fertilizers.

WHAT TO COMPOST?

All compostable materials are either carbon (dry, brown items) or nitrogen-based (wet, green items), to varying degrees.

To create ideal conditions for composting, try to include roughly equal parts of both and mix the materials. A mix with more carbon-based materials will take longer to turn to compost, while a mix with more nitrogen based materials may generate odors.

The following are examples of carbon-based (brown) materials: dry / fallen leaves, shrub prunings, wood ash, cardboard, sawdust & wood chips (untreated wood), dry garden plants. Examples of nitrogen-based (green) materials include: fruit and vegetable scraps, green leaves, garden clippings, green plants, coffee grounds, tea leaves, manure.  Lastly, egg shells are an example of a neutral material and adds beneficial calcium to the soil.

Please refer to our home composting guideline for more information in this regard – download GRDM’s Home Composting Guideline for more details.

Remember that approximately 30% of all household waste being disposed of at landfill consists of organic waste. If residents change their behaviour, this can potentially be diverted from landfill by means of household composting.

ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za

30 April 2020 Media Release: Community Screening and Testing well underway in Garden Route

Media Release: Community Screening and Testing well underway in Garden Route

For Immediate Release
30 April 2020

Community Screening and Testing well under way in Garden Route.

 In the fight against the coronavirus, Government has embarked on an active program through the COVID-19 Home Visits program to find people who might need help. As part of the COVID-19 Screening and Testing programme, the Western Cape Government Health will intensify its community screening and testing in the coming weeks.

More than 18 000 people have been screened and 75 referred for testing for COVID-19 in the Garden Route District since the start of the community screening and testing programme on 6 April 2020.

“We must ensure that our vulnerable communities are screened and tested in greater numbers to ensure our people are protected against the spread of the COVID-19 disease,” said Dr. Nomafrench Mbombo, MEC for Health in Western Cape.

These community screening and testing outreaches are aimed at finding as many people as possible who might need help. Screening means that teams will go on door-to-door visits and ask a few questions and refer those who need to be tested to the correct site. The more people our teams can talk to (screen) the better chance we have at stopping the spread and in doing so, keep our vulnerable community members safe. The questions will mainly focus on whether or not a person has symptoms of illness at the moment (a sore throat, a cough or fever). These questions need to be answered honestly.

During the community screening and testing the support of the community is essential for the success in stopping the spread of the virus. Our health teams are identifiable by their badges and clothing/uniform and allow them to screen you.

If you are referred for testing, be assured these tests are safe. Testing for coronavirus is done by taking a swab in your nose. The results will become available in 2-3 days so please ensure you give your correct contact details to the health worker so they can contact you.

While you await your results, we ask that you please quarantine at home in a separate room, if possible. We appeal to people who need to quarantine to stay home and not have visitors. If you cannot quarantine at home, speak to the health worker who will advise on facilities that are available for isolation and quarantine.

Members of the public are encouraged to continue practicing the 5 Golden Rules of Good Hygiene and to wear a cloth mask. Remember the Golden rules of prevention: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, keep surfaces clean, do not touch your face, cough and sneeze in your elbow fold, keep 1,5m away from people, and stay at home.

Statistics for Garden Route screening from 6 – 28 April 2020.

Bitou sub-district: 4252 people screened and 7 referred for testing

George sub-district: 5068 people screened and 29 referred for testing

Kannaland sub-district: 3039 people screened and 5 referred for testing

Mossel Bay sub-district: 6165 people screened and 63 referred for testing

What individuals must do:

  • Please welcome health workers when screening
  • Answer the questions honestly.
  • Remember the 5 Golden rules: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, keep surfaces clean, do not touch your face, cough and sneeze in your elbow fold, keep 1,5m away from people, and stay at home
  • Please co-operate fully and support family for testing

What communities should do:

  • Please encourage people to be screened and tested
  • Look out for health workers who have official identification and branded clothing
  • Please support our health workers and keep them safe
  • Please help to keep communities clean and encourage good behaviour
  • Don’t be afraid of testing or potential sick people.
  • Please support the elderly and children

Note: community screening is not the only place where screening is possible. Other methods of screening for COVID-19 include:

  1. Self-assessment risk tool (https://www.westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/sars-cov-2-risk-assessment-form)
  2. Any Primary Healthcare facility is able to conduct screening (please be sure to call ahead)
  3. There are a number of dedicated sites (Testing and Triage centres where screening can be done)

We appreciate the community’s continued support and ask them not to discriminate against COVID-19 survivors but to support them as they no longer pose a health risk.

 

-END-

 

Nadia Ferreira

Principal Communications Officer

Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts

Western Cape Government Health

Town Clinic, Plettenberg Bay

Tel: 044 5333846

22 April 2020 Media Release: Local Government in Garden Route identifies dozens of regional COVID-19 care sites

Media Release: Local Government in Garden Route identifies dozens of regional COVID-19 care sites

For Immediate Release
22 April 2020

Local Government in the Garden Route district have identified various sites in the region that could be used as sites for self-isolation, public isolation and the quarantine of people affected by COVID-19. A basket of services will be provided by the National Department of Public Works, the Western Cape Department of Health will look after the health of individuals and local municipalities will ensure that basic services at all sites continue.

“South Africa’s situation is different to many other parts of the world because many of our community members still live in informal settlements. Dense small spaces and a lack of proper sanitation are still issues many face in all nine (9) provinces in South Africa. It is for this reason that we identified dozens of sites where vulnerable members of society will be housed,” said Garden Route District Municipality Executive Mayor Cllr Memory Booysen.

“GRDM also made available De Hoek Mountain Resort and Calitzdorp Spa as quarantine and isolation sites.”

According to Gerhard Otto, head of disaster management at GRDM, facilities are categorised by the level of care patients would require. These levels include:

  • Level 1: Acute hospitals – 7 hospitals identified
  • Level 2: Step-down facility – 1 identified
  • Level 3: Private quarantine – 15 sites identified
  • Level 4: Private self-isolation site – 2 sites identified
  • Level 5: Public isolation centre – 22 centres identified
  • 7 shelters and 7 feeding sites have also been identified.

It is important for the public to understand the difference between terms used by government. “Quarantine” for instance means the restriction of activities and/or separation from others of persons suspected to be ill (asymptomatic). The purpose of quarantine is to prevent the transmission of diseases. “Isolation” on the other hand is the separation of ill or COVID-19 positive persons or affected baggage, containers, conveyances, goods, or postal parcels from others in such a manner as to prevent the spread of infection or contamination.  Isolation can be applied to and by any person to curb the spread of COVID-19.

We have received numerous emails from the public who are anxious about rumours of quarantine facilities close to their homes or in their towns. The district municipality understands that there are concerns about this but assures the public that all the relevant protocols will be followed to protect the public from any risk of exposure to those infected by COVID-19. We will follow strict step-by-step international standards to ensure that every person is safe.

ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za

Application process: Spaza Shop Support

Application process

There are several steps to be followed to when applying for support, which are:

  • A spaza shop/general dealer owner, who is a South African and holds a valid trading permit (including temporary) or business licence, in the case of a general dealer qualifies to apply.
  • The qualifying spazas and general dealer owners must go to their nearest Nedbank branch or Nedbank desk at their nearest BOXER store for assistance to apply.

The following documents will be required:

  1. A valid South African ID document, and
  2. A valid and original municipal trading licence/permit to trade or business licence in case of a general dealer (copies are not acceptable). Only permits or licences issued by the municipality, not a councillor.

The qualifying spaza shop/general dealer owner must be willing to accept assistance to register with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), in the case were the owner is not already registered before approval to participate in the scheme.

At the Nedbank branch/ desk, the owners will be assisted to register on the SMMESA database, and complete the applicable application form.

Participating owners will be required to commit and undertake to the following:

  1. To buy products on the department-approved basket of goods, which will change from time-to-time, in particular products produced by South African SMMEs and cooperatives.
  2. To operate a business banking account and will accept participation in the SEDA supported business management support programme, which includes assistance with inventory management and stock control, preparations of management and annual financial statements.
  3. To uphold Environmental Health and Food Safety Standards and the Guidelines of the Department of Health, which will include:
  • Sanitising before and after serving each customers.
  • Disinfecting the service counters.
  • Maintain the applicable social distance between customers, and the customer and service point.
  • No sale of counterfeit goods and stale/expired foodstuff.
  • Not use trading spaces as sleeping quarters.

Support available under the scheme

Various forms of support are available under the scheme, which includes:

  1. Access to working capital investment and revolving credit facility that is backed by the Khula Credit Guarantee scheme of SEFA, in partnership with Nedbank. The facility is available at participating wholesalers, which are distributed country-wide. The list of participating wholesalers will be shared with approved spaza and general dealer owners.
  2. Business Management support, which includes assistance with basic financial management, with the support of financial/business graduates, who will be assigned to give dedicated support to the business over a 24-month period.
  3. Legal compliance, includes assistance to register with CIPC, SARS and UIF, and other compliance requirements that may be necessary for participation in the scheme.

 

For additional assistance or enquiries, spaza shop and general dealer owners may call 0860 663 7867 or e-mail Spazasupport@dsbd.gov.za.

Additional information may be obtained at the following websites: www.dsbd.gov.za; www.sefa.org.za; www.seda.org.za; www.mybindu.org.za