Author: Herman Pieters
2 February 2026 Media Release: Garden Route Wetlands – A Climate and Biodiversity Imperative
Media Release: Garden Route Wetlands – A Climate and Biodiversity Imperative
2 February 2026
On 2 February World Wetlands Day is celebrated globally, and the theme for this year is “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage”.
Wetlands are among the most valuable yet vulnerable ecosystems in the Garden Route, playing a critical role in water security, climate resilience and biodiversity conservation. As pressures from climate change intensify, the protection of these natural assets has become a strategic priority for the region.
“The Garden Route is home to several wetlands of international importance, including Ramsar-designated systems that provide essential ecosystem services. These wetlands act as natural sponges, absorbing floodwaters during extreme rainfall events, releasing water during dry periods, filtering pollutants and supporting a rich diversity of plant and animal life. In an era of increasing droughts, floods and temperature extremes, their role as natural climate buffers cannot be overstated”, says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).
One of the most remarkable wetland systems in the region is Vankervelsvlei, located near Buffels Bay and nestled within the PG Bison plantations. This peat-based wetland is estimated to be one of the oldest on the African continent, having accumulated organic material over thousands of years. Vankervelsvlei is not only a biodiversity hotspot, but also a significant carbon store, locking away vast amounts of carbon and helping to mitigate climate change. Damage or degradation of such systems results in irreversible biodiversity loss and the release of stored carbon back into the atmosphere.
From a biodiversity perspective, Garden Route wetlands support numerous endemic and threatened species and form ecological corridors linking terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. Their degradation has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, agriculture and local livelihoods.
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has recognised this importance and has developed a wetland strategy aimed at identifying, protecting and sustainably managing wetlands across the district. This strategy provides a vital framework for coordinated action, but its success depends on effective implementation, adequate resourcing and strong collaboration between authorities, landowners, industry and civil society.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) believes wetlands must be treated as strategic natural infrastructure. Protecting and restoring them is not only an environmental obligation, but a cost-effective investment in climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and long-term regional resilience. Safeguarding these systems today is essential to securing water, biodiversity and livelihoods for future generations.
Photo: Great Brak Estuary
Caption: The Great Brak river and estuary is an important home to thousands of birds and acts as nursery to fish replenishing the Indian Ocean, but it’s fresh water supply is under threat due to invasive alien plants in its upper catchments and water extraction.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) serves as a public platform for landowners and environmental managers and operates as a climate change think tank.(www.grefecsf.co.za)
28 January 2025 Media Release: Foot-and-Mouth Disease Poses Major Threat as Southern Cape Farmers Step Up Biosecurity
Media Release: Foot-and-Mouth Disease Poses Major Threat as Southern Cape Farmers Step Up Biosecurity
28 January 2025
The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains one of the most serious threats facing South African agriculture and the broader economy. Industry leaders argue that the scale of the current risk could have been significantly reduced if faster, more coordinated national response measures had been implemented earlier. While several parts of the country have reported cases of the highly contagious disease, the Southern Cape has to date remained free of confirmed infections. Despite this, cattle and dairy farmers across the region are taking proactive steps to protect their herds.
“Especially along the coastal plateau there are vast numbers of cattle in the Garden Route, and agriculture is a cornerstone of the regional economy,” says GREF convener Cobus Meiring.
“The absence of cases here does not mean we must relax. On the contrary, it means prevention is absolutely critical.”
Farmers are currently implementing a range of biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of it rapidly spreading through the Garden Route. These include restricting farm access, disinfecting vehicles and equipment, limiting the movement of livestock, and closely monitoring animals for early signs of infection. Many producers have also increased record-keeping around animal movements and are engaging more frequently with veterinarians.
One of the biggest concerns remains the movement of unmonitored or undocumented herds between regions. “Uncontrolled movement is always a major risk factor,” Meiring explains. “Even a single breach can have devastating consequences.”
While current efforts are widely supported, questions remain about whether more could be done. Improved enforcement of movement controls, faster information sharing between authorities and farmers, and greater consistency in biosecurity protocols across provinces have all been highlighted as areas needing attention.
“We can only prepare as best we can and ensure that all reasonable safety precautions are firmly in place,” says Meiring. “But this requires collective discipline.”
The plea from industry leaders is clear: all stakeholders, including commercial farmers and smallholders to transporters and regulators must strictly adhere to established protocols to prevent the spread of the disease.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) serves as a public platform for landowners and environmental managers and operates as a climate change think tank. In the context of FMD, the organisation is emphasising the importance of shared responsibility in safeguarding both food security and regional livelihoods.
22 January 2026 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality achieves 5th consecutive Clean Audit
Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality achieves 5th consecutive Clean Audit
22 January 2026
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has once again demonstrated its commitment to good governance and responsible financial management after receiving its fifth consecutive clean audit from the Auditor-General of South Africa for the 2024/2025 financial year. In a national environment where many municipalities continue to face governance and financial challenges, GRDM’s sustained clean audit record reinforces the Western Cape’s reputation for excellence in local government and positions the GRDM as a stable and trusted public institution.
With 5 Clean Audits under his leadership, Monde Stratu, GRDM Municipal Manager, said: “This achievement reflects our collective strong leadership, sound internal controls, and a culture of accountability across the organisation”.
“This outcome did not happen by chance, and I commend our staff for their professionalism and dedication in maintaining high standards year after year,” he said.
Executive Mayor Marais Kruger welcomed the audit outcome and congratulated Council, management, and staff on the milestone. “Achieving our fifth consecutive clean audit is a powerful signal of trust to our communities, stakeholders, and partners. It shows that Garden Route District Municipality manages public funds responsibly and that we take our governance responsibilities seriously. This achievement is the result of teamwork, discipline, and a shared commitment to doing what is right for the people we serve.”
Chief Financial Officer Rian Boshoff acknowledged the role of financial discipline and internal controls in sustaining clean administration. “Maintaining a clean audit requires continuous monitoring, prudent spending, and accountability at every level. I would like to thank all the officials that were involved in the audit process, management, and all departments for their commitment to safeguarding public resources.”
The Municipality’s Internal Audit and Risk Management functions continue to play a key role in monitoring that recommendations from the Auditor-General are addressed proactively and that governance systems remain strong and effective.
Chief Audit Executive, Pamela Lufele, said: “A fifth consecutive clean audit outcome reflects a strong control environment, effective governance structures, and management’s commitment to legislative requirements. The cooperation between management, internal audit, and external audit in addressing prior-year audit findings and emerging risks further ensures overall success.”
This fifth consecutive clean audit reinforces GRDM’s standing as a reliable, accountable, and well-governed municipality, working in partnership with local municipalities and communities to build a resilient and prosperous Garden Route.
“GRDM will now be able to finalise its oversight process by tabling the final Annual Report to the Audit Committee, Municipal Public Accounts Committee and ultimately to council for final adoption,“ said the Strategic Manager in the Office of the Municipal Manager, Mr Thembani Loliwe.
ENDS