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Author: Kabelo Mohlohlo

16 September 2026 Media Release: R26 million in disaster response funding transferred to Garden Route local municipalities

Media Release: R26 million in disaster response funding transferred to Garden Route local municipalities

Immediate release
16 September 2026

The repair of critical services infrastructure in the Garden Route District is set to be majorly accelerated, following the transfer of R26 million in Municipal Disaster Response Grant (MDRG) funding by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) to five local municipalities in the Garden Route. More projects will be submitted separately for consideration under another grant, known as the National Disaster Rehabilitation Grant, which will be presented to the National Cabinet later this month alongside the national budget adjustment.

According to Gerhard Otto, GRDM Head: Disaster Management, “Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Bitou and George will receive R5 million each, while Kannaland would be receiving R6 million”.

At the Bitou and Oudtshoorn local municipalities these funds would be used for the emergency repairs required on some streets, while George Local Municipality would focus mainly on the repairs required to the main water supply line from the Haarlem Dam to Uniondale.

At Kannaland Local Municipality, both the repairs required to one of the main access bridges in Calitzdorp, as well as emergency repairs and protection required at a transformer in Ladismith, would receive attention, and at Knysna Local Municipality the slope remediation and repairs required at Fedricks Street would be addressed.

The funding must be spent within six months on repairing damage caused by the severe weather events which adversely impacted the district in May 2026.  The Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), NDMC and Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), will be meeting with local municipalities to formally launch the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) process required under the grant conditions.

These funding injections mean that municipalities would not need to wait for new municipal budget cycles for the repair works to commence. Adjustment budgets will be presented to the various Councils, officially confirming the funds that were allocated by the NDMC.

“Allocations typically prioritise basic services related water and sanitation works, including repairs to main water supply pipelines and sewerage infrastructure’, said Gerhard Otto.

He further elaborated that this emergency fund originates from a nationally allocated R213,4 million, which was released to three provinces as a practical intervention to address damages sustained during the May 2026 floods. “Of this, the Western Cape received R71,4 million,” confirmed Otto.

Each municipality will be expected to report on its readiness to implement approved projects, flag any completed projects eligible for fund reallocation, and identify any outstanding environmental approvals that could affect implementation timelines.

As the district municipality, GRDM is mandated and has successfully, under the Disaster Management Act, supported the PDMC and NDMC for more than 20 years in overseeing how the funds are spent by local municipalities.

Feature image: Damage to a low-lying bridge adjacent to Calitzdorp Hot Springs during the floods in May and June 2026.

END

08 September 2026 Frequently Asked Questions: Pilchard Herpesvirus-associated Sardine Mortality Event

Frequently Asked Questions: Pilchard Herpesvirus-associated Sardine Mortality Event

 08 September 2026

CURRENT SITUATION

  • South Africa is experiencing an unusual sardine mortality event that has now been reported over a very wide geographic area, extending from the Western Cape through the southern and eastern coasts, into the northern Wild Coast and along the Namibian coast.
  • Pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) has been confirmed in sardines associated with the mortality event, including sardines collected in Gqeberha. PHV remains the leading explanation for the observed mortalities, although the role of the virus and the possible contribution of environmental factors are still being investigated.
  • The full extent and impact of the mortality event are not yet known. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and its scientific partners are continuing to monitor new reports, undertake diagnostic testing and investigate the distribution, scale and progression of the event, as well as its potential implications for the sardine population and the wider marine ecosystem.

PHV is not known to infect people. Commercially produced canned sardines processed under approved conditions remain safe to consume. The public should not collect, eat or feed to pets dead or dying sardines found on beaches or at sea, because of the risks associated with decomposition and contamination.

To read further, please download the below FAQ documents:

Download FAQ document 1

Download  FAA document 2

Download FAQ document 3

Download FAQ document 4

Download FAQ document 5

Download FAQ document 6

Image: Supplied by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

2 September 2026 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality invites public comment on new Municipal Health By-law

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality invites public comment on new Municipal Health By-law

 For immediate release
02 September 2026

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) will publish its updated Municipal Health By-law for public comment, following approval by Council on 31 August 2026 to advertise the draft document for a 30-day period.

The By-law, which regulates municipal health services across the district, is being updated for the first time since 2018 to bring it in line with changes to the National Norms and Standards for Environmental Health.

It covers key health functions including water quality monitoring, food control, waste management, health surveillance of premises, communicable disease control, vector control, environmental pollution control, disposal of the dead, and chemical safety.

The draft by-law will be published in the Provincial Government Gazette and local media for a 30-day comment period.

The clear objective of this by-law, as adopted by Council, is to regulate matters within the municipality’s powers. “Activities that can create a risk to people’s health or create a public-health nuisance may be regulated. The By-law sets the rules for protecting public health in our communities,’ said Johan Compion, Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management & Air Quality Control at GRDM.

Residents across the district’s seven local municipalities namely George, Oudtshoorn, Kannaland, Hessequa, Mossel Bay, Knysna and Bitou, will also have the opportunity to form part of the public participation sessions held in towns throughout the district from 8 to 30 September 2026.

“Public participation is a vital part of this process. This by-law exists to protect the health and wellbeing of every resident in the Garden Route district, and we want communities to make their contributions before it is finalised,” said Compion.

The By-Law is still a draft and comments from the public will contribute to a final document that aim to:

  • Protect public health;
  • Promote safe business practices;
  • Prevent environmental health risks;
  • Ensure compliance with national standards;
  • Improve quality of life; and
  • Clarify responsibilities of owners and occupiers.

Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft by-law and submit comments during the consultation period.

Public participation dates (by town):

  • George: Uniondale (8 Sept), Pacaltsdorp (18 Sept), Thembalethu (16 Sept), Conville (17 Sept), Blanco (22 Sept), Touwsranten (28 Sept)
  • Oudtshoorn: Dysselsdorp (22 Sept), De Rust (28 Sept), Toekomsrus (21 Sept)
  • Kannaland: Ladismith (29 Sept), Calitzdorp (30 Sept)
  • Hessequa: Riversdale (15 Sept), Heidelberg (17 Sept), Slangrivier (22 Sept), Albertinia/Gouritsmond (25 Sept), Stilbaai/Melkhoutfontein (29 Sept)
  • Mossel Bay: Mossel Bay: Great Brak River, KwaNonqaba (16 Sept)
  • Knysna: Hornlee, Sedgefield, Rheenendal (all 15 Sept)
  • Bitou/Plettenberg Bay: Kranshoek/Harkerville/Fisanthoek (21 Sept), Piesang Valley, Kwanonqutula/Bossiesgif/Queleni/New Horizons (22 Sept), Wittedrift/Green Valley/Keurbooms/Kransbos, Kurland/The Crags/Natures Valley/Cove (23 Sept)

The due date for comments is 2 November 2026, as public participation helps ensure that the final by-law reflects the needs and realities of our communities. All consultation sessions above will start at 09h00 at the respective venues and dates.

For more information, contact Mr Johan Compion.

JCompion@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: +27 (0)44 803 1525 | +27 (0)82 803 5161

Caption: GRDM IDP Manager, Mercy James, and Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management & Air Quality Control at GRDM, Johan Compion, during the council meeting.

Click to download the presentation.

Click to download the official notice.

Click to download the public participation dates.

Click to download the by-law document.

END

2 September 2026 Public Participation on Draft Municipal Health By-law (2026)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON DRAFT MUNICIPAL HEALTH BY-LAW (2026)

Notice Number: 81/2026

Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 156(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996, that the draft Municipal Health by-law was approved on 31 August 2026, and will be published for public participation in the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) area of jurisdiction.

The above-mentioned document, together with the specified dates and venues for public participation, is available on the GRDM’s website at www.gardenroute.gov.za

The due date for comments is 2 November 2026. Comments to Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality Control, Mr. Johan Compion at JCompion@gardenroute.gov.za

N Raisa-Mlandu
Acting Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P O Box 12
GEORGE
6530

Tel:   044 803 1300

Click to download the official notice.

Click to download the public participation dates.

Click to download the by-law document.

 

27 August 2026 Media Release: Garden Route District Health Council relaunched to strengthen community voice in healthcare planning

Garden Route District Health Council relaunched to strengthen community voice in healthcare planning

For immediate release
27 August 2026

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the Western Cape Provincial (WCG) Department of Health and Wellness convened the first sitting of the reconstituted Garden Route District Health Council today. This platform affirms the GRDM Council’s mandate to give municipalities and communities a direct voice in shaping health service delivery across the district.

The sitting was chaired by GRDM Executive Mayor Marais Kruger, as the newly elected District Health Council chairperson, along with the Mayoral Committee Members for Health from George and Bitou Municipalities, Hessequa Municipality’s Deputy Executive Mayor, Cllr Gerald Boezak, and other local municipality councillors and officials from across the district.

Opening the discussion, Mayor Kruger reminded members of the council’s role in providing leadership and direction on health matters, and of the collective responsibility shared by municipalities and the Department in serving communities.

“This platform exists so that the voices of our communities are heard when decisions are made. It is our collective responsibility to provide leadership and direction, and to ensure no community is left behind,” said Mayor Kruger.

Director of the Garden Route and Central Karoo Health Districts, Helize Le Roux, delivered an insightful presentation on behalf of the Department, highlighting significant infrastructure gains across the district.

Completed projects include the Hornlee, Ladismith, and maintenance work at Groot Brak River Clinics, along with upgrades to the Acute Psychiatric Unit at Oudtshoorn.

“Work is currently underway on maintenance at Mossel Bay, New Horizon and Pacaltsdorp Clinics, as well as upgrades at George and Knysna Hospitals”, said Le Roux.

The council also discussed the district’s preparedness for disaster and disease outbreaks, with remedial and contingency plans in place to support rapid response, and the ongoing containment of communicable diseases to ensure communities accessing the district’s healthcare services continue to receive proper care.

Members agreed that rural communities must remain a priority and not be left behind as services are expanded.

Representing Bitou Municipality’s health portfolio, Cllr Annelise Olivier, raised the positive impact of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) station in KwaNokuthula township, in Plettenberg Bay, and the extension of weekend clinic operating hours, both of which are easing pressure on emergency services and greatly assisting the community.

“The EMS station in KwaNokuthula and our extended weekend hours have made a real difference for our residents. This is what it looks like when the district and local government work together for our people,” said Councillor Olivier.

George Municipality’s MMC for Health, Cllr Melvin Roelfse, highlighted the growing population pressure in Pacaltsdorp, noting that a rising number of retirees settling in the area without medical aid are placing additional reliance on public healthcare services.

The council has resolved to advocate collectively for continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and services, and committed to engaging the National Department of Health, the WCG Premier’s Office, and the WCG Department of Infrastructure on addressing outstanding priorities in the district.

The Garden Route District Health Council, established in terms of the Western Cape Health Facility Boards and Health Councils Act, is required to meet quarterly. The next sitting is expected before mid-December, pending the outcome of the local government elections.

Caption: GRDM political leadership, delegates from the Garden Route and Central Karoo Health Districts, Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, and local municipalities pictured after the first sitting of the reconstituted Garden Route District Health Council.

ENDS

18 August 2026 Media Release: Skills Mecca Indabas turn talk into action across the Garden Route

Media Release: Skills Mecca Indabas turn talk into action across the Garden Route

18 August 2026

The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM), a skills development programme by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), is enhancing economic inclusion through a series of Skills Development Indabas held across the region.

With this initiative, the GRSM is connecting all the seven local municipalities in the district, business, training providers, and residents to explore skills development, training opportunities and create pathways to employment, especially for the youth.

On 11 August 2026, in collaboration with the Bitou Local Municipality, the GRSM held another successful session in KwaNokuthula Community Hall in Plettenberg Bay, bringing together government departments, Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA), and various stakeholders. This was done to connect the community with opportunities that promote skills development, employment and economic participation.

Held biannually in all seven local municipal areas (Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland), this year’s programme has been expanded to include unemployed youth, creating access to valuable information and opportunities that can help transform their futures.

GRDM Training Coordinator, Reginald Salmons said, “The Indabas form an important part of the GRSM’s commitment to ensuring that skills development responds directly to the needs of local communities and the regional economy”.

  • George kicked off the current round on 16 June with LevelUp, a partnership with SUFF Academy that helped Grade 12 learners from more than 10 schools navigate university applications, funding and career pathways.
  • Knysna’s Indaba on 24 July brought together stakeholders including the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency, the Knysna Business Chamber and Africa Skills Village. The area is now moving toward a Mini Skills Summit to tackle rural outreach and broader skills needs.
  • Mossel Bay’s engagement on 28 July led to plans for a local task team to organise a Job and Career Expo within two months, linking job-seekers directly to employers, SETAs and training providers.
  • Hessequa’s Indaba on 4 August surfaced a clear need for a School of Skills in the Hessequa/Kannaland area, backed by the Western Cape Provincial Department of Education.
  • Kannaland took its Indaba directly to Zoar on 5 August, reaching unemployed youth and agreeing to extend outreach to Van Wyksdorp, Calitzdorp and surrounding farming communities.

The Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) Provincial Manager, Anneka Jacobs, commended the GRSM for its work by saying: “This approach will ensure that skills development information and opportunities reach communities that may otherwise experience barriers in accessing information and support”.

Salmons said that these indabas are not talk shops, but rather exists to produce tangible solutions to local challenges. “The communities are sharing their needs with us, and we’re connecting with partners to deliver it.”

The GRSM is taking the next leg of these indabas straight to Oudtshoorn at the Thusong Service Centre on 18 August 2026, and unemployed youth, businesses, training providers and community organisations are encouraged to attend and help shape the region’s skills agenda.

The GRSM encourages community members to use these engagements to obtain information about available opportunities, communicate their skills development needs and contribute to identifying practical solutions for their communities.

To learn more, visit skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za

Caption: Skills Mecca Indaba sessions in Kannaland, Hessequa and Bitou Local Municipalities.

END

Save the Date: Notice of a Council Meeting on 31 August 2026 at 11h00

NOTICE OF A COUNCIL MEETING ON 31 AUGUST 2026 AT 11:00

Notice Number 75/2026

Notice is hereby given that a COUNCIL MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers, 54 York Street, George, and via Zoom on 31 August 2026 at 11:00.

YouTube:
https://youtube.com/live/QbcBTxy4cuA?feature=share

N Raisa-Mlandu
Acting Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P O Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel:   044 803 1300

Notice Number: 75/2026
19 August 2026

Save the Date: Notice of a Special Council Meeting on 25 August 2026 at 11:00

NOTICE OF A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING ON 25 AUGUST 2026 AT 11:00

Notice Number 72/2026

Notice is hereby given that a SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers, 54 York Street, George, and via Zoom on 25 August 2026 at 11:00.

 YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/41abMZQMMkQ?feature=share

N Raisa-Mlandu

Acting Municipal Manager

54 York Street

P O Box 12

GEORGE

6530

Tel:   044 803 1300

Notice Number: 72/2026

17 August 2026

27 July 2026 Media Release: Climate Resilience Tops the Garden Route Agenda

Media Release: Climate Resilience Tops the Garden Route Agenda

27 July 2026

The Garden Route can no longer prepare for yesterday’s climate. Building resilience is now essential for protecting communities, the economy and the environment.

This was the overriding message from the recent Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) Extreme Weather Summit hosted in collaboration with NMU and GRDM, where renowned climate, environmental and disaster management experts shared the latest science and practical solutions for adapting to a changing climate.

Presentations suggested that a strong El Niño event may develop towards 2027, potentially bringing drought conditions to parts of the region. At the same time, experts warned that climate change is driving more frequent and intense extreme weather events, including severe storms, floods and wildfires.

GREF Convener, Cobus Meiring, said the Garden Route has already experienced the enormous social and economic costs of climate-related disasters.

“Climate resilience is no longer an option but a necessity. Every investment in protecting our natural environment and strengthening community preparedness will reduce future disaster risks and economic losses”, said Meiring.

Delegates heard that local communities are increasingly adapting through rooftop solar energy, rainwater harvesting, improved water management and the clearing of invasive alien plants that reduce water availability and increase wildfire risks.

One of the Summit’s strongest conclusions was that protecting and restoring natural infrastructure—including mountain catchments, wetlands, rivers and estuaries—is among the most effective ways to improve water security and reduce flood impacts.

Recent disasters illustrated the urgency. The extensive damage to Meiringspoort disrupted transport and tourism, while increasingly frequent heavy truck accidents on the Swartberg Pass highlight the growing challenges posed by difficult weather conditions and climate-related risks.

The Summit demonstrated that building climate resilience requires collaboration between government, business, scientists and communities to prepare for an increasingly uncertain future.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and serves as a climate change think tank. Visit grefecsf.co.za for more information.

Caption 1: A panel discussion about preparing for a changing climate in the Garden Route and beyond.

Caption 2: Nelson Mandela University’s George Campus Principal, Dr Kaluke Mawila, engaging with one of the attendees.

Caption 3: Garden Route District Municipality’s Head of Disaster Management, Mr Gerhard Otto, giving an overview of disaster management in the Garden Route.

– END –

30 June 2026 Media Release: Partnerships Key to Building Climate Resilience in the Garden Route

Partnerships Key to Building Climate Resilience in the Garden Route

30 June 2026

The severe weather that affected the Southern Cape during May and June once again exposed the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather and the urgent need to strengthen climate resilience. Following widespread flooding, storm damage, power outages, infrastructure failures and environmental impacts, stakeholders called for a coordinated reflection on the events, their consequences and the practical steps needed to improve future preparedness.

Responding to this need, the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF), together with Nelson Mandela University (NMU), the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), George Municipality, Envirodev, Stihl South Africa, Husqvarna South Africa, Suzuki George, George Herald, Beachouse Accommodation and Cape Saint Blaize, have partnered to host the Garden Route Extreme Weather Reflection Summit on 2 July 2026 at the NMU George Campus.

As the region shifts from emergency response to recovery, the full extent of the damage is becoming clearer. Some communities have been without electricity for almost two months, while clearing fallen trees, repairing damaged roads, public infrastructure and environmental assets will require significant time and investment.

A practical outcome of this partnership is capacity building.

Nearly 50 disaster management and emergency response personnel from George Municipality, GRDM, Working on Fire (WoF) and contractors will receive chainsaw operation and maintenance training to strengthen disaster preparedness, improve emergency response and support ongoing recovery efforts.

The Summit will bring together leading environmental, disaster management and climate specialists to examine the causes and impacts of recent events and explore how the region can better prepare for an increasingly uncertain climate.

Public-private partnerships are becoming indispensable for effective environmental management and disaster preparedness.

By pooling expertise, skills and resources, organisations can build stronger, more resilient communities. The lesson from recent events is clear: investing in collaboration and preparedness today is essential to reducing the social, environmental and economic costs of tomorrow’s disasters.

The Garden Route Environmnetal Forum is a public platform for environmental management entities in the Southern Cape and a climate change think- tank. (www.grefecsf.co.za)

– END –