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Author: Marillia Veldkornet

9 September 2026 Media Release: Joint Operation conducted at Spaza shops

Media Release: Joint Operation conducted at Spaza shops

For immediate release
09 September 2026

A team of Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in conjunction with Hessequa Municipality’s Law Enforcement and Fire Services, as well as the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Albertinia, recently conducted a joint blitz operation inspecting spaza shops in the Albertinia area.

A total of twenty-two (22) spaza shops were visited during the operation.

The Blitz Operation Team inspecting shops in the Albertinia area.

Municipal Health Services

Municipal Health Services team focused on raising awareness regarding regulatory requirements and the importance of maintaining high hygiene standards to safeguard public health.

Areas of focus included:

  • Compliance with Regulation 638;
  • Adherence to Labelling Regulation 146, including requirements relating to “best before,” “sell by,” and “use by” dates; and
  • Promoting good hygiene practices and compliance with applicable food-safety requirements.

Municipal Law Enforcement Services

Hessequa Municipality’s Municipal Law Enforcement Services focused on:

  • Ensuring that spaza shops were registered with Hessequa Municipality and had valid consent uses and trading permits;
  • Ensuring that spaza shops operated within the requirements of applicable legislation and municipal by-laws; and
  • Ensuring that the operation of spaza shops did not create public-safety concerns.

Fire Services

Hessequa Municipality’s Fire Services focused on:

  • Identifying illegal and exposed electrical wiring;
  • Ensuring the safe storage of combustible liquids and gas cylinders;
  • Ensuring that basic fire-fighting equipment was available and serviced regularly; and
  • Ensuring that appropriate fire-safety signage was displayed on site.

SAPS Albertinia

SAPS Albertinia focused on:

  • Identifying and addressing the sale of counterfeit goods, with such goods being confiscated where necessary; and
  • Maintaining a safe and secure environment throughout the duration of the operation.

The GRDM team hereby extends words of gratitude to members of the public for their support in lodging complaints. The information assisted the GRDM and its law-enforcement partners in identifying, investigating and addressing areas of concern within affected communities.

GRDM remains committed to working collaboratively with its law-enforcement and regulatory partners to promote compliance, public safety, food safety and healthy communities.

These teams are grateful for the continued support and collaboration from these departments during blitz operations.

ENDS

08 September 2026 Media Release: GRDM and stakeholders join hands at District Alignment Workshop to address the needs of local MSMEs

Media Release: GRDM and stakeholders join hands at District Alignment Workshop to address the needs of local MSMEs

For immediate release
08 September 2026|

The National Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) is currently conducting a series of district workshops and roadshows aimed at engaging with key stakeholders across the district. Representatives include Local Economic Development Managers from local and district municipalities, business chambers and associations representing informal businesses.

The first Workshop is currently underway at the Council Chambers of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) where representatives, this morning, were warmly welcomed by the Executive Mayor, Ald. Marais Kruger.

The purpose of the workshop is to obtain inputs from local and district representatives regarding stakeholder experiences, challenges and best practices, to inform the National Informal Business Upliftment Strategy (NIBUS).

National, Provincial, District and Local Government representatives during the District Alignment Workshop.

Discussions this morning covered a range of key topics, including the products and support offerings of the DSBD, the Strategic Direction and Strengthened District Implementation Approach of the DSBD, Existing Programmes, Priorities and Opportunities for Alignment from a Provincial perspective, as well as the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) support offering and the District Partnership / Referral Approach.

When welcoming all present, Mayor Kruger stated that “our primary objective should be to bridge the gap between informality and economic readiness”.

“Through targeted interventions – focusing on infrastructure development, skills training, technological transfer and innovation, and regulatory relaxation – we want to create an ecosystem where an informal enterprise can seamlessly evolve into a sustainable micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME)” he added.

Kruger further acknowledged that red tape is a challenge many informal business leaders are faced with when he emphasised: “We must ensure that these business leaders are unburdened by red tape, protected by fair local policies, and equipped with the corporate governance, financial literacy, and marketing tools required to become funding-ready so their businesses can thrive”.  Mayor Kruger further noted that no single sphere of government can achieve this alone. “True development relies heavily on the Joint District and Metro Approach (JDMA) / (DDM) into our local economic frameworks,” he said.

With the following words, Mayor Kruger concluded and said: “As the Garden Route District Municipality, we stand firmly committed to supporting our B-Municipalities – to align our local bylaws and economic development initiatives. By pulling in one direction with national and provincial departments, alongside private sector partners, we ensure that informal traders receive uniform, high-impact support across the entire district footprint”.

Further items discussed on the agenda included products and offerings of the SEDFA, the strategic direction and a strengthened District Implement Approach of the DSBD, a facilitated District Priority-Setting, a District NIBUS Action Plan, as well as the way forward.

The event is well represented by local municipalities across the district as well as national and provincial stakeholders in a virtual format.

ENDS

04 September 2026 Opportunities: Financial Assistance towards Further Studies – 2027

OPPORTUNITIES: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS FURTHER STUDIES 2027

Notice number:  6/17/1

Applications are invited from students currently receiving tuition at Accredited Learning Institutions and learners who are currently Grade 12 or have passed Grade 12, for financial assistance towards further studies during the 2027 academic year. The financial contribution by GRDM, is restricted to full-time study and attendance at SAQA accredited Tertiary, or TVET institutions. This is ONLY applicable to students whose parents permanently reside within the Garden Route municipal area.

Application forms are available at the GRDM main-office and satellite offices during normal office hours (Monday – Thursday 07:30 – 16:30; Friday 07:30 – 13:30). Application forms are also available on the GRDM’s website at www.gardenroute.gov.za. Applications open from the 01 September 2026. Download it here: Application Form

THE GRDM WILL ONLY CONSIDER COMPLETED APPLICATIONS AND IF THE DOCUMENTS MENTIONED BELOW HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.

A detailed Curriculum Vitae and cover letter, application form, and certified copies of the following documentation must be attached: Latest or Grade 12 results or equal qualification; latest examination results of students currently enrolled at tertiary institutions; certified copy of I.D.; affidavit of parents’ combined income and proof of residential address (municipal account).

Please forward the application form and all documents to: Records, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, P.O. Box 12, George 6530, for attention: Training and Development Section.

For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Reginald Salmons at 044 803 1363, Berma Losper at 044 803 1344 or Nolwando Sambokwe on 044 803 1345 during office hours.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.

 Closing date: 31 October 2026
Click here to download the Official Advert

02 September 2026 Public Notice: IDP/Budget/ PMS Time Schedule & 2025/2026 Draft Unaudited Annual Report – Open for Comment

Public Notice: IDP/Budget/ PMS Time Schedule & 2025/2026 Draft Unaudited Annual Report – Open for Comment

 Notice Number: 82/2026

Notice is hereby given that the 2027/2028 IDP Budget & PMS Time Schedule has been adopted in terms of Section 21 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (Act 56 of 2003) by the Garden Route District Municipal Council, at a Council meeting held on 31 August 2026.

Furthermore, the 2025/2026 Draft Unaudited Annual Report has been noted by Council in terms of Circular 63 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003. The Unaudited Draft Annual Report for the 2025/2026 financial year is open for comments. Comments must be lodged in writing to The Municipal Manager, PO Box 12, George, 6530 or by e-mail at rekords@gardenroute.gov.za before or on 30 September 2026.

The document will be available for public inspection during office hours at the IDP unit, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, George as well as at all the satellite offices of the Garden Route District Municipality: Riversdale, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Knysna and Bitou. Copies will also be accessible at all main local libraries and on the municipal website www.gardenroute.gov.za.

Those who are unable to read or write are encouraged to contact the Garden Route District Municipality during ordinary office hours, where they will be assisted to formulate their written comments or objections. For any further enquiries, please contact: Ms M James (IDP Unit: Garden Route District Municipality) on telephone number: 044 803 1431.

Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu
Acting Municipal Manager
54 York Street
PO Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel: 044 803 1300

Click here to download the Official Notice
Click here to download the 2027/2028 IDP Budget & PMS Time Schedule
Click here to download the 2025/2026 Draft Unaudited Annual Report

26 August 2026 Public Notice: Second Adjustment Budget 2026/2027 – Open for Comment

Public Notice: Second Adjustment Budget 2026/2027 – Open for Comment

Notice number: 79/2026

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Second Adjustments Budget for the period 2026/2027-2028/2029, was compiled in accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 2003 (Act 56 of 2003).

This document was approved by the Garden Route District Municipality at a District Council meeting held on Tuesday, 25 August 2026.

This document will be available for public inspection and comments on the GRDM municipal website www.gardenroute.gov.za from 25 August 2026.

Members of the public are invited to submit written comments or representations to the municipality in respect of this document. All comments and inputs must be directed to “The Acting Municipal Manager, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, George, 6530”.

Please contact the Budget Manager (Ms Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300 with any enquiries.

Click here to download the Official Notice.
Click here to download the Second Adjustment Budget.

24 August 2026 Media Release: Resilient Landscapes: Collaboration in a Changing Climate

Media Release: Resilient Landscapes: Collaboration in a Changing Climate

For immediate release
24 August 2026

The message emerging from recent environmental gatherings is clear: “climate change is no longer a distant threat but a reality demanding action, cooperation and a far greater sense of shared responsibility,” says Cobus Meiring from the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

The recent Resilient Landscapes Forum, hosted at the Gourikwa Coastal Nature Reserve, followed closely on the Extreme Weather Reflection event hosted at Nelson Mandela University – both gatherings brought together people who understand that environmental resilience cannot be left to government alone.

Gourikwa Coastal Nature Reserve showing the Southern Cape coastline and natural landscape with fynbos.

The urgency of these discussions is reinforced by growing global concern about increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and the potential influence of phenomena such as El Niño. Predictions for the Southern Cape do not inspire complacency. Changing weather patterns could bring prolonged drought, destructive floods, wild fire, severe winds and increasingly difficult conditions for both people and the environment.

“Civil society has a vital role to play in environmental management,” says Meiring who attended the event. Forum (GREF), who attended the event. “Forums, conservancies and similar structures provide essential platforms where land managers, academics, communities and government can meet, share knowledge and collectively respond to environmental challenges.”

Government simply does not have the capacity to manage every environmental issue. The protection of natural systems therefore depends increasingly on responsible landowners and land managers taking ownership of the landscapes under their care.

The implications extend well beyond conservation. Agriculture remains a primary driver of the regional economy, and farmers understand the potentially devastating consequences of prolonged drought. Cape Town’s near Day Zero experience demonstrated just how quickly a water crisis can become an economic and social crisis.

The Southern Cape’s coastline, Klein Karoo, forests, rivers, lakes and extraordinary biodiversity are irreplaceable natural assets. Their sustainable future cannot be taken for granted.

The resilience of the Southern Cape will ultimately depend not only on how well we respond to the next extreme weather event, but on how effectively we work together before it arrives. A better cared-for environment remains the foundation of a safer economy and a higher quality of life for all.

Feature Image: Recent Floods further damaged the eastern Gourits River bank near the estuary and washed away substantial volumes of valuable agricultural land.

The Garden Route Environmnetal Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and a climate change think- tank (ww.grefecsf.co.za).

ENDS