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Author: Marillia Veldkornet

13 April Media Release: Garden Route & Klein Karoo well represented at the World Travel Market Africa 2026

Media Release: Garden Route & Klein Karoo well represented at the World Travel Market Africa 2026

For immediate release
13 April 2026

The World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2026 officially kicked off today in Cape Town where teams from the Garden Route and Klein Karoo Regional Tourism Offices (RTOs) and Local Tourism Offices (LTOs) are in attendance to represent the entire region.

The event is taking place until 15 April at the Mother City’s well-known International Convention Centre.

Ald. James Vos, Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, overseeing tourism, investment, and business development, visiting the stalls of GR&KK at the WTM Africa 2026. (Left and right) Ald. Vos in discussions with GR&KK’s Tourism Intern, Reatile Mathabathe and (middle) Ald. Vos with the Iconic Mossel Bay team at the event.

The WTM Africa is the continent’s premier travel and tourism trade show, connecting over 6,000 international buyers, media, and industry leaders. The presence of the various local tourism officials and other stakeholders, is to ensure the region is showcased on a global stage, strengthening the regional and local brands, building long-lasting and meaningful partnerships, and driving new tourism opportunities.

The region is exhibiting at a 90m² exhibition space, which can be found at stand M02 at the CTICC (Main Exhibition Hall).

The following representatives from across the region are present, including:

  • Hessequa Tourism with partners like Inverroche Distillery and Gourikwa Coastal Nature Reserve.
  • Mossel Bay Tourism alongside Cape Saint Blaize, Global Blessing Solutions and Masambe Tours.
  • Oudtshoorn & De Rust Tourism with attractions such as Cango Caves, Safari Ostrich Farm, Cango Wildlife Ranch, De Zeekoe Guest Farm and Surval Boutique Olive Estate.
  • George, Wilderness & Uniondale Tourism with Redberry Farm.
  • Plett Tourism with Offshore Adventures and Athina’s Cove.
  • Visit Knysna with Lithemba Crafts & Tours.

The mission is clear: to increase tours and trips to the Garden Route & Klein Karoo, strengthen international networks, and showcase the region’s unique blend of nature, culture, and hospitality.

During a walkabout as part of day 1 (today) at the event, Ald. James Vos, Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, overseeing tourism, investment, and business development, visited the team and commended  them for their “excellent marketing initiatives and team work while promoting the region as a whole”. 

Members of the public or investors are invited to visit the stand (M02), where they will have the opportunity to experience the region’s work firsthand and also engage with representatives. Alternatively, follow the Facebook page Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism or visit www.visitgardenrouteandkleinkaroo.com to stay informed, receive the latest updates, and ensure that you do not miss any highlights or announcements.

ENDS

1 April 2026 Public Notice: Draft Amended 2022-2027 IDP, Draft 2026/2027 Medium Term Revenue & Expenditure Framework and Multi-Year Budget – Open for Comment

Notice 20/2026

Draft Amended 2022-2027 IDP, Draft 2026/2027 Medium Term Revenue & Expenditure Framework and Multi-Year Budget

Open for Comment

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Draft Amended Integrated Development Plan for the period 2022-2027 and the Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) Draft Multi-Year Budget for the period 2026/2027-2028/2029, were compiled in accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) and Municipal Finance Management Act 2003 (Act 56 of 2003).

These documents were considered by the Garden Route District Council at a Council meeting held on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

These documents will be available for public inspection and comments at all main local libraries, satellite offices and the Garden Route District Municipality’s IDP Unit, 54 York Street George and on the GRDM municipal website.

All comments and inputs must be directed to “The Municipal Manager, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, George 6530”, rekords@gardenroute.gov.za

Persons 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/objections.

Written comments and inputs regarding the above documents must reach the Office of the Municipal Manager on/or before 30 April 2026.

Please contact the District IDP Manager (Ms Mercy James) or Budget Manager (Ms Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300, rekords@gardenroute.gov.za with any enquiries.

M STRATU
MUNICIPAL MANAGER

Click here to download the following documents:

19 March 2026 Media Release: Garden Route Skills Mecca and ETDP SETA Launch Major Tech Training Initiative for Western Cape Youth

Media Release: Garden Route Skills Mecca and ETDP SETA Launch Major Tech Training Initiative for Western Cape Youth

For immediate release
19 March 2026

Garden Route District Municipality and ETDP SETA Continue Skills Training to ensure Youth are Future-ready

The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM), a programme of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has continued its strategic collaboration with the Education Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) to roll out 230 specialised training opportunities for youth across the Western Cape.

This initiative focuses on equipping young people with critical-future skills through two key programmes: Cyber Security Training (115 participants) and Technopreneur Training (115 participants).

The GRDM allocated 115 of these opportunities to the Hessequa area, while a further 115 are dedicated to the Overberg district. In a show of inter-district cooperation, the GRSM team will be providing direct implementation assistance to the Overberg district to the west of the region, for this rollout.

This launch follows the successful implementation of the same programme in the Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, and Bitou municipal areas in the past. By expanding into Hessequa and the Overberg district, the partnership continues to bridge the digital divide and foster economic independence among the province’s youth.

Induction and Implementation Schedule

The programme is already gaining significant momentum with high levels of engagement during the induction phase:

  • Hessequa region: Inductions took place on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, across Albertinia, Riversdale, and Heidelberg. These sessions were well-attended at all three venues.
  • Hessequa: Slangrivier: A successful induction session was kicked off on 18 March 2026, with strong representation from local youth.
  • Overberg District: Induction sessions are scheduled for the wee k of 23 March 2026, supported by the GRSM Team.

Comprehensive training for all participants is scheduled to officially commence during the first week of April 2026.

Programme Duration and Support

The training program is designed as a six-month intensive course, running from April to September 2026. To ensure participants can fully commit to their professional development, all learners enrolled in the programme will receive a monthly stipend for the duration of the training.

Through this partnership, the ETDP SETA and GRSM remain committed to transforming the Garden Route into a hub of digital excellence and entrepreneurial innovation.

Feature Image: Reginald Salmons, Training and Skills Development Coordinator at GRDM addressing the youth in Hessequa during the induction sessions.

ENDS

16 March 2026 Media Release: Greening Townships Key to Surviving Rising Heat

Media Release: Greening Townships Key to Surviving Rising Heat

For immediate release
16 March 2026

“Given the rising temperatures across the region, serious consideration should be given to greening townships, schools and crèches where people have little protection from the blazing sun,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

“Shade provided by trees can bring much-needed relief, and greening projects should become a budgeted priority for municipalities as part of long-term climate change adaptation and planning.” In many communities there is little escape from extreme heat, particularly for children and the elderly, making urban greening an important public health intervention.

Heatwaves and extremely hot, dry conditions are currently affecting communities across the Garden Route interior. From Uniondale to Ladismith in Kannaland, drought conditions persist and residents are increasingly feeling the pressure of limited water supplies.

According to residents in De Rust, the town’s water supply is presently not suitable for drinking, highlighting the vulnerability of smaller towns during prolonged dry periods. While the Garden Route interior is accustomed to hot summers, many residents say this season has been particularly severe, with sustained high temperatures and little rainfall.

Weather forecasts indicate there is little prospect of substantial rainfall before April, and possibly even later. In recent weeks parts of the Western Cape have recorded temperatures approaching 50°C, reinforcing concerns that predicted climate change impacts and shifting rainfall patterns are becoming a reality.

Water shortages remain a grave concern not only for households but also for agriculture and the broader regional economy. Farming communities depend heavily on seasonal rainfall, and prolonged drought threatens both livelihoods and food production.

A high quality of life is not feasible without reliable potable water supplies. While communities wait for seasonal change, residents are urged to heed water-use restrictions and to use water responsibly wherever possible. Long-term climate adaptation measures will become increasingly important as temperatures rise and water scarcity becomes more common.

GREF is a public platform for environmental managers and a climate change think- tank (www.grefecsf.co.za)

ENDS

12 March 2026 Media Release: GRDM and stakeholders hand over Pistol Filling Machine worth R30 000 to Natural African Queen

Media Release: GRDM and stakeholders hand over Pistol Filling Machine worth R30 000 to Natural African Queen

For immediate release
12 March 2026

During the 2024/2025 financial year, through the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise) programme, Natural African Queen, applied for a Pistol Filling Machine to grow her Oudtshoorn based business that specialises in skin and haircare products.

Two days ago on 10 March 2026, the machine was officially handed over to brand owners, Nirvana and Henricus Gysman in Oudtshoorn, to improve product output and speed up the overall production operations of their business.

Ms Gysman received a proof of purchase envelop at the 2024/2025 MSME Support and Development Programmes’ hand-over ceremony that took place in August 2025.  The machine took 120 working days to be manufactured, excluding the December 2025 shutdown period, resulting in approximately six months of manufacturing.

The Pistol Filling Machine worth R30 000, is a specialised machine procured through the service provider, Casidra, and handed over by the GRDM Executive Mayor, Marais Kruger, on behalf of GRDM, in collaboration with representatives from the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and Casidra.

In addition, GRDM Portfolio Chairperson: District Economic Development and Tourism, Ald. Rosina Ruiters, shared congratulatory words to the Gysman couple saying: “We as a District Municipality through this project helps the MSMEs of the Garden Route to give them a boost and with that we extend words of appreciation to our partners SEDFA and Casidra”. In closing her remarks, Ruiters highlighted that “when all stakeholders leave this premises here today, all the efforts of the partners to procure and hand over the machine to Natural African Queen, will be worth it”.

Branch Manager of SEDFA serving the Garden Route and Central Karoo District, Quinton Coetzee emphasised that a business is about partnerships – we should build strong relationships with partners and stakeholders – a community, almost as if you go back to school. “Of the contribution that we plan to make, we have already invested 5% into the initiative and now we want to witness it grow,” Coetzee added. Warren Marcus, Senior Project Manager at Casidra, extended a congratulatory message with the Gysman couple and highlighted that “we are excited that the machine is now handed over African Natural Queen and we believe it will contribute significantly to the growth of the business”.

Mayor Kruger in the presence of Ald. Rosina Ruiters, stakeholders and officials, handed over the machine to Ms Gysman, to increase the business’s productivity contributing to the overall economic growth of Oudtshoorn and the Garden Route district. During his address, Mayor Kruger highlighted that it is heartwarming for the GRDM to know that “we could contribute to a business that knows what they are doing, what they want and how they want to grow and see the future of the brand”. In addition, Mayor Kruger stated that for GRDM to invest in your brand, “will not only make your production more efficient, but will also expand opportunities for the business and enlarge your world, ensuring that your production move forward”. In addition, Mayor Kruger expressed his excitement on behalf of GRDM to walk the journey with African Natural Queen.

Gysman admitted that it is an emotional moment for her when she explained how it all started in her mother’s kitchen with only 10 small bottles and at the time. In conclusion she said: “When we discovered that the business had the potential to grow as it changed the lives of people, especially people with health/skin challenges such as alopecia, we moved forward and expanded our brand”. For these reasons, Gysman expressed her gratitude to all stakeholders involved in providing the machine to African Natural Queen.

GRDM continuously prioritises small businesses in the district and, through the MSME Programme, envisages, with partners, to reach more businesses to improve the lives of people in the district while contributing to the growth of the Garden Route economy.

Gallery

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