Author: Marillia Veldkornet
30 August 2023 Media Release: Tourism Month festivities celebrated in September
Media Release: Tourism Month festivities celebrated in September
For immediate release
30 September 2023
Tourism Month is celebrated annually in September to highlight South Africa’s diverse tourism offerings as well as the sector’s significant contribution to the local economy and job creation. Inspired by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Tourism Month provides a platform for the South African sector to celebrate, reflect and commemorate its milestones in relation to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Tourism Month festivities are held throughout the country, culminating with the World Tourism Day celebrations which will be hosted on 27 September 2023.
During the month, the following local events and initiatives will be happening in the Garden Route & Klein Karoo:
HESSEQUA
01-03 Sept: Hessequa Adventure Race
19-23 Sept: Hessequa Harmonie
22-24 Sept: Stilbaai Tourism Heritage Day Festival
23 Sept: Hessequa Heritage Trail Run
29 Sept – 07 Oct: Stilbaai Fynbos Festival, Stilbaai
KNYSNA
- A social media competition encouraging participants to share their #NaturallyKnysnaMoments. Through this competition, participants will have the opportunity to capture and share compelling images that highlight eco-tourism activities, responsible tourism and the harmonious relationship between travellers and the environment. The competition will run from 01 – 20 September 2023 with the winner to be announced on World Tourism Day.
- On World Tourism Day (27 September) Visit Knysna will host a “Conserve for Our Future Day” to raise awareness about the environment from 10:00 – 12:00. Speakers from SANParks Honorary Rangers, SANParks, Knysna Municipality’s Environmental Department and Knysna Basic Project will form part of this event. Amongst the guests will be learners from high schools in the area.
CALITZDORP
- Zamani Grill will be doing a Guinness World Record attempt from 21 – 24 September 2023 for the Longest Braai in the World. It will end on Heritage Day (National Braai Day). All the braai items during the 4 days will be sponsored to the community and people serving the community.
- The global theme for 2023 as set by the UNWTO, “Tourism and Green Investments”, Calitzdorp Tourism will be hosting their annual Vetplantfees in September where plant experts will be presenting workshops on: a) how to do plant propagation; and b) container gardening. Keynote speakers will also teach and address issues regarding preservation of the environment.
GEORGE
- George municipality has a ‘Focus On’ segment in the George Herald which they are using to highlight tourism experiences according to the WC theme ‘Tourism for Good’. George Tourism will also be putting similar content in the municipal newsletter to ratepayers.
- George as a destination is also being featured in the September print edition of Rove SA.
LADISMITH
13 Sept: Workshop – Developing and marketing the Klein Karoo as an Avitourism destination.
23 Sept: Streetfood Market
29 -30 Sept: 7 Weekspoort MTB and Trail Run Challenge.
29 Sept – 1 Oct: Klein Karoo Motorbike Rally
MOSSEL BAY
08 Sept – 15 Oct: Sport & Recreation Festival in Mossel Bay
09 Sept: The Moss March (beach walk event arranged by the Municipality with assistance of Hartenbos Seefront)
15 Sept: Touchies Rugby Tournament in Mossel Bay
22 Sept: Big Boxing event
21-23 Sept: Muse Festival in Great Brak
29 Sept – 01 Oct: Kyknet Buite -Ekspo in Hartenbos
PLETT TOURISM
- As a build up and launch to Tourism Month, the Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities of the Western Cape, Minister Mireille Wegner, celebrated the announcement by the World Cetaceann Alliance (WCA) of Plettenberg Bay being awarded the Whale Heritage Site Status as one of three current Whale Heritage sites in South Africa. The Minister enjoyed a boat launch and up close experiences with these gentle giants on 28 August 2023 in Plettenberg Bay.
20 – 23 Sept: Dr Evil Classic 3 Day Stage Race
26 Sept: Bitou Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) stage production of Fawlty Towers
29 Sept – 08 Oct: Plett Arts Festival
30 Sept– 01 Oct: Plett Spring Celebration
ENDS
29 August 2023 Training Opportunities: Clothing Manufacturing Processes NQF Level 1
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES: CLOTHING MANUFACTURING PROCESSES NQF LEVEL 1
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in partnership with the Haggai 2v8 Company, are offering an opportunity to 30 unemployed youth (18-35) who wishes to participate in the Skills programme for a period of 6-months.
Minimum requirements include Communication and Numeracy at ABET level 3.
The applications must be submitted/e-mailed to: admin@gardenroute.gov.za.
The required documentation to be attached include a CV, certified copy of highest qualification, certified copy of ID, proof of residence and bank statement that are less than 3 months old.
Failure to attach the required documents, will result in the application not being considered.
No faxed application or an application sent to other e- mail addresses other than the email address provided in this advert, will be considered.
KINDLY NOTE THAT DISABLED PERSONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
Application process:
Applications must reach Garden Route District Municipality on/or before 13h30 on Friday, 01 September 2023. Please ensure that all required documentation is attached.
If you have not heard from us by 30 September 2023, please consider your application unsuccessful.
The Garden Route District Municipality reserves the right not to make or confirm an appointment.
Contact Persons (During office hours):
Angeline Naidoo – 044 803 1420 / angeline@gardenroute.gov.za
Reginald Salmons – 044 803 1363 / reginald@gardenroute.gov.za
Closing date: 01 September 2023 at 13:30
Notice no: 109/2023
MG STRATU
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
29 August 2023 Public Notice: Roll-over Adjustment Budget 2023/2024 – Open for Public Comment
PUBLIC NOTICE: ROLL-OVER ADJUSTMENT BUDGET 2023/2024
Open for Public Comment
Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Roll-Over Adjustment Budget for the period 2023/2024-2025/2026, 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 Friday, 25 August 2023.
This document is available for public inspection and comments on the GRDM municipal website at www.gardenroute.gov.za.
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 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.
M G Stratu
Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality
Notice number: 116/2023
24 August 2023 Media Release: Food Safety and Health & Hygiene Practices training presented to Foodhandlers in Bitou
Media Release: Food Safety and Health & Hygiene Practices training presented to Foodhandlers in Bitou
For Immediate Release
24 August 2023
Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) in Bitou, on 21 August 2023, presented Food Safety and Health & Hygiene Practices training to food handlers operating within the Bitou area.
Garden Route District Municipality’s Environmental Health Practitioners, Nokuphiwa Mbali, Zoleka Goniwe and Sophia Marthinus present the Health and Hygiene training to Food handlers serving the Bitou area.
The training session, which took place at Peppermill Café in Plettenberg Bay, included topics, such as what the field of Environmental Health Services etc. including their Scope of Practice. The team furthermore outlined and explained their key focus areas in detail and delivered a presentation that included:
- The requirements for food premises;
- complying with the requirements of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (54/1972), Regulation 638;
- five keys to safer food in food preparation facilities can mitigate the risks of foodborne illness outbreaks; and
- ensuring that they are operating in compliance with relevant regulations.
What are the Five Keys to Safer Food?
- Keep Clean
- Hands should be washed before and during the food preparation process.
- Premises should be kept clean, which includes the equipment used, in order to ensure that pests such as cockroaches, mice and rats do not gain access due to the availability of food (food spills, refuse bins and dirty dishes).
- Separate raw and cooked food
- Use separate equipment and utensils for the different types of raw and cooked food.
- Raw and cooked food should be stored in separate containers.
- Cook Thoroughly
- Proper cooking kills most dangerous bacteria, studies have shown that cooking food up to a temperature of 70˚C can help ensure food is safe for consumption.
- Keep food at Safe Temperatures
- Bacteria can multiply very quickly if food is stored/ kept at room temperature, it should either be kept below 5˚C or above 60˚.
- Food products should be defrosted/ thawed at the correct temperature and not be kept on the table in the hot kitchen during the course of the day.
- Use safe water and raw materials
- Safe water and raw materials such as fruit and vegetables should be used.
- Only meat bought from an approved butchery/ abattoir should be used.
- Choose safely processed foods such as pasteurized milk.
For more information regarding Environmental Health related training for Food premises or Food handlers, contact the GRDM Municipal Health Services at 044-803 1300/1525 or email jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za.
Feature Photo: Garden Route District Municipality’s Environmental Health Practitioners, Nokuphiwa Mbali, Zoleka Goniwe and Sophia Marthinus with the group of food handlers present during the Food Safety and Health and Hygiene training in Bitou.
ENDS
18 August 2023 Training Opportunities: Clothing Manufacturing Processes NQF Level 1
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES: CLOTHING MANUFACTURING PROCESSES NQF LEVEL 1
Notice no: 109/2023
The Garden Route District Municipality in partnership with the Haggai 2v8 Company, offers an opportunity to 30 (thirty) unemployed young people who wish to participate in the Skills Programme for a period of 6 months.
Applications are invited from unemployed persons, with Communication and Numeracy at ABET level 3 as a minimum requirement, targeting candidates between the ages 18 – 35 years.
The applications should be submitted online by visiting the Garden Route District Municipality’s website at www.gardenroute.gov.za. The required documentation to be uploaded including a Curriculum Vitae (CV), certified copy of highest qualification, certified copy of an ID, proof of residence and bank statement that are less than 3 months old.
Failure to upload the required documents will result in the application not being considered. No faxed or e- mailed documents will be considered.
IMPORTANT NOTE: DISABLED PERSONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
Application process:
Applications must be done online on the Garden Route District Municipality’s website at www.gardenroute.gov.za by creating an online profile. Follow the steps as indicated. All required documentation must be uploaded.
If applicants are not contacted by 30 September 2023, please consider the application as unsuccessful.
The Garden Route District Municipality reserves the right not to make or confirm an appointment.
Contact Persons (during office hours):
– Angeline Naidoo: 044 803 1420 or angeline@gardenroute.gov.za
– Reginald Salmons: 044 803 1363 or reginald@gardenroute.gov.za
Closing date: 25 August 2023 at 13:30