Media Release: GRDM Municipal Manager and officials welcome interns to the organisation
For immediate release 24 March 2023
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu, and officials (mentors) recently welcomed seventeen (17) interns from various training institutions to the Municipality’s offices in George.
Eleven (11) students studied at the South Cape College, three students are from Stenden University, two are from the Uconomy Platform and one student is from CHIETA Sponsored.
With each student now gaining practical experience at the organisation, they are exposed to various fields, such as Human Resources, Communication, Resorts, Record and Archives, Disaster Management, to name a few. The role of GRDM is to provide them with guidance in notable areas of shortcomings and coach/mentor these students in their field of study. They will be provided practical training on a rotational basis throughout the organisation during their period of their internship. The Public Management students will be placed at Registration, Archives and Auxiliary Services until their contracts expire.
The role of their mentors/supervisors is to ensure that the students keep a record of what tasks they have completed. This information will be contained in a Portfolio of Evidence (POE). The document must be signed off by their mentors/supervisors and final approval will be given by the Head of Department on completion of the experiential training. At the end of their tenure, each student will submit their approved document to their respective training institutions.
In total, R966 000 in stipends will be paid to the interns by the National Skills Fund, Bankseta, CHIETA or Uconomy Platforms over the 18-month period. From this amount, GRDM will partially cover the cost of almost R85 000 for students from Stenden University. These students study in the field of Disaster Management and are placed at the municipality’s district Disaster Management Centre in George.
Garden Route District Municipality is committed to contributing to the success of each student who is part of the programme and who shows dedication for the entire eighteen (18) month period. Providing students with workplace experience will ultimately prepare them to be ready for the job market.
Caption: Interns (with mentors) currently undergoing experiential training at Garden Route District Municipality.
Please find included the Impact Based Warning for the Western Cape and Namaqua Region of Northern Cape.
Areas impacted from Thursday, 23 March until Friday, 24 March 2023 along the Garden Route district, include:
Bitou, George, Hessequa, Knysna and Mossel Bay.
Report any weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071.
Legal notice:
“This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance.
It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”
SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE
Cape Town Weather Office
2nd Floor: Oval Office Park
Cape Town Int airport
Freight Road
Matroosfontein
Cape Town
A frail yet friendly Danwill Stefaan (29) shares his journey with tuberculosis (TB). He is thin and needs assistance to walk. One of the first things he says after sitting down is: ‘You should have seen what I looked like when I came here.’ Photos of him a month ago shows a seriously ill man, unable to walk or talk.
Danwill Stefaan
‘There is always hope. I am living proof,’ he said. Danwill is from Borcherds in George and came to Harry Comay Hospital in a very bad state after contracting TB of the brain. He is one of 1 393 patients on TB treatment in the Garden Route district.
“I was tired all the time and coughed for about three weeks. The ambulance came to pick me up and I was referred to Harry Comay Hospital,” he said. He takes his medication every day as prescribed and says he is lucky not to have too many side-effects from the medication.
Another story of bravery and determination is that of Linzay de Vos (31) who is from Hillside in Beaufort West. She has also been at Harry Comay Hospital for little over a month. “It has been a difficult journey, being away from my three children, but I do this for them and myself. I want to get better and return to them as a healthy mother,” she said.
Her symptoms included fatigue, sweating at night and coughing. “I thought it was TB and went to my local clinic. After tests we found it was multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB and I was referred here.”
Linzay is very thin but says she has picked up 3 kg since starting her treatment. She is also part of a group that walks and does exercise in the fresh air.
We talk about her treatment plan, and the topic of pills always come up as treatment might include a lot of pills, some that might have side-effects.
“It is your responsibility and your health – even if you struggle with the pills, there is a way to manage that,” she said.
These are two of many successes of patients that have successfully completed their TB treatment. Although not always easy, it is possible. We are proud of you!
“TB is treatable, and we can stop it if everyone tests early and starts and completes treatment”, said Dr Lindè Marais from Harry Comay Hospital.
As we commemorate World TB Day on 24 March we salute those who are currently fighting for recovery, those that protect others by opening windows and covering their coughs and sneezes and those who want better health for themselves and their communities by going for TB testing.
REMEMBER:
Anyone can get TB.
You can get free TB testing at your nearest clinic.
TB treatment is free from clinics.
Take your TB treatment as prescribed by your health worker.
Protect others by covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, open windows and let sunlight come through your house.
Soon after you start your treatment you are not an infectious risk to your family and friends.
Media Release: Waste Management Licence for construction of the GRDM Regional Waste Management Facility extended with 10 years
For immediate release 17 March 2023
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with regards to the process of establishing a Regional Waste Management Facility for the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) was completed during 2012.
Following the finalization of the EIA process, the GRDM was issued with an Environmental Authorisation by the Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning (DEA&DP) and a Waste Management Licence (WML) (no. 12/9/11/L1395/9). This was issued by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment (DFFE). The licence was issued to GRDM (Eden DM at the time) on 05 February 2014.
A condition of the WML is that the activity i.e., construction of the Regional Waste Management Facility, is to commence within a period of two (2) years from the date of issue of the WML. Due to the various delays in the establishment of the facility, including the inconclusive Public Private Partnership process that did not come to fruition largely because of the Covid-19 pandemic, GRDM had to apply to DFFE for an extension of the commencement date on a bi-annual basis. The last approved extension of the commencement date was to expire on 24 May 2023, and another application for an extension of the commencement date was submitted on 07 December 2022.
The WML is only valid for a period of ten (10) years from the date of issue (05 February 2014); meaning the validity period of the WML was to expire on 05 February 2024. Therefore, together with the application for an extension of the commencement date, GRDM further applied for an extension of the validity period of the WML.
Approval of the commencement date was granted for a further two years, and an extension of the validity period of the WML was extended with ten (10) years. The extension was issued by the DFFE on 06 March 2023.
Media Release: GRDM donates mattresses to Early Childhood Development facilities in Hessequa
For immediate release 16 March 2023
During the Mattresses Handover campaign on 02 March 2023 Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Municipal Health officials responsible for the Hessequa area, assisted the GRDM Portfolio Chairperson for Property Management and Development, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, to distribute and donate mattresses to three crèches in the Hessequa region – Kleine Diamandjies, Neskuikentjie in Heidelberg and Groenie die Drakie crèche in Slangrivier.
Excited toddlers and principal of the Neskuikentjie Daycare, Claudette Slawers (middle), during the handover of mattresses to the facility by the GRDM Portfolio Chairperson for Property Management and Development, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard (right), and GRDM Environmental Health Practitioner, Marchelles Hurling (left).
Cllr Hoogbaard, during the handover ceremony, explained the importance of the overall wellbeing of children. He said: “It is hoped that this donation will further promote the development of the future leaders of our communities”. In addition, Cllr Hoogbaard stressed that “donating these mattresses will create a safe sleep environment because they are waterproof and easy to clean/disinfect”. He also highlighted that “we, the Garden Route District Municipality, further hope that mattresses can be donated to all the early childhood facilities across the Hessequa region”.
Sleep is a critical part of a healthy childhood and while children are at a crèche, they need a comfortable and safe sleeping surface, especially during naptime.
In closing Cllr Hoogbaard handed over the mattresses to the creche principals and educators. These educators in turn extended their appreciation to Garden Route District Municipality for their generous act towards Early Childhood Development facilities, especially the children, in the area.
Feature Image: GRDM Portfolio Chairperson for Property Management and Development, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard (right) and Chief: Municipal Health for the Hessequa Region, Heamish Herwels, hand over the mattresses to the principal of the Kleine Diamantjies Creche, Petro Josephs (middle).
Media Release: Establishment of a Community Safety Forum for the Greater Oudtshoorn
For immediate release 14 March 2023
Oudtshoorn Municipality in collaboration with Garden Route District Municipality recently hosted the launch of the Community Safety Forum as well as the Municipal Safety Plan Review workshop, where role players and stakeholders formed a partnership to establish a platform for the coordination, integration and implementation of multi-sectoral prevention and community safety initiatives.
Stakeholders and Councillors recently attended and participated in the launch of the Community Safety Forum held in Greater Oudtshoorn. Photo: Tania Steffens (Oudtshoorn Municipality)
The purpose of the launch of the Community Safety Forum and the Review of the Safety Plan was to clearly outline the Municipality’s role as well as the role of the other stakeholders in relation to Community Safety and to identify key priority areas and strategic actions to undertake.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996 states “that a municipality must ensure a safe and healthy environment for its community within its financial capacity” and within the discussions by various speakers, Brigadier Crafford who represented SAPS stated that safety is not the sole responsibility of SAPS, but a collective effort. Community safety is about more than just the level of crime that exists but also about the community’s perceived level of safety. Crafford mentioned a few practical examples of offences that takes place within the community ranging from murders to gender-based violence and challenges that SAPS are dealing with on a day to day basis.
During the two-day session, different sectors offered valuable contributions through presentations on how the different sectors are linked together when it comes to the safety of the community and affirmations and collective commitments to make the established Community Safety Forum a success by identifying strategies for the forum, including functional infrastructure, supporting growing service delivery demand, the increased ability to create value for customers, streamlining processes, the human capacity to deliver and functional leadership team.
Mr Luyanda Fatuse, acting director of Community Services said “We must be mutually committed to serving and supporting the community to sustain a safe living environment that ensures safety, peace and justice through our working in partnerships with all other stakeholders to enhance a safe living and working environment through commitment.
Fatuse added that strategies for community safety include an integrated approach towards combating crime, the responsibility of community safety is not only the responsibility of the police and municipal law enforcement but that of organised businesses, other government institutions and non-governmental organisations. “We must work together with community partners within all wards across the municipal area to effectively modify the model of this collective initiative to best suit our various sector, ward needs and resources”.
Mr Mzwandile Hewu, Chief Director of the Department of Social Development from the Western Cape Government, said during his presentation that the reason that all stakeholders must collaborate is “to deliver quality government services to all South Africans, to have uniform standards in the delivery of services; and to deliver services informed by the respective professional codes of ethics”. Hewu further stated that the vision of the Western Cape Government is to continually improve the lives of the people of South Africa through a transformed public service, which is representative, coherent, transparent, efficient, effective, accountable and responsive to the needs of all.
The attendees of the Community Safety Summit split into groups on the final day to brainstorm on the importance of law enforcement, social cohesion, open spaces and urban design when it comes to community safety. After the review of the Community Safety Plan, measures are being put in place now to finalize it to make the plan well-drafted and consultative. A well-executed safety plan is crucial as it put mechanisms in place for proactive planning and response.
As a collective, the attendees agreed that there is too much vandalism, too many deaths, and too much substance abuse for these sectors not to take a stand and show the community that they are serious with this task at hand, with the help of the community.
Part of the task of the Community Safety Forum is to make sure that law enforcement, police and traffic are visible. If people see that traffic is all around town, there would be less driving under the influence, and if police and law enforcement are regularly visible, people would find it very hard to steal and assault. The community therefore would be more cautious and you will find less crime will be committed.
The motto of the Community Safety Forum is Prevention, Protection, Preparedness. And Partnership. The slogan is “Partnering with our Community to prevent the predictable, protect where vulnerable and prepare for the unpredictable with our other partners”.
Media Release: Your breast milk is a lifeline to a small baby
For immediate release 07 March 2023
Donating breast milk is one of the greatest acts of generosity and kindness. It is an expression of standing in solidarity with other moms who don’t have enough breast milk to feed their babies and for those moms who simply can’t produce any breast milk.
March 1 to 7 is Human Milk Banking Week and is dedicated to imploring breastfeeding women to donate their breast milk.
Breast milk plays an important role in the health journey of the new-born, especially premature babies, and as part of the First Thousand Days Initiative it is important that all babies reap the benefits of breast milk.
Beaudine Kennedy (28) gave birth to her premature baby girl, Mileah Kennedy, with a weight of 850 g at George Hospital. Mom Beaudine has been struggling to produce her own milk and the little she can produce is mixed with donor breast milk to feed her baby. It has been an emotional journey for Beaudine knowing her baby is receiving milk from another mom. ‘It is something I struggled to come to terms with. I am her mom and I should be able to breastfeed her,’ she added. With the emotional and physical support from the staff at George Hospital, Beaudine soon realised that there are many benefits to providing her baby with donor breast milk. These benefits include a healthy digestive system, protects her baby from diseases and infections and healthier weight as she grows.
The amount of donor milk received at George Hospital monthly varies. ‘There are times when we have a specific donor who donates for three months providing our unit with a lot of milk, and then there are times that we have to request for moms to donate milk either from moms in our Neonatal Unit, staff or the public,’ said Sr Thomas.
According to nurse Joseline Thomas (George Hospital, Neonatal Unit) ± 50 babies are born prematurely every month and are admitted to their unit.
Babies born with a weight below 1 kg receive 0.1 ml of milk every 4 to 6 hours, and babies who weigh more than 1 kg receive 50 ml of milk every 3 hours or 12 ml every two hours, all dependent on the weight, health, and age of the baby.
Moms who would like to freely share their love and donate breast milk, can contact George Hospital and arrange a time to come in, get tested for HIV or any other underlying conditions, and give consent in order to donate. This involves a process of screening, and donor milk is tested and pasteurized to ensure donor milk is safe for medical use. ‘For first-time donors, it is standard procedure for moms to come in and get tested. After their breast milk has been tested and they qualify to become one of our donors, they get a donor number,’ Sr Thomas added. By donating breast milk to families who need it the most, you are making a difference in the lives of others and making an immeasurable difference in the lives of infants and children.
‘I am extremely grateful and proud that other moms are helping my baby. I’m really thankful to you because you are saving my baby’s life and many other infants’ too,’ mom Beaudine said.
Photo Caption: Baby Mileah and Mom Beaudine Kennedy are thankful to breast milk donor moms.
Report any weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071.
WE CAN BEAT IT!
