M04 October 2019
Section 71 FMR (detailed report) I R O October 2019 Garden Route District Municipality
Author: Marillia Veldkornet
GRDM EHPs and stakeholders educate ECD representatives regarding requirements of ECD facilities
Representatives from Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilities, such as Crèche principals and members of the George community, on 17 October, benefited from an ECD Programme presented by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) at the Conville Civic Centre in George.
The initiative aimed to discuss the importance of daily practices that would be of benefit to a child and to ensure that the parents and ECD practitioners instill the correct values in the child’s life. For this reason, Ms Jacoleen Fred, Health Promoter at the Western Cape Department of Health, presented the first 1000 days of a child’s life from the period of conception. Listening to every aspect shared at the event, it became clear that every activity during this 1000 day period has an effect on the mental and physical health and development of a child, e.g. how one talk the child and what one say to them, immunisation and also how the habits and activities of the parent or caretakers influence the child over the long run. Ms Fred also stressed her concern about the toxic habit of using drugs and alcohol during pregnancy and the undesired impact it will have on babies and their future. She therefore advised that love and affection is key to raise a healthy child and one example thereof is to play with a child. “This provides the opportunity for expressing love and care, communicating, building relationships and problem solving,” she said.
Ms Chrystal Smith from Klein Karoo Resource Centre which handles the registrations on behalf of Department of Social Development, spoke about the importance of the registration of ECD facilities and that they are committed to help ensure that all crèches in the Garden Route area become registered. For more information contact Ms Smith at: kkrcentr@mweb.co.za / tel: 044 272 7802.
Ms Jessica Erasmus, GRDM EHP at the George office spoke about the Health and Hygiene requirements of childcare facilities and educated all present regarding the Health Certificate which is a must for anyone running an ECD facility.
She furthermore emphasized that health and hygiene habits are important for all ages, more so in settings where children who are in diapers and are very young, are cared for. She stated: “Good health and hygiene practices, can help to reduce the spread of germs and prevent children and caregivers from contracting diseases”. She also explained that an ECD facility should be designed, built and equipped in manner that proper care is given to a child and also to protect children from any public health hazard, risk or public nuisance. “For every children 0 – 24 months they need 2m2 each, children aged 2 – 7 years need 1,5m2 each and the outside space per child, regardless of age is 2m2” and she added: “These requirements are to help allow the children to move around and have space to develop”. She also shared the importance of a valid Certificate of Acceptability which is a legislative requirement for all premises who prepare and serve food. The certificate is issued by an EHP, to the effect that the premises comply with the Environmental Health regulations.
During her presentation with regard to food safety and personal hygiene, Ms Sive Mkuta, EHP at GRDM, presented the five keys to safer food and invited two volunteers from the audience to each prepare a sandwich within five minutes. Before and during the preparation, she asked the audience to carefully look at how the sandwiches were prepared and subsequently asked them to identify any mistakes that were made during the preparation. The audience then responded that one of the ladies’ hair was not properly covered and that she did not wear gloves. It is important that all these factors are applied during the preparation of food, specifically at ECD facilities. Other topics that were presented during the session include: fire safety at ECD facilities, town planning requirements as well as how to reduce waste, reuse waste and the recycling of waste.
Ms Ivy Mamegwa (EHP), on behalf of GRDM, shared a word a gratitude to all representatives who participated and attended the event, including the representatives from the Western Cape Department of Health, George Municipality, Klein Karoo Resource Centre, principals and caretakers of ECD facilities and members of the community.
A total of 150 representatives, including principals of crèches and caretakers, as well as members from the community were in attendance. Attendees found the topics very helpful in their journey to make a difference in the life of each child in their care.
Media Release: Local Content and Production (LC&P) Workshop hosted in George
Media Release: Local Content and Production (LC&P) Workshop hosted in George
For Immediate Release
4 November 2019
The Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) in partnership with Provincial Treasury, the Department of Trade and Industry, as well as the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), recently, held a Local Content and Production (LC&P) workshop at the Outeniqua Research Farm in George.
The workshop formed a part of road show that was conducted in various districts within the Western Cape. Discussions focused on the issues that impact on the progression of LC&P, specifically in the Garden Route district. For this reason, local business representatives from various sectors and municipal officials from the local economic development and supply chain managements units attended the engagement to share their experiences and address issues in terms of local content and production.
During his welcoming speech and overview of the district, Municipal Manager of the GRDM, Mr Monde Stratu, spoke about the challenges of local content in a broader context and said: “When we talk about local content and production, it means we have some form of competition”.
He also referred to the economic instabilities internationally and narrowed it down to local challenges, including issues relating to the national electricity provider, unemployment, corruption within a municipal context. These challenges have become sophisticated because of globalisation etc. and we need to look at protecting our local industries. Mr Stratu also mentioned that when South Africa’s economy opened its markets to international businesses, “it had to have some mechanism in place to protect our own economy, hence we talk about protection of the local industry and growing our own economy, creating sustainable jobs…”. With these issues in mind and more specifically the issue of unemployment, he asked: “How successful were we in creating sustainable jobs in our district?” To which he further added: “Our sheer unemployment statistics are telling us that something is extremely wrong”. Mr Stratu advised that perhaps the Government should not explore new regulations, instead we should perfect what we already have and analyse it to determine what we are doing wrong”.
Various other vital issues were raised at the event, such as the issue of support and the development of SMMEs to be able to respond to tenders, as many of the tenders received from SMMEs are non-responsive. Manager in Finance at GRDM, Mr Tebello Mpuru, responded with his concerns about practical issues experienced by a supply chain management practitioners, as well as bidders and suggested that DTI, should make guidelines available to accompany regulations in order to reduce these administrative issues.
Ms Patricia September, from the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) advised SMMEs to make use of the services offered by SEDA and all other resources available to develop themselves. Ms September also emphasised: “When the need for training arises SMMEs must approach Government to fill those skills gaps within industries”. She furthermore acknowledged that government institutions and industry do have best practices and advised that those best practices be shared with one another.
All inputs gathered at the workshop will be discussed at a LC&P Summit and Exhibition for Government that is scheduled to take place this year. The purpose of the Summit and Exhibition will be to formulate a policy for the acceleration of local content and production of local commodities.
National and Provincial Government officials, as well as municipal officials from the district including Local Economic Development and Supply Chain Management (SCM) officials, representatives from SMMEs, local corporates, including the SABS, business associations and industry representatives from the LC&P sectors attended the workshop.
What is Local Content and Production?
“Local Content” means that in terms of the manufacturing process the materials and labour in the manufacturing of the designated sector goods, are produced within the borders of South Africa. Therefore “locally” refers to “proudly made in South Africa” and does not begin to ring fence procurement from only people within the town or region, but for all South Africans irrespective of location.
GRDM employees commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in pink “and green”
Officials from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) on Friday, 18 October 2019, showed their support towards Breast Cancer Awareness Month, by wearing a pink ribbon and/or a pink t-shirt on the day.
Breast cancer is known as one of the most common cancers among South African women and the initiative is commemorated annually during the month of October, to create awareness about the illness.
On their arrival at the office in the morning, each employee was welcomed with a breast cancer awareness pamphlet, a packet of sweet treats and the pink ribbon. Later the morning, Breast Cancer information sessions were conducted by the representatives from the Department of Health, where after staff members used the opportunity to either consult with the health professionals or underwent clinical breast examinations and were taught how to do breast self examinations. This does not only apply to females, but also men. Although male breast cancer is rare, the Breast Health Foundation recorded that in South Africa, 1-3% of all breast cancers happen in men.
Signs of the illness may include: swelling of all or part of the breast, skin irritation or dimpling, breast pain, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward, redness, “scaliness” or thickening of the nipple or breast skin, a nipple discharge other than breast milk, and a lump in the underarm area.
However, with all these signs evident, early detection of this cancer can result in the effective treatment of the disease. The following advice are also provided to patients or all women around the world, to change their lifestyles, follow a healthy diet, do regular exercise, stop smoking, if using alcohol, lessen the use thereof. Women are also advised to have their children before the age of 30 and to breastfeed their babies.
According to Ms Shandré Abrahams, Employee Wellness Practitioner of GRDM, a total of sixty-two officials participated in the day’s programme to either attend the session for breast cancer-related consultation and/or inspections, blood pressure screening, screening of sugar levels and HIV tests.
Ms Abrahams extended a word of gratitude to all health practitioners including: Ms Patience Shipalone (awarded “Best Caring Nurse” at the Western Cape Department of Health), Jacoleen Fred and Katrina Elbrecht (Department of Health), Ms Leachia Lee (George Municipality), Ms Julia Maki (FAMSA) and Ms Charlene Herniel (Registered Nurse) who dedicated their time and effort to assist with the awareness programme.
23 October 2019 Financial Assistance towards Tertiary Studies – 2020 – CLOSING DATE EXTENDED TO 31 OCTOBER 2019
CLOSING DATE EXTENDED TO 31 OCTOBER 2019!
Applications are invited from students who are currently studying at tertiary or TVET institutions, as well as learners who are currently in Grade 12, or have passed Grade 12, for financial assistance towards further studies for the 2020 academic year. The award is restricted to full-time studies and attendance at SAQA accredited Tertiary or TVET institutions and is ONLY eligible to students whose parents permanently reside within the Garden Route municipal area.
Application forms are available at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and satellite offices of GRDM, during normal office hours (Monday – Thursday 07:30 – 16:30 and Friday 07:30 – 13:30). Application forms are also available on the GRDM’s website at www.gardenroute.gov.za.
GRDM WILL ONLY CONSIDER APPLICATIONS COMPLETED IN FULL, AND IF THE DOCUMENTS MENTIONED BELOW, AS AND WHERE APPLICABLE, HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.
A detailed curriculum vitae and covering 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 ID; Affidavit of parents` combined income; proof of residential address (municipal account).
Please forward the application form and all documents to: Records, Garden Route District Municipality, PO Box 12, George 6530, for attention: Training and Development Section.
For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Mr Reginald Salmons at 044-803 1363, Ms Angeline Naidoo at 044-803 1420 or Mrs Angela-Ziva Coetzee, at 044 803 1344 during office hours (7:30 – 16:30 Monday to Thursday and 7:30 – 13:30 Friday).
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months after the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.
Closing date: 31 October 2019
Notice number: 112/2019
Click here to download the full advert.
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT – Final Draft Garden Route DM 3rd Generation Integrated Waste Management Plan 2020-2024 – Closing 8 November 2019
Garden Route District Municipality wishes to invite the public to review and provide comment on the 3rd Generation Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP).
The IWMP covers the period 2020 – 2025 and defines the municipality’s vision, objectives and targets for waste management.
The reports will be made available for review at the following locations:
Garden Route Municipal Offices (during office hours)
Hard copies of the GRDM IWMP will be made available at the following locations:
| GRDM Head Office | 54 York Street, George (Tel: 044 803 1300) |
| Knysna Satellite Office | 24A Queen Street, Knysna (Tel: 044 382 7214) |
| Mosselbay Satellite Office | C/O Marlin & Samson Street, Mosselbay (Tel: 044 693 0006) |
| Plettenberg Bay Satellite Office | 7 Gibbs Street, Plettenberg Bay (Tel: 044 501 1600) |
| Oudtshoorn Satellite Office | 15 Regent Street, Oudtshoorn (Tel: 044 272 2241) |
| Riversdale Satellite Office | 24 Mitchell Street, Riversdale (Tel: 028 713 2438) |
GRDM website: https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/documents/
GIBB’s website: http://projects.gibb.co.za
Public review and commenting period
The IWMP will be available for a period of 21 days from 18 October 2019 to 08 November 2019 for the public to review and provide comment on. All comments received will be included in the final IWMP.
Submission of comments
Comments on the IWMP can be submitted using the contact details listed below
GIBB Public Participation Office
Mrs Kate Flood
Postal address: PO Box 63703, Greenacres, Port Elizabeth
Physical address: 1st Flood, St. George’s Corner, Central, Port Elizabeth
Email: wastesurvey@gibb.co.za
Tel: 041 509 9150
Fax: 041 363 9300
Garden Route Environmental Forum launches extensive landowner assistance programme
Landowners in the Garden Route District, as well as the environment they live in, has over the past three years suffered tremendously, as a result of a series of severe wildfire disasters which basically burnt over 200 000 hectares to a tinder.
In a joint effort to assist landowners, the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF), a collaborative forum established by the Garden Route District Municipality, launched an extensive landowner assistance programme, aimed at assisting landowners in gathering spatial data on the extent of re-growth of invasive alien plants (IAPs) on their land, and provide technical and herbicide assistance to landowners indicating a willingness to eradicate and control invasive alien plants on their land. The programme is spearheaded by the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI) which is the implementing agent for the programme.
According to Cobus Meiring, manager of the GREF Secretariat, and chairperson of SCLI, further objectives of the programme include generating opportunities for regional invasive alien plant control and clearing contractor teams, and empowering landowners in complying with Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA) regulations pertaining to the management of IAPs on private land.
In many areas of the western and northern parts of the Garden Route, the crippling drought compounded the effects of the wildfire disasters. In places south of Riversdale, which burnt back in early 2017, the environment only now starts showing signs of vegetation cover.
“As if that is not enough, the vegetation type that makes its appearance first is of the wrong kind, and more often than not consists of dense stands of invasive alien plants, including (and there are many more) Rooikrans, Black Wattle, Blackwood, Long-leaved Wattle, pines of all shape and sizes, Stink Bean, Sesbania, Bluegum and a host of less known varieties such as Pampas Grass and Madeira Vine,” said Meiring.
Government is taking a tough stand on land management, especially invasive alien plant control and eradication.
Following the out-of-control wildfires, authorities are clamping down on landowners allowing their land to become overrun by invasive alien trees and biomass which, if not better managed and controlled, will set the scene for a repeat of the intense 2017 fires.
“However, landowners are in a difficult situation as combating invasive alien plants can be a costly exercise, with relentless and fast re-growth patterns, requiring never-ending commitment and resources from landowners. More often than not, land affected by IAPs are on parcels of land that are not viable from a farming perspective, clustered in areas that are difficult to access on either steep slopes or nestled in deep ravines,” explains Meiring.
“As a first step to better land management and compliance with environmental legislation, governmental officials insist that landowners develop Invasive Alien Plant Control Plans. Complicating matters even further, is that all landowners and estate agents have to make mention of the extent of IAPs on a saleable land as an addendum to a sales agreement.”
GREF will assist participating and qualifying landowners with the compilation of standardised Invasive Alien Plant (IAP) Control Plans, and where applicable, issue herbicide volumes in accordance.
Use of herbicide not ideal, but a crucial tool in managing IAPs on a landscape scale.
Landowners in the Garden Route are serious about living in an environment that is as uncontaminated as possible, and many are against the use of herbicides.
Meiring says the safe use and application of herbicide is imperative to the roll-out of the landowner assistance programme, and participating landowners will be expected to abide by health and safety regulations, and apply herbicide strictly as prescribed by the labels, depending on which type is best suited for the plants they have to treat.
Landowners interested in participating in and registering for the landowner assistance programme can write to: cobus@naturalbridge.co.za or p.buchholz@outlook.com.
** The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a regional forum for collaboration in conservation, environmental adaptation and community interaction. The forum aims to coordinate regional conservation efforts, serve as a catalyst to drive climate adaption practices in the Southern Cape and strive to establish a better-coordinated approach to environmental management.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Cobus Meiring: Manager of the GREF Secretariat and Chairperson of SCLI
Cell: 083 626 7619
Email: cobus@naturalbridge.co.za
Notice for Public Comment – Public Private Partnership for the Development, Design, Finance, Maintenance and Operation of a new District Regional Landfill Site
The Garden Route District Municipality, in terms of the provisions of Section 33 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, No. 56 of 2003 hereby make public its intention to enter into a Municipal Public Private Partnership (Municipal PPP) with a private partner, willing to invest in the financing, design, construction, operation and management of the proposed Garden Route Regional Waste Management Facility including the provision of a hazardous waste cell, bulk transportation of waste, chipping of green waste, the crushing of building rubble and related works as well as alternative waste treatment technologies if such alternative waste treatment technologies can be incorporated on a no additional cost basis.
The proposed Municipal PPP Agreement and an information statement summarising the Municipality’s obligations in terms of the proposed contract can be inspected at the Municipality’s head and satellite offices during the official hours of operation of these offices from 03 October 2019 until 03 November 2019. The Municipal PPP Agreement and information statement will also be available, for the duration of the comment period on the Municipality’s website, www.gardenroute.gov.za.
Click here to download the full advert and click here to download all documents related to this notice.
The Municipal PPP Agreement will be considered for approval by the Municipal Council of the Garden Route District Municipality at its Council meeting to be held at the Municipality’s head-office in George during December 2019.
Members of the local community and other interested parties are invited to submit their comments or representations in respect of the proposed Municipal PPP Agreement to the Garden Route District Municipality before 12:00, 03 November 2019 in a sealed envelope clearly endorsed STAKEHOLDER COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT FOR A MUNICIPAL PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL LANDFILL FOR THE GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY IN THE MOSSEL BAY AREA” and addressed to: Municipal Manager, Garden Route District Municipality, P.O. Box 12, George, 6530, and to be deposited in the tender box in the foyer of the Garden Route District Municipal head office at 54 York Street, George.
The Information Statement contains more detail on the information requirements to be provided for individuals and/or organisations that are submitting comments.
Any person who wishes to submit comments or representations in respect of the proposed contract who cannot write will be assisted by the Garden Route District Municipality Communication Section at 54 York Street, George.
It must be noted that should the Garden Route District Municipal Council approve this Municipal PPP Agreement during their meeting to be held in December 2019, it will be implemented as soon as possible thereafter. The agreement as concluded would in terms of Section 84(3) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000 be made available at the municipal head and satellite offices during office hours for public inspection.
Enquiries can be directed to Mr Morton Hubbe at tel 044 693 0006 or to morton@gardenroute.gov.za.
M Stratu
Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality
P.O. Box 12
George 6530