2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget Report (25 March 2025)
Approved by Council during a Special Council Meeting on 25 March 2025.
Author: Marlene Nqumse
2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget Public Notice (25 March 2025)
Appproved at Council at a Special Council Meeting on 25 March 2025.
2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget A-Schedules (25 March 2025)
Approved by Council during a Special Council Meeting on 25 March 2025.
24 March 2025 GRDM Hosts Fun Run to Raise Awareness for World TB Day
Media Release: GRDM Hosts Fun Run to Raise Awareness for World TB Day
24 March 2025
In commemoration of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day which is today, 24 March, the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) from the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Hessequa Office, in collaboration with the local Child Welfare South Africa office in Hessequa, hosted a 5km fun run on Saturday to celebrate and raise awareness about TB.
The fun run took place in Riversdale, starting at the Town Sports Stadium (“Steg”). Approximately 120 community members, including councillors, and local rugby players, participated in the event.
The event was officially opened by Councillor Jobieth Hoogbaard, the Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services. During a brief speech, Hoogbaard welcomed everyone and mentioned that it is always enjoyable to participate in community initiatives—not only for the fun of it but because there is always an important purpose behind them.
“The purpose of this fun run is, first and foremost, to raise awareness about TB and to convey the message that TB can be prevented and is easily treatable. Too many people in our communities die from TB every year, and enough is enough,” said Hoogbaard.
The theme for the 2025 World TB Day is ‘YES! WE CAN END TB: COMMIT, INVEST AND DELIVER.
Among the participants were several dedicated young athletes who took the fun run very seriously.
The GRDM Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel, who is also a local resident, attended the celebrations. Stroebel used the opportunity to engage with residents and handed out water and cool “ysies” to participants at the water point, encouraging them along the way. Towards the end of the festivities, Mayor Stroebel conducted the lucky draw and handed over the power bank prize, to the lucky winner. He delivered the closing remarks, thanking the participants and everyone present, especially the children, for their support.
The Riversdale Municipal Health Office wants to use this opportunity to thank all individuals and shop owners for the donations received. “We were quite surprised with the turnout this morning as well as with the support we received from both our superiors and our local community,” said Bronwen Moolman, one of the organising members from the Riversdale office.
A special word of gratitude to:
Sponsors:
- GRDM Communications
- Child Welfare SA – Riversdale
- Riversdale Superspar
- JC Butchery
- Era Soda
- Klein Begin Ice
- Bubble Boys Space
- The staff of the local FNB branch
- Engen One Stop – Riversdale
- Riversdale Hospital
- EMS
- Droom
- CPF Riversdale
- DJ – Ethan du Preez
- Sandra Daries
- Hessequa Municipality
Acknowledgments:
Riversdale Blues Rugby Club – for assisting with the setup and cleanup of the stadium.
Riversdale Town Rugby Club – for allowing the use of their home field.
Caption: Exciting Activities from This Morning’s Fun Walk/Run!
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20 March 2025 Media Release: GRDM Waste Management take hands in celebrating Global Recycling Day
Media Release: GRDM Waste Management take hands in celebrating Global Recycling Day
20 March 2025
Earlier today, the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Waste Management Section who have an office in Mossel Bay, in collaboration with the Mossel Bay Municipality and Henque Waste, celebrated Global Recycling Day with Denneprag Primary School.
Global Recycling Day was officially celebrated for the first time on 18 March 2018 and has since been held annually on 18 March to acknowledge and promote recycling as a vital tool for environmental preservation and sustainability.
“As the Garden Route Municipality, we believe that initiatives like these are essential in shaping environmentally responsible future generations. Educating our youth about the importance of recycling empowers them to make a positive difference in preserving our planet. I applaud and fully support our Waste Management Section, Mossel Bay Municipality, Henque Waste, and Denneprag Primary School for their commitment to fostering a culture of sustainability,” said the Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel.
During the celebration, the excited group of learners was tasked with creating an object or product from recyclable materials. The main objective of this activity was to educate learners that waste can be reused or recycled into another product.
The learners proudly showcased their final projects, which were judged based on the following categories:
- Design
- Materials used
- Purpose and functionality
- Importance of recycling
Each category had four winners, and participants were awarded medals and goodies to reward their enthusiastic participation.
“We were very surprised and impressed with the creative learning experience and the imaginative and innovative ideas the learners came up with. They created various products such as pencil holders, clothing, shoes, pot plants, and clutch bags,” said Innocentia Sikweyiya, GRDM Waste Management Officer.
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20 March 2025 Media Release: Regulation 638 Training for employees of Watsons Butchery
20 March 2025
Enshrined in the National Health Act of 2003, food control is one of the nine key performance areas of Municipal Health Services. The training of food handlers is a crucial aspect of food control which Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) perform.
On Thursday, 13 March 2025, EHPs from the Wilderness Region Municipal Health Section conducted training at the Watsons Butchery relating to requirements set out in REGULATION 638 OF 22 JUNE 2018: REGULATIONS GOVERNING GENERAL HYGIENE REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD PREMISES, THE TRANSPORT OF FOOD AND RELATED MATTERS, PROMULGATED IN TERMS OF THE FOODSTUFFS, COSMETICS AND DISINFECTANTS ACT, 1972 (ACT 54 OF 1972).
Health and hygiene training at food premises is essential to ensure that all food handlers are properly educated on hygiene and to protect the public from foodborne illnesses. The theme of the training entails: 5 keys to safer foods, importance of personal hygiene and hygiene requirements.
“Overall, premises that receive this training show improved compliance during routine inspections conducted by Environmental Health Practitioners. Our goal is to educate and train as many food handlers across the region as possible to increase the compliance rate of premises,” said Ivy Mamegwa, an EHP from the GRDM in George.
During the training, 58 employees of Watson’s Butchery participated. The sessions were conducted in groups, with each group consisting of over 20 participants.
For more information on food safety and health surveillance, please contact
Johan Compion
Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Air Quality and Waste Management
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Cell: 082 803 5161
Feature Image Caption: EHP Jessica Erasmus busy presenting to the food handlers and employees of Watson’s Butchery
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19 March 2025 MEDIA RELEASE: Paediatric Surge Season: Protecting Young Children from Diarrhoea and Respiratory Illnesses
MEDIA RELEASE: Paediatric Surge Season: Protecting Young Children from Diarrhoea and Respiratory Illnesses
19 March 2025
As the period between November and May marks the paediatric surge season, healthcare professionals are urging parents and caregivers to remain vigilant in preventing and managing diarrheal and respiratory related disease in young children. Both diarrhoea and pneumonia remain one of the leading health risks for infants and young children, yet it is both treatable and preventable with prompt action.
November 2024 to 3 March 2025 stats shows that 1585 children in the Garden Route district were hospitalised at public hospitals with pneumonia. The First 1000 Days of a child’s life presents a crucial window of opportunity to ensure optimal growth and development. One of the most effective ways to safeguard children’s health during this season is ensuring they are vaccinated on time according to the recommended schedule, which significantly reduces the risk of severe symptoms associated with common paediatric illnesses.
Know the Danger Signs – The Road to Health booklet provides vital information on warning signs that requires urgent medical care. If a child exhibits any of the following, immediate medical attention should be sought:
- Persistent coughing and rapid breathing
- Inability to feed and presence of fever
- Vomiting everything consumed
- Diarrhoea( loose ,watery stools ) accompanied by sunken eyes and a swollen fontanelle (soft spot on an infant’s head,18 months and younger )
- Shaking or convulsions
- Signs of malnutrition such as swollen feet and hands
- Inability to breastfeed
- Lack of movement or response
From November 2024 to 3 March 2025, 1266 children in the Garden Route district under the age of 5 presented with diarrhoea. Of those, 559 children were hospitalised. If a child develops loose stools, immediate administration of an oral rehydration solution or Sugar Salt Solution is advised. This can be prepared by adding half a level teaspoon of salt and eight level teaspoons of sugar to one litre of cooled, boiled water. If breastfeeding, give more frequent and longer breastfeeds at a time.
Recognising Dehydration Symptoms
Parents and caregivers should be aware of the symptoms of dehydration, which include:
- Reduced urination
- Dry mouth
- Few tears when crying
- Sunken eyes
- Weakness
Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and presents with symptoms such as:
- Drowsiness
- Pale or mottled skin
- Cold hands or feet
- Dry nappies
- Rapid and shallow breathing
Althea Adams, clinical programme coordinator in the Garden Route: “Our healthcare facilities provide diagnosis and treatment for a range of childhood illnesses. Especially during surge season, our healthcare staff offer valuable guidance on nutrition and encourage families and caregivers to seek medical care as promptly of showing any of the danger signs”.
Parents and caregivers play a vital role in protecting children from the dangers of diarrheal disease and dehydration. Early intervention can save lives and ensuring that children receive the necessary medical attention in time is crucial.
Featured Image Caption: Staff Nurse Jacqueline Howley-January from Plett Town Clinic discussing the sugar-salt solution with patients.
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Nadia Ferreira
Communication Officer
Western Cape Government Health and Wellness
Tel: 044 813 1831
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za
17 March 2025 Media Release: Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP’s) from GRDM conduct health inspections at KKNK in Oudtshoorn
Media Release: Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP’s) from GRDM conduct health inspections at KKNK in Oudtshoorn
17 March 2025
This year, the annual Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) will take place in Oudtshoorn for the 29th time. The festival will begin on 1 April and conclude on 6 April 2025. Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel has also met with the KKNK organisers to take hands and partner with them. The GRDM will therefore be present at the KKNK to support it and Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) to monitor of food stalls comply with health standards.
EHPs are, amongst others, responsible for Food Control, Solid Waste Management, and Health Surveillance of Premises. With this in mind, the EHPs from the GRDM will once again conduct inspections at the festival’s food stalls to ensure compliance with Regulation No. 638 of 22 June 2018.
During the festival, EHPs from the Oudtshoorn Municipal Health office will conduct daily routine inspections and monitor various environmental health aspects, including food stalls, solid waste storage and removal, wastewater disposal, public toilet facilities, and camping sites.
The EHPs also provide food hygiene education to food handlers during inspections. By doing so, they help ensure that all food stored, handled, and prepared at food stalls is safe, wholesome, and fit for human consumption, while also conforming to the applicable quality and safety requirements prescribed by legislation.
Additionally, the EHP team carries out inspections and monitors public toilets, wastewater disposal systems, and refuse disposal and removal. They also ensure compliance with regulations relating to smoking in public places and certain outdoor public areas.
What are the Hygiene Guidelines for Food Stalls?
- Every food stall owner must be in possession of a Certificate of Acceptability (COA) in terms of R638 of 22 June 2018.
- The COA must be available at the food stall and be visible to the public.
- People working on the premises must be properly trained in food hygiene.
- Suitable protective clothing, which includes a full-length apron and head covering, must be worn by all food handlers.
- Proper facilities must be provided for the storage of perishable foodstuffs at temperatures under 5°C for cold food and above 65° for warm food.
- All working surfaces must be made of smooth, dust free, non-absorbent and washable material.
- Cover and protect all foodstuffs from contamination by dust and insects.
- Smoking in food stall is prohibited.
- Keep a bucket or bowl with water, soap and preferable paper towels at hand for the wash and drying of hands.
- A dustbin with a tight lid must be available for use at all times.
- Animals may not be allowed in the food stall.
- If the natural ground surface of the premises is dusty, it must be covered with a dustproof, washable ground sheet.
- All pre-packed food must be properly labelled. (Foodstuffs and Cosmetic and Disinfected Act, 1972) (Act no 54 of 1972). Provision must be made for the collection and storage of wastewater until disposal thereof.
- The stall / premises where food is handled, must always be kept clean and in a hygienic condition.
- Smoking in or near food stalls is prohibited and is only allowed in designated smoking area.
For any further information, please contact GRDM Klein Karoo Region Municipal Health Services:
Mr. Desmond Paulse
Chief: Municipal Health (Klein Karoo)
Tel: 044 272 2241
Cell: 083 678 6530
Address: 94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn
Mr. Johan Compion
Senior Manager: Municipal Health Services, Waste Management and Air Quality Control
E-mail: johan@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: 044 803 1300
Download the Requirements for Informal Food Premises