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Author: Marlene Nqumse

28 March 2025 Media Release: GRDM adds award to its cap for over-achieving EPWP job targets

Media Release: GRDM adds award to its cap for over-achieving EPWP job targets

For Immediate Release
27 March 2025

The Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) EPWP Section received an award from the Western Cape Department for the outstanding performance of the municipality’s EPWP during the 4th Phase. The achievement of these targets reflects the number of people employed and the economic impact on our region, which amounts to R78 532 000,00 over the past five years (2019–2024).

“I want to convey my heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to the HOD, MMC, our dedicated staff and the management team in achieving this award, collectively,” said Andrew Stroebel, GRDM Executive Mayor.

The two departments within GRDM that made the most significant contributions to meeting EPWP targets are the Corporate Services Department, led by Trix Holtzhausen, and the Roads Services Department, under the leadership of John Godfrey Daniels. Over the past financial year, the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM), which is part of Corporate Services, facilitated 315 EPWP job opportunities, while the Roads Services Department contributed 104 EPWP jobs towards achieving the target.

The overall objective of the EPWP is to provide unemployed individuals with meaningful work opportunities. This is done through the delivery of community assets and services, while also fostering economic inclusion to empower sustainable livelihoods and contribute to the country’s development agenda. Over the past four phases, GRDM provided numerous formal and informal training opportunities and contributed to the capacity building of local municipalities’ EPWP programs.

Within the region, three municipalities were awarded this certification: Garden Route District, Mossel Bay, and Hessequa Municipalities.

Featured image caption:  FLTR, Lusanda Menze – Executive Manager: Planning & Economic Development, Cllr Hilton Stroebel – Portfolio Chairperson: Property and Asset Management , Andrew Stroebel – GRDM Executive Mayor and Richard Dyantyi – EPWP Manager.

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27 March 2025 Public Notice: DRAFT REVIEWED 2025-2026 INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP), DRAFT 2025/2026 MEDIUM TERM REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK AND MULTI-YEAR BUDGET

Notice 30/2025

DRAFT REVIEWED 2025-2026 INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP), DRAFT 2025/2026 MEDIUM TERM REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK AND MULTI-YEAR BUDGET

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Draft Integrated Development Plan for the period 2025/2026 and the Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) Draft Multi-Year Budget for the period 2025/2026-2027/2028, 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 District Council meeting held on Tuesday, 25 March 2025.

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 www.gardenroute.gov.za.

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 or objection.

Written comments and inputs regarding the above documents must reach the Office of the Municipal Manager on or before 30 April 2025.

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.

Click below and download the relevant documents:

2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget Quality Certificate (25 March 2025)

2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget Report (25 March 2025)

2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget Public Notice (25 March 2025)

2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget Council Resolution (25 March 2025)

2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget A-Schedules (25 March 2025)

M STRATU
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

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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