28 October 2022 Save the Date: MPAC Meeting on 31 October 2022 at 10:00 am
| The meeting will be live streamed on the municipality’s official Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UC66RBZT0_U2_L4-zSn7yXJQ |
Author: Marlene Nqumse
20 October 2022 Media Release: Take action during Breast Cancer Awareness month
Media Release: Take action during Breast Cancer Awareness month
For Immediate Release
20 October 2022
Annually, October marks “Breast Cancer Awareness month”. In this month, awareness about breast cancer risks and signs are shared with the public and support is offered to those suffering from this illness.
According to studies, early detection remains key to controlling cancer. This means, early and adequate diagnosis can lead to effective treatment, resulting in an excellent chance to cure breast cancer. Therefore, women must empower themselves with the knowledge to lower their health risks. Furthermore, they should be able to address the warning signs of cancer as quickly as possible.
In South Africa, breast cancer is known to be one of the most common cancers among women of all races. All women are at risk, particularly women with a family history of breast cancer. Approximately 90% of patients survive breast cancer after diagnosis during early detection, but this should be 100% – a whole of society approach is required for this to be achieved.
South Africans are lucky to have an organisation like CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa) involved in lowering cancer risks and providing an integrated service to all people affected by cancer. CANSA continuously supplies the public with information and support. They are committed to offering day-to-day help, including emotional support to the patients. Their mission is also to ensure that cancer survivors and loved ones aren’t alone in the fight against cancer.
In support of “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”, women are encouraged to go for annual medical check-ups and cancer screening; and familiarise themselves with the early warning signs and symptoms of cancer. It is also crucial for women to regularly check their breasts and visit health care practitioners if changes are noticed. Awareness of risk factors can help women reduce their cancer risk.
The following are common breast cancer signs and symptoms, which include:
- a lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit – you might feel the lump but not see it;
- a change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling;
- a change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed;
- a change to the nipple, for example, it has become pulled in (inverted);
- rash or crusting around the nipple;
- any unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple; and
- changes in the size or shape of the breast.
Women must develop the habit of regularly checking their breasts, including the upper chest areas and armpits. The TLC technique (Touch Look Check) makes it easy.
- Touch your breasts: can you feel anything unusual?
- Look for changes: does anything look different?
- Check any changes with your GP
Remember, early detection and awareness can result in an earlier diagnosis, resulting in better treatment outcomes. It is in the nature of a woman to put others first – however, women must realize they too have the right to prioritize their own health.
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20 October 2022 Media Release: GRDM Executive Mayor wishes the matric class of 2022 the best of luck!
Media Release: GRDM Executive Mayor wishes the matric class of 2022 the best of luck!
20 October 2022
For immediate release
I am Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor of the Garden Route District Municipality.
We know it’s that time of the year when our matriculants have to write their final exams. We want to wish them all the best. And for those who have not started studying yet, the time is now!
We would also like to ask the parents to please bear with the kids and to create a conducive environment at home so that the kids can study under relaxed and quiet circumstances. The mere fact that matriculants have reached this time of the year throughout the pandemic, is a good sign that this is a resilient district.
I also want to say that we are aware that there are a lot of youth that have already finished matric and who are frustrated because they do not have work or are still sitting at home. But, on behalf of the Mayors of the Garden Route, we are in contact and we are negotiating with our Provincial Government as well to see how we can hold hands and come up with projects that can assist the youth. We would also like to include the business community so that going forward we know that we have a roll-out that will change the youth’s future and the future of the Garden Route.
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19 October 2022 Media Release: Garden Route domestic tourism trip attended by Journalists and Bloggers
Media Release: Garden Route domestic tourism trip attended by Journalists and Bloggers
19 October 2022
For immediate release
Early this year, the Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Wesgro) entered into a three-year partnership agreement with Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) to accelerate the region’s economic growth, investment, trade and tourism. Clear targets and deliverables were set out in this agreement. In order to increase domestic demand along the Garden Route & Klein Karoo, a familiarisation trip was organised with business and media delegations from Gauteng and Western Cape. The focus of this trip/educational was mainly on family and budget friendly packaging that is on offer in our region.
The trip consisted of 15 participants, including tour operators offering family-friendly packages, media representatives (print and online) focusing on family-friendly experiences, Wesgro representatives, and GR&KK representatives. The five-day trip took place across the entire Garden Route & Klein Karoo region
The initiatives are in line with the Growth and Development Strategy and Garden Route Economy Recovery Plan to boost the Garden Route economy.
Itinerary summary and highlights of the GR&KK Famtrip
Day one, the group met each other for the first time as they arrived at George Airport from their different flights with the tour operator – Tours 4 SA receiving the group. The drive to Garden Route Game Route was indeed pleasant with inviting weather and the group commenting on the diverse landscape witnessed enroute.
GRDM’s Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, and a delegation from Council welcomed the group with a networking lunch at Albertina’s Garden Route Game Lodge, highlighting the region’s beauty and splendour.
Day two, was utilised to explore the Garden Route Game Lodge property and to engage with management. The purpose of the trip was to promote the region as a tourism destination.
The group enjoyed the Western Cape Butterfly Sanctuary in Ruiterbos, which was officially opened in November 2021 and is the first and only butterfly sanctuary in the region.
On the third day, the group experienced the Karoo in its true essence in Oudtshoorn, from an ostrich farm safari to visiting the Cango Caves. A highlight of any trip to Oudtshoorn is this experience. The evening ended with an amazing night game drive at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. This was an experience of the nocturnal side of wildlife, with many animal sightings and a coffee break under the stars while on the game drive which ended the night on a high note.
Day four, saw the group once again experiencing why many visitors to the Garden Route & Klein Karoo enjoy self-drives through the region Guests travelled from Oudtshoorn to Plettenberg Bay to visit the SAASA sanctuaries (Jukani and Birds of Eden). Feedback from the guests was that it felt like an ‘Amazon’ experience as they navigated through the world’s largest free flight aviary and bird sanctuary.
Day five offered a taste of adventure that included zip lining, climbing and hanging from ropes at the Timberlake organic village between Sedgefield and Wilderness at Acrobranch. This wasfollowed by a boat ride in the Wilderness National Park.
As the group left George after a closing lunch at Redberry Farm, they felt invigorated on the one side, but also sad that they had to bid farewell to the beautiful Garden Route and Klein Karoo.
According to Mrs Amagene Koeberg, GRDM Tourism Coordinator, “continuous engagements are still underway with the group as they publish their experiences and share it with their various audiences through different platforms, as some of the participants have already shared TikTok videos, images, videos and some of the tour operators already engaging with our products/services to include the offerings into their packages. These platforms are being monitored and more statistics and reach will be relayed over a period of time as content gets released, “she said.
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19 October 2022 Save the Date: Notice – District Council Meeting on 25 October 2022 at 11h00
Notice of a District Council Meeting on 25 October 2022 at 11h00
Notice is hereby given that an COUNCIL MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers, 54 York Street, George, on 25 OCTOBER 2022 at 11:00.
The Council meeting will be live streamed on the municipality’s official Youtube channel:
www.youtube.com/channel/UC66RBZT0_U2_L4-zSn7yXJQ
13 October 2022 Media Release: GRDM Disaster Management Section developed a GreenBook to plan for future climate change
Media Release: GRDM Disaster Management Section developed a GreenBook to plan for future climate change
13 October 2022
For immediate release
As part of International Disaster Risk Reduction Day (IDRR), the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) focused on Climate Change adaptation. According to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, new risks will be prevented, and existing risks will be reduced. The document outlines seven targets and four priorities for action, including:
- Understanding disaster risk;
- Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk;
- Investing in disaster reduction for resilience; and
- Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
According to Gerhard Otto, GRDM Head of Disaster Management: “As part of a partnership with Santam and CSIR, GRDM recently launched a Greenbook, which is an open-access tool to support municipalities in planning climate resilient communities”.
“GRDM forms part of a national climate change adaptation initiative that has been launched in three provinces in South Africa,” said Otto.
The purpose of the Greenbook is to encourage resilient, sustainable, and liveable settlements by incorporating climate change adaptation into municipal development planning. The Greenbook provides an overview of current and likely future trends to the year 2050, related to settlement dynamics, climate hazards, and impacts that climate change will have on South African towns and cities. The tool is capable of linking every settlement risk profile to customizable adaptation actions also known as risk reduction initiatives that can be integrated into local strategies, programs and projects.
Furthermore, the GRDM recently updated its Disaster Risk Assessment and is able to use the tool to identify areas in need of urgent intervention. Not only does the tool provide an extensive overview of priority risks (current and future trends), it also provides disaster risk reduction initiatives recommendations to be considered and their likely impacts if implemented correctly.
In order to achieve the seven targets and the four priorities outlined in the Sendai Framework, the Greenbook has been launched. You can access it at http://greenbook.co.za/ .
All local municipalities in the region will be trained to incorporate climate change adaptation and promote climate resilient communities into their future development planning processes.
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12 September 2022 Media Release: GRDM faced with another tragic loss – Adri Miles passes away
GRDM faced with another tragic loss – Adri Miles passes away
For immediate release
12 September 2022
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) family has suffered yet another tragic loss after one of its dear colleagues, Adri Miles, passed away at the age of 37 during the early hours of 7 September 2022.
Adri was a mother of two who started her GRDM career in October 2007 as a temporary employee in the Social Development section. She was later permanently appointed at GRDM Community Services as an Administrative Assistant for Municipal Health Services on 1 June 2010. This was as a result of her excellent work ethic and dedication to her job.
Tributes have already been poured in from friends, colleagues and family. Her love for singing, dedication to her religious beliefs and her winning smile and warm character, are some of the character traits she will be remembered for. Her colleague and ‘bosom-buddy’ at work for more than ten years, Lee-ann Eksteen remembers Adri as her confidant and sister. “She taught me a lot, especially not to give up easily and to trust in God for everything. ‘His eye is on the sparrow’, was one of the songs we often sang with passion and enthusiasm – ‘uit volle bors’! My heart will always smile when I recall those special memories. I will always feel pain knowing that she is no longer with us, but the thought that she is truly free, gives me comfort”.
“Fly high, my friend, until we meet again!” – Lee-Ann Eksteen.
Melanie Wilson, Adri’s first supervisor at the then Eden District Municipality, recalls working with her as a young, passionate and dedicated twenty-year-old ‘girl’, who began her journey at the Social Development Section of Community Services in 2007. “She was a beautiful, vibrant and powerful young woman. Our connection with her, was instant and when I moved over to Tourism and Economic Development, it was a heart-breaking time for both of us.”
Melanie further said: “She was full of life, love and light. She was not ashamed to display and demonstrate her love for God. Without a doubt a God-fearing woman. My heart is broken by Adri’s passing. The legacy and memories that she leaves behind will live in my heart forever,” Melanie concluded. On a lighter note, Wilson also referred to their fellow colleague Johannes Jaftha and Adri who always opened all their programs by singing the National Anthem in perfect harmony.
As GRDM family, we send our deepest sympathies to our late colleague’s family, husband, and their two children, whom she treasured so much and who have brought her so much love and joy.
Her voice has surely become silent, but her memories will always live on in our hearts.
Let’s take comfort in the words of one of her favorited songs: His eye is on the Sparrow
Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heaven, heaven and home,
When, when Jesus is my portion, My constant Friend is He;
Oh, oh-oh, his eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watched, watched it over me.
2 September 2022 Media Release: The Garden Route District Municipality launches its electronic job application system
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺
For immediate release
2 September 2022
In another historic event, the newly developed e-recruitment system for the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) was officially launched today.
This paperless online job application system aims to make it convenient for applicants to apply for vacant positions without visiting any of the municipality’s offices, completing an application form or making copies of their Curriculum Vitae and other relevant qualifications every time they apply.
It is GRDM’s vision to be a leading, enabling, and inclusive district, so this system will allow vacancies to be advertised, viewed, and applied for online, enhancing recruitment and selection.
During the launch GRDM Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu congratulated the Corporate Service Department, under the leadership of Trix Holtzhausen, and all involved for reaching this stage in terms of recruitment. “A few years ago we started with the process to go paperless, for example with the Council agendas and today is a clear indication by launching the e- recruitment system, we are moving in the right direction,” Stratu said.
To learn more about the system a tutorial video on how to register and apply for a vacancy using the GRDM E-recruitment portal is available at: www.gardenroute.gov.za/apply-for-work/
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