2022/23 Council Resolution: Roll-over Adjustment Budget (24 August 2022) – PUBLIC NOTICE
Tabled in Council on 24 August 2022
Author: Marlene Nqumse
15 August 2022 Media Release: Another successful Echo Outdoor Gathering event hosted at Calitzdorp Hot Springs
Media Release: Another successful Echo Outdoor Gathering event hosted at Calitzdorp Hot Springs
15 August 2022
For Immediate Release
In the heart of the Klein Karoo, nestled on the slopes of the mountains lies Calitzdorp Hot Springs where Echo Outdoor Gatherings recently hosted another successful music and arts festival from 29 – 31 July 2022. Approximately 650 festival-goers from all over South Africa attended the event.
DJs, also travelled from across the country to showcase their skills at the 3-day event, which delivered a multi-sensory and sonic experience. Additionally, the use of one of the four classical elements from ancient Greek philosophy and science, in this case fire, made it an event guests looked forward to and that created a magical experience.
From early mornings till late evenings, DJs, one after another, entertained festival-goers with high-quality techno music. There were always enthusiastic dancers on the dance floor and fire shows. Others enjoyed the food stalls that served a variety of food, art stalls, and enjoyed the outdoor sun in the pools with their children. Those who preferred more privacy gathered in their own intimate groups on the lawns or in the indoor heated Roman Bath area that was recently upgraded. A couple of nature lovers couldn’t resist the opportunity to get in a few kilometres of hiking.
With the sun setting, fires were lit which festival-goers also gathered around to warm themselves. Just after sunset, the fire dancers captivated guests with their art of rhythm and fire. Amidst the chilly evening weather, festival-goers, young and old, stayed outside until late and enjoyed the festivities.
Jade John, a boutique clothing stall holder from Cape Town, who has attended Echo Outdoor Gatherings for almost 10 years, shared his experience by saying that he has travelled all the way to experience a community of family who comes together to have fun. “The venue is amazing and we are thrilled to support the community and to contribute to the economy in this way,” he said.
One of the DJs who performed during the event, Corrie, applauded the Hot Springs and said: “From the first time we visited Calitzdorp Hot Springs in March until yesterday, we were really impressed by all the upgrades that have been made. We hope you keep up with it, because this is really an amazing venue with great potential. It would be awesome if this could be a fully equipped festival venue that can accommodate thousands of festival goers.”
According to the Echo Outdoor Gatherings Founder, Daniel Mentz, festival-goers were very excited to return to Calitzdorp Hot Springs after their prior experience. “We decided to bring our brand to two of the Garden Route District Municipality’s venues, De Hoek Mountain Resort and Calitzdorp Hot Springs with entertainers and guests from all over South Africa. Our aim is not just to have a dance party, but a family gathering, where one can also experience music, craft, food and handcrafted art, clothing and jewellery.” In conclusion he said that his guest felt extremely welcome and safe at both venues and that he has received numerous compliments on how well things are being run in order to make the event a success.
As previously reported, Echo Outdoor Gatherings wanted to thank the community of Calitzdorp for its warm welcome and decided to give back by holding a food and blanket drive for Friends of Calitzdorp Animals (FOCA). To supplement the Winter Warmer Drive, Echo Outdoor Gatherings and Feel Good Entertainment also donated 10% of the bar proceedings for the weekend to FOCA. A total of 6 000 worth of tickets were donated by Echo Gatherings and with the help of Dolly du Plessis who crocheted 30 Route 62 beanies, the festival raised R3000,00 (from festival goers), 326kg of dog food, 42kg of cat food, four (4) packets of cat sweets, eight (8) big cans of dog food, five (5) small cans of dog food, seven dog pillows, four blankets, and cat toys.
The Garden Route District Municipality is once again proud to have hosted the past Echo Outdoor Gatherings event. By hosting these events, healthy family life is promoted, district resources are marketed and promoted, income is generated, and visitor flow is increased.
ENDS
11 August 2022 Media Release: GRDM Fire Fighting Training accreditation – check marked
Media Release: GRDM Fire Fighting Training accreditation – check marked
11 August 2022
For Immediate Release
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has achieved a significant milestone for applying to the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) to become an accredited Skills Development Provider for Fire Fighting Training. When successful the milestone will implicate that GRDM can offer training, in particular, for a National Occupational Qualification of Firefighters, NQF-4.
According to the GRDM Executive Manager for Corporate Services, Trix Holtzhausen: “QCTO is one of three National Quality Councils that have the statutory authority to accredit teaching and learning programme providers in the country”.
“QCTO accredits all occupational programmes from NQF 1 to NQF 8, a role previously performed by SETAs but now centralised under QCTO,” she said.
This significant achievement was realised on Tuesday, 2 August 2022 when the District Firefighting Training Centre of GRDM was audited and verified by representatives of QCTO. This was the first milestone in a series of processes that will allow GRDM to become a nationally, and possibly internationally recognized organisation for its expertise in disaster management, firefighting, law enforcement and traffic control.
According to Dr Florus Prinsloo, Skills Mecca Coordinator: “The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) and Training Unit of the GRDM facilitated the accreditation process”. According to Dr Prinsloo, this is one of many resolutions of the Garden Route Skills Summit of 2019. The theme was to “continue and accelerate collaboration and cooperation among all District skills development role players.” Dr Florus Prinsloo also commented on the accreditation process for the GRSM Fire Fighting team, saying that, in his over eighteen years of working with skills development, including accreditation processes, this process was a real pleasure because of the commitment from the GRDM leadership and staff. GRDM’s investment in their people to become qualified OD-ETDP Practitioners was a major factor in this accreditation process, and they deserve high praise for growing their own timber.
This achievement is also a critical step in the process for the construction and operationalisation of a modern sustainable multi-purpose Training Academy. Funding was already made available by Belgium’s Flanders Government, through close collaboration with the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment. The academy will be designed and constructed over the next eighteen months and be located in the Garden Route.
Holtzhausen expressed her appreciation for the Fire Fighting Team led by Johan Brand, Deon Stoffels and Brian Afrikander. Additionally, she commended her Training and Development Unit led by Reginald Salmons and Angeline Naidoo for their support and hard work, as well as Jessica Erasmus from the GRDM Community Services Department for her role in populating the detailed Learning Programme Matrix and demonstrating the use of the Collaborator System as a home-grown Learner Management System.
According to Holtzhausen, the envisaged plans for the GRDM Training Academy Programme Qualification Mix Academy include not only accredited Fire Fighting Training. “We will also offer training in Wildfire Management, Veld Fire Management, Law Enforcement, Traffic Control and Disaster Management. These are all highly specialised knowledge domains that the Municipalities in the Garden Route district have exceptional expertise in.”
DISCUSSIONS WITH NELSON MANDELA UNIVERSITY
Discussions are also taking place between the GRDM Skills Mecca team and the George Campus of Nelson Mandela University (NMU) to see how these programmes can be aligned to the existing Veld Fire Management Programmes offered at the University. This will allow for significant sharing of expertise and resources between the two partners and provide career development opportunities for many employed and unemployed persons in the Garden Route.
“End”
2022 Women’s Day message from the GRDM Speaker, Ald. Georlene Wolmarans
Good Morning residents of the Garden Route region
Today, I am honoured to greet my fellow women on this Women’s Day. A day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in social, cultural, and political fields. A day when we recognise the value and importance of women in our lives and around the world.
I want to encourage women to always strive to be themselves; to live their lives as they feel comfortable; and to take time for themselves, as women are often the backbone of their families who put others before themselves.
Over the years, women have contributed massively to the lives of their families, sometimes under difficult and unfair circumstances. However, they still manage to juggle through life while accomplishing their individual and professional goals.
As Speaker van die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit kan ek met selfvertroue noem dat hierdie munisipaliteit altyd daarna sal strewe, om die kwessies waarmee vroue te kampe kom, op te probeer los en bewusheid oor geslagsgelykheid te vermeerder.
The world is moving towards gender equality and it is moving towards a balance between both men and women.
I would like to encourage women and victims of gender-based violence to be courageous, to stand up, to show strength, and to make their voices heard, as doing so helping them take control and provide motivation for those who have lost their voices and dignity.
‘Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo’ – YES – When You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock…
Happy Women’s Day!!!
02 August 2022 Media Release: Women’s Month launched at Garden Route DM – every single effort will make a difference, no matter how small
Media Release: Women’s Month launched at Garden Route DM – every single effort will make a difference, no matter how small
For Immediate Release
2 August 2022
This year National Women’s Day and Women’s Month will be celebrated under the theme: “Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Improved Resilience.” Women’s month is all about putting a spotlight on the challenges that women still face as well as celebrating the successes of women in all spheres of life.
On Monday, 1 August 2022, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) councillors and employees kicked-off National Women’s Month in a very original way by forming a human chain in front of the head office to reflect on the progress made towards the promotion of women’s rights and the elimination of injustices against them. The programme director for the event was Alderlady Iona Kritzinger, GRDM Portfolio Chairperson for Corporate Services, who set the scene for this historic event.
During a short semi-formal ceremony, GRDM Speaker Alderlady Georlene Wolmarans, organiser and initiator of the event, started her speech by encouraging women to always strive to be themselves, to live their lives as they feel comfortable, and to take time for themselves. “Women are often the backbone of their families,” she said. Alderlady Wolmarans elaborated on the national theme of 2022 Women’s Month. She affirmed that the GRDM will always strive to focus on resolving the issues faced by women and continuously raise awareness about gender equality. She concluded by saying, “Those who know me, know that I have a zero tolerance approach towards abuse in all its ugly faces. In order to turn around the persistent problem of women struggling for equality, we must continue to build on the courage of women. “I would like to encourage women and victims of gender-based violence to be courageous, to stand up, to show strength, and to make their voices heard. This will help people to take control and provide motivation for those who have lost their voices and dignity.” Speaker said.
“All of us have been affected by gender-based violence, either directly or indirectly. I believe that there is no woman standing here today who doesn’t know of a woman who has been abused, whether it be yourself or someone you know; and yet here you are today, shining, smiling, and looking so beautiful. Know that there is so much power and resilience within you. Continue to smile and be proud of who you are and continue to fight for your rights.” With these words, fellow female colleague, Pamela Lufele, Chief Audit Executive of GRDM, encouraged women during the launch. Moreover, Lufele highlighted the qualities/model of a true woman as outlined in two scriptures of the Bible, which are in contrast to what the ‘world’ portrays today, and in conclusion, inspired all women present to recognise and find themselves within the scripture’s about women and remind themselves of the way God sees them. “Then you will not have to compare yourself with anyone else. You will not feel the need to undermine yourself or feel inadequate or insecure, but rather you will embrace your true self. You will know that in order for you to shine, you won’t need to be in someone else’s light, for we can all shine together. Once we have reached that stage, we will then use this power to be the keepers of our sisters and fix each other’s crowns,” she concluded.
Deputy Executive Mayor of GRDM, Alderman Gert van Niekerk, remarked that the universe cannot function without women. He focused on the various strengths and qualities of women. He also acknowledged the significant role women of all races and religions have played and continue to play in society and the development of South Africa. Ald. van Niekerk saluted them with dignity and respect. He believes that women are the strength behind every man. They have made their own unique sacrifices to build South Africa to achieve the democratic state we all enjoy today.
“My wish for women is to give them the recognition and respect they deserve. Over the years, I’ve learned that if you have the right woman in your life, your life is sorted. And this is not only restricted to marriage, but in all spheres of the environment. Men, let us admit that at every stage of our lives, we need women. So let us respect and cherish women, because they are the ones working double shifts.
Throughout the event, the GRDM Choir entertained officials with appropriate songs of praise which created and set a joyful atmosphere.
The highlight of the event was when everyone present formed a human chain, leaded by a ‘freedom song’ sung by the choir, remembering the women and children who have lost their lives due to the evil of gender-based violence.
Other initiatives by GRDM for the month of August 2022:
Sanitary Towel Drive
As part of the GRDM’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, the employees of the GRDM in collaboration with the Pep Stores, bought and donated more than 260 sanitary towels. These will be donated to schools where kids often cannot afford such basic necessities. Schools will be identified from a list provided by Department of Health.
Click on the link to watch the video: https://youtu.be/PBgKpc8HElY
26 July 2022 Media Release: HealthNET Pilot Project Garden Route improves access to care
Media Release: HealthNET Pilot Project Garden Route improves access to care
For Immediate Release
26 July 2022
George Hospital and Western Cape Emergency Medical Services (EMS) introduced an exciting and new six-month project for patients from the Garden Route who need access to specialist investigations/treatments at tertiary healthcare facilities in Cape Town.
The HealthNET pilot project commenced on 11 July 2022 when an additional HealthNET vehicle started transporting patients between Garden Route and Cape Town hospitals, improving access to specialised care.
“Our rural location poses many challenges for our patients to access specialised services at our tertiary hospitals. Patient centred care remains a cornerstone of our service redesign and as such the addition of transport capacity to safely transport our patients from across the Garden Route to tertiary healthcare services in the Metro goes a long way in achieving our vision to provide the right care at the right time in the right place,” says District Director for Health, Mr Zee Brickles.
HealthNET in Garden Route currently has two buses that transport 20 patients each, four days a week providing 200 patients a week with the opportunity to seek treatment at a tertiary healthcare facility in Cape Town and being transported safely back home on the same day.
“There has already been a noticeable impact on the length of time patients wait for discharge from Cape Town hospitals back to the Garden Route, which is encouraging,” says Michael Vonk, CEO of George Hospital. The outcome regarding discharges and waiting times of patients will be measured through data on the HealthNet system. “There is more than enough capacity to transport patients and access to planned transport should not be an obstacle for any patient to access specialist investigations and treatments,” says Vonk.
Fernando Erasmus, HealthNET manager for EMS, and all Emergency Care Officers pride themselves in the service they deliver. In fact, they are so serious about good service delivery that they provide compliment and complaint forms for patients in their vehicles and encourage patients to comment on driver behaviour in order to maintain a quality service. “We are very excited and we are doing everything in our power to ensure that this project will be fruitful and a success”, adds Erasmus.
Before the new addition of the HealthNET bus, complaints were lodged stating that there was a lack of transport for patients in the Garden Route to travel to Cape Town. “Now with the new addition, there has been a huge improvement. Patients can get to their appointments in Cape Town on time and on the correct date to get the treatment they need,” says Erasmus.
END
Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Tel: 044 813 1831
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za
26 July 2022 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality’s role in managing of human remains
Media Release: Garden Route DM’s role in managing of human remains
For Immediate Release
25 July 2022
The disposal of the dead, also known as the management of human remains, is one of the nine municipal health functions performed by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) assigned to local governments under the National Health Act 2003 (Act no. 61 of 2003).
According to the National Health Act, handling of human remains, transportation, and funeral undertakers’ facilities must all be inspected and monitored at least twice a year. However, ongoing monitoring is also required. Environmental health inspections include identifying, monitoring, and assessing health risks, nuisances, and hazards at funeral homes. Where necessary, corrective and preventative actions are implemented.
The main functions of EHPs in the management of human remains is as follows:
- EHPs ensure that funeral homes are operating under current certificates. Upon confirmation that the facility complies with environmental health regulations, a certificate of competency is issued.
- EHPs further ensure that handling, collection, storage, and disposal of waste, including health care risk waste, comply with SANS 10248, Norms and Standards for waste management.
- Conduct risk assessment to identify potential health hazards from the preparation and storage of human remains.
- Provide health education and awareness on proper hygiene practices as well as water and sanitation practices.
- Ensures that the funeral undertaker premises have a pest control plan and that pest control services are performed at least once a month.
- In case of non-compliant after an inspection, the relevant EHP will liaise with the owner of the funeral undertaker.
- After each inspection, the EHPs ensure that the inspection report indicates the condition of the premises and relevant health recommendations are provided to the owner or person in charge.
- EHPs ensure that a database of all premises in their area used for handling, preparing, and storing human remains is maintained.
- EHPs must ensure that all facilities and equipment used in connection with the handling, preparation, storage, preservation, and transportation of human remains adhere to the regulation relating to the management of human remains, in accordance with National Health Act 61 of 2003.
For any further information, please contact us at the respective regional offices within the Garden Route District Municipality:
Klein Karoo Region
Mr. Desmond Paulse
Tel: +27(0)44 272 2241
Cell: +27(0)83 678 6530
Address: 94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn
Kanaland Region
Mr. George Hendriksz
Tel: +27(0)44 272 2241
Cell: +27(0)82 907 3492
Address: 15 Regent Street, Oudtshoorn
Mossel Bay
Mr. Sam Bendle
Tel: +27(0)44 693 0006
Cell: +27(0)83 630 6108
Address C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay.
George Outeniqua
Ms. Emmy Douglas
Tel: +27(0)44 803 1501
Cell: +27(0)78 457 2824
Address: Mission Street, Industrial Area, George, 6530
George Wilderness
Mr. Pieter Raath
Tel: +27(0)44 803 1501
Cell: +27(0)83 644 8858
Address: Mission Street, Industrial Area, George
Knysna Region
Mr. James McCarthy
Tel: +27(0)44 382 7214
Cell: +27(0)82 805 9417
Address: 26A Queen Street, Knysna
Bitou Region
Mr. Gawie Vos
Tel: +27(0)44 501 1600
Cell: +27(0)83 557 1522
Address: 7 Gibb Street, Plettenberg Bay
Hessequa Region
Mr. Haemish Herwels
Tel: +27(0)28 713 2438
Cell: +27(0)83 678 6545
Address: 23 Michell Street, Riversdale, 6670
Mr. Johan Compion
Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services
Cell: +27(0)82 803 5161
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: 044 803 1300
20 July 2022 Save the Date: Council Meeting – 27 July 2022 at 11:00 am
Save the Date: Council Meeting – 27 July 2022 at 11:00
20 July 2022 Media Release: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Media Release: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
For immediate release
20 July 2022
In celebration of the International Nelson Mandela Day, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) officials, including management and councillors, joined forces with the rest of the globe to reached the 2022 tagline of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, ‘Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are.’
GRDM day was filled with various activities, including gardening, cleaning, cooking and serving meals, maintenance and painting of classrooms, donating and handing out baby necessities and food parcels.
The GRDM Council and management wishes to express their gratitude to all officials who have in all cases used their personal funds to put a smile on the faces of community members, improve society, or have a significant impact on society during these difficult times.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela
The following is a brief summary of all the activities that took place at GRDM:
Offices of the Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality’s Office of the Municipal Manager visited the George Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD) in Pacaltsdorp to ‘redo’ a classroom, starting with painting the walls and ceiling, cleaning and redecorating the classroom with colourful curtains and interesting pictures. Officials were divided into two groups, and while one group was busy inside, the other planted several types of veggies outside to get the school to start becoming more food secure. The Speaker and some of the Portfolio Councillors also supported and attended this initiative.
Planning & Economic Development Services
During their 67-minute ‘community service’, officials of the Planning and Economic Development Department visited Kusile Baby Care in Thembalethu, George. These officials dedicated their time to paint the school. In addition, they donated plastic chairs, tables, party packs, and vegetable seeds to be planted at the school.
The Garden Route District Municipality’s George Financial Services Department visited the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) on Madiba Day to honor Nelson Mandela’s legacy. Officials donated dog and cat food during their visit.
The officials spent time walking, playing, socializing, and interacting with the pets.
Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Roads Services Department understands the importance of serving our communities and making sure our roads are safe and accessible. During their 67 minutes of ‘community service’ yesterday, these officials cleaned the playground that it is safe for the kids.
In celebration of International Nelson Mandela Day, GRDM Corporate Services officials served lunch (hotdogs) to toddlers at Toddlers Inn Crèche in Conville. Additionally, they donated much needed stationary and balls to the children. Children and adults played different ball games while waiting for lunch.
George Sub-office
“Giving is not just making a donation; it is making a difference”. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) EHPs from the Wilderness Region made an incredible difference at Bethesda – Child and Youth Care Centre in George when they celebrated Nelson Mandela Day. 34 parcels of toiletries, including toothbrushes, bath soap, sanitary towels, roll-on, nappies, wipes and body lotions were handed out to the facility in honour of the legacy of the late President Nelson Mandela.
Additionally, 34 snack parcels were also distributed to kids of diverse ages at the same facility, ranging from 2 to 17 years. To make the donation even more meaningful, educational books, toys, games, and bibles were also donated to Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre.
Bitou Sub-office
In commemoration of Mandela Day, EHPs from the Garden Route District Municipality’s Bitou sub- office, Zoleka Goniwe, Sophia Marthinus and Nokuphiwa Mbali visited the Protea Service Centre for the Elderly in Kranshoek. They spent 67 minutes serving food, cleaning and packing food parcels for the home-based elders. EHPs also contributed vegetables as part of this good cause!
Klein Karoo Region Sub-office
In honour of the 2022 Madiba day celebrations, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) from the Garden Route District Municipality in the Klein Karoo region donated gift packs containing toiletries, chips, and sweets to toddlers at De Kleine Zeekoe Créche in Oudtshoorn. The EHPs also performed a hand wash demonstration activity to the toddlers. Management and educators of the crèche expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the gesture.
The Garden Route District Municipality’s Disaster Management Team also did their part to honor Madiba’s legacy by packing soup packs for the winter with other organisations at the Garden Route Food Pantry. After that, the team dropped off blankets at the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and provided hot soup and blankets at the Homeless Shelter.
Blocked drains are usually one of the main causes of flooding in towns, so the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Firefighters in George, Riversdale and Ladismith decided to be proactive and spend their 67 minutes cleaning the drains and removing rubbish in their respective towns that may cause problems later.
Since the Victoria Bay Caravan Park Team enjoys the outdoors as well as their own resort, they decided to spend their 67 minutes cleaning their own resort.
Officials from Swartvlei and Victoria Bay Caravan Parks decided to dedicate their 67 minutes to 36 children from Gummy Bears Preschool in Sedgefield, by brightening up the little ones’ day with candy parcels. The smile on each child’s face was heart-warming to witness!
