Author: Marlene Nqumse
30 March 2022 MEDIA RELEASE: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS ENSURING HYGIENE STANDARDS ARE MAINTAINED AT KKNK AND OTHER FESTIVALS
MEDIA RELEASE: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS ENSURING HYGIENE STANDARDS ARE MAINTAINED AT KKNK AND OTHER FESTIVALS
For Immediate Release
30 March 2022
In terms of the Municipal Systems Act of 2000, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Municipal Health Services is one of the primary functions of a district municipality. Section 1 of the National Health Act, 2003 (Act 61 of 2003), defines municipal health services as the following key performance areas:
- Disposal of the Dead.
- Environmental Pollution Control.
- Food Control.
- Health Surveillance of Premises.
- Surveillance and Prevention of Communicable Diseases.
- Vector Control / Monitoring.
- Waste Management.
- Water Quality Monitoring.
- Chemical Safety
The Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK)
This National Arts festival takes place from Tuesday 29 March until Sunday 3 April 2022 in Oudtshoorn.
During the Festival, EHPs of GRDM conduct routine inspections and monitor all environmental health aspects, such as food stalls, solid waste storage- and removal, wastewater disposal, public toilet facilities, camping sites, etc.
EHPs are doing daily inspections at the different events and premises at the KKNK. They will ensure that all food preparation activities conform to hygienic requirements and that waste-water, solid waste and sanitation facilities are sufficient. The EHP officials will also form part of the daily KKNK Joint Operation Centre (JOC) meetings to address all health-related matters.
On the first day of the KKNK, EHPs inspected all food stalls for compliance with Regulation 638 of 22 June 2018, Section 3(1) and determine if the owner has a Certificate of Acceptability.
FOOD STALLS
During festivals, food control is a mandatory regulation that enforces consumer protection. It ensures that food is safe and wholesome for consumption during preparation, handling, storage, processing, and distribution. Furthermore, that food conforms to the quality and safety requirements as prescribed by R146 of 1 March 2010 and is labelled correctly.
EHPs ensure that food is kept at safe temperatures; food handlers wear proper protective clothing; food stalls are kept clean and hygienic, and no animals except guide dogs are allowed in food stalls. Also, food should be protected from contamination by using good manufacturing practices and the best methods available. EHPs also take food samples to ensure the food is safe.
GRDM already had discussions with the KKNK management regarding the issuing of Certificates of Acceptance (COA). To be approved for a food stall for the duration of the KKNK, a COA is required from the GRDM Municipal Health Office. Food stall owners were provided with a copy of the hygienic guidelines to ensure they knew the hygienic and health regulations for selling food at KKNK. Environmental Health Practitioners have provided food hygiene education and training to all food handlers and will do this going forward.
PUBLIC TOILET FACILITIES
KKNK will provide adequate toilet facilities and will maintain and clean the sanitation facilities. The EHPs will monitor public toilets daily and report unhygienic conditions to the KKNK office. Additionally, EHP will ensure that restaurants inside and outside the festival area provide access to toilets and handwashing facilities.
WASTE WATER AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
The KKNK and Oudtshoorn Municipality are responsible for providing wastewater collection facilities, while the EHPs monitor the storage and disposal of solid waste. To prevent health nuisances, it is imperative that waste water and refuse bins are removed quickly.
ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES/CAMPING SITES
GRDM EHPs carried out inspections at accommodation facilities and guest houses before the commencement of the KKNK. They ensure that all guest houses that provide food to the public comply with R638 of 2018 and must have a COA for food premises
Minimum requirements regarding refuse removal, water provision, sanitation, and regular cleaning of camping sites were compiled in the past, and EHPs will regularly monitor facilities at camping sites.
SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES: TOBACCO CONTROL ACT
Premises, where meals are provided for consumption in a room, building, or tent, will be monitored. As stipulated in Regulation 975 notice relating to Smoking of Tobacco Products in Public Places, the rules regarding smoking in public places must be adhered to.
Smoking areas must conform to national legislation. Event coordinators must provide guests access to a designated smoking area. Smoking in or near food stalls is prohibited.
After the festival, the EHPs participate in debriefing sessions to discuss the best practices and challenges identified.
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
Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services
E-mail: johan@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: 044 803 1300
29 March 2022 Media release: Wowee for WoW! Champions
Media release: Wowee for WoW! Champions
For immediate release
29 March 2022
A number of Health staff from across the Garden Route received recognition during an award ceremony in Cape Town recently for promoting wellness within their communities as part of the Western Cape on Wellness (WoW!) initiative.
WoW! is a healthy lifestyles-promoting partnership programme of the Western Cape Government and its valued partners. The overarching purpose of WoW! is to promote health, reduce health inequalities and strengthen social inclusiveness/connectedness by co-creating enabling environments for sustained healthy lifestyle choices throughout our life course. The programme was implemented in 2017 and wellness champions were identified and trained to promote wellness within their facilities and communities.
The winners were as follow:
Bronze: The KwaNokuthula WOW Wellness Club
WoW champions: Thamsanqa Happiness Magwebu, Masixole Blouw and Nonkoliso Zandile from Kwanokuhtula clinic in Plettenberg Bay.
The KwaNokuthula WOW Wellness Club started with exercises for staff. Fitness instructors visited the clinic on a regular basis during lunchtime for all to participate in aerobic exercise. The club started the Adolescent Youth Friendly Services (AYFS) group and Safe Play Streets which included many activities within communities to include children.
Silver: Hessequa for the programme “Restore total wellness”
WoW! Champions: Dina-Marie Dwyer (lead champion) and Chanel Louw (co-champion)
Projects included funding and distributing gifts for Nurses Day 2021, running a healthy lifestyle competition with a twist and starting a food garden.
Their main focus however was the emotional and mental wellness of staff. They’ve established an onsite wellness clinic via the Employee Health and Wellness Programme for staff to be able to attend sessions.
Silver: Jolly Gymmers programme in Riversdale
WoW! Champions: Chanel Louw
The Jolly Gymmers currently consist of 26 group members of which 18 members are committed and consistent. They focus on physical activities, i.e. exercise session three times per week from 17:00-18:00 and participate in community events like fun walks and the CANSA relay for life. They also participate in continuous healthy eating/lifestyle challenges as motivation and encouragement to live healthy. These challenges focus on eating healthier, drinking water and getting enough sleep. Many of the ladies are diagnosed with chronic diseases of life and through the group activities, they aim to decrease uncontrolled vitals and reach a level of consistent good health.
‘The Jolly Gymmers are a bunch of dynamic adults with beautiful souls and vibrant personalities. You can’t but be enriched after spending time with this group’, said Chanel.
Silver: Bridgeton Elderly Wow! Group
WoW! Champions: Eshida May and Mariam Darries
The Bridgton Elderly WoW! Club was established three years ago.
Mrs Miriam Darries is the coordinator for the Elderly Crime Prevention Desk. In conjunction with SAPS and other role players, the elderly meet once a week.
Different activities are enjoyed such as needlework, knitting, food gardens, etc.
Reaching out to other elderly people is done daily and largely focuses on abuse, negligence in the care of the elderly as well as the exploitation of SASSA grants. This club offers support to the elderly as well as meals twice a week. The Department of Health visits the club monthly. A focus on health, observations as well a healthy lifestyle are emphasized. Exercises are done monthly with the elderly.
Gold: Swartberg Senior Club in Dysselsdorp. This team also won the innovation award.
WoW! Champions: Caria Booysen, Brigette Dysel and Christa Harmse
What started in 2018 as a program designed to support the seniors group at Swartberg in Dysselsdorp through activities including healthy eating, talks/advice/information sharing, exercise, food gardening, sugar challenge campaign, salt reduction campaign, has grown to where they now serve 72 regular members on a weekly basis. The Swartberg Senior Club is proudly supported by the Department of Health, local churches, local NGOs, schools and share the honours with relevant stakeholders and supporters.
Well done to all the clubs and keep up the good work!
Caption: The Bridgeton Elderly WoW! Club.
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
29 March 2022 Media release: Western Cape Human Settlements opens Individual Subsidy Applications on 1 April 2022
Media release: Western Cape Human Settlements opens Individual Subsidy Applications on 1 April 2022
For immediate release
29 March 2022
On 1 April, the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements will open applications for its Individual Subsidy. Applications only open once a year, in April, and close as soon as the subsidy allocation limit has been reached. The Individual Subsidy is aimed at residents with a household income of between R0 and R3500, and allows one to: buy an existing house; buy a house on a plot-and-plan basis, or finish an incomplete house. The subsidy amount is just over R200,000 and is paid directly to a seller, conveyancer, financier or contractor, depending on the case. Successful applicants will receive this subsidy only once.
There are various housing subsides available from the Department that does not require citizens to wait for a government housing development in your area. Assistance provided via the Individual Subsidy allows residents to, for example, identify a house for sale for the subsidy amount, or use it as a top-up, to purchase a home. As there is a limited budget, assistance with this subsidy is only provided once a year and is allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. Priority will be given to applicants who are elderly or have special needs (ie. disabled).
“The Individual Subsidy is one of the subsidy programmes that can assist Western Cape residents with a housing opportunity, without waiting for a specific government housing development to be built in an area. The subsidy can be used to purchase an existing house or to build a house on a vacant plot owned by the applicant” commented Ms Phila Mayisela, Acting Head of Department.
To qualify for this subsidy residents must :
- Be registered on the housing demand database (ie. waiting list) at your nearest municipality;
- Must have been on the housing database for a minimum period of 10 years in Cape Town, and 5 years in areas outside of Cape Town;
- Be a South African citizen or have a permanent residency permit;
- 18 years or older;
- Be married or living with a partner;
- Be single or divorced, and have proven financial dependents living with you permanently;
- Not have owned a property before;
- Earn a monthly household income of R3500 or less, before deductions;
- Not have received a housing subsidy from the government before.
Western Cape residents who are still on the waiting list, meet the qualification criteria, and are interested in applying for the Individual Subsidy, are urged to submit their applications from 01 April at the Department of Human Settlements offices in Cape Town. More information, including application forms, for this subsidy, can be found on the Department’s website.
Click on the link to download the Individual Subsidy Booklet: Individual Subsidy Booklet
-End-
Media Enquiries:
Mr Nathan Adriaanse
Director: Communication and Stakeholder Relations
Nathan.adriaanse@westerncape.gov.za
021 483 2868 (o)
083 263 1720 (m)
OR
Marcellino Martin
Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers
Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za
021 483 3397 (o)
082 721 3362 (m)
19 March 2022 Media Release: Swarms Locusts (grasshoppers) tearing through the Karoo
Media Release: Swarms Locusts (grasshoppers) tearing through the Karoo
For immediate release
19 March 2022
On Monday, 14 March 2022, large swarms of locusts descended onto the Klein Karoo region. Reports of locust swarms around the Calitzdorp area was received by the Garden Route District Municipality Disaster Management Centre (GRDM DMC) on Monday, 15th March 2022. Later, it was confirmed that farmers in Kruisvallei and Buffelskloof were seeing swarms of locusts flying from west to east along the foothills of the Swartberg mountains.
Over the past year, the increase of locust activity has become apparent, which resulted in the Department of Agriculture conducting several pesticide spraying actions in the Northern- as well as the Eastern Cape and the Central Karoo. However, historically these locust plagues were confined to the Northern parts of the Western Cape as well as the Central Karoo district. Therefore, most pro-active Department Locust Officers (DLO’s) training was done in the Central Karoo District Municipal area.
The mandate to deal with locusts lies with the National Department of Agriculture due to locusts being a migratory pest.
On Wednesday, 16 March 2022, the Garden Route District Municipality Disaster Management (GRDM DM) activated its Joint Operation Centre (JOC) in response to the locust infestation. A JOC meeting was held in response to the Locust Infestation affecting parts of Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn. Various stakeholders attended the JOC, including the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality Manager of Fire Services & Disaster Management, Agri- Western Cape and the Department of Agriculture Western Cape.
The following concerns were highlighted:
- That a shortage of chemicals needed to spray the locust infestation causes significant challenges. Currently, there are only 54 000 liters of Decis (a pesticide used for locust control) available in South Africa.
- Training for locust control has been requested from the National Department of Agriculture and is expected to commence on the 23 March and will take place at a venue identified in Oudtshoorn. Both Kannaland and Oudtshoorn areas will be included in the training.
- It is challenging to locate the ‘head’ of the swarms, making it difficult to determine the direction they are travelling. Moreover, the swarms move to higher parts of the mountain, making it a challenge to control the swarms without aerial spraying.
According to Agri SA, this is one of the biggest locust swarms in years and, with the assistance of donors and the Department of Agriculture, farmers are trying everything to save crops and ensure food security.
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has made R5 million available immediately to provide support to purchase personal protective equipment, sprayer pumps. pesticides and aerial spraying support to teams combating the outbreak of locust swarms in the Western Cape. Combating the locust infestation is critical for food security and rural livelihood.
Farmers from the area and organisations who would like to undergo training for locust control are requested to contact Ms Adel Supra-Vertue, Manager from the Oudtshoorn Municipality Fire & Disaster Management Services at 064 125 9227/ 044 203 7810. We also would like to request farmers and residents not to start fires as a measure to kill or deter locusts. Our Karoo areas are still arid, and these fires may cause runaway fires.
Training for Locust District Officers will take place on the 23rd of March from 09:00 am until 14:00 pm at the De Hoek Mountain resort. Interested parties are requested to send their names to Mr Lonwabo Luthango at Lonwabo@gardenroute.gov.za or to contact him by cell: 084 881 5853.
Pro-active and re-active actions are coordinated by Me Vuyokazi Mpumlwana from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). Her contact detail is 084 760 8176. Other coordinators from the National Department of Locust Control are Dr Ikafeng, who can be contacted at 072 198 9882.