Author: Marlene Nqumse
14 June 2021 Media Release: Garden Route COVID Update
Media Release: Garden Route COVID Update
For Immediate Release
14 June 2021
The Garden Route District had a 110% increase in new cases over the last 7 days compared to 7-14 days ago.
All sub-districts had large increases except for Oudtshoorn with a minimal increase and Kannaland which remained unchanged.
The new cases are widespread with some household clusters. It is important that we all play our part in curbing the spread. All situations are being actively monitored.
Stats as of 14 June 2021.
| Sub-district | TOTAL | Active | Recovered | Deaths |
| Bitou | 2868 | 43 | 2 724 | 101 |
| George | 12513 | 279 | 11 779 | 455 |
| Hessequa | 2037 | 40 | 1 889 | 108 |
| Kannaland | 917 | 8 | 863 | 46 |
| Knysna | 4948 | 55 | 4 735 | 158 |
| Mossel Bay | 7900 | 282 | 7 406 | 212 |
| Oudtshoorn | 4239 | 69 | 3 872 | 298 |
| Sub-total | 35422 | 776 | 33 268 | 1 378 |
Vaccine roll-out
A total of 20 653 vaccines have been administered since the start of the vaccine program. This includes healthcare workers, old age homes and public sites.
The Department received a lesser allocation of vaccines this week from the national government, which has impacted the number of people we will be able to vaccinate this week.
We are however still planning to open more sites after which more appointment slots will become available, and hence more system generated SMSs will be sent to assign registered people to specific sites with available appointment slots.
We have noted a lot of queries regarding the appointment system. Appointments for vaccinations are automatically scheduled by the National Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS). The system checks in a sequential manner who registered first in a specific area, and assigns appointments to them based on available slots at sites close to that area. If you would like to confirm your registration or make changes to your details please visit http://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za. You can also access this link on our website, www.westerncape.gov.za.
What to bring with you when going for your vaccination
Please remember to bring along your ID, passport, or asylum document when coming for your vaccine.
If you belong to a medical aid, please take your medical aid card or details with you.
At the vaccination site, there will be signage directing you where to go. You will be screened according to COVID-19 protocol.
Once inside, your details will be confirmed. The health workers at the vaccination station will ask you for consent, will explain what they are going to do, and will ask if you have any allergies or medical conditions. This is an important part of the process.
After your vaccination, you will be asked to wait in the observation room for 15 to 30 minutes so that staff can make sure you do not experience any severe allergic reactions. If you received the first jab of a 2-dose vaccine, you will get a follow-up appointment via SMS. You will also receive a proof of vaccination card.
The following sites in the Garden Route District will administer vaccinations on the following days for week 14 – 18 June.
| Mossel Bay | D’Almeida Community Hall | PUBLIC | 14, 15 |
| Mossel Bay | Alma CDC | PUBLIC | 14, 15, 17 ,18 |
| Mossel Bay | Wolwedans Community Hall | PUBLIC | 18 |
| Mossel Bay | Mossel Bay Town Hall | PUBLIC | 15 |
| Bitou | Plettenberg Bay Town Clinic | PUBLIC | 17 |
| Bitou | Kwanokuthula CDC | PUBLIC | 18 |
| George | Harry Comay TB Hospital | PUBLIC | 14,15, 17, 18 |
| George | Thembalethu CDC | PUBLIC | 14,15, 17, 18 |
| George | George Central Clinic | PUBLIC | 14,15, 17, 18 |
| George | Uniondale Hospital | PUBLIC | 15, 17, 18 |
| George | Pacaltsdorp Clinic | PUBLIC | 17,18 |
| Hessequa | Riversdale Civic Centre | PUBLIC | 15, 17 ,18 |
| Hessequa | Witsand de Duine Hall | PUBLIC | 15, |
| Hessequa | Heidelberg Duivenhoks Hall | PUBLIC | 15, 18 |
| Hessequa | Albertinia Theronsville Hall | PUBLIC | 17,18 |
| Hessequa | Stilbaai Civic Centre | PUBLIC | 15, 17, 18 |
| Hessequa | Slangrivier Satellite Clinic | PUBLIC | 18 |
| Kannaland | Ladismith DRC Church Hall | PUBLIC | 15 |
| Kannaland | Calitzdorp DRC Church Hall | PUBLIC | 17 |
| Knysna | Knysna Town Hall | PUBLIC | 18 |
| Knysna | Sedgefield Clinic | PUBLIC | 17 |
| Oudtshoorn | Oudtshoorn Hospital | PUBLIC | 17, 18 |
| Oudtshoorn | Dysselsdorp Clinic | PUBLIC | 15 |
| Oudtshoorn | De Rust(Blommenek) Clinic | PUBLIC | 17 |
Please remember that we prioritise those who are registered and have received their appointment. Â No active sites on the 16th which is a public holiday.
ENDS
Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Town Clinic,Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 044Â 813 1831
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za
8 June 2021 Public Notice: GRDM Top Layer Service Delivery & Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP) open for public perusal and comment
Public Notice: GRDM Top Layer Service Delivery & Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP) open for public perusal and comment
8 June 2021
Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipality’s SDBIP is available for public perusal and comments for 14 days, ending 21 June 2021.
All questions and recommendations must be directed to the Performance Manager (Ms Ilse Saaiman) at 044 803 1300.
Please note that Circular 88 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (Act 56 of 2003) is added to the document merely as an annexure as per the requirements, and the KPI’s listed will not form part of the current SDBIP.
4 June 2021 Media Release: Garden Route Climate Change Indaba to coincide with the United Nations World Oceans Day
Media Release: Garden Route Climate Change Indaba to coincide with the United Nations World Oceans Day
For Immediate Release
4 June 2021
The Garden Route Fire Commemoration Event and Climate Change Indaba will this year coincide with World Oceans Day, taking place on Tuesday 8 June 2021. The Indaba is hosted by the Garden Route District Municipality and the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).
The theme for the 2021 United Nations World Oceans Day is Life and Livelihoods. It is a day for humanity to celebrate and support the life and the livelihood that the ocean sustains and puts the spotlight on biodiversity and the interconnectivity between the ocean and its ecosystems.
According to Cobus Meiring, chairperson of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF), entities tasked with environmental management in the Garden Route are increasingly emphasising the importance of restoration and rewilding of natural ecosystems and habitat in the region, which serves to highlight the interconnectivity between a healthy ocean and terrestrial environment.
“A point in case is the drive to reconnect the Indian Ocean with the Outeniqua mountains and the creation of biodiversity conservation and migration routes through the restoration of Garden Route forests, streams, wetlands, rivers and catchments in collaboration with private landowners.”
Stretching from Mossel Bay to the Storms River mouth, the Garden Route is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world.
Says Meiring: “The scenic splendour of the Garden Route is a precious resource. Celebrating a healthy and vibrant ocean and dependent ecosystems is an opportunity to boost the conservation of the region’s very special natural environment.”
“Climate change, and the challenges and opportunities it offers, is no doubt worth reflecting upon. We dare not wipe out the memories of events like the 2017 and 2018 wildfire disasters which wreaked havoc in the Garden Route, nor the perpetual drought which decimated much of the agricultural capacity of the regional interior – much of which can be ascribed to slight climate changes with significant effects.”
“As the world celebrates World Oceans Day, South Africa in general, and the Garden Route in particular, will do well to use the opportunity to show respect for what remains of what nature blessed the country with, and even as we focus all our energy and resources to survive Covid-19 and its socio-economic impact, we have to plan to conserve our oceans and natural environment, as therein lies our ultimate survival as a species,” says Meiring.
Climate Change Indaba, Wilderness
The theme for this year’s Garden Route Fire Commemoration Event and Climate Change Indaba is “Adapt to a Sustainable Future”. The keynote address will be delivered by the Deputy Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), Ms Makhotso Magdaline Sotyu.
Professors Christo Fabricius and Hervé Fritz will present the latest findings on global change research in the Garden Route. Professor Fabricius is Lead, CARMa-Afrika: Capacity for African Resource Management at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and Professor Hervé Fritz is Director of the ECO REHABS International Research Lab, CNRS France, together with the Nelson Mandela University.
The challenges of climate change and invasive alien species in Africa will also come under the spotlight in a presentation by Dr Arné Witt, Invasive Alien Plant Specialist and Regional (Africa, Asia and the Caribbean) Invasive Alien Species Coordinator for the international science-based development organisation, CABI.
Other presentation topics include disaster management, water resource management, freshwater ecology, and sea-level rise and its impact on coastal infrastructure along the Mossel Bay coastline.
A field visit, hosted by Knysna Municipality, the Garden Route Trail Park and the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) will also be taking place on Wednesday 9 June 2021. The focus of the field visit will be on methods for killing blackwood including herbicide mixing and application, as this remains one of the most difficult weeds to control.
Interested organisations or individuals who would like to attend the indaba and/field visit can send an email to Louise Maré, louisamare@gmail.com for more information. Due to Covid-19 regulations, is it essential to register in advance for the Indaba.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a regional forum and public platform for collaboration in conservation, environmental adaptation and community interaction. It is a think tank for national, regional and local government, conservation bodies, academics, the media, landowners and land managers, active in the full spectrum of environmental matters in the region. Website: https://www.scli.org.za/gref/
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Cobus Meiring: Chairperson of Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF)
Cell: 083 626 7619
Email: cobus@naturalbridge.co.za

