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Author: Marlene Nqumse

30 April 2021 Media Release: Western Cape Premier Alan Wine and Minister Tertuis Simmers visit Garden Route Housing Projects

WESTERN CAPE PREMIER ALAN WINDE AND MINISTER TERTUIS SIMMERS VISIT GARDEN ROUTE HOUSING PROJECTS

30 April 2021

Yesterday, Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde and Provincial Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers visited the Mountain View Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) in Mosselbay, which is currently still under construction. Pursuant to this, Premier Winde and Minister Simmers also visited the Syferfontein IRDP in George.

The Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, said: “As the Western Cape Government, we are committed to creating opportunities for ownership and are driving this through the Department of Human Settlements’ numerous catalytic projects. During our visits to Mountain View project in Mossel Bay and the Syferfontein project in Pacaltsdorp today we had the opportunity to engage with recipients of housing opportunities who have now become home-owners.”

By creating opportunities for ownership, we are enabling residents to accrue assets which not only give them security but can also be leveraged. This ultimately ensures that vulnerable families can start to change the financial circumstances of generations to follow. Ownership must be our aim when creating sustainable human settlements, as it guarantees that we empower residents in the province into the future.”

The Mountain View IRDP which commenced in July 2019 with a budget of R 297 million is estimated to be completed by July 2022. Upon conclusion, it is expected to create 1 006 housing opportunities, which consists of 725 BNG units, 278 FLISP units, 1 Commercial Sites and 2 public open spaces/Playground.

The Syferfontein IRDP in George which has a budget of R 434 million commenced August 2018 and is expected to be concluded later this year. It is set to deliver 2 113 housing opportunities. This will consist of 1 668 Breaking New Ground (BNG)/free housing, 233 FLISP and various other commercial, faith and social entities. To date, 67 qualifying and deserving beneficiaries have already moved in.

Minister Simmers said: “I was happy to witness how quickly the beneficiaries are settling in and how they’re taking ownership of their space. The joy on their faces and general positive feedback serves as encouragement to continue serving our people in this manner.

This also demonstrates the Western Cape Government’s commitment to continue improving the lives of the most vulnerable in our society. It is further pleasing to note how the Syferfontein development is playing its role in integrating our citizens, as people from various backgrounds, creeds, languages, cultures and sexual orientations are now living in one new community.

I’d also like to thank all provincial and municipal officials for ensuring there’s been a swift response from the contractor to address some of the snags reported by beneficiaries. We’re looking forward to the conclusion of both projects so that more people can take ownership of these new opportunities and participate in this lifechanging experience.

As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.”

Media Enquiries:

Marcellino Martin

Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers

Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za

021 483 3397 (o) / 082 721 3362 (m)

Or

Nathan Adriaanse

Director Communication & Stakeholder Relations

Tell: 021 483 2868 / Mobile: 083 2631720

Email: Nathan.Adriaanse@westerncape.gov.za

19 April 2021 Weather Alert: Weather forecast

Weather Alert: Weather forecast 19 April 2021

Rain: There is 60% chance of light rain along the south-coast from today morning, spreading to the adjacent interior and the Central Karoo District from this afternoon. The rainfall is expected to be cleared by the mid-morning tomorrow along the western parts of the south coast, but remaining everywhere else until in the afternoon. Light rain is also expected on Wednesday morning along with the eastern parts of the south-coast, spreading throughout the south-coast by the evening until the early hours of Thursday morning. No significant weather expected from Thursday afternoon until Saturday afternoon. A weak cold front approaching the Western Cape Province is expected to make landfall on Saturday evening, resulting in light rain over the south-western parts of the province, spreading to the south-coast by Sunday morning while clearing from the west, remaining only along with the extreme eastern parts of the south-coast by the evening.

Winds: are expected to be strong easterly to south-easterly over the Cape Metropole and along with the south-western coastal areas today until tomorrow in the afternoon. A Yellow level 1 warning for WINDS has been issued with possible impacts such as possible runaway fires over these areas and other possible impacts. Otherwise, light to moderate southerly to south-easterly winds are expected throughout the province for the most part of the week.

Temperatures: are expected to be cool to warm along the coastal areas, but warm to hot over the interior.

Coastal winds:  Winds are expected to be moderate to strong easterly to south-easterly for the most part of the week, moderating along the West-Coast by tomorrow afternoon where it becomes south-westerly, spreading to the south-coast by Friday afternoon.

Sea state: Mostly 2.0 to 3.0m wave heights, reaching 4.0 to 5.0m along the south-western coastline from Sunday afternoon, mostly south-westerly swells but easterly along the south-coast.

Most recent spring tide date: 12 April 2021

Issued by the South African Weather Service.

Report any severe weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at telephone number 044 805 5071.

19 April 2021 Weather Alert: Impact Based Weather Warnings for Western Cape and Namaqua

Weather Alert: Impact Based Weather Warnings for Western Cape and Namaqua – 19 April 2021

Please find included the Impact Based Warning for the Western Cape and Namaqua Region of Northern Cape

Legal notice:  “This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance.  It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”

 Hazard Alert Level Affected Municipalities Valid From(SAST) Valid To(SAST)
 Damaging Winds Yellow(L1) City of Cape Town, M_Cape Agulhas, M_Cape Agulhas, M_City of Cape town, M_Hessequa, M_Overstrand, M_Saldanha Bay, M_Swartland, M_Table Bay 19/04/21 05h00 20/04/21 23h00

Discussion: A high-pressure system south-west of the country will result in strong, south-easterly winds along the south-west coast of the Western Cape, and in places over Cape Metropole. Wind speed will be between 40 to 65km/h, with gusts reaching 75km/h. The wind are expected to moderate north of Slangkop on Tuesday morning. Along with the strong winds, wave heights of 4.5m between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas are expected resulting in very rough and choppy seas.

Impact: Considering warm, dry and windy conditions there is risk of additional fires are possible along with the further spreading of the Devils Peak fire. Furthermore, some transport routes, as well as high-sided vehicles, might be affected and/or blown over due to crosswinds. Some localised structural damage is also possible. For the coastal waters, difficulty in navigation of small vessels and personal water crafts such as kayaks are likely. There is also a risk for these small vessels to take on water and capsize in totality.

Instruction: Be aware of the following: – sudden crosswinds if travelling especially between buildings, fallen trees or power lines and debris on roads. Ensure that all temporary structures are well anchored and refrain from starting uncontrolled fires.

Report any weather related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at:

044 805 5071.

SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE
Cape Town Weather Office
2nd Floor: Oval Office Park
Cape Town Int airport
Freight Road
Matroosfontein
Cape Town

9 April 2021 Media Release: Sudden passing of another beloved Roads Services colleague and friend mourned

Media Release: Sudden passing of another beloved Roads Services colleague and friend mourned

For immediate release
09 April 2021

Officials at the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Roads Services in George were left ‘speechless and sad’ when they were informed on the morning of 6 April 2021 about the passing of their co-worker Mzwabantu Mbem. He tragically succumbed together with his partner, sister and child, during a fire at his household over the Easter weekend at the age of thirty-one (31).

According to Andre Mouton, a former supervisor of the late Mbem, he will always be remembered as the “giant with the gentle nature”. Mouton described Mzwabantu as an exceptionally quiet and introverted person, kind and respectful and much loved among his colleagues. “The characteristics of Mzwabantu that will always remain with me is his positive attitude; always ready to assist his peers to solve problems with workable solutions,” he said.

Mzwabantu Mbem commenced his career on 1 May 2017 as Senior Worker at the GRDM Roads Services in Herbertsdale. He was later transferred to the George Maintenance Team. Prior to his appointment at the GRDM, Mzwabantu obtained a NQF Level 4 qualification in Roads Construction and during the last two years of his employment, he equipped himself by attending different training courses as well as attaining his Code 10 driver’s license. He was also busy with a mentorship course that would enable him to fulfill his aspiration to become a foreman in the future.

Marius Mqhokrwana, colleague and friend of the late Mzwabantu described him as a man of few words, a person who merely did what he was tasked to do.’ He further described “Mbem” as a people’s person and a person who loved being around others, in particular his family.

“Mbem was known to be the ‘leader of the pack’ in terms of work performance. He was an intelligent young man, hard-working and committed, we all foresaw a promising future for him. As quiet as he was, he leaves a big gap and is going to be greatly missed.”

A memorial service to honour and celebrate the life of Mzwabantu Mbem will be held on Friday, 09 April 2021, to grant his colleagues and friends the opportunity to bid their final farewells.  The Memorial Service will be broadcasted from the GRDM Council Chambers and will be available on Youtube at:  https://youtu.be/cjqm59uY4ng

08 April 2021 Public Reminder: Memorial Service of the late Mzwabantu Mbem takes place today, 9 April 2021 at 10:00 am

Public Reminder: Memorial Service of the late Mzwabantu Mbem takes place today, 9 April 2021 at 10:00 am

This Memorial Service will also be broadcasted via Youtube and open for
attendance via Zoom:  https ://gardenroute.zoom.us/j/93880227849?pwd=YTdMcU92b2R2NWh6
RG9yMHVhQ1ptQT09

ID: 938 8022 7849 | Passcode: 134109
Youtube live:  https://youtu.be/cjqm59uY4ng

Click on the link to download the Programme

Programme Mzwabantu Mbem

8 April 2021 Public Notice: Draft Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan for the 2021/2022 Financial Year is accessible

Public Notice: Draft Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan for the 2021/2022 Financial Year is accessible

Click to download or access the document.

For any enquiries contact:  GRDM Performance Manager, Ms Ilse Saaiman at:

E-mail: performance@gardenroute.gov.za and info@gardenroute.gov.za
Reception: 044 803 1300