Author: Marlene Nqumse
18 February 2026 Save the Date: NOTICE OF A COUNCIL MEETING ON 25 FEBRUARY 2026 AT 10:00
NOTICE OF A COUNCIL MEETING ON 25 FEBRUARY 2026 AT 10:00
NOTICE NO 10/2026
Notice is hereby given that a COUNCIL MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers and via Zoom, 54 York Street, George, on 25 February 2026 at 10:00.
Access the scheduled video here: https://youtube.com/live/mpl_jvVMnVw?feature=share
18 February 2026 Media Release: Green School Program Expands with Colour-Coded Bin System to Drive Waste Minimisation Awareness
Media Release: Green School Program Expands with Colour-Coded Bin System to Drive Waste Minimisation Awareness
18 February 2026
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) continues to advance its Green School Program with the rollout of a new colour-coded bin system across participating schools. This initiative is designed to strengthen waste minimisation education and promote environmental awareness among learners.
“Waste minimisation begins with awareness and action. Equipping schools with the tools and knowledge to manage waste responsibly, we are empowering learners to become champions of sustainability in their communities,” said Innocentia Sikweyiya, GRDM District Waste Management Officer.
On 12 February, GRDM visited two schools in the Bitou municipal area to introduce the program. The following day, GRDM collaborated with Landmark to hand over 85 recycling boxes to Outeniqua High School, enabling learners to separate waste in their classrooms.
The initiative introduces clearly marked bins for paper, plastic, metal/cans and glass, making it easier for students and staff to practice responsible waste separation.
Today, 18 February, GRDM, in collaboration with the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, will extend the programme to three schools in the Hessequa municipal area, reaching more than 700 learners. Learners will be taught how to separate waste correctly, followed by interactive Q&A sessions to assess their understanding. They will also practise identifying the correct waste streams for each colour-coded bin, reinforcing the importance of responsible waste management.
“We would like to acknowledge POLYCO, MPACT, and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (Western Cape Government) for partnering with us to ensure the success of this programme,” Sikweyiya said.
The Green School Program is a GRDM led initiative that promotes sustainability through practical education, hands-on activities, and partnerships. By focusing on waste minimisation and recycling, the program equips learners with the skills and values needed to make eco-conscious choices.
-END
13 February 2026 Media Release: GRDM, Kannaland, Recyclers and DLG Join Forces to Promote Recycling and Fight Illegal Dumping
Media Release: GRDM, Kannaland, Recyclers and DLG Join Forces to Promote Recycling and Fight Illegal Dumping
13 February 2026
On Monday, 10 February 2026, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in collaboration with Kannaland Local Municipality, met with recyclers, waste pickers, community members, and representatives of the Western Cape Department of Local Government (WCG DLG).
During the engagement, Innocentia Sikweyiya, GRDM Waste Management officer, outlined the purpose of the engagement by focusing on what the program was about, identifying needs such as protective gear, training, infrastructure, and fair pricing mechanisms. . She also emphasised the importance of building trust and cooperation between government, recyclers, and communities.
“We must recognise the vital contribution of waste pickers and recyclers in reducing landfill waste and supporting environmental sustainability,” she said.
Sikweyiya also highlighted the importance of exploring ways in which both informal and formal recycling activities can be incorporated into municipal waste management plans and the Green Flag School Programme.
The WCG DLG reported that it has been tasked with addressing illegal dumping in Zoar, with surveys already completed. Waste recyclers welcomed the initiative and pledge to work with the municipality in promoting cleanliness and sustainable waste management practices in Kannaland.
The meeting ended with agreement on holding a follow-up session to tackle illegal dumping in Zoar and boost recycling efforts. This engagement is an important step in supporting recyclers and promoting sustainable waste management in the district.
-END-
Opsomming in Afrikaans
Op Maandag, het die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM), in samewerking met Kannaland Munisipaliteit, ’n vergadering gehou met herwinnaars, afvalplukkers, gemeenskapslede en verteenwoordigers van die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Plaaslike Regering.
Tydens die vergadering het Innocentia Sikweyiya, TDM se Afvalbestuursbeampte, die doel van die program uiteengesit en behoeftes soos beskermende toerusting en klere, opleiding, infrastruktuur en billike prysmeganismes geïdentifiseer. Sy het ook die belangrikheid van vertroue en samewerking tussen die regering, herwinnaars en gemeenskappe beklemtoon, asook die noodsaaklikheid om informele en formele herwinningsaktiwiteite in munisipale afvalbestuursplanne en die ‘Green Flag’ Skoleprogram te integreer.
Die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Plaaslike Regering het aangedui dat hulle reeds opnames voltooi het om onwettige storting in Zoar aan te spreek. Herwinnaars het die inisiatief verwelkom en hul steun toegesê om saam met die munisipaliteit te werk om netheid en volhoubare afvalbestuur in Kannaland te bevorder. ’n Opvolgvergadering sal gehou word om verdere stappe teen onwettige storting te bespreek en herwinning te versterk.
-EINDE-
12 February 2026 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Rolls Out Annual First Aid Level 3 Training Programme
Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Rolls Out Annual First Aid Level 3 Training Programme
12 February 2026
Annually, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Disaster Management Section delivers a series of First Aid Level 3 training sessions to community member and organisation across the district.
The First Aid Level 3 programme forms part of GRDM Disaster Management’s annual awareness initiative, designed at capacitating both employed and unemployed Garden Routers with life-saving skills. It also empowers individuals, especially in disaster-prone areas such as the GRDM, to remain calm under pressure and respond confidently to medical, injury, or environmental emergencies.
The upcoming First Aid Level 3 Training sessions for 2026 are tentatively scheduled for:
- 23 – 27 February 2026
- 16 – 20 March 2026
- 20 – 24 April 2026
- 18 – 22 May 2026
- 22 – 26 June 2026
Since 2008, the municipality has trained more than 2,000 community members, significantly strengthening local emergency preparedness.
Each training session runs over the course of a week and normally take place once per month. Sessions are facilitated by experienced GRDM Disaster Management officials at the municipality’s Head Office in George. On the final day of each session, participants complete a practical examination and are assessed as competent, demonstrating their ability to confidently apply the skills learned.
During the comprehensive training, participants cover both theoretical and practical aspects of first aid, including:
- Basic principles of First Aid
- Safety and lawful aspects
- Patient assessment
- Basic life support
- Airway management
- Treatment of shock
- Dressing and bandages
- Injury emergencies
- Medical emergencies
- Environmental emergencies
- Emergency childbirth
The Garden Route District Municipality encourages community members to participate in these vital training sessions to enhance their ability to save lives during emergencies.
Did you know?
- There is no cost if you complete the training and sign up as a Disaster Management Volunteer. If you do not plan to become a volunteer, the fee is R682.00 (valid until 30 June 2026).
- Training takes place at the GRDM Joint Operations Centre, 54 York Street, George.
- Download the application form: https://tinyurl.com/m5sjuzmk
- Submit completed forms to: gail.bekeer@gardenroute.gov.za or wouter@gardenroute.gov.za
- For more information, contact:
Gail Bekeer: 044 803 1347
Wouter Jacobs: 044 803 1316
-END-