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Author: Marlene Nqumse

9 July 2020 Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

For Immediate Release
9 July 2020

As of 1pm on 9 July, the Western Cape has 16 449 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 74207 confirmed cases and 55 534 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 74207
Total recoveries 55534
Total deaths 2224
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 16449
Tests conducted 340286
Hospitalisations 1703 with 330 in ICU or high care

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Western 6238 4935
Southern 6536 5097
Northern 4379 3574
Tygerberg 9416 7516
Eastern 6937 5308
Klipfontein 7134 5620
Mitchells Plain 6075 4849
Khayelitsha 7049 6024
Total 53764 42923

Sub-districts:

District  Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Garden Route Bitou 139 62
Garden Route Knysna 328 161
Garden Route George 1093 509
Garden Route Hessequa 37 20
Garden Route Kannaland 24 10
Garden Route Mossel Bay 442 164
Garden Route Oudsthoorn 178 49
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 1313 920
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 3050 2319
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 2070 1387
Cape Winelands Langeberg 655 401
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 839 597
Overberg Overstrand 996 561
Overberg Cape Agulhas 87 49
Overberg Swellendam 130 47
Overberg Theewaterskloof 661 377
West Coast Bergrivier 234 180
​West Coast ​Cederberg 60 35
West Coast Matzikama 117 46
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 836 551
West Coast Swartland 766 497
Central Karoo Beaufort West 62 21
Central Karoo Laingsburg 6 2
Central Karoo Prince Albert 1 0

Unallocated: 6319 (3646 recovered)

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 47 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 2224. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

High flow nasal oxygen:

One of the ways the Western Cape is treating seriously ill COVID-19 patients in hospitals is with high flow nasal oxygen- which allows doctors to deliver concentrated oxygen to a patient’s lungs, without a ventilator. After seeing some positive initial results treating patients early on in the pandemic at Tygerberg, we have expanded the treatment and we now have over 160 high flow nasal oxygen machines available in the province.

This treatment is especially important as it does not need to be performed in an ICU setting, and can be administered to patients in acute beds.

This week, Groote Schuur Hospital was able to report some excellent news as five patients at the hospital were deemed well enough to be discharged from ICU and high care to regular wards on the same day, after receiving this life-saving care. Not only is this wonderful news for the patients who are on the way to recovery, but it is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of all of the staff at Groote Schuur hospital who are working on the frontlines to ensure that those who need care, are able to access it.

I would also like to once again share a message of deep gratitude for all the healthcare workers in this province. These phenomenally dedicated people are a true inspiration as they go and work to save lives on the front lines every single day. We thank you all for everything you do.

Mandela Day:

Each year, we mark the birthday of our first democratic President, Nelson Mandela, in July by committing to helping others or performing selfless acts for at least 67 minutes. This year, we have already seen so many South Africans embody the spirit of love, sharing and selflessness, helping wherever there was a need, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the vast humanitarian need created by the lockdown.

Many of the patients in our healthcare facilities are among our most vulnerable, and we would like to provide them with some warmth and comfort during their stay. You can help by preparing a care package, or donating some of the most needed items such as fleece blankets, socks, toiletries, warm clothing and face masks.

You can also include a home made get well soon card, write a poem, or draw a picture that we can give to our patients.

Individuals and corporates wanting to get involved, please contact Harry Grainger at The Health Foundation for more information on how to donate: 021 418 1580 / 072 6133 719

You can also drop off your care packs. Carefully label it with “Spreading Warmth” and your name and drop it off at:

  • The Health Foundation offices (16thFloor Norton Rose House, 8 Riebeek Street, Cape Town)

9 July 2020 Media Release: Storm Update

Media Release: Storm Update

For Immediate Release
9 July 2020

A severe winter storm is starting to make landfall in the Western Cape. The South African Weather Services are advising that besides heavy rain and strong winds, disruptive snowfalls are expected over the high-ground of the Cape Winelands overnight tomorrow into Saturday morning.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, is urging the public to take heed of the early warnings and to limit the amount of time spent outdoors over the next few days.

“It is going to get very cold and very wet. We have also been alerted to the fact that the national electricity grid is under extreme pressure with load shedding a possibility at this stage. Please do what you can to reduce electricity consumption. Consider livestock and small animals that may be exposed to the elements and try to limit the amount of travel over the next few days.”

In the event of any emergency, the disaster responders are on hand to assist. The easiest number to remember to call in the Western Cape is 112.

In case of emergency other relevant numbers to call are:

Cape Winelands Municipality                                021 888 5837

Garden Route District:                                            044 805 5071

Central Karoo:                                                          023 449 8000

West Coast:                                                               022 433 8700

Overberg:                                                                 028 425 1690

City of Cape Town:                                                 107 landlines or 021 480 7700

Flooding related Tip Sheet

How Can I Prepare for a Flood?

  • Identify the risk in your local area.
  •  Prepare a home emergency plan, and identify risks around your home.
  • Remove leaves (from downpipes or gutters) or any other items that can increase the risk of flooding in your area.
  • Have an evacuation plan. Everyone in your family has to know where to go to find shelter.
  • Prepare an emergency toolkit. This should include a first aid kit, torch and portable radio with batteries, candles and waterproof matches, drinking water, a multi-tool, whistle and emergency contact numbers.

What Should I do during flooding?

  • Monitor current flood warnings. Listen to the radio for emergency warnings, evacuation advice and weather updates.
  • Avoid entering floodwater unless it is necessary, and never underestimate the strength of floodwater, even if you are inside a vehicle.
  • Follow all instructions from emergency authorities.
  • Turn off all electricity and water and take your cellphone with you.
  • Assist elderly and disabled neighbours.

What Should I do after the flood?

  • Before entering your house, wait until the water has dropped below floor level.
  • Check with electricity and water authorities to know whether it is safe for you to use these resources.
  • Be aware of contamination if water sources have been flooded; this could be unsafe to drink.

ENDS.

Media enquiries:

James-Brent Styan

Spokesperson for the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell

Mobile:                   084 583 1670

Telephone:            021 483 2820

E-mail:                    James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za

9 July 2020 Media Alert: Premier Winde digicon postponement

9 July 2020

Dear members of the media:

Please accept our apologies for the postponement of today’s digicon.

Premier Alan Winde has taken the decision to rest at home, on the advice of his doctor, due to having a slight fever as a result of Covid-19. As he has type 2 diabetes, Premier is monitoring himself closely. His blood glucose levels were also higher than usual this morning, determining the decision to take due precautions and rest.

A new date for the digicon will be communicated in due course.

8 July 2020 Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

8 July 2020

As of 1pm on 8 July, the Western Cape has 16 750 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 72 808 confirmed cases and 53 881 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 72808
Total recoveries 53881
Total deaths 2177
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 16750
Tests conducted 334928
Hospitalisations 1775 with 322 in ICU or high care

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Western 6166 4802
Southern 6431 4957
Northern 4368 3506
Tygerberg 9228 7337
Eastern 6789 5148
Klipfontein 7096 5516
Mitchells Plain 5999 4732
Khayelitsha 6984 5881
Total 53061 41879

Sub-districts:

District  Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Garden Route Bitou 133 49
Garden Route Knysna 315 142
Garden Route George 1084 458
Garden Route Hessequa 34 20
Garden Route Kannaland 20 10
Garden Route Mossel Bay 415 151
Garden Route Oudsthoorn 165 44
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 1300 870
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 3012 2261
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 2035 1309
Cape Winelands Langeberg 645 370
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 825 581
Overberg Overstrand 895 518
Overberg Cape Agulhas 74 42
Overberg Swellendam 122 41
Overberg Theewaterskloof 619 355
West Coast Bergrivier 231 176
​West Coast ​Cederberg 67 34
West Coast Matzikama 107 45
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 807 528
West Coast Swartland 757 484
Central Karoo Beaufort West 59 18
Central Karoo Laingsburg 7 1
Central Karoo Prince Albert 1 0

Unallocated: 6018 (3493)

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 38 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 2177. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

RX radio at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital wins global innovation prize:

Today, I would like to send a huge congratulations to RX Radio, based at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. This station, which run by children, for children, has just been named a winner in the Reboot Health and Well-being innovation challenge, run by the World Health Organisation. This challenge is aimed at celebrating young people’s creativity and their solutions to some of the health issues they face.

​Innovation is one of the values that this government celebrates, and to see our province’s children being honoured for their ideas makes me so very proud.

RX Radio is the first radio station in the world to have trained child reporters from within a hospital. Many of their reporters are patients at the hospital, or family members or friends of a patient.Since the advent of COVID-19, the young people of RX radio have developed innovative and exciting new ways to continue telling young people’s stories.

I myself have had the opportunity of being interviewed by these exceptional young people but I think what is most important is that young people are able to tell their own stories and the stories of their peers. Being able to hear and tell their stories at a time like this is necessary, and the young reporters of RX Radio have done an exceptional job.

You can watch the winner’s announcement video, with a presentation by one of the RX radio reporters here: https://ideas.unite.un.org/reboothealth/Page/Home and see some of the work that the RX Radio team has produced here: http://rxradio.co.za/coronavirus/experiences/

8 July 2020 Media Alert: Premier Winde to hold a digital press conference

8 July 2020

Tomorrow, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde will hold a digital press conference over Microsoft Teams which will provide an update on the province’s response over the first 100 days of the lockdown as well as more detail on our diabetes risk response.

Premier Winde will be joined by Health Minister Nomafrench Mbombo, Health HOD Keith Cloete and endocrinologist, Dr Joel Dave.

Date:  8 July 2020

Time:  12 pm

Digital platform: Microsoft Teams

Please confirm your attendance by 9 am tomorrow and provide your name, surname, the name of your publication and your email address to be added to Microsoft Teams.  We will provide you with a meeting invite to the briefing, upon your confirmation. Only those who have confirmed attendance will be admitted.

8 July 2020 Media Release: Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has tested positive for Covid-19, has mildflu-like symptoms, and is in self-isolation at home


8 July 2020

I received a positive test result for Covid-19 this morning, and I am in self-isolation at home for 14 days.

On Sunday, I started to develop mild flu-like symptoms. As I am Diabetic (type 2) and over 55 years of age, I know I am at a higher risk of developing a more serious illness. I, therefore, went to be tested to determine the cause of the symptoms on Monday.

I have stayed at home as soon as I started feeling sick and can confirm that I am only experiencing mild symptoms. It feels like I have a cold.

However, given my risk category I will be carefully monitoring my health to make sure that any change is picked up quickly.

I will still be taking all meetings to coordinate our Covid-19 response in the Western Cape. The Western Cape has been working around the clock to ready our healthcare system for the increase in cases expected over this time, and we will not let our foot off the pedal. The fight continues.

Based on medical advice, I am also contacting my previous contacts from three days prior to my first symptoms. This is an important responsibility that we must all undertake when we test positive. ‘Close contacts’ must self-quarantine. This means that you must stay at home and not come into contact with other people.

Tomorrow, I will host my weekly Digital Press Conference (“DigiCon”) and will be available to answer more questions from members of the press. You can also watch this live on my social media channels. I will also use the opportunity to share medical expertise on Diabetes as a high-risk category during Covid-19. As I am Diabetic, this is something very close to my heart.

I also look forward to meeting with President Ramaphosa online during the scheduled President’s Coordinating Council meeting on Thursday afternoon, and will be chairing our second cabinet meeting of the week on Friday morning, which takes place on MS Teams.

My message to the people of the Western Cape at this time is to take Covid-19 seriously. Anyone can get it. So, please keep yourself safe, and your loved ones safe. Follow the 5 golden rules at all times, including wearing a cloth mask, cleaning surfaces regularly and washing or sanitizing your hands often. And, please be kind, and compassionate at all times.

To those residents who have also tested positive for Covid-19, I wish you strength and speedy recovery. This is a difficult time for all of you and your families, and I want you to know that the Western Cape Government is doing everything it can to make sure we beat this pandemic.

8 July 2020 Western Cape Severe Weather Alerts : Veld Fire Conditions/ High Seas/ Damaging Winds

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following severe weather alerts:

HAZARD: Veld Fire Conditions
Alert Level: Warning
Valid From (SAST): 08/07/20 – 09h00
Valid To (SAST): 09/07/20 – 18h00

Are expected over Beaufort West (W.Cape) today (08/07/2020), including eastern parts of Cape Winelands and Overberg as well as Central Karoo and Garden Route Districts (W.Cape) tomorrow (09/07/2020).

HAZARD: High Seas
Alert Level: Watch
Valid From (SAST): 09/07/20 – 12h00
Valid To (SAST): 11/07/20 – 00h00

With wave heights from 6m to 7m are expected between Lambert’s Bay and Cape Agulhas on Thursday afternoon into the evening (09/07/2020), but again between Cape Point and Alexander Bay Friday afternoon into Saturday morning (09-11/07/2020), spreading to Plettenberg Bay by the afternoon, subsiding by the evening.

HAZARD: Damaging Winds
Alert Level: Watch
Valid From (SAST): 09/07/20 – 00h00
Valid To (SAST): 12/07/20 – 00h00

1. Gale to strong gale force north-westerly winds (70-100km/h) are expected over Western Cape interior including the Cape Metropole on Thursday but (65-75km/h) over Central Karoo and northern parts of the West Coast Districts (W/Cape) on Friday (09-10/07/2020).

2. Gale to strong gale force north-westerly winds (70-100km/h) are expected along the coastal areas between Cape Columbine and Cape Agulhas on Thursday into Friday morning, but north-westerly to westerly (65-75km/h) between Cape Columbine and Alexander Bay from Thursday late afternoon and Friday (09-10/07/2020). It will become south-westerly winds (70-100km/h) along the coastal areas between Lambert’s Bay and Plettenberg Bay on Saturday (11/07/2020) morning, moderating by the afternoon.

7 July 2020 Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

For Immediate Release
7 July 2020

Total confirmed Covid-19 cases 71 272
Total recoveries 52 175
Total deaths 2 139
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 16 958
Tests conducted 331 377
Hospitalisations 1 735 with 315 in ICU or high care
Municipality Cases Recoveries
City of Cape Town  52 085  40 811
Cape Winelands District Municipality  7 511  5 159
Central Karoo District Municipality  54  15
Garden Route District Municipality 1 984 761
Overberg District Municipality  1 602  886
West Coast District Municipality  1 866 1 211
Unallocated  6 170 3 332
Total 71 272 52 175

 Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts Cases Recoveries
Western  6 030  4 646
Southern  6 305  4 835
Klipfontein  6 976  5 370
Mitchells Plain  5 840  4 564
Tygerberg  9 077  7 149
Khayelitsha 6 982  5 862
Eastern 6 618 4 992
Northern 4 257 3 393

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Municipality Cases Recoveries
City of Cape Town 52 085 40 811
Cape Winelands District Municipality 7 511 5 159
Breede Valley 1 903 1 215
Drakenstein 2 938 2 186
Langeberg 616 348
Stellenbosch 1 269 840
Witzenberg 785 570
Central Karoo District Municipality 54 15
Beaufort West 49 14
Laingsburg 5 1
Prince Albert 0 0
Garden Route District Municipality 1 984 761
Bitou 122 38
George 971 398
Hessequa 34 18
Kannaland 20 10
Knysna 296 128
Mossel Bay 387 129
Oudtshoorn 154 40
Overberg District Municipality 1 602 886
Cape Agulhas 71 37
Overstrand 846 477
Swellendam 105 39
Theewaterskloof 580 333
West Coast District Municipality 1 866 1 211
Bergriver 224 175
Cederberg 61 32
Matzikama 103 44
Saldanha Bay 771 499
Swartland 707 461
Unallocated 6 170 3 332

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 40 deaths, bringing the total number of Covid-19 related deaths in the province to 2139. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Return to school:

Yesterday, Grades R, 6 and 11 returned to school in line with the national Department of Basic Education’s planning.

We understand that for many parents and learners, this is a daunting time and we understand that there is an element of fear and concern. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has put in place a number of safety measures to ensure that learners are able to return as safely as possible and that teachers and school staff are safe.

The WCED has spent R450 million so far on cleaning materials, soaps, sanitizers and masks to prepare schools for the phased return of learners to schools, and developed a comprehensive set of guidelines including on how to manage positive cases at schools.

For many learners, the return to school creates a safe space. It also allows for learners to access the school feeding scheme which provides them with nutritious meals that they may not be able to access at home. Most importantly however, those who are most affected by the closure of schools are our poorer learners who may not have access to e-learning resources at homes and those who have parents working on the front line, who cannot home school their children at this time.

We encourage parents to have age-appropriate conversations with their children at this time, to understand their anxiety and to equip them with the knowledge and tools to keep themselves safe, both at the school and elsewhere outside of the home.

Those parents who have concerns about sending their child to school can apply for an exemption. This however requires parents to take responsibility to oversee their child’s learning at home and to collect and drop off the child’s work at the school. Application to do so can be done through the school.

Surface cleaning:

Coronavirus spreads through respiratory droplets. These droplets can be spread through sneezing and coughing, but also by touching our faces and then touching surfaces.

This is why it is important that we make a conscious effort to not touch our faces.

Regularly wash or sanitize our hands and clean surfaces which we touch regularly, in our homes and in workplaces.

Virus droplets can adhere to surfaces like door handles, light switches, counters, desks and basins.

It is therefore important that these surfaces are regularly cleaned, either with soap and water, or bleach and water to kill the virus droplets.

It is also important that we wash or sanitize our hands after touching surfaces in high traffic areas like on public transport or in public transport interchanges, supermarkets, elevator buttons, escalators, and shared spaces in offices and workplaces. Phones and electronic devices which we touch frequently should also be cleaned regularly.

Regular cleaning of surfaces becomes even more important when you are self-quarantining or self-isolating in a home that you share with other people. People who are Covid-19 positive, or experiencing symptoms should clean surfaces in shared areas like bathrooms and kitchens, as well as frequently touched surfaces in order to protect those living with them.

If this is not possible, quarantine and isolation facilities are available in the province, where those who are Covid-19 positive, or who need to quarantine, can safely and comfortably do so. These can be accessed by contacting our hotline on 021 928 4102.

6 July 2020 Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

Total confirmed Covid-19 cases 69 982
Total recoveries 50 271
Total deaths 2 099
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 17 612
Tests conducted 327 938
Hospitalisations 1 837 with 310  in ICU or high care

Unallocated: 10 842 (4 272 recovered)

Data note:  Due to a problem with the script on our data dashboard, new cases have not allocated to their respective sub-districts and have updated in the “unallocated” category. We have therefore not updated the sub-district data today. We are working to fix the problem and will update these statistics once the problem has been rectified.

As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 47 deaths, bringing the total number of Covid-19 related deaths in the province to 2099. We send our condolences to their families and friends at this time.

ECDs:

We have noted the judgement in the North Gauteng High Court, ruling that private early childhood development centres and pre-schools may re-open.

This has been a matter of much concern for many parents in the Western Cape, who need a safe place for their children while they are at work.

While we await further directions from the national Department of Social Development, I call on all ECDs and pre-schools that do intend to open, to start putting all the measures in place for their safe re-opening. It is imperative that those facilities that do re-open take all possible measures to ensure that both children and staff are protected. These measures should include training for staff members, screening procedures for staff and children on arrival each day, hand washing and hygiene protocols, staggered arrival times for children, and age-appropriate education about Covid-19.

Forest Village Housing Development:

Since the end of May, 246 housing units have been handed over to beneficiaries in the Forest Village Housing Development in Eersteriver. A further 89 beneficiaries are expected to move into Forest Village later this week.

These handovers are an indication that government business and service delivery continues to go ahead during the Covid-19 pandemic. These homes not only provide safe and dignified living spaces for our residents but they also help in our fight against the pandemic, allowing people to better social distance, and improve access to hygiene facilities for handwashing and cleaning.

While housing has longer delivery lead-times, it still forms part of our hotspot strategy response as we de-densification of informal settlements can play an important role in stopping the spread. Covid-19 is going to be with us for a long time still, and we need to be taking a pro-active, all of government approach to minimising its impact.

iStock.com/chombosan

6 July 2020 Media Release: Re-Imagine Garden Route Think Tank

Media Release: Re-Imagine Garden Route Think Tank

For Immediate Release
06 July 2020

Update from the Garden Route Business Continuity Workstream – Re-Imagine the Garden Route

What do the names “Tomorrow Matters Now”, “FreedThinkers”, “Mindmill”, “Moxworld”, “Institute for Future’s Research”, and “Brilliance in Business” have in common? They, together with Vodacom, the FD Centre, and the African Crowd Funding Association, all form part of the “Re-Imagine Garden Route Think Tank”, recently formed to look at solutions and different ways to approach the rebuild and recovery of the Garden Route economy.

The people behind the names bring a wealth of experience and forward-thinking to the Garden Route, and willingly and freely sacrifice their time to collectively brainstorm the way forward district. The group is diverse in their fields of expertise and sector knowledge, and through that allows the natural synergy needed to think about the “Next Normal” after COVID-19. What makes it even more exciting is that three of the members are based overseas -Finland, Mexico, and Northern Ireland. The other members are based in the Western Cape, but they however have something else in common – they all love the Garden Route and would like to see it grow and prosper.

The Re-Imagine Garden Route Think Tank group, under the guidance of South Cape Economic Partnership (SCEP) and which forms part of the greater Garden Route Business and Economy Cluster under the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), identified the need and opportunity to introduce a first-ever and quite innovative WebiShop on 22 July 2020. The Webi-part will consist of a webinar in the morning (an online meeting or presentation held via the Internet in real-time, which connects individuals with viewers across the world), practically addressing several topics relevant to the re-imagining of the Garden Route, and in the afternoon the shop-part will consist of journey-mapping exercises with the three focus sectors namely Tourism, Agriculture and Construction.

It is envisaged that the first part will see invitations going out to all businesses and public sectors as an open invitation (hence the webinar), and the second part will see specific invitations to selected role-players in the abovementioned sectors, as this will be interactive workshop processes.

Themes for the webinar will include:

  • Keeping it tight – The Circular Economy model, concepts, and examples.
  • Design it right – Service design for the new normal.
  • Get Connected – Solutions for a Smart Region.
  • Funding for impact – Crowd funding as an alternative to conventional funding.
  • The Next Normal – Alternative business models.
  • What about the customer – Customer Experience Design – key pointers to keeping customers during the pandemic.
  • Flip-it – scenario planning concepts with a difference.

This WebiShop will be followed by a variety of sector workshops, webinars, training opportunities and sector experts and business mentors being deployed in the district to assist individual businesses.