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3 Desember 2024 Persverklaring: Gesondheids- en Higiëne Werkswinkel vir Spaza winkel eienaars en informele kosverkopers gehou in Ladismith

Persverklaring: Gesondheids- en Higiëne Werkswinkel vir Spaza winkel eienaars en informele kosverkopers gehou in Ladismith

3 Desember 2024

Die Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns (OGP) van die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM) se Klein Karoo Munisipale Gesondheidkantoor, in samewerking met Kannaland Munisipaliteit, het gister ’n opvoedkundige werkswinkel aangebied om informele voedselhandelaars in die Ladismith omgewing te bemagtig.

Die werkswinkel het gevolg na ’n week van blitsoperasies wat plaasgevind het en  verskeie rolspelers soos die OGP’s van die TDM, die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD), Immigrasiedienste, en verskeie departemente binne Kannaland Munisipaliteit, onder andere die  Brandweerdienste, Wetstoepassing, Boubeheer en Stadsbeplanningsdienste ingesluit het.

Op die foto, van links na regs: TDM OGP Desmond Paulse, saam met die Waarnemende Munisipale Bestuurder van Kannaland Munisipaliteit, Hendrik Barnard; Eric Schutte – Kannaland Stadsbeplanning; Marc Rensburg – Kannaland Boubeheer; CC Cornelius Willemse – Kannaland Veiligheid en Wetstoepassing; en Wilmie Viljoen van Kannaland Munisipaliteit.

Gesondheid- en Higiëne Opvoeding deur OGP

Tydens die werkswinkel, het die OGP’s ‘n omvattende gesondheids- en higiëne opvoedingsessie aangebied wat op die volgende aspekte gefokus het:

  • Die Regulasies wat Algemene Higiënevereistes vir Voedselpersele, die Vervoer van Voedsel en Verwante Sake beheer, naamlik Regulasie R638 van 2018, afgekondig kragtens die Wet op Voedsel, Skoonheidsmiddels en Ontsmettingsmiddels, Wet 54 van 1972. Hierdie regulasie vereis dat alle voedselbesigheidsoperateurs by die higiëne- en veiligheidsprotokolle hou en oor ‘n geldige Sertifikaat van Aanvaarbaarheid beskik.
  • Geen voedselperseel mag voedsel aan die publiek verkoop sonder ‘n geldige Sertifikaat van Aanvaarbaarheid nie.
  • ‘n Sertifikaat van Aanvaarbaarheid kan slegs verkry word deur aansoek te doen by die plaaslike munisipale gesondheidsdiensowerheid. Hierdie sertifikaat word slegs uitgereik nadat  die voldoening aan Regulasie R638 van 2018 deur ‘n inspekteur geverifieer is.

Indien ‘n OGP, nadat ‘n inspeksie uitgevoer is, tevrede is dat aan die volgende vereistes voldoen word, sal hulle ‘n Sertifikaat van Aanvaarbaarheid (COA) uitreik:

  1. Strukturele vereistes.
  2. Temperatuurbeheer.
  3. Skei van rou en gaar kos.
  4. Aangewese voedselbergingsareas.
  5. Higiënevereistes.
  6. Plaagbeheer en verbode plaagdoders.
  7. Persoonlike higiëne van voedselhanteerders.
  8. Gereelde handewas.
  9. Beskerming van voedsel.
  10. Identifisering van onveilige kos.
  11. Datumbeheer: Verduideliking van “verkoop teen,” “gebruik teen,” en “beste voor” datums.
  12. Belangrike feite oor etikettering van voorafverpakte voedsel.

Drie tipes Sertifikate van Aanvaarbaarheid (COA’s) wat aan voedselhandelaars uitgereik kan word:

  1. Sertifisering vir die verkoop van voedselprodukte: Vir handelaars wat voedselprodukte aan die publiek verkoop.
  2. Voedselvoorbereiding: Vir die voorbereiding van kos op die perseel.
  3. Voedselverwerking: Vir fabrieke wat voedselprodukte vervaardig.

Belangrike Nota:
Voldoening aan Regulasie 638 van 2018 bied nie outomaties goedkeuring om besigheid op voedselpersele te bedryf nie. Alle ander relevante vereistes van die plaaslike owerheid en toepaslike wetgewing moet ook nagekom word.

Vyf sleutels vir veiliger kos:

  1. Hou skoon.
  2. Skei rou en gaar.
  3. Kook deeglik.
  4. Berg kos by veilige temperature.
  5. Gebruik skoon water en rou materiaal.

Higiëne 10-punt plan vir voedselpersele:

  1. Was altyd jou hande voordat jy kos hanteer en nadat jy die toilet gebruik het.
  2. Rapporteer enige vel-, neus-, keel- of diarreeprobleem by jou toesighouer en bedek enige snye met ‘n waterdigte pleister.
  3. Moet nie oor kos of werkoppervlak hoes of nies nie.
  4. Was jou liggaam goed en dra altyd skoon, beskermende klere.
  5. Onthou, rook in die kosbereidingsarea is verbode.
  6. Werk netjies in kosareas, hou altyd die kombuistoerusting en eetgerei skoon.
  7. Hou kos skoon, bedek en op die regte temperatuur (warm of koud) soos benodig. Hou rou en gaar kos apart.
  8. Hou jou kaal hande so ver as moontlik van die kos af.
  9. Hou die deksel op die vullisdrom.
  10. Moet nie die wet oortree nie! Vra die persoon in beheer as jy nie die regulasies verstaan nie.

Vir navrae met betrekking tot COA’s uitgereik deur OGP’s in die Oudtshoorn en Kannaland munisipale gebiede, kontak:

Desmond Paulse, Bestuurder Munisipale Gesondheidsdienste: Klein Karoo – 044 272 2241, desmond@gardenroute.gov.za

Hooffoto:  Spaza Winkel eienaars van Ladismith wie die werkswinkel bygewoon het

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8 November 2024 Media Release: Media Release: Stakeholders discuss Community Safety at GRDM Workshop

Media Release: Stakeholders discuss Community Safety at GRDM Workshop

For immediate release
8 November 2024

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in collaboration with key stakeholders including the Civilian Secretariat of Police Service and the Western Cape Government’s Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety (PoCS), on Wednesday, 6 November 2024, hosted a Community Safety Workshop at the GRDM Joint Operation Centre.

The event also attracted representatives from the Department of Education, Ratepayers Associations, and other stakeholders to engage in discussions aimed at enhancing community safety in the district, especially with the upcoming holiday season in mind. The workshop served to align stakeholders on existing safety plans for the Garden Route district and laid the groundwork for the Community Safety Summit that was held at the Town Hall of Mossel Bay.

Key topics included the concept and structure of a Community Safety Forum, stakeholder support for the forum, the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy 2023-2027 (ICVPS), and the role of local government in supporting and implementing this strategy.

Executive Mayor of GRDM, Andrew Stroebel, in his address, emphasised the shared objective of reducing crime in the region. Citing a recent tragedy in George, he noted that crimes not only harm individuals but also impact tourism and economic growth. “These crimes don’t just take lives; they also undermine our region’s attractiveness and potential,” he said. Mayor Stroebel underscored the importance of the Community Safety Forum as a platform where various stakeholders can combine their expertise to ensure a safer region for all. “Our journey toward community safety relies on collaboration between local government, law enforcement, civil society, and the community,” he added. Highlighting the anticipated influx of tourists during the festive season, he called upon stakeholders to work together to reinforce the Garden Route’s reputation as a safe and desirable destination.

Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services at GRDM, Councillor Jobieth Hoogbaard reiterated GRDM’s commitment to supporting local safety forums. “The good work initiated by PoCS is evident in each of our seven municipalities,” he said, commending the active safety forums across the district. He further encouraged stakeholders to inform communities that “safety is everyone’s responsibility,” and assured participants that the workshop would lead to tangible improvements in community safety.

The Community Safety Initiative, led by PoCS, aims to empower municipalities and communities to address safety concerns while preventing duplication of efforts across governmental spheres. Representatives at the workshop repeatedly highlighted the importance of working together to improve safety throughout the Garden Route. This collaborative approach aims to reduce crime and foster safer communities through coordinated efforts across all local municipalities.

The Garden Route district is committed to prioritising local safety issues and will continue to support the establishment of Safety Forums in local municipal areas, to implement their safety plans in partnership with PoCS and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Amid pressing challenges such as youth unemployment, inequality, drug abuse, and the rise in gender-based violence, stakeholders acknowledged the need for comprehensive Community Safety Plans. This includes incorporating safety initiatives into municipal Integrated Development Plans with measurable Key Performance Indicators, as well as effective communication to reinforce public safety. The workshop also emphasised the importance of regular safety audits, placing safety as a priority on municipal agendas, enforcing by-laws in collaboration with law enforcement, and ensuring accountability through annual reporting.

To close the day’s discussions, Ntabeleng Raisa-Mlandu, the newly appointed Executive Manager of Community Services at GRDM, emphasised that while municipalities and stakeholders may have plans and resources in place, achieving success requires a strong commitment from the municipalities themselves. She added that for these Community Safety initiatives to succeed, all local municipalities and stakeholders need to come together in one room to work toward the shared outcomes.

Through these concerted efforts, the Garden Route District Municipality and its partners aim to create a safer, more cohesive community for residents and visitors alike.

ENDS

5 November 2024 Media Release: New Executive Manager for Community Services at Garden Route District Municipality

Media Release: New Executive Manager for Community Services at Garden Route District Municipality

5 November 2024

Today, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel and his Mayoral Committee Chairperson for Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard met the newly appointed Executive Manager for Community Services, Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu. Monde Stratu, the Municipal Manager for GRDM, was also present during the meet-and-greet session in Mayor Stroebel’s office.

A little bit of background – Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu

Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu brings extensive experience in community services, health, and safety to the GRDM.

She was born and raised in the Eastern Cape. She obtained her National Diploma in Environmental Health in 2007 in the Free State, followed by a BTech in Environmental Health in 2013. She attained her BTech in Project Management in 2020 and completed the Municipal Finance Management Program in 2016. Currently, she is furthering her studies with a Master’s in Environmental Studies and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management.

She began her career as an Environmental Health Practitioner for the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape in 2008. She later moved to Harrismith in the Free State, where she worked as a Meat Inspector for a year. From 2010 until the end of 2019, Raisa-Mlandu was employed by the Walter Sisulu Local Municipality in Burgersdorp, where she held several positions, including Waste Management Officer, Manager: Environmental Management and Compliance, and Acting Director of Community Services. Continuing her career journey across various provinces, she later worked as the Manager of Social Services at Ngwathe Local Municipality in Parys. Her last employer before joining the GRDM team was the Govan Mbeki Municipality in Secunda, Mpumalanga, where she served as Director of Community Services for nearly two years.

She officially joined the GRDM on 4 November 2024, where she will “steer the ship” alongside more than 100 professionals in her Department. Her team encompasses sections such as Disaster Management (managed by Gerhard Otto), Fire & Rescue Services (Managed by Deon Stoffels), and Municipal Health (Managed by Johan Compion), which includes sub-sections like Environmental Health, Waste Management (Managed by Johan Gie), and Air Quality (Managed by Dr Johann Schoeman).

On a personal note, she is the first-born in her family. She is married and a mother of three, with her eldest daughter currently completing her law degree. She is looking forward to them joining her soon in George.

Nthabeleng described herself as a dynamic, goal-driven person, motivated by a result-driven approach to work. “My actions are motivated by wanting to achieve. I have strong leadership skills and experience in strategic management, project management, etc. I possess working knowledge of development issues, along with excellent time and financial management skills and good interpersonal and communication abilities. My decision to join this municipality is motivated by a desire to make a positive change in the community, as communities rely on us for the provision of services. I look forward to adding value, contributing positively, and show my valuable contributions to this institution,” she concluded.

GRDM leadership expresses confidence that this appointment will strengthen efforts to enhance the quality of services provided to residents of the Garden Route district and would like to welcome Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu to #teamGardenRoute.

Feature Image: Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard (MMC for Community Services), Andrew Stroebel (GRDM Executive Mayor), Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu (Executive Manager: Community Services) and Monde Stratu (Municipal Manager). 

ENDS

27 June 2024 ALERT: Public Health Response to the Confirmation of Rabies in Cape Fur Seals

ALERT: Public Health Response to the Confirmation of Rabies in Cape Fur Seals

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), together with Western Cape Veterinary Services, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), City of Cape Town Coastal Management, and other partners are working closely to establish the extent and timeline of the outbreak through further sampling and testing.

Circular H80/2024, which is aligned to Circular H19/2022: Rabies: Updated Draft National Human Rabies Prophylaxis Guideline and the Prevention of Human Rabies Cases:

This serves as an alert to inform healthcare providers and workers of the necessary public health response following a confirmed rabies case in a wild Cape Fur Seal from Big Bay, Blouberg, Cape Town.

The sample was taken from the seal in question on 22 May 2024 and was confirmed to be infected with rabies by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture on 7 June 2024.

Rabies has never been detected in seals in Southern Africa before, and this is one of the very few detections in seals worldwide.

Information on various seal bite incidents has been received by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness from the City of Cape Town Coastal Management, Oudekraal, Kommetjie, Muizenberg, Blouberg in Cape Town, and Plettenberg Bay.

Rabies in unvaccinated animals can lead to the spread of the disease and can be fatal to humans. Therefore, with the confirmed rabies case in Cape Town, the public needs to be advised of the following:

All human and animal contact should be avoided as far as possible.

  1. Anyone bitten by a seal from December 2023 should seek medical attention and after risk assessment, be given PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) if necessary.
  2. Anyone with an animal bitten by a seal from December 2023 should consult a local state vet.
  3. Owners to ensure that their animal’s Rabies vaccination is up to date.

Public Health Response and Measures Following the Confirmed Rabies Case in Cape Fur Seals:

  1. Ensure all persons who have sustained seal bites since December 2023 access medical advice for a risk assessment to determine the need for PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis).
  2. All new seal bites should be managed and treated as animal bites.
  3. PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) should be recommended for persons at high risk or those directly and continually exposed to animals, such as veterinarians.
  4. Healthcare facilities and medical professionals should record any seal bite cases that have occurred within the last six months using the Western Cape Animal Bite Incident Form.
  5. Ensure the availability of an adequate supply of rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine.
  6. Implement risk communication strategies.

BACKGROUND ON RABIES

Rabies is a zoonotic, fatal, vaccine-preventable viral disease which is spread through the bite of an infected animal. It is endemic in South Africa with an average of 10 laboratory confirmed cases of human rabies confirmed annually.

Signs of Rabies in animals

  • Abnormal behaviour.
  • Domestic animals show aggression, disorientation and paralysis. They may foam at the mouth and bite people without provocation.
  • It is important to note that animals are infectious before they develop any signs of unusual behaviour.

Signs and symptoms of Rabies in humans

  • Discomfort and pain at the site of the wound.
  • Fever, headache, nausea and vomiting and this progresses to signs of neurological dysfunction and death.

Transmission from animals to humans

  • The rabies virus is present in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted by a bite or scratch, a lick on broken skin and a lick on mucous membrane (eyes or mouth).

Human to human transmission

  • It has been infrequently reported and has been limited to a few cases involving organ and graft transplantation from donors who have died of undiagnosed rabies.
  • Although rabid patients may inflict bites and scratches on health care workers, no secondary cases of human rabies have been confirmed or reported following such exposures.

 Preventative measures

  • Vaccinate animals. By law, all dogs and cats in South Africa must be vaccinated against Rabies and re-vaccinated every 1-3 years.
  • Rabies infection in humans can be prevented by prompt administration of rabies PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) following exposure to rabid or suspected Rabies-infected animals.
  • All animal bites should be assessed for potential rabies virus exposure.
  • All wounds must be immediately washed for 5 – 10 minutes with water.

For any additional information regarding this article please or to report any incidents please contact:

Mr Johan Compion
Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: 044 803 1300 / Cell: 082 803 5161

19 April 2024 Media Release: Stakeholders Unite for Spaza Shop Blitz Initiative in Mossel Bay

Media Release: Stakeholders Unite for Spaza Shop Blitz Initiative in Mossel Bay

For Immediate Release
19 April 2024

On Thursday, 11 April 2024, a joint Spaza Shop Blitz Operation was conducted in Asla Park, Mossel Bay.

Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP), along with Mossel Bay Municipality’s Law Enforcement, Department of Home Affairs, Border Patrol, and South African Police Service (SAPS), participated in the operations to visit spaza shops in the area.

The following items were inspected during these visits to determine whether shops met the legislative requirements:

  • A valid Certificate of Acceptability in Terms of Regulation 638 promulgated under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972).
  • Business License for food premises.
  • The general hygiene of the premises.
  • Labelling of Foodstuffs.

Also, the team inspected the shops for expired products and removed those that did not comply. Six (6) shops were visited and inspected.   After completing the inspections, GRDM sent a letter to those premises that did not comply with the requirements.  Spaza shop owners were given clear instructions regarding their shortfalls in the letter.  Complying with all requirements contribute to the health and safety of the communities that shops sell products to.

This combined operation will now be a weekly exercise.

Above are some pictures that show some of the physical inspections that took place during the operation.

Featured Image Caption: Various stakeholders involved in the Spaza Shop Blitz.

For more information please contact the following GRDM sub-office:

Mossel Bay

Acting Chief Municipal Health

Tel: 044 693 0006, cell: 061 445 1932

C/O Sampson & Marlin Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay.

ENDS

7 February 2024 Media Release: GRDM Riversdale Firefighting crew assists Overstrand Firefighters with a raging fire at Pearly Beach

Media Release: GRDM Riversdale Firefighting crew assists Overstrand Firefighters with a raging fire at Pearly Beach

For immediate release
7 February 2024

On Thursday 01 February 2024, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Fire Services received a call for assistance from the Overstrand Municipality regarding the ongoing fires that raged in the Overstrand Municipal area, specifically the Pearly Beach area.

With rapid arrangements made, a GRDM Fire crew from the Riversdale substation left their premises on Friday morning at 03h00 to assist Overstand with the firefighting task.  With their check-in at 07h15 the crew was ready at the Incident Command Post to perform their first assignment.

The team arrived back at their station on Monday, 5 February 2024.

Chief Fire Officer at Overstrand, Lester Smith, praised the team for extending a helping hand to their Overstrand colleagues to ensure the safety and a safe environment for the community of Pearly Beach.  In his appreciation message, he said: “The GRDM Firefighters did an excellent job in executing their tasks while we battled the blazes at Pearly Beach – we are thankful”.

The crew was led by Firefighters Heinrich Jordaan and Danro Frans.

Well done Team GRDM!

FLTR: GRDM Firefighters Danro Frans, Loraan Saayman, Jose Loff, Aiden Volkwyn and sitting, Heinrich Jordaan, who assisted the Overstrand Municipal Fire Services with the Pearly Beach fire.

Media Release: Toddlers in Hessequa are taught proper hand washing techniques by EHPs

Media Release: Toddlers in Hessequa are taught proper hand washing techniques by EHPs

For Immediate Release
13 November 2023

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) in the Hessequa region recently conducted a practical health and hygiene awareness session with toddlers about handwashing techniques and recycling. GRDM Portfolio Councillor Jobieth Hoogbaard, supported by Alderlady Nompumelelo Ndayi, donated mattresses to the Sunbeam Childcare Facility in Melkhoutfontein, Still Bay. The same créche where the EHPs conducted their health and hygiene awareness session.

Councillors of the GRDM with the mattresses donated to the school.

During the morning’s activities, both councillors participated in handwashing activities, and the children enjoyed the demonstrations. This kind gesture by the GRDM councillors was greatly appreciated by the personnel. They indicated that the donation was much needed and reiterated the importance of rest for children during the school day.

In a brief interaction with the facility’s staff, Cllr Hoogbaard expressed his appreciation for the outstanding work they do to develop the children. He said he hoped to extend the program to other facilities in the area as early childhood development is such an important stage in a child’s life. During this time their full cognitive, emotional, social and physical growth is developed.

Featured image caption: Councillors Hoogbaard and Ndayi washed their hands with the toddlers and joined in the fun.

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21 September 2023 Media Release:  Build-up to World Environmental Health Day underway – Recycle and Re-Use Plastic Outreach at Diepkloof Kleuterskool and Sandenenzwe Crèche

Media Release:  Build-up to World Environmental Health Day underway – Recycle and Re-Use Plastic Outreach at Diepkloof Kleuterskool and Sandenenzwe Crèche

For Immediate Release
21 September 2023

With this year’s theme for the World Environmental Health Day being “Global Environmental Public Health: Standing up to Protect Everyone’s Health Each and Every Day,” Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) from all over the district have taken proactive steps to kick off awareness initiatives as early as possible.

Recognising the urgency of safeguarding our environment and the health of all individuals, a recycle and re-use plastic outreach session was conducted by EHPs from the George Municipal Health office on 19 and 20 September 2023 with learners of Diepkloof Kleuterskool and Sandanenzwe Crèche.

The outreach aimed to teach children sustainable methods of recycling and reusing plastic waste. To demonstrate to the children how recycled items can be reused, the EHPs created art and crafts using plastic bags and bottles they received from the school.

“This is the way we protect everyone’s health even when we are not present. Our goal is to reduce the plastic waste ending up at illegal dumping sites in our communities and at landfills,” said Nonkosi Somwahla, EHP from the GRDM George office.

Educators and toddlers were captivated by the way EHP conveyed their message. Also with all the interesting things they made out of plastic.

Featured image caption: Environmental Health Practitioners, Cllr Ndayi, the Community Services Portfolio Chairperson, and the educators and toddlers of Sandanenzwe Crèche who participated in the World Environment Day build-up activities.

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20 September 2023 Garden Route District Municipality and stakeholders collect nearly 500 bags of waste, including recyclable materials, in Thembalethu

Garden Route District Municipality and stakeholders collect nearly 500 bags of waste, including recyclable materials, in Thembalethu

Representatives from the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment (DFFE), with the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning, Garden Route District and George Municipalities, Cape Nature and stakeholders from the Private Sector including John Dory’s and the Spur Foundation, embarked on a clean-up operation near the Schaap-kop River on 15 September in Thembalethu, George.

The clean-up operation included 65 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) members, including a Working-on-Fire Team from George. The programme formed part of the Clean-Up and Recycle – South Africa initiative and was also part of the International Coastal Clean-Up Day that is celebrated in September each year. Approximately 100 participants, with the stakeholder representatives, rolled up their sleeves to clean up the littered area.

A few bags of waste collected at the site during the cleanup operation.

On behalf of CapeNature, Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Thabiso Mokoena, said that with the initiative and the impact of pollution on the environment, he hopes that it will inspire the community to do better in terms of how household waste is disposed of.  Katt Perry, Senior Manager at John Dory’s, said that they have a vested interest in the project, and she stressed that “if waste comes through the river, it will end up in the oceans and eventually, we won’t be able to help the fish that are disappearing”. Perry thanked participants present for their hard work and said: “It takes that one person to make a difference”.

Dawid Adonis, Director for Community Services at George Municipality, during his remarks said: “We need to make sure that we keep the environment clean – we need communities to assist us to keep our environment clean and take responsibility”. In addition, he said: “Each and every one of us is an ambassador to make sure that our households use the bags and separate household waste as it will help the municipality to take less waste to the landfill facility”.

Before the groups went into different directions, each with refuse bags, GRDM’s Waste Management Officer, Innocentia Sikweyiya, explained the purpose of the various bags and what waste types are allowed in the different bags”.

At the end of the event, more approximately 320 black bags and nearly 50 recyclable bags were collected. Thank you to all stakeholders and participants who formed part of this initiative.

Stakeholders and members from the WOF and EPWP teams during the Cleanup operation in Thembalethu.

Did you know?

  • BLUE/CLEAR bags are used for non-soiled recyclable materials, including plastic, paper, cardboard, glass etc.
  • GREEN bags are for green waste, including organic kitchen waste such as fruit and vegetable peels, as well as garden waste, including grass cuttings, leaves etc. No soil is allowed in green bags.
  • BLACK bags are for ‘wet’ waste, things that cannot be recycled.

How do you recycle?

  • PAPER that CAN be recycled: office paper, newspaper and magazines, cardboard (boxes flattened), brown paper bags, take away containers (food removed and rinsed), milk and juice cartons (rinsed and flattened) and books (hard covers removed).
  • PAPER that CANNOT be recycled: napkins, tissue paper, paper towels, wax paper, laminated or waxy paper, punch confetti, carbon paper and stickers.
  • METAL that CAN be recycled: cooldrink and beer cans, food tins (rinsed clean), metal lids of glass, jars, aluminium cans, rusty cans can be recycled and recycled batteries (taken to correct depot).
  • METAL that CANNOT be recycled: batteries, motor oil cans, paint and aerosol cans, and tinfoil.
  • GLASS that CAN be recycled: all colours of glass bottles and jars, beer and wine bottles (rinsed).
  • GLASS that CANNOT be recycled: mirrors and windows, ceramic, crystal, drinking glasses and light bulbs.
  • PLASTIC that CAN be recycled: all plastics numbers 1-7 (rinsed), grocery and retail plastic bags (clean) and milk sachets.
  • PLASTIC that CANNOT be recycled: cling wrap, and polystyrene (is recyclable but no facility on Garden Route for now).

ENDS

05 September 2023 Media Release:  Environmental Health Practitioners of the Klein Karoo supports ECD Centres with health and hygiene education

Media Release:  Environmental Health Practitioners of the Klein Karoo supports ECD Centres with health and hygiene education

For Immediate Release
5 September 2023

The Municipal Health Services section of the Klein Karoo region engaged with members of the Klein Karoo Early Childhood Development (ECD) Forum to discuss current health legislation applicable to childcare facilities in terms of the National environmental health norms and standards for premises and acceptable monitoring standards for environmental health practitioners (24 December 2015) and GRDM Municipal Health By-Laws of 10 December 2018 promulgated under the National Health Act, (Act 61 of 2003).

Health and hygiene education provided by EHPs is essential for preventing disease, improving health, and influencing lifelong behavioural change among children. Education on health and hygiene plays a significant role in supporting the holistic development of children. According to the World Health Organisation, providing children with adequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene is one of the most effective ways to survive. By improving key hygiene behaviours, such as ensuring safe drinking water, proper hand hygiene, and effective sanitation, EHPs believe that promoting health and hygiene improvement is a comprehensive way to prevent childhood diseases like diarrhoea.

The EHPs conducted Health and Hygiene education sessions at créches in Oudtshoorn and Kannaland on 29 August 2023, with an emphasis on:

– the importance of handwashing;

– correct handwashing methods;

– a clean environment; and

– personal hygiene.

EHPs remain committed to educating the public and remain steadfast in their belief that prevention is better than cure.

Did you know?

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) are appointed in terms of the National Health Act (Act 61 of 2003) and registered as such in terms of the Health Professions Act (Act 56 of 1974)? In order to ensure compliance with this act, EHPs have the authority to enter any premises, excluding private dwellings. EHPs may enter Early Childhood Development (ECD) premises for the purpose of conducting inspections, conducting environmental health investigations, and also providing health education to pre-schools, child care centres so that environmental health can be strengthened.

Afrikaans

Die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM) se Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns wat werksaam is in die Klein-Karoo-streek (Oudtshoorn en omliggende areas), het onlangs met die Klein-Karoo Vroeë Kinderontwikkeling Forum-lede vergader, om die huidige gesondheidswetgewing van toepassing op kindersorgfasiliteite te bespreek. Hierdie samekoms was belangrik vir bespreking van huidige wetgewing soos van toepassing op kindersorgfasiliteite in terme van die TDM se Munisipale Gesondheidsverordeninge van 10 Desember 2018 en Aanvaarbare Moniteringstandaarde vir Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns (24 Desember 2015) gepromulgeer onder die Nasionale Gesondheidswet (Wet 61 van 2003).

Die Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns het op 29 Augustus 2023, Gesondheid- en Higiëne opvoedingsessies by kleuterskole in Oudtshoorn en Kannaland aangebied, met die klem op:

– die belangrikheid van handewas;

– die korrekte handewasmetodes;

– ‘n skoon omgewing; en

– persoonlike higiëne.

Die Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns bly daartoe verbind om die publiek op te voed en standvastig in hul oortuiging dat voorkoming beter is as genesing.

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Featured image caption: EHP Ikanya Hendricks demonstrates the correct hand-washing method to learners at Excelsior Primary School in Calitzdorp.