Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

Municipal Health Services

17 June 2025 Media Release: GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners Gearing Up for Upcoming Oyster Festival

Media Release: GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners Gearing Up for Upcoming Oyster Festival

17 June 2025

Annually, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) of the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Knysna Municipal Health office act proactively in planning and implementing mitigation measures and monitoring work schedules before, during and after the Oyster Festival.  This is done to minimize and address public health issues that might arise during the festival.

The 42nd Knysna Oyster Festival will take place this year from 4 – 13 July 2025 under the theme – “It’s time to come out of your shell” – setting the tone for a flavour-packed festival where culinary creativity takes centre stage. Based on attendance in previous years, more than
50 000 visitors are expected this year.

As always, the EHPs will focus on ensuring that the oysters sold to the public, as well as all culinary activities, are safe and fit for human consumption.

FOOD CONTROL

Inspections of informal food premises will include the following:

  • Daily inspections at the Oyster Festival “hot spots” and various food premises within the Greater Knysna area.
  • Inspections at the central festival grounds, which will host more food stalls and other activities than the year before.

This year, the oyster cooking competition is also back by popular demand.  Special attention will be given by the EHPs (both locally and within the District) to ensure that all oysters used during the event are sampled and monitored for compliance.

  • Several batches of oyster samples will be dispatched to the Merieux NutriSciences Laboratory in Cape Town for bacteriological analysis prior to the start of the festival, to establish the bacteriological quality status of the oysters.
  • Drinking water (sachets) to be provided to athletes participating in the Forest Marathon will be analysed to ensure compliance with the Bottled Water Regulations: “Regulation 692 of 1997, promulgated under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act (Act 54 of 1972)”.

WATER QUALITY MONITORING

  • Bacteriological water monitoring of the Knysna Estuary will be conducted by sampling water at 14 identified sites in and around the estuary.
  • Bacteriological water monitoring will also be carried out at sites where recreational water sport events will take place.

HEALTH SURVEILANCE OF PREMISES

Regular inspections and health surveillance of premises of all related public amenities will be conducted during the festival, including:
•    Public toilet facilities;
•    Accommodation establishments;
•    Festival grounds;
•    Food markets; and
•    Tobacco control at premises.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE OUTBREAK

A strict communication protocol for reporting any communicable disease outbreak to the local District Municipal Health Authority has been established with all relevant medical healthcare providers, included private and provincial hospitals, general practitioners and pharmacies.

A glimpse of the usual festivities at the Knysna Oyster Festival.

For any additional information regarding the festival, please contact:

James McCarthy
Knysna Region Office
26A Queen Street, Knysna
james@gardenroute.gov.za / 044 382 7214 / 082 805 9417

Johan Compion
Senior Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services
info@gardenroute.gov.za / 044 803 1300 / 082 803 5161

– END –

10 June 2025 Understanding the Role of Environmental Health Practitioners: A short Career Guide

Understanding the Role of Environmental Health Practitioners: A short Career Guide

10 June 2025

What if we told you that a single profession is responsible for inspecting everything from your local spaza shop to major hospitals, ensuring safe drinking water, and even managing hazardous waste? In the Garden Route, and across South Africa, these vital tasks fall to Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP). These dedicated professionals are focused on public health – committed to preventing illness by tackling environmental risks head-on. Read more below to understand the immense scope of their work and the academic journey required to join this essential field.

EHPs either hold a Diploma in Environmental Health or a Bachelor‘s Degree in Environmental Health. The Diploma has recently been phased out, but is still valid for those holding it. Each EHP must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an independent practitioner. Community services is compulsory for those who aspire to be registered as independent practitioners.

EHPs fall within the area of often referred to as municipal health services and is defined in the National Health Act, 2003. These professionals have to focus on the following areas during their practice: Water Quality Monitoring, Food Control, Solid Waste Management, Health Surveillance of Premises, Supervision and Prevention of Contagious Diseases (excluding Immunization), Vector Control, Environmental Pollution Control, Disposal of Human Remains and the Safe handling of Chemical Substances.

EHPs from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), conduct crucial inspections across a wide range of premises to enforce public health legislation and protect our communities. You might be surprised at just how many places fall under their watchful eye:

  • Food Establishments: This covers the entire spectrum, from formal restaurants, caterers, bakeries, dairy farms, and abattoirs, all the way to informal food vendors and spaza shops.
  • Business Sector: Inspections extend to places like old age homes, frail care homes, bed and breakfasts, Airbnbs, self-catering accommodation, caravan parks, campsites, hostels, and hotels.
  • Healthcare Facilities: Doctor’s rooms, dentists, veterinary practices, hospitals, and clinics are all subject to inspections to ensure health standards are met.
  • Personal Care Services: Barber shops, spas, tattoo parlours, beauticians, and piercing shops are also inspected to prevent the spread of infections.
  • Residential & Government Spaces: This includes private homes, government buildings, and funeral undertakers.
  • Industrial Sites: Both small and large industrial operations are inspected to ensure they comply with environmental health regulations.
  • Educational Facilities: Schools, crèches, aftercare premises, nurseries, colleges, and universities are checked to provide safe environments for learning.
  • Public Sanitation: Public ablution facilities in malls, petrol stations, and informal settlements are regularly inspected.
  • Waste Management: This is a huge area, encompassing landfill sites, recycling facilities, hazardous waste facilities, and even illegal dump sites.
  • Water Quality: Inspections include private and municipal wastewater treatment works, along with the critical sampling of river water, drinking water, and food samples for bacteriological contamination. 

Why are EHPs the cornerstone of community health?

EHPs are absolutely necessary for monitoring and upholding public safety and health. They focus on the environmental factors that may have a directly impact on the well-being of humans, covering the nine key performance areas within the scope of practice for EHPs. There’s a strong emphasis in this profession on the principle – ‘prevention is better than cure’. The goal is to eliminate a hazard before anyone’s health is affected, ensuring a proactive approach to the well-being of communities.

When are inspections scheduled?

Inspections and surveillance of all identified premises are determined and undertaken as per approved frequency schedule compiled for EHPs, however, random visits are also done and tip-offs from the public are welcome about unfavourable conditions.

How can the public report health concerns?

To report any Food Safety related complaints, contact your nearest GRDM Municipal Health Office:

Johan Compion
jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za
044 803 1550 / 082 803 5161

Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health Klein Karoo
desmond@gardenroute.gov.za
044 272 2241 / Cell: 083 678 6530
94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn

Rinay Cloete – Acting Chief: Municipal Health Mossel Bay
rinay@gardenroute.gov.za
044 693 0006 /Cell: 083 630 6108
C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay

Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health George (Outeniqua)
emmy@gardenroute.gov.za
044 803 1537 / Cell: 078 457 2824
Mission Street, Industrial Area, George, 6530

Jessica Erasmus – Acting Chief: Municipal Health George (Wilderness)
jessica@gardenroute.gov.za
044 803 1522 / Cell: 081 346 3118
Mission Street, Industrial Area, George

James McCarthy – Chief: Municipal Health Knysna (Lakes)
james@gardenroute.gov.za
044 382 7214 / Cell: 082 805 9417
26A Queen Street, Knysna

Gawie Vos – Chief: Municipal Health Bitou (Lakes)
Gjvos@gardenroute.gov.za
044 501 1600 / Cell: 083 557 1522
7 Gibb Street, Plettenberg Bay

Haemish Herwels – Chief: Municipal Health Hessequa (Langeberg)
haemish@gardenroute.gov.za
028 713 2438 / Cell: 083 678 6545
23 Mitchell Street, Riversdale

 *Landline numbers are only in use during weekdays

20 May 2025 Media Release: GRDM Municipal Health Services awarded a ‘Gold Certificate of Recognition’

Media Release: GRDM Municipal Health Services awarded a ‘Gold Certificate of Recognition’

20 May 2025

The Western Cape Provincial Government (WCG) held an award ceremony earlier today, 19 May 2025, at the Lentegeur Hospital in Cape Town, for several categories relating to Health and Wellness. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM)’s Municipal Health Unit received a Gold Certificate for its performance coined “the technological advancement of environmental health and outstanding performance and adherence to Municipal Health Norms and Standards”. The Central Karoo District landed 3rd position with the City of Cape Town in 2nd position.

In his congratulatory message, GRDM Mayor Andrew Stroebel said: “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) on this remarkable achievement. Receiving a Gold Certificate of Recognition reflects every EHPs dedication, innovation, and excellence that define the GRDM’s approach to environmental health.”

Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, who is the MMC for Community Services also shared a word by mentioning: “As the MMC for Community Services, I am excited and I want to congratulate the team on the excellent work they keep doing. I’m pleased that the residents of the greater Garden Route remain safe through the services delivered, especially in terms of food safety and water quality. We will continue to prioritise these efforts and put the safety of residents first.”

GRDM Municipal Manager Monde Stratu also shared a word on behalf of the GRDM administration to the Municipal Health Unit by saying: “Your hard work sets a benchmark for service delivery across the province. Well done!”

Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu, the Executive Manager for Community Services, said: “During the audit done by WCG, we achieved a compliance rate of 96.7%. For me, it is evident that we are making substantial progress and that my team of 32 EHPs are moving in a positive direction. I am proud of every EHP in my Department”.

Johan Compion, Senior Manager of Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality Control at GRDM, who received the award on behalf of all the EHPs, has been heading the Unit since 2006 and is one of the longest-serving employees of the GRDM.

The WCG Directorate Facilities Management of the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health and Wellness conducted the audit of the GRDM’s Municipal Health Services during the 2023/2024 year and does this on an annual basis.

The following municipal health-related key performance indicators and administration processes were audited:

  • client rights;
  • operational management;
  • facility and infrastructure;
  • leadership;
  • corporate governance;
  • vector control;
  • environment pollution control;
  • waste management;
  • water quality monitoring;
  • law enforcement;
  • health surveillance of premises.

Image caption: Simon Kaye, Deputy Director: Corporate Services; Johan Compion, Senior Manager of Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality Control at GRDM; Stanley Nomelo, Program Manager: Environmental Health Services, WCG Health and Wellness; and Laura Angeletti-du Toit, Chief Director: Integrated Facilities Management.

Editors’ Note:

Municipal Health Services is defined in the National Health Act of 2003 and include the following Key Performance Areas: Water Quality Monitoring, Food Control, Solid Waste Management, Health Surveillance of Premises, Supervision and Prevention of Communicable Diseases, Vector Control, Environmental Pollution Control, the Disposal of Human Remains and the Safe handling of Chemical substances. The primary aims of Municipal Health Services are to promote health and to ensure a healthy environment for the community.