Update: GRDM continues to support Knysna Municipality during water infrastructure repairs
15 May 2025
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Disaster Management has had a busy week assisting Knysna Municipality (KM). This, after the GRDM received a formal request to assist KM with water tankering to communities in Rheenendal.
KM activated a Joint Operations Centre (JOC) yesterday after the main domestic water pump broke. The response to the service delivery challenges will be coordinated from their JOC. Role players in the JOC include the Western Cape Provincial Government, GRDM Disaster Management, Knysna SAPS, Knysna Infrastructure Group, The Greater Knysna Business Chamber, KM Law Enforcement, Traffic Services, and KM Fire & Rescue Services.
“Only one 6000-litre water tanker was dispatched initially to assist Knysna, but it soon became evident that additional tankers would be required. The tankering service was beefed-up to two units, which now includes an additional 10 000-litre unit. The GRDM has been assisting since last weekend and continues to provide its support the Knysna and its communities,” said Andrew Stroebel, GRDM Executive Mayor.
“We will continue to assist local municipalities within our resource capacity. Previously we assisted Kannaland and Oudtshoorn Municipalities when they also experienced challenges with their water infrastructure.”
According the GRDM Head of Disaster Management, Gerhard Otto, the “coordination of the water tankering is done by the Knysna Technical Services Section. Up to yesterday, 14 May, the focus was to provide water to the Rheenendal community but due to the water situation deteriorating, the tankering of water had to be extended to other areas in Knysna like Dam-se-Bos and Nekkies”.
Media Release: Western Cape Provincial Government and GRDM address the water needs of Oudtshoorn and Kannaland with the provision of 35 water tanks
For immediate release 14 May 2025
The Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel, handed over 35 water tanks on 13 May 2025 to the communities of Kannaland and Oudtshoorn. Of the total, 20 are for Kannaland and 15 for Oudtshoorn.
GRDM Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel.
Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, MMC for Community Services at GRDM.
Gerhard Otto, Manager for Disaster Management at GRDM.
Adv. Dillo Sereo, Acting Municipal Manager of Kannaland Municipality.
This initiative that forms part of the GRDM’s water security programme for local municipalities in the Garden Route, supported by the Western Cape Provincial Government (WCG) Department of Local Government (DLG), ensures that municipalities affected by limited water resources, have access to clean drinking water and water for household use.
During his address to all present, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, MMC for Community Services at GRDM, shared the municipality’s commitment to serve communities experiencing challenges in terms of access to basic services, such clean drinking water. Hoogbaard shared his gratitude to Mayor Stroebel and the Disaster Management team under the leadership of Gerhard Otto, at GRDM for all their efforts in ensuring the successful outcome of the programme.
Mayor Stroebel highlighted the importance of water and expressed his gratitude to the WCG DLG for the funding provided for this initiative. To the Kannaland Municipality, Mayor Stroebel said: “Thank you for allowing the GRDM to assist Kannaland with their water needs”.
Twenty water tanks handed over to the Kannaland Municipality. GRDM Executive Mayor, councillors and officials from GRDM and Kannaland were present.
Reflecting on the impact of climate change, Mayor Stroebel noted: “Twenty years ago we all wondered what climate change is, as it was only something seen on the news. Today we all witness the effects of climate change – seen in the number of fires, as well as floods and it has a direct impact on the amount of water resources”. Regarding the prioritisation of community needs, he concluded:
“Please be sure, GRDM will put the residents of the Garden Route first and the municipality will always be there to support local municipalities in respect of the needs within communities”.
Sharing his remarks at the event, Adv. Dillo Sereo, Municipal Manager of Kannaland Municipality, expressed his deepest appreciation to the GRDM, stating that “this initiative is testimony of the joint district development model and sound intergovernmental relations between GRDM and Kannaland. He further noted that the initiative forms part of the broader support plan from the District Municipality for which Kannaland is sincerely grateful.
Fifteen water tanks handed over to Oudtshoorn Municipality. In the picture (bottom right) are: Mayor Andrew Stroebel (GRDM), Cllr Ashwill October (GRDM & Oudtshoorn), Jacques Le Kay (Oudtshoorn), Chris Swart (Oudtshoorn), Gerhard Otto (GRDM) and Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard (GRDM).
Sereo emphasized that this support demonstrates that Kannaland Municipality is not standing alone but is backed by the GRDM.
Speaker of Kannaland Municipality, Cllr Peter-George Rooi explained that Kannaland has severely been affected by drought over the past years and he noted that many of the challenges faced by the community will be addressed through this initiative.
On behalf of the Kannaland, Rooi expressed his gratitude towards the GRDM for their valuable contribution to the residents of Kannaland while restoring their dignity.
The tanks will be placed at following areas within Kannaland, including:
4 x Van Wyksdorp
4 x Calitsdorp (split between Bergsig and Royal Heights)
4 x Zoar (Split between Amalienstein and Zoar)
4 x Hoeko (Split between the school and collective points)
4 x Ladismith (Split between Sakkies Bay, Le Grange Dam and Varkieskloof)
During the next visit to Oudtshoorn Waterworks in Dysselsdorp, Gerhard Otto, also shared a word of thanks to the WC DLG for the funding of the 15 water tanks and to Oudtshoorn Municipality that will place the tanks at all the identified areas.
Chris Swart, Senior Manager for Water and Sanitation at Oudtshoorn expressed his gratitude to the WC DLG and GRDM for the provision of these thanks to address the water needs of the people of Oudtshoorn, especially in times when there are pipe bursts and power outages.
The tanks will be placed at the following areas within Oudtshoorn, including:
10 x Split between Dysselsdorp and De Rust
2 x Stolsvlakte
3 x Klipdrift School
As part of this initiative, Otto further explained that Environmental Health Practitioners from GRDM will additionally provide water monitoring services whereby they will regularly draw samples for testing to ensure that it remains adequate for human consumption.
The events were also attended by councillors and officials from GRDM, including councillors Werner Meshoa and Koos Malooi (Kannaland), as well as Cllr Ashwill October (Oudtshoorn).
Feature Image: Mayor Andrew Stroebel (right) handing over 20 water tanks to Speaker of Kannaland, Cllr Peter-George Rooi for distribution in the Kannaland municipal area.
Media Release: Indaba to discuss the likely impact of Climate Change on the Garden Route: A 20 year outlook
For immediate release 05 May 2025
“The Garden Route is no stranger to natural disasters and increasingly so to which many ascribe to a fast-changing climate”, writes Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF). The question begs how can environmental managers look into the future and make projections on what may be impacting on the region over the next two decades. The Garden Route conservation and environmental management community is blessed with recognised and highly educated academics and practitioners capable of modelling scenarios and impacts capable of creating scenarios of what an uncertain future may hold.
Floods, storm surges, drought and non-stop wild fire disasters are all posing serious challenges to hard infrastructure, fragile ecosystems and vulnerable Garden Route communities. Perhaps more importantly, a changing climate may well adversely affect the regional economy as it becomes harder for the all-important agricultural sector to be viable and sustainable unless it is able to adapt. The other significant regional economic driver is tourism, and a deteriorating natural environment due to natural disasters and loss of natural infrastructure, e.g. the deteriorating coast line and risk to properties will also be discussed at the upcoming Climate Change Indaba.
Over time budgets to repair hard infrastructure such as roads, bridges, storm water systems and infrastructure along the coast are decreasing, and governmental entities responsible for planning and construction must take into account potential risks associated with the impact of a changing climate and rain fall patterns. Torrential and episodic rain storms are becoming the order of the day, and storm water systems and roads must be designed in order to be able to survive such impacts.
The negative impact of Invasive Alien Plants (IAP’s) on the environment including providing fuel for out- of control wild fire disasters an severely affecting biodiversity, preventing water catchments and feeder streams to function effectively is not being addressed by landowners and spreading fast.
Across the region environmental disasters are on the increase, and disaster management agencies responsible for dealing with their aftermath must be better funded, better equipped, better trained and be pro-active in putting early warning systems in place to reduce exposure.
The GREF Climate Change and Environmental Management Indaba will take place on 27 June 2025 at Nelson Mandela University: George Campus.
Media Release: GRDM, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, and others participate in a Career Expo and Information-Sharing Session
16 April 2025
Over the past two days, 14 and 15 April 2025, the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Disaster Management Centre joined the Western Cape Government Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders in hosting a career expo, as well as a awareness and information sharing session in Touwsraten and Calitzdorp.
On Monday, the event was hosted at the Touwsraten Community Clinic in Hoekwil, and on Tuesday, at the Calitzdorp Old Library Building.
The sessions which were scheduled from 10:00 till 13:00 exist to inform and explain to the communities exactly who the different departments and stakeholders are, and what they do and what the youth can do if they want to pursue a career in any of the different fields.
At both sessions, officials from the GRDM Disaster Management Centre (DMC) began their segment by providing the audience with background information on the DMCs role and functions. This was followed by a brief introduction to the concept of disaster management, the importance of coordination in effectively managing emergencies was then explored, along with the sharing of emergency contact numbers and general safety tips.
All the stakeholders present, including officials from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, the Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety, GRDM Skills Mecca, Old Mutual, and SA Youth, each received a 15-minute time slot to share information. Topics covered included scarce skills development, lessons in financial literacy, opportunities to further existing learning capacity, potential career paths to explore, and other valuable learning experiences shared with the session’s attendees.
Each stakeholder had a stall with information on display. Following the conclusion of the formal proceedings, members of the community had the opportunity to engage with the stakeholders by visiting their stalls to discuss the information shared and ask critical questions.
Touwsraten Awareness and Information Sharing Session
Calitzdorp Awareness and Information Sharing Session
Featured Image Caption: GRDM Disaster Management Officer, Lee-Ann Joubert, presented on behalf of the municipality at the Awareness and Information Sharing Session.
Media Release: Garden Route coastline and estuaries protected as the Wild Coast falters
For immediate release 07 April 2025
“Via the Garden Route Estuaries Forum and the Garden Route Marine and Coastal Committee (MCC) encompassing all layers of governmental authorities and mandated entities including SANParks, Cape Nature Conservation (CNC) and inclusive of all civil conservation bodies an effective monitoring system guarding the regional coastline and estuaries has been established, ” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) and MCC Chairperson.
The functioning of these Forums are vital in order to ensure and maintain a high level of oversight preventing invaluable natural infrastructure from further decline to the point where unique coastal habitats and eco- systems completely collapse and disappear.
In contrast a recent report by the Daily Maverick on the state of the Eastern Cape Wild Coast by esteemed South African environmental practitioners and investigative journalists reflect upon “Environmental Anarchy” destroying with what is no doubt one of Africa’s most precious and vulnerable coastlines. Unregulated sand mining, illegal land occupation, complete disregard for environmental legislation, corrupt traditional authorities, clearing of invaluable ancient dune forests, the destruction of wetlands as well as unbridled harvesting of all manner of marine life already impacts on the Eastern Cape Wild Coast’ s sustainability.
Until fairly recently the Garden Route boasted a much richer bio-diversity and interlinked marine and coastal habitats and eco- systems which today resemble but a fraction of what once thrived unbounded. Today the Garden Route is subjected to dense linear coastal development, commercial agriculture, mega invasive alien plant impact as well as exponential human influx with much more on the way as the Western Cape proves to be a must- see local and global destination.
The Southern Cape population prospers and continue to grow socio-economically as local market values rise along with increasing popularity from local and international tourism as the region is globally recognized as an iconic and safe destination.
The preservation of the Eastern Cape coastline should be elevated to a national priority, and it has to start with the collaboration of all governmental structures with the political will to ensure its preservation for future generations also facing challenges posed by a changing climate. The Wild Coast has the potential to be an easy match for the Western Cape environmental management success, but environmental lawlessness has to make way for responsible conservation, tourism, job creation and prosperity to follow.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and conservationists and a climate change think- tank. (www.grefscli.co.za).
Media Release: 8th Climate Change Indaba to be hosted in June 2025
24 March 2025
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) Annual Climate Change and Environmental Management Indaba will be co- hosted by the Garden Route District Municipality and the Nelson Mandela University on 27 June 2025,” says GREF Convener Cobus Meiring.
The Climate Change Indaba was introduced to the GREF bouquet of deliverables in 2018 following the devastating Knysna and Outeniqua wildfire disasters which coincided with severe drought affecting large areas of the Garden Route and the unfolding Day Zero scenario in the Western Cape.
Through the years the Climate Change Indaba succeeded in attracting environmental experts and high level delegations from all over South Africa and abroad to share their knowledge and input on climate change and environmental management issues with local practitioners and all levels of government.
Perhaps not as hard- hit as KZN in the recent past, the Garden Route is no stranger to environmental disasters and regularly suffers from drought, heavy rain and floods, strong wind and storm surges, loss of bio- diversity and infrastructure and regular wild fire disasters. Keeping track of the impact of a changing climate and how best to mitigate its impact is vital to regional environmental stability and disaster management.
Through entities such as the Nelson Mandela University, SANParks, Cape Nature and many others the Garden Route is blessed with some of South Africa’s leading experts in environmental management and the Indaba is a showcase of regional collaboration and cooperation.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and a climate change think- tank.
Those interested to attend the Indaba can contact Louise Mare at louisemare@gmail.com
Media Release: First Aid Level 3 Training rolled out monthly at Garden Route District Municipality
For Immediate Release 13 March 2025
First Aid Level 3 continues to be rolled out at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Head Office in George. This training is of vital importance because it provides people with advanced life-saving skills and prepares them on how to handle medical and other emergencies during various incidents.
The training is conducted by GRDM Firefighters and Disaster Management personnel. According to the Head of Disaster Management, Gerhard Otto, the remaining dates for training during the 2025 calendar year are as follows: 12 – 16 May 2025; 9 – 13 June 2025; 14 – 18 July 2025; 18 – 22 August 2025; 8 – 12 September 2025; 6 – 10 October 2025; 10 – 14 November 2025; and 8 – 12 December 2025.
Earlier today, Mayoral Committee Chairperson for Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, also took a moment to visit students and witness the training being rolled out at the GRDM Disaster Management Centre.
Hoogbaard, during his visit expressed his gratitude to the training staff by saying, “Thank you to Disaster Management and the GRDM Fire & Rescue Services, for sharing your expertise during these training sessions”.
A group of students being trained to become first aid responders.
This course is just one of the monthly sessions rolled out by the municipality. It spans over a period of five days, involving theoretical texts and practical demonstrations.
All participants are taught how to deal with and react to the following scenarios:
Safety and lawful aspects
Patient assessment
Life Support
Airway Obstruction
Shock
Dressing and Bandages
Injury Emergencies
Medical Emergencies
Environmental Emergencies
Emergency Childbirth
Transporting a patient
And First Aid Kits
Kervin-Lee Gericke, a GRDM Senior Firefighter also played a role in the practicals when he had to be treated by student Chelsea Fort after he ‘broke an arm’. Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard is pictured with them.
Did you know?
There is no cost involved if you do the training and sign up to become a Disaster Management Volunteer. However, if you are not planning to become a volunteer, the fee payable is R682.00 (rate valid till 30 June 2025).
Training takes place at the GRDM Joint Operation Centre, 54 York Street, George
Download the application form: https://tinyurl.com/m5sjuzmk
Send a completed form to 📧 gail.bekeer@gardenroute.gov.za or wouter@gardenroute.gov.za
For more information contact Gail Bekeer (044 803 1347) or Wouter Jacobs (044 803 1316)
Feature image: MMC Councillor Hoogbaard is pictured with Nontsikelelo Shange who is about to perform CPR on one of the rescue services manikins. Behind her is Emile Conrad, GRDM Snr. Firefighter and Gail Bekeer, GRDM Disaster Management Administrator.
Mediavrystelling: TDM hou voort om gemeenskappe in Klein-Karoo tydens waterkrisis te help
Vir onmiddellike vrystelling
10 Maart 2025
Die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM) het verlede week voortgegaan om hulp te verleen aan die Oudtshoorn Munisipaliteit. Dit volg nadat dié plaaslike munisipaliteit dringend met die TDM moes skakel om ‘n ernstige waterskaarste-krisis in Dysselsdorp, De Rust en Blomnek aan te spreek.
Volgens die TDM se Rampbestuurhoof, Gerhard Otto, het die probleem ontstaan “nadat ‘n kabel beskadig is weens die onlangse kragonderbrekings.”
Tussen Dinsdag en Saterdag (8 Maart) het die Tegniese Dienste-afdeling van die Oudtshoorn Munisipaliteit vier foutiewe plekke op die hoof-elektrisiteitsvoerkabel geïdentifiseer en herstel om ‘n stabiele toevoer aan gemeenskappe te verseker. Hierdie kabel is noodsaaklik vir die voorsiening van elektrisiteit aan die waterpompe wat Dysselsdorp van huishoudelike water voorsien.
Die situasie is verder vererger deur Eskom se beurtkrag, wat dele van De Rust en Blomnek se krane droog gelaat het. In reaksie hierop het die TDM se Rampbestuursentrum en die GRDM Brandweerdiens daagliks ‘n 10 000-liter watertrok ontplooi, insluitend oor die afgelope naweek, om water aan die geaffekteerde gemeenskappe te voorsien.
Die herstelwerk aan die kragkabel is nou voltooi, en die waterpompe funksioneer op volle kapasiteit, wat beteken dat die reservoirs weer aangevul word. Dit bly egter noodsaaklik om die aanhoudende droogtetoestande in die Karoo in ag te neem, aangesien dit ‘n impak op watervoorsiening sal hê.
TDM Burgemeester Andrew Stroebel het beklemtoon: “Die TDM sal voortgaan om die Oudtshoorn Munisipaliteit tydens hierdie krisis te ondersteun en sal hulp verleen tot minstens Vrydag, wanneer verwag word dat die agterstand in waterlewering uitgesorteer sal wees.”
Die TDM doen ‘n dringende beroep op alle inwoners om spaarsamig met water om te gaan gedurende hierdie herstelperiode.
‘n Vorige mediavrystelling wat verband hou met die bogenoemde: https://tinyurl.com/4m3nsw7v
Water word afgelewer by dorpe insluitend Dysselsdorp, De rust en Blomnek
Media Release: Emergency Personnel in the Garden Route Attend RIMS Training
6 March 2025
Earlier this week, the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Fire and Rescue Services attended the Road Incident Management Systems (RIMS) Training Workshop. This was hosted in George by the National Department of Transport and the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL).
“The safety of road users and emergency responders remains a priority for us at the GRDM. This training is important becausee it strengthens our region’s ability to respond swiftly and decisively to incidents. I commend all participants for their dedication and commitment to keeping our roads safe,” said GRDM Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel.
The workshop was attended by emergency responders, including GRDM Disaster Management and Fire Services, Oudtshoorn Municipal Traffic and Law Enforcement, George Municipal Fire Department and Traffic Management, METRO Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Attendees from George, Mossel Bay, and Ladismith rescue technicians, as well as other private role players, including a breakdown service, also attended.
The objective of the workshop was to equip participants with the necessary skills to coordinate and implement standardised procedures for incident response. This can help to ensure a more efficient and safer roadway environment.
Some of the key elements covered in the training included:
Understanding RIMS protocols.
Identifying major and minor incidents using the METHANE method for reporting to the Control Centre.
Defining roles and responsibilities of services and agencies within RIMS.
Strengthening collaboration between emergency services, law enforcement, and road maintenance teams.
Improving safety and risk management protocols for first responders at road incidents.
Addressing hybrid energy vehicles as an innovative approach, especially given the increasing number of hybrid electric cars in our region.
The one-day workshop was well received by attendees who also were also exposed to numerous real-life incident examples and ways to mitigate them.
According to GRDM Fire Station Commander Heirich Leslie, the training provided the necessary knowledge to equip attendees with the appropriate steps toward building a more efficient and coordinated road incident management framework. To this end, it ensures that South Africa’s roads remain safe and accessible in the face of unforeseen incidents.
Feature image and images above showcasing emergency personnel from the district who attended the RIMS Workshop.
Persvrystelling: TDM reik uit na Dysselsdorp Gemeenskap tydens waterkrisis
Vir onmiddelikke vrystelling 27 Februarie 2025
Vanoggend, 27 Februarie 2025, het Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM) begin om hulp te verleen aan die Dysselsdorp gemeenskap in die Klein-Karoo, met die verskaffing van ‘n 10 000 liter water.
Die Dysselsdorp gemeenskap ontvang water nadat tien duisend (10 000) liter vanoggend deur TDM in hul area afgelewer is.
Volgens Burgemeester Andrew Stroebel is die versoek gerig nadat die area probleme ondervind het met ‘n kabel wat beskadig was weens die onlangs kragonderbrekings (loadshedding) in die gebied. “Ons spanne het spoedig gereageer en het vanoggend die 10 000 liter water na die Dysselsdorp gemeenskap Vervoer”.
“TDM sal in noue samewerking met Oudtshoorn Munisipaliteit verseker dat die water by die nodige gebiede afgelewer word.”
Die Oudtshoorn Munisipaliteit se Tegniese Afdeling het hul dank uitgespreek teenoor die TDM se Rampbestuurseenheid vir die hulp in ‘n tyd van nood aan die gemeenskap van Dysselsdorp. Indien die pyp nie spoedig herstel word nie, sal verdere hulp vanaf die TDM aan hierdie gemeenskap volgende week voortgaan.
