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Disaster Management

30 March 2026 Media Release: Garden Route Mountains Key to SA’s Water Future

Media Release: Garden Route Mountains Key to SA’s Water Future

30 March 2026

During a recent workshop hosted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), South Africa has once again highlighted the importance of the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains as critical water-producing landscapes for the Southern Cape.

These mountain catchments form part of South Africa’s Strategic Water Source Areas (SWAs) often called the country’s “natural water factories”. Although these areas cover less than 10% of the country’s land surface, they generate around half of the water that ends up in rivers and dams.

“For farmers, the message is clear: without healthy mountain catchments, there is no long-term water security,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

According to GREF, almost every catchment in the Garden Route is negatively impacted by invasive alien plants. These invasives reduce streamflow, damage soil health and weaken the ability of rivers to recover after drought.

The situation is made more challenging because of geography. Most coastal catchments in the Garden Route are short and flow quickly from the mountains to the Indian Ocean. This means there are very few opportunities to build large dams, making the protection of natural catchments even more important for agriculture.

South Africa is already a water-scarce country, and climate change is expected to bring hotter and drier conditions to many farming regions. However, the country still has a major advantage: a well-defined network of SWSAs that, if protected, can secure water supply for the future.

Over decades, South African engineers built world-class dams and inter-basin transfer schemes. But infrastructure alone cannot solve the problem. Without healthy mountain ecosystems, the system simply cannot function optimally.

The focus now is on cooperation between farmers, municipalities, conservation organisations and landowners to protect these vital catchments before further damage is done.

For the Garden Route and the wider agricultural sector, the message from the workshop was simple: protecting water source areas is not only an environmental priority – it is an economic one.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and a climate change think- tank – www.grefecf.co.za  

Picture Caption: A view of the Outeniqua Mountains (Photo: Herman Pieters)

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25 March 2026 Media Release: Garden Route land restoration

Media Release: Garden Route land restoration

25 March 2026

An enormous number of farms along the Garden Route drylands have over time become barren due to drought, over grazing, climate change and historical negative land use practices.

Persistent drought is forcing farmers off the land as it is no longer feasible to farm in dry areas. Degraded soils and large scale sheet erosion have had a massive impacts on the carrying capacity and water security on farms in the Klein-and Groot Karoo over past decades, and it is on the increase.

On a positive note, many farmers are using tried and tested methods of land restoration to great effect. “One of the most effective ways to bring back life to barren soil is through a practice named ponding”, says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

Shallow ponds scattered throughout barren zones where no grass nor plants can take root, forms very effective water and soil retention traps. Multiple ponds allows plant recovery and surface water to soak into the earth and replenish the water table below. In the rain shadow of the Outeniqua and Swartberg Mountains, land restoration is a painfully slow process, but eventually it does yield positive results from a resilient environment and nature bounces back spectacularly.

Thunderstorms and floods over the Garden Route and Karoo interior presents much relief to farmers and towns alike. Still, episodic rains inflict much harm to the land where degraded surface areas cannot retain top soil and run-off water, leaving behind ever more erosion and further degradation. Through interventions such as ponding these rainfall events can make a huge difference in land restoration and water security.

As the changing climate brings about uncertainty in terms of rainfall and rainfall patterns, it is more important than ever that land managers adapt and allow land recovery initiatives to their own benefit and in the process create a high quality environment.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and serves as a climate change think tank. For more information visit grefecsf.co.za and info@hiveenergy.co.uk.

Picture: Ponding on barren landscapes is a simple but very effective method to allow barren land to recover and replenish water tables.

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16 March 2026 Media Release: Greening Townships Key to Surviving Rising Heat

Media Release: Greening Townships Key to Surviving Rising Heat

For immediate release
16 March 2026

“Given the rising temperatures across the region, serious consideration should be given to greening townships, schools and crèches where people have little protection from the blazing sun,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

“Shade provided by trees can bring much-needed relief, and greening projects should become a budgeted priority for municipalities as part of long-term climate change adaptation and planning.” In many communities there is little escape from extreme heat, particularly for children and the elderly, making urban greening an important public health intervention.

Heatwaves and extremely hot, dry conditions are currently affecting communities across the Garden Route interior. From Uniondale to Ladismith in Kannaland, drought conditions persist and residents are increasingly feeling the pressure of limited water supplies.

According to residents in De Rust, the town’s water supply is presently not suitable for drinking, highlighting the vulnerability of smaller towns during prolonged dry periods. While the Garden Route interior is accustomed to hot summers, many residents say this season has been particularly severe, with sustained high temperatures and little rainfall.

Weather forecasts indicate there is little prospect of substantial rainfall before April, and possibly even later. In recent weeks parts of the Western Cape have recorded temperatures approaching 50°C, reinforcing concerns that predicted climate change impacts and shifting rainfall patterns are becoming a reality.

Water shortages remain a grave concern not only for households but also for agriculture and the broader regional economy. Farming communities depend heavily on seasonal rainfall, and prolonged drought threatens both livelihoods and food production.

A high quality of life is not feasible without reliable potable water supplies. While communities wait for seasonal change, residents are urged to heed water-use restrictions and to use water responsibly wherever possible. Long-term climate adaptation measures will become increasingly important as temperatures rise and water scarcity becomes more common.

GREF is a public platform for environmental managers and a climate change think- tank (www.grefecsf.co.za)

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02 March 2026 Media Release: GREF Comments on South Africa’s Draft National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2036)

GREF Comments on South Africa’s Draft National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2036)

For immediate release
02 March 2026

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) welcomes the development of South Africa’s Draft National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2036), facilitated by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). Municipalities and stakeholders nationwide have contributed to the draft, underscoring the growing urgency of addressing invasive alien species.

South Africa faces a serious and escalating problem with invasive alien plants (IAPs), particularly along river systems, mountain catchments and biodiversity hotspots. While a national strategy is necessary, it is not new. Comprehensive policies already exist under legislation such as the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA). “South Africa has strong environmental legislation, but implementation and sustained funding remain the real challenges,” says Cobus Meiring of GREF. “Without consistent action across all spheres of government, invasive species will continue to spread faster than we can contain them.”

The Garden Route is one of the regions most affected by IAPs, with infestations expanding steadily. Invasive species are transforming natural landscapes, reducing biodiversity and placing immense pressure on already vulnerable ecosystems. The financial burden of clearing operations including capital equipment, labour and follow-up treatments continues to rise, impacting municipalities, conservation agencies and private landowners alike.

The implications are far-reaching. Invasive alien plants reduce water runoff in critical catchments, directly threatening water security in the drought-prone Southern Cape. Dense infestations also increase fuel loads, contributing to more intense and destructive veld fires. Recent severe wildfire seasons have prompted stronger compliance among landowners, many of whom have demonstrated commendable commitment to clearing their properties in accordance with environmental legislation.

Climate change further intensifies the challenge. Rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns favour invasive species, compounding stress on indigenous habitats and ecosystems.

A concerning decline in national funding for eradication programmes means municipalities and landowners are increasingly required to rely on their own limited resources. GREF supports a strengthened, properly funded and measurable national action plan focused on catchment-level priorities to safeguard biodiversity, water security and regional resilience.

GREF is a public platform for environmental managers and landowners and serves a climate change think tank (grefecsf.co.za)

Picture: Lantana Camara: an aggressive alien invasive plant in the Garden Route

17 February 2026 Media Release: Garden Route Trails Remain Open – Riders Urged to Stay Vigilant Amid FMD Concerns

Media Release: Garden Route Trails Remain Open – Riders Urged to Stay Vigilant Amid FMD Concerns

17 February 2026

The Garden Route continues to offer some of South Africa’s most scenic and well-managed trail experiences, attracting mountain bikers, trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts from across the country. While KwaZulu-Natal is currently at the centre of a widespread Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, FMD outbreak has been reported in the Garden Route in Mossel Bay, with a suspect case in George. Control measures include quarantine, vaccination, movement restrictions of animals from the quarantined area to outside areas, and enhanced surveillance.

The Garden Route is home to arguably the most extensive network of high-quality trails in South Africa. With the Mossel Bay municipal area currently affected by FMD, recreational users must understand that individuals can unintentionally act as mechanical carriers of the virus through contaminated mud, soil or organic material on footwear, bicycles and vehicles.

Trail users are urged to avoid entering private farmland without permission and respect any biosecurity access restrictions.

Cyclists need to understand that mud and soil can cling to bike tyres, pedals, shoes and clothing. Therefore, thoroughly cleaning equipment before and after rides particularly if you have travelled from other provinces, is essential.

Minimise Vehicle Contamination

Vehicles travelling through muddy or agricultural areas can carry soil on tyres and undercarriages. Cleaning vehicles before entering rural areas helps reduce risk.

Respect Temporary Closures

Precautionary closures or biosecurity measures must be strictly observed. Such measures protect livestock, farmers’ livelihoods and the broader agricultural economy.

By respecting the land and the people who steward it, we safeguard not only livestock and livelihoods, but also the long-term sustainability of the Garden Route’s cherished trail networks.

For updates on livestock health matters, residents and recreational users are encouraged to access resources here:
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/document-category/foot-and-mouth-disease/
https://www.elsenburg.com/foot-and-mouth-disease-fmd-outbreak-information/

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12 February 2026 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality  Rolls Out Annual First Aid Level 3 Training Programme

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality  Rolls Out Annual First Aid Level 3 Training Programme

12 February 2026

Annually, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Disaster Management Section delivers a series of First Aid Level 3 training sessions to community member and organisation across the district.

The First Aid Level 3 programme forms part of GRDM Disaster Management’s annual awareness initiative, designed at capacitating both employed and unemployed Garden Routers with life-saving skills. It also empowers individuals, especially in disaster-prone areas such as the GRDM, to remain calm under pressure and respond confidently to medical, injury, or environmental emergencies.

The upcoming First Aid Level 3 Training sessions  for 2026 are tentatively scheduled for:

  • 23 – 27 February 2026
  • 16 – 20 March 2026
  • 20 – 24 April 2026
  • 18 – 22 May 2026
  • 22 – 26 June 2026

Since 2008, the municipality has trained more than 2,000 community members, significantly strengthening local emergency preparedness.

Each training session runs over the course of a week and normally take place once per month.  Sessions are facilitated by experienced GRDM Disaster Management officials at the municipality’s Head Office in George.  On the final day of each session, participants complete a practical examination and are assessed as competent, demonstrating their ability to confidently apply the skills learned.

During the comprehensive training, participants cover both theoretical and practical aspects of first aid, including:

  • Basic principles of First Aid
  • Safety and lawful aspects
  • Patient assessment
  • Basic life support
  • Airway management
  • Treatment of shock
  • Dressing and bandages
  • Injury emergencies
  • Medical emergencies
  • Environmental emergencies
  • Emergency childbirth

The Garden Route District Municipality encourages community members to participate in these vital training sessions to enhance their ability to save lives during emergencies.

Did you know?

  • There is no cost if you complete the training and sign up as a Disaster Management Volunteer. If you do not plan to become a volunteer, the fee is R682.00 (valid until 30 June 2026).
  • Training takes place at the GRDM Joint Operations Centre, 54 York Street, George.
  • Download the application form: https://tinyurl.com/m5sjuzmk
  • Submit completed forms to: gail.bekeer@gardenroute.gov.za or wouter@gardenroute.gov.za
  • For more information, contact:

Gail Bekeer: 044 803 1347
Wouter Jacobs: 044 803 1316

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30 January 2026 Media Release: Gift of the Givers comes to the rescue again – donating borehole equipment to assist Bitou

Media Release: Gift of the Givers comes to the rescue again – donating borehole equipment to assist Bitou

For immediate release
30 January 2026

Due to water restrictions and in some areas, shortages of potable water, Bitou Municipality recently reached out to the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Gift of the Givers, for assistance in refurbishing four existing boreholes to augment the municipality’s water supply system.

Following the discussions and assessment conducted, representatives from Gift of the Givers in collaboration with Shoprite on 28 January 2026 donated borehole equipment in order to refurbish the designated boreholes.

Bitou Executive Mayor Jessica Kamkam, addressing representatives from Gift of the Givers, Councillors and Officials present during the handover of the borehole equipment.

Executive Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Municipal Manager of Bitou together with Bitou Councillors Swart and Olivier, as well as Manager of Disaster Manager at Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Gerhard Otto and representatives of the Bitou Infrastructure Department officially accepted the equipment on behalf of Bitou Municipality.

Subsequent to the donation, the Bitou Municipality already initiated the process to install the equipment within the next week to fast-track improved access to additional groundwater to provide some relief on current surface water abstraction, as well as to ensure additional emergency water supply in addition to the current water obtained from the town’s desalination plant.

Gerhard Otto during the handover said: “ Some actions and processes that can take governmental organisations three months to implement can be done by NGO’s and Faith-Based-Organisations in three days”. In addition, Otto highlighted that “this again is an example of how local government can work together with humanitarian organisations towards a common goal i.e. we need to avoid a DAY Zero and that means all hands-on deck”.

In conclusion Otto emphasised: “Every drop counts and while as a collective we aim to implement as many as possible water augmentation projects, we must work together to drive down consumption to a maximum of 50 liters of water per person per day”.

Feature Image: Representatives from Bitou and Garden Route District Municipalities, as well as Gift of the Givers during the official handover of the borehole equipment.

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10 December 2025 Media Release: Coastal Erosion Threatens Homes and Infrastructure Along Western and Eastern Cape

Media Release: Coastal Erosion Threatens Homes and Infrastructure Along Western and Eastern Cape

For Immediate Release

10 December 2025

“Coastal erosion is a harsh reality along the Western and Eastern Cape coastlines. The damage is visible, measurable, and ongoing as rising sea levels and increasingly severe storm surges take their toll,” says Cobus Meiring, Chairperson of the Garden Route Marine and Coastal Committee.

Coastal degradation is now a high priority for towns and cities along the coast, with planning increasingly focused on relocating infrastructure out of harm’s way. The Committee recently raised these concerns in a meeting which included municipalities, SANParks, and CapeNature, highlighting the urgent need for the implementation of proactive coastal management strategies. The issue also received attention at the Eastern Cape Sustainability Seminar hosted at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha in early December.

In Cape St. Francis, there are growing fears that the marina and properties bordering the canals from the Krom River could be flooded if the dune system protecting them from the ocean collapses. This erosion results largely from human interventions that disrupted large scale natural dune movement, leaving dune systems exposed and unable to perform their protective function.

Different approaches have been tried along the coast. Langebaan required hard engineering interventions, while in Buffels Bay, softer methods like heavy sandbagging have shown some success. Despite these efforts, landowners with sea-front properties remain at risk, and unregulated attempts to protect property can worsen erosion on neighbouring land due to the shifting of kinetic energy of surging waters.

The problem extends beyond property damage. Sand build-up in river mouths such as the Touw river and estuaries disrupts ecosystems, while ongoing drought conditions in 2025 have reduced freshwater flow, contributing to the water crisis in Buffels Bay.

Looking ahead, municipalities and landowners face a complex challenge. More research, smart planning, and innovative engineering solutions are essential to manage the changing coastline.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum provides a public platform for landowners, managers, and climate change experts to share knowledge, explore solutions, and promote sustainable coastal management. (www.grefecsf.co.za)

Image: Unsightly hard intervention was the only option to save properties in Langebaan from flooding following aggressive storm surges

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09 December 2025 Media Release: GRDM empowered 228 First Aid Level 3 Participants in 2025

Media Release: GRDM empowered 228 First Aid Level 3 Participants in 2025

For immediate release
9 December 2025

Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Disaster Management Centre, this year, presented First Aid Level 3 training to 228 candidates from the Garden Route district. The team facilitated 11 training sessions of which 228 candidates in total were trained.

Executive Mayor of GRDM, Cllr Marais Kruger, commended the team, as well as those who participated in the training throughout the year and said: “By training 228 individuals in First Aid Level 3, we’ve strengthened our region’s capacity to respond to emergencies at every level. Thank you facilitators and all participants for your participation in the programme. Your willingness to step up, learn, and serve is exactly what builds a safer and more resilient Garden Route,” he said.

First Aid Level 3 Training Sessions conducted throughout the year.

These 11 sessions included learners from schools across the district, different government departments, as well as private companies and individuals, including employed and unemployed youth, but sessions were mostly facilitated to members of the Garden Route Disaster Management Volunteer Corps.

Other groups who benefited from the programme include: the South African Police Service and POPs, lifeguards, officials from the Departments of Forestry, Fishery, and the Environment, as well as Justice, Firefighters across the district, Fidelity Security Guards, GRDM employees including Disaster Management Interns, Unjani Clinic employees, counselors from Legally You and educators, as well as several participants from Early Childhood Development Centres.

The First Aid training is done to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to help themselves and others in emergency situations. The programme consists of three days of theoretical training and a practical exercise on the Thursday where students get the opportunity to practice Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), wound dressings, and other critical first aid skills. On the Friday, the program concludes with a competency test.

The course is open to all, offering a week-long opportunity to gain essential life-saving skills. Upon successful completion where students have to score 80%, they will be issued a First Aid Level 3 course Certification that is valid for a three year period.

The last training session which included 19 enrolled candidates took place from 24 to 28 November 2025, at GRDM’s Joint Operation Centre. These successful candidates will now also be able to assist any person in an emergency.

Among the dedication witnessed by facilitators Gail Bekeer and Wouter Jacobs, together with GRDM Firefighters, many highlights stood out throughout the year. These included strong teamwork, high energy levels, a commitment to understanding various concepts and practical exercises, excellent class attendance, as well as excellent marks of up to 100% by some participants. These are testament of how thoroughly the facilitators prepare themselves to present the course in the best possible manner.

The Level 3 First Aid Training allows members of the public to enroll directly without needing to complete First Aid Level 1 and 2.

There is 𝗻𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱 if you apply to become a Disaster Management Volunteer!

Download the application form: https://tinyurl.com/m5sjuzmk
Send a completed form to 📧 gail.bekeer@gardenroute.gov.za or wouter@gardenroute.gov.za

𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: If you are not planning to become a volunteer, the fee payable is R682 (rate valid till 30 June 2026).

Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

📍 Training takes place at the GRDM Joint Operation Centre, 54 York Street, George
📞 Gail Bekeer (044 803 1347) or Wouter Jacobs (044 803 1316)

Feature Image: A demonstration during a First Aid Level 3 training session.

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4 December 2025 Media Release: R1 Million Safety Implementation Plan to help keep communities safe across the district

Media Release: R1 Million Safety Implementation Plan to help keep communities safe across the district

4 December 2025

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently approved its Safety Implementation Business Plan for 2025/2026. This is a commitment to improving community wellness, strengthening crime-prevention systems, and enhancing coordinated responses to social instability across the region.

According to Mayor Marais Kruger, “the budget of R1 million will be utilised for a whole-of-government safety approach aimed at supporting municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and neighbourhood watches”.

The funding forms part of a Whole-of-Society Approach (WOSA) Grant, which promotes integrated collaboration across the Criminal Justice System (CJS), provincial and local government departments, SAPS, Neighbourhood Watches, Community Police Forums (CPFs), NGOs, and other civil society partners.

Neighbourhoods across South Africa face complex societal issues, including poverty, substance abuse, crime, illegal shebeens, land invasions, and unfavourable socio-economic conditions and vandalism of municipal infrastructure. Many of these challenges divert municipal funds away from development toward repairing damaged properties.

To respond more effectively, GRDM has strengthened its District Safety Forum and Community Safety Forum (CSF) structures, which are platforms designed to coordinate rapid, targeted interventions that prevent social unrest, land invasions, and localised other crime.

This collaborative model is supported by the Western Cape Provincial Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety (POCS).

Budget Breakdown: R1 Million Investment in District Safety
Project / Activity Budget
Admin Support & Safety Plans for all Local Municipalities R332 500
District Law Enforcement Officer Project R300 000
16 Days of Activism & GRDM CSF Safety Summit R70 000
District SAPS Partnership Projects R80 000
Community Dialogues R70 000
Rural Safety Project R60 000
CPF Support R30 000
District Safety Forum Operations R20 000
ABT Support R20 000
Garden Route District Safety Summit R17 500
Total Budget: R1 000 000

“This investment gives us the tools to coordinate more effectively, act faster, and support our municipalities in making communities safer,” said Mayor Marais.

GRDM Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, Chairs the District Safety Forum and added: “Through WOSA, we continuously do our best to bring together government, South African Police Services, civil society, and communities to create lasting, sustainable safety solutions”.

ENDS