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Disaster Management

18 June 2025 Media Release: Garden Route’s Smoke Alarm Initiative Shields Vulnerable Communities from Fires

Media Release: Garden Route’s Smoke Alarm Initiative Shields Vulnerable Communities from Fires

18 June 2025

With winter currently here and many Garden Routers  using indoor fires to keep warm, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) in partnership with the Knysna Local Municipality, extended the Smoke Alarm Installation Project further in Knysna, reaching Smutsville in Sedgefield from 09 – 17 June 2025.

This initiative, spearheaded by the GRDM Disaster Management Section, has already been rolled out in other municipal areas across the district. According to Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel, “This initiative, funded by the Western Cape Provincial Government, and primarily aims to proactively identify high fire-risk areas within vulnerable communities in our district, and then install smoke alarm devices in these informal settlements”.

“Vulnerable communities remain a top priority for the GRDM and its partners,” said Stroebel

According to Lee-Ann Joubert, GRDM Disaster Management Coordinator, “Knysna Municipality’s Fire Services identified hotspot areas within their local municipality, after which GRDM firefighters installed the detectors and educate homeowners about the benefits and proper use of the device”.

GRDM Fire Services Station Commander Hein Leslie acted as co-project leader, explained: “I must say that the community is very glad and supportive of this initiative.  We did experience some challenges in the beginning when a few community members were under the impression that we installed cameras, but after engaging with them,  the community became more supportive of the initiative.”

Activities underway during the Smoke Alarm Installation Project in Smutsville, Sedgefield

During a brief gathering between officials from GRDM, Cllr Levael Davis, ward Councillor as well as member of the Asivikelane Development Action Group, which partnered with Knysna Municipality to monitor the status of ‘basic services’, GRDM Cllr Hoogbaard, Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services addressed the group.

”We know that fires can strike at any moment – often with little to no warning, and these impacts can be deadly. In communities, where many homes are constructed from highly flammable materials and are densely placed, a single spark can become a disaster within minutes. Imagine losing crucial documents like ID documents, birth certificates, and other important records in a fire? This is why early detection is not just important, but lifesaving as well,” Hoogbaard said.

To date, installations have been completed in the following communities within Smutsville: Skoolgaatjie, Lankgewag and Beverly Hills.

All partners involved in the Smoke Alarm Installation Project.

Firefighters are currently working in the Makhaphela area and will continue to roll out installations in additional high-risk zones in the area, including Slange Park, Sakhumzamo and surrounding areas

Part of this proactive project includes community education and awareness, empowering residents with knowledge to prevent fires, respond effectively, and improve early detection, which ultimately aimed at saving lives and protecting property.

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06 June 2025 Public Notice: Notice to Smutsville residents:  Fire Safety Project – Smoke Detector Installations

Public Notice: Notice to Smutsville residents:  Fire Safety Project – Smoke Detector Installations

Notice Number.  56/2025

The Western Cape Fire and Rescue Services, Garden Route Fire and Rescue Services, Knysna Fire and Rescue Services, and Garden Route Disaster Management, in partnership with Asivikelane Community Facilitators, are leading a fire risk reduction project in your area.

As part of this program, smoke detection devices will be installed in informal structures to help protect households from fire-related risks. Installations will be carried out by trained team members.

Installations will begin on Monday, 9 June 2025 daily between 09:30 and 15:00 over three weeks. The names of the areas that will be visited, will be published as the programme moves forward in phases.

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) encourages the community to support this initiative by giving the teams access to their homes. If no one will be home on the day of planned installation, please make arrangements with a trusted neighbour.

The devices are provided free of charge, and through this initiative, the GRDM will also raise awareness, and educate residents about fire safety.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping to make the Smutsville community safer.

Click here to download the Official Notice.

Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu
Acting Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P O Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel:   044 803 1300
Notice Number 56/2025
6 June 2025

03 June 2025 Media Release: Young recycling fashion designers crowned at the ‘Designing a Greener Future’ event

Media Release: Young recycling fashion designers crowned at the ‘Designing a Greener Future’ event

For immediate release
03 June 2025

On Friday, 30 May 2025, stakeholders including the South African Police Service, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), George Municipality, Eden FM Radio, attended and participated in the Designing a Greener Future event that was hosted at Tyholora Primary School in Thembalethu, George.

Stakeholder representatives and learners during the “Designing a Greener Future” event that was hosted at Tyholora Primary School in Thembalethu.

With the theme “Using Creativity to Teach Crime Prevention,” stakeholder representatives shared their insights on illegal dumping and littering, highlighting the importance of recycling and its impact on the environment. More importantly, the link between illegal dumping, littering, and crime was also emphasised.

Starting off the event, was the Waste Management Team of George Municipality explaining the purpose of the event as well as educating all present regarding waste management and how to become a responsible resident in favour of a clean environment.

Further into the programme, an interactive awareness session with all learners regarding the signs of abuse and how to prevent becoming a victim of abuse, was conducted. Learners participated in the discussions that were presented by Advocate Marilyn Olifant-Scheepers.

In his address at the event, GRDM’s MMC for Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, stated that “illegal dumping and littering doesn’t just harm the environment – it brings down the quality of life, creates health hazards, and often attracts more serious crimes. When areas are neglected or full of waste, it can create a “broken window” effect, where disorder invites further illegal activity,” he said.

Learners from various schools in George showcasing their creative talents wearing designs made from recycling material. 

When referring to the youth, Hoogbaard emphasised: “When young people are educated about caring for their communities – whether by picking up litter, recycling, reporting dumping or creating clean, green spaces, it creates pride, responsibility, and unity. These are key ingredients in preventing crime. They become part of something bigger,” he emphasised. “This sense of ownership and pride can steer youth away from crime because it replaces chaos with purpose,” Hoogbaard added. He encouraged all stakeholders present to invest in education and awareness, not just to protect the environment, but to protect the future of the youth. “Together, through small steps, we can build safer, cleaner, and stronger communities,” he concluded.

During his keynote address at the event, Garden Route District Commissioner, Major-General Phumzile Cetyana, said: “We are heading into a direction of becoming a clean town. Stating that “crime prevention and cleanliness goes together,’ he said: “Crime thrives in an environment that is not clean”. He added that “by making our places orderly, we are preventing crime”.

Learners from various schools and the Market Theatre drama group during their stage performances shared educational messages through poetry, song, dance and drama.

He further encouraged stakeholders, more specific learners, to never give up on a better world and concluded: “I take inspiration in knowing that our future lies in your hands. To the stakeholders, teachers and the community, he said: The creativity is inspiring, but let us all allow our children to be creative and to be part of this new world”.

Many enthusiastic learners showcased fashion designs made from recycled material, and the event furthermore featured vibrant performances in poetry, song, dance, and drama by learners from various schools in George, as well as the Drama Group from the George Market Theatre.

The winners of the Fashion design competition with the judges and organisers of the event.

The programme concluded with the prize-giving ceremony – and a deeper understanding of how illegal dumping and littering is linked to crime, leaving attendees with meaningful lessons to take forward.

Feature image: Contestants of the Recycling Fashion Design Competition soon after the announcement of the winners.

ENDS

22 May 2025 Media Release: Fire danger place Invasive Alien Plants in the spotlight

Media Release: Fire danger place Invasive Alien Plants in the spotlight

For immediate release
22 May 2025

Approaching winter fronts have the Garden Route on edge as fears of a repeat of the 2017 mega fire disaster looms as a clear and present danger”, says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

Regional environmental and disaster management agencies are in agreement that the 2017 conditions conducive to the worst fire disaster in South African history are again ready for the perfect storm.

Despite best efforts and collaboration between landowners affected by the 2017 fire disaster, Invasive Alien Plants (IAP’s) have made a comeback on the Knysna as well as the 2018 Outeniqua burn scars providing more fuel for a wild fire than ever before. Not only is Knysna and surrounds again in the path of danger, but many other areas including George, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Great Brak.

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), George Municipality the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association and many other entities involved with – fighting has ramped up their collective strength to deal  with an increasingly number of wild fires, but the core problem remains: Invasive Alien Plants on the Southern Cape landscape.

Garden Route landowners in the urban edge are especially exposed as they can only do so much in terms of safeguarding their properties by creating defendable zones, cleaning their gutters and prepare escape routes. All river systems, mountains and river corridors in the garden Route are infested with high density IAP plant growth.

Landowners are not unaware of the danger invasive plants pose, but more often than not lack the resources to do anything meaningful about it. Still, fire- proofing the Garden Route is important, and a collective effort u

Government efforts (e.g. The DFFE Working for Water Programme) to eradicate IAP growth has collapsed as a result of a lack of funding, no further investment in bio- control and limited capacity to enforce legislation.

GREF will be focusing on climate change and Invasive alien plant implications at the Annual Climate Change and Environmental Indaba in partnership with Nelson Mandela University on 27 June. At stake is not only fire risk, but hard hitting drought is looming in coming years and loss of critical bio diversity is negative for the region’s appeal as a world class destination.

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

ENDS

15 May 2025 Update: GRDM continues to support Knysna Municipality during water infrastructure repairs

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”.

ENDS

14 May 2025 Media Release: Western Cape Provincial Government and GRDM address the water needs of Oudtshoorn and Kannaland with the provision of 35 water tanks

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.

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.

ENDS

05 May 2025 Media Release: Indaba to discuss the likely impact of Climate Change on the Garden Route: A 20 year outlook

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.

Enquiries can be sent to louisamare@gmail.com.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum is a public platform for environmental practitioners and a climate change think- tank.(www.grefscli.co.za).

ENDS

16 April 2025 Media Release: GRDM, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, and others participate in a Career Expo and Information-Sharing Session

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.

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07 April 2025 Media Release: Garden Route coastline and estuaries protected as the Wild Coast falters

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).

ENDS

24 March 2025 Media Release: 8th Climate Change Indaba to be hosted in June 2025

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

(www.grefscli.co.za)

Feature image: Climate change has an impact on Garden Route environmental sustainability and bio- diversity

ENDS