Media Release: Climate experts agree that red lights are flashing
For immediate release 09 July 2025
“Experts presenting at the 2025 GREF Climate Change Indaba in collaboration with Nelson Mandela University did not paint a rosy picture”, says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).
At this point in time scientific data used to monitor climate change indicate that the meeting of targets and time frames to avert global catastrophe are unlikely to be achieved.
Already South Africa is feeling the pain as fire, torrential rain and angry seas hammer coastal provinces with increasing regularity causing death and destruction.
What is reported in mainstream media does not always portray wider implications. One example is local rural roads and infrastructure which are repeatedly damaged and not rehabilitated given slow economic growth and capacity. In many places the damage caused by floods to access roads and infrastructure isolate rural communities from the outside world and negatively affect mobility, trade, service delivery, economic prosperity and rural productivity.
The take- home massage for South Africa is that the country will have to get its act together and do so very fast. There is simply no more room for wasting sparse resources, counter- productive policies and tolerating predatory entities hampering vital maintenance, construction, service delivery and development.
The development of resilient infrastructure and responsible environmental management must be escalated from “nice to have” to essential. Fire, floods and drought are real and present dangers. The state of South African water quality, rivers and catchments is dire and deteriorating fast. These systems are vital not only for the sake of bio- diversity conservation, but for ensuring water security going forward.
All is not lost just yet and there are promising signs that the reaching of some climate tipping points might just be averted, but nothing can be left to chance in a fast changing natural world and failure to plan ahead will no doubt have severe implications.
Media Release: Public-Private EV Charging Partnership Launched in Garden Route
For immediate release 03 July 2025
The Garden Route’s green mobility future is charging forward with the confirmation of a landmark public-private pledge signed this afternoon at the François Ferreira Academy. The initiative commits land and infrastructure for the establishment of a new Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station in George – one of the first of its kind in the region.
As part of this pioneering initiative, the François Ferreira Academy has donated the site for the first EV charging station to be installed by Solar Energy Africa, a leading national provider of solar power solutions. The pledge signed by Mayor Stroebel and stakeholders includes the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and Africa Skills Private Training, both instrumental in the region’s economic and skills development.
This collaboration marks the first step in a broader rollout of EV charging stations strategically located along the N2 and in rural tourism nodes from Cape Town International Airport to Plettenberg Bay. The goal is to future-proof mobility in the Garden Route and beyond—supporting the transition to electric transport and enabling infrastructure for both locals and visitors.
This collaboration follows the Garden Route EV Seminar, hosted last week at Africa Skills GeorgeTech, where the growing demand for skilled artisans to support the EV sector took centre stage. The seminar explored South Africa’s evolving EV market and its impact on training, artisan development, and job creation.
The EV pledge was formally signed by:
Executive Mayor of GRDM, Alderman Andrew Stroebel
Jessica van der Merwe, Managing Director of Solar Energy Africa
Phillip Harmse, Director: New Business Development of UXi Artisan Development
The Western Cape Government is actively transitioning its public transport and fleet vehicles to electric alternatives. In alignment with this, Africa Skills has already introduced EV-relevant artisan training through its work-integrated learning model and accredited electrical apprenticeships.
“This shift to electric mobility is more than just an infrastructure change – it’s a skills revolution,” said Phillip Harmse. “From battery technology and EV maintenance to solar integration and charging installation, Africa Skills is equipping young artisans to meet this fast-growing demand.”
Speaking at the seminar, Anthonie Janse van Rensburg, Acting Chief Director of the Western Cape Department of Mobility, confirmed the rollout of new EV infrastructure. “Our vision is to establish fast, efficient EV charging hubs across the N2 corridor and urban centres. This is part of our broader EV fleet migration strategy for provincial and local government.”
Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel reaffirmed the municipality’s vision: “As a global tourism hub, the Garden Route must be EV-ready. We’re embracing innovation and partnerships to make this happen.”
As demand for EV adoption increases and the national government explores limitations on internal combustion imports, the Garden Route stands poised to become a leading green mobility destination – powered by solar, driven by skilled artisans, and supported through strong public-private collaboration.
Issued by UXi Artisan Development
Enquiries Images, Soundbites or Interviews: Jan Greyling – 082 556 8778, jan@uxi-ad.co.za
Feature Image:
FLTR: Alex Engelke (Corporate Services: UXi Artisan Development & Africa Skills, Phillip Harmse (New Business Development: UXi Artisan Development), Jessica van der Merwe (CEO: Solar Energy Africa), Andrew Stroebel (Executive Mayor: Garden Route District Municipality), Johan du Plooy (Operations Manager: François Ferreira Academy & Apprentice) and Lizelle Wessels (Corporate Services: UXi Artisan Development).
Media Release: World Ocean Day 2025: Protecting the Garden Route District’s Coastline
8 June 2025
World Ocean Day, celebrated annually on 8 June, is a global event focused on promoting ocean conservation and awareness. In 2025, the theme is “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us”. It is a day for humanity to celebrate and support the life and the livelihood that the ocean sustains, and puts the spotlight on biodiversity and the interconnectivity between the ocean and its ecosystems.
This year’s celebration is also the second year of a multi-year action theme: “Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate”. We face some of the greatest threats ever to our blue planet and all its inhabitants: the climate and biodiversity crises. It is all too clear that we need a healthy ocean for a stable climate, and we need significantly stronger local action from government authorities, corporate leaders and the public.
“For the Garden Route District, which includes amongst others local municipalities of Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, and Bitou, this day is especially meaningful. Our region covers over 300km of coastline, the district is home to rich marine ecosystems, vital fisheries, tourism hotspots, and culturally significant estuaries”, said GRDM Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel.
”Our exquisite coastline supports local economies and livelihoods, but it also faces increasing threats. Climate change, coastal erosion, pollution, and overuse of marine resources are intensifying. The GRDM has therefore responded by updating its Garden Route District Coastal Management Programme and Climate Change Adaptation Plans to include these emerging and increasingly severe challenges to guide municipalities in safeguarding the coast and improving community resilience.”
According to Dr Nina Viljoen, GRDM Head: Environmental Management, “the Garden Route district, being a coastal region, is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts like sea-level rise and its effects on coastal infrastructure and the local economy”.
“The theme is therefore highly relevant to the district’s coastal environment, and highlights the ocean’s vital role and our duty to manage its resources sustainably. Citizens, municipalities, NGOs, and businesses must work together to conserve our ocean.”
The efforts within the district to conserve and protect our ocean includes the establishment of the Stilbaai, Goukamma, Robberg and Tsitsikamma Marine Protection Areas (MPAs). These MPA’s, along with the UNESCO Garden Route and Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserves, contribute to the protection of the area’s rich marine life and natural beauty.
The Garden Route District Municipality is also celebrating the World Ocean Day, and the World Environmental Month, through its Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) Climate Change and Environmental Management Indaba, which will take place on 27 June 2025 at the Nelson Mandela University’s George Campus. Among the dynamic knowledge sharing presentations which can be expected, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment will share their latest Southern Oceans Research information and data analysis results, which will reveal the drastic impacts of climate change on our ocean.
Other initiatives within the district which contributes to ensuring sustainable ocean resources and ecosystems, includes the work of the Hessequa Municipality, which is taking action to prioritise estuary protection, and is actively implementing the National Estuarine Management Protocol along with the other responsible stakeholders. The Mossel Bay Municipality also is making a difference to marine conservation and the lives of the youth by working in collaboration with the IOceans Trust and community to promote sustainable practices, and to run youth marine education and conservation projects.
With the serious challenge of sea level rise and storm surges along our coastline, the George Municipality is endeavouring to ameliorate the serious challenge of coastal encroachment and coastal infrastructural and coastal sensitive area damages, due to climate change impacts, by developing Coastal Erosion Guidelines, particularly for high-risk areas such as Wilderness. The Knysna Municipality is also continuing its efforts to protect its world-renowned estuary, which has been re-designated as a global marine “Hope Spot.” The Plettenberg Bay Municipality is collaborating with the Plett Ocean Smart initiative, which is a public/private initiative with key stakeholders from the greater Plett area, with the main objective to establish awareness and safety protocols related to the ocean and other waterways throughout the Bitou area.
As a symbol of excellent water quality, safety, security, sound environmental management, and accessibility, twenty of the pristine beaches within the Garden Route district have been awarded Blue Flag Status, and three were awarded pilot Blue Flag status, in 2024 by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), in partnership with coastal municipalities and private entities. Blue Flag status beaches are classified as important bird and biodiversity Areas (IBA) by Birdlife South Africa.
These efforts all highlight the value of key organisational, stakeholder and community involvement. Public participation, sustainable resource use, and inclusive access to the coastline are central to the GRDM’s strategy. Initiatives also promote economic opportunities in coastal stewardship, especially for youth and disadvantaged groups.
Call to Action
World Oceans Day is not just about celebration—it’s about action. It is a day for humanity to celebrate and support the life and the livelihood that the ocean sustains and puts the spotlight on biodiversity and the interconnectivity between the ocean and its ecosystems.
The 2025 World Ocean Day action theme, ”Wonder, sustaining what sustains us”, reminds us of our deep connection to the sea, and how this awe is a powerful catalyst for action. It’s a call to step up, scale up, and spark real change. Whether through education, beach clean-ups, or responsible tourism, or reducing pollution at the source before it ever reaches the ocean – every effort matters. you’re not just protecting marine life – you’re also building local resilience to climate change.
As the Garden Route district faces the future, it must do so with one clear message: protecting our ocean means protecting our people, our heritage, and our shared prosperity. Let’s act together – for one ocean, one climate, one future.
Feature image: A photo of a whale enjoying the ocean (Garden Route District Municipality)
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.
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).
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: 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).
GRDM and stakeholders host Garden Route District Coastal Access Task Team Awareness & Training Workshop in George
For immediate release 12 December 2024
The Garden Route District’s coastline is seen as one of its greatest natural and economic assets. “To date, however, development along the coastline have in some instances affected the free and equitable coastal access for all,” says Dr Nina Viljoen, Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Head of Environmental Management.
Facilitators, speakers and representatives at the Garden Route District Coastal Access Task Team Awareness & Training Workshop in George.
Although the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act 24 of 2008 stipulates that South Africa’s citizens are the rightful owners of coastal public property, with the state serving as its public trustee, Dr Viljoen said that the region is experiencing significant challenges relating to the equitable access to the coast, alongside wide-scale access restrictions.
To discuss and address these challenges, the GRDM in collaboration with government and municipal stakeholders hosted a Garden Route District Coastal Access Task Team Awareness & Training Workshop that was held at the Conference Hall of the George Local Municipality on 10 December 2024. In attendance were also activists, community representatives and fishers who participated in the discussions.
Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard: GRDM Portfolio Chairperson: Community Services.
Ms Nenekazi Jukuda, Control Environment Officer at the DFFE.
Dr Tshepiso Monnakgotla: Town and Regional Planner at DFFE.
Mr Ryan Apolles, Specialised Environmental Officer at DEAP&DP.
Dr Nina Viljoen, GRDM Head of Environmental Management.
The purpose of the workshop was to engage stakeholders regarding conflict between various groups in respect of equal access to the coast. For that reason, the platform allowed stakeholders and all present to discuss these pressing issues and advocate for Government and relevant municipalities to intervene in the entire process. This interactive workshop furthermore enabled Government departments to share valuable legislative information to representatives pertaining to the understanding of the rights in terms of access for all to coastal spaces.
In his welcoming address to the delegates who attended the event, Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services at GRDM, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, expressed his gratitude to all present saying that the Garden Route District’s coastline has great value and importance as a natural resource for all coastal users.
Hoogbaard highlighted that the beauty of the coastline is driving local livelihoods, the tourism economy, and it provides for diverse social recreational activities. In addition, Hoogbaard stressed that although much of the wealth is locked up in the Garden Route coast, it is however wasted due to environmentally insensitive development and poor decision making. It is for this reason that the economic and social opportunities are being missed, coastal ecosystems are being degraded and people’s property and lives are being put at risk”.
In conclusion, Hoogbaard mentioned that the GRDM therefore recognises that “we need to ensure that the sharing of benefits derived from our resource rich coastal area is managed and protected to serve the best interest of all coastal users, without compromising the ability of future generations to access these benefits”.
Coastal resources include livelihood and food resources, as well as recreational and tourism resources, and the lack of access to these resources can disrupt local coastal communities who rely on the ocean and coasts for their livelihoods, cultural practices, and well-being. These cultural practices and not having access to spiritual spaces were vastly raised by activists at the event. At the same time, it must be recognised that coastal ecosystems are sensitive and dynamic spaces, and that its on-going functionality is central to livelihoods and prosperity. Access to the coast and its resources must therefore be optimised without negatively impacting on the natural coastal environment.
Participants of the Garden Route District Coastal Access Task Team Awareness & Training Workshop at the event held on 10 December 2024 in George.
Dr Vijoen said that the coastal access legislation and provisions are to be implemented in very complicated and challenging situations, but she admits that to address this, communication and agreements between the involved parties are essential. In many cases, the problem of a lack of knowledge of the applicable Legislation seems to be the cause of some challenges. After raising these concerns, GRDM’s Siphelele Sithole presented the GRDM’s campaign model to educate estate agents and property developers about the relevant legislation in terms of the equal access for all citizens to the coastline. Dr Viljoen in addition provided feedback regarding the public participation process and explained that all comments and submissions received during the 2nd public participation period of the draft reviewed Garden Route District Coastal Management Programme. These comments will have to be considered for inclusion in the final version of the document. Viljoen ensured representatives that it might take a lengthy period to process, but the correct processes need to be followed to ensure the desired results.
Ryan Apolles, Specialised Environmental Officer at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, shared information regarding how coastal access processes are facilitated and supported by the Western Cape Government, as DEA&DP is the lead provincial agency for coastal management in the Western Cape. Apolles stated that while coastal access provision is a municipal decision, the Department is a key role-player in building commitment and providing guidance and support to municipalities to allow them to effectively facilitate, implement, maintain and monitor coastal access. He ensured DEA&DP’s support in respect of the entire process.
Corporal Johannes Matabata, from the South African National Parks (SANParks), shared insightful information with fishermen, more specifically regarding fishing activities, permits and where to apply for permits to name a few.
During his presentation, Richard Botha, former Rescue Manager of the Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMS) and newly appointed as Provincial EMS Coordinator, shared insightful Coastal Access Safety and Awareness information to fishers present, and which are also relevant to the public. He advised fishers that identification is key to their safety while fishing, stating that hazards must be identified when a site is occupied for fishing purposes. He further presented a map indicating various danger spots of fisher-related incidents that the EMS continuously are called out to and advised that various safety aspects must be taken into consideration when planning to go fishing.
Botha also raised the aspect of the importance of self-rescue and shared practical examples to prevent drownings while fishing and he, on behalf of EMS, offered to continue conducting Awareness sessions on Coastal Safety specifically aimed at the safety of fishers. In conclusion he said: “We want to come out and rescue a person and not to conduct a search operation”. In terms of coastal access, he said: “As EMS, we do not experience problems entering the coast, however when it becomes a problem, we consult coastal property owners for easy access to particularly safe lives”.
Although activists question the credibility of processes conducted by Government in terms of equal coastal access for all, the fishing community expect government to provide feedback on the progress of the Garden Route District Coastal Access Task Team, the Garden Route District Coastal Management Programme, as well as feedback based on their concerns.
This workshop was hosted by the GRDM in collaboration with the Department Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Western Cape DEA&DP, George Local Municipality; Metro EMS and the South African National Parks and was highly welcomed by the fisher representatives, activists and members of the public.
Did you know?
As fishers and the public, the following tips can save you from severe incidents while fishing on the coast:
Checking the weather
Wearing of proper gear, e.g. non-slip footwear
Fishing with a buddy
Have a first aid kit at hand
Check the area for the stability of rocks
Be aware of tides and swell
Avoid standing on the edge of rocks
Secure your gear
Watch for marine hazards, e.g. moss can make rocks extremely slippery
Media Release: COP29 focus on funding to assist the global community in dealing with a fast changing climate
For immediate release 19 November 2024
“Lead by Dr Dion George, Minister of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) South Africa has sent as strong delegation to attend and contribute to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan which will be wrapping up its business on climate change this week,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).
The Garden Route has already experienced the impact of a changing climate and it is important that the region focus on what measures to take to be better prepared for mitigating climate induced impacts such as loss of biodiversity, prolonged drought, floods, fire, changes in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels and sea surges.
COP29 is an annual event where the world gathers to agree on the actions to address the climate crisis, such as limiting the global temperatures rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, helping vulnerable communities adapt to the impact of climate change and achieving net- zero emissions by 2050.
Unfortunately the outcomes and gravitas of COP29 on the world stage has been overshadowed by the American elections, but COP29 is no doubt one of the most significant events on the global stage. With temperatures soaring to record levels and cataclysmic climate impacts wreaking havoc around the world, the need for urgent, transformative action to phase out fossil fuels, transform food systems and halt and reverse nature loss has never been greater.
One of the key outcomes for COP29 is to ensure that there will be sufficient funding available to enable every country with the means to make a just energy transition, slash greenhouse gas emissions and building resilient communities.
For many communities around the globe efforts to address climate change has come to late, and already thousands have been displaced by rising sea levels and millions more are facing hunger as drought, fires and floods impact on food production and food security.
Over and above the impact of climate change the South African reality is that the country is wreaking havoc on its own environment through unabated pollution at all levels, and it has to be addressed with urgency.
As much as climate change is a complex matter affecting humanity on many levels, fact of the matter is that failing to prioritize planning for it will have severe implications for future generations.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is an environmental management platform and climate change think- tank.
Photo: a fast- changing climate will have an impact on Garden Route bio- diversity and sustainable food production
Media Release: Illegal dumping a threat to the prosperity of the Garden Route
For immediate release
4 November 2024
“Industrial- scale illegal dumping and littering was one of the major drivers impacting on the severity of the April 2022 Durban flood disaster when some 459 people lost their lives with billions of Rands’ damage to hard infrastructure, property and the economy”, says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).
Globally the advent of climate change enhanced the severity and regularity of flooding with storm water drainage systems and infrastructure simply not designed for such severe events. During the Kwazulu-Natal 2022 floods, the impact of storm water drainage systems blocked by waste and rubble rendered them ineffective to channel storm water. The severe flooding caused severe damage to infrastructure like bridges, roads and resulted in thousands of tons of waste washing up on KZN beaches – a disaster on its own.
All Garden Route towns are serviced weekly in terms of standard waste removal best practice but despite best efforts illegal dumping and littering prevail unabated.
The degrading impact of littering and pollution on the well- being and quality of life of communities is well documented. Changes in climate will further the damage caused by unmanaged waste and litter if social behaviour patterns do not change.
Garden Route municipalities have no choice but to spend millions of Rands, earmarked for service delivery annually, to clean illegal dumping sites and remove mountains of litter from vacant land and township borders.
Illegal dumpsites are a breeding ground for pests and diseases.
Littering and illegal dumping, just like the impact of invasive alien plants have become an immense threat to not only the environment but also human safety and well- being. The degradation of water quality, river health, bio-diversity, marine and coastal environments and general quality of life of those living in the Garden Route is at stake.
Many Garden Route residents do take ownership with regular community beach and river clean-ups, and we salute all who assist the overwhelmed public services.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and a climate change think- tank. (grefscli.co.za).
Feature Image: Children are often subjected to illegal dumping hotspots.
As part of this pioneering initiative, the 
