Media Release: GRDM adds award to its cap for over-achieving EPWP job targets
For Immediate Release 27 March 2025
The Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) EPWP Section received an award from the Western Cape Department for the outstanding performance of the municipality’s EPWP during the 4th Phase. The achievement of these targets reflects the number of people employed and the economic impact on our region, which amounts to R78 532 000,00 over the past five years (2019–2024).
“I want to convey my heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to the HOD, MMC, our dedicated staff and the management team in achieving this award, collectively,” said Andrew Stroebel, GRDM Executive Mayor.
The two departments within GRDM that made the most significant contributions to meeting EPWP targets are the Corporate Services Department, led by Trix Holtzhausen, and the Roads Services Department, under the leadership of John Godfrey Daniels. Over the past financial year, the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM), which is part of Corporate Services, facilitated 315 EPWP job opportunities, while the Roads Services Department contributed 104 EPWP jobs towards achieving the target.
The overall objective of the EPWP is to provide unemployed individuals with meaningful work opportunities. This is done through the delivery of community assets and services, while also fostering economic inclusion to empower sustainable livelihoods and contribute to the country’s development agenda. Over the past four phases, GRDM provided numerous formal and informal training opportunities and contributed to the capacity building of local municipalities’ EPWP programs.
Within the region, three municipalities were awarded this certification: Garden Route District, Mossel Bay, and Hessequa Municipalities.
Featured image caption: FLTR, Lusanda Menze – Executive Manager: Planning & Economic Development, Cllr Hilton Stroebel – Portfolio Chairperson: Property and Asset Management , Andrew Stroebel – GRDM Executive Mayor and Richard Dyantyi – EPWP Manager.
Media Release: Seventeen (17) youth from the Garden Route to gain workplace experience through the BIG Hearts initiative
For immediate release 25 July 2024
On Monday, 22 July 2024, a second group of eight young people from the Garden Route district participated in an induction session as part of the YES initiative. The previous group attended their Induction session on 18 July 2024. The YES Initiative in collaboration with the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), offers participants the chance to gain skills through a twelve-month workplace experience program.
The induction sessions were conducted by BIG Hearts and this will prepare participants to understand the objective of the programme before being placed at various municipalities, including Knysna, Mossel Bay and Ladismith municipalities.
Portfolio Chairperson for Property Development and Management at GRDM, Cllr Hilton Stroebel, addressing the participants with a message of motivation.
The contract signing session took place at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), a stakeholder of this initiative. During the session, the representative from BIG Hearts, Christine van Niekerk, conducted the induction to help participants understand the process, expectations, and details of their contracts.
Witnessing the occasion were GRDM’s Portfolio Chairperson for Property Development and Management, Cllr Hilton Stroebel, within the Integrated Planning and Economic Development Department, as well as the GRDM Manager responsible for Expanded Public Works Programme, Richard Dyantyi, as well as officials from GRDM and Oudtshoorn Municipality.
Cllr Stroebel encouraged the participants in his motivational speech, urging them to seize this opportunity for personal growth and envision a bright future. He concluded by emphasising that this initiative should inspire hope in others who may feel there is no way forward. Stroebel also thanked BIG Hearts for partnering with the municipality, highlighting the importance of such collaborations in providing hope to the youth.
Now all participants are looking forward to being placed in various departments within GRDM and the remaining participants will be assigned to local municipalities in the district, focusing on waste management.
Their monthly remuneration will be funded by the public sector, while GRDM committed to cover the administration costs of all contracts which will officially commence on 1 August 2024.
Feature Image: The second group of participants from across the district with representatives of GRDM’s EPWP Unit, BIG Hearts and Oudtshoorn Municipality after the signing of their contracts at the Induction Session.
Garden Route District Municipality and stakeholders collect nearly 500 bags of waste, including recyclable materials, in Thembalethu
Representatives from the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment (DFFE), with the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning, Garden Route District and George Municipalities, Cape Nature and stakeholders from the Private Sector including John Dory’s and the Spur Foundation, embarked on a clean-up operation near the Schaap-kop River on 15 September in Thembalethu, George.
The clean-up operation included 65 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) members, including a Working-on-Fire Team from George. The programme formed part of the Clean-Up and Recycle – South Africa initiative and was also part of the International Coastal Clean-Up Day that is celebrated in September each year. Approximately 100 participants, with the stakeholder representatives, rolled up their sleeves to clean up the littered area.
A few bags of waste collected at the site during the cleanup operation.
On behalf of CapeNature, Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Thabiso Mokoena, said that with the initiative and the impact of pollution on the environment, he hopes that it will inspire the community to do better in terms of how household waste is disposed of. Katt Perry, Senior Manager at John Dory’s, said that they have a vested interest in the project, and she stressed that “if waste comes through the river, it will end up in the oceans and eventually, we won’t be able to help the fish that are disappearing”. Perry thanked participants present for their hard work and said: “It takes that one person to make a difference”.
Dawid Adonis, Director for Community Services at George Municipality, during his remarks said: “We need to make sure that we keep the environment clean – we need communities to assist us to keep our environment clean and take responsibility”. In addition, he said: “Each and every one of us is an ambassador to make sure that our households use the bags and separate household waste as it will help the municipality to take less waste to the landfill facility”.
Before the groups went into different directions, each with refuse bags, GRDM’s Waste Management Officer, Innocentia Sikweyiya, explained the purpose of the various bags and what waste types are allowed in the different bags”.
At the end of the event, more approximately 320 black bags and nearly 50 recyclable bags were collected. Thank you to all stakeholders and participants who formed part of this initiative.
Stakeholders and members from the WOF and EPWP teams during the Cleanup operation in Thembalethu.
Did you know?
BLUE/CLEAR bags are used for non-soiled recyclable materials, including plastic, paper, cardboard, glass etc.
GREEN bags are for green waste, including organic kitchen waste such as fruit and vegetable peels, as well as garden waste, including grass cuttings, leaves etc. No soil is allowed in green bags.
BLACK bags are for ‘wet’ waste, things that cannot be recycled.
How do you recycle?
PAPER that CAN be recycled: office paper, newspaper and magazines, cardboard (boxes flattened), brown paper bags, take away containers (food removed and rinsed), milk and juice cartons (rinsed and flattened) and books (hard covers removed).
PAPER that CANNOT be recycled: napkins, tissue paper, paper towels, wax paper, laminated or waxy paper, punch confetti, carbon paper and stickers.
METAL that CAN be recycled: cooldrink and beer cans, food tins (rinsed clean), metal lids of glass, jars, aluminium cans, rusty cans can be recycled and recycled batteries (taken to correct depot).
METAL that CANNOT be recycled: batteries, motor oil cans, paint and aerosol cans, and tinfoil.
GLASS that CAN be recycled: all colours of glass bottles and jars, beer and wine bottles (rinsed).
GLASS that CANNOT be recycled: mirrors and windows, ceramic, crystal, drinking glasses and light bulbs.
PLASTIC that CAN be recycled: all plastics numbers 1-7 (rinsed), grocery and retail plastic bags (clean) and milk sachets.
PLASTIC that CANNOT be recycled: cling wrap, and polystyrene (is recyclable but no facility on Garden Route for now).
GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY EPWP UNEMPLOYMENT DATABASE DRIVE
Notice no: 114/2023
Garden Route District Municipality is fully committed to Employment Equity.
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) invites all unemployed people in Touwsranten Area to come and register on our Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) database on 25 August 2023.
Required documents:
A concise 2-page Curriculum Vitae.
Certified copy of Identity Document.
Certified copies of qualifications.
Completed application form.
Application forms and further information:
Application forms will be provided at the drive /or can be obtained at the offices of GRDM /or on the GRDM website at: gardenroute.gov.za.
The applicants must come and submit their completed application form together with supporting documents. They will also be required to sign a register when submitting their application form.
Applications must be submitted between 09h00 – 13h30 on Fridays.
Public Notice: Mossel Bay unemployed individuals invited to register on the Garden Route District Municipality EPWP database
21 July 2023
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) invites all unemployed people from Mossel Bay municipal area to register on our Expanded Public Works (EPWP) database from 24 – 28 July 2023.
Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit nooi werklose persone van die Mosselbaai-area uit om te registreer op die munisipaliteit se Uitgebreide Openbare Werke-Programme (EPWP) tussen 24 en 28 Julie 2023.
Media Release: Garden Route DM rolls out various activities before and on Mandela Day
For Immediate Release
19 July 2023
While the world celebrates the life of an icon, the late President of the Republic of South Africa, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, employees of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) also followed his example to reach out to vulnerable community members throughout the region.
GRDM kicked off their activities on 17 July by hosting a pre-Madiba Day blood donation drive at its head office in George in collaboration with the Western Cape Blood Service. The GRDM also invited the public to donate blood, which resulted in just over 50 blood donations being made.
The Oudtshoorn Municipal Health Office donated nutritious and delicious ‘food socks’ to two families in the Buffelsdrift rural area of Oudtshoorn. Food socks contain pasta, rice, flavourings, stock powders, herbs, spices, dehydrated vegetables, pulses, beans, and soy products. GRDM officials bought the socks. The donation will provide food for eight beneficiaries for a week. The two families extended their appreciation to the GRDM officials for providing them with food.
The Oudtshoorn Municipal Health Office donated ‘food socks’ to families in Buffelsdrift.
Planning and Economic Development Department officials, comprised of the EPWP, Tourism and Local Economic Development, and Human Settlements sections, took Madiba Day activities to a new level when they rolled out the following activities at Kusile Baby Care in Thembalethu. In the morning, they divided themselves into different groups. The first group painted the outside walls of the school building with a primer. After that, others begin painting the building with a beautiful topcoat colour. Other officials, who are much more handy with a hammer and nails, installed PVC ceilings. Some of the female colleagues spent time reading and feeding toddlers and newborns. While others prepared a ‘braai’ lunch for the children and their educators. The daycare center also received a coat from officials.
GRDM Planning and Economic Development officials installing PVC ceilings and feeding toddlers at Kusile Baby Care in Thembalethu.
Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) of Garden Route District Municipality’s Wilderness region celebrated Mandela Day with 60 children from Klipdrift Primary School. The EHPs painted a classroom and supplied colourful tires to improve the playground area. EHPs also shared slices of cake and snack parcels with each child, while they also played games and shared the importance of giving back to others.
EHP officials of GRDM shared cake with children from Klipdrift Primary School and improved their playground.
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Firefighters proved that they can do more than fight wildfires and protect communities. They made sandwiches and distributed them with cool drinks to homeless people in George’s Shoprite parking lot.
GRDM Firefighters sharing sandwiches and cool drinks with homeless people in George.
Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Office of the Municipal Manager, donated 51 pairs of shoes and funds to Mzoxolo Primary School. The shoe donations sprout from the Walk a Child to School campaign and included more staff donations too. The school is already collecting small donations from learners on Fridays to buy shoes for those who are in need. Principal Raymond Eagan thanked the GRDM for the shoe donations and funding. He said: “Our school is home to 1554 bright minds and 42 dedicated teachers.” Learners are mainly from Borchards, Thembalethu, Maraiskamp, Parkdene, and Lawaaikamp. The Principal also said the school’s name, Mzoxola, means “a beacon for peace,” and it was established in 1994 by Naledi Pandor.
Officials of the Office of the Municipal Manager GRDM donated 51 pair of shoes and funds to Mzoxolo Primary School in Lawaaikamp.
Media Release: Cater Care Training Programme graduates another successful group
For Immediate Release 01 March 2023
Another prestigious ceremony was held at the Francois Ferreira Academy (FFA) on Friday, 24 February 2023, to honour 25 students who successfully completed the Cater Care/Food Handler Programme. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) last year, on 17 October 2022, kicked of its 2022/2023 Cater Care/ Food Handler Programme.
The successful partnership of approximately twelve (12) years between the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the Francois Ferreira Academy (FFA) continues to equip youth with vital skills in the hospitality industry.
Last year 223 applications were received from youth across the district to be part of the Cater Care Programme. Ninety-four (94) applicants were shortlisted for interviews, of which 25 were selected to be part of the 2022/2023 flagship programme.
During his message of support to the graduating students, Chef Francois Ferreira.
Ms Veronica Mekile, Project Administrator and Life-skills Facilitator.
During the formal graduation ceremony, Chef Francois Ferreira, Head and Founder of the FFA welcomed the students and guests, and shared a special message with them. He pointed out that they had been in the new building for exactly one year. He recalled there were only boxes and equipment in the building last year, but now it is a fully equipped school with a fully functional restaurant. “In this industry, we change lives, and I hope that what you’ve learned here will, in a small or big way change the way you think and the way you approach life, because this isn’t just a job, but a lifestyle,” Chef Ferreira encouraged students.
Ms Veronica Mekile, Project Administrator and Life-skills Facilitator of the FFA, provided a brief overview of the course and elaborated on the joy and satisfaction the FFA team experiences when they observe the student’s progress.
One of the graduating students, Ms Pheliswa Gobisiba, gave a word of thanks on behalf of the students.
In his address, Ald Gert van Niekerk, Deputy Executive Mayor of GRDM encouraged the students.
Ms Pheliswa Gobisiba, one of the graduating students, delivered a tribute of praised to all the role players involved for the great opportunity. She expressed her gratitude to the staff of the FFA for what they have done for them. “Over the past three months, it has been a long and memorable journey for us; full of excitement and challenges, but we have not lost sight of them. I want to leave my ‘mates’ with the following message: the journey continues, let’s shine and make our chefs proud.”
GRDM Deputy Executive Mayor, Adv. Gert van Niekerk in his speech, commended the FFA team with an exception to Chef Francois Ferreira for their well-equipped facilities. He congratulated the 25 students on their 100% pass. “This is a long-term investment and we urge you to keep up the good work. Nobody can take away what you’ve got here. With this knowledge, you can succeed in the public sector. On behalf of the GRDM, we wish you all the best,” Adv Van Niekerk said.
As usual, the GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald Memory Booysen, motivated and encouraged the youngsters.
A vote of thanks was presented by Ald. De Vries.
Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, congratulated the students and motivated them with the following words: “You are the ones with the skills, the ones who ensure that people will return to a restaurant or not. It is not how the manager of the establishment smiles or how the owner has treated them; it is what they have tasted. In spite of the fact that you are in the background, where nobody sees you, you are the ones who make people lick their fingers and return.” Alderman Booysen further elaborated on the decision made by GRDM to become the Skills Mecca in the Western Cape, after seeing the need and the treachery the country has taken. “In this district, whoever comes in must pick up the phone, dial our number and ask us for whatever skills their business requires. Then ,with a press of a button, the names of people with that particular skills would appear on the screen. When new hotels and restaurants open, with the press of a button, your names must come up, because we have created that pool,” he said.
GRDM through its Tourism Unit is responsible for the funding of this programme, with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Unit contributing towards the stipends for the students.
Media Release: Cater Care students ready to gain practical experience
For Immediate Release 9 December 2022
On Thursday, 8 December 2022, the last intake of the Francois Ferreira Academy (FFA) Cater Care Programme students for 2022 completed their practical training and are now ready to begin the second phase of their training. Their training involve being placed in hospitality establishments in order to gain practical experience during the month of December.
The last intake of Francois Ferreira Academy (FFA) Cater Care Program students for 2022.
During the theoretical training of students.
Earlier this year 223 applications were received from youth across the district who applied to form of the Cater Care Programme. Ninety-four (94) applicants were shortlisted for interviews and in the end, 25 youth were selected to be part of this year’s programme. On 17 October 2022, classes for the last intake of the program began, and the award ceremony will be held in February 2023. The Cater Care is a three (3) month programme providing both theoretical and practical (industry-based) training.
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) through this Cater Care (Food Handler) Training Programme aims to train previously disadvantaged youth in the district, in the hospitality sector. By doing so, the high unemployment rate in the district is being addressed; the unemployed are being trained in Culinary Skills, so they can find employment in local hospitality and tourism companies.
As one of GRDM’s flagship programmes, the Tourism Unit of the District Municipality is responsible for funding the programme, with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Unit contributing to it as well.
In their last practical assignment, students prepared pastry dough.
The Garden Route District Municipality through the Cater Care (Food Handler) Training Programme aims to train previously disadvantaged individuals in the hospitality sector. The District Municipality through the Tourism Unit is solely responsible for the funding of this programme, with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Unit contributing towards this programme.
GRDM aims to address the high rate of unemployment within the District. In particular, the GRDM seeks to provide Culinary Skills training to unemployed people in the District. The Cater Care Training Programme is intended to equip people to access jobs in the local hospitality industry and tourism sector.
The Cater Care programme occurs over a three (3) month period and provides an accredited course with theoretical and practical (industry – learnership) training. This year the course takes place from September 2022 until December 2022.
Criteria for the learners:
Must be a SA Citizen
Aged 18-30
Unemployed
School Qualification Grade 10 to Grade 12
Must have a bank account
Must have a Tax number
Eager to shape a career in the hospitality industry
Reside in the Garden Route District Municipal region
Application process is as follows:
Prospective learners must apply in person at the Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street in George.
All applicants must bring their CV, certified ID Copy, and school results. Certification of documents must not be older than 3 months
Letter from the bank confirming their account
Must have a contact cell phone number plus an alternative number
Contact details:
Address: François Ferreira Academy
Farm 208. R102 Airport Road
George, Western Cape
South Africa
The deadline date is 15 September 2022 for all applications to be submitted *All successful candidates are responsible for their own accommodation arrangements and transport and only serious and committed applicants will be considered for this opportunity.
MG Stratu Municipal Manager 54 York Street PO Box 12 GEORGE 6530 Tel: 044 803 1300
Copies of notices in all three official languages of the Western Cape:
Media Release: Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and SASSETA visit GRDM
28 June 2022 For Immediate Release
An Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) delegation consisting of national and provincial officials visited the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) on 13 and 14 June 2022. The aim of the two-day visit was to learn more about the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) model and to investigate the possibility of replicating the Skills Mecca concept in other parts of the country.
On the first day, representatives from GRSM and the GRDM EPWP section accompanied the delegation on several site visits to training centres in the area that support the GRSM. Delegates visited Cheeba Africa, African Skills and François Ferreira Academy where they were given thorough insights of each facility and the type of training provided. Through several Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) grants and EPWP programmes, learners have successfully completed courses at the training centres visited by delegates and have been able to enter the job market.
The second day was reserved for engagement. Lusanda Menze (GRDM Executive Manager:: Planning and Economic Development) gave an overview of GRDM and its Growth and Development Strategy and Dr Florus Prinsloo (GRSM Coordinator) gave a comprehensive overview of the GRSM model.
Tsholofelo Pooe from National EPWP presented on the their EPWP Training Framework and possible linkages to the Garden Route Skills Mecca.
MOU between GRSM and SASSETA discussed.
Joining the delegation on the second day, were Chris Mudau and Thamsanqa Mdontswa from the Safety and Security SETA (SASSETA). After listening to the presentations given by GRDM and GRSM, they presented on the SETA’s mandate, Skills Development Levy (SDL) breakdown, and strategic scope amongst other topics.
SASSETA’s sub-sections and constituencies include:
Policing
Corrections
Justice
Defence
Intelligence Activities
Legal Services
Private Security and Investigation Activities
There are 17 SDL contributors in the Garden Route, which comprises law firms and security companies. It is for this reason that SASSETA and GRDM will enter into talks to establish an MOU that will see closer cooperation with GRSM.
The two-day delegation visit was concluded with a visit to Calitzdorp Hot Springs where a Security Training Centre has been established through formal partnership between BM Skills Development (who is a SASSETA Accredited Training Provider) and the GRDM.
ends
Executive Manager: Planning and Economic Development, Lusanda Menze and Ald Stephen e Vries with Thamsanqa Mdontswa – CEO of SASSETA and Chris Mudau -Chairperson of SASSETA .
Delegates are given a tour at François Ferreira Academy.
Delegates engage on the second day of the visit to GRDM.
Delegates gather for a group photo after their tour at François Ferreira Academy.
