Impact-Based Severe Weather Warning: Level 2 for Damaging Waves
The Cape Town Weather Office has issued an Impact Based Warning for damaging waves valid from 25 to 26 May 2023.
Areas in the Garden Route district that will be affected by damaging waves include Bitou, George, Hessequa, Knysna and Mossel Bay.
Legal notice:
“This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance.
It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”
Report weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071.
Save the Date: Notice of Council Meeting, 30 May 2023 at 10:00
Notice is hereby given that an COUNCIL MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers and via Zoom, 54 York Street, George, on 30 May 2023 at 10:00.
Media Release: Challenges and Solutions: Minister Kubayi Engages with Local Officials and Communities
For Immediate Release
19 May 2023
The National Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, accompanied by Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete, conducted a visit to the Garden Route District municipal area in the Western Cape yesterday, 18 May 2023. The purpose of the visit was to evaluate the advancements made in providing sustainable human settlements.
The day commenced with Minister Kubayi actively engaging with local municipal officials, as well as provincial representatives, to gain insights into the challenges faced in terms of land availability, bottlenecks, and funding issues. The discussions revealed the need for enhanced communication channels between national, provincial, and local governments, which would lead to a more streamlined approach in addressing current issues.
The National Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and the Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality, Alderman Memory Booysen, listen and respond to issues raised by residents during their visit to the Concordia community in Knysna.
Municipal Manager of Garden Route District Municipality, Monde Stratu (right), as well as Executive Mayor of Knysna, Cllr Aubrey Tswenga (left), provided feedback to the Minister of Human Settlements, regarding the status and progress of Human Settlements in the Garden Route and Knysna specifically. 0
In addition, the program for the day included significant events, such as the symbolic handover of title deeds to deserving community members from Qolweni in Plettenberg Bay and Concordia in Knysna. Community members were provided an opportunity to express their concerns and raise issues related to housing.
Minister Kubayi also shared her findings at the Khayalethu Bungalow area. She alluded to the distress she witnessed when she visited two vulnerable households whose living conditions in wooden bungalows were unfit for human habitation. She apologised to the community for what she had witnessed and the unbearable conditions in which people were forced to live, addressing both long-standing promises and emerging concerns, ensuring that all matters were duly noted. Some urgent cases were identified as requiring immediate attention and designated as emergency interventions.
During the visit and in response to some of the questions raised by the community, Minister Kubayi emphasised the priority given to the elderly and disabled individuals as beneficiaries for housing.
A happy resident of Kwanokuthula in Bitou after twenty (20) residents of the area received their title deeds that were handed over to them by Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, in the presence of the Deputy Minister and Executive Mayors of Garden Route District and Bitou Municipalities.
After an insightful speech by Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, when she informed the community about various housing matters including housing applications and a lack of land for housing purposes, residents used the opportunity to capture and report their concerns to the delegation present. These concerns will be processed and responded to in a suitable time after the engagement.
Drawing from her own personal experiences, she shared a poignant story of her childhood, growing up in a shack as the child of a domestic worker. Through determination and careful saving, she was able to purchase a home for her mother, underscoring the importance of providing dignified housing for all.
On the specific issue of Khayalethu 150 Bungalows being restored, she undertook to close the gap between the different spheres of government and its agency, Housing Development Agency, by establishing an intervention team as well as immediate appointment of a Geotech company to do the structural assessments.
This team which will make contact with local and Provincial / National governments and look at a streamlined approach with targeted performance milestones to bring relief under the Emergency Funding. The funding is now located in her department.
There will regular feedback sessions with the communities to enhance assurability of the programme progress.
Minister Kubayi reiterated her commitment to improving the lives of South African citizens by creating sustainable human settlements. She emphasized the need for collaboration and cooperation among all levels of government to address the challenges faced by communities. She urged members of the communities she addressed in Knysna and Bitou municipal areas to take pride in their homes, surrounds and communities at large, rather than waiting for government to be the change-maker for certain matters. Communities were urged to work together to keep their areas clean, support local entrepreneurs and local businesses, which would result in the economy to grow.
She also made specific reference to the potential of tourism in the region and that it is remains a key driver of jobs and economic growth of the Garden Route and Klein Karoo.
The last part of the Minister’s visit included an opening of a Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) satellite office in George. Learn more about CSOS here: https://csos.org.za/
According to Minister Kubayi, the CSOS office will play a crucial role in promoting harmonious and well-governed community focused access by offering dispute resolution services, regulating governance documentation, providing education and training, and facilitating transparency and access to information.
These pictures were taken during the official launch and ribbon cutting ceremony of the satellite office for Community Schemes Ombud Services (CSOS) in George.
Overall, the visit to the Garden Route District municipal area proved to be an insightful and productive engagement, with Minister Kubayi and Deputy Minister Tshwete demonstrating their dedication to achieving equitable housing solutions for the people of the region.
Tourism marketing and development Unit is responsible for coordinating regional tourism initiatives and promotes and develops tourism throughout the region, while working closely with eight (8) Local Tourism Offices (LTO). With a focus on selling and promoting the region’s vast potential, GR&KK also aims to attract global attention and foster economic growth in the district.
GR&KK tourism representatives who attended the 2023 Africa Indaba Show last week in Durban. FLTR: Joan Shaw – Tourism Manager from George/Wilderness/Uniondale Tourism, Denver Johnson – GRDM Tourism Officer and Thozeka Sikali from Visit Knysna.
From 09 May – 11 May 2023, preceded by a Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) on 08 May 2023, the Africa Indaba Show aimed to provide a platform for thought leadership, knowledge sharing, and market insight. BONDay is developed in collaboration with global tourism organisations, continental experts, and industry associations.
During the trade show, African tourism exhibitors showcased their offerings to international and local buyers, destination marketing companies and leisure tourism service providers. The event allowed travel trade professionals to meet face-to-face with some of the most influential buyers on the continent, and gain a deeper understanding of Africa’s excellence and endless potential. As a result of these opportunities and quality connections, Africa will be able to shape its future.
According to GRDM representatives, several new and existing connections were made over the course of the three days, as the GRDM delegation engaged with various domestic and international buyers interested in learning about our area, re-visiting or expanding their tourism offerings by integrating the Garden Route & Klein Karoo into their existing packages.
The following top four tourism offerings were most popular under the tourism buyers
Educational trips to familiarize tour/travel agents of existing and new products/offerings in the Garden Route & Klein Karoo
High-end luxury travel (5 Star)
Incentive travel (Golfing, wine routes, craft beer and gin experiences)
Camping and caravan offerings in the Garden Route & Klein Karoo – most interest from the domestic market
The Western Cape stand was hosted by Wesgro, with the GR&KK Regional Tourism Office also forming part of it to promote the region along with Visit Knysna, George, Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism LTOs.
Africa’s Travel Indaba is an iconic African leisure trade show, owned by South African Tourism, with the specific objective of creating market access for our vast array of African leisure tourism products.
In the photograph, GRDM Tourism and LED officials with Dr. Takalani Ramukumba at the 2023 Africa Indaba. FLTR: Denver Johnson – GRDM Tourism Officer, Dr. Takalani Ramukumba and Johannes Jafta – Economic Development Officer.
GR&KK officials present the region’s offerings to international and local buyers.
Media Release: Update 3 on the construction of the GRDM Fire Station
For Immediate Release 12 May 2023
The newly constructed Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Fire Station is progressing swiftly.
The backfilling of the administration building is completed. The apparatus bay columns have been erected and work has progressed to the first floor beams which are being erected currently. The project is on schedule and managed by Kubeka Construction and Kantey & Templer.
The Cape Town Weather Office has issued an Impact Based Warning for damaging waves for Friday 12 May 00:00 until Saturday 13 May 00:00.
Areas in the Garden Route district affected by damaging winds include George, Hessequa, Knysna, Mossel Bay Kannaland and Bitou.
2. Level 3 for disruptive Rain – Warning valid Friday 12 May 00:00 to Friday 23:59
3. Level 2 Damaging Winds – Warning valid from Friday 12 May 00:00 to Saturday 13 May 00:00
Legal notice:
“This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance.
It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”
Report weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071.
Impact-Based Severe Weather Warning: Level 2 for Damaging Waves
The Cape Town Weather Office has issued an Impact Based Warning for damaging waves for Friday 12 May 00:00 until Saturday 13 May 00:00.
Areas in the Garden Route district affected by damaging winds include George, Hessequa, Knysna, Mossel Bay Kannaland and Bitou.
Legal notice:
“This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance.
It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”
Report weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071.
Notice is hereby given that all the offices of the Garden Route District Municipality will be closed on Friday, 28 April 2023 and re-open on Tuesday, 02 May 2023 at 07:30.
An application for Full Scoping & Impact Assessment for a new Crematorium on Erf 50 in MossDustria Industrial Park (Mossel Bay) has been submitted to the Department of Environment Affairs & Development Planning (DEADP) and Air Quality Emission License (AEL) to be submitted to Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM).
In order to be registered as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) for the environmental Amendment Application, individuals are requested to respond to this notice by submitting their complete contact details and any comment, in writing, to Louise-Mari van Zyl (louise@capeeaprac.co.za) or Cape EAPrac, PO Box 2070, George, 6530. Contact us at 044-8740365 for any telephonic queries.
Awareness about Clean Air a priority for Garden Route DM
For Immediate Release
11 April 2023
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is committed to promoting a healthy and sustainable environment for its residents. In light of that, GRDM is proud to sponsor the 2023 Clean Air Project, which aims to promote awareness about pollution among primary school students in circuits one and two of the Eden/Karoo educational district. This project will have a significant impact on the community with 96 teachers and 2917 learners participating.
The 2023 Clean Air Project is designed to align with the CAPS curriculum regarding pollution, and focuses on Life Skills in Grade 3. The project is divided into several stages, starting with the distribution of resources to the different schools. The resources include six (6) posters, lesson plans, worksheets, and game cards, available in English, Afrikaans, and iSixhosa.
The second stage involved a 30-minute online introduction presentation, which was well attended and received by teachers. As part of stage three, teachers were provided with self-paced online training where they can earn 5 CTDP points.
During the fourth and final stage of the 2023 Clean Air Project, the project will be implement in the classroom with the learners. So far, the programme has been well received by all the schools and teachers involved.
It is worth noting that Oudtshoorn has achieved a reward for the best air quality in Africa, according to IQ Air. This achievement is attributed to GRDM consistent investment and contribution towards improving the air quality in the area. It is the goal of GRDM to have all the towns in the Garden Route district among the top ten with the cleanest air in Africa.
The 2023 Clean Air Project is just one of the many initiatives that GRDM’s Air Quality Section is undertaking to achieve this goal. “With the success of this project, it is hoped that more schools in the region will participate in the coming years. The project is currently in its 6th year cycle. We have reached all the schools in the district and are currently working on the second round. The Klein Karoo was covered last year; next year and the following year, it will be George, Uniondale, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and all primary schools in-between,” said Dr Johann Schoeman, GRDM Manager: District Air Quality Control
Die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit borg die 2023 Skoon Lug Projek, wat daarop gemik is om bewustheid te skep oor lugbesoedeling onder laerskoolleerders van die Eden/Karoo opvoedkundige distrik. Die projek is in lyn met die CAPS kurrikulum en fokus op Lewensvaardighede in Graad 3. Die inisiatief sluit die verspreiding van hulpbronne na skole, aanlyn opleiding vir onderwysers, en implementering van die projek in die klaskamer in. Die program is goed ontvang deur alle skole, onderwysers en ander rolspelers. Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit werk daarna toe om alle dorpe in die streek onder die top tien Skoonste lug in Afrika te bevorder.
Legal notice:
