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Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has entered into a collaborative strategic partnership with Wesgro to promote tourism,  investment and trade across various areas and economic sectors

17 February 2022 Media Release: Wesgro enters into a contract with Garden Route District Municipality to drive economic growth

Media Release: Wesgro enters into a contract with Garden Route District Municipality to drive economic growth

17 February 2022
For immediate release

The Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Wesgro) recently entered into a three-year partnership agreement with Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) to accelerate the region’s economic growth, investment, trade and tourism. Clear targets and deliverables are set out in this agreement.

According to Lusanda Menze, GRDM Executive Manager for Planning and Economic Development, “Wesgro has committed to attracting local and international investors and will use the GRDM investment prospectus to do this”.

“They are, amongst others, required to develop a database of businesses per strategic sector, a list of local and international stakeholders, potential investors they engaged and provide a report of the potential leads they generated,” he said.

Speaker of GRDM, Ald. Georlene Wolmarans signs the partnership agreement
Speaker of GRDM, Ald. Georlene Wolmarans signs the partnership agreement, with her is Yaw Peprah, Wesgro Chief Business Officer.

The agreement also states that one-on-one mentorship of 30 companies across the region has to happen. Exporters in the Garden Route shall be given practical guidance on how to implement business processes to become export-ready. Targeted export promotion of Garden Route companies to international clients is also required at international trade exhibitions where companies will be matched to potential buyers, distributors and importers.

The final part of the agreement will require Wesgro to promote tourism promotion by creating awareness of attractions, properties and itineraries in the Garden Route. Fifteen (15) participants from the travel and trade media companies from Gauteng and Western Cape will be invited to the Garden Route to place a spotlight on the region’s domestic leisure market. The focus will be primarily family- and budget-friendly activities and accommodation such as caravanning, mountain biking, watersports, high-adrenalin and nature-based tourism.

Feature image: Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has entered into a collaborative strategic partnership with Wesgro to promote tourism,  investment and trade across various areas and economic sectors. Pictured (fltr): Joshua Palm (Wesgro Assistant Export Manager), Towfiq Hendricks (Wesgro Head of Investment Promotion), Germaine Habiyaremye (Wesgro Administrator: Agribusiness Investment Unit), Sibylle Pfeiffer (Wesgro District Portfolio Manager), Yaw Peprah (Wesgro Chief Business Officer), Ald. Georlene Wolmarans (GRDM Speaker), Melanie Wilson (GRDM Manager: Economic Development and Tourism), Lusanda Menze (GRDM Executive Manager: Planning and Economic Development) and Passmore Dongi (GRDM Manager: Projects, properties, facilities and resort management).

Save The Date: Garden Route Skills Mecca Forum to Be Held on 25 February

Save The Date: Garden Route Skills Mecca Forum to Be Held on 25 February

For Immediate Release
14 February 2022

The first quarterly Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) Forum for 2022 will be held on 25 February 2022 from 09:00-12:00 virtually. This setting gives Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and its stakeholders a chance to collectively work towards achieving Skills Summit resolutions.

Tshepo Manyama, Regional Manager of National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Western Cape, will be the keynote speaker. He will talk on matters of skills development plans, opportunities, and needs that support youth development in the Garden Route. Joining Manyama will be Clyde Lamberts from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. Lamberts will focus on similar matters, but with a focus on the resilient Agriculture sector of the Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy. The chairperson of the Education and Training Committee of GRDM will chair the session.

Stakeholders who wish to attend the webinar can register here.

8 February 2022 Media Release: Saturday surgeries making a difference

Saturday surgeries making a difference

For immediate release

8 February 2022

George Hospital is currently busy with Saturday surgeries to help reduce the waiting time for patients who require surgery as a result of COVID-19. During the pandemic, elective surgeries had to be postponed to free up resources and personnel within the hospital for patients who contracted the virus and who needed urgent care. It was also necessary to prevent the risk of patients contracting COVID-19 during their travel time or hospital stay. As a result, many patients have been waiting a long time for their operations.

‘Saturday surgeries are a new initiative that has been implemented at the hospital and will run until March. We have received additional funding for this purpose, which allows additional doctors and nurses to be contracted to make these operations possible. Some of the staff have agreed to volunteer their Saturdays to make the project a reality and maximise the number of patients who are treated. Some patients who have been on the waiting list for two or more years can now receive their surgery, these include Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, general surgery, Urology and ENT,’ said George Hospital CEO, Michael Vonk.

According to Dr Chanelle Changfoot (general surgeon at George Hospital), Saturday surgeries take place from 8:00 until 17:00 and usually all health professionals try and do as many surgeries as possible. ‘These are elective operations that have a major impact on the patients’ quality of life,’ she said.

Percival Rossouw (37) from Riversdale has been waiting for quite a while for his operation. ‘At long last I also have the opportunity to get the procedure done with and move forward,’ he said.

Patients would usually wait six to nine months for their non-urgent procedure or surgery but due to COVID-19, some have been waiting for two years. The type of surgeries impacted by COVID-19 has been non-urgent cases such as hernias, gall bladder surgeries, non-cancerous lumps and bumps that are growing, and hip or knee replacements. ‘It’s difficult for patients to understand why they have to wait. As a doctor it can be frustrating because you want to help everybody but unfortunately for surgery, you have to work in a team,’ said Dr Changfoot.

Renier Alberts (63) is another happy patient who underwent surgery on Saturday 5 January 2022. ‘I am glad my turn has come, and also to be able to receive surgery during the weekend,’ he said.

Caption: Percial Rossouw is one of many patients benefiting from the initiative.

END

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Tel: 044 813 1831
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

 

08 February 2022 Impact Based Warning: Veld Fire Conditions

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued an Impact Based Warning for the Western Cape and Namaqua Region of Northern Cape as follows:

Hazard: Veld Fire Conditions
Alert Level: FDI above 75
Affected Municipalities: Beaufort West, Cederberg, Hantam, Kamiesberg, Kannaland, Karoo Hoogland, Laingsburg, Langeberg, Oudtshoorn, Prince Albert, Witzenberg
Valid From (SAST): 08/02/22 – 11h00
Valid To (SAST): 09/02/22 – 18h00

Discussion: The warm temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds could result in the development of runaway and veld/bush fires.

Impact: Conditions are such that the FDI index is above 75. Under these conditions fires may develop and spread rapidly resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.

Instruction:Fire teams, labour and equipment are to be placed on stand-by. A first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time.
_________________________________________
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.”

07 February 2022 Impact Based Warning: Veld Fire Conditions

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued an Impact Based Warning for the Western Cape and Namaqua Region of Northern Cape as follows:

Hazard: Veld Fire Conditions
Alert Level: FDI above 75
Affected Municipalities: Beaufort West, Cederberg, Hantam, Kannaland, Karoo Hoogland, Laingsburg, Oudtshoorn, Prince Albert, Witzenberg
Valid From (SAST): 07/02/22 – 01h00
Valid To (SAST): 08/02/22 – 19h00

Discussion: The warm temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds could result in the development of runaway and veld/bush fires.

Impact: Conditions are such that the FDI index is above 75. Under these conditions fires may develop and spread rapidly resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.

Instruction: Fire teams, labour and equipment are to be placed on stand-by. A first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time.

_________________________________________
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.”

05 February 2022 Media Release: Algae in Blind River, Dana Bay

Media Release: Algae in Blind River, Dana Bay

For Immediate Release
5 February 2022

Please note that the blackish residue in the Blind River, Mossel Bay, is caused by algae growth. Algae often decompose alongside riverbanks and look similar to oil residue.

Samples last year that were lab-tested, confirmed that it was algae.

Cape Nature was also contacted, and they confirmed the natural cause of algae and organic material decomposition that looks like blackish oil residue. This is eminent in water sources alongside the garden route lakes areas.

For air quality-related queries and complaints, contact the GRDM Air Quality office for any applicable air quality complaints under the GRDM jurisdiction.

The office number is 044-693 0006 during office hours (Monday – Thursday, 07:30 – 16:30; Fridays from 07:30 – 13:30).
Dr Johann Schoeman
Manager: District Air Quality Control
jschoeman@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: +27 (0)44 693 0006 | +27 (0)84 317 9167
ENDS

 

Profiles of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Speaker and Mayoral Committee Members

Get to know the Executive Mayor, Deputy Executive Mayor, Speaker and Mayoral Committee Members of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM).

A biography of the following Councillors are available for you to read:

Ald. Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/executive-mayor/

Adv Gert van Niekerk, Deputy Executive Mayor
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/deputy-executive-mayor/

Ald. Georlene Wolmarans, Speaker
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/speaker/

Cllr Nompumelelo Ndayi, Portfolio Chairperson: Community Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/community-services-3/

Ald. Iona Kritzinger, Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/corporate-services-3/

Cllr Anco Barker, Portfolio Chairperson: Financial Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/mayco-financial-services/

Ald. Rosina Ruiters, Portfolio Chairperson: Planning and Economic Development
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/mayco-planning-and-economic-dev/

Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, Portfolio Chairperson: Property and Asset Management
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/property-and-asset-management/

Ald. Petru Terblanche, Portfolio Chairperson: Roads and Transport Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/mayco-roads-and-transport-planning/

Cllr Jerome Lambaatjeen, Portfolio Chairperson: Strategic Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/strategic-services/

The rest of the full council include the following members

03 February 2022 Wesgro to promote Tourism, Export and Investment for the Garden Route District

WESGRO TO PROMOTE TOURISM, EXPORT AND INVESTMENT FOR THE GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT

3 February 2022
Wesgro, the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, in collaboration with Garden Route District Municipality, is hosting a meet and greet today at Fancourt with stakeholders from the agri-business sector.
The session aims to introduce the Wesgro Agribusiness Investment unit. Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, will deliver a keynote address. Other speakers include Eimear Costigan, Wesgro Head of the District Unit, Towfiq Hendricks, Wesgro Head of Investment Promotion, Joshua Palm, Wesgro Assistant Export Manager and Yaw Peprah, Wesgro Chief Business Officer.
A ceremonial signing of the agreement between Garden Route District Municipality and Wesgro will take towards the end of the event. The agreement signifies Wesgro’s commitment towards tourism, export and investment promotion of the Garden Route and the investment prospectus of the region. If you haven’t seen it, download the investment prospectus of Garden Route District Municipality here: Investment prospectus
Interested in investing in any of these opportunities offered by the Local Government in the Garden Route District? Contact the District Economic Development Office, Ms Melanie Wilson, invest@gardenroute.gov.za

02 February 2022 Impact Based Warning: Level 2 Disruptive Rain

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued an Impact Based Warning for the Western Cape and Namaqua Region of Northern Cape as follows:

Hazard: Disruptive Rain Yellow
Alert Level: Level 2 (High likelihood of minor impacts)
Affected Municipalities: Beaufort West, Bitou, George, Hantam, Kannaland, Karoo Hoogland, Khâi-Ma, Knysna, Laingsburg, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Prince Albert
Valid From (SAST): 02/02/22 – 03h00
Valid To (SAST): 02/02/22 – 23h00

Discussion: Rain and thundershowers are expected from mid-morning persisting until the evening. Rainfall accumulation of 15-30mm are expected with up to 50mm in pockets within the cloud band are possible; some showers can have a quick and heavy downpour (15-20mm/h). The lightning associated with the thundershowers might cause some impacts.

Impact: Localised flooding/flash flooding of susceptible formal/informal settlements and roads may occur which can affect major routes contributing to longer travel times together with reduced visibility and slippery roads can also cause minor vehicle accidents. Isolated events of lightning can contribute to localised service disruption due to power surges.

Instruction: In buildings, move valuables to a safe place above the expected flood level. Switch off electricity at the supply point to the building. Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to recognize flood dangers when driving. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
_________________________________________
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.”