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2 December 2025 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Firefighters ready and on standby for holiday season

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Firefighters ready and on standby for holiday season

2 December 2025

Due to the region’s high-risk summer fire season, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has enhanced its firefighting capacity.

“We’ve already noted the extremely dry vegetation, coupled with lower than usual rainfall and declining dam levels, and persistent hot and windy conditions. It is for this reason that the GRDM Firefighters have again increased their operational readiness across the district,” said Deon Stoffels, Chief Fire Officer.

According to Executive Mayor Marais Kruger, “the GRDM employs 32 full-time firefighters across its three fire stations located in George, Riversdale, and Ladismith. During the peak summer period, an additional 30 seasonal (temporary) firefighters are brought on board in from December 2025 until end of March 2026.”

The district’s firefighting fleet is equipped to respond rapidly across diverse and often challenging terrains. Resources include:

  • 4×4 off-road LDV skid units designed for rugged terrain and first-response deployment.
  • 4×4 off-road fire trucks for mountain and veld firefighting.
  • Water tankers to support operations in water-scarce areas or in locations where hydrants are unavailable.

GRDM also has a chemical fire (otherwise known as hazmat) responsibility and has a fully equipped hazmat response unit at its regional station. Additionally, a first response equipped mobile trailers at the Riversdale station and at the Knysna Fire Department for similar purposes in the Bitou and Knysna area. The procurement process is in an advanced stage for a 3rd First Response mobile trailer for the Kannaland and Oudtshoorn areas.

Aerial resources for first hour deployment to high-risk fires, are funded through the Western Cape Government’s Fire and Rescue Services and Disaster Management Directorate as well as from the Department Forestry’s, Fisheries, and the Environment. Five aircraft is planned for this purpose, and will be positioned at Denneoord, comprising of Command-and-Control aircraft, helicopters and a fixed-wing bomber plane. Additionally, ad-hoc resources are stationed at George Airport, and Still Bay, comprising of a bomber plane and helicopter respectively.

GRDM Firefighters maintain round-the-clock readiness. All three stations operate 24/7, with Riversdale and Ladismith functioning on an after-hours standby system.

GRDM’s Mandate

  • Veld and mountain fires.
  • Chemical and hazardous materials incidents.
  • Support during major emergencies through Mutual Aid Agreements with all municipalities, including with PetroSA.

Within Kannaland, GRDM performs the full firefighting function, including:

  • Structural fires.
  • Motor vehicle incident response.
  • Hazardous materials.
  • Highly prevalent snake removal call-outs during summer.

The following fire safety measures are essential for residents, businesses, and visitors:

  • Protect homes and structures by maintaining a safe, clear, defendable space.
  • Fires can be reduced by reducing the burn of materials that are flammable, such as dry wood, biomass, and excessive debris.
  • Make sure firebreaks are properly maintained and compliant.
  • Immediately report illegal burning, smoke, or suspicious activity.
  • Local municipalities issue burning permits that must be strictly adhered to. From 1 December to 28 February 2026, controlled burns are not permitted.
  • Stay informed by following official alerts and communicating with the appropriate authorities.
  • Keep outdoor braai fires supervised, ensure they are fully extinguished, and use only designated braai areas.
  • Campsite and resort owners must enforce strict oversight of visitor braai fires.

For emergencies, residents are encouraged to contact their local fire station or the GRDM Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071 or WhatsApp 081 709 5193.

Feature Image: Executive Mayor, Marais Kruger and his MMC for Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, visited the GRDM Regional Fire Station on 1 December to touch base with the GRDM Fire Chief and to meet-and-greet the 20 newly appointed seasonal firefighters. 

ENDS

1 December 2025 Media Release: GREF and NMU to Co-Host Sustainability Seminar in Gqeberha

GREF and NMU to Co-Host Sustainability Seminar in Gqeberha

For immediate release
1 December 2025

“The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) and Nelson Mandela University (NMU) will co-host the 2026 Sustainability Seminar at the NMU South Campus in Gqeberha. The event theme, “Building Partnerships for People, Land and Nature,” highlights the importance of collaboration in responding to environmental challenges affecting both the Garden Route and the Eastern Cape” says GREF convener Cobus Meiring.

Peter du Toit of Future iQ in Knysna will deliver the keynote presentation on “Empowering Better Climate Decisions through Science and Simulation.” His address will focus on how science-based planning and modelling can support effective climate adaptation and better long-term decision-making.

The Garden Route and Eastern Cape share extensive environmental connectivity well beyond formal boundaries. This includes marine and coastal systems, river catchments, estuaries and shared climate pressures. A major area of joint interest is the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve, stretching from George to the Van Stadens River and extending into the Klein Karoo. Alongside it, the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR), managed from Riversdale, forms the second biosphere reserve in the region. Together, these internationally recognised areas reinforce the need for cooperative landscape-level management.

GREF, Garden Route District Municipality and NMU have maintained a strategic working relationship for many years, strengthened further by the involvement of the NMU Faculty: Life, Earth, Environmental and Agricultural Sciences. This year’s seminar continues to build on that partnership by bringing academia, conservation authorities and practitioners into a shared space for learning and planning.

SANParks will also participate, with Dr Nomvuselelo (SANParks: Social Cohesion) providing insights into the future of conservation and new opportunities for inter-institutional collaboration. The Tsitsikamma National Park, which forms part of the Garden Route National Park, is a central ecological node within the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve and reflects the region’s interconnected environmental heritage.

The seminar takes place on Thursday, 4 December 2025, at NMU South Campus. It will also mark the official launch of the Eastern Cape Sustainability Forum (ECSF), which will serve as a sister platform to GREF and help strengthen cross-provincial cooperation.

For more information, contact louiselouisamare@gmail.com.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and practitioners and serves as a regional climate-change think-tank.
More information: www.grefecsf.org.za.

1 December 2025 Media Release: GRDM and Mossel Bay Municipality Join Forces for Successful Clean-Up Campaign

Media Release: GRDM and Mossel Bay Municipality Join Forces for Successful Clean-Up Campaign

1 December 2025

On 19 November, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in partnership with the Mossel Bay Municipality, conducted a clean-up campaign in Ward 15, KwaNonqaba. The initiative, led by the Mossel Bay Municipality, aimed to promote a clean environment, raise awareness about proper waste disposal, and encourage responsible management of natural resources and pollution.

Objectives of the campaign included

  • Litter picking in targeted areas.
  • Educate the public on the importance of proper waste management.
  • Raising awareness about recyclable waste.
  • Encouraging community involvement through a petition to keep the neighbourhood clean.

The campaign was well attended by the Ward Councillor, officials and staff from the Mossel Bay Municipality, Henque Waste, VLT Cleaning Services, volunteers, and Ward Committee members. In addition, strong collaboration with Polyco, Aquelle, and the Department of Correctional Services contributed significantly to the success of the initiative.

Key Outcomes

  • Noticeable improvement in cleanliness across the targeted areas
  • Increased public awareness about maintaining a clean and healthy environment
  • Strengthened cooperation and community engagement between GRDM and the Mossel Bay Municipality

The clean-up campaign achieved its intended goals and had a positive impact on the KwaNonqaba community. The combined efforts of GRDM, Mossel Bay Municipality, community members, and key partners helped restore cleanliness, promote environmental education, and strengthen community partnerships. Continued collaboration and active participation from all stakeholders will remain essential in sustaining a clean, healthy, and environmentally responsible Mossel Bay.

Featured Image and above pictures: Participants and key moments from the clean-up campaign in action.

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27 November 2025 Update 12 – Gwaiing Road Construction Works, George

Update 12 – Gwaiing Road Construction Works, George

During the month of November, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Roads Layerworks Team commenced with the cement stabilization process of the second to last layer on the left hand side (LHS) lane. This process was done with the use of a specialized recycler machine, which processed the full length of the project on the LHS.

Due to the fact that the layer is stabilized with cement, it is currently in a curing phase where it is required to lay undisturbed for a period of time, in order to reach the optimal strength. Once the curing phase is completed and the test results have been received, the team will then begin with importing the material for the final layer, which is the basecourse layer. Source material is currently at a laboratory undergoing various tests, and once the results are received, the next phase of the construction will commence.

Although the Roads and Transport Planning Services Department will be closed from 12:00 on 12 December 2025 to 9 January 2026, the Department remains focused on the completion of the concrete lined side drains, as well as constructing concrete edge beams at all accesses along the road.

Completion date of the project still remains at 31st January 2026, with the progress standing at 92%.

 

ENDS

25 November 2025 Media Release: GRDM joins global 16 Days of Activism Campaign to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide

Media Release: GRDM joins global 16 Days of Activism Campaign to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide

For immediate release
25 November 2025

Officials from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), women and men, joined the rest of the world in marking the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign earlier today. The campaign runs annually from 25 November to 10 December, and this year it is observed under the theme: “Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls working together to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).”

This year marks the 27th anniversary of the campaign with its primary goal remaining to raise awareness, inspire action, and promote accountability in the fight to end gender-based violence. This year’s theme is anchored in the Positive Masculinity Dialogue, which will be hosted on the margins of the G20 Ministerial Meeting and builds on G20 outcomes related to GBVF.

On 18 November 2025, during the G20 Social Summit in Johannesburg, President Ramaphosa declared GBVF a national disaster in South Africa. This decision was officially welcomed by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa.

As the first African country to host the G20 host, South Africa placed the eradication of GBVF at the centre of the G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group’s agenda. The G20 Leaders’ Declaration further reinforced this commitment, highlighting global priorities such as sustainable development, equality, and the urgent need to address gender-based violence.

Today, GRDM officials, all dressed in black, gathered at the municipality’s parking area at the back of the head office. Special words of encouragement and support were shared by GRDM Councillors Ald. Nompumelelo Sumeia Ndayi (MMC for Corporate Services) and Cllr Clodia Lichaba. Rian Boshoff (Chief Financial Officer) and Deon Stoffels (Fire Chief), also delivered messages of support, emphasising that violence against women remains a major concern that requires a whole of society approach; a human rights crisis, affecting nearly one in three women in their lifetime.

In a demonstration of global solidarity and to pledge their commitment to ending violence against women and girls, as well as gender-based violence, officials painted their hands and left their handprints on a large poster. Following this, staff formed a large circle, joining hands in solidarity and support for the drive to end gender-based violence.

The campaign serves as a reminder that creating a safe and inclusive environment is everyone’s responsibility. During this period, staff are encouraged to start conversations about GBVF in its many forms, support one another, and reaffirm their commitment to fostering respect, equality, and dignity for all.

Other important commemorative days during this period include World AIDS Day on 1 December and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December each year.

Did you know?

16 Days of Activism provides a platform for individuals and institutions to:

  • Advocate for the rights and safety of women and girls
  • Challenge harmful norms and inequalities
  • Support survivors of violence
  • Strengthen laws, policies, and systems that protect vulnerable groups

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21 November 2025 Media Release: Comprehensive Seasonal Municipal Health Safety Plan ready as Holiday Season approaches

Media Release: Comprehensive Seasonal Municipal Health Safety Plan ready as Holiday Season approaches

21 November 2025

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has developed its Seasonal Municipal Health Safety Plan to ensure that residents and holiday visitors enjoy a safe and healthy environment during the peak holiday season.

According to Executive Mayor Marais Kruger, “every year, the region experiences a significant increase in food handling activities, temporary events, large tourist volumes, and higher temperatures. All of which heighten the risk of foodborne illnesses, water contamination, and general public health hazards”.

“In response to the influx of tourists, GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) will intensify their proactive inspections, monitoring and awareness operations across all seven local municipal areas from now to January 2026.”

Protecting public health during the busiest season

The plan is to ensure extensive monitoring of food premises, accommodation facilities, water quality, and hygiene compliance across the district. Activities will include blitz operations, joint enforcement actions, sampling programmes, community awareness campaigns, and extended standby coverage by EHPs.

“EHPs play a vital role in safeguarding lives, especially during the festive season when food consumption, mobility, and public interaction significantly increase,” said Mayor Marais Kruger.

“This plan strengthens our region’s resilience to prevent food poisoning, disease outbreaks and environmental contamination.”

Key activities will include:

Food Safety, Hygiene and Compliance Monitoring

  • Conduct inspections at spaza shops, formal food premises, informal food traders, mobile vendors, restaurants, accommodation establishments, school feeding schemes, soup kitchens, wholesalers, ECD centres, markets, festivals and event-based food stalls.
  • Monitor food handling practices, prevention of cross-contamination, temperature control, personal hygiene, structural compliance, sanitation practices, pest control and chemical safety.
  • Enforce compliance with Certificates of Acceptability (COA), including issuing fines or closing non-compliant shops.
  • Ensure labelling, supplier verification and safe storage of foodstuffs.

Sampling and Laboratory Testing

  • Take surface swabs and bacteriological food samples during November and December.
  • Conduct ongoing chemical and bacteriological food sampling.
  • Complete water and food-related samples during November and December across drinking water, river water, beach water, sewerage, final effluent and perishable food items.
  • Conduct monthly bacteriological sampling of the Knysna Estuary.
  • Collect bacteriological samples from foodstuffs and water samples

Awareness, Education and Community Engagement

  • Deliver weekly health and hygiene awareness sessions.
  • Conduct outreach and education with informal traders, schools, clinics, ECDs, the food industry, and the general public.
  • Provide hygiene training to food handlers before major holiday events.
  • Monitor community complaint platforms and respond to public health concerns.

Enforcement and Joint Operations

  • Undertake collaborative blitz operations with Law Enforcement, SAPS, Fire Services, Immigration, Electricity and Planning Departments.
  • Conduct compliance monitoring during roadblocks and at accident scenes involving foodstuffs or potential water contamination.

Administrative and Seasonal Support

  • Ensure administrative staff issue Certificates of Acceptability, COC Certificates and Health Certificates until 19 December 2025.

Implement a strengthened standby programme with Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) on duty across all regions between 12 December 2025 and 5 January 2026. “Our responsibility is to prevent avoidable harm.

This plan ensures we remain vigilant, responsive, and committed to protecting public health during the busiest season of the year,” said Compion.

For more information or to report unhygienic practices by food handlers, contact the following GRDM offices within the Garden Route:

Johan Compion
Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: 044 803 1300 / Cell: 082 803 516

Klein Karoo & Kannaland
Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health (Klein Karoo)
94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn
Tel: 044 272 2241 / Cell: 083 678 6530

Mossel Bay
Rinay Cloete – Acting Chief: Municipal Health
C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay
Tell: 044 693 0006 / Cell: 083 530 3709

George Outeniqua
Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health (Outeniqua)
Mission Street, Industrial Area, George, 6530
Tel: 044 803 1501 / Cell: 078 457 2824

George & Wilderness
Lusizo Kwetshube – Acting Chief: Municipal Health
Mission Street, Industrial Area, George, 6530
Tel: 044 803 1599 / Cell: 081 555 6992

Knysna
James McCarthy – Chief: Knysna
26A Queen Street, Knysna, 6571
Tel: 044 382 7214 / Cell: 082 805 9417

Bitou
Gawie Vos – Chief: Lakes (Bitou)
4 Virginia street, Plettenberg bay, 6600
Tel: 044 501 1600 / Cell: 083 557 1522

Hessequa
Haemish Herwels – Chief: Hessequa
24 Michell Street, Riversdale, 6670
Tel: 028 713 2438 / Cell: 083 678 6545

 

20 November 2025 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality is assisting Knysna Municipality with water for Sedgefield residents

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality assisting Knysna Municipality with water for Sedgefield residents

For immediate release
20 November 2025

The Disaster Management team of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) from this morning, 20 November 2025, commenced with the provision of water to the residents of Sedgefield.

“This assistance followed a request received from the Municipal Manager of Knysna. However, a truck incident on the Kaaiman’s Pass caused a delay in our response efforts yesterday, but today we were able to deliver water to the affected areas,” said Gerhard Otto, Manager for Disaster Management at GRDM.

With the water treatment plant in Sedgefield that is currently unable to remove the salt from the water, support from the GRDM will continue until the water shortage experienced by the residents of Sedgefield has been resolved. Otto, explained: “The water treatment works needs to operate outside of its design parameters and therefore process controllers are struggling to produce water for domestic use that meets normal approved salinity standards”.

GRDM Executive Mayor Marais Kruger said: “The GRDM values its strong relationships with local government stakeholders in the Garden Route and will continue its efforts to support Knysna in ensuring the delivery of essential services to the residents of Sedgefield.”

ENDS

20 November 2025 Media Release: 2025 Western Cape Investment Summit Showcases Transformative Opportunities for the Garden Route

Media Release: 2025 Western Cape Investment Summit Showcases Transformative Opportunities for the Garden Route

20 November 2025

The 2025 Western Cape Investment Summit was hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 5 to 7 November 2025, bringing together local, national, and international investors with high-impact projects poised to accelerate economic growth in the province. Representing the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Richard Dyantyi and Natalie Raubenheimer from the Integrated Planning and Development Section attended the three-day summit, engaging with investors and highlighting the region’s investment potential.

Anchored by the theme “Catalysing Growth, Connecting Opportunities,” the summit serves as a meticulously crafted deal-making platform designed to attract both foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic direct investment (DDI).

In a pre-summit statement, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde emphasised the significance of the event: “The summit is vital to accelerating economic growth in our province and creating the jobs our communities need. It is an opportunity to showcase the Western Cape’s investment-ready projects and attract the capital that will drive transformation.”

Eight Transformative Sectors for Investment

The summit highlighted projects across eight key sectors:

  1. Green Economy & Sustainability: Renewable energy projects (solar, wind, hybrid) and innovations in water resilience.
  2. Technology & Digital Innovation: Opportunities in FinTech, digital infrastructure, and e-commerce, leveraging Africa’s thriving tech      ecosystem.
  3. Manufacturing & Industry: Advanced production, marine engineering (blue economy), and aerospace innovation.
  4. Agribusiness & Food Systems: Export-driven horticulture and agri-tech advancements.
  5. Logistics & Warehousing: Smart warehousing, multimodal transport, and cold chain logistics solutions.
  6. Tourism & Experiential Economy: Reinforcing the Western Cape as a premier global travel destination.
  7. Property & Retail: Nearly half of South Africa’s commercial property investment in retail has been directed to the Western Cape in        recent years.
  8. Creative Industries: Cape Town’s film and media sector contributes an estimated R5 billion annually to the local economy, creating over 35,000 jobs.

Streamlined Investment Processes

The summit provided mechanisms to simplify regulatory frameworks and fast-track approvals, with a dedicated regulatory forum allowing direct engagement between investors and government facilitators.

Representatives from the Garden Route District, including officials from GRDM and the municipalities of George, Hessequa, and Mossel Bay, actively engaged with investors to showcase the district’s growing potential. On the final day, the GRDM team attended presentations by the Department of Economic Development & Tourism, Department of Infrastructure and logistics by Transnet Ports and Freight Rail amongst other sessions. The Garden Route district stand drew investors already planning projects in water management and industrial park development. Premier Winde visited the GRDM team during the summit, praising the Garden Route for its strong representation and commitment to drawing investment to the region.

Garden Route Investment Highlights

A key feature with direct impact on the Garden Route was Investment Overview #3, focusing on Target Projects by RW Architects & Condorgreen Holdings. The investment pledge includes six estate developments covering 213 hectares across the Southern Cape, Garden Route, and Overberg regions, with an estimated CAPEX of R5.1 billion over the next six years.

The projects will result in the creation of 3,669 new residential units designed with a regenerative ethos through RootedEARTH, an innovative approach integrating digital technology, ethical AI, biophilic and regenerative design, and real estate economics into a cohesive development ecosystem.

According to Richard Dyantyi, the 2025 Western Cape Investment Summit highlighted the province’s readiness for investment while positioning the Garden Route as a strategic hub for sustainable, transformative economic growth.

Featured image, from left to right (FLTR): Natalie Raubenheimer – GRDM Senior District Economic Development Officer; Alan Winde – Western Cape Premier; Mahlatse Phosa – Director: Town and Spatial Planning, LED & Tourism, George Municipality; and Richard Dyantyi – Manager: Tourism, District Economic Development, Job Creation & EPWP.

GRDM official engaging with delegates during the 2025 Western Cape Investment Summit, hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

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