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.
Construction Management Systems Training for Grades 5-8 Women-owned Businesses
The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) calls on women-owned contractors with 51% shares, registered in grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 within General Building and Civil Engineering classes of works, to apply for Construction Management System (CMS) training. Construction Management System enables a business to implement a framework of processes and procedures to control its construction risks, improve performance and deliver better client value. In the long term, the CIDB will add the CMS standard as criteria for grading on the Register of Contractors.
CMS includes:
Health and Safety Management.
Quality Management; and
Environmental Management (covering air, water, land, and waste).
The CMS training programme is for the business owner or the contractor’s representative. The representative must be a permanent employee. Training will last 12 months and consists of two modules that will be presented at a workshop over five days of classroom sessions, implementing the CMS in the contractor’s organisation with support and a resources website. Prospective applicants will be required to undergo a pre-qualifying selection test.
Selection of successful applicants will be based on the following criteria:
Active CIDB registration in grades 5 to 8 GB and CE.
51% women-owned company.
The participants must be competent to attend an NQF 5-level training course.
Interested and qualifying contractors will only contribute 10% (R2 300,00) towards training, and the 90% will be covered by CIDB through the B.U.I.L.D Fund.
The Application Form can also be downloaded from CIDB website.
Applications can be emailed, hand-delivered or posted to the following addresses: E-mail:Â Â malehlohonolom@cidb.org.za Physical address: 01 Gordon Hood Road, Centurion, Pretoria, South Africa Postal address:Â PO Box 2107, Brooklyn Square, 0075
Media Release: Update two (2): Gwaing Road (DR1618) Rehabilitation on schedule
For Immediate Release 15 May 2023
The R67 million Gwaing Road (DR1618) rehabilitation is progressing smoothly and remains on track for completion by June 2024. The budget for this project was allocated by the Western Cape Government (WCG). Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) continues its function through an Agency Agreement for the WCG and remains committed to delivering critical regional road infrastructure projects as planned.
A site inspection visit was conducted today, 15 May 2023 by WCG Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers with the GRDM Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, George Executive Mayor Ald. Leon van Wyk and other representatives from Provincial and Local Governments. Findings were positive with Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers and municipalities working towards common goals of completing a world-class road within the planned budget and on schedule.
According to John Daniels, GRDM Executive Manager for Roads Services, “a team of 70 employees are working on the project, with 44 of them being employed under the EPWP”. Simmers also took time to engage with the EPWP workers and to hear what their needs were. He was subsequently briefed during a walk-about on the DR1618 by Chesney Roelf, GRDM Senior Engineering Technician about the progress of the project.
Simmers boasted about projects of nearly R500 million that were completed in the Western Cape months ahead of schedule, of which one will be officially handed over by July and the other towards the end of November 2023.
“The WCG has exceeded all our Full-Time Equivalent EPWP targets and plans to push for more EPWP workers to be upskilled going forward,” said Simmers.
Chesney Roelf, during the walkabout, said: “As of now, we are focused on erecting new fencing along the project site and busy with the first of four road layer works. The GRDM is also constructing the roadbed, and upgrading the storm-water network. The road will be 6,8m bituminous surfaced width, ideal for commercial agricultural transport.” Simmers alluded to the impact of commercial Agricultural transportation on such roads and it was confirmed by Daniels that the road layers will include cement and bitumen mixes that are flexible to provide structural strength.
Chesney Roelf, GRDM Senior Engineering Technician (middle), briefs WCG Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers on the progress of the rehabilitation of Gwaing Road. Pictured (l-r), George Mayor Ald. Leon van Wyk, WCG Minister Tertuis Simmers, GRDM Engineering Technician Chesney Roelf, GRDM Executive Manager for Roads John Daniels and GRDM Municipal Manager Monde Stratu.
Roelf also explained that GRDM is installing 27 pipe crossings with concrete headwalls to ensure effective stormwater management. This was in response to George Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Ald. Leon van Wyk, pointing to the importance of proper stormwater management. GRDM will upgrade stormwater drainage channels.
“At specific sections of the project, concrete-lined drains will be implemented to enhance drainage efficiency and prevent water-related issues,” said Roelf.
WCG and the GRDM sincerely appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as it works diligently to upgrade the road infrastructure.
WCG Minister Tertuis Simmers thanked the EPWP workers for their dedication to the project and inspired them to work towards a future where they will also be able to be contracted to manage projects in the future.
The group of EPWP workers, pleasantly surprised by the visit of Minister Simmers, Mayors and the GRDM Municipal Manager and others to their site camp.
Feature Image caption: John Godfrey Daniels, GRDM Executive Manager for Roads Services, answered several questions from WCG Minister Tertuis Simmers (right), and George Executive Mayor, Ald. Leon van Wyk (middle). With them is Ald. Memory Booysen, who expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the project.
Afrikaanse Opsomming:Â Opdatering twee (2): Gwaingweg (DR1618) Rehabiltasieprojek op skedule
Die Gwaingweg (DR1618)-rehabilitasieprojek, met ‘n begroting van R67 miljoen, vorder goed en sal na verwagting teen Junie 2024 voltooi wees. Die projek word deur die Wes-Kaapse Regering (WKR) befonds en deur die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit bestuur (TDM) – die TDM voer die Paaie-funksie namens die WKR uit. ‘n Terrein-inspeksiebesoek is onlangs deur staatsamptenare, insluitend die WKR Minister van Infrastruktuur Tertuis Simmers en die TDM se Uitvoerende Burgemeester, Raadsheer Memory Booysen gedoen, wat hul tevredenheid met die vordering uitgespreek het.
Die projek het ‘n span van 70 werkers in diens, van wie 44 deel vorm van die Uitgebreide Openbare Werke Program (UOWP/EPWP). Tydens die besoek het Simmers met die UOWP/EPWP werkers gesels om hul behoeftes te verstaan ​​en het ook die belangrikheid bespreek om hulle op te lei vir toekomstige werksgeleenthede. Die projek behels die oprigting van nuwe heinings, die bou van die padbed, die opgradering van die stormwaternetwerk, en die implementering van 27 pypkruisings met betonkopmure vir effektiewe stormwaterbestuur.
Die pad sal ‘n 6,8m bitumineuse oppervlakwydte hĂŞ, geskik vir kommersiĂ«le landbouvervoer. Die padlae sal sement- en bitumenmengsels insluit om strukturele sterkte te verseker. Addisioneel, sal beton-gevoerde dreine in spesifieke afdelings geĂŻmplementeer word om dreineringsdoeltreffendheid te verbeter en negatiewe waterverwante kwessies te voorkom.
Tydens sy toespraak het Simmers die suksesvolle voltooiing van ander projekte in die Wes-Kaap, met ‘n totale waarde van nagenoeg R500 miljoen, wat voor hul voltooing skedule klaar was, uitgewys. Hy het die WKR se verbintenis tot die bereiking en oorskryding van EPWP-teikens asook die bevordering en opleiding van werkers beklemtoon.
Media Release: Indaba to reflect on invasive alien plant management and control scenarios
For Immediate Release 15 May 2023
“In February 2023 academics from Nelson Mandela and Stellenbosch Universities co-hosted a workshop with knowledgeable experts on the subject in order to share thoughts and experiences on the impact and possible solutions when dealing with invasive alien plants on a large scale. It is quite clear that invasive alien plants remain one of the biggest risk factors facing the Southern Cape in terms of severe wildfire disasters, damaging floods, water security as well as loss of biodiversity,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).
Meiring added that “Because of its favourable climate and it is a high rainfall area, the Southern Cape is a hotspot for a host of invasive alien plants and trees, and their presence is on the increase with more species becoming visible as they spread over the landscape. Pampas grass as a prime example of an alien invasive plant (there are many more) which was introduced as a garden plant in this region in the last fifteen to twenty years is now firmly established throughout the Garden Route landscape, especially in river beds and seep- lines where conditions are ideal for seeds travelling in the wind, and the spread is prolific.”
“Due to costs associated with eradicating and controlling invasive alien plants in general, landowners and land managers are constantly looking for options to mitigate the expense of dealing with IAP’s, which include options in the clean energy sector, soil enrichment as well as bio-char and stock feed mixes. Invasive trees such as pine, wattle and eucalyptus make for fine timber, but finding suitable trees in large quantities is not sustainable, and difficult to come by and harvest before they can reach sawmills. Supply is also finite throughout the region as there are no structured replanting nor harvesting regimes in place.”
“The charcoal and firewood industry in South Africa and Namibia is a multi-million rand industry, but as demand grows, those in the industry have to reach further and further away from the market to source sufficient supplies. Areas of the Southern Cape and the Overberg have large areas covered by Rooikrans, Port Jackson, wattle and pine and that is where large-scale harvesting is currently taking place. Despite the potentially viable option to clear the land of unwanted plants and trees by selling the biomass to contractors looking for firewood, some landowners who allow harvesting entities access to their land often complain that harvesting contractors cause more harm than good when working with invasive species on their land. This can lead to aggressive regrowth when there is no methodology applied, and increased wildfire risk from dry debris left behind provides an exponentially high volume of fuel load for wildfires”.
Nevertheless, the search for solutions for the viable use of large volumes of biomass that can be harvested from landscapes badly affected by IAP’s must continue, and Dr Pirard will be delivering a presentation on the topic at the GREF Climate Change and Environmental Management Indaba which will be hosted at Nelson Mandela University on 29 June 2023.
“The GREF 2023 Indaba theme is Creating climate-smart, resilient landscapes in the Southern Cape.”
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform and climate change think tank for all those in the Southern Cape involved in active and ongoing conservation and environmental management efforts to meet up, interact and showcase what they are busy with and what they are doing in terms of planning ahead.
ENDS
Photo caption: The Southern Cape is a hothouse for invasive alien plants such as pampas grass, pine and eucalyptus which is now seen all over the Garden Route Photo: Pamela Booth Contact: cobus@naturalbridge.co.za
Indaba sal indringer-uitheemse plantbestuur- en beheerscenario’s bespreek
Akademici van Nelson Mandela en Stellenbosch Universiteite het onlangs ‘n werkswinkel gereĂ«l om die impak en potensiĂ«le oplossings vir die hantering van indringerplante op groot skaal aan te spreek. Cobus Meiring van die Tuinroete-omgewingsforum het beklemtoon dat IAP’s aansienlike risiko’s vir die Suid-Kaap-streek inhou, insluitend ernstige veldbrande, skadelike vloede, watersekuriteitskwessies en verlies aan biodiversiteit. Dr. Romain Pirard, ‘n kenner van omgewingsekonomie, het by die werkswinkel ‘n voorlegging gelewer waar hy sy insea gedeel het oor of waardetoegevoegde industrieĂ« die beheer van indringerbome in Suid-Afrika en verder kan ondersteun.
Die Suid-Kaap, met sy gunstige klimaat en hoĂ« reĂ«nval, is veral vatbaar vir ‘n verskeidenheid van indringer uitheemse plante en bome. Spesies is alreeds teenwoording en neem toe en versprei drasties. Pampasgras het byvoorbeeld stewig gevestig in die Tuinroete-landskap, veral in rivierbeddings waar windgedraagde sade ideale toestande vir voortplanting vind.
Die uitwissing en bestuur van IAP’s is duur, wat grondeienaars en bestuurders aangespoor het om kostedoeltreffende opsies te soek. Hierdie alternatiewe sluit in die ondersoek van geleenthede in die skoon energiesektor, grondverryking, en voorraadvoermengsels. Dit bly egter ‘n uitdaging om volhoubare en volop alternatiewe vir indringerbome soos denne, wattel en bloekom te vind, aangesien daar geen gestruktureerde herplant- of oespraktyke in plek is nie.
Die houtskool- en vuurmaakhoutbedryf in Suid-Afrika en NamibiĂ« is ‘n winsgewende sektor, maar die vraag na voorrade het gelei tot verkryging van verre plekke. Grootskaalse oes van indringerspesies, soos Rooikrans, Port Jackson, wattel en denne, vind tans in gebiede van die Suid-Kaap en Overberg plaas. Terwyl die verkoop van biomassa aan kontrakteurs wat vuurmaakhout benodig lyk na ‘n lewensvatbare opsie, spreek sommige grondeienaars kommer uit dat oeskontrakteurs meer skade as goed kan veroorsaak. Onbehoorlike metodologie kan lei tot aggressiewe hergroei, en droĂ« takke ens. wat agtergelaat word, verhoog die risiko van veldbrande deur oorvloedige brandstof te verskaf.
Ten spyte van die uitdagings, moet die soeke na oplossings om groot volumes biomassa van IAP-geaffekteerde landskappe te benut, voortduur. Dr. Pirard sal ‘n aanbieding oor hierdie onderwerp lewer by die GREF ‘Climate Change and Environmental Management Indaba’, wat geskeduleer is om op 29 Junie 2023 by die Nelson Mandela Universiteit plaas te vind.
Die tema van die Indaba is “Die skep van klimaatslim, veerkragtige landskappe in die Suid-Kaap.”
GREF dien as ‘n platform en dinkskrum vir natuurbewaarders en omgewingsbestuurpraktisyns in die Suid-Kaap streek, wat interaksie fasiliteer, deurlopende pogings ten toon stel en toekomstige beplanning bevorder om klimaatsverandering en omgewingsuitdagings aan te spreek.
Media Release: Informal settlements remain a priority – 1700 Smoke alarms installed to date
For Immediate Release 15 May 2023
The Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Disaster Management Centre, in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Local Government Disaster Management & Fire & Rescue Services, Bitou- and Kannaland local municipalities have installed 1700 smoke detection devices in high fire-risk informal settlements.
In the first phase of the project, which concluded at the end of March 2022, approximately 1400 smoke alarms were installed in the Qolweni/Bossiegif area of the Bitou local municipality. Kannaland local municipal area was the site of the second phase of the project, which was completed within three months, from 20 December 2022 to 20 February 2023. Approximately 300 devices were installed within the informal areas of Calitzdorp, Van Wyksdorp, Zoar, and Ladismith.
On Wednesday, 10 May 2023, a delegation from the GRDM Disaster Management, including the Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services, Councillor Ndayi, a representative from the Western Cape Department of Local Government Disaster Management & Fire & Rescue Services, Ms Rowena Page, and the GRDM Fire Services installation team stationed in Ladismith, visited the different towns in Kannaland to inspect the smoke devices which were installed earlier this year.
“The last 700 devices of a total of 2400 smoke devices will be installed within high-risk informal areas within Bitou- and Kannaland municipal areas,” said Gerhard Otto, Head of GRDM Disaster Management.
This pilot project is an important step towards improving disaster risk reduction particularly in areas that are more vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters and emergencies.
For more information, please contact the Garden Route District Municipality’s Disaster Management Centre.
Media Fire Awareness session done at the “Draadkar” Festival in Hoogekraal
For immediate release 12 May 2023
Hoogekraal Primary School, together with Outeniqualand Farmwatch, the Hoogekraal Community In Blue, the South African Police Service and the Community Police Forum on, 6 May 2023, held a “Draadkar” Festival near George. The Firefighters from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) presented a Fire Awareness and Education session to the community of Hoogekraal. As part of the session, the team explained and demonstrated the dangers of fires, how to prevent unwanted fires and how to respond to a fire that got ignited.
The activities were welcomed, as the firefighters used practical methods to ensure the community understood the topics that were presented to them.
It is envisaged that this initiative will become an annual event, whereby more community members and primary schools in the surrounding areas will be reached.
Media Release: GRDM empowers employees on Labour related matters that could be experienced in the workplace
For immediate release 12 May 2023
From Tuesday, 9 to 11 May 2023, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) held awareness sessions with employees about Violence and Harassment in the Workplace. The sessions also included labour-related issues. The session was presented by the Western Cape Department of Local Government (DLG) and the Commission of Gender Equality (CGE) and organised by the municipality’s Employee Wellness office.
The Violence and Awareness Session presented to the Garden Route District Municipality staff at the Municipality’s Roads Department.
GRDM officials were equipped with the necessary knowledge and understanding to address and prevent incidents as it is unpacked in the Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the workplace, that came into effect on 18 March 2022.
Violence and Harassment
In-depth presentations were delivered by Mr Gorha Adonisi (DLG) and Mr Leonard Macakiti (CGE), providing valuable insights into the various forms of violence and harassment, its impact on individuals and organisations, and the legal frameworks in place for protection, as well as changes to the Employment Equity Act (EEA). The members that were present actively engaged in the session, seizing the opportunity to ask questions and clarify doubts.
Various topics were being touched on such as harassment – the different types of harassment, Interpersonal Conflict, Factors to establish, as well as the Nature and Extend of the Conduct.
The discussions covered a range of important subjects, including the:
guiding principles regarding the prevention, elimination, and handling of harassment
the formulation of effective harassment policies; and
the proper procedures for reporting incidents of harassment.
The responsibilities of employers were emphasised, particularly in cases that were formally reported, with the focus on implementing disciplinary measures and maintaining confidentiality while ensuring appropriate support and guidance for all parties involved.
Representatives from Local Government Department, Commission Gender Equality and Garden Route District Municipality with staff during the Violence and Harassment Sessions.
Human Trafficking
Prudence Ramnath (DLG) explained that trafficking manifests in various forms, such as individuals being forced into street peddling or begging, the illegal trade of body parts and organs for rituals known as “muti”, the illegal adoption of children, and the disturbing practice of forced marriages (known as “ukuthwala”).
“South African victims are recruited and exploited both within the country and across international borders, with South Africa often serving as a transit point for other African nations,” Ramnath stated.
Identifying trafficked victims involves recognising certain indicators, including physical abuse, the presence of a controlling older person accompanying the victim, a lack of identification or difficulties in effective communication, and potential health issues experienced by the victims, as well as struggling with unfamiliar laws and customs of the country or region. These circumstances ultimately favor the trafficker as the victim becomes highly vulnerable to exploitation, while the trafficker may exploit their “exotic” status to maximise profits.
Participating in the human trafficking cycle has unfortunately become increasingly accessible in today’s world.
According to Prudence Ramnath, it often starts with enticing offers that seem too good to be true, such as employment opportunities that specifically target job seekers, particularly young individuals who have recently completed their education. False job advertisements on social media platforms play a significant role in attracting people, promising lucrative salaries even for those without prior experience.
Ramnath warned that once someone becomes a victim of trafficking, they are likely to vanish within the system, and their children may also disappear. She urged staff to remain vigilant and familiarise themselves with their communities. “It’s crucial to recognise that traffickers often integrate themselves into our neighborhoods, residing among us,” she said. Ramnath also emphasised that human trafficking is an organised crime, highlighting the organised nature of these operations. In the case of the illegal trade of human organs, she stressed that victims are abducted solely for the purpose of harvesting and selling their organs on the black market, allowing traffickers to profit immensely from this illegal trade.
Did you know?
“Human trafficking is the buying and selling of people for the purpose of exploitation”- Prudence Ramnath (DLG).
Statistics indicate that approximately 40.3 million people are enslaved worldwide, with 250,000 individuals falling victim to modern-day slavery in South Africa alone.
Legal notice:
