The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is providing an exciting opportunity to unemployed youth who have completed Firefighter 1, Hazmat Awareness, First Aid Level 3, and are physically and mentally fit, for a period of four (4) months, from 01 December 2026 – 31 March 2027.
CLOSING DATE: 20 October 2026 PERIOD: 4-Months
Candidates who wish to apply must meet the following minimum requirements:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
· Firefighter 1 course, completed at an accredited firefighting training institution
· Hazmat Awareness course, completed at an accredited firefighting training institution
· First Aid Level 3 course, completed at a registered first aid training institution
· Provide a valid police clearance or proof of payment of the police clearance.
· Speak at least two of the three (3) official languages of the Western Cape.
· Unemployed and not registered on any other Learnership, Internship and/or WIL Programme.
· Must reside within the Garden Route District.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
· Certified copy of Identity Document.
· Proof of police clearance or proof of payment.
· Proof of Firefighter 1, Hazmat Awareness, and First Aid Level 3 completed courses.
· Completed Curriculum Vitae.
· Completed EPWP application form.
APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER INFORMATION:
Please submit a completed EPWP application form along with your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a certified copy of your Identity Document, and police clearance at one of the Garden Route District Municipality Satellite Offices listed below or via email to: epwp@gardenroute.gov.za.
Media Release: GRDM and stakeholders celebrate 30th Clean-Up & Recycle campaign during National Clean-up Week
For immediate release 23 September 2026
The spirit of environmental responsibility and community participation, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) in collaboration with Mossel Bay Local Municipality celebrated the 30th Clean-Up & Recycle campaign on 22 September during National Clean-up Week.
The 2026 campaign, themed “It Starts with Me,” aims to engage individuals in reducing litter and improving community conditions.
GRDM and stakeholders celebrate the 30th Clean-Up & Recycle campaign in Mossel Bay.
The event brought stakeholders together to promote cleaner and healthier communities, while both municipalities’ Waste Management Units shared awareness about responsible waste management and the importance of preventing illegal dumping.
A key focus of the day was educating the community and participants about Illegal dumping and the different types of waste that can be separated, recovered and recycled. Participants were introduced to opportunities where recyclable materials, found among illegally dumped waste, can be sorted and collected, allowing individuals to potentially earn an income from materials that would otherwise be discarded.
This information generated considerable excitement among participants. Many expressed that they were previously unaware that certain waste materials could be separated and sold for financial benefit. Participants showed a strong interest in learning more and requested that a follow-up workshop be arranged to provide more detailed information and practical guidance on waste separation, recycling and income-generating opportunities.
The event was made possible through the valued support and collaboration of Plastic SA, Aquelle, and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP), whose contributions helped strengthen the day’s environmental awareness activities.
The National Clean-up Week celebration demonstrated that environmental protection could go hand in hand with community empowerment and economic opportunities. By equipping residents with knowledge about waste separation and recycling, communities can play an active role in reducing illegal dumping, protecting the environment and creating opportunities from recyclable materials.
The enthusiasm shown by participants highlighted the need for continued environmental education and practical skills development. The requested follow-up workshop will provide an opportunity to build on the knowledge shared during the event and further empower community members to become champions for cleaner communities and responsible waste management.
Together, through collaboration, education and community action, we can turn waste into opportunity and work towards cleaner, healthier and more sustainable communities.
Media Release: Garden Route strengthens preparedness for 2026/27 summer season amid climate risks
23 September 2026
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is strengthening its preparedness for the upcoming 2026/27 summer and fire season, with a focus on early action, changing weather patterns, increased visitor numbers and the possibility of multiple emergencies occurring simultaneously.
According to GRDM Disaster Manager Gerhard Otto, the latest global climate outlook indicates that El Niño is established and expected to strengthen before peaking towards the end of 2026. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) estimates a nearly 100% likelihood that El Niño will persist through February 2027. Very strong El Niño conditions can influence rainfall and temperature patterns and increase the risk of extreme heat, drought and other weather-related hazards.
While the strength of El Niño does not determine the severity of impacts in a specific region, GRDM is preparing for increased pressure on fire response, water resources, traffic, coastal activities and emergency services.
“We have learned difficult lessons from the fires, floods, severe weather and other incidents experienced in recent months and years. Climate change and changing weather patterns mean that preparedness cannot only begin when a disaster occurs; it must be an ongoing effort,” said Otto.
GRDM’s preparedness is supported by district standby arrangements, early-warning systems, inter-agency coordination, fire response capacity, municipal health services and emergency equipment. Three strategically positioned fire stations in George, Riversdale and Ladismith, mutual-aid arrangements with local municipalities, PetroSA and neighbouring districts, and an operational Incident Command System further strengthen response capacity.
Mr Gerhard Otto, GRDM Head: Disaster Management
GRDM Head of Environmental Management, Dr Nina Viljoen, emphasised that climate impacts will vary across the district. Coastal areas, inland farming regions and the Klein Karoo have different vulnerabilities, with prolonged hot and dry conditions potentially increasing water stress and veld-fire danger, while heavy rainfall can contribute to flooding, erosion and pressure on rivers, estuaries and coastal environments.
Residents, landowners, businesses and visitors are encouraged to use water responsibly, prevent avoidable fires and protect environmentally sensitive areas, including wetlands, rivers, catchments, dunes and indigenous vegetation.
Water security remains a key focus. No immediate water-security threats are currently foreseen in Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George or Bitou, while medium- to long-term concerns remain in Kannaland, Knysna and Oudtshoorn.
Priority interventions include water-supply measures in Dysselsdorp and the Klein Karoo, groundwater augmentation in Calitzdorp, additional water sources for Zoar, borehole refurbishment in Ladismith, and alternative groundwater schemes for Knysna, Buffalo Bay and Sedgefield.
GRDM will also have access to one 6 000-litre and two 10 000-litre water tankers, as well as mobile and static generators to support emergency operations. Drinking and recreational water will continue to be monitored through regular sampling during the holiday period.
From 1 December 2026, seasonal firefighters and dedicated aerial firefighting resources will be activated, while lifesaving services will also be deployed.
The busy December and January holiday period will require close coordination between traffic services, law enforcement, emergency services, municipal health, waste management and beach safety teams.
Residents, businesses and visitors are urged to help keep the Garden Route safe by using water responsibly, preventing veld fires, following fire and beach safety instructions, obeying traffic rules, disposing of waste responsibly and staying informed through official warnings.
“Our focus now is on being proactive rather than reactive. We must monitor risks continuously, prepare early, respond together and ensure that support is available when local capacity is stretched,” said Otto.
GRDM enters the 2026/27 summer season with established readiness arrangements, strong partnerships and clear municipal preparations. Preparedness, however, remains a shared responsibility.
Media Release: Firefighters Conduct Wildfire Basic Training in Heidelberg
21 September 2026
Recently, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Fire and Rescue Services conducted basic wildfire training in Heidelberg at the request of the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (SCFPA). The training was aimed at farm communities and other stakeholders in the surrounding areas, helping participants gain basic knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to wildfires.
The training focused on essential wildfire knowledge and preparedness, including:
Wildfire behaviour and fire dynamics
Wildfire prevention
Safety precautions and personal safety
Understanding the Fire Triangle
Identifying escape routes and safety zones
Fire extinguisher awareness and practical training
Basic Incident Command System (ICS) principles
The session was very well received, with participants actively engaging throughout the training and showing a strong willingness to learn and improve their understanding of wildfire safety and preparedness.
“Effective wildfire management starts with knowledge, preparation and cooperation. By equipping communities and stakeholders with the right knowledge and skills, we strengthen our collective ability to prevent, prepare for and respond to wildfires,” said Heinrich Lesley, GRDM Fire Station Commander.
Featured Image Caption: Farm communities and local stakeholders who gained basic knowledge and practical skills to help prevent and respond to wildfires.
Media Release: R26 million in disaster response funding transferred to Garden Route local municipalities
Immediate release 16 September 2026
The repair of critical services infrastructure in the Garden Route District is set to be majorly accelerated, following the transfer of R26 million in Municipal Disaster Response Grant (MDRG) funding by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) to five local municipalities in the Garden Route. More projects will be submitted separately for consideration under another grant, known as the National Disaster Rehabilitation Grant, which will be presented to the National Cabinet later this month alongside the national budget adjustment.
According to Gerhard Otto, GRDM Head: Disaster Management, “Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Bitou and George will receive R5 million each, while Kannaland would be receiving R6 million”.
At the Bitou and Oudtshoorn local municipalities these funds would be used for the emergency repairs required on some streets, while George Local Municipality would focus mainly on the repairs required to the main water supply line from the Haarlem Dam to Uniondale.
At Kannaland Local Municipality, both the repairs required to one of the main access bridges in Calitzdorp, as well as emergency repairs and protection required at a transformer in Ladismith, would receive attention, and at Knysna Local Municipality the slope remediation and repairs required at Fedricks Street would be addressed.
The funding must be spent within six months on repairing damage caused by the severe weather events which adversely impacted the district in May 2026. The Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), NDMC and Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), will be meeting with local municipalities to formally launch the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) process required under the grant conditions.
These funding injections mean that municipalities would not need to wait for new municipal budget cycles for the repair works to commence. Adjustment budgets will be presented to the various Councils, officially confirming the funds that were allocated by the NDMC.
“Allocations typically prioritise basic services related water and sanitation works, including repairs to main water supply pipelines and sewerage infrastructure’, said Gerhard Otto.
Mr Gerhard Otto, GRDM Head: Disaster Management
He further elaborated that this emergency fund originates from a nationally allocated R213,4 million, which was released to three provinces as a practical intervention to address damages sustained during the May 2026 floods. “Of this, the Western Cape received R71,4 million,” confirmed Otto.
Each municipality will be expected to report on its readiness to implement approved projects, flag any completed projects eligible for fund reallocation, and identify any outstanding environmental approvals that could affect implementation timelines.
As the district municipality, GRDM is mandated and has successfully, under the Disaster Management Act, supported the PDMC and NDMC for more than 20 years in overseeing how the funds are spent by local municipalities.
Feature image: Damage to a low-lying bridge adjacent to Calitzdorp Hot Springs during the floods in May and June 2026.
Public Notice 85/2026: MPAC Meeting on 22 September 2026 at 10:00
Notice is hereby given that a Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) Meeting of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers and via Zoom, 54 York Street, George, on 22 September 2026 at 10:00.
Media Statement: Residents urged to report unsafe food products found at shops to Municipal Health Chiefs
10 September 2026
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) urges residents to report any food products they believe may be unsafe for human consumption at spaza shops, supermarkets, food outlets or other food-handling premises.
Food safety is a shared responsibility. If residents come across spoiled, damaged, contaminated or incorrectly labelled food products, they should not consume the product and should report the matter to the Garden Route District Municipality’s Municipal Health Services.
Who to report safety concerns to:
Johan Compion (entire region)
Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Cell: 082 803 5161
George Municipal Area
Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health (Outeniqua)
Mission Street, Industrial Area, George, 6530
Tel: 044 803 1501 / Cell: 078 457 2824
Klein Karoo & Kannaland Municipal Areas
Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health (Klein Karoo)
94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn
Tel: 044 272 2241 / Cell: 083 678 6530
Mossel Bay Municipal Area
Dr Johann Schoeman – Manager: District Air Quality Management and Municipal Health (Mossel Bay)
C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay
Tell: 044 693 0006 / Cell: 083 530 3709
Knysna Municipal Area
James McCarthy – Chief: Knysna
26A Queen Street, Knysna, 6571
Tel: 044 382 7214 / Cell: 082 805 9417
Bitou Municipal Area
Gawie Vos – Chief: Lakes (Bitou)
4 Virginia street, Plettenberg bay, 6600
Tel: 044 501 1600 / Cell: 083 557 1522
If your report is unanswered, please contact communications@gardenroute.gov.za
How often are food premises inspected?
National environmental health standards provide for inspections at least once every three months for high-risk food premises, once every six months for moderate-risk premises and once every 12 months for low-risk premises.
Importantly, inspections are not limited to routine visits. Additional inspections may be conducted when complaints are received, unsafe food or non-compliance is suspected, or where there is a suspected food-borne illness or other public-health risk.
Residents are encouraged to play their part in protecting public health. If you see food that you believe is unsafe, report it to GRDM Municipal Health Services rather than consuming it or simply leaving it on the shelf.
Feature image: An informal food premises in the Garden Route, which is inspected at least every three months by an Environmental Health Practitioner.
Media Release: Joint Operation conducted at Spaza shops
For immediate release
09 September 2026
A team of Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in conjunction with Hessequa Municipality’s Law Enforcement and Fire Services, as well as the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Albertinia, recently conducted a joint blitz operation inspecting spaza shops in the Albertinia area.
A total of twenty-two (22) spaza shops were visited during the operation.
The Blitz Operation Team inspecting shops in the Albertinia area.
Municipal Health Services
Municipal Health Services team focused on raising awareness regarding regulatory requirements and the importance of maintaining high hygiene standards to safeguard public health.
Areas of focus included:
Compliance with Regulation 638;
Adherence to Labelling Regulation 146, including requirements relating to “best before,” “sell by,” and “use by” dates; and
Promoting good hygiene practices and compliance with applicable food-safety requirements.
Municipal Law Enforcement Services
Hessequa Municipality’s Municipal Law Enforcement Services focused on:
Ensuring that spaza shops were registered with Hessequa Municipality and had valid consent uses and trading permits;
Ensuring that spaza shops operated within the requirements of applicable legislation and municipal by-laws; and
Ensuring that the operation of spaza shops did not create public-safety concerns.
Fire Services
Hessequa Municipality’s Fire Services focused on:
Identifying illegal and exposed electrical wiring;
Ensuring the safe storage of combustible liquids and gas cylinders;
Ensuring that basic fire-fighting equipment was available and serviced regularly; and
Ensuring that appropriate fire-safety signage was displayed on site.
SAPS Albertinia
SAPS Albertinia focused on:
Identifying and addressing the sale of counterfeit goods, with such goods being confiscated where necessary; and
Maintaining a safe and secure environment throughout the duration of the operation.
The GRDM team hereby extends words of gratitude to members of the public for their support in lodging complaints. The information assisted the GRDM and its law-enforcement partners in identifying, investigating and addressing areas of concern within affected communities.
GRDM remains committed to working collaboratively with its law-enforcement and regulatory partners to promote compliance, public safety, food safety and healthy communities.
These teams are grateful for the continued support and collaboration from these departments during blitz operations.
South Africa is experiencing an unusual sardine mortality event that has now been reported over a very wide geographic area, extending from the Western Cape through the southern and eastern coasts, into the northern Wild Coast and along the Namibian coast.
Pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) has been confirmed in sardines associated with the mortality event, including sardines collected in Gqeberha. PHV remains the leading explanation for the observed mortalities, although the role of the virus and the possible contribution of environmental factors are still being investigated.
The full extent and impact of the mortality event are not yet known. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and its scientific partners are continuing to monitor new reports, undertake diagnostic testing and investigate the distribution, scale and progression of the event, as well as its potential implications for the sardine population and the wider marine ecosystem.
PHV is not known to infect people. Commercially produced canned sardines processed under approved conditions remain safe to consume. The public should not collect, eat or feed to pets dead or dying sardines found on beaches or at sea, because of the risks associated with decomposition and contamination.
To read further, please download the below FAQ documents:
Media Release: GRDM and stakeholders join hands at District Alignment Workshop to address the needs of local MSMEs
For immediate release 08 September 2026|
The National Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) is currently conducting a series of district workshops and roadshows aimed at engaging with key stakeholders across the district. Representatives include Local Economic Development Managers from local and district municipalities, business chambers and associations representing informal businesses.
The first Workshop is currently underway at the Council Chambers of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) where representatives, this morning, were warmly welcomed by the Executive Mayor, Ald. Marais Kruger.
The purpose of the workshop is to obtain inputs from local and district representatives regarding stakeholder experiences, challenges and best practices, to inform the National Informal Business Upliftment Strategy (NIBUS).
National, Provincial, District and Local Government representatives during the District Alignment Workshop.
Discussions this morning covered a range of key topics, including the products and support offerings of the DSBD, the Strategic Direction and Strengthened District Implementation Approach of the DSBD, Existing Programmes, Priorities and Opportunities for Alignment from a Provincial perspective, as well as the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) support offering and the District Partnership / Referral Approach.
When welcoming all present, Mayor Kruger stated that “our primary objective should be to bridge the gap between informality and economic readiness”.
“Through targeted interventions – focusing on infrastructure development, skills training, technological transfer and innovation, and regulatory relaxation – we want to create an ecosystem where an informal enterprise can seamlessly evolve into a sustainable micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME)” he added.
Kruger further acknowledged that red tape is a challenge many informal business leaders are faced with when he emphasised: “We must ensure that these business leaders are unburdened by red tape, protected by fair local policies, and equipped with the corporate governance, financial literacy, and marketing tools required to become funding-ready so their businesses can thrive”. Mayor Kruger further noted that no single sphere of government can achieve this alone. “True development relies heavily on the Joint District and Metro Approach (JDMA) / (DDM) into our local economic frameworks,” he said.
With the following words, Mayor Kruger concluded and said: “As the Garden Route District Municipality, we stand firmly committed to supporting our B-Municipalities – to align our local bylaws and economic development initiatives. By pulling in one direction with national and provincial departments, alongside private sector partners, we ensure that informal traders receive uniform, high-impact support across the entire district footprint”.
Further items discussed on the agenda included products and offerings of the SEDFA, the strategic direction and a strengthened District Implement Approach of the DSBD, a facilitated District Priority-Setting, a District NIBUS Action Plan, as well as the way forward.
The event is well represented by local municipalities across the district as well as national and provincial stakeholders in a virtual format.
