Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

Local Government News

16 April 2025 Media Release: Environmental Health Practitioners and their role in managing waste

Media Release: Environmental Health Practitioners and their role in managing waste

16 April 2025

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) are appointed to carry out duties as outlined in the National Health Act (Act 61 of 2003) and Health Professions Act (Act.56 of 1974). These duties, known as Municipal Health Services, are rendered within the jurisdiction of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM). The jurisdiction includes Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland local municipal areas.

In terms of Section 1 of the National Health Act, 2003 (Act 61 of 2003), municipal health includes:

  • Water Quality Monitoring
  • Food Control
  • Waste Management
  • Health Surveillance of Premises
  • Supervision and Prevention of Contagious Diseases, excluding immunisation
  • Vector Control
  • Environmental Pollution Control
  • Disposal of Human Remains
  • Safe handling of Chemical Substances

Waste Management: Promoting Hygiene and Preventing Illegal Dumping

The waste management functions of EHPs include monitoring waste management systems, refuse, healthcare waste, hazardous waste, and sewage.

This means the EHPs have to monitor waste management systems, including health care waste, hazardous waste, sewage and wastewater. Whenever there area health nuisances during the storage, treatment, collection, handling and the disposal of various categories of waste, EHPs will act and issue non-compliance notices to the relevant authorities. If the issues persists, fines are issued.

More of their waste-related responsibilities include:

  • Sampling any waste or waste product such as sewage or refuse for analyses.
  • The identification of needs and motivation for the promotion of sanitation.
  • Enforcement of Municipal Health By-Laws and the National Health Act, 2003 (Act 61 of 2003), in cases where health nuisances result from waste handling.
  • Educate communities on issues of waste management and pollution control.
  • Ensuring proper refuse storage, collection, transportation, transfer and processing, materials recovery, and final disposal.
  • Ensuring proper management of liquid waste, including sewage and industrial effluent.
  • Ensuring the proper storage, treatment, collection, transportation, handling and disposal of medical- and hazardous waste.
  • Investigating and inspecting any activity related to the waste stream or any resulting by-products.
  • The function excludes the operation of a waste management system rendered by Local Municipalities.
  • Advocating proper sanitation.

Illegal dumping

Illegal dumping and littering remain ongoing challenges in South Africa. Although the management of illegal waste dumping is not a mandate of GRDM, a whole-of-society approach is essential to keeping the environment clean.

EHPs continuously educate the public about the impacts of illegal dumping. The impacts include environmental pollution, detrimental impacts on the natural resources and habitats around us, as well as biodiversity. The practitioners also create awareness about the diseases caused by illegal dumping and that it attracts rodents and vectors.

Illegal dumping should be reported to local municipalities:

Hessequa Municipality: 028 713 8000 (office hours) 028 713 7917 / 028 713 2222 (after hours)

Mossel Bay: 044 606 5143, 044 606 5000 of 44802 (sms) or admin@mosselbay.gov.za

George: 044 801 6350 or gmun@george.gov.za

Knysna: 044 302 6405 / 060 998 7073 (WhatsApp) or rloxton@knysna.gov.za

Bitou: 044 501 3174/5 or customercare@bitou.gov.za

Oudtshoorn: 044 203 3900 or 044 203 7800/1

Kannaland: 028 551 8000 (office) / 061 602 1095 or customercare@kannaland.gov.za (customercare)

Johan Compion
Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: 044 803 1300 / Cell: 082 803 5161

Contact details for each municipality:

Bitou Municipality
George Municipality
Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality
Hessequa Municipality
Kannaland Municipality
Knysna Municipality
Mossel Bay Municipality

-END-

 

10 April 2025 NQF Level 4, Occupational Certificate: Early Childhood Development Practitioner (97542) – 100 Training Opportunities for Unemployed

Health and Welfare SETA Training Opportunities 

Programme: NQF Level 4, Occupational Certificate: Early Childhood Development Practitioner (97542) x 100

Another Garden Route Skills Mecca Initiative!

The Garden Route District Municipality invites unemployed persons currently residing within the Garden Route district municipal area, to apply for training opportunities within the Local Government sphere for a qualification as part of a Garden Route Skills Mecca Initiative. Preference will be given to persons with disabilities. Applicants should be between the ages of 18 and 60.

Opportunities are currently available within the following municipal areas within the Garden Route district: George x 15, Mossel Bay x 15, Knysna x 14, Ladismith x 14, Bitou x 14, Hessequa x 14 and Oudtshoorn x 14.

Apply here:

Applicants must apply using the GRDM online system called Unemployed Solutions (red button) found at:               https://skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za/.

Programme and Entry Requirements:

Applications need to have the following entry requirements:

  • NQF Level 3 qualification, equivalent to Grade 11

Exit Level Outcomes

  • Plan and prepare broad-phase learning environment and stimulating activities that meet the holistic needs of all children in centre-based or non-centre-based settings.
  • Facilitate and mediate all aspects of the daily programme in a centre-based or non-centre based setting.
  • Observe, assess and record each child’s progress according to the age and stage.
  • Compile a report of each child’s progress.
  • Maintain and promote the well-being, health, nutrition, safety and protection of children.

Please note that no stipends will be paid for this training.

THE GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY WILL ONLY CONSIDER APPLICATIONS COMPLETED IN FULL AND IF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN UPLOADED (NB: The system only recognises PDF format documents):

  • A copy of a South African ID Document certified within the last six months.
  • A copy of your highest educational qualifications certified within the last six months.
  • An updated copy of your CV.

For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Reginald Salmons at 044 803 1363, Ms Dineo Ramasesane at 044 803 1447 or Mrs Nolwando Sambokwe at 044 803 1345, during office hours only. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within one month of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.

Download the notice here:

Join the Garden Route WhatsApp Channel for Skills, Jobs and Tenders, by clicking here with your phone: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va92oJoJpe8eiTvq3q33

Closing date: 17 April 2025     
Notice number: 35/2025

10 April 2025 Drivers License (Code C) 140 Training Opportunities for Unemployed

Drivers License (Code C) 140 Training opportunities for unemployed

Another Garden Route Skills Mecca Initiative!

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) invites unemployed persons between ages of 18 to 40, male or female residing within the Garden Route District Municipal area, to apply for an opportunity to be trained for a Drivers License Code C as part of a  Garden Route Skills Mecca initiative. Opportunities are currently available within all the seven (7) municipal areas of the Garden Route district:

Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland.

 The total number of opportunities available for each municipal area is 20 each.

Applicants must register and apply using the online UNEMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS (RED BUTTON) on the Garden Route Skills Mecca Web site at https://skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za/ or browse to this shortlink: https://tinyurl.com/34unespk

 Programme and Entry Requirements

  • Applicants must have Grade 11 (NQF 3) or equivalent as a minimum requirement.
  • Persons must be between ages of 18 to 40 .
  • Men and women must reside within the boundaries of the Garden Route district.

Scope of Qualification

A qualified learner will be able to:

  • Demonstrate attitudes related to drivers to reduce driving risks and maintain safety on the roads.
  • Demonstrate techniques to improve driving skills and apply the system of vehicle control.
  • Drive a motor vehicle in accordance with the system of vehicle control requirements with specific reference to the applicable K53 tests.

THE GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY WILL ONLY CONSIDER APPLICATIONS COMPLETED IN FULL AND IF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN UPLOADED: 

  • An updated CV
  • Certified South African ID Copy (ID Card both sides must be copied).
  • Certified copy of highest educational qualifications

For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Reginald Salmons at 044 803 1363, or Sisanda Sajini at 044 803 1450 during office hours only.  

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.

Download the notice here

Join the Garden Route WhatsApp Channel for Skills, Jobs and Tenders, by clicking here with your phone: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va92oJoJpe8eiTvq3q33

Closing date:  25/04/2025
Notice number: 37/2025

10 April 2024 Drivers License (Code B) 140 Training opportunities for unemployed

Drivers License (Code B) 140 Training opportunities for unemployed

Another Garden Route Skills Mecca Initiative!

Garden Route District Municipality invites unemployed persons between ages of 18 to 40, male or female residing within the Garden Route district municipal area, to apply for an opportunity to be trained for a Drivers License Code B as part of a  Garden Route Skills Mecca initiative. Opportunities are currently available within all seven (7) municipal areas within the Garden Route District: Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland.

 The total number of opportunities available for each municipal area is 20 each.

 Applicants must register and apply using the online UNEMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS (RED BUTTON) on the Garden Route Skills Mecca Website at https://skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za/ or browse to this shortlink: https://tinyurl.com/34unespk

 Programme and Entry Requirements

  • Applicants need to have Grade 11 (NQF 3) or equivalent as a minimum requirement.
  • Persons must be between ages of 18 to 40.
  • Men and women are invited, but they must reside within the boundaries of the Garden Route district.

 Scope of Qualification

A qualified learner will be able to:

  • Demonstrate attitudes related to drivers to reduce driving risks and maintain safety on the roads.
  • Demonstrate techniques to improve driving skills and apply the system of vehicle control.
  • Drive a motor vehicle in accordance with the system of vehicle control requirements with specific reference to the applicable K53 tests.

 The GRDM will only consider applications completed in full and if the following documents have been uploaded on the system: 

An up to date-

  • Certified South African ID Copy (ID Card both sides must be copied).
  • Certified copy of highest educational qualifications.

 For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Reginald Salmons at 044 803 1363, or Sisanda Sajini at 044 803 1450 during office hours only.  

 Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.

Download the notice here

Join the Garden Route WhatsApp Channel for Skills, Jobs and Tenders, by clicking here with your phone: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va92oJoJpe8eiTvq3q33

Closing date:  25/04/2025
Notice number: 36/2025

8 April 2025 Media Release: Regional Tourism Office will be at the World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2025 with Local Tourism Offices and Several Businesses

Media Release: Regional Tourism Office will be at the World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2025 with Local Tourism Offices and Several Businesses

8 April 2025

Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Regional Tourism Office will once again join more than 6000 travel industry professionals at the World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2025, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 9 – 11 April 2025.  Local tourist products from the Garden Route and Klein-Karoo will attend the WTM Africa as part of a collective initiative. According to Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel, “the WTM, annually brings travel professionals from around the world together to connect, network, and explore business opportunities within the African travel market”.

“It is therefore important for the GR&KK to be present at this platform to promote the offerings of the region, alongside Local Tourism Offices”.

Key features of WTM Africa include:

  • Exhibitions to showcase destinations, travel services, and products.
  • Networking that provides opportunities to meet industry peers and potential business partners.
  • Conferences and Seminar sessions on the latest trends, insights, and innovations in the travel industry.
  • Pre-scheduled meetings to facilitate business discussions and deal-making.

Visiting the World Travel Market enables the Regional Tourism Office to establish valuable relationships and collaborate with global industry leaders and travel professionals. They will gain valuable insights into the latest trends and innovations in the travel industry, helping the office to remain competitive and well-informed.

This year, the GRDM Executive Mayor, Alderman Andrew Stroebel, will attend the event alongside officials from the Regional Tourism Office.  According to Stoebel, “By attending this prestigious event provides an excellent opportunity for Local Tourism Offices and tourist products in the region to showcase the region’s attractions, services, and unique experiences to a global audience, increasing visibility and attracting more tourists to the region. The Regional Tourism Office is responsible for promoting the entire region on international platforms like this, ensuring the GR&KK brand is recognized and positioned as a preferred travel destination of choice in the highly competitive tourism industry in the world,” Mayor Stroebel said.

Come join us and our esteemed stakeholders at Stand number: Q03 on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, 9 April 2025: 10:00 – 18:00
  • Thursday, 10 April 2025: 10:00 – 18:00
  • Friday, 11 April 2025: 10:00 – 16:00

Our stakeholders include:

  • Mossel Bay Tourism
  • Plett Tourism
  • Emily Moon
  • Simola Hotel Country Lodge & Spa
  • Crags Country Lodge
  • George Wilderness & Uniondale
  • Wilderness Hotel
  • Redberry Farm
  • Hessequa Tourism
  • Seeplaas
  • Cape Saint Blaize
  • Offshore Adventures
  • Issaquena Heights Boutique Hotel
  • Visit Knysna
  • Lithemba Arts & Crafts
  • Parkside Guesthouse
  • Rooiberg Lodge
  • Cango Caves
  • De Zeekoe Guest Farm
  • RJ Tours

For those who are in Cape Town over the next few days, pop-in at the GR&KK exhibition to connect, explore and support our regional and local tourism offices.

Featured Image Caption:  A photo from a previous year’s World Travel Market (WTM) Africa, showcasing various products at the Garden Route & Klein Karoo stand.

-END-

07 April 2025 Media Release: Garden Route coastline and estuaries protected as the Wild Coast falters

Media Release: Garden Route coastline and estuaries protected as the Wild Coast falters

For immediate release
07 April 2025

“Via the Garden Route Estuaries Forum and the Garden Route Marine and Coastal Committee (MCC) encompassing all layers of governmental authorities and mandated entities including SANParks, Cape Nature Conservation (CNC) and inclusive of all civil conservation bodies an effective monitoring system guarding the regional coastline and estuaries has been established, ” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) and MCC Chairperson.

The functioning of these Forums are vital in order to ensure and maintain a high level of oversight preventing invaluable natural infrastructure from further decline to the point where unique coastal habitats and eco- systems completely collapse and disappear.

In contrast a recent report by the Daily Maverick on the state of the Eastern Cape Wild Coast by esteemed South African environmental practitioners and investigative journalists reflect upon “Environmental Anarchy” destroying with what is no doubt one of Africa’s most precious and vulnerable coastlines. Unregulated sand mining, illegal land occupation, complete disregard for environmental legislation, corrupt traditional authorities, clearing of invaluable ancient dune forests, the destruction of wetlands as well as unbridled harvesting of all manner of marine life already impacts on the Eastern Cape Wild Coast’ s sustainability.

Until fairly recently the Garden Route boasted a much richer bio-diversity and interlinked marine and coastal habitats and eco- systems which today resemble but a fraction of what once thrived unbounded. Today the Garden Route is subjected to dense linear coastal development, commercial agriculture, mega invasive alien plant impact as well as exponential human influx with much more on the way as the Western Cape proves to be a must- see local and global destination.

The Southern Cape population prospers and continue to grow socio-economically as local market values rise along with increasing popularity from local and international tourism as the region is globally recognized as an iconic and safe destination.

The preservation of the Eastern Cape coastline should be elevated to a national priority, and it has to start with the collaboration of all governmental structures with the political will to ensure its preservation for future generations also facing challenges posed by a changing climate. The Wild Coast has the potential to be an easy match for the Western Cape environmental management success, but environmental lawlessness has to make way for responsible conservation, tourism, job creation and prosperity to follow.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and conservationists and a climate change think- tank. (www.grefscli.co.za).

ENDS

3 April 2025 Media Release: GRDM Community Services Portfolio Chairperson visits Environmental Health Practitioners at 2025 KKNK 

Media Release: GRDM Community Services Portfolio Chairperson visits Environmental Health Practitioners at 2025 KKNK 

3 April 2025

Garden Route District Municipality Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) provide and facilitate comprehensive, pro-active and needs-based services to ensure a safe, healthy and clean environment and thereby preventing detrimental environmental conditions and related diseases.

The Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) in Oudtshoorn commenced on Tuesday 1 April 2025, and will continue until Sunday, 6 April 2025. Food quality control and health surveillance of premises are key performance areas of EHPs.

According to Mayor Andrew Stroebel, “the KKNK has an excellent track record in food quality control. Now in its 29th year, the festival has never experienced an outbreak of foodborne illnesses or food poisoning”.

Today, the Portfolio Chairperson (MMC) of Community Services Department at GRDM, Councillor Jobieth Hoogbaard, also visited the KKNK to observe the functions and activities carried out by EHPs who ensure food safety and prevent environmental conditions that could negatively impact public health.

Cllr Hoogbaard first visited the office of the EHP in Oudtshoorn, where an informative discussion took place to inform him about the inspections and monitoring activities carried out by EHPs during the KKNK. These activities include ensuring food safety, water quality, public toilet facilities, solid waste storage and disposal, waste-water disposal, etc.

Photo caption: Councillor Hoogbaard visited food stalls with Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs), engaged with food stall owners, and handed over Certificates of Acceptability. He also visited the stalls of GRDM and the Department of Health and Wellness.

Thereafter he accompanied EHPs to the KKNK to observe the daily health inspections and activities first-hand.  MMC Hoogbaard also visited the KKNK Joint Operation Centre (JOC).

Food stalls must comply with Regulation 638 of 2018 and possess a Certificate of Acceptability (COA). He further visited food stalls with EHP’s, engaged with food stall owners, and witnessed COAs being handed over to food stalls.

He welcomed a comment from a food stall owner from outside the GRDM, who stated that, “the quality of service provided by the EHPs and the application process to obtain a COA for his food stall was impressive and seamless”.

Featured image caption: Councillor Hoogbaard with EHPs from the Oudtshoorn Office.

FLTR: Francois Koelman, Anelisa Fuzani, MMC Jobieth Hoogbaard (Portfolio Chairperson of Community Services), Desmond Paulse (Manager: Municipal Health Services, Klein Karoo), Johan Smith, and Maxwelline Fatuse.

-ENDS-

1 April 2025 Public Notice: DRAFT REVIEWED 2025-2026 INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP), DRAFT 2025/2026 MEDIUM TERM REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK AND MULTI-YEAR BUDGET

Notice 30/2025

DRAFT REVIEWED 2025-2026 INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP), DRAFT 2025/2026 MEDIUM TERM REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK AND MULTI-YEAR BUDGET

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Draft Integrated Development Plan for the period 2025/2026 and the Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) Draft Multi-Year Budget for the period 2025/2026-2027/2028,
were compiled in accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) and Municipal Finance Management Act 2003 (Act 56 of 2003).

These documents were considered by the Garden Route District Council at a District Council meeting held on Tuesday, 25 March 2025.
These documents will be available for public inspection and comments at all main local libraries, satellite offices and the Garden Route District Municipality’s IDP Unit, 54 York Street George and on the GRDM municipal website www.gardenroute.gov.za.

All comments and inputs must be directed to “The Municipal Manager, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, George 6530”,
rekords@gardenroute.gov.za.

Persons who are unable to read or write are encouraged to contact the Garden Route District Municipality during ordinary office hours, where they will be assisted to formulate their written comments or objection.

Written comments and inputs regarding the above documents must reach the Office of the Municipal Manager on or before 30 April 2025.

Please contact the District IDP Manager (Ms Mercy James) or Budget Manager (Ms Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300, rekords@gardenroute.gov.za with any enquiries.

Click and download the IDP documents

Click below and download the financial documents:

2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget Quality Certificate (25 March 2025)

2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget Report (25 March 2025)

2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget Public Notice (25 March 2025)

2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget Council Resolution (25 March 2025)

2025/26-2027/28 Draft Budget A-Schedules (25 March 2025)

M STRATU
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY