Media Release: Potable water quality in the Garden Route is better than the norms of South Africa
For Immediate Release 12 December 2023
Recently the National Department of Water and Sanitation published the Blue Drop, Green Drop, and No Drop Water reports in South Africa for 2023. This report revealed the dire state of affairs when it comes to safe and clean drinking water in South Africa.
Of particular concern is the status quo in terms of potable water purification plants, identified as one of the main reasons for general water quality failing quality standards, this report cited the lack of technical and managerial capacity and competency as a major contributor.
The Blue Drop report indicated that the water supply across the country requires an additional four hundred qualified staff (203 technical staff and 197 scientists). It also found that about 67% of water treatment staff had no formal skills training and qualifications at all to operate at a water treatment site.
Load shedding also has a major negative impact on the functionality and day-to-day operations of water purification plants. Why? Because the pumping, treatment, and ultimate distribution of potable water are severely affected during extended periods of load shedding.
Where do Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) fit in?
A district municipality is mandated to render municipal health services in its particular area of jurisdiction. One of the most important focus areas of EHPs is water quality monitoring.
Water monitoring includes the following:
Mapping of water sampling sites;
Water sampling and analysis;
Establishing if adequate water provision is available to all communities (rural and urban);
Report back and communication regarding sample results (water service authority / non-water service authority); and
Mitigation measures (including health and hygiene awareness / applicable legislative law enforcement);
Water sampling sites include the following:
Drinking water reservoirs;
Water purification plants;
Communal taps;
Business premises;
Other identified areas;
Hundreds of water samples are taken every month in every local municipal area within the Garden Route. This includes the status of potable water supply to all communities.2
The outcomes of water samples are communicated to each local municipality in the region.
The region’s potable water quality is of a high quality in comparison with the national norm. Water sampling programs, as well as all the other water-related activities implemented by the EHPs, are purpose-driven and outcome-based in order to secure water safety in the district.
Media Release: Two more awards for the GRDM Communications Team
For Immediate Release 12 December 2023
The Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Communication Team has won two of the South African Local Government Association’s (SALGA) National Communicators Forum Awards. The one for the “Most Innovative Communications Team” and the second for the “Most Proactive and Responsive Communication Team” at a district municipal level. Previously, the GRDM Communicators also won the SALGA “Most Updated Social Media Platforms” award. The SALGA award ceremony took place in Durban at the ICC on 11 December 2023. The team was up against stiff competition with 43 other district municipalities across South Africa participating.
GRDM’s team consists of five Communicators: Herman Pieters (Communication Mgr.), Marillia Veldkornet (Snr. Communicator), Marlene Nqumse (Snr. Communicator), Vuyolwethu Notyeke (Multimedia Communicator) and Xola Makinana (Intern). Three (3) members, Herman, Marlene and Marillia, have already been working together for over 13 years.
During an Ordinary Council meeting on 12 December, Alderman Memory Booysen, GRDM Executive Mayor and Council also congratulated the team on their wins: “Well done and indeed and keep up the good work”. GRDM Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu, was also pleasantly surprised with the awards, which come at a time when the municipality also achieved its third consecutive Clean Audit.
According to SALGA, “This is a team that has shown innovative solutions on various platforms to create awareness, keep communities informed and encouraged citizens to take part in municipal activities to ensure that the local government agenda is achieved”. Also in the second category, SALGA says: “This award is for a communications team that is always proactively promoting local government and serving communities, this refers to a team that actively engages with communities on various platforms, create awareness on municipal services and profiles service delivery programmes and events.”
GRDM Communicators recently launched a podcast channel and also partnered with “All Things Vuma Garden Route” to promote the region. According to Pieters, many municipalities already utilise AI to make better decisions, faster and smarter. The GRDM team also utilises AI to generate artwork for educational purposes. “We work hand in glove with our institution’s Health Education Committee to produce images from text prompts. These images are then repurposed to tell stories to children through posters, booklets, and more,” says Pieters.
The GRDM Communications team forms part of a municipality which was also recently achieved the following:
Clean Audit for a third consecutive year;
Toughest Firefighter Alive South Africa;
Developed the first-ever municipal health dashboard in South Africa;
Most simplified Integrated Development Plan in the Western Cape.
In line with the GRDM’s vision of being the leading, enabling, and inclusive district, characterised by equitable and sustainable development, high quality of life, and equal opportunities for all, the GRDM Communication Team has demonstrated its dedication to innovation and excellence.
Media Release: GREF event programme: 13 December, Fairy Knowe Hotel
For Immediate Release 12 December 2023
Following a year of significant natural disasters including floods and storm surges, the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) celebrates the region’s most prized asset, namely its unique biodiversity and natural beauty.
The Garden Route is abundant with world-class conservation entities at all levels in the region. Environmental management by regional and local authorities is well-managed and sustainable. At the same time, because of the very same reason, the region is attracting substantial population influx domestically and from abroad, resulting in more pressure on natural resources such as water and available space for development.
As the GREF celebrates its fifteenth year of existence, it acknowledges and pays tribute to the important work done in terms of conserving environmental management. This is often at a great cost to local ratepayers and individuals, but at the same time, it highlights the many present and future threats to the quality and sustainable use of regional natural resources, including the threats posed by a changing climate.
Below find a copy of the programme and please feel free to attend or to request more information if need be (www.grefscli.co.za).
Media Release: GRDM and partners conduct Clean-up, Education and Awareness campaign in Mossel Bay
For immediate release 08 December 2023
The Waste Management Section of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment’s Local Government Support Section, CapeNature, Mossel Bay Municipality, Henque Waste, Transnet, Nestle and Aquelle, conducted a Clean-up Campaign in Ward 15 of Mossel Bay.
Children from Ward 15 in Mossel Bay, formed part of the Clean-up operation in their area.
The aim of the campaign was to raise awareness about illegal dumping and the ‘Adopt a Spot Program’ for community vegetable gardens and the need for their conservation.
One of the most pressing issues facing our communities is Illegal dumping, particularly understanding how recycling waste works. The campaign encourages members of the community to take part in the clean-up campaign and to not dump waste illegally. Community members were encouraged to continue with their efforts to keep their spaces clean and they were informed about the importance of community gardens as part of the Program.
The clean-up campaign was conducted after the education and awareness session. A special message of appreciation was extended to all the organisations that were involved to ensure a clean environment for those living in visiting the area.
Did you know?
Dumped waste may contain harmful or even toxic substances, which may have health effects such as asthma or respiratory infections on humans.
The illegally dumped items might include needles that may be contaminated with HIV or Hepatitis. This is a big concern, especially for children who often pick up items while playing. This threatens their health since they may become infected with these life-threatening diseases.
Illegal dumping sites may also be favourable breeding conditions for Ecoli, which may also spread diseases to communities.
If there is significant unlawful dumping in certain areas, the chances for the spread of diseases increase dramatically.
Feature image: Representatives from GRDM, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment’s Local Government Support Section, CapeNature, Mossel Bay Municipality, Henque Waste, Transnet, Nestle and Aquelle, with members of the community, during the Clean-up Campaign in Ward 15 of Mossel Bay.
The COP28 Climate Change Conference is hosted by the United Nations running from 30 November to 12 December in Dubai and is intended for governments to agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change, says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) on the eve of its Key Stake- holder event taking place on 13 December in Wilderness.
Reducing the drivers of climate change is easier said than done as the global dependence on fossil fuels is universal and the transition to alternative sources of energy is extremely slow and complex in their implementation as the South African effort towards the Just energy Transition (JET) is a case in point.
COP28 is already finding itself in a highly politicised milieu as major role players, including the United Arab Emirates which is hosting the event in Dubai is questioning the very essence of the global drive towards the reduction of emissions contributing to the global rise in temperature, with 2023 already described as the warmest year in recorded history and 2024 predicted to be worse according to the latest UN report on the matter.
The fact that South Africa is already experiencing an increase in climate related disasters including severe flooding, fire and drought is concerning, and it comes at a time where the country is suffering from the effects of retarded economic growth and environmental mismanagement at all levels manifesting in unbridled development, poverty, joblessness and social unrest as expectations in terms of service delivery are not met by the powers that be.
In the face of the challenges South Africa has to face as the climate changes irreversibly, there is much the country can do to be better prepared for environmental changes, including changes in rainfall patterns which will no doubt impact on the quality of life and future prospects of a fast- growing population facing food, energy and water security uncertainty.
Past and present failure by government at all levels to plan ahead and develop policies that will contribute to better environmental management and the safeguarding of natural resources, especially water and the infrastructure required to ensure that future generations don’t suffer as a result of a lack of responding to early warnings must serve as a wake- up call to all.
The state of South Africa rivers and effluent from defunct sewerage plants, water resource management as well as the failure to address the spread of invasive alien plants and the resultant destruction of bio- diversity will prove detrimental to the country’s ability to cope with the challenges a change in climate will impose upon the nation with its limited resources.
GREF will revisit the outcomes of COP28 during its Annual Climate Change and Environmental Management Indaba to be co- hosted with the Nelson Mandela University in June 2024.
GREF is the premier public platform for regional environmental and conservation managers in the Southern Cape.
Save the Date: Council Meeting – 12 December 2023 at 09:00
Notice is hereby given that a 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 12 December 2023 at 09:00.
Public Notice: Notice of a Combined MPAC / APAC Meeting on 07 December 2023 at 09:00
Notice number:165/2023
Notice is hereby given that a COMBINED MPAC/ APAC MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers and via Zoom, 54 York Street, George,
on 07 December 2023 at 09:00.
Food has to be fit for humans to eat and must conform to safety requirements as prescribed by law and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Load shedding occurs often in South Africa and these power outages have a direct impact on food safety. Three (3) factors that have a direct impact on food are the length of the outage, how often it occurs and where food is stored. Food safety issues, including spoiling, are especially likely to occur with perishable goods such as fresh meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, and leftover food (depending on how long they were stored before load shedding started).
Critical facts to remember
As long as it is cold, food should be safe. Food in a refrigerator may be safe as long as:
Power outages do not last longer than four hours.
The fridge door is kept closed and not opened often.
The temperature of the refrigerator was at 4 °C when load-shedding started.
If a freezer door is kept closed, frozen food will stay frozen for up to 48 hours. Perishable food must be cooked as soon as possible if they begin to defrost. Refreezing perishable food is dangerous.
If the load-shedding schedule is known, one can prepare for it as follows:
Ensure that the temperature in the refrigerator is 4 °C or as near to it as possible.
Frozen leftovers, milk, fresh meat and poultry, fish, and other goods should be moved from the fridge to the freezer that you might not need right away.
Buy fresh food in smaller quantities, prepare it fast, and enjoy it instead of buying it in bulk and storing it in the fridge.
Take special note of purchasing long-lasting items, such as unopened canned foods and sterile or ultra-heat heated temperature drinks. These have a lengthy shelf-life outside of the fridge, however, once they’re opened, they too need to be chilled.
Another method used to keep perishable goods as cold as possible for as long as possible, is to place ice packs around the items in the fridge.
THE CONSUMER’S ROLE
Given the price of food, one is hesitant to discard food but the risks associated with eating unsafe food is very high. Some perishables might not necessarily smell or taste strange, but may be filled with bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. Consumers must buy food at food premises that was issued with a Certificate of Acceptability (CoA), where they trade. A CoA is issued by an EHP and must be displayed in a place at the food premises for the public to see. If this is not possible, it must be immediately available on request from customers.
LABELLING
Consumers must look at the labelling and date marking of foodstuffs to make informed decisions regarding the foodstuffs they want to buy. It is important to understand that date marking is a best practice in the food industry and help to protect both food quality and food safety. Pre-packed food must be labelled in accordance with the Regulations relating to the labelling and advertising of foodstuffs, R146 of 1 March 2010.
Click hereto read more about fake food and food labelling.
Follow these five keys to safer food.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Johan Compion, Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services,
Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality paid tribute Alwin Fuller’s life at a special Memorial Service
For immediate release 4 December 2023
On 29 November 2023, Councillors, Management and Staff from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) paid tribute to the life of Alwin Fuller during a special Memorial Service, after his passing on 25 November 2023 at the age of 38.
The Council Chamber was left in a sombre atmosphere when his wife, children and family members walked through the guard of honour formed by the GRDM Firefighters to attend the service. Messages of support were delivered by his colleagues. Pastor Kevin van Wyk delivered a touching biblical message for all present and affected by Alwin’s passing.
GRDM Executive Deputy Mayor, Cllr Gert van Nierkerk, issued a certificate of appreciation to Mrs. Lorna Fuller for the dedicated services rendered by her husband to the organisation.
Fuller was appointed on 1 September 2022 in the Planning and Economic Development Department and was in tenure of the organisation until he took his last breath. He fulfilled the role of Project Administrator for Projects and Bulk Infrastructure and became intricately involved with Energy projects driven by the organisation.
When comforting all present in his welcoming address, Portfolio Chairperson of Planning and Economic Development, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, stated: “This time of year is usually a period for family to spend more time with one another and having family reunions”. Adding to these words, Hoogbaard encouraged all to use the sudden passing of Alwin as an opportunity to learn how precious time on earth is. “We need to also make time throughout the year to enjoy and create precious moments with others.”
Portfolio Chairperson of Planning and Economic Development, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, welcomed all present.
Executive Manager: Planning & Economic Development, Lusanda Menze, remembered Alwin as hardworking and dedicated official.
Described by a few colleagues as a passionate and dedicated official, many also felt that his other side portrayed more humour and others described him as a person who frequently challenged red tape that stood in the way of projects. Almost all officials alluded to the fact that Alwin wanted to get things done. Passmore Dongi, his former manager, during his virtual message, reiterated Alwin’s stubbornness for the better good of the organisation. Dongi said: “I liked his stubbornness because I don’t like a colleague working so closely with me that portrays the same characteristics as I have – because of these different characteristics we made a great team”, he said. He also highlighted that Alwin left behind a huge legacy with key projects he spearheaded. One such project is the Energy Efficient program where GRDM received an Energy Efficient Certificate as the 1st District Municipality in the Western Cape and in the country.
Executive Deputy Mayor, Cllr Gert van Niekerk, delivered the eulogy.
Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu, delivered the vote of thanks at the service.
Pastor Kevin van Wyk shared a Word of Comfort with the family and colleagues.
Programme Director of the event was GRDM’s Ayakha Magxotwa.
Colleague and friend, Mats-will Louis, shared his personal experiences with Alwin.
Tando Gauzela served with Alwin on the Energy Forums and how they approached matters.
Emile Conrad performed an instrumental of the song “Amazing Grace”.
Natalie Arries and Grace Rwayi performed the song “There is coming a day”.
Integrated Development Planning colleague of Alwin, Ayakha Magxotwa, while directing the programme, shared memorable tales about his experiences and moments with Alwin. He remembers and experienced Alwin also in a more personal manner.
Executive Deputy Mayor, Ald. Gert van Niekerk summed Alwin up as a shy, reserved person. He said: “Alwin played a crucial role within the Infrastructure, Projects and Resorts Management Units of the Planning and Economic Development Department. Alwin also worked closely with Communications to ensure awareness was created about Green Energy”. In closing his speech Ald. van Niekerk said that in the face of loss, “let us celebrate the life of a man that left us too soon; but left behind a legacy. We are all fortunate that God borrowed Alwin to us”. In concluding Alwin’s journey with the organisation, Ald. van Niekerk handed over a token of appreciation to Alwin’s wife, Mrs Lorna Fuller at the event, for the dedicated and loyal service her husband rendered to the organisation.
Through his message of comfort, Pastor Kevin van Wyk urged all present to “reflect on potential obstacles hindering our path to achieving goals”. Pastor van Wyk made an example about a person receiving a gift leaving it unopen. He said: “By leaving the gift unopen, has the same meaning as not receiving the gift”. He encouraged the family and officials to, much like Alwin, stand firm in preserving the essence of what he represented, resisting any attempts to diminish his legacy”.
Pastor van Wyk also emphasised the importance of embracing love and accepting the invitations extended to us. “The time for acceptance is now,” he said. “We must ensure that the love bestowed upon us is received wholeheartedly. In times of turmoil, he compared God to an anchor, a steadfast presence amid life’s unpredictable winds. Him resonating with Alwin’s life, as he also grew up in the area where Alwin was born, during the event multiple times requested all present to put their hands together in celebration of Alwin’s life. He said: “This creates energy which is also symbolic to the role fulfilled by Alwin in this organisation. He said: “Every time we clap our hands let us remember Alwin in the energy we create”.
Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu, extended a special vote of thanks, specifically to the family of Alwin you borrowed their husband to the organisation. Mr Stratu said that Alwin was well-aware of what his mandate He understood the vision of the organisation and his role within his Department, because he took his mandate seriously.”
To the staff, Mr Stratu shared words of appreciation to all GRDM colleagues who worked closely with Alwin and who spoke fondly about “our brother” during the service. “I am also thankful to those colleagues that made his life bearable within the institution. Thank you for your humanity in which you interacted with Alwin and that you treated him with dignity”. To these words, Stratu emphasised: “Thank you for your interaction with Alwin, we are grateful for the demeanour that you treated him with dignity. Evidence is showing us that life is too short, for that we must love each other.”
“We come from different homes, families, homes, coming with different agendas etc, but after all we are all children of God and in God’s eyes, we are all equal. Love each other and appreciate one another. ”
Alwin was laid to rest from the VGK Church in Rosemoore, George, on Saturday, 2 December 2023 at 9:00.
Rest in Peace Alwin Fuller – Garden Route District Municipality’s Council and Staff will miss you dearly.
