Notice is hereby given that an 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 24 July 2023 at 14:00.
For Immediate release
18 July 2023
The Western Cape Provincial Department of Health and Wellness conducted an audit of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Health Services in February 2023. It was recently made public that the GRDM achieved a 96.7% compliance rate.
The following municipal health-related KPIs and administration processes were audited: Client rights, operational management, facility and infrastructure, leadership and corporate governance, operational – vector control, environment pollution control, waste management, water quality monitoring, law enforcement, health surveillance of premises, etc.
The primary aims of Municipal Health Services are to promote health and to ensure a healthy environment for the community.
According to the Audit report summary, non-compliance was observed only in two areas: human resources and vector control. With a compliance rate of 96.7%, it is evident that the Community Services Department of GRDM are making substantial progress towards the goals outlined in the GRDM Integrated Development Plan (popularly known as an IDP), indicating a positive direction.
Feature image: An image depicting some of the functions of Municipal Health at the Garden Route District Municipality
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING
Die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Departement van Gesondheid en Welstand het in Februarie 2023 ‘n oudit van die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (GRDM) Gesondheidsdienste uitgevoer. Dit is onlangs bekend gemaak dat die GRDM ‘n 96,7% voldoeningskoers behaal het.
Volgens die ouditverslagopsomming is twee areas wat ge-oudit is wat opgeskerp moet word: menslike hulpbronne en vektorbeheer. Met ‘n voldoeningskoers van 96.7%, is dit duidelik dat die Gemeenskapsdienstedepartement van GRDM aansienlike vordering maak in die rigting van die doelwitte soos uiteengesit in die GRDM Geïntegreerde Ontwikkelingsplan (algemeen bekend as ‘n GOP), wat ‘n positiewe rigting aandui.
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For Immediate Release
18 July 2023
Heat waves in the Global North are a sign of what lies ahead for RSA in 2024, but by supporting local efforts such as the Mandela Day Tree Planting Initiative citizens can make a difference. The theme for Mandela Day 23 is “The legacy lives on through you: Climate, Food and Solidarity.”
“As the Southern Cape is receiving generous- rainfall the wet weather cycle associated with the El Nina weather pattern is about to make way for the dry El Nino pattern over Southern Africa later this year.” Says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).
Europe is already experiencing sustained extreme hot weather north of forty degrees Celsius on an everyday basis with high numbers of people succumbing to the relentless heat. The Americas is no exception, with enormous cities such as Monte Video in Uruguay literally running out of resources as surface water evaporates faster than replenishment can take place and large storage dams and reservoirs and normally reliable water sources run dry.
As the northern hemisphere summer heat and accompanying warm winds dry out vegetation all it takes to ignite a wildfire disaster is a spark, and out-of-control wildfires is currently raging simultaneously in Canada, the USA and Europe with literally millions of hectares burning to ash with extensive environmental and infrastructural damage.
Already, European tourist destinations are reporting a significant drop in summertime figures with those seeking to escape the severe heat opting to visit less affected countries such as Ireland.
South Africa is currently experiencing the tail end of the wet El Nina weather phenomena and has received very high rainfall figures and even significant snowfall countrywide with some of the most damaging floods experienced in decades in the Western Cape causing millions of Rand losses in harvests, damage to agricultural land as well as hard infrastructure such as electricity, roads and bridges. High rainfall figures imply positive monetary results for agricultural production and with storage dams filled to the brim is good news for the country as a whole, knowing full well that conditions are about to change and that if predictions hold true, then RSA will soon enough experience drier years as of 2024.
A warming planet resulting in a fast-changing climate and changes in rainfall patterns and their intensity is now beyond human control, and adaptation, planning, new technology and risk mitigation hold the key to surviving the “new normal.”
South Africa is seen by some as notoriously self-destructive as far as resource management is concerned, and serious damage to sparse water sources due to a complete lack of capacity, management skills, political indifference and incompetence is present at all levels of government.
Non- management of sewage effluent, crumbling and leaking fresh water infrastructure and non- constant electricity supply and a risky grid seemingly on the very edge of collapse make for the perfect storm, hampering economic growth and stoking the fires of social stress, deprivation and disease.
The question begs as to the way forward knowing full well that the set targets for the planet to avoid much worse changes to the world climate than those correlating with the currently predicted curve, rising sea levels, drought and climate-related disasters causing untold harm to humanity and ecosystems collapse are seemingly not achievable.
Western countries with capable economies are very well aware of what is lying ahead for humanity if they do not act meaningfully, hence their willingness to avail vast amounts of money towards green energy and efforts to mitigate the effects of a changing climate, but politics globally remains firmly in the way of a universal approach and implementation of interventions. The unfortunate invasion of Ukraine by Russia continues to avert attention and resources away from addressing climate change issues, and the world needs solidarity and peace in going forward towards a sustainable future.
The basic act of planting a tree in the Garden Route in celebration of Mandela Day is a true individual action towards addressing climate change.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum is a public platform for climate change and environmental management think tank.
Feature image: Tree-planting is the proposed action for citizens to take on Mandela Day. Image: Shutterstock
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING
Die Tuinroete-omgewingsforum (GREF) voorspel ‘n verskuiwing van nat El Niña- na droë El Niño-weerpatrone in Suider-Afrika, wat kommer wek oor RSA se klimaatvooruitsigte in 2024. Europa en die Amerikas staar reeds uiterste hitte, watertekorte en verwoestende veldbrande in die gesig. In reaksie hierop kan die ondersteuning van plaaslike inisiatiewe soos die Mandeladag-boomplanting ‘n verskil maak. Ten spyte van hulpbronwanbestuur in RSA, is aanpassing by ‘n veranderende klimaat deur individuele aksies, soos boomplant, van kardinale belang. Solidariteit en globale optrede is nodig om die uitdagings wat voorlê die hoof te bied.
GREF is toegewy aan klimaatsverandering en omgewingsbestuur.
ENDS
For Immediate Release
18 July 2023
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) socio-economic programme known as the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) held its third Skills Summit and inaugural Career Festival in Knysna last week from 13 – 14 July 2023. The Garden Route Skills Summit was attended by more than 200 delegates, who included several high-profile partners that will greatly benefit the Garden Route.
The Summit commenced with GRDM Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu, introducing Home Based Care Personal Assistants to the attendees. They delivered testimonies of their experiences in their theoretical and work-based learning environments. This initiative is a partnering and collaborative approach with the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA).
The GRSM is grounded in its partnerships that allow the organisation or individuals to partner with the GRSM for future skills development programs and services.
The four (4) critical partners of the Garden Route Skills Mecca and beneficiaries of the GRSM, at the Skills Summit, included:
Through these partnerships an ongoing development programme that now integrates the schooling system and the community college structures more strongly into the Skills Mecca can be embarked on. This is new and exciting ground for the Skills Mecca as the programme expands across the Garden Route region.
Alderman Memory Booysen, during his address at the Skills Summit said: “We are on the right trajectory.”
“We will achieve success if we stay focused-driven, while keeping our vision, short-term and medium-terms in mind as we move forward.”
The Skills Summit allowed for a review of the Skills Mecca process and at least three new proposed solutions emerged that will need to be taken further by the Skills Mecca team:
A new and innovative feature of the Garden Route Skills Summit was the inclusion of presentations from external stakeholders linked to business chambers or learning / employment opportunities in the Garden Route who are in support of the Skills Mecca. Five (5) such presentations were made that included:
The Skills Mecca has grown and developed over the last few years but the Summit clearly indicated that the concept needs to be taken to the next level. To give direction to that process, the Executive Mayor of the District Municipality, Alderman Memory Booysen tabled with delegates a plan to take the Skills Mecca to the next level that included a new logo and branding, a “Skills Mecca” copyright as well as the first-ever proposed vision and mission for the Skills Mecca.
According to Dr Florus Prinsloo, the GRSM Coordinator, “the Summit delegates endorsed all these proposals and they will be taken to the GRDM Council before being officially launched in the near future”.
The last part of the summit was then dedicated to a discussion and “workathon”. This segment focused on the Provincial Growth for Jobs Strategy (G4J) with a special emphasis on Priority Focus Area 7 – Improved Access to Economic Opportunities and Employability. During the various breakaway sessions, each of the seven local municipalities and the District Municipality considered the various interventions proposed under ‘Focus of Priority Focus Area 7’. The idea was for each breakaway group to identify possible existing or new projects that could drive the implementation of that intervention, forward. This work will now be taken into the various Skills Indaba processes at each local municipality and at the District level to ensure on-the-ground implementation.
While the above constructive work was in progress at the Summit, in parallel over two-days, 800 school-going youth and members and unemployed members of Knysna and surrounds attended the inaugural Career Festival. At this event, SETAs and training providers offered the attendees opportunities for exploring further learning and development.
The Garden Route Skills Summit also served as an introductory event for the Premier Council on Skills (PCS) that was held the next day on 14th July 2023 . It was the first time for the PCS to be held in Knysna.
“We need all hands-on-deck to keep our municipalities in our province functional through continuous skills development. And we should be competitive among ourselves.” Memory Booysen, Garden Route District Mayor, told the PCS.
For all the presentations and final skills summit report, browse here https://skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za/project/2023-summit/
For a gallery of the day’s activities, browse here: https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/galleries/2023-garden-route-skills-summit/
Feature image: GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen, GRDM Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu and the GRSM Coordinator and Dr Florus Prinsloo, with the team who ensured the Skills Summit, was a success.
ENDS
For Immediate Release
14 July 2023
Informal food trading is more prevalent in developing countries, particularly South African communities as it provides opportunities to earn income as an alternative to unemployment.
Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) plays an essential role in this regard by performing functions as listed in the SCHEDULE OF THE SCOPE OF PROFESSIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (GOVERNMENT NOTICE R888 OF 26 APRIL 1991).
Regulation governing general hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters is Regulation 638 of 22 June 2018, promulgated under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972) is used by Environmental Health Practitioners to ensure compliance of food premises within the Garden Route District Municipality(GRDM). This includes formal food premises and informal food stalls.
In the Mossel Bay Municipal Area, particularly in the Kwanonqaba and Asla Park, street trade has increased, especially over weekends (Friday afternoon until Sunday).
David Maloka, an Environmental Health Practitioner, is busy training informal food vendors on hygiene requirements.
On Friday, 24 June 2023 and Saturday, 25 June 2023, EHPs from the GRDM visited informal food stalls. A total of eight (8) informal food traders were visited. Since a majority of the food stalls in this area sell meat and/or meat products, the purpose of the visits was to determine compliance with Regulation 638 and Regulation 1072 of 17 September 2004 promulgated under the Meat Safety Act, 2000(40 of 2000).
During the visit topics like Personal Hygiene, Effective Waste Management, and hygiene of the premises were covered. Among the shortcomings of informal food-traders’ is a lack of infrastructure, poor waste management, poor general cleanliness, failure to comply with personal protective equipment, and exposure to ambient air pollution. Informed food traders appreciated the technical skills training, recommendations, and advice.
Featured Image Caption: Traders were advised to keep a container of water and soap on hand for hand washing.
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For immediate release
13 July 2023
The Western Cape Archives and Records Services (WCARS) conducted an Electronic Records Audit at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) on Tuesday 4 July 2023. As part of the process, an Electronic Records Management Survey was provided to complete, prior to the Audit in order to determine if the GRDM complies with the law.
After completion of the audit process, the WCARS recommended that a Records Control Schedule and the Registry Procedure Manual become part of the Electronic System. This means that the retention periods of records should also be incorporated into the electronic system. They also needed clarity regarding the metadata that is electronically backed up, as well as the Electronic Records Disaster Management Plan.
Government bodies have increased the use of electronic systems to conduct their business significantly which changed the manner of how records are created and being stored. Electronic recordkeeping poses particular challenges to governmental bodies and the National Archives and Records Services, both which need to ensure that trustworthy records are being maintained over time as evidence of official business for Accountability, Operational Continuity, Disaster Recovery and Institutional and Social Memory. With paper-based records a well-structured file plan is maintained, and the records are physically protected, the evidence they contain remains accessible and readable over time. Due to rapid changes in technology the same cannot be said of electronic records.
The WCARS was pleased with the outcomes of the GRDM Audit and furthermore expressed their satisfaction with GRDM’s electronic system that was in place and operational. After also visiting the GRDM Registry Office, the team were furthermore impressed by the layout of the office and how daily operations are managed.
Feature Image: Yolandi Dyantyi (Supervisor) and Gideon Joubert, Senior Registry Clerk/Fleet (right), proud officials of the Records & Archives section at Garden Route District Municipality, who assisted the Western Cape Archives and Records Services (WCARS) team during the Electronic Records Audit.
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For Immediate Release
11 July 2023
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) continues to reduce its carbon footprint. Developed in 2012, an innovative mobile app for Municipal Health Practitioners, combines traditional paper prints, personal computers, laptops, and cameras into one efficient device, revolutionising the way inspections are conducted.
With approximately 8,000 inspections carried out annually, including 6,000 food and water samples, the introduction of the paperless inspection yielded significant time-saving for 32 EHPS of GRDM. Time saved has resulted in a 25% reduction in their workload, equivalent to having an additional eight (8) EHPs.
The app’s effectiveness is also measured by its positive environmental impact. By eliminating the need for thousands of prints, GRDM has taken a significant step towards reducing paper waste. The production of paper involves the consumption of millions of trees, chemicals, and water, with much of it ending up in landfills as it remains largely unrecycled. The Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry is responsible for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. Embracing a digital approach to inspections significantly mitigates these environmental hazards.
In line with its commitment to environmental stewardship, GRDM has also transitioned to electronic communication wherever possible. Feedback to clients is predominantly conducted via email, further reducing the reliance on paper. For clients without access to email services, a short SMS is sent to inform them about inspections conducted and the results thereof.
Environmental Health practitioners using their app to perform daily inspections.
Previously, EHPs conducted a certain number of education sessions annually. However, over the past decade, EHPS have significantly increased their public educational sessions to approximately 500. These informative sessions cover a range of topics, including food safety, chemical safety, handwashing at schools and crèches, as well as door-to-door campaigns aimed at combating illegal dumping in the Garden Route communities.
The development team improves and updates the app frequently, ensuring it stays aligned with 21st-century advancements. The Municipal Health Dashboard, serving as a support system, provides visuals of the region to highlight evolving trends at the grassroots level.
GRDM prides itself on being a frontrunner in technological advances, in particular within municipal health services.
Feature image: An Environmental Health Practitioner using the GRDM Municipal Health App – saving thousands of Rands annually.
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11 July 2023
After following a competitive bidding process the Garden Route District Municipality appointed AK Consultants to supply and deliver five (5) mobile 100 KVA diesel powered generators to be used as back-up units during the current energy crisis.
These units will be placed at Garden Route District Municipal offices in the district.
Nadat ‘n mededingende bodproses gevolg is, het die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit AK Consultants aangestel om vyf (5) mobiele 100 KVA diesel-aangedrewe kragopwekkers te verskaf, wat as rugsteuneenhede gebruik sal word tydens beurtkrag.
Die eenhede sal by Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaleit se kantore, regoor die streek, geplaas word.
Emva kokulandela inkqubo ekhuphisanayo nemigaqo yezibophelelo uMasipala weSithili seGarden Route uchonge inkampani i-A K Consultants ukuba ibonelele kwaye inikezele ngeejenereyitha ezintlanu ezisebenza ngedizili eziyi-100 KVA eziza kusetyenziswa njengeeyunithi zokuxhasa ngexesha lobunzima bombane obukhoyo.
Ezi yunithi ziya kubekwa kwii-ofisi zikaMasipala weSithili saseGarden Route kwisithili ukuze zifumaneke zincedise njengamacandelo ombane axhasayo kwimeko kaxakeka.
MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
PO Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel: 044 803 1300
Notice number: 96/2023
Download the official notice here.
The Cape Town Weather Office has issued an Impact Based Warning for Veld Fires valid from 8:00 to 20:00 on 7 July 2023.
Areas in the Garden Route district affected by the warning include Kannaland and Oudtshoorn.
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.
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The Cape Town Weather Office has issued a Level 2 Impact Based Warning for Damaging Waves valid from 7 July to 9 July 2023.
Areas in the Garden Route district 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.
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