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Mandela Day

23 July 2024 Media Release: Mandela Day 2024: GRDM and Knysna Municipality Clean-Up Campaign

Mandela Day 2024: GRDM and Knysna Municipality Clean-Up Campaign

23 July 2024

On Thursday, 18 July 2024, the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Waste Management section joined hands with Knysna Municipality to celebrate Mandela Day with a clean-up campaign targeting illegal dumping in the Concordia West wetland. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining clean neighbourhoods and reducing waste.

During the campaign, GRDM District Waste Management Officer, Innocentia Sikweyiya, emphasised the importance of reducing waste by buying in bulk and reusing items instead of purchasing disposable plastic bags, favouring reusable shopper bags instead.

The GRDM Waste Management Section would like to thank Knysna Municipality for also referring to the importance of keeping communities clean. It is not just the responsibility of the Municipality to take care of the community; residents should also keep their communities clean. Knysna Municipality has assigned two participants to monitor the area, report any illegal dumping, and send information to law enforcement for investigation.

Stakeholders and Donations

Stakeholders and donations involved in the Mandela Day Clean-up Campaign include:

  • Asivikelane: Donated refreshments for participants.
  • GRDM: Donated plastic bags, gloves, masks, and rakes.
  • Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Workers
  • Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)

The campaign successfully collected 300 bags of waste, making a significant impact on the cleanliness of the Concordia West wetland.

Featured Image Caption: All the stakeholders involved in making the clean-up campaign a success.

By joining hands, GRDM Waste Management Section, Knysna Waste Management, and members of the Concordia West community successfully cleaned the area.

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19 July 2024 Media Release: Celebrating Mandela Day: A Month of Tribute and Action in South Africa 

Media Release: Celebrating Madiba Day: A Month of Tribute and Action in South Africa

19 July 2024

Annually, in July, South Africa comes together to celebrate the life and legacy of former President Nelson Mandela. While 18 July has been declared Nelson Mandela International Day, South Africans extend the celebrations throughout the entire month. This extended celebration offers everyone the chance to heed Mandela’s call to recognise their individual and group efforts to make an imprint and change the world around them.

This year, Nelson Mandela International Day was observed under the theme: “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.” In upholding this spirit, officials from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) joined people across the globe in participating in community work to honour Madiba’s enduring legacy.

Below you will find a few pictures and short descriptions of what the GRDM officials did across the district:

GRDM Road Services Department

Early this month, Rosemoor Old Age Home management posted an urgent request on social media regarding the facility’s financial crisis and their need for urgent assistance with groceries, meat products, cleaning supplies, vegetables, and adult diapers.

As part of the commemoration of Madiba Day, officials of the Roads Services’ George office requested everyone to contribute to this noble cause by donating one or more items from the specified list. Although officials in the Department responded well to the urgent request, the 98 residents, all over 60 years old, are still in dire need of the abovementioned products.

GRDM Disaster Management

As part of the Madiba Day festivities, the GRDM’s Disaster Management and Fire Service teams engaged in a friendly pancake-baking competition. Officials generously provided all the necessary ingredients and equipment for the challenge. The participants showcased their culinary skills, aiming to bake the most pancakes, and the delicious results were joyfully donated to a local children’s home and residents of Emmause Home for Disabled. This initiative not only celebrated Madiba’s spirit of generosity and community service, but also brought smiles to the faces of young ones in need, embodying the essence of Mandela Day.

GRDM Financial Services Department

Mzoxolo Primary School in Lawaaikamp received sanitary towels from officials in the Finance Department. Research shows that when young women from poorer backgrounds lack access to sanitary towels, they often miss school or suffer a loss of dignity by having to use old newspapers or cloths. Girls who cannot afford pads or tampons miss about 5 days of school each month, totalling around 60 missed school days a year.

GRDM Office of the Municipal Manager

The GRDM Executive Mayor, Speaker, and Municipal Manager, along with officials in the departments and political office, also yesterday, honored Mandela’s legacy at the Rosemoor Children’s Home. They generously donated warm clothes, toiletries, toys and groceries to support the approximately 25 children living at the facility. During the visit, the GRDM firefighters conducted an insightful demonstration for the youngsters, educating them on fire safety, including fire dangers, escape procedures, and how to prevent and respond to smoke inhalation. This initiative not only provided essential resources but also imparted valuable life-saving knowledge to the children.

GRDM Integrated Planning and Economic Development

In celebration of Mandela Day, the Integrated Planning and Economic Development Department visited Save Haven Youth Development and After Care (SHYDAC) in Parkdene. The team dedicated their time and resources to paint the building, creating a fresh and welcoming environment. They also cooked and served soup to everyone present. The team generously purchased toiletry packs from their own pockets, which they handed over to the manager, ensuring they have essential personal care items. This heartfelt effort demonstrated the spirit of Mandela Day by making a tangible difference in the lives of those at SHYDAC.

GRDM Community Services: Klein Karoo Municipal Health Services

In commemoration of Madiba’s legacy, the GRDM Community Services Department mobilised its various sub-offices and sections to engaged in impactful activities throughout the day. The Klein Karoo Municipal Health Services Section focused on providing clothes to individuals in need, ensuring that vulnerable community members received essential support.

 

GRDM Community Services: Bitou (Lakes) Municipal Health Services

In Bitou, the Municipal Health Offices dedicated their efforts to ‘The Angels of Joy Playgroup’ in The Crags, Kurland Village. Officials not only assisted with daily tasks but also took the opportunity to educate children and educators on the importance of handwashing practices. Additionally, they generously donated nutritious fruit to support the children’s wellbeing.

GRDM Community Services: Knysna (Lakes) Municipal Health Services

Municipal Health Section officials in Knysna honoured local car guards by serving them each a healthy, warm meal outside their office at 24A Queen Street. The gesture was intended to acknowledge and support the important role car guards play in the community.

GRDM Community Services: Mossel Bay Municipal Health Services

The Mossel Bay Environmental Health Practitioners visited Little Einstein Educare Crèche and Vlinderland Crèche in Great Brak River for Mandela Day. A total of seven teachers and 183 children participated in the morning event focusing on children, aligned with what Madiba stood for in life, as he was very fond of children. When asked what they knew about Mr. Mandela, a toddler responded, “Mr. Mandela loved children.”  Health and hygiene awareness sessions were furthermore conducted at the crèches, followed by demonstrations of proper handwashing techniques for the children and teachers.

GRDM Community Services: Hessequa Municipal Health Services

In Riversdale, officials from the GRDM Hessequa office organised a Soup Kitchen drive at the Suikerbossie Soup Kitchen, providing a warm meal to those in need in the Riversdale area. This compassionate effort not only provided nourishment but also underscored the spirit of solidarity and care that Madiba Day embodies across the GRDM Community Services Department.

GRDM Community Services: George Municipal Health Services

George Municipal Health officials serving the George, Wilderness, and Outeniqua areas, collaborated on a School Shoe Project at Kommandtansdrift Primary School in the Kammanassie area, near Uniondale.  In honor of Madiba’s legacy, the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) ensured that each child at the school received a pair of new shoes and socks, a snack pack with sweet treats and a drink, as well as a cake for everyone to share. This project not only provided essential items but also brought joy and celebration to the children, embodying the spirit of giving and community that Mandela cherished.  It also ensured that students in need had proper footwear, promoting their comfort and dignity throughout the school year.

Madiba Day Blood Donation Drive at the GRDM Head Office arranged by Corporate Services

One of the highlights of the day’s celebrations was the blood donation drive in collaboration with the Western Cape Blood Service and George Municipality. This campaign was held for the second consecutive year in honour of Mandela Day at the GRDM head office.

Seventy (70) people attended the blood donation drive, but not everyone had iron levels suitable for donation. Consequently, fifty-two (52) individuals were able to donate blood. This effort has the potential to save a total of 156 lives, as one donation can help three people!

Contributing to this life-saving cause and embodying the spirit of unity and community service that Nelson Mandela championed, is central to this campaign. By doing this, officials not only helped to save lives, but it also inspired others to give back in meaningful ways.

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19 July 2023 Media Release: Garden Route DM rolls out various activities before and on Mandela Day

Media Release: Garden Route DM rolls out various activities before and on Mandela Day

For Immediate Release
19 July 2023

While the world celebrates the life of an icon, the late President of the Republic of South Africa, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, employees of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) also followed his example to reach out to vulnerable community members throughout the region.

GRDM kicked off their activities on 17 July by hosting a pre-Madiba Day blood donation drive at its head office in George in collaboration with the Western Cape Blood Service. The GRDM also invited the public to donate blood, which resulted in just over 50 blood donations being made.

The Oudtshoorn Municipal Health Office donated nutritious and delicious ‘food socks’ to two families in the Buffelsdrift rural area of Oudtshoorn. Food socks contain pasta, rice, flavourings, stock powders, herbs, spices, dehydrated vegetables, pulses, beans, and soy products. GRDM officials bought the socks. The donation will provide food for eight beneficiaries for a week. The two families extended their appreciation to the GRDM officials for providing them with food.

The Oudtshoorn Municipal Health Office donated ‘food socks’ to families in Buffelsdrift.

Planning and Economic Development Department officials, comprised of the EPWP, Tourism and Local Economic Development, and Human Settlements sections, took Madiba Day activities to a new level when they rolled out the following activities at Kusile Baby Care in Thembalethu. In the morning, they divided themselves into different groups. The first group painted the outside walls of the school building with a primer. After that, others begin painting the building with a beautiful topcoat colour. Other officials, who are much more handy with a hammer and nails, installed PVC ceilings. Some of the female colleagues spent time reading and feeding toddlers and newborns. While others prepared a ‘braai’ lunch for the children and their educators. The daycare center also received a coat from officials.
GRDM Planning and Economic Development officials installing PVC ceilings and feeding toddlers at Kusile Baby Care in Thembalethu.
Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) of Garden Route District Municipality’s Wilderness region celebrated Mandela Day with 60 children from Klipdrift Primary School. The EHPs painted a classroom and supplied colourful tires to improve the playground area. EHPs also shared slices of cake and snack parcels with each child, while they also played games and shared the importance of giving back to others.
EHP officials of GRDM shared cake with children from Klipdrift Primary School and improved their playground.
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Firefighters proved that they can do more than fight wildfires and protect communities. They made sandwiches and distributed them with cool drinks to homeless people in George’s Shoprite parking lot.

GRDM Firefighters sharing sandwiches and cool drinks with homeless people in George.

Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Office of the Municipal Manager, donated 51 pairs of shoes and funds to Mzoxolo Primary School. The shoe donations sprout from the Walk a Child to School campaign and included more staff donations too. The school is already collecting small donations from learners on Fridays to buy shoes for those who are in need. Principal Raymond Eagan thanked the GRDM for the shoe donations and funding. He said: “Our school is home to 1554 bright minds and 42 dedicated teachers.” Learners are mainly from Borchards, Thembalethu, Maraiskamp, Parkdene, and Lawaaikamp. The Principal also said the school’s name, Mzoxola, means “a beacon for peace,” and it was established in 1994 by Naledi Pandor.

Officials of the Office of the Municipal Manager GRDM donated 51 pair of shoes and funds to Mzoxolo Primary School in Lawaaikamp.

ENDS

20 July 2022 Media Release: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Media Release:  “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

For immediate release
20 July 2022

In celebration of the International Nelson Mandela Day, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) officials, including management and councillors, joined forces with the rest of the globe to reached the 2022 tagline of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, ‘Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are.’

GRDM day was filled with various activities, including gardening, cleaning, cooking and serving meals, maintenance and painting of classrooms, donating and handing out baby necessities and food parcels.

The GRDM Council and management wishes to express their gratitude to all officials who have in all cases used their personal funds to put a smile on the faces of community members, improve society, or have a significant impact on society during these difficult times.

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” ­– Nelson Mandela

 

 The following is a brief summary of all the activities that took place at GRDM:

Offices of the Municipal Manager

Garden Route District Municipality’s Office of the Municipal Manager visited the George Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD) in Pacaltsdorp to ‘redo’ a classroom, starting with painting the walls and ceiling, cleaning and redecorating the classroom with colourful curtains and interesting pictures.  Officials were divided into two groups, and while one group was busy inside, the other planted several types of veggies outside to get the school to start becoming more food secure.  The Speaker and some of the Portfolio Councillors also supported and attended this initiative.

Planning & Economic Development Services

During their 67-minute ‘community service’, officials of the Planning and Economic Development Department visited Kusile Baby Care in Thembalethu, George. These officials dedicated their time to paint the school. In addition, they donated plastic chairs, tables, party packs, and vegetable seeds to be planted at the school.

Financial Services

The Garden Route District Municipality’s George Financial Services Department visited the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) on Madiba Day to honor Nelson Mandela’s legacy.  Officials donated dog and cat food during their visit.

The officials spent time walking, playing, socializing, and interacting with the pets.

Roads Services

Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Roads Services Department understands the importance of serving our communities and making sure our roads are safe and accessible.  During their 67 minutes of ‘community service’ yesterday, these officials cleaned the playground that it is safe for the kids.

Corporate Services

In celebration of International Nelson Mandela Day, GRDM Corporate Services officials served lunch (hotdogs) to toddlers at Toddlers Inn Crèche in Conville. Additionally, they donated much needed stationary and balls to the children. Children and adults played different ball games while waiting for lunch.

Community Services

George Sub-office

“Giving is not just making a donation; it is making a difference”. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) EHPs from the Wilderness Region made an incredible difference at Bethesda – Child and Youth Care Centre in George when they celebrated Nelson Mandela Day. 34 parcels of toiletries, including toothbrushes, bath soap, sanitary towels, roll-on, nappies, wipes and body lotions were handed out to the facility in honour of the legacy of the late President Nelson Mandela.

Additionally, 34 snack parcels were also distributed to kids of diverse ages at the same facility, ranging from 2 to 17 years. To make the donation even more meaningful, educational books, toys, games, and bibles were also donated to Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre.

Bitou Sub-office

In commemoration of Mandela Day, EHPs from the Garden Route District Municipality’s Bitou sub- office, Zoleka Goniwe, Sophia Marthinus and Nokuphiwa Mbali visited the Protea Service Centre for the Elderly in Kranshoek.  They spent 67 minutes serving food, cleaning and packing food parcels for the home-based elders. EHPs also contributed vegetables as part of this good cause!

Klein Karoo Region Sub-office

In honour of the 2022 Madiba day celebrations, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) from the Garden Route District Municipality in the Klein Karoo region donated gift packs containing toiletries, chips, and sweets to toddlers at De Kleine Zeekoe Créche in Oudtshoorn.  The EHPs also performed a hand wash demonstration activity to the toddlers.  Management and educators of the crèche expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the gesture.

Disaster Management Services

The Garden Route District Municipality’s Disaster Management Team also did their part to honor Madiba’s legacy by packing soup packs for the winter with other organisations at the Garden Route Food Pantry.  After that, the team dropped off blankets at the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and provided hot soup and blankets at the Homeless Shelter.

Fire Services

Blocked drains are usually one of the main causes of flooding in towns, so the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Firefighters in George, Riversdale and Ladismith decided to be proactive and spend their 67 minutes cleaning the drains and removing rubbish in their respective towns that may cause problems later.

Victoria Bay Caravan Park

Since the Victoria Bay Caravan Park Team enjoys the outdoors as well as their own resort, they decided to spend their 67 minutes cleaning their own resort.

Swartvlei Caravan Park

Officials from Swartvlei and Victoria Bay Caravan Parks decided to dedicate their 67 minutes to 36 children from Gummy Bears Preschool in Sedgefield, by brightening up the little ones’ day with candy parcels.  The smile on each child’s face was heart-warming to witness!

02 August 2021 Media Release: “EHPs ends off Madiba Month on a high note”

Media Release: “EHPs ends off Madiba Month on a high note”

For Immediate Release
02  August 2021

In honour of the legacy of the late former President Nelson Mandela, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) of the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) George Office, in collaboration with the Western Cape Government Department of Health (WCDOH), devoted 67 minutes of their time to educate visitors at the Blanco Clinic for Madiba Day.

To demonstrate their commitment and dedication to protecting public health during the current Covid-19 pandemic, these men and women conducted health & hygiene education and awareness sessions for the patients visiting the clinic.

EHPs rolled out this initiative while adhering to all COVID-19 protocols. They distributed buffs and educational pamphlets for later use and to emphasise that the only way to protect them against COVID-19 is by:

  • Proper hand-wash practices;
  • Wear a mask in public that covers the nose and mouth; and
  • To keep social distancing of at least 1, 5 m.

Mandela Day is a global call-to-action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world and the ability to make an impact. This year’s Mandela Day campaign message was, “Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We’re asking you to start with 67 minutes.”

22 July 2021 Media Release: GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners donate essentials in celebration of Mandela Day

Media Release: GRDM EHPs donate essentials in celebration of Mandela Day

For immediate release
22 July 2021

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) based in the Klein-Karoo and Mossel Bay recently visited and donated essentials to two establishments in Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn, respectively.

The Mossel Bay team, according to Shandré Abrahams, Employee Assistance Practitioner at GRDM, visited the Creating Effective Families (CEF) establishment in Mossel Bay. CEF is an organisation that caters for the abused mothers and children where temporary shelter for these individuals from abused relationships are provided for. The team donated toiletries, clothes, baby goodies and other essentials to the facility.

Officials from the Oudtshoorn office, including (fltr) Elizna Cairncross, Johan Smith, Desmond Paulse, Georg Hendriksz, Maxweline Fatuse, Willie Plaatjies and Elizabeth Verwey (front), with the essentials donated to the Rin-Tin-Tin Crèche in Kruisrivier,  Calitzdorp.

On Monday, 19 July 2021, the Klein Karoo Municipal Health Section based in Oudtshoorn donated gift packs to toddlers of the Rin-Tin-Tin Crèche in Kruisrivier, in Calitzdorp. Each packet contained a face cloth, soap bar, toothpaste, toothbrush, chips and a sweet.

The principal of the crèche, Inge Ewerts, expressed her appreciation towards the GRDM officials for showing commitment towards caring for the community, primarily due to the basic necessity needs that exist within the community.

Members of the community appreciated the gesture and extended a word of appreciation to both teams, who prioritised them as beneficiaries of their initiatives. The officials contributed from their personal funds to make a success of this outreach.

The Human Resources Unit of GRDM are planning further Mandela Day activities towards the end of this month. The entire GRDM also participated in the Walk-A-Child to School campaign which ended at the end of June 2021. Donations will be distributed to various less fortunate schools within the next two weeks if the COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed.

Feature Photo: The Mossel Bay team (fltr) including Neo-lay Britz, Jenay van Niekerk, Analize Fuzani, Monique Anthony, Marlene Losper, Rinay Cloete, Delmarie Lewis and Sam Bendle, with the essentials donated to the Creating Effective Families facility in Mossel Bay

ENDS

18 July 2020 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality celebrates Mandela Day and donates essential items to the vulnerable

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality celebrates Mandela Day and donates essential items to the vulnerable

For Immediate Release
18 July 2020

While the world celebrates the life of an icon, the late President of the Republic of South Africa, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, employees of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) also followed his example to reach out to vulnerable community members in George.

Employees from the Corporate Services Department at GRDM did their bit by contributing towards buying essential food hampers for households who are struggling under the financial strain of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The items were donated to the beneficiaries on Friday, a day before the celebration of Madiba’s birthday.

Readily prepared food hampers soon before it was donated to vulnerable residents of George.

Ms Shandré Abrahams, GRDM Employee Wellness Practitioner, who drives this annual programme, said: “This is a very difficult time in the lives of many South Africans and it’s amazing to see employees reaching in their pockets to continue to do their bit to support the residents of the Garden Route”.

In previous years officials based at all the Municipal Health offices across the district also participated in this initiative, however due to their added COVID-19 responsibilities of creating awareness, monitoring additional hygiene compliance measures and contact tracing activities, they were unable to partake in this years’ programme. However, the GRDM Municipal Health office in George plans to hand out masks to the community of Thembalethu in George after news broke that this area was recently declared as the COVID-19 hotspot in the region and George. The Environmental Health Practitioners continue to create awareness about the virus and the danger thereof to members of the community and continuously urge them to adhere to the relevant regulations.

Through this initiative, it is fulfilling to observe how every single donation can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. It never matters how big or small selfless acts or donations are, what matters is the intention and compassion of a person to bring about change during a time when the world is on its knees.

“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” -Nelson Mandela

ENDS

Roads Services Madiba Day

“100 Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018” celebrations

For their 67 minutes, Roads Department officials handed out food to job seekers who gather at the pickup point in Industrial Road. Items such as beans, meat, samp and soup mix were donated by Roads officials who joined forces to make a hearty, warm meal that was handed out with bread.  Roads Officials who can be seen in the photographs: Ms Jeanine Saaiman, Ms Angela Buys, Ms Teresa Norjie-Singh and Mr Rigardt Pyler.

Eden District Municipal Health Office in Mossel Bay donated dog food to the Mossel Bay SPCA

“100 Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018” Celebrations

Officials from the Eden District Municipal Health Office in Mossel Bay donated dog food to the Mossel Bay SPCA and also used the opportunity to play with the dogs at the facility. Executive Deputy Mayor of Eden District Municipality, Cllr Rosina Ruiters, Cllr Erica Meyer, Mr Wayne Odendaal, Ms Marlene Losper, Dr Johann Schoeman, Ms Jenay van Niekerk and Mr Angus Andries, participated in the initiative.

Kennel Manager of the facility, Ms Jolandi Esterhuizen, thanked the team and received the items on behalf of the facility.

Rampbestuur en Brandweer afdelings besoek Van Der Hoven Laerskool

“100 Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018” vieringe

Eden Distriksmunisipaliteit (Eden DM) se Rampbestuur en Brandweer afdelings het die Van Der Hoven Laerskool besoek. Die skool bestaan uit 4 onderwysers, ‘n sekretaresse en 75 leerders tot en met Graad 5.

Mnr Gerhard Otto van Eden DM het die verskillende afdelings aan die personeel en leerders voorgestel. Tydens die aktiwiteite het me Gail Bekeer noodhulpwenke aan die kinders verduidelik en me Tippie Bouwer het noodnommers aan die leerders verskaf. Brandweerpersoneel het ‘n skuim demonstrasie gedoen en die kinders hul ‘bunker’ pakke laat aantrek. Ter afsluiting, is kerrie en rys aan die leerders bedien, waarna ‘goodie bags’ en sakke vol klere aan almal oorhandig is.

Die skoolhoof, me Anita Oosthuizen, het die Eden span hartlik bedank vir die gebaar.