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Municipal Health

Focus on Waste Management

Waste Management in South Africa is a very complex matter, and if not addressed correctly, it will have a negative impact on all members of the community.  For this reason, Eden District Municipality views Waste Management as crucially important, and is one of the leaders in the Western Cape with regards to the application of scientific, yet practical approaches in respect of Waste Management.

Some of the challenges in the Eden District include:

1. A growing population and economy, which means increased volumes of waste generated.
2. Increased complexity of waste streams, which directly affects the complexity of its management, which happens when hazardous waste is mixed with general waste.
3. A historical backlog of waste removal services in especially informal areas.
4. Limited understanding of the main waste flows and the national waste balance, due to the lack of data.
5. The absence of recycling infrastructure in certain towns which will enable separation of waste at the source.
6. Growing pressure on outdated Waste Management infrastructure, with declining levels of capital investment and maintenance in this sector.
7. Cost of Waste Management is not fully appreciated by consumers and industry and waste disposal is prevented over other options.
8. Few waste treatment options are available and are thus more expensive than landfill costs.

9. Eden District Municipality is therefore committed to achieve the goals as set out in the National Waste Management Strategy.

These goals are:

1. Promotion of waste minimisation, re-use, recycling and recovery of waste.
2. Ensure the effective and efficient delivery of waste services by municipalities.
3. Grow the contribution of the waste sector to the green economy.
4. Ensure that people are aware of the impact of waste on their health and the environment.
5. Achieve integrated Waste Management planning.
6. Ensure sound budgeting for waste services.
7. Provide measures to remediate contaminated land.
8. Establish effective compliance with and the enforcement of the Waste Act.

To achieve these goals, Eden District Municipality is in constant contact with all role players regarding the private sector, Department of Environmental Affairs, as well other municipalities and provinces.  With the new landfill site near PetroSA, that is foreseen to be taken into use in 2019, Eden District Municipality will ensure that all the above mentioned goals are met.

For more information on Waste Management, please visit our website at: https://goo.gl/a51Y4p

Eden DM Mayor Signs Durban Commitment

On 27 March 2018, Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) pledged its commitment to the environment when the Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen, signed the Durban Commitment, joining leading local governments from around the world as a partner in the global movement to protect biodiversity.

Cllr Memory Booysen busy signing the Durban Commitment.

The document was signed during a Political Leadership Wetlands Awareness Workshop, which was sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), as part of their Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) Wetlands South Africa project. The Durban Commitment is a non-binding commitment and model created by local governments, for local governments and the communities they serve, in order to protect and enhance biodiversity at the local level. The workshop was attended by officials and political leaders from the district and focused on raising awareness on the value wetlands play in sustaining healthy communities and ecosystems.

Cllr Khayalethu Lose, Portfolio Chairperson of Community Services, officially opened and welcomed attendees; he acknowledged the sponsor ICLEI, and thanked them for enhancing awareness of wetlands and biodiversity. Ms Kate Snaddon of the Western Cape Wetlands Forum presented ‘what wetlands are and why they are valuable’.

During the training, it became known that Wetlands are able to purify water by filtering pollutants out of water systems. They are also essential in protecting communities from the impacts of natural disasters such as droughts, as they are in regulating flooding impacts by reducing water flow, acting as sponges that store water and release it slowly. The severity of the impact of droughts and floods are therefore greatly reduced through the natural functioning of wetlands.

Wetlands are considered to be high-value ‘ecological infrastructure’, in that they provide critical ecosystem services within the areas where they occur. Poorer communities are most vulnerable to the impacts of wetland degradation. Many of the plants growing within and around wetlands have natural medicinal properties. Local communities harvest these plants to maintain or improve their personal health. Local communities living within the Eden District commonly harvest reeds from wetlands to make baskets and furniture, grasses for thatching and Arum lilies to sell on the side of the road.

Back fltr: Mr Wouter Jacobs- Eden DM Disaster Management Coordinator, Mr Rian Basson – Disaster Management Intern Researcher, Ms Lee-Ann Joubert – Disaster Management Intern Researcher, Ms Nina Viljoen – Specialist: Environmental Management, Cllr Noluthando Mwati – Deputy Mayor: Oudtshoorn Municipality, Cllr A Dellemijn – Mossel Bay Portfolio Councillor, Mr Siphiwe Dladla – Manager: Office of the Executive Mayor and Mr D Kotze – Deputy Mayor: Mossel Bay Municipality.
Front fltr: Ms Kirsty Robinson – ICLEI Representative, Ms Crystal Brown – Disaster Management Intern Researcher, Ms Gail Bekeer – Administrative Assistant: Disaster Management, Ms Tippie Bouer – Disaster Management Emergency Centre Supervisor, Cllr Memory Booysen – Eden DM Executive Mayor, Cllr Charlotte Clarke – Deputy Mayor: George Municipality, Cllr Khayalethu Lose – Eden DM Portfolio Chairperson: Community Services, Ms Kate Snaddon – Western Cape Wetlands Forum and Ms Machi Majoe – Representative of ICLEI.

In conclusion, the Executive Mayor of Eden DM, Cllr Memory Booysen, thanked the service providers for the insightful training session and said: “Today, I have developed a different view pertaining to wetlands as a whole. I will definitely be an influence to other people. This was indeed an ‘eye-opener’ – I chose to never attend these kind of engagements in the past, but as from today, I am a clever mayor who will look at you from a different perspective as protectors of the environment,” Mayor Booysen said.
By signing the Durban Commitment, the Eden District Municipality pledged its dedication to wetland protection within the Eden district, as well as its commitment towards the implementation of remedial action towards the recovery of degraded and damaged wetlands.

Listeriosis Update

RECALL OF SNAX PRODUCTS

The Environmental Health Practitioners of Eden District Municipality are continuing preventative actions to prevent further outbreaks of Listeriosis, which comprise monitoring of retailers to ensure that no suspected products remain on shelves, ensuring safe disposal and incineration of recalled products, investigations and inspections at food premises to ensure hygienic conditions and practices at food premises and Listeriosis prevention education and awareness actions.

In addition to the Enterprise range, Tiger Brands has issued a precautionary recall of all Snax branded products.

As distribution partner, Clover will facilitate the customer and consumer recall process. On 19 March 2018, Clover issued the procedure to be followed in handling the Snax Product Recall, which will comprise two components – the first being the trade recall/withdrawal and the second being the consumer/shopper return component.

With regards to the shopper/consumer returns, the shopper will bring the product back to the store for a full refund, irrespective of till slip being available or not.  Clover will be responsible for the collection and uplift of all products affected by the recall – this includes both customer and consumer returns. Clover will be responsible to safely remove products from stores and will also manage the safe destruction of recalled products at a registered incinerator.

Snax recall product list:

Item Description
 Pack Size
    Unit Barcode
 Snax Chicken Polony 4X2kg   2 kg  6 005 788 004 565
 Snax Chicken Polony 12X1 kg  1 kg  6 005 788 003 704
 Snax Chicken Polony 2X10X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 004 572
 Snax Chicken Polony 2X10X250 g  250 g  6 005 788 001 274
 Snax French Polony 4X3 kg  3 kg  6 005 788 003 681
 Snax French Polony 4X2 kg  2 kg  6 005 788 003 674
 Snax French Polony 4X1.5 kg  1.5 kg  6 005 788 003 513
 Snax French Polony 12X1 kg  1 kg  6 005 788 003 551
 Snax French Polony 12X750 g  750 g  6 005 788 003 643
 Snax French Polony 2X10X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 004 527
 Snax French Polony 2X10X250 g  250 g  6 005 788 004 510
 Snax Liver Polony 2X10X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 003 599
 Snax Liver Polony 2X10X250 g  250 g  6 005 788 000 949
 Snax Mongola Polony 20X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 000 291
 Snax Russian Polony 12X1 kg  1 kg  6 005 788 004 541
 Snax Russian Polony 2X10X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 003 698
 Snax Special Garlic Polony 12X1 kg  1 kg  6 005 788 004 602
 Snax Special Garlic Polony 2X8X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 003 636
 Snax Smoked Russians 4X5 kg Bulk Pack  5 kg  6 005 788 003 667
 Snax Smoked Russians 12X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 000 093
 Snax Smoked Russians 12X1 kg  1 6 005 788 004 503
 Snax Smoked Russians 4X2 kg  2 kg 6 005 788 000 536
 Snax Smoked Skinless Russians 12X1 kg  1 kg 6 005 788 000 864
 Snax Smoked Skinless Russians 4X2 kg  2 kg 6 005 788 000 178
 Snax Value Pack Hamper 5X3.5 kg  3.5 kg 6 005 788 000 215
 Snax Value Pack Hamper 5X4 kg  4 6 005 788 000 901
 Snax Smoked Viennas 4X5 kg  5 6 005 788 001 168
 Snax Smoked Viennas 12X1 kg  1 6 005 788 000 406
 Snax Smoked Viennas 4X2 kg  2 6 005 788 000 468
 Hansa Hamburger Patties 36 x 65 g 3.1 kg 6 005 788 003 575

Awareness about World Tuberculosis Day, 24 March 2018

What is Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable. Tuberculosis mostly affects adults in their most productive years. However, all age groups are at risk. Over 95% of cases and deaths are in developing countries

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to the 2 most powerful, first-line anti-TB drugs.
Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is a more serious form of MDR-TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to the most effective second-line anti-TB drugs, often leaving patients without any further treatment options.

How it is spread
TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected. About one-quarter of the world’s population has latent TB, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with the disease and cannot transmit the disease. People infected with TB bacteria have a 5–15% lifetime risk of falling ill with TB. However, persons with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a much higher risk of falling ill.

Worldwide TB
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide.
In 2016, 10.4 million people fell ill with TB, and 1.7 million died from the disease (including 0.4 million among people with HIV). Over 95% of TB deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Seven countries account for 64% of the total, with India leading the count, followed by Indonesia, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, and South Africa.
TB is a leading killer of HIV-positive people: in 2016, 40% of HIV deaths were due to TB.

TB in South-Africa
TB was first identified in South Africa as long ago as the seventeenth century. Between 1895 and 1910 TB began to spread so quickly that it became of epidemic proportions. In 1919 TB was made a notifiable disease throughout the entire country.
South Africa is one of the countries with the highest burden of TB, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics giving an estimated incidence of 454,000 cases of active TB in 2015. About 0.8% of the population of about 54 million develop active TB disease each year.

The number of TB patients in the province has decreased over the past years, dropping to 43 294 in 2015/16 treated at 451 Clinics or treatments sites. In the Eden District, the number of TB patients has remained constant over the last 3 years, reaching 4909 in 2016 treated at 90 Clinics or treatment sites.

By 2016 the very significant achievements in respect of HIV and TB were said by the South African government (National Strategic Plan 2017-2022) to include:

  • Deaths due to HIV had dropped from 681,434 in 2006 to an estimated 150,375 in 2016.
  • 3.7 million people were taking antiretroviral treatment for HIV but this was only 53% of those eligible for treatment.
  • Deaths due to TB had dropped from 69,916 in 2009 to 37,878 in 2015.
  • The number of new HIV and TB infections had fallen and a higher proportion of people living with these infections had been diagnosed and treated.
  • In 2016 an estimated 270,000 people became newly infected with HIV, and the 2015 estimate of new TB cases was 450,000.

The role of Eden District municipality

  • Environmental Health is a District municipal function.
  • Environmental Health is concerned with the health and well-being of people by addressing elements of health and safety and assessing various physical, chemical and biological factors in the surrounding environment for their potential negative effects.
  • TB is a notifiable  medical condition in terms of The National Health Act 61 of 2003: Regulations relating to the surveillance and the control of notifiable medical conditions.
  • The World tuberculosis day (24 May) is designed to build public awareness about the global epidemic of TB and efforts to eliminate the disease.
  • The Surveillance and Prevention of communicable Diseases forms part of the Scope of Practice for Environmental Health Services.In terms of this scope of Practice the Eden Environmental Health Practitioners are conducting:
  • Health and hygiene promotion aimed at prevention of environmentally induced diseases and related communicable diseases, such as TB.
  • Collection analyses and dissemination of epidemiological data and information on TB.
  • Use of Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Training (PHAST) approaches for effective control measures at Community Level.
  • Epidemiological surveillances of Tuberculosis .
  • Develop environmental health measures with protocols reference to epidemics, emergencies, diseases and migrations of population.

Eden DM Council approves MOU with Stellenbosch University

After numerous meetings between Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) and representatives of Stellenbosch University, both institutions have decided to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Collaborative research will be conducted to resolve issues relating to the growth of the district.  Future collaboration concerning research and capacity building, will, in turn, enhance service delivery to communities.

Councillor Memory Booysen – Eden DM Executive Mayor and Professor Nico Koopman – Vice Rector for Social Impact and Transformation and Personnel at Stellenbosch University, signed the MOU at a Council meeting on 5 December 2017.

Before the Council meeting, Eden DM top management had the opportunity to share the importance of involving Stellenbosch University in the public participation processes relating to the Eden DM Integrated Development Plan (IDP), Spatial Development Framework (SDF). Stellenbosch University was also requested to form part of a steering committee which will meet on a quarterly basis.

Before to the Council meeting of Eden DM which was held on 5 December 2017, Executive Managers and Senior Officials of Eden DM had the opportunity to discuss pressing issues with Stellenbosch University representatives. Pictured are (front, fltr): Prof Nico Koopman – SU: Vice-Rector of Social Impact, Transformation & Personnel, Mr Monde Stratu – Eden DM Municipal Manager, Mr Clive Africa – Eden DM Executive Manager: Community Services. (Back, fltr): Dr Jerome Slamat – SU Senior Director: Community Interaction, Dr Antionette Smith-Tolken – Acting Director: Social Impact, Dr Leslie van Rooyen – SU Senior Director: Social Impact and Transformation and Mr Johan Compion – Eden DM Senior Manager: Environmental Services and Municipal Health.

During the discussions, Mr Monde Stratu – Eden DM Municipal Manager, said: “I want us to work together to develop a long-term Growth and Development Strategy for the district. The University’s experience in research and strategic planning will be of benefit to us.”

Mr Stratu also said that he would like a more detailed analysis of all the business sectors in the district, which is something that is currently lacking.

Dr Jerome Slamat – SU Senior Director: Community Interaction explained that by entering into a MOU with Stellenbosch University, Eden DM would have a direct entry point expertise and ‘people power’. In closing, he said: “We are in the business of teaching, learning and research – therefore it is important for us to look at the projects in the Eden district and see where we can assist.”

MOU: TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND RESEARCH
The following potential research questions and technical support, relating to the functions of Eden DM, are listed in the MOU:

  • Mercury [Lead Pb] levels in fish in the South Cape coastal fishing waters.
  • Green energy initiatives on Eden DM properties (solar and wind).
  • Impact of lead in drinking water on children.
  • Asbestos prevalence in Knysna and Bitou.
  • TB, MDR, XDR in baboons at the Ladismith waste dumping site.
  • Radon exposure prevalence in Oudtshoorn.
  • Antibiotics in milk (Riversdale).
  • Research about Antibiotics in meat.
  • Labelling of genetically modified organisms/food [GMO].
  • Ethics regarding the feeding of animal waste (chicken) to sheep, cattle or pigs.
  • Labelling regards to grain fed pigs vs pigs who eat animal waste.
  • Feeding of food waste to pigs.
  • Cadmium presence in chicken livers in the Eden district.
  • Hormone levels and chemical substances – Crystal Methamphetamine [Tik] in drinking water.
  • The relationship between Avian Influenza and climate change in the Oudtshoorn region.
  • Bromate prevalence in drinking water (Bromate can affect a person’s kidneys).
  • The prevalence of “superbugs” in hospitals and clinics in the District.

FINANCIAL IMPACT
SU will submit funding applications for specific projects and research on behalf of Eden DM to international donors, at no cost to Eden DM.

At the Eden DM Council meeting, the MOU was signed by Cllr Memory Booysen – Eden DM Executive Mayor (front, right) and Prof Nico Koopman – SU: Vice Rector of Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel, while representatives of Eden DM and SU observes.

This MOU is important because it will broaden the social impact that Universities have on communities and the municipal environment. Currently, Stellenbosch University also has a MOU with the City of Cape Town and Stellenbosch Municipality.

Eden DM Councillors experience the working environment of EHPs in Knysna

The Eden District Municipal Health Services section in Knysna was afforded the opportunity to host all the Portfolio Councillors responsible for Community Services earlier in November this year.

Mr Clive Africa, Executive Manager for Community Services accompanied the Councillors, together with Mr Johan Compion, Senior Manager: Municipal Health and Environmental Services.

Hilder Stent Crèche youngsters showed much eagerness during the visit of the Eden DM Councillors and Officials, to their crèche.
Hornlee Bakery was part of the itinerary of the delegation.

Mr James McCarthy, Manager of the Municipal Health Services office, explained:  “The purpose of the initiative was for the councillors to visit various premises in Knysna, to experience the daily tasks that Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) occupy themselves with”.
The following premises were visited during the “walk- about “.

During the inspections, the EHPs introduced the Councillors to the different Key Performance Areas within the daily Municipal Health Services scope of practice. Councillors were furthermore introduced to the various owners and/or managers of the different premises and participated in lively interaction with all stakeholders.

Key issues and challenges were identified at the different premises during the individual inspections and will be addressed by means of remedial actions, with the assistance of the Municipal Health Services section, as well as the Knysna Municipality.

All councillors made use of the opportunity to express their gratitude towards the Knysna residents who were visited, for rendering a commendable service to the community of Knysna.

The Eden DM delegation also visited the Knysna Taxi Rank.

National Children’s Day

On Wednesday, 1 November 2017, officials from Eden District Municipality’s (Eden DM) Municipal Health Services, George Municipality’s Civil & Engineering Waste Management Section and Cape Nature celebrated National Children’s Day, with learners of the Waboomskraal Primary School.

Mr David Papier, Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP) started the session with a presentation on water safety and health.  He explained the importance of water, not only for present survival, but also for future generations.  “Without water, we cannot exist,” he said.   He concluded by explaining in lamens terms the functions of water in the body.

Mr Deon Makwena talked to learners about nature conservation.

Second on the programme was Mr Deon Makwena from Cape Nature, who informed learners about the importance of looking after and caring for the environment.  Mr Makwena used dramatic gestures to explain the ripple effect littering have on rivers and the environment as a whole. Followed by Ms Carika Soman, EHP of Eden DM who made a presentation on Personal Health & Hygiene Awareness.  Ms Soman engaged with learners by using practical examples and frequently asking question throughout the presentation.

Ms Janine van Wyk, also from Eden DM did a demonstration on proper techniques when washing hands.  She used two volunteers from the audience.  The last speaker of the day was Mr Geoffrey Bredenkamp of George Municipality who explained the process of water purification.

The core message for learners was to care for your environment, yourself, to save and appreciate our water resources.

Ms Neo-Lay Klue (left) assisted Ms Janine van Wyk (far left) in demonstrating the techniques of washing hands.

Vehicle Emission Testing

The National Framework for Air Quality Management in South Africa, 2012, lists vehicle emissions monitoring as a function of a Local Municipality.   Not all municipalities in the Eden district have the capacity and facilities to measure vehicle emissions.  It is for this reason that the Air Quality Unit of the Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) is coordinating matters pertaining to air quality in the district and subsequently assisting municipalities with vehicle emissions testing.

Vehicle emission testing is done by making use of the Smoke Check 1667 Opacity Meter. The opacity meter measures diesel smoke in ‘percent opacity’, which is the percentage of light that is blocked when shining through a smoke plume, which can range from 0% to 100% opacity.

During the 3rd quarter of 2017, Eden DM undertook vehicle emission testing in Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay and Sedgefield in collaboration with the concerned local municipalities. A total of 112 diesel vehicles were inspected. Each vehicle first underwent a visual inspection of exhaust gas, and if a vehicle emitted excessive dark smoke, further testing by means of the Smoke Check 1667 Opacity Meter was undertaken.  The opacity meter gives a printout of the test results and states if the vehicle complies or not. The local municipality may issue a fine or warning, if a vehicle does not comply.

The main objective of this project is to create awareness of vehicle emissions and to minimise the impact it has on ambient air quality in the Eden district. Public awareness plays an important role in protecting the environment for the present and future generations as enshrined in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights.

Different role-players worked together to make the project a success.

Eden DM Environmental Health Practitioners held Information Red Meat Traders Workshop in Knysna

Informal food traders with their incentives and certificates for food trading together with the Eden DM Executive Manager for Community Services, Mr Clive Africa, Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services, Cllr Khayalethu Lose and EHPs from the Eden DM office in Knysna, Ms Mendy Tyhawana, Mr Mthetho Sithonga and Mr Linden Herwels, in closing of the session.

On Wednesday, 27 September 2017, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from the Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) office in Knysna presented a third informal red meat traders training session in Knysna.

The aim of the session was to improve the level of food safety by improving knowledge of legal requirements and responsibilities, good operational procedures and red meat handler’s awareness of food safety issues.

The following topics were covered, namely:

  • Health and hygiene practices in an informal food environment.
  • Five keys to safer food and legal requirements.
  • Implications for formal and informal slaughtering.

Eden DM Councillor Khayalethu Lose, Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services (right) and Mr Clive Africa, Executive Manager for Community Services (left), give a word of encouragement to the informal food traders at the session.

The Local Economic Development Section of the Knysna Municipality was also invited to the session and presented their responsibilities towards empowering small businesses.  What is expected from the informal food traders, also formed part of their discussion points.

To end the programme on a higher note, incentives were handed over to the red meat handlers by Eden DM’s Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services, Cllr Khayalethu Lose and the Executive Manager for Community Services, Mr. Clive Africa.

A total of 24 food handlers were accommodated in this session.

Eden and Sweden to strengthen relations

The Swedish Trade and Investment Council has invited Eden District Municipality (EDM) and local municipalities, including George, Mossel Bay and Knysna, to the two-day Middle East and Africa (MEA) Summit to meet with more than 100 Swedish companies. Local municipalities, however, asked Eden to attend the MEA Summit on their behalf and to present the entire district as a suitable destination for trade and investment. The visit will also form part of an upcoming Memorandum of Agreement between ‘Business Sweden’ and EDM.

On the table for discussion will be strategic issues and possible partnerships, and it is envisaged that Sweden stands the chance to play an effectual role in the envisioned deliverables with reference to renewable energy, waste management, tourism, ICT and transportation in the district. It is a wise decision to partner with Sweden because of their climate change policies and because they have already committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2045.

Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen said that: “I have a keen interest in discussing how we can work with Sweden to find more alternative solutions to solid waste management because it is a pressing matter for the entire district. Maybe Sweden could subsidise some of the projects; assist with state-of-the-art technology to reposition EDM to become a central hub for new energies (alternative fuels); share best practices in waste management; assist with job creation and skills development”.

“Another benefit would be solar plants and wind turbines, which can be set up on one of the EDM properties. Eden will therefore be able to sell surplus energy and generate additional income,” Cllr Booysen said.

Municipal Manager of EDM, Mr Monde Stratu explained that the newly adopted vision, which reads: “Eden, the leading, enabling and inclusive district, characterised by equitable and sustainable development, high quality of life and equal opportunities for all,” could be achieved through a partnership approach. We need to find alternative approaches to equitable and sustainable development, which will ensure that we lead by example and ensure that spin-offs result in a high quality of life and equal opportunities for all.”

Delegates from EDM who will leave on 24 September and return on 29 September to attend the MEA Summit, include Cllr Memory Booysen (Executive Mayor), Mr Monde Stratu (Municipal Manager), and Ms Nadiema Davids (Manager: Legal Services). One representative from the Southern Cape Economic Partnership, Mr Paul Hoffman, will also attend.

Sweden leads the world in many fields and is well known for:

  • According the OECD, Sweden offers the best healthcare in the world;
  • Leading the way in renewable energy;
  • Leads the way in burying its depleted nuclear waste;
  • Leads the way in shared parenting;
  • Leads the way in dumping socialism;
  • Leads the way in public records transparency;
  • Committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2045;
  • Sweden is the best place to grow old with 25 percent of the population over the age of 60; and
  • According to the Spartacus index, Sweden is the only country with full points  for anti-discrimination legislation.