The Cape Town Weather Office has issued impact based warnings for (1) Level 8 Damaging Winds and (2) Level 2 Damaging Waves for the Western Cape and Namaqua Region of Northern Cape as follows:
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 any weather related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044-805 5071.
Media Release: Another 22 students to reap fruits from Garden Route DM Cater Care Programme
For Immediate Release
28 October 2021
A successful partnership of approximately ten (10) years between the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the Francois Ferreira Academy (FFA) continues as GRDM recently appointed them for three (3) more years until 2023. Youth continue to be equipped with vital skills in the hospitality industry after Council availed R450 000.00 for this programme for the next 12 months.
With plenty of opportunities offered by the hospitality and tourism industry, previously disadvantaged youth are the core focus of the programme.
The FFA received 300 applications, of which 63 were shortlisted for interviews. After that, 22 youth were selected to be part of the programme. The interview panel consisted of officials and lecturers from the FFA and GRDM Tourism and EPWP representatives.
Three (3) weeks into the programme and students already completed their theoretical training. They started practical cooking classes on 25 October, which will end on 17 November 2021. Students will apply this knowledge in the kitchen. Towards the end of November 2021, students will be given the opportunity to enter the industry to get on-job training and experience. The training programme will end in December 2021, and the certificate handover ceremony will take place during mid-January 2022.
Today, during a ‘meet-and-greet’ by the GRDM Deputy Executive Mayor, Alderlady Rosina Ruiters and Cllr Erica Meyer, Alderlady Ruiters encouraged students to seize every opportunity they are given in life and to grab it with both hands. She wished them well with the training programme and all their future endeavors.
WEBINAR: GARDEN ROUTE SKILLS MECCA – 5 OCTOBER 2021
Capacity Building for Skills Development Providers
You are invited to attend our upcoming Garden Route Skills Mecca Capacity Building Session. Through this engagement, we wish to bring all skills development providers, both public and private, interested in becoming part of the Garden Route Skills Mecca process on board.
This session will allow stakeholders to gain insights into our programme offerings and build their capacity when applying to become accredited providers in South Africa.
Applications are invited from students currently receiving tuition at Tertiary or Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and learners who are currently Grade 12 or have passed Grade 12, for financial assistance towards further studies during the 2022 academic year. The financial contribution by GRDM, is restricted to full-time study and attendance at SAQA accredited tertiary, or TVET institutions. This is ONLY applicable to students whose parents permanently reside within the Garden Route municipal area.
Application forms are available at the GRDM and satellite offices during normal office hours (Monday – Thursday 07:30 – 16:30; Friday 07:30 – 13:30). Application forms are also available from the GRDM’s website at www.gardenroute.gov.za.
THE GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY WILL ONLY CONSIDER COMPLETED APPLICATIONS AND IF THE DOCUMENTS MENTIONED BELOW HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.
A detailed Curriculum Vitae and cover letter, application form, and certified copies of the following documentation must be attached: Latest or Grade 12 results or equal qualification; latest examination results of students currently enrolled at tertiary institutions; certified copy of I.D.; affidavit of parents’ combined income and proof of residential address (municipal account).
Please forward the application form and all documents to: Records, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, P.O. Box 12, George 6530, for attention: Training and Development Section.
For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact:
Mr Reginald Salmons at 044 803 1363,
Ms Angeline Naidoo at 044 803 1420 /or
Mrs Angela-Ziva Coetzee at 044 803 1344, during office hours.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two-months of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.
Media Release: Paving the way forward: Garden Route Skills Mecca collaborates with CATHSSETA on open platform
For Immediate Release 8 September 2021
The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) team, under the stewardship of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), spearheads progressive engagements with stakeholders to ensure that information about skills development in the Garden Route is accessible, understood and embraced. One recent intervention was to draw the Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority, a Sector Education and Training Authorities (CATHSSETA) closer to ‘home’. This was done by discussing matters pertaining to funding, registration, accreditation and how COVID-19 has impacted their systems and processes, amongst others.
“The session included a wide array of stakeholders, in particular those who deal with CATHSSETA (hotels, B&Bs, AirBNBs, resorts, etc.) and Local Economic Development (LED) representatives from all seven (7) local municipalities (Bitou, Knysna, George, Mossel Bay, Greater Oudtshoorn, Kannaland and Hessequa) in the Garden Route,” said Alderman Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor for GRDM. “My Council has also taken note of the GRSM’s quarterly forum and its progressive implementation methodology, which involves frequent stakeholder collaboration,” said Booysen.
CATHSSETA attended the last forum held on 20 August and decided to approach the GRSM Skills Coordinator, Dr Florus Prinsloo, about a future collaboration with the GRSM. Dr Prinsloo then acted swiftly by arranging a platform where stakeholders could iron out matters concerning the Sector.
The presentation by Martha Collett, who is responsible for looking after the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape on behalf of CATHSSETA, was done concisely and to the point. She provided comprehensive details to local District Stakeholders about developments in the Sector. At the start of her presentation, she said: “The Fourth Industrial Revolution has been accelerated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. E-learning is now becoming the norm, and we have to all think differently about the mode in which we deliver education”.
One of the critical questions she posed was: “Are we preparing learners for the workplace of the future?”
She further elaborated about the type of sub-sectors included in CATHSSETA by saying that if a person unpacks the representation of each Sector in our SETA, the representation looks as follows:
Culture and Heritage and Art 7%;
Conservation 4%;
Travel and Tourism 9%;
Hospitality 72%;
Sport, Recreation and Fitness 7%;
Gaming and lotteries 1%; and
95% of stakeholders are from the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) Sector.
Stakeholders, especially employers, were encouraged to keep an eye out for the next ‘Discretionary Funding’ window that will open in November 2021. Already, the Hospitality Sector in the District can start planning to take on learners into their business as the economy hopefully re-opens and Tourism picks up as South Africa moves through Spring into Summer.
Similar engagements with other SETAs are also planned by the GRDM Skills Mecca Team to keep the region up to date with all possible opportunities for learning and development.
The Garden Route District Municipality Skills Mecca (GRSM) in collaboration with the Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA), will engage on 8 September 2021 from 10:00 until 13:00.
The purpose of this engagement is to update stakeholders of the CATHSSETA Sector on the GRSM and the latest developments at CATHSSETA. Relevant members of the public are invited to attend this.
Here is how you can join the proceedings: Zoom: https://cutt.ly/GWxERxq | Meeting ID: 912 3990 4456 | Pass: 983169
Or via Youtube.
Call to Register: EPWP Contractor Development Programme – Apply today!
Emerging contractors are invited to register for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Contractor Development Programme that is driven by the Department of Transport and Public Works’ EPWP.
The programme was designed to support emerging contractors in the Western Cape.
The objective of contractor development is to implement structured programmes that facilitate the development of emerging enterprises within the construction industry through skills and business enhancement initiatives. This will enable them to compete effectively and independently in the open marked beyond state intervention.
Media Release: Skills Mecca to become central to job and skills alignment in the Garden Route
For Immediate Release 15 June 2021
South Africans have almost become immune to bad news as day to day survival remains for many the single most important priority, especially with the arrival of COVID 19 and the world of Lockdown. Many of us would probably not even realised that on 1 June 2021, Statistics South Africa (STATS SA) released the first quarter of 2021 Labour Force survey that shows the official national unemployment stands at 32,6%. This is the highest unemployment rate since the start of the Labour Force survey in 2008. Although the Western Cape is somewhat better off at 23,7%, the smaller percentage makes no difference to those still unemployed and without a job.
Turning such a catastrophic scenario around in a long term sustainable manner is only possible through targeted economic growth and development. This is why the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) developed 20-year Growth and Development Strategy. A well-designed strategy requires a solid foundation with many cross-cutting enablers, one of which is skills development.
A critical question then arises: “What are the skills requirements and challenges that constrain this priority area?”
The GRDM and its relevant stakeholders have ramped up efforts to roll out the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM). A dedicated GRSM Coordinator, Dr Florus Prinsloo, has subsequently been appointed by the GRDM. Dr Prinsloo has already established an internal task team, as well as an external stakeholder forum. An implementation plan for the Skills Mecca have been finalised and submitted to the Management of GRDM, the Municipal Managers Forum of the District (MMF) and a Council workshop today for further deliberations and input in the month of June. The next step is to develop a website where residents of the Garden Route can access up to date information on the GRSM.
Another essential part of the GRSM concept is establishing a clear link between skills development and jobs, which will only be possible by the GRSM team working closely with Local Economic Development (LED) Units at each municipality in the Garden Route. This approach will help to inform decisions by utilising demand-based methods toward skills development. This means that economic demand would need to be linked to skills development projects and programmes. This will result in people studying towards careers where there are jobs vacant.
A partnership-based approach is the only way that such an ambitious process will succeed. At the moment, a pressing and challenging risk faced is the lack of funding available for skills development. Creating partnerships between all the relevant public and private sector is vital to the success of this programme. However, the GRDM is engaging all economic levels to try and source funding for this innovative approach to skills development and job creation.
Media Release: GRDM Executive Mayor encourages participants of Mayoral Programmes during Certificate Ceremony
For Immediate Release
14 May 2021
On Wednesday, 12 May 2021, youth between the ages of 18 and 35 from various towns within the Garden Route, were acknowledged and handed over certificates by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), after completing a Peace Officer (Law Enforcement) and/or Learners & Drivers Licence Programme. This was the last group of participants who underwent one or both programmes as part of the 2017-2021 Mayoral Programme.
The event took place at the Rosemoor Stadium with the councillors, management, training providers, service providers and the participants in attendance.
Executive Deputy Mayor at Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Ald. Rosina Ruiters welcomed all officials and participants and training providers to the event. She specifically welcomed and commended the training providers for the excellent manner in which they presented the programmes to the participants.
The Mayoral Law Enforcement programme started in 2017 with the aim to capacitate local municipalities to enforce by-laws within their respective areas. The programme initially commenced in the Knysna and Bitou municipal areas due to the high crime rates in both areas at the time, but subsequently was extended to the other areas of the district.
After completion of the Law Enforcement Programme, the Learners and Drivers Licence Programme was rolled out to empower unemployed youth with essential skills to get easier access to the job market, according to Richard Dyantyi, Manager for Expanded Public Works (EPWP) at the GRDM. “Both these programme are initiatives of the GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald Memory Booysen,” he said.
Executive Mayor of GRDM, Alderman Memory Booysen, praised and encouraged the participants of both programme during his keynote address.
Cllr Rowan Spies, member of the Training and Skills Development Committee, as well as Chairperson of the Roads and Transport Planning Committee at GRDM, directed the programme.
GRDM Manager for EPWP, Richard Dyantyi highlighted that both these programme are initiatives of the GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald Memory Booysen,
GRDM Councillor Rowan Spies, programme director of the event, congratulated and encouraged all participants who completed the programme(s) with the following words: “Success is not a moment, but a challenge that you pick up every step of the way. It is getting up in the morning and showing up what you are supposed to do that day when you do not feel like doing it. It is working through relationships in spaces that you work in and learn in and try to move forward when you do not get along with people which you supposed to be working with. That is how success is built. Adding to this he highlighted: “Success comes after your darkest moment when you just want to give up – commend yourself for your hard work and success,” he concluded. Spies is also a member of the Skills Development Training Committee, as well as Portfolio Chairperson tasked with Road and Transport Planning at GRDM.
GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen, with some of the participants of the two programmes.
Participants namely Nolusindiso Thafeni, Nathan Buys and Jozé Olivier shared warm messages of appreciation with GRDM, Mayor Booysen, their respective local municipalities and training providers for their efforts to roll out these programmes. Thafeni (Law Enforcement) said: “There are people who weren’t as lucky as us to be selected to the programme, so we are very grateful to Mayor Booysen for making this possible. We are also grateful to everyone who was involved and took initiative by teaching us and getting us here today – we thank you. Buys from Riversdale said: “I am thankful towards both GRDM and Hessequa municipalities for the opportunity created for the youth, in order to build a future for themselves. He also thanked Mayor Booysen for the course that was created for the youth and for all future programmes that will continue to benefit youth. Oliver, a Learners and Drivers Licence participant, also thanked GRDM and stakeholders involved for the opportunity created to assist them in obtaining the necessary skills to be job-ready.
The moment all participants waited for was the appearance of Mayor Booysen when he shared his story of passion with them to help the Garden Route district become a better district for all. He applauded the group for their endurance throughout the programme and praised them for not giving up on themselves. When highlighting the group’s achievement, he said: “This is just the beginning, because if you are doing good in what you are doing today, you are not only paving the way for yourselves but for others too. Your performance during these programmes motivates us as Council to continue to invest in similar programmes,” Mayor Booysen said.
Alderman Memory Booysen (2nd from left), Cllr Khayalethu Lose (left), Cllr Erica Meyer (middle row), Ald. Pieter van der Hoven (left, back) and Ald. Virgil Gericke (back, right), attended the ceremony with others.
One of GRDM’s Environmental Health Practitioners, Jessica Erasmus (second from left), with other officials, ensuring that strict COVID-19 protocols were adhered to during the event.
Nolusindiso Thafeni shared a word of gratitude during the event, recognising the importance of the GRDM’s role in skills development.
When referring to the challenges faced by our country in terms of skills development and jobs, Mayor Booysen emphasised: “The GRDM Council made a unanimous conscious decision to invest in the skills of the Garden Route youth and will continue to do so. This idea fits into the broader Skills Mecca concept, which is also being driven by the GRDM at the moment”. He added that from the GRDM’s side, Council also wants to make sure that when opportunities arise, the youth are ready for those opportunities. In closing, he said: “To be ready for the future, you need to be able to help yourself, you need to be able to solve problems and if you are able to do so, you would then be able to fulfil your purpose in the future of the Republic of South Africa”.
The event was organised by the representatives in the Office of the Executive Mayor, led by Siphiwe Dadla (Chief of Staff in the Office of the Executive Mayor), in collaboration with the EPWP Unit and other internal departments of GRDM.
Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality welcomes 30 interns for workplace experience
For Immediate Release 2 November 2020
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently welcomed thirty (30) interns from various sectors for an internship programme at its Head-Office in George. This, after the Department of Western Cape Department of Local Government created an opportunity for interns to be placed at various municipalities for a period of six months from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021 in the 2020/2021 financial year.
The Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) required each municipality to do a Skills Audit of all the qualifications of their staff members. The information obtained was then collated onto the GAPSKILSS Programme which is an online national system. In order to reach the desired outcomes, the DPLG approached the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) to fund the interns, as a means to assist the Department with the entire process. DEDAT then granted municipalities the funds to appoint interns. The funds were transferred to all municipalities who participate in the programme, such as the GRDM.
All municipalities who take part in the programme have to adhere to certain requirements. Two of the requirements are that the municipality have to indicate the need or number of interns needed within the municipality and that they must fund four to five of the interns that they accommodate. The rest of the interns will be funded by the DEDAT.
With the GRDM who accommodates 30 interns, these interns will be able to require the necessary skills and gain workplace experience within their specialised fields. This will allow them to be job-ready and will enable them to start building their careers. Also, the initiative further aims to assist households within rural areas financially.
Interns from various sectors welcomed to the Garden Route District Municipality on the 1st of October 2020.
Andrew Burger – Disaster Management
Dewaun Fortuin – Financial Services
Siphesihle Faith Mdluli – Corporate Services
Gurchwin Campher – Financial Services
Jamy Frieslaar – Corporate Services
Lee-Anne LeKay – Corporate Services
Lucretia Jooste – Corporate Services
Maymoonah Abrahams – Corporate Services
Natasha Ayanda Sangoni – Corporate Services
Nathan Cronje – Financial Services
Nomkhita Mhlontlo – Corporate Services
Odwa Caleb Grootboom – Corporate Services
Onke Jako – Corporate Services
Sebastian Pieterse – Corporate Services
Sizwekazi Plaatjie – Corporate Services
Celine Michaels – Corporate Services
Mkuseli Kowa – Corporate Services
Xoliswa Ntsizi – Corporate Services
Nomandla Solinjani – Human Resourse Department
Charlton Shane Ahrends – Fire Department
Liyabona Golimpi – Roads Department
Herchell Visser – Fire Department
Bulelani Nyuka – Fire Department
Micyla Michaels – Fire Department
Anathi John – Fire Department
Phumza Velaphi – EPWP
Nolubabalo Manyube – Roads Services
Brayley Booyse – Tourism Department
Thandokazi Majola – HR Department
Vrenicka Green – EPWP Department
Strict measures are in place and proper monitoring are done to ensure that the desired outcomes are reached. Currently the interns are tasked with meaningful work activities and proof thereof must be provided together with an attendance register that have to be signed by each participant on a daily basis.
