Media Release: Further Community Clean-Up Initiative in Concordia West
2 August 2024
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Waste Management section again worked together with the Waste Management section of Knysna Municipality, Asivikelane, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to clean Concordia West Kop n Lop on Wednesday, 31 July 2024. This event followed an earlier clean-up on 18 July (Mandela Day) at the Concordia West wetland.
GRDM commended the participants for their dedication in trying to maintain clean environments and stressed the importance of continued education and awareness. During the clean-up, some community members were observed dumping waste even as others were cleaning. According to the GRDM District Waste Management Officer Innocentia Sikweyiya, “this truly highlighted the need for ongoing education about proper waste disposal in our communities”.
GRDM recognises the importance of joint clean-up efforts and stressed the need for stakeholders to revisit and revise their strategies. Integrating education, awareness, and recycling programs into their initiatives is seen as essential for long-term success.
Stakeholders and Contributions
Asivikelane: 37 participants
GRDM: Provided gloves, masks, and rakes
Polyco: Supplied plastic bags
Aquelle: Donated beverages
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE): 30 participants
Community Members: 6 participants
Knysna Municipality: Provided a refuse truck
In total, 320 bags of waste were collected during the clean-up. “These two clean-ups clearly demonstrate the value of collaborative efforts in promoting a cleaner and healthier environment,” said Sikweyiya.
Moving Forward
GRDM encourages ongoing community participation in maintaining cleanliness and stresses the importance of incorporating educational programs to foster better waste management practices. By working together and staying committed to these initiatives, the community can ensure a sustainable, healtier and cleaner future for all.
On the featured image and on the other images, you can see all of the clean-up activities.
NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 33 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT: MUNICIPAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT, 2003 (ACT 56 OF 2003)
Noticeis hereby given in terms of Section 33 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003) that Garden Route District Municipality intends entering into a long-term Service Level Agreement with the Service Provider, Khabokedi Waste Management (Pty) Ltd, for the operation and maintenance of the new Regional Waste Management Facility for the Garden Route District Municipality for a period of ten (10) years for Tender GRDM/19/23-24.
Notice is hereby further given in terms of Section 21 and 21A of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 no. 2000) that the local community and affected parties are invited to submit comments or representations on the draft Service Level Agreement. Any objections, comments or representations regarding the Municipality’s intention and agreement must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly endorsed “SECTION 33 COMMENTS ON NOTICE OF LONG-TERM AGREEMENT” and be physically submitted at the Garden Route District Municipality Reception located at 54 York Street, George; or alternatively e-mailed to Johan Gie, on/or before 30 September 2024 at 12h00.
A copy of the draft agreement, together with an information statement summarising the Municipality’s obligations in terms of the proposed contract is available for inspection during office hours at Garden Route District Municipality’s head and satellite offices. The physical addresses of the various offices can be obtained from the following link on the Municipality’s website.
The Information Statement and draft Service Level Agreement are also be available on the Municipality’s website.
Persons who are physically disabled or unable to write but need to participate in the process may present themselves during office hours at the offices of the Municipality listed above where a staff member will assist them to transcribe the relevant comments or representations.
This notice in published in English and will be made available free of charge, in Afrikaans or Xhosa upon request.
Hierdie kennisgewing word gepubliseer in Engels en sal gratis op aanvraag beskikbaar gemaak word in Afrikaans en Xhosa.
Esi saziso sipapashwe ngesiNgesi kwaye sifumaneka ngesisa, ngolwimi Iwe-Afrikaans okanye isiXhosa xa kukho isicelo eso.
For any information about the above, please contact Johan Gievia e-mail or at telephone number 044 693 0006.
MG Stratu Municipal Manager Closing date: 30 September 2024 Notice number: 82/2024
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.
Media Release: Empowering Communities through Waste Management: A Celebration of Global Recycling Day
For Immediate Release
22 March 2024
In honour of Global Recycling Day, on Monday, 18 March 2024, the Waste Management Section of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in collaboration with Mossel Bay Municipality, arranged a Global Recycling Day: Handover Waste Characterisation event. This gathering not only celebrated the ethos of recycling but also recognised the diligent efforts of participants involved in the GRDM Waste Characterisation Project in Mossel Bay over the past months.
Nombuyiselo Majola, the representative of Mossel Bay Municipality, commended the participants for their commitment to the ‘War on Waste,’ acknowledging the challenges they faced in sorting through waste yet determined with unwavering dedication. “You took bags with waste, went through it; came across things that are smelly and not pleasant, but still you did not miss a day,” she said.
“Innocentia Sikweyiya, coordinator of the Waste Characterisation Project for GRDM also act as the Program Director for the event.
Nombuyiselo Majola, the representative of Mossel Bay Municipality.
Following Majola’s address, Johan Gie, the GRDM Waste Manager, echoed into the significance of the Waste Characterisation Project and the invaluable contributions of the participants. He highlighted the importance of understanding waste composition in effective waste management strategies, emphasising that “a person cannot manage something if there isn’t knowledge of what is being managed.” Gie expressed gratitude to the participants for their role in providing essential data for informed decision-making regarding waste management initiatives.
During his presentation, Gie showed interesting insights collected from the project, such as the difference in waste composition between different socio-economic areas. He explained how the data collected, influenced strategic planning, such as implementing composting and recycling initiatives based on waste patterns observed in the different neighbourhoods through the study. “Because of the similar studies, we found a lot of organic waste came out of the lower-income areas, explaining that people who earn less, peel their own potatoes and vegetables and in general end-up with a lot of peels and organic waste. In contrast, where people in high-income areas reside, we saw that they tend to buy packets that’s already peeled and cut, which results in a lot of packaging waste” said Gie.
Johan Gie, District Manager: Waste Management.
Charlotta Lamprecht, CEO of Henque Waste in Mossel Bay.
The event also featured a message of support from Charlotta Lamprecht, CEO of Henque Waste, situated in Mossel Bay. She shared the remarkable work her company does in recycling and waste management, inspiring the audience with tales of environmental ownership and community empowerment. “I always tell people, we are working with waste, but we are not waste. We are proud of what we are doing; we are not stealing and we are not begging; we are working hard. Even though it is sometimes smelly and not good,” she said. Her message was powerfully driven with – if you throw-away you trash, it does not disappear, but it is where people like them comes in.
Participants of the Waste Characterisation Project, like Chriswell Sandile Nongezana and Monwabisi Matthews Sigxavu, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn and contribute to waste management efforts. “With what we have learn here, we can now teach our children and families at home on how to separate waste and how to practise recycle,” Monwabisi Matthews Sigxavu said
As a token of appreciation, all participants received certificates recognising their invaluable contributions, symbolising their role as champions in the ongoing battle against waste.
The Global Recycling Day: Handover Waste Characterisation event served as a emotional reminder of the collective responsibility we bear towards safeguarding our environment. Through community engagement, education, and strategic initiatives, the Garden Route District Municipality and Mossel Bay Municipality are paving the way towards a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.
The Programme was directed by Innocentia Sikweyiya, GRDM District Waste Management Officer who also coordinated the project.
Featured image caption: Participants and stakeholders of the Mossel Bay Municipality Waste Characterisation Project.
Update 3 on the Construction of the GRDM Regional Waste Management Facility
14 February 2024
Bulk earthworks, including the final shaping of Cell 1A and excavation of the leachate and contaminated water dams, are in progress. The road box cut has been completed for the entire access road of 3.8km and the contractor has commenced with the road layer works.
The excavation of the subsoil drainage trenches in Cell 1A is in progress and all the required materials for the installation of the subsoil drainage is on site. The completion of the subsoil drainage will be followed by the installation of the various liners as legislatively required to prevent any underground water or environmental pollution. The clear & grub and removal of topsoil on Cell 1B (adjacent to Cell 1A) is also in progress.
There have been several delays in the construction process to date, however, all avenues to expedite the project is currently being pursued and a revised programme is to be submitted to Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) by 16 February 2024.
-END-
There are currently various activities taking place at the Regional Waste Management Facility in Mossel Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions: Questions and Answers about Waste Management at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM)
Click on the questions below to view the answers to frequently asked questions.
1. Who collects waste from households?
Local or metropolitan municipalities collect waste generated by households. District Municipalities provide technical support to local municipalities and assist with regional planning and coordination.
2. Who is responsible for operating a regional solid waste disposal site?
According to Section 84 of the Municipal Structures Act, regional solid waste disposal sites is a function of the District Municipality, in so far it relates to the determination of a waste disposal strategy; the regulation of waste disposal; and the establishment, operation and control of waste disposal sites, bulk waste transfer facilities and waste disposal facilities for more than one local municipality in the district.
The GRDM Council resolved that a service provider will operate the site for a period of ten years.
3. Who is responsible for operating a local waste disposal site?
Local municipalities are responsible for managing their own local waste disposal sites like Grootkop Landfill site in Oudtshoorn Municipality and Steynskloof Landfill Site in Hessequa Municipality. Due to the technical nature of operating a landfill site in accordance with Waste Management Licence conditions, it is common practice that municipalities outsource the operations to external service providers.
4. When was an Environmental Impact Assessment concluded for the Regional Waste Management Facility?
It was completed in 2012.
GRDM received Environmental Authorisation & a Waste Management Licence was issued by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment in 2014.
5. Why is a regional waste management facility needed?
The reason is because Bitou, Knysna, George and Mossel Bay Municipalities do not have landfill sites available anymore, requiring the GRDM to establish a regional waste management facility. These municipalities currently make use of the PetroSA Landfill site in Mossel Bay, which is near its full capacity. It is also a better choice to have a regional waste management facility because of economies of scale. It offers a reduced capital and operational costs and improved overall compliance. Further, the National Waste Management Strategy (Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment) and the Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DES&DP) advocates the regionalisation of waste management and disposal. DEA&DP is the licencing authority for general landfill sites and has indicated that they licences will only be issued for regional sites going forward.
6. What are more benefits of having a regional waste management facility?
Pooled funds ensure compliance to Waste Management Licence conditions, cost of compliance and rehabilitation is exorbitant.
Avoids detrimental environmental impacts – as opposed to a number of landfill sites spread across the district.
Reduces the utilisation of limited land for landfill sites.
Access control to the regional waste management facility will be limited – waste pickers and muggings will not happen at a regionally controlled site.
Waste will not be burned illegally.
Accurate reporting will be possible when it is controlled at a district-level because there will be weighbridges and sampling done.
7. Why has it taken so long for the Regional Waste Management Facility to get to this point?
The process already started in 2006 when municipalities agreed to pursue a regional waste management facility. The finalisation of all environmental processes and authorisations were concluded in 2014. The project first followed a Public Private Partnership approach, which includes substantial red tape and legislative processes, and unfortunately the appointed service provider withdrew from the PPP at the final stages of the process on 29 September 2020. The GRDM Council subsequently resolved to make use of a loan for funding the construction and to appoint a service provider to operate the facility on GRDM’s behalf.
8. Who designed the new site that is currently under construction?
Zutari (Pty) Ltd was appointed for the design, drafting of tender documentation & contract supervision for the Regional Waste Management Facility and associated infrastructure. A Service Level Agreement with Zutari was signed on 11 October 2021.
9. When was the loan tender process finalised?
The loan tender process was finalised and Standard Bank appointed. This required a Debt Agreement to be in place, which was signed on 03 July 2023.
10. Who is constructing the regional waste management facility?
Tefla Group was appointed as contractor to construct the Regional Waste Management Facility for R320 million.
11. What happens if waste is not stored, collected or disposed of properly – who intervenes?
GRDM’s Municipal Health Services monitors this in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act and reports on non-compliance to the local municipality or issue non-compliance notices to businesses in the private sector. The DEA&DP is the licencing authority and is responsible for the enforcement of waste management licences. The Environmental Management Inspectorate further enforces the National Environmental Management Act in terms of any environmental degradation emanating from non-compliance issues.
For Waste Management-related queries and assistance, contact Johan Gie (Mgr. District Waste Management), via e-mail: johang@gardenroute.gov.za
Media Release: Clean-up & Education and Awareness – a cleaner, greener future
For Immediate Release
20 October 2023
A National Marine Week celebration was held yesterday by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Waste Management Section in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Cape Nature, Mossel Bay Municipality, Compass Medical Waste, and TM Ndanda Primary School. The campaign was rolled out to raise awareness about the importance of marine environments and the need to protect them.
Pollution, especially plastic waste, is one of the most pressing issues facing our oceans. To prevent further damage to marine ecosystems, the campaign encourages students to take part in clean-up activities and reduce single-use plastic consumption.
During the day it was also stressed to the learners that they should keep their communities clean and recycle as much as possible. They were taught that every person can make a difference by picking up litter and getting into the habit of recycling every day. Small, consistent efforts make a huge difference if everyone makes them. Students learned about the different waste streams that can pollute our oceans, including medical waste and how it is handled.
The clean-up campaign was conducted following the formal educational and awareness session.
“A total of 56 bags of recyclables and 14 bags of mixed-general waste were collected. The number of volunteers, including learners and officials, was approximately 90,” said Innocentia Sikweyiya, GRDM Waste Management Officer.
The GRDM Waste Management Section expresses its heartfelt gratitude to its partners in success – Plastic SA, AQUELLE, and POLYCO, as well as all the dedicated volunteers and participants who contributed to and participated in the recent clean-up events.
“Your unwavering support and active involvement have been instrumental in ensuring the cleanliness of our environment. Together, we are making a significant impact on preserving and beautifying our surroundings, and your efforts was truly appreciated, “ said Sikweyiya.
Mossel Bay’s clean-up activities during National Marine Week included many interactive and informative sessions where learners learned about pollution and recycling.
Featured Image Caption: Stakeholders who participated in National Marine Week clean-up activities in Mossel Bay.
Garden Route District Municipality and stakeholders collect nearly 500 bags of waste, including recyclable materials, in Thembalethu
Representatives from the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment (DFFE), with the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning, Garden Route District and George Municipalities, Cape Nature and stakeholders from the Private Sector including John Dory’s and the Spur Foundation, embarked on a clean-up operation near the Schaap-kop River on 15 September in Thembalethu, George.
The clean-up operation included 65 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) members, including a Working-on-Fire Team from George. The programme formed part of the Clean-Up and Recycle – South Africa initiative and was also part of the International Coastal Clean-Up Day that is celebrated in September each year. Approximately 100 participants, with the stakeholder representatives, rolled up their sleeves to clean up the littered area.
A few bags of waste collected at the site during the cleanup operation.
On behalf of CapeNature, Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Thabiso Mokoena, said that with the initiative and the impact of pollution on the environment, he hopes that it will inspire the community to do better in terms of how household waste is disposed of. Katt Perry, Senior Manager at John Dory’s, said that they have a vested interest in the project, and she stressed that “if waste comes through the river, it will end up in the oceans and eventually, we won’t be able to help the fish that are disappearing”. Perry thanked participants present for their hard work and said: “It takes that one person to make a difference”.
Dawid Adonis, Director for Community Services at George Municipality, during his remarks said: “We need to make sure that we keep the environment clean – we need communities to assist us to keep our environment clean and take responsibility”. In addition, he said: “Each and every one of us is an ambassador to make sure that our households use the bags and separate household waste as it will help the municipality to take less waste to the landfill facility”.
Before the groups went into different directions, each with refuse bags, GRDM’s Waste Management Officer, Innocentia Sikweyiya, explained the purpose of the various bags and what waste types are allowed in the different bags”.
At the end of the event, more approximately 320 black bags and nearly 50 recyclable bags were collected. Thank you to all stakeholders and participants who formed part of this initiative.
Stakeholders and members from the WOF and EPWP teams during the Cleanup operation in Thembalethu.
Did you know?
BLUE/CLEAR bags are used for non-soiled recyclable materials, including plastic, paper, cardboard, glass etc.
GREEN bags are for green waste, including organic kitchen waste such as fruit and vegetable peels, as well as garden waste, including grass cuttings, leaves etc. No soil is allowed in green bags.
BLACK bags are for ‘wet’ waste, things that cannot be recycled.
How do you recycle?
PAPER that CAN be recycled: office paper, newspaper and magazines, cardboard (boxes flattened), brown paper bags, take away containers (food removed and rinsed), milk and juice cartons (rinsed and flattened) and books (hard covers removed).
PAPER that CANNOT be recycled: napkins, tissue paper, paper towels, wax paper, laminated or waxy paper, punch confetti, carbon paper and stickers.
METAL that CAN be recycled: cooldrink and beer cans, food tins (rinsed clean), metal lids of glass, jars, aluminium cans, rusty cans can be recycled and recycled batteries (taken to correct depot).
METAL that CANNOT be recycled: batteries, motor oil cans, paint and aerosol cans, and tinfoil.
GLASS that CAN be recycled: all colours of glass bottles and jars, beer and wine bottles (rinsed).
GLASS that CANNOT be recycled: mirrors and windows, ceramic, crystal, drinking glasses and light bulbs.
PLASTIC that CAN be recycled: all plastics numbers 1-7 (rinsed), grocery and retail plastic bags (clean) and milk sachets.
PLASTIC that CANNOT be recycled: cling wrap, and polystyrene (is recyclable but no facility on Garden Route for now).
Project: The Construction of a New Regional Waste Management Facility and associated Infrastructure
Contract Number: GRDM/24/21-22
For attention: Interested Local SMMEs in the Garden Route
The Contractor wishes to invite all interested SMMEs in the Garden Route District For the Following Packages:
1. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/FENCE-01 – Supply and Erect new Temporary Fence 3.92 km
2. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/FENCE-02 – Supply and Erect new PetroSA internal security fence – 5.328 km
3. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/SECURITY-03 – Security Services
4. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/TRAINING-04 – Training
5. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/TRAINING-05 – Cut and stockpile material (Supply all plant required, Excavators, FEL, Tipper trucks and Dumpers)
6. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/TRAINING-06 – Remove topsoil and stockpile
7. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/TRAINING-07 – Laboratory Testing Services
8. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/TRAINING-08 – Supply of Diesel
9. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/TRAINING-08 – Supply of Plant (yellow machines)
Briefing Session: Compulsory
Tender Briefing Session
Date: 22nd September 2023 Time: 11h00 Venue: Site Camp, Next to Gourikwa Landfill (PetroSA), Mossel Bay NB!
Tender documents will be issued during the tender briefing as per the attendance register.
Media Release: Sod-Turning event marks a milestone for Regional Waste Management Facility
For Immediate Release 04 September 2023
In a significant step towards more sustainable waste management practices, the official sod-turning ceremony for the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Regional Waste Management Facility was held on Friday, 1 September 2023. The journey to this milestone began back in 2006 when investigations and processes for establishing the Regional Landfill Site commenced.
Sharing in this historic and groundbreaking occasion, were Executive Mayors and Municipal Managers and across the district, the GRDM Mayoral Committee Members and officials, representatives from National and Provincial Government, as well as engineering consultants and stakeholders from Standard Bank, Tefla and Zutari.
During his address, Municipal Manager of GRDM, Monde Stratu, gave a thorough background about the project. He explained: “Local municipalities have reached a point where their waste management sites have become exhausted, which is why this regional waste management facility is being constructed”. Further to this he said: “It was a blessing in disguise that the initial model did not realise as it saved GRDM millions of rands.
Ald. Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor for GRDM proudly turns the first sod.
GRDM Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu, turning the sod after a few years of anticipating this exciting day.
Stratu particularly commended the GRDM officials who have been driving the project to this point. “The resilience and commitment of all involved are paying off. And today, it is time to celebrate – despite what happened, we are still delivering on our promises,” Stratu emphasised.
GRDM Executive Mayor, Aldrman Memory Booysen with key political figures of the participating municipalities.
Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen with all politicians present at the Sod-Turning Ceremony.
In his remarks at the event, the Head of Public Sector- SA at Standard Bank, Timothy Mtlatla, spoke passionately about Standard Bank’s support to GRDM’s commitment towards green energy. He said: “Our institution remains focused on its purpose; our commitment is a profound purpose and is underscored by the meaningful impact to the community. We are serving the sector that serves us”. Adding to these words, Mtlatla highlighted that the event is a remarkable example and testament of good working relations. And for this reason, he said: “With this initiative, we foresee a future that is cleaner and healthier for all communities we serve”. Representatives from Tefla and Zutari also delivered their messages of commitment to the project.
Executive Mayors and Deputy Mayors from the local municipalities that were present, also shared words of support on behalf of their respective municipalities. Deputy Mayor of Mossel Bay, Cllr Cliffie Bayman, referred to this day as a significant step that is taken towards more sustainable waste management and environmental practices in a changing world of climatic changes and the now more common outbreaks of communicable diseases. With these words, he added that this event deserved to be on the 1 September, as it is the 1st day of Spring. He highlighted that “this is a season for new beginnings and the reason in which our environment shows the fruit of hard work – work that we have put in during the winter months”. Bayman in addition reiterated that Mossel Bay Municipality will take accountability with the GRDM to ensure that the objective of the facility is reached. In conclusion he said that Mossel Bay is a proud partner in full support of the project and therefore they are eager to see many benefits such as employment deriving from the facility.
Knysna Executive Mayor, Cllr Aubrey Tswenga, in his congratulatory speech to GRDM and participating municipalities, said: “Thank you for making the Regional Waste Management Facility a reality”. Tswenga, however, mentioned that more work still lies ahead to educate communities about waste management. “As municipalities,” he said that “we need to educate our communities to reduce waste to landfills. Further to this he urged the GRDM on behalf of Knysna, to continue to roll-out a regional educational programme to extend the lifespan of the facility.
Bitou’s Deputy Executive Mayor, Cllr Mavis Basukwe, during her words of support, said: “Bitou took a decision to participate in the project fully understanding the implications and consequences we would face from our communities and ratepayers”. As a result of showing leadership and the fact that Bitou fitted the cost implication in their budget over the years, she emphasised that “it is indeed pleasing to see the site is now finally under construction”. She thanked all participating municipalities and said that without them, the project would not have been feasible for Bitou alone and would have left Bitou in a serious predicament.
Executive Mayor of GRDM, in his keynote address extended warm words of gratitude to the service provider and consulting engineer, Tefla and Zutari, as well as to Standard Bank and participating municipalities for this legacy project. In unpacking his statement, Mayor Booysen added: “After today it won’t only be a legacy project anymore, but also a catalytic project, meaning that this project is a catalyst of what is coming”.
Mayor Booysen further referred to the realities of working together as stakeholders and said: “It is not easy for different municipalities to work today, as there are many aspects that can hamper initiatives such as this project. However, he commended Mossel Bay Municipality, especially Municipal Manager Collin Puren, for setting the tone on how government can work together and how intergovernmental relations should be executed. To the Deputy Executive Mayor of Mossel Bay, Cllr Bayman he said: “You went as far as advising us,” to safeguard a less complicated process. Given the background of the project, Mayor Booysen urged councillors, professionals, and ward councillors to be decisive when decisions are made. “When we are decisive,” he said: “The ratepayers would back us up, because they would then understand what they are paying for and not making their own assumptions”. He elaborated that whenever a proposal is on the table, councillors would ask “how the project is going to affect the rates and taxes”. He advised: “It is our duty as politicians to go and explain to the taxpayers and ratepayers why we are doing what we do and why are we making the decisions in terms of what it will cost them”.
An Inaugural Site Meeting and Commencement of Works took place on the 13th of June 2023, which saw the official handover of the site to the appointed contractor, Tefla Group (Pty) Ltd. Over the following weeks, the site was established, benchmarks were verified by a surveyor on July 11, and the refurbishment of an existing farmhouse, set to become the site offices, is nearing completion. Clear and grub operations, excavations and material stockpiling is underway on the access roads and on Cell 1A.
The Regional Waste Management Facility, once complete, will include a domestic waste cell (Class B) and a separate hazardous waste cell (Class A) to accommodate low and medium-hazard-rated hazardous waste. Other infrastructure elements encompass roads, stormwater pipelines, leachate storage dams, contaminated stormwater dams, offices, laboratories, weighbridges, workshops, and security infrastructure. The project also includes a 3-hectare portion that will be used for a waste tyre recycling facility. Both the Domestic Waste Cell 1 and the Hazardous Waste Cell will have a lifespan of approximately of 20 – 25 years.
The project’s timeline are as follows:
Construction Tender Closure (concluded) – October 25, 2022
Finalization of Debt Agreement (concluded) – July 2023
Contractor on Site (concluded) – July 2023
Operations & Maintenance Tender Award – October / November 2023
Completion of Phase 1 – February 2024
Estimated Completion of Project – March 2025
The sod-turning event heralds the beginning of a cleaner and healthier future for the Garden Route region.
Feature Image: Sharing in this historic and groundbreaking occasion, were Executive Mayors and Municipal Managers and across the district, the GRDM Mayoral Committee Members and officials, representatives from National and Provincial Government, as well as engineering consultants and stakeholders from Standard Bank, Tefla and Zutari.
GRDM Employees ecstatic after the sod was turned. With them is Mossel Bay Municipal Manager, Colin Puren.
GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen with his Chief of Staff, Siphiwe Dladla (left), GRDM Strategic Manager, Thembani Loliwe (Second from left) and GRDM Project Manager, Passmore Dongi (right).
GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen shows his ‘thumbs up’ with machinery in the backdrop at the Regional Waste Management Facility.
A walk-about was done shortly after the sod-turning.
One of the machines on-site at the Regional Waste Management Facility.
GRDM Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu, next to Ald. Memory Booysen, GRDM Executive Mayor.
GRDM Fire Chief, Deon Stoffels and Chief Financial Officer, Rian Boshoff, were also present.
Councillors present during the proceedings.
GRDM Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu.
In the foreground, GRDM Speaker, Ald. Georlene Wolmarans.
Johan Gie, GRDM Waste Management Manager was the programme director of the day.
A Message Of Support was shared by Bitou Municipality Deputy Executive Mayor, Cllr Mavis Busakwe.
A Message Of Support was delivered by Cllr Cliffie Bayman, Deputy Executive Mayor from Mossel Bay Municipality.
A Message Of Support was delivered by Knysna Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Cllr Aubrey Tsengwa.
Ald. Memory Booysen delivers his Commitment to Service Delivery address.
GRDM Deputy Executive Mayor, Ald. Gert van Niekerk delivered the Vote of Thanks and Closing Remarks.
