Media Release: Take action during Breast Cancer Awareness month
For Immediate Release
20 October 2022
Annually, October marks “Breast Cancer Awareness month”. In this month, awareness about breast cancer risks and signs are shared with the public and support is offered to those suffering from this illness.
According to studies, early detection remains key to controlling cancer. This means, early and adequate diagnosis can lead to effective treatment, resulting in an excellent chance to cure breast cancer. Therefore, women must empower themselves with the knowledge to lower their health risks. Furthermore, they should be able to address the warning signs of cancer as quickly as possible.
In South Africa, breast cancer is known to be one of the most common cancers among women of all races. All women are at risk, particularly women with a family history of breast cancer. Approximately 90% of patients survive breast cancer after diagnosis during early detection, but this should be 100% – a whole of society approach is required for this to be achieved.
South Africans are lucky to have an organisation like CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa) involved in lowering cancer risks and providing an integrated service to all people affected by cancer. CANSA continuously supplies the public with information and support. They are committed to offering day-to-day help, including emotional support to the patients. Their mission is also to ensure that cancer survivors and loved ones aren’t alone in the fight against cancer.
In support of “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”, women are encouraged to go for annual medical check-ups and cancer screening; and familiarise themselves with the early warning signs and symptoms of cancer. It is also crucial for women to regularly check their breasts and visit health care practitioners if changes are noticed. Awareness of risk factors can help women reduce their cancer risk.
The following are common breast cancer signs and symptoms, which include:
a lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit – you might feel the lump but not see it;
a change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling;
a change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed;
a change to the nipple, for example, it has become pulled in (inverted);
rash or crusting around the nipple;
any unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple; and
changes in the size or shape of the breast.
Women must develop the habit of regularly checking their breasts, including the upper chest areas and armpits. The TLC technique (Touch Look Check) makes it easy.
Touch your breasts: can you feel anything unusual?
Look for changes: does anything look different?
Check any changes with your GP
Remember, early detection and awareness can result in an earlier diagnosis, resulting in better treatment outcomes. It is in the nature of a woman to put others first – however, women must realize they too have the right to prioritize their own health.
Today, I am honoured to greet my fellow women on this Women’s Day. A day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in social, cultural, and political fields. A day when we recognise the value and importance of women in our lives and around the world.
I want to encourage women to always strive to be themselves; to live their lives as they feel comfortable; and to take time for themselves, as women are often the backbone of their families who put others before themselves.
Over the years, women have contributed massively to the lives of their families, sometimes under difficult and unfair circumstances. However, they still manage to juggle through life while accomplishing their individual and professional goals.
As Speaker van die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit kan ek met selfvertroue noem dat hierdie munisipaliteit altyd daarna sal strewe, om die kwessies waarmee vroue te kampe kom, op te probeer los en bewusheid oor geslagsgelykheid te vermeerder.
The world is moving towards gender equality and it is moving towards a balance between both men and women.
I would like to encourage women and victims of gender-based violence to be courageous, to stand up, to show strength, and to make their voices heard, as doing so helping them take control and provide motivation for those who have lost their voices and dignity.
‘Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo’ – YES – When You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock…
Annually, October marks “Breast Cancer Awareness month”. During this month awareness about the risks and signs of breast cancer are shared with the broader public and through this, support to those affected by it is also supported.
According to studies, early detection remains the cornerstone of controlling cancer. This means, early and adequate diagnosis can lead to effective treatment, resulting in an excellent chance to cure breast cancer. Therefore, women must empower themselves with the knowledge to lower their health risks and be able to take action to address the warning signs of cancer as early as possible.
In South Africa, breast cancer is known to be one of the most common cancers among women of all races. All women are at risk, particularly women with a family history of breast cancer. Approximately 90% of patients survive breast cancer after diagnosis during early detection, but this should be 100% – a whole of society approach is required for this to be achieved.
South Africans are lucky to have an organisation like CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa) involved in lowering cancer risks and providing an integrated service to all people affected by cancer. CANSA continuously supplies the public with information and support. They are committed to offering day-to-day help, including emotional support to the patients. In addition, they strive to ensure that cancer survivors and their loved ones don’t have to face cancer alone.
In support of “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”, women are encouraged to go for annual medical check-ups and cancer screening; and familiarise themselves with the early warning signs and symptoms of cancer. It is also crucial for women to regularly check their breasts and visit health care practitioners if changes are noticed. Awareness of risk factors can help women reduce their cancer risk.
The following are common breast cancer signs and symptoms, which include:
a lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit – you might feel the lump but not see it;
a change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling;
a change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed;
a change to the nipple, for example, it has become pulled in (inverted);
rash or crusting around the nipple;
any unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple; and
changes in the size or shape of the breast.
Women must develop the habit of regularly checking their breasts, including the upper chest areas and armpits. It’s simple using the TLC technique (Touch Look Check).
Touch your breasts: can you feel anything unusual?
Look for changes: does anything look different?
Check any changes with your GP
Remember, awareness of the symptoms and early detection can result in an early diagnosis, resulting in improved treatment outcomes. It is in a woman’s nature to generally put others first – BUT, women need to realise that they too have the right to prioritise their own health.
Progressive steps towards gender equality and mainstreaming by Garden Route District Municipality
For immediate release 09 August 2021
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) seeks to bring change as we are looking at Women’s Month. This year marks 65 years since the watershed 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings. The year 2020 also marks the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, which created a platform for greater gender equality. This district sees the importance of a formal structure like a District Gender Forum to promote change in terms of gender equality and women empowerment within the region. The forum held its first meeting on Friday, 25 June 2021.
The Gender forum was created to team up with key role players like the Commission Gender Equality (CGE) and the Western Cape Department of Local Government (DLG). During the first engagement, stakeholders were present at the forum gave their full support and encouragement. Each Municipality is tasked to appoint a Gender Focal person-that is important because they will be institutionalising gender mainstream activities in order to balance out gender inequalities and to promote gender empowerment beyond the workplace.
In its policies, GRDM took the initiative and developed “The Stop Gender- Based Violence Policy,” as well as the “Gender Mainstreaming Policy”. These policies are being reviewed after consultation with Local Government and the CGE. In addition to these, a Sexual Harassment Policy and the Employment Equity Policy are already in place to attempt to address gender sensitive issues within the municipality.
A number of workshops will also be held during August 2021 (Women’s month) under the theme – Gender Equality: Realising women’s rights for an equal future.
DATE
WORKSHOP
LEAD DEPARTMENT/ FACILITATORS
17 August 2021
Generation Equality: Realising women’s rights for an equal future
Commission for Gender Equality representatives
18 August 2021
Human Trafficking Awareness Session
Western Cape DLG Â representative
24 August 2021
Human Trafficking Awareness Session
Western Cape DLG representative
31 August 2021
An overview of the National Strategic Framework on Gender Based Violence and Femicide
Western Cape Provincial Community Liaison Officer (Social Development)
GRDM believes the empowerment of women is key to our nation’s advancement and they play a key role in rebuilding a peaceful region. It is therefore important to note that peace and security must remain a priority for all in their diversity.
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.
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: “I am the first one” – GRDM helped Thembisa to obtain her Code 14 licence
For Immediate Release 2 February 2021
A proud moment was shared by Thembisa Ntshebe, a Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Grader Assistant who now has two licences – a Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) and a Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) one. GRDM afforded her and many others the opportunity to pursue various drivers licences by recently launching a R550 000, 3-year long Driver’s License Project.
The GRDM Corporate Services head of department, Trix Holtzhausen, has spearheaded the drive for women empowerment to address inequalities linked to traditionally male dominated career fields in the municipality. “This programme will enable women to transform not only the GRDM Roads Services Department’s employment equity composition, but gender parity in a male dominated sector too,” she said.
According to Reginald Salmons, GRDM Coordinator: Skills Development, “the institution identified 74 recipients to get a Code B, 10 and EC license, of which 40 are female”. “The GRDM appointed the Victoria Driving School to provide training over the period.”
During an interview with Thembisa, she shared that she was dreaming about getting a Code 14 licence ever since she started working for GRDM on 1 November 2017. “I know that this is the key I need for doors to open in the future.” Supervisors, superintendents and traffic control officers are some of the career fields that require Code 14 licences.
“Even though I did not pass the first time around I pushed myself and today I am a proud owner of a Code 14 licence”, she said. Thembisa is also the first female enrolled in this project to obtain a Code 14 licence.
This licence allows licensees to drive a vehicle weighing over 16 000 Kg, with a trailer hooked to it that weighs more than 750 Kg. Moreover, those who are in possession of such a licence can operate vehicles under codes 8, 10 and EB too.
