The Garden Route District is a place of opportunities.
We are characterised by our excellent service to communities and our influence on society. Although we might not always get it right the first time, we undoubtedly improve every step of the way. Our efforts keep in mind that we strive to create an environment that allows society to thrive; a socio-economic environment that meets society’s development goals. Simultaneously, we leverage the strengths and opportunities presented by our region and our citizens, with the end-goal in mind – growing our economy.
Our region, located in the Western Cape of South Africa, is ideal for the integration of road networks, the expansion of recreational ports and domestic and foreign investment. It is no secret that we boast with pristine beaches and an unspoiled environment. In summary, “Garden Route” is without a doubt a clean and safe region offering a high quality of life for its citizens.
An overview about us and other spheres of government can be accessed on our website. If you would like to make contact with us, do browse to our contact page.
Overview of Garden Route District Municipality
Broadly speaking, Garden Route District Municipality forms part of Local Government. It is located in the South Eastern part of the Western Cape, borders with district municipalities that include the Central Karoo to the North, Cape Winelands and Overberg to the West, and the Cacadu to the East. Apart from this, the municipality comprises of seven local municipalities, all which fall within the boundaries of Garden Route District municipality. Local Government institutions within the boundaries of Garden Route District Municipality, include Bitou, Knysna, George, Mossel Bay, Hessequa, Kannaland and Oudtshoorn municipalities.
It should be noted that Garden Route District Municipality exists because of Section 84 of the South African Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998. As a result of this Act, the district is responsible for the following functions and powers:
(a) Integrated development planning for the district municipality as a whole, including a framework for integrated development plans of all municipalities in the area of the district municipality.
(b) Potable water supply systems.
(c) Bulk supply of electricity, which includes for the purposes of such supply, the transmission, distribution and, where applicable, the generation of electricity.
(d) Domestic waste-water and sewage disposal systems.
(e) Solid waste disposal sites, in so far as it relates to-
—(i) the determination of a waste disposal strategy;
—(ii) the regulation of waste disposal; and
—(iii) 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.
(f) Municipal roads which form an integral part of a road transport system for the area of the district municipality as a whole.
(g) Regulation of passenger transport services.
(h) Municipal airports serving the area of the district municipality as a whole.
(i) Municipal health services.
(j) Fire fighting services serving the area of the district municipality as a whole, which includes-
—(i) planning, co-ordination and regulation of fire services;
—(ii) specialised fire fighting services such as mountain, veld and chemical fire services;
—(iii) co-ordination of the standardisation of infrastructure, vehicles, equipment and procedures; and
—(iv) training of fire officers.
(k) The establishment, conduct and control of fresh produce markets and abattoirs serving the area of a major proportion of the municipalities in the district.
(l) The establishment, conduct and control of cemeteries and crematoria serving the area of a major proportion of municipalities in the district.
(m) Promotion of local tourism for the area of the district municipality.
(n) Municipal public works relating to any of the above functions or any other functions assigned to the district municipality.
(o) The receipt, allocation and, if applicable, the distribution of grants made to the district municipality.
(p) The imposition and collection of taxes, levies and duties as related to the above functions or as may be assigned to the district municipality in terms of national legislation.
The three spheres of government explained
Garden Route District Municipality forms part of Local Government, which forms part of the three spheres of government known as National, Provincial and Local Governments. Altogether, Local Government in South Africa consists of 9 A-Municipalities (Metro Municipalities), 205 B-Municipalities (Local Municipalities) and 44 C-Municipalities (District Municipalities).
Overview of Local Government (Metro, District and Local Municipalities)
Local Government in South Africa consists of municipalities of various types (A, B & C). The largest municipal areas are governed by metropolitan municipalities, while the rest of the country is divided into district municipalities, each of which consists of several local municipalities. There are eight metropolitan municipalities, 44 district municipalities and 226 local municipalities in South Africa. The three categories of municipalities in South Africa:
- Category A: Metropolitan Municipalities
- Category B: Local Municipalities
- Category C: District Municipalities
Within these categories, there may be significantly different circumstances between municipalities across the country. Hence, a further set of subcategories have been developed for analytical and statistical purposes. These subcategories have been widely-used in assessments and previous policy initiatives by the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG), National Treasury, the Municipal Demarcation Board and others. For examples of how the subcategories are used, please see:
State Municipal Capacity Assessment 2010/2011 National Trends in Municipal Capacity by the Municipal Demarcation Board, p.3- The Municipal Infrastructure and Investment Framework (MIIF 7) for South Africa. Round 7 (2009-2010): A capital investment perspective by the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) and the Development Bank Southern Africa, p.10
- Delivering municipal services in rural areas by National Treasury of South Africa, p.3
Municipalities are governed by municipal councils which are elected every five years. The councils of metropolitan and local municipalities are elected by a system of mixed-member proportional representation, while the councils of district municipalities are partly elected by proportional representation and partly appointed by the councils of the constituent local municipalities.
Local Municipalities in the Garden Route District, comprise of the following towns:
1. Bitou – Plettenberg Bay, Keurboomstrand, Kurland, Krantzhoek, Kwanokuthula, Nature’s Valley and Wittedrift.
2. George – George, Wilderness, Hoekwil, Kleinkrantz, Waboomskraal, Herolds Bay, Victoria Bay, Haarlem, Uniondale, Herold and Noll.
3. Hessequa – Albertinia, Still Bay, Riversdale, Heidelberg, Gouritsmond, Jongensfontein, Slangrivier and Witsand.
4. Kannaland – Calitzdorp, Zoar, Ladismith and Van Wyksdorp.
5. Knysna – Sedgefield, Karatara, Buffalo Bay, Rheenendal, The Brentons, Belvidere, Knysna and Noetzie
6. Mossel Bay – Boggoms Bay, Brandwag, Buisplaas, Dana Bay, Glentana, Fraaiuitsig, Friemersheim, Great Brak River, Hartenbos, Herbertsdale, Hersham, KwaNonqaba, Little Brak River, Outeniqua Beach, Reebok, Ruiterbos, Southern Cross, Tergniet and Vleesbaai.
7. Greater Oudtshoorn – De Rust, Dysselsdorp, Oudtshoorn and Volmoed.
Last updated: 2022/06/07