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1 December 2020 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality supports the commemoration of World AIDS Day

1 December 2020
Media Release
For immediate release

Garden Route District Municipality supports the commemoration of World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is commemorated annually on 1 December and provides an opportunity for communities to unite in the fight against HIV, support people living with HIV and sadly remember those who have succumbed to the virus. This year the event is commemorated under the theme:  “We’re in this together, Cheka Impilo!”

According to the World Health Organisation, there were an estimated 38.0 million people living with HIV at the end of 2019 and keeping this in mind, South Africa has been relentless in its efforts to fight the virus and to turn the HIV, AIDS, and TB epidemics around. According to the South African National Government, there are notable achievements to celebrate these initiatives. There also have been many scientific advances in the treatment of HIV and we now have a much better understanding of the virus. Today, more people are receiving antiretroviral treatment, meaning the rates of infections are decreasing. Further to this, there is scientific optimism around the benefits of treatment as prevention, and progress towards a cure and vaccine.

Yesterday, 30 November 2020, Premier of the Western Cape, Mr Alan Winde, in his daily Covid-19 Update, stated:  “As we battle the Covid-19 pandemic, we must not forget the battles fought and won in the Aids pandemic and the important work that remains in ensuring that we address both of these pandemics”. He further said that Covid-19 has presented us with a further challenge in that fewer people have been accessing health care services, including HIV testing, treatment.

Despite these advances, stigma and discrimination against people living with the virus still exist.  Therefore it is important that people living with the disease are treated with utmost sensitivity, dignity and respect; the same way as any other human being.  When referring to the stigma in relation to HIV/AIDS, Premier Winde said: “We still face obstacles – stigma continues to stop people from knowing and disclosing their status, and we still need to put considerable effort into reducing the number of HIV infections in high risk groups including teenage girls and young women, men who have sex with men, substance abusers and sex workers.,” he added.

The South African Government further listed the devastating effects of discrimination and the stigma in relation to HIV/AIDS that include: abandonment by spouse or family, social ostracism, job and property loss, school expulsion, denial of medical services, lack of support and support, and violence. It also results in a lower uptake of HIV preventive services and postponing or rejecting care. Women tend to experience greater stigma and discrimination than men and are more likely to experience its cruelest and most damaging effects.

According to the South African Government, World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public that HIV has not gone away and that together, we need to create more awareness, fight prejudice and improve education to uphold and achieve the aims and objectives of the country. Stigma and discrimination can be as devastating as the illness itself and may mean abandonment by a partner or family, social exclusion, job and the loss of property, school expulsion, denial of medical services, lack of care and support, and violence for those affected by them. These consequences, or fear of them, mean that people are less likely to undergo HIV testing, disclose their HIV status to others, adopt HIV preventive behaviour or access treatment, care and support.

Every sexually active person is at risk of contracting HIV. The South African Government, therefore calls on all citizens to recognise that HIV and AIDS are chronic diseases, that people living with HIV can have full and happy lives and that all citizens should treat those with HIV with compassion, those with AIDS with care, and ourselves and our sexual partners with respect. Addressing stigma and discrimination is therefore important in mitigating the impact of HIV.

Did you know?

South Africa has come a long way in the fight against HIV and AIDS. In 2012 government implemented the National Strategic Plan on HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis 2012 – 2016.

In 2010 government also scaled up its antiretroviral treatment programme. A further expansion is planned from January 2015 to bring South Africa in line with World Health Organisation treatment guidelines. As part of this, the Department of Health will start HIV-positive patients with a CD4 count of 500 or less on antiretroviral treatment, as opposed to the present CD4 count of 350.  All HIV-positive pregnant women will also receive lifelong treatment, regardless of their CD4 counts. Currently, HIV-positive pregnant women receive treatment until they stop breastfeeding.

Former President Nelson Mandela said: “Many people suffering from AIDS and not killed by the disease itself are killed by the stigma surrounding everybody who has HIV and AIDS.”

For more information, contact the HIV/AIDS toll free helpline 24/7 on 0800 012 322.

References:

South African National Government  (https://www.gov.za/WorldAIDSDay2020)
World Health Organisation (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids
Western Cape Government (https://www.westerncape.gov.za/service/hiv-aids-and-your-rights);
Western Cape Government (https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/update-coronavirus-premier-alan-winde-30-november)

30 November 2020 Media Release: EHPs join efforts with Hessequa Firefighters to create more COVID-19 awareness

Media Release: EHPs join efforts with Hessequa Firefighters to create more COVID-19 awareness

For Immediate Release
30 November 2020

Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM’s) Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) continue to create awareness about COVID-19 with the hope that behaviour will change. EHPs approach communities with the trust that their coordinated efforts will result in the change they want to see. In his own words, Haemish Herwels (Chief: Municipal Health, Hessequa area), says: “We cannot lose the fight against COVID-19, because if we do, we will have nothing left – no family, friends and colleagues”.

A Hessequa Firefighter doing door-to-door awareness about COVID-19.

On 21 November 2020, the EHPs from GRDM’s Hessequa sub-office, in conjunction with Hessequa Municipality’s Firefighters conducted a comprehensive awareness session in Albertinia. This included door-to-door visits in Theronsville, one of the areas where in COVID-19 active cases are surging.

During the visits, those on grassroots level reminded community members about the importance of adhering to the golden rules for the prevention of COVID-19. These include the wearing of masks, washing hands regularly, keeping a safe distance of 1.5 m from others, to avoid crowded areas, and most importantly, to protect oneself. Hessequa Municipality’s Firefighters also assisted EHPs with loud hailing to share important messages to communities.

Focus was also placed on self-monitoring of symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention should the need arise. This was important to do, as it was observed during contact tracing operations when people were unsure about signs and symptoms of COVID-19. This has left many testing only days later which could pose more risks to infecting others. It is therefore important for members of the community to contact their clinic or doctor as soon as they feel sick. Advice will be given by medical practitioners on what a person should do next.

GRDM would like to share their appreciation to Hessequa’s Firefighters for assisting in the awareness-raising campaign, in particular Ricardo Jacobs, Conray Saayman, Lenestio Nomdo and Heinrich Swart, who sacrificed their off-time to assist the GRDM team.

A reminder of important contact numbers, include:

Provincial hotline: 021 928 4102
Toll-free hotline: 080 928 4102
WhatsApp “Hi” to 0600 123 456
All lines are operational 24/7.

The above contact details are for health-related matters only.

Feature image caption: Group of Environmental Health Practitioners and Firefighters who conducted awareness in the Hessequa Municipal area.

ENDS

27 November 2020 Public Notice: Second Adjustment Budget, 2020/2021 – Open for Comment and Public Inspection

Public Notice: Second Adjustment Budget, 2020/2021 – Open for Comment and Public Inspection

Notice 87/2020

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Second Adjustment Budget for the period 2020/2021-2022/2023, was compiled in accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 2003 (Act 56 of 2003).

This document was approved by the Garden Route District Municipality at a District Council meeting held on Thursday, 26 November 2020 and is available for public inspection and comments on the GRDM municipal website www.gardenroute.gov.za from 26 November 2020.

Members of the public is invited to submit written comments or representations to the municipality in respect of this document. Click here to view the official notice.

All comments and inputs must be directed to:

The Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality
54 York Street
George
6530

Please contact the Budget Manager (Ms Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300 with any enquiries.

M G Stratu
Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality

27 November 2020 Media Release: COVID-19 update, Garden Route

Media Release: COVID-19 update, Garden Route

For Immediate Release
27 November 2020

Over the past 7 days the Garden Route has seen a 117% increase in new COVID-19 cases and 96% increase in deaths over the last seven days and urge the residents to remain cautious and vigilant.
After recording 1 282 new cases and 25 new deaths over the past seven days, all areas in the Garden Route are of great concern. As we have seen during the first wave of infections, once community transmission is established within communities, especially in the Garden Route as a prime tourist destination, the situation can quickly deteriorate if not brought under control soon.

A closer look into the Garden Route subdistrict shows the areas where we have seen a significant increase in new cases over the past seven days:

New cases per subdistrict in the Garden Route:

Area Active cases 14 days ago Active cases seven days ago Percentage increase
Bitou 142 278 96%
George 498 995 100%
Hessequa 28 58 107%
Kannaland 0 21 2100%
Knysna 206 489 137%
Mossel Bay 189 414 119%
Oudtshoorn 37 127 243%
Garden Route 1100 2382 117%

New deaths

Area Active cases 14 days ago Active cases seven days ago Percentage increase
Bitou 6 6 0%
George 7 18 157%
Hessequa 0 4 400%
Kannaland 0 0 0
Knysna 2 3 50%
Mossel Bay 2 11 450%
Oudtshoorn 9 9 0%
Garden Route 26 51 96%

We call on the citizens of each of these sub-districts and as a collective to do their part so we can bring the situation under control again. We all have a role to play through our own actions.
Our behaviour will be influenced once we acknowledge and accept that the virus is not gone but will be with us over the holidays and beyond. Therefore, we need to remain safe and protect each other by:

  • Wearing a mask properly is of life-saving importance. You must wear your masks at all times when outside of your home. There can be no exceptions.
  • You must avoid crowded and confined spaces at all costs. This is where super-spreader events take place.
  • You must urgently reconsider hosting all non-essential gatherings of people this year, especially indoor gatherings with poor ventilation.
  • You must ensure there is good ventilation at all times whenever you’re in public. The virus droplets spread by air in confined spaces, and so fresher is better.
  • You must wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use sanitiser.
  • If you feel sick, you should not leave your home unless it is to get healthcare treatment. You must first call our hotline on 080 928 4102 for guidance on the next steps.
  • You should also not visit someone who is sick, and find other ways to provide support, like delivering a meal to a neighbour’s doorstep.
  • Every single resident should assume that Covid-19 is everywhere they go and take all the necessary precautions at every point along their journey.

END

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health

Town Clinic,Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 076 379 5423
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

.

26 November 2020 COVID-19 SAFETY: Black Friday Crowd Safety

This week will see large crowds of bargain-shoppers hitting the stores for Black Friday sales. The public must remember that this is a high-risk activity and it should be avoided if possible to prevent the spread of COVID -19.

If you must get your Black Friday deals, make sure all safety precautions are taken when entering crowds:

  • Wear your mask at all times and carry a spare mask just in case.
  • Avoid crowded and confined spaces. Time your shopping over Black Friday weekend to get into stores when crowds are not as large so you can keep a safe distance of 1.5m.
  • Try to shop online as much as possible – Black Friday deals online are just as good as in-store.
  • Sanitise! Sanitise! Sanitise! Carry your own hand sanitiser with you and use it when entering, in the store and leaving the store.

 For more COVID-19 resources in English, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans, visit:   https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/resources

Stay safe. Move forward.
Hlala ukhuselekile. Yiya phambili.
Bly veilig. Gaan voort.

UKHUSELEKO LWECOVID-19: UKHUSELEKO LWENGINGINYA NGEBLACK FRIDAY

 Kule veki siza kubona iinginginya zabantu abatheng’ izinto ezihliswe amaxabiso begxalathelana bengena ezivenkileni beleqa iintengiso zeBlack Friday. Uluntu kufuneka lukhumbule ukuba oku kungumngcipheko omkhulu kwaye kufuneka kuphetshwe ukuba kunokwenzeka ukuthintela ukunwena kweCOVID -19.

Ukuba kunyanzelekile uyokuthenga izinto zamaxabiso aphantsi zeBlack Friday, qiniseka ukuba uwathatha onke amanyathelo okhuseleko xa ungena phakathi kweenginginya zabantu:

  • Nxiba imaski yakho ngalo lonke ixesha kwaye uphathe enye ukulungiselela unongekehli.
  • Ziphephe iindawo ezinabant’ abaninzi nezixineneyo. Zibekele elinye ixesha lokuyothenga kule mpelaveki yeBlack Friday apho bazakube bebambalwa khona abantu ukuze ukwazi ukugcina umgama osisithuba se-5m phakathi kwakho nabany’ abantu.
  • Zama ukuthenga kwi-Intanethi kangangoko kunokwenzeka – zifumaneka ngamaxabiso aphantsi nafanayo naxa uye evenkileni izinto ezithengiswayo ngeBlack Friday.
  • Sanithayiza! Sanithayiza! Sanithayiza! Phatha eyakho isanithayiza uze uyisebenzise xa ungena naxa uphuma evenkileni.

 Malunga nezibonelelo zeCOVID-19 ngesiNgesi, ngesiXhosa, nangesiBhulu, tyelela ku-: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/resources

 Stay safe. Move forward.
Hlala ukhuselekile. Yiya phambili.
Bly veilig. Gaan voort.

COVID-19-VEILIGEHID: SWARt VRYDAG EN VEILIGHEID IN SKARE

Vandeesweek gaan ’n groot menigte winskopiejagters die winkels vir Swart Vrydag-uitverkopings bestorm. Die publiek moet onthou dat hierdie ’n hoë-risiko-aktiwiteit is en dat mense dit indien moontlik moet vermy om die verspreiding van COVID -19 te voorkom.

Indien jy jou Swart Vrydag-aanbiedinge moet kry, moet jy seker maak dat alle veiligheidsmaatreëls getref word wanneer jy die skare betree:

  • Dra jou masker te alle tye en hou ’n ekstra masker byderhand vir ingeval.
  • Vermy vertrekke vol mense en ingeperkte ruimtes. Beplan om hierdie Swart Vrydag-naweek winkels toe te gaan wanneer daar minder skare is sodat jy ’n veilige afstand van 1.5 m kan handhaaf.
  • Probeer om soveel as moontlik aanlyn te koop – Swart Vrydag-aanbiedings wat jy aanlyn kry, is net so goed soos in die winkel.
  • Ontsmet! Ontsmet! Ontsmet! Neem jou eie ontsmettingsmiddel saam en gebruik dit wanneer jy by die winkel ingaan en weer wanneer jy dit verlaat.

Besoek gerus  https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/resources vir meer COVID-19 bronne in Engels, isiXhosa en Afrikaans.

Stay safe. Move forward.
Hlala ukhuselekile. Yiya phambili.
Bly veilig. Gaan voort.

26 November 2020 Address by Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen at an Ordinary Council meeting of Garden Route DM

Address by Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen at an Ordinary Council meeting of Garden Route DM

Speaker Alderman Groenewald

Greetings to those who are following us online – fellow Garden Routers and the media. Mr Speaker, as we are gathered here today, we are a very concerned municipality, but so is our provincial government. Our concerns and worries are based on an ever-increasing number of COVID-19 active cases. The Garden Route is one of the regions where COVID-19 positive cases are rising the fastest in the Western Cape. By the current trend, we might end up being the fastest rising in the country. Please, therefore, abide by the regulations and do what we can to stop the spike we are seeing. We also want to congratulate the Premier’s office for their efforts. Our local municipalities also made contact with us to ask how we can advance the education and awareness to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Today, as we’re gathered here, there are more than 150 Local Government workers across South Africa who have lost their lives. I would also like to honour all front-line staff. Alderman Groenewald, life does however go on, as we are seeing people have moved back to business as usual. In the same breath, we need to caution one another, we are on the brink of Black Friday. Thankfully we have already approached shopping malls, and warned the public of the potential of Black Friday turning into a super-spreader event. I urge the public to stay safe during this busy time ahead – sanitise, wear a mask and keep a social distance of 1.5 metres.

To our colleagues and everybody online, we currently also experiencing and are aware of many of our colleagues who are in hospital. We suspect that they are hospitalised because of comorbidities. Our prayers go out to all of them and members of the public.

I want to urge the public to:

  • travel as little as possible;
  • avoid events where there are a lot of people.

If we do not do this, we will continue to lose loved ones along the way.

Because of the state of COVID-19 active cases in our region, we decided to take some precautionary measures. We’ve cancelled all our events, even the launch of 16 Days of Activism and the activities relating to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programmes. However, we are continuing via virtual platforms as far as we can. We urge each and every municipality to follow suite. Speaking on the issue of gender-based violence, it is another pandemic our country still faces. Every day on the news we hear of new murders, rapes, in particular the killing of women and children. We really need to work together with all the law enforcement operators of the State to curb the GBV pandemic. Furthermore, I know there will be another meeting just before the festive season where we we will update the whole of Council in terms of what we’ve achieved thus far in terms of safety measures in our region.

Thank you Speaker Groenewald.

25 November 2020 Media Release: Ailing 17-year old fleet vehicle replaced

Media Release: Ailing 17-year old fleet vehicle replaced

For Immediate Release
25 November 2020

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently replaced its 2003 Mazda Etude, which has over 200 000 km on its clock, with a brand new Toyota Corolla Quest. This comes at a time when the upkeep and safety of the 17-year old Mazda posed a number of risks and unintended maintenance costs for the GRDM.

According to Trix Holtzhausen, Executive Manager for Corporate Services, the vehicle served the municipality well for 17 years. “We used the Mazda to its limits and had to replace it because of  safety reasons and ongoing expenses to repair it,” said Holtzhausen. “We also uphold our fleet standards when we replace redundant assets,” she said.

An official handover ceremony took place at the Head Office of GRDM on 25 November in George in the presence of Mr Monde Stratu (Municipal Manager), Ms Trix Holtzhausen (Executive Manager: Corporate Services), Alderlady Iona Kritzinger (Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services), Ms Spasiena Brinkhuys (Manager: Records, Archives, Fleet & Auxiliary Services) and her support team.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla Quest wrapped in a giant red bow for the occasion.

Feature image caption: GRDM representatives, Mr Monde Stratu (Municipal Manager) hands over the Corolla’s key to Ms Trix Holtzhausen (GRDM Executive Manager: Corporate Services). Portfolio Chairperson for Corporate Services, Alderlady Iona Kritzinger is in the background (blue jacket) with employees from the Records, Archives, Fleet and Auxiliary Services Unit.

ENDS

24 November 2020 Media Release: Municipalities place skips in Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp

Media Release: Municipalities place skips in Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp

For Immediate Release
24 November 2020

Illegal dumping sites remain a problem for all seven (7) local municipalities in the Garden Route. As part of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and George Municipality (GM) illegal dumping response, Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp have been earmarked for additional assistance. As of now, nine (9) x 6mÂł waste skips have been placed at illegal dumping hotspots. This includes seven (7) for Thembalethu and two (2) for Pacaltsdorp. These waste skips are being hired for the interim until George Municipality has concluded the procurement process of their own waste skips to be placed in and around illegal dumping hotspots in George.

Members of the public are urged to make proper use of the waste skips for disposing their household waste. The skips are meant to be used for refuse that cannot be stored until the weekly refuse removal days of GM.

According to Johan Compion, Manager: Municipal Health and Environmental Services for GRDM, “The placement and proper management of skips could also provide a solution to illegal dumping.  We are hopeful that a notable change will be visible as this pilot project continues, in addition, we await survey data being collected at the moment to provide more insights into the issue.”

Skips are free for everyone to use, but at the same time the public has to keep in mind that once skips are removed from hotspot areas, it does not mean that illegal dumping is permitted. General assumptions by GRDM about illegal dumping is that it takes place more frequently in informal or poorer communities because people can’t afford the transport or removal of waste to waste transfer stations.

The process of ensuring that skips are frequently emptied involves skip contractors. These small business owners are responsible for transporting waste skips to the George Waste Transfer Station. After emptying each skip, the containers are returned to the hotspots where they were collected. The help of 30 EPWP workers is evermore important as they assist municipalities to clear areas inaccessible to machinery. These same EPWP workers also tasked to assist the public, especially the elderly and children, to dispose of waste into the skips.

Twelve (12) Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) participants are still on the ground working with the JCBs to clear illegal dump sites. Thirty six (36) educators are also doing door-to-door education and awareness as well as a survey to determine the causal factors of illegal dumping; and the community requirements; or possible solutions to prevent issues in future. Twenty four (24) educators are working in Thembalethu and 12 in Pacaltsdorp. Each person, who moves in a group of six (6), is easily identifiable by a high visibility vest and identification cards.

Garden Route District Municipality wants to remind the public that Illegal dumping is a danger to your health and that of your children and animals – let’s put an end to illegal dumping and report perpetrators to our local municipalities.

Caption: A skip used for dumping waste at a spot in Nelson Mandela Boulevard.

ENDS

23 November 2020 Media Release: Garden Route District COVID-19 Update 

Media Release: Garden Route District COVID-19 Update 

For Immediate Release
23 November 2020

We’re all eager to get back to our pre-COVID-19 lives and managing the risks can help us get there faster. The way we behave and socialise over the coming weeks will be crucial in the fight against a second wave. As we head into the Festive Season many workplaces will be having their annual year-end function. These events have been identified as a risk as they could easily become “COVID-19 Super spreader events”.  The Department appeals to each and every business and individual to reconsider hosting these events and to rather do these virtually at this time, or postpone them until we have gained control over the resurgence we are experiencing. Where a social event cannot be avoided, we encourage guests and hosts to:

  • Have it outside because fresh air is better
  • Review the capacity of a venue – if you cannot maintain 1.5m then consider an alternative venue
  • Avoid queues and close contact where possible
  • Ensure the venue you are at has its windows open to ensure fresh air circulation and where possible, try and sit close to a window that is open.
  • If inside, keep masks on whenever possible (when not eating and ensure that masks cover the mouth and nose)
  • Venues should have an attendance register which must be completed by every guest so that all contacts can be traced if a need arise
  • If you are sick or experiencing any flu-like symptoms, STAY at home

Daily stats update as of 23 November 2020:

Sub-district Total Active Recovered Died
Hessequa 440 40 380 20
Mossel Bay 3 004 369 2 552 83
George 5 207 1 018 4 056 133
Knysna 2 147 423 1 669 55
Bitou 1 080 293 753 34
Kannaland 150 3 145 2
Oudtshoorn 1 726 83 1 525 118
TOTAL 13 754 2 229 11 080 445

 Hospitalisations

From our latest available information, there are 160 patients in hospital of which 50 are in high care or ICU.

Quarantine and Isolation  

If you cannot safely isolate at home we urge you to make use of our quarantine and isolation facilities where you will receive temporary care away from home. Transport to and from the facility will be provided, as well as food, laundry services, and waste disposal.

Sick? Stay home and call 080 928 4102 or visit https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/health

END

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Town Clinic,Plettenberg Bay

Tel: 076 379 5423
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za