The South African Weather Service today, 28 August 2019, informed the Garden Route District Municipality’s Disaster Management Centre that there was a 6.6 magnitude earthquake near the South Sandwich Islands Region and South Georgia last night. It took place 2768 km from Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina.
As a result of this, there is a possibility of a higher sea swell between 11:00 and 13:00 today. Not a significant impact, but we expect a 0.5m rise above the normal high watermark. We would like to advise fishermen to be cautious during this time.
GEORGE: Garden Route District Municipality (Garden Route DM) in collaboration with the South African Police Services’ Eden Cluster and Western Cape Government’s (WCG) Department of Community Safety (DOCS), on 23 and 24 August 2019, hosted a two-day multidisciplinary workshop about the following:
This workshop proved that there is a strong political will and an inter-departmental commitment to finding sustainable solutions for societal ills faced by communities. One of the many interventions discussed was the development of safety plans and the roll-out of community safety projects. Local municipalities will spearhead the development of safety plans, while Garden Route District Municipality will coordinate and fund the establishment it, including safety projects.
During the event, Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality, Councillor Memory Booysen, reaffirmed the District’s commitment to the development of Safety Plans and projects by saying, “We will avail R50 000 per municipality to assist them with community safety projects, but first, local municipalities (Bitou, Knysna, George, Mossel Bay, Hessequa, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland), must establish safety forums.
The two-day workshop also derives from the January 2019 Eden Cluster Anti-Crime Summit. According to Eden Cluster Commander, Major-General Oswald Reddy, “We noticed a gradual increase in contact crimes – women and children were victims of this. In most cases, either the victim or the offender were under the influence of alcohol or drugs.” It is for this reason that we thought it best to utilise the Western Cape Government’s “Alcohol Harms Reduction Game Changer” programme to build social cohesion and resilience among community members.
Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality, Councillor Memory Booysen says that local municipalities will each receive R50 000.00 for Community Safety projects.
DEVELOPING OF SAFETY PLANS
Ms Theresha Hanekom, Deputy Director: Strategic and Knowledge Management at Western Cape Government, presented what safety plans are, their purpose, including key elements and features of such a plan. “A safety plan is an integrated social crime prevention plan that acts as a starting point in informing numerous stakeholders about safety issues within their particular communities/region,” said Hanekom.
Later during the programme, Mr Monde Stratu, Municipal Manager of Garden Route District Municipality, said: “On 7 August 2019, Garden Route District Municipality and other municipalities met with the Minister of Community Safety, MEC Albert Fritz. MEC Fritz emphasised the importance of establishing community safety forums.”
“Safety plans and outlined targets for accounting officers who should not only develop plans, but also implement them.”
Stratu also explained expectations of Local Municipalities by saying:
“We require local municipalities to:
establish safety forums as a matter of urgency;
provide clear project plans who require funding; and
identify mediators (three per local municipality).
Stratu shared that the District will put aside R2500.00 for the establishment of safety forums.
In wrapping up day two’s programme, Mr Stratu urged audience members to be conscious of the following: “While we move forward to 2021, the end of the current term of council, there will be a lot of unrest. We need people who can mediate between the various stakeholders.”
“Everyone should reflect that if we compare ourselves to other districts, we are quite safe. It is still important to take a step back and reflect on what it is that has gone wrong over the past few months.”
Garden Route District Municipality representatives at the two-day workshop, (fltr): Cllr Joslyn Johnson (Portfolio: Property Management and Development), Mr Richard Dyantyi (Manager: EPWP, Rural Development and Job Creation), Cllr Jennifer Hartnick, Mr Siphiwe Dladla (Chief of Staff) and Cllr Erica Meyer (Portfolio Chairperson: Strategic Services).
MEDIATION CAPACITY BUILDING
Mr David Williams, Grabouw Community Police Forum Chairperson presented an insightful and informative presentation about mediation. Mediation during a crisis follows a range of steps, which includes various role players like first responders and mediators.
For instance, a first responder can be anyone from the public and play a similar role to that of community intelligence officers.
They are responsible for:
gathering information;
assessing why there is conflict;
identify why protest action is taking place; who the leaders are; who the instigators are;
liaising with SAPS and/or Law Enforcement Officers;
briefing of district safety coordinator and mediation coordinators; and
introducing a mediator to a group of community members.
Local municipalities must identify three mediators, while the district identifies two mediators.
Mediators should:
establish credibility and neutrality;
discuss issues and explore options for conflict resolution;
not be politically affiliated;
be in good standing with community members;
be a person with integrity;
be able to speak two of the three official languages of the Western Cape;
have knowledge of laws and regulations.
In referring to mediators, Major General Reddy explained that the Eden Cluster wants to “empower mediators” and to “ensure that mediators have an aptitude for the job.” He said that mediator teams are “a priority for SAPS over the next three months.”
Mediation Training was presented by Mr David Williams, Grabouw Community Police Forum Chairperson
Eden Cluster Commander, Major-General Oswald Reddy said that municipalities and role players have to ‘hit the ground running’ to ensure that safety plans and structures are in place.
ALCOHOL HARMS REDUCTION
This topic focused specifically on how to reduce harms associated with irresponsible liquor trading and alcohol abuse in targeted areas.
Mr Justin Lottring, Deputy Director, WCG’s Department of Community Safety explained that “The ‘Alcohol Harms Reduction Game Changer’ is one of seven-game-changers in the WC. He said, “The Eden Cluster also embraced the ‘After School Violence Game Changer’.” View the WC Game Changers here: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/game-changers/
“One of the reasons why we focus on alcohol reduction here, is because it places tremendous pressure on the health care system,” said Lottring. This is especially true when thinking about the causes of road accidents, accidents involving pedestrians, sexual violence, assaults and even murders.
“Social harms like domestic violence are mostly related to alcohol abuse,” said Lottring.
WCG’s approach is to reduce access to alcohol, create alternative recreational activities and increase health and social services to distressed communities.
On day two of the workshop, Ms Lynn Stoker from Knysna Initiative for Learning and Teaching (KILT), facilitated a session on Alcohol Harms Reduction. She posed three questions to the audience members:
What is causing the excessive usage of alcohol within our community? (Adults and Youth)
What resources are there in the community that can potentially mitigate these causes?
What is the action plan going forward?
Following these questions, groups discussed problem areas identified by their municipal area group. Groups identified root causes of alcohol misuse and produced workable and executable action plans. Participants aligned recreational or remedial activities to sector departments or agencies for auctioning. Each group had an opportunity to present their group’s findings.
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Ms Anna-Marie Muller from the DG Murray Trust, presented their views and research about Early Childhood Development (ECD).
She explained: “In ECD, there is a child and there is a child’s development. From a child’s developmental viewpoint, it progresses from Prenatal, Early Childhood, Middle Childhood and Adolescence early adulthood.”
When referring specifically to the first 1 000 days of a child’s development, Muller took it a step further by illustrating that “the brain means is highly responsive to environmental factors that promote strong brain development (protective factors). These include the good health and nutritional status of the mother, infant and child; a clean environment free of pollutants such as alcohol and drugs whilst in the womb. As an infant and young child; strong, protective and stimulating relationships with parents and other primary caregivers are of utmost importance. These relationships can introduce language-rich, nurturing and responsive caregiving circumstances; and access to safe care and quality early learning opportunities. It has to start from birth and until the child enters formal school, in centre- and non-centre-based ECD programmes.”
In summary, Muller presented the World Health Organisation’s framework for helping children survive and thrive to transform health and human potential. The guiding principles include good health; adequate nutrition; responsive caregiving; security and safety and opportunities for early learning. At DG Murray Trust they compiled 10 powerful opportunities for change, accessible on their website at https://dgmt.co.za/about-us/
In closing the workshop, Major General Reddy urged role players to “hit the ground running” and that there would be “time-frames, responsible persons and departments” to ensure that the programme is effectively monitored and evaluated. “Over the next few months, we will also launch a project to address domestic violence and to empower victims of crimes”
Notice of a council meeting on 27 August 2019 at 12:00
Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 19 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) that a Council meeting of the Garden Route District Municipality is scheduled for Tuesday, 27 August at 12:00 in the CA Robertson Council Chamber, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, George.
MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P.O. Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Notice of a special council meeting on 23 August 2019 at 11:00
Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 19 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) that a Special Council meeting of the Garden Route District Municipality is scheduled for Friday, 23 August at 10:00 in the CA Robertson Council Chamber, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, George.
MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P.O. Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Notice number 96/2019
Garden Route District Municipality is home to seven (7) Women Firefighters, who form part of a group of 40 Firefighters (including station officers and fire chief). Although being underrepresented in a male-dominated environment, they are a force to reckon with.
Structural and cultural factors have a definite influence on the disproportionately low representation of women in firefighting. Such factors often play a role in making the career-choice seem inhospitable to women. Despite this, a “conscious and continuous” attempt by educators, firefighters and parents can help expose youngsters, especially women, to the profession.
INTERVIEW WITH WOMEN FIREFIGHTERS AT GRDM
During an interview with six of the seven women Firefighters at GRDM, who include Ms Bonita Conrad, Ms Kuthala Maki, Ms Odri-Anne Booysen, Ms Devonia Cupido, Ms Elana Basson and Ms Michelle Smalberger, a few assumptions were presented to them.
Assumption 1: Women have to first showcase their knowledge and experience in firefighting before being accepted by their male counterparts.
All women firefighters felt that this was true.
Assumption 2: There is a sense of pressure on women to do the same or even better than their male counterparts.
Interviewees felt the assumption was correct, but despite this, acknowledged that they do not feel that they are treated unequally to their counterparts at GRDM.
When asked what the most important parts of their firefighting jobs are, they agreed that “protecting lives, infrastructure and the environment,” are at the top of their list of reasons.
Near the end of the interview, a question was asked with the intent of making women firefighters think about their worth and potential. “Would you consider fighting in an all-women team?” One firefighter responded by saying – “we need men by our side to fight fires”. Moments later, one firefighter challenged this response and said: “We will be able to fight a fire on our own. Why are we doubting our own capabilities?” With this moment of truth, interviewees had a moment to think deeply about these misperceptions.
Now the question is why did these powerful women for a moment think that they wouldn’t be able to face a fire as an all-women team? Is it a cultural phenomenon? Something we see on television, hear on the radio or read about in newspapers? What really shapes this perception? This is one of the many questions we have to ask ourselves to break the glass ceiling.
One of the Senior Firefighters, Ms Bonita Conrad, twice over the past few years came out at the top of her age group at the South African Toughest Firefighter Alive Competition.
Six (6) of the seven (7) women firefighters at Garden Route District Municipality, front (fltr): Ms Odri-Anne Booysen and Ms Michelle Smalberger. Back (fltr): Ms Elana Basson, Ms Kuthala Maki, Ms Devonia Cupido and Ms Bonita Conrad.
THE DISTRICT WAS FIRST IN WESTERN CAPE TO APPOINT A WOMAN FIRE CHIEF
GRDM has also been dedicated to gender-transformation in firefighting for more than a decade. The District Municipality, in 2006, was the first to appoint a woman Fire Chief in the Western Cape – Ms Annelise Lamprecht-Virtue. She is truly a trailblazer in the field of firefighting. During the October 2018 Garden Route fires Western Cape Government tasked Annelise to assist the district and local municipalities in providing strategic leadership. Her tenure at Western Cape Government as the Assistant Director: Fire and Rescue Services, started in January 2012. Annelise confirmed during a telephonic interview that she will take up a position as Fire Chief at Witzenberg Municipality on 1 September 2019.
Garden Route District Municipality wishes Ms Lamprecht-Virtue all of the best with her future endeavours.
The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following severe weather alert. WARNING: damaging winds over the interior of the Garden Route District Municipality for later today.
HAZARD: Damaging winds ALERT LEVEL: Warning VALID FROM (SAST): 07/08/19 – 10h00 VALID TO (SAST): 07/08/19 – 20h00
WARNING: A strong W/NW’ly gale force wind (70-80km/h) is expected between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas this afternoon (Wednesday), subsiding by evening.
ADVISORY: Strong north-westerly to westerly winds (50-60km/h) are expected over the Breede River Valley, Central Karoo, and the interior regions of the Garden Route District of the Western Cape today (Wednesday).
Description: Strong damaging winds
Strong damaging winds often occur along coastal regions, but also often occur during thunderstorm activity. These winds are sudden and can cause much damage.
Precautions: Strong damaging winds
Stay indoors where possible away from the windows that open towards the severe winds. Be aware of the following: – sudden cross winds if traveling especially between buildings, fallen trees or power lines and flying debris.
Small boats must stay away from the open sea and seek the shelter of a harbour, river estuary or protected bay.
Parked aircraft should be pointed into the direction of the wind and secured. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
Description: Dangerous veld/bush fire conditions
Whenever there are prolonged periods of little and no rain coupled with warm dry winds, veldt or bush fires can easily be sparked and will spread rapidly in strong winds.
Don’t make fires in the open and/or leave fires unattended. Don’t throw cigarette butts out of cars or in the open veldt. Don’t throw bottles in the veldt as they can magnify the sun’s rays and start fires. Prepare and maintain fire breaks in controlled manner. In the case of a large fire report it immediately and move away from the area to let the professionals deal with it. Never throw water onto a fire started by an electrical fault or fires started by oil or paraffin lamps. In this case sand or a blanket should be used to smother the fire. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
Report any related incidents to the Garden Route DM Disaster Management Centre at Tel: 044-805 5071.
The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following severe weather alert:
HAZARD: Veld Fire Conditions ALERT LEVEL: Warning VALID FROM (SAST): 07/08/19 – 10h00 VALID TO (SAST): 07/08/19 – 20h00
Expected over Central and Karoo and Hessequa municipality of the Garden Route District tomorrow (Wednesday).
Description: Strong damaging winds
Strong damaging winds often occur along coastal regions, but also often occur during thunderstorm activity. These winds are sudden and can cause much damage.
Precautions: Strong damaging winds
Stay indoors where possible away from the windows that open towards the severe winds. Be aware of the following: – sudden cross winds if traveling especially between buildings, fallen trees or power lines and flying debris.
Small boats must stay away from the open sea and seek the shelter of a harbour, river estuary or protected bay.
Parked aircraft should be pointed into the direction of the wind and secured. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
Description: Dangerous veld/bush fire conditions
Whenever there are prolonged periods of little and no rain coupled with warm dry winds, veldt or bush fires can easily be sparked and will spread rapidly in strong winds.
Precautions: Dangerous veld/bush fire conditions
Don’t make fires in the open and/or leave fires unattended. Don’t throw cigarette butts out of cars or in the open veldt. Don’t throw bottles in the veldt as they can magnify the sun’s rays and start fires. Prepare and maintain fire breaks in controlled manner. In the case of a large fire report it immediately and move away from the area to let the professionals deal with it. Never throw water onto a fire started by an electrical fault or fires started by oil or paraffin lamps. In this case sand or a blanket should be used to smother the fire. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
Eleven (11) delegates from the Garden Route, including Garden Route Film Office (GRFO) members, visited the Durban FilmMart (DFM) between 18 and 22 July 2019. This festival is a joint programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) and takes place in conjunction with Durban International Film Festival that spans over a 10-day period, between 18 and 28 July 2019.
Mr Jacques van der Merwe (Director: GRFO), Mr Philip de Vries (Chairperson: GRFO) and Mr Clyde Berning.
Cllr Liza Stroebel, who represented Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) at the DFM, said: “The presence at such a festival is vibrant and exciting. To see the hype of activities within the film industry under one roof and to be able to meet and greet foreign contingents, attend panel discussions and interact socially with artistic individuals within the broader film industry in South Africa and abroad, was an amazing experience. I learnt so much about the film industry and will now be able to better represent the Garden Route District Municipality in the film industry in the Garden Route.”
Mr Jacques van der Merwe (Director: GRFO), left, with students at the DIFF, (fltr): Cara Botha, Amy Jansen, Antonie Botha, Moses Williams, and Stefan Kloppers (Standing)
“The purpose of the inclusion of learners from our region to the DFM was to expose them to the functioning of the industry on ground level and the value which could be added and brought to the Garden Route,” said Cllr Stroebel.
What the Durban FilmMart offers
On an annual basis, the DFM offers creatives, producers and other film industry experts the opportunity to develop content, skills and expertise, while also paving the way for cross-border collaborations and networks. Moreover, it offers a jam-packed programme of panel discussions, seminars, workshops, masterclasses, a finance forum and mini-conferences and exhibitions formed part of the festival.
Team of delegates
Mr Philip de Vries (GRFO Chairperson);
Mr Jacques van der Merwe (Director: GRFO);
Patrick Walton (Director: GRFO);
Lika Berning (Director: GRFO and owner of Ikasi Media;
Cllr Liza Stroebel (Garden Route District Municipality Councillor and EXCO member of GRFO);
The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following warnings:
Issued: 28/07/2019 @ 12:44
WARNING #1
ALERT LEVEL: Level 4 Yellow Warning for wind
Valid from: (SAST) 30/07/2019 – 20:00
Valid to: (SAST) 30/07/2019 – 00:00
Affected DM / LM / Metro / area
City of Cape Town, Drakenstein (LM), Stellenbosch (LM), Breede Valley (LM), Langeberg
(LM),Laingsburg (LM), Beaufort West (LM), Theewaterskloof (LM), Overstrand (LM),
Swellendam (LM), Cape Agulhas (LM) and Hessequa (LM).
DESCRIPTION: There is a Low likelihood of Significant impacts to occur over
over the Cape Metropole, Cape Winelands, Overberg and Central Karoo from Monday
afternoon from early Tuesday morning through to the evening due to WIND.
A cold front affecting the Western Cape will result in strong to gale force and
gusty north-westerly winds over the interior of the Western Cape throughout
Tuesday. Wind speeds are expected to reach 60-70km/h with gusts up
to 80-90km/h. These north-westerly winds will act as a crosswind to the N1, N2
and N7 highways and associated major railways. Winds moderate by Tuesday
night.
Strong to Gale force and gusty crosswinds along the N1, N2 and N7 highways
may result in these major routes as well as corresponding rail transport being
affected. Dangerous driving conditions may lead to road accidents along this
route. High-sided vehicles are at risk of being toppled by intense wind gusts
along the route.These strong winds along with dry and warm conditions may
cause run-away veldfires over the Central Karoo and Eden District on Monday.
Damage to formal and informal settlements and possible visibility reduction due
to dust storms.
WARNING #2
Alert level: Level 4 Yellow Warning for Wind (Coast)
Valid from: (SAST) 29/07/2019 – 20:00
Valid to: (SAST) 30/07/2019 – 17:00
Affected coastal area (up to 15nm)
Coastal areas between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay.
DESCRIPTION: There is a Low likelihood of Significant impacts to occur
along the coast between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay due to WIND.
A cold front is expected to move over the south-western parts of the Western
Cape Monday night through Tuesday, with the potential to cause gale force
north-westerly winds (35-40kt) Monday night between Cape Columbine and
Capre Agulhas spreading to the offshore areas of the south coast (Plettenberg
Bay) during Tuesday afternoon while turning westerly.
Weather conditions will cause difficulty in navigation out at seas due to strong
winds, small vessels may be at risk of taking on water and capsizing. Some
disruption to operations for small harbours and ports are possible.
WARNING #4
Alert level: Level 2 Yellow Warning for Waves
Valid from: (SAST) 30/07/2019 – 00:00
Valid to: (SAST) 31/07/2019 – 08:00
Affected coastal area (up to 15nm)
Coastal areas between Lamberts Bay and Plettenberg Bay.
DESCRIPTION: There is a High likelihood of Minor impacts to occur
along the Western Cape west and south-west coast early on Tuesday morning,
spreading to Plettenberg Bay during the afternoon due to high WAVES.
Intense cold front passing over the Cape late Monday night and through to
Tuesday, generating high wave conditions along the west and south-west coast
early Tuesday morning. Waves heights of 6-7m are expected with a westerly
component. These waves will spread along the south coast during the afternoon however
remaining further off-shore. Swell direction swings to south-westerly late
Tuesday.
Difficulty in navigation along the entire coastline is likely and may lead to small
vessels taking on water and/or capsizing. This will be enhanced with the strong
winds that are also expected. Localised damage to infrastructure iis possible
and mainly for the west and south-west coast. Localised disruption to
beachfront activities are also likely.
Officials from the GRDM Disaster Management Section on George, on 19 July 2019, visited the Heuwel Day Care facility and Reȅnboog Creche in Calitzdorp respectively. On their arrival at each facility, the team extended a word of gratitude to the caretakers for allowing them the visit to the crèche.
They also shared a word of motivation to all the toddlers, to look well after themselves and work very hard in life to be able to reach their dreams. After the formal part of the visit, the team treated the toddlers with warm soup and bread and donated nappies to the crèche.
George Municipal Health officials reach out to Lancewood Primary School learners
The Environmental health Practitioners from the George office (Wilderness region) celebrated Mandela Day on 19 July 2019 at Lancewood Primary School. Lancewood Primary school is one of our local rural schools in George, and has a total number of 66 children.
Prior to the visit on the 19th, the team conducted a needs assessment to determine the needs of the learners. During their visit on the 19th the team surprised the school and learners with: netball balls, soccer balls, a rugby ball, made and galvanized netball poles; sanitary towels; assorted color chalks and chalk board dusters; covered and painted cable drums to recycle as dining tables and two (2) outside dining tables that were made from recycled materials.
During the visit the Breede Gouritz Catchment Agency donated puzzles, board games, recyclable water bottles and lunch boxes to the learners and Mortgage Max Sonet Calitz handed out food parcels and stationary.
The event was organised in collaboration with the GRDM Maintenance Team, Mortgage Max Sonet Calitz, as well as the Breede Gouritz Catchment Management Agency and it was indeed a great success.
