Cllr Barend Groenewald, has been elected by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Council on 28 May 2019, to act as Speaker. Both sides of the house nominated Cllr Groenewald for the position. This move comes after the previous Speaker of GRDM, Cllr Eleanore Bouw-Spies, submitted her resignation as Speaker on 8 May 2019. She is now a member of the National Assembly.
During Cllr Groenewald’s first address to Council, he said: “I will, at all times, act in a way that is acceptable to Council.” Cllr Groenewald previously acted in the position of Speaker before Cllr Bouw-Spies was appointed and he is well-known to Councillors for the humble and dignified manner in which he conducts proceedings of Council.|
Councillor Eleanore Bouw-Spies was Speaker from 13 December 2018 till 8 May 2019. During a short interview with her, she said: “It is a dream come true and indeed the top of the iceberg for any politician to represent voters at a level where:
laws are passed,
oversight of the executive and organs of state provided,
facilitation of public participation takes place
Promoting and overseeing cooperative governance; and
participating in international, regional and continental bodies.”
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) in collaboration with George Municipality, Department of Health, Breede Gouritz Catchment Agency, CANSA and Cape Nature will embark on a silent march this Friday, 31 May 2019 in celebrating World No-Tobacco Day. The march will start at 10H00 at GRDM (Head office), proceeding up York Street, right at Hibernia Street, and then a turn will be taken at Cradock Street, marchers will proceed towards Engen garage, from there, those marching will move back to GRDM (Head office).
World No-Tobacco Day is held across the world every year on 31 May. The theme from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for 2019 is “Tobacco and Lung Health”. It highlights the link between the use of tobacco products and lung diseases.
The campaign will increase awareness on:
the negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health, from cancer to chronic respiratory disease,
the fundamental role lungs play for the health and well-being of all people.
implications of second-hand exposure for lung health of people across age groups
Each year, the WHO selects a theme for the day in order to create a more unified global message for World No-Tobacco Day. The focus this year is on the harmful effects that all tobacco products have on the health of lungs and even more so, the undeveloped lungs of babies and children.
According to WHO, globally an estimated 165 000 children die before the age of five (5) of lower respiratory infections caused by second-hand smoke. Those who live on into adulthood continue to suffer the health consequences of second-hand smoke exposure, as frequent lower respiratory infections in early childhood significantly increase risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood.
The poisons in tobacco smoke inhaled by pregnant women or second hand smoke exposure experienced by them, will affect an unborn baby which may result in low birth weight, a cleft lip or palate. Babies also risk being born prematurely.
“Looking after little lungs” is a call-to-action to raise awareness that active and passive smoking of those around children can affect their underdeveloped lungs so increasing their chances of getting pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma and continuous ear infections. Pregnant women should never smoke a hookah (water pipe) as that is the same as inhaling 100 cigarettes in one session. Parents and other caregivers should smoke outside the house and never in a vehicle if there is a child under 18 years present. Smoke stays on the breath of a smoker so parents should take a few deep breaths before going into the house. Smoke particles can also stick to clothing which the child can inhale causing lung damage.
People who have tuberculosis should not smoke at all because of the double burden placed on the lungs, which will increase the risk of disability and death from respiratory failure. Those who have diabetes should not smoke either as it can restrict blood-flow to the legs, which increases the risk of gangrene and amputations.
Tobacco smoke can hang in the air for up to five hours, exposing those passing through to an increase in respiratory diseases, cancers and reduced lung function.
It is better never to start smoking because it is known to be difficult to end the cycle. Smoking cessation is possible and it has huge health benefits.
A Severe Weather Alert was issued by the Cape Town Weather Office as follows:
Hazard: Heavy Rain
Alert Level: Watch Valid From (SAST): 27/05/2019 – 16h00 Valid To (SAST): 27/05/2019 – 23h00
Area: Expected over the eastern mountainous regions of the Garden Route late afternoon today into the evening (Monday).
Description: Flooding / Heavy Rain
Flooding occurs when water overflows its normal channels such as streams and storm water drains. It can occur with prolonged period of rain, with continuous heavy falls or in the form of flash floods which are usually associated with severe thunderstorms. Heavy rain may also result in river flooding causing damage downstream to areas that may receive no rainfall at all during the flooding event.
Precautions: Flooding / Heavy Rain
If possible stay indoors and off the roads, avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above your ankles.
If trapped in flooding in a vehicle, abandon it and climb to higher ground. In buildings, move valuables to a safe place above the expected flood level.
Switch off electricity at the supply point to the building.
In rural areas protect/relocate animals to a safe place on higher ground. Abandon your home immediately if evacuation is recommended, before access is cut off by flood water.
NEVER drive on a road covered by water. You do not know how deep it is or if the road has been washed away. If the vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground.
Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to recognize flood dangers.
Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
Report any incidents to the Garden Route DM Disaster Management Centre at: 044-805 5071
NOTICE OF SUPPLIER OPEN DAY TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 22 MAY 2019 AT THE THUSONG CENTRE IN RIVERSDALE
The Hessequa Municipality in collaboration with the Provincial Treasury and the Garden Route District Municipality is hosting a SUPPLIER OPEN DAY at Hessequa Municipality.
The aim of the Supplier Open Day is to invite prospective providers of goods and services to apply for listing as accredited prospective providers and to provide information on procurement opportunities. The aim is to provide information to emerging local suppliers through the District Municipality, Provincial Treasury and other role players such as SEDA and SARS. Local suppliers are hereby invited to attend the Open Day to promote and equip their business more successfully.
In-depth sessions will take place with the following commodities:
• Catering and Security Awareness
• Central Supplier Database / Western
Cape Supplier database registrations Supplier Open Day takes place on:
DATE: Wednesday, 22 May 2019
LOCATION: Thusong Centre, Van den Berg Street Riversdale
TIME: 08:00 -16: 00
Interested Service Providers within the Hessequa Region should contact the Hessequa Municipality Supply Chain Management Unit for any queries contact:
“Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success”
What Is Internal Auditing?
Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organisation’s operations.
Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Internal Audit Team affiliates with the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIA SA). The IIA SA is part of an international network representing the interests of Internal Auditors worldwide.
As part of this international network, the IIA SA upholds and supports the fundamental principles of the profession – its Code of Ethics, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards) and International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF).
Why International Internal Auditors Month?
The IIA SA encourages its members, chapters and institutes around the world to actively promote internal auditing’s value during the month of May.
Annually, and especially during the month of May, the following misconceptions about the role of an internal auditor, are addressed:
 Myth #1: Internal auditors are accountants by training
There is an obvious grain of truth in this myth as an accounting background can be helpful for a career in internal auditing. However, internal auditors commonly address fraud risks, compliance issues, and a myriad of operational issues that are unrelated to accounting, therefore the auditors’ backgrounds are likely to be as diverse as the operations they audit.
A recent survey by IIA SA indicated that executives are now recruiting applicants with analytical/critical thinking ability, data mining skills, business acumen, and information technology skills more frequently than applicants with training in accounting.
Myth #2: Auditors are nit-pickers and fault-finders
At the heart of several jokes about internal auditors is the misperception that internal auditors are dead-set on picking apart processes and ruining the reputations of the people who do the “real work”.
In reality, internal audit’s focus is on major risks rather than on nit-picked issues. Audit resources are limited and when auditors focus too much attention on minor issues, they are limiting the time available for addressing the major risks and controls that are at the heart of the audit.
Any auditor would rather report on major cost savings than a minor error.
Myth #3: It’s best not to tell the auditors anything unless they specifically ask
This myth can be actively damaging, it results in less efficient audits and wastes everyone’s time.
If auditors believe that their clients are purposefully hiding information, whether by omission or commission, they will normally increase the scope of the audit to determine whether other important information has gone unreported.
The purpose of internal auditing is to add value and improve an organisation’s operations, and hiding information is against everyone’s best interests.
Myth #4: Internal auditors select certain audits and use standard checklists
This myth is less true with each passing year. Professional standards require risk-based plans to determine our priorities, both in developing audit plans and in planning individual audits. Obviously some risks justify repeat audits on a regular basis and there are certain types of audits required by regulators (e.g. compliance reviews). But in general, internal auditing has become a dynamic profession that changes as an organisation’s risks change.
Myth #5: Internal audit is the corporate police function
In my opinion, the best auditors are almost always those who create a relationship with audit customers. When an auditor’s behaviour is accusing or aggressive, they are far more likely to be met with resistance rather than when they treat findings as an opportunity to assist in accomplishing objectives and facilitate improvement.
“Changing perceptions takes time but with collaborated efforts, we can break down these stereotypes. Our profession’s image is rapidly improving but more work has to be done to enhance our stakeholders’ understanding of our profession. Each of us can help to re-shape these myths and misperceptions through sharing pertinent information” said Lufele.
INTERNAL AUDITING = ASSURANCE, INSIGHT AND OBJECTIVITY
Council and management rely on internal auditors for insight and objective assurance, ensuring that existing internal controls are adequate to mitigate the organisation’s risks, governance and risk management processes are optimised. Lastly, internal auditors provide assurance and consultation services to assist the organisation in achieving its goals and strategic objectives as stipulated in the Integrated Development Plan.
True Professionals
Internal auditors have to be well-disciplined in their craft. The GRDM Internal Auditing team embodies this workmanship through a commitment to growth, development and fulfilling their roles and responsibilities effectively. Acting Chief Audit Executive, Ms Pamela Lufele said: “To fulfil our roles effectively, we must be alert about emerging issues and quick to react with long-lasting solutions. My team has business acumen and critical thinking skills required of the job. It’s certainly not easy, but for these skilled and competent professionals, it’s all in a day’s work.”
“Last but not least, we would like to convey our gratitude to the GRDM Council, management and Audit Committee for entrusting us with this great responsibility and for the tremendous support they have afforded us through the years,” said Lufele.
Garden Route District Municipality’s fire fighters have departed from the Ruitersbos area. Cape Nature and Witfontein Working on Fire crew members will continue with mopping-up operations and will monitor the area for any flare-ups.
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Garden Route Fire Update, Ruitersbos 2019/05/14 @ 11:00
Affected area stretching over approximately 6 hectares. The wildfire is reported to be under control and not posing a threat to life or infrastructure.
Role players / teams on the scene:
Garden Route DM
Mossel Bay Municipality
Cape Nature
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Garden Route Fire Update, Ruitersbos 2019/05/14 @ 10:00
Mossel Bay Fire Services requested assistance from Garden Route District Municipality Fire Services.
Initial Response:
5 Crew
1 Skid Unit
1 Medium Pumper
Speaker of Garden Route District Municipality, Cllr Eleanore Bouw-Spies, recently donated R5 000.00 to the South Cape / Karoo Nursing College in celebration of International Nurses’ Day – 12 May 2019. The funds will be used for a recreational area for Nurses and Students.
Speaker Bouw-Spies sharing a moment with to first to forth year nursing students at the South Cape/Karoo Nursing school in commemoration of International Nurses Day.
“From the bottom of my heart, we thank you for your dedication and hard work, we thank you for looking after others’ health with care, we thank you for your tenderness and care when dealing with your patients,” said Cllr Bouw-Spies.
Management, lecturers and students during the event, after Speaker Bouw-Spies extended a word of gratitude to them for their continuous hard work and commitment.
Speaker also thanked Nurses for “keeping Florence Nightingale’s legacy alive and for always remembering the Nurses Pledge of Service”.
It was once again a glorious occasion for the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Fire Fighters, when they walked away in victory after winning the International Fire Fighters Day (IFFD) Challenge the past weekend. Overstrand Municipality ended up in the second place and Overberg District Municipality third.
Municipal Manager of Garden Route District Municipality, Mr Monde Stratu, shared a special moment with the team to congratulate them personally. FLTR: Mr Emile Conrad (left), Mr Hein Leslie (2nd left), Mr Armien Bailey (2nd right) and Mr Edwin Lottering (right). Mr Bennie van Vuuren could not be present during the photograph session.
The competition took place in Stellenbosch from 3 to 5 May 2019 and was hosted by the Stellenbosch Municipality at “Die Braak. This main purpose of the event was to acknowledge the significance of firefighters in the Western Cape Province and it also placed emphasis on the remembrance of fire fighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
After the Communication Unit of GRDM spoke to the firefighters about their preparation for the competition, it became evident that no competition-focused practice sessions took place prior to the event, as all firefighters have to be fit at all time, to effectively perform their duties on a daily basis.
Mr Emile Conrad, captain of the crew (left), Municipal Manager of Garden Route District Municipality, Mr Monde Stratu (middle), and Mr Hein Leslie, Leader of the Garden Route District Municipality team (right).
A team member who participates in competitions of this standard must show outstanding skills such as endurance, determination, to be focused and to have consistent strength. Participants resembled all these characteristics throughout the six challenges. The format of the event also included a parade through the streets, a ceremony to honor the lives of the fire fighters who passed away in their line of duty and squad drilling to depict the importance of the firefighters in society. Approximately 1500 people attended the event.
Senior Fire fighter, Mr Emile Conrad, is well-known for being the South African Toughest Fire fighter Alive and for his top performance at the all related competitions. For Senior Fire fighter, Mr Edwin Lottering, it was his nineth year of participation in competitions of this nature and therefore his skills and previous experience contributed greatly to their success. For Mr Hein Leslie (team leader), it was a third experience, for Mr Bennie van Vuuren’s, a third and for Mr Armien Bailey a second. The skill and knowledge of these participants, as well as their level of commitment and strength complemented each other to be able to achieve the outcome of their participation.
When sharing their overall experience of the competition, Mr Conrad said that he drew inspiration from how all firefighters came together to unite for one purpose, but also from seeing how firefighters which are already known to one another due to past competition participation, encouraged and motivated each other. On the other hand, Mr Bailey highlighted: “Seeing that I grew up in Stellenbosch, it was a privilege for me to notice that the residents from my home town saw the progress in me as firefighter, as all challenges were firefighting-related – it was indeed encouraging and it kept me going”.
The Garden District Municipality council, management and staff extended messages to the participants before, throughout and after the competition, to share their support with the team members. Congratulations once again to Heinrich Leslie as team leader, Emile Conrad (crew captain), Edwin Lottering, Armien Bailey and Bennie van Vuuren for making the entire Garden Route district proud!
The South African Toughest Fire Fighter Alive competition is expected to take place in Cape Town from 20 to 21 September 2019 and the GRDM team, if considered, is ready to participate in the competition.
The annual Africa’s Travel Indaba took place from 2 – 4 May 2019 at the Durban Exhibition Centre in Kwazulu Natal. This year, the Garden Route and Klein Karoo Regional Tourism Office attended the three-day tourism Indaba at the Cape Town and Western Cape stand, together with the regional tourism offices in the Western Cape. The highlight for the region was that WESGRO in conjunction with South African Tourism facilitated a Post Indaba Tour to the Garden Route and Klein Karoo, which took place from Sunday, 5 May 2019.
Five (5) international tour operators/hosted buyers, mainly from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Germany arrived in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo region on Sunday for a three-day educational of the region. The tour and itinerary was coordinated through the regional tourism offices in collaboration with the local tourism offices in the region. The aim of the Post Indaba Tour is to give buyers a taste of the GRKK, to showcase what the region has to offer as a tourist destination, in order for the buyers to promote the region to potential visitors from abroad and also to include the region in their tour packages.
Just like the previous years, the 2019 Indaba re-affirmed itself as one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar and as one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global tourism market.
The safe transport, handling, use and disposal of hazardous chemicals and receptacles, are of crucial importance to the general health and well-being of members of the public, and the environment as a whole.
Different legislation covers the subject of hazardous substances in South Africa and the aim of this  article is  to focus broadly on the HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ACT of 1973 (ACT 15 OF 1973).
The HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ACT, 1973 (ACT 15 OF 1973) deals specifically with the following issues namely:
Licensing;
Conditions of sale;
Keeping of records;
Labelling; and
Disposal of empty containers.
1. Licensing
All manufacturers, importers, wholesale distributors, registered pharmacists and general dealers of Group 1 hazardous substances, must be in possession of a valid license which is renewable annually. Group 1 hazardous substance, which are listed in the act, are extremely toxic and / or corrosive substances with mostly rapid chemical reactions and shall be locked separately from articles of food and drink in an enclosed space reserved solely for the hazardous substance.
The departments of Agriculture as well as National and Provincial Health, are responsible for the issuing of licenses. The Municipal Environmental Practitioners are responsible to ensure that all cases of poisoning are investigated, as soon as they are notified of any incident.
2. Conditions of sale
All sales must take place at the address mentioned in the license and under control of the person mentioned therein.
All containers must be securely closed, free from leaks and of sufficient strength to withstand rough handling and preclude any loss of content.
Keeping of records
Stock records should reflect the name and quantity of the substance, date of importation or acquisition, name of the supplier and whether the substance will be used for mining, or industrial purposes or to a wholesale distributor, a bona fide laboratory, research institution, teaching institution, government department, agricultural company or any other user. Records and invoices of sales must be kept for a period of 3 years.
Labelling
Information that should reflect on a label must show the chemical name of the product or substances contained therein, the name and address of the supplier, a skull and crossbones symbol with the words “poison” and “keep out of reach of children”. The label and lettering is prescribed in the legislation, as well as directives regarding the disposal of empty containers. Risks involved using the substance, precautions and first aid treatment must be conspicuously labeled.
Disposal of empty containers
Certain categories of hazardous substances empty containers must be returned to the manufacturer under very specific conditions. Other low risk containers can be perforated, flattened and buried at a hazardous land fill site. Empty containers that contained foodstuffs, cosmetics or disinfectants can never be used as containers for hazardous substances. Municipal Environmental Practitioners play a critical role in ensuring that all hazardous and medical waste are stored and disposed of in a safe and effective manner according to international norms and standards.
Hazardous substances can and should be handled as prescribed by legislation. This will ensure that our environment and loved ones are not negatively affected by the use of such substances. It is thus imperative, that we also make use of the above mentioned principles in our homes and workplace.
For more information, please contact the GRDM Municipal Health Section at 044Â 803 1550.
