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19 March 2026 Media Release: Garden Route Skills Mecca and ETDP SETA Launch Major Tech Training Initiative for Western Cape Youth

Media Release: Garden Route Skills Mecca and ETDP SETA Launch Major Tech Training Initiative for Western Cape Youth

For immediate release
19 March 2026

Garden Route District Municipality and ETDP SETA Continue Skills Training to ensure Youth are Future-ready

The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM), a programme of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has continued its strategic collaboration with the Education Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) to roll out 230 specialised training opportunities for youth across the Western Cape.

This initiative focuses on equipping young people with critical-future skills through two key programmes: Cyber Security Training (115 participants) and Technopreneur Training (115 participants).

The GRDM allocated 115 of these opportunities to the Hessequa area, while a further 115 are dedicated to the Overberg district. In a show of inter-district cooperation, the GRSM team will be providing direct implementation assistance to the Overberg district to the west of the region, for this rollout.

This launch follows the successful implementation of the same programme in the Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, and Bitou municipal areas in the past. By expanding into Hessequa and the Overberg district, the partnership continues to bridge the digital divide and foster economic independence among the province’s youth.

Induction and Implementation Schedule

The programme is already gaining significant momentum with high levels of engagement during the induction phase:

  • Hessequa region: Inductions took place on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, across Albertinia, Riversdale, and Heidelberg. These sessions were well-attended at all three venues.
  • Hessequa: Slangrivier: A successful induction session was kicked off on 18 March 2026, with strong representation from local youth.
  • Overberg District: Induction sessions are scheduled for the wee k of 23 March 2026, supported by the GRSM Team.

Comprehensive training for all participants is scheduled to officially commence during the first week of April 2026.

Programme Duration and Support

The training program is designed as a six-month intensive course, running from April to September 2026. To ensure participants can fully commit to their professional development, all learners enrolled in the programme will receive a monthly stipend for the duration of the training.

Through this partnership, the ETDP SETA and GRSM remain committed to transforming the Garden Route into a hub of digital excellence and entrepreneurial innovation.

Feature Image: Reginald Salmons, Training and Skills Development Coordinator at GRDM addressing the youth in Hessequa during the induction sessions.

ENDS

16 March 2026 Media Release: Greening Townships Key to Surviving Rising Heat

Media Release: Greening Townships Key to Surviving Rising Heat

For immediate release
16 March 2026

“Given the rising temperatures across the region, serious consideration should be given to greening townships, schools and crèches where people have little protection from the blazing sun,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

“Shade provided by trees can bring much-needed relief, and greening projects should become a budgeted priority for municipalities as part of long-term climate change adaptation and planning.” In many communities there is little escape from extreme heat, particularly for children and the elderly, making urban greening an important public health intervention.

Heatwaves and extremely hot, dry conditions are currently affecting communities across the Garden Route interior. From Uniondale to Ladismith in Kannaland, drought conditions persist and residents are increasingly feeling the pressure of limited water supplies.

According to residents in De Rust, the town’s water supply is presently not suitable for drinking, highlighting the vulnerability of smaller towns during prolonged dry periods. While the Garden Route interior is accustomed to hot summers, many residents say this season has been particularly severe, with sustained high temperatures and little rainfall.

Weather forecasts indicate there is little prospect of substantial rainfall before April, and possibly even later. In recent weeks parts of the Western Cape have recorded temperatures approaching 50°C, reinforcing concerns that predicted climate change impacts and shifting rainfall patterns are becoming a reality.

Water shortages remain a grave concern not only for households but also for agriculture and the broader regional economy. Farming communities depend heavily on seasonal rainfall, and prolonged drought threatens both livelihoods and food production.

A high quality of life is not feasible without reliable potable water supplies. While communities wait for seasonal change, residents are urged to heed water-use restrictions and to use water responsibly wherever possible. Long-term climate adaptation measures will become increasingly important as temperatures rise and water scarcity becomes more common.

GREF is a public platform for environmental managers and a climate change think- tank (www.grefecsf.co.za)

ENDS

12 March 2026 Media Release: GRDM and stakeholders hand over Pistol Filling Machine worth R30 000 to Natural African Queen

Media Release: GRDM and stakeholders hand over Pistol Filling Machine worth R30 000 to Natural African Queen

For immediate release
12 March 2026

During the 2024/2025 financial year, through the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise) programme, Natural African Queen, applied for a Pistol Filling Machine to grow her Oudtshoorn based business that specialises in skin and haircare products.

Two days ago on 10 March 2026, the machine was officially handed over to brand owners, Nirvana and Henricus Gysman in Oudtshoorn, to improve product output and speed up the overall production operations of their business.

Ms Gysman received a proof of purchase envelop at the 2024/2025 MSME Support and Development Programmes’ hand-over ceremony that took place in August 2025.  The machine took 120 working days to be manufactured, excluding the December 2025 shutdown period, resulting in approximately six months of manufacturing.

The Pistol Filling Machine worth R30 000, is a specialised machine procured through the service provider, Casidra, and handed over by the GRDM Executive Mayor, Marais Kruger, on behalf of GRDM, in collaboration with representatives from the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and Casidra.

In addition, GRDM Portfolio Chairperson: District Economic Development and Tourism, Ald. Rosina Ruiters, shared congratulatory words to the Gysman couple saying: “We as a District Municipality through this project helps the MSMEs of the Garden Route to give them a boost and with that we extend words of appreciation to our partners SEDFA and Casidra”. In closing her remarks, Ruiters highlighted that “when all stakeholders leave this premises here today, all the efforts of the partners to procure and hand over the machine to Natural African Queen, will be worth it”.

Branch Manager of SEDFA serving the Garden Route and Central Karoo District, Quinton Coetzee emphasised that a business is about partnerships – we should build strong relationships with partners and stakeholders – a community, almost as if you go back to school. “Of the contribution that we plan to make, we have already invested 5% into the initiative and now we want to witness it grow,” Coetzee added. Warren Marcus, Senior Project Manager at Casidra, extended a congratulatory message with the Gysman couple and highlighted that “we are excited that the machine is now handed over African Natural Queen and we believe it will contribute significantly to the growth of the business”.

Mayor Kruger in the presence of Ald. Rosina Ruiters, stakeholders and officials, handed over the machine to Ms Gysman, to increase the business’s productivity contributing to the overall economic growth of Oudtshoorn and the Garden Route district. During his address, Mayor Kruger highlighted that it is heartwarming for the GRDM to know that “we could contribute to a business that knows what they are doing, what they want and how they want to grow and see the future of the brand”. In addition, Mayor Kruger stated that for GRDM to invest in your brand, “will not only make your production more efficient, but will also expand opportunities for the business and enlarge your world, ensuring that your production move forward”. In addition, Mayor Kruger expressed his excitement on behalf of GRDM to walk the journey with African Natural Queen.

Gysman admitted that it is an emotional moment for her when she explained how it all started in her mother’s kitchen with only 10 small bottles and at the time. In conclusion she said: “When we discovered that the business had the potential to grow as it changed the lives of people, especially people with health/skin challenges such as alopecia, we moved forward and expanded our brand”. For these reasons, Gysman expressed her gratitude to all stakeholders involved in providing the machine to African Natural Queen.

GRDM continuously prioritises small businesses in the district and, through the MSME Programme, envisages, with partners, to reach more businesses to improve the lives of people in the district while contributing to the growth of the Garden Route economy.

Gallery

ENDS

09 March 2026 Disposal of the dead: Transportation of Human Remains

Media Release: Disposal of the dead: Transportation of Human Remains

For immediate release
09 March 2026

The transportation of human remains to and from areas is a occurs regularly, resulting from urbanisation and family members being dispersed across South Africa and neighbouring countries.

Transportation of bodies from the Garden Route district to areas outside the boundaries of the district, takes place by either registered funeral undertakers, private individuals or public transport provided that the criteria are met as legislated.

Disposal of the dead also known as Management of human remains, are one of the nine (9) Municipal Health / Environmental Health functions assigned to Local Government in terms of the National Health Act 2003 (Act 61 of 2003).

Desmond Paulse, Garden Route District Municipality’s Manager for Municipal Health in the Klein Karoo, said that legislation utilised by the Municipal Health section to regulate management of humans remains, is Regulation 363 promulgated under the National Health Act. Paulse further added that “the Management of human remains involves the handling, storage, preparation and transportation of the human body after passing.

How are human remains transported.

  • Human remains can only be transported in a manner that does not endanger public health.
  • Coffins should be leak-proof and free of offensive odours during transportation with public transport.
  • If a private vehicle is solely used for the transportation of human remains, the vehicle in terms of the National Health Act, should be in possession of a COC.
  • If the person at the time of their passing suffered from an infectious disease which can transmit even after death, the funeral undertakers transporting the body should adhere to the requirements set out in Regulation 363 and accompanied by a declaration from a medical practitioner.

The following documents should accompany the body during transportation:

  • Death Certificate
  • Burial order
  • Transport certificate to be issued by the SAPS

The transportation of human remains is a regulated and procedurally sensitive undertaking that requires strict adherence to the applicable legislation to preserve public health.

END

09 March 2026 Opportunities: 115 x Garden Route Skills Mecca Programme in Cyber Security

Opportunities: 115 x Garden Route Skills Mecca Programme in Cyber Security

Notice number: 18/2026

Garden Route District Municipality invites unemployed persons, male or female, residing within the Hessequa Municipal area, to apply for Cyber Security training opportunities as part of a Garden Route Skills Mecca Initiative. Opportunities are available in the following towns, with allocations divided equally:

115 GARDEN ROUTE SKILLS MECCA OPPORTUNITIES: SKILLS PROGRAMME IN CYBER SECURITY

Skills Programme: Cyber Security Programme

Minimum Requirements: 
• Matric / NQF Level 4 Qualification
• Mathematics 40% OR Mathematical Literacy 50%
• English as the language subject

Opportunities: x115

Areas / Towns covered:
– Witsand;
– Slangrivier;
– Heidelberg;
– Riversdale (incl. Garcia & Vermaaklikheid);
– Still Bay (incl. Melkhoutfontein);
– Albertinia;
– Gouritsmond (including Bitouville).

Stipends will be paid for the duration of the programmes and must be used for meals, accommodation and travel
costs.

Applicants must apply using the GRDM online system called Unemployed Solutions (red button) found at
https://skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za/.

THE GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY WILL ONLY CONSIDER APPLICATIONS COMPLETED IN FULL AND IF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN ATTACHED:
– A copy of South African ID Document certified within last three months.
– A copy of highest educational qualifications certified within last three months.
– An updated copy of your CV that confirms previous work experience.

For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Renola Abrahams at 028 713 7842  / renola@hessequa.gov.za /or Dineo Ramasesane at dineo@gardenroute.gov.za at 044 803 1447 or Lelethu Jantjie at 044 803 1456 / lelethu@gardenroute.gov.za during office hours only.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months of the
closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.

Closing date: 13 MARCH 2026

06 March 2026 Public Notice: Garden Route District Municipality Spatial Development Framework (2025) – Adopted

Public Notice: Garden Route District Municipality Spatial Development Framework (2025) – Adopted

Notice Number: 12/2026

Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 18 (1) of the Land Use Planning Act (Act 3 of 2014), that the Spatial Development Framework 2025 of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) was adopted at a Council meeting held on 25 February 2026.

The above-mentioned document is available on the GRDM’s website at www.gardenroute.gov.za.

MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P O Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel: 044 803 1300
Notice Number: 12/2026

05 March 2026 Save the Date: Notice of a Special Council Meeting, 12 March 2026 – 11:00

Notice of a Special Council Meeting, 12 March 2026, 11:00

Notice Number: 17/2026

Notice is hereby given that a SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers, 54 York Street, George and via Zoom, on 12 March 2026 at 11:00.

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03M0goZzF20

04 March 2026 Update 14 – Gwaiing Road Construction Works, George

Update 14 – Gwaiing Road Construction Works, George

04 March 2026

The road project is anticipated to be completed by the end of March 2026.

The project incurred some delays as a result of the recent rainfall which delayed the curing and drying process of the layerworks.

The final gravel layer on the left hand side (LHS) lane has been processed and the team is awaiting the laboratory test results of the soil samples taken. As soon as the layer is approved, the final bituminous seal is ready to be placed on the lane. Once the LHS lane has been sealed, the road markings will be painted and all road signage will be erected.

The Concrete team is in the process of completing all concrete works on the site, and the final shaping of the road shoulders are also in progress.

ENDS

04 March 2026 Media Release: GRDM Engages Schools and Communities in Fight Against Waste and Illegal Dumping

Media Release: GRDM Engages Schools and Communities in Fight Against Waste and Illegal Dumping

04 March 2026

During February, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Waste Management Section continued rolling out its Green School Program by introducing a new colour-coded bin system at participating schools across the district.

The programme aims to strengthen waste minimisation education and encourage environmental awareness among learners. After all, waste minimisation starts with awareness and action. By equipping schools with the right tools and knowledge to manage waste responsibly, we are empowering learners to become champions of sustainability in their own households and communities.

On 12 February, GRDM, in collaboration with the Bitou Municipality, visited two schools in the Bitou Municipal area to introduce the program. The following day, on 13 February, GRDM collaborated with Landmark to hand over 85 recycling boxes to Outeniqua High School.  These boxes will enable learners to separate waste directly in their classrooms, making recycling part of their daily routine.

The following week, on 18 February, the GRDM Waste Management Section, in collaboration with the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, extended the programme to three schools in the Hessequa Municipal area, reaching more than 700 learners.

Learners were taught how to separate waste correctly, followed by interactive Q&A sessions to test their understanding. They also practised identifying the correct waste streams for each colour-coded bin, reinforcing the importance of responsible waste management in a practical and engaging way.

“GRDM would like to acknowledge POLYCO, MPACT, and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (Western Cape Government) for partnering with us to ensure the success of this programme. The Green School Program is a GRDM-led initiative that promotes sustainability through practical education, hands-on activities, and partnerships. The programme focuses on waste minimisation and recycling and equips learners with the skills and values needed to make eco-conscious choices,” said Innocentia Sikweyiya, GRDM District Waste Management Officer.

In Hessequa, GRDM collaborates with the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR), a non-governmental organisation focused on biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and community engagement. In the George area, GRDM works in partnership with Landmark to support the implementation of the programme. Through these partnerships, the initiative introduces clearly marked bins for paper, plastic, metal/cans, and glass, making it easier for learners and staff to practise responsible waste separation

Illegal Dumping Silent Walk / March

On Friday, 27 February, the George Local Municipality hosted a Silent March Against Illegal Dumping in Thembalethu. Though the march was silent, the collective message was loud and clear: illegal dumping has no place in our communities.

Led by the Executive Mayor of George and the Portfolio Head for Community Services, participants carried placards with powerful messages urging an end to illegal waste disposal. The march symbolized unity and determination to protect the environment and promote cleaner, healthier neighbourhoods.

The event concluded with closing remarks from the Garden Route District Municipality Waste Management Section (GRDM), highlighting the importance of collaboration between local government and communities in reclaiming our dignity and ensuring the right to live in a clean and healthy environment.

“Together, participants stood in silence, but their voices spoke volumes. Illegal dumping is unacceptable, and the commitment to building a cleaner, safer Thembalethu for all remains strong,” said Sikweyiya

-END-

Photos capturing some of the school visits and activities conducted across the district during February.