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Integrated Planning & Economic Development

Executive Manager

Mr Lusanda Menze
Executive Manager:  Integrated Planning and Economic Development

Tel: 044 803 1300
E-mail:  info@gardenroute.gov.za

The Executive Manager of Integrated Planning and Economic Development manages and oversees that the following municipal functions are executed:

  • District Property, Resort Management and Maintenance.
  • Extended Public Works initiatives and Programmes (EPWP), Tourism and District Economic Development Services.
  • Human Settlements
  • Integrated Development Planning.
  • Shared Services

Job Creation, EPWP, Tourism & DED Services

Section: Tourism and District Economic Development Services
Richard Dyantyi (Manager: Job Creation, EPWP, Tourism and District Economic Development Services)

Tel: 044 803 1300
E-mail: rdyantyi@gardenroute.gov.za

Ensure that efficient management and pro-active strategic service are provided to the District, which includes the following functions:

  • EPWP
  • Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism
  • District Economic Development

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Manage, monitor and evaluate EPWP progress across sectors;
  • Manage and report on all EPWP project sites & adherrence to safety aspects;
  • Manage the national MIS/RIS system;
  • Identify EPWP best practices and manage quarterly beneficiary survey on the impact of EPWP on the alleviation of poverty and reducing unemployment within the district;
    EPWP project coordination in the region;
  • Promote integrated Rural Development and Social upliftment with the purpose of improving the quality of life of rural communities;
  • Liaise with all government spheres regarding activities, projects and interventions in rural nodes in terms of the DRDLR Guidelines;
  • Advocate the inclusiveness of rural communities within Agri-Park implementation;
  • The responsibility of the Manager: Tourism and District Economic Development Services, is to oversee the identification of the key deliverables and goals detailed in the Master Plan / Sector Plans within the DED, GRDM’s IDP in respect of promoting district economic aspects in the region;
  • Oversee the identification of the key deliverables and goals detailed in Sector Plans within Tourism, GRDM’s IDP in respect of promoting Tourism aspects in the region.
  • Manage the review and coordination of the Tourism marketing and development strategy for the region.
  • Coordinate and facilitate key applications and procedures associated with the identification, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the effectiveness of Local Economic Development (LED) initiatives, programmes and projects in creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurship and business development and job creation
  • Commitment to supporting B-municipal LED units in terms of carrying out and achieving the objectives of the above mandate, creating and sharing linkages and networks in order to leverage opportunities for economic growth and development.
  • Capacitating citizens, community-based organizations, businesses and other interest groups towards achieving sustainable ways to meet social, economic and material needs and improve quality of life.
  • Promoting and positioning the Garden Route and Klein Karoo region as a preferred tourist destination;
  • Coordinate the tourism marketing activities in the region;
  • Coordinate the development of marketing materials, e.g. brochures, videos, social media, website and products that involve tourism information to keep domestic and international tourists informed;
  • Coordinate the exhibiting at tourism exhibitions, networking sessions and educationals; and
  • Implement the Tourism Marketing and Development strategy in the region.

IDP Services

District Integrated Development Planning, Intergovernmental Relations and Public Participation
Mercy James (Manager: IDP, IGR and PP)
Tel:  044 803 1300
E-mail:  info@gardenroute.gov.za

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Develop and manage IDP plans for Garden Route District Municipality;
  • Coordinate IDP in the district;
  • Manage the Intergovernmental Relations function; and
  • Manage the Public Participation Function and Coordinate it on a district level.

Project Management, District Property & Resort Management and Maintenance

Project Management, Property Management, Maintenance and Resorts Services
Dzivhuluwani Mashila (Manager: Project Management, Property Management, Maintenance and Resorts Services)
Tel: 044 803 1300
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Manage and control Council’s property portfolio, including but not limited to town planning functions;
  • Manage and coordinate short term leases of all properties – liaise with legal and finance;
  • District spatial planning functions as required by SPLUMA – coordinating role;
  • Manage and coordinate, implement the municipal tribunals for the district, as required by SPLUMA;
  • Manage and coordinate the Council’s resorts;
  • Responsible for the alignment and integration of the Garden Route DM Spatial Development Framework (SDF) with Garden Route DM Integrated Development Planning (IDP) – in support of the Garden Route DM IDP Manager – SDFs of the B Municipalities and the Provincial SDF;
  • Responsible for planning coordination and implementation of relevant assigned catalytic  projects as identified in the approved Garden Route District SDF and the relevant integration with the Integrated Development Plan of Garden Route District Municipality;
  • Responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of relevant approved projects assigned to the PMU as identified in the Growth and Development Strategy of Garden Route District Municipality;
  • Coordinating relevant Green Energy initiatives and approved projects of the Garden Route District Municipality, including engaging with relevant key stakeholders and arranging a Garden Route Green Energy Summit as a platform for the Garden Route District to engage with relevant Key Stakeholders to define relevant challenges and opportunities within the Green Energy space; and
  • Manage and coordinate the implementation of the infrastructure maintenance plan.

Human Settlements

Section: Human Settlements
Joel V Mkunqwana (Manager: Human Settlements) & Shehaam Sims (Manager: Human Settlements)

The GRDM plays a strategic role in advancing sustainable and integrated human settlements. In partnership with the Western Cape Government Department of Infrastructure and other stakeholders, GRDM ensures the successful planning and implementation of housing projects in well-located areas.

Key initiatives include:

  • Integrated Human Settlements Policy Framework – Guides affordable housing delivery, spatial integration, and partnerships with accredited social housing developers.
  • Human Settlements Sector Plan (HSS) Review – Aligns housing strategies with national policies and targets 30,000 housing units over 30 years.
  • Social Housing Pilot Projects – Ongoing developments in George and Mossel Bay to provide affordable rental housing.
  • Database Development – A comprehensive registry to track housing demand and inform future projects.
  • Incentive Policy Scheme – Encourages private sector investment in housing development.

Through these efforts, GRDM promotes socio-economic inclusion and sustainable community development across the district.

Performance Management

Individual Performance Management, Policy Research and Development
Nontobeko Klaas (Manager: Individual Performance Management, Policy Research and Development)

Tel: 044 803 1300
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za

The Unit is responsible for rolling out individual performance for the GRDM. This unit also manages research, development, and coordination of policies in a municipal context. This includes conducting policy research, providing analytical and interpretive input, and contributing to effective policy and strategy development. The Unit also coordinates and develops models in response to specific policy needs, manages research projects, and monitors project deliverables.

The Unit requires administrative duties such as updating policy registers and it is required to submit assessment reports on policies to the management committee and council and prepare items to be tabled to the Council.

Organisational Performance Management
Ilse Abrahams (Performance Manager)

Tel: 044 803 1300
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za

Organisational Performance

A Performance Management System can be defined as a strategic approach to management, which equips councillors, managers, employees and stakeholders at different levels with a set of tools and techniques to regularly plan, continuously monitor, periodically measure and review performance of the organisation in terms of indicators and targets for efficiency, effectiveness and impact. This system will, therefore, in turn, ensure that all the councillors, managers and individuals in the municipality are held accountable for their actions which should bring about improved service delivery and value for money.

Performance management is aimed at ensuring that municipalities monitor their IDPs and continuously improve their operations and regarding Section 19 of the Local Government Municipal Structures Act (MSA), that they annually review their overall performance in achieving their constitutional objectives. The performance management system can assist to make a significant contribution to organisational and individual performance. The system is designed to improve strategic focus and organisational effectiveness through continually seeking to improve the performance of the municipality as a whole and the individuals in it.

Individual Performance

The performance of a municipality is integrally linked to that of staff. It is therefore important to link organisational performance to individual performance and to manage both at the same time, but separately.

Although legislation requires that the municipal manager, and managers directly accountable to the municipal manager, sign formal performance contracts, it is also a requirement that all employees have performance plans.  These must be aligned with the individual performance plan of the head of the directorate and job descriptions. In this way, all employees are working towards a common goal. It is, however,  the responsibility of the employer, to create an environment, which the employees can deliver the objectives and the targets set for them in their performance plans and job descriptions.