20 July 2022 Media Release: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Media Release: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
For immediate release
20 July 2022
In celebration of the International Nelson Mandela Day, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) officials, including management and councillors, joined forces with the rest of the globe to reached the 2022 tagline of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, ‘Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are.’
GRDM day was filled with various activities, including gardening, cleaning, cooking and serving meals, maintenance and painting of classrooms, donating and handing out baby necessities and food parcels.
The GRDM Council and management wishes to express their gratitude to all officials who have in all cases used their personal funds to put a smile on the faces of community members, improve society, or have a significant impact on society during these difficult times.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela
The following is a brief summary of all the activities that took place at GRDM:
Offices of the Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality’s Office of the Municipal Manager visited the George Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD) in Pacaltsdorp to ‘redo’ a classroom, starting with painting the walls and ceiling, cleaning and redecorating the classroom with colourful curtains and interesting pictures. Officials were divided into two groups, and while one group was busy inside, the other planted several types of veggies outside to get the school to start becoming more food secure. The Speaker and some of the Portfolio Councillors also supported and attended this initiative.
Planning & Economic Development Services
During their 67-minute ‘community service’, officials of the Planning and Economic Development Department visited Kusile Baby Care in Thembalethu, George. These officials dedicated their time to paint the school. In addition, they donated plastic chairs, tables, party packs, and vegetable seeds to be planted at the school.
The Garden Route District Municipality’s George Financial Services Department visited the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) on Madiba Day to honor Nelson Mandela’s legacy. Officials donated dog and cat food during their visit.
The officials spent time walking, playing, socializing, and interacting with the pets.
Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Roads Services Department understands the importance of serving our communities and making sure our roads are safe and accessible. During their 67 minutes of ‘community service’ yesterday, these officials cleaned the playground that it is safe for the kids.
In celebration of International Nelson Mandela Day, GRDM Corporate Services officials served lunch (hotdogs) to toddlers at Toddlers Inn Crèche in Conville. Additionally, they donated much needed stationary and balls to the children. Children and adults played different ball games while waiting for lunch.
George Sub-office
“Giving is not just making a donation; it is making a difference”. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) EHPs from the Wilderness Region made an incredible difference at Bethesda – Child and Youth Care Centre in George when they celebrated Nelson Mandela Day. 34 parcels of toiletries, including toothbrushes, bath soap, sanitary towels, roll-on, nappies, wipes and body lotions were handed out to the facility in honour of the legacy of the late President Nelson Mandela.
Additionally, 34 snack parcels were also distributed to kids of diverse ages at the same facility, ranging from 2 to 17 years. To make the donation even more meaningful, educational books, toys, games, and bibles were also donated to Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre.
Bitou Sub-office
In commemoration of Mandela Day, EHPs from the Garden Route District Municipality’s Bitou sub- office, Zoleka Goniwe, Sophia Marthinus and Nokuphiwa Mbali visited the Protea Service Centre for the Elderly in Kranshoek. They spent 67 minutes serving food, cleaning and packing food parcels for the home-based elders. EHPs also contributed vegetables as part of this good cause!
Klein Karoo Region Sub-office
In honour of the 2022 Madiba day celebrations, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) from the Garden Route District Municipality in the Klein Karoo region donated gift packs containing toiletries, chips, and sweets to toddlers at De Kleine Zeekoe Créche in Oudtshoorn. The EHPs also performed a hand wash demonstration activity to the toddlers. Management and educators of the crèche expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the gesture.
The Garden Route District Municipality’s Disaster Management Team also did their part to honor Madiba’s legacy by packing soup packs for the winter with other organisations at the Garden Route Food Pantry. After that, the team dropped off blankets at the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and provided hot soup and blankets at the Homeless Shelter.
Blocked drains are usually one of the main causes of flooding in towns, so the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Firefighters in George, Riversdale and Ladismith decided to be proactive and spend their 67 minutes cleaning the drains and removing rubbish in their respective towns that may cause problems later.
Since the Victoria Bay Caravan Park Team enjoys the outdoors as well as their own resort, they decided to spend their 67 minutes cleaning their own resort.
Officials from Swartvlei and Victoria Bay Caravan Parks decided to dedicate their 67 minutes to 36 children from Gummy Bears Preschool in Sedgefield, by brightening up the little ones’ day with candy parcels. The smile on each child’s face was heart-warming to witness!
