Author: Herman Pieters
22 August 2023 Public Notice: Notice of a combined MPAC/APAC Meeting on 29 August 2023 at 14h00
Public Notice: Notice of a combined MPAC/APAC Meeting on 29 August 2023 at 14h00
22 August 2023
Notice is hereby given that a Combined MPAC/APAC Meeting of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers and via Zoom, 54 York Street, George, on 29 August 2023 at 14:00.
MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P O Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel: 044 803 1300
Notice Number 118/2023
29 August 2023
Download the official notice here: Notice – Combined MPAC and APAC – 29 Aug 2023
8 August 2023 Media Release: GRDM officials engage key stakeholders in Fresh Produce Market development and more
Media Release: GRDM officials engage key stakeholders in Fresh Produce Market development and more
For Immediate Release
8 August 2023
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) officials were invited by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to meet and engage various stakeholders that are key stakeholders in the establishment, financing, and operations of fresh produce markets in South Africa. Various engagements were scheduled between 02 to 05 August 2023. The delegation was led by the GRDM Strategic Manager Thembani Loliwe.
The first meeting was held at the DTIC office in Pretoria where the GRDM delegation presented the status, progress and challenges, thus far, in the establishment of the Garden Route Fresh Produce Market. The main focus areas of these engagements were to look at all compliance requirements, funding sources, and the status of the current fresh produce markets in South Africa.
A very fruitful engagement was also held with the Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Market Council (NAMC). One of the critical matters raised by NAMC was around the ownership and operation of the fresh produce market. It was clear from the findings of various investigations done by this body, that the ownership and the operations are more effective when they are separated i.e. ownership rests with the Municipality but operations are performed via the corporatised model.
“For a state-of-the-art modern National Fresh Produce Market, an investment of between R 250 000 0000 and R 300 000 000 will be required,” said Thembani Loliwe.
It became clear that GRDM will not be in a position to finance such an operation with its own generated revenue. Various funding options were discussed and part of the resolutions of these engagements were to collectively work on a funding proposal that will be bankable and submitted to private and public funders.
Further to the boardroom discussion there were also site visits to some of the establishments and to observe the operations and the technology that is being used to run such businesses. All those involved agreed that there is a case for a Fresh Produce Market in the Garden Route region.
Other than Fresh Produce Market, further discussions were held around the revitalisation of our township economy – to create something similar to Vilikazi Street in Soweto. More discussions are planned to take this priority further with the City of Joburg (CoJ). CoJ showed interest in assisting GRDM in ensuring that it succeeds in empowering and uplifting the region’s township economy.
Collectively the following resolutions were taken:
• Formal feedback to GRDM Council (all stakeholders present at these engagements will be part of that);
• DTIC will provide technical inputs on the designs of the Fresh Produce Market;
• Visit the newly established Kei Bridge Fresh Produce Market;
• DTIC to facilitate a meeting with the HOD of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture;
• DTIC to assist GRDM with funding applications;
• DTIC facilitate a workshop with the possible funder for GRDM projects;
• Planned delegation to the Netherlands Fresh Produce Market in October 2023, possibly led by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.
Site visits were undertaken to CoJ, as well as the City of Tshwane around some of the similar critical infrastructure projects that GRDM is embarking on. These two city cities have been in operation, for decades and running similar projects that GRDM is planning.
GRDM believe that the National Fresh Produce Market can bring much-needed revenue for the GRDM. Such a facility can create much-needed employment for the region. Joburg and Tshwane are making a combined turnover of about R14 billion and employ more than 450 employees.
The visit was a huge success and the Municipal Manager will ensure that the above resolutions will be followed up.
Feature image: The delegation from GRDM during one of their engagements at the City of Johannesburg.
ENDS
1 August 2023 Media Release: The Garden Route remains a hub of agricultural exports
Media Release: The Garden Route remains a hub of agricultural exports
For Immediate Release
1 August 2023
The Garden Route is a region renowned for its natural beauty and diverse agricultural offerings. According to the latest data available to the District Economic Development Unit of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), the top ten exported products from the district collectively accounted for approximately 72.89% of the region’s total exports.
According to Ald. Memory Booysen, GRDM Executive Mayor: “A substantial share of exports, 25.05%, includes fresh apples, pears, and quinces”.
“These high-quality fruits are in demand worldwide. Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Egypt, for instance, are the largest importers of apples worldwide.”
“Coming in second at 18.76% are fresh or dried citrus fruits. The export of leather further prepared, after tanning or crusting contributes around 7.59% to the district’s export revenue,” said Booysen.
GRDM is also busy with the process to establish a fresh produce market for the Garden Route. At the moment, GRDM is on the lookout for land to purchase. This will be followed by a process of appointing a service provider to design the fresh produce market and drive additional processes. If the GRDM is able to have its own fresh produce market, it will also small-scale farmers to grow their businesses and create a more inclusive agricultural economy. This is in line with GRDM’s Growth and Development Strategy. Local producers will be able to supply produce to the regional market and save a lot of costs on transport and reduce greenhouse emissions.
The Garden Route is already known for its international agricultural footprint. One product, in particular, is the De Rustica Coratina Estate Collection Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The product achieved the prestigious Double Gold award during the 2023 Aurora International Taste Challenge, solidifying its status as the best in the world.
The top exported products also include canola, proteas, macadamia nuts, pomegranate, aloe cosmetic products, barley, wheat, gin, wine from Bitou & Kannaland, and live ostrich birds.
In addition to agriculture, the Garden Route excels in other industries, including boat building and furniture manufacturing, further contributing to the region’s economic growth.
While the Garden Route has achieved remarkable success in its export ventures, there are still challenges that need attention to unlock the district’s full potential. Some of the key challenges faced by industries include:
- Veterinary challenges with certification.
- Environmental/export Regulations on farming in other countries, such as the UK’s restrictions on citrus.
- Lack of value-adding for primary agricultural products despite high crop volumes.
- Connection to the power supply with competitive pricing.
- Lengthy permitting processes by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Cape Nature.
- Logistics to major ports and dry stock locations from the main centre.
- Absence of Southern Africa Development Community Free Trade benefits.
- Double charges on export and import duties on services, e.g., Botswana.
- Limited facilities for launching big boats and yachts.
- Challenges in marketing locally manufactured products.
The Garden Route authorities are addressing these challenges through a partnership with Seda, the Western Cape Departments of Agriculture and Local Government, creating platforms for market access at the Pop-Up markets in shopping malls and currently in the process of establishing an Agro-processing facility for honeybush, working towards creating a conducive environment for industries to thrive.
Other potential commodities and some already growing for export, include but are not limited to honeybush, sceletium, tea, olives, grape juice, kiwifruit, cannabis, and strawberries, along with services in the IT sector.
Feature image: Rows of apple trees laden with fruit in late Autumn in George area of Waboomskraal South Africa.
ENDS