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Author: Herman Pieters

Prestigious Wilderness Blue Flag Once Again to Fly during the 2018/19 Blue Flag Season 

Prestigious Wilderness Blue Flag Once Again to Fly during the 2018/19 Blue Flag Season 

The Garden Route District Municipality is proud to announce that the Wilderness Blue Flag beach has been awarded Pilot Status and will be flying its flag once again during the 2018/19 Blue Flag season. The Garden Route District Municipality, George Municipality and the South African National Parks (SANParks) are committed to the Blue Flag programme, and have put resources together to work towards the goal of achieving compliance of the Wilderness beach with the strict WESSA Blue Flag criteria, and together ensured the successful Pilot status achieved by the beach.

The official Wilderness season period will be running from the 1st of December 2018 to the 31st of January 2019. 

For the coming Blue Flag season, a total of 66 Blue Flags were awarded by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) nationally, consisting of 46 beaches, eight marinas and 12 sustainable tourism boats. Within the Garden Route District, the beaches that were awarded Blue Flag status were the Natures Valley, Singing Kettle, the Waves, the Dunes, the Lookout beach, Robberg 5 (Bitou area), Buffalo Bay, Brenton on Sea (Knysna area), De Bakke, Little Brak, Hartenbos, Santos (Mossel Bay area), and the Lappiesbaai,  Preekstoel, Gouritsmond and Witsand (Hessequa area) beaches, as well as the Wilderness (George), Glentana (Mossel Bay), Jongensfontein and Still Bay west (Hessequa) beaches which were awarded Pilot Blue flag status.

During the coming 2018/19 season, the Wilderness beach will be in full compliance with the Blue Flag criteria by ensuring high standards of water quality monitoring, public safety and lifeguard services, and well maintained coastal amenities, amongst others. The Blue Flag recognition is regarded by the World Tourism Organisation as the most well-known international eco-label and gives local and foreign visitors the knowledge that these beaches are clean, environmentally sound, and adhering to international safety and other tourist standards.

The voluntary Blue Flag eco-label is given to beaches that meet 33 main criteria which is spanning four aspects of coastal management, such as water quality; environmental education and information, environmental management as well as safety and services. The Garden Route District Municipality is continuously striving to provide top quality services to its community and is proud to assure a world class Wilderness beach. Through its commitment to the Blue Flag programme, the Municipality demonstrates a clear coastal vision to conserve our coastal resources and heritage.

Let’s talk about Mental Health

The month of October brings to the fore a much-thought about topic, but not much of a talked-about topic – mental health. During October, the objective of not only educating the public about mental health is important, but also to reduce the stigma and discrimination that a person with a temporary or chronic mental illness is often subjected to.

AN ESTIMATED 400 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE SUFFER FROM MENTAL OR NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS OR FROM PSYCHOSOCIAL PROBLEMS.

These also include disorders related to alcohol and drug abuse.

Like physical disorders mental and brain disorders vary in severity. There are those that are:

– Transient (like an acute stress disorder)
– Periodic (like bipolar disorder, characterised by periods of exaggerated elation followed by periods of depression)
– Long lasting and progressive (like Alzheimer’s disease)
– Other conditions include:
• Schizophrenia
• Dementia,
• Depressive disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

So, when we talk about health, we can’t just focus on heart health, or liver health, or brain health – what about “whole health”. You have to see the whole person and make use of the tools and resources that benefit minds and bodies together.

A 23-minute interview with Oprah shows that people from all walks of life can experience something that many of us might think only affect a certain race, age, social or economic profile.

MOU between Garden Route DM and George Airport to boost the economy

28 September 2018 – Garden Route District Municipality (Garden Route DM) and George Airport signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signifying a commitment to enhance connectivity between national gateways, cities and surrounding areas through a 3-phase collaborative project.

After signing the MOU, Mr Charles Shilowa, Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA) Group Executive  Business Development, said: “A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. There have been ongoing discussions between the ACSA team and Garden Route DM about access to the George Airport, which serves as a gateway to this district. The Airport is strategically positioned for economic activity, and this is one of the reasons why a partnership between ACSA and Garden Route DM – will ensure that the aspirations stimulating economic growth in the region are realised. This will be achieved as we continue to work together”.

The first phase commenced when the MOU was signed by (fltr), ACSA Group Executive: Business Development, Mr Charles Shilowa; Garden Route DM Municipal Manager, Mr Monde Stratu; George Airport Manager, Ms Brenda Vorster and Garden Route DM Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen.

The three phases will involve the following:

Phase 1

  • Scoping of key new or existing air routes on a regional, national and intercontinental level, which will see trade and tourism enhanced; and
  • A project team will be appointed to compile a list of business cases that focus on target markets and prospective markets that could be reached by a non-stop air service.

Phase 2

  • The analysis of potential markets;
  • The identification of potential airline partners;
  • Research and development for the airlift strategy;
  • A 3-year implementation plan for the establishment of new routes linking the Western Cape to other provinces and contents; and
  • The establishment of the Steering and Project Committees through the nomination of representatives by all stakeholders.

Phase 3

  • The implementation of the identified route opportunities;
  • The development of incentive schemes for the latter; and
  • The possibility of involving more direct private sector participation in the project.

Mr Monde Stratu, Garden Route DM Municipal Manager, also hinted at ACSA’s leadership to think about how the renaming of George Airport to Garden Route International Airport would affect the region. “When selling and marketing the region as a tourism destination and investment hub, it makes sense to speak from the same book,” said Stratu. He also made it clear that there is no obligation on any business to change their name, but that “there is every reason, for if you think about it, in marketing and strategy, to align oneself to this new name”.

ACSA owns and manages 9 airports, three national and 6 regional airports. George Airport currently forms part of the 6 regional airports. Airports Council International last year, awarded the George Airport with “Service” and “Safety” awards. This was done after comparing the airport to the rest of the African continent. This means that the George Airport is considered as one of the best regional airports in Africa.

Garden Route District Municipality attracts investment of R1-billion

Since the first Garden Route Investment Conference was held on 7 and 8 March 2018, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), has been in various promising engagements with domestic and foreign investors. First of many negotiations has already secured an R1-billion investment in Garden Route, accompanied by 3000 jobs over the next five years. This follows after the GRDM Council entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Ikusasa Processing Engineering Consultants (Pty) Ltd on 28 August 2018. A report to the GRDM Council unpacked the conditions relating to a long-term lease of one of GRDM’s properties next to PetroSA to Ikusasa who will erect a Chemical Plant that will support the timber, water and textile sectors. Currently, in its design phase, the project will be implemented after a few weeks. It is envisaged that the factory will be fully operational by the end of 2019.

Sod-turning symbolising the birth of an initiative which will bring a positive change to the Garden Route. Pictured, FLTR: Mr Khakhaza Mhlauli ( CEO – Ikusasa Process Engineering Consultants, Ikusasa Chemicals, Ikusasa Water), Cllr Memory Booysen (GRDM Executive Mayor), Cllr Rosina Ruiters (GRDM Deputy Executive Mayor) and Mr Monde Stratu (GRDM Municipal Manager).

A Sod-Turning Ceremony was held on 28 September 2018 at the property. During the ceremony, Cllr Memory Booysen, GRDM Executive Mayor explained: “GRDM is in partnership with Mossel Bay Local Municipality and by working together, we are going to use the law to fast-track the process. We have seen other economic developments in Kouga, Richard’s Bay, Saldanha – now is the time for development to happen here”.

Mayor Booysen also talked about the regional landfill site which will soon be constructed in the same piece of land. He mentioned that these developmentswould benefit mostly people around the area.

The key stakeholders invited to witness this ceremony included Mossel Bay Municipality, PetroSA,  the Mossel Bay Port and Private Sector Partners and they will all play a pivotal role in the success of the project.

Key Stakeholders at the Sod-Turning Ceremony: Mr Lee Norman (Ikusasa Chairman), Mr Andrew Theunissen (Director – Ikusasa Process Engineering Consultants, Ikusasa Chemicals, Ikusasa Water), Cllr Memory Booysen (GRDM Executive Mayor), Cllr Harry Levendal (Mossel Bay Executive Mayor) and Mr Shadrack Tshikalange (Transnet Mossel Bay Port Manager)

With the site being positioned next to PetroSA, it will have many advantages. A close working relationship and the supply of products which are specific to PetroSA will be developed. Exports and imports via the Transnet Mossel Bay Port, less than 10km from the site, will have a positive effect on the economy and jobs. The N2 is also strategically connecting the site to other parts of the region. As this project grows, it could see Mossel Bay recognised as a special economic zone that will become an industrial hub of the Western Cape and South Africa.

According to Mr Nicholas Rankumar ( Director – Ikusasa Process Engineering Consultants), the “long-term vision for Ikusasa is to expand and scale the chemical plant into a world-class production facility”. He also said that there is “great potential to develop the Mossel Bay area into an export-hub.”

Cllr Harry Levendal, Mossel Bay Municipality’s Executive Mayor, welcomed the development and said: “This is a first of big thing that will happen in Mossel Bay. If you believe that something will happen and you go for it – it will happen. We cannot sit and wait for things to happen. I am thankful for Garden Route DM for their efforts to attract investment to the area”.

The group of dignitaries who witnessed the Sod-Turning Ceremony. Stakeholders include GRDM, Mossel Bay Municipality, Ikusasa, Transnet Mossel Bay Port and PetroSA.

Special Council Meeting Currently Underway at GRDM

Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 29 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, Act 117 of 1998, of a Special Council meeting that will be held in the CA Robertson Council Chambers, 54 York Street, George on Monday, 1 October 2018 at 11:00 to consider the items as set out in the agenda.

AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE:
– Report on a proposal to host a Garden Route Golf Championship in association with the Ernie Else Autism Foundation.
– Annual Deviation Report – Implementation of the Supply Chain Management Policy for the period 01 July 2017 – 30 June 2018.
– Report on the amended Travel and Subsistence Policy.
– Report on the Progress made with the establishment of the Garden Route District Municipality as a Water Services Authority.
– Report on an invitation to Indonesia from 06 – 11 September 2018 and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
– Report on an invitation to Dubai, Peru and Chile.

#GardenRoute #GRDM #Council #SpecialCouncil

Severe Weather Alert (7-8 September 2018)

SEVERE WEATHER ALERT (ORANGE)
Level 5 Warning for RAIN for 7-8 September 2018.
 
The main areas to be affected will be:
  • Mossel Bay (LM)
  • George (LM)
  • Knysna (LM); and
  • Bitou (LM)
Please note that the YELLOW Level 3 Warning for RAIN issued yesterday remains in place for Hessequa Municipality for 7-8 September.
 
The Garden Route Disaster Management Centre in collaboration with the South African Weather Service will be monitoring the progress of this storm, please activate your local severe weather contingency arrangements and keep the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre updated of any severe weather-related incidents.
 
For emergencies contact 044 805 5071

Anti-Corruption Pledge Signed

An Anti Corruption Pledge was signed by the Garden Route DM Acting Speaker, Cllr Barend Groenewald. Pictured on the left is Mr Siphiwe Dladla, Chief of Staff, Office of the Executive Mayor.

Government Departments situated in the Garden Route District hosted an Anti-Corruption Pledge Campaign, where Political Principles and Senior Government officials from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, Correctional Services, George Municipality, South African Police Services and the Garden Route District Municipality participated and signed a pledge as part of Government’s ongoing fight to root out corruption.

Government encourages all South Africans to sign a pledge to be a responsible and honest citizen, and to undertake to:

  • neither pay nor take bribes;
  • obey the law and encourage others around me to obey the law and to treat public resources respectfully;
  • neither abuse any public money entrusted to my care, nor any position I hold as a public servant; and to
  • act with integrity in all my dealings with government; and always remember that public resources are intended for the benefit of the public, not for private gain.