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Author: Marlene Nqumse

13 September 2023 Media Release: Plans for Skills Centres in Knysna and George progressing

Media Release: Plans for Skills Centres in Knynsa and George progressing

For Immediate Release
13 September 2023

At the recent Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) highly successful Skills Mecca Skills Summit held on 13 July 2023 in Knysna, an innovative item on the programme allowed external stakeholders to present ideas on how to improve socio-economic circumstances for the unemployed, especially the youth, in their communities.  Two such proposals focused on skills centres in Knysna and George, although all local municipalities in the Graden Route expressed similar needs.

In Knysna two more meetings were held and with excellent collaborative leadership from the Knysna Business Chamber, the Knysna Municipality and the South Cape TVET College, the process is well underway. At least two very suitable sites with existing buildings that could easily be converted into classrooms and workshops could be home to skills centres.  A formal process has now started for the stakeholders to move towards long-term agreements subject to approvals from the various governance structures.

In George a similar positive approach was adopted with significant collaborative leadership between the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), the George Municipality, Mr Michiel Burger , the Bonnievale 418 Trust and Jakes Gerwel Teknies Skool in Bonnievale, considered the model collaborative school in South Africa. A highlight was a site visit to the Jakes Gerwel School on Tuesday 12 September 2023, by the various role players. This process will now be led into a task team, co-led by the George Municipality and WCED to also move towards more formal processes.

The excellent leadership at local and district municipal level and the cooperation-collaboration from other stakeholders are proving to be a significant force in moving these process forward. These initiatives are set to benefit the unemployed and youth in general. The Garden Route Skills Mecca team will continue to support both processes administratively and where necessary, explore extending partnerships to support these two processes.

Feature image caption: Home-based care practitioners with Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu (front) and other municipal representatives at the Garden Route Skills Summit.

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05 September 2023 Media Release:  Environmental Health Practitioners of the Klein Karoo supports ECD Centres with health and hygiene education

Media Release:  Environmental Health Practitioners of the Klein Karoo supports ECD Centres with health and hygiene education

For Immediate Release
5 September 2023

The Municipal Health Services section of the Klein Karoo region engaged with members of the Klein Karoo Early Childhood Development (ECD) Forum to discuss current health legislation applicable to childcare facilities in terms of the National environmental health norms and standards for premises and acceptable monitoring standards for environmental health practitioners (24 December 2015) and GRDM Municipal Health By-Laws of 10 December 2018 promulgated under the National Health Act, (Act 61 of 2003).

Health and hygiene education provided by EHPs is essential for preventing disease, improving health, and influencing lifelong behavioural change among children. Education on health and hygiene plays a significant role in supporting the holistic development of children. According to the World Health Organisation, providing children with adequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene is one of the most effective ways to survive. By improving key hygiene behaviours, such as ensuring safe drinking water, proper hand hygiene, and effective sanitation, EHPs believe that promoting health and hygiene improvement is a comprehensive way to prevent childhood diseases like diarrhoea.

The EHPs conducted Health and Hygiene education sessions at créches in Oudtshoorn and Kannaland on 29 August 2023, with an emphasis on:

– the importance of handwashing;

– correct handwashing methods;

– a clean environment; and

– personal hygiene.

EHPs remain committed to educating the public and remain steadfast in their belief that prevention is better than cure.

Did you know?

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) are appointed in terms of the National Health Act (Act 61 of 2003) and registered as such in terms of the Health Professions Act (Act 56 of 1974)? In order to ensure compliance with this act, EHPs have the authority to enter any premises, excluding private dwellings. EHPs may enter Early Childhood Development (ECD) premises for the purpose of conducting inspections, conducting environmental health investigations, and also providing health education to pre-schools, child care centres so that environmental health can be strengthened.

Afrikaans

Die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM) se Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns wat werksaam is in die Klein-Karoo-streek (Oudtshoorn en omliggende areas), het onlangs met die Klein-Karoo Vroeë Kinderontwikkeling Forum-lede vergader, om die huidige gesondheidswetgewing van toepassing op kindersorgfasiliteite te bespreek. Hierdie samekoms was belangrik vir bespreking van huidige wetgewing soos van toepassing op kindersorgfasiliteite in terme van die TDM se Munisipale Gesondheidsverordeninge van 10 Desember 2018 en Aanvaarbare Moniteringstandaarde vir Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns (24 Desember 2015) gepromulgeer onder die Nasionale Gesondheidswet (Wet 61 van 2003).

Die Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns het op 29 Augustus 2023, Gesondheid- en Higiëne opvoedingsessies by kleuterskole in Oudtshoorn en Kannaland aangebied, met die klem op:

– die belangrikheid van handewas;

– die korrekte handewasmetodes;

– ‘n skoon omgewing; en

– persoonlike higiëne.

Die Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns bly daartoe verbind om die publiek op te voed en standvastig in hul oortuiging dat voorkoming beter is as genesing.

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Featured image caption: EHP Ikanya Hendricks demonstrates the correct hand-washing method to learners at Excelsior Primary School in Calitzdorp.