22 September 2020 Notice of Council Meeting taking place on 30 September 2020 at 11:00
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The Council meeting will be live streamed on the municipality’s official Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UC66RBZT0_U2_L4-zSn7yXJQ |
Local Government News
18 September 2020 Media Release: George Hospital one of ONLY six in the World
Media Release: George Hospital one of ONLY six in the World
For Immediate Release
18 September 2020
George Hospital is one of only six hospitals in the world that were selected to participate in The Balcony Bands Mural Project by painting six murals that depict the coming together of people during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The multi-panel design is based on real life stories of people bringing joy to their neighbours during periods of lockdown. The design is painted on six continents in the countries where the stories took place: Italy, Brazil, South Africa, Iraq, Australia, and the United States.
The paintings were unveiled on Friday, 18 September, at The Balcony Bands event. Singer Elvis Blue and local artists entertained staff at George Hospital at The Balcony Bands event.
“The paintings serve as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit and how we responded as a hospital, and a global community. It is a testimony to the determination and resilience of all the Health Care Workers at George Hospital who joined together to care for patients with SARS-CoV-2 during the 2020 pandemic. The Balcony Bands Mural Project was a tremendous opportunity for staff to participate in a creative and stimulating activity, away from the frontline and support their emotional wellbeing. We are excited to unveil the completed project today,” says George Hospital CEO Michael Vonk.
Staff had the opportunity over two days in August to put brush to canvas and create a finished product that will be viewed by staff and patients for years to come, reflecting on 2020 and its challenges. The project was initiated and funded by Foundation for Hospital Art: FFHA, an international non-profit organisation (www.hospitalart.org).
George Hospital would like to thank the following persons for making this event a memorable one: Elvis Blue (artist), Musi-sean (artist), Lynette De Jager (artist), Maria van Rooyen (staff member and artist), Coenraad (artist), Hanly Jumat (artist), Deidre Cloete (photographer), Jacques van der Merwe (videographer), Marais Kruger ( MC), and SND Productions for the sound and stage. We would also like to thank the staff responsible for all the arrangements. Also, a huge thank you for the George Community and their support during the pandemic.
More about The Foundation for Hospital Art
The Foundation for Hospital Art was established in 1984 and is dedicated to involving patients and volunteers worldwide to create colourful, soothing artwork donated to hospitals to help soften the often stressful hospital experience. Throughout the years, over 1 000 000 volunteers and patients have united to create over 48 000 paintings for over 6 000 hospitals in 195 countries.
ENDS
Contact:
Nadia Ferreira: Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Tel: 076 379 5423 / Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
17 September 2020 Awareness: COVID-19 Return to Place of Worship Guideline
17 September 2020
Fighting COVID-19 is a collective responsibility. Therefore, this guideline is developed to guide churches and places of worship to adhere to the golden rules of COVID-19 to curb the spread of the disease.
The virus can spread in churches and places of worship through singing, shouting, talking, preaching, sneezing and coughing. It can also spread if social distancing and no physical touching protocols are not adhered to.
Everyone should be aware that returning to place of worship will be different and a lot of adjustments need to be made. All churches are different and it is important that these principles should be viewed as a guide in developing their own document.
Click here to download the guideline.
For more information, contact:
Mr Johan Compion,
Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services
Tel: 044-803 1300 / 044-803 1525
E-mail: jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za
16 September 2020 Notice: Bricklaying Apprenticeship Programme – Opportunities for Qualified Unemployed Youth
The African Footprints of Hope Organisation, in partnership with Construction SETA, offers an opportunity to 50 (fifty) unemployed young people who wish to participate in the Apprenticeship Programme in Bricklaying for a period of 3 years.
Applications are invited from qualified unemployed candidates residing within the Garden Route District municipal area of jurisdiction with the minimum requirement of Grade 09.
Contact Person: Reginald Salmons at 044 803 1363
(During office hours (Monday to Thursday (7:30 to 16:30) and Friday (7:30 to 13:00).
Closing date: 23 September 2020.
(All applications to be submitted on/or before close of business. No late applications will be considered. (Commencement date: Subject to CETA approval)
Click here to download the full advert.
15 September 2020 Media Alert: Executive Mayor to present the Garden Route’s ‘COVID-19 Policy Response to the Tourism Sector’ to National Parliament
Media Alert: Executive Mayor to present the Garden Route’s ‘COVID-19 Policy Response to the Tourism Sector’ to National Parliament
For Immediate Release
15 September 2020
The Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality, Alderman Memory Booysen, will at 19:40 this evening present the Garden Route’s ‘COVID-19 Policy Response to the Tourism Sector’ to the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour. The engagement is hosted by the Committee on behalf of the National Parliament.
All Mayors who will present their response plans are required to specifically focus on the followings aspects, namely:
-Financing that the District Municipality offers Tourism SMMEs including Cooperatives;
-Concessions and incentives that the district municipality offers Tourism SMMEs and Cooperatives;
-Non-Financial Development Programmes;
-Partnership initiatives with other spheres of government including other development institutions;
-Donor funding to support Tourism SMMEs and Cooperatives;
-Partnership Initiatives established with private sector including civil society and institutional of higher learning;
-Policy response initiated in response of COVID-19;
-Action Plans to reset the Tourism Industry post COVID-19; and
-The way-forward/Policy Recommendations.
This engagement started at 14:00 today and is expected to conclude at 21:00.
15 September 2020 Media Release: GRDM nominated as an ECO-LOGIC AWARDS finalist
Media Release: GRDM nominated as an ECO-LOGIC AWARDS finalist
For immediate release
15 September 2020
It is with great pride that the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) wishes to announce that the Municipality was nominated as a finalist for the 2020 Eco-logic Awards under the “District Municipality” category which will take place virtually on Monday, 21 September 2020. This day coincides with World Peace Day.
The Eco-logic Awards, hosted by Enviropaedia are annually awarded across 12 categories, which highlight ecologically beneficial products, services and people who are taking effective action and making a positive contribution to protect and preserve the environment. GRDM is one of three finalists chosen under the “District Municipality Award” category, for its initiative “Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) – Ensuring Participative and Collaborative District-Wide Environmental Monitoring, Coordination and Adaptation”.
GREF was launched in 2018 and is led by the GRDM’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaption Section. Its key aim is to establish a more coordinated approach to environmental management. The purpose of the GREF initiative is to ensure adaptive environmental management through the principles of community and stakeholder participation, collaboration, as well as the combined coordination of projects, programmes and initiatives within the district. The initiative furthermore strives to increase engagement and knowledge for better decision making, the initiation of pro-active risk planning within an uncertain future, and to increase resource sharing for focused and dynamic environmental actions.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum focuses on fundraising through the preparation of professional funding proposals and related administration. This is achieved through participative, collaborative, and adaptive district-wide projects, programmes or initiative monitoring and implementation. Through these interventions that aim to change the nature of our economy, and improved sustainable environment is possible.
14 September 2020 Media Release: Award-winning Cinematographer WIlliam Collinson’s quirky new film ‘Mr Johnson’ starts its festival journey at GRIFF
Media Release: Award-winning Cinematographer William Collinson’s quirky new film ‘Mr Johnson’ starts its festival journey at GRIFF
For Immediate Rlease
14 September 2020
Director and award-winning cinematographer, William Collinson (Double Echo, Last Broken Darkness), offers a new take on ageism in his latest film, Mr Johnson. The film will have its world premiere at this year’s Garden Route International Film Festival (21 September – 11 October 2020).
When David Johnson awakes from a 47-year coma at the age of 73, he has a hard time dealing with his aged body and the fact that he has missed out on more than half his life. As he slowly steps into this strange new world, his youthful exuberance is undimmed and, with a little prodding, he tackles life and love with the energy and passion of a man half his age. However, like many other people of his age, he also wrestles with issues of loneliness and alienation.
“The film has some interesting twists and despite the fact that it is a drama, the main character is very quirky and this adds a lot of comedy to the story. Also, although in many ways, loneliness is a theme, Mr Johnson finds company in unique and strange places”, says Collinson. “There are few films that deal with ageism and, though shown only in subtle ways, Mr Johnson highlights how some old people become invisible in society.”
Collinson has earned his place as one of South Africa’s most sought-after young cinematographers and has lensed some of the most critically acclaimed films of the past few years. His work on the soapie, Skeem Saam and the feature films Die Ballade van Robbie de Wee and Skemerson were all nominated for Best Cinematography at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). He received Best Cinematography Award nominations at the Kyknet Silwerskerm Film Festival for lensing the Afrikaans feature films, Seun and Dis Koue Kos, Skat.
In 2017, Collinson received Best Cinematography for a Feature Film at the South African Society of Cinematographers (SASC) Visible Spectrum Awards, for Last Broken Darkness. He is also the recipient of a Cannes Lion for his Wimpy Braille Burger video.
The film stars Paul Slabolepszy (Apprenticeship of a Mahatma, Saturday Night at the Palace) and Jana Cilliers (Die Boekklub, Die Leeftyd van Orgidee), with Frank Rautenbach (The Bang Bang Club), Sisanda Henna (Griekwastad), Graham Hopkins (Eye in the Sky), Jailoshini Naidoo (Keeping Up with the Kandasamys), Carla Classen (Stroomop), Drikus Volschenk (Dis Ek, Anna), Antony Coleman (Blood Diamond), Heike Brunner (Knysna), Clayton Boyd (The Entity), Marinus Gubitz (Onortodoks), and Mila Guy (Wonderlus).
Mr Johnson was shot on location in Johannesburg and was produced by Azania Productions, the team behind the box office hit Broken Promises Forever and the recent sleeper hit Blessers.
The film was made with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry, National Film and Video Foundation and Indigenous Film Distribution.
Mr Johnson is slated for release in 2021.
View Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBJvsROujAo
Azania Productions: https://www.facebook.com/Azania-Productions-1200317136771806/
Media Queries
david alex wilson
Mad Moth Communications
Cell: +27 83 629 2587
e-mail: davidalex@madmoth.co.za
12 September 2020 Severe Weather Alerts: High Seas, Veld Fire Conditions & Damaging Winds
The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following severe weather alerts:
Hazard 1: High Seas
Alert Level: Watch
Valid From (SAST): 13/09/20 13h00
Valid To (SAST): 14/09/20 00h00
High seas with wave heights between 6-8m is expected between Cape Point and Plettenberg Bay from tomorrow afternoon into early Monday morning (13-14/09/2020).
Hazard 2: Veld Fire Conditions
Alert Level: Warning
Valid From (SAST): 12/09/20 09h00
Valid To (SAST): 13/09/20 18h00
Veld fire conditions are expected over the Central Karoo and Little Karoo (W.Cape) today and tomorrow (12-13/09/2020).
Hazard 3: Damaging Winds
Alert Level: Warning
Valid From (SAST): 12/09/20 11h00
Valid To (SAST): 13/09/20 18h00
A gale force north westerly wind (62 to 74km/h) is expected over the Beaufort West Municipality (W.Cape) this afternoon, but including the Central and Little Karoo and eastern parts of the Cape Winelands tomorrow (12-13/09/2020). Advisory Strong north-westerly winds (50-60km/h) are expected over the Central and Little Karoo (W.Cape) this afternoon including the interior of the Western Cape tomorrow (12-13/09/2020).
Description: Storm surges / High Seas
Generally heavy seas or damaging waves are a result of strong winds blowing over a large area called a fetch combined with low pressure systems. Long period swells are often very dangerous to tankers as they may literally snap them in half. Dangerous waves or surges may also be caused by storm surges and tsunami’s resulting in widespread coastal damage and loss of life.
In oceanography, a sea state is the general condition of the free surface on a large body of water—with respect to wind waves and swell—at a certain location and moment. A sea state is characterized by statistics, including the wave height, period, and power spectrum. The sea state varies with time, as the wind conditions or swell conditions change.
Precautions: Storm surges / High Seas
Ships should “idle” into the swell and wind so that the bow of the ship always faces the oncoming swell. If in a small sailing vessel reduce the sail area and steer into the oncoming swell. If along the shore-line stay well back from the highest high water mark as Secure all hatches, doors, windows and ports. Secure all loose items in the interior.
Pump the bilge’s dry and keep pumping them dry at regular intervals. Stow away all loose gear and lash down any large items that cannot be stowed. Break out your life preservers and inform your crew that everyone will be putting them on well in advance of their necessity.
Break out emergency gear like flares and first aid kit, sea anchor, safety harnesses, etc.
Check your position and update your course as plotted on your chart. Prepare alternative routes to more protected areas. If you think you will be in for relatively long haul prepare some hot soup, coffee or stew freak waves may run up beyond the normal high water mark.
If the sea recedes exposing rock and sea bed normally not exposed immediately seek higher ground at least 50m above your current position. Do not try swimming or fishing or other marine recreation during these events. Only extremely experienced surfers will temp their fate under these conditions.
Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
Contact the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071 to report any severe weather related incidents.
12 September 2020 Weather Alert: Severe Weather Alert, Veld Fire Conditions – 12 September 2020
Weather Alert: Severe Weather Alert, Veld Fire Conditions – 12 September 2020
The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following severe weather alert:
Hazard: Veld Fire Conditions
Alert Level: Warning
Valid From (SAST): 12/09/20 – 09h00
Valid To (SAST): 12/09/20 – 19h00
Are expected over the Central Karoo and Little Karoo Municipalities (Western Cape) tomorrow (12/09/2020).
Hazard: Damaging Winds
Alert Level: Warning
Valid From (SAST): 12/09/20 – 11h00
Valid To (SAST): 13/09/20 – 00h00
Warning: A Gale force north westerly wind (62 to 74 km/h) is expected over the Beaufort-West Municipality (WC) from tomorrow late morning, moderating by evening (12/09/2020).
Advisory: Strong north-westerly winds (50-60 km/h) are expected over the Central and Little Karoo (WC) tomorrow afternoon (12/09/2020), including the interior of the Western Cape on Sunday (13/09/2020).
Description: Strong damaging winds
Strong damaging winds often occur along coastal regions, but also often occur during thunderstorm activity. These winds are sudden and can cause much damage.
Precautions: Strong damaging winds
Stay indoors where possible away from the windows that open towards the severe winds. Be aware of the following: – sudden crosswinds if travelling especially between buildings, fallen trees or power lines and flying debris.
Small boats must stay away from the open sea and seek the shelter of a harbour, river estuary or protected bay.
Parked aircraft should be pointed into the direction of the wind and secured Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
Description: Dangerous veld/bush fire conditions
Whenever there are prolonged periods of little and no rain coupled with warm dry winds, veldt or bush fires can easily be sparked and will spread rapidly in strong winds.
Precautions: Dangerous veld/bush fire conditions
Don’t make fires in the open and/or leave fires unattended. Don’t throw cigarette butts out of cars or in the open veldt. Don’t throw bottles in the veldt as they can magnify the sun’s rays and start fires. Prepare and maintain fire breaks in a controlled manner. In the case of a large fire report it immediately and move away from the area to let the professionals deal with it. Never throw water onto a fire started by an electrical fault or fires started by oil or paraffin lamps. In this case, sand or a blanket should be used to smother the fire. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
Report any severe weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071.
10 September 2020 Media Release: Illegal dumping needs to stop for the sake of all of us
Media Release: Illegal dumping needs to stop for the sake of all of us
For immediate release
10 September 2020
Illegal dumping and littering is a national environmental problem which has a detrimental effect on human health. This problem not only negatively affects the environment, but it also has social and economic repercussions, such as detrimental impact on tourism. Recently it became widely known that illegal dumping is prevalent in the majority of the identified COVID-19 hotspots in the Garden Route district.
With the above in mind, the need to effectively clear and manage illegal dumping in the COVID-19 hotspot areas has become a matter of urgency. Consequently, an investigation was initiated by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) to determine the challenges of each local municipality to effectively manage illegal dumping in their respective municipalities. Also, to determine the associated costs relating to doing this for the remainder of the 2020-2021 financial year.
According to the local municipalities, all the identified illegal dumping hotspots in the Garden Route district receive waste management services. In most municipalities, waste skips are placed in and around areas where illegal dumping is prevalent and waste disposal at the waste facilities is also free of charge. Therefore, illegal dumping is not due to a lack of waste management services but is however a human behavioural issue. The problem is especially prevalent in less affluent areas of municipalities. There are a countless number of instances where domestic waste is disposed of in ravines and open spaces. Similarly, small builders and gardening service providers are also frequently reported for illegally dumping builders’ rubble and garden waste in open spaces and road reserves. These areas become particularly difficult to access by means of machinery i.e. front-end loaders and tipper trucks and therefore require a different approach.
GRDM has found that each local municipality has unique needs, volumes of illegally dumped waste and clearing methodologies and the costing and implementation of a district or standardised approach will therefore not be efficient. Also, the majority of the local municipalities have a dire lack of budget allocation and/or understanding of the requirements to effectively manage illegal dumping.
As a result, a project was identified to clear all accumulated waste in the COVID-19 and illegal dumping hotspots. The project aims to implement measures to maintain clean and hygienic conditions in these areas to mitigate the associated detrimental health effects. A door-to-door educational and awareness campaign on proper waste management and environmental pollution will be conducted. This grassroots level approach will attempt to change residents’ attitudes towards illegal dumping. Also, it would be a great achievement if behavioural change can happen through the buy-in of the community. This will ensure that the project is sustainable.
Due to the enormity of the project and the associated costs at a district level, the project will be implemented in a phased approach. Phase 1 of the project will entail the clearing of illegally dumped waste in the Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp areas of the George Municipality, for four months from September 2020 until the end of December 2020. George Municipality, specifically Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp, were identified as the areas where illegal dumping is currently most prevalent in the district. Therefore, these areas are perfectly suited for the implementation of Phase 1 of the project. The project will be rolled-out in collaboration with the applicable local municipalities and in this case, George Municipality.
Front-end loaders and tipper trucks will be utilised for the clearing of large stockpiles of illegally dumped domestic waste as well as for the clearing of accumulated garden waste and builders’ rubble.
Community-based contractors and workforces i.e. employment of workers from within the communities will be utilised for the areas that are inaccessible to large machinery and equipment. The EPWP job creation approach is being used, which means that EPWP participants are being recruited and appointed by the GRDM for a period of four months. The GRDM will appoint a total of thirty-five (35) EPWP participants as support staff to the front-end loaders which will include fourteen (14) EPWP participants as support staff to the front-end loaders provided by George Municipality. Thirty-six (36) EPWP participants will be appointed for the door-to-door education and awareness and the conduction of a survey to determine the causal factors contributing to illegal dumping. George Municipality will implement loud hailing throughout the illegal dumping areas in order to inform residents of the project and to request their cooperation during and after the project. The Ward Councillors of the respective wards in Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp will also assist in spreading the word.
George Municipality has already appointed two contractors to commence with the clearing of illegal dumping in Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp by using a front end loader and tipper trucks. One supporting team was dispatched to assist the JCB with clean-up of waste that cannot be cleaned by the Frontend Loader.
