Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is currently running a campaign to boost business activities in the Garden Route. This video by our Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, highlights what a person needs to do to participate in the campaign.
In short, the campaign is a call-to-action for members of the public to post something to Twitter or Facebook about a small business they support. GRDM hopes that a diverse range businesses can benefit from this and not only businesses in town.
It is important to mention the #GardenRouteAndMe and #MyFavouriteBusiness when posting about a local business. These hashtags will link back to the campaign.
When finding posts, GRDM will share the posts back to our Facebook page and tag all local municipalities. Local municipalities will therefore be notified about posts.
We might also try to track other platforms like Instagram and TikTok going forward.
The Cape Weather Office has issued the following expected weather forecast for the week and severe weather alerts as follows:
FORECAST:
An intense Cut-off low is developing and is associated with a low pressure system at the surface. Winds are expected to reach 50 to 65km/h gusting 65 to 82km/h along the south coast from tomorrow afternoon and over the eastern parts of the Western Cape Province by Wednesday.
Showers and thundershowers are expected over the eastern parts Tuesday night, spreading over the whole Province by Wednesday. Good rainfall amounts are also expected over the Overberg District and Cape Town (35 to 45mm) by Wednesday thus heavy rain leading to localised flooding can be expected over those areas.
Offshore conditions are expected for Thursday and Friday, with a high pressure system dominant over the country. A cold front is expected to make landfall over the south western parts overnight Saturday, spreading to the east by the afternoon, clearing by the evening. Not more than 10mm of rainfall amounts are expected.
Wind: Tomorrow an intense cut-off low develops along our West Coast, associated with a low pressure system at the surface. Gale to strong gale force easterly 65 to 90km/h winds are expected between Table Bay and Plettenberg Bay by Tuesday afternoon into the evening, becoming north westerly 65 to 90km/h wind from Wednesday morning, moderating from the west.
Waves: In general wave heights are expected to be 3.0 to 4.0m with south-westerly swell, reaching 5.0 to 6.0m east of Cape Agulhas (very rough seas) by Tuesday evening but 6.5 to 7.0m between Still Bay and Plettenberg Bay (high seas), with easterly swells, subsiding by Thursday morning.
Visibility: Generally good visibility is expected for the week, but moderate in rain and showers along the coastal areas of the south western parts, clearing towards the evening. Moderate to poor visibility is also expected by Tuesday evening into Wednesday, clearing towards the evening of Thursday. Another Cold front expected to make landfall Saturday thus moderate visibility in showers and rain along the west coast spreading along the south coast by the evening, clearing by Sunday.
ALERTS:
HAZARD 1: Damaging Winds
Alert Level: Watch
Valid From (SAST): 01/09/20 12h00
Valid To (SAST): 02/09/20 00h00
Gale to strong gale force easterly to south-easterly winds (65-90km/h) are expected between Table Bay and Plettenberg Bay including the adjacent coastal towns from Tuesday afternoon, becoming north-westerly from Wednesday morning (01-02/09/2020).
Gale to strong gale force north-westerly interior winds (65-80km/h) are expected over the Central Karoo, Cape Winelands, Overberg, Garden Route Districts on Wednesday (02/09/2020).
HAZARD 2: High Seas
Alert Level: Watch
Valid From (SAST): 02/09/20 00h00
Valid To (SAST): 02/09/20 00h00
High seas with wave heights in excess of 6m is expected between Cape Point and Plettenberg Bay on Wednesday (02/09/2020).
Report any severe weather related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044-805 5071.
Media Release: Third Garden Route DM employee loses his life to COVID-19
For Immediate Release
31 August 2020
It is with profound sadness and loss that the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) announces its third employee who succumbed to COVID-19. On Friday, 28 August 2020, Mr Nono Willie Nkasayi, a Senior Worker at the GRDM Oudtshoorn Roads Services Department passed away when he lost his battle against Covid-19.
The 54-year-old Willie Nkasayi worked at the Oudtshoorn region since 3 June 2005. Colleagues remember him as a humble and beloved person. Mr Gert Verwey, Deputy Manager at the Oudtshoorn region described him as a man who has always treated everyone with respect, and who had the ability to look at the “bigger picture” of things in life. He further described the late Nkasayi as an exceptional person – well-known, as a God-fearing person. Having been a pastor at his church, Verwey refers to Willie as a prominent religious leader in the Southern Cape and Karoo area. He acknowledges that Willie’s passion for the Lord and people drove him to always serve his fellow community members.
Mr Kleinbooi Stoffels, Roads Services Superintendent and the immediate supervisor of Willie Nkasayi said that he will be deeply missed amongst his colleagues. He described Willie as a very disciplined and caring person. “Willie was a go-getter in his team, always ready to make plans on how to complete a task productively. His passing really ‘shocked’ me, and made me realise how short life is and that we should appreciate each other while we still can. I will miss his visits in the morning in my office. I am eternally grateful that I was able to walk a path with such a great spirit,” said Kleinbooi.
During his journey at GRDM Roads Services, Willie served his colleagues as a union representative for the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU). As a shop steward, he lived his passion and he believed that a matter could be resolved in a respectful and orderly manner. Willie Nkasayi will also be remembered as a family man whose loved ones and relatives meant the world to him; as a community leader; a teacher for many; a caring colleague and friend.
Hamba Kahle – ‘Tata Nkasayi – as you were known by all’.
Media Release: Garden Route Health Platform Update
For Immediate Release
28 August 2020
Western Cape Government Health in the Garden Route is optimistic about the current COVID-19 situation. In the District, as a whole, we are experiencing a flattening of active cases and so also hospitalizations and deaths. Some sub-districts’ numbers are more satisfying than others but if we compare our statistics to a month before it appears that we are over the peak.
We must however remember that it is now even more important to adhere to the 5 ways to stay safe in order to keep our numbers as low as possible, and to prevent a second wave.
Wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer (70% alcohol base)
Wear your mask in public
Cough or sneeze into the folds of your elbow or a tissue
Stay 1.5m away from others especially in public places like shopping malls.
If you feel sick, stay home
While the health service platform must remain geared to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic (including a possible second wave of infections), the Department of Health aims to scale up essential health services in a balanced manner. The Department has developed a risk and impact based approach which guides the services to be reintroduced and identifying those services which are low risk yet high impact (such as immunisation services). These services which had reduced significantly during the COVID pandemic, will have a significant long term impact for those clients who had missed immunisations, follow-up appointments and scheduled non-emergency treatment. A phased approach will be adopted to return the comprehensive health service platform back to a new normal. The re-introduction of these services will be communicated to the public. However, currently, all preventative services are in fact offered i.e. women’s health (family planning, antenatal and post-natal care), men’s health, child health(immunisations) and chronic disease management (TB, HIV, Diabetes, etc.)
As of 28 August 2020, the Garden Route District has 8757 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Cases
Garden Route cases and recoveries per subdistrict.
Bitou 570 cases; 514 recoveries
Knysna 1338 cases; 1216 recoveries
George 3269 cases; 2946 recoveries
Hessequa 272 cases; 223 recoveries
Kannaland 102 cases; 97 recoveries
Mossel Bay 2088 cases; 1829 recoveries
Oudsthoorn 1118 cases; 797 recoveries
The Garden Route has recorded 288 Covid-19 deaths.
Hessequa
15
Mossel Bay
59
George
91
Knysna
43
Bitou
21
Oudtshoorn
58
Kannaland
1
Hospitalisation
From our latest available information, there are currently 115 patients admitted in public and private hospitals of which 24 are in High Care/ICU.
Isolation and quarantine
People who cannot isolate or quarantine safely at home (risk to themselves or exposure risk to others), can be referred to an isolation or quarantine facility.
Isolation facilities are for patients who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus (with mild to moderate symptoms) where they can recover. Quarantine facilities are for those have been exposed and are awaiting test results. These facilities are safe, have been made as comfortable as possible and you will receive free transport, meals, and a laundry service. PetroSA (West Camp) is currently the only activated isolation and quarantine facility in the Garden Route. More facilities have been identified and will be activated, if and when the need arises or capacity is exceeded at PetroSA. We currently have 42 people at the West Camp facility.
-END-
Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Town Clinic,Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 076 379 5423
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za
Media Release: Third Generation Western Cape Air Quality Management Plan Review
For Immediate Release
28 August 2020
The Western Cape Government, through the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP), implements systems and provides an oversight role in the province with respect to air quality management. In line with Section 15 (1) of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (Act 39 of 2004) (NEM: AQA) Provinces and Municipalities are required to develop Air Quality Management Plans to manage air quality in their regions. For it to be effective, the AQMP needs to be reviewed every 5 years to establish whether the identified goals and targets have been effectively implemented.
In accordance with the NEM: AQA requirements, a Western Cape Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) was first developed in 2010 to manage air quality in the Province. The 2010 Western Cape AQMP outlined the air quality management planning, monitoring and regulatory interventions, inclusive of assessing air quality impacts and characterizing the sources of pollution within the Western Cape Province.
The 2nd Generation Western Cape AQMP was built upon the strengths and successes of the 2010 Western Cape AQMP and was informed via formal Public Participation Process workshops during 2015 and adopted in 2016. The 2nd Generation AQMP mainly focused on strengthening the linkages between Air Quality Management and Climate Change Response, as well as spatial planning for growth and development in the Western Cape Province.
The 2nd Generation AQMP upholds the vision and the mission of the 2010 Western Cape AQMP which are as follows:
VISION
“Clean and healthy air for all in the Western Cape”
MISSION
“To ensure the effective and consistent implementation of sustainable air quality management practices, by all spheres of government, relevant stakeholders and civil society to progressively achieve and efficiently maintain clean and healthy air in the Western Cape”
GOALS
Four goals of the AQMP support the vision and mission, with each goal addressing the different aspects of the vision and are underpinned by objectives to achieve them. These are:
Goal 1 Ensure effective and consistent air quality management, linked to Climate Change Response
Goal 2 Continually engage with stakeholders to raise awareness with respect to Air Quality Management and Climate Change Response
Goal 3 Ensure effective and consistent compliance monitoring and enforcement
Goal 4 Support Air Quality and Climate Change Response programmes, including promoting and facilitating the reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions.
Following 5 years of the implementation of the 2nd Generation AQMP (2016-2020), the DEA&DP is extending an invitation and calling on all Interested and Affected Parties (I&AP’s) and authorities in the different regions of the Province to review the 2nd Generation AQMP. This first phase of the public participation review process will run from 3 August to 3 September 2020.
The review is to, inter alia:
Assess progress made in air quality management in the Province;
Establish whether the identified goals and targets have been effectively implemented;
Establish whether the goals and targets were still valid in terms of new developments and economic growth in the province; and
Identify potential air quality risks and interventions that can be translated into new goals and objectives, where required.
All I&APs and authorities are invited to participate in the first phase of the Public Participation Process, which will contribute towards the development of the 3rd Generation Western Cape AQMP.
Due to the current novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, the Public Participation Process (PPP) cannot be undertaken through the known conventional methods. In compliance to the National Disaster Management Regulations, which prohibit social gatherings, the PPP will be conducted via two sets of questionnaires to the public and industry, respectively. The I&AP’s and authorities will be engaged through alternative platforms to ensure that the Public Participation Process of the 2nd Generation AQMP is far-reaching.
The links to the background document & questionnaires will be made available on the WCG website, Facebook and Twitter.
Please click on the links below to access and complete the questionnaire.
English: https://forms.gle/qqFs7MVGXoZHuZwt8
Afrikaans: https://forms.gle/mbLbV1R6RUwxFFWp9
If you have any queries and should you wish to engage with the DEA&DP through any other virtual means (e.g. via MS Teams, Skype, Zoom), kindly contact:
Sally Benson: Sally.Benson@westerncape.gov.za
GRDM Roads official wins battle against COVID-19 after being bedridden in Hospital
For Immediate Release
28 August 2020
After almost two months of ill health, weakness, oxygen shortage and hospitalisation, Ms Teresa Nortje-Singh, Personal Assistant at the Garden Route District Municipality Roads Department, has finally won her battle against the deadly COVID-19 coronavirus.
Ms Nortje-Singh remembers that soon after she came in close contact with a person at the end of July 2020, she immediately started to feel weak the following day. She recalled that she could not get herself out of bed the next morning, to get ready for work. She continued working for two more days. “On Thursday morning I started to feel weaker and could not eat, but could consume some soup and medication,” she said. “Over the next weekend I felt so weak that I slept most of the time to the extent that somebody had to wake me up”.
A week later, Ms Nortje-Singh decided to call her medical doctor, who advised her to be tested for Covid-19. When the doctor contacted her the same evening with the news that she had contracted the virus, he immediately asked whether she needed assistance with isolation. She declined as her setup at home was favourable for her to be isolated.
Ms Teresa Nortje-Singh, Personal Assistant at Garden Route District Municipality, won her battle against COVID-19.
Ms Nortje-Singh also recalled how her doctor telephoned her every morning to find out how she felt and whether there were any change in symptoms and he encouraged her to keep herself safe to avoid ending up in an intensive care unit. During the start of her COVID-19 journey, her mother took care of her, however since her mother is an elder with a comorbidity, she asked her to swop homes with her sister for a while until she has fully recovered. Ms Nortje-Singh also remembers how her sister had to lay on top of her for more than once for her body temperature to increase after experiencing body chills. She also had body aches, but did not cough. When the doctor contacted her again she started experiencing breathing problems. “When my asthma pump did not help to clear my airways, I started to become anxious,” she said.
On arrival at the Medi-Clinic George, the medical staff on duty immediately attended to her. The doctor sent her for a sonar and only then the damage to her lungs was discovered, with both already partially collapsed. Her kidneys were also damaged. “I could see the concern in the doctor’s eyes when he told me how severe my condition was”. She furthermore said. “I also realised how serious my condition was when the two COVID-19 patients who I shared the ward with, were taken to the intensive care unit the same evening”.
“At our ward, medical staff’s main focus was on the recovery of patients while protecting themselves – they took excellent (beyond excellent) care of me in the ward and they constantly asked me how I felt”.
Being discharged from hospital on 6 August 2020 was an emotional experience for Ms Nortje-Singh. “The medical practitioners and care workers of the ward waited for me at the elevator to take me down to the exit. They also helped me into the vehicle and made sure that I was in a comfortable position”. With a little laugh she added: “They debated about who will be pushing me to my vehicle. They also thanked me for making them feel good about themselves while in their care”.
Back at home, Ms Nortje-Singh still did not feel well and she thought she still had the virus, but eventually she started to feel better as days went by. She acknowledged all her family, friends and colleagues who supported her with her COVID-19 journey, who called and messaged her. Nortje-Singh now uses every opportunity to create awareness about the severity of the disease. I constantly raise the issue when having conversations with people. “They have to know how quickly one can get infected and how sick someone can become”. She emphasised: “I urge every person to adhere to all the safety protocols to protect themselves against this invisible enemy. It is also important that anyone who might contract the virus have to get enough and proper body rest to prevent the virus from leaving any other damages to the body behind. It is also important for others to understand that an infected person always need and appreciate the messages of support when they are in isolation/sick, but I could not always respond to messages or telephone calls as the situation became extremely overwhelming and draining. My body needed all the rest I could get to fully recover,” Ms Nortje-Singh concluded.
The article was written in memory of Ms Nortje-Singh’s colleague, Mr Lemos Soko, who passed away of COVID-19 on 6 August 2020 during the time she was hospitalised.
Media Release: Minister Simmers conduct COVID-19 awareness in George
For Immediate Release
27 August 2020
Today the Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers, in his capacity as the Provincial Government’s lead in the covid response for the Garden Route conducted an awareness campaign in Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu, George.
Minister Simmers, who was accompanied by the Garden Route District Mayor, Memory Booysen and the George Municipal Mayor, Leon van Wyk, along with various MAYCO members, Councillors and the Premier’s Community Liaison Officers (CLO’s) distributed masks and information pamphlets, while also supporting a local boerewors seller in Thembalethu.
Minister Simmers said: “It was enjoyable to engage residents and remind them of the importance of adhering to all covid regulations. The only way we will fully overcome this virus, is if we all play our part. It is critical that we continue keeping the spotlight on this virus, as we have to push the infection rate down. This is truer now, particularly since the alert level has been relaxed and more people can move around. I also enjoyed the boerewors roll and I encourage all residents to support their local and small businesses, but it must be done in a responsible manner.”
The Garden Route’s total cases, as at 4 pm on 26 August 2020 was 8659 with 7440 recoveries. George’s total cases at the same time, was 3249, with 2903 recoveries.
Minister Simmers added: “It was deeply concerning to see a number of people walking in their respective communities not wearing masks. I’d like to implore all residents to not take this virus lightly. I’d also like to thank both the Garden Route District and George Mayors, along with the various MAYCO members and Councillors as well as the Premier’s CLO’s for their support today.
We have to ensure that the message to fight COVID-19 remains a priority for all while wearing our masks, keeping a safe distance of at least 1.5 metres apart, wash our hands with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds or sanitise our hands, remain at home if there’s no need for us to be out and about and should we display any symptoms, to immediately consult a health practitioner.”
Media Alert: Minister Tertuis Simmers to conduct COVID-19 awareness in George
For Immediate Release
26 August 2020
Tomorrow, 27 August 2020, Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers, in his capacity as the Provincial Government’s lead in the covid response for the Garden Route, will conduct a Covid-19 awareness campaign in George.
Minister Simmers, who will be accompanied by the Garden Route District Mayor, Memory Booysen and the George Municipal Mayor, Leon van Wyk, along with various MAYCO members, Councillors and the Premier’s Community Liaison Officers (CLO’s) will be distributing masks and information pamphlets.
Minister Simmers said: “I’m looking forward to engaging residents and reminding them of the importance of adhering to all the covid regulations. It is critical that we continue keeping the spotlight on this virus, as we have to push the infection rate down. This is truer now, particularly since the alert level has been relaxed and more people can move around.”
There will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.
ALL MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
DETAILS:
Date: Thursday, 27 August 2020
Time: 08:00 – 09:00
Venue/Meeting Point: Hypersave, Pacaltsdorp, George
Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality and stakeholders bump up efforts to extinguish peat-wetland fires
For immediate release
26 August 2020
On 26 June 2020, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Fire & Rescue Services commenced with efforts to finally extinguish peat fires in the Garden Route district. One at the Kamma River in Bonniedale, Mossel Bay and the other at Weyers River in Bergfontein, Albertinia. Peat-wetland fires pose a threat to ecosystems by releasing smoke and heat through soil and vegetation, compromise wetlands.
Mr Deon Stoffels, Station Officer: Fire Safety and Training from GRDM at the peat fire in Bonniedale.
The response from the GRDM Fire & Rescue Service officials was first to assess and demarcate the exact extent of the peat fires. According to Mr Deon Stoffels, GRDM Fire Station Officer for Fire Safety and Training, smoke was evident on arrival – in small pockets appearing from underground”. This necessitated follow-up site visits on 29 June and 02 July 2020 whereby thermal images were captured with the municipality’s Thermal Imaging Drone to map and confirm the underground fire activity.
Mr Johan Brand, Station Officer from GRDM Fire and Rescue Services holding one of the tools utilised in the testing and assessment of the sub-surface layers.
The above-mentioned site visits were followed up in middle July for the purpose to capture more thermal imagery to estimate the extent of the spread after two periods of moderate to heavy rainfall. Following the assessment, it was confirmed that the spread of the fire continued.
On the 28 and 29 July 2020, all role-players engaged in on-site visits and the peatland specialist from DEFF, with the assistance of representatives of GRDM Fire & Rescue and Cape Nature, performed assessments and tests. “These were done to determine the full extent of the peat fires, e.g. depth of underground fire activity, condition of the wetland, as well as the environmental and ecological impact of the fire and if continues, the fire activity,” Mr Stoffels, said. After assessments and tests were completed it was jointly agreed that an Offensive Strategy would be the most practicable approach to deal with the underground and/or peat fires which include;
preventing the spread of fire;
fighting and extinguishing the fire; and
protection of life and property against the fire or other threatening danger:
In this case also, the protection of the environment against the fire and other threats.
The strategy will assist in mitigating adverse impacts on the environment, as well as aid in protecting and sustaining the biodiversity of wetlands. Role-players such as GRDM Fire & Rescue, the landowners, Cape Nature, Working for Wetlands, Southern Cape Fire Protection Association and Working on Fire were involved from beginning of the process, however the GRDM Fire and Rescue Services and the landowners started with their operations on 19 August 2020 and Cape Nature on 21 August 2020.
According to Dr Nina Viljoen, Manager for Environmental Management as GRDM, peatlands are present in a third of wetlands worldwide, which contribute a range of ecosystem services. The most pronounced services are biodiversity conservation, water quality and climate regulation. The addition of peat to a wetland allows these wetlands to have additional ecosystem services. She added: “The unique properties of peat allow for a variation in the dynamics of the ecosystem services provided. This makes peatlands a major contributor to wetlands’ increased capacity for climate, water quality and quantity regulation, biodiversity conservation and waste assimilation”.
Areas in the Garden Route district affected by the wildfire. Thermal images captured with the Thermal Imaging Drone of Garden Route District Municipality.
Dr Viljoen further explained: “The destruction of peatlands by means of fires causes a visible and immediate degradation in the integrity of the aquatic ecosystems downstream of peatlands. This causes major changes to change the hydrology of the peatland system, as well as rivers and associated ecosystem health. Compared to global abundance, she said: “Peatlands are an extremely scarce ecosystem type in South Africa, with only 1% of total wetland area being peatlands. It provides water quality (water purification and waste assimilation) function which causes peatlands to demonstrate a very significant ecosystem services value”.
What is peat?
Peat, also known as turf is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter. Peat forms in wetland conditions, where flooding or stagnant water obstructs the flow of oxygen from the atmosphere, slowing the rate of decomposition.
Peatlands cover approximately 3% of the earth’s surface. The global carbon stored in peat is estimated to be about 500 billion tonnes, which is approximately 30% of the world’s soil carbon. Furthermore, peat stores 10% of the world’s fresh water”.
Peatlands are more valuable than normal wetlands due to the presence of peat stocks within them. Based on the services evaluated and the available data, the value of the cumulative services provided by South African peatlands was estimated to be as high as R174 billion, expressed as an ecological infrastructure value. It is therefore of the utmost importance to protect these type of wetlands against destruction, and to assess the causes of these two identified peat fires in the Garden Route district.
How do peat fires occur?
Peat fires can occur sporadically in smaller peatland systems due to system dehydration and desiccation brought on by either drought (the presence of a heat source), localised draining or flow interruption by roads – it smoulders. These smouldering fires can burn undetected for very long periods of time (months, years, and even centuries) propagating in a creeping fashion through the underground peat layer.
The current drought in the region and associated peat fires bear testimony to the vulnerability of these ecosystems to the variability in our climate patterns which can result in drought-induced peat fires in the Western Cape.
