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25 November 2021 Media Release: Quarterly Skills Mecca Forum draws experts from LGSETA

Quarterly Skills Mecca Forum draws experts from LGSETA

Media Release 
25 November 2021

On Friday, 19 October 2021, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) hosted a virtual Skills Mecca forum attended by the general public, public and private sectors. The forum served as a platform to discuss matters relating to skills development in the Garden Route.

The meeting was chaired by Aneeka Jacobs, Provincial Manager of the Western Cape Local Government Seta (LGSETA). During her opening address, Jacobs emphasised that LGSETA wants to work with all stakeholders, partners, local and district municipalities, as well as training colleges to “bring business and people closer to the table”. She further stressed the importance of synergy between all involved to ensure that the process is collaborative.

Ineeleng Molete (Chief Executive Officer of LGSETA) explained the implications for Garden Route stakeholders on the support from LGSETA and how it aligns with the District Development Model (DDM).

During his presentation, Molete discussed the following:

District Development Model (DDM)

The DDM was launched in 2019 and is an integrated strategic framework that allows the three different spheres of government (national, provincial, and local) to function in unison. The framework promotes:

  • synergy;
  • cooperation;
  • coordination;
  • collaboration; and
  • integration of service delivery areas.

According to Molete, the DDM forms a basis for a single joint plan that will address skills gaps at district and metropolitan levels, which – in turn – will help alleviate and eventually eradicate poverty, inequality and unemployment. Furthermore, the model will look at the needs of local communities, including youth development, whilst improving the management and support for integrated planning, addressing gap areas or blockages.

“The Skills Mecca places Local Economic Development (LED) as a central component for Skills development Job Creation.”

Investing in skills development will help:

  • Enhance good governance, leadership and management capabilities;
  • Promote sound financial management and financial viability;
  • Enhance infrastructure and service delivery; and
  • Promote spatial transformation and inclusivity.

Garden Route Skills Mecca

Dr Florus Prinsloo (GRSM Coordinator) and Reginald Salmons (GRDM Skills Development Coordinator) presented the latest news of the GRSM.

Prinsloo announced that the construction of the GRSM website is almost complete, and it should go live early January 2022. The website aims to centralise information, facilitate communication and serve as a portal for employers, service providers and trainee candidates to interact using databases. Further announcements and dates will be communicated on social media in due course.

GRDM is hoping to get approval from the LGSETA in the next funding window to employ 17 graduates on a candidacy programme to work as Garden Route Skills Mecca Technicians.

Reginald Salmons explained that these technicians would hopefully be employed on a three-year term contract, during which they will be developed against the competencies for professional designations as determined by the professional body in South Africa, namely the Association of Skills Development of South Africa. Once their contracts end, each technician will be able to apply for formal designations that will enhance their employability.

During his closing remarks, Prinsloo said: “We hope to see employers approach us, asking for help to complete SETA applications, as they pay levies to SETAs every month.”

The final presentation was presented by Melanie Wilson (GRDM Manager: Economic Development and Tourism) and Mr Paul Hoffman (Project Manager at GRDP). They discussed the following during their presentation.

The GRDM Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) provides a framework strategy for the Garden Route for the next 20 years. The strategy is long term risk-based and takes the impact of COVID-19 into account through a GRDM Economic Recovery Plan. A Garden Route Development Partnership was established between the government and private sector to implement both plans.

GDS focus areas were identified and aligned to DDM. They are:

  • A water-secure future;
  • A circular economy;
  • Resilient agriculture;
  • Sustainable tourism;
  • Supporting well-being and resilience;
  • A connected economy: transport and rural-urban integration and ICT; and
  • Sustainable local energy transition.

Hoffman added that the private sector would be more involved, as this cannot be done without them.

The next forum meeting, taking place on 25 February 2022, will be communicated via the Garden Route District Municipality’s social media pages, stakeholders like the business chambers, local economic development officers from local municipalities and others.

To view slides that were presented at the forum, click on the links below:

Captions:Feature Image: Stakeholders who attended the forum (from left to right);Lerato Tshefu, Trix Holtzhausen, Bertus Hayward  Ineeleng Molete, Stephen De Vries, Aneeka Jacobs, Florus Prinsloo, Reginald Salmons

 

ends

24 November 2021 Impact Based Warning: Level 8 Damaging Winds & Level 2 Damaging Waves

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued impact based warnings for (1) Level 8 Damaging Winds and (2) Level 2 Damaging Waves for the Western Cape and Namaqua Region of Northern Cape as follows:

Legal notice:
“This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance. It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”

Report any weather related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044-805 5071.

ENDS

23 November 2021 Media Release: Health Platform Update

Media Release: Health Platform Update

For immediate release

23 November 2021

December is within arms reach and with it comes year end celebrations and farewells. The latest Covid-19 statistics for the Garden Route shows an increase of 34 cases the past 7 days compared to 7 to 14 days ago. The district currently has 62 active cases.  ‘Although these numbers are still small, we must stay vigilant. In order to mitigate a possible fourth wave, we need to get as many people vaccinated as possible, especially those older than 50 years and those with co-morbidities’, said District Director, Mr Zee Brickles.

Petronella Williams from Plettenberg Bay and her two daughters received their vaccination. ‘ We had to think of Ashley(12) first who has type 1 diabetes. We also want to keep ourselves safe as well as friends and family with comorbidities’, she said.

Vaccination teams in the district are actively busy with outreaches to outlying area, businesses, education institutions, etc.

To date, 345 313 vaccines have been administered in the Garden Route District.

The Garden Route District is showing a small increase in the number of people older than 50 that have been vaccinated. 65% of those 50 years and older have been fully vaccinated.

There has been a one percentage point increase since the previous week for the population over 18 years who have received at least one dose vaccine, and stands at 51%. The percentage of the total Garden Route population who have received at least one dose vaccine stands at 35%. (1 percentage point increase from the previous week).

The Department appeals to all residents, especially those 50 years and older to get their vaccines and to avoid putting it off ahead of summer. Prioritising your vaccine can protect your health and your family’s.

Caption: Petronella with Ashley (type 1 diabetic) and Kiamesha.

END

Nadia Ferreira

Principal Communications Officer

Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts

Western Cape Government Health

Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za

Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

23 November 2021 Impact Based Weather Warning – Yellow level 4: Damaging Winds

Impact Based Weather Warning – Yellow level 4: Damaging Winds

Please find included the Impact Based Warning for the Beaufort West, Bitou, George, Hantam, Hessequa, Kannaland, Karoo Hoogland, Khai-Ma, Knysna, Laingsburg, Oudtshoorn, Bitou and Prins Albert.

“An intense weather system will result in strong to gale force southeast to easterly winds (60-70km/h gusting 80-100km/h between Saldanha Bay and Plettenberg Bay from Thursday until Saturday, moderating north of Cape Point Friday morning. Over the interior, strong to gale force northeasterly winds will affect the eastern Namakwa District (Northern Cape) and Western Cape, spreading to Garden Route by Friday. Saturday, north-westerlies will develop along the North Cape coast where it will be strong to near gale (25-27/11/2021).”

Legal notice:
“This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance.
It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”

Report any weather related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071.

22 November 2021@8H00 Garden Route District Municipality JOC Update

22 November 2021 Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Joint Operations Centre (JOC) update at 08H00

The GRDM JOC has been activated to monitor the heavy rainfall experienced in certain parts of the Garden Route. The main area of concern remains George and surroundings. The GRDM Emergency call centre has confirmed that all logged calls currently relate to incidents in the George Municipal area.

The GRDM JOC has requested their disaster management coordinators from Bitou and Mossel Bay to activate JOCs in those respective areas.

Report flood-related incidents to the 24/7 Emergency Call Centre of GRM, 044 805 5071. Issued: GRDM JOC

20 November 2021 Impact Based Warning – Disruptive Rain

Impact Based Warning – Disruptive Rain

Issued: 20 November 2021

Please find below an Impact Based Warning for the Western Cape and Namaqua Region of Northern Cape

Valid from Monday 22/11/21 00h00 to 22/11/21 23h59

Report any weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071.

__________________________

Legal notice:
“This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance.
It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”

18 November 2021 Media Release: Typhoid cases in George

Media Release: Typhoid Fever in George

For Immediate Release
18 November 2021

Isolated Typhoid hotspots have recently been identified in the Garden Route, more specifically the George municipal area.

Of paramount importance in the fight against typhoid fever, is awareness and the management of already notified cases. Therefore, the role and functions of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Municipal Health Services cannot be over emphasised. Prompt interaction with the notified cases will prevent further spread, although difficulties with correct addresses sometimes are a challenge,’ says Johan Compion, Manager for Municipal Health and Environmental Management at GRDM. He added: “During the period of August 2020 until September 2021, fourteen (14) cases including one (1) death were reported from the George region (GRDM),” Compion said.

What is Typhoid

Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is usually spread through contaminated food or water. Salmonella Typhi lives only in humans.

Typhoid is endemic in South Africa. The normal Typhoid case patient age ranges from 4 years to 27 years. Typhoid risk is higher in populations that lack access to safe water and access to adequate sanitation. Poor communities and vulnerable groups including children are at higher risk. Typhoid fever is also climate related as the germs spread easier during the summer period, making this disease Climate Change related.

How Typhoid fever can be contracted

A walk through survey and investigation was conducted in order to determine possible cause of the typhoid fever in the affected areas and the following were observed:

  • Illegal dumped waste
  • Pools of stagnant water
  • Animals such as pigs roaming around the area
  • Overflowing sewage
  • Man-made urinal stalls

Symptoms of Typhoid fever

  • Prolonged high fever
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation or diarrhoea

Water Sampling and Prevention

Access to safe water and adequate sanitation, hygiene among food handlers and typhoid vaccination are all-effective in preventing typhoid fever.

Recently, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) have taken water samples to be analysed for Salmonella and Vibrio Cholera. Eight sewage water samples were taken to detect the salmonella typhi and vibrio cholera from different areas in Thembalethu and the Outeniqua Water Works in Rosedale. All those samples taken from the sewage, comply with the standard limit.

EHPs from GRDM monitor the pump stations and river water samples will be taken on a monthly basis.

The aim of this Sampling programme is to reduce the health and safety risks resulting from exposure to contaminated river water.

Compion highlighted that the GRDM Municipal Health section interacts with Local Municipalities on a regular basis to ensure the sustainability of river water and drinking water programs. Further to this he concluded: “Our GRDM EHPs are also busy with typhoid awareness in clinics and the community at large to prevent the spread on the fever in our area”.

ENDS

16 November 2021 Media Release: Vuma Weekend

Media Release: Vooma Weekend

For Immediate Release
Date: 16 November 2021

More than one thousand people from across the Garden Route took up the opportunity to safeguard themselves and their communities by getting a Covid-19 vaccine during the Vooma vaccination campaign which took place from 12 to 14 November 2021.  The Garden Route district received a welcome boost towards its targets to 1. Fully vaccinate 85% of the total population for those older than 50 years (stands at 64%) and 2. Vaccinate 65% of the total population 18 – 49 years with at least 1 dose (stands at 50%).

The Garden Route District has to date administered 335 685 vaccines. Thank you to everyone who took the time to get their vaccine.

Keeping you safe

Older people are at increased risk of Covid-19. This risk becomes worse when combined with underlying illnesses(such as kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension etc.).

Research in the Western Cape shows that people over 50 years have 7.5 times higher risk of contracting severe Covid-19. A fully vaccinated person is 4.3 times less likely to die of Covid-19 than an unvaccinated person. In this age group the target is to reach 85%. If someone is over 50, please go for the Covid-19 vaccine as quickly as possible.

Younger persons under 50 who have underlying health conditions are also at high risk of severed Covid-19 disease. Such persons should get themselves vaccinated as soon as possible

please call0860142 142 for more information on weekly sites or visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WCGHealth/

Also watch local media and municipal pages for details

END.

Nadia Ferreira

Principal Communications Officer

Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts

Western Cape Government Health

Tel: 044 813 1831

Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za

Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

 

16 November 2021 Impact Based Warning: Damaging Winds

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued a Level 1 warning for Damaging winds as follows:

Report any weather related insidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044-805 5071.

Legal notice:
“This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance.
It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”