Local Government News

16 November 2021 You are invited to our next Garden Route Skills Mecca Forum

You are invited to our next Garden Route Skills Mecca Forum on 19 November 2021.

The Garden Route Skills Mecca Forum takes place quarterly. It is a platform for stakeholders to engage on critical skills development matters in the Garden Route.

The next engagement is due to take place on Friday, 19 November 2021 from 09H00 – 12H00.

Register in advance for this webinar: https://gardenroute.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5S4ACAeSTrayNPCOOYaLqQ

The Garden Route Skills Mecca is aimed at improving the lives of all residents of the Garden Route through skills development opportunities.

The Forum is, therefore, an opportunity for the general public, who reside in the Garden Route, to stay in touch with the latest developments and skills development opportunities across the Garden Route. This includes opportunities in all seven (7) local municipalities, namely Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Greater Oudtshoorn and Kannaland.

Many residents may have lost employment or employment opportunities as a result of the COVID pandemic and the economic downturn over the last year. An opportunity to recover may depend on developing new skills. The Skills Mecca seek to, through strategic speakers and sharing of critical information, assist such people progressively.

15 November 2021 Media Release: Love and warmth – Kangaroo Mother Care

Media Release: Love and warmth – Kangaroo Mother Care

For Immediate Release
15 November 2021

Kangaroo mother care week is celebrated from 15 to 19 November by parents, communities, health professionals, institutions, and organisations internationally to honour mothers and newborn babies, and to appreciate and acknowledge the benefits of kangaroo mother care.

Kangaroo mother care (skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her newborn baby) is an intervention that has been effectively proven to decrease the mortality rate among low weight and preterm newborn babies.

The Western Cape Department of Health has adopted and implemented the kangaroo mother care policy in all healthcare facilities across the Western Cape to decrease the mortality amongst all low-weight births and preterm babies. The Department is constantly, consistently and continuously striving to create awareness and improve all levels, aspects and standards of kangaroo mother care facilities.

Kangaroo mother care consists of four components. Firstly, more skin-to-skin contact between the mother’s chest and baby’s front, from the start of birth, continuously day and night is helpful.

Secondly, direct suckling by the baby from the mother’s breast is all that is needed to ensure that the newborn baby remains healthy.

Thirdly, if ever the mother and her newborn baby require physical, medical, emotional and psychological support to improve their well-being, services and immediate assistance will be provided to them.

Lastly, a mother and her newborn baby can be discharged early in the ‘kangaroo position’ at any gestational age or weight in the event that they are healthy, have the necessary support and the baby is gaining weight from his or her mother’s breast milk.

‘At first I was afraid, but I had to be strong for my baby.’ Those were the words of young mother Bongiwe Witbooi (21) from George whose newborn baby turns three weeks old on Sunday, 21 November. Bongiwe gave birth to her baby girl Akhelethu Witbooi at 7 months on 31 August 2021 at the George Regional Hospital. Akhelethu weighed 800 g.

‘The medical staff was so helpful and friendly,’ said Bongiwe with the greatest smile on her face. She later explained that the staff in the neonatal unit gave her the hope and courage to not be scared and bond with her newborn baby girl no matter her size.

Dr Ilse Els-Goussard (specialist in Paediatrics and neonatal care) stated that in previous years, newborn babies were only discharged if they weighed more than 2 kg. Today, because of kangaroo mother care, newborn babies are allowed to be discharged at a weight of 1,7 kg. ‘There are many benefits to kangaroo mother care. Short-term benefits ensure that newborn babies get less severe infections because the babies are colonised with the mom’s flora which protects babies against the resistant organisms in the hospital’, said Dr Els-Goussard.

She also states that the long-term benefits is ‘the amazing bond with the mom and the baby that carries through to adulthood’.

According to Dr Els-Goussard, there are babies in full-time kangaroo mother care currently and babies who receive kangaroo mother care during daytime only.

Currently, at George Hospital there are seven full-time kangaroo mother care beds and other intermittent beds to accommodate 10 to 15 babies receiving kangaroo mother care.

‘The most rewarding part of this programme is when the mom takes charge of the small baby and they become equipped with the knowledge, and that’s the reason the unit can send home babies earlier.

Kangaroo care is medicine for the soul’, she said.

Caption: Kangaroo mother care for Bongiwe Witbooi (21) and baby Akhelethu.

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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

9 November 2021 Media Release: Hands-on deck for festive season

Media Release: Hands-on deck for the festive season

For Immediate Release
9 November 2021

All hands are on deck to get as many people as possible vaccinated before the start of the festive season. If the majority of us are vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines by December, we will have a much safer summer. Vaccination is the best way of saving ourselves from illness, death and ongoing disruptions of our lives and work. Vaccination teams in the Garden Route District has to date administered 326 063 vaccinations.

“We have a long way to go to reach our two targets, i.e. fully vaccinating 85% of those above the age of 50 years and 65% or the total Garden Route population between the ages 18 and 49 with at least one dose. We stand at 63% and 38% respectively”, said District Director Mr Zee Brickles.

Vooma Weekend vaccinations will again take place this weekend. The sites below will be operational as indicated. Registration can be done at the site. It is quick, free and easy.

COVID-19 stats as of 9 November 2021

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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

8 November 2021 Media Release: Youth to get vaccinated

Media Release: Youth to get vaccinated

For Immediate Release

5 November 2021

District Director for the Garden Route and Central Karoo Health districts, Mr Zee Brickles, visited Harry Comay Hospital on 4 November 2021, together with his 15-year-old daughter Riyanna Brickles for her COVID -19 vaccination.

“Our children are undeniably, our future. This certainty is however challenged daily by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research has shown that vaccination prevents severe disease and death and that is why we eagerly supported our child when she decided to take the vaccine”, said Mr Brickles.

Riyanna was initially a bit scared of the needle but now knows it was not necessary. “I was a bit stressed about the injection part and what a relief when it was not half as bad as I thought it would be. It was quite simple and quick”, she said. Riyanna wants to encourage other youth to also protect themselves and their families by getting the vaccine.

Mr Brickles added: “We share many dreams with our children; their matric ball, their first day heading off to university, their dream job, their wedding day etc., and we owe it to ourselves to be there with them on those days when their dreams are realised. We can absolutely achieve this if we get vaccinated and support our children to also vaccinate when they are ready, like we did. Our children have the right to choose whether or not to take the vaccine and we as parents have the obligation to support them in their informed decision. Our daughter did her own research but we also provided her with reliable and credible information about COVID and the vaccine, on which she based her own decision to take the vaccine. I would like to encourage all parents to do the same as it remains our responsibility to be that support, at times when our children need us most.

Mr Zee Brickles with his daughter Riyanna who received her COVID-19 vaccination. With them is vaccinator Elsabe Kamfer.

We are living in times where we endure repeated attacks from COVID-19 on our mental state, on our choice to socialise and on our physical health. We have all lost loved ones and colleagues, we have all witnessed how families were left in utter despair and we have certainly all endured the many restrictions imposed upon our freedom in an effort to curb the spread of the virus. December of last year was a particular challenge for us when we experienced the devastating effects of the 2nd wave, our liberties were restricted to socialise in the confines of our own homes, separated from friends and families and our movement was limited when beaches and recreational facilities were closed. We were on edge when our phones rang for fear that it may be bad news about a friend, loved one or colleague as we saw so many deaths occurring daily. The festive season last year was sombre; with seemingly no light at the endless dark tunnel.

This year I am optimistic and positive! The vaccine has brought us an opportunity to again experience the silly season as we have in previous years with lots of joy, happiness and laughter with friends and family whilst being able to visit our beaches and recreational facilities. This time we will be better prepared and protected if we are vaccinated. Children from the age of 12, adults and our most precious seniors have an opportunity to again experience the festive season as we know it without fear of severe disease and death. Let us all Unite to Vaccinate and support our children to become our allies in pursuit of a healthy and protected people. Let us not forget the dreams of our children and ensure that we help them get there through ensuring that they too are protected from severe disease and death”, said Brickles.

We implore the public to visit their nearest vaccination site for their free and quick vaccination to save our summer.

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

8 November 2021 Media Release: Ophthalmic service on the road again

Media Release: Ophthalmic service on the road again

For Immediate Release
8 November 2021

Ophthalmic eye surgeon for the region, Dr. Nicolaas Stempels and his team have been hard at work servicing those who need cataract eye surgery as well as other ophthalmic procedures.

Venessa Cassel (55) from Kranshoek was one of the patients who received a cataract removal at Plettenberg Bay Town Clinic on 26 October 2021.

“I can’t drive due to the cataracts, so I am excited to be here and to get this procedure done”, she said.

Dr Stempels and his team are busy with outreaches across the Garden Route and Central Karoo and have visited George, Knysna, Bitou and Beaufort West.

The pandemic has had a profound effect on ophthalmic services. “I used to do between 1000 and 2000 ophthalmic operations for both the Garden Route and Central Karoo a year. I was only able to do 150 in 2020”, he said.

Cases seen to now are the semi-urgent ones. These include people who are unable to walk unassisted, people with complications, those needing the service to be able to work(drivers) as well as children.

One billion people around the world have a preventable vision impairment or one that has yet to be addressed. Reduced or absent eyesight can have major and long lasting effects on all aspects of life, including daily personal activities, interacting with the community, school and work opportunities and the ability to access public services. Reduced eyesight can be caused by several factors, including diseases like diabetes and trachoma, trauma to the eyes, or condition such as refractive error, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma.

Western Cape Government Health offers a range of ophthalmology services. Primary health care facilities in the Garden Route district have specialized Eye Care Professional Nurses supporting the above team and eye services is rendered offering screening for spectacles.

Caption: Back row: Sr Kotze, staff nurse Shabalala, Dr Stempels, Nolusindiso Mfumbata(patient) and nurse Tini. Front: Sr Z Mnyaka-Baby

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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

5 November 2021 Media Release: GRDM Firefighters perform outstandingly in a Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge

Media Release: GRDM Firefighters perform outstandingly in a Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge

For Immediate Release
5 November 2021

Firefighters from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), yesterday, 4 November 2021, participated in a Firefighter Combat and Rescue Challenge in Johannesburg. One of the Firefighters from GRDM, Emile Conrad, who is notorious for winning individual challenges, also won the Individual Combat Challenge. The event was hosted by Dräger in conjunction with the South African Emergency Care (SAEC). Dräger is an international company that specialises in the field of medical and firefighting safety technology and products that save lives.

The purpose of the challenge was for firefighting teams to test and promote their skills and fitness while learning and experiencing the latest firefighting equipment and technology on the market.

Presentations were also done about the latest advancements in safety technology for firefighters.

Municipal and industrial Firefighters from mostly across Johannesburg competed in the event and consisted of over 30 individual firefighters and 10 teams competing in the different events. The following GRDM firefighters participated in the competition, namely: Branville Abrahams Emile Conrad, David van Niekerk and Grant Gericke. According to Acting Chief Fire Officer, Deon Stoffels, the team performed well and ended with third (3rd) place in the Rescue Challenge.

Congratulations to our dedicated GRDM firefighters on their sterling performance in the competition!

Feature image caption: Branville Abrahams, Grant Gericke, Emile Conrad and David van Niekerk

ENDS

2 November 2021 Media Release: Pregnant Women and Vaccination

Media Release: Pregnant women and vaccination

For Immediate Release
2 November 2021

Pregnancy can be a challenging time for many women. Even more so, during a pandemic.

Mothers must think not only about their own health and safety but also that of their unborn baby and how to best protect their child(ren). Data shows that COVID-19 is more dangerous in pregnant women, especially towards the end of pregnancy. Pregnant women who are older or are living with hypertension, diabetes, obesity, TB or untreated HIV are especially at risk.

According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists(UK), stillbirth and preterm deliveries are higher in COVID-19 positive patients.

“Since March 2020, George Hospital has seen an increase in pregnant women with COVID-19 pneumonia. The vaccination protects you, your unborn baby, your family and your community from the effects of the virus”, said Dr Carl Firmin, Head of Clinical Unit: Obstetrics & Gynaecology at George Hospital.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women are receiving COVID-19 vaccinations throughout the world. You can have the vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy. Mcedakza Malolom (33) is six months pregnant and decided to get her COVID-19 vaccination at Thembalethu Clinic. “I want to protect myself and the baby”, she said.

Mothers who are breastfeeding are also eligible for the vaccine and so also women who are planning a pregnancy. By getting the vaccine you will decrease your chances of getting severe COVID-19 or dying from COVID-19. The vaccine can protect you and possibly your baby from getting even mild COVID-19 infection. None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus, so it cannot give you or your baby COVID-19. The vaccine may cause the same side effects whether you are pregnant or not. These are usually mild. You can use paracetamol if you have a fever or headache after vaccination.

For more information visit: www.westerncape.gov.za

Caption: Mcedakza Malolom had her vaccination to protect her unborn child. With her is Sr Meissenheimer (vaccinator) and Ms Nolokwe (administrator).

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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

28 October 2021 Media Release: Another 22 students to reap fruits from Garden Route DM Cater Care Programme

Media Release: Another 22 students to reap fruits from Garden Route DM Cater Care Programme

For Immediate Release
28 October 2021

A successful partnership of approximately ten (10) years between the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the Francois Ferreira Academy (FFA) continues as GRDM recently appointed them for three (3) more years until 2023. Youth continue to be equipped with vital skills in the hospitality industry after Council availed R450 000.00 for this programme for the next 12 months.

With plenty of opportunities offered by the hospitality and tourism industry, previously disadvantaged youth are the core focus of the programme.

The FFA received 300 applications, of which 63 were shortlisted for interviews. After that, 22 youth were selected to be part of the programme. The interview panel consisted of officials and lecturers from the FFA and GRDM Tourism and EPWP representatives.

Three (3) weeks into the programme and students already completed their theoretical training. They started practical cooking classes on 25 October, which will end on 17 November 2021. Students will apply this knowledge in the kitchen. Towards the end of November 2021, students will be given the opportunity to enter the industry to get on-job training and experience. The training programme will end in December 2021, and the certificate handover ceremony will take place during mid-January 2022.

Today, during a ‘meet-and-greet’ by the GRDM Deputy Executive Mayor, Alderlady Rosina Ruiters and Cllr Erica Meyer, Alderlady Ruiters encouraged students to seize every opportunity they are given in life and to grab it with both hands. She wished them well with the training programme and all their future endeavors.

29 October 2021 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality improves its procurement practices to avoid Deviations

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality improves its procurement practices to avoid Deviations

For Immediate Release
28 October 2021

Over the last few years, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has improved significantly with the utilisation of deviations in its procurement processes.

According to GRDM Chief Financial Officer, Mr Jan-Willem de Jager, GRDM has invested significant time and effort in an attempt to reduce the amount of goods/services that had to be procured via deviations to the bare minimum. “Since 2017/2018 financial year, GRDM improved with a drop in deviations from ± R23 million to ±R2 million,” De Jager said.

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What is a Deviation?

A deviation is a procurement process that falls within the ambit of Regulation 36 of the Municipal Supply Chain Management Regulations (Municipal Finance Management Act). Tebello Mpuru, Manager responsible for Stores, Data & Supply Chain Management at GRDM, explains: “It allows the Municipal Manager to dispense with the prescribed procurement processes established by the organisation’s Supply Management Policy of Council and to procure any required goods and services through any convenient process, provided that the reason for having to deviate falls within the allowed categories as per the legislation. This may include direct negotiations,” he said.

The SCM Regulations stipulates the following five (5) specific circumstances that legitimise the use of deviations:

In an emergency situation
If such goods or services are produced or available from a single provider only
For the acquisition of special works of art or historical objects where specifications are difficult to compile
Acquisitions of animals for zoos
In any other exceptional case where it is impractical or impossible to follow the official procurement process; and
To ratify any minor breaches of the procurement processes by an official or committee acting in terms of delegated powers or duties which are purely of technical nature.

The use of deviations for unjustifiable reasons leads to irregular expenditure. According to Mpuru, irregular expenditure due to the abuse of deviations, is frowned upon by stakeholders at all levels of the organisation, as the practice negatively affects the performance of the organisational. For that reason, this practice rarely ever escapes the public eye, as it creates a perception of intentional financial misconduct and the contravention of the relevant Municipal Finance Management Act (in a municipal context). On the question, why it is important not to follow the deviations route, Mpuru highlighted: “Through proper procurement planning by an organisation to put measures in place to have appropriate goods and service contracts for Council, a deviation would be an exceptional occurrence”. Each deviation would then allow the Council to update their procurement plan and put measures in place to avoid similar situations in the future, if possible. An event would rarely be entirely new; therefore, through proper planning, procurement contracts can be put in place ahead of time and ensure that minimal deviations can occur.

In further elaborating on the practice of deviating, De Jager explains that with emergencies that could still arise, considering that GRDM delivers disaster management and fire fighting services, would mean that some deviations would still be justifiably required. However “the organisation has shown great progress to identify every possible eventually for which we would be required to procure goods/services and has ensured that legislated procurement processes were followed to get adequate contracts in place for such goods/services”. In closing, he highlighted: “The success of this drive to reduce deviations is evident from how the total annual deviations has decreased over the last number of years”.

What to look out for when procuring goods and services?

Procurement is about Council openly going into the market to procure goods and services and allow the market to be treated fairly in responding to the needs of the state. Government’s intention is to solicit goods and services in the market without prejudice and allow the market to respond with the best possible offer to Government. A procurement process is designed to be transparent, fair, equitable, competitive and cost-effective to ensure the state utilises public resources in a manner that translates into value for money.

Mpuru advises that when goods or services are procured, one should do a market analysis and ensure that you are fairly familiarised with the approximate market rate for those goods and services. One cannot claim ignorance by purchasing goods and services that are priced at an unreasonable cost – “Government has limited funding, as such every cent that is spent should be value for money. Failure to do so could be deemed as financial negligence and could be deemed as a crime against the state and the people of this country”. Every cent spent belongs to the public and should therefore be treated with utmost care to avoid irregular or wasteful expenditure – limited resources should translate in eliminating inefficiencies and obtaining the best possible value out of the market.

How to prevent Deviations?

Procurement is merely a translation of the execution of planned objectives. Therefore every cent in the organisation should be spent according to the plans of Council. Planning, therefore, requires a lot more thought and attention to detail to ensure that those entrusted with public funds have a clear plan on what programs and projects of Council they plan to execute in the most efficient manner possible.

“Ultimately we are public servants, and we are accountable to the public as a primary stakeholder to serve our communities. Failure to ensure efficient use of public resources ultimately means that we have failed society to derive the highest value possible with Government’s limited resources. Every action we do to add, speaks to the sustainability of public governance and the stability and growth of society” Mpuru emphasised. “Therefore being prudent means if we plan accordingly it can only be of benefit to society at large of which we are also beneficiaries of,” he concluded.

ENDS

03 November 2021 Media Release: Firefighters from Garden Route DM educate the youth and elderly about fires

Media Release: Firefighters from Garden Route DM educate the youth and elderly about fires

For Immediate Release
03 November 2021

As part of their daily mandatory functions, firefighters of the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Fire Services eagerly share information about preventative measures to inform, educate and make their fellow Garden Routers aware of fire safety and the prevention of wildfires.

Since the start of the municipality’s financial year (July annually), the GRDM Fire Services rolled out educational awareness interventions primarily focused on schools and communities within traditional high risk rural and on urban interfaces. An urban interface is an area bordering residential areas and wildlife vegetation.

Additionally, the GRDM Fire Services performs an inclusive firefighting function within the Kannaland Municipal area and continuously conducts home fire safety, building fire safety interventions, and compliance inspections.

During the sessions, communities are informed, educated and equipped with the basic knowledge and skills needed in the event of a fire, as well as how to prevent a fire Topics and details being taught to community members, include (click on "+" to expand the tabs below):

What to do when discovering a wildfire

Warn people inside the house to get out safely.
Help people to get out and stay out of harm’s way.
If there’s a lot of smoke, crawl out below the smoke to escape the fire.
Where possible, have more than one exit from your house, with clear routes to a door.
Veld fires spread fast, so these need to be extinguished immediately when discovered, and if safe to do so, the Fire Brigade must be called immediately.

Using evacuation routes and sheltered areas

Follow the emergency exit signs that are mounted on walls and nearby doors.
Move to a safe space of shelter away from the fire or emergency.
Move to the point where of gathering.

What not to do in a fire situation

Never use water to kill an electrical fire. It’s also handy to keep a bucket of clean sand ready outside your kitchen door, or if possible, a small fire extinguisher.
Do not stand or evacuate uphill from a veld, bush or mountain fire because fires spread faster in an upwards direction.
Do not attempt to outrun a fast-spreading veld and bush fire, rather move back to where it has already burned.

Fire behaviour

Veld, bush and mountain fires spread faster uphill and through valleys.

How to put out a fire without water

A fire needs heat, oxygen and fuel to survive. Without one of these elements, the fire will die.
If you don’t have access to water or a fire extinguisher to put out a fire, you can use other methods such as sand or a wet blanket. If the fire occurs on your kitchen stove, try to smother the fire by placing a lid on top of the pot or pan.

To prevent fires from starting or spreading, you should

not leave open fires unattended and should use sand to kill the fire;
make sure that your home has no illegal electrical connections and that multi-plugs are not overloaded, as these can overheat, causing sparks and fires;
keep the area around your home clear of materials (leaves, rubbish, plastic and old timber) that can start a fire;
tell someone who’s playing carelessly with fires, matches or lighters to stop;
know your emergency numbers to report veld fires in your area immediately; and
Veld fires spread fast, so it needs to be extinguished immediately, or the Fire Brigade must be called immediately.

Assisting vulnerable citizens, such as the elderly and children, during an emergency

Children and the elderly should be assisted and evacuated to a place of safety first.

Locating and using fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are usually mounted in an area that is freely accessible should be about 1.0 to 1.2 meters from the floor and be unobstructed.
Pull the pin.
Aim at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever.
Sweep side to side.

How to safely evacuate

Go to the nearest door or opening, away from the fire;
If exit signs are present, follow the exit signs;
Go to a safe area away from the fire or to a known assembly point; and
Do not use elevators.

Safe practices around and inside homes

Never leave an open fire – for example, around a braai – unattended.
Don’t let open fires, such as a braai – get too big and out of control.
Monitor weather conditions. If the wind is strong, instead put the fire out till the wind dies down.
Open fires are a common cause of uncontrolled fires in the Garden Route District. It’s a good idea not to start a fire when it’s hot, dry and especially not when it’s windy.
Keep a braai well away from any surrounding vegetation or flammable materials, structures, as well as children and pets.

LIST OF SESSIONS THAT TOOK PLACE FROM JULY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2021

Date	Intervention	Audience	Coordinator
06 July 2021	Fire Safety Compliance Inspection	Ladismith Cheese Factory	Platoon Commander B Afrikander
23 August 2021	Flammable Substance Inspection	Klein Karoo Agri Calitzdorp	Platoon Commander B Afrikander
11 September 2021	Public Fire Safety Education	Voorbaat Farming Community	Snr. FF Devonia Cupido
11 September 2021	Public Fire Safety Education	Glentana Informal Community	Platoon Commander E Basson-Coetzer
14 September 2021	Fire Safety Compliance Inspection	WJ Le Roux Primary School	Platoon Commander B Afrikander
16 September 2021	Fire Safety Compliance Inspection	Sterreland Kleuterskool, Voorbaat	Platoon Commander B Afrikander
16 September 2021	Public Fire Safety Education	Alabama Pre-School, Zoar	Snr. FF Morne Stuurman
18 September 2021	Disseminating Fire Prevention Material	Vleesbay	Platoon Commander H Leslie
22 September 2021	Public Fire Safety Education	Hoekwil Primary School	Platoon Commander Nelani
29 September 2021	Public Fire Safety Education	Die Heuwel Speelskool, Calitzdorp	Snr FF W Petzer
06 October 2021	Public Fire Safety Education	Herold Primary School	Snr FF L James
09 October 2021	Public Fire Safety Education	Smutsville, Sedgefield	Snr FF J Wolmarans

Educating the public helps prevent fires, save lives and reduce the risk of lives being lost, damage to property and animals dying. Therefore, it is essential for everyone to be mindful of the hidden fire dangers in and around a home and yard.

Mondays – Thursdays	07:30 – 16:30
Fridays	07:30 – 13:30
Saturdays & Sundays	Closed
24/7 Emergency Call Centre: 044 805 5071