Media Release: First healthcare workers to be vaccinated in Garden Route
For Immediate Release 3 March 2021
The first group of healthcare workers from both the public and private sector in the Garden Route District will receive their Johnson & Johnson’s vaccinations today, 3 March 2021.
EMS Sub-district Manager for George, Cedric Yantolo (56) received the first vaccination at the launch of the George Hospital vaccination site. He understands the importance of getting the vaccine. “I am the only breadwinner in my family and some of my family members are sickly, so I cannot afford to get sick. So far I have protected myself with the only means available and that is personal protective gear. I am however now ready for additional protection – the vaccine! I am afraid of needles, so getting this vaccine voluntarily really speaks to my believe in protecting myself and others”, he said.
Administering the vaccine was Carika-Ann Jansen van Vuuren, who is the operational manager for the outpatient department at George Hospital. When asked if she was hesitant about the vaccine: “A little bit but after I did the training, I realized that one can only benefit from the vaccine”.
EMS Sub-district Manager for George, Cedric Yantolo (56) received the first vaccination at the launch of the George Hospital vaccination site.
Cedric feels good after receiving his vaccination.
Second tranche of vaccines and first batch for Rural
The second batch of vaccines arrived in the province over the weekend. The province has been allocated 13 068 vaccines which will be delivered in two separate batches. Of this, 2 560 will be distributed to the Rural areas. The Garden Route has received an initial 320 doses for the first week with another batch arriving next week.
Select health staff from the different sub-districts as well as private hospital staff who have registered and have received their voucher and confirmed an appointment with their manager will receive their vaccination this week.
Phased rollout
The Sisonke implementation study vaccines are being administered over an eight-week period. We estimate that approximately 40% of healthcare workers in the province will be vaccinated in this timeframe with the available vaccines.
To ensure that we prevent any situation emerging where a non-healthcare worker poses as a healthcare worker during this first phase of this vaccination programme, we require all healthcare workers to show workplace identification, or to provide their Health Professions Council registration number as verification.
Phases 2 and 3 will cover larger numbers of residents and will include other frontline services, people in congregate settings, those at risk due to age or comorbidity, and finally, in phase 3, the general adult population. We are working hard to put all the systems in place to roll out these phases as soon as approved vaccines arrive.
Sequencing of vaccines
Since we are receiving several deliveries of the vaccine, the Department has introduced sequencing to ensure equitable access, and that the most vulnerable and most at risk of exposure healthcare workers are vaccinated first.
As we continue to receive batches of vaccines, we commit to continue with vaccination so that all healthcare workers who are willing to be vaccinated get vaccinated. The private sector will start with hospital staff first as per sequencing thereafter all other private health staff will be vaccinated as per sequencing.
If any health staff member of the private group sector has any questions to please speak to their manager who will need to book their appointment after they have registered and received their voucher.
Register for vaccine
During phase 1, only healthcare workers who wish to take up vaccination can register on the national electronic system: https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za. Once registered they will be issued with a voucher indicating vaccination site and date to go for the vaccination. Registered healthcare workers are asked to liaise with the relevant person at their workplace to book their appointment after they have received their voucher.
We will inform the public when they can start registering on the system.
Captions
Feature Image: Johny Bruintjies, Marlyn Aries and Irene Maphaza received their vaccinations.
ENDS
Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Media Release: How to apply for Tourism Road Signage
For Immediate Release
25 February 2021
Government and the private sector understands the importance of the Tourism Sector, in particular its impact on the economy. Tourism creates jobs, sustains livelihoods and promotes a country’s natural and cultural heritage. It is however important for each person to know where to find tourist attractions through clearly identifiable signs. Such signs are approved for five (5) years or rejected by a Regional Tourism Liaison Committee (RTLC) and in the case of the Western Cape, the Western Cape Provincial Government in collaboration with the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL).
What do tourism road signs look like?
Tourism road signs in South Africa contain white symbols and lettering, displayed on a brown background. These signs are erected from the nearest numbered route, with additional signs indicating directions to a tourism attraction or facility. It does however become tricky in urban areas where there are a lot of signs, buildings, and other objects. This is why generic signs may be considered by the RTLC.
Purpose of tourism road signs?
The purpose of tourism road signs is not intended to advertise a tourism attraction, but to guide the public to a facility while a person can enjoy an excursion. Therefore, tourism road signs are intended to clearly indicate the route pedestrians and motorists need to travel along to reach specific attractions or facilities.
Who can apply for a tourism road sign?
Owners of registered tourism facilities and/or attractions may apply for tourism signs.
Approval of road signs
Approval for a tourism sign depends on the quality of the facility or service, the need for a road sign at a given point, and whether a sign can be erected without causing a traffic hazard.
Tourism road sign application process
Those interested in applying for a tourism road sign needs to contact their nearest Local Tourism Office (LTO) to discuss the requirements and to collect an application form. Each LTO is responsible for providing applicants with answers to specific requirements and indicate whether such a premises would be recommended by them. Once an applicant has completed all required documentation, it needs to be submitted to the issuing LTO. LTOs are subsequently responsible for submitting documents to the RTLC for review.
The evaluation of a facility by the LTO comprises of, amongst other things, compliance with warrants. Warrants serve as assurance of acceptable standards for a tourist, who is influenced to support the establishment by means of being exposed to the tourism road signage.
Approval of tourism road signage
If an application has been recommended by a LTO, or in some instances a Local Economic Development Unit of a Municipality, it will be forwarded to the RTLC and the Transport Directorate for review.
The requirements of Transport Authority vary according to the status of the road. More important mobility roads will have stricter requirements. Once the road authority has access to all the relevant documentation, information is processed in terms of the relevant road regulations. Technicalities such as the placing of the sign; distance from a crossing; number of existing signs; and the speed limit of the particular road where the sign is intended to be erected, are taken into account
When submissions are approved, an applicant will be furnished with a digital drawing of the sign. In addition to this, a list of approved manufacturers who conform to tourism standards will be provided too.
Rejection of tourism road signage
LTOs will provide clear reasons for why applicants have not been granted permission to erect tourism road signage. This decision will be preceded by an on-site inspection of the facility by the LTO to measure its compliance to a certain number of required tick-boxes.
If an applicant’s submission is rejected, SANRAL will inform the applicant of such a decision and provide the reasons behind it.
Fees payable
Applicants will be responsible for appointing a manufacturer to do the work in accordance with a letter of approval and for all costs related to the erection of the sign. SANRAL has specific conditions under which approval may be granted.
The tourism road sign is up, now what?
Once the sign has been erected, it becomes the property of SANRAL and may be relocated or removed at their discretion. Applicants remain responsible for the upkeep/ maintenance of their respective road signs.
If the applicant’s facility no longer complies with warrants, SANRAL may remove all tourism road signs. SANRAL or LTOs can, at any moment inspect a facility to ensure that it still meets the relevant authorised standards.
Contact information for offices responsible for signage:
National roads are governed by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), provincial roads by the Provincial Roads Department (PG: WC), district/secondary roads by the District Council and normal streets by the Local Municipality.*
An alert for level 2, damaging winds, has been issued by the South African Weather Services. The alert is valid from 25 February 2021 until 28 February 2021.
Public Notice: Fourth Adjustment Budget, 2020/2021
Notice 11/2021
Open for Public Comment
Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipality Council’s Fourth Adjustment Budget for the period 2020/2021-2022/2023, was compiled in accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 2003 (Act 56 of 2003).
This document was approved by the GRDM Council on Tuesday, 23 February 2021 and is available for public inspection and comments. Visit the GRDM municipal website www.gardenroute.gov.za today, 24 February 2021 and onward to access the relevant documentation.
Members of the public are invited to submit written comments or representations to the municipality in respect of this document. Click here to view the official notice.
All comments and inputs must be directed to:
The Municipal Manager Garden Route District Municipality
54 York Street
George
6530
Please contact the Budget Manager (Ms Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300 with any enquiries.
M G Stratu Municipal Manager Garden Route District Municipality
Executive Mayor’s Speech – GRDM Council Meeting on 23 February 2021
Mr Speaker, you’ve alluded to the fact that we lost one of our members and it is so profound that it is written in the Scriptures that there will be a time to come and there will be a time to go. We are not immune to this as a Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM). We have lost quite a few of our members, political colleagues, staff members and many of us have lost loved ones. Indeed it will never ever be the same here for us again and we will always look back at this period in history and remember the people that we lost due to various circumstances.
What I do want to highlight is that on behalf of Council, our condolences have gone out to the Saayman family – we have engaged with them. I want to announce that this is the first official meeting where Cllr Saayman will not be present again. Also, this coming Thursday it will be the late Cllr Saayman’s memorial service. Communication will go out to everyone and also to the rest of the people in the Garden Route who would like to join the memorial service of our late Cllr Saayman.
Mr Speaker I would also like to welcome our adopted staff members from the Human Settlements Department in the Western Cape who are now stationed with us. Ms Shehaam Sims and Mr Joel Mkunqwana – I would like to welcome you both. I know that they are already rock stars. Following last week’s press conference, my phone has already rang off the hook – probably theirs as well. In terms of the new breakthrough we have made as the Garden Route, it is obvious that we have been very busy behind the scenes until it was made public last Friday of what we were busy with.
Ourselves together with the Minister for Human Settlements, MEC Tertuis Simmers and his staff, who I have mentioned before, formed part of the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). Mr Speaker, as I was saying, our telephones have been non-stop ringing which is a key indication that we have already stepped into a gap where people want information. We are very excited of what might lie ahead in terms of our engagements with the Western Cape Government Human Settlements Department. We can’t wait to showcase to the rest of the Western Cape and South Africa how cooperation between district municipalities and local municipalities can benefit everyone.
We’re not going to pretend that there are not serious questions emanating from this historic event. We’re not going to get tired to explain to people how it will work and we will engage with the local municipalities to resolve any uncertainties. However, I do need to reiterate that we are not planning to take away the role or mandate of local municipalities we are partnering with, because we want to make sure that everyone benefits. In particular, I refer here to those who want to be beneficiaries in the human settlements space – we want everyone to benefit regardless of their status in life.
On the very same Friday last week, we, as the GRDM also official opened the Garden Route Food Pantry. This is something that was debated about for quite some time. This initiative was triggered by the after-effects and unintended consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Speaker this is a wonderful R1.3 million that spans over a period of three years, but knowing the value of the Rand, it might fluctuate from time-to-time. In addition, there are ongoing discussions that the purpose is to feed the needy and to make sure that there is dignity in each and every household in the Garden Route. More importantly, to make sure nobody goes to bed without not having had a meal. Again, I’m reinforcing what I’ve said I the presence of all other Mayors, this is to compliment what is happening at a local level. We are aware that there are soup kitchens and homes where people feed communities from their own kitchens. This intervention is to complement what they’re doing. Even bigger, if there is a need, we can distribute supplies from this food pantry to them as well.
Mr Speaker, we are busy dealing with the contributions as well. We are busy finalising all the nitty gritty details regarding the financial model of this. There is already a model where each and every municipality we have to contribute. They are dealing with that within their own jurisdictions. We’re contributing as a district municipality.
Mr Speaker I want to highlight – no good deed should go unnoticed. I did not get permission to do this, but because it is something that presents a significant impact, we would really like to say to Mr John Lombard that we really appreciate his contribution of thousands of Rands to the Garden Route Food Pantry. He’s been leading by example. Mr Lombard, on behalf of the GRDM, all the local municipalities and all the residents of the Garden Route, we really acknowledge and salute you – you’re setting the tone and we will definitely follow suit. Also, Mr Speaker, I want to put a challenge to all the Councillors and officials – charity begins at home. We need to lead by example, I am putting out this challenge to all of us that there is also a part that is linked to this project where anyone can buy a brick for R100.00 per month. A person can either sign a debit order or a stop order or pay it in person. I want everyone to sign up for at least one year. Individuals can write their names against a brick inside the Food Pantry building. If it is more than R100, a person can write details on more bricks. So, in essence, a person can write their own name, their family, children etc. A person can start their own dynasty there where a person can have ten (10) “Stratu” bricks for example. That would be an indication that we do support his and that it is a combined effort that we support this cause. If we can do it, if Mr Lombard can do it, if municipal employees can do it, especially the Councillors of the Garden Route – we should all follow suite.
What is also very exciting to me, again, is something coming on for months and years. It is the issue where Inter-governmentally everyone always disputes property ownership amongst their partners in all three spheres of government. There is always that dispute where we own pockets of land and some municipalities feel that such land belongs to them. This is not a battle that we want to get involved in, instead, in that space we want to form partnerships. Mr Speaker, today is going to be another historic signing between the Garden Route District Municipality and Mossel Bay Municipality where we will go and sign mutual agreements between the two municipalities in terms of us transferring properties to them and they transferring properties to us. Some of the properties will be utilised in a way where we will jointly develop these properties for a better Garden Route as a district. I would like to encourage all municipalities who have this in the back of their minds that they are gearing themselves to fight the Garden Route. We will come to you, negotiate and ensure that it is a win-win situation.
You know, no matter what we’re going through as a country, all our problems and difficulties that we are experiencing as a district and a country. One thing I’ve learned is that one of the solutions is the education of our youth. Last night we listened to the announcement of the results of the 2020 Matriculants. I want to congratulate those who have made it on behalf of the Garden Route. I would also like to say to those who have not made it – it is not the end of the world. Regard it as an opportunity. Go and re-write, there is always room for improvement. We also want to thank you to the parents who have endured for long hours as well. They’ve endured long hours, in some instances during loadshedding. They’ve really pulled through – congratulations to everybody. So, once again, even though someone did not pass, I encourage those to go back and re-write so that there is a better future for everyone.
Joint Media Release: Properties between Garden Route DM and Mossel Bay transferred – partnership established
23 February 2021 For Immediate Release
The agreement entered into between the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the Mossel Bay Municipality (MBM) is a joint effort to rectify the registration details of certain properties in the Deeds Registry, some of which are still registered in the name of the then Divisional Councils. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was made possible by co-operation and a joint effort by both municipalities to ensure that their asset registers reflect the correct information by formalizing the actual ownership, use of and responsibilities with regard to the properties.
One of the major projects resulting from this MoU is the moving of the GRDM Fire Base to Mossel Bay. This project is currently in its initiation phase and will have a positive impact on the proximity of the majority of GRDM firefighters to other parts of the Garden Route. The MoU, which will be signed on 23 February 2021, outlines that a subdivision of an erf of 17 312 m² in Mossel Bay needs to be undertaken. The MBM Fire Services base is already situated on this property, while the Southern portion will be utilised by the GRDM Fire and Rescue Services.
The GRDM Fire Base will be more strategically positioned to combat wildfires in the region once this project has been finalised. The farthest point to the west from Mossel Bay is Witsand, which is a distance of approximately 150km from the proposed new base, while Plettenberg Bay is situated approximately 140km away from the Mossel Bay Fire Base to the east.
Other properties agreed to be transferred, leased, sold or developed, include:
Erf 488 in Tergniet will be transferred from GRDM to MBM. This property is currently utilised and under the control of MBM and includes a parking area, ablution facilities and a waste transfer station.
Erf 76 and 77 in Little Brak River will be transferred to MBM. MBM already utilises these properties as a cemetery.
Erf 78 in Little Brak River will be transferred to MBM because a community hall is built on it and already in use by MBM.
Erf 238 in Little Brak River is a public street, utilised and maintained by MBM. This property will be transferred.
Erf 1040 in Little Brak River contains a reservoir which is already used by MBM and will subsequently be transferred to their register.
MBM will submit an offer to purchase Erf 99 in Glentana, which is in extent of 47 057m². This property is currently utilised and under the control of MBM as a parking area, ablution facilities and picnic and braai areas.
GRDM will transfer a portion south of Morrison Road, Portion 2 of the Farm Hoogekraal No. 23, now referred to as erf 832, Glentana, to MBM.
GRDM will transfer a portion of erf 271, north north-west of Impala Avenue in Rheebok to MBM.
MBM will subsequently transfer erf 12406 in Mossel Bay to GRDM. This is the current property where the GRDM Municipal Health Services sub-office already operates from.
GRDM and MBM will undertake a collective approach to develop erf 271 in Rheebok, which is 413 333m², and erf 264 Rheebok, in the extent 17 131m², into one unit. This development will conform to the development standards of the surrounding area, while ensuring a green lung with linkages is maintained to other green areas. MBM will be responsible for obtaining the applicable environmental and planning approvals, but both municipalities will bear the costs and equal interest in the development of the property.
All the above interventions prove that when the spheres Local Government work in harmony with one another, far more meaningful change is possible, without bottlenecks and unnecessary red-tape.
During the PPE handover ceremony, Local Economic Development (LED) Managers and representatives from five (5) of the (7) local municipalities (Hessequa, Mossel Bay,George, Knysna, Bitou, Greater Oudtshoorn and Kannaland) in the Garden Route were in attendance. Each toolkit contains facemasks, hand sanitisers, face shields and awareness material. Toolkits will be distributed by the respective municipal LED managers to Informal Traders and Spaza Shops.
The breakdown of the number of toolkits per municipality is as follows: George, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Bitou and Hessequa will receive 50 face shields each, while Kannaland will receive 20 and Oudtshoorn 30. Each municipality will receive 200 x 1 Litre hand sanitisers as well as the same number of face masks.
GRDM Executive Mayor thanked SALGA for the intervention also shared that the GRDM and its local municipalities are fortunate to receive the first batch of PPE toolkits from SALGA in the Western Cape. “It is a very huge task that lies ahead of local municipalities to ensure that the PPE toolkits land up at the correct recipients – Informal Traders and Spaza Shops.” He also said that the “the world is in dire need of PPE at the moment”.
SALGA Provincial Executive Committee Member, Dr Annelie Rabie delivered the keynote address at the handover-ceremony.
GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen (3rd from left) and GRDM Tourism and LED representatives with support staff from local municipalities.
Each PPE toolkit contains the items displayed above.
The SALGA Provincial Executive Committee Member, Dr Annelie Rabie, said: “This initiative is currently being rolled out throughout South Africa and is meant to keep smaller informal food traders safe during this pandemic.” She highlighted that small businesses are all facing difficult times, “they do not all have backup plans, live from hand-to-mouth, and therefore find it difficult to purchase all the required PPE materials to keep safe”.
“As we stand here today, it is true that the whole of South Africa is responding to the challenges posed by COVID-19,” Dr Rabie said. She stressed that revenue at local municipalities is already an ongoing problem, which is why this type of funding by the UNDP, can help communities, which in essence, fills the gaps where Local Government do not necessarily have the funding to do it.
Each municipality today completed an “acknowledgement of receipt” form and will also be responsible for capturing details of each recipient and communicate the details to SALGA.
During 2020, the UNDP and SALGA launched a Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) development assistance programme to assist up-and-coming local manufacturers of fabric facemasks. The idea was to strengthen South Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these donations received on 22 February 2021 included products manufactured by SMMEs from that initiative.
Caption of feature image at the top of this article: SALGA, GRDM and Local Municipal representatives (front, fltr): Shanon Louw (Mossel Bay), Sandy Esau (Mossel Bay), Dr Annelie Rabie (PEC: SALGA), Ald. Memory Booysen (GRDM Executive Mayor), Cllr Grant Riddles (Hessequa Executive Mayor), Joan Shaw (George Municipality Acting Deputy Director: Strategic Services), Nkosinathi September (SALGA Senior Advisor: Financial Resilience), Mvuleni Mposelwa (Knysna Municipality). Back (fltr): Greg Baartman (Oudtshoorn Municipality), Lesley Jacobs (Bitou Municipality), Lerato Tshefu (Hessequa Municipality) and Brandon Du Plessis (George Municipality).
Media Release: Garden Route DM and Local Municipalities form partnership with a NPO and the private sector, to provide food assistance to Garden Routers
For Immediate Release 19 February 2021
What started as a dream in the pursuit of eradicating hunger, has today come into fruition when the Garden Route Food Pantry (GRFP) was officially launched. This is a first of its kind where a District Municipality, Local Municipalities, the Private Sector and a Non-Profit Organisation, work together to alleviate hunger. Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM),Local Municipalities and the GRFP and private businesses are therefore working hand-in-hand to ensure that food safety and security received the much needed attention.
‘Thumbs up to new beginnings’, three leaders committed to addressing food shortages in the region – GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen (left) ; Managing Director for the Food Pantry, Carl van Blerk (middle); and Human Settlements MEC Tertuis Simmers (right).
The official launch the Garden Route Food Pantry took placed today, 19 February 2021, at the head office of the GRFP in George by means of a one-hour programme and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This historical occasion was attended by the Western Cape MEC for Human Settlements, Minister Tertuis Simmers, Executive Mayor of GRDM, Ald. Memory Booysen, Head of the Provincial Department of Human Settlements, Jacqueline Samson, Executive Mayors and Municipal Managers, as well as Councillors from the respective local municipalities in the district, sponsors, business owners, individuals, influencers and the media.
According to Carl van Blerk, Managing Director of the GRFP, the primary mandate of the food pantry is to source food from various local suppliers, manufacturers and farmers. Also, to be a centralised point where food security needs can be coordinated from, while at the same time also serving as a base where fortified products can be processed to fight malnutrition of communities. “This privately run facility does not belong to Government, but must be seen as an efficient facility that belongs to us all. This is why we all need to take ownership and work together to make this dream a reality – whether you are here as a representative of a municipality, a business, a service organisation, the media or just a concerned citizen wanting to make a difference. I am pleading with everyone to take hands, in order for us to approach this as a unified single unit,’’ said Van Blerk.
MEC for Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers during his keynote address emphasised the importance of a collective approach to dealing with issues such as hunger, he also commended the GRDM and Local Municipalities for their commitment to the project.
GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen during his address mentioned that he foresees that similar partnerships will be duplicated across South Africa.
Managing Director for the GRFP, Carl Van Blerk provided details about the GRFP operations and the benefit it offers to communities.
The GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen, during his address said that he was not only seeing what was happening at the food pantry but visualising the impact this type of partnership will have in the future. He thanked all municipalities for being present at the launch and emphasised that because of Covid-19 impact on society, the government can no longer operate in silos. Utilising the available systems and partnering with civil society is central in addressing the current repurchases of the pandemic. Mayor Booysen further envisions that this type of partnership will be duplicated in other parts of the Western Cape and South Africa as a whole.
To the farmers he said, we thank you and we salute you. He also said to the executive mayors, Councillors and taxpayers: “We need you! We want to use your money to feed everybody in this home, the Garden Route district”.
MEC Tertuis Simmers started his address with a quote by Henry Ford which eloquently summarised the occasion: “Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress; working together is success”. He commended the people of the Garden Route district and their innate desire to assist their neighbour. “Your contribution towards the establishment of this food pantry will ensure that many individuals and families can now be assisted with the nutritional meal they require,” Minister Simmers said.
The role of GRDM in this partnership will essentially be that of a strategic enabler with oversight responsibility. GRDM understands that nutrition and food scarcity is directly linked to food safety and security. Added to this, disaster management mitigation, and considering the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on unemployment and poverty, forms part of why we are doing this. The Garden Route Covid-19 Command Council proposed the establishing a food bank to address the critical needs of Garden Routers. Now, this proposal is a reality and GRDM will be able to oversee on a quarterly basis what change it brings to society.
One of the long-term goals of the GRFP is to establish a de-centralised facility in each town in the district. The managing director of the GRFP has already been approached by organisations in Mossel Bay and Hessequa who showed a keen interest in partnering and operating satellite branches. This shows the tremendous community spirit of individuals and businesses who are willing to play their part when the need arises to eradicate hunger.
Across the globe, there is a huge concern about the quality of food products provided to communities who struggle with nutrition. Therefore, the GRFP strives to address the nutritional value of meals. A malnourished child could be even more negatively impacted by food of low nutritional value, like for instance a lack of protein, vitamins and fiber in meals. For this reason, the GRFP reached out to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology to develop a recipe that addresses the issue of food nutritional value. An agreement resulted in the Good4You Foods range to be developed, which was launched in December 2020. It included protein biscuits, also known as the super biscuits. When a child consumes one of these biscuits at the start of his or her day, the nutritional value consumed will add to the much needed energy required for a child to function optimally.
Transparency in humanitarian work is also of paramount importance. It is for this reason that all donations in and out of the food pantry will be recorded at its supply chain side. Records will be available for inspection to anybody interested, especially those who want to pledge their support, but who wants to first inspect details of how their donations will be used. A financial report will also be provided quarterly for inspection to municipalities and donors who have been supporting the GRFP. Ultimately the GRFP plans to make available all the data and reports on an online cloud-based system, where stakeholders can see exactly where the pantry distributes to. The public will furthermore be able to log onto this system.
The GRFP has four broad goals – firstly as a collection point for the sourcing of food-related goods; whether it is from a farmer, a factory, food distributor, supermarket or a generous citizen who wants to donate or seeking a place to donate any surplus or excess food stock. Once received, these items will be checked for safety and then processed into nutritional foods for distribution through a vetted network of distribution agencies. Some of the goods, especially fresh produce, will be prepared at the facility into soups, stews etc. These nutritional meals will then be delivered to a variety of feeding centres or soup kitchens across the whole Garden Route district.
The second area of service, will be to provide three day and seven-day food packs. These will be done as per orders received from Municipalities. Suppliers in each region will be approached to supply the required goods, thereby ensuring maintaining ongoing support of local industries and business.
The final goal of the GRFP is to look at the need for long-term sustainability by encouraging communities to start home-based fruit and vegetable gardens. This project has already kicked off with a number of champion gardeners. In order to be effective, the necessary training needs to be conducted after which regular monitoring and an incentive system is implemented. The incentive in the GRFP program is that community farmers can bring excess harvested goods to the pantry, and exchange for additional goods such as rice, tinned foods, etc.
HOW TO GET ACCESS TO FOOD?
There are different ways in place for people to access food. A person can work through an existing organisation such as a church, meals-on-wheels charity, faith-based networks or service organisations, which has a facility to receive food directly from the GRFP.
Alternatively, one can visit the GRFP website at www. echo.org.za, and click on a link titled ‘I NEED HELP’. The next step is for applicants to complete the online application form which in turn will direct applicants to an organisation where you will get food.
If a person runs a feeding centre in the Garden Route district and wishes to register with the GRFP for possible support, the link on the website needs to be followed to complete the application form.
If a person operates more than one location, a separate form will be required (for each venue). Applicants need to take note that registration does not guarantee approval, as an evaluation would need to be done and an inspection may be performed to verify details.
WHO WILL QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE?
In order for people to qualify for assistance, they need to be vetted. In this case, the food pantry will work closely with their distribution agents (churches, meals-on-wheels charities, faith-based networks or service organisations). These role players will ensure that a beneficiaries are not duplicated. The food party will also assist people who are willing to source food for themselves through gardening programmes.
The GRFP will also make use of a database with information to provide feedback to their supporters and sponsors, showcasing the number of people being fed in a particular area, identifying ‘red’ areas and bigger requirements, focusing their attention on organisations that support people in particular areas based on a criteria of need.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CURRENT SOUP KITCHENS AND GRFP
There are two basic soup kitchen structures that the GRFP will work with; those registered with the municipalities and those soup kitchens which are managed by a person at his or her house who feeds 20 children after school who are not registered, but doing a good job. Both places will be vetted.
Firstly, the need at these soup kitchens will be established. Interested parties can visit GRFP website at www. echo.org.za, and click on a link called REGISTER, and complete the application form in order to get assistance from the food pantry.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Business, individuals and the general public are encouraged to link up with the GRFP. This does not have to be by means of donating funds, but other activities too. Volunteers that pack and prepare meals is also required. There is currently a volunteer structure in the place where people can schedule their availability.
The public can become a friend of the pantry by donating R100 a month and have their name placed on a brick inside the Garden Route Food Pantry behind the reception desk.
A monthly contribution will ensure the financial stability of the pantry. It will see to it that more meals are provided to more people, especially while the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of hardship. Large businesses are also encouraged to consider partnering with the food pantry as a name partner in the fortified products – such as the protein biscuits or the newer range of fortified flavoured milk, porridges, and stew mix meals. Drive by food donation items can also be dropped-off whenever or when possible.
A well represented audience from both the public and private sectors were in attendance at the launch.
Apostle Jannie Horn delivered an opening prayer and also pledged his support to the GRFP.
Representing George Municipality was Cllr Erika Brown (left) and with her Cllr Iona Kritzinger, Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services (right).
During the vote of thanks, Head of the Provincial Department for Human Settlements, Jacqueline Samson thanked Mayor Booysen and Mayors from the local municipalities, Municipal Managers, Councillors and GRDM officials, saying that the day would not have been possible without acknowledging their commitment and hard work. She furthermore thanked the Management and staff of the Garden Route Food Pantry and extended a special word of gratitude to the donors, sponsors, media, and in particularly Apostle Jan Horn for his words of encouragement. She concluded by saying that as Joseph in the bible preserves his dream and through his tenacity, he converted non-believers and gave new trust. She concluded by saying that she trust that this initiative will invite those no-believers to participate in this fantastic initiate to put food on the table of the community.
Captions: Feature Image: Alderman Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor for GRDM and MEC for Human Settlements, Minister Simmers cuts a ribbon to signify the opening of the GRFP.
