Once again I would like to extend my gratitude to all the frontline workers who are fighting COVID-19, which is causing havoc in our region and South Africa as a whole. The figures still don’t look favourable in the Garden Route, seeing that numbers are rising daily.
Alderman Groenewald, earlier this week the Garden Route District Municipality launched the District Safety Forum in Mossel Bay which was attended by all seven B-municipalities and representatives from the Western Cape Department of Community Safety, as well as sector departments within the district. We are privileged to announce that the project is funded by the Western Cape Department of Community Safety and that all sector departments and municipalities that were present pledged their full support towards the project. As a District Municipality, we believe it is not just about the financial safety in our district, but also about the well-being of our communities which in turn will play a big part in changing the community’s morals. We want to commend the Mossel Bay Municipality for already stepping forward in formulating their safety plan and we want to encourage the other municipalities to follow suit.
The funds are here, so if a municipality does not want to make use of it, they will definitely lose out. The current situation of overcrowdedness and newborn babies at correctional facilities within the district are some of the critical priorities that need to be addressed by the District Safety Forum.
As a District Municipality, we also strive towards seeing our people live in a healthy and clean environment. That’s why we are pleased to announce that the Garden Route District Municipality in collaboration with the George Municipality will tomorrow, 31 October 2020, host an illegal dumping awareness session in Thembalethu. As a District Municipality, we do not want to overstep or take over the local municipality’s roles. We are aware that some of the municipalities in the district are struggling and for that reason we want to partner with them and assist them in terms of finance or capacity.
In terms of the upcoming by-elections, we would like to plea to the different political parties in all the local municipal areas to continue conducting their campaigns in good spirit. Up until today, there was no record of violence and that’s the spirit we want to encourage in the Garden Route District.
Prohibitions of fires in the open air during periods of high fire hazard, and the establishment of fire control committees.
To control fires, an alarm system, fire fighting teams, and beaters must be organized in advance and plans prepared.
What to do during Veldfire:
Livestock should be moved out of grazing land to unbarred land/ploughed field for safety.
Water is generally not available in sufficient quantities or at adequate pressure for the control of major fires; however, sand or other loose mineral soil material can be an effective method of control.
Following are a number of concerns and recommendations:
Provinces should always ensure that the firebreaks are in place. An owner of the land who is obliged to prepare and maintain a firebreak must ensure that, with due regard to the weather, climate, terrain and vegetation of the area, the following is taken care of in terms of installing the firebreaks (chapter 4 of National Veld and Forest Fire Act No. 101 of 1998):
A firebreak has to be wide enough and long enough to have a reasonable chance of preventing a veld fire from spreading to or from neighboring land.
A firebreak does not cause soil erosion and
A firebreak is reasonably free of inflammable material capable of carrying a veld fire across it.
Farming communities should establish fire protection associations to prevent and control veld fires as required by the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act No. 101 of 1998).
The Fire Brigade Services Act provides for the establishment, co-ordination and standardizations of fire brigade services. Local authorities, that is, municipalities, are empowered to establish and maintain a fire brigade service, intended to be employed for the following purposes:
a) Preventing the outbreak or spread of a fire
b) Fighting or extinguishing a fire
c) The protection of life or property against a fire or other threatening danger.
d) The rescue of life or property from a fire or other danger
Improved communication among members about, for example, fire hazard conditions. The outcome sought is to achieve better integration of community preparedness, prevention, suppression and recovery strategies as key elements of veld fire management.
Report any severe weather related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at telephone number 044 805 5071.
Affected Municipalities: Beaufort West, Hantam, Kannaland, Khâi-Ma, Laingsburg, Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert.
Valid From (SAST): 27/10/20 – 12h00
Valid To (SAST): 28/10/20 – 18h00
Discussion: Weather conditions which include hot temperatures, moderate to fresh winds and low humidity might result in the development of veld/bush fires.
Impact: Conditions are such that the FDI index is above 75. Under these conditions, fires may develop and spread rapidly resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.
Instruction: All personnel and equipment should be removed from the field. Fire teams, labour and equipment are to be placed on full standby. At the first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time.
Report any severe weather related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at telephone number 044 805 5071.
According to the latest media reports, critical fire weather remains in effect across much of Northern California, with firefighters on high alert for the possibility of new fast-moving wildfires. Some media reports refer to the 2020 wildfire season as the first ‘gigafire’ in modern history.
Says Meiring, “In comparison to the wildfire disasters that affected the Southern and Western Cape over the past three years, the size and scale of the Western American wildfire theatre is simply staggering. To date, well over two million hectares have been reduced to ashes, and well over 9 000 dwellings and structures destroyed, including untold damage to grid infrastructure, the natural environment and productive agricultural land, with no clear end in sight yet.”
“Just like in South Africa, climate change has set the perfect platform for intense wildfires across the American West over past decades.”
“A marked increase in American, and South African, day and night temperatures, changes in rainfall and snow patterns, shifts in plant communities, stronger winds and other climate-change-related factors all contribute to setting the scene for ever more severe wildfires over much larger areas than ever before.”
Knysna burnt landscape with flower
“The only reason Southern and Western Cape communities have not suffered from severe wildfire disasters in recent times is because much of the flammable invasive alien plant material, accredited for providing the fuel for intense and out-of-control wildfires, has been destroyed by recent fires and is only now maturing to sufficient mass.”
“In mitigation of environmental conditions conducive to out-of-control wildfires, the persistent drought experienced during the past decade has largely been broken by the return of favourable rains in most parts, and, as a result, flammable material is currently not as dry as it were during the harsh drought in many parts. The rapid suppression of wildfires also allowed biomass to grow and accumulate over time.”
“Monitoring the present-day aggressive regrowth patterns of invasive alien plants along known fire paths by SCLI in the Southern Cape, following the 2017 and 2018 wildfire disasters, puts justice to the term ‘Knysna reloaded’.”
“In as much SCLI and many landowners have gone to great lengths to draw up and implement Invasive Alien Plant Control Plans to eradicate and control invasive alien plants on private land, unwanted biomass, potentially providing the fuel for a recurrence of the 2017 and 2018 Garden Route wildfire disasters, is clearly visible and growing rapidly on the landscape,” warns Meiring.
He says funding streams generated to assist landowners in dealing with invasive alien plants in the aftermath of the Knysna fires have since been diverted in order to serve COVID-19 relief efforts. Landowners now have to take full responsibility for controlling what grows on their land. They have little choice but to adhere to strict environmental management guidelines governing invasive plant control and eradication or face stringent penalties issued by environmental management authorities such as the Green Scorpions.
In an all-out effort to create more wild spaces and to enlarge the conservation footprint of the Southern Cape through the rehabilitation of regional river systems, SCLI and private landowners are collaborating to create conservation corridors linking the Outeniqua Mountains with the Indian Ocean. This collaboration is of particular importance in the rural-urban interface where most invasive alien plants are present and the most significant wildfire damage is recorded.
For more information on how to deal with invasive alien plants on their land, landowners can visit the SCLI website at http://www.scli.org.za.
“Many Knysna and Plettenberg Bay landowners are setting the scene for a repeat of the intense 2017 wildfire disaster by allowing the large-scale return of invasive alien plants on the landscape. All that is required for the next fire disaster is the right climate conditions, sufficient fuel loads and a spark,” says Cobus Meiring of SCLI.
** The Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI) is a public platform and think tank for landowners and land managers with an interest in invasive alien plant management, water stewardship and land management. SCLI is supported by the Table Mountain Fund (TMF), a subsidiary of WWF SA. SCLI also manages the Secretariat of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Cobus Meiring: Chairperson of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI)
SMME Support & Development Programme – Call for business proposals
Garden Route District Municipality is embarking on a programme to help dynamic and committed entrepreneurs to grow their business. A broad scope of non-financial assistance will be provided, which will include required business development interventions (equipment and input material) and trainings. Only serious applicants with a workable business concept or business profile that they believe in and with which they want to expand their business operations with, must apply.
IMPORTANT
Applicants must complete an application form (obtained from the District Economic Development Office, 54 York Street, George, 6530, from Mr. Johannes Jafta via email at johannes@gardenroute.gov.za) and submit with the following supporting documents attached:
Company Profile/ Business Proposal or Business Plan;
6 months Profit and Loss Summary or (recent Financial/Bank statements, if available – will be treated confidentially);
Tax clearance certificate;
Confirmation of employees (Document attached on the application form);
Certified ID copy;
Certified copy of proof of residence (where business is situated)
CRITERIA
Must be a registered and viable business operating for at least 2 years with clear direction/deliverables;
Must be available to do a presentation to a selected panel and to attend the compulsory business development interventions and trainings identified by panel.
Must be tax compliant. (If not, submit tax matters with the application for assessment);
100% South African owned;
Applicant must be in full control of business and operations.
Formally registered or incorporated e.g. with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC);
Operating in the Garden Route;
Classified as a micro or small enterprise in terms of the National Small Enterprises Act;
Individuals/Businesses that have previously participated in any skills development/training programmes rolled out by the LED & Tourism unit of GRDM can apply.
All applications must be submitted via email to Mr. Johannes Jafta at johannes@gardenroute.gov.za or placed in an envelope and physically delivered to the Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, George, 6530. All applications must clearly state GARDEN ROUTESMME SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2020.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to present their business concepts to an evaluation panel.
The Garden Route District Municipality reserves the right to evaluate and select only the highest ranking business concepts according to the above criteria.
PLEASE NOTE
At the end of the programme all participating businesses must be tax compliant.
Applications will close at 12h00 on 06 November 2020.
For further information, please contact:
Ms Natalie Raubenheimer
Senior Economic Development Officer
Garden Route District Municipality natalie@gardenroute.gov.za or 044 803 1458
Garden Route District Municipality, in collaboration with Kannaland Municipality, will roll out a Household Composting Pilot Project in Zoar. Approximately 30% of household waste being disposed of at landfill consists of organic waste that could potentially be diverted from landfill by means of household composting. Further, household composting could subsequently result in a huge waste management cost saving and put sorely needed nutrients back into our soil.
The pilot project will run for a duration of one year and the data collected will be used to motivate the further roll out of the project to all households in the Kannaland municipal area. Permanent residents in Zoar are invited to apply for participation in the pilot project.
It must be noted that provision was made to accommodate only thirty (30) households in the pilot project who will be provided with a composting bin, and / or a worm farm, a scale and data sheets. Due to the limited number, the first thirty applications received will be selected to participate in the project.
All applicants must conform to the following criteria:
Must reside permanently in Zoar for the duration of the pilot project (at least one year).
Must attend an information session regarding the composting project that will be held in Zoar.
Must be willing to participate in the pilot project and report organic waste quantities on a monthly basis for the duration of the pilot project (one year).
Composting bins will only be distributed to households with a garden / lawn / vegetable garden(s) generating green waste.
Households / apartments that do not have gardens / yards i.e. that generate green waste can be provided with only a worm farm for kitchen scraps etc.
Click here to download the application forms to participate in the pilot project.
Completed application forms must be sent to wayne@gardenroute.gov.za by no later than Friday, 30 October 2020.
Media Release: Reduce, reuse and replant – home composting project rolled out in Bitou
For Immediate Release
19 October 2020
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) continues to roll our home composting projects throughout the Garden Route.
GRDM Waste Management Officer, Mr Johan Gie presenting an insightful presentation about home composting during the information session.
Home composting not only keeps material from overburdening landfill sites but also reduces transport costs of refuse removal services. An earlier waste characterisation study revealed that large quantities of organic waste still got transported from households and businesses in the Garden Route district. Since most landfills sites in the Garden Route are already closed or nearing their fully capacity, the GRDM initiated a home composting pilot project in 2018 to practically and gradually advocate and promote the reduction of organic waste from households going to landfills.
The home composting project aims to motivate the different councils to roll out this project to all households in the municipal areas, and thus extending the lifespans of landfills. After months of waiting due to COVID-19 restrictions, officials from the Bitou Municipality’s Waste Management section and residents from Bitou welcomed the rollout of the project.
Mr Douglas Baardman was very excited for the project to finally kick-off.
A formal information and handover session took place on Wednesday, 14 October 2020. At the event, the Bitou Municipality’s Waste Management Manager, Mr Douglas Baartman, who officially open the session, expressed his Councils gratitude towards the GRDM for initiating the project in the Bitou municipal area. He also mentioned that residents responded in excitement and great numbers to the project – a lot of applications were received. In concluding he thanked the GRDM Waste Management team for their leadership role and guidance.
Johan Gie with a participant (right), ready to start her own home composting project
Mr Johan Gie, Waste Management Officer of the GRDM did an in-depth presentation about home composting, which was followed by a question and answering session. He discussed topics inclusive of benefits of home composting; what and what not to compost; how to compost; and the different types of composing. One of the highlights of the session was when participants were provided with established worm farms. In addition, each participant also received a troubleshooting guide and guidelines on composting; an electronic scale to record monthly waste diverted for composting, and datasheets to complete monthly statistics.
The information session was conducted in a very informative way and participants were very eager in asking questions.
GRDM Municipal Waste Management section agreed with participants to complete monthly updates to enable the GRDM to monitor the progress of the project and capture data for future reference. The pilot project will run for a year and results from the study will be presented to Local Municipal Councils. In this report, the exact quantities of organic waste diverted from landfills with the assistance and buy-in from households and businesses will be listed.
Considering that 30% – 40% of the normal household black bag waste contains organic waste originating from the garden and kitchen, the project will seek to change these worrying numbers. Composting is a simple, environmentally friendly and cheap way to add nutrient-rich humus to fuel plant growth and restores vitality to depleted soil.
Media Release: GRDM SMME Development Programme benefits SMMEs of the Garden Route
For immediate release
19 October 2020
Representatives from small businesses in the Garden Route, on 14 October 2020 received essential business products from the Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Ald. Memory Booysen. This handover formed part of the GRDM Small Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) Development Programme.
Executive Mayor of GRDM, Ald. Memory Booysen, during his keynote address to all stakeholders and beneficiaries of the SMME Development Programme at the event.
The objectives of the initiative are to assist small businesses with equipment, stock and other necessities to strengthen, improve and expand their businesses to create more employment opportunities within the Garden Route district. A total of R400 000 was made available in the 2019/2020 financial year for this project. As of now, this initiative will assist these businesses that have been challenged in various ways – even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, as a result of the weakened economy. The SMME sector is also the cornerstone of the economy and is a key priority of the GRDM. SMMEs support and restore the economy in line with the municipality’s Economic Recovery Plan. The Plan is therefore one of the interventions of the municipality to revive its economy.
To qualify as a beneficiary, businesses had to be in operation for at least one year within the boundaries of the Garden Route district.
Mayor Booysen hands over wire to Mr Hendrik Tiemie from Hendrik’s Wire Art with Alderlady Rosina Ruiters (2nd left) and Speaker of GRDM, Ald. Barnie Groenewald (left).
Ms Michelle Lencoe (2nd left) with products she received from Ald. Booysen (left) for her business, Lithemba Tours and Crafts, with Speaker Groenewald (2nd right) and Ald. Rosina Ruiters (right).
Mrs Sherrelle Swartbooi from Pure Niqua (Pty) Ltd (left) receives cosmetic products from Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen (right) during the event.
Ms Marguerite van der Merwe (middle) and Ms Marlene Carolus from Piekant Picnic with the products received from Ald. Booysen (right) together with Ald. Rosina Ruiters (2nd left) and Speaker Groenewald (left).
During his keynote address, Executive Mayor of GRDM expressed a word a gratitude to the GRDM Council, Municipal Manager, Mr Monde Stratu, and the Economic Development team for their continued efforts to ensure that SMMEs from the District are sought after. Although Alderman Booysen admitted that the COVID-19 lockdown has turned everything upside down, it also presented many opportunities to the GRDM. He said: “COVID-19 has given us an opportunity in terms of what we can do and it made us realise what we are not doing. During this time we realised as Government, what we are not doing so well when holding hands with the informal sector. We focus a lot on big businesses, and COVID-19 has shown us that we have to reach out now more than ever to the informal sector”.
Alderman Booysen said to the entrepreneurs present: “The President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa and the Premier of the Western Cape, Mr Alan Winde, are all looking for innovation and for us to turn the economy around is to be innovative – we thus have to walk the talk with you as small businesses. When we walk with you, we would be fully informed about your operations. When you would need help, we would be able to open up more doors for you,” Mayor Booysen added.
After Alderman Booysen highlighted that the GRDM has embarked on some big developments, he further encouraged all entrepreneurs to be ready with their products when these developments fall in place. “For us to beat what the lockdown has caused to the economy of the Garden Route,” he said: “We need to create jobs and more jobs. We must stop thinking that we only have to stand in queues to apply for jobs, “what we need is to create entrepreneurs and jobs”.
Mr Quinton Coetzee, Regional Manager of Seda (left) and Mr Alex Qunta, Provincial Manager of Seda (right), thanked GRDM, Mayor Booysen and Municipal Manager, Mr Monde Stratu for the municipality’s relationship with Seda.
While addressing the entrepreneurs at the event, Mr Quinton Coetzee, Regional Manager of Seda, said, “Business entrepreneurs sometimes feel alone, but you need to understand that you are part of the bigger team”. He further said that with the support of partners it becomes easier to stay in business and to keep the doors of the business open. While elaborating on their role in the partnership to assist SMMEs becoming successful exporters of their products, he said, “We looked at the needs of the entrepreneurs and how to fill those gaps. Mr Coetzee stated: “For the past twelve months we trained the entrepreneurs in exporting and pricing, and now these entrepreneurs are in a position to price their products correctly. Training, information and access to information are therefore critical in the success of any business,” he emphasised. Mr Alex Qunta, Provincial Manager of Seda, thanked the leadership of GRDM, Mayor Booysen and Mr Stratu for the municipality’s relationship with Seda. To the SMMEs, Mr Qunta said: “There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done, one being yesterday and the other day is called “tomorrow”. He added: “Today is the right day to love, believe in yourself and mostly live your idea and passion”.
Words of appreciation from Beneficiaries
Two of the entrepreneurs Hendrik Tiemie from Hendrik’s Wire Art and Ms Sherrelle Swartbooi from Pure Niqua (Pty) used the platform to share special words of gratitude to the all stakeholders involved.
Mr Tiemie said: “I thank our Heavenly Father for making these contributions possible”. He also thanked the GRDM Team, Mayor Booysen, the GRDM Council and Economic Development team for investing into his business and for their support. He also expressed his appreciation to the relevant Seda business advisor, for her assistance in support of his business. To his fellow SMMEs he said: “Do not give up; stand firm and you will eventually see the results – you will indeed see it was all worth it”.
When addressing the audience, Ms Swartbooi highlighted, “Whenever you see a successful business, someone once gave birth to a decision that traveled from the mind, through the heart and into the world to be nurtured by sacrifices, hard work, by innovation, by mistakes, small and large wings, determination and triumph. On behalf of all SMMEs she said: “Thank you to GRDM for this initiative and for assisting our businesses during these difficult times. You have made our dreams a reality and also if you don’t build on your dreams, someone will hire you to build their dreams. Always dream and build your own dreams,” she added.
Mr Hendrik Tiemie from Hendrik’s Wire Art thanked GRDM and Stakeholders for investing into his business.
Mrs Sherrelle Swartbooi fromPure Niqua (Pty) Ltd thanked GRDM and partners for assisting SMMEs during these difficult times.
Municipal Manager, Mr Stratu, in his closing remarks, said that this event came at an opportune time, while the country is facing an economic crisis. After sharing his views with all present and saying that our main role is to ensure that we create an environment for business to thrive, he also conveyed a special word of thanks to all stakeholders for making the event possible and for giving entrepreneurs of the Garden Route another opportunity for their businesses to succeed.
The event was directed by Mr Lusanda Menze, GRDM Executive Manager for Planning and Economic Development and successfully organised by the Economic Development Unit of GRDM in collaboration with the Seda and the Department of Agriculture.
We would like to thank the residents of the Garden Route for helping us to stay safe by wearing your masks, washing your hands often, and keeping a distance from others. Please continue to remain vigilant to prevent a possible second wave.
“It has been 7 long months of lockdown and the natural reaction to the easing up of these restrictions are to catch up on all that we have missed out on over the past months but we can’t become complacent now. It has always been feared that when the lockdown restrictions ease up, the infection rate would increase. We have unfortunately already seen a 196% increase in covid-19 cases in the district over the past 14 days. (This increase is compared to the previous 14 day-period). We know how quickly the virus can spread and now is the time that we must do our utmost best to prevent or contain a second wave,” said Garden Route District Director for Health, Mr Zee Brickles.
“We as individuals, members of families and communities, are responsible for ensuring that we protect ourselves and keep those near and dear to us, safe at all times. We should ask ourselves in every situation how we can make it safer for ourselves and our loved ones, knowing that we can easily and unknowingly pass the virus on or take it home to our families. Remember to wash your hands regularly, wear your mask when you are in public spaces and avoid large gatherings”.
It is very importing that you avoid possible super-spreader events, such as crowded places, poorly ventilated spaces, and close contact with others.
Reintroduction of Services
The Department’s risk and impact-based approach is guiding the services to be reintroduced – identifying those services which have low risk yet high impact (such as Diabetes, Hypertension, HIV, TB, Child, and Women’s health (including immunizations)). These services which had reduced significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, will have a significant long-term impact for those clients who had missed immunisations, follow-up appointments and scheduled non-emergency treatment.
While elective surgeries are slowly being re-escalated, life-saving surgeries (such as cancer surgeries and urgent cardiac surgeries) will be prioritised with the more urgent cases being dealt with first. However, emergency surgeries have not stopped and will also continue.
Awareness drive campaign
The Department realises the need to continue with normal activities such as going back to work and using public transport. We also need to make sure that we are looking after our health.
In order to ensure that this happens, the Department is currently embarking on an awareness drive at places of gathering and within communities to get residents to take up basic health services again, with a focus on general health, well-being, and ongoing care for vulnerable groups. Be on the lookout for this campaign within malls, taxis, while waiting at the bus shelter and when washing your hands in washrooms at malls.
This awareness drive also includes reminding residents that the best way to keep us moving forward is to wear a mask, keep our hands clean and keep at least a 1.5 metre distance from other people.
Stats as from 16 October 2020
Sub-district
Total
Active
Recovered
Died
Hessequa
332
5
309
18
Mossel Bay
2 452
63
2 320
69
George
3 690
113
3 467
110
Knysna
1 584
9
1 526
49
Bitou
650
10
616
24
Kannaland
133
10
122
1
Oudtshoorn
1 533
82
1 353
98
TOTAL
10 374
292
9 713
369
Hospitalisations
From the latest information to our disposal we can confirm that 37 patients are receiving care in both public and private hospitals.
