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Municipal Health

Eden DM Mossel Bay donated toiletries to D’Almeida residents

“100 Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018” celebrations

Executive Deputy Mayor, Councillor Rosina Ruiters, and Cllr Erica Meyer, as well as Mr Sam Bendle, Ms Rinay Cloete, Ms Monique Anthony, Mr Lukanyo Mafuduka, Ms Delmarie Lewis and Ms Ikanya Hendricks from the Eden DM Municipal Health Office in Mossel Bay generously donated toiletries to the “Creating Effective Families” facility situated in D’Almeida, Mossel Bay. The toiletries were well received by representatives of the Facility.

Role and interventions by the Eden Municipal Health Department during the Knysna Oyster Festival

29 June – 8 July 2018

Annually, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) of the Eden District Municipality’s (Eden DM) Municipal Health Service act proactively in planning and implementing mitigation measures and monitoring work schedules before, during and after the Oyster Festival.  This is done to minimize and address public health issue that might arise during the festival.

This year, Knysna will be hosting the 37th Oyster Festival and it is anticipated that more than 50 000 visitors will visit the town during the 10-day event.

The EHPs from the Knysna office will be responsible for delivering the following services before and during the festival:

Environmental Health Practitioners must make sure that Oysters sold to the public is fit for human consumption.

FOOD CONTROL
Inspections of informal food premises will includes the following:

  • Daily inspections at the Oyster Festival “Hot Spots”;
  • Central Festival grounds inspections;
  • Inspections at various locations in town, where thousands of oysters will be kept under health prescribed conditions, impose by EHP’s;
  • Several batches of oyster samples have been dispatched to the Merieux Nutriscience Laboratory in Cape Town for bacteriological analysis, prior to the start of the festival in order to establish the status of the holding tank water, as well as the bacteriological oyster quality.
  • EHPs across the district have been requested to assist with the sampling and surveillance of oysters procured in other areas within the Southern Cape.
  • Drinking water (Sachets) to be provided to the athletes participating in the Forest Marathon, will be analyzed to ensure compliance as stipulated under the Bottled Water Regulations: “Regulation 692 of 1997, promulgated under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act (Act 54 of 1972)”.

WATER QUALITY MONITORING

  • Bacteriological water monitoring of the Knysna Estuary will be undertaken by sampling water at 14 identified sites in and around the estuary.
  • Bacteriological Water Monitoring at sites where recreational water – sport events will take place, will be monitored.

HEALTH SURVEILANCE OF PREMISES
Regular inspections and health surveillance of premises of all related public amenities will be undertaken during the Festival, including:
•    Public toilet facilities;
•    Accommodation establishments;
•    Festival grounds;
•    Food markets; and
•    Tobacco control at premises.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE OUTBREAK
A strict communication protocol regarding the reporting of any communicable disease outbreak to the local District Municipal Health authority has been established with all relevant medical health care providers, which included both the Private and Provincial Hospitals, General Practitioners and Pharmacies.

Health Surveillance of Premises by Garden Route District Municipality

Environmental Health

Environmental Health is concerned with the health and well-being of people and other living things. This field of study does this by addressing elements of health and safety and assessing various physical, chemical, biological and social factors in the surrounding environment that may negatively impact the health of present and future generations.

Environmental Health Practitioner

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs), sometimes referred to as Health Inspectors, play a critical role when communicable diseases are at large. EHPs’ role in such instances includes preventative measures which revolve around hygiene inspection of premises, the general environment, health education and awareness campaigns.

The content of this article will focus on one (1) key performance area of Municipal Health Services namely ‘Health Surveillance of Premises’ whereby only two (2) types of premises will be discussed, ie.

  1. Cleaning and laundry facilities
  2. Health surveillance on farms

Health surveillance of premises is a Municipal Health Services Function, performed by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) of the relevant local authority.
The National Act of 2003 (Act 61 of 2003) specifies that environmental health inspections and investigations be undertaken. Environmental Health inspections involve the identification, monitoring and evaluation of health risks, nuisances and hazards on any premises and instituting remedial and preventative measures where necessary.

1. Cleaning and laundry establishments

Environmental health inspections focus on the following areas of a b:

Structural requirements:

  • The layout of the facility;
  • Ventilation requirements;
  • Drainage system(s);
  • Interior wall surfaces;
  • Ceilings;
  • Floor surfaces; and
  • Height from floor to ceiling.

Water supply and sanitation facilities:

  • Total toilet facilities and hand wash basins;
  • Toilet facility requirements;
  • Provision of change rooms determined by the number of employees working at the premises;
  • Provision of soap and disposable towels at hand wash basin; and
  • Effective drainage and sewage disposal system requirements.

Storage, work areas and facilities:

  • Provision of a workroom, fixed and movable equipment;
  • In the case of receiving depots – provision of a separate area;
  • Floor area requirements;
  • Provision of a separate area and separate designated counter for receiving and dispatching of articles;
  • Provision of area for receiving and marking of soiled and dirty articles (working tables, adequate containers, hanging rails and shelves);
  • Provision of storage room;
  • Provision of hazard-free lockable storage for chemicals;
  • Packaging shelves requirements;
  • Machinery and equipment equipped with adequate suction fans;
  • Provision of a separate pre-rinsing area; and
  • Sanitary conditions of all fittings, equipment and appliances.

General requirements:

  • Compliance with emission levels regarding the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004);
  • Provision and requirements of staff kitchen; and
  • Fire department requirements.An inspection report indicating the conditions of the facility as well as recommendations (if any) will be issued to the owner or person in charge after every inspection.

2. Health surveillance on farms

The purpose of Municipal Health Services on farms is to enable the Municipality to protect and promote the long-term health and well-being of all people in the municipal area.

A suitable qualified EHP is appointed to perform duties as unpacked in the National Health Act (Act 61 of 2003) and Health Professions Act (Act.56 of 1974), to render municipal services routinely on an 18-month interval on every farm in the Garden Route District.

The municipal health services/functions require the following to comply with:

  • Structural facilities such as farm workers residence must comply with the requirements of the National Building Regulations and the Building Standards Act, 1977 (Act No. 103 of 1977);
  • Drinking water supply and treatment method;
  • Proper drainage systems;
  • Waste management;
  • Vector control;
  • Safe storage and control of Hazardous Substances;
  • Sanitation; and
  • Other activities such as farmstalls, B&Bs or Guesthouses, Home industry and Creches.

Municipal Health Services conducts Health & Hygiene Training at Tapas & Oyster Restaurant in Knysna

It becomes more evident that many bacteria, especially foodborne diseases, come to life as a result of poor hygiene practices in kitchens. On 11 May 2018 Environmental Health Practitioner of the Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) employed at the Knysna office, Ms Mendy Tyhawana, facilitated a Health & Hygiene Training session at the Tapas & Oyster Restaurant in Knysna.

Twelve staff members from the Tapas & Oyster Restaurant in Knysna soon after the Health & Hygiene Training Session. With them in the picture are: Kitchen Manager of the restaurant, Mr Owen October (left) and Eden DM Environmental Health Practitioner, Ms Mendy Tyhawana (2nd, left) .

Twelve kitchen staff members together with the kitchen manager, Mr Owen October, attended the session. Ms Mendy Tyhawana confirmed that the reason why she went to Tapas & Oyster Restaurant for the second time, is due to new employees who were appointed after she conducted the first training session. “As environmental health practitioners, we need to make sure that all staff members employed at food premises are aware of the importance of good hygiene practices, as the health of customers is in the hands of those staff”, Ms Tyhawana emphasised. “Your job as food handlers is important – take pride in what you are doing,” she added.

The following topics were covered, namely: (1) What is food poisoning; (2) How does one get food poisoning; (3) Signs and symptoms of food poisoning and (4) how to prevent it by using five keys to safer food, which are:

1. Keep clean
2. Separate raw from cooked food
3. Cook thoroughly
4. Keep food at a safe temperature
5. Use safe water and raw material

Participants listened attentively to the five keys to safer food and the practical examples made by Ms Mendy Tyhawana.

After the closing of the session, Ms Tyhawana said that even though some of the staff were new, she was surprised to hear that all of them were familiar with the five keys to safer food. “This means that staff members who attended the previous session, remembered the content of the session and also transferred their knowledge to the new staff. This is also a confirmation that the efforts made by environmental health practitioners are not in vain,” Ms Tyhawana highlighted.

More sessions will be conducted by the Eden District Municipality throughout the rest of the year to ensure the health and safety of residents in the Eden district.

Focus on Waste Management

Waste Management in South Africa is a very complex matter, and if not addressed correctly, it will have a negative impact on all members of the community.  For this reason, Eden District Municipality views Waste Management as crucially important, and is one of the leaders in the Western Cape with regards to the application of scientific, yet practical approaches in respect of Waste Management.

Some of the challenges in the Eden District include:

1. A growing population and economy, which means increased volumes of waste generated.
2. Increased complexity of waste streams, which directly affects the complexity of its management, which happens when hazardous waste is mixed with general waste.
3. A historical backlog of waste removal services in especially informal areas.
4. Limited understanding of the main waste flows and the national waste balance, due to the lack of data.
5. The absence of recycling infrastructure in certain towns which will enable separation of waste at the source.
6. Growing pressure on outdated Waste Management infrastructure, with declining levels of capital investment and maintenance in this sector.
7. Cost of Waste Management is not fully appreciated by consumers and industry and waste disposal is prevented over other options.
8. Few waste treatment options are available and are thus more expensive than landfill costs.

9. Eden District Municipality is therefore committed to achieve the goals as set out in the National Waste Management Strategy.

These goals are:

1. Promotion of waste minimisation, re-use, recycling and recovery of waste.
2. Ensure the effective and efficient delivery of waste services by municipalities.
3. Grow the contribution of the waste sector to the green economy.
4. Ensure that people are aware of the impact of waste on their health and the environment.
5. Achieve integrated Waste Management planning.
6. Ensure sound budgeting for waste services.
7. Provide measures to remediate contaminated land.
8. Establish effective compliance with and the enforcement of the Waste Act.

To achieve these goals, Eden District Municipality is in constant contact with all role players regarding the private sector, Department of Environmental Affairs, as well other municipalities and provinces.  With the new landfill site near PetroSA, that is foreseen to be taken into use in 2019, Eden District Municipality will ensure that all the above mentioned goals are met.

For more information on Waste Management, please visit our website at: https://goo.gl/a51Y4p

Eden DM Mayor Signs Durban Commitment

On 27 March 2018, Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) pledged its commitment to the environment when the Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen, signed the Durban Commitment, joining leading local governments from around the world as a partner in the global movement to protect biodiversity.

Cllr Memory Booysen busy signing the Durban Commitment.

The document was signed during a Political Leadership Wetlands Awareness Workshop, which was sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), as part of their Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) Wetlands South Africa project. The Durban Commitment is a non-binding commitment and model created by local governments, for local governments and the communities they serve, in order to protect and enhance biodiversity at the local level. The workshop was attended by officials and political leaders from the district and focused on raising awareness on the value wetlands play in sustaining healthy communities and ecosystems.

Cllr Khayalethu Lose, Portfolio Chairperson of Community Services, officially opened and welcomed attendees; he acknowledged the sponsor ICLEI, and thanked them for enhancing awareness of wetlands and biodiversity. Ms Kate Snaddon of the Western Cape Wetlands Forum presented ‘what wetlands are and why they are valuable’.

During the training, it became known that Wetlands are able to purify water by filtering pollutants out of water systems. They are also essential in protecting communities from the impacts of natural disasters such as droughts, as they are in regulating flooding impacts by reducing water flow, acting as sponges that store water and release it slowly. The severity of the impact of droughts and floods are therefore greatly reduced through the natural functioning of wetlands.

Wetlands are considered to be high-value ‘ecological infrastructure’, in that they provide critical ecosystem services within the areas where they occur. Poorer communities are most vulnerable to the impacts of wetland degradation. Many of the plants growing within and around wetlands have natural medicinal properties. Local communities harvest these plants to maintain or improve their personal health. Local communities living within the Eden District commonly harvest reeds from wetlands to make baskets and furniture, grasses for thatching and Arum lilies to sell on the side of the road.

Back fltr: Mr Wouter Jacobs- Eden DM Disaster Management Coordinator, Mr Rian Basson – Disaster Management Intern Researcher, Ms Lee-Ann Joubert – Disaster Management Intern Researcher, Ms Nina Viljoen – Specialist: Environmental Management, Cllr Noluthando Mwati – Deputy Mayor: Oudtshoorn Municipality, Cllr A Dellemijn – Mossel Bay Portfolio Councillor, Mr Siphiwe Dladla – Manager: Office of the Executive Mayor and Mr D Kotze – Deputy Mayor: Mossel Bay Municipality.
Front fltr: Ms Kirsty Robinson – ICLEI Representative, Ms Crystal Brown – Disaster Management Intern Researcher, Ms Gail Bekeer – Administrative Assistant: Disaster Management, Ms Tippie Bouer – Disaster Management Emergency Centre Supervisor, Cllr Memory Booysen – Eden DM Executive Mayor, Cllr Charlotte Clarke – Deputy Mayor: George Municipality, Cllr Khayalethu Lose – Eden DM Portfolio Chairperson: Community Services, Ms Kate Snaddon – Western Cape Wetlands Forum and Ms Machi Majoe – Representative of ICLEI.

In conclusion, the Executive Mayor of Eden DM, Cllr Memory Booysen, thanked the service providers for the insightful training session and said: “Today, I have developed a different view pertaining to wetlands as a whole. I will definitely be an influence to other people. This was indeed an ‘eye-opener’ – I chose to never attend these kind of engagements in the past, but as from today, I am a clever mayor who will look at you from a different perspective as protectors of the environment,” Mayor Booysen said.
By signing the Durban Commitment, the Eden District Municipality pledged its dedication to wetland protection within the Eden district, as well as its commitment towards the implementation of remedial action towards the recovery of degraded and damaged wetlands.

Listeriosis Update

RECALL OF SNAX PRODUCTS

The Environmental Health Practitioners of Eden District Municipality are continuing preventative actions to prevent further outbreaks of Listeriosis, which comprise monitoring of retailers to ensure that no suspected products remain on shelves, ensuring safe disposal and incineration of recalled products, investigations and inspections at food premises to ensure hygienic conditions and practices at food premises and Listeriosis prevention education and awareness actions.

In addition to the Enterprise range, Tiger Brands has issued a precautionary recall of all Snax branded products.

As distribution partner, Clover will facilitate the customer and consumer recall process. On 19 March 2018, Clover issued the procedure to be followed in handling the Snax Product Recall, which will comprise two components – the first being the trade recall/withdrawal and the second being the consumer/shopper return component.

With regards to the shopper/consumer returns, the shopper will bring the product back to the store for a full refund, irrespective of till slip being available or not.  Clover will be responsible for the collection and uplift of all products affected by the recall – this includes both customer and consumer returns. Clover will be responsible to safely remove products from stores and will also manage the safe destruction of recalled products at a registered incinerator.

Snax recall product list:

Item Description
 Pack Size
    Unit Barcode
 Snax Chicken Polony 4X2kg   2 kg  6 005 788 004 565
 Snax Chicken Polony 12X1 kg  1 kg  6 005 788 003 704
 Snax Chicken Polony 2X10X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 004 572
 Snax Chicken Polony 2X10X250 g  250 g  6 005 788 001 274
 Snax French Polony 4X3 kg  3 kg  6 005 788 003 681
 Snax French Polony 4X2 kg  2 kg  6 005 788 003 674
 Snax French Polony 4X1.5 kg  1.5 kg  6 005 788 003 513
 Snax French Polony 12X1 kg  1 kg  6 005 788 003 551
 Snax French Polony 12X750 g  750 g  6 005 788 003 643
 Snax French Polony 2X10X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 004 527
 Snax French Polony 2X10X250 g  250 g  6 005 788 004 510
 Snax Liver Polony 2X10X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 003 599
 Snax Liver Polony 2X10X250 g  250 g  6 005 788 000 949
 Snax Mongola Polony 20X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 000 291
 Snax Russian Polony 12X1 kg  1 kg  6 005 788 004 541
 Snax Russian Polony 2X10X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 003 698
 Snax Special Garlic Polony 12X1 kg  1 kg  6 005 788 004 602
 Snax Special Garlic Polony 2X8X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 003 636
 Snax Smoked Russians 4X5 kg Bulk Pack  5 kg  6 005 788 003 667
 Snax Smoked Russians 12X500 g  500 g  6 005 788 000 093
 Snax Smoked Russians 12X1 kg  1 6 005 788 004 503
 Snax Smoked Russians 4X2 kg  2 kg 6 005 788 000 536
 Snax Smoked Skinless Russians 12X1 kg  1 kg 6 005 788 000 864
 Snax Smoked Skinless Russians 4X2 kg  2 kg 6 005 788 000 178
 Snax Value Pack Hamper 5X3.5 kg  3.5 kg 6 005 788 000 215
 Snax Value Pack Hamper 5X4 kg  4 6 005 788 000 901
 Snax Smoked Viennas 4X5 kg  5 6 005 788 001 168
 Snax Smoked Viennas 12X1 kg  1 6 005 788 000 406
 Snax Smoked Viennas 4X2 kg  2 6 005 788 000 468
 Hansa Hamburger Patties 36 x 65 g 3.1 kg 6 005 788 003 575

Awareness about World Tuberculosis Day, 24 March 2018

What is Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable. Tuberculosis mostly affects adults in their most productive years. However, all age groups are at risk. Over 95% of cases and deaths are in developing countries

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to the 2 most powerful, first-line anti-TB drugs.
Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is a more serious form of MDR-TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to the most effective second-line anti-TB drugs, often leaving patients without any further treatment options.

How it is spread
TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected. About one-quarter of the world’s population has latent TB, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with the disease and cannot transmit the disease. People infected with TB bacteria have a 5–15% lifetime risk of falling ill with TB. However, persons with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a much higher risk of falling ill.

Worldwide TB
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide.
In 2016, 10.4 million people fell ill with TB, and 1.7 million died from the disease (including 0.4 million among people with HIV). Over 95% of TB deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Seven countries account for 64% of the total, with India leading the count, followed by Indonesia, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, and South Africa.
TB is a leading killer of HIV-positive people: in 2016, 40% of HIV deaths were due to TB.

TB in South-Africa
TB was first identified in South Africa as long ago as the seventeenth century. Between 1895 and 1910 TB began to spread so quickly that it became of epidemic proportions. In 1919 TB was made a notifiable disease throughout the entire country.
South Africa is one of the countries with the highest burden of TB, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics giving an estimated incidence of 454,000 cases of active TB in 2015. About 0.8% of the population of about 54 million develop active TB disease each year.

The number of TB patients in the province has decreased over the past years, dropping to 43 294 in 2015/16 treated at 451 Clinics or treatments sites. In the Eden District, the number of TB patients has remained constant over the last 3 years, reaching 4909 in 2016 treated at 90 Clinics or treatment sites.

By 2016 the very significant achievements in respect of HIV and TB were said by the South African government (National Strategic Plan 2017-2022) to include:

  • Deaths due to HIV had dropped from 681,434 in 2006 to an estimated 150,375 in 2016.
  • 3.7 million people were taking antiretroviral treatment for HIV but this was only 53% of those eligible for treatment.
  • Deaths due to TB had dropped from 69,916 in 2009 to 37,878 in 2015.
  • The number of new HIV and TB infections had fallen and a higher proportion of people living with these infections had been diagnosed and treated.
  • In 2016 an estimated 270,000 people became newly infected with HIV, and the 2015 estimate of new TB cases was 450,000.

The role of Eden District municipality

  • Environmental Health is a District municipal function.
  • Environmental Health is concerned with the health and well-being of people by addressing elements of health and safety and assessing various physical, chemical and biological factors in the surrounding environment for their potential negative effects.
  • TB is a notifiable  medical condition in terms of The National Health Act 61 of 2003: Regulations relating to the surveillance and the control of notifiable medical conditions.
  • The World tuberculosis day (24 May) is designed to build public awareness about the global epidemic of TB and efforts to eliminate the disease.
  • The Surveillance and Prevention of communicable Diseases forms part of the Scope of Practice for Environmental Health Services.In terms of this scope of Practice the Eden Environmental Health Practitioners are conducting:
  • Health and hygiene promotion aimed at prevention of environmentally induced diseases and related communicable diseases, such as TB.
  • Collection analyses and dissemination of epidemiological data and information on TB.
  • Use of Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Training (PHAST) approaches for effective control measures at Community Level.
  • Epidemiological surveillances of Tuberculosis .
  • Develop environmental health measures with protocols reference to epidemics, emergencies, diseases and migrations of population.

Eden DM Council approves MOU with Stellenbosch University

After numerous meetings between Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) and representatives of Stellenbosch University, both institutions have decided to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Collaborative research will be conducted to resolve issues relating to the growth of the district.  Future collaboration concerning research and capacity building, will, in turn, enhance service delivery to communities.

Councillor Memory Booysen – Eden DM Executive Mayor and Professor Nico Koopman – Vice Rector for Social Impact and Transformation and Personnel at Stellenbosch University, signed the MOU at a Council meeting on 5 December 2017.

Before the Council meeting, Eden DM top management had the opportunity to share the importance of involving Stellenbosch University in the public participation processes relating to the Eden DM Integrated Development Plan (IDP), Spatial Development Framework (SDF). Stellenbosch University was also requested to form part of a steering committee which will meet on a quarterly basis.

Before to the Council meeting of Eden DM which was held on 5 December 2017, Executive Managers and Senior Officials of Eden DM had the opportunity to discuss pressing issues with Stellenbosch University representatives. Pictured are (front, fltr): Prof Nico Koopman – SU: Vice-Rector of Social Impact, Transformation & Personnel, Mr Monde Stratu – Eden DM Municipal Manager, Mr Clive Africa – Eden DM Executive Manager: Community Services. (Back, fltr): Dr Jerome Slamat – SU Senior Director: Community Interaction, Dr Antionette Smith-Tolken – Acting Director: Social Impact, Dr Leslie van Rooyen – SU Senior Director: Social Impact and Transformation and Mr Johan Compion – Eden DM Senior Manager: Environmental Services and Municipal Health.

During the discussions, Mr Monde Stratu – Eden DM Municipal Manager, said: “I want us to work together to develop a long-term Growth and Development Strategy for the district. The University’s experience in research and strategic planning will be of benefit to us.”

Mr Stratu also said that he would like a more detailed analysis of all the business sectors in the district, which is something that is currently lacking.

Dr Jerome Slamat – SU Senior Director: Community Interaction explained that by entering into a MOU with Stellenbosch University, Eden DM would have a direct entry point expertise and ‘people power’. In closing, he said: “We are in the business of teaching, learning and research – therefore it is important for us to look at the projects in the Eden district and see where we can assist.”

MOU: TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND RESEARCH
The following potential research questions and technical support, relating to the functions of Eden DM, are listed in the MOU:

  • Mercury [Lead Pb] levels in fish in the South Cape coastal fishing waters.
  • Green energy initiatives on Eden DM properties (solar and wind).
  • Impact of lead in drinking water on children.
  • Asbestos prevalence in Knysna and Bitou.
  • TB, MDR, XDR in baboons at the Ladismith waste dumping site.
  • Radon exposure prevalence in Oudtshoorn.
  • Antibiotics in milk (Riversdale).
  • Research about Antibiotics in meat.
  • Labelling of genetically modified organisms/food [GMO].
  • Ethics regarding the feeding of animal waste (chicken) to sheep, cattle or pigs.
  • Labelling regards to grain fed pigs vs pigs who eat animal waste.
  • Feeding of food waste to pigs.
  • Cadmium presence in chicken livers in the Eden district.
  • Hormone levels and chemical substances – Crystal Methamphetamine [Tik] in drinking water.
  • The relationship between Avian Influenza and climate change in the Oudtshoorn region.
  • Bromate prevalence in drinking water (Bromate can affect a person’s kidneys).
  • The prevalence of “superbugs” in hospitals and clinics in the District.

FINANCIAL IMPACT
SU will submit funding applications for specific projects and research on behalf of Eden DM to international donors, at no cost to Eden DM.

At the Eden DM Council meeting, the MOU was signed by Cllr Memory Booysen – Eden DM Executive Mayor (front, right) and Prof Nico Koopman – SU: Vice Rector of Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel, while representatives of Eden DM and SU observes.

This MOU is important because it will broaden the social impact that Universities have on communities and the municipal environment. Currently, Stellenbosch University also has a MOU with the City of Cape Town and Stellenbosch Municipality.

Eden DM Councillors experience the working environment of EHPs in Knysna

The Eden District Municipal Health Services section in Knysna was afforded the opportunity to host all the Portfolio Councillors responsible for Community Services earlier in November this year.

Mr Clive Africa, Executive Manager for Community Services accompanied the Councillors, together with Mr Johan Compion, Senior Manager: Municipal Health and Environmental Services.

Hilder Stent Crèche youngsters showed much eagerness during the visit of the Eden DM Councillors and Officials, to their crèche.
Hornlee Bakery was part of the itinerary of the delegation.

Mr James McCarthy, Manager of the Municipal Health Services office, explained:  “The purpose of the initiative was for the councillors to visit various premises in Knysna, to experience the daily tasks that Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) occupy themselves with”.
The following premises were visited during the “walk- about “.

During the inspections, the EHPs introduced the Councillors to the different Key Performance Areas within the daily Municipal Health Services scope of practice. Councillors were furthermore introduced to the various owners and/or managers of the different premises and participated in lively interaction with all stakeholders.

Key issues and challenges were identified at the different premises during the individual inspections and will be addressed by means of remedial actions, with the assistance of the Municipal Health Services section, as well as the Knysna Municipality.

All councillors made use of the opportunity to express their gratitude towards the Knysna residents who were visited, for rendering a commendable service to the community of Knysna.

The Eden DM delegation also visited the Knysna Taxi Rank.