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Monday, 15 August 2016 |
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Knysna was the proud host of the 33rd annual Oyster Festival during the period of 1 to 10 July 2016. This spectacular occasion has once again proven itself to have grown into one of the biggest and most popular lifestyle and sporting events in South Africa.
The program boasted more than one hundred sporting and social events over the ten day festival. During the festival numerous food markets and gala events were held catering for people to indulge in a variety of culinary delights, of which the famous oysters remained the main attraction.
According to statistics compiled by the Eden District Knysna Municipal Health office, more than 107 000 oysters were consumed by an estimated 74 000 visitors to Knysna during the 10-day period.
Role and interventions by the Eden Municipal Health Department
Eden officials at the Knysna Municipal Health office, prepared well in advance for this annual event, by planning and implementing a mitigation and monitoring work schedule before, during and after the festival, to minimize and address any public health issues that might arise.
Food Control
- Pre-festival inspections, as well as inspections during the event, were also undertaken at 184 informal and formal food premises, including daily inspections at Oyster Festival "Hot Spots" and also the central Festival grounds.
- Inspections were further undertaken at various oyster holding tanks in town, where thousands of oysters were kept under conditions prescribed by Eden District Health Section.
- Sixteen batches of oyster samples were dispatched to the Merieux Nutriscience Laboratory in Cape Town for bacteriological analysis, before and during the Festival.
- Fifteen of the abovementioned samples conformed to the prescribed requirements as stipulated under the Marine Food Regulations, Regulation 692 of 1977, promulgated under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetic and Disinfectant Act, Act 54 of 1972.
- Drinking water (sachets) provided to the 7 000 athletes who participated in the Forest marathon, were analyzed and conformed to the prescribed requirements stipulated under the Bottled Water Regulations, Regulation 692 of 1997, promulgated under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act, Act 54 of 1972.
Environmental Health Practitioners inspected 184 informal and formal food premises, which include daily inspections at Oyster Festival "Hot Spots".
Water quality monitoring
- Bacteriological water monitoring of the Knysna estuary was undertaken by sampling water at 14 identified sites in and around the estuary.
- Sampling included sites which hosted recreational water-sports events related to the Festival.
- Twelve of the above samples complied with the recreational standards prescribed by Department of Water Affairs.
Communicable disease outbreak
A strict communication protocol regarding the report to the health authority for investigation, in the event of an elevated food-related gastro enteritis outbreak, was established between the Eden District Municipal Health Services and relevant Medical Health Care Providers, which included both the Private and Provincial Hospitals, General Practitioners and Pharmacies.
No gastro-related food illness was reported to the Eden District office by any health care providers during the 10-day period.
Mr James McCarthy, the Eden District Chief for Municipal Health Services in the Knysna area, confirmed that a huge contribution was made behind the scenes by Eden District Environmental Health Practitioners, to ensure that a high level of public health status was maintained during this extremely busy festive period. It also indicates the huge success that was achieved due to the interventions by Environmental Health Practitioners in the Knysna and surrounding areas.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 15 August 2016 )
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Monday, 08 August 2016 |
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Eden District Municipality's and the district's b-municipal Communication Officials are currently in the process of distributing the 22nd edition of the Eden District External Newsletter.
The public is hereby requested to download the newsletter by clicking on the following link: http://goo.gl/A2oQps
The tabloid-sized newsletter, includes some of the following articles:
- A final word from the Chief Whips of the 2011-2016 Eden DM Council
- R75 Million upgrades to the Friemersheim divisional road
- Oudtshoorn Youth Café is finally open
- Knysna leads from the front, with KnysnaON high-speed broadband
- Eden DM Speaker concludes her "House 2 Home" project
- Occupational Health and Safety at Eden DM Roads Services improves
- and more...
Download the newsletter - and read more!
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Last Updated ( Monday, 08 August 2016 )
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Friday, 05 August 2016 |
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It was a victorious day on Friday, 29 July 2016, when the Eden District Municipality Councillors and Executive Managers gathered with newly appointed interns and permanent staff, to celebrate the municipality’s 2016 Internship-Student Programme. The appointment of temporary staff into permanent positions and the recognition of staff who completed various training programmes, were also celebrated at the event.
The celebration followed after Eden District Municipality recently appointed 18 interns to be placed in various sections within the municipality’s Head and satellite offices. Also, in the last couple of weeks, staff who were appointed on a temporary basis for a number of years, finally got to sign their permanency as employees of the Eden District Municipality. These staff are predominantly employed at the Eden resorts in Swartvlei and Victoria Bay, as well as Fire Services, housed in the Community Services Department, under leadership of Mr Clive Africa. During this occasion, staff who also completed various training programmes, received special recognition from Senior Management.
Newly appointed permanent staff with Senior Management and Councillors of Eden District Municipality, during the celebration.
During his official welcoming address to the interns, the Municipal Manager, Mr Godfrey Louw, said: “I am honoured, to congratulate you on behalf of Council on the start of your career” and further added: “It will also give you an opportunity to decide whether you want to make Local Government your career of choice”. Mr Louw further said to the officials who were permanently appointed: “Your permanent appointment, is a way in which we recognise you for your loyal service and diligence”. To the permanent staff who completed various skills programmes, including Ms Trix Holtzhausen, Executive Manager for Corporate- /Strategic Services, who completed her qualification in Municipal Minimum Competency (MMC), he said: “Your certification is an achievement of which you can be proud of and as municipal manager I am very privileged and proud of you all”.
Current intern, Mr Bandile Mbalo, inspired all, especially the new interns, with his personal testimonial at the event.
Interns with their mentors together with Senior Management and Councillors of Eden District Municipality, at the event.
Ms Trix Holtzhausen, Head of Corporate- /Strategic Services(2nd left), received special recognition for completing her MMC training.
Outgoing Executive Deputy Mayor, Cllr Lionel Esau, inspired all interns with the words: “Whenever you are tasked with something, go the extra mile – you would be a worthy employee of Eden District Municipality” and encouraged them with Matthews 5 verse 41.
Cllr Doris Nayler, also exiting Speaker of Eden District Municipality, commended and extended her heartfelt thanks to all municipal officials, for their warmth and cooperation during her term as Speaker. Speaker Nayler further encouraged the interns and said: “As long as you keep moving, create alternatives and possibilities for yourself and you will go forward. Use every opportunity that might come your way, make it happen and it will influence your future”. To these words, Speaker Nayler added: “Do not allow anyone to make you inferior”.
Portfolio Chairperson for Corporate Services and the Chairperson of the Education, Training and Development Committee, as well as Chairperson of the Internal and External Bursary Committee, Cllr Tertuis Simmers, inspired all officials and interns by saying: “As an eternal scholar myself, I believe that Leo Buscaglia captures the answers to both my questions perfectly in his quote: ‘THE END RESULT OF TRUE LEARNING IS CHANGE’”, and concluded: “Interns/students and employees, do your part and the end-result will be a change in your skill level, life and circumstances”.
Ms Holtzhausen also extended a word of gratitude to the mentors of the newly appointed interns, current intern Mr Bandile Mbalo who inspired all with his personal testimonial, Mr Clifford Sheldon, Transformational Life Coach, who delivered a special motivational speech to all, as well as Mr Reginald Salmons and Angeline Naidoo for the successful roll-out of the Internship-Student Programme.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 05 August 2016 )
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Friday, 05 August 2016 |
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The Phelophepa Health Train will once again be visiting George from 15 to 19 August 2016. As in the past, the mobile healthcare hospital will bring much needed health services and hope to thousands of residents in the district.
The 18-coach Phelophepa Health Train provides facilities for health, oral and vision screening programmes, basic health education awareness and community counselling workshops. This train is the world’s first primary healthcare hospital on wheels.
For more information about the Phelophepa Health Train, please download the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE
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Last Updated ( Friday, 05 August 2016 )
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Tuesday, 02 August 2016 |
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Major economic spin-offs are expected across the Western Cape now that the official launch of the Cross Cape Cycling Route took place on 29 July 2016 at Barrington in the Knysna Municipal Area.
The proposed Cross Cape Cycling Route stretching over the entire
Western Cape. This includes a 160km track between George and Plettenberg
Bay that should be completed by March 2017.
A concept route stretches from Plettenberg Bay to Cape Town and is the result of partnerships between various stakeholders, including the Western Cape Government, WESGRO, Eden District Municipality (Eden DM), Local Municipalities and the private sector. The cycling route caters for all levels of cyclists and covers a variety of terrain including: single track, gravel roads, district lines and more.
The Eden DM Executive Mayor, Cllr Wessie van der Westhuizen, who delivered the keynote, said that when he started his term he had to face the devastation of the tragic Rheenendal bus accident that took the lives of 14 primary school learners and now he ends off his term in the Knysna area again, but on a high note. Cllr Van der Westhuizen praised stakeholders for their collaborative effort to make "a dream come true".
The Provincial Minister of Economic Opportunities, Mr Alan Winde, during his address to stakeholders and media said: "This project is about creating a bucket list of tourism destinations. It focuses on how we will attract cyclist from other parts of the world." Mr Winde envisions that the Western Cape will become the Trail Capital of Africa, because of its diversity, friendly people and iconic mountain ranges, sea views, food and wine etc. "We are fortunate to have a driver and a game changer", he said.
Ms Amagene Koeberg, Tourism Co-ordinator, Garden Route and Klein Karoo, had this to say about the initiative: "This Cycling Route gives us the opportunity to find ways of approaching tourism differently. Road safety, healthy communities and a culture of cycling will be the outcome of this initiative. We are privileged to live in an area that offers breathtaking views and an environment that promises a unique cycling experience. I believe and trust that this program will deliver various economic opportunities for all residents along the route ".
Remember to "like" the Cross Cape FB page at www.facebook.com/crosscape
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| Leaders shortly prior to the opening of the Cross Cape Cycling Trail, (fltr): Cllr Wessie Van der Westhuizen (Eden DM Executive Mayor), Mr Alan Winde (Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities) and Cllr Georlene Wolmarans (Knysna Executive Mayor). |
Mr Alan Winde opens the concept trail at Garden Route Trail Park by the cutting of a ribbon with route custodians.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 August 2016 )
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