SBDM Support to Makana LM
Interview with The Lightning: “I just needed a break”
Kate Andrew’s Dreamland is a captivating portrait of our time
Shane: New album is in the works and coming next year
Virginia Hynes terminates contract with Galaxian
SBDM Donates Fire and Rescue Vehicles and Equipment to Kouga Municipality.
SBDM Celebrates Top Achievers in the District
SBDM Gives Support to Fort Brown Primary School.
On 01 March 2024 the Executive Mayor of Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Cllr Deon de Vos, handed over a printer, sanitary towels, school shoes and educational charts to Fort Brown Primary School. This initiative is part of the Mayor's drive to improve the lives of the youth of the district, especially those in small towns.
The programme was a joint effort between the Sarah Baartman District Municipality and Makana Municipality. Several stakeholders attended, including SAPS, Department of Social Development, Department of Education and local NGO's.
Sarah Baartman District Municipality and SANParks Celebrate National Parks Week
On September 18, 2023, the Sarah Baartman District Municipality joined hands with SANParks (South African National Parks) to mark a special occasion: National Parks Week. This annual event, which commenced on September 16th and will continue until September 24th, offers a unique opportunity for all South African residents to enjoy free access to the country's stunning National Parks.
The highlight of theprogram was an unforgettable experience provided to learners from Pearston Secondary School. They had the privilege of exploring the breathtaking Camdeboo National Park, home to one of the seven wonders of the Sarah Baartman District—the awe-inspiring Valley of Desolation. This remarkable geological formation is not only a source of local pride but also a designated national monument. It holds a special place within the expansive Camdeboo National Park.
The Camdeboo National Park holds a distinction that sets it apart from others—this park entirely envelops the charming town of Graaff-Reinet, often referred to as the "jewel of the Karoo." This unique aspect allows for an extraordinary coexistence between urban life and the wilderness, offering residents and visitors a harmonious blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
National Parks Week is a reminder of the rich biodiversity and natural treasures South Africa boasts. Beyond Camdeboo National Park, the Sarah Baartman District is home to other remarkable National Parks waiting to be explored. Among these, the Addo National Elephant Park and the Garden Route National Park (Tsitsikamma) are notable gems.
Community members are encouraged to seize the opportunity presented by National Parks Week and embark on an adventure to discover the splendor of these protected areas. Whether you're drawn to the magnificent wildlife of Addo, the beauty of Tsitsikamma, or the iconic landscapes of Camdeboo, there's something for every nature enthusiast to enjoy.
This celebration of National Parks Week not only underscores the importance of preserving our natural heritage but also promotes the idea that these incredible places should be accessible to all South Africans. It's a chance to connect with nature, learn about our country's diverse ecosystems, and foster a deeper appreciation for the remarkable beauty that surrounds us.
As National Parks Week continues, let us take pride in the wonders of our homeland and venture into these pristine landscapes, ensuring that the legacy of conservation and appreciation of our natural heritage lives on for generations to come.
Minister Patricia de Lille Launches Summer Season and Promotes Tourism in Sarah Baartman District Municipality
With her characteristic enthusiasm and dedication to promoting tourism, Minister Patricia de Lille addressed the gathering, emphasizing the significance of tourism for the region and the nation as a whole. She highlighted the economic importance of the upcoming summer season and urged residents to extend a warm, South African welcome to tourists, particularly those from other African countries.
In her speech, Minister de Lille stated, "Tourism is not just about visiting beautiful places; it's about connecting people, fostering understanding, and boosting our economy. As we open the doors to this year's summer season, I encourage all residents of the South Africans to be hospitable hosts to our visitors. A friendly smile, a helping hand, and sharing our local culture can go a long way in creating unforgettable experiences for tourists."
The Minister also acknowledged the critical role played by the government and the private sector in ensuring the safety and well-being of tourists. She assured attendees that collaborative efforts were underway to enhance security measures, creating a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors.
Following the launch event, Minister Patricia de Lille, along with the MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, and Tourism (DEDEAT), Hon. Mlungisi Mvoko, and the Executive Mayor of Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Cllr Deon de Vos, embarked on another important mission. They visited the Sarah Baartman Centre of Remembrance to assess the progress of this historically significant project.
The Centre of Remembrance, dedicated to the memory of Sarah Baartman, a Khoi-San woman who was exploited and displayed in Europe during the 19th century, has long been a symbol of resilience and the struggle for human rights. Minister de Lille's visit underscored the government's commitment to honoring the memory of Sarah Baartman and ensuring the completion of this important cultural and educational landmark.
Minister Patricia de Lille's launch of the summer season at Pabala Game Reserve not only signaled the start of an exciting period for tourism ibut also demonstrated the government's dedication to preserving cultural heritage and ensuring the safety and satisfaction of tourists. As the summer season unfolds, it is a reminder of the wealth of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage that South Africa has to offer, beckoning travelers from all corners of the globe to explore and discover its wonders
SBDM Sponsor Vehicles for Fire and Rescue Services
During the month of June the Sarah Baartman District Municipality has handed-over vehicles and equipment for fire and rescue services to Ndlambe Municipality, Blue Crane Route Municipality and Makana Municipality. This is part of the District's commitment to protecting the lives of its citizens, livestock and natural resources through ensuring that local municipalities are well equipped to respond to disaster effectively.
Household fires are one of the biggest problems in our district. These fires are mostly caused by candles and stoves which are left unattended. Community members are urged to ensure candles are blown out and stoves are turned off before they go to bed or leave the room.
SBDM Assists Victims of Fire in Humansdorp
On 04 May 2023, Executive Mayor De Vos along with a team from SBDM and Masikhatalelaneni NGO delivered blankets, water carriers, gel stoves, food, clothing and sanitary packs to 11 families in Golf Course, Humansdorp.
SBDM Hosts GBV Community Dialogue
On 12 June 2023 the Speaker of SBDM, Cllr Nomhle Gaga, hosted a community dialogue on gender-based violence in Clarkson. The event was held in partnership with Koukamma Municipality and guest speakers from Legal-Aid, Department of Health and Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform shared information on services they offer to empower women and victims of abuse.
The scourge of GBV incidents in the district has raised concern among all sectors of government and civil society. The moral regeneration movement which is under the office of the Speaker has been instituted to address issues of moral decay in our communities. If you are a victim of abuse or know someone who is being abused please report it to the SAPS on 10111 or contact the GBV hotline on 0800 428 428, alternately send a ‘please call me’ to *120*7867#.
The 7 Wonders of Sarah Baartman District shine at Africa's Travel Indaba
The Sarah Baartman District Municipality and Local Tourism Organisations from across the district participated in the Africa's Travel Indaba held in Durban from 09 - 11 May 2023.
The Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the continent and an exceptional place to market the various tourist attractions in the district. Events such as these help boost tourism in the district which subsequently leads to an increase in jobs and economic development in the district.
Elderly Celebrated in Patensie
On 23 May 2023 the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in partnership with Department of Social Development and local organisations in Kouga held a day of celebration to honour the elderly in Patensie. The occasion was also used to celebrate the 109th birthday of Mr Poto Dyantyisi.
Enon/Bersheba Community Receives Title Deed
On 09 June 2023, The Deputy Minister of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development, Mr Mcebisi Skwatsha, along with the Executive Mayor of Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Cllr Deon De Vos, and Sundays River Valley Municipality Mayor, Cllr Simphiwe Rune, handed over a title deed to the Witrivier Communal Property Association(CPA) in Enon/Bersheba, Kirkwood.
8341 Hectares of land, which includes 760 households, were transferred to the Witrivier Communal Property Association in terms of the Transformation of Certain Rural Areas Act, 1994 (Act No. 94 of 1998). According to the Department the handover is part of its efforts to stimulate agricultural activities in communities, in line with the department’s vision to stimulate rural economic development, restoration of land rights and food security.
The community of Enon/Bersheba are already engaged in livestock farming but the Deputy Minister and Mayors encouraged the community to continue these efforts and develop the land so that it will provide sustenance for all the residents of this area.
Improving Water Services Through Training
On 02 February 2023, the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) in conjunction with the Dr. Beyers Naudè Municipality (DBNLM) handed over personal protective equipment to twenty unemployed community members in DBNLM. These community members are part of a water training initiative led by SBDM with funding from the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA). The water training initiative aims to skill and train 20 unemployed community members and 90 municipal employees from across the district. The 20 unemployed learners and 66 municipal workers are completing a National Certificate in Water and Wastewater Treatment Process Operations with the additional 24 municipal workers completing a National Certificate in Water and Wastewater Reticulation Services.
This initiative will provide unemployed community members with a qualification which will enable them to apply for employment in the water services sector, it also aims to provide municipal employees already working in water services with a professional qualification. The professionalization of water services staff will lead to improvements in water quality across the district and help local municipalities to improve their Blue Drop and Green Drop scores. The Blue Drop is a certification programme for drinking water quality management regulation and the Green Drop is a certification programme for wastewater quality management regulation by the Department of Water and Sanitation.
This initiative has been rolled out to all seven local municipalities within the Sarah Baartman District.
Restoring Dignity Through Homeownership
On 21 February 2023, the MEC for Human Settlements, Ms Siphokazi Lusithi; Sarah Baartman District Municipality Portfolio Councillor, Cllr Phindile Faxi; and Dr. Beyers Naudè Municipality(BNLM) Mayor, Cllr Willem Safers and BNLM Speaker, Cllr Cheslin Felix officiated the handover of title deeds to community members in Graaff-Reinet. Providing community members with title deeds is part of the Department of Human Settlement's pledge to restore the dignity of our communities.
Sarah Baartman Centre of Remembrance Construction Set to Continue
On 13 February 2023, the previous Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, along with the then Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Ms Noxolo Kiviet, and delegations from the Province, municipalities and traditional leaders visited the Centre to ascertain the current condition of the Centre.
After the site visit, the Minister and the delegation proceeded to Vusumzi Landu Hall in Hankey for a community meeting. During the community meeting the Minister assured the community that construction on the site would continue. The project will be handed over to the Development Bank of South Africa to ensure that progress can accelerate.
Intergovernmental Partnerships
Representatives from the Sarah Baartman District Municipality and Sundays River Valley Municipality welcomed a delegation from the Falkenberg Municipality, Sweden, to the district in February. The delegation visited the Sundays River Valley Municipality as a study tour to explore possible partnership opportunities between Falkenberg Municipality and Sundays River Valley Municipality.
Outreach brings services to Rietbron
Rietbron is a small town between Graaff-Reinet and Willowmore, with a population of approximately 1500 people. The community often travels over 100km to access government services. The Sarah Baartman District Municipality(SBDM) partnered with Dr Beyers Naude Municipality(DBNLM) and local church organisations to bring services to this community.
On 23 March 2023, SBDM and DBNLM hosted a community outreach and services on wheels at Rietbron Community Hall. The community attendance was testament to the desire they had to access services. The outreach was attended by the Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Social Development, SAPS, COGTA, NYDA, DRDAR, SANParks, National Credit Regulator and the Department of Employment and Labour.
Parliamentary Committee Visits Jansenville
Coldstream Community Gets Connected
Today was a good day for residents of Coldstream. MTN has erected a cellphone tower which will help reduce connectivity issues in the area. MTN also donated educational material and equipment to the local daycare centre, Rainbow Crèche. This initiative is part of a drive from the district and local municipalities to ensure that connectivity issues are resolved in our rural towns. This goes beyond the simple cellphone call or SMS, it means people will have internet access which they can use to educate themselves or apply for jobs
Sarah Baartman District Municipality Leads Water Training Initiative
Today the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) in conjunction with the Dr. Beyers Naudè Municipality (DBNLM) handed over personal protective equipment to twenty unemployed community members in DBNLM.
Sarah Baartman District Municipality Executive Mayor Congratulates Matric Class of 2022
Sarah Baartman District Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Deon De Vos, congratulates the matric class of 2022 for their achievement.
CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS
The Sarah Baartman District in partnership with Koukamma Municipality commemorated this day on 27 October 2022 in Nompumelelo Village in Tsitsikamma. The day focused on ensuring that the elderly have access to government services and information. The municipality also donated blankets to the elderly as part of the event.
YUHANG-SARAH BAARTMAN VIDEO CONFERENCE HELD
Unati Daniels said she was glad to participate in this important meeting with Yuhang District. China-Africa friendship has a long history, and Sarah Baartman and Hangzhou Yuhang District have continued this friendly exchange, believing that with mutual support, both sides will be able to overcome the pandemic and other challenges and move towards a bright future. Unati Daniels introduced the good resource conditions of Sarah Baartman and the idea of in-depth development of cross-border e-commerce. She warmly invited the people of Yuhang to be guests in Sarah Baartman and experience the local customs and natural environment of South Africa on the ground, and wished the friendship between the two places would be deeper and the development more prosperous.
On behalf of the people's government of Yuhang District, Zhang Jin, vice chairman of the CPPCC, expressed her gratitude to the Cacadu Development Agency and other relevant departments for their efforts in promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation between Yuhang District and Sarah Baartman District and congratulated them on the achievements. She said that Yuhang is a sacred place of thousand-year civilization, a city of innovation and vitality and a district of quality of life, and is now striving to start a new journey to build "a model city of the future, a source of future technology and a leader of future industry", and is striving to build a new center of Hangzhou city, which is in a rare historical opportunity. She hoped that through this conference link, the municipality of Sarah Baartman will have a better understanding of Yuhang and further promote the cooperation and exchange between the two sides. At the same time, she sincerely welcomes friends from all walks of life in South Africa to participate in the development of this hot land in Yuhang and share new opportunities for development.
Located in the western part of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, Sarah Baartmn is the largest of the six municipalities (districts) in the Eastern Cape Province and the third largest economy in the Eastern Cape. The local agriculture, tourism and manufacturing industry are the three main economic pillars, and the characteristic aloe ferox products and the unique decaffeinated honey bush tea are popular among international users along with South Africa's rooibos tea. In September 2019, a delegation of Yuhang District Government visited Sarah Baartman district municipality and signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Friendly Exchange Relations, agreeing to cooperate in many fields such as economy and trade, culture and art, and education. Since the cooperation, the two sides have maintained good relations and look forward to a multifaceted friendly cooperation in the future.
On the scene, both sides made presentations on their respective situations, and six enterprise representatives spoke on the conference about its enterprises, business sectors, core products, business layout, etc. It is reported that at present, more than 10 enterprises from various fields on each side have expressed their preliminary cooperation intention.
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Watch Yuhang Reporter Liu Liwen
Editor: Peng Zhuoer
DISTRICT SMME COORDINATING COMMITTEE LAUNCHED
The Sarah Baartman District SMME Coordinating Committee which was officially launched on the 04 October 2022. The event was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Mr Sidumo Dlamini; Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Zoleka Capa; MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Ms Nonkqubela Pieters. This committee is a partnership between SBDM and SEDA, and it is aimed at ensuring that SMME’s in the district have access to training and funding opportunities and that they receive the support from government.
SBDM Celebrates Heritage Month
The Sarah Baartman District Municipality held an event in Willowmore today to celebrate Heritage and Public Service Month. The event focused on celebrating our heritage as well as bring government services closer to the community.
This year Heritage Month is celebrated under the theme 'Celebrating the Legacy of Solomon Linda and South Africa's Indigenous Music'. Therefore our event included some music from local artist which brought an air of joy to the crowds. Heritage Month is also an opportunity to foster greater social cohesion, nation building and a shared national identity, as the crowds proudly sang the National Anthem the unity and pride was palpable.
The event also included government services on wheels, such as:
- SASSA
- Department of Home Affairs
- Department of Health
_ Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform
_ Department of Human Settlements
- SARS
- Stats SA
- GCIS
- Department of Employment and Labour
- Department of Social Development
- Legal Aid
Community members from Willowmore, Rietbron and Baviaanskloof attended the event and were able to access services from these departments.