Please click on the link to view our 5-Year Achievements Booklet for the period 2016-2021

www.odm.org.za/sites/default/files/news/ODM%205%20Year%20Achievements.pdf

Please click on the link to view our external newsletter for December 2021

www.odm.org.za/sites/default/files/news/ODM%20External%20December%202021.pdf

Please click on the link to view our internal newsletter for November 2021

www.odm.org.za/sites/default/files/news/Decus%20Nostrum%20November%202021.pdf

The OVERBERG DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, with its Head Office in Bredasdorp and located in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, seeks a competent and strategic leader to head the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) and Communications Department in the Office of the Municipal Manager. Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons with innovative and strategic thinking ability, strong communications skills and a quality and results driven attitude.

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MANAGER: INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLANNING (IDP) AND COMMUNICATIONS

The incumbent will assume overall responsibility for the Strategic Direction, Leadership and Management of the IDP and Communications Department.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Appropriate Tertiary Qualification (NQF Level 7) - Degree in Public Administration / Development Studies / Public Management.
• Compliance with the Municipal Minimum Competency requirements, as laid down in Government Notice R493, dated 15 June 2007, or alternatively as per the exemption as laid down in the Government Gazette 40593, dated 3 February 2017.
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience in Integrated Development Planning or Strategic Management and Administration, at a strategic management level in the Local Government sector.
• Sound knowledge of Local Government policies and legislation, and institutional governance systems.
• Sound knowledge of integrated development planning- and public participation processes, as prescribed in the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000).
• Language proficiency and excellent communication, presentation and facilitation skills in at least two of the three official languages of the Western Cape.
• Code B Driver’s Licence.

DUTIES:

• To effectively manage and direct the IDP and Communications Department, and accordingly report to the Municipal Manager.
• To develop an Integrated Development Plan for the Overberg District Municipality through the effective coordination and facilitation of intergovernmental relations and public participation.
• To develop a District IDP Framework- and Process Plan to provide direction and ensure alignment of planning processes between the Overberg District Municipality and Local Municipalities in the Overberg.
• Develop the District’s IDP in conjunction with Overberg Local Municipalities, the Western Cape Provincial Government, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Conduct secondary research on IDP-related activities and key government policies and directives that must align with the District’s IDP.
• Manage and facilitate IDP- and Communications-related intergovernmental relations and public participation structures.
• Participate and represent Overberg Local Municipalities at Provincial IDP-, Public Participation and Communications engagements.
• Engage and consult with Provincial Sector Departments on matters of a transversal nature that impact on the Overberg region as a whole.
• Manage the implementation of the IDP to ensure alignment and streamlining of activities in the region.
• Ensure alignment of Council Strategic Goals with Provincial and National Government strategic directives.
• Stay abreast of development in respect of Provincial and National Government IDP- and Communications-related prescripts and policies and provide guidance to Overberg Local Municipalities.
• Develop relevant Language and Communications policies.
• Ensure the development of a Communications Action Plan that is aligned to the IDP.
• Ensure the efficient development of Internal and External Newsletters and communications materials for distribution to stakeholders.
• Ensure the municipal website is regularly updated with credible and accurate information.
• Conduct performance- and risk management.
• Responsibility for the strategic and operational management of the IDP and Communications. Department.

REMUNERATION:  R561 996 – R729 480 per annum (T16)

CLOSING DATE:    14 March 2022

APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER INFORMATION:

Application forms are available on the municipal website (www.odm.org.za) and at all ODM offices or can be requested from the Department: Human Resources at 028 425 1157 during office hours.

Completed application forms and a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae, accompanied by an original certified copy of your Identity document and relevant qualification/s, must be submitted to the following address: Private Bag X22, Bredasdorp 7280. For any inquiries in this regard, you may contact Mr P Oliver (acting) Municipal Manager on 0284251157 or email: mm@odm.org.za.

Please note: Original certified proof of qualification/s and driver’s licence is a requirement for selection and must be attached to your application. Candidates who do not submit all the supporting documentation as requested, will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Overberg District Municipality is an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates from designated groups are encouraged to apply.

If no notification is received within 90 days after the closing date, please regard your application as unsuccessful. The right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise is reserved. Canvassing will disqualify any candidate from being considered for appointment.

https://www.facebook.com/OverbergDM

Disabled people are encouraged to apply.

The National Department of Health has announced that from Wednesday, 23 February 2022, the interval between the first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be reduced from 42 days to 21 days.

This is good news for the vaccination programme as it means more people can now complete their primary schedule of Pfizer doses earlier, resulting in them being sufficiently protected against severe disease.

In addition to the interval change of the Pfizer doses, the interval period for booster doses for the Pfizer vaccine has also been reduced.

Booster dose interval periods, and mix-and-match option
From today, Monday 21 February, if you had the J&J dose as a primary dose, you can now choose between the Pfizer or J&J booster dose from 60 days after getting your first J&J vaccine.

Similarly, from Wednesday 23 February, if you have had two Pfizer doses you can now choose either the Pfizer or J&J booster dose from 90 days after getting your second Pfizer dose.

The decision as to which vaccine to administer as a booster will be guided by vaccine availability at vaccination sites. If both vaccines are available, the original (primary) boosting vaccine should be preferred, unless the vaccine requests to receive the alternative booster vaccine.

View our weekly vaccination schedules to see which vaccination sites offer which vaccine or both: https://www.facebook.com/WCGHealth/.

ENDS

Though cases of enteric fever (typhoid fever) are reported annually, the recently reported increase in the number of laboratory-confirmed cases in the Western Cape was interpreted incorrectly as new cases. The cases in the province were reported to be higher than in previous years. However, these reports are based on cumulative historical data as set out below.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) recorded the following annual number of cases:
• 31 in 2020
• 48 in 2021
• 7 in 2022

Since 2020 to date, three clusters were identified in the province which have now been reported by the NICD. In these clusters:
14 cases were recorded in the Metro with the first case reported in November 2020 and the most recent case in January 2022,
11 in Cape Winelands with the first case reported in July 2020 and the most recent case in May 2021, and
12 in the Garden Route with the first case reported in August 2020 and the most recent case in December 2021.
It is important to note that these reported clusters are based on historical data as per 2020 and 2021 data.

Whole-genome sequencing of enteric fever isolates, as part of the health responses, has identified specific ‘strains’ responsible for separate clusters in these districts, confirming that in those districts cases are linked and there is ongoing local transmission.

These local outbreaks of enteric fever are amidst an annual surge of diarrhea, which occurs annually at this time. Cases of enteric are fever being managed by Department of Health in specific areas, and we urge the public to be assured that there is no cause for panic.

Response teams activated
The response teams had been activated with guidance for further public health response and surveillance activities received from the National Institute for Communicable Disease, Enteric Unit.

The identification and investigation of enteric fever cases and clusters involves ongoing surveillance, thorough case management, contact tracing and environmental investigations (food, water and sanitation), and health promotion activities. All recent single cases and clusters are currently under investigation.

Healthcare professionals are encouraged to be alert for possible cases and have a low threshold for collecting blood cultures when investigating cases of acute febrile illness.

Water safety
District Municipality Environmental Health Services officials are part of the response teams to address sanitation and water safety-related issues. They are responsible for the routine monitoring of municipal water supply to communities which involves routine sampling for indicator organisms. In areas where water samples were collected (municipal sources and untreated water) and tested at specific laboratories as part of the investigations, enteric fever could not be isolated. There is currently no cause for water safety concern.

Healthcare provision: how is this done?
A healthcare worker will collect and send samples of blood or stool to a laboratory for testing. Enteric (typhoid) fever is treated with antibiotics as well as to treat carriers. If you become very sick, you may need to be hospitalised.

Prevention
District and sub-district services also conducts health promotion activities (as part of the diarrhoeal season) that includes general hygiene and handwashing.
1. Proper hand-hygiene which includes thorough washing of hands with water and soap after using the bathroom/toilette, and before preparing or eating a meal.
2. Maintain good hygiene in the kitchen when you are handling and preparing a meal.
3. Household water and sanitation supplies is safe.
4. Avoid water that may be contaminated (polluted) with sewage (wastewater that contains human waste etc.)
5. Safe disposal of human feaces (stools/poo) and nappies.

Symptoms
If you have enteric (typhoid) fever you may have mild or severe symptoms, which include:
1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Feeling unwell in general
4. Abdominal pain or cramps
5. Nausea and vomiting
6. Constipation or diarrhea
7. A rash on the stomach
8. Dry cough

The symptoms may appear as early as 3 days to as late as 60 days after you were exposed to the bacteria. You usually start to get sick within 9 to 21 days after exposure. If you experience symptoms, seek health care immediately.

ENDS

Please see the full notification here.

Published 2022-02-22

The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) and the national Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is currently in the process of preparing the country for Broadcasting Digital Migration, switching television signal from analogue to digital, for which all viewers will need a satellite dish and decoder.

Go Digital South Africa is a process of taking South Africans to an era of Digital Television that also brings more choice of television channels to ordinary people who view free-to-air television as provided by SABC, e-tv and M-Net. Currently, these services are broadcast in an analogue format.

Households earning less than R3 500 per month, can apply for a free satellite and decoder. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the Post Office, take your ID along and register.
2. Wait for the sub-contracted installations company to contact you with a date and time for installation.
3. Only sign the receipt when the installation has been completed and the supplier has shown you how the remote and your TV work, and make sure everything is functioning well.
4. You don't have to have a TV License to qualify, although you are encouraged to get one as soon as you can.

The anticipated switch-off of the analogue signal is set for 31 March 2022.