Background

The Brandfontein road (Provincial Proclaimed Divisional Road 1203) within the Overberg District Municipality (ODM), which traverses the Agulhas National Park (ANP), has been temporarily closed for traffic for the last couple of weeks. The closure of the road resulted from the flooding of approximately 350 metres of the road after a record rainfall since the beginning of 2021 in the southern Overberg area on the Agulhas Plain. This year to date more than 844mm rain has been recorded. Rainfall like this has not been recorded in more than 50 years. The average annual rainfall for the area is around 500mm. Without elaborating on the matter, it can be stated that during April and May 2021 the town of Struisbaai was flooded with dozens of houses under water and roads closed due to flooding. The provincial tarred road between Struisbaai and Bredasdorp was closed several times, sometimes for days on end, due to flooding and the provincial dirt road between Struisbaai and Elim was not negotiable for several weeks due to flooding. To date there are still large areas covered in standing water, which can easily be observed on either sides of the Struisbaai road from Bredasdorp and on the Elim road from Struisbaai.  This year had an exceptional heavy rainfall season and the provincial and district municipal authorities were, and still are, constantly addressing these challenges, which at certain times bordered on the extent of disaster.

The Brandfontein road is next to the Soutpan (salt pan), which is within the ANP. The ANP is under the jurisdiction and managed by South African National Parks (SANParks) under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003). The Soutpan is a so-called endorheic depression, which is a depression in the landscape that accumulates water, but has no outlet. It is a drainage basin that normally retains water and allows no outflow to other external bodies of water, such as rivers or oceans, but drainage converges instead into lakes or swamps, permanent or seasonal, that equilibrate through evaporation. With the record rains during this year the area filled with water more than any recalling in human memory for the past 50 years and, furthermore, evaporation is not taking away enough water as was the case normally during all previous normal rainy seasons for more than fifty years. Other nearby water and wetland systems, like the Nuwejaars River and the Soetendalsvlei, also occasionally overflowed their banks during the course of the last few months that caused even more water flowing into this endorheic depression with no outlet to the sea or a river. With that much water the Soutpan pushed the excess water into the surrounding marshland, which is a very large flat wetland area with nowhere else for the water to go but rising the water level over the Soutpan and surrounding marshland until it equalises all at the same level. This phenomenon happens every year, especially during years within higher rainfall periods when the annual rainfall will be as high as 600mm. Almost every year, as a result of the higher water level in the Soutpan and surrounding marshland, the Brandfontein road floods for a few days, mostly a day or two, until the water level declines again as a result of evaporation. However, this year is an exception on the normal pattern as a result of the extremely high rainfall and wet weather that did not encourage evaporation. As a matter of interest it can be mentioned that the most well-known endorheic depression in the world is probably the Dead Sea and the largest is the Caspian Sea.

Considerations and options

With the water level as it is at this stage, and the fact that it cannot be manipulated or changed, neither the ODM nor SANParks is in a position to address the matter of the closed Brandfontein road immediately. Maintenance work on the road can only be addressed after the water level has declined to the extent that a proper investigation can be done to determine the extent of damage on the road and to do informed planning with regards to restoring accessibility and possible prevention upgrading to address similar scenarios that might occur in future timeously. Furthermore, in order to get machinery into the area to rectify the damage on the road, the water level must also decline to a level that actual work on the road is in reality possible.  

For the interim period Provincial Proclaimed Minor Road 4159, which traverses Bergplaas and Springfield that are both situated within ANP, will give access to residents and landowners along the Brandfontein road. This access road must however be seen as a temporary emergency bypass. The necessary directional signage to be erected within the next week.

It is important to note that all alternatives are considered in order to alleviate the immediate impact and work towards a sustainable and acceptable long-term solution.  Both the ODM and SANParks will be guided by applicable environmental legislation, and it must be stated that alternative routes or structures proposed will require Environmental Authorisation.

The ODM and SANParks celebrate a history of working well together and supporting each other on numerous projects and challenges in the past. It is the intention of both parties to continue doing so in order to find an amicable solution for this challenge, but also for any other opportunities or challenges that might emerge in future. The ODM and SANParks are committed to working together and supporting each other for the greater good of all the people of the Overberg and South Africa.

Released by ODM and SANParks on 15 October 2021.

Enquiries can be directed to:

Mr Mannie van Eeden (ODM) at mvaneeden@odm.org.za

Mr Francois Kotze (ODM) at fkotze@odm.org.za

Mr Johan Taljaard (SANParks) at johan.taljaard@sanparks.org

4 November 2021

The Overberg District Municipality in conjunction with Swellendam Municipality hereby invites all current suppliers and prospective suppliers who applied for space at the “CONTAINER PARK” to a supplier open day which will be held on the following dates:

BARRYDALE

Date:               04 NOVEMBER 2021
Venue:            SMITSVILLE
Time:              10:00 – 15:00

The focus of the open day is to assist suppliers with registering on the central supplier database, as well as registering on the respective municipalities’ database mentioned above and advising on tender document completion. LED officials will also be available to assist with any queries.

Contact persons:

P.S: LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE !!

The OVERBERG DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, with its Head Office in Bredasdorp and located in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, seeks a competent and visionary leader to head the Department: Financial Services.  Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons with innovative and strategic thinking ability, strong communication skills and a quality and results driven attitude.

HEAD: FINANCIAL SERVICES

Requirements:

• A post graduate qualification in a relevant financial field of study
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience at Local Government of which one-year middle management level and 3 years in a role related position
• Compliance with the minimum competency requirements for financial officials as per Government Notice R493 dated 15 June 2007 or Government Gazette 40593 dated 3 February 2017
• Sound knowledge of Local Government Financial Management Systems, SAMRAS and MSCOA migration to the web will be preferable
• Be provisioned in Excel, proof of training will be advantageous
• Valid Code B Driver’s licence 
• Asset Management (including property investment management) work experience
• Insurance background as part of work function or educational training
• Registration with a recognised relevant professional body will be an added advantage.
• No criminal record
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills in at least two of the three official languages of the Western Cape

Duties:

• Assume overall responsibility for supporting the Chief Financial Officer with the financial services departments effective and effective functionality.
• Report directly to the CFO.
• Compile the annual and adjustment operating and capital budget and assist in preparing the Financial Statements in accordance with General Accepted Municipal Accounting Principles (GRAP)
• Responsible for managing the Assets, Insurance, Investment and Property investment divisions of the municipality
• Responsible for financial compliance, and reporting division according to the MFMA and other relevant legislation
• Engage and respond to the Auditor General and prepare audit files pertaining all financial services related documentation Planning, organising and controlling of all activities of the Financial Services Department
• Ensure proper and diligent compliance with acceptable Municipal Finance Management Legislation in all aspects.
• Attending council and committee meetings as delegated to the position.

Remuneration:   T15: R499 188 – R647 916 per annum plus the normal fringe benefits of a Local Authority.

Closing date:   18 October 2021

Application forms are available on the municipal website (www.odm.org.za) and at all ODM offices or can be requested from the Human Resources Department 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 email addresses r.hugo@mweb.co.za and cfo@odm.org.za.

Please address all enquires pertaining to this position to Mr N Kruger on the following contact details: e-mail nkruger@odm.org.za or contact 0284251157. Incomplete and late applications, and applications with no proof of qualifications will not be considered or processed.

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.

Disabled people are encouraged to apply.

https://www.facebook.com/OverbergDM

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.

HEAD: 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:   T15: R499 188 – R647 916 (subject to TASK evaluation)

CLOSING DATE:   18 October 2021

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 Human Resources Department 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 email address r.hugo@mweb.co.za and mm@odm.org.za.

Please address all enquiries pertaining to this position to Mrs M. Dunn on the following contact details: e-mail mdunn@odm.org.za or contact 0284251157. Incomplete and late applications, and applications with no proof of qualifications will not be considered or processed.

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.

Disabled people are encouraged to apply.

https://www.facebook.com/OverbergDM