Read Further On Page 2 - Drakenstein

Edition 49 October 2010
Drakenstein Municipality
plants for the planet
ARBOR AWARDING CEREMONY. Drakenstein Municipality received a trophy, certificate and
cheque of R250 000 and a promise of 1000 trees as the prize for winning the Arbor City Award at
a ceremony on 7 September 2010 in Mbekweni. Drakenstein Municipality was crowned as the
greenest Municipality within the Western Cape, followed by Stellenbosch Municipality, second
and City of Cape Town in the third place. Here, with the certificate and cheque, are (from left)
Albert Van der Merwe (Manager: Parks Section), Dr. Sidima Kabanyane (Municipal Manager),
Tommy Matthee (Executive Director: Social Services), Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson (Minister:
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), Anthea Abrahams (Head of Department: Community
Services) and Gerrit van Rensburg (MEC for Agriculture in the Western Cape).
An Arbor City Award Ceremony was held in Mbekweni recently to Pettersson encouraged the community to plant fruit and vegetables
celebrate Drakenstein Municipality as the winner of this award.
and to use their soap water to plant trees. “Soap water will not kill
As part of the celebrations with the community, Drakenstein your plants. It will help them grow”.
Municipality and the department Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, “Today, we are gathered here on this special day to build on the 2002
a trophy, a certificate and a cheque of R250 000 were handed over to government initiative bestowing Arbor City Awards so that we may
the Drakenstein Municipality as an award. The Department continue with the greening of our nation and continue with the
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will also donate 1000 trees to important objective of encouraging municipalities to undertake
Drakenstein Municipality as part of the award.
greening initiatives. In so doing, the Department and other role-
Drakenstein Municipality won the 2010 Arbor City award players are trying to promote environmental conservation and
competition in the Western Cape in May 2010. Stellenbosch development, thereby securing a healthy living environment for all,”
Municipality came second, followed by City of Cape Town, Cape said Ms Joemat-Pettersson in her keynote address at the Arbor City
Agulhas, Hessequa, Witzenberg and Theewaterskloof respectively. Award Ceremony.
The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Tina Joemat- Read further on page 2

Drakenstein Municipality
plants for the planet
The Executive Mayor of Drakenstein, Councillor Charmaine
Manuel emphasised the importance of having the celebrations
in Mbekweni due to the fact that townships were previously
excluded in greening projects.
“The Municipality is doing its best to plant trees in this
community and in other historically disadvantaged
communities,” said Councilor Manuel.
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) in
conjunction with the Institute of Environment and Recreation
Management (IERM) introduced Arbor City Award
Competition in 2002.
The main objective was to encourage municipalities to
undertake greening initiatives. Through this competition
municipalities were encouraged to undertake greening
initiatives, develop greening plans, expansion of greening
projects to historically disadvantaged areas, ensure
municipalities comply with relevant legislation regarding
greening e.g. NFA, CARA, NEMA etc. and raise awareness
about the importance and value of greening in communities.
Drakenstein Municipality planted more then 3000 trees over
the last three years. In conjunction with the Cape Winelands
District Municipality, more than 2600 trees were donated to
new housing developments.
Drakenstein's Tree Management Programme, which includes
the managing of our Oak trees impressed the judges. Special
projects that also ensured the winning of the award were:
establishing of a Tree Flowering Garden in Wellington, Paarl
TREE PLANTING. As part of the Arbor City Award
Ceremony, to celebrate Drakenstein as the winner of this
award on 7 September 2010, a tree planting ceremony
took place, to symbolise the importance of trees in human
life. Here (from left) Albert Van der Merwe (Manager: Parks
Section), Councillor Charmaine Manuel (Drakenstein
Municipality Executive Mayor) planting a tree, Ms Tina
Joemat-Pettersson (Minister: Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries) and Gerrit van Rensburg (MEC for Agriculture
in the Western Cape).
Arboretum, beautifying of Wellington Industrial Park, greening
of town entrances, tree evaluation method, beautifying of
previously disadvantaged communities, managing of Paarl
Mountain Nature Reserve and our Tree Policy.
SECRETARY TRAINING. Drakenstein Municipality’s secretaries have attended an Executive Secretarial Course in
August 2010 at the Training Centre. The course highlighted the importance of the secretary's role and function within
an organisation and aimed to provide the skills with which the effective secretary can contribute fully to the manager's
success. Participants were also given detailed information on how to prepare for and handle their duties successfully
using the techniques for managing the demands of their role, including time management, build confidence and also
encourage them towards a practical approach to their job. The course was presented by Renee Adendorff of NDJ
Consultants which touched on the following subjects, partnership with your manager, effective communication,
improving internal relationships and social interaction, effective organising and planning, stress management and
etiquette and professionalism. Here are the secretaries of the Executive Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Municipal Manager,
Executive Directors and Head of Departments, with (front from right) Renee Adendorff (NDJ Consultants) and Dr.
Sidima Kabanyane (Municipal Manager).

Paarl Bird Sanctuary is water
friendly
The Paarl Bird Sanctuary gives a clear message to the residents of
Drakenstein to emphasise the importance of clean water to maintain a
healthy life. Drakenstein Municipality Wastewater Treatment Works
Department is known for the excellent quality of the water that
discharges through its Chlorination Plant, which also helps birds at the
Paarl Bird Sanctuary. The five back-up ponds, declared a bird sanctuary
in 1993, which supports a great variety of water birds and while the birds
are healthy, this indicates that the water is in good condition.
The Sanctuary is well known to birders, both locally and abroad,
and acts as a breathing space for the citizens of the valley. With
its magnificent view of both the Drakenstein Mountains and the
Paarl Rock, it offers a peaceful retreat from the ever growing
metropolis with its urban sprawl.
More than 133 species of birds have been recorded to date, but
the emphasis is on the water birds and these are regularly
monitored from the early nineties, a group of volunteers have
taken part in the monthly counts of water birds, noting numbers
and breeding records. Paarl holds the record for the longest
running CWAC (Co-ordinates Africa Water Birds) count which is
recorded at the University of Cape Town, and from there to
Wageningen in the Netherlands, where the organisation is
monitoring the status of water birds in Africa
Species that visit or breed in Paarl include: Greater Flamingoes,
the Great White Pelican, Whitebreasted Cormorants, African
Fish Eagles, three subspecies of Grebes, Blackheaded and
Purple Herons.
Here are a group of Flamingoes at the Paarl Bird Sanctuary.
CASUAL DAY 2010
APRIL APRILi APRIL 2009
Here are a group of Pelicans preening themselves at the
Paarl Bird Sanctuary.
With the changing season, migrants from Central Africa and the
Northern Hemisphere will return to spend the summer on the
ponds. Some Intra-African migrants include the Reed Warbler
and Striped Swallow that breed in the Sanctuary and already
the Whitethroated Swallows and Common Sandpipers have
been seen.
The Sanctuary is special in the sense that all ponds can be
viewed from its network of roads. Entrance is free, seven days a
week, but visitors are recorded at the gate. Several species of
African Trees have been planted to provide food and shelter for
birds and, in the future, also shade for birders. There are plenty
of picnic tables in the grassed areas and big trees for picnicking
families.
The two bird hides are due to be upgraded and there is a new
viewing platform mounted on top of the toilet block giving a
panoramic view of the whole area.
Future plans include the installation of CCTV cameras to
improve the security situation and guards are going to be
allocated to patrol the area.
Paarl Bird Sanctuary is renowned as one of the best water bird
viewing spots in South Africa, by international and local birders.
The visitors at the Sanctuary can now be assured of a relaxing
recreational break and they will also see the healthy state of the
bird life that signifies the quality of the water emanating from
Paarl's well-managed treatment works.

New Community Hall for Gouda
The building of the first Community Hall for Gouda was
celebrated last week with the laying of the cornerstone for this
Community Hall. The building of this Community Hall jobs were
created for the unemployed people in Gouda.
The Community Hall will be used for community meetings,
functions, debutant balls, weddings, school functions, council
meetings. The completion date for the Community Hall is 5
December 2010.
Drakenstein Municipality have budgeted R3 million for the
building of the community hall, said Gouda Ward Councillor,
Johannes Thomas.
“The community of Gouda identified the need for a Community
Hall in ward meetings in 2008 as well as the IDP and Budget
Road Shows”
The Executive Mayor, Councillor Charmaine Manuel thanked
councilor Thomas his commitment and dedication and also for
being proactive within his ward.
“The Gouda Community must take ownership of this
Community Hall and now they have a place of gathering and
also to discuss important issues within their community,” said
councilor Manuel.
She emphasised that the Drakenstein Municipality must move
away from containers and give infrastructure of high quality to
our community and that Council has done their best to assist
the Community of Gouda, with the available funds.
CORNERSTONE LAYING CEREMONY. The Gouda
Community Hall Cornerstone was officially opened on
Friday, 27 August 2010. Here at the laying ceremony are
(from left) Councillor Charmaine Manuel (Executive
Mayor), Councillor Johannes Thomas (Gouda Councillor)
and Khaya Mrali (Executive Director: Corporate
Governance).
Drakenstein Municipality uplifts unemployed
and unskilled community members
Drakenstein Municipality recently awarded 140 community
members from Wards 5, 8 and 18 for completion of courses in
upgrading streets and stormwater in the OR Thembo and New Rest
Area as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme during the
2009/2010 financial year.
The project was funded by the Drakenstein Municipality and Cape
Winelands District Municipality and 1520 metres of roads were
constructed and upgraded by members of the public. The training also
took the form of theoretical classes and practical on-site experience
and WEC Consult was the Consulting Engineers and Jansen Tarmac
the contractors on the project.
Drakenstein Municipality is serious about bringing job opportunities
and training to the unemployed and unskilled. More than 50 job
opportunities were created by the Drakenstein Municipal Expanded
Public Works Programme (EPWP) over the previous financial year,
amounting to almost 3000 person days of work for the unemployed.
The EPWP works to create jobs for unemployed and unskilled people
and more than R3 million was spend on the project. The EPWP is
driven by a specially appointed EPWP champion, who is required to
target the unskilled and unemployed through labour intensive
construction (LIC) projects.
The programme involves creating job opportunities for the
unemployed, thus ensuring that workers gain skills and on-the-job
training to increase their capability of earning an income.
These opportunities include upgrading of gravel roads to bituminous
standards, including layer works, curb laying and surfacing.
The aim of the programme is to make use of local unemployed labour
to do upgrades to infrastructure, therefore only people that are
unemployed and do not earn an income may apply to become part of
this programme.
TRAINING. Here are some of the community members who were awarded by Drakenstein Municipality for course
completed with (rear fourth left) Dr. Sidima Kabanyane, Municipal Manager and (fifth left) Leon Coetzee, Executive
Director Infrastructure and Planning Services.

FFrom From rom
our our our
Municipal Manager The difference between a successful person and
others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of
knowledge, but rather a lack in will.
Vince Lombardi
Skills development for youth
The National Department of Rural Development and
Land Reform has initiated a programme aimed at
developing skills of young people living in rural areas and
this programme is called the National Rural Youth
Service Corps (NARYSEC).
The NARYSEC is a two year programme aimed at
empowering unemployed rural youth between the ages
18 to 35 years from each of the 3000 rural wards in the
country and is expected to create job opportunities for at
least 4 youths per ward.
These young people will be expected to undergo an
intensive training programme at participating FET
Colleges and departments such as SADF, based on the
needs identified during an induction programme at the
start of the programme and they will be expected to work
in their communities at the end of the 2 years by providing
the relevant services in local socio-economic
development.
The Department of Rural Development and Land
Reform, on 15 July 2010, issued a Media Statement that
outlines the objectives of the NARYSEC programme and
the potential rural youth were also invited to apply for
participation in the programme.
The ward councillors played a role in the distribution of
information and application forms within the wards for the
youth to meet the closing date of 16 July 2010.
As local and district municipalities plays a pivotal role in
supporting and implementing this programme, it is
expected of municipalities to perform activities like
distribution and collection of application forms, assist with
the short listing and interviews of candidates as well as to
also provide resources as required..
The Rural Development Unit within the Strategic
Services Directorate of Drakenstein Municipality will be
responsible for the implementation of this prgramme.
The successful applicants will be placed with the
Municipality for the duration of the two year period and
the Department will pay a stipend of R57.00 per day, to
contribute to the youth's traveling cost.
Apart from attending the block training sessions the
successful candidates will also be tasked with activities
such as social profiling within their respective wards.
The National Rural Youth Service Corps Youth Welcoming Ceremony was held at the Thusong Centre, Mbekweni on 20
August 2010, where 55 enthusiastic young people from the Drakenstein Jurisdictional Area were selected to participate in
the programme. At this occasion Ms. Lynette Malie was selected to represent Drakenstein Municipality at the National
Launch of this programme in Muyexe Village, Limpopo. Here are (second from front left), Erika Williams (Rural Development
Manager), Sincede Masiza (Rural Development and Land Reform), Zaileen Abrahams (Local Economic Development
Officer) with the NARYSEC youth members from Drakenstein Municipality.

"What’s on your mind ”
Suggestions
What do you want the newsletter to
address? Forward any comments,
ideas or newsworthy information to:
Noël Teba at
021 - 807 4649 or 082 072 5199 or
NoelT@drakenstein.gov.za
Next issue November 2010
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Bookings for Council Chambers and
Committee Rooms
Marelize Claasen 021-807 4782 or
Marelize.Claasen@drakenstein.gov.za
Cheque Administration
Ursula Lackay - 807 4647
Pension, Medical aid, Housing subsidy
& Car allowance:
Monrico Arries / Chrystal
Schoonraad
021 807 4599/ 4596
Leave:
Nicolette Pedro /
Marglin Goenewald
021 807 4511/ 4512
Training issues:
Mandisa Sibeko - 807 6215
Job Applications
Jessica Mngese x4574,
Shiraaz Mohammed x6318
Lynn Williams x4508
Salary related questions:
021 - 807 4894
Health and Safety:
Chris Burger - 807 4509
NEW APPOINTMENTS. Drakenstein Municipality has appointed new staff at Civil
Engineering Services (Market Street building). Here are (rear from left) Lionel Matthee,
Marchius Douman, Shagon Carelse, Gideon Barends and John Johnson,(front from left),
Fadheelah Blankenberg, Samantha Sauls and Helena Venter.
PROMOTIONS. Planning Department recently promoted staff members. Here are (from
left), Vernon Abrahams, Promoted from Senior Plan Examiner to Building Control Officer
(Building Control), Riyaaz Mowzer, promoted from Town Planning Inspector (Land Use
Planning) to Assistant Town Planner (Spatial Planning) and Wayne Hendricks, promoted
from Assistant Town Planner to Town Planner (Land Use Planning).
NEW STAFF APPOINTED AND PROMOTED. Planning Department recently
appointed and promoted new staff members. Here are (from left) Zenobia Ayford,
Promoted from Senior Clerk (Building Control) to Heritage Inspector (Spatial Planning),
Alida Huisies, appointed as Clerk Grade Two (Planning Helpdesk), Kelly Raphasha,
appointed as Town Planner (Land Use Planning) and Geraldine Foruin, promoted from
Typist Clerk (Building Control) to Building Inspector (Building Control).
PETROL ATTENDANTS TRAINING. Drakenstein Municipality Tourism Section
recently embarked on a skills development project, where Wellington petrol attendants were
trained to be tourism ambassadors at their working place. The petrol attendants were shown
how to read and operate a road map, to assist motorists when needed. Here are (rear from
left) Jasper Tapambwa (Total Garage), Herman Smith (Total Garage), Johan Sampson
(Total Garage), Leopold Mndendera (Shell Garage) and (front from left) Johannes
Ramokepa (BP Garage), Jo-Ann Steenkamp (Tourism Officer), Mariozell Olivier (BP
Garage), Innocent Kombedzai (Total Garage), Luzelle Moller (Senior Tourism Officer) and
Simba Mutemeri (Total Garage).