Oudtshoorn, 29 January 2025 – The cleanup and clearing of congested and blocked areas of the Grobbelaars River began in December 2024 as part of the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality’s broader “Ek Help Ook” (I Also Help) initiative, led by the office of the Executive Mayor, Alderman Johan Allers. This project addresses the critical infrastructure challenges caused by river blockages.
Executive Mayor Allers commended the collaborative efforts that brought the initiative to life, stating, “The initiative began with great support from private property owners, who provided funding and machinery to help the municipality. Since the municipality had limited funds, this teamwork was key to getting the project moving.”
The river cleanup is part of the “Ek Help Ook” project, which has already brought the community together through events like a Christmas Carol Evening. It aims to reduce flood risks and turn the Grobbelaars River into a walking park for everyone to enjoy.
The project has been systematically divided into ten zones, each covering streets connected to low-water bridges. Dedicated WhatsApp groups have been established to coordinate efforts with Ambrose Carelse, Environmental Officer of the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality, who plays an active role across all zones as the central coordinator. The plan of action should be finalized before any activities commence. Private institutions or residents must contact Carelse at 076 078 4629 before proceeding with any activities.
Work commenced in Zone 10, near the new mall under construction, and progressed to Zone 9, including Albert and Rademeyer Streets. The response from these communities has been exceptional, with residents funding 100% of the cleanup in their areas.
As part of the Grobbelaars River cleanup, significant progress has been made in key areas:
Rademeyer Street (Zone 9)
Cleanup efforts began at Rademeyer Street, where the new mall is under construction. This area experienced severe flooding during the last significant rainfall due to blocked river systems. Key obstructions removed included approximately 80 tyres, building rubble (possibly from illegal dumping), around 60 wooden pallets, tree branches, and reeds entangled with debris. These blockages severely restricted water flow under the low-water bridge, worsening the flooding.
Church Street (Zone 3)
In Church Street, loose sand and rock material were identified as major blockages. This area has been a persistent financial burden for the municipality, with the low-water bridge frequently overflowing, even during light rains. The road infrastructure has been repeatedly repaired due to water damage, placing it under ongoing stress. Contractors faced challenges clearing the buildup caused by years of sediment accumulation. This section is also a frequent source of complaints from residents and businesses due to unpleasant odours from the stagnant water.
Upstream Areas
Several upstream sections remain inaccessible, posing a continued threat to properties. These areas have already caused significant damage, but limited access and time constraints have slowed progress. Residents have raised concerns about potential liabilities if these issues are not resolved promptly.
“The municipality is actively addressing these challenges while working with private property owners and the community to ensure continued progress,” stated Mayor Allers.
Despite this progress, challenges remain. Some zones, such as those between Noord Street (Zone 1) and Van der Riet (Zone 2) and Bloem (Zone 7) to Albert Streets (Zone 8), are not yet fully operational. Limited participation and complex blockages have required creative solutions, including partnerships with private individuals to manage cleanup in areas like Church and Bloem Streets and near the Rotarier Retirement Village.
The municipality has obtained a permit from the Department of Environmental Affairs, valid until 28 February 2025, to continue work in the river. Residents are encouraged to participate in this vital initiative and can contact the Executive Mayor’s office for further details or to offer assistance.
Looking ahead, the next phase of the project will resume in February 2025, with private owners pooling resources to assist with the remaining work. The municipality are urging property owners to not put fencing near low-water bridges and not do any construction activities within 32 meters of the river system to prevent further obstructions. Inspections will be conducted in collaboration with Town Planning and Building Control to ensure compliance.
Executive Mayor Alderman Allers expressed gratitude for the community’s support, saying, “This project is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. I invite every resident to contribute to the “Ek Help Ook” project and help us create a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful Oudtshoorn”. Mayor Allers further stated that he is “deeply grateful for the support we have already received and look forward to seeing even greater community participation.”
While progress has been made, significant work lies ahead. The municipality remains committed to completing the Grobbelaars River cleanup and mitigating future risks to infrastructure and the community. Further updates will be provided as the project advances.
The different Zones are as follows:
- Zone 1 – North Street
- Zone 2 – Victoria & Van Der Riet Street
- Zone 3 – Church Street
- Zone 4 – St John Street
- Zone 5 – Voortrekker Road
- Zone 6 – Vrede Street
- Zone 7 – Bloem Street
- Zone 8 – Albert Street
- Zone 9 – Rademeyer Street
- Zone 10 – Train bridge
For more information or to get involved, please contact the Executive Mayor’s office at 044 203 3000.
UKUCOCWA KOMLAMBO WASETSHORWENI i- GROBBELAARS RIVER: INZAME ZOLUNTU PHANTSI KWEPROJEKTHI “EK HELP OOK”
E-Oudtshoorn, ngomhla wama-29 kweyoMqungu 2025 – Ukucocwa kweendawo ezixineneyo nezivalekileyo zoMlambo iGrobbelaars kuqale kweyoMnga ka-2024 njengenxalenye yephulo likaMasipala wase-Oudtshoorn jikelelei elibizwa ngokuba “Ek Help Ook” (Nam ndiyaNcedisa), ekhokelwa yi-ofisi kaSodolophu, uAlderman Johan Allers. Le projekthi ijongene nemiceli-mngeni engundoqo yeziseko ezingundoqo ebangelwe kukuthinteleka kohambo lwamanzi emilambo.
USodolophu uMnu Allers uncome iinzame zentsebenziswano ezithe zavelisa eli phulo, esithi, “Eli phulo liqale ngenkxaso enkulu evela kubanini bemihlaba babucala, ababonelele ngenkxaso-mali nangoomatshini bokunceda umasipala. Ekubeni umasipala ebenemali encinane, oku kusebenzisana kwaba ngundoqo ekuqhubeleni phambili umsebenzi.”
Ukucoca umlambo yinxalenye yeprojekthi ye-“Ek Help Ook”, esele ihlanganise uluntu ngeminyhadala efana neTheko loMhla weKrismesi. Oko kujolise ekunciphiseni umngcipheko wezikhukula kunye nokuguqula uMlambo iGrobbelaars ube yipaki yokuhambahamba ukuze wonke umntu ayonwabele.
Le projekthi yahlulwe ngokwezone ezilishumi, zone nganye isebenza isitrato esiqhagamshelwe kwiibhulorho zamanzi akwicala elingezantsi . Amaqela ka-WhatsApp azinikeleyo asekiwe ukulungelelanisa iinzame kunye no-Ambrose Carelse, iGosa lokweNdalo okusiNgqongileyo kuMasipala waseOudtshoorn, odlala indima ebonakalayo kuyo yonke imimandla njengomnxibelelanisi ophakathi. Isicwangciso sokusebenza kufuneka sigqitywe phambi kokuba kuqale nayiphi na imisebenzi. Amaziko abucala okanye abahlali kufuneka baqhagamshelane noCarelse kule nombolo 076 078 4629 phambi kokuba baqhube ngayo nayiphi na imisebenzi.
Umsebenzi uqalisiwe kwaZone 10, kufutshane nodederhu lweevenkile olutsha olusakhiwayo, waqhubela phambili ukuya kutsho kuZone 9, kuquka ne-Albert neRademeyer Streets. Intsebenziswano evela kolu luntu ibe yeyohlukileyo, apho abahlali bexhase nge-100% yokucoca kwiindawo zabo.
Njengenxalenye yokucoca uMlambo iGrobbelaars, inkqubela ebonakalayo yenziwe kwiindawo ezingundoqo:
Rademeyer Street (Zone 9)
Iinzame zokucoca ziqale kwisitalato iRademeyer, apho kwakhiwa khona indawo yodederhu lweevenkile entsha. Lo mmandla ufumene izantyalantyala zezikhukula ngexesha lemvula yokugqibela ngenxa yokuphuphumala kwemilambo. Imiqobo ephambili esusiweyo ibandakanya malunga namatayara angama-80, inkunkuma yezakhiwo (ekusenokwenzeka ukuba ilahlwe ngokungekho mthethweni), malunga nama-60 ezikhondo zemithi, amasebe emithi, neengcongolo ezibhijelwe yinkunkuma. Oku kungcola kuthintele ngokumandla ukuhamba kwamanzi phantsi kwebhulorho yamanzi aphantsi, okwenza kube mandundu izikhukhula.
Church Street (Zone 3)
e-Church Street, isanti kunye namatye ibonakale njengemiqobo emikhulu. Lo mmandla ube ngumthwalo othe gqolo kwezemali kumasipala, ibhulorho yamanzi idla ngokuphuphuma, naxa kukho iimvula ezincinci. Iziseko zendlela ziye zalungiswa ngokuphindaphindiweyo ngenxa yomonakalo wamanzi, ukuthomalalisa uxinzelelo oluqhubekayo. Iikontraka ziye zajongana nemiceli mngeni yokucoca, umsebenzi obangelwe yiminyaka yokwanda kwentlenga. Le ndawo ikwangumthombo wezikhalazo rhoqo ezivela kubahlali kunye namashishini ngenxa yevumba elibi lamanzi amileyo.
Imimandla engentla
Imimandla engentla komlambo ihlala ingafikeleleki, ekubeka iipropati (izindlu, imihlaba) esichengeni . Ezi ndawo sele zidale umonakalo omkhulu, kodwa ukungafikeleleki lula kunye nezithintelo zamaxesha kuye kwacothisa inkqubela phambili. Abahlali bavakalise inkxalabo ngeendleko ezinokubakho ukuba le meko ayisonjululwa ngokukhawuleza.
“Umasipala ujongene nale micelimngeni ngenkuthalo ngelixa esebenza nabanini bemihlaba babucala kunye noluntu ukuqinisekisa inkqubela,” utshilo uSodolophu Allers.
Ngaphandle kwale nkqubela phambili, imingeni isekhona. Ezinye iizone, ezinjengezo ziphakathi kweNoord Street (Zone 1) kunye neVan der Riet (Zone 2) kunye neBloem (Zone 7) ukuya kwiAlber Streett (Zone 8), azikasebenzi ngokupheleleyo. Uthatho-nxaxheba olulinganiselweyo kunye nemiqobo enzima yokuvala ifune izisombululo zoyilo, kuquka intsebenziswano nabantu babucala ukuze balawule ucoceko kwiindawo ezifana neChurch Street neBloem nokusondela kufutshane neRotarier Retirement Village.
Umasipala ufumene iphepha-mvume kwiSebe leMicimbi yokusiNgqongileyo, elisebenzayo de kube ngumhla we 28 kweyoMdumba 2025, ukuze aqhubeke nomsebenzi kulo mlambo. Abahlali bayakhuthazwa ukuba bathathe inxaxheba kweli phulo libalulekileyo kwaye banokuqhagamshelana ne-ofisi kaSodolophu ukuze bafumane iinkcukacha ezithe vetshe nokuncedisa.
Xa sijonge phambili, inqanaba elilandelayo leprojekthi liya kuphinda liqalise kweyoMdumba2025, kunye nabanini babucala behlanganisa izixhobo zokuncedisa kumsebenzi oseleyo. Umasipala ubongoza abanini zakhiwo ukuba bangabiyeli kufutshane neebhulorho eziphantsi kwaye bangenzi naluphi na ulwakhiwo kumgama ongama-32 eemitha ukusuka emilanjeni ukunqanda imiqobo engaphaya. Uhlolo luya kwenziwa ngentsebenziswano yeCandelo loCwangciso lweDolophu noLawulo lweZakhiwo ukuqinisekisa ukuthotyelwa komthetho.
USodolophu uAlderman Allers uvakalise umbulelo ongazenzisiyo ngenkxaso yoluntu, esithi, “Le projekthi ibubungqina bento esinokuyiphumeza xa sisebenzisana. Ndimema wonke umhlali ukuba afake isandla kwiprojekthi ye-“Ek Help Ook” kwaye asincede senze i-Oudtshoorn ibe yecocekileyo, ekhuselekileyo, kunye nentle nangakumbi. USodolophu uAllers uqhube wathi “unombulelo ongazenzisiyo ngenkxaso esele siyifumene kwaye sijonge phambili ekuboneni uluntu oluthatha inxaxheba.”
Ngexa kuye kwenziwa inkqubela, kuseza kubakho umsebenzi obalulekileyo. Umasipala usazimisele ekugqibezeleni ukucoca umlambo iGrobbelaars kunye nokunciphisa imingcipheko kwiziseko ezingundoqo kunye noluntu kwixesha elizayo. Ezinye iinkcukacha zya kunikezelwa njengoko iprojekthi iqhubela phambili.
Imimandla eyohlukeneyo ime njengokulandelayo:
- Zone 1 – North Street
- Zone 2 – Victoria & Van Der Riet Street
- Zone 3 – Church Street
- Zone 4 – St John Street
- Zone 5 – Voortrekker Road
- Zone 6 – Vrede Street
- Zone 7 – Bloem Street
- Zone 8 – Albert Street
- Zone 9 – Rademeyer Street
- Zone 10 – Train bridge
Ngolwazi oluthe vetshe okanye ukubandakanyeka, nceda uqhagamshelane ne-ofisi kaSodolophu kule nombolo 044 203 3000.
OUDTSHOORN SE GROBBELAARSRIVIER SKOONMAAK: ‘N GEMEENSKAPSPOGING ONDER DIE “EK HELP OOK”-PROJEK
Oudtshoorn, 29 Januarie 2025 – Die opruiming en skoonmaak van verstopte en geblokkeerde gebiede van die Grobbelaarsrivier het in Desember 2024 begin as deel van die Groter Oudtshoorn Munisipaliteit se breër “Ek Help Ook”-inisiatief, gelei deur die kantoor van die Uitvoerende Burgemeester, Raadsheer Johan Allers. Hierdie projek spreek die kritieke infrastruktuuruitdagings aan wat deur rivierblokkades veroorsaak word.
Uitvoerende burgemeester Allers het die samewerkingspogings wat die inisiatief tot lewe gebring het, geloof en gesê: “Die inisiatief het begin met groot ondersteuning van private eiendomseienaars, wat befondsing en masjinerie verskaf het om die munisipaliteit te help. Aangesien die munisipaliteit beperkte fondse gehad het, was hierdie spanwerk die sleutel om die projek aan die gang te kry.”
Die rivierskoonmaak is deel van die “Ek Help Ook”-projek, wat reeds die gemeenskap bymekaar gebring het deur geleenthede soos ‘n Kerssangaand. Dit het ook ten doel om vloedrisiko’s te verminder en die Grobbelaarsrivier in ‘n stappark te verander vir almal om te geniet.
Die projek is stelselmatig in tien sones verdeel, wat elk strate dek wat met laagwaterbrûe verbind is. Toegewyde WhatsApp-groepe is gestig om pogings te koördineer met Ambrose Carelse, Omgewingsbeampte van die Groter Oudtshoorn Munisipaliteit, wat ‘n aktiewe rol oor alle sones as die sentrale koördineerder speel. Die plan van aksie moet gefinaliseer word voordat enige aktiwiteite begin. Privaat instansies of inwoners moet Carelse by 076 078 4629 kontak voordat hulle met enige aktiwiteite voortgaan.
Werk het in Sone 10, naby die nuwe winkelsentrum in aanbou, begin en tot by Sone 9 gevorder, insluitend Albert- en Rademeyerstraat. Die reaksie van hierdie gemeenskappe was uitsonderlik, met inwoners wat 100% van die opruiming in hul gebiede befonds het.
As deel van die Grobbelaarsrivier-opruiming is aansienlike vordering gemaak op sleutelgebiede:
Rademeyerstraat (Sone 9)
Opruimingspogings het begin by Rademeyerstraat, waar die nuwe winkelsentrum in aanbou is. Hierdie gebied het erge oorstromings ondervind tydens die laaste noemenswaardige reënval as gevolg van verstopte rivierstelsels. Sleutel obstruksies wat verwyder is, sluit in ongeveer 80 bande, bourommel (moontlik van onwettige storting), ongeveer 60 houtpalette, boomtakke en riete wat met rommel verstrengel is. Hierdie blokkasies het watervloei onder die laagwaterbrug ernstig beperk, wat die oorstromings vererger het.
Kerkstraat (Sone 3)
In Kerkstraat is los sand en rotsmateriaal as groot blokkasies geïdentifiseer. Hierdie gebied was ‘n aanhoudende finansiële las vir die munisipaliteit, met die laagwaterbrug wat gereeld oorloop, selfs tydens ligte reën. Die padinfrastruktuur is herhaaldelik herstel weens waterskade, wat dit onder voortdurende stres plaas. Kontrakteurs het voor uitdagings te staan gekom om die opbou wat deur jare se sedimentophoping veroorsaak is, skoon te maak. Hierdie afdeling is ook ‘n gereelde bron van klagtes van inwoners en besighede as gevolg van onaangename reuke van die stilstaande water.
Stroomop Gebiede
Verskeie stroomop-afdelings bly ontoeganklik, wat ‘n voortdurende bedreiging vir eiendomme inhou. Hierdie gebiede het reeds aansienlike skade aangerig, maar beperkte toegang en tydsbeperkings het vordering vertraag. Inwoners het kommer uitgespreek oor moontlike aanspreeklikhede as hierdie kwessies nie vinnig opgelos word nie.
“Die munisipaliteit spreek hierdie uitdagings aktief aan terwyl hulle saam met private eiendomseienaars en die gemeenskap werk om volgehoue vordering te verseker,” het Burgemeester Allers gesê.
Ten spyte van hierdie vordering bly daar uitdagings. Sommige sones, soos dié tussen Noordstraat (Sone 1) en Van der Riet (Sone 2) en Bloem (Sone 7) tot Albertstraat (Sone 8), is nog nie ten volle in werking nie. Beperkte deelname en komplekse blokkasies het kreatiewe oplossings vereis, insluitend vennootskappe met privaat individue om opruiming in gebiede soos Kerk- en Bloemstraat en naby die Rotarier-aftreeoord te bestuur.
Die munisipaliteit het ‘n permit van die departement van omgewingsake, geldig tot 28 Februarie 2025, verkry om voort te gaan met werk in die rivier. Inwoners word aangemoedig om aan hierdie noodsaaklike inisiatief deel te neem en kan die Uitvoerende Burgemeester se kantoor kontak vir verdere besonderhede of om hulp aan te bied.
As ons vorentoe kyk, sal die volgende fase van die projek in Februarie 2025 hervat word, met private eienaars wat hulpbronne saamvoeg om met die oorblywende werk te help. Die munisipaliteit doen ‘n beroep op eienaars van eiendom om nie heinings naby laagwaterbrûe te plaas nie en geen konstruksieaktiwiteite binne 32 meter van die rivierstelsel te doen nie om verdere obstruksies te voorkom. Inspeksies sal in samewerking met Stadsbeplanning en Boubeheer uitgevoer word om nakoming te verseker.
Burgemeester Allers het dankbaarheid uitgespreek vir die gemeenskap se ondersteuning en gesê: “Hierdie projek is ‘n bewys van wat ons kan bereik wanneer ons saamwerk. Ek nooi elke inwoner uit om by te dra tot die Ek Help Ook-projek en ons te help om ‘n skoner, veiliger en mooier Oudtshoorn te skep. Burgemeester Allers het verder gesê dat hy “diep dankbaar is vir die ondersteuning wat ons reeds ontvang het en sien uit daarna om nog groter gemeenskapsdeelname te sien.” Terwyl vordering gemaak is, lê aansienlike werk voor.”
Die munisipaliteit bly daartoe verbind om die Grobbelaarsrivier-opruiming te voltooi en toekomstige risiko’s vir infrastruktuur en die gemeenskap te versag. Verdere opdaterings sal verskaf word soos die projek vorder.
Die verskillende sones is soos volg:
- Sone 1 – Noordstraat
- Sone 2 – Victoria & Van Der Rietstraat
- Sone 3 – Kerkstraat
- Sone 4 – St Johnstraat
- Sone 5 – Voortrekkerweg
- Sone 6 – Vredestraat
- Sone 7 – Bloemstraat
- Sone 8 – Albertstraat
- Sone 9 – Rademeyerstraat
- Sone 10 – Treinbrug
Vir meer inligting of om betrokke te raak, kontak asseblief die Uitvoerende Burgemeester se kantoor by 044 203 3000.