News Letters

Media Statement: Kannaland Local Municipality Council Resolved to Apply to Declare Kannaland a Disaster Area (10th Day without any Electricity)

At a council meeting held on February 13, 2024, at 12:00 PM, the Kannaland Local Municipality Council resolved to apply to declare Kannaland a disaster area. This resolution comes in response to the ongoing crisis affecting our community, which requires immediate attention and resources to mitigate the eskom crisis that are escalating into a humanitarian crisis. This crisis is a result of the disruption in the eskom power supply that occurred on 3rd of February 2024 whereby lightning struck several of eskom’s high voltage power line tower structures after extreme weather conditions in the vicinity of Worcester and Laingsburg.

Council also noted the recent media statements posted on various platforms, including social media and traditional media outlets. Of particular concern was a statement attributed to the Premier of the Western Cape, Premier Allen Winde, regarding the provision of a generator to Kannaland by the provincial government.

The council clarified that while a generator was indeed delivered on Thursday, February 8, 2024, it was not of the capacity as stated in the media statement. Contrary to the information provided, the generator received by Kannaland was a 45KVA generator, not the 315KVA generator as claimed by Premier Allan Winde.

The current challenges the Municipality is facing is with humanitarian aid for residence as food resources are depleting and businesses had to adjust their operating hours particularly with the high cost in fuel while using generators. Furthermore our informal settlements needs toilet facilities which the municipality asked assistance from province previously but to no avail. With no street lights or any type of lighting in the informal settlements the risk of crime spikes are inevitable. Residence are unable to get money from our banks and ATM’s in town which further complicates matters as residence are unable to purchase anything. Our local spar has been assisting residence with their cashback and instant money facility but it also is not enough for the needs of the community of Ladismith. We still have a shortage in generators as we strategically need to move around our current generators. We urgently ask for intervention from provincial as well as national government to assist Kannaland Municipality in this disaster.

Despite these challenges, the Kannaland Municipality is actively working to ensure the well-being of its residents. As part of our contingency plan, measures have been implemented to ensure the continued provision of clean water to the community. The waterworks in Ladismith are functioning as normal, allowing us to fulfil our obligation to supply water to our residents.

The Kannaland Municipality remains committed to addressing the disaster situation effectively. We urge all stakeholders to work together in solidarity to overcome these challenges and support the well-being of our community.

For further inquiries or information, please contact Adv. D Sereo Acting Municipal Manager Kannaland Municipality.

Kannaland Municipality

Garden Route District Municipality Donation

Clean Water Closer to Home: Garden Route District Municipality Supports Kannaland Families

Kannaland, May 2025 — In a vital step toward enhancing water security, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) officially handed over 20 water tanks to Kannaland Municipality on Tuesday, 13 May 2025. This initiative aims to improve local water resilience and ensure better access to clean water.

The symbolic handover took place in the presence of GRDM Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel, accompanied by senior officials from both municipalities. The tanks will be strategically placed throughout Kannaland to address ongoing water supply challenges and strengthen the region’s ability to cope during dry spells.

“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to sustainable service delivery and improving the quality of life for residents across the district,” said Executive Mayor Stroebel. “Water is a basic human right, and partnerships like this help ensure that communities have consistent access to this essential resource.”

This donation forms part of GRDM’s broader infrastructure support strategy, especially in areas vulnerable to drought and climate-related disruptions.

As communities begin to receive and use the tanks, this collaboration marks another significant move toward long-term water resilience in the region.

Skoon Water Binne Bereik: Tuinroete-distriksmunisipaliteit Ondersteun Gesinne in Kannaland

Kannaland, Mei 2025 — In ’n belangrike stap om watersekuriteit te verbeter, het die Tuinroete-distriksmunisipaliteit (GRDM) op Dinsdag, 13 Mei 2025, amptelik 20 watertenks aan die Kannaland-munisipaliteit oorhandig. Hierdie inisiatief is daarop gemik om beter toegang tot skoon water te verseker.

Die simboliese oorhandiging het plaasgevind in die teenwoordigheid van GRDM se uitvoerende burgemeester, Andrew Stroebel, saam met senior amptenare van beide munisipaliteite. Die tenks sal strategies regoor Kannaland versprei word om dringende watertekorte aan te spreek en die streek se veerkragtigheid in tye van droogte te versterk.

“Hierdie inisiatief is ’n bewys van ons verbintenis tot volhoubare dienslewering en die verbetering van inwoners se lewensgehalte,” het Burgemeester Stroebel gesê. “Water is ’n basiese mensereg, en vennootskappe soos hierdie help om te verseker dat gemeenskappe volgehoue toegang tot hierdie noodsaaklike hulpbron het.”

Die skenking vorm deel van GRDM se breër strategie om plaaslike munisipaliteite met kritieke infrastruktuur te ondersteun, veral in gebiede wat kwesbaar is vir droogtes en klimaatsversteurings.

Soos gemeenskappe begin om die tenks te ontvang en te gebruik, dui hierdie samewerking op nóg ’n belangrike stap vorentoe in die bou van langtermyn waterveerkragtigheid in die streek.

Media Statement : FRP Engagement