022 701 7000 mun@sbm.gov.za

A Day to Honour the Courageous: Fire and Rescue Services Commemorative Day

by | May 13, 2024 | Media Release

A Day to Honour the Courageous: Fire and Rescue Services Commemorative Day

One of the essential services provided by the Saldanha Bay Municipality is its efficient and well-equipped Fire and Rescue Services. On Saturday, May 11, 2024, a special commemorative event was held by the municipality to honour its dedicated firefighters and the extended family of first responders.

The event was attended by representatives from various fire and rescue service units in the industry, including Sea Harvest and the SAS Saldanha Naval training base, as well as local emergency services representatives. Family members of the firefighters and other rescue services personnel were also present to show their support.  The event also provided an opportunity for high school learners from different schools in the area to witness rescue simulations and participate in the formalities. It was a chance for the community to come together and recognize the hard work and dedication of those who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.

During his address, Municipal Manager Heinrich Mettler expressed his deep gratitude and admiration for the firefighters, emergency services, public protection services, and dedicated volunteers from the community. Their brave and selfless commitment to their duties does not go unnoticed.

Mettler also shared his hope that the day’s events, which included various rescue demonstrations, would inspire students to consider a career in firefighting and emergency services.

Following the formalities, guests were treated to exciting live demonstrations. These included a motor vehicle accident rescue, a simulation of firefighting in an informal settlement, and the Sea Harvest group showcasing the intense challenges faced by firefighters. It was a thrilling and eye-opening experience for all in attendance.

International Firefighters’ Day is commemorated annually on May 4th. This day serves as a time for society to honour the brave firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities, as well as those who continue to dedicate their lives to ensuring the safety of others worldwide. It is an opportunity for us to express our gratitude and support for the invaluable work that firefighters do throughout the year.

The Saldanha Bay Municipality boasts a state-of-the-art Fire and Rescue Services facility located next to the Saldanha Bay Airport, which was inaugurated on August 3, 2023. This world-class facility is home to 15 operational firefighters, four reservists, management and administrative staff, and a fleet of 11 specialized vehicles, including two fire engine major pumpers. The facility also houses a well-equipped control room to efficiently coordinate emergency responses.

In the event of a fire emergency, the Saldanha Bay Municipality Fire and Rescue Services can be reached at (022) 713 1815 or through the 24-hour control room at (022) 701 6834. Your safety is our top priority, and we are committed to serving and protecting the community with professionalism and dedication.

MUNICIPALITY CONDEMNS LATEST ATTACK ON FIREFIGHTERS

by | Mar 31, 2024 | Press Release

MUNICIPALITY CONDEMNS LATEST ATTACK ON FIREFIGHTERS

Saldanha Bay Municipality has noted with disappointment the latest incident of firefighters being attacked in the line of duty.

The Municipality’s Fire and Rescue Services were attacked early this morning while attending to a reported fire in Witteklip, Vredenburg.

Attacks on municipal essential workers and/or emergency personnel (including firefighters) are becoming a regular occurrence. Municipal vehicles and trucks are either stoned, or the personnel are attacked, harassed or threatened.

This type of behaviour could rob the community of a potential lifesaving service and result in serious consequences.

Saldanha Bay Municipality urges the community to cooperate and report any incidents of harassment and intimidation of municipal employees to the 24-hour control room on 022 701 6834.

Saldanha Bay Municipality and NSRI continue to instil water safety skills in local youth

by | Mar 18, 2024 | Media Release

Saldanha Bay Municipality and NSRI continue to instil water safety skills in local youth

Saldanha Bay Municipality in partnership with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) hosted the NSRI’s Survival Swimming Programme at the South African Navy Base in Saldanha on Thursday, 14 March 2024. 

This is the second event hosted by the NSRI in the Saldanha Bay municipal area and ideally fits into the Saldanha Bay Safety Initiative’s (SBSI) objective of achieving an overall safer Easter festive season.  Other role players at the event were amongst others the Department of Education, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Disaster Management volunteers / interns.

The NSRI’s Survival Swimming Programme is geared at youth and adults in under-resourced areas with the purpose of imparting on valuable life skills. The programme teaches the very basics of Breath-control, Orientation, Floating, and Moving through water.

Eight local schools participated at the event, namely St Andrews Primary, Masiphathisane Primary, Hopefield Primary, Steenbergs Cove Primary, Vredenburg High, New Vredenburg High, Weskus Skool and EJ Malgarte. 

Through this journey with the NSRI, we envisage to continue with a two-cycle project on an annual basis, one before the December festive season and one before Easter, in the efforts to prevent the occurrences of drowning in the area. 

This initiative is focussed to instil an attitude of confidence and trust amongst local youth.

Ensuring Safety: Free Roadworthy Tests for Minibus Taxi Operators

by | Mar 18, 2024 | Media Release

Ensuring Safety: Free Roadworthy Tests for Minibus Taxi Operators

Roadworthy tests play a crucial role in ensuring that vehicles on the road meet the necessary safety standards. In an effort to promote public transport awareness and enhance road safety, the Saldanha Bay Municipality will offer free roadworthy tests to minibus taxi operators the week leading up to the Easter long weekend.

Roadworthy tests will be conducted at the Langebaan Vehicle Testing Centre (VTC) for a limited period of four days from 25 – 28 March 2024. This is a total voluntary awareness initiative, with no obligation attached to it.

During the four days, public transport operations will be conducted and if, to the discretion of Traffic Law Enforcement Officials, a minibus taxi appears unroadworthy, the vehicle will be referred to the Langebaan VTC for a roadworthy test. 

Saldanha Bay Municipality therefore invites all minibus taxi owners and drivers to participate in the initiative to ensure that their vehicles are in a roadworthy condition, when driving locally or long distance during the upcoming Easter school holiday.

Let’s prioritise passenger safety and make our roads safer for everyone.

SALDANHA BAY MUNICIPALITY LAUNCHES PARTNERSHIP WITH UNISA

by | Feb 28, 2024 | Press Release

SALDANHA BAY MUNICIPALITY LAUNCHES PARTNERSHIP WITH UNISA

Dignitaries were welcomed at the Vredenburg Public Library on Tuesday, 27 February 2024 to officially launch a partnership between the municipality’s Library Services and the University of South Africa (Unisa).

Driven by a common vision, the collaboration between Saldanha Bay Municipality and Unisa is a multiple-library initiative that, at its core, aims to create an environment for local students, prospective students and the public at large to access information and available technology that will support and equip users in the process of further learning and development.  The vision is to ultimately contribute to an informed, skilled and learned society.  A strong emphasis is placed on promoting the concept of “life-long learning” in the community and to unlock the potential of local human capital.

Saldanha Bay Municipality currently manages nine public libraries that lend books and provide access to electronic resources such as the Internet.  It also serves as a gathering point for certain community-based events.  The newly launched service, in collaboration with Unisa, will benefit enrolled and prospective students of the institution, across libraries, where, for example, an E-mail can be sent to Unisa to request a specific prescribed book or literature.  This item will subsequently be despatched via a dedicated courier to the library closest to the student.  Once the student has completed the borrowing period and returns the book or educational material to the library, the library will inform Unisa accordingly and Unisa will arrange for the item or items to be collected.  Students can benefit through this process by saving on time and expenses to obtain prescribed material.

It can be said that “libraries offer a voyage of discovery.”  Through this collaboration between the municipality and Unisa, it is envisioned that the partnership will indeed “open doors” for many and further encourage a culture of learning in a developing society.

The ceremonial signing of the partnership agreement was performed by Saldanha Bay Municipality’s Phumzile Mbaliswana, Director of Corporate and Public Safety Services and Michelle Frauendorf, Unisa Cape Town Campus Acting Regional Director.

For more information and assistance, visit or contact your nearest Saldanha Bay Municipality public library.  Visit the municipal Website at https://sbm.gov.za/libraries/ for contact details and library times.

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