R2m partnership to help restore Knysna Estuary

KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna's first formalised community partnership under the newly adopted Policy on Community Partnerships has been concluded, with the Knysna Municipality and the Knysna Infrastructure Group (KIG) signing a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) valued at about R2m.

The official signing took place at the Knysna council chambers on Friday 14 November.

The agreement focuses on restoring, protecting and monitoring the health of the Knysna Estuary - one of the town's most critical environmental and economic assets.

KIG confirms R2m contribution
Responding to questions regar-ding the funding, the founder and owner of KIG, Eugene Vermaak, confirmed that the R2m contribution does not come from municipal coffers. "It originates from KIG-sponsored resources," he said.

"It will not reflect in Knysna Municipality's financial records. KIG is a registered NPO, and the funding will be accounted for in our NPO financials and submitted to Sars."

Vermaak reiterated that the MoU is therefore structured as a community-funded support intervention, rather than a municipal expenditure programme.

Project scope
While the MoU outlines the overarching objective, the detailed programme will be delivered through multiple project-specific charters.

According to Vermaak, the central goal is clear: "The first objective is to repair and maintain critical infrastructure that contributes to the high levels of E. coli.

A major focus will be getting all sewerage pump stations functional and eliminating broken infrastructure."

Additional projects will include:

• Repairs and replacement of contaminated or failing infrastructure

• Research and monitoring of estuary water quality

• Data-driven analysis of environ-mental health

• Community awareness program-mes to prevent waste pollution, and broader environmental impact initiatives. Each project will be formally added as an addendum to the Project Charter.

Volunteer-driven, municipality-led oversight
Vermaak emphasised that KIG's involvement is fully voluntary. "KIG's manpower, equipment and technical inputs are all totally voluntary and funded by KIG.

Directors and committee members are not compensated." Knysna Municipality will appoint a project lead for each initiative and prepare the technical specifications, ensuring all work meets municipal standards. Sign-off at completion remains the municipality's responsibility."

He further stated that KIG commits to full financial and operational governance, with municipal oversight where required. "We issue tax certificates, report all funding to Sars, and our accounts are externally audited," he explained. "Monthly progress and financial reports will be shared with sponsors and made available for public review."

Municipality welcomes new era of structured partnerships
Knysna Mayor Thando Matika praised the MoU as the first practical outcome of the new partnership policy adopted on 30 October.

He said the framework now enables transparent, accountable collaboration with groups such as KIG, AfriForum and Revive Knysna - formalising the community spirit seen during the 2017 fires and Section 154 intervention.

"Our residents are deeply committed to Knysna's future. This policy provides a clear and accountable mechanism to harness their skills, resources and time," Matika said.

The municipality emphasised that these partnerships help accelerate service delivery - often at no cost to municipal budgets.

MUST From left are Peter Westcott (KIG), Pierre van Biljon (KIG), Municipal Manager Lulamiile Mapholoba, founder and owner KIG Eugene Vermaak, Mayor Thando Matika and chairperson of the Infrastructure Services committee Russel Arends. Photo: Rozano Alie

Eugene Vermaak (left) signs the MoU at the Knysna Council Chambers. Next to him are Municipal Manager Lulamile Mapholoba (middle), Mayor Thando Matika, and Russel Arends, chairperson of the Infrastructure Services committee. Photo: Rozano Alie