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Author: Chantel Edwards

Youth-Led YearBeyond Programme Brings Reading Initiative to George Libraries

The YearBeyond Library Programme officially launched across several George municipal libraries on 30 March 2026, bringing renewed energy to community reading initiatives and youth development. The programme is currently active at George Library, Pacaltsdorp Library, Blanco Library, Thembalethu Library, and Uniondale Library, where unemployed youth-known as “YeBoneers”-have been placed to support daily library operations and promote a culture of reading.

YearBeyond is a Western Cape initiative aimed at empowering young people while strengthening community services. Within libraries, YeBoneers assist with a range of activities, including encouraging reading habits, coordinating exhibitions and activations, supporting administrative functions, and providing digital and ICT assistance to library users.

As part of their efforts to inspire a love for reading, the YeBoneers at George Library launched the #WednesdayWeRead initiative on 1 April 2026. This national campaign encourages South Africans to pause once a week-every Wednesday-to read for at least 30 minutes, whether it be a book, poem, magazine, or newspaper. The first session took place at the Botanical Garden, where YeBoneers were joined by George Library Manager, Rachel Williams and facilitator Malibongwe Luyenge. Also in attendance was Dr Kamika Bell from Delaware, USA, (standing left of Rachel Williams) who had presented a leadership and empowerment workshop at the George Museum the day before.

The #WednesdayWeRead sessions will continue weekly at George Library from 12:00 to 14:00, inviting the community to take time out of their day to reconnect with reading and learning.

GM PUBLIC SAFETY NOTICE: BLOU DAM (WITFONTEIN QUARRY)

 

George Municipality would like to caution the public regarding swimming at Blou Dam (Witfontein Quarry).  With the April school holidays currently underway, residents and visitors may be tempted to visit the area for recreational purposes.

Recent monitoring indicates that water levels in the quarry may fluctuate, creating unsafe and unpredictable conditions for swimming, diving, or jumping from the surrounding cliffs. Lower or changing water levels significantly increase the risk of serious injury, particularly when entering the water from height, with no certainty about what submerged hazards may be present.

Members of the public are therefore strongly advised not to swim or jump into the water at this location.

Please note that Blou Dam is not located on Municipal land. However, George Municipality remains concerned about the potential risks and does not support recreational use of the site. The Municipality is engaging with the responsible authority, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, regarding these safety concerns.

National Ethics Awareness Month Concludes

March is recognised as National Ethics Awareness Month, a time dedicated to encouraging individuals and organisations to reflect on their ethical standards and professional conduct.
It provides an opportunity to promote integrity, accountability and responsible decision-making in the workplace and in public service.

For George Municipality, Ethics Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the highest standards of honesty, transparency and fairness in serving our community.
By strengthening an ethical culture within the organisation, the municipality reaffirms its commitment to good governance, ethical leadership and building public trust.

#NationalEthicsAwarenessMonth
#IntegrityMatters
#DoingtheRightThing

Ethics Awareness_Tone at the Top

March is recognised as National Ethics Awareness Month, a time dedicated to encouraging individuals and organisations to reflect on their ethical standards and professional conduct.

It provides an opportunity to promote integrity, accountability and responsible decision-making in the workplace and in public service.

For George Municipality, Ethics Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the highest standards of honesty, transparency and fairness in serving our community.

By strengthening an ethical culture within the organisation, the municipality reaffirms its commitment to good governance, ethical leadership and building public trust.

#ethicalleadership

PUBLIC NOTICE: EASTER WEEKEND – PAYMENT PROCESSING SCHEDULING INFORMATION


George Municipality would like to inform all residents that the municipal offices will close at 12pm on Thursday 2 April and are closed over the Easter Long Weekend, reopening on Tuesday 7 April. Due to banking constraints, no statements are issued on public holidays or Sundays. As a result, receipting and allocation of payments will not be updated during this period.

Important Notice to Residents with Arrear Accounts:
Residents with outstanding (arrear) accounts are strongly encouraged to make payments in advance to ensure that accounts are updated timeously and to avoid any potential auxiliary deductions or interruptions to electricity services.Please note that Payments made from Thursday, 2 April 2026 up to and including Monday, 6 April 2026 will only reflect on the municipal system on Tuesday, 7 April 2026

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Account Only Enquiries 044 801 9111 or accounts@george.gov.za (Always have your municipal account number ready)

PUBLIC NOTICE: INPUT INVITED ON HOMELESSNESS IN GEORGE


George Municipality invites residents and community members to participate in a short survey aimed at strengthening the management of homelessness across the greater George area. We are seeking constructive input and collaborative solutions to inform practical, coordinated interventions. Your feedback will play an important role in guiding planning, resource allocation, and the development of targeted programmes.

The surveys take approximately 3 minutes to complete, and responses are requested by 26 April 2026.

Community Members https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PNZKN8G

This survey allows community members to share constructive ideas and contribute to collective solutions, helping guide interventions that respond to real needs and strengthen overall community well-being.

For any queries, please contact Asavela Mandongana on 044 802 2000 or email amandongana@george.gov.za

George Municipality encourages all stakeholders to participate and be part of a collective effort to address homelessness in a meaningful and impactful way.

GM Mayoral Speeches for Ordinary Council 26 March 2026

https://www.george.gov.za/george-doc-categories/documents/council/speeches-of-the-executive-mayor/

Please find via above link the Mayoral Speeches made today in the Ordinary Council 26 March 2026 by Executive Mayor Browen Johnson, on the Draft Budget 2026/27; the Draft 5th Generation Review of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for the 2026/2027 financial year and the Oversight Report on the 2024/2025 Draft Annual Report of the George Municipality.

INVITATION FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – COST OF SUPPLY STUDY AND PHASE IN STRATEGY

George Municipality invites the community to participate in the public consultation process as per NERSA’s requirements regarding the Cost of Supply (COS) study and proposed electricity tariffs for the 2026/2027 financial year as stipulated in the COS phase in strategy.

As part of this process, two key documents have been published on the municipal website for public review:

  1. NERSA approved Cost of Supply study report for electricity services.
  2. Cost of Supply study Implementation Phase In Strategy report outlining the proposed implementation of cost reflective electricity tariffs over a five year period.

Please find the documents by following this link https://tinyurl.com/46fjdsa8

In 2024/25, George Municipality undertook a Cost of Supply study as regulated by NERSA to understand the true cost of providing electricity services to customers, the outcome of the study was cost reflective electricity tariffs which will assist the municipality in offering sustainable electricity services to customers.

NERSA has preliminarily approved an Eskom tariff increase of 9.01% for local authorities (municipalities), which will come into effect 1 April 2026 for the 2026/2027 financial year. In alignment with achieving long term cost reflectivity and supporting customers paying their fair-share for electricity services, George is proposing a range of electricity tariff increases informed by the Cost of Supply study and the Cost of Supply study Phase In Strategy. These proposed adjustments aim to ensure the sustainable delivery of electricity services while progressively moving towards cost reflective tariff levels.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – HAVE YOUR SAY
Community members are encouraged to review the published documents and submit written comments on the proposed electricity tariffs.

Submission deadline Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Email for comments LBotha@george.gov.za

All comments received by the due date will be compiled and included in the public participation and George Local Municipality decision making process.

Your participation is important in making sure transparent and informed electricity tariff planning. George Local Municipality thanks all stakeholders and residents for engaging in this important process.

 

Parking Bays at George Arts Theatre temporarily closed for filming

George Municipality would like to inform residents and businesses that filming will take place at the George Arts Theatre from 2 to 4 March 2026.

Parking bays in front of and near the theatre will be temporarily closed daily from 08:00 to 20:00.

The production company will comply with all municipal requirements to minimise disruption and ensure public safety.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

MEDIA STATEMENT: Executive Mayor Clarifies Council’s Position on Pending Court Proceedings Relating to Municipal Manager

Issued by George Municipality, on behalf of the Office of the Executive Mayor, 27 February 2026

The Executive Mayor, on behalf of Council, would like to clarify the George Municipality’s position following recent misleading and inaccurate public statements and comments about the court case concerning the Municipal Manager.

For the sake of accuracy, at this stage, the Court has not made any ruling on the case or on legal costs. These matters will be decided when the case is heard on the scheduled dates. The matter is accordingly sub judice which means that because the matter is currently before the Court, the Municipality cannot comment further on the details.

Council also reminds all Councillors to follow the Code of Conduct and to communicate responsibly. We call on both Councillors and members of the public to avoid sharing incorrect or misleading information, and to allow the legal process to run its course without interference. George Municipality remains committed to the rule of law and will respect and abide by the Court’s final decision.


MEDIAVERKLARING: Uitvoerende Burgemeester Verduidelik Raad se Standpunt oor Hangende Hofverrigtinge met betrekking tot die Munisipale Bestuurder
Uitgereik deur die George Munisipaliteit, namens die Kantoor van die Uitvoerende Burgemeester, 27 Februarie 2026

Die Uitvoerende Burgemeester, namens die Raad, wil graag die George Munisipaliteit se standpunt verduidelik na aanleiding van onlangse misleidende en onakkurate openbare verklarings en kommentaar oor die hofsaak rakende die Munisipale Bestuurder.

Ter wille van akkuraatheid het die Hof op hierdie stadium geen uitspraak oor die saak of oor regskoste gelewer nie. Hierdie sake sal beslis word wanneer die hofsaak op die geskeduleerde datums aangehoor word. Die saak is gevolglik sub judice, wat beteken dat aangesien die saak tans voor die Hof dien, die Munisipaliteit nie verder kommentaar oor die besonderhede kan lewer nie.

Die Raad herinner ook alle Raadslede om die Gedragskode te volg en verantwoordelik te kommunikeer. Ons doen ’n beroep op Raadslede en lede van die publiek om te verhoed dat verkeerde of misleidende inligting gedeel word, en om die regsproses sonder inmenging te laat verloop. George Munisipaliteit bly verbind tot die oppergesag van die reg en sal die Hof se finale beslissing respekteer en nakom.