Author: Chantel Edwards

Follow our monthly #GettoknowGeorge tourism update to discover interesting snippets happening in our beautiful area, curated just for you!  Find all the tourism information you need in the greater George area at visitgeorge.co.za, the official tourism destination website.

#GeorgeTourism #GettoknowGeorge

• WHAT’S NEW

Have you heard the news? Prince of Tarts has new neighbours! Good Company are a new social eatery and bar situated at 05 Hibernia Street, George, open Mondays to Fridays from 7am-3pm.  Decorated in a boho-style with Malawian chairs, cane and earthy vibes, the food styling looks as good as the décor.  For us late sleepers, we were so happy to discover that breakfast is served until 11:30.  They also serve tapas and ‘big plates’ with nachos, gourmet burgers, arancini and more. Don’t Google what ‘arancini’ is – instead – go to Good Company and let your tastebuds find out firsthand! For the healthy there are green, orange and red nourishing juices, as well as delicious smoothies. Find sour dough and gluten free here too. We can’t wait to try it out!

The latest episode (3) of All Things, Garden Route has a feature on the historic Old Toll House on the Montagu Pass, an interesting watch!

If you, YouTube, make sure to follow All Things, Garden Route.  This YouTube channel presented by Ivan Zimmerman – yes, you know that name from Egoli, Platteland and 7de Laan – is about the amazing people and their extraordinary stories in the breath-taking places that surround them. We have loved following these 15-minute episodes filled with the interesting stories of our area.

Bayleaf Café now delivers!  Call them to place an order, and they will bring the Bayleaf deliciousness right to your doorstep.  And on June 24th, they are presenting the 2nd instalment of their pasta-making series. Dive into the art of crafting gnocchi and ravioli to enhance your foodie skills.  At R550pp the class includes a glass of wine, light meal and coffee. And of course, the delectable pasta you made!

Fancourt is upgrading and elevating. The luxurious spa at Fancourt – one of our absolute favourites – is getting a makeover. We can’t imagine how it can get any better, so we wait in eager anticipation to see the outcome! A temporary spa facility is available while they are busy with the upgrades. Fancourt golfers will also be happy to know that a brand-new halfway house is being constructed on the Montagu golf course.

• FATHER’S DAY, SUNDAY 18 JUNE 2023

This Sunday is Father’s Day!  Take the opportunity to make memories and enjoy some quality time with Dad.

For the more refined Dads, celebrate your hero with a delicious three-course family lunch at the gorgeous Hawthorn Boutique Hotel – R395 per person from 12-3pm.

Join Carmel Coastal Retreat for an affordable 3-course Father’s Day lunch on Sunday, 18th June at 12:30pm.  R180 per adult and R125 for children aged 12 and under. Carmel is a Christian resort with beautiful gardens and ocean views in Victoria Bay.

The Club Lounge at Fancourt is having a memorable Father’s Day lunch from 13:00 – 15:00 at R380 per person.  A scrumptious menu has been carefully created, helping you bring back memories of having a family meal around the dining room table at home. The ambiance and amazing surroundings will turn the occasion into the perfect time out with dad.  Limited spaces are available.

 At Cornerstone Creek – Hoekwil celebrate your dad figure and show them some love with Burgers and Beer on Father’s Day. This exquisite venue has art displays and gorgeous gardens, with stunning views of the surrounding Hoekwil area.

 Nothing says ‘I appreciate you, Dad’ like a meticulously crafted cocktail! Treat your dad this week at The Bench Eatery & Bar during their happy hour: Mondays and Wednesdays 16:00-19:00 and Sundays 12:00-16:00.

At Pollocks at Wilderness, join in for Father’s Day. There will be live music and the Milkwood Village Market also taking place from 10am.   Offerings include pizza and Devils Peak Lager, kids’ pizza and milkshake, cake of the day and activities Paint a pot or do-it-yourself cupcake decorating.

Paint a ‘World’s Best Dad’ mug at The Pottery this Saturday, 17 June. Celebrate Dad and make new memories with some painting fun while getting 50% off mugs.

Usually, Dad is your wingman but this Sunday he can be your GIN man at the Views Restaurant.  Enjoy an amazing Six Dogs Distillery Gin and Food Pairing. The pairing starts at 12pm and costs R420 per person.  It features four pairings in the gorgeous Views Boutique Hotel restaurant, which has floor to ceiling windows showing off the alluring Indian Ocean below.

If a getaway is what you’re after, the  Premier Express Inn and 17 on Wellington have you covered.  At 17 on Wellington, get a 15% discount over the Father’s Day weekend to treat your dad. Make it a Father’s Day weekend to remember at Premier Express Inn when booking a 2-night stay. Receive a R500 restaurant voucher to spoil Dad.

• ENJOY MORE GREAT DEALS

As South Africans we just love a good deal and getting a little more bang for our buck.  Have you spotted these local deals?

Pollocks at Wilderness at the Milkwood Village has specials every day!  Nacho Mondays. Burger Tuesdays, Pizza Wednesdays, Eisbein Thursdays and Happy Hour on Fridays.

Craving delicious burgers? Look no further than The Bench Eatery and Bar! They are serving mouthwatering patties with a 30% discount on THURSDAYS.

Sushi lovers, Nina’s offers a sushi special every day where you get 20% off!  Every Monday to Friday from 3pm to 5pm and Saturdays from 12pm to 4pm.

Get in the good books with your loved one with the help of Portobello and Hussar Grill Date Nights. Enjoy the Hussar Grill’s classic 2-course Date Night for R425 per couple, or 3-courses for R525 per couple. Both options include a complimentary bottle of Hussar Grill’s 50th Red, and Chocolate Vodka Martinis. Available every Tuesday.

Bring your loved one to Portobello for Amore Mio Mondays in ‘Italy’.  This date night includes a special 2-course set menu for R480 per couple, including a glass of wine.

At Africamps at Oakhurst experience a working dairy farm and explore the farmlands on horseback or by mountain bike. Hike to the farm’s own waterfall, try a spot of fishing or take out the canoe on one of the farm dams. Africamps have a 3-night stay winter special from R3370 for 2 adults sharing. Valid until 30 September 2023.  Extra adults can be booked at R295 p/n and extra kids aged 3-16 are R195 p/n.  There is also a PENSIONER’s deal for midweek glamping. Get 15% off when using the discount code GoldenGlamping AfriCamps. Discounted rates start from R1096 p/n for 2 adults sharing, valid until 30 September 2023.

Arbour1 Guesthouse has 5 comfortable yet luxurious rooms to select from, all surrounded by an exquisite garden! If you book directly, you get 15% off your stay.

Premier Express Inn is offering a great Winter holiday sale!  Get 30% off, pay for two and stay three on stay dates until 31 August 2023.

Oubaai’s Frosty Getaway Deal is a winter special from R1550 per night.

George Country Resort is offering a long stay special.  Stay 10 nights or more and get 30% off!  Valid until 20 November, and includes the June and July holidays.

At Cinnamon Boutique Guesthouse, stay for 2 nights this winter and get a great discount of 30%. Valid until 31 August 2023.

Please note that T&Cs apply on all deals.

• JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Share your awesome experiences with us on your socials!
#visitgeorge
#visitwilderness
#visituniondale

• UPCOMING EVENTS AND YOUR LOCAL TOURISM OFFICE
  Want to know more about what events are taking place, and what you can see, do, eat and where you can stay?  Go to visitgeorge.co.za for all your local tourism information.

• GEORGE TOURISM

044 801 9295 | info@visitgeorge.co.za | 124 York Street, George Central, George, 6529
facebook/tourismgeorge
instagram/georgetourism_official

• WILDERNESS TOURISM

+27 44 877 0045 | info@visitwilderness.co.za | 198 George Road, Wilderness, 6560
facebook/wildernesstourism
instagram/wildernesstourism

• UNIONDALE TOURISM

+27 44 518 0030 | info@visituniondale.co.za | Virtual assistance
facebook/uniondaleinfo
instagram/uniondaletourism

George Municipality has developed a new policy which sets out the development charges a developer will be required to pay and which are calculated based on the anticipated external infrastructure requirements of the proposed development. The policy is intended to ensure that developers contribute their fair share towards the cost of providing municipal engineering services infrastructure.

By charging developers development charges, municipalities can generate revenue to finance the installation and maintenance of infrastructure needed to support growing needs. This ensures that the costs of infrastructure are shared by developers who will benefit from the infrastructure. In turn, developers benefit from the provision of reliable and adequate infrastructure, which enhances the attractiveness of the development to potential buyers or tenants. This results in a win-win situation for both municipalities and developers, and ultimately contributes to the sustainable and resilient growth of the local economy.

The new Development Charges Policy as proposed by George Municipality is an important tool to provide economic infrastructure and to ensure sustainable infrastructure investment in all the required engineering services. It provides the key details of the development charges for engineering services, covering water, roads, stormwater, sewerage, solid waste and electricity.

Public Participation
As previously advertised in the George Herold of 18 May 2023 and 25 May 2023

Please note that the above-mentioned public participation has been extended from 12 June 2023 to on or before 19 June 2023.

Written comments for the intention of the Municipality as outlined above, if any, must be lodged in writing to the Deputy Director: Legal and Compliance, Ms Müller, at the Municipal Court, 71 York Street, George, 6529; or via email with subject line “Comment on Development Charges Policy 2023” to mamulller@george.gov.za and copied to post@george.gov.za.

Persons who are unable to write or read can submit their inputs verbally at the Municipal Court, 71 York Street, George, 6529, where they will be assisted by a staff member to put their comments in writing. Enquiries can be directed to Ms Isabelle du Plessis (044 -801 9082). Late submissions will not be considered.

Please follow this link to access the new draft policy https://www.george.gov.za/george-document/gm-draft-development-charges-policy-2023/

Issued on behalf of George Municipal Legal Department, Office

Our new citizen App – My Smart City goes live tomorrow 1 June 2023. The App is already available for download on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or via the My Smart City website (mysmart.city).

Stay informed
The My Smart City – George  App gives residents access to the George social feeds which will allow subscribers to engage and share current affairs within their communities as well as extract information around power outages, load shedding schedules, water outages, road closures, and stay updated with community alerts specific to the area they live in.

Logging faults
The My Smart City – George app will act as a conduit for the resolution of service delivery issues – your issues are escalated to the George Municipality and captured within our internal fault logging system which provides a reference number and feedback to you, the resident, via the App, allowing you to track your fault without contacting a call centre.

Simplifying Service Delivery

• Log municipal faults.
• Receive local alerts and notifications.
• Chat to an Agent during office hours:
• Access and pay your municipal bill; (NEW)
• Submit self-read meter readings;  (NEW)
• Have the opportunity to complete Customer Satisfaction Surveys; (NEW)
• and let you contribute to the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) without needing to attend meetings; (NEW)
• and gives you Access to Business listings for George and surrounds.(NEW)

With the official launch tomorrow 1 June 2023 , not all of the above functions will be available immediately,  but the municipality will announce each new service as it becomes available. George Municipality has partnered with My Smart City to bring a tailored one-stop solution to your service delivery needs.

The effectiveness of the My Smart City – George App will be determined by residents subscribing and then using the many existing and new features to make communicating and transacting with the municipality easier. It is hoped that residents will embrace the new technology to make their lives easier and to make the municipality more efficient.

Existing subscribers of the George Municipal App have been notified on the existing App about the termination date of 31 May 2023. Your logged faults remain in our system for addressing, but please log any new faults from 1 June 2023 via the new APP only. Please  install the new My Smart City – George App to allow for a seamless transition. Follow the video links below for step-by-step instructions on how to install OR scan the QR Code on your current municipal statement to access OR download via the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.    

Follow this link to a video on the launch of the APP and its capabilities https://youtu.be/gKrS9HFsha0
Follow this link for a step-by-step tutorial on how to install the My Smart City – George APP on your cell phone! https://youtu.be/R8Y6jjcr7DY

 Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk seen here with the project manager for the APP, Gerard Goliath Deputy Director: Expenditure and SCM, Finance Directorate was thrilled to download the new My Smart City App to his cellphone. “George continues to proactively explore smart city interventions as a means of overcoming the rising challenges of urban development and sustainability, becoming more resilient, innovative and creative. The new functionality offered and potentially available via My Smart City is a step in the right direction for George.”

George Municipality takes note of the duplicity of Gardag in attempting  to relate the Cholera infections experienced in Tshwane, Hammanskraal  to the water quality available in George. Cholera is most likely to occur and spread in places with inadequate water treatment, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene.  George Municipalities water quality is of an excellent standard with all of the parameters complying with SANS 0241 standards for drinking water.

The George Municipality publishes information on the quality of drinking water supplied to consumers as recommended by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) .  The Drinking Water Quality will going forward be reported on the George Municipal website on a quarterly basis and to DWS on their IRIS system on a monthly basis, as part of the Blue Drop Compliance programme. Samples of raw water at both the old and new water treatment facilities are taken once a week.  Samples of the final treated water at the treatment facilities are taken twice a week.  Strategic sample points in the water distribution network and reservoirs are also monitored by the George Municipal Laboratory.  Different bacteriological, chemical and physical parameters are measured and monitored.

With reference to the two spillage incidents as reported on by GARDAG:

On 1 May 2023, Pump set No 1 tripped out at the Eden Sewer pump station.  On 24 May 2023, during scheduled loadshedding, the backup electrical generator at the pump station had a mechanical failure. In both instances this was picked up through the telemetry and SCADA early warning systems. Tanker suction and mobile pump services were obtained to control the situation while remedial measures were implemented.  As per protocol George Municipality notifies the Department of Water Services, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, the Garden Route District Municipality and the Breede-Gourits Catchment Management Agency of all spillages. The Eden Pump Station is still under upgrade and the next phase will start soon.

George Municipality recently received an Emergency Load Shedding Relief Grant to assist with the ongoing load-shedding crisis.  Backup power generating units have been installed at our critical sewer pump stations along water courses and at our water and wastewater treatment facilities as from 2022 and others remain in progress.

George Municipality is aware of continued concerns pertaining to the proposed development at the Garden Route Dam after Interested and Affected Parties (IAP) were all informed of the decision by the Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) to grant the Environmental Authorisation on 19 September 2022. In these communications full details were provided for the reasons for the decision, as well as information pertaining to the right to appeal the decision.

George Municipality confirms that an interim interdict has been granted on SAMWU’s intended Strike Action for 24 May 2023. The municipality expects service delivery to continue with no disruptions.
George Municipality as the employer remains committed to following due process and engaging in discussion with SAMWU to resolve their issues.

 The municipality remains open on Wednesday 24 May 2023, and municipal service delivery/essential services will continue.

 SWITCHBOARD: 044 801 9111 (7.45am-4.30pm)
AFTER HOURS AND EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6300
FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311

George Municipality notes a media statement issued by SAMWU on 17 May 2023, with regard to a strike due to start on the 24 May 2023 and confirms receiving a notice to strike in terms of the Gatherings Act based on a Strike Certificate issued 6 March 2023.

George Municipality would like to assure all residents of George that we are addressing the matter at hand to avoid a strike and will endeavour to ensure that all contingency plans are in place to ensure that service delivery continues. We apologize to residents in advance for matters which remain out of our control.

Unfortunately, SAMWU has consistently evaded all attempts dating back to 13 September 2022 to discuss their alleged issues at legislated monthly Local Labour Forums and other meetings as requested by the employer as well as removing themselves from a conciliation meeting held on 20 January 2023. The employer has resorted to written responses being sent to SAMWU on matters raised. George Municipality as the employer remains committed to following due process and engaging in discussion with SAMWU to resolve their issues.

The municipality remains open on Wednesday 24 May 2023, and municipal service delivery/essential services will continue.

SWITCHBOARD: 044 801 9111 (7.45am-4.30pm)
AFTER HOURS AND EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6300
FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311