Author: Chantel Edwards

George Municipality welcomes Mr Bongani Mandla as Director for the  Electrotechnical Services Directorate.

Mr Mandla comes to George with more than 10 years’ experience in the operations and maintenance and management space. Prior to joining George Municipality, he was in the employ of Transnet Port Terminals as the Senior Engineering Manager responsible for Plant Maintenance. He has also worked for ESKOM Distribution in the Western Cape in various roles, including Acting as Senior Manager for Operations and Maintenance, Zone Manager (Atlantic and Protea Zones) focused on operations and maintenance execution for the 29 Customer Network Centre’s (CNC) throughout Western Cape; Plant Management Manager focused on plant refurbishments, planning and scheduling of maintenance as well as network performance  and quality of supply management. He is not a stranger to the George area, having spent more than 7 years as the Field Service Engineer and Field Service Area Manager for the ESKOM Distribution.

He has also  served on various committees in a variety of roles including: ESKOM Western Cape Distribution Provincial Executive Committee (WC-PEXCO); Chairperson, Employment Equity and Skills Development (EE&SD) Committee and Champion for Energy Losses Committee (WCOU).

Bongani holds a Bachelor in Engineering (Electrical and Electronics) from the University of Stellenbosch. He is a registered Professional Engineer (ECSA), a member of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (MSAIEE) and passed the Government Ticket (GCC). He was selected and completed the Middle Management Talent Programme with Henley Business School in collaboration with Eskom, as well as the Technology Leadership Programme with the Eskom Leadership Academy. He is currently studying towards a Masters of Business Administration.

Bongani looks forward to working with the electrotechnical team, and with his passion for the development of people, he is hopeful that together the team can streamline their processes and reignite their passion to service customers. “My immediate focus will be on fixing the basics and ensuring we capacitate the directorate to deliver on our core output. With a solid foundation in place, we will be able to deliver sustainable results as well as form strategic partnerships for growth. My vision is underpinned by the drive to build a better tomorrow, today!”

Bongani is married to Amanda and is blessed with three children, Anda, Bonga and Sinobomi.

The public, business and organisations are herewith advised that the George Municipal Logo and Crest are registered as the intellectual property of the George Municipality, and as such  can only be used by the George Municipality for official purposes, unless otherwise authorised by Council. The Office of the Municipal Manager has noted  where several organisations and individuals have made use of the George Municipal logo for their own marketing purposes without the necessary approvals. No business, organisation and/or individual has the right to use the George Municipal logo in any social or printed media, and or including any marketing items such as caps, tshirts, banners, posters and flyers etc.

Where a business, organisation or individual is collaborating with a municipal department on a project,  prior approval must always be requested before using the municipal logo in any format. This will be granted on condition that the project and/or event is endorsed by the municipality officially, and that the product or marketing material which is produced is in good taste, not offensive and adheres to the guidelines as set out by the George Municipal Corporate Identity Manual.

OPENBARE KENNISGEWING:Gebruik van die George Munisipale Kenteken

Die publiek, sakeondernemings en organisasies word hiermee in kennis gestel dat die George-munisipaliteit se Kenteken en Wapen as die intellektuele eiendom van die George-munisipaliteit  geregistreer is, en as sodanig slegs deur die George-munisipaliteit vir amptelike doeleindes gebruik kan word, tensy die Raad anders magtig. Die kantoor van die Munisipale Bestuurder het opgemerk dat verskeie organisasies en individue die George Munisipale-kenteken vir hul eie bemarkingsdoeleindes gebruik, sonder die nodige goedkeurings. Geen besigheid, organisasie en/of individue het die reg om die George Munisipale-kenteken in sosiale of gedrukte media te gebruik nie, en/of enige bemarkingsitems soos pette, t-hemde, baniere, plakkate en strooibiljette ens.

Waar ‘n onderneming, organisasie of individu met ‘n munisipale departement saamwerk aan ‘n projek, moet vooraf goedkeuring gevra word voordat die munisipale kenteken in enige formaat gebruik word. Dit word toegestaan ​​op voorwaarde dat die munisipaliteit die projek en/of die geleentheid amptelik onderskryf, en dat die produk of bemarkingsmateriaal wat geproduseer word in goeie smaak is, nie beledigend is nie en voldoen aan die riglyne soos uiteengesit deur die George Munisipale Korporatiewe Identiteitshandleiding.

ISAZISO SIKAWONKE-WONKE: UKUSETYENZISWA OKUNGAGUNYAZISWANGA KOPHAWU LORHWEBO LUKAMASIPALA WASEGEORGE

uLuNtu, amashishini kunye nemibutho bayaziswa ngale ncwadi ukuba uphawu lorhwebo lukaMasipala waseGeorge kunye nendwe zibhaliswe njengophawu lukaMasipala waseGeorge, kwaye ngenxa yoko lunokusetyenziswa kuphela nguMasipala waseGeorge ngeenjongo ezisemthethweni, ngaphandle kokuba kugunyaziswa ngenye indlela liBhunga. i-Ofisi yoMphathi kaMasipala iqaphele apho imibutho eyahlukeneyo kunye nabantu basebenzisa uphawu lorhwebo lukaMasipala ngeenjongo zabo zokuthengisa ngaphandle kweemvume eziyimfuneko. Akukho shishini, mbutho kunye/okanye mntu unelungelo lokusebenzisa uphawu lorhwebo lukaMasipala waseGeorge kuzo naziphi na izinto zokusasaza iindaba zoluNtu okanye ezishicelelweyo, kunye okanye kuquka  naziphina izinto zorhwebo ezinje ngeekepusi, izikipa, izibhengezo ezibhaliweyo  kunye neeflaya njl njl.

Apho ishishini, umbutho okanye umntu esebenzisana nesebe likaMasipala kwiprojekthi, imvume yangaphambili kumele icelwe ngalo lonke ixesha phambi kokusetyenziswa kophawu lorhwebo lukaMasipala ngalo naluphi na uhlobo. Oku kuya kuvunyelwa phantsi kwemiqathango yokuba iprojekthi kunye/okanye umsitho uvunyelwe nguMasipala ngokusemthethweni, kunye nokuba imveliso okanye izinto zentengiso ezivelisiweyo ziyakholisa, azicaphukisi kwaye zibambelela kwizikhokelo njengoko zibekiwe yiNcwadi yeSazisi seQumrhu kaMasipala waseGeorge.

George Heraldic Embleem Logo

The municipal solar project which entails the installation of a 300 kilo-Watt Peak grid tied PV generating plant at the officials parking area is progressing well and nearly completed.
The construction of the steel support structures which will serve as carports as well, has been completed and  the pv panels are currently being laid on the newly built structures. In total, 692 PV panels will be installed, with each panel rated at 435 Watts, making the system size equal to 692*435 = 301 kiloWatts peak. All of the inverters which will convert DC power from the panels into AC electricity, have been installed in a closed compartment room.

Thabo Yiga, Intern, Candidate Engineer for Electrotechnical Services, who is responsible for the project, was pleased to advise that a weather monitoring station will also be installed. This station is equipped with sensors to measure parameters such as solar irradiation, wind speed, wind direction, humidity, pv panels temperature, and so on. The  site specific measured data collected will be used to calculate the Performance Ratio (PR) of the pv plant on an annual basis to determine plant performance.

The project includes an upgrade with vehicle parking lines to be painted for the carport structures, as well as the installation of LED solar lights to provide additional lighting at night.  The project is expected to end 20^th July and commissioning tests will begin on the last week of July. The plant will be energized by August.

Background information: The PV plant will reduce the peak load demand of the main building and reduce the amount of electricity purchased from Eskom. The plant will also enable the building to meet carbon emission reduction targets by powering most of the required load with energy generated from a clean and renewable source. The total savings in carbon dioxide emissions, would be in the region of 9027 tonnes of CO2 over the plants 25 year lifetime. 500 000 kilo Watt Hours (kWh) of energy is expected to be produced by the PV plant annually, and the system is projected to pay itself off within 7 years of the 25 year estimated lifetime.

The 500 000 kilowatt-hour of electricity that the PV plant will generate annually is the equivalent of the power consumption of 55 households using 25 kwh of electricity per day (or approximately 9000 kwh pa).  The project is funded by the Department of Energy under the Energy Efficiency Demand Side Management (EEDSM) programme. The current public parking area located immediately in front of the municipal building will not be affected during the construction at all.

The promenade at Gwaing Beach boasts with brand new stainless steel railings, installed yesterday (23 June) to replace the existing wooden railings. The railings installed at a cost of R90 000, have been crafted out of stainless steel for durability and still have to be polished up with a burnishing compound. The crossbar design allows for stronger sections to accommodate potential rough seas, as well as allowing for easier repair or replacement. The wooden railings will be removed. Budget used in this project is drawn from the 2020/21 Financial year.

The Youth Office of the George Municipality this week hosted a small programme in celebration of National Youth Day. Municipal staff and partner organisations, such as Social Health Empowerment (SHE) and George Youth, joined in the celebrations. The programme concluded with a candle of hope ceremony, to motivate the youth to shine and participate as active citizens.

The George Municipality’s Food Garden Project continues to grow with 680 gardens established since its revitalisation at the end of last year.
George Municipality Communications Manager Chantel Edwards-Klose said communities across the municipal area had embraced the project as word of it spread. “We kicked the programme off with 80 gardens in November 2020, which expanded to 105 gardens by the end of January, 265 by the end of the summer planting season and now stands at 680 (June 2021).
“We are excited about the project’s potential as a consistent food source and income generator and are deeply inspired by the communities’ sense of pride in bringing food to the table to their own homes and those of neighbours. It is the latter that has motivated the handing over of the project from the municipality’s Economic Development Unit to our Community Development section so the food gardens can be integrated with other social projects such as municipal soup kitchens and creches. Economic Development will, however, continue to provide support to gardeners that may be able to extend their food production beyond subsistence.
“Among our most inspiring stories is Thembalethu resident Asanda Toyise who has had such an abundant crop of spinach and beetroot this winter he could sell the excess to visitors at the local clinic,” said Ms Edwards-Klose. (see picture attached, man holding beetroot)
The project continues to be run by coordinators who identify possible gardeners in communities and oversee the establishment of small vegetable gardens in their backyards.
The coordinators guide the process from soil preparation to harvest and visit regularly to mentor and check on their needs and progress. The aim is that the gardens will become sustainable throughout the year according to the seasons and that gardeners will ultimately not only put food on the tables of their own families but also have extra to share, sell or barter with.
George Municipality continues to distribute seeds to participating gardeners in Blanco, Touwsranten, Rosemoor, Thembalethu, Rosedale, Conville, Borchards, Geelhoutboom, Waboomskraal, Haarlem, Uniondale and Pacaltsdorp.
Each garden is expected to yield a crop to feed 5 to 10 people, depending on a range of factors including garden size and growing conditions.
“Persons in vulnerable communities interested in starting food gardens can contact the project coordinators on details below.
“The municipality welcomes involvement and support from business, NGOs and individuals who can assist in the long-term sustainability of the project. Ongoing needs include seeds, compost, pesticides, gardening tools and rainwater tanks.
“We believe the Food Gardens Project can become a life-changing beacon of hope,” said Ms Edwards-Klose.
Enquiries: Amy Kearns 044 801 9173 until 30 June 2021
Sophie Fanelo 044 802 2000 from 1 July 2021
Caption
Thembalethu resident Asanda Toyise had such an abundant crop of winter vegetables he could sell to visitors to the local clinic.

George Municipality is excited to announce a partnership with Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT) for the George Mountain Ultra Trail  otherwise known as the George MUT or THE MUT, an event scheduled to take place the weekend of the 26^th June 2021. The weekend will include the hosting of the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, the main event on Saturday with the 60km, 25km, 10km and a family fun event 5km and on Sunday 27^th June the Vertical Kilometer Challenge up George Peak will take place.

Joan Shaw, Tourism Manager for George is thrilled to have an event of this calibre on board which will showcase the stunning Outeniqua Mountain range. “Feedback from the event held in 2019 was overwhelming positive and competitors were in awe of the majestic mountains, incredible scenery as well as the professionalism of the organisation of the race itself.  This route boasts everything from big climbs, rocky trails, technical downhills and views of the Outeniqua Mountain Range to keep all athletes engaged and motivated.”

“We are excited to once again host THE MUT as one of the first class sporting events to showcase George’s many Sporting Event hosting and  tourism opportunities.  George Municipality remains committed to the cause of identifying and partnering with great events to stimulate and develop the George economy”, said Dirk Wessels, Portfolio Councillor for Strategic Services and Finance.

Team Ecobound, the organisers are clear on their goal of hosting an international standard Trail Running event and to create a well-respected long standing event  that provides enjoyment in an environmentally responsible manner. Zane Schmahl for TEAM Ecobound,  noted that entrants for the 2021 event are growing daily with a massive growth in participation for the challenging 60km trail run. “The George MUT has been a dream for a while, ever since Jacques Mouton and I ran the very first 60km to figure out the route we have been planning and dreaming of showcasing our mountains and our town and present an international standard event to celebrate the Outeniqua’s, with our City Council’s backing for the first time it feels like it might just be possible,” said Zane Schmahl.

For further details on how to enter please see  https://www.georgetrailrun.co.za/

#GeorgeMunicipality #GeorgeTourism
#GeorgeMUT #MUT #MUTlife #OuteniquaMountains #GardenCity

Social Media 

https://www.facebook.com/MUTGeorge

https://www.instagram.com/georgemountainultratrail/

https://twitter.com/EcoBoundEvents

George Fire and Rescue earned Compressor Operators Certificates following the acquisition of a new compressor for the department recently. The training focused on the safe refilling of Breathing Apparatus Cylinders and the required legislation around pressure vessels.
From left to right are: Station Commander Johan Crouse, Fire Fighter Johan Troskie, Fire Fighter Wilton October, Senior Fire Fighter Andre Nelson, Senior Fire Fighter Amos Ningi, Platoon Commander Machiel Troskie, Fire Fighter Elvis Masoka, Fire Fighter Nico Rossouw, Fire Fighter Joseph Fortuin and Chief Fire Officer Neels Barnard.

Tourism is grabbing the bull by the horns and ensuring that the destination, that is George, Wilderness & Uniondale, are top of mind for upcoming mid-year winter breaks! Brand awareness campaigns are being run on popular KFM and 702 radio stations targeting the greater Western Cape and the Gauteng regions, which are George Municipality’s two top domestic source markets.

KFM Presenter, Tracey Lange and 702 Presenter, Azania Mosaka  highlighted George as a destination, focusing on why George, Wilderness and Uniondale are must-see places.  The destination also featured  in Tracy Lange’s “Game of Travels” which has high listener engagement.  The campaign consists of 20-second Live Reads that promote different aspects of the city and includes Traffic sponsorships, digitally branded content articles and promotion through the respective radio stations social media platforms.  Listen out for the EWN Traffic highlights at 16:39 on 702 and 16:43 on Kfm from 31 May to 04 June.

Market leader stations, KFM targets a Western Cape audience, while 702 targets a Gauteng audience.  Both have listeners in higher LSM categories, who travel and take leisure breaks.

#exploregeorge  #explorewilderness  #exploreuniondale

The George Tens sports festival has announced dates for 2021. Returning to Outeniqua Park and surrounds, the all-new and improved George Tens will see a week of exciting Tens rugby coupled with additional sporting code events including women’s rugby, golf, mountain biking, netball and bowls.

Do not miss the opportunity to be a part of this multi-disciplinary event in the Garden Route from 2 – 5 December 2021 for the return of the all-new George Tens.

Co-founder of the new George Tens is former Springbok Coach Heyneke Meyer said today: “It’s an enormous privilege to be involved with this festival.  Outeniqua Park is where I cut my teeth as a rugby coach. I’ve journeyed with regional rugby in the Southern Cape since the start of my career, and now to return here with this magnificent George Tens festival is a genuine honour.” says Meyer. “One of the elements I’m most looking forward to is how the local community will benefit from George Tens. Many local tourism and other businesses have been hard hit during pandemic and we are optimistic that this beautiful town and the surrounding areas will benefit greatly.”

Some of SA’s biggest rugby icons will be at the George Tens in 2021, and don’t think it’s  just rugby!  Highlights include 3 days of golf at three of the Garden Route’s premium golf courses, as well as coaching clinics and special events.

Speaking on behalf of the city council, Dirk Wessels, Portfolio Councillor for Finance and Strategic Services said:  “In the words of Nelson Mandela, sport can break down barriers. We as the George Municipality are over the moon about the involvement of Heyneke Meyer and his team in the George Tens sports festival, that will surely take the event to the next level, building on the inaugural event of 2019. We remain committed to our cause in identifying new events in order to stimulate and develop the George economy. We would like this to be one of the premier sporting events in the country. We are really excited to be a part of this journey, and we encourage all role players in the George economic community to get behind this initiative. “

Festival co-founder IG van der Merwe explains “Our vision with George Tens is to bring a festival of sport and recreation to the Southern Cape. The goal is to give the local economy a boost as well as to give the local community something to look forward to. This will encourage South Africans from right around the country to visit the Southern Cape. Sport has meant so much to me in my life and I’d like to see it make the same impact on our community”.

The George Tens sport festival will be subject to applicable Covid regulations at the time of the event.  More information around ticket sales, match dates and more will be announced in the weeks to come.

Follow @George10s on Facebook to stay up to date on all the latest details. To find out more about Team entries and Sponsorship opportunities, contact juanita@invictusinternational.co.za and for local business opportunities, contact jshaw@george.gov.za.

George Municipality has provided venues for the  public to receive assistance with their registration process on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) for the Covid-19 vaccination. The system is currently only open for persons over 60 years of age, and healthworkers. The response from the public has been good and to that end, the hours have been extended at the various libraries throughout George, with two additional venues added.

“George Municipality is delighted to be able to assist the Department of Health with their Vaccination programme by providing venues and computers, where the public can come in to register themselves. Our librarians have been specially trained to assist with the process which takes no more than five minutes,” said Acting Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz.

If you or a senior family member do not have access to the internet or data, please visit one of the libraries listed below between 09:00 – 13:00 Monday to Friday and our librarians
will assist you with the EVDS registration process. Please ensure you bring your ID Book or ID number; if you belong to a Medical Aid then the Medical Aid Card and or the number;  and a working cellphone number,  as you will be receiving follow up SMS from the system about where to go for your vaccination.

Those who have registered will then receive an SMS with a date, time and venue. SMS messages will be sent out a few days in advance in order for clients to make the necessary arrangements. Please do not visit vaccination sites if you have not received your SMS to confirm your appointment.

If you are over 60 and registered for your COVID-19 vaccine, you can expect:

• An SMS confirming your registration.
• A second SMS with an appointment date and the place – for those who have already registered this should come in the next 2-3 weeks.
• Get vaccinated with your first dose.
• Proof of vaccination card.
• An appointment date for your second dose (if two-dose vaccine).

Additional Venues for Registration, 08:00 – 16:00 Monday -Friday
Please note all Covid-19 protocols are in place and no access without a mask will be allowed.
Thembalethu Thusong Centre (Cnr Jeriko Street & Sandkraal Road) – Cape Access Centre Office
Waboomskraal Thusong Centre (Main Road)  – Cape Access Centre Office

The following libraries will be assisting members of the public to register from 9:00 – 16:30 daily from Monday – Friday.
Please note all Covid-19 protocols are in place and no access without a mask will be allowed.

Blanco Library (3 George Avenue)

Conville Library (Cnr Pienaar Street &Nelson Mandela Boulevard)

Pacaltsdorp Library (Mission Street)

Thembalethu Library ( Bacella Street)

Touwsranten Library (Bestert Street)

George Library (Caledon Street)

The times for registration vary at our smaller libraries:

Avontuur Library (Ou Bains Road)
Monday 12:30 – 15:00 / Tuesday 10:30 – 13:00 / Wednesday 12:30 – 15:00 / Thursday 12:30 – 15:00 / Friday 12:00 – 14:00

Haarlem library (Hope Street) 14:00 – 17:00 daily Monday – Friday

Noll Library (Dieprivier Primary School, Nolls Halte) Mondays & Wednesdays 12:00- 15:00

Waboomskraal Library 10:00 – 11:00 daily Monday  – Friday

Uniondale  Library (39 Voortrekker Road)  10:00 – 16:30 daily Monday  – Friday

Please be reminded that our librarians are only able to assist you with the registration process for the Vaccination and
cannot assist with any medical related queries with regard to Covid-19 and/or the vaccination. See details below for any further queries you might have.

Access to Internet – Self Registration on EVDS
If you or a family member do have access to the internet, please register your over 60 family members and friends as soon as possible.
To register for the vaccine, you will need to visit: https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/#/. This portal can also be found via www.westerncape.gov.za
You can also dial *134*832# and follow the prompts (FREE on all South African Networks), or WhatsApp the word REGISTER to 0600 123456.
Should you need assistance with the registration process, do not hesitate to visit www.sacoronavirus.co.za/evds/support/ or contact the call centre on 0860 142 142

Routine maintenance at the Hope/Hibernia Intersection is scheduled for 26 & 27 May 2021. Work will commence at 18h00 till 06h00 the next day, whilst the traffic will be accommodated as followa:

• A – Traffic from Knysna Road down Hope/Mermorium will be diverted along Cathedral Street towards Merriman Street.
• B – Traffic in Hibernia Street will be diverted left or right Into Merriman Street
• C – Traffic in Hope Street will be diverted along Market Street towards Merriman Street.

Pointsman will be placed at the areas marked in red, to assist with traffic control.

Contact Lionel Daniels on 044 801 9354 for queries.

George Municipality welcomes Lauren Waring as new Director Planning and Development.

Ms Waring returns to the Southern Cape from Drakenstein Municipality (Paarl) where she had been Executive Director Planning and Development since 2016. She is the former Municipal Manager of Knysna Municipality, where she had also previously been Director Community Services and Director Planning and Development, respectively, and is the former Deputy Director of the Regional Land Claims Commission responsible for the Western and Southern Cape. She has worked in the Southern Cape since 1996 and is no newcomer to George and surrounds.

George Acting Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz said Ms Waring had specialised skills, advance leadership experience and extensive knowledge of the region that would be of great value to George and the Southern Cape. “George Municipality is serious about the long-term sustainability of this city, which we regard as one of the most important socio-economic players in the province. We look forward to the development of this important directorate under her leadership,” said Dr Gratz.

Amongst other qualifications, Ms Waring holds an Honours degree in Sociology and a Masters degree in Town and Regional Planning from the University of Stellenbosch. She has fifteen years senior leadership experience, eleven years’ experience in national government and extensive experience in the development and land sector including inter-stakeholder negotiations on national and international level. Lauren has consulted to government and the private sector on a broad range of projects and held positions on several boards.

“I am so excited to be part of #TeamGeorge. George has immense untapped potential. We have pristine beauty, a competitive and diverse economy, excellent connectivity and accessibility, all within a well-governed city. One of my primary focusses will be to expedite development and investment opportunities while ensuring economic dynamism, quality of life for all and long-term sustainability. It is such an honour to be able to work for my hometown.”

She returns to her home outside Wilderness and is the proud mother of 17-year-old Nina. Both adore travelling, hiking and art.

The George Municipality Directorate Planning and Development comprise the departments Town Planning, Building Control, Integrated Development Planning (IDP) and Performance Management, Economic Development and Tourism.