Author: Debra Sauer

In the photo above, Joan Shaw, Manager: George Tourism, does the programme introduction to the attendees at the George Municipality Events Compliance and Support Workshop, held at the Conference Centre at George Civic Centre.

The Tourism Section of the George Municipality successfully hosted its annual Events Compliance Workshop on 11 February 2026. The workshop brought together key municipal departments and industry stakeholders to strengthen understanding of the processes required to host safe, compliant, and successful events within George.

The workshop focused on equipping event organisers with essential knowledge regarding event permit requirements, application timelines, and compliance procedures. Participants were also briefed on the Call for Event Support, which is currently open and will close on 22 February 2026.

Representatives from several departments presented critical event-related information, including the Sports Development Section, Town Planning, Traffic Services, Municipal Venues and Facilities, Tourism, and the Garden Route District Municipality’s Environmental Health Section— who provided important guidance on health and hygiene requirements for events where food vendors are present.

A total of 62 stakeholders and officials attended this year’s workshop, highlighting the growing interest in ensuring that events in George meet regulatory standards and operate safely.

Key insights shared during the sessions included:

The Sports Development Section noted that, although many facilities are designed for multi-purpose use, the municipality has chosen to limit access to season-specific sporting codes to reduce water consumption. This arrangement will remain in place until each respective sport code’s league season has concluded.

Stakeholders were reminded of the required lead times for applications pertaining to population certificates, posters and banners, and noise exemptions. They were also encouraged to register on the event organisers’ database at the George Tourism Office. George Municipality Tourism Section: events@visitgeorge.co.za

The workshop also provided an update on the Municipality’s transition to the regional online events portal, Collaborator. Once fully implemented, all event permit applications will be processed through this digital platform, streamlining communication and improving the efficiency of event management across the municipal area.

The George Municipality remains committed to supporting a thriving, safe, and well-managed events industry and thanks all stakeholders who participated in this year’s workshop.

Photos:

Some of the attendees during the workshop.

Melanie Martins from Georg e Tourism clarifies a topic after fielding a question from the attendees.

 Alwyn Joseph from George Municipality spoke on Auxiliary Servies and the rental of municipal halls.

George Traffic Officer, Franklin Windwaai, responded to a lot of questions regarding traffic services during events.

In the photo above, Anette Kortman, Librarian at Thembalethu Library, engages with learners at Tyholorha Primary School.

George Municipality joined millions of readers around the world in celebrating World Read-Aloud Day, an annual global event that highlights the joy, power and importance of reading aloud. World Read-Aloud Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday of February each year and in 2026 took place last week.

World Read-Aloud Day is an inspiring literacy programme that aims to unlock the potential of children through reading, while advocating for access to literacy and diverse stories for all. The day places special emphasis on young readers, recognising the vital role reading plays in helping children develop a sense of belonging, confidence, curiosity, courage, kindness and hope.

“These values are essential in shaping children who can build strong relationships, respect differences and contribute meaningfully to society,” said Rachel Williams, Manager: George Libraries. “Reading aloud is more than just sharing a story – it is about nurturing empathy, understanding and connection from a young age.”
All George libraries took part in celebrating the event by visiting schools and creches. World Read-Aloud Day activities included shared reading sessions, discussions and fun interactive engagements.

As part of the celebrations, George Libraries once again partnered with Nal’ibali, South Africa’s national reading-for-enjoyment campaign. Nal’ibali, which means ‘here’s the story’, aims to spark children’s potential through storytelling and positions libraries as safe, welcoming spaces where children can discover the joy of reading and book lending.

This year’s programme featured a special story titled A New Friend, developed by the SLED team (Sign Language Education and Development) and illustrated by Rico. Nal’ibali partnered with SLED to create this unique story using South African Sign Language (SASL), South Africa’s 12th official language. The story was first developed in SASL and later translated into various languages to ensure broader accessibility.

The story introduces a new Deaf Nal’ibali character, Thandiwe, and teaches valuable lessons about friendship, inclusion and respect for diversity. “This is a powerful and meaningful story that reminds children that we are all unique, that our differences matter, and that we need one another,” Williams added. “It encourages young readers to be aware of others’ needs, to value one another, and to recognise that everyone has something worthwhile to contribute.”

George Municipality invites parents, caregivers, educators and children to join their local libraries and to escape into a world of fun, learning and adventure through storytelling right through the year.

Photos:

Janine Pierre-Carolus, a librarian at George Library, interacts with young learners at Pacaltsdorp Primary School.

Garelene Muller, a Children’s librarian also engages with youngsters at Pacaltsdorp Primary during the fun sessions of learning and storytelling.

In the photo above, Cllr Erika Brown, MMC for Environmental Services, Mayor Browen Johnson and Anneline April, Senior Supervisor: Street Cleansing work together to clean up some of the garden refuse dumped in Sierrissie Street.

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George Municipality officially launched its annual Illegal Dumping Awareness Month campaign on Friday, 6 February 2026, at Sierrissie Street in New Dawn Park (Pacaltsdorp area) and at Croton Valley in the same area. The launch took place at two of the identified illegal dumping hotspots, highlighting the Municipality’s continued commitment to addressing illegal dumping across the city.

Executive Mayor Ald Browen Johnson led the launch and emphasised that illegal dumping remains a serious concern affecting communities, public health and the environment.
“Illegal dumping affects all of us. It is a health risk, it endangers children who play in these areas, and it places a significant financial burden on the Municipality,” said Mayor Johnson. “During the month of February, we are calling on communities not to support illegal dumping, to stop it, and to report it when it occurs.”

Throughout February, the Community Services Directorate will lead a focused programme of clean-up and rehabilitation of illegal dumping sites, supported by health and environmental education campaigns aimed at encouraging responsible waste disposal and long-term behavioural change.
Planned activities for Illegal Dumping Awareness Month include:
• 09 – 13 February: Clean-up activities and health education awareness
• 16 – 20 February: River clean-up operations at Blanco River and Kat River
• 23 – 27 February: Clean-up activities and health education awareness
• 27 February: Silent walk against illegal dumping in Thembalethu, starting at the Thembalethu Police Station

According to Sivuyile Mtila, Acting Director: Community Services, an amount of R16.34 million has been has been allocated to support the campaign for a year. “This funding covers street cleansing, refuse removal, the appointment of ward-based coordinators, and the implementation of education and awareness initiatives. Our objective is to ensure sustainability by addressing both behavioural and systemic causes of illegal dumping,” said Mtila.

Mayor Johnson also visited another illegal dumping site in Sierrissie Street, New Dawn Park, where he highlighted that much of the waste being dumped illegally consists of garden refuse.
“The Municipality provides green bags and collects them in this area. There is therefore no reason for garden waste to be dumped illegally,” he said.

Residents were reminded that members of the public can report illegal dumping to the Municipality. On successful conviction, a reward of R2 500 may be paid to the whistle-blower.
“This is Illegal Dumping Awareness Month, and we want the message to be loud and clear: stop illegal dumping. We urge the community of George to work with us to keep our city clean and green,” said Mayor Johnson.

The Mayor also expressed his appreciation to the Croton Valley community, who joined the launch to show their support and commitment to standing against illegal dumping.
George Municipality encourages all residents to play an active role in protecting their environment by disposing of waste responsibly and reporting illegal dumping incidents through the official municipal channels. Please report the perpetrators here: 044 801 6350 or email sprins@george.gov.za

Photos:

George Municipality workers pick up litter in Cordon Valley, New Dawn Park.

Ald Browen Johnson, Executive Mayor of George and Cllr Erika Brown, MMC for Environmental Services with residents from Croton Valley at the launch.

Mayor Browen Johnson, Cllr Erika Brown, MMC for Environmental Services and Sivuyile Mtila, Acting Director: Community Services at a illegal dumping site in Sierrissie Street, New Dawn Park.

Mayor Browen Johnson and Anneline April, Senior Supervisor: Street Cleansing work together to clean up some of the garden refuse dumped in Sierrissie Street.

In the photo above: Mayor Browen Johnson and Cllr Erika Brown, MMC for Environmental Services looks on as Samuel Buys, a Supervisor Driver from Community Services demonstrates how to operate a refuse compactor. He is a driver of a compactor truck.

George Municipality has officially taken delivery of two new refuse compactors and two cage trucks last week as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthen refuse collection services and ensure cleaner, healthier communities.

The handover took place during a recent visit to the Environmental Services department by Executive Mayor, Ald Browen Johnson, accompanied by the Acting Director for Community Services, Sivuyile Mtila, and the MMC for Environmental Services, Cllr Erika Brown.
“As part of our Integrated Waste Management Plan and Integrated Development Plan, it is critical that the Municipality maintains a replacement plan for refuse collection vehicles,” said Executive Mayor Ald Browen Johnson. “Since 2022, we have been replacing two refuse compactors per year to ensure that this essential service is delivered consistently and efficiently.”

For the 2025/2026 financial year, the Municipality invested in two new refuse compactors at a cost of R2 745 000 per vehicle. According to the Executive Mayor, these vehicles will significantly strengthen the Municipality’s refuse collection fleet.
“These new compactors will improve refuse collection across our municipal area and help us to ensure cleaner communities, while reducing service interruptions experienced by residents,” Ald Johnson said.
In addition, the Municipality has procured two cage trucks specifically for the collection of green bags used for garden waste removal. Each cage truck was acquired at a cost of R1 532 144.
“The introduction of these cage trucks will greatly improve the efficiency of green bag collections and support our environmental management objectives,” the Executive Mayor added.
Ald Johnson emphasised that the investment in new vehicles goes beyond fleet replacement. “Upgrading our fleet is not simply about replacing vehicles. It is about ensuring that we continue to serve every resident effectively, support environmental sustainability, and uphold our responsibility to deliver quality municipal services.”

He further commended officials for their efforts, saying: “I want to acknowledge the Environmental Services teams for their hard work and commitment. Together, we are building a municipality that prioritises service delivery, environmental responsibility, and community well-being.”

Photos:

Mayor Browen Johnson takes a group selfie with the officials at Environmental Services.

The brand new refuse compactor trucks and cage trucks delivered.

Sivuyile Mtila, Acting Director: Community Services, Milton Ngqavu, Supervisor Driver and Mayor Browen Johnson have a lighthearted moment at the handover of the trucks. Ngqavu (61) plans on retiring at the end of the month.

Cllr Erika Brown, MMC for Environmental Services, Sivuyile Mtila, Acting Director: Community Services, Mayor Browen Johnson and Frank Tamboer, Manager: Refuse Removal, Collections & Minimization at the handover of the trucks.