Author: Debra Sauer

George Municipality Council has approved and adopted its Consolidated Capital Expenditure Framework (CEF) for 2026/2027, which will guide how the Municipality plans and prioritises its infrastructure projects.

During the discussion, of the item in a Special Council sitting online on 28 September 2026, Council also considered the cost of employing workers on projects funded wholly or partly through the Integrated Urban Development Grant (IUDG).
Acting Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill said the Municipality must carefully balance the need to create employment opportunities with the need to ensure that grant-funded infrastructure projects are delivered within their available budgets.
“Grant funding is limited and needs to be used carefully. If the cost of a project increases, there is less funding available for the project itself and potentially fewer people can be employed during the construction phase,” said O’Neill.

He said the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) also provides an opportunity for more people to benefit from temporary work and earn an income while projects are being implemented, at the applicable EPWP rates.
“Our responsibility is to make sure that the funding is used for the purpose for which it was provided, while creating as many work opportunities as possible and delivering the infrastructure that communities need,” he said.

It was also noted that the Municipality cannot determine the wages that independent contractors pay their employees beyond the requirements of applicable legislation and the conditions contained in the relevant contracts. Contractors remain responsible for complying with labour legislation and applicable wage requirements.

As part of the discussion on Item 4.11, the Patriotic Alliance put forward a counter proposal relating to wages on IUDG-funded Civil Engineering projects.
The counter proposal was proposed by Cllr Raphael Goeieman and seconded by Cllr Marcell Kleynhans.

It proposed that workers on Civil Engineering projects funded wholly or partly through the IUDG be paid at applicable industry-related wage rates, in accordance with the National Minimum Wage Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act and applicable Bargaining Council agreements or Sectoral Determinations.
The proposal also called for these requirements to be included in IUDG applications, project budgets, tender specifications and contractual conditions. It further proposed that the Municipal Manager or delegated officials monitor contractual compliance, while the Department of Employment and Labour remains responsible for enforcing applicable labour legislation and wage determinations.

While the proposal may seem to be beneficial on the face of it, the unintended consequences are not and Council considered the proposal against the available funding for infrastructure projects, the potential impact on project costs and the number of people who could be employed during the implementation phase.

The CEF brings together the Municipality’s infrastructure needs, spatial planning and available funding. It is aligned with the Integrated Development Plan, Municipal Spatial Development Framework and budget, and supports the Municipality’s requirements for accessing and retaining IUDG funding.
Projects are considered according to factors such as service backlogs, growth, infrastructure needs, affordability, technical readiness and the potential social and economic benefit.
The CEF does not approve funding for individual projects. Projects still have to go through the annual budget process and can only proceed once funding has been approved and is available.
O’Neill said the CEF gives the Municipality a clearer basis for making decisions about where limited capital funding should be directed.

“We need to make sure that the money available to the Municipality is used where it can have a meaningful and lasting benefit for residents. That means looking not only at the immediate cost of a project, but also at the infrastructure we are able to deliver and maintain over the longer term,” said O’Neill.

In the photo above, Vivian Kotzee from Bergrivier Municipality addresses the attendees at Institute of Municipal Practitioners South Africa (IMPSA) Cape Branch’s quarterly Knowledge Sharing Seminar in George. Looking on from left are Bevan Cassim, Deputy Director: Human Resources, George Municipality, Tamkazi Lombo from O.R Tambo District Municipality and Rorisang Sigenu from George Municipality.
HR3: Bevan Cassim, Deputy Director: Human Resources, George Municipality addresses the attendees at the event.

George Municipality hosted the Institute of Municipal Practitioners South Africa (IMPSA) Cape Branch’s quarterly Knowledge Sharing Seminar on 20 August 2026, followed by the Cape Branch Executive Meeting on 21 August 2026.

The two-day gathering brought together Human Resource and People Management practitioners from municipalities across the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State.

The seminar provided an opportunity for municipal HR professionals to share experiences, learn from one another and discuss practical ways of supporting employees and creating healthier, more effective workplaces.
For George Municipality, being part of these engagements helps ensure that its HR practitioners stay up to date with developments in the workplace and continue learning from the experiences of colleagues across local government.

A key focus of this year’s seminar was the well-being of HR professionals themselves.
The first presentation, by Christa Liebenberg, looked at “Help, My Inner Critic Will Not Stop!” and explored some of the pressures faced by professionals in the workplace. These include managing competing expectations, dealing with accountability and working under pressure.
Participants were given practical tools to help them deal with workplace challenges, build resilience and manage stress more effectively.
The second presentation focused on employee wellness and was delivered by Colleen Chandler-Hendricks, an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Officer. She shared examples of the work being done through Drakenstein Municipality’s Employee Wellness Programme.

The discussion covered a range of issues, including employee assistance and counselling, health promotion, occupational health and safety, absenteeism, productivity, policy development and ways of encouraging employees to take part in wellness initiatives.
One of the strongest messages from the seminar was that HR practitioners spend much of their working lives supporting others, but can sometimes forget to look after themselves.

The simple message was: you cannot pour from an empty cup.
Looking after their own mental well-being, resilience and personal development enables HR professionals to continue supporting employees and their organisations effectively.
The seminar was officially opened by Reginald Salmons, Chairperson of the IMPSA Cape Branch, while Bevan Cassim, Deputy Chairperson, welcomed delegates and outlined the programme.
Nokuzuka Matolengwe, Manager: Human Resources at Drakenstein Municipality, facilitated an interactive icebreaker session before the presentations.

The discussions also provided an opportunity for practitioners from different municipalities and provinces to connect, exchange ideas and share practical experiences.
The Knowledge Sharing Seminar was followed on 21 August by the IMPSA Cape Branch Executive Meeting, where members discussed the future direction of the branch and matters relating to its work within the national IMPSA structure.
Among the matters discussed were the IMPSA Constitution, the Cape Branch vision and mission, and the adoption of the branch slogan:
“Leading in Professional Excellence in Municipal People Management.”

The Cape Branch Terms of Reference were also approved to guide its engagement with the national IMPSA structure.
The next IMPSA Cape Branch Knowledge Sharing Seminar will be hosted by the City of Cape Town from 18 to 19 November 2026, followed by the Cape Branch Executive Meeting on 20 November.
George Municipality was pleased to host colleagues from across the region and to contribute to an event focused on learning, collaboration and the well-being of the people who support municipal employees every day.

Photos:

Attendees during the seminar in George.

Attendees at the Institute of Municipal Practitioners South Africa (IMPSA) Cape Branch’s quarterly Knowledge Sharing Seminar at the Conference Centre, George Civic Centre.

Attendees at the Institute of Municipal Practitioners South Africa (IMPSA) Cape Branch’s quarterly Knowledge Sharing Seminar at the Conference Centre, George Civic Centre.

Bevan Cassim, Deputy Director: Human Resources, George Municipality addresses the attendees at the event.