Author: Debra Sauer

Delays and deviations to GO GEORGE routes are to be expected on Saturday 15 March 2025 when the annual OCC Wheelchair Challenge takes place in George.

The OCC routing requires that a section of Union Street, between Meade and York Streets, be closed off to traffic for a part of the day. The inside lanes of York Street, Courtenay Street and Knysna Road will also be closed off. This will affect most of the GO GEORGE routes, with delays expected throughout the system between 05:00 to 13:30 and rerouting implemented on several main routes as follows:

Routes 13 City Loop, 18 Parkdene – Blanco and 18A Thembalethu – Blanco

Route 13 Forward will follow the normal route from the CBD until it reaches the corner of Union and Meade Streets. Here, it will turn right onto Meade Street, left onto Palgrave Street, left onto York Street and right onto Plattner Boulevard to continue with normal routing.

Route 13 Reverse will follow normal routing from CBD until it reaches the corner of Plattner Boulevard and York Street. Here, it will turn left onto York Street, right onto Palgrave Street, right onto Meade Street and left onto Union Street to continue with normal routing back to the CBD.

Routes 18 and 18A will follow the normal route from Parkdene and Thembalethu respectively until it reaches Meade Street. Here, it will turn right, then left onto Palgrave Street, left onto York Street and right onto Plattner Boulevard to continue with normal routing. The reverse from Blanco will apply.

It is anticipated that these routes will be affected from 05:00 until 13:30.

Route 9 Industrial Loop

No rerouting will be implemented on this route, however, all 10 trips between 06:00 and 12:00, both forward and reverse, will operate in a forward direction.

Route 10 Thembalethu – Industria

Route 10 Forward will operate as a Route 10 Reverse from 05:35 to 11:05. During this time, the route will be diverted from Union Street turning right onto Meade Street, left onto Palgrave Street and left onto York Street to continue with normal routing.

The 12:05 trip on Route 10 Forward will operate as normal but will need to be diverted from York Street, turning right onto Palgrave Street instead of Union Street, right onto Meade Street and left onto Union Street.

Delays on other routes

The inside lanes in both directions of York Street, Courtenay Street and Knysna Road will be closed off to traffic from 05:00 until 12:00. No rerouting will be implemented on these roads, however, delays can be expected between 05:00 and 12:00 on all routes from Pacaltsdorp to the CBD, as well as routes 7 (CBD – Garden Route Mall), 24 (CBD – Loerie Park – Mall) and 56 (Denneoord – CBD) which all use these roads.

For help with trip planning during the race, passengers are welcome to phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044.

CAPTION:

This map indicates how the bus routes will be affected by the wheelchair challenge.

PERSVERKLARING: GO GEORGE-BUSSE HERLEI VIR ROLSTOELUITDAGING

Uitgereik 10 Maart 2025

Vertragings en afwykings van GO GEORGE-roetes kan op Saterdag 15 Maart 2025 verwag word wanneer die jaarlikse OCC- rolstoeluitdaging in George plaasvind.

Die OCC-roete vereis dat ‘n gedeelte van Uniestraat, tussen Meade- en Yorkstraat, vir ‘n deel van die dag vir verkeer gesluit word. Die binnebane van Yorkstraat, Courtenaystraat en Knysnaweg sal ook gesluit word. Dit sal die meeste van die GO GEORGE-roetes beïnvloed, met vertragings wat tussen 05:00 en 13:30 in die hele stelsel verwag word en herleiding wat soos volg op verskeie hoofroetes geïmplementeer word:

Roetes 13 City Loop, 18 Parkdene – Blanco en 18A Thembalethu – Blanco

Roete 13F (kloksgewys) sal die normale roete vanaf die middestad volg totdat dit die hoek van Unie- en Meadestraat bereik. Hier sal dit regs draai in Meadestraat, links in Palgravestraat, links in Yorkstraat en regs in Plattnerboulevard om voort te gaan met die normale roetes.

Roete 13R (antikloksgewys) sal die normale roete vanaf die middedorp volg totdat dit die hoek van Plattnerboulevard en Yorkstraat bereik. Hier sal dit links draai in Yorkstraat, regs in Palgravestraat, regs in Meadestraat en links in Uniestraat om voort te gaan met die normale roete terug na die middedorp.

Roetes 18 en 18A sal die normale roete vanaf onderskeidelik Parkdene en Thembalethu volg totdat dit Meadestraat bereik. Hier draai dit regs, dan links in Palgravestraat, links in Yorkstraat en regs in Plattnerboulevard om voort te gaan met die normale roetes. Die omgekeerde sal uit die rigting van Blanco van toepassing wees.

Daar word verwag dat hierdie roetes van 05:00 tot 13:30 geraak sal word.

Roete 9 Industrial Loop

Geen herleiding sal op hierdie roete geïmplementeer word nie, maar al 10 ritte tussen 06:00 en 12:00, beide kloksgewys en antikloksgewys, sal kloksgewys ry.

Roete 10 Thembalethu – Industria

Roete 10F (kloksgewys) sal van 05:35 tot 11:05 as ‘n Roete 10R (antikloksgewys) funksioneer. Gedurende hierdie tyd sal die roete van Uniestraat herlei word, regs draai in Meadestraat, links in Palgravestraat en links in Yorkstraat om voort te gaan met die normale roete.

Die rit van 12:05 op Roete 10F sal soos normaal ry, maar sal van Yorkstraat herlei moet word deur regs te draai in Palgravestraat in plaas van Uniestraat, regs in Meadestraat en links in Uniestraat.

Vertragings op ander roetes

Die binnebane in beide rigtings van Yorkstraat, Courtenaystraat en Knysnaweg sal van 05:00 tot 12:00 vir verkeer gesluit wees. Geen herleiding sal op hierdie paaie geïmplementeer word nie, maar vertragings kan tussen 05:00 en 12:00 verwag word op alle roetes vanaf Pacaltsdorp na die middestad, asook roetes 7 (CBD – Garden Route Mall), 24 (CBD – Loerie Park – Mall) en 56 (Denneoord – CBD) wat almal van hierdie paaie gebruik maak.

Passasiers is welkom om die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te skakel vir hulp met ritbeplanning tydens die wedloop.

ONDERSKRIF:

Die kaart dui aan hoe die GO GEORGE-busroetes geraak word deur die OCC-rolstoeluitdaging.

In celebration of South African Library Week from March 17–23, 2025, all libraries in George will be implementing a Fine Free Week, encouraging patrons to return overdue materials without incurring any late fees. This initiative aims to promote access to information and ensure that library resources remain available to all community members.

SA Library Week is an annual event dedicated to celebrating the vital role libraries play in fostering knowledge, promoting literacy, and preserving cultural heritage. It highlights the importance of libraries as inclusive spaces that offer learning opportunities, social engagement, and access to essential information. This year’s theme focuses on libraries contributing to sustainability and equality within communities, underlining their role in bridging the digital divide by providing internet access, technology, and digital literacy training.

According to Rachel Williams, Manager: George Libraries, Fine Free Week is designed to encourage library users to return overdue materials, ensuring that books and other resources can circulate freely to those who need them. With many people waiting for these materials, it is essential that publications are returned on time to facilitate equal access to information and recreational reading. She said “replacing unreturned items is costly, and by returning overdue materials, patrons help to maintain a well-stocked and accessible library system.”

She said George Libraries remain committed to serving as community hubs that empower individuals of all backgrounds. Libraries are centres of lifelong learning, supporting education, digital literacy, and social development. By removing the financial barrier of overdue fines during this special week, George Libraries hope to encourage more residents to re-engage with their local libraries and enjoy the many benefits they offer.

Residents are encouraged to visit their nearest George Library during SA Library Week to return overdue materials without penalties and explore the valuable resources available.

Library Week Programme
17 – 23 March 2025
Theme: “Libraries for Sustainable Communities”

George Library

Q-LIT Reading Circle

• Date: 17 March 2025
• Time: 19:00 – 21:30
• Venue: Reference Section, George Library
• Event: Discussion of “Out of Mind, A Story of Robben Island” by Barbara Townsend
• Additional Displays: Prints of Robben Island & “Human Rights” exhibition

Philately Exhibition

• Date: 17 – 22 March 2025
• Event: George Philately Society stamp collection display featuring themes like Anne Frank, Human Rights, and Christmas stamps

Alice and the Wonder of Philately

• Date: 19 March 2025
• Time: 11:00 – 13:00
• Venue: George Library

World Storytelling: Up with Downs

• Date: 20 March 2025
• Time: 14:00
• Venue: George Library – Children’s Section

Library Week Plan: Celebrating Reading and Community

• Date: 18 – 20 March 2025

Monday, 18 March 2025

• Time: 11:00 – 12:00
• Event: Life Community Visit
• Description: Storytelling and book-related activities for children

Tuesday, 19 March 2025

• 11:00 – 12:00: Eden Pre-Primary Visit – Library orientation & reading session
• 12:00 – 13:00: Klouterwoud Creche Visit – Interactive storytelling & exploration of the children’s section

Wednesday, 20 March 2025

• Time: 15:00
• Event: Môreson Children’s Home Visit
• Description: Reading session and book donation ceremony

Objectives:

• Promote reading and literacy among children
• Foster partnerships with local communities
• Showcase the library’s resources and services

Blanco Library

17 – 20 March 2025

1. Friday, 14 March – School students visit the waterworks to learn about career opportunities
2. 17 March – Storytime session for school children (15:00)
3. 18 March – SPCA Puppet Theatre at Kingdom Kids & Born to Win (10:00)
4. 20 March – Human Rights discussion with speaker Mona Olieslager

Pacaltsdorp Library

17 – 20 March 2025

1. Library Week displays
2. Afternoon reading programme for primary school learners (Monday, 14:30 – 15:30)
3. Reading to Grade 1 pupils (19 March, 10:30 – 11:30)
4. Book distribution to four creches (20 March, 10:00 – 13:00)
5. Senior Citizens reading programme (20 March, 10:00 – 11:00)

Conville Library

17 – 20 March 2025 (Times TBD after stakeholder discussions)

1. Writing short stories
2. Recycling initiatives
3. Gardening & compost-making workshops
4. Eco-friendly habits competition
5. Artwork from recyclable materials
6. Fashion parade showcasing eco-friendly designs

Thembalethu Library

17 – 20 March 2025

Uniondale Library

17 – 20 March 2025

The George Municipality successfully hosted an Events Compliance and Support Workshop on Friday 17 February, providing event organisers with essential insights into legal and compliance matters relevant to event planning and execution.

According to Melanie Martins, George Tourism Officer and organiser of the event, “this year’s Annual Events Support Conference saw strong participation, with 56 stakeholders from various event organisations and sports clubs in attendance. She said the workshop featured discussions on key topics affecting event management and compliance, with contributions from multiple municipal departments.”

Emergency Services emphasised the importance of event compliance and safety measures. Town Planning provided guidance on land-use rights for hosting events, while Parks and Gardens explained the process of obtaining permission to use municipal open spaces and beaches. Building Control clarified outdoor advertising regulations and their relevance to event promotions. The Electrotechnical Directorate covered electrical requirements and safe electricity installations for events. Environmental Services highlighted the importance of noise exemption applications and noise control.

Tourism discussed event promotion, the application processes for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, and guidelines for event posters and billboards. The Sport department provided information on municipal sports facilities and rental procedures, while Auxiliary Services explained municipal venue rental procedures. Traffic Services outlined the application process for traffic management services at events. Additionally, Legal and Compliance provided essential insights into legal requirements when partnering with George Municipality for events in 2025/2026.

The workshop also focused on event funding, marketing, and general support, equipping organisers with a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and procedures necessary for securing municipal support. The session served as a valuable platform for fostering collaboration between various stakeholders.

 Key Takeaways and Reminders

Event organisers are reminded that applications for George Municipal event support and funding, administered by George, Wilderness, and Uniondale Tourism, will close on 6 March 2025. This year, all applications must be submitted online.

In addition to municipal support, Wesgro, the promotion and development agency of the Western Cape, is also offering event support, with applications closing on 7 March 2025.

Wesgro has opened applications for its Leisure Tourism Event Partnerships, running from 17 February to 7 March 2025. This initiative allows Wesgro to collaborate with niche and smaller leisure events across the Western Cape, promoting the region’s diverse tourism experiences while driving economic impact, job creation, and combating seasonality. The focus will be on events that highlight Culture and Heritage, Active Adventure, Sustainability, Gastronomy, and Halal Tourism. Applications must be submitted online, and organisers seeking more information can contact eventsdmo@wesgro.co.za.

All event-related stakeholders are encouraged to register on the Events Database by requesting to be added via events@visitgeorge.co.za. Those who were unable to attend the workshop and require guidance on compliance or support are encouraged to reach out to George, Wilderness, and Uniondale Tourism via the same email.

A significant highlight of the conference was the announcement that George recorded the highest number of accommodation check-ins among all Garden Route towns in 2024, based on top online travel agency (OTA) statistics. This figure does not include direct or trade bookings, and it underscores the central role that events played in driving tourism growth in the region.

For more information or assistance, event organisers are encouraged to reach out via events@visitgeorge.co.za.

Photo: Presenters and stakeholders at the Events Compliance and Support Workshop are in front from left, Xolani Henge (Acting Manager: Auxiliary Services in Corporate Directorate), Santa Sternsdorf (Station Commander: Fire and Disaster Management), Melanie Martins (George Tourism Officer and Coordinator of the workshop), Cllr Marlene Barnardt (MMC for Planning and Development including Tourism), Sharon House (Senior Tourism Officer), Fuzisa Nomlala (Plan Examiner: Building Control) and Heloine Crowley (Tourism Officer). At the back are Johannes Labuschagne (Plan Examiner: Building Control), Eddie Koeberg (Plan Examiner: Building Control), Fickerie Toyer (Manager: Building Control), Edward Nqumse (Electrotechnical Directorate) and Leveinia Botha (Sport Department).