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Author: Debra Sauer

The Western Cape Government’s 11th Annual SmartProcurement Conference

The Western Cape Government’s 11th Annual SmartProcurement Conference hosted by George Municipality saw 500 provincial and municipal officials and suppliers meet to learn, share knowledge and network.

The event’s key focus areas included strategic procurement and public-private partnerships, and the conference explored how these can enhance infrastructure delivery and build strong, sustainable communities.https://smartprocurement.co.za/western-cape-government-tackles-public-procurement-changes-challenges-and-opportunities-at-annual-conference/?utm_medium=email

UPDATE 7: Inclement Weather and Emergency Incidents in George

 

The George Municipality urges residents to report emergencies using the supplied contact details. Officials are still addressing various power outages and fallen trees today, Friday 12 July 2024.

 POWER OUTAGES

  • Parts of George are experiencing power outages in different areas due to the bad weather conditions. Electrical teams are dispatched to various areas.
  • Fairy Knowe power line from Ebb and Flow is off. (repairs to continue this morning)
  • Portion of Denneoord (St. Pauls, Wellington, 9th Avenue, 10th Avenue). (repairs to continue this morning)
  • Power outage at George Street, Blanco. (Power outage at Boekenhout Street, Hoekwil. (repairs to continue this morning)
  • Power outage in Saasveld.  (biggest portion restored – Nelson Mandela University still down)
  • Power outages in Wilderness and Kleinkrantz are due to an Eskom trip. Four lines have fallen to the ground and all the lines have to be replaced. The repairwork will continue this morning.

 RESTORED POWER OUTAGES

 Power outage in De Waal Drive, Wilderness. Electricians have been dispatched. (restored)

  • Hoekwil main line, Dinnie line, Erica line  – Wilderness (restored)
  • Glenwood (restored)
  • Power outage at Boekenhout Street, Hoekwil. (restored)
  • A portion of Mitchell Street has been switched off to replace a broken pole. (Restored)
  • Farmlands in Geelhoutboom are to be switched off for repair work. ETR is 1 hour. (Restored)
  • Power outage at Woltemade Street, Rosemore. (restored)
  • Bergsig (Short Street restored)

TREE ACTION LIST

Officials will continue attending to fallen trees today, Friday, 11 July 2024. They are busy in the following areas:

  • Wilderness Heights
  • Bergsig
  • Denneoord (5th Street and Meyer Streets completed)
  • George CBD and surrounds (Outeniqua Weg Completed)
  • 7 Passes
  • Darling Street, Railway line
  • R404 toward Herolds Bay – Completed
  • Glenwood
  • Heather Park (Plover Street and Progress Streets completed)

REPORTING OF INCIDENTS

For emergencies, please use the following contact details:

  • After-Hours and Emergencies: 044 801 6300
  • Toll-Free Disaster Number: 087 152 9999
  • Fire and Rescue: 044 801 6311 or 044 801 6300
  • Law Enforcement: 044 801 6350/89

The George Municipality will send the next update today Friday, 12 July 2024 at 11h00. Stay safe and take necessary precautions during this period.

 

UPDATE 5: Inclement Weather and Emergency Incidents in George

The George Municipality urges residents to report emergencies using the supplied contact details. Officials are addressing various power outages, fallen trees, and traffic-related incidents. Emergency Services are on high alert with rainfall expected from 13:00 until 18:00. The George Fire Brigade remains on standby and is attending to incidents as they arise. Motorists are requested to drive cautiously as officials continue to clear fallen trees.

 POWER OUTAGES

  • Parts of George are experiencing power outages in different areas due to the bad weather conditions. Electrical teams are dispatched to various areas.
  • Fairy Knowe power line from Ebb and Flow is off. (repairs in progress)
  • Portion of Denneoord (St. Pauls, Wellington, 9th Avenue, 10th Avenue). (tree cutting in progess)
  • Power outage in De Waal Drive, Wilderness. Electricians have been dispatched. (repairs in progess)
  • Power outage at Boekenhout Street, Hoekwil. (repairs in progress)
  • Electrical lines have fallen on Erica Road, Wilderness. (repairs in progress – possible switch on early hours of Friday, 12 July 2024)
  • Power outage at George Street, Blanco. (repairs in progress)
  • Power outage in Saasveld.  (repairs in progress)
  • Power outages in Wilderness and Kleinkrantz are due to an Eskom trip. Lines have to be repaired before area can be energised. Repairwork can take until tomorrow morning.

 RESTORED POWER OUTAGES

  • A portion of Mitchell Street has been switched off to replace a broken pole. (Restored)
  • Farmlands in Geelhoutboom are to be switched off for repair work. ETR is 1 hour. (Restored)
  • Power outage at Woltemade Street, Rosemore. (restored)

 

PLANNED POWER OUTAGES

All planned power outages in the following areas have been cancelled. Any power outages occurring are due to bad weather and infrastructure damage:

  • Thembalethu
  • Victoria Street

 TREE ACTION LIST

Officials are attending to fallen trees in the following areas:

  • Wilderness Heights
  • Bergsig
  • Denneoord (5th Street and Meyer Streets completed)
  • George CBD and surrounds (Outeniqua Weg Completed)
  • 7 Passes
  • Darling Street, Railway line
  • R404 toward Herolds Bay – Completed
  • Glenwood
  • Heather Park (Plover Street and Progress Streets completed)

 

REPORTING OF INCIDENTS

For emergencies, please use the following contact details:

  • After-Hours and Emergencies: 044 801 6300
  • Toll-Free Disaster Number: 087 152 9999
  • Fire and Rescue: 044 801 6311 or 044 801 6300
  • Law Enforcement: 044 801 6350/89

The George Municipality will continue to provide updates as incidents occur. Stay safe and take necessary precautions during this period.

Public Notice: Natis system at MVR Hibernia Street is offline and Blanco is very slow

Please be advised that the NATIS System is currently down at the Motor Vehicle Registration (next to the train station)in Hibernia Street and is very slow at the Blanco satellite office. No transactions can be done at MVR in Hibernia Street office currently.
The system is fully operational at the Traffic Services Department (DLTC) in Pacaltsdorp. The machines are operational but the situation affects transactions and services at the DLTC.
Technicians have been informed of the problem and the public is asked to be patient.
For more information contact the MVR in town on 044 801 9310 or 044 801 9311 or mvr@george.gov.za

Planned power outage: Lake Road, Wilderness

 
NOTIFICATION OF THE INTERRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.
 
THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED:
 
PORTION OF WILDERNESS
LAKE ROAD
 
NOTICE is hereby given that the electricity supply will be interrupted on WEDNESDAY 17 JULY 2024 FROM 09H00 TO 16H30 for the purpose of doing alterations to the electrical mains. Consumers are warned to treat the installation as being live for the full duration as the supply may be resumed at any time within the notified period.
 
 
Should circumstances prevent the work being carried out during the abovementioned period; the work will be done on THURSDAY 18 JULY 2024 FROM 09H00 TO 16H30.
 
 
KENNISGEWING VAN DIE ONDERBREKING VAN DIE ELEKTRIESE TOEVOER.
 
DIE VOLGENDE AREAS SAL GERAAK WORD:
 
GEDEELTE VAN WILDERNIS
LAKE WEG
 
KENNISGEWING geskied hiermee dat die elektriese toevoer onderbreek sal word op WOENSDAG 17 JULIE 2024 VANAF 09H00 TOT 16H30 met die doel om veranderings aan elektriese hoofleidings te maak. Klante word gewaarsku om die installasie as lewendig te beskou vir die volle periode aangesien die toevoer enige tyd gedurende die periode aangeskakel mag word.
 
Sou omstandighede verhoed dat die werk gedoen kan word gedurende bogenoemde periode, sal die werk gedoen word op DONDERDAG 18 JULIE 2024 VANAF 09H00 TOT 16H30.

Planned power outage: portion of Pacaltsdorp

NOTIFICATION OF THE INTERRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.

THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED:

PORTION OF PACALTSDORP

BROMVOËL CLOSE,

MISSION & FERN STREETS

NOTICE is hereby given that the electricity supply will be interrupted on  MONDAY 15 JULY  2024  FROM  09H00 TO 16H00 for the purpose of doing alterations to the electrical mains. Consumers are warned to treat the installation as being live for the full duration as the supply may be resumed at any time within the notified period.

Should circumstances prevent the work being carried out during the abovementioned period; the work will be done on TUESDAY 16 JULY  2024 FROM  09H00 TO 16H00.

KENNISGEWING VAN  DIE ONDERBREKING VAN DIE ELEKTRIESE TOEVOER.

DIE VOLGENDE AREAS SAL GERAAK WORD:

GEDEELTE VAN PACALTSDORP

BROMVOËL CLOSE,

MISSION & FERNSTRATE

KENNISGEWING geskied hiermee dat die elektriese toevoer onderbreek sal word op MAANDAG 15 JULIE 2024 VANAF  09H00 TOT 16H00 met  die doel om veranderings aan elektriese hoofleidings te maak. Klante word gewaarsku om die installasie as lewendig te beskou vir die volle periode aangesien die toevoer enige tyd gedurende die periode aangeskakel mag word.

Sou omstandighede verhoed dat die werk gedoen kan word gedurende bogenoemde periode, sal die werk gedoen word op DINSDAG 16 JULIE 2024 VANAF 09H00 TOT 16H00.

GARDEN ROUTE DAM LEVEL

Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height 96,72%
Rainfall for the previous days: 17 mm (Measured rainfall figures from 2-8 July 2024)

For water-saving tips please visit: http://tinyurl.com/3439h4n7
The cooperation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.

Public Notice: Internet and Telephone Outage at George Library

Due to a fire at the Tourism Office, the George Library is currently experiencing internet and telephone outages. The library’s internet and phone services rely on a server housed at the George Tourism Office, which has been affected by a fire. Consequently, all telephone lines at George Library are down, causing significant inconvenience for residents in Wilderness, Herold’s Bay, and surrounding farming communities.

Affected Services:

  • Telephone Services: All lines are currently down.
  • Telephonic Renewals and Reminders: Unable to process renewals, late book reminders, and interlibrary loans via phone.
  • Itron Electronic Payment Machine: Fines payments are affected, and receipts are issued manually.

Unaffected Services:

  • Public Internet and Wi-Fi: These services are running on the Provincial broadband and remain operational.
  • Book Issuance and Returns: Staff can still issue and return books.
  • SLIMS Online Catalogue and Information Retrieval: These functions are available.

Alternative Renewal Method:

To renew books, please use the following WhatsApp number: 066 289 2863

Library Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday: 09:00 – 18:00
  • Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
  • Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00

We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to resolve these issues.

GARDEN ROUTE DAM LEVEL – Issued 2 July 2024

Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height                                       97,69%

Rainfall for the previous days:                                                                         0 mm (Measured rainfall figures from 25 June 2024 up until 01 July 2024)

 

For water-saving tips please visit: http://tinyurl.com/3439h4n7

The cooperation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.

George Municipality officials folds flowers for Wings of Hope Cancer Support benefit

Officials from the Planning Directorate kicked off with an early Madiba day project with the folding of paper flowers that was used for decoration at a benefit for Wings of Hope Cancer Support, celebrating cancer survivors. The event took place over the past weekend.

The Planning staff have all pitched in on the production of the colourful decorations.  On the attached pic, from left, clockwise around the table are Khuliso Mukhovha, Martin Botha, Robert Janse van Rensburg, Ilane Huyser (Town Planners); Lauren Josias (Environmental Officer); Mpilo Ngcobo (intern); Marisa Arries (Admin Officer); Lynette Groenewald, Henriette Koch (Spatial Planners); Soso Mhobo (intern); Myself; Naudica Swanepoel (Inspector); Amelia Lombard (intern); Henko Lourens (Spatial Planner); and Nathi Timakwe (Inspector).

 

Public Notice: Wilderness Tourism Office closed 1 July 2024

Wilderness Tourism Office will be closed Monday, 1 July 2024 due to maintenance.
The office will re-open again on Tuesday, 2 July 2024 at 08h30.
For more information, the public can phone the George Tourism Office on 044 801 9295. The Wilderness Tourism Office number is 044 877 0045.

Public Health Response to the Confirmation of Rabies in Cape Fur Seals

Issued by George Municipality on behalf of Garden Route District Municipality

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), together with Western Cape Veterinary Services, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), City of Cape Town Coastal Management, and other partners are working closely to establish the extent and timeline of the outbreak through further sampling and testing.

Circular H80/2024, which is aligned to Circular H19/2022: Rabies: Updated Draft National Human Rabies Prophylaxis Guideline and the Prevention of Human Rabies Cases:

This serves as an alert to inform healthcare providers and workers of the necessary public health response following a confirmed rabies case in a wild Cape Fur Seal from Big Bay, Blouberg, Cape Town.

The sample was taken from the seal in question on 22 May 2024 and was confirmed to be infected with rabies by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture on 7 June 2024.

Rabies has never been detected in seals in Southern Africa before, and this is one of the very few detections in seals worldwide.

Information on various seal bite incidents has been received by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness from the City of Cape Town Coastal Management, Oudekraal, Kommetjie, Muizenberg, Blouberg in Cape Town, and Plettenberg Bay.

Rabies in unvaccinated animals can lead to the spread of the disease and can be fatal to humans. Therefore, with the confirmed rabies case in Cape Town, the public needs to be advised of the following:

READ MORE: https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2024/06/27/27-june-2024-public-notice-alert-public-health-response-to-the-confirmation-of-rabies-in-cape-fur-seals/

Youth Day celebrated in Uniondale and Haarlem

In the photograph above youngsters take part in games at the Haarlem Youth Day event.

George Municipality Youth Office in Uniondale celebrated National Youth Day in Uniondale and Haarlem in June 2024. The Municipality held two successful events in collaboration with SAPS, Cape Nature, the Department of Social Development and Nikwe Enterprise. The two events that were held on different days were held at the Uniondale Lyonville Sports Ground and at the Haarlem Community Hall.

According to Christal Jansen, Coordinator of the Youth Office in Uniondale, the programmes included motivational speakers, entertainment, indigenous games, and sports. Jansen said both events were very well attended by the youth with approximately 450 youngsters in attendance.

 

Photos:

Youngsters in the Haarlem Community Hall during the event.

Haarlem United Congregational Church Youth Dance group.

Justin Jooste gave a speech on the background and history of Youth Day in Uniondale.

Masibulele Ndlela from the Department of Labour speaks to the youth about employment and opportunities.

 Sergeant  Eslin Du Preez speaking on crime to the Youth in Uniondale.

Youngsters playing soccer at the Haarlem event.

The Uniondale Boys brigade walking through the streets of Uniondale.

Youngsters challenge each other during a basketball game.

A young boy getting his face painted during the Uniondale event.

The Uniondale Junior dance group entertaining the youngsters at the event.

Some of the youngsters took part in different sport codes including Netball

Games at Haarlem Youth Day event

Local Sewing Group Gaining Support and Expanding Business

In the photo above members of the public viewing the impressive creations in the form of bags, aprons and beadwork.

George Municipality’s local sewing group, S&D Creations, is making significant strides in expanding its business and gaining support from the community. The group operates under the umbrella of the bigger Project Hope programme that is assisting people living on the streets.

Local Businesses such as This is Me and Bleu Forest Books, both situated on York Street, are actively promoting the group’s products in their stores. Additionally, West Coast Fisheries, located on Knysna Road, stands out as one of the group’s biggest supporters.

In a recent boost to their advertising efforts, Tastebuds Eatery, located on Market Street, purchased aprons from the group, and three municipal employees have used their services to make garments. This demonstrates the growing recognition and demand for their quality craftsmanship.

In April, the sewing group received a quotation request to make bags for a local church in George. The group’s primary business comes from alterations and the creation of custom garments. They are also in the process of applying for contracts with businesses in need of professionally made uniforms. Currently, they are awaiting an order to make 60 aprons, highlighting their increasing workload.

The group called S&D Creations showcased their products, including bags and aprons, on June 12 at the Smart Procurement Conference Supplier Open Day hosted by George Municipality and Provincial Treasury at Wilderness Hotel. This exhibition further elevated their profile and attracted more business opportunities.  A&A Jewellery Designs, a new business also started under the Project Hope umbrella, also showcased their products at the exhibition.

Members of the public can visit the businesses for products or services at the Community Development Offices on the corner of St.John’s and Varing Streets, George or phone 044 802 2000 for more information.

Photos:

Luvo Bomvana, Manager: Economic Development at George Municipality, Danesy Goliath from S&D Creations and Estelle Fredericks with some products at the Wilderness exhibition.

 Members of the public viewing the impressive creations in the form of bags, aprons and beadwork.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Closure of Section of York Street to remove damaged Christmas Lights

The Electrotechnical Services Directorate have advised that on Wednesday 26 June from 11:00 – 13:00, both sides of York Street will be closed to traffic between the R102 Traffic Circle and the Mediclinic Traffic Circle to remove damaged Christmas Lights.

Municipal traffic officials will divert motorists travelling from direction Pacaltsdorp to Hope Street off the R103 Traffic Circle. Motorists travelling down York Street past the Checkers Centre towards Pacaltsdorp, will be stopped just past the GO GEORGE depot and have to turn around at the Mediclinic Traffic Circle.

The Christmas lights are due to be removed for health and safety reasons and currently span over all four lanes of York Street.

Please take note of these arrangements and plan your travelling accordingly. We apologise for any inconvenience.

GARDEN ROUTE DAM LEVEL – 24 June 2024

Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height                                       98,96%

Rainfall for the previous days:                                                                         0,5mm (Measured rainfall figures from 19 June 2024 up until 24 June 2024)

 

For water-saving tips please visit: http://tinyurl.com/3439h4n7

The cooperation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.