Author: Debra Sauer

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).

In the photo above ladies busy knitting and crocheting during the classes.

The Pacaltsdorp Library is proud to announce the launch of its new Innovation Centre, a community-driven space designed to foster creativity, learning, and connection among residents.

According to Rachel Williams, Manager: George Libraries, as part of its exciting initiatives, the Innovation Centre is offering knitting and crocheting classes every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 to 11:30.

“These sessions, led by skilled women from the community, are open to anyone eager to learn or improve their craft. Participants will have the opportunity to create handmade items, which will be donated to a local old age home, ensuring that their work makes a meaningful impact,” Williams said.

She said looking ahead, the Innovation Centre will introduce a reading programme for adults, set to launch in March 2025. This initiative aims to encourage literacy and lifelong learning within the community.

Residents of Pacaltsdorp are warmly invited to visit the Innovation Centre, get involved in these enriching programmes, and be part of a movement that strengthens community ties.

For more information, visit the Pacaltsdorp Library or contact 044 803 9340.

Photo:

Some of the products that residents of Pacaltsdorp have finished at the Innovation Centre, Pacaltsdorp Library.

In the photo above switching on the high mast light in George Industria are from left Stiaan Adams from Clickscales Maughan-Brown Consulting Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, Mayor Jackie von Brandis, Cllr Donovan Gultig, MMC for Electrotechnical Services, Cllr Brendon Adams, Ward Councillor for Ward 17 and MMC for Community Safety, Johan Stander from MDL Engineering, Edward Nqumse from Electrotechnical Services and Thomas Scheepers from Electrotechnical Services.

As part of the ongoing Safer City Initiative, Mayor Jackie von Brandis officially launched the installation of two high mast lights in Geoge Industria as part of Ward 17 and one in Rosedale.  The initiative, spearheaded by the municipality’s Electrotechnical Directorate, aims to enhance security and reduce crime in key areas.

Mayor Jackie von Brandis said, “These high mast lights serve as a crucial crime deterrent, improving visibility and allowing for better monitoring of cable theft and vandalism.”

“With an effective lighting radius of approximately 50 to 60 meters, they significantly enhance community safety and security.”

Funded through the George Municipality’s capital budget for the 2024/2025 financial year, the installations address longstanding concerns from residents regarding vandalised streetlights and cable theft. The new lighting system not only improves safety but also reduces ongoing maintenance costs.

Cllr Donovan Gultig, MMC for Electrotechnical Services, highlighted that two high mast lights were switched on in George Industria and Rosedale, forming part of the 21 installations completed in the past financial year. “George now has a total of 54 high mast lights, with an additional two in Uniondale. This project represents an investment of over R10 million,” he stated.

The project was carried out with expertise from Clickscales Maughan-Brown Consulting Mechanical and Electrical Engineers (consulting engineers) and MDL Engineering (contractor).

In above photo Zinzi Simawuse, Sesethu Sakathi and Thabisa Xokozela assist the public at the stall.

In support of National HIV Testing Week (February 3-7, 2025) and STI/Condom Week (February 10-16, 2025), the George Municipality’s Community Development Section conducted outreach programs in the communities of Borcherds and Metrogrounds last week.

As part of this initiative, residents received free condom packs and vital health and social development information to promote safe practices and encourage regular HIV testing. The campaign aimed to raise awareness, empower individuals to take charge of their well-being, and reduce the stigma around HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Community members are encouraged to participate in these efforts to stay informed and prioritise their health.

Photos:

Sophia Fanelo, Manager: Community Development, assists one of the community members at Metrogrounds with information regarding National HIV Testing Week.

Member of the community of Metrogrounds came to the stall of Community Development services’ stall that they had last week during the National HIV Testing Week .

Jayme September speaks to members from the community at Metrogrounds during their outreach in National HIV Testing Week.

Officials from George Municipality did walkabouts from door to door at the Metrogrounds area to inform people about HIV testing and related information.

In die foto hierbo is burgemeester Jackie von Brandis, raadslede en lede van die gemeenskap knip die lint om die gebou oop te verklaar vir die gemeenskap.

Die Uitvoerende Burgemeester van George, Rdd. Jackie von Brandis, het Vrydag die historiese Ou Klipgebou in Missionweg, Pacaltsdorp tydens ‘n seremonie amptelik heropen vir die gebruik van die bejaardes van Pacaltsdorp, die plaaslike sakevereniging en die Creative Community Development Project (CCDP).

Met die opening het Von Brandis benadruk hoe belangrik dit is om gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid te bevorder. Sy het simbolies ‘n groen uitrusting gedra, en die ruikers by die seremonie het haar herinner aan stingels wat blomme ondersteun – ‘n metafoor vir ‘n sterk regering wat sy mense dra. Sy het die rol van die plaaslike raadslede uitgelig en beklemtoon hoe hulle haar vroeër versoek het om ‘n oplossing te vind vir die benutting van die Ou Klipgebou, wat nou terugbesorg is aan die bejaardes van Pacaltsdorp.

Die George Munisipaliteit het besluit om die gebou vir ‘n periode van 9 jaar en 11 maande beskikbaar te stel aan die bejaardes onder leiding van Maria Kissen, voorsitter van die CCDP. Die Pacaltsdorp Community Business Association (PCBA), onder leiding van Luwayda Trantraal, sal ook die fasiliteit benut.

Von Brandis het in haar toespraak die munisipale amptenare geloof vir hul harde werk en die gemeenskap bedank vir hul insette. “Dankie aan al die senior burgers wat saam met ons hande vat. Julle kennis en geskiedenis is van onskatbare waarde, en ek hoop dit word oorgedra na die volgende generasies,” het sy gesê. Sy het die gemeenskap ook aangemoedig om rentmeesterskap van die gebou te neem en dit te beskerm.

Luwayda Trantraal het namens die PCBA gesê dat hulle uitsien na samewerking en reeds projekte saam aangepak het. Maria Kissen het hulde gebring aan die oorlede Sandra Tait en beklemtoon hoe die Jafta-familie ‘n belangrike rol in die gemeenskap gespeel het. Blanche Benjamin van die Erfenistrust het die raad bedank vir die terugbesorging van die gebou aan die bejaardes en die erfeniswaarde daarvan beklemtoon.

Die Ou Klipgebou, geleë op Erf 8536 Pacaltsdorp, het ‘n ryk geskiedenis. Dit is gebou in die vroeë 1980’s en het gedien as ‘n inligtingskantoor. Later is dit verhuur aan die Pacaltsdorp Dienssentrum vir Bejaarde Persone, maar na die Covid-19-pandemie in 2020 moes die sentrum sy deure sluit. Sedertdien het die gebou leeg gestaan totdat die huidige besluit geneem is om dit vir gemeenskapsgebruik te heropen.

Die program is gelei deur Rdl. Melvin Roelfse, Burgemeesterskomiteelid vir Gemeenskapsontwikkeling, terwyl Rdl. Marchell Kleynhans, Burgemeesterskomiteelid vir Gemeenskapsdienste, die bedankings gedoen het. Pastoor Allen Spies het die seremonie met ‘n boodskap uit die skrif geopen, en na afloop van die geleentheid is die bejaardes bederf met versnapperings.

Foto’s:

Luwayda Trantraal, voorsitter van die Pacaltsdorp Community Business Association (PCBA)gedurende haar spreekbeurt by die openingseremonie.

Maria Kissen, voorsitter van die Creative Community Development Project (CCDP) spreek die gehoor toe by die seremonie.

Alice Jafta, suster van die afgestorwe, Sandra Tait, wat baanbrekerswerk gedoen het vir die opheffing van die bejaardes van Pacaltsdorp, het ‘n kers aansteek om hulde te bring aan Sandra.

Burgemeester Jackie von Brandis, raadslede en lede van die gemeenskap knip die lint om die gebou oop te verklaar vir die gemeenskap.

Blanche Benjamin van die Erfenistrust het oor die belangrikheid van die erfenis van die perseel gedeel.

Marchell Kleynhans het die bedankings gedoen by die seremonie.

Rdl Melvin Roelfse was die programleier vir die seremonie.