Author: Debra Sauer

NERSA’S DECISION ON ESKOM’S MYPD5 REVENUE APPLICATION

As Executive Mayor of George Municipality, I am writing to you on behalf of the citizens of George, to object in the strongest possible terms to NERSA granting Eskom an increase in the price of electricity of 44% for the 2024/25 financial year. This price increase is not only unaffordable, but unfair and unjust to our citizens.

Our customers, inclusive of residents, small and medium businesses, cannot afford these price increases that is well above the consumer price index (CPI). The vast majority of South Africans find it difficult to make ends meet and this increase will only further exacerbate this fact.

As the energy regulator, NERSA is responsible for providing the necessary guidelines to Eskom to ensure that it fulfils its mandate, based on this, our residents simply cannot be expected to carry the burden of mismanagement at Eskom through exorbitant tariff increases such as this one.

This proposed tariff increase will result in the majority of South Africans being left in a dire situation if approved as is. Our formal and informal businesses will be forced to close their doors as the cost of fuel and food will rise as a result of the increase in the cost of energy.

Any increase considered should at the very least be in line with the CPI inflation rate target of 5.5%. An increase of 44% is therefore simply cannot be ratified.
In addition, Eskom provides no preference to its good customers who regularly pay their accounts, in terms of price increases or regular supply of electricity.

It is an extreme injustice to expect that ordinary citizens of George (and, indeed, residents of every municipality in the country) should be forced to bear the cost of Eskom and its ongoing woes.
I trust that this letter will receive your urgent attention to reverse the price increase that has been granted.

Yours faithfully
J VON BRANDIS
EXECUTIVE MAYOR
GEORGE MUNICIPALITY

The photograph above includes Megan Wolhuter, Georgina Philander, MMC for Community Development, Cllr Melvin Roelfse, Robyn Parks, Nancy Benjamin, Executive Mayor Ald Jackie von Brandis and Cllr Erika Brown at the event. In front is Nozipho Stone.

George Municipality’s women’s event, held in observance of Women’s Month, recently drew approximately 50 local women to Borchards Youth for Christ Hall, paying homage to thousands of women who protested the Pass Law and racial restrictions at the Union Building in Pretoria on August 9, 1956.

Themed “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” the event highlighted the vital role of women in leadership and collective action in driving social change. This year’s theme also focused on addressing gender equality and promoting opportunities for women to rise to leadership roles without facing discrimination.

The event, organised by the Gender and Disability subsection of Community Development, aimed to provide networking opportunities, motivational support, and practical information for women. Participants, including mothers of children enrolled in Kidstop programmes, received valuable insights and skills to improve their lives.

The event received enthusiastic feedback from attendees and was supported by several key stakeholders, including the Executive Mayor of George, Ald Jackie von Brandis, MMC for Community Development, Cllr Melvin Roelfse, Cllr Erika Brown, Department of Social Development and Child Welfare.

Nancy Benjamin, a guest speaker and survivor of gender-based violence (GBV), shared her inspiring journey from victimhood to empowerment. Benjamin, now an entrepreneur, offered a powerful testimony of reclaiming her life and achieving independence.

Additional speakers included social workers from the Department of Social Development and Child Welfare South Africa (CWSA), who addressed critical issues such as GBV, substance abuse, and child protection procedures. The event underscored the importance of continued efforts to support and empower women.

Letitia Cunningham, the event’s master of ceremonies, demonstrated that women can excel in diverse roles, including as master of ceremonies.

A special thanks were extended to SASKO George for their contributions to the day’s success.

Photos:

Mayor Jackie von Brandis addressing the attendees at the event.

Rachel Booysen from Child Welfare addressing the audience on Child Protection issues.

Georgina Philander from Department of Social Development, George speaking to the attendees.

Megan Wolhuter from the Department of Social Development, George doing her bit for Women’s Month.

In the photo above are Andrea Maart and Haily Oktober, officials from Human Resources at the HR Exhibition of the George Municipality at the Banquet Hall.

In a bid to enhance accessibility and communication, the Municipality’s Human Resources department hosted a successful exhibition on August 14, 2024, at the Banquet Hall. The event aimed to provide employees with direct access to essential HR information and services.

Each HR section set up a dedicated stall, offering employees the opportunity to engage with HR officials without the need for appointments. The traffic department was also present to demonstrate and educate employees on road safety. The exhibition covered a wide range of HR services, each tailored to address specific employee needs including,

Benefits – Focusing on updating beneficiary forms to ensure all records are current and accurate.

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)provided crucial safety tips and addressed SHE (Safety, Health, and Environmental) requests. The Performance Management System (PMS) officials explained performance evaluation processes and the probationary review system.

Officials from Training and Development offered guidance on Personal Development Plans and Skill Audit forms to support career growth.

Officials from the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) introduced the newly appointed EAP personnel who detailed the counseling services available.

Labour Relations officials clarified the various Labour Relations processes and procedures.

Officials from Recruitment and Selection highlighted the new online application process and the necessary documentation for job applicants.

Chrystal Spies, Coordinator of the event and HR officials said the HR Exhibition proved to be a valuable resource, fostering a better understanding of available services among employees.

She said the department extends its gratitude to all who participated and visited the various stalls throughout the day.

For more updates on future HR events and services, employees are encouraged to stay connected with the HR department.

Anneli Jansen from Stormwater Services at Civil Engineering said she is happy to be part of this event. She said she had the opportunity to ask questions to HR officials that she was unsure of.

Sylvino Jacobs from Sewerage Networks, Civil Engineering was at the George Traffic stall where he could test the drunk driving goggles. His advice to colleagues and other people is to never drive under the influence of alcohol or other narcotics.

Video link: https://youtu.be/bq2759KjH0o

Photos:

Ayabonga Noyakaza and Chrystal Spies from Human Resources.

Sylvino Jacobs from Sewerage Networks, Civil Engineering  at the George Traffic stall where he could test the drunk driving goggles.

Clive Carolus from the Directorate of Human Settlements, Planning and Development doing a breathalyser test with Edwin Felix from George Traffic Services.

Anneli Jansen and Sharlene Roelfse from Civil Engineering Services.

Joey Muller from George Traffic Services and Juanita Foster from HR at the event.

In the photo above i Sharon Eland-Lewis with her book, Slegs ‘n enkele kans.

Deaf, homeless and quite often in the night shelter, Sharon Eland-Lewis overcame pain, suffering and lots of trials and tribulations to get her first book, Slegs ‘n enkele kans, published. The book was published by The National Library of South Africa, an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture.

Sharon Lewis was raised by her grandparents, Johannes and Johanna Eland, in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape where she completed her matric at Acadia High.

She married in Mossel Bay and had two children.

She walked out of her marriage after her husband became abusive towards her and left her two children in the care of her mother.

After moving to George, she found herself on the streets, homeless and quite often in the night shelter. After becoming fatally ill with MDR TB, she fell into a coma and had kidney failure. Bedridden and deaf, she regained consciousness in the Harry Comay hospital in George.

Her urge, passion and love for the written word drove her to write numerous poems which was published in the George Herald. After numerous inquiries from the public, journalist Michelle Pienaar introduced Sharon to Jeff, the owner of Three Chameleons clubhouse, where she became part of a book club.

After finding a place of her own, Sharon started to write with all eagerness.

Sharon’s book will be launched at George Library on the 21^st August 2024 at 11am. The book is also selected for the Funda Mzantsi Reading Competition, Afrikaans language, which will be held in George from the 23^rd-27 September 2024.

Sharon Eland-Lewis was placed on the agenda of a portfolio committee meeting during 2017 when the Library Department announced that the staff of library service, that is Rachel Williams (Manager:George Libraries), Hazel Springfield and Eurogine Carolus  assisted her with the book by typing the whole publication for her when she approached them for assistance. James de Waal assisted with the proofreading of the book. Rachel Williams contacted Zanele Nikani, the Project Facilitator of the Community Programme at the Publishing National Library of South Africa. Ms Nikani arranged publishing (using the Community Publishing Grant), professional editing and proofreading for the publication. Well-known writer and poet Diana Ferrus assisted with further editing and proofreading of the manuscript. As Sharon is deaf, all correspondence to and from the National Library came through the office of the Library Manager. Although Sharon is vulnerable, extremely poor and a shack dweller, she is a very passionate library patron.

Sharon expressed her heartfelt thanks to the George Municipality, the George Library staff and everyone that assisted her on her journey. She listed all the people she wanted to thank in the book.