Author: Debra Sauer

In the photograph above are Zelda Barnard from Stop Trafficking, Brian Faul from SAHARA and Estelle Fredericks from George Municipality on Christmas day during the Christmas Drive.

On Christmas day members from the People Living on the Streets Forum (PLOTS) with the help of Zelda Barnard from Stop Trafficking and Brian Faul from SAHARA and Estelle Fredericks from George Municipality distributed much-needed food, sanitary packs and snack parcels to the homeless population all over George.

According to Fredericks, this initiative has become an annual tradition to have a Christmas drive. Fredericks said rendering services and giving hope to each and every vulnerable homeless person on Christmas day and spreading goodwill to those less fortunate than ourselves gives them as the givers much joy.

She said the aim is to give people back their dignity and reduce the number of people living on the streets.

The packages delivered to people living on the streets this Christmas.

By now the holiday season is well underway and we trust that visitors to George are thoroughly enjoying themselves as they select from the 60 plus activities available to them. On checking daily scheduled air traffic into George, it is evident that there are almost the equivalent of nine Boeing 737 flights flying in from Johannesburg. It is also noticeable that additional markets have opened this season to display their wares to visitors and locals. The entrepreneurs entering this space are applauded as it opens opportunities for crafters to offer quality products increasing employment.

We recently did a briefing to the tourism stakeholder sector as part of the preparedness for their role in accommodating, feeding and providing activities. All of our municipal services will be extremely active on beaches and at events to assist in providing a safe and peaceful holiday for our visitors. We thank all working teams and volunteers who offer their time and services for the thousands of visitors to our region.

Many visitors may be impressed with the municipal services that are offered in George in comparison to the dysfunctionalities found elsewhere around the country. This achievement flows from a relationship of trust and respect between the political leadership and the administration.

We expect our teams to deliver services at a high standard while also encouraging them to constantly seek better solutions. As a result, this work ethic has driven initiatives to seek improvements and innovations. One such example is how our water team strives to improve the management of water quality and thereby better our rankings. A similar ethos exists across all the other services whether it relates to the time it takes to approve building plans through to the work being done by fire and emergency services and even to increasing collection rates for outstanding debtors. Just recently, the project engineers managing the capital projects proudly announced that they had passed R500 million mark in spending on the R1,2 billion water and waste-water infrastructure project. In terms of total capital and operating expenditure among the 19 intermediate cities in the country, George now ranks at number 11 with an average budgeted weekly expenditure of R78 million for the 2023/24 financial year.

We trust that the pride and work ethic that is demonstrated by the George municipal teams will serve as hope to encourage citizens elsewhere in South Africa to work together to achieve collaboration to strive for better service standards and the maintenance of infrastructure.

We extend best wishes to all our citizens and visitors for an enjoyable festive season as they celebrate Christmas and the New Year with family and friends. Please remain safe on the beaches, during activities and while travelling.

In the photo above, Elmine Vorster, initiator of the programme, “Make your Mark” with an installation on Virginia Woolf by local artist, Arleen Duff, behind her.

George Library recently celebrated locals who made their mark and the boundaries of literature alone were transcended, and the emphasis was on harmonious interaction between the literary text and visual art.

According to Elmine Vorster, George librarian, “Make YOUR Mark 2023” explored the interplay between literary text and visual art, emphasizing how these mediums can enhance and inspire each other.

Workshops and demonstrations were held to showcase the creative process and highlighted the fusion of words and visual material. Two creative writing workshops were presented by Michele Damstra in the reading area of the library. A poetry workshop was presented by Dr. Mike Hagemann and several “Found” poems were created and will be on display in the library in the new year.

Archie Swanson, South African poet, discussed his poems and photography with Wolfgang Schreuder, bookshop owner of ‘Blue Forest”.  A local Artist, Thanduxolo Juta, displayed sculptures of sport heroes and people from different cultures.Children from “Classical Conversations”, create a timeline with their creative posters and displayed it in the foyer. Koos Meyer, a local writer, wrote on his laptop in the foyer and donated his first published book to the library. Ina Meyer, a local award- winning quilter, displayed her quilt: “The book thief” in the library.

Hannes Visser, an AVBOB poetry winner, delivered a copy of his debut novel to George Library.

Vorster said, “Make your Mark” has inspired sustainable initiatives, including ALICE for Adults” meetings held monthly at the George library over the past year and a half. These meetings bring the community together for continued creative exploration and connection.

The last meeting of ALICE for Adults was devoted to the book of curator artist, Lien Botha, “Vin”. This art novel with a link to a website, led to an interactive experience: A rabbit hole of information on books from the library collection and artists from far and near. People from the community received a chapter from the book to use as inspiration for installations displayed in the library.

Vorster said engaging the creative mind with words and visual expression lead to personal growth and community enrichment.

She said the significance of community involvement must be underlined, our library served as a platform for community creativity and collaboration and “Make YOUR Mark” was  an opportunity for everyone to share their unique gifts and contribute to our vibrant cultural landscape.

The George Library has served as a catalyst for creativity, learning and community engagement, “Make YOUR Mark” showcased the power of community collaboration and the library’s pivotal role in fostering creative connections. Vorster said “our mission was accomplished – a space was provided where individuals could explore their artistic potential and connected with others who share a passion for creativity. A public library served to be so many things for so many individuals from our diverse community.

Marietha Smid at her watercolour painting depicting the motto in the book: a quotation from Lewis Carroll’s book: “Alice in wonderland”.

Karin Haremse explaining the bronze sculpture of the boat.

 A poem by Colleen Venter on chapter eight.

As we approach the end of another year, I want to take a moment to usher in the festive season ahead. For many of us, the holidays are a time when we gather together with our loved ones and celebrate the joys of life. It is a time of year where we reminisce on the days and months gone by, a time of year where we look back on the things that we are most thankful for.

During this time of joy and festivities, we must also remember those who are less fortunate and may not have the privilege to celebrate in the way that we are able to. Let us invoke the spirit of the season we are celebrating, open our hearts and share the festive cheer by lending a helping hand to those who need it the most and in any way that we can. I would like to encourage all our citizens to take this moment to try and effect positive change and impact in any way within our communities and our surrounding areas. Let’s spread the festive spirit and cheer wherever we can.

As the Executive Mayor of George Municipality, I would like to extend a hearty welcome to each and every visitor to our beautiful area. While I encourage you to explore everything that our city has to offer, I would also like to implore our visitors and residence to adhere to the protocols that we have put in place to ensure the safety of all our frequenters.  Be safe on our roads, at our beaches and swimming pools and have the most enjoyable time with your friends and loved ones.

To our Christian residents and visitors, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas as you observe the birth (y) our Lord and Saviour.  Have a blessed and safe festive season.

Season’s greetings to you all.

Alderman Leon Van Wyk

Executive Mayor: George Municipality

Burgemeester Feesseisoenboodskap

Soos ons die einde van nóg ‘n jaar nader, wil ek ‘n oomblik neem om die feestyd wat voorlê in te lui. Vir baie van ons is die vakansie ‘n tyd wanneer ons saam met ons geliefdes bymekaarkom en die vreugdes van die lewe vier. Dit is ‘n tyd van die jaar waar ons terugdink aan die dae en maande wat verby is, ‘n tyd van die jaar waar ons terugkyk op die dinge waarvoor ons die meeste dankbaar is.

Gedurende hierdie tyd van vreugde en feesvieringe moet ons ook diegene onthou wat minderbevoorreg is en dalk nie die voorreg het om fees te vier op die manier wat ons kan nie. Kom ons maak ons ​​harte oop in die gees van die seisoen en deel die feestelike vrolikheid deur ‘n helpende hand uit te reik aan diegene wat dit die nodigste het, en op enige manier wat ons kan. Ek wil graag al ons burgers aanmoedig om hierdie oomblik te gebruik om positiewe verandering en impak te bring op enige manier binne ons gemeenskappe en in ons omliggende gebiede te probeer bewerkstellig. Kom ons versprei die feesgees en vrolikheid waar ons ook al kan.

As die Uitvoerende Burgemeester van George Munisipaliteit wil ek elke besoeker verwelkom in ons pragtige gebied. Terwyl ek jou aanmoedig om alles te verken wat ons stad bied, wil ek ook ons ​​besoekers en inwoners versoek om by bywette en wetgewing te hou wat ons ingestel het om die veiligheid van al ons besoekers te verseker. Wees veilig op ons paaie, by ons strande en swembaddens en geniet die lekkerste tyd saam met jou vriende en geliefdes.

Aan ons Christen-inwoners en besoekers wil ek julle almal ‘n baie Geseënde Kersfees toewens terwyl julle die geboorte van ons Here en Verlosser vier. Geniet ‘n geseënde en veilige feesseisoen.

Seisoengroete aan julle almal.

Raadsheer Leon Van Wyk

Uitvoerende Burgemeester: George Munisipaliteit

In the photo above the concrete foundations are the bases of the equipment to be installed. Following this, is to put up the steel structure and once this is done, the equipment can be mounted on it.

George Municipality has made great strides in its efforts to supply citizens with a more reliable power supply by installing transformers of which one is at the Glenwood substation. According to Daniel Greeff, Deputy Director: Planning and Design, Electrotechnical Services, work on the project was hampered by rain but the various foundations for the 66kV equipment have now been completed.  Next up will be the steel structures whereafter the equipment can be mounted. Greeff noted that this is very precise work give the equipment must be mounted at specified heights and the structure itself must be signed off by a structural engineer to ensure that it can withstand the forces on the equipment during a possible fault.

Greeff noted that the oil containment system is also on track with the fencing and stormwater management channel completed. The “oil containment dam” can also be seen in the pictures. This is required during emergencies for the collection of the oil.  The firewalls which prevent a fire at one transformer from affecting or spreading to another have been completed.

Greeff said there will be three transformers at the plant and two smaller transformers with forced cooling. “The existing two transformers will be upgraded to the specifications of the new third transformer. The existing two forced cool transformers will be reused at the Protea Substation to increase the capacity there. The new transformers have been ordered and will be delivered on or before June 2024 according to current planning,” Greeff said. The Glenwood transformer is a 20 MVA 66kV/11kV and will be added to the existing two 20 MVA transformers to assist with the growing demand in the east of George and surrounds.

Mayor Leon van Wyk said previously, that the installation of these transformers solidifies the municipality’s quest to capacitate and supply adequate electricity to the city of George while also catering for growth.

 The oil containment system is also on track at the Glenwood substation.

In the photograph above: Mzimkhulu Mabhoza, Buysile Ngemtu from the California Settlement and Ward Councillor Siphelo Manxele, with representatives from Buffalo Tanks, Jürgen Graupe, Co-owner and Manager: Sanitation, Ruben Graupe, Junior Project Manager and Siegfried Graupe Co-owner and Manager: Administration and Design.

George Municipality recently rolled out the first project of an alternative sanitation solution, a bio-separator toilet system in California Informal Settlement, Thembalethu, by Buffalo Tanks.

According to Wendy Mentor: Manager: New Housing at George Municipality, the system contains a tank that is completely submerged underground where the sludge is being treated and it disintegrates from there. There is no way that people can reach the tank. The system was approved by the Water Services Board, which tested the technology. “Our pilot system is going excellent, we’ve had no complaints with the 13 toilets that have been installed,” Mentor said.

Mentor said the George Municipality advertised a tender for the implementation of an alternative sanitation solution in Informal Settlements where the area cannot be connected to the sewer network.  “A pilot project was launched for three months to test the implemented technology.  Buffalo Tanks was awarded the contract for the implementation over three years,” Mentor said.

Mentor said the California Informal Settlement was chosen as a pilot as the Councillor of Ward 21 discussed the need and shortage of toilets in this settlement. There is a total of 203 structures in the settlement and only had 3 flush toilets and one chemical toilet, before the installation of the 13 alternative sanitation solution toilets.

According to Jürgen Graupe, co-owner of Buffalo Tanks, that installed the system, they only used people living in the area for labour and workers were paid per toilet. Buffalo Tanks did the coupling of the toilets. The toilets are anchored securely, and the raw materials used for the toilets are also manufactured in George. Graupe said the material of the toilet is also UV resistant, so the sun cannot damage it. It is built so that no pipes or features can be vandalised.

Buffalo Tanks were also awarded a month-to-month contract to service the toilet system. Graupe said the servicing involves only the adding of enzymes and bacteria into the system to assist the biological process and to make sure everything is clean and neat and working properly. As the project grows and more toilets are installed, the company trains and pays local people to do the maintenance.

Mentor said people were a desperate need of additional toilets as the national norm is 1 toilet for 5 structures.

According to Lauren Waring, Director of Planning, Human Settlements and Development at George, this project aims to replace the use of chemical toilets (funding permitting) over the next three years with the new alternative sanitation technology as it is a fully flush unit.

After the award of the contract, a funding request was submitted to the Department of Infrastructure for the roll-out to Informal Settlements where we cannot connect to the sewer system.

Ward Councillor of Ward 21, Cllr Siphelo Manxele, thanked the Municipality for this excellent project. He said he is looking forward to seeing more of these projects in his ward and the rest of Thembalethu.

The end-users in the settlement are happy with this new technology and indicated that their dignity has been restored and that it is an upgrade from the chemical toilets and much more hygienic.

In the photograph above the festive lights were switched on in Pacaltsdorp

The Pacaltsdorp Lights Festival was a resounding success and attracted between 900 to 1100 people inside and outside the Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre. Cllr Raybin Figland, Deputy Mayor of George officially opened the festive season by switching the festive lights on at the Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre. He wished Georgians and visitors alike a blessed and joyous Festive Season. The line-up of artists and choirs that performed at the event focussed on the spirit of Christmas with well-loved Carols.

The Pacaltsdorp Minister’s Fraternal with their spouses were part of the celebrations with Cllrs Theresa Jeyi, Marchelle Kleynhans and Ebrahim America supporting the event on behalf of George Council. George Municipality thanked the Fraternal for their involvement and support of the festival.

The Pacaltsdorp Lights Festival remains a very important event on the yearly calendar of George Municipality as it aims to contribute to the start of a good and cheery festive season for all, showcasing some of George’s best talent, entertaining the children and providing much-needed opportunities to local traders that had food and arts/crafts stalls at the event.

Cllr Figland thanked all George Municipality’s departments involved in making the festival a success and also thanked the South African Police Services (SAPS), Pacaltsdorp and local Neighbourhood Watch groups that kept everyone safe during the festivities. A big thank you to all the choirs and artists that performed and made the event a success.

Executive Deputy Mayor of George, Cllr Raybin Figland, with member of the Pacaltsdorp Minister’s Fraternal and their spouses at the Pacaltsdorp Lights Festival.

A buzzing of people at the stalls at the event.

Deputy Mayor Raybin Figland officially switches the Christmas lights after the Pacaltsdorp Mass choir assisted him in the countdown.

People from all over George gathered earlier on Sunday to enjoy the Lights Festival at the Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre.

In the photo above: Pieces of new stainless-steel pipes transported to the Garden Route Dam and offloaded.

George Municipality has awarded a construction contract for the upgrade (enlargement) of the raw water suction supply pipe from the intake tower in the Garden Route Dam to the two raw water pumpstations. The work will be completed by July 2024 and will not impact recreational activities around the dam for most of the construction duration including the festive season. There will be a short period of time next year when the contractor will do some upgrading off the approach road to the parking area and the public will be notified timeously when that occurs.

The construction on site has started with delivery of the new 800 mm diameter stainless steel pipes and installation of a crawl beam in the tunnel under the dam wall. The current raw water supply pipe is an aged 600 mm diameter asbestos-cement pipe, which requires upgrading to cater for the additional capacity required in future years. The new pipe will have a capacity of 1200 litres per second, which will be able to supply both pumpstations and allow them to operate simultaneously. The pumpstations will then in future be able to pump up to 100 million litres of raw water per day to the balancing dams and water treatment plants to supply in the medium to long term future potable water demand for George.

During the construction period, involving the removal of the old existing pipe and installation of the new stainless-steel pipe, the raw water supply to the pumpstations will be pushed through an existing adjacent pipe, which will be connected to the pumpstations through a new cross-connection. After completion of the installation of the new stainless steel supply pipe, this existing adjacent pipe will be closed off from the tower intake and pumpstations and be returned to function as a dedicated dam scour pipe. The adjacent pipe can also be used in emergencies. The project also includes other minor upgrades to the access and surrounds of the dam and pumpstations to improve various safety aspects.

Photos:

Pieces of new stainless-steel pipes transported to the Garden Route Dam and offloaded.

Workers busy with the crawl beam installation. It is used to remove the 3-meter old pipeline pieces and in turn also used to bring in and move the stainless pipe pieces to where they need to be installed. The installation is permanent and is also being done with safety measures in mind.

Pieces of new stainless-steel pipes transported to the Garden Route Dam and offloaded.

Workers busy with the crawl beam installation. It is used to remove the 3-meter old pipeline pieces and in turn also used to bring in and move the stainless pipe pieces to where they need to be installed. The installation is permanent and is also being done with safety measures in mind.