Author: Debra Sauer

We have recently experienced the culmination of Outeniqua High School’s centenary celebrations. The chief whip, Marlene Barnardt and I along with our spouses were privileged to attend their gala dinner for 400 guests on 28 July 2023 where attendees reflected on the achievements of alumni in later life, the dedication of the teaching staff and the enthusiasm of current learners displaying artistic talents, serving meals to guests and their achievements in sport and academia. We could only marvel at the outstanding organisation of the dinner and indeed of all the events.

The success of Outeniqua can be attributed to the teaching staff ably led by excellent headmasters over decades and the support of the parents, alumni, donors, corporates and the public. Schools and the education system form an integral partnership with municipalities and the community.

In my discussions with some of our leading educators it is evident how inter-dependent the stakeholder relationships are as each partner aspires for a more beneficial environment. Schools fulfil a critically important role in society and the municipality continues to play a facilitating role in engaging the provincial department of education to address the particular challenges being experienced within George to meet the increased demand for quality education.

In celebrating Outeniqua’s birthday, we are reminded how fortunate and blessed we are to have many role-players in George’s civil society who enthusiastically champion and care for important causes. This caring nature helps drive our vibrant society.

The enterprise of the Outeniqua community provides inspiration to those of us serving within the public sector to undertake further collaborative efforts to foster linkages and partnerships that will benefit our broader community. In recent years, Council has approved frameworks whereby various whole of society initiatives can be undertaken. The corporate social responsibility and adopt-a-spot frameworks provide opportunities for assistance in numerous fields.

Within our less fortunate communities, we find that many citizens experiencing extreme poverty. The municipality supports around 120 soup kitchens and over 500 vegetable gardens that are operated by caring citizens within these areas. These efforts could do with support through the provision of additional ingredients for nutritious meals, assisting to ensure sustainable gardens, facilitating sporting and hobby activities among youngsters to keep them busy after school and over weekends, etc.

We are experiencing more homelessness around George. While this is a complex societal issue, a whole of society approach can assist in alleviating this deprivation. Within some areas, the bad habit of illegal dumping of refuse has taken hold. Often, the creation of a garden on these sites helps to encourage habits of pride within communities.
Readers who believe they can contribute to a better George are welcome to make contact by emailing: mayor@george.gov.za

George Executive Mayor, Ald Leon van Wyk, paid tribute to Outeniqua High School Centenary celebrations by attending the school’s procession last week.

The procession was held last Friday Morning and made different stops along the way. Outeniqua High School principal, Christo Vorster, presented the Mayor with a certificate of appreciation for the George Municipality’s support. About 1700 people with approximately 25 vehicles, including floats were part of the procession.

Mayor van Wyk will also be attending the Outeniqua High School Centenary Gala dinner.

This momentous occasion started at Outeniqua High School at the Mitchel Street entrance and flowed through Courtenay and York Street and back to the school.

Photos:

In the top photo, Ald Leon van Wyk, dressed in his formal robes of Mayor, waves to the centenary procession of Outeniqua High School.

Principal of Outeniqua High School, Christo Vorster, presented Ald Leon van Wyk, with a certificate of appreciation.

Dr Michele Gratz, Principal Christo Vorster and Mayor Leon van Wyk.

Cllr Dirk Wessels, Portfolio Councillor for Finance and Strategic Services in George Council, Mayor Leon van Wyk with the certificate of appreciation from Outeniqua High School and Principal of Outeniqua High School, Christo Vorster.

Ald Leon van Wyk and Dr Michele Gratz, George Municipal Manager, with the certificate of appreciation from Outeniqua High School and a bunch of the learners from the school that took part in the procession.

George Municipality Legal Department and Traffic Court held a mock traffic court for the Grade 1 class of the George Preparatory School on Nelson Mandela Day. The learners also thanked the Office officials with a song of thanks.

In the photo learners from George Preparatory School during their visit at the George Traffic Court with from left, WO David Sauer (Court Ordinant), Ishenique Felix (Legal Advisor/Assistant Prosecutor), Bongani Mafuya(Court Interpreter), Magistrate Leona Fraser and Adv Megan Hopewell (Prosecutor).

Allodene Jonas, Official in the Legal Department speaks to Lize-Marie Peach and other children during their visit.

Shahida Lekay, Official in the Legal Department speaks to Kelsey Potts.

Marí Müller, Deputy Director: Legal and Compliance listens to the grade 1s thank you song.

Magistrate Leona Fraser with Cayton Beukes and Ronald Petzer.

George Municipality’s Directorate Human Settlements, Planning and Development proudly handed over eleven of their handcrafted blankets to oncology patients at the George Hospital, on Madiba Day.  This is the culmination of two months of work and generous donations by committed staff from the directorate and even other directorates.

The team of four representatives from the Directorate were accompanied by three volunteers from the CANSA Sunflower volunteer group, who kindly made arrangements for the staff to visit these patients and introduced the officials to the patients and nursing staff.

The elderly patients and those that have travelled long distances to the hospital, were respectfully given preference and could pick their favourite from the comforting blankets and the true reward was in witnessing the joy with which these patients received these gifts of love, Delia Power, Deputy Director: Planning and Environment, who was part of the group of staff that delivered the items.

“Our heartfelt thanks to the hospital staff for allowing us to hand over our gifts in person.  Over the course of this project, we have developed sincere compassion for patients suffering from cancer and we admire the great work and loving care the hospital staff members invest into their recovery.  We have developed an appreciation for the charitable work done by the Sunflower volunteers, and we hope that staff will continue to contribute to this cause so Madiba Day kindness will be evident every day,” Power said.

Some of George Municipality’s Directorate Human Settlements, Planning and Development officials, volunteers and nursing personnel at the handover with the blankets.

Some of George Municipality’s Directorate Human Settlements, Planning and Development officials, volunteers and nursing personnel at the handover with the blankets.

In the photo above Freddy Trout from PASA (People Against Substance Abuse George) and Estelle Fredericks from Community Development: George Municipality with the soup and vetkoek that they’ve prepared for the people living on the Streets of George.

Zelda Barnard from Stop Trafficking,  Estelle Fredericks from George Municipality, Petrie Reynecke from Stop Trafficking and  Freddy Trout from PASA (People Against Substance Abuse George) during Nelson Mandela Day celebrations.

A few of the people living on the Streets enjoying the treat of soup and vetkoek in front of the offices of Community Development on the corner of St. John’s and Varing Streets.

Officials assisting in the kitchen.

George Municipality celebrates Nelson Mandela Day by doing different activities in helping the community and building on the legacy of ubuntu in honour of our late President Nelson Mandela.

In the photo above, officials from the Municipal Manager’s Office at George Municipality came together on Mandela Day to make sandwiches and donated it to the George Night Shelter. From left are Kloper Mabunda, Natacha Martins, Heybré Ellis, Zimasa Bulo, Veronica Badenhorst, La-Chuney Janson, Debra Sauer, Sinovuyo Robile, Bongiwe Mgwali and Samantha Sinkfontein.

Rina Smith(middle), Manager:George Night Shelter, welcomed the sandwiches from the George Municipal Manager’s Office, delivered by Samantha Sinkfontein (left) and La-Chuney Janson.

Amptenare van Uniondale en Haarlem het hul deel vir die Nelson Mandeledagvieringe gedoen deur huisnommers op wonings aan te bring, wat nie huisnommers het nie. Indien ‘n huis of ‘n ambulans vinnig by ‘n huis moet uitkom vir nooddienste is huisnommers van kardinale belang. Hier werk die amptenare die huisnommer by ‘n tuiste in Uniondale.

Die amptenare betrokke by die Nelson Mandeladagvieringe is van links, Mariska Freeks, Baseleza Meyer, Erin Human, Jim Meyer, Robyn Parks, Grayham de Bruin en Marowane Ruiters.

George Library had a Nelson Mandela exhibition at the library on Nelson Mandela Day.

Sandile Lingani from George Library spoke to patrons of the library and the rest of the interested public about the legacy of Nelson Mandela during Mandela Day.

Yeboneers working at the libraries treated patrons of the libraries to snack parcels.

Anthony Noble, well-known painter of George, held a demonstration during the day at George Library.