Author: Debra Sauer

GO GEORGE has embarked on a passenger- and pedestrian-safety campaign to remind passengers as well as the general public to be alert and stay safe around buses.

Champions can be seen in York Street at the bus stops in front of the Post Office as well as the stop next to Eden Technical High School where they currently hand out pamphlets. Engaging with passengers and pedestrians, they warn in particular about the unsafe crossing of busy streets in front of or from behind the bus, and especially at these stops in York Street.

“The safety of pedestrians at and near bus stops is as much the concern of GO GEORGE as the safety of passengers on the buses,” says GO GEORGE Manager, James Robb. “It is not safe to cross a roadway right in front of or behind a bus, even if it is stationary. Motorists overtaking the bus may not see you crossing.”

Robb notes that the bus stops have intentionally been placed to be near a zebra pedestrian crossing or an intersection with a pedestrian crossing. “In some instances, crossings are paved or built up to allow a seamless and direct walking experience and force motorists to slow down. This is where you want to cross to be safe. In suburbs or areas where there are no crossings, passengers should wait until after the bus has departed before they cross the road.”

Talking about visibility when people cross the street in front or from behind a bus, he explains that intersections are designed to allow maximum visibility of pedestrians.

“Cars are forced to reduce speed or to come to a complete stop. Please walk the short distance to the nearest crossing and be safe,” Robb urges all pedestrians.

GO GEORGE has compiled a passenger safety pamphlet containing important tips for passenger safety before boarding the bus, on the bus, and after leaving the bus. While adhering to Covid safety precautions such as wearing masks, sanitising their hands regularly and not getting too close to people they engage with, GO GEORGE communication champions use the pamphlets to alert the public to behave safely and responsibly.
For any information or assistance regarding the bus service, please phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, visit www.gogeorge.org.za, send an email to info@gogeorge.org.za or visit the GO GEORGE Facebook page to stay up to date with the latest bus-related news.

CAPTION:
GO GEORGE Community Liaison Officer, Tyron Jeyi, explains to Bradley Claasen how close the pedestrian crossing is to the bus stop, and why it is safest to cross the busy street at that point and not in the vicinity of the bus. Bradley works at Fancourt and travels into town from Rosedale, transferring to the Blanco route at the Post Office.

PERSVERKLARING: GO GEORGE fokus op voetgangerveiligheid rondom busse
Uitgereik 30 Julie 2021

GO GEORGE het begin met ‘n passasier- en voetgangerveiligheidsveldtog om passasiers sowel as die algemene publiek te herinner om waaksaam te wees en veilig te bly in die omgewing van busse.

Passasiersdiensbeamptes is tans in Yorkstraat by die bushaltes voor die poskantoor asook die bushalte langs die Eden Tegniese Hoërskool besig om pamflette uit deel. In hul omgang met passasiers en voetgangers waarsku hulle veral oor die onveilige kruising van besige strate voor of van agter die bus, en veral by hierdie bushaltes in Yorkstraat.

“GO GEORGE is net so besorg oor die veiligheid van voetgangers by en naby bushaltes as oor die veiligheid van passasiers op die busse,” sê GO GEORGE-bestuurder, James Robb. “Dit is nie veilig om ‘n pad reg voor of agter ‘n bus oor te steek nie, al is die bus stilstaande. Motoriste wat die bus verbysteek, gaan jou moeilik raaksien.”

Robb wys daarop dat die bushaltes doelbewus naby ‘n sebravoetgangeroorgang of ‘n kruising met ‘n voetgangeroorgang geplaas is. “In sommige gevalle word kruisings geplavei of opgebou om ‘n naatlose en direkte loopervaring toe te laat en motoriste te dwing om stadiger te ry. Dit is waar jy wil oorstap om veilig te wees. In voorstede of gebiede waar daar geen kruisings is nie, moet passasiers wag tot nadat die bus vertrek het voordat hulle die pad oorsteek.”

Oor sigbaarheid wanneer mense die straat voor of van agter ‘n bus oorsteek, verduidelik hy dat kruisings ontwerp is om maksimum sigbaarheid van voetgangers toe te laat.

“Motors word gedwing om spoed te verminder of om volledig tot stilstand te kom. Stap asseblief die kort afstand na die naaste kruising en wees veilig,” doen Robb ‘n beroep op alle voetgangers.
GO GEORGE het ‘n pamflet saamgestel wat belangrike wenke vir passasiers bevat oor veiligheid voordat hulle op die bus klim, op die bus, en nadat hulle die bus verlaat het. Met inagneming van Covid-voorsorgmaatreëls soos die dra van maskers, gereelde ontsmetting van hande en ‘n veilige afstand van die mense met wie hulle kommunikeer, gebruik GO GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeamptes die pamflette om die publiek te waarsku om veilig en verantwoordelik op te tree.

Vir enige inligting of hulp met betrekking tot die busdiens, skakel asseblief die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044, besoek www.gogeorge.org.za, stuur ‘n e-pos aan info@gogeorge.org.za of besoek die GO GEORGE Facebook-blad om op hoogte te bly van die jongste busverwante nuus.

Onderskrif:
GO GEORGE-gemeenskapskakelbeampte, Tyron Jeyi, verduidelik aan Bradley Claasen hoe naby die voetgangeroorgang aan die bushalte is, en waarom dit die veiligste is om die besige straat daar oor te steek en nie in die omgewing van die bus nie. Bradley werk by Fancourt en ry vanaf Rosedale dorp toe met die bus en klim by die poskantoor oor op die Blanco-roete.

The brand new netball court at the Parkdene/Maraiskamp Sport ground is fully tarred after it has been built from scratch and will get its final synthetic covering this financial year. This covering will be durable and flexible. All of George netball courts are upgraded to the same standard so our players can be World Cup ready for the South Africa 2023 Netball World Cup that will be held in Cape Town hosted at Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

This will mark the first time the tournament will be held in Africa. At the new court are George Executive Mayor Ald Leon van Wyk with the ball. To his right is Leveinia Botha (Sports Development), and to the far left is Shanold Marillac (Senior Manager: Sports Development, Social Development and Libraries) as well as Granville Campher (Manager: Sports Development).

Golden Valley Housing Project steadily moving forward
Issued George Municipality, 14th July 2021

The Golden Valley Housing Project in Blanco is moving forward steadily and another three houses were handed over to families last week. The project is currently in Phase 1 which consists of the building of 136 top structures (actual houses) to qualifying beneficiaries. Six completed houses including last week’s three have been handed over to date . Only those houses where the electricity connections were fully finished were handed over.
Cllr Raybin Figland, Portfolio Councillor of Human Settlements, said this just another way George Municipality is saying “we care about our people. We will continue to build on our success and stay with our mandate to deliver to our people,” Figland said.
Cllr Jean Safers, Ward Councillor for the area, said the people who received homes are relieved that this day is here. “I help and attend to these people who have problems in the informal settlement with their huts as soon as we experience heavy weather. I feel happy with the beneficiaries today.”

One of the beneficiaries, Joseph Fouche, gave all the glory to God for his new home. Andrew Fortuin said “I am grateful and I feel wonderful.” Maria Saaiman said she is so happy.

According to Charles Lubbe, Director: Human Settlements, the beneficiaries had been identified earlier and the subsidies approved by the Western Cape Provincial Department of Human Settlements. The Golden Valley housing project will accommodate all residents of the informal areas in Blanco, although not all will receive top structures. Qualifying families where the participants are older than 35 years, and whose monthly income is less than R3 500, receive top structures. Other residents of the informal area who do not meet the latter criteria receive a serviced erf. A serviced erf contains sewerage services with a toilet, a water connection and electricity connection.

The contractor, Marnol, has been appointed by the Provincial Department of Human Settlements to complete the project. It is envisaged that the projected completion date of the project will be November 2021.

Captions:
Blanco 1: Cllr Raybin Figland, Portfolio Councillor of Human Settlements welcomes Joseph Fouche, his sister, Marinda Fouche and her daughter Jolene (3) to their new home. With them are from left, Mbulelo Suping from Marnol Projects, Ward Councillor Jean Safers and on the far right is Madoda Bokwe, a Human Settlements official.
Blanco2: Maria Saaiman receives her house keys from Cllr Raybin Figland with her daughter, Elizabeth, looking on.
Blanco 3: Andrew Fortuin with the handing over of his house. Officially handing over the home is Cllr Figland and to the far left is housing official, Madoda Bokwe.

MANDELA DAY: GO GEORGE supports community initiatives
GO GEORGE staff always enjoy demonstrating care and compassion by giving of their personal time to the community on Mandela Day.

This year, as was the case in 2020, Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and safety measures limited the ways of reaching out and making a difference. However, there is always some way to send a message of care to those in need, and to support the organisations and volunteers dedicated to improving their lives.

Generous donations from the GO GEORGE staff in their personal capacity made it possible to deliver 20 care packs to the Phambili Refuge for Women and Children, as well as bread and soup ingredients to CREMHOG, an organisation providing food to the homeless, amongst other initiatives. A few staff members also decided to donate blood.

James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, expressed the commitment of the bus service and all stakeholders to the upliftment of the George community. “Our staff’s personal contributions towards the Mandela Day initiative are but a token of our commitment towards building the caring society that Madiba has envisioned and strived for,” he said.

CAPTIONS:
PHAMBILI:
Contributions from GO GEORGE staff made it possible to deliver 20 care packs to the Phambili Refuge for Women and Children. Receiving the donation is Megan October from Phambili (left), with Basil Myners (GO GEORGE Communications Team) and Tyron Jeyi (GO GEORGE Community Liaison Officer).

CBD FOOD INITIATIVE:
GO GEORGE staff donated soup packs and bread in support of CREMHOG, a volunteer organisation providing food to the homeless. Handing over the donation to André Olivier (far right) are Basil Myners (GO GEORGE Communications Team), left, and Tyron Jeyi (GO GEORGE Community Liaison Officer).
BLOOD DONATION – 2 photos:
To support the Mandela Day initiative of giving back to the community, Cecil Barry and Nondumiso Buthelezi, members of the GO GEORGE system planning team, donated blood at the Western Cape Blood Service.

MANDELA-DAG: GO GEORGE ondersteun gemeenskapsinisiatiewe
Uitgereik 18 Julie 2021

GO GEORGE-personeel geniet dit altyd om omgee en deernis te toon deur van hul persoonlike tyd aan die gemeenskap te gee op Mandela-dag.

Vanjaar, soos in 2020 ook die geval was, het Covid-19-inperkings en -veiligheidsmaatreëls die maniere waarop mense kan uitreik om ‘n verskil te maak, beperk. Daar is egter altyd ‘n plan te make om ‘n boodskap van omgee te stuur aan diegene in nood, en om die organisasies en vrywilligers wat toegewy is aan die verbetering van hul lewens te ondersteun.

Ruim skenkings van die GO GEORGE-personeel in hul persoonlike hoedanigheid het dit moontlik gemaak om onder meer 20 sorgpakkies aan die Phambili-toevlugsoord vir vroue en kinders te oorhandig, asook brood- en sopbestanddele aan CREMHOG, ‘n organisasie wat kos aan die haweloses verskaf. ‘n Paar personeellede het ook besluit om bloed te skenk.
James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, het die verbintenis van die busdiens en alle belanghebbendes tot die opheffing van die George-gemeenskap uitgespreek. “Ons personeel se persoonlike bydraes tot die Mandela-dag-inisiatief is maar ‘n klein gebaar van verbintenis tot die bou van die omgee-samelewing wat Madiba gevisualiseer en nagestreef het,” het hy gesê.

Byskrifte:
PHAMBILI:
Bydraes van GO GEORGE-personeel het dit moontlik gemaak om 20 sorgpakkies aan die Phambili-toevlugsoord vir vroue en kinders te lewer. Hier ontvang Megan October van Phambili (links), die skenking van Basil Myners (GO GEORG-kommunikasiespan) en Tyron Jeyi (GO GEORGE-gemeenskapskakelbeampte).
CBD FOOD INITIATIVE:
GO GEORGE-personeel het soppakkies en brood geskenk ter ondersteuning van CREMHOG, ‘n vrywilligersorganisasie wat kos aan die haweloses verskaf. Hier ontvang André Olivier (heel regs) die skenking van Basil Myners (GO GEORGE-kommunikasiespan), links, en Tyron Jeyi (GO GEORGE-gemeenskapskakelbeampte).
BLOEDSKENKING – 2 foto’s:
Om die Mandela-dag-inisiatief om terug te gee aan die gemeenskap te ondersteun, het Cecil Barry en Nondumiso Buthelezi, lede van die GO GEORGE-stelselbeplanningspan, bloed by die Wes-Kaapse Bloeddiens geskenk.

George Municipality is currently busy with the construction of platform B of the new composting plant to be established at the George Landfill site on the R102 (airport road). The main reason for this facility is to address the extraction of organic and garden waste. Currently, collected household waste is disposed of at the Petro SA landfill site, and the ability to extract organic waste means that food waste and garden refuse will be taken to the compost facility rather than being disposed of at Petro SA. The end goal is that only non-recyclable material must go to the landfill.

The facility will assist the municipality in the reduction and re-use of waste, in particular green and organic waste. The Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) has set targets for all local municipalities to have an organic waste management plan with targets. The first target will be that by 2022 the municipality is diverting 50% of their organic waste, and by 2027 there must be a total ban of organic waste at the landfill site. This facility places the municipality in a better position to respond to these targets. The portion of organic waste currently disposed of at the Petro SA landfill site equates to approximately 15340 tons per year. This waste is currently landfilled and it could be utilised if composted.

According to Allen Paulse, Director of Community Services, the plant should start operating in early 2022 as soon as a service provider is appointed through the Supply Chain Management process. Green waste will be diverted from the landfill to the platforms where it will be further processed into compost by the service provider. Once garden refuse is diverted to the composting facility, there will be an opportunity to use a portion of the Gwaing WDF as a facility for the crushing of builders’ rubble and re-use it for other purposes.

The project is currently halfway with the completion of platform A and platform B that is in process. The plant has also been fenced. The city is committed to waste reduction, not only because the region was running out of landfill space but also because it is the environmentally right thing to do. Waste management is increasingly expensive, which ultimately impacts on our citizens.

Our residents are encouraged to recycle their waste by using the blue and green bag system.
Uncollected BLACK bags 044 802 2900/20/27 or ymali@george.gov.za / jstuurman@george.gov.za
Uncollected GREEN and BLUE bags: 044 878 0688/ lgewaste@george.gov.za mabotha@george.gov.za /jstuurman@george.gov.za

Caption
Platform B of the new composting plant is in process.

CWP Clean green team assisting George Municipal Cleansing team

More than 200 workers from the Community Worker’s Programme of government are assigned to a clean and green project to assist the Community Services Directorate’s cleansing department. These workers work twice a week to pick up litter on sidewalks and illegal dumping sites. They are assigned to work in Rosemoor, Parkdene, Borcherds, Blanco, Uniondale and Pacaltsdorp. The Community Work Programme (CWP) was established to provide an employment safety net to eligible members of target communities by offering them a minimum number of regular days of work each month.

The governmental programme targets unemployed people. The stipends participants receive from the government programme supplement their existing livelihood means and provide them with a basic level of income security. They also assists those whose livelihood activities are insufficient to lift them out of abject poverty.

The programme provides them with extra cash to support them in their search for full-time or part-time employment. Programme participants do community work thereby contributing to improvements that benefit all community members.

Captions:
1.The clean green team cleans in Rosedale.

Werkers van Reinigingsdienste het die afgelope paar dae hand bygesit om op te ruim by die George tennisbane langs Outeniqua Park stadion. Baie vullis het rondgestrooi gelê na die gure weer wat George die afgelope tyd gehad het. Sien foto’s aangeheg van die span wat opruimingswerk doen en die skoon tennisbane.

The GO GEORGE bus service has made extra effort during Youth Month to get the Covid-safety message across to the youth and to create awareness of the role each member of society needs to fulfil during the pandemic.

Engaging with learners in a safe way without visiting schools and addressing groups of children, the GO GEORGE communication champions have been visiting bus stops near the schools to hand out small, refillable bottles of hand sanitiser branded with a message from Georgie, the GO GEORGE mascot: Your safety, our concern. Learners were also reminded to keep a safe distance, to wear their masks correctly, covering both the mouth and nose, and never to pull it down when talking to someone.

Commemorating Youth Month, young people between the ages of 12 and 20 were invited to participate in a lucky draw which could be accessed from the GO GEORGE Facebook page. The lucky winner has received a GO GEORGE drawstring bag with a variety of branded items.

For more information or any bus-related enquiries, please phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, visit the website www.gogeorge.org.za, or follow the GO GEORGE Facebook page for the latest news and service updates.

CAPTION:
The George High School learners were surprised and happy to be handed a pocket-sized and refillable bottle of hand sanitiser from the GO GEORGE communication champions.

JEUGMAAND: GO GEORGE fokus op jongmense en Covid-veiligheid
Uitgereik 5 Julie 2021

Die GO GEORGE-busdiens het gedurende Jeugmaand ekstra moeite gedoen om die Covid-veiligheidsboodskap aan die jeug oor te dra en om bewustheid te skep van die rol wat elke lid van die gemeenskap tydens die pandemie moet vervul.
Om op ‘n veilige manier met leerders te kommunikeer sonder om skole te besoek en groepe kinders toe te spreek, het die GO GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeamptes bushaltes naby die skole besoek om klein, hervulbare botteltjies handreiniger uit te deel. Leerders is ook daaraan herinner om ‘n veilige afstand te hou, hul maskers korrek te dra, beide die mond en neus te bedek, en dit nooit af te haal wanneer hulle met iemand praat nie.

Ook om Jeugmaand te gedenk, is jongmense tussen die ouderdomme van 12 en 20 genooi om deel te neem aan ‘n gelukstrekking via die GO GEORGE Facebook-blad. Die gelukkige wenner het ‘n GO GEORGE-toerygsak ontvang met ‘n verskeidenheid handelsmerkitems.
Vir meer inligting of enige busverwante navrae, skakel asseblief die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044, besoek die webwerf www.gogeorge.org.za, of volg die GO GEORGE Facebook-blad vir die jongste nuus- en dienskennisgewings.

Byskrif:
Die Hoërskool George-leerders was verras en bly om ‘n sakgrootte, hervulbare botteltjie met handreiniger van die GO GEORGE- passasiersdiensbeamptes te ontvang.

GEORGE MUNICIPALITY BACKS LOCAL SURFER, BIANCA BUITENDAG FOR THE 2020 TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES

George Municipality has partnered with local, soon- to be- Olympian, Bianca Buitendag, a surfer who has qualified for the upcoming global event, in her quest to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games. This partnership shall see the municipality support the Victoria Bay born and raised Bianca Buitendag in her preparation for the Olympic Games set for 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Japan. Owing to the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the municipality decided to support and extend financial assistance to the local superstar in their bid to support local talent, while at the same time promoting the destination as a premier surfing destination.

Bianca is a well-seasoned surfer who has been competing on the World Surfing League (WSL) Championship Tour from 2013 to 2019 as South Africa’s top female surfer. In 2019 she was the captain of the South African team at the International Surfing Association (ISA) 2019 World Championships where she finished 3rd (Bronze) and subsequently qualified for the Olympic Games together with Jordy Smith. Out of the water, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance & Accounting Management attained at North-Eastern University in Boston, USA.
Surfing will be featuring in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games for the first time ever and South Africa shall be represented by Bianca and Jordy Smith.

Bianca will be an ambassador for George and a key asset in promoting George as a tourist, and particularly a great surfing destination. George Municipality is situated in the Garden Route District of the Western Cape, often revered as “the Garden Route’s crown” owing to its majestic views and pristine beaches. The partnership will be the first of its kind for George Municipality, with the Olympic Games providing the perfect platform.
Commenting on the significance of this partnership, Bianca said, “Having grown up and raised in Victoria Bay, it’s an absolute privilege to represent my community and make them proud as I compete at the Olympic Games”. George offers some of the best surfing conditions owing to its high-performance waves at Victoria Bay and she hopes her efforts at the Olympics will be good enough to inspire young girls from across South Africa to pursue their dreams.

George Municipality will benefit from Bianca’s significant social media following along with her support for locally based charity initiatives. She is currently involved in several local projects and hopes to make a bigger impact working much more closely with the Municipality than ever before. “We look forward to partnering with Bianca to promote the town as an attractive tourist destination. Bianca’s profile and professionalism are exemplary to the kind of role models the town wishes to produce and inspire; we wish her all the best of luck at the Olympic Games”, says Executive Mayor of George Municipality, Alderman Leon van Wyk. Commenting on the developments, Joan Shaw, George’s Tourism Manager remarked, “George is fortunate to have a high-calibre surfing beach and we are delighted that our waves have played a role leading up to Bianca competing at the Olympics, the pinnacle of her surfing career so far. We are thrilled that a surfer at her level of influence will be promoting our destination to surfers worldwide as a preferred destination to enjoy the waves. We wish her all the best as she competes – George is rooting for you!”

For further information, please contact:

Head of Sponsorships: Kudzi Nzombe – Accelerate Sport
+27 (0)736402029/021 671 7573
kudzi@acceleratesport.com

Photographs by Ian Thurtell

George Mayor announces winners of Municipal Poster Competition on Energy Sustainability

The George Municipality’s Poster Competition on Energy Sustainability came to an end on Monday 7th June, when the two winning schools in the high school and primary school categories, Outeniqua High School and Outeniqua Primary School were announced and the Mayor of George presented them with their prizes.

Mayor van Wyk was in awe of the standard of work of both the primary and high school learners. He told the learners that he is not only impressed by their artwork but by their thinking. “We are all experiencing the inconvenience of loadshedding. We need to move into other forms of energy by wind, sun and other methods. This is the future of our world and our world is changing rapidly. It is awesome that you are part of that change,” he said.
Van Wyk said to the learners that you are the generation that will use renewable energy and it is great that you had this opportunity to showcase your thoughts. He congratulated the winners and thanked all of the schools that participated and made the competition a success.

The first prize winners (Primary and High School) both received a R5000 stationery voucher. The second prize in the primary school category went to Mzoxolo Primary school who received a R2000 stationery voucher. The third prize winner in the Primary School category is Holy Cross Convent and won a R1000 stationery voucher.
The second prize winner in the High School category is Parkdene High School and won a R1500 stationery voucher. There is no third prize for high schools as there were only 3 participating schools.

In total 10 schools participated, 3 High Schools and 7 Primary Schools. All the learners who participated in the competition received goody bag packages as a token of appreciation. The other schools that participated were Kretzenshoop Primary School, Hibernia Primary School, Dellville Park Primary School, McKinley Reid High School and Thembalethu Primary School.

Thabo Yiga from the Electrotechnical Directorate who drove the project with the other interns at the Directorate, thanked all the ten schools for participating in the George Municipality’s Energy Sustainability Competition. “The posters clearly show that the learners took the competition seriously and worked hard to produce quality work,” Yiga said.

Learners were meant to reflect their understanding of Energy Sustainability in the poster. The posters were judged by effort, art and creativity and message.
Some of the teachers and learners shared their experiences during the competition.
Leoni Selzer, Art teacher at Outeniqua Primary School said the process taught them how very important it is to save the world we live in and it was an incredibly great opportunity for the learners to research their own work and work on their art pieces.

Kyla Nel (12), a grade 6 learner, said she wanted to make people aware that our earth is dying.
Linske Steenkamp (11), also a grade 6 learner, said she drew an eye with the idea to change people’s view on how they saw the world, how we are to fix people’s eyes on the problem we need to solve.

An-Sophie Buchholz (12), a grade 7 pupil, said her painting depicted the earth warming up to the extent that it has a detrimental effect on the survival of wildlife like the polar bear.
Mari Coetzee, Art teacher at Outeniqua High School, said it was important to them to participate in the competition to get our younger generation thinking about preserving nature and thinking of alternative solutions to our energy needs.

Marlo Barnard (16), a grade 11 learner, said it was great coming together as a team, while his teammate, Wessel Janse van Rensburg (17), grade 11, said they are grateful for the opportunity and had loads of fun. They have used recycled paper from old exam books and magazines for the task.

George Municipality is part of the Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) programme funded by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The Municipality received grant funding of R4.5 million for the solar PV project at the George Municipality Main Building parking area and part of the requirements is to spend 1% of that grant funding on creating an energy awareness campaign.

Sustainable energy is power which is able to be replenished within a human lifetime and so cause no long-term damage to the environment. Sustainable energy includes all renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectricity, biomass, geothermal, wind, wave, tidal and solar energies.

Captions:

Outeniqua High School: Outeniqua High School is the winner out of the three competing high schools in the George Municipality’s Energy Sustainability Poster Competition. Here Mayor Van Wyk hands over the winning cheque to principal Christo Vorster (with black jacket). At the back from left are Mphielo Ramotsai, Electrotechnical Directorate, two of the winning learners with the winning poster, Wessel Janse van Rensburg, Marlo Barnard, Art teacher Mari Coetzee and Thabo Yiga, Electrotechnical Directorate. The poster that was made mostly of recycled material says: Power “of” Nature. The “of” word is cleverly formed and hidden into one of the windmills. All the prize-winners are mentioned in the full page advert in the George Herald 10 June 2021.

Outeniqua Primary: Outeniqua Primary School is the winner in the category Primary Schools, in the George Municipality’s Energy Sustainability Poster Competition. They have beaten six other schools to the first prize. In the middle of the picture is the Executive Mayor of George, Ald Leon van Wyk (with the dark suit) handing the winning cheque of R5000 to Dr Nico Venter, School Principal. To the Mayor’s left are Mphielo Ramotsai and Thabo Yiga, Electrotechnical Directorate who drove the project. To Dr Venter’s right is the Art teacher that assisted the learners in the project, Leoni Selzer. Around them are all the learners who are part of the group that won the competition.

Thembalethu’s new 66 kV Substation to improve reliability and provide adequate capacity of electrical supply
Issued George Municipality, 28 June 2021, for immediate release

A new 66 kV municipal substation planned for Thembalethu will not only provide adequate capacity for growth in the area, but also improve the reliability of the electrical supply and provide additional job opportunities as the electrification projects are completed. The planning for the substation goes as far back as 20 years ago, when the Ballots Bay 11 kV substation in the southern part of Thembalethu was established. This 11 kV substation project at the time also made provision for a 66 kV substation. The electrical masterplans for George indicated that a 66 kV substation would be needed in the future. An Environmental Impact Study (EIA) was finalized in 2008 to gain approval for the 66 kV powerline routes to the various proposed substations in George which included the powerlines to Thembalethu.

In 2011, the new 132 kV Schaapkop substation was established to provide sufficient capacity after the existing ESKOM bulk supply had reached capacity in George, following the growth in electricity demand in George and Thembalethu. The bulk municipal electrical supply to Thembalethu also reached capacity and had to be increased to enable the electrification program to continue.
A presentation was made to the George Council in 2013 to acquire funds for the first phase of the establishment of the municipal 66 kV substation in Thembalethu. Funds were provided and the 66 kV power line from SS Protea in Pacaltsdorp to Thembalethu was built in 2014/15. This power line is energized at 11 kV to supplement the capacity and will be energized at 66 kV to supply the new 66 kV substation once it is completed.
During a UISP* (Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme ) community presentation in Thembalethu on July 2014, the public was updated about an analysis completed to determine the impact of the additional electrical load on the existing Thembalethu electrical network as a result of the electrification projects that had been completed. At this stage the first section of the 66 kV power line between Protea substation and Thembalethu’s 66/11 kV substation would have to be established and operated on 11 kV before any further electrification can take place. Further urgent upgrades included the establishment of the municipal 66/11 kV substation.

The electrification of the formalised, as well as informal areas in Thembalethu, cannot continue without the upgrading of the bulk services in Thembalethu. The establishment of the substation is a key project in this regard. Subsequently, the 66 kV power line section between Thembalethu and the Glenwood Substation in Knysna Road has also been completed to place the new Thembalethu 66 kV substation on a ring feed.

Thembalethu 66 kV Substation
The position of the 66 kV substation was changed slightly to accommodate the final 66 kV line route that is aligned to the proposed main southern arterial road and a revised EIA for the new position was approved in 2016. The detailed planning of the substation began in 2017. The substation’s construction consists mostly of the manufacturing, supply and installation of 11 kV and 66 kV equipment, two new 66/11 kV 20MVA power transformers and ancillary protection and control equipment. The construction and commissioning of the substation requires specialized engineers and artisans.

Following standard supply chain processes, the tender was awarded this year and the appointed contractor has provided all of the initial procurement documentation, and is in the process of completing the final construction designs and drawings based on the equipment to be supplied. The construction of the civil work can begin as a construction work permit has been issued by the Department of Labour. Once completed, this will be the biggest 66/11 kV substation in the Southern Cape, and one of the biggest electrical capital expansion projects embarked on by the George Municipality over the last decade.

The first phase of the substation, which will include the commissioning of the 66 kV yard, first power transformer and 11 kV switchgear, should be completed in 18 months. It is envisaged that the complete project will be completed over 3 years, as and when funding becomes available.

*THEMBALETHU UISP HOUSING PROJECT
The project approved in 2010 will provide 4350 families with a serviced site with access to water, sanitation and electricity. The top structures will incrementally follow. As at 30 June 2021, 662 top structures had been built and handed over to beneficiaries and 2126 sites were serviced. Phase One of the Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme (UISP) which delivered 1746 serviced sites was completed in June 2016, with 662 top structures to date. Phase two is currently underway with 380 serviced sites completed to date. The UISP is funded by the Western Cape Department Human Settlements with the George Municipality acting as the developer.

GEORGE EN DISTRIK BAAT BY 2023 NETBAL – WêRELDBEKERTOERNOOI

Die 2023 Netbal Wêreldbeker-toernooi word in Kaapstad aangebied – die eerste keer dat die toernooi in Afrika gehou sal word en die Wes-Kaapse platteland mag ook daarby baat.

Dié uitgelese toernooi volg op verskeie ander, baie suksesvolle Wêreldbeker-byeenkomste wat in die verlede in Suid-Afrika aangebied is. Groot infrastruktuurontwikkeling het veral die Wêreldbeker-rugby, die Wêreldbeker-sokkertoernooi en die Wêreldbeker-kriekettoernooi voorafgegaan.

Die land het egter ook die Wêreldbeker-toernooi vir vroue (2005) en die A1 GP-wêreldbeker van Motorsport (2006) aangebied, ‘n prestasie wat weinig ander lande ter wêreld Suid-Afrika kan nadoen.
In afwagting op die Netbal Wêreldbeker-toernooi in 2023, word infrastruktuur regoor die Wes-Kaap ontwikkel, en beide Mosselbaai-munisipaliteit en George-munisipaliteit het ruim voordeel getrek uit befondsing wat deur die Wes-Kaapse regering se departement kultuursake en sport bewillig is. Netbalbane in die distrik sal opgegradeer of nuut aangebou word om te voorsien in toekomstige streeks-, nasionale-, selfs internasionale toernooie wat in die vooruitsig gestel word.

Die Wes-Kaapse LUR vir kultuursake en sport, Minister Anroux Marais, het die onderskeie netbalspanne van die Suidwestelike Distrikte, en spesifiek atlete van Groot-Brakrivier, aangemoedig om nou reeds te begin met voorbereiding vir die 2023-wêreldbekernetbal. Na verwagting mag van die wegwedstryde en voorbereidings vir die toernooi in die Eden-distrik plaasvind.

Voorsitter van die Eden Netbalfederasie, Rene Booysen, het atlete herinner aan die voordele van georganiseerde sport vir die groter gemeenskap. Sy beklemtoon die voordele wat spanwerk, dissipline, toewyding en respek – kenmerke van spansport – vir die groter gemeenskap meebring. Enige atleet wat sukses in die sportsoort van sy keuse bereik, slaag dikwels ook op ander fasette omdat sport die grondslag vir deursettingsvermoë en ‘n wenkultuur gelê het.”

Minister Marais het die jeug en veral jong meisies aangemoedig om by sport betrokke te raak. “Sport bied geleenthede en uitdagings. Die gemeenskap moet hul jongmense aanmoedig om netbal te speel om voordeel te kan trek uit die talle geleenthede wat dié en ander sport meebring.”
Die minister en haar personeel het ook die geleentheid benut om besoek te bring aan die area waar ‘n nuwe sokkerveld vir Groot-Brakrivier gebou word.

Raadsheer Harry Levendal, Mosselbaai se Uitvoerende Burgemeester, het uit eie ondervinding gepraat oor die waarde wat sport vir jongmense en afrigters meebring.
Voorsitter van die Eden Netbalfederasie Rene Booysen, ‘n gebore Grootbrakker, het die hoop uitgespreek dat Groot-Brakrivier se jongklomp met oorgawe die geleenthede van opgeknapte netbalbane sal benut in die oploop na die 2023 Wêreldbeker-netbaltoernooi.
Benewens ‘n ruim bewilliging vir die opgradering en bou van netbalbane, het die Wes-Kaapse LUR vir kultuursake en sport, Minister Anroux Marais ook ‘n ruim skening van netbaltoerusting aan die voorsitter van die Eden Netbalfederasie, Rene Booysen, gemaak.

Raadsheer Harry Levendal, Mosselbaai se Uitvoerende Burgemeester ontvang die befondsing vir die opgradering van plaaslike netbalfasiliteite van die Wes-Kaapse LUR vir kultuursake en sport, Minister Anroux Marais.
Die Wes-Kaapse LUR vir kultuursake en sport, Minister Anroux Marais, het ook geld bewillig aan die George-munisipaliteit wat deur die uitvoerende burgemeester, Raadsheer Leon van Wyk, ontvang is.
Die spelreëls vir netbal is in isiXhosa vertaal en kopië van die reëlboekie is aan die Voorsitter van die Eden Netbalfederasie Rene Booysen, oorhandig.

Onderskrif vir foto: Die Wes-Kaapse Minister van Kultuursake en Sport, Anroux Marais oorhandig ‘n tjek van R700 000 ter oprigting van netbalbane en fasiliteite by die Outeniqua Stadion aan Rdh. Leon van Wyk, Uitvoerende Burgemeester van George by ‘n onlangse oorhandingingseremonie in Groot Brakrivier.

George, Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism has launched an extensive digital campaign featuring the three towns across Facebook, Instagram, and Google Adwords.

The campaign, targeting Cape Town and Gqeberha, aims to create brand awareness for the destination, prompting users to take a mid-year break, whilst driving accommodation bookings for the upcoming winter season.

Accommodation product members were invited to participate in a deal to offer prospective visitors up to 25% off. A great response to the call has highlighted the need for more direct marketing to help tourism businesses to increase their occupancy levels.

The results of the campaign are being tracked and will show a return on investment for the destination, as well as the members who are partnering with the George Municipality’s Tourism Department to increase interest in and business to the area. Enquiries are being tracked digitally and in real time to evaluate the success of the campaign.

Joan Shaw, Tourism Manager at George Municipality says: “It is more important than ever that the Tourism Department and the accommodation products partner to get the best results from marketing campaigns. Marketing actions executed by George Municipality are mainly for the benefit of the Tourism Business Community. I am confident that our partners who are will see the benefits in, what is generally, a slow winter season.

This campaign supports and extends the recent highly successful radio campaign featured on both KFM and Radio 702, ensuring listeners keep George, Wilderness and Uniondale top of mind when wanting to take a winter break

1. Acorn Guesthouse in the warm heart of George is just one of the properties offering up to 25% off for the campaign.
2. Moontide Guesthouse, on the river in Wilderness, is one of the properties offering up to 25% off the campaign.
3. Cinnamon Boutique Hotel is one of the amazing properties offering up to 25% off for the campaign.
4. Escape to the Beach, says it all – one of the luxury properties offering up to 25% off for the campaign.
5. Beach Villa  Wilderness, one of the spectacular properties offering up to 25% off for the campaign.

For more information contact Joan Shaw 081 412 9995