Author: Debra Sauer

 In the photo above children and parents enjoy the festivities at the Kiddies Fun Zone at the Garden Route Botanical Garden as part of the George Festival.

Video link: https://youtu.be/0BYn4WmueoE

 George Municipality Library Services hosted the Kiddies Fun Zone on 15 December 2025 at the Garden Route Botanical Garden, offering children and families a lively and enriching George Festival experience.

The programme, as part of the bigger George Festival programme,  featured a variety of fun, educational and interactive activities aimed at encouraging learning through play. Children enjoyed story hour sessions in different languages, promoting reading and language development, as well as a range of games and competitions including hula hoops, egg-and-spoon races, ping pong, pass the mug and S-T-O-P. Dance and hip-hop items added excitement, while face painting proved popular among young attendees.

Highlights of the day included interactions with Georgie and Daantjie Kat and a special appearance by Father Christmas, creating joyful moments and photo opportunities for families. A guided tour of the Botanical Garden introduced children to indigenous plants, birds, insects and small animals, supporting environmental awareness. Library play activities further reinforced the role of libraries in early childhood development and lifelong learning.

The Kiddies Fun Zone was well received and provided a safe, inclusive and festive environment for children, reflecting George Municipality Library Services’ ongoing commitment to promoting literacy, learning and family-friendly community activities during the festive season.

Photos:

 Children and parents alike enjoy the festivities at the George Festival Kiddies Fun Zone 15 December 2025 at the Garden Route Botanical Garden.

Dancers entertained the crowd with Georgie from GO GEORGE looking on.

 Staff from George Libraries having fun at the Kiddies Zone in between the activities.

In the photo above, Mayor Browen Johnson welcomes Wayne Minnie from Cape Town. He is flanked by Georgie and Danny Cat.

Follow the link to a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uHi2xzc4jg

 The George Municipality extended a warm welcome to holidaymakers this morning during the annual Mayoral Roadblock held on the N9. Executive Mayor Browen Johnson, accompanied by members of the Mayoral Committee, municipal departments, and safety partners, greeted visitors arriving in the city for the festive season.

The initiative brought together Traffic Services, Fire and Rescue, Law Enforcement, Disaster Management, SAPS, GO GEORGE and George Tourism , all joining forces to demonstrate the Municipality’s readiness for the busy holiday period and the arrival of local and international tourists.

Mayor Johnson, the Municipal Manager, Godfrey Louw and members of the Mayoral Committee with the help of Danny Cat, the Traffic Services Mascot and Georgie, GO GEORGE mascot handed visitors an info package with bottled water for the road put together by George Tourism and George Traffic Services.

Mayor Johnson welcomed motorists personally and shared messages of safety and appreciation for choosing George as their holiday destination.
“We are pleased to receive visitors in George and want to reassure everyone that the Municipality is fully prepared for the festive season—from road safety and enforcement to lifeguards, emergency services, and our Blue Flag beaches. With the George Arts, Sports and Culture Festival beginning this weekend, we look forward to sharing the vibrancy of our city with all who visit. Welcome to George, and thank you for being here,” he said.

Cllr Stag Cronjé, MMC for Community Safety, noted the significance of the outreach. “This friendly Mayoral Roadblock is our way of creating a positive first impression for holidaymakers entering the Southern Cape. Our teams across Community Safety, Traffic, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services are prepared and available to support residents and visitors throughout the season,” he said.

Municipal Manager Godfrey Louw also conveyed a warm welcome on behalf of the administration.
“We are delighted to host travellers from across South Africa and abroad. The Municipality is well-prepared for the festive period, and we trust that visitors will enjoy their time in George and the greater Garden Route. As we continue to experience water supply challenges, we urge everyone to use water responsibly during their stay,” Louw said.

For tourism information, visitor safety guidelines, and key municipal contact details, please visit:
George Tourism: https://visitgeorge.co.za/
George Municipal Contacts: https://www.george.gov.za/contact/

Photos:

Cllr Gert Niehaus welcomes Edward Graaff from Beaufort West to George.

 Traffic Services, the Municipal Manager of George, George Mayor, Ald Browen Johnson, Mayoral Committee Members and more officials welcome tourists on the N9 into George.

 Ald Johan du Toit hands a goodie bag to Schalk van Coller from Centurion, Pretoria.

Cllr Stag Cronje, MMC for Community Safety and Mobility, welcomes Cherwiell Botha from Calitzdorp. To the left is Benzil Ramati from Traffic Services.

Godfrey Louw, Municipal Manager of George and Eddie Felix, Senior Traffic Officer from George welcomes Marie Hilbert from Belgium.

Ready to welcome the tourists are from left, Sgt. Shakiel Scheepers from Saps, Cllr Melvin Roelfse, Ald Johan du Toit and Franklin Windwaai from George Traffic.

 Shunay Lucas from Traffic and Ald Iona Kritzinger welcome Brummer Marais from Welkom in the Southern Cape.

Herman Janse van Rensburg and Cllr Jean Safers ready to welcome visitors to George.

All GO GEORGE services will continue throughout the holidays, with special provision for shoppers and employees at the Garden Route Mall and Eden Meander shopping centres where extended business hours will be implemented.

Later buses to accommodate longer business hours

On weekdays, the following changes will apply from 13 to 31 Dec 2024:

Departing from the Garden Route Mall:

Route 12 to Pacaltsdorp: 19:00 trip to depart 19:20; 19:30 trip to depart 19:40

Route 16 to Parkdene: 19:08 trip to depart 19:20; 19:33 trip to depart 19:40

Route 53 via Rosemoor to CBD: 19:00 trip to depart 19:20

Route 7 to CBD: 19:10 trip to depart 19:21; 19:40 trip to depart 19:51

Departing from the CBD:

Route 2 to Blanco: 19:30 trip to depart 19:40

Public holidays

Buses will be running according to the Saturday schedule on 16 December. The Sunday schedule will be followed on Christmas Day, 25 December, 26 December and on 1 January.

Anyone needing assistance with trip planning can phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044 – the agents take calls from 05:00 until 20:00, seven days a week, throughout the holiday season as well.

Photo: Workers who work later hours during December welcome the delayed trips at the end of their work day.

GO GEORGE-ure en -skedules gedurende vakansieseisoen

Alle GO GEORGE-dienste sal regdeur die vakansie voortgaan, met spesiale voorsiening vir kliënte en werknemers by die Garden Route Mall en Eden Meander-winkelsentrums waar verlengde besigheidsure geïmplementeer sal word.

Later busse vir langer besigheidsure

Op weeksdae, van 13 tot 31 Desember 2025, sal die volgende veranderings geld:

Vertrekpunt by Garden Route Mall:

Roete 12 na Pacaltsdorp: 19:00-rit vertrek 19:20; 19:30-rit vertrek 19:40

Roete 16 na Parkdene: 19:08-rit vertrek 19:20; 19:33-rit vertrek 19:40

Roete 53 via Rosemoor na middedorp: 19:00-rit vertrek 19:20

Roete 7 na middedorp: 19:10-rit vertrek 19:21; 19:40-rit vertrek 19:51

Vertrek uit middedorp:

Roete 2 na Blanco: 19:30-rit vertrek 19:40

Openbare vakansiedae

Busse sal op 16 Desember die Saterdagskedule volg terwyl die Sondagskedule op Kersdag, 25 Desember sal geld, asook op 26 Desember en 1 Januarie.

Enigiemand wat hulp benodig met ritbeplanning is welkom om die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te skakel – die agente neem oproepe van 05:00 tot 20:00, sewe dae per week, regdeur die vakansieseisoen.

Foto: Werkers wat later ure werk gedurende Desember verwelkom die later busritte aan die einde van hul werksdag.

George Municipality is proud to announce that it has once again received an unqualified audit opinion for the 2024/2025 financial year — marking 13 unqualified audit opinions in the past 14 years, of which 11 were unqualified without findings. This long-term track record places George among the top-performing non-metro municipalities in South Africa for financial governance and accountability.

Executive Mayor Johnson welcomed the outcome. “This audit outcome demonstrates our commitment to transparent, accountable governance and sound financial management. It is a reflection of strong leadership, disciplined financial management, and a culture of compliance that underpins everything we do. George is striving to be South Africa’s best non-metro municipality — proving that good governance is truly a team effort.”

MMC for Finance and Strategic Services, Iona Kritzinger, expressed her appreciation for the result, noting that his outcome confirms that our financial controls, reporting practices, and oversight mechanisms are functioning exactly as they should. “We remain focused on prudent spending, efficient service delivery, and ensuring that every rand is used to benefit our residents.”

Municipal Manager Godfrey Louw thanked the administration for their commitment, and commended the high standards maintained across all departments. “Our teams are committed to accuracy, accountability, and the continuous strengthening of financial governance.”

George Municipality remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance and financial accountability, ensuring that resources are managed responsibly in the service of all residents.

#GoodGovernance #

Executive Mayor of George, Browen Johnson, extended his heartfelt congratulations to Cllr Johan du Toit (ACDP) and Cllr Johan Stander (DA) on being conferred with the prestigious Aldermanship during yesterday’s continuation of the Special Council Meeting, Monday 24 November.
“This is not merely a title, but a recognition of years of hard work, principled leadership, and a deep, sustained commitment to public service. This honour represents the culmination of countless mornings, late nights, difficult decisions, and the courage to stand firm when it would have been easier to compromise. It is earned through consistency,” said Ald Johnson. “Today we acknowledge not only their accomplishments, but also the example they set for all of us in public service. I thank Ald du Toit and Ald Stander for their continued devotion to George and congratulate them on this significant and well-deserved honour.”