Author: Nadine Payle
UPDATE ON MAJOR ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES UNDERWAY ACROSS GEORGE
George Municipality is taking a decisive step forward in building a smart, connected, and accessible city through major road and transport infrastructure upgrades. Enabled through the Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG) administered by the National Department of Transport, this investment includes R505 million allocated in 2024/25 and a further R250 million secured for 2025/26. The R750 million commitment is driving the expansion of the GO GEORGE bus service. The funding supports road rehabilitation, the construction of transfer locations, sidewalk upgrades to promote universal accessibility, and other associated infrastructure improvements.
ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECTS – PROGRESS UPDATE
George Municipality is committed to providing regular progress updates on the road upgrades across the city:
Pacaltsdorp
• Mission Street: 49% complete. Construction commenced on 18 October 2024 and is expected to conclude in June 2026. Current work includes box-cutting, road layer works, kerbing, stormwater structures, and sidewalks.
• Protea Street (Phase 1): Completed. Work commenced on 30 September 2024.
• Protea Street (Phase 2): 88% complete. Work commenced on 30 September 2024 and is expected to conclude in September 2025. Current activities include construction of stormwater structures, and sidewalks.
• Protea Street (Phases 3 & 4): 3% complete. Work commenced on 5 August 2025 and is scheduled for completion in December 2025. The contractor is currently removing concrete block pavers and box cutting.
• Heather, Haydn and Rose Streets: 43% complete. Construction commenced on 25 September 2024 and is expected to conclude in July 2026. Current work includes kerbing, layerworks, and the replacement of water pipelines, which has caused a major delay.
• Beukes Street: Scheduled to commence in August 2025 with completion expected by December 2025.
• Genesis Street: Tentatively scheduled to commence in October 2025, with expected completion in April 2026.
Thembalethu
• Ngcakani and Ncamanza Streets: 68% complete. Work commenced on 21 October 2024 and is scheduled to conclude in January 2026. Current activities include box-cutting, road layer works, kerbing, stormwater structures, and sidewalks.
• Tabata and 26th Streets: 70% complete. Construction commenced on 25 September 2024 and is expected to conclude in March 2026. Current works include box-cutting, road layer preparation, kerbing, stormwater structures, and sidewalks.
• Tabata Street (Phase 4): Tentatively scheduled to commence in October 2025, with completion expected in April 2026
George Industria
• PW Botha Boulevard: 40% complete. Construction commenced on 26 September 2024 and is scheduled for completion in July 2026. Current works include box-cutting, road base preparation, kerbing, stormwater structures, and sidewalks. Stop-and-go traffic management remains in place.
Rosemoor
• Beer and Woltemade Streets (Phases 1 & 2): 96% complete. Construction commenced on 13 August 2024 and is expected to conclude in September 2025. Work includes road layer works, kerbing, stormwater structures, sidewalks, and final road markings.
• Beer Street (Phase 3): Scheduled to commence on 21 August 2025 with completion expected in January 2026.
• O’Connell Street: 85% complete. Work commenced on 19 August 2024 and is expected to conclude in September 2025. Current works include box-cutting, road base preparation, kerbing, stormwater structures, and sidewalks.
Heather Park
• Airway Street: Completed. Practical completion was achieved in March 2025 and final road markings were completed in June 2025.
• Pine Street: 2% complete. Work commenced on 4 August 2025 and is expected to conclude in December 2025.
• Plattner Boulevard (Phase 1): Scheduled to commence in September 2025 with completion expected in January 2026.
• Plattner Boulevard (Phase 2): Scheduled to commence in January 2026 with completion expected in June 2026.
Bo Dorp
• Wellington Street: Completed. Work commenced on 19 June 2025.
George Central
• Cradock Street: Scheduled to commence in October 2025 with completion expected in March 2026.
TRANSFER LOCATIONS – CRITICAL SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR GO GEORGE
In addition to road upgrades, the construction of GO GEORGE Transfer Locations (TLs) is progressing. These facilities are essential for improving route connectivity and allowing commuters to transfer safely and efficiently between routes.
• Beach/Panther Transfer Location: 75% complete. Construction commenced in March 2025 and is expected to conclude in September 2025.
• NMB/Jonga Intersection Transfer Location (Phase 1): 95% complete. Construction commenced in February 2025 and is expected to conclude by the end of August 2025.
• 26/Ncamanza/NMB Transfer Location (Phase 1): 95% complete. Construction commenced in February 2025 and is expected to conclude by the end of August 2025.
IMPACT OF ONGOING CONSTRUCTION
George Municipality acknowledges the impact of ongoing construction on bus operations and general traffic flow, particularly in Pacaltsdorp and surrounding areas. GO GEORGE is monitoring the situation closely and implementing mitigation measures, including temporary route adjustments and the deployment of additional buses where possible.
Passengers are encouraged to stay informed about service changes and construction-related adjustments by using the official GO GEORGE communication platforms. Real-time updates on routes and timetables are available through the trip-planning tools on the website (www.gogeorge.org.za) Commuters can also follow the GO GEORGE Facebook page or subscribe to the WhatsApp Channel for instant notifications and service alerts.
The WhatsApp Channel can be joined directly via this link: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VanooYO002T09OyaKM3x
HAZARDOUS WASTE OPEN DAY – 29 AUGUST 2025
For further enquiries, please feel free to contact 044 802 2900
HERINNERING VAN DIENS-ONDERBREKING – UNIONDALE KANTORE
Neem asseblief kennis dat geen Dienste vir Bestuurslisensies en Motorvoertuiglisensies op Donderdag, 21 Augustus 2025 by die Uniondale-kantore beskikbaar sal wees nie weens ‘n geskeduleerde kragonderbreking.
Hierdie onderbreking geld slegs vir die Uniondale-kantore. Dienste by ander kantore gaan normaal voort.
Ons vra omverskoning vir enige ongerief.
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REMINDER OF SERVICE INTERRUPTION – UNIONDALE OFFICES
Please note that no Driving Licence and Motor Vehicle Licence services will be available at the Uniondale offices on Thursday, 21 August 2025, due to a scheduled power outage.
This interruption applies only to the Uniondale offices. Services at other locations will continue as normal.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
UPDATE- LANDFILL SITE REOPENED
We are pleased to inform you that the mechanical issue has been resolved, and the landfill site is now open.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during the temporary closure.
TEMPORARY LANDFILL SITE CLOSURE
Please be advised that the landfill site is temporarily closed today due to a mechanical breakdown of essential machinery. As a result, there is currently no available dumping space.
We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience during this time. An update will be provided as soon as operations resume.
Important: We kindly request that no loads be dumped on or near the access roads.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Wateronderbreking – Rietvlei, Uniondale
’n Waterpyp het in Rietvlei, Uniondale gebars. Gevolglik sal die hele gebied vir ongeveer 2 uur sonder water wees.
Munisipale personeel is tans besig om die breek te herstel, en ’n watertenk sal in die gebied rondry om inwoners tydelike van water water voorsien.
Ons vra omverskoning vir die ongerief.
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PUBLIC NOTICE: Water Supply Interruption – Rietvlei, Uniondale
Issued by George Municipality, 18 August 2025
A waterpipe has burst in Rietvlei, Uniondale. As a result, the entire area will experience a water supply interruption for approximately 2 hours.
Municipal staff are on-site attending to the burst, and a water truck will be circulating in the area to provide temporary relief.
We apologise for the inconvenience.
Anti-Fraud and Corruption Awareness Campaign at George Municipality
Standing from left to right are Mr E Ndou (COGTA), Mr E Chauke (SALGA), Cllr Renicia Willemse (Bitou Municipality), Executive Mayor of Knysna Municipality Thando Matika, Cllr Nadia Krige (Mossel Bay Municipality) and Executive Mayor of Oudtshoorn Municipality Ald Johan Allers.
Seated from left to right are Mr M Leaser(Provincial Head of SIU), Brigadier MF Ramahove (Acting Provincial Head- Hawks), George Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis, Major General Cetyana (Garden Route District Commissioner) and Executive Mayor of Bitou Municipality Jessica Kamkam.
George Municipality is proud to have hosted the Provincial Anti-Fraud and Corruption Awareness Campaign, presented by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI – The Hawks), in partnership with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), and the Office of the Executive Mayor.
The two-day workshop, held at the George City Hall on 28 and 29 July 2025, was the first of its kind in the Garden Route and aimed to strengthen awareness among municipal councillors and officials about the dangers, impact, and consequences of corruption in local government.
The sessions were designed to increase awareness and reinforce the municipality’s commitment to integrity and ethical governance. Presenters shared valuable insights into how fraud and corruption manifest, drawing from real-life case studies to provide practical context. Key topics included the definitions of fraud and corruption, early warning signs, reporting procedures, and the legal protections available to whistle-blowers.
The DPCI emphasised that reducing financial losses, accelerating detection, protecting organisational reputation, and building public trust are central to any effective anti-fraud strategy. Presenters outlined various forms of misconduct such as bribery, misrepresentation, falsified invoices, inflated claims, and theft of municipal assets, and provided clear guidance on how to identify and prevent such activities.
A representative from COGTA highlighted the importance of cultivating an ethical culture within municipalities. This was linked to the recently adopted Code for Ethical Leadership, a framework approved by the George Municipal Council in January 2025. The Code promotes ethical conduct and accountability across all levels of municipal operations.
Ethical governance also extends to protecting municipal systems and data. In this regard, Brigadier Steynberg of the DPCI delivered a key presentation on cybercrime, highlighting the need for strong password protection, device security, and ongoing vigilance. He reminded attendees that scammers exploit human vulnerabilities—including fear, urgency, and trust—to commit fraud. Even well-informed individuals can fall victim, especially when under pressure or lacking digital literacy.
“This workshop demonstrates our commitment to ethical leadership within local government,” said Executive Mayor Alderman Jackie von Brandis. “The word ‘corruption’ has become far too common in public discourse, and it is through proactive engagements such as this that we strengthen our resolve to protect our institutions. By working hand-in-hand with law enforcement, we build a culture of clean, transparent, and accountable governance for all residents of George.”
George Municipality reiterates its zero-tolerance stance towards fraud and corruption and remains steadfast in upholding transparency, accountability, and ethical governance in service of the people of George.
Ward Committee Member Nominations
Closing Date: 29 August 2025
For further enquiries, contact the Administrative Officer, Ms P Saaiman @pasaaiman@george.gov.za or call 044 801 9074
Unplanned water outage Seaview
George Municipality is aware of a water outage in Seaview, Pacaltsdorp. The affected streets are Dahlia, Chrysanthemum, and Amaryllis. Municipal teams are on-site investigating the issue.
A water tanker will roam the affected area. Residents are encouraged to report a water outage to 044 801 9266 until 16:30, and 044 801 6300 after 16:30.
ETR 6-8 hours
Feedback on Erf 243, Wilderness Common
The George Municipality launched an application on 20 August 2024 for the removal of restrictive conditions in Title Deed T59963/1984 relating to Erf 243, Wilderness, better known as the Wilderness Common. This application will ensure that additional restrictions are addressed, preventing the utilization of the land in accordance with the intent for public open spaces as alluded in the George Integrated Zoning Scheme By-Law, 2023.
The prescribed public participation process was conducted from 6 September to 9 October 2024. During this period, numerous comments and objections were received from the Wilderness community, and several engagements were held with the Wilderness Ratepayers and Residents Association (WRRA) and Wilderness and Lakes Environmental Action Forum (WALEAF).
It became evident from the feedback and enquiries that there were significant misinterpretations and misconceptions regarding the intent of the application and the Municipality detected hesitance regarding the removal of conditions from the title deed. Although no change in zoning is proposed, the community held the impression that the restrictive conditions safeguard the property against unlawful utilization and future changes in land use rights.
George Municipality commits to transparency and good governance, and the appropriate response was to revisit the proposal and enter into direct engagement with the community. As a result, the public participation process was extended and a public meeting was called to discuss the alternatives to the original proposal to remove the restrictive conditions, provide clarity regarding the intent, erase misinformation, and to develop understanding of the needs of the community as a whole.
A public meeting was held on 3 July 2025 at 17:30 at the Fairy Knowe Hotel in Wilderness. The meeting was advertised in the George Herald on 19 June 2025, on-site notices were posted, postings at the Wilderness Tourism Office and Spar Liquor Store noticeboards, and hand-delivered notices in the Wilderness central business district on 20 June 2025.
The meeting was attended by approximately 125 residents, and the session was led by Mrs. D. Power, Deputy Director: Development and Environmental Planning, and facilitated by Mr. C. Jacobs, the newly elected WRRA Chairperson.
Mrs. Power provided a detailed overview of the application, explaining the split zoning of Erf 243, Wilderness being ‘Open Space Zone I’ and ‘Transport Zone II’ (public open space and public road), and the permitted uses under the zoning scheme by-law. She addressed the community’s concerns and assured attendees that the intention is not to redevelop the land. Rather, the aim is to align with the zoning to allow for a public park according to the norms applied across the municipal area that remains accessible to all, to serve the community as a whole and respond to the need for community-driven events such as markets, expos, and other public activities, subject to the required approvals.
Mrs. Power emphasized that all events would require approval through the Municipal events committee. The invitation was extended to the local rate payers association to collaborate with the Municipality to ensure that the interests of the Wilderness community is duly addressed when such applications are assessed and to ensure continuous community involvement over the course of evaluating proposals for events.
In response to the initial objections received, the Municipality proposed to amend the restrictive condition instead of removing it entirely. A proposed condition was tabled as an example:
“No camping shall be permitted, and no permanent structures may be erected on the erf, except for ablution facilities, play apparatus, street furniture, engineering infrastructure, and architectural/landscaping features associated with the public open space use.”
The proposal was generally well received by attendees, although some concerns were raised about the inclusion of ablution facilities. It was agreed that further input would be consolidated through the rate payer’s association. The period for comments and objections to the application was extended up until 17 July 2025, affording attendees to respond to the revisions proposed informed by the facts confirmed during the meeting.
Subsequent to the meeting, the George Municipality has received several responses to the application of which some still oppose, and others support the proposal. All comments received will be presented to a Planning Tribunal for consideration by no later than September 2025. Once the Tribunal has resolved, all respondents will be notified of the decision, and the decision will be published on the Municipal webpage for 21 days.
The Municipality thanks the Wilderness community for their participation, their willingness to collaborate and constructive contributions.
Unplanned Water Outage
Pipe burst on corner of 4th and Mann Street, Eastern Extension.
Municipal teams are on site attending to the burst.
A standpipe has been placed on the corner of 4th and Mann Street to supply water to residents.
ETR will be advised.
ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING @10H00
Please join us for the Ordinary Council Meeting today, 31 July 2025, at 10H00 AM.
👉 Click on the link below to access the live stream via our YouTube Account
UNPLANNED POWER OUTAGE
The George Municipality wishes to inform residents of an unplanned power outage currently affecting the Airport Line, Gwaying, and Herolds Bay farms.
An electrician has been dispatched to investigate the cause of the outage, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding.
For urgent electricity-related inquiries, please contact the Electro Technical Department at 044 801 9202 or on WhatsApp Number 067 350 3295, during office hours or 044 801 6300 after hours.