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Author: Nadine Payle

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.

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.

Your signature, their future: Are your kids protected?

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness encourages all parents to be on the lookout for consent forms that will be sent home for your child to receive the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine.

HPV is the virus that causes cervical cancer.

The vaccine does not contain any live virus or DNA from the virus so it cannot cause cancer or other HPV-related illnesses. The vaccine does not affect fertility; and it’s also not used to treat HPV infections or diseases caused by HPV, but instead to prevent the development of cancers, as outlined by the World Health Organisation.

To safeguard our children’s health, the HPV vaccination campaign was rolled out in our country in 2014 with more than 350,000 young lives protected since its inception. More than 1 200 schools are visited annually in the Western Cape to administer the vaccine, with strong support from parents and communities to safeguard their children’s futures.
As part of the HPV campaign, the National Department of Health has directed that Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (TDaP) vaccine boosters be administered to all eligible children (both boys and girls).

This campaign aims to boost protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough by offering a TD booster to all Grade 5 learners. It helps prevent outbreaks and supports ongoing school-based vaccination. All that’s needed is a signed consent form.

Round 2: School-based vaccination – what you need to know
The second round of the school-based vaccination campaign will take place from 1 August to 30 September 2025. During this period, our school health teams will visit both public and private schools to provide the following vaccinations:
• HPV vaccine (single dose): Offered to eligible Grade 5, 6, and 7 girls in private schools, with consent.
• Catch-up HPV vaccinations: Girls who missed the HPV vaccine during the first round in February/March will have another opportunity to receive their dose, with consent, at public schools.
• Tdap booster vaccine: Administered to all boys and girls in Grade 5 across public and private schools, with consent.
We have been providing the HPV vaccine to girls in our communities for many years. Make use of this opportunity. Protect your daughter against cervical cancer”, said Tonia Aylward, school health nurse for Mossel Bay sub-district.

What about side effects?

You deserve clear answers to make the best choice for your child. Parents may have questions about safety and what to expect after vaccination. The vaccines administered at our schools and clinics are safe and have been tested. These vaccination campaigns are not new, and we welcome questions from parents and communities.

Like any vaccine, some children might have mild side effects such as some redness, swelling or pain where the injection was given, a mild fever, or feeling a bit tired. These usually go away on their own within a day or two. Serious reactions are very rare. If you’re worried about how your child reacts, please speak to your clinic or doctor.

If you’re unsure, please keep asking questions. Look at reliable sources, speak to healthcare workers in your local clinic, or check the Road to Health booklet for details on vaccines and schedules to make the right choice for your children’s future.

Our children grow fast. Let’s work together keep their protection up to date.

ENDS.

Fire Safety Alert: No Controlled Burns Allowed Today Due to Hot Weather Conditions

Due to the predicted hot weather conditions in George and surrounds today, the public is urged to exercise extreme caution when making fires or discarding cigarettes or matches.
No controlled burns are permitted under these conditions.

Please report any fires or emergency incidents immediately to the Fire Department:
Fire Emergency Only: 044 801 6311
General Emergency: 044 801 6300
TOLL-FREE Disaster Line (24/7): 087 152 9999

Winners announced in Vote for Wilderness Competition

Wilderness was selected as the Western Cape finalist in kykNET’s prestigious ‘Dorp van die Jaar 2025’ (Town of the Year) competition, and George, Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism ran a parallel competition to encourage Dorp van die Jaar voting. Residents, ratepayers, and the business community united in support of Wilderness, with voting enthusiasm running high as the town vies for the national title. Winning this coveted accolade will bring significant exposure and investment to the region, including R1 million in advertising and promotional content on kykNET platforms throughout the year, as well as a R1 million cash prize from Lotto Land. The cash award will be allocated towards the repair of the Wilderness Boardwalk—an iconic pathway used and enjoyed daily by residents and visitors alike.

The public was urged to vote and help secure the title for Wilderness in the final round, which closed on 18 July 2025. To sweeten the deal, George, Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism ran their own competition to encourage voting. Once someone had voted for Wilderness in the final round of the Kwela Dorp van die Jaar competition, they could submit proof to George, Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism via an online form or on Facebook Messenger to be entered into a draw to win amazing local prizes. The winners are as follows:

PRIZE 1 WINNER: CONGRATULATIONS TO NICOLA GREEFF
Valued up to R18,200

AfriCamps at Oakhurst – 2-night stay for 5 guests including breakfast and braai basket valued at R10,000
A 2 nights’ stay for up to 5 guests staying in one AfriCamps Boutique Glamping tent at AfriCamps at Oakhurst, Wilderness. Includes one cook-your-own breakfast basket per guest and one cook-your-own braai basket per guest. The tent offers an outdoor wood-fired hot tub.

Cape Vibe Tours and Transfers 2-hour sightseeing tour of Wilderness for 6 participants valued at R2,100
Cape Vibe Tours and Transfers offers ‘ Wilderness Wonders’, a 2-hour sightseeing tour of Wilderness. They will collect you – up to six people – from your accommodation in Wilderness and take you on a leisurely drive on the back roads through the indigenous hardwood forest along Island Lake past Rondevlei and the Wilderness National Park over the Touws River, up Whites Road to the Map of Africa and coastal viewing points. Stopping to enjoy the spectacular views of coast, lakes, forest and mountains, they will relay to you the geology, flora and fauna, wildlife, people’s history and culture, giving you an in-depth local perspective of what makes Wilderness uniquely beautiful.

Acrobranch Garden Route voucher for 6 participants valued at R1,800
Win Big with Acrobranch Garden Route! They’re giving away an epic voucher for 6! Choose any course option available – 2 hours of treetop thrills, ziplines and jungle vibes! Perfect for ages 3 to adult – it’s fun the whole tribe can enjoy! Valid for one-time use until 31 July 2027 – so get ready to branch out and play!

Wilderness River Safaris Touw River Boat cruise for up to 10 people valued at R3,500
The winner of this prize brings a group of friends and family (maximum 10 people) on a scheduled eco boat cruise on the Touw River with Wilderness River Safaris, and includes the SANParks entry permit and a glass of wine each. Bring your own snacks and refreshments. Enjoy a magical cruise up and down the Touw River from the Waterside Jetty at the start of the boardwalk at Wilderness Lagoon in Waterside Road. This is arguably the best experience and ‘showcase’ of the beauty of Wilderness.

The Hussar Grill George Date Night Voucher valued at R800
A couples (2 people) Hussar Grill George Date Night voucher which includes a 3-course meal per person, bottle of their 750ml Hussar red wine, as well as R350 for extra drinks or eats. Can only be used on Tuesday evenings.

PRIZE 2 WINNER: CONGRATULATIONS TO GAIL SEAGER
Valued up to R13,850

Oakhurst Farm Cottages two-night stay in a farm cottage for two people valued at R5,500
This voucher is valid for a two night stay at Oakhurst Farm Cottages for 2 people. It includes a braai basket on arrival for two and complimentary pre-heated hot tub.

Acrobranch Garden Route voucher for 4 participants valued at R1200
Win Big with Acrobranch Garden Route! We’re giving away an epic voucher for 4! Choose any course option available – 2 hours of treetop thrills, ziplines and jungle vibes! Perfect for ages 3 to adult – it’s fun the whole tribe can enjoy! Valid for one-time use until 31 July 2027 – so get ready to branch out and play!

Hello Africa Adventures Wilderness Wonder Tour valued at R2850
Wilderness Wonder tour from Hello Africa Adventures, dinner from The Girls and dinner transfers from Wilderness Express
Whisked off for a Wilderness Wonder 4-hour tour, hosted by a local guide in a luxury vehicle, that includes a visit to Woodville Big Tree (about 300m walk in the forest, fees apply), Map of Africa, a portion of the historic 7 Passes Road, a stop at Victoria Bay and a walk along the Promenade, followed a stop at Dolphins Point on return (roadworks allowing). This tour includes a delicious cheesecake treat in the forest and is followed by a delicious dinner at The Girls restaurant Al Fresco Lounge (to the value of R500.00). The prize includes all transport costs, to and from your location within Wilderness or Wilderness East, dinner, cheesecake treat and the company of a local guide. Voucher excludes any other refreshments, drinks, activities and entrance fees. Booking is for 2 adults and is subject to availability at time of confirmation. Departure times are limited to 14h00 to allow sufficient time for touring and dinner.

The Hussar Grill George Voucher and Wine valued at R800
This R500 voucher can be redeemed at the Hussar Grill in George and includes a bottle of 1.5Ltr Hussar Red Wine.

George Backpackers Transfer from George Airport to Wilderness for 2 to 8 guests
George Backpackers are offering a George Airport transfer for 2 to 8 people to/ from Wilderness.
All prizes offered are subject to the terms and conditions of each establishment and their availability.

“Thank you to everyone who rallied together to show their support for Wilderness – an iconic town on South Africa’s Garden Route. We wait with bated breath to see which town will take the Town of the Year crown in 2025.” says Joan Shaw, Tourism Manager.

Power Supply Restored in George

The George Municipality is pleased to inform residents that the electricity supply has been fully restored to all affected areas following the earlier outage.

The outage, which was caused by a trip on the 66kV subtransmission line, has been successfully resolved by our technical teams. Power has been restored safely and steadily across the network.

We thank the public for their patience and understanding during the restoration process.

Should you experience further power outages, please report it to our Whatsapp line on 067 350 3295

Power Outage Affecting Large Areas of George

The George Municipality is aware that a large portion of George is currently without electricity due to a major power outage.

The outage has been caused by a trip on the 66kV subtransmission line, which has interrupted power supply to several areas.

Our teams are investigating the fault and working urgently to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. We will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available

George Municipality honours Mandela Day with acts of kindness and community service

Workers in action cleaning the surroundings at the Rosemoor Home for the Aged Rotary.

George Municipality, in partnership with the Garden Route District Municipality and the Western Cape Blood Service, co-hosted a successful blood donation drive in celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day on Thursday, 18 July 2025.

Pacaltsdorp Library officials and Yeboneers  handed out snacks and 40 soft toys donations to children of Rooibootjie creche, Syferfontein and children from Reiger Park on Mandela Day as part of giving back to the community.

The blood drive was the Municipality’s main event but other officials also ploughed back by cleaning areas in the community and others knitted beanies over a period over time and donated to different organisations.

The event took place at the George Banquet Hall and invited members of the public and municipal officials to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to this life-saving cause, in the spirit of Madiba’s legacy. A total of 58 donors participated in the drive, demonstrating strong support for community health and wellbeing.

Willbedine Jordaan busy painting Siyazama creche, Thembalethu on Mandela Day.

 Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis feeding the dogs at the SPCA George as part of Mandela Day 2025 activities.

Francois Michaels, one of the event organisers, expressed his gratitude and noted that they were pleasantly surprised by the turnout from both officials and members of the public. “With the blood donated, these donors have helped save approximately 150 lives,” he said.
The Municipality extends its sincere thanks to all who participated and helped make a meaningful difference in honour of Nelson Mandela.

See Video

 

Public Notice: Temporary Service Disruption – NATIS System Offline

The Mobility Department has notified us that the NATIS system is currently offline.

As a result, all Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) stations and the Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) in Pacaltsdorp are temporarily unable to operate.

This disruption is affecting our ability to provide services at these facilities.

George Municipality sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

For reference, the call log number is: HD372663