Author: Nadine Payle

The George Festival 2025, hosted by George Municipality in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, and supported by the Eden Sport Council and the Garden Route District Municipality, proudly announces its key sponsors who are helping make this year’s festival a world-class celebration of arts, sport, and culture.

Taking place from 13–16 December 2025, the festival promises four days of vibrant entertainment, sporting competitions, cultural showcases, and family-friendly activities across multiple venues, including Unity Park in York Street, the Garden Route Botanical Gardens, Thembalethu and Rosemore Sport Venues, and the Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre, Pacaltsdorp.

Key Sponsors and Contributions
MTN – Serving as the key sponsor, MTN, one of Africa’s leading telecommunications companies, will provide sporting gear to support local athletes and community teams. MTN’s contribution underscores its commitment to youth development, active lifestyles, and empowering communities through connectivity and participation in sport.

Heineken – The global premium beer brand joins as a major sponsor, contributing both cash sponsorship and product support. Heineken’s involvement enhances the festival atmosphere, helping to create memorable experiences for attendees, while celebrating George’s vibrant cultural scene.

SportPesa – SportPesa proudly sponsors the George Festival Home of Golf Sundowner Challenge , a highlight of the festival. Known for its dedication to sporting excellence and community upliftment, SportPesa’s support promotes healthy competition, camaraderie, and opportunities for local talent.

KnoxHydrate – As the official hydration partner, KnoxHydrate ensures that athletes, performers, and festival-goers stay refreshed throughout the festival. Their focus on health, energy, and wellness aligns with the festival’s commitment to active, vibrant, and inclusive community participation.

The George Festival 2025 offers a packed and vibrant programme:
* Saturday, 13 December
A full day of sporting activities including 5-a-Side Soccer, Indigenous Games, Touch Rugby, a Netball Social Tournament, a Tennis Tournament, a Table Tennis Tournament, and the Home of Golf Sundowner Challenge. The evening features the opening cultural showcase at Unity Park, with live performances, vendor markets, family entertainment, and the official festive lights switch-on.

* Sunday, 14 December
Sports quarterfinals and Indigenous Games celebrate heritage and tradition, along with the Eden Street Mile and the George Trails/GTR Trail Run (14km and 7km). The day concludes with a Gospel Festival

* Monday, 15 December
Family Culture Day includes a Long Table at the George Museum and a Kiddies Fun Zone at the Garden Route Botanical Gardens, featuring storytelling, art classes, dance sessions, and educational activities. The programme also includes Bowls for the Blind at the George Bowling Club and the 5km and 10km Louis Massyn Fun Run.

* Tuesday, 16 December
Semifinals and finals across all sporting codes take place, along with mind games such as chess, bridge, and dominoes, concluding with the awards ceremony. The day also features the George Trails/Hillbillies Dam Dash (MTB 35km, 20km, and 10km) at the Garden Route Dam, the Jazz Summer Festival, and the George Trails/GTR Cross Hike (6km).

MEC Recardo Mackenzie, Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, sincerely thanked the sponsors for their faith in the George Festival 2025. “Their invaluable contributions not only make this celebration possible but will create a lasting legacy of culture, sport, and community engagement for years to come.”

Mayor Jackie von Brandis, George Municipality, thanked the sponsors for their support, which, she said, reflects their commitment to George and its people. “Thanks to MTN, Heineken, SportPesa, and KnoxHydrate, we are able to host a festival that will be remembered for its vibrancy, inclusivity, and lasting impact on our city.”

Together, the festival organisers and sponsors are committed to delivering an exceptional event that stimulates the local economy, supports township enterprises, spotlights youth talent, and positions George as a premier destination for culture, sport, and tourism.

George Festival 2025 – Culture. Art. Sport. Our community. Our celebration.

Further updates and the final programme details, including venues and times, will be shared via the George Municipal Website: https://tinyurl.com/5e5u8hhm, as well as on George Municipality and WC DCAS official social media platforms.

DCAS Social Media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/culturalaffairssport
X: www.x.com/wcgovcas (@WCGovCas)
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wcgovcas (@WCGovCas)

George Municipality Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.municipality
X: https://x.com/george_mun
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/municipality_george_insta/
WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaRHVS9HAdNXTJPKis3k

A section of Cradock Street in the central business district is next in line for upgrades as part of the extensive infrastructure improvements currently underway across George. Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday 10 November and is expected to be completed by the end of April 2026.

Cradock Street at Hub to be closed for six months
The section of Cradock Street between Market and Hibernia Streets will be closed for six months during construction. This will affect 13 bus routes that currently use stops around the Transport Hub, as well as the GO GEORGE Info Kiosk and the Smart Card kiosk located inside the Hub. Repairs of facilities and paving within the Hub will also be carried out during this time but will not start immediately. Details of the kiosks’ repositioning will be announced when the time comes.

Affected routes will be rerouted via alternative streets in the CBD, making use of both existing and temporary stops.

Detailed route information available

According to Morné Lakay, GO GEORGE Manager, passengers will be kept well informed about the temporary route changes.
“We aim to minimise inconvenience by making rerouting details easily accessible,” he said. “Our communication champions will be stationed at affected stops ahead of the closure to assist passengers, and posters will guide them to the nearest alternative stop. Throughout the construction period, a Trip Tips flyer with route maps and descriptions will be available on our website at www.gogeorge.org.za.

For help with trip planning, passengers are welcome to phone our Call Centre on 0800 044 044 or follow updates on our Facebook page.”

CAPTION:
The section of Cradock Street passing the George Transport Hub will be closed for six months to accommodate road upgrades.

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Padopgraderings in middedorp sal talle busroetes beïnvloed

‘n Gedeelte van Cradockstraat in die sentrale sakekern is volgende in die ry vir opgraderings as deel van die uitgebreide infrastruktuurverbeterings wat tans regoor George aan die gang is. Konstruksie is geskeduleer om op Maandag 10 November te begin en sal na verwagting teen einde April 2026 voltooi wees.

Cradockstraat by vervoerkern gesluit vir ses maande
Die gedeelte van Cradockstraat tussen Mark- en Hiberniastraat sal vir ses maande gesluit wees tydens konstruksie. Dit sal 13 busroetes beïnvloed wat tans haltes rondom die vervoerkern (Transport Hub) gebruik, sowel as die GO GEORGE-inligtingskiosk en die Slimkaartkiosk wat binne die vervoerkern geleë is. Herstelwerk aan fasiliteite en plaveisel binne die vervoerkern sal ook gedurende hierdie tyd uitgevoer word, maar sal nie onmiddellik begin nie. Besonderhede van die kiosks se herposisionering sal aangekondig word wanneer die tyd aanbreek.

Geaffekteerde roetes sal via alternatiewe strate in die middestad herlei word, deur gebruik te maak van beide bestaande en tydelike bushaltes.

Gedetailleerde roete-inligting beskikbaar
Volgens Morné Lakay, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, sal passasiers goed ingelig gehou word oor die tydelike roeteveranderings.
“Ons poog om ongerief te verminder deur herleidingsbesonderhede maklik toeganklik te maak,” het hy gesê. “Ons passasiersdiensbeamptes sal voor die sluiting by geaffekteerde haltes gestasioneer wees om passasiers by te staan, en plakkate sal hulle na die naaste alternatiewe halte lei.

Gedurende die konstruksietydperk sal ‘n pamflet met roetekaarte en beskrywings op ons webwerf by www.gogeorge.org.za beskikbaar wees. Vir hulp met ritbeplanning is passasiers welkom om ons inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te skakel of die nuutste gebeure op ons Facebook-blad te volg.”

BYSKRIF:
Die gedeelte van Cradockstraat voor die George-vervoerkern sal vir ses maande gesluit wees om padopgraderings te akkommodeer.

Three refurbished Honda motorbikes have been added to the George Fire Department’s fleet to support rapid response during controlled burns and veld fires. The bikes, previously part of the department’s older fleet, were restored and repainted to extend their service life and improve mobility during firefighting operations in rough terrain. The restoration included a full mechanical overhaul, respraying of panels, and the installation of compact black storage boxes for carrying small equipment or helmets.

According to Fire Chief Neels Barnard, the bikes will be used by firefighters with valid motorcycle licenses for quick access in the field. “We’re still exploring whether we’ll need to expand their carrying capacity, but for now they’re ideal for reaching areas that are difficult for larger vehicles,” he said. The bikes will receive new decals before being fully commissioned for use.

Seated from left Godfrey Louw, Municipal Manager, Executive Mayor of George Jackie von Brandis and Western Cape Minister for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie address business owners located around Unity Park, York Street.

Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis, together with Municipal Manager Godfrey Louw and Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Recardo Mackenzie, met with local business owners whose businesses are located around Unity Park in York Street last week, to discuss logistics and road closures for the upcoming George Festival 2025, taking place from 13 to 16 December.

The meeting formed part of the George Municipality’s commitment to maintaining strong partnerships with local stakeholders and ensuring minimal disruption to business operations during the festival. Businesses were briefed on planned road closures, alternative access routes, and opportunities to participate in the celebration.

“The George Festival will transform our city into a vibrant celebration of light, culture, and community. From dazzling illuminations to music, art, and sport — every corner of George will come alive with energy and pride,” said Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis. “This is more than a festival; it’s a historic moment that showcases who we are as a city — creative, united, and full of potential.

We know there will be temporary changes to roads and routines, but the opportunity this festival brings to our businesses, residents, and visitors is extraordinary. Together, we can turn this event into a lasting legacy for George — one that boosts our local economy, celebrates our people, and puts our city firmly on the map as the heart of the Garden Route.”

The George Festival 2025, hosted by the George Municipality in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, promises four days of family-friendly entertainment, performances, and community pride.

Further updates will be available on the George Municipality and DCAS websites, as well as on their official social media platforms.

DCAS Facebook: www.facebook.com/culturalaffairssport X: www.x.com/wcgovcas (@WCGovCas) Instagram: www.instagram.com/wcgovcas (@WCGovCas)
GEORGE MUNICIPALITY https://www.facebook.com/george.municipality: https://x.com/george_mun : https://www.instagram.com/municipality_george_insta/: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaRHVS9HAdNXTJPKis3k

Something big is coming to George – don’t miss it!