Author: Nadine Payle

Delegates from the Water Research Commission Young Engineers Changemakers Programme during their visit to TÜV SÜD in Singapore.

George Municipality is strengthening its approach to sustainable water and sanitation services through international collaboration and skills development, as the country marks National Water Week.

Esethu Nyamankulu, a Senior Process Controller at Water Treatment Works who is also a chemical engineering technologist by profession in the George Municipality’s Civil Engineering Services Directorate, was selected as one of eight young municipal engineers from across South Africa to participate in the Young Engineers Changemakers Programme (YECP), facilitated by the Water Research Commission.

As part of the programme’s international exchange phase, Nyamankulu participated in a study tour in Singapore from 16 to 20 March 2026, with engagements hosted by institutions including TÜV SÜD and the NUS Environmental Research Institute.

The programme is designed to build municipal capacity for innovation in the water sector, equipping engineers with the skills and knowledge required to support sustainable, resilient, and future-ready municipalities. Key focus areas included improving access to safe drinking water, reducing water losses, addressing ageing infrastructure, and advancing water and wastewater treatment and reuse technologies.

The international engagement also explored standards-driven approaches, including ISO 30500, highlighting how innovation, technology, and data can support the implementation of safe and scalable sanitation systems.

Nyamankulu’s selection followed a competitive process recognising innovation, teamwork, and technical excellence demonstrated throughout the programme.

Reflecting on the experience, Nyamankulu said the exposure to global best practice offered valuable insights for local application: “The exposure to advanced membrane technologies and water reuse systems showed how municipalities can improve water security and sustainability. Singapore’s ability to treat domestic wastewater to potable standards highlights the value of integrating technology with water conservation strategies,” he said. “In George, this can support diversifying water sources beyond the Garden Route Dam and building on existing infrastructure like the UF plant at the Outeniqua Wastewater Treatment Works.”

He added that exposure to circular economy practices further broadened the Municipality’s approach to sustainability: “Exposure to circular economy practices and waste-to-resource technologies demonstrated how municipalities can address landfill constraints and improve resource recovery. Singapore’s approach to converting municipal solid waste into reusable materials offers practical solutions to reduce landfill pressure. In George, this can support extending landfill lifespan while creating value from waste.”

The knowledge gained through this engagement will contribute to George Municipality’s ongoing water and sanitation initiatives, including its water campaign focused on responsible use, infrastructure reliability, and long-term sustainability. Exposure to global best practices supports the Municipality’s efforts to enhance efficiency, reduce water losses, and strengthen service delivery.

Congratulating Nyamankulu, Director of Civil Engineering Services, Jannie Koegelenberg, said: “George Municipality congratulates Nyamankulu on this achievement and recognises the value of investing in technical expertise to benefit local communities. Further insights from the programme will be incorporated into municipal operations and planning processes.”

Esethu Nyamankulu, Senior Process Controller at George Municipality, is engaging with advanced water treatment and membrane filtration technology during the Young Engineers Changemakers Programme study tour in Singapore.

South African municipal engineers participate in an interactive knowledge exchange on water sustainability, innovation, and resource management during the international programme in Singapore.

Following the recent announcement of the appointment of an EPWP Oversight Committee for George Municipality, the committee has already begun its work and is addressing misinformation currently circulating regarding EPWP wage rates and the number of projects underway in Greater George. Several inaccurate claims have been made recently on public forums regarding both the number of EPWP projects and the wages paid to workers. The facts below clarify the situation.

George Municipality currently has 107 ongoing EPWP projects. These projects are funded through two main sources:
• Integrated Grant (IG) funded projects: 17 projects in total, consisting of 15 social sector projects and 2 environmental and culture projects
• Municipal and other funding sources: 90 projects funded through a combination of municipal funding, loans, PTNG funding, and IUDG grants

The EPWP programme is designed to create temporary employment opportunities while providing workers with valuable work experience and exposure to the job market. In terms of employment created through these projects:
• 636 jobs were created in the first quarter; and
• 359 jobs were created in the second quarter
In total, George Municipality’s ongoing EPWP projects have created 995 employment opportunities for the first and second quarters, against a target of 1400 work opportunities. This represents 71% of the target for the 2025/26 financial year.

Another area where misinformation has been spread relates to EPWP wage rates. The national EPWP minimum wage rate, as revised and gazetted by the Department of Employment and Labour, is R16.62 per hour, which equates to R132.92 for an eight-hour workday. George Municipality pays significantly above the national EPWP minimum wage with the current rate for unskilled EPWP workers at R22.50 per hour, which equates to R180 for an eight-hour workday.

The daily rates applied across EPWP projects in George are:
• Unskilled: R180 per eight-hour day
• Semi-skilled: R275 per eight-hour day
• Skilled: R375 per eight-hour day
These rates are applied according to the requirements of each project and the level of skill required.

“We have noted a concerning trend of misinformation being circulated, including in some instances by individuals who should have access to the correct information. This highlights the importance of ensuring that the facts are properly considered before claims are made,” said the Chairperson of the EPWP Oversight Committee, Cllr Raybin Figland. “The spread of misinformation undermines a programme that is creating real opportunities for residents. The facts are clear: George Municipality is running over a hundred EPWP projects, creating jobs for our residents, and paying wages that exceed the national EPWP minimum rate.”

According to Executive Mayor Ald Browen Johnson: “This is exactly why we established this committee: to strengthen transparency, ensure accountability, and make sure that accurate information reaches the public. I would also like to encourage our residents, especially our youth, to register on the EPWP database to access these opportunities.”

Residents who wish to register on the EPWP database can do so by:
• Visiting the EPWP Office at the corner of St Johns Street and Varing Road
• Completing the official EPWP database application form
• Submitting the required supporting documents listed on page 3 of the application form
• Alternatively, visiting the George Municipal website: https://www.george.gov.za/extended-public-works-programme-epwp/

George Municipality remains committed to transparency, accountability, and accurate public reporting. We will continue to correct misinformation when it arises and ensure that EPWP opportunities are administered fairly, responsibly, and in line with national policy and available funding.