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Author: Nadine Payle

Netball World Cup 2023 FANPARK  coming to George!

Netball World Cup 2023 Local Organizing Committee on the Rosemore Stadium pitch from left are: Eddie Myners (Head of George Correctional Centre); Sisanda Velembe (George Sport Maintenance);  Yonella Kibido (George Community Services);  Aviwe Kroba (DCS:Southern Cape Management Area’s Acting Communications Officer); Fozia Philander (Western Cape Department of Culture and Sport: Head Coach George); Granville Campher (George Sport Development); Suretha Pick (George MVR); Rene Booysen (President of Eden Netball Federation); Jonique Claasen-Gozongo (George Sport Development); Haily Oktober (George Corporate Services); Leandri Soko (George Corporate Services); Roland Hardnick (George Law Enforcement); Claudine Carelse (George Tourism) : Tembani Ngwenze (Western Cape Department of Culture and Sport: Sport Promotion Officer Eden District); Jonathan Fortuin (George Community Services);Rowan Botha (George Law Enforcement; Leveinia Botha (George Sport Development); Lizelle Petersen (George Human Settlements) and Timu-Charlie Pieterse (George Law Enforcement).

It’s World Cup time again – Netball!  George Municipality applied and has received the honour of being the only city in the Garden Route District that has been allocated a Netball World Cup Fan Park to be hosted at Rosemore Stadium in primary partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport(DCAS) from 28th July to 6th August 2023. The Fan Park will allow up to 2000 residents to participate on a daily basis in the family friendly netball world cup experience with viewing screens, stalls, music and so much more on offer.

George Municipality together with DCAS will jointly host the World Cup Netball Trophy Tour which reaches our shores on 5 July 2023. Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport,  Anroux Marais and Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk will accept the Trophy at a high energy, musical and fun event. The Official Trophy is currently doing its rounds of South Africa and has been received in KZN, Gauteng,  Mpumalanga and Limpopo. From George the Trophy Tour will head to Riversdale and finish up  in Cape Town, the venue for the official World Cup tournament which will consist of 60 games and will take place at the CTICC Arena 1 and 2.

The Local Organizing Committee which includes DCAS, the George Branch of Department of Correctional Services and Eden Netball Federation has been hard at work with all of the planning and logistics and have many more Netball surprises to unveil as we get closer to the 28 July. George is a Legacy point on this whirlwind Trophy Tour having received funding for the upgrade of the Netball Courts at Rosemore Stadium and various schools will receive netball equipment at the Trophy Tour handover.

The Rosemore Stadium Netball World Cup Fan Park will host an official opening ceremony on the 28th July and the closing Ceremony on the 6th August. 25 Schools have been invited to participate in a Primary and High School Netball Tournament during the week running from 3 – 7 July with Federation and Social Clubs being given an opportunity to participate over the two weekends.

Portfolio Councillor for Community Services: Social Development, Libraries and Sport Brendan Adams expressed his delight at the opportunity presented to George to host this once in a lifetime Fan Park. “ I am thrilled at the level of awareness of the sport the World Cup Netball Fan Park will create within George and it is an incredible opportunity for the sport as a whole in South Africa.  I am proud that George will host a Fan Park.”

NETBALL World Cup Fridays – every Friday at George Municipality!
In the run-up to the World Cup NETBALL Friday’s are being rolled out across South Africa. George Municipality, DCAS and DCS invite all businesses and institutions to show your solidarity with the participating Netball Teams, by dressing in your netball uniform OR any colours (flags or netball uniforms) of your team of choice, who will participate during the Netball World Cup. Participating Teams will be South Africa, Australia, Barbados, England, Fiji, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, Wales and Zimbabwe.

Vendor Opportunities at the Fan Park, Rosemore Stadium
Do you want to run a stall at the Netball World Cup Fan Park? Follow this link, complete the application and submit before 14 July. Only six stalls will be successful.  https://www.george.gov.za/george-document/gm-netball-world-cup-informal-trading-application-form/

PUBLIC NOTICE: MUNICIPALITY CLOSED ON UPCOMING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Please note that the George Municipality offices will be closed for the Public Holiday Youth Day on Friday, 16 June  2023 and re-open on Monday, 19 June 2023. All emergency and standby services will operate as usual.

After-hours emergencies: 044 801 6300.

Fire emergencies: 044 801 6311

 

The Directorate has yet to raise enthusiasm among our male counterparts, but the participants are enjoying the fellowship during lunch breaks and are bonding as colleagues and teams.

Madiba Day Project well underway – supporting CANSA

The Directorate has yet to raise enthusiasm among our male counterparts, but the participants are enjoying the fellowship during lunch breaks and are bonding as colleagues and teams.

Preparations for Madiba Day 2023 started early in the Directorate: Human Settlements, Planning and Development when management agreed in May to mobilize staff to donate and contribute to the production of hand knitted or crochet blankets to comfort Cancer patients, receiving chemotherapy.  This project aligns with a local initiative by volunteers of the Sunflower Support Project who support cancer patients of the George Regional Hospital.  The Directorate has set an ambitious target to deliver 20 blankets by Madiba Day and is relying on donations and the skills of staff to make this happen.  The project has been received with great enthusiasm by some that are keen to learn a new skill and even ticks a box on their list of new year’s resolutions.

Delia Power, (Deputy Director Planning) and Nonki Shelane (Senior Administrative Officer to Director’s office),  are shown the finer points of crochet by Pat Brits.

Two ladies that are actively involved in this community project, Pat Brits and Bets Martins, or known to the municipal staff as the ‘breitannies’ visited the offices during the last week of May, to provide lessons in how to crochet and knit.  In just two days, many grasped the basics and became ‘hooked’.  The trend has caught on at speed and in less than two weeks the directorate is proud to say that a supply of squares, sufficient to produce two blankets has been built up.

Zanele Norawana (Chief Clerk to Planning office),  concentrates hard while Pat Brits provides encouragement.

 

GARDEN ROUTE DAM LEVEL  – Water Restrictions remain in place

Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height                           99.75

Rainfall for previous 7 days:                                                                   21mm  (Measured up to and including 12 June 2023)

The co-operation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.

Follow this link for the detailed Stricter Water Restrictions in English/Afrikaans and IsiXhosa.
https://www.george.gov.za/george-doc-categories/public-notices/general/

 

Contraventions of the Water Restrictions can be reported on 0800 424477.
Report water leaks and burst pipes to 044 801 9262/66 or after hours at 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them.

Refuse removal on upcoming holiday and Gwaiing Landfill site times for Public Holidays and regular days

Please note refuse will be collected on the Public Holiday, Youth Day, 16 June 2023 as per the usual schedule.

Black bag-related enquiries: 044 802 2900
blue and green bag enquiries: lge waste, 044 630 0279 /lgewaste@gmail.com

The Gwaiing Landfill site is open weekdays from 07h00 to 18h00 and on Saturdays from 07h00 to 18h00.
Public Holidays it is open from 07h00 to 15h00.

The landfill site is closed on Sundays. The site is situated next to the George Showgrounds on the R102 (Old Airport Road). For enquiries contact the landfill site directly on 044 803 9287/97 or the Cleansing department in Meade Street on 044 802 2900.

ESKOM LOADSHEDDING UPDATE – 9 JUNE 2023

Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 until midnight. Thereafter, Stage 1 loadshedding will be implemented from 05:00 until 16:00 on Saturday, followed by Stage 4 loadshedding until midnight. This pattern will be repeated on Sunday. Eskom will publish another update should any significant changes occur.

George will be affected as follows:
Friday 09/06/2023
18:00 – 20:30

Saturday 10/06/2023
18:00 – 20:30

Sunday 11/06/2023
18:00 – 20:30

Uniondale will be affected as follows:
Friday 09/06/2023
21:00 – 23:30

Saturday 10/06/2023
21:00 – 23:30

Sunday 11/06/2023
05:00 – 07:30
21:00 – 23:30

Consumers are reminded to use electricity sparingly after power returns.

Please do not switch high-usage equipment on immediately after Load shedding. Consumers are urged to turn off high-usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding. This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce our current high MVA spikes.

Reporting power outages
Please do not phone the afterhours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report that you have no power immediately after load shedding is scheduled to be lifted. Please be aware of the rotational switching on and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware if there has been a possible substation trip which needs to be sorted out.

Receive Eskom loadshedding notifications by downloading the free EskomSePush app from Google Play Store at https://sepush.co.za/

Clean Audit Trophy Awarded to George

n the photograph are from left Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz, Ald Leon Van Wyk holding the trophy, Portfolio Councillor for Finance and Strategic Services,, Dirk Wessels and Chief Financial Officer, Riaan Du Plessis.

Executive Mayor Leon van Wyk and Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz were thrilled to be awarded a Clean Audit Trophy at the most recent Municipal Manager/Mayor Forum held in Saldanha Bay on 2 June 2023.. George Municipality has attained a clean audit two years in a row now for 2020/21 and the 2021/22 financial years. For the 2021/22 financial year the  Auditor-General report acknowledged the great strides which the George Municipality has made over the past two years and specifically commended the implementation of consequence management to ensure officials do their work diligently and efficiently. George remains committed to clean governance and will strive to continue to improve on systems and processes.

“George Municipality has undergone a major turnaround in the past 2 years and the success of the turnaround strategy is reflected in the two consecutive clean audit outcomes. Thank you to the management team and all officials involved for the commitment and hard work to achieve a clean audit, an outcome which very few municipalities achieve,” said Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz.

 

Municipality announces GO GEORGE tariff increase from 1 July 2023

The George Municipality has announced the annual increase in the GO GEORGE bus fares from 1 July 2023. The increase forms part of the annual municipal tariff adjustments.

Bundles still the best buy

Smart Card trips bought in bundles of 10 or more will increase by only 90c per trip to R11.90 and bundles of less than 10 trips will cost R13.20 per trip (95c more than before). The price of single trips increases with R1 to R16 to encourage passengers to rather load the multiple, cheaper trips on their Smart Cards and to avoid long queues to top up every few days.

The bundles of 10 trips and more remain the best buy.  Purchasing this bundle saves a passenger who travels to work or school and back home five days per week, R180 per month in travel expense compared to the same number of single trips.

Free trips for first-time card buyers

The cost of the Smart Card is R27 for first-time buyers, including two free, preloaded trips when they present a valid form of identification. New and replacement cards cost R35. There is no profit for the Municipality in the sales of Smart Cards; on the contrary, the cards are sold at much less than their cost to the Municipality.

Trips loaded on a Smart Card never expire. This means that trips bought before the tariff increase stay valid. Passengers are welcome to buy more trips than usual before the increase to save money but are cautioned to keep their cards safe – if lost or stolen, the trips cannot be transferred to a new card.

Utilise existing Smart Cards

Passengers are encouraged to utilise their existing cards to top up and not to unnecessarily purchase new cards if they do not need it. Similar to bank cards, smart cards expire five years after issuing by the bank. Hence, it makes even more sense to rather use existing cards you may have in reserve rather than purchase a new one if it is not really necessary.

Work around loadshedding

To curb the impact of loadshedding, passengers are advised to top up their Smart Cards when they are near operational top-up points, before they run out of trips. Top-up vendors often experience battery problems with their card devices during loadshedding.

For more information, please call the GO GEORGE Call Centre at 0800 044 044, or send an email to info@gogeorge.org.za.

 

Munisipaliteit kondig GO GEORGE-tariefverhoging aan

Die George-munisipaliteit het die jaarlikse verhoging van die GO GEORGE-bustariewe vanaf 1 Julie 2023 bekendgemaak. Hierdie verhoging is deel van die jaarlikse munisipale tariefaanpassings.

Bondels steeds die beste koop

Slimkaartritte wat in bondels van 10 of meer gekoop word sal met slegs 90c per rit verhoog na R11.90 en bondels van minder as 10 ritte sal R13.20 per rit kos (’n 95c-verhoging). Die prys van enkelritte verhoog met R1 na R16 om passasiers aan te moedig om liewer die goedkoper ritte te koop en om lang rye elke paar dae te vermy.

Die bondels van 10 ritte en meer bly die beste koop en kan ’n passasier wat vyf dae per week werk of skool toe en terug huis toe ry, R180 per maand in vervoeruitgawes spaar, vergeleke met enkelritte wat op die kaart gelaai word.

Gratis ritte vir eerstekaartkopers

Die prys van die Slimkaart is R27 vir kopers van hul eerste kaart wat twee gratis, voorafgelaaide ritte op die kaart insluit indien hulle ‘n geldige bewys van identiteit toon. Nuwe kaarte en vervangingskaarte kos R35. Daar is geen wins vir die munisipaliteit in die verkope van slimkaarte nie; inteendeel, die kaarte word teen baie minder as die aankoopkoste daarvan vir die munisipaliteit verkoop.

Ritte wat op die Slimkaart gelaai is, verval nooit nie. Dit beteken dat ritte wat voor die tariefverhoging gekoop is geldig bly. Passasiers is welkom om voor die verhoging meer ritte as gewoonlik te koop om geld te spaar, maar word gemaan om hul kaarte veilig te hou – indien dit wegraak of gesteel word, kan die ritte nie op ’n nuwe kaart oorgedra word nie.

Gebruik bestaande slimkaarte

Passasiers word aangemoedig om hul bestaande kaarte te gebruik om ritte op te laai en nie onnodig nuwe kaarte aan te koop as hulle dit nie nodig het nie. Soortgelyk aan bankkaarte, verval slimkaarte vyf jaar nadat dit deur die bank uitgereik is. Daarom maak dit selfs meer sin om eerder bestaande kaarte wat jy in reserwe het, te gebruik as om ‘n nuwe een te koop as dit nie regtig nodig is nie.

 Werk om beurtkrag

Om die impak van beurtkrag te bekamp, word passasiers aangeraai om hul slimkaarte te herlaai wanneer hulle naby werkende herlaaipunte is, voordat hul ritte opraak. Besighede wat ritte herlaai ervaar dikwels batteryprobleme met hul kaarttoestelle tydens beurtkrag.

Vir meer inligting, skakel gerus die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044, of stuur ’n e-pos na info@gogeorge.org.za.

 

 

 

Power Outage- 8 June CBD

The following streets are affected by the power outage, Market, Victoria and Mispell street in the CBD.

The contractor damaged the feeder cable. Repairs are in process.

Condolences on sudden passing of Ald Van Staden, Modimolle-Mookgophong Municipality

Executive Mayor for George, Leon Van Wyk offered his warmest condolences today, 8 June 2023 on behalf of Council and George Municipality on the sudden passing of Mayor Marlene Van Staden of the Modimolle-Mookgophong municipality.

Ald Van Staden who was Mayor at Modimolle-Mookgophong from 2016 visited George twice over the past two years, with her senior management and MAYCO members  on fact-finding missions around technology in place and other best practice as implemented by George.

 

“Ald Van Staden was a vibrant, bright personality filled with enthusiasm and dedication to her municipality and its residents. I offer my deepest condolences to her family, friends, and the entire community of Modimolle-Mookgophong during this difficult time”

Group photograph: Mayor van Staden standing behind George Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz and Ald Leon Van Wyk at a group photograph taken with senior management from both George and Modimolle-Mookgophong Municipality.

Group pic 2: Taken November 2022 during the second visit to George : Back Row: Portfolio Councillor Jacqulique Von Brandis (George Municipality’s Civil Engineering Services: Capital Projects & BFI), Portfolio Councillor Henry Hill (George Municipality’s Planning & Development), Ald Gert Niehaus (George Municipality’s GIPTN Chairperson), Councillor Sean Snyman (George Municipality’s Speaker), Councillor Marlene Barnardt (George Municipality’s Chief Whip) and Portfolio Councillor Nosicelo Mbethe (George Municipality’s Electrotechnical Services & Fleet Management)

NOTIFICATION OF THE INTERRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.

NOTIFICATION OF THE INTERRUPTION
OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.

Tel: 044 803 9200
Date Issued: 08\06\2023
CONTACT PERSON: P VAN DER WALT

NOTIFICATION OF THE INTERRUPTION
OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.

THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED:

PORTION OF GEORGE EAST
MEYER STR, STEVENS STR, 3RD STR, 4TH STR, GEELHOUT STR, WOODFIELD AVENUE, MIMOSA AVENUE

NOTICE is hereby given that the electricity supply will be interrupted on WEDNESDAY 14 JUNE 2023 FROM 08H30 TO17H30 for the purpose of doing alterations to the electrical mains. Consumers are warned to treat the installation as being live for the full duration as the supply may be resumed at any time within the notified period.

Should circumstances prevent the work being carried out during the abovementioned period; the work will be done on
THURSDAY 15 JUNE 2023 FROM 08H30 TO 17H30

DIRECTOR: ELECTROTECHNICAL SERVICES

PLANNED POWER OUTAGE – Portion of Hoekwil – 15 June

NOTIFICATION OF THE INTERRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

 THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED:

PORTION OF HOEKWIL

CHURCH STR , OLIFANTSHOEK RD, PLATRUG  STR ,KAMMASIE STR , LOERIE AVENUE

NOTICE is hereby given that the electricity supply will be interrupted on  THURSDAY 15 JUNE 2023  FROM  08H30 TO 18H30 for the purpose of doing alterations to the electrical mains.  Consumers are warned to treat the installation as being live for the full duration as the supply may be resumed at any time within the notified period.

Should circumstances prevent the work being carried out during the abovementioned period; the work will be done on

MONDAY 19 JUNE 2023 FROM  08H30 TO 18H30

 

 

ESKOM LOADSHEDDING UPDATE – 6 JUNE @ 15H25

Due to further improvement on the available generation capacity, Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented over the evening peak periods from 16:00 today until midnight. Loadshedding will be suspended from midnight until 16:00 tomorrow. This pattern where loadshedding is suspended from midnight until 16:00 and Stage 3 loadshedding is implemented from 16:00 until midnight will be repeated daily until further notice.

George will be affected as follows:

Tuesday 06/06/2023
20:00 – 22:30

Wednesday 07/06/2023
20:00 – 22:30

Thursday 08/06/2023
None

Friday 09/06/2023
18:00 – 20:30

Uniondale will be affected as follows:

Tuesday 06/06/2023
16:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 00:30

Wednesday 07/06/2023
23:00 – 00:30

Thursday 08/06/2023
16:00 – 17:30

Friday 09/06/2023
21:00 – 23:30

Consumers are reminded to use electricity sparingly after power returns.

Please do not switch high-usage equipment on immediately after Load shedding. Consumers are urged to turn off high-usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding. This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce our current high MVA spikes.

Reporting power outages
Please do not phone the afterhours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report that you have no power immediately after load shedding is scheduled to be lifted. Please be aware of the rotational switching on and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware if there has been a possible substation trip which needs to be sorted out.

Receive Eskom loadshedding notifications by downloading the free EskomSePush app from Google Play Store at https://sepush.co.za/

Public Notice: Eye test machines down at Traffic Department in Pacaltsdorp 6 June 2023

Public Notice: Eye test machines down at Traffic Department in Pacaltsdorp
Please note that there’s a national problem with the LEU systems (eye test machines). The machines are not operational at the Traffic Services Department(DLTC) in Pacaltsdorp.
Technicians are busy working on the problem and the public is asked to be patient.
No renewals of driving licences and or tests can be done until further notice.
We will inform the public of any developments. For more information contact the Traffic Department in Pacaltsdorp on 044 878 2400.

ESKOM Loadshedding Schedule- Stage 4 Tuesday, 06 June 2023

Due to an improvement in available generation capacity, loadshedding will be suspended from 08:00 until 16:00 today. Thereafter, Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 as per the latest schedule published previously. Eskom will communicate if any significant changes occur.(Eskom)

 

Eskom load shedding Stage 4

Tuesday 06/06/2023

04:00 – 05:00

20:00 – 22:30

Wednesday 07/06/2023

04:00 – 06:30

20:00 – 22:30

 

Uniondale will be affected as follows:

Tuesday 06/06/2023

16:00 – 17:30

23:00 – 01:30

Wednesday 07/06/2023

07:00 – 09:30

16:00 – 17:30

23:00 – 01:30

 

Consumers are reminded to use electricity sparingly after power returns.

Please do not switch high-usage equipment on immediately after Load shedding. Consumers are urged to turn off high-usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding. This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce our current high MVA spikes.

 

Reporting power outages

Please do not phone the afterhours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report that you have no power immediately after load shedding is scheduled to be lifted. Please be aware of the rotational switching on and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware if there has been a possible substation trip which needs to be sorted out.

 

Receive Eskom loadshedding notifications by downloading the free EskomSePush app from Google Play Store at https://sepush.co.za/

Eskom load shedding Stage 4 update: 5 June 2023

 

Tuesday 06/06/2023
04:00 – 05:00
20:00 – 22:30

Wednesday 07/06/2023
04:00 – 06:30
20:00 – 22:30

Uniondale will be affected as follows:

Tuesday 06/06/2023
16:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30

Wednesday 07/06/2023
07:00 – 09:30
16:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30

Consumers are reminded to use electricity sparingly after power returns.

Please do not switch high-usage equipment on immediately after Load shedding. Consumers are urged to turn off high-usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding. This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce our current high MVA spikes.

Reporting power outages
Please do not phone the afterhours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report that you have no power immediately after load shedding is scheduled to be lifted. Please be aware of the rotational switching on and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware if there has been a possible substation trip which needs to be sorted out.

Receive Eskom loadshedding notifications by downloading the free EskomSePush app from Google Play Store at https://sepush.co.za/

GARDEN ROUTE DAM LEVEL – Water Restrictions remain in place

Issued 5 June 2023, George Municipality

Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height                           99
Rainfall for the previous 7 days:                                                        47.1mm  

(Measured up to and including 5 June 2023)
                               

The co-operation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.

Follow this link for the detailed Stricter Water Restrictions in English/Afrikaans and IsiXhosa.
https://www.george.gov.za/george-doc-categories/public-notices/general/

 

Contraventions of the Water Restrictions can be reported on 0800 424477.
Report water leaks and burst pipes to 044 801 9262/66 or after hours at 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them.

 

GO GEORGE SCHEDULE ON PUBLIC HOLIDAY- Schedule for Youth Day

With national Youth Day coming up on Friday, 16 June, GO GEORGE passengers need to take note that the Saturday schedule (which is different to the weekday schedule) will be followed on all routes on this public holiday.

For any enquiries, please phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, or visit the GO GEORGE Facebook, or the web page (www.gogeorge.org.za) where all routes, maps and schedules can be viewed and downloaded.