Author: Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe

PUBLIC NOTICE: VTS WILL CLOSE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD

The Vehicle Testing Station (VTS) located on Hibernia Street (next to the train station) was initially scheduled to be closed from the 15th of February until the 17th of March 2023 for equipment upgrading and replacement work. Due to weather conditions, the replacement of brake rollers at VTS will be delayed for another week, therefore facility will be open to the public on Monday, 27 March 2023.

The public is advised to use private vehicle testing stations. The Vehicle Testing station is open weekdays from 08h30 – 15h30 and can be contacted at 044 801 9312.

GEORGE TAKES PRIDE OF PLACE AT MEETINGS AFRICA 2023

George Municipal Tourism Manager, Joan Shaw, attended Meetings Africa 2023 from 27 February to 2 March 2023 at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg. Business meetings were pre-arranged with more than 30 buyers and business event organisers, over three days where George, Wilderness and Uniondale were positioned as the perfect destination to host small, medium, and large business events.

This is part of the strategy that George Tourism has adopted since the Covid pandemic, to attract more business through groups and events, and this has paid off as George’s recovery has been phenomenal to date, with many events taking place every month.

Joan met event and conference organisers, as well as tour operators that deal in both group and leisure travellers in the foreign individual travel (FIT) markets, and although the objective was to focus on the Garden Route’s Traditional markets of Germany and the United Kingdom, appointments with George were sought after by buyers from more than 10 counties including the United States of America, France, Turkey, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Russia. The keen interest from the United States can be ascribed to the direct flights from that continent now flying to Cape Town.

Joan Shaw said “Meetings Africa exists to provide a platform for exhibitors to showcase their offerings to International and local buyers, African associations, and corporate planners. It is a formidable platform to meet face-to-face with the most influential buyers in the world, and to be part of South Africa and ultimately George’s tourism and economic growth.”

Meetings Africa, owned by South African Tourism, serves as the primary platform to enable the growth of the business events industry on the continent. George attended on the Wesgro platform, making it more cost-effective for the destination to participate.

Ends.

MAYOR VAN WYK SHARES GEORGE MUNICIPALITY PLANS ON BECOMING ENERGY RESILIENT ON THE WESTERN CAPE PREMIER’S DIGICON

The Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk was a panellist at the Western Cape Premier Alan Winde’s weekly Digicon on Thursday, 9 March 2023 to feature and discuss the Municipality’s plans for becoming energy resilient and other related initiatives.

This was Premier Winde’s second digital media briefing of a string of upcoming weekly briefings on energy-related issues and George was the first municipality invited to address Digicon. A special focus this week was on the George Municipality’s energy projects. Mayor van Wyk was accompanied by the Municipal Manager of George, Dr Michele Gratz and the George Municipality’s Director for Electrotechnical Services, Mr Bongani Mandla.

Mayor van Wyk spoke about the Municipal intentions on Energy efficiency and demand management through reduction of own consumption, Self-generation (Municipal and private) Small scale energy wheeling, enabling Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) and restructuring of tariffs.

“We are extremely proud to have had the opportunity, as George Municipality to be able to present on the Digicon that was hosted by the Premier of the Western Cape,” said Mayor van Wyk. “It is important that local municipalities do look and see what they can do to assist their citizens in fighting off the effects of load-shedding, and these are major effects on all municipalities and we are very glad that we’ve been able to share work that we are doing in combatting this issue, and let’s all work together to see what we can do to sort out this problem and the challenges the lie ahead.”

Premier Winde also expressed his appreciation of the George Municipality’s willingness to share its energy plans. “I would like to thank George Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Leon Van Wyk, for joining our #EnergyDigicon today. I am committed to ensuring that the Western Cape Government works tirelessly to mitigate the devastating effects of rolling blackouts in our province.

For a recording of the latest Digicon, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/live/SpBdggu90d0?feature=share

Ends.

George Fire Department participates in the Eagle Challenge

Premier’s 2nd Energy Digicon hosts Mayor of George on their energy resilience initiatives

Premier’s 2nd Energy Digicon hosts Mayor of George on their energy resilience initiatives

On Thursday, 09 March 2023 Premier Alan Winde will host his second Energy Digicon. He will be joined by Executive Mayor of George Alderman Leon van Wyk, who will speak about how the George municipality is working towards becoming energy resilient.

Date: Thursday, 09 March 2023
Time: 11:15 am – 12:00 pm
Venue: Virtual platform Teams

Members of the public who would like to watch the Energy Digicon can watch live on the Premier’s and George Municipality’s social media pages:

PREMIER’S SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@premieralanwinde6012
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windealan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alanwinde

GEORGE MUNICIPALITY’S SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES
Twitter: www.twitter.com/@george_mun
Facebook: www.facebook.com/@george.municipality
Mayor Leon Van Wyk Facebook: www.facebook.com/@1stForGeorge
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@georgemunicipalofficialyou405/videos

The Digicon will also be recorded and will be available on the Premier’s YouTube channel.

Watch a recording of last week’s Digicon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4duyXoJJyU

UNIONDALE NOW USES MISGUND LOAD-SHEDDING SCHEDULE TEMPORARILY

UNIONDALE NOW USES MISGUND LOAD-SHEDDING SCHEDULE TEMPORARILY

As of 3 March 2023, Eskom is feeding Uniondale power supply from a different region.

Uniondale’s load-shedding schedule now falls under Misgund. We advise consumers to consider the George Municipal issued load shedding schedules as the correct version.

According to Eskom, this is a temporary arrangement which should only last approximately a week.

The load shedding Applications (Apps) that are in circulation may have not been updated about this change and will give incorrect information unintentionally. The George Municipality load-shedding schedule remains accurate and reliable.

The latest load-shedding schedule for Uniondale is as follows:

Monday 06/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Tuesday 07/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Wednesday 08/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Thursday 09/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

Friday 10/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
17:00 – 19:30

Issued by George Municipality
5 March 2023

UNIONDALE GEBRUIK MISGUND BEURTKRAG-SKEDULE TYDELIK

Vanaf 3 Maart 2023 voer Eskom Uniondale kragtoevoer uit ‘n ander streek.

Uniondale se beurtkrag-skedule val nou onder Misgund. Ons raai verbruikers aan om die George Munisipale uitgereikte beurtkragskedules as die korrekte weergawe te oorweeg.

Volgens Eskom is dit ‘n tydelike reëling wat net ongeveer ‘n week behoort te duur.

Die beurtkrag-toepassings (toepassings) wat in omloop is, is moontlik nie oor hierdie verandering opgedateer nie en sal onbedoeld verkeerde inligting verskaf. Die George-munisipaliteit se beurtkragskedule bly akkuraat en betroubaar.

Die jongste beurtkragskedule vir Uniondale is soos volg:

Maandag 06/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Dinsdag 07/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Woensdag 08/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Donderdag 09/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

Vrydag 10/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
17:00 – 19:30

Uitgereik deur George Munisipaliteit
5 Maart 2023

VEHICLE ACCIDENT AT OUTENIQUA PASS, PLEASE DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY

A minibus overturned at the Outeniqua Pass, and the driver and passenger sustained injuries. Motorists are requested to drive cautiously.

Issued by George Municipality
5 March 2023 @16:20

ESKOM LOADSHEDDING UPDATE Sunday, 05 March 2023 @15:50

Sunday, 05 March 2023: Stage 4 load-shedding will be implemented from 16:00 today until 05:00 on Tuesday morning. Thereafter, load-shedding will be reduced to Stage 3 until 16:00. Stage 4 will then be implemented from 16:00 until 05:00 on Wednesday morning. This pattern of Stages 3 and 4 will be repeated until further notice.

George will be affected as follows:

Sunday 05/03/2023
20:00 – 22:30

Monday 06/03/2023
04:00 – 06:30
12:00 – 14:30
20:00 – 22:30

Tuesday 07/03/2023
04:00 – 06:30
20:00 – 22:30

Wednesday 08/03/2023
04:00 – 06:30
12:00 – 14:30
20:00 – 22:30

Thursday 09/03/2023
02:00 – 04:30
10:00 – 12:30
18:00 – 20:30

Friday 10/03/2023
02:00 – 04:30
10:00 – 12:30
18:00 – 20:30

Uniondale will be affected as follows:

Sunday 05/03/2023
19:00 – 21:30

Monday 06/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Tuesday 07/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Wednesday 08/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Thursday 09/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

Friday 10/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
17:00 – 19:30

SWITCHING ON AFTER LOADSHEDDING – Not all areas will be switched back on at the same time!
Residents of George must please note that with the extended load-shedding, our Electrotechnical Directorate is no longer able to switch the entire city back on at the same time. Our daily notifiable demand from ESKOM has historically been set at 85MVA and on average George would use between 60 and 80MVA, although the municipality must pay ESKOM for 85MVA.

If the power is returned simultaneously to all areas when load-shedding ends, this creates a massive spike or surge in power with all geysers, freezers/fridges/batteries etc drawing power at the same time. With the extended four-hour load-shedding, the spikes for George are consistently reaching 105 – 112 MVA.

Areas will be switched on in sections, on rotation after Load-shedding.
Eskom has indicated that unless George can reduce the spikes, they will increase our notifiable demand to the highest actual usage level which will in turn increase the purchase cost to the municipality. Consumers are requested to use electricity very sparingly when power returns after load-shedding (especially a 4-hour slot).

The municipality will now in rotation, switch the power on in sections. This means if for example the load-shedding slot is scheduled from 20h00 – 22h30, there is a chance that your area may only come on at 22h45 or 23h00.

Please do not switch high-usage equipment on immediately after Load-shedding.
Consumers are therefore 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 Loadshedding 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.

Issued by George Municipal Communications Department
Office of the Municipal Manager

ESKOM LOADSHEDDING UPDATE Saturday, 04 March 2023 @15:50

Loadshedding Stage 4 will be implemented from 16:00 today until 05:00 on Sunday morning. Thereafter, Stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented from 05:00 until 16:00 followed by Stage 3 load-shedding until 05:00 on Monday morning. Eskom will publish a further outlook on Sunday.

George will be affected as follows:

Saturday 04/03/2023
14:00 – 16:30
22:00 – 00:30

Sunday 05/03/2023
04:00 – 05:00
12:00 – 14:30
20:00 – 22:30

Uniondale will be affected as follows:

Saturday 04/03/2023
15:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30

Sunday 05/03/2023
05:00 – 07:30
21:00 – 23:30

Issued by George Municipal Communications Department
Office of the Municipal Manager

GEORGE MUNICIPALITY SERVICES ON HIGH ALERT AS HEAVY RAIN AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE PREDICTED

The George Municipality has prepared a contingency plan consisting of integrated multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary services within the George Municipality including Uniondale, to respond and implement measures aimed at disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response, to the predicted heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms from Saturday night to Monday morning.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a weather warning of severe thunderstorms on Sunday, 05 March 2023 from 00h00 to 23h59. “Orange Level 6 warning for Severe Thunderstorms resulting in heavy downpours, strong damaging winds and flash flooding leading to damage to infrastructure are expected in the Overberg and Garden Route districts on Sunday,” SAWS announced.

Affected areas are: Bitou, Cape Agulhas, George, Hessequa, Kannaland, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Overstrand, Swellendam and Theewaterskloof. The George Municipality disaster management, Community Services, Planning and Human Settlements, traffic Services, Civil Engineering and Technical Services are on high alert to respond to heavy downpours and severe thunderstorms. The SAWS forecast the rainfall accumulation of 70-100mm and strong and gusty winds (50-60 km/h, gusting 70-80km), excessive lighting and large amounts of small hail (1-2 in diameter) can be expected in the mentioned districts.

The Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk has meanwhile contacted Eskom to request a possible relief from load shedding during the night, as part of George Municipality’s preparations for the expected heavy rainstorm later on Saturday, into Sunday and Monday morning. “Load shedding has a great potential to affect work by emergency services and citizens living in vulnerable areas and circumstances. We trust that ESKOM will provide exemption from loadshedding during the night should the situation warrants it.” Mayor van Wyk said.

The Municipality appeals to residents to be alert and cautious. If possible, stay off the roads. Remain indoors and away from metal objects. If on the road avoid flooded areas and rivers, be ready to move to higher ground if necessary. Remember to keep pets safe. Watch the George Municipal social media pages, website and local media for updated information.

Important contact detail for emergencies:

Switchboard: 801 9111 (7.45 am-4.30 pm)
AFTER-HOURS AND EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6300
FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311

Fire and Rescue: 044 801 6311 or 044 801 6300
Law Enforcement: 044 801 6350/89

UNIONDALE
Fire: 044 752 1225
Switchboard and fault reporting: 044 752 1024

Ends.

REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION ABOUT BUS BOMBERS

Following the bombing of a GO GEORGE bus this past week, George Municipality and the Western Cape Government have resolved to combine resources in offering a financial reward to help bring the perpetrators to book.

George Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon van Wyk, strongly condemned the incident in Pacaltsdorp where a petrol bomb was thrown into a bus carrying passengers. Final figures confirm that 11 passengers have been taken to hospital by ambulance – eight of them have been treated for burn wounds of whom two have been admitted to hospital. The SA Police Service is investigating the incident.

“We are abhorred at the atrocious act and want to see those responsible meet the full brunt of the law,” Van Wyk said. “We need the cooperation of the community to come forward with any information that could lead to the conviction of these persons. We cannot and will not allow this type of action to jeopardise the safety of our residents and the operations of our much needed public bus service.”

People with information regarding the attack should phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044. Call Centre agents will notify the designated person(s) to return the call and take down information which will be treated with the utmost confidence. Take note that only information that leads to conviction will be considered for the reward.

Ends.

PERSVERKLARING: BELONING AANGEBIED VIR INLIGTING OOR BUS-BOMGOOIERS

Ná die bomaanval op ‘n GO GEORGE-bus die afgelope week het George-munisipaliteit en die Wes-Kaapse regering besluit om hulpbronne te kombineer om ‘n finansiële beloning aan te bied om die oortreders aan die pen te laat ry.

George se uitvoerende burgemeester, raadsheer Leon van Wyk, het die voorval in Pacaltsdorp waar ‘n petrolbom in ‘n bus met passasiers gegooi is, ten sterkste veroordeel. Finale syfers bevestig dat 11 passasiers per ambulans hospitaal toe geneem is – agt van hulle is vir brandwonde behandel van wie twee opgeneem is in die hospitaal. Die SA Polisiediens ondersoek die voorval.

“Ons verafsku die gruwelike daad en wil sien dat diegene wat verantwoordelik is, met die volle impak van die reg kennis maak,” het Van Wyk gesê. “Ons het die samewerking van die gemeenskap nodig om na vore te kom met enige inligting wat tot die skuldigbevinding van hierdie persone kan lei. Ons kan en sal nie toelaat dat hierdie tipe optrede die veiligheid van ons inwoners en die bedrywighede van ons broodnodige openbare busdiens in gevaar stel nie.”

Mense met inligting oor die aanval moet die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 skakel. Die agente sal die aangewese persoon in kennis stel om die oproep te beantwoord en inligting af te neem wat met die grootste vertroulikheid hanteer sal word. Let daarop dat slegs inligting wat tot skuldigbevinding lei, vir die beloning oorweeg sal word.

Einde.

PRESS RELEASE: GEORGE MAYOR VISITS BUS BOMB VICTIM IN HOSPITAL

George Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon van Wyk, accompanied by James Robb, Acting Public Transport Oversight Official of the Municipality, paid a visit to the two patients still hospitalised after Wednesday’s petrol bomb attack on a GO GEORGE bus in Pacaltsdorp.

During the visit at the George Hospital on Friday afternoon, they also had the opportunity to speak to some family members of the victims, who were most appreciative of the courtesy and interest shown. The Mayor expressed the Municipality’s compassion and the commitment of the GO GEORGE team to stay in constant contact with the families.

“It is apparent that the patients who we visited are still traumatised and suffering from shock following this senseless criminal attack on innocent passengers going about their daily business of using the Go George bus service to commute to work,” he said.

Shortly after the visit, the female patient was transported by air ambulance to a Cape Town hospital to receive treatment at a specialist burn unit.

Call for affected persons to come forward

Robb reiterated the call for persons affected in any way by the incident to phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044 and leave their names and contact details.

“The crisis team will make contact with such persons, whether they had been injured, suffered from shock or witnessed the incident, and arrange for counselling where needed,” he said.

Several organisations and individuals have already reached out to offer support. Robb invites organisations or members of the community who would also like to express their solidarity and care in some way, to phone the Call Centre or send an email to info@gogeorge.org.za so that all the kind efforts can be coordinated to make a real difference where needed.

CAPTION:

George Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon van Wyk (left), and James Robb, Acting Public Transport Oversight Official of the Municipality, outside George Hospital after their visit to some of the victims of Wednesday’s petrol bomb attack on a GO GEORGE bus.

PERSVERKLARING: GEORGE-BURGEMEESTER BESOEK BUSBOMSLAGOFFER IN HOSPITAAL

George se uitvoerende burgemeester, raadsheer Leon van Wyk, vergesel van James Robb, die munisipaliteit se waarnemende toesigbeampte oor openbare vervoer, het ‘n besoek gebring aan die twee pasiënte wat steeds in die hospitaal is ná Woensdag se petrolbomaanval op ‘n GO GEORGE-bus in Pacaltsdorp.

Tydens die besoek Vrydagmiddag by die George-hospitaal het hulle ook die geleentheid gehad om met ‘n paar familielede van die slagoffers te praat, wat die hoflikheidsbesoek en belangstelling baie waardeer het. Die burgemeester het die munisipaliteit se meelewing en die toewyding van die GO GEORGE-span om voortdurend in kontak met die families te bly, bevestig.

“Dit is duidelik dat die pasiënte wat ons besoek het, steeds getraumatiseerd is en aan skok ly ná hierdie sinnelose kriminele aanval op onskuldige passasiers wat hul daaglikse roetine volg om die GO GEORGE-busdiens te gebruik om werk toe te ry,” het hy gesê.

Die vroulike pasiënt is kort ná die besoek per lugambulans na ‘n Kaapstadse hospitaal vervoer om behandeling by ‘n spesialisbrandeenheid te ontvang.

Beroep op geraakte persone om na vore te kom

Robb het die oproep herhaal dat persone wat op enige manier deur die voorval geraak is, die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 moet skakel en hul name en kontakbesonderhede moet laat.

“Die krisisspan sal kontak maak met sulke persone, hetsy hulle beseer is, aan skok ly of die voorval aanskou het, en reël vir berading waar nodig,” het hy gesê.

Verskeie organisasies en individue het reeds uitgereik om ondersteuning aa te bied. Robb nooi organisasies of lede van die gemeenskap wat ook graag hul solidariteit en omgee op een of ander manier wil betoon, om die inbelsentrum te skakel of ‘n e-pos aan info@gogeorge.org.za te stuur sodat al die pogings gekoördineer kan word om ‘n daadwerklike verskil te maak waar nodig.

ONDERSKRIF:

George se uitvoerende burgemeester, raadsheer Leon van Wyk (links), en James Robb, waarnemende toesigbeampte van openbare vervoer van die munisipaliteit, buite die George-hospitaal ná hul besoek aan van die slagoffers van Woensdag se petrolbomaanval op ‘n GO GEORGE-bus.

CALL FOR 2023/2024 SMME’S DATABASE REGISTRATION

The George Municipality Local Economic Development Department is embarking on a drive to register all Small, Medium and Micro enterprises on the George Municipality database.

The objective of the registration is to assist local entrepreneurs with business opportunities, training, and other business development capacitation.

Entrepreneurs are invited to submit the following documents to register.

Database application form
CIPC Document
Identity Document
Business Profile
SARS Registration

SMMEs that have registered before are encouraged to reregister their updated information.

Application forms can be obtained from the George Municipal Website, the Economic Development Office 11 Industrial Street, George Industrial, 6529.

Completed applications must be submitted to the Economic Development Office, 11 Industrial Street, George Industrial (Workers Collection Point) by no later than 13:00 on Friday 24 March 2023. Late applications will not be considered.

Please download the application form here.

For enquiries and further information please contact Ongeziwe Mthongwana (044) 801 9173 or omthongwana@george.gov.za

WEATHER WARNING: Severe Thunderstorms: 05/03/2023 00h00 TO:05/03/2023 23h59

Orange Level 6 warning for Severe Thunderstorms resulting in heavy downpours, strong damaging winds and flash flooding leading to damage to infrastructure are expected in the Overberg and Garden Route districts on Sunday (05/03/2023).

Affected areas are: Bitou, Cape Agulhas, George, Hessequa, Kannaland, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Overstrand, Swellendam and Theewaterskloof.

Severe Thunderstorms are expected to affect the Overberg and Garden Route during Sunday due to a cut-off low-pressure system. Heavy downpours with rainfall accumulation of 70-100mm, strong and gusty winds (50-60 km/h, gusting 70-80km), excessive lighting and large amounts of small hail (1-2 in diameter) can be expected in the mentioned districts.

Issued by the South African Weather Service

3 March 2023

CALL FOR PERSONS AFFECTED BY BOMBING OF BUS TO COME FORWARD

CALL FOR PERSONS AFFECTED BY BOMBING OF BUS TO COME FORWARD
3 March 2023

GO GEORGE is calling upon persons affected in any way by the petrol bomb attack on a bus in Pacaltsdorp on the 1st of March, to phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044 and leave their names and contact details. We would like to contact you, whether you had been injured, suffered from shock or witnessed the incident, and arrange for counselling where needed.

BEROEP OP PERSONE WAT GERAAK IS DEUR DIE BOMAANVAL OP GO GEORGE-BUS OM NA VORE TE KOM
3 Maart 2023

GO GEORGE doen ‘n beroep op persone wat op enige manier geraak is deur die petrolbomaanval op ‘n bus in Pacaltsdorp op 1 Maart, om die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te skakel en hul name en kontakbesonderhede te laat. Ons wil u kontak, of u beseer is, aan skok ly of die voorval gesien gebeur het, en reël vir berading waar nodig.

The power supply has been restored in Uniondale

The power supply has been restored in Uniondale.

***

UNPLANNED ESKOM POWER OUTAGE IN UNIONDALE

An unplanned power outage has been reported in Uniondale. Eskom has been notified and they will send an operator to investigate.

Issued by George Municipality
3/3/2023 @12:10

ESKOM LOADSHEDDING UPDATE Thursday, 02 March 2023 @15:30

Loadshedding will continue to be implemented at Stage 4 until 16:00 today. Thereafter, Stage 5 load-shedding will be implemented from 16:00 today until 05:00 on Friday. Stage 4 load-shedding will again be implemented from 05:00 on Friday until 05:00 on Saturday.

George will be affected as follows:
Thursday 02/03/2023
22:00 – 00:30

Friday 03/03/2023
06:00 – 08:30
14:00 – 16:30
22:00 – 00:30

Saturday 04/03/2023
06:00 – 08:30
14:00 – 16:30
22:00 – 00:30

Sunday 05/03/2023
04:00 – 06:30
12:00 – 14:30
20:00 – 22:30

Uniondale will be affected as follows:
Thursday 02/03/2023
17:00 – 19:30

Friday 03/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

Saturday 04/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

Sunday 05/03/2023
07:00 – 09:30
15:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30

Issued by George Municipal Communications Department
Office of the Municipal Manager

Mayor’s Newsletter for George Herald of 2 March 2023

Our current biggest challenge continues to be the supply of electricity. As I write this week’s newsletter we have stumbled back to Stage 4 after enduring the crippling effects of Stage 6’s four-hour stints of load-shedding that is crippling the economy.

At Stage 6, Municipality has a daily cost of R250 000 for diesel to operate generators for the water and waste-water treatment works, key pump stations and other critical infrastructure. This translates to R7,5m per month at that level of load-shedding. Industrialists have lamented about their diesel costs compared to that of electricity.

During the Council’s approval of our Adjustment Budget to see us through to June 2023, I mentioned that over the period from July 2022 to January 2023, we did not have power for 15% of the total daily hours. In December and January, it was 24%. We have budgeted that R101m of our budgeted Electricity revenue will not materialise. The costs do not stop there as we have the diesel costs and additional overtime that is needed to deal with the ongoing preventative maintenance of infrastructure that is being harmed by load-shedding. Under cover of darkness, cable theft and equipment vandalism also occur.

The effect is such a nature that it is simply impossible to reduce costs sufficiently to neutralise the loss of revenue. The effects of the Ukraine war have also led to substantial increases in the price of chemicals required for water purification. The expected shortfall totals R161m, which will undoubtedly impact cash reserves. This means that budget planning for 2023/24 will require a review of all expenditures and revenue. It is worth noting that in the financial year to June 2023, the Municipality’s total expenditure will be close to R3900m (with capital expenditure exceeding now R800m), the equivalent of R75m per week.

Residents will have noted changes to our normally efficient switch-ons following load-shedding. We have a notifiable demand agreement of 85MVA with Eskom, being the electricity that they must provide for George at any given moment in a year. On returning from load-shedding, usage spikes rise to 105-112MVA as geysers, freezers and other high-use equipment switch on. We have been informed that any spike above 85MVA will result in increased charges for electricity due to a higher notifiable demand being triggered. We now need to switch on sections of George in turn, over 30 minutes or longer to manage total usage within the limit. All our consumers should therefore assist by turning off equipment and waiting to switch it on again only after the power is restored.

Big electricity users wishing to discuss their electricity challenges with our team are welcome to email: supportbusiness@george.gov.za

Ald Leon van Wyk

Executive Mayor of George

GO GEORGE Incident Protea Road, Pacaltsdorp

GO GEORGE is confirming an incident of a petrol bomb thrown into a bus in Protea Road, Pacaltsdorp early this morning. According to early reports, 14 passengers have been taken to hospital by ambulance – five of them have been treated for burn wounds and nine for shock. The SA Police Service is investigating the incident.

GO GEORGE Manager Morné Lakay says the GIPTN regrets the incident and will assist the police with information and CCTV footage to bring the perpetrators to book.

The bus service in the area and all other routes remain fully operational.

ESKOM LOADSHEDDING UPDATE Tuesday, 28 February 2023 @16:20

Loadshedding will continue to be implemented at Stage 3 until 16:00 today. Thereafter, Stage 4 load-shedding will be implemented from 16:00 today until 16:00 tomorrow and Stage 5 load-shedding will then be implemented from 16:00 until 05:00 on Thursday.

George will be affected as follows:
Tuesday 28/02/2023
18:00 – 20:30

Wednesday 01/03/2023
06:00 – 08:30
14:00 – 16:30
22:00 – 00:30 **

Thursday 02/03/2023
00:00 – 02:30 **
06:00 – 08:30
14:00 – 16:30
22:00 – 00:30

Friday 03/03/2023
06:00 – 08:30
14:00 – 16:30

Uniondale will be affected as follows:
Tuesday 28/02/2023
21:00 – 23:30

Wednesday 01/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

Thursday 02/03/2023
01:00 – 05:30 **
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

Friday 03/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
09:00 – 11:30

If the power is returned simultaneously to all areas when load-shedding ends, this creates a massive spike or surge in power with all geysers, freezers/fridges/batteries etc drawing power at the same time. With the extended four-hour load-sheddingg, the spikes for George are consistently reaching 105 – 112 MVA.

Issued by George Municipal Communications Department
Office of the Municipal Manager

George Municipality

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