Author: Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe

With less than a month to Christmas, a period that is characterised by the exchange of gifts, care and family time, the Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk, and Councillor Brendon Adams, the Portfolio Councillor for Community Services, Social Development, Libraries and Sport went out to the townships of George on Wednesday, 7 December 2022 and handed over Gas stoves to eight (8) City’s nutritional centres, formerly known as ‘soup kitchens.

“Today we were in Conville, Pacaltsdorp, Thembalethu, Rosemore and Maraiskamp. I’m sure that many children in these areas rely on a hearty cup of soup as their only meal of the day. I would like to thank these women for the wonderful work that they do in our communities,” said Mayor van Wyk.

Dina Witbooi serves 120 – 130 people a day, four times a week
Mayor van Wyk and Portfolio Councillor Adam’s first stop was at Dina Witbooi’s soup kitchen on Cain Road, Rosedale. Ms Witbooi serves 120 – 130 people a day four times a week. Handing over the stove to Witbooi, Mayor van Wyk said: “I am very happy that I had the opportunity to hand over this stove to Ms Dina to assist her in the noble work that she is doing for her community. I commend every soup kitchen for their amazing work and service.”

Witbooi could not contain her excitement and appreciation of receiving the new stove the Municipality bequeath to her. Reacting to the Executive Mayor, Ms Witbooi happily bragged to the Mayor that she will be making biryani on her new stove.

Rosina Gordon has been feeding her community for 30 years
The second stop was Ms Rosina Gordon in Jacaranda Street Pacaltsdorp. Ms Gordon told Mayor van Wyk and Cllr Adams that she has been feeding her community for 30 years and that she will be 70 years old in a little over a year.

She also indicated that they need more donations, as there is a genuine need for soup kitchens and feeding schemes in the area. “The nutritional value of these foods needs attention as well and I try my best with what I get,” Gordon said.

On the flip side, Gordon, proudly mentioned that she hosts a Christmas party for residents every year where she feeds those in need. Last year she fed over 300 people.

As Mayor van Wyk and Cllr. Adams took a tour of her home, and Ms Gordon informed them that her husband built a kitchen space for the work that she does with her soup kitchen. Upon receipt of her stove, she expressed gratitude for the stove and said that they will make space for her new stove. Gordon feeds between 250 – 300 people twice a week (Monday & Thursday).

Mayor van Wyk commended Gordon for her work and reiterated that she is a hero of her community ensuring that people, young and old, are fed. She even made sandwiches for her visitors and told Mayor that she refused to have anyone leave her home without having something to eat and that the Mayor and Cllr Adams would not be an exception.

Ms Stella Lottering in Blanco feeds 85 people three times a week
The last stop on the Mayor’s tour was to Ms Stella Lottering in Blanco. She feeds 85 people three times a week.

“Today I have met a few heroes in our society. I have so much admiration and appreciation for the work that all these amazing women do for their communities. These stoves will go a long way in aiding them in their pursuit.” Mayor van Wyk concluded.

Ms Stella thanked Mayor van Wyk and Cllr Adams and said that they will never fully understand how much this means to her. She thanked the municipality for this contribution. People wanting to support the nutritional centres can contact 044 802 2000.

ENDS.

Issued by George Municipality, 9 December 2022

The George Municipality wishes to confirm that the George Lights Festival 2022 will continue tomorrow, 10 December 2022, at the Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre in Pacaltsdorp despite the probability of load-shedding (Note that at the time of issuing this statement the new load-shedding schedule had not been issued by Eskom).

Without any compromise to the quality, the line-up of artists and other features of the festival, such as the display and sale of vendors’ products, the organisers have amended the duration of the George Festival to adjust to possible power outages while also ensuring much-desired convenience for the festival goers.

The festival is supported by the Pacaltsdorp Religious Leaders Forum of the George Lights Festival. The Municipality commends the role played by the Pacaltsdorp Religious Leader Forum in relation to the history of the Pacaltsdorp Lights Festival and is grateful that there is a mutual understanding regarding the hosting of a successful George Lights Festival in Pacaltsdorp.

The amended official duration of the programme will be 14:00 until 20:00 and not until 22:00, as originally planned. The organisers have carefully amended the programme to finish two hours earlier, but still provide the same quality of entertainment for the festival goers. Thus, the Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk will switch on the lights at 19:50 so that all festival goers can be released by 20:00 and get home before it is too dark.

The George Lights Festival remains a very important event in the Events Calendar of the City of George. Its contribution to kicking off a good-spirited festive season, the showcasing of the best talent George has on offer, and providing much-needed opportunities to local traders, cannot be overlooked.

The main artists for this year’s festival are Gregory Noble, Geraldo Lewis, Wesso’s, T.B.C and Veronique Ferndale among others. This is a celebration not to be missed as it will be fun-filled, and everyone has been catered for, from children to adults. There will be live performances by local artists, food stalls, arts and crafts stalls and a kiddie’s corner. Bring your family, neighbours, and friends and hail in the festive season.

George Municipality Law Enforcement, South African Police Service (SAPS) Pacaltsdorp and local Neighbourhood watches will be present, as the safety of the attendees is a priority. Law enforcement agencies will have ZERO tolerance towards any criminal or undesired activities.

The festival event details are as follows:

Date: 10th December 2022
Venue: Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre, Mission Street, Pacaltsdorp
Time:14h00 – 20h00

PROGRAMME
MC: PETER JAFTA

KIDDIES’ CORNER ACTIVITIES:
• JUMPING CASTLES
• FACE PAINT
• DANTJIEKAT – (TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT)
• Georgie Mascot (Go George)

YOUTH PROGRAMME
14H00 – OFFICIAL WELCOMING – DELEGATE OF COUNCIL
14H10 – OPENING & SHORT WORD – PASTOR ALLEN SPIES
14H20 – TEAM CURIOSITY
14H30 – CHANGE THE MINDSET DANCE CREW
14H40 – PACALTSDORP PRIMARY SCHOOL CHOIR
14H50 – ANNOINTED YOUTH -DANCE CREW
15H00 – BREATH LIFE DANCE GROUP
15H10 – BERONIQUE & LYNETTE
15H15 – ILITHA SPECIAL SCHOOL (SING
15H20 – SUENELL RUITERS (SING)
15H25 – AYANDA GUTSHA (RAP)
15H30 – ZOE MEYER-(SING)
16H35 – MAX GOZO-(RAP)
16H40 – MEGAN APPELS (SING)
16H50 – LEE-QUION STALMEESTER-(DANCE)
16H55 – BLXCK(RAP)
17H00 – GEPPE(RAP)
17H05 – GRAZIEL HEATHCOTE(RAP)
17H10 – STIVI G & POKE(RAP)
17H15 – AFRIKA RISE & SHINE (RAP)
17H20 – CARLY ADAMS (LIP SING)
17H25 – RODGER HLD(RAP)
17H35 – SLAUTER HOUSE(DANCE)
17H40 – DOROTHY VAN WYNGAARD(SING)
17H50 – KEADE (SING)
17H55 – MUSISEAN(SING)
18H00 – JONTHY MARTIN(SING)
18H10 – STEPHEN DE KLERK(SING)
18H20 – LORENZO PRETORIUS(SING)
18H30 – LE CLUE SONDAY(SING)
18H40 – WESSO’S
18H50 – WIMPEE
19H00 – OPENING ACT – FANATIC STAGE BAND
19H15 – GREGORY NOBLE
19H30 – GERALDO LEWIS
19H40 – TBC
19H50 – 20H00- EXECUTIVE MAYOR ALDERMAN LEON VAN WYK (KEYNOTE ADDRESS & SWITCH-ON OF LIGHTS)

Below street closure for Light’s Festival:
Closure of Church Street [c/o Mission & Church Street; c/o Church & Populier Street.
The closure will be done from 11H00 – 22H00 to allow for set-up as well as pack-up after the event.

Seats are limited, so be sure to get there early. If you have any enquiries, please contact Special Programmes & Project Coordinator for Community Development in the George Municipality, Jonathan Fortuin: 044 802 2000 or 061 624 7431.

Ends.

Note to editors:
The Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre in Pacaltsdorp is a unique amphitheatre, built to honour the memory of Chief Dikkop, who was the leader of the Khoi – Khoi, the first inhabitants of Hoogekraal – now known as Pacaltsdorp. The amphitheatre is used for community gatherings like the monthly Pacaltsdorp Market Day, and now, the annual Pacaltsdorp Lights Festival.

The George Municipality hosted two World Aids Day celebrations events one was held on 01 December 2022 at the Touwsranten Community Hall and another on 02 December 2022 at Haarlem Community Hall. This year’s World Aids Day was themed, “A Healthy Mind is a Healthy Body”.

World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1st each year around the world to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

Approximately 200 citizens attend the Touwsranten World Aids Day celebrations

According to Sophia Fanelo, Manager for Community Development in the George Municipality, the event was attended by approximately 200 citizens. She says, as part of the celebrations, various organizations were allowed to present their services to the community. This was coupled with educational games by the community members, while the youth spread the HIV motivational messages. Five (5) Community members received food parcels and a gift each with a certificate of excellence for the commitment they have shown in taking their treatment.

The keynote speech was done by the Executive Deputy Mayor of George, Councillor Raybin Figland. In his address, Cllr. Figland implored the community to be responsible for their own health and to be safe over the festive season. Cllr. Figland was preceded by the Portfolio Councillor for George Municipality’s Community Services, Social Development, Libraries and Sport, Brendon Adams who gave the background of HIV&AIDS.

World Aids Day commemorated in Haarlem

The second event was in Haarlem, and we also reached 200 community members.  Ward 24 Councillor Justin Fry welcomed the attendees and gave a background on the HIV&AIDS. Hanilie Meiring from Women Against Drugs Motivated the community and shared a success story of Seven (7) young men from Uniondale and Haarlem that went to rehab and have fully recovered from the abuse of drugs.

Ends.

CAPTION:

Photo 1: Back row, from left: Willbedine Jordaan (Acting HIV&AIDS Coordinator), Sr Annete Glad (Touwsranten Clinic), Sr Patience Shipalane , Executive Deputy Mayor of George Rayben Figland,  Sr Katrina Elbrecht Councillor Brendon Adams (Portfolio Councillor for Community Services, Social Development, Libraries and Sport), Councillor Charlotte Clarke(Portfolio Councillor for Community Safety), Councillor Enrico Figland and Jonathan Fortuin (Project Co-Ordinator, Special Programmes & Community Development).

Front row, from left: Sr Gloria Windvogel and Sr Paulina Ewerts.

The organisers of the George Lights Festival happening this coming Saturday, 10 December 2022, released a jam-packed programme of this annual celebration that will, for the first time, take place at the Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre in Pacaltsdorp.

The four-pronged programme which will take place from 14:00 and 22:00 comprises the Kiddies Corner Activities, youth programme, classic programme, and main performance.

This is a celebration not to be missed as it will be fun-filled, and everyone has been catered for, from children to adults. There will be live performances by local artists, food stalls, arts and crafts stalls and a kiddie’s corner. Bring your family, neighbours, and friends as we officially switch on the lights and reign in the festive season.

The Law Enforcement, South African Police Service (SAPS) Pacaltsdorp and the local Neighbourhood watches will be present to ensure the safety of the attendees. Law enforcement agencies have promised to practice the ZERO crime tolerance policy say the organisers.

The festival event details are as follows:

PROGRAMME

Date: 10th December 2022

Venue: Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre, Pacaltsdorp

Time:14h00 – 22h00

Master of Ceremonies: Peter Jafta

KIDDIES CORNER ACTIVITIES: 14H00 -17H00

• Jumping Castles
• Face Paint
• Dantjiekat – (Traffic Department)
• Poppe Kas (Sanca George)

YOUTH PROGRAMME

17h00 Official Welcoming – Delegate of the Council

17h05 Opening & Short Word –

17h10 Team Curiosity

17h15 Change the Mindset Dance Crew

17h20 Pacaltsdorp Primary School Choir

17h25 Annointed  Youth -Dance Crew

17h30 Breath Life Dance Group

17h40 Heidedal Primary Dance Group

17h45 Parkdene Primary School Girls Choir

17h50 Beronique & Lynette

17h55 Ilitha Special School(Sing)

CLASSIC PROGRAMME

18h00 Opening Act – Fanatic Stage Band

18h05  Glm Academy Jaz Z Band

18h10 Ayanda Gutsha (Rap)

18-15   Suenell Ruiters (Sing)

18h20 Blxck (Rap)

18h25 Geppe (Rap)

18h30 Megan Appels (Sing)

18h35 Lee-Quion Stalmeester (Dance)

18h40 Afrika Rise & Shine (Rap)

18h45 Carly Adams (Lip Sing)

18h50 Max Gozo-(Rap)

18h55  Rodger Hld(Rap)

19h00  Dorothy Van Wyngaard (Sing)

19h05  Graziel Heathcote (Rap)

19h10  Zoe Meyer-(Sing)

19h15  Bradley Brink (Rap)

19h20  Slauter House (Dance)

19h25  Musisean (Sing)

19h30  Stivi G & Poke (Rap)

19h35  Keade (Sing)

19h40  Lorenzo Pretorius (Sing)

19H45  Le Clue Sonday (Sing)

19h50  Executive Mayor Alderman Leon van Wyk (Keynote address & switch on of lights)

MAIN PERFORMANCE:  20H05 – 22H00

• Gregory Noble
• Geraldo Lewis
• Wesso’s
• B.C
• Veronique Ferndale

Below street closure for Light’s Festival:

Closure of Church Street [c/o Mission & Church Street; c/o Church & Populier Street.

The closure will be done from 11H00 – 24H00 to allow for set-up as well as pack-up after the event.

Seats are limited, so be sure to get there early. If you have any enquiries, please contact Special Programmes & Project Coordinator for Community Development in the George Municipality, Jonathan Fortuin: 044 802 2000 or 061 624 7431.

Ends.

Note to editors:

The Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre in Pacaltsdorp is a unique amphitheatre, built to honour the memory of Chief Dikkop, who was the leader of the Khoi – Khoi, the first inhabitants of Hoogekraal – now known as Pacaltsdorp. The amphitheatre is used for community gatherings like the monthly Pacaltsdorp Market Day, and now, the annual Pacaltsdorp Lights Festival.