Author: Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe

In the photo from left: Johannes Jacobs (Superintendent Refuse Removal and Ablution, George Municipality), Mr Bevan Ellman (Director of Corporate Services, George Municipality), Arthur Clarke (SALGA Labour Relations and Dispute Resolution Advisor), Nosidima Vumindaba (Manager of Parks and Recreation, George Municipality), Zola Dayimani (Labour Relations Manager, George Municipality), Mr Andrew Madisha (SALGA Labour Relations and Dispute Resolution Advisor) and Frank Tamboer (Manager: Refuse Removal & Ablutions, George Municipality).

Dozens of senior officials, supervisors, and managers from George Municipality and the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) attended a Chairpersons and Initiators Training Workshop on Disciplinary Procedures and the Collective Agreement. The two-day training, held on 31 July and 1 August 2025 at the GRDM Council Chambers, was facilitated by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

George Municipality’s Director of Corporate Services, Mr Bevan Ellman, officially welcomed attendees and encouraged them to engage fully in the programme. “This workshop is the result of ongoing discussions at the senior management level about the importance of having properly trained initiators and chairpersons,” said Ellman.

“A key part of our responsibility as managers is to manage people. As we move into more senior roles, our work is increasingly achieved through others. While everyone has both strengths and shortcomings, discipline is not just about punishment—it’s not always about dismissing someone. Misconduct varies in severity, from being late for work to serious offences such as fraud. This course aims to provide the necessary perspective and tools to handle such situations constructively. Thank you for being here, and I hope you find the training valuable and engaging.”

Mr Andrew Madisha and Mr Arthur Clarke, SALGA Labour Relations and Dispute Resolution Advisors, facilitated the workshop. The programme covered key topics, including:
• The Disciplinary Procedure
• The Role of the Employer Representative / Initiator
• The Role of the Presiding Officer / Chairperson
• The Disciplinary Procedure Collective Agreement

The training was organised by Mr Zola Dayimani, George Municipality’s Labour Relations Manager. He explained that the purpose of the workshop was to equip supervisors, managers, and presiding officers with the skills to handle and manage disciplinary matters effectively, in line with the SALGBC Disciplinary Procedure Collective Agreement.

In the phhoto from left: Ms Thokozile Magagula (Member of Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements), Mr Mammoga Seabi (Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements), Mr Mahlatse Phosa (Director of Planning and Development, George Municipality), Ms Motebele Kegakilwe (Member of Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements), Cllr Jean Safers (MMC for Human Settlements, George Municipality), Ald Jackie von Brandis (Executive Mayor of George, Elandre Lamini (Moeggehuur Residents Chairperson), Cameron Dugmore (Member of National Assembly), Cllr Theresa Jeyi (Whip of Council, George Municipality), Mr Nathan Adriaanse (Director: Stakeholder and Public Information Western Cape Department of Infrastructure), Cllr Monique Simmers (MMC for Community Services –  Refuse, Environment and Parks, George Municipality), Mr Conrad James Poole (Member of Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements) and Cllr Melvin Roelfse (MMC for Social Development – Libraries, Sport & Customer Care, George Municipality).

George Municipality’s Human Settlements projects came under the national spotlight last week when the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements in the National Assembly conducted an oversight visit to the Garden Route from 24 to 25 July 2025.

Day one of the visit, Thursday, 24 July, included a multi-stakeholder meeting held at the Knysna Council Chambers. This session brought together the National and Provincial Departments of Human Settlements, the MEC for Human Settlements, and representatives from the George, Mossel Bay, and Knysna municipalities. Discussions focused on the implementation of the Human Settlements Development Grant, the Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant (ISUPG), and other key human settlements programmes. George Municipality presented its current and planned housing initiatives.

On the second day, Friday, 25 July, the Portfolio Committee conducted site visits to three human settlements projects in the George municipal area:

• Moeggehuur Informal Settlement in Pacaltsdorp – An area currently occupied by backyard dwellers where land ownership challenges have delayed formal housing development.
• The Military Veterans Housing Project – A dedicated housing initiative aimed at providing quality homes for qualifying military veterans.
• The Breaking New Ground (BNG) development at Metro Grounds – A large-scale integrated housing project delivering over 600 units, including amenities and inclusive community allocation.

The delegation also visited the site of the Victoria Street building collapse, which remains under investigation.

The Portfolio Committee’s visit formed part of its constitutional oversight function, as Parliament is responsible for the appropriation of public funds. The Committee plays a key role in reviewing and approving budget allocations to provinces and accredited municipalities, ensuring that these funds are spent efficiently, effectively, and in line with their intended purpose.

Committee members expressed overall satisfaction with George Municipality’s progress in deliver-ing housing opportunities. However, concerns were raised about delays in specific projects — par-ticularly the acquisition of land from the Western Cape Government for the Moeggehuur devel-opment.

“Our oversight visit ensures that the funds allocated to provinces and accredited municipalities are used effectively for housing delivery. We are generally impressed with George Municipality’s pro-gress, especially the quality of the Military Veterans Housing Project. However, concerns remain about the delays in formalising the longstanding informal settlement,” said Mr Mammoga Seabi, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements.

Cameron Dugmore, a Member of the National Assembly who grew up in George, also welcomed the visible progress at the Metro Grounds BNG project: “It’s meaningful to see development on land that the people of Borcherds fought so hard to secure. With 50% of the beneficiaries from Borcherds and others also included, the project promotes community ownership. It’s encouraging to see cooperation across all spheres of government.”

Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Jackie von Brandis, thanked the Portfolio Committee for its visit and positive engagement: “It was a privilege to host the National Assembly’s Portfolio on Human Settlements and showcase the work being done by George Municipality. Through collaboration with all spheres of government, the successes we can achieve are immeasurable. Together, we can create more op-portunities for those we serve. I am honoured that the Committee had the opportunity to witness what is possible when collaborative effort, transparent governance, and responsible oversight come together.”

Mayor von Brandis was accompanied by the Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Jean Saffers, who also thanked the delegation for their visit. Also in attendance were members of the George Municipal Council, officials from the George Municipality, and representa-tives from the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements.

Issued by George Municipality in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment & SMART (Stranding Marine Animal Rescue Team)
11 July 2025

The George Municipality, in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), would like to inform beachgoers that a seal, affectionately known as Columbo, has been resting at Victoria Bay for a few weeks now. To ensure the safety of both the public and the animal, visitors are strongly urged to observe the following guidelines and exercise caution and respect in Columbo’s presence.

About Columbo
Columbo is an immature male Southern elephant seal, currently around 4 to 5 years old and estimated to weigh approximately 500 kilograms. He can be identified by a white spot on his left eye and a green tag on his hind flippers marked “0196”.

Columbo was first recorded on the South African coast in November 2023 near Pinnacle Point, Mossel Bay, where he remained ashore for a month to moult. Since then, he has returned to Victoria Bay on three occasions, with the most recent haul-out beginning on 3 June 2025 — his longest stay to date (37 days and counting).

During his current stay, Columbo has developed noticeable behaviours, such as “fighting” with rocks, which has caused his teeth to wear down and led to the formation of an integumentary shield (a thickened patch of skin) on his chest.

Columbo is monitored during the day by volunteers from the Stranding Marine Animal Rescue Team (SMART), while a nearby security guard keeps a casual watch at night. However, the seal remains vulnerable to harmful human interactions, including people attempting to disturb or provoke him, sometimes for social media content. One recent incident involved a possibly intoxicated individual deliberately provoking Columbo, leading to a chase and aggressive behaviour towards this individual and endangering volunteers and other beach users.

Why Columbo Has Not Been Moved
Following several expert consultations — including marine biologists, veterinarians, and state officials — it was agreed that the best course of action is to leave Columbo undisturbed at Victoria Bay. Attempts to move or chase him into the ocean were considered risky, both to humans and the animal, and could cause distress or injury. Euthanasia is not justified in this case, as Columbo is not ill or suffering.

Dos and Don’ts Around Columbo
To protect both Columbo and members of the public, please strictly adhere to the following:

✅ DO:
• Stay at least 20 metres away from the seal at all times. If the seal reacts to your presence, you are too close.
• Keep dogs on a leash and well away from the seal.
• Report any suspicious or harmful behaviour toward the animal to the relevant authorities or SMART volunteers on site.

❌ DON’T:
• Do not approach, touch, or feed the seal.
• Do not throw water, sand, or objects at the seal.
• Do not attempt to get close for selfies or videos — this can agitate the animal and result in injury.
• Do not allow children or pets to interact with or get close to the seal.
• Do not attempt to scare or chase him into the water — he is here by choice.

Please note: Southern elephant seals are protected by law under NEMBA’s Threatened or Protected Species Regulations of 2017. Any harassment or interference is a prosecutable offence.

We appeal to all residents and visitors to treat Columbo with kindness and respect, and to help ensure that Victoria Bay remains a safe space for both people and wildlife.

Enquiries: For more interesting facts on Columbo and general enquiries, please contact the Volunteers at Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T) on their hotline: +27 72 227 4715.

In the photo: George Municipality’s Communications Manager, Chantèl Edwards, and Tambo FM founder and CEO, Olwethu Ndabankulu

George Municipality has been awarded the title of Most Engaging Local Municipality by Tambo FM. The award was handed over on Friday, 11 July, at the Tambo FM studios in Mossel Bay
by station founder and CEO Olwethu Ndabankulu and accepted by George Municipality Communications Manager Chantèl Edwards.

Tambo FM recently celebrated its 5th anniversary at the Mossel Bay Casino, during which the station honoured various organisations and individuals across different categories for their meaningful contributions throughout its journey.

Tambo FM, a dynamic and fast-growing black-owned radio station with a listenership of over 284,000, recognised George Municipality for its commitment to clear, consistent, and community-focused communication.

“This recognition reflects the hard work of our communications team and our commitment to building trust with the people of George,” said Edwards. “We are honoured to receive this award and remain dedicated to keeping our communities well-informed, engaged, and connected.”

Thembekile Desha – One thing everyone experienced about him is his smile

George Municipality is mourning the loss of one of its most dedicated and respected employees, Traffic Officer Thembekile Desha, who passed away on the morning of Friday, 27 June 2025.

Traffic officer Thembekile Desha, aged 56, was the longest-serving member of the George Traffic Department, having served the city with distinction, pride, and integrity for 32 years. He joined the municipality in August 1993 and, over the decades, became a familiar and friendly face to residents and colleagues alike.

Renowned for his humility, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public safety, Desha was not only a valued municipal employee but also a key collaborator with broader safety and security partners, including the South African Police Service, Provincial Traffic, and Law Enforcement agencies.

George Municipal Manager, Mr Godfrey Louw, expressed his heartfelt condolences: “The passing of Officer Desha is an immense loss to the George Municipality, to his colleagues in the Traffic Department, and to the broader community he served so faithfully. For over three decades, he embodied the values of public service—honour, discipline, and compassion. We salute his legacy and extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him.”

Chief Traffic Officer Janine Wells paid a moving tribute, saying: “Officer Desha was more than just a colleague—he was a mentor, a friend, and a role model to many in our department. One thing everyone experienced about him was that no matter what, he always had a smile, remained positive, and never got involved in negativity. He was known for giving supportive advice, especially to applicants who had failed their driver’s tests. With me, he was always respectful, friendly, and preferred speaking Afrikaans. He was truly an old-school, dedicated officer—and he will be sorely missed.”

Details regarding the memorial and/or funeral services will be communicated as soon as they are confirmed.

The Municipality stands in solidarity with the Desha family during this difficult time and will continue to honour his remarkable service to the City of George.

From left is Ald. Jackie von Brandis (Executive Mayor of George), Mr Gayton McKenzie (National Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture), Mr Ricardo McKenzie (Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport), and Ald. Andrew Stroebel (Executive Mayor of the Garden Route District Municipality)

Joy, pride, and hope filled the air during the official handover of the Rosemoor Athletics Synthetic Track, as hundreds of George residents, stakeholders, learners, educators, and government officials from national, provincial, and local spheres gathered at Rosemoor Stadium on Monday, 23 June 2025. The National Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie, joined by the Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Mr Ricardo McKenzie, and the Executive Mayor of George, Ald. Jackie von Brandis officially handed over the new, state-of-the-art Class 2 athletics track — a world-class facility valued at just over R40 million.

Also in attendance were the Executive Mayor of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Ald. Andrew Stroebel; Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and former Provincial Minister of Health; Executive Deputy Mayor of George, Cllr Browen Johnson; MMC for Social Development, Libraries, Sport and Customer Care, Cllr. Melvin Roelfse, George Municipal Councillors, officials of the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and the George Municipality, representatives from Athletics SWD, the Eden Sport Council, local sports organisations, and hundreds of enthusiastic citizens.

National Minister Gayton McKenzie commended George Municipality for its responsible and impactful use of public funds, calling the track ‘an investment in the future’. “Today is a great day. I must congratulate the Mayor of George on how the funds were used — exactly for what they were intended. You can see this is a R40 million facility. So, I want to congratulate the George Municipality — it’s a job well done.” Minister Mackenzi also expressed confidence that the new facility would nurture future athletic champions: “I’m telling you, out of the Garden Route we’ll see another Akani Simbine, Walaza, or Caster Semenya. There’s going to be a big star coming from here. Different athletes will rise because an investment has been made in their future. This is an investment in the future.”

Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Mr Ricardo McKenzie, also celebrated the occasion: “The feeling of having this facility is one of excitement and exhilaration. As the Western Cape Government, we believe in collaboration and infrastructure development because it creates jobs. With this track, we’ll attract more sports events to the picturesque Garden Route, and those events will generate even more job opportunities. So yes, it’s about fun — but more than that, it’s about jobs, and it’s about the journey to the Olympics and the world stage. And it all starts with a facility like this.”

Executive Mayor of George, Ald. Jackie von Brandis welcomed attendees and underscored the success of collaboration across all spheres of government: “This project is a shining example of successful collaboration between all three spheres of government and our stakeholders. The presence of such distinguished guests is a testament to what we can achieve when we work as one. We are especially excited for our children, who will benefit most from this investment. I am proud to say that this track belongs to you. It is a statement to every athlete, every student, and every dreamer in our community that George invests in its people. It is a step toward making George the premier sports destination of the Garde Route – a place where talent is nurtured, potential is unlocked, and excellence is celebrated. This track aligns perfectly with our tourism brand, Naturally George, and our positioning as a city for all reasons.”

Among the highlights of the event was the handover of athletic equipment to 10 schools from across the Garden Route District, including the Karoo region. Educators and learners were present to receive the equipment, demonstrating the municipality’s commitment to school sports development. Another highlight was the special acknowledgement of 74-year-old athletics legend Louis Massyn from George, who has completed 50 Comrades Marathons.

Adding flair and energy to the celebration were vibrant performances by the St. Mary’s Primary School majorettes, who helped create a festive and memorable atmosphere.

The Rosemoor Synthetic Athletics Track was funded through the Integrated Urban Development Grant (IUDG). The facility was completed on schedule and within the allocated budget of R40.59 million. The project was prioritised through George Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and informed by extensive stakeholder engagement. Athletics SWD has been involved throughout the process and is working with the Municipality to secure funding for future phases of the development.

The new tartan track meets international standards, ensuring that athlete performances are officially recognised. The upgrade is expected to elevate the quality of athletics in the region, encourage broader participation, and provide local talent with a professional platform to grow and compete.

The facility is envisioned as a hub for schools and clubs in the area and is designed to host regional, national, and even international events, supporting George’s ambition to become a prime destination for sports tourism while boosting the local economy.

Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciXPDLdZyN0