Author: Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe

In the photo: Workshop Manager Botter Lodewyks explains how the bus engines are serviced every four weeks.

A group of final-year learners in mechanical studies from Van Kervel School recently had the opportunity to visit the new Megalink workshop — the hub of mechanical maintenance and repairs for the GO GEORGE bus fleet. Fully operational since 1 September 2024, the new facility features a state-of-the-art vehicle maintenance workshop.

The visit, facilitated by the GO GEORGE communications team as part of a Youth Month outreach, offered a firsthand look at what happens behind the scenes to ensure that the GO GEORGE bus fleet remains operational and in tip-top shape. The learners, many of whom aspire to work on large-scale bus and truck engines, were thrilled to get a glimpse of a potential future workplace.

Led by Workshop Manager Riaan “Botter” Lodewyks, the study tour left a lasting impression. The spotless tool cabinets, gleaming bus engines free of oil stains, and the meticulous maintenance schedule — with every GO GEORGE bus serviced every four weeks — all stood out as highlights. In addition to routine mechanical work, the maintenance process includes thorough bodywork checks, mechanical compliance inspections, and safety protocol verifications. On average, six buses are serviced daily: two minibuses, two midibuses, and two standard buses.

Megalink currently employs 14 local staff members, comprising a workshop manager, administrative personnel, six qualified mechanics, an electrician, a panel beater and seven apprentices. The apprentices, all linked to a register of families or individuals historically impacted by the roll-out of the bus service, are expected to receive their Red Seal certification in July.

VAN KERVEL SKOOL SE VOORNEMENDE WERKTUIGKUNDIGES BESOEK MEGALINK-WERKSWINKEL

’n Groep finalejaar-leerders in meganiese studies van Van Kervel Skool het onlangs die geleentheid gehad om die nuwe Megalink-werkswinkel te besoek — die kern van meganiese instandhouding en herstelwerk vir die GO GEORGE-busvloot. Die nuwe fasiliteit, wat sedert 1 September 2024 ten volle funksioneer, beskik oor ’n moderne instandhoudingswerkswinkel vir voertuie.

Die besoek, gefasiliteer deur die GO GEORGE-kommunikasiespan as deel van Jeugmaand-aktiwiteite, het aan die leerders ’n eerstehandse blik gebied op wat agter die skerms gebeur om te verseker dat die GO GEORGE-busse in werking en in uitstekende toestand bly. Die leerders, van wie ’n paar daarvan droom om eendag aan groot bus- en vragmotorenjins te werk, was opgewonde om ’n voorsmakie van ’n moontlike toekomstige werksomgewing te kry.

Onder leiding van werkswinkelbestuurder Riaan “Botter” Lodewyks, het die studiebesoek ’n blywende indruk gemaak. Die silwerskoon gereedskapskabinette, blink enjins sonder oliekolle en die noukeurige instandhoudingskedule — waar elke GO GEORGE-bus elke vier weke gediens word — was van die hoogtepunte. Benewens roetine-meganiese werk, sluit die instandhoudingsproses deeglike bakwerkkontroles, meganiese nakominginspeksies en verifikasie van veiligheidsprotokol in. Daar word elke dag gemiddeld ses busse gediens: twee minibusse, twee midibusse, en twee standaardbusse.

Megalink het tans 14 plaaslike personeellede in diens. Dit behels ’n werkswinkelbestuurder, administratiewe personeel, ses gekwalifiseerde werktuigkundiges, ’n elektrisiën, ’n paneelklopper en sewe vakleerlinge. Die vakleerlinge, almal gekoppel aan ’n register van families of individue wat histories deur die uitrol van die busdiens geraak is, hoop om hul Rooi Seël-sertifisering in Julie te ontvang.

In the photo: Cllr. Brendon Adams, Mayoral Committee Member (MMC) for Community Safety and Mobility (fifth from left in the front row) congratulated 22 officials from George Municipality’s Law Enforcement and Traffic Services who have completed a comprehensive Peace Officer and Traffic Warden course.

Twenty-two (22) officials from George Municipality’s Law Enforcement and Traffic Services have completed a comprehensive Peace Officer and Traffic Warden course. The six-week training programme, presented by the City of Cape Town, concluded with a small completion parade held yesterday, June 12, at the Rosemore Community Hall, where officials were congratulated on their achievements.

This vital training empowers the officials to be appointed in terms of the latest Government Gazette, granting them significant additional powers of enforcement. Of the 22 officials, four were recently appointed as traffic wardens, with the remainder coming from the Law Enforcement department. This initiative underscores George Municipality’s commitment to enhancing public safety and effective law enforcement within the community.

Cllr. Brendon Adams, Mayoral Committee Member (MMC) for Community Safety and Mobility, praised the officials’ commitment and the value of the training: “Congratulations to our officials who have completed this essential training. Your dedication and willingness to grow professionally are commendable. These new enforcement powers will greatly enhance our capacity to serve and protect the residents of George. I am proud of each one of you and the strides we are making to build a safer city for all.”

In the photo: Completed Synthetic Tracks, Phases 1 & 2 

As the heart of the Garden Route and a premier tourist destination renowned for hosting diverse sporting events, the City of George is reaffirming its commitment to athletic excellence and community well-being through substantial investments in its sports infrastructure. The George Municipality’s Sports Division is actively undertaking a series of capital projects across various facilities, ensuring the city maintains its leading role in regional sports development.

These strategic upgrades are designed to enhance player experience, improve spectator comfort, and provide world-class facilities for both local athletes and visiting teams. The ongoing projects highlight the Municipality’s dedication to fostering a vibrant sports culture and supporting economic growth through sports tourism.

“Investing in our sports infrastructure is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about investing in our people and our future,” says Councillor Melvin Roelfse, MMC for Social Development, Libraries, Sport and Customer Care. “George is a hub for sports in the Garden Route, and by providing modern, well-maintained facilities, we are creating opportunities for our youth, supporting local clubs, and attracting major events that boost our local economy. These upgrades are vital for nurturing talent, promoting healthy lifestyles, and solidifying George’s reputation as a top-tier sporting destination in the region.”

Key projects and their progress include:

• Outeniqua Stadium Enhancements:
o Main Pavilion and Admin Block Upgrade: A R490,000 project to enhance the main pavilion and administration block is nearing completion, set for June 2025.
o B-Field Improvements: Installation of new lights and rugby posts on the B-field is currently underway.
o Stairs and Decking: New stairs and decking have been completed.
o Office and Storage Upgrades: Enhancements to office and storage facilities are in progress, with completion expected by June 30, 2025.

• Rosemoor Stadium & Synthetic Track:
o Indoor Arena Restoration: The Rosemoor Indoor Arena has undergone a compre-hensive restoration and is now completed.
o Synthetic Track (Phases 1 & 2): Practical completion has been achieved for the R25,973,941 synthetic track, including fencing and spectator seating for 432 people. An official opening date will be announced soon.

• Parkdene Sportsgrounds (CRR):
o Crowd Control Fencing: A R980,000 investment in crowd control fencing has been completed, enhancing safety and management.

• Uniondale Dorpsveld Pavilion:
o Pavilion Adjustment: The pavilion has been upgraded with the installation of four new 36-seater sections, a project valued at R447,529 (adjusted) and now complet-ed.

• George Sports Club Roof Replacement:
o A significant R1,646,000 project to replace the roof of the George Sports Club is cur-rently in progress and slated for completion by June 2025.

• Zone 9 Sports Ground Upgrade:
o Fencing and Gates: The upgrade of fencing and gates has been completed.
o Future Development: A partnership agreement is being finalized with an NPO for the construction of a new 5-a-side soccer facility.

• Thembalethu Facility Upgrade (R1,350,000):
o Netball Court Construction & Fencing: Construction of a new netball court and as-sociated fencing is in progress.
o Netball Court Resurfacing: Resurfacing of the existing netball court is underway, with completion anticipated by June 30, 2025.

• Lawaaikamp Sports Ground:
o Steel Structure Pavilion: A four-steel structure pavilion, valued at R460,000, has been completed as part of a sports development project.
o Crowd Control & Drainage (R530,000 Adjusted): A new crowd control fence and gate have been completed. Subsoil drainage has been installed, and two new sets of goalposts are set for completion by June 30, 2025.

• Ride-on Lawnmower:
o A new ride-on lawnmower, valued at R680,000, has been acquired and is opera-tional, contributing to improved maintenance of sports fields.

The George Municipality remains dedicated to providing top-tier sporting facilities that benefit both its residents and visitors, further cementing its reputation as a leading sports destination in South Africa.

In the photo: Sitting in front: Jean-Pierre Rossouw (Chief Audit Executive)
Second row from left: Bongiwe Mgwali (Principal Clerk: Internal Audit), Heybré Ellis (Manager: Internal Audit)
Back row: Xolisile Sotushe (Internal Audit Intern), Zimasa Bulo (Senior Internal Auditor), Kloper Mabunda (Internal Auditor), Natacha Martins (Internal Audit Intern).

George Municipality is proud to announce that its Internal Audit Unit has been named the winner of the Internal Audit Awareness Month Competition, hosted by the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIA SA) Western Cape Region.

The announcement was made on Monday, 9 June 2025, following the conclusion of the awareness month campaign held in May. The IIA SA Western Cape Region praised all entrants for their enthusiasm and commitment, stating: “We are excited to announce the winners of our Internal Audit Awareness Month Competition! Congratulations to the Internal Audit Function of GEORGE MUNICIPALITY.”

This announcement was shared by Mr JP Rossouw, Chief Audit Executive at George Municipality, with his colleagues as a celebration of the team’s hard work.

In their official message, the IIA SA Western Cape Region extended appreciation to all participants: “A huge thank you to everyone who participated – your enthusiasm, creativity, and passion for internal auditing truly made this initiative a success. Whether you submitted an entry, shared a post, or encouraged awareness in your own way, you helped shine a light on the value of our profession. Let’s continue to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability in all that we do as internal auditors.”

Mr Rossouw congratulated his team for developing a campaign that stood out during International Internal Audit Awareness Month and added: “We are thrilled by this recognition and deeply grateful for the support we received, especially to colleagues who participated in our awareness competitions. Our thanks go to the George Municipality Communications team—without your assistance, we could not have achieved this success. We also extend our appreciation to the local media for their valuable role in publishing and promoting our campaign articles.”

This win underscores the Municipality’s commitment to excellence, transparency, and continuous improvement through a strong internal audit function.

In the photo from left to right: Inspector Roland Hardnick (Law Enforcement Officer), Cllr Brendon Adams (MMC for Community Safety and Mobility), Ald Jackie von Brandis (Executive Mayor of George) and Richard von Willingh (Manager of Law Enforcement & Security Services)

“Fit for purpose!” That’s how the Acting Director of George Municipality’s newly established Community Safety and Mobility Directorate describes the four recently acquired vehicles designated for rapid response operations.

On Wednesday, 4 June 2025, the Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Jackie von Brandis, officially received the vehicles at a ceremonial handover, accompanied by the Mayoral Committee Member (MMC) for Community Safety and Mobility, Councillor Brendon Adams, and George Municipal Manager, Mr Godfrey Louw.

To bolster public safety in George, the Directorate is in the process of establishing a Rapid Response Unit—where these specialised vehicles will be deployed.

Mayor von Brandis remarked: “I recently observed crucial training initiatives for our law enforcement officers, and during this visit, I had the privilege of releasing four new fit-for-purpose vehicles. These will be used in our Rapid Response Unit, significantly enhancing our operational capacity.”

She further highlighted: “We are intensifying safety interventions to fulfil our mandate of ensuring community safety. Currently, 20 of our law enforcement officers are undergoing specialised Peace Officer training under the guidance of Senior Traffic Officer Iegshaan Dyson from the City of Cape Town.”

This advanced training will empower officers to support SAPS operations, execute arrests, and respond to the growing safety demands of a rapidly expanding city. In addition, select officers are receiving firearm and tactical training at a local shooting range to further enhance their readiness and ability to assist the South African Police Service when needed.

“These developments clearly demonstrate our Municipality’s unwavering commitment to public safety,” said Mayor von Brandis. “We are equipping our officers with world-class training and resources so they can serve and protect the people of George effectively.”

MMC Adams expressed his appreciation to the municipal leadership and staff for their dedication: “Thank you to our leadership and administration for your tireless efforts—none of this would have been possible without your commitment. Our Community Safety and Mobility Directorate is working diligently to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors in George.”

GO GEORGE SCHEDULE ON PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Issued 6 June 2025

With National Youth Day coming up on Monday, 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 regarding the schedule, please phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044 or visit www.gogeorge.org.za for user-friendly information to plan your route.

GO GEORGE-SKEDULE OP OPENBARE VAKANSIEDAG
Issued 6 June 2025

Met nasionale Jeugdag wat voorlê op Maandag, 16 Junie, moet GO GEORGE-passasiers asseblief kennis neem dat die Saterdagskedule (wat verskil van die weekdagskedule) gevolg sal word op alle busroetes op hierdie openbare vakansiedag.
Vir enige navrae oor die skedule, skakel gerus die GO GEORGE-inbelkantoor by 0800 044 044, of besoek www.gogeorge.org.za vir gebruikersvriendelike inligting om jou roete te beplan.

In the photo: Front row, from left: Daniel Greeff (Deputy Director of Planning & Design Electro in the ElectroTechnical Services), Aphiwe Matiwane (Network Planning Engineer of Planning & Design Electro in the ElectroTechnical Services), Michael Rhode (Director of Electrotechnical Services), Ald Jackie von Brandis (Executive Mayor of George), Cllr Donovan Gultig (MMC for Electrotechnical Services) and Boetie Groenewald (Electrician at VE Reticulation)
Back Row from left: Carlo van Wyk (CVW Consulting Engineers), Herman Piek (Eya-Bantu) and Siyabonga Noyakaza (CVW Consulting Engineers)

The Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Jackie von Brandis, accompanied by the Mayoral Committee Member (MMC) for Electrotechnical Services, Councillor Donovan Gultig, and the Director of Electrotechnical Services, Mr Michael Rhode, officially launched the operation of three Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) on Thursday, 29 May 2025. The launch took place at one of the newly constructed BESS stations situated at the George Municipality’s main building on York Street.

Mayor von Brandis said the project highlights the City’s commitment to integrating innovative and sustainable energy solutions into its municipal grid. “The construction of these three BESS stations marks a significant step in optimising energy consumption. This initiative demonstrates our continued pursuit of energy efficiency and sustainability for the City of George,” said Mayor von Brandis.

According to Daniel Greeff, Deputy Director for Planning and Design in the Electrotechnical Services Department, the BESS units have been designed to complement the existing grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) solar systems within the municipal infrastructure.

“These systems are strategically distributed according to local energy demand,” Greeff explained. “A 1MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is paired with a 400kWp photovoltaic (PV) solar system at the Outeniqua Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW); a 400kWh BESS is integrated with a 500kWp PV solar system at the Gwaing WWTW; and a 1.6MWh BESS is connected to a 300kWp PV solar system at the Municipal Main Offices near the Civic Centre.”

Reducing Diesel Costs and Enhancing Energy Resilience

The primary motivation behind the project was to address the high operational costs of diesel generators during loadshedding and unplanned outages. “A feasibility study showed that using BESS as the primary backup energy source would significantly reduce costs, as these systems require little to no operational and maintenance expenditure compared to diesel generators,” said Greeff.

Councillor Gultig expressed pride in the project’s successful implementation. “We are thrilled to see this initiative come to fruition. The Battery Energy Storage System represents a major advancement for George. It enables the Municipality to maintain critical services during load shedding, power outages, or load reduction periods without relying on costly diesel generators. This not only helps us cut costs but also strengthens our commitment to a greener, more sustainable future. It’s a proud milestone for our city,” Gultig said.

Cutting Peak Energy Costs and Supporting the Grid

In addition to mitigating disruptions during loadshedding, the BESS units will also be used for “peak shaving”—a strategy to reduce the Municipality’s electricity demand during high-cost peak periods. By storing electricity during off-peak hours and using it during peak times, the Municipality will significantly reduce energy expenses. This functionality will be activated when no loadshedding is in effect.

“Two of the three BESS systems are already operational and at the practical completion stage. These systems successfully prevented the generators from starting up during the most recent loadshedding events. The Civic Centre system is expected to be fully operational by the end of May 2025,” added Greeff.

Financial and Environmental Impact

Though the R30 million investment is considerable, the long-term benefits—both financial and environmental—are substantial. By maximizing the use of solar energy and reducing reliance on grid-supplied electricity during peak periods, the Municipality anticipates significant operational savings over time.

Moreover, the strategic integration of renewable energy and battery storage supports the Municipality’s broader energy resilience strategy. It sets a powerful example for future energy management and aligns with George’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in service delivery.

Press release on behalf of the Disabled Road-race Foundation:

George, Garden Route (June 2025) – When event organiser extraordinaire Alewijn Dippenaar takes up the mic, his audience knows they’re in for a treat. This was the case again on Monday morning 2 June, when businesses and individuals involved in keeping alive the Outeniqua Chair Challenge (OCC) dream gathered at The Apprentice for a memorable Breakfast of Champions bash.

In attendance were a majority of sponsors that collaborated and contributed funds, goods and services to ensure that OCC ‘25 could be staged for the 21st time on 15 March 2025. Also present to share stories and accolades were representatives of local, regional and provincial government bodies that play a pivotal role in the event’s continued success.

Among the day’s many speakers, George councillor Melvin Roelfse may have said it best when claiming that the event’s impact could hardly be expressed in a mere few sentences. “The OCC celebrates adversity and overcoming challenges, and its impact on our town and country, as well as on a global scale, is simply immeasurable.

“As a municipality, we try to make George more accessible to all residents through measures at traffic lights and libraries, for instance. But nothing comes close to the impact made by the OCC, and I thank Alewijn and his team for truly understanding the needs of disabled,” said Roelfse.

Dippenaar thanked Garden Route District Municipality – led by executive mayor, Andrew Stroebel – for its continued support. Other Western Cape government bodies involved DECAS (Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport), and the Western Cape Premier’s Department.

Eden Sport Council chair Desmond Speelman pointed out that “the event does not happen in isolation” and this sentiment was echoed by Juan Neethling from DECAS, who clearly remembers when late OCC founder Esther Watson first came pitching the idea of a wheelchair race in George, back in 2002. “Today, there are 40 major events for us to consider, but the OCC is always first to be allocated funding,” he said.

Garden Route District Municipality councillor Marais Kruger also shared memories of those early OCC years, when he was a youngster with a father serving at George Municipality. “Dad explained to me the importance of volunteers, and impact the event has on the town’s economy and tourism.”

Representatives of the OCC’s main business sponsors – Garden Route Mall, Master Cargo, Lancewood, Safari, Carpe Diem School and iX – all graced the stage to motivate their allegiance to the cause. Concepts that featured frequently was the sense of “community and collaboration” created by the event. Bar support from these businesses, mention must be made that more than 60 other enterprises support the OCC in different ways.

Dippenaar paid tribute to these businesses, acknowledging that they were inundated with requests for funding each year. “But please don’t stop making us top of your list! Apart from your financial support, it’s always special to see teams from sponsors big and small cheering on OCC participants on the side of our different race routes.”

He reminded that, set back by the Covid pandemic, they had to come up with new ideas to lure business participation. “We asked the Africa Skills team under director Elsie Harmse to build 20 ‘kaskarre’. At first just a handful of teams took up the kaskar challenge, but this year 18 businesses joined in the fun and through their participation, contributed R100,000 to the OCC.”

Dippenaar paid tribute to the media houses that once again supported the event, saying that unlike the norm, they collaborate rather than compete: “The SABC team ensured that we got national airtime, while Algoa FM reached a vast audience in both the Eastern and Western Cape, while Eden FM spread to local listeners.”

Instrumental in publicising the need for funding of OCC ‘25 was editor at large of Group Editors publications, Ilse Schoonraad – author of the George Herald front-page splash that guaranteed the event’s staging this year: “The OCC brings out the best in people and forms and an integral part of our town, so we couldn’t let it die,” she said.

Schoonraad’s ‘OCC SOS’ report was noticed by the team at Garden Route Mall early on that January morning of publication, and they immediately contacted Dippenaar to pledge their support. On Monday, GRM marketing manager Tumi Masango was on hand to motivate their decision: “It’s not about the money; the OCC promotes inclusivity and will receive our support for years to come,” she said.

The occasion also served as opportunity to pay tribute to the late Esther Watson, and her husband Laurence noted that, albeit she was lovingly known as ‘The General’ for her fierce championing of the race, “she surrounded herself by beautiful people who made a difference. When I look around me today, this is still the case,” he said.

Throughout proceedings, George local Shaun Butler – chairman of the Disabled Road-race Foundation, star athlete, and one of the subjects in a book entitled ‘Only Good Things: celebrating 100 feel-good SA stories of 2024’ – was on hand to welcome OCC champions on stage. The uplifting publication made up part of some of the supporters’ prize booty.

After the dishing out of commemorative plaques, books and goodie bags, Dippenaar had the last word when explaining why everyone present was also gifted with a spekboom. “These trees are famous for taking all toxicity out of the air and returning it as pure oxygen. This is symbolic of what the OCC does for our national and continental disabled community.”

After all was said and done, everyone relished the lavish Breakfast of Champions, prepared by Johannes and his Apprentice team, using the special get-together to reminisce about Outeniqua Chair Challenge ’25 and looking forward to its bright future.

Press release on behalf of the Disabled Road-race Foundation:
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In the photo: A street sweeper truck in action around Loerie Park

Residents may have recently noticed a street sweeper truck cleaning the street channels around Loerie Park, Denver Park, Bergsig, Levallia, Protea Park and parts of George Industria. This is part of George Municipality’s preparations for the delivery of its own street sweeper vehicle, expected between the end of June and mid-July 2025.

“To get in-service training for municipal teams, the Civil Engineering Services Department has hired a similar machine as a trial run to determine production rates, staff composition and iron out operational challenges ahead of the arrival of our own sweeper truck,” said Lionel Daniels, Deputy Director for Streets and Storm Watern in the Civil Engineering Services Department.

“The sweeper truck is a road maintenance asset designed to sweep roads, collect debris into an internal bin, and later dispose of the waste at designated sites. It features water nozzles that can dampen streets to reduce dust during cleaning. Additionally, it has the capability to spray herbicide to prevent weed growth along street channels,” Daniels added.

A street sweeper truck is vital for maintaining urban cleanliness, improving road safety, and enhancing the overall visual appeal of our communities. By efficiently removing debris, leaves, and litter from streets, these vehicles help promote a healthier, more hygienic environment for all residents and will have a positive impact on the stormwater network.

George Municipality looks forward to putting its new sweeper truck to work and thanks the community for its continued support in keeping our city clean.

In the photo: Cornelius Esau

It is with deep sadness that the George Municipality announces the passing of one of its valued employees, Mr Cornelius Esau, who passed away on Thursday, 29 May 2025.

Mr Esau served the Municipality with dedication and pride as a General Assistant in the Refuse Removal, Collection and Minimisation Section of the Community Services Directorate. He will be fondly remembered for his commitment to his duties—particularly his role in delivering refuse collection bags—as well as his warm personality, friendliness, and collegial spirit.

A memorial service in his honour will be held on Wednesday, 4 June 2025, at 13:00 at the Civic Hall on Ballot Street, Parkdene (next to the Parkdene Clinic).

George Municipal Manager, Mr Godfrey Louw, extended his heartfelt condolences: “On behalf of the Municipality, I offer our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Esau. His passing is a profound loss to our workforce. Mr Esau was known for his reliability, humility, and willingness to serve. He will be greatly missed.”

The George Municipality mourns the loss of a loyal team member and stands in solidarity with his family and colleagues during this difficult time.

Mr Esau’s burial will take place on Saturday, 7 June 2025. The proceedings will begin at 09:00 am at his home, 48 Apollo Street, Parkdene, and at 10:00 am at the AGS Church in Parkdene, located at the corner of Setler and Parish Streets.