press-release

This photo was taken at 05:00 on Sunday with Thembalethu’s first bus right in the front, ready for its first trip on the new route.

“I’ll be saving R800 per month by using the bus service from now on.”
“I started early, in the dark, to walk over the bridge to catch a bus. Now I can catch the bus one block from my home!”
“I bought Smart Cards for my children – they don’t have to walk to school in Borcherds anymore!”
“It’s so nice to be transported right into Thembalethu after a day’s hard work…”

These were the comments from passengers who travelled between Thembalethu and Blanco on Monday after GO GEORGE rolled out the first route to this community on Sunday. A total of 1954 passengers boarded buses on Route 18A on this first weekday.

Residents in Thembalethu queued with great anticipation to try out the new route. According to Morné Lakay, Acting Manager of GO GEORGE, it is becoming clear that a huge percentage of the passengers have already been bus users who previously joined the network of routes by either travelling into town by minibus taxi or walking over the N2 bridge to catch a bus in Parkdene.

“Usually, replacing an informal method of public transport with a more formal, scheduled public transport system has its own unique challenges in every community, but many Thembalethu people know the ropes and can even advise or guide their friends and neighbours to use the bus service,” he said.

“Of course, our communication champions are available and ready to help at the Smart Card kiosk and at the bus stops to support the first-timers. New passengers who feel uncertain are most welcome to ask for support on a first trip by phoning our Call Centre and making arrangements,” he added.

More information regarding the use of the system and trip planning can be obtained by phoning the Call Centre toll-free on 0800 044 044, sending an email to info@gogeorge.org.za, or visiting www.gogeorge.org.za or the GO GEORGE Facebook page.

The bus terminus at the Jonga circle in Thembalethu is spacious and accommodates several buses waiting to depart. The buses make their turnaround to town at this circle.

These passengers queueing at the Ngcakani bus stop early on Sunday morning can claim that they were some of the first passengers boarding a GO GEORGE bus inside Thembalethu.

Luxolo Mbelu, Ayanda Nongxaza and Hlumelo Maso all work at Fancourt and can now take the R18A bus straight to their workplace.

The first route rolled out to Thembalethu travels along Nelson Mandela Boulevard to Blanco and back.

In a remarkable leap forward for water rescue operations during the busy festive season in George, the addition of inflatable devices delivered by drones promises to be a game-changer. This innovative technology has the potential to save lives and significantly enhance emergency response efforts, particularly when dealing with swimmers in distress.

The concept is simple yet ingenious: outfit a standard drone with a “payload release” mechanism capable of delivering a self-inflatable floating device (weighing approximately 0.7kg) to a swimmer in distress. This mechanism is seamlessly attached to the drone as an add-on feature. The payload, in this case, consists of a self-inflatable floating device that, on deployment, automatically inflates in the water, providing immediate buoyancy to keep the swimmer afloat until lifeguards or other rescue personnel arrive.

This technology allows for swift and efficient responses to water-related emergencies, significantly reducing response times when compared to traditional rescue methods. Moreover, the drone’s agility enables it to cover more extensive areas swiftly, making it invaluable in situations where time is of the essence. A further useful add-on will be a speaker, allowing our Mobile JOC to speak to the swimmer in distress, as well as the rescue team with the on-board camera providing visuals during the rescue. The inflatable device is re-usable and after retrieval is folded up and repackaged to be used again.

What makes this innovation truly groundbreaking is its emphasis on safety. The inflatable device not only aids the person in distress but also ensures the safety of the rescuers involved. Neels Barnard, the George Chief Fire officer, highlighted that this is a pioneering initiative in South Africa, never before witnessed on local beaches. He added, “The George Fire & Rescue Services team is constantly researching new innovations, and by harnessing the power of technology, we’ve added a vital tool to our water rescue operations that promises to save lives. As we look ahead to its practical application, we can only anticipate more lives being safeguarded, and swimmers in distress receiving the swift assistance they need.”

https://youtu.be/GuPNFfMa4uI?si=dIJYMHSZgKPICshBz   (Video footage courtesy of SABC)

George Fire & Rescue Services Chief, Neels Barnard keeps an eye while Station Commander, Santa Sternsdorff flies the drone at Wilderness Beach.

Repair work to a retaining wall at Herold’s Bay is almost completed and will be finished before the end of this week. The retaining wall collapsed after storm surges over the weekend of 17 September which saw extensive damage to municipal infrastructure at several beaches. Repairs and retarring of Beach Road in Herold’s Bay has been completed today.

We kindly request that you refrain from giving money or handouts to individuals, including both children and adults, who are begging on the streets.

The George Municipality urges the residents of George to be part of the solution for those living on the streets by directing their donations to reputable organizations like the George Night Shelter or Kidstop. This approach is far more effective than providing direct assistance to people begging at street intersections, which has become a growing concern.

Regrettably, providing money or handouts to individuals on the streets can perpetuate their homelessness and lead to negative long-term consequences.

If you wish to make a positive impact, you can get in touch with the following organizations:

• Freddy Trout, PASA (People Against Substance Abuse) at 068 487 4848.
• Jonathan Gelderbloem, YFC Kidstop at 044 874 2624/044 875 1794.
• Department of Social Services at 044 814 1920.
• Andre Olivier from Cremhog via email at andre.olivier1962@gmail.com

Please note that living on the streets is not a criminal offense, and individuals cannot be arrested or relocated without their consent. The responsibility to assist people living on the streets mainly falls under the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Department of Social Development.

George residents, business owners, and organizations interested in helping the homeless or sharing innovative ideas for their support are encouraged to participate in the monthly PLOTS meeting.

For more information, please contact Estelle Fredericks at 044 802 2000, extension 2015 during office hours.

Moet asseblief nie geld of uitdeelstukke aan individue gee wie op straat bedel nie

Ons versoek u vriendelik om nie geld of uitdeelstukke aan individue te gee, insluitend beide kinders en volwassenes, wat op straat bedel nie.

George-munisipaliteit doen ‘n beroep op die inwoners van George om deel te wees van die oplossing vir diegene wat op straat woon deur hul skenkings aan betroubare organisasies soos die George Night Shelter of Kidstop te rig. Hierdie benadering is baie meer doeltreffend as om direkte hulp te verleen aan mense wat by straatkruisings bedel, wat ‘n toenemende bekommernis is.

Ongelukkig kan die verskaffing van geld of uitdeelstukke aan individue op straat hul haweloosheid voortduur en tot negatiewe langtermyngevolge lei.

As jy ‘n positiewe impak wil maak, kan jy met die volgende organisasies in aanraking kom:

• Freddy Trout, PASA (People Against Substance Abuse) by 068 487 4848.
• Jonathan Gelderbloem, YFC Kidstop by 044 874 2624/044 875 1794.
• Departement Maatskaplike Dienste by 044 814 1920.
• Andre Olivier van Cremhog via e-pos by andre.olivier1962@gmail.com

Neem asseblief kennis dat om op straat te lewe  nie ‘n kriminele oortreding is nie, en individue kan nie in hegtenis geneem of hervestig word sonder hul toestemming nie. Die verantwoordelikheid om mense wat op straat woon by te staan, val hoofsaaklik onder die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) en die Nasionale Departement van Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling.

George-inwoners, sake-eienaars en organisasies wat belangstel om haweloses te help of innoverende idees vir hul ondersteuning te deel, word aangemoedig om aan die maandelikse PLOTS-vergadering deel te neem.

Vir meer inligting, kontak asseblief Estelle Fredericks by 044 802 2000, uitbreiding 2015 gedurende kantoorure.

https://youtu.be/DMt_Zcx3cqk Municipal official for Community Services, Social Develoment Jonathan Fortuin spoke with passion in support of all residents of George affected in some way by Breast Cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time when communities across the globe unite in the fight against this formidable adversary. In George Municipality, this spirit of solidarity took center stage as a colorful group of municipal officials, councillors and members of CANSA gathered in front of the George Town Hall for a March in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Friday 27 October 2023. The sight of men and women of all ages,  dressed  in shades of pink, was a testament to the power of unity when it comes to raising awareness about breast cancer.

The event served as a reminder of the significance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is more than just a calendar date. It is a call to action, a time to celebrate survivors, remember those who have fought valiantly but are no longer with us, and to reaffirm our commitment to making progress in the battle against breast cancer. The choice of pink as the dress code for the event was not just a matter of aesthetics but a symbol of hope, strength, and determination. It’s a reminder that breast cancer awareness is not just about wearing a particular color for a month; it’s about raising our collective voice, urging individuals to get screened regularly, and working towards a world where breast cancer no longer takes lives.

Cllr Jacqulique Von Brandis attended the event and did the Vote of Thanks on behalf of the Executive Mayor.  Cllrs Monique Simmers, Theresa Jeyi and Jayzee  Jantjies participated in the event.

To our Matric Class of 2023

Your scholastic journey has now come to an end. After twelve years you are on the verge of a new journey, but before you get there, you have one last hurdle to overcome – your final exams. But you are ready for this, you have prepared for this for twelve long years.

The thing about hurdles is that they may look difficult at first glance, they may look like this massive obstacle to deter you from reaching your end goal. These hurdles may make you nervous, and anxious even and in many ways, this may well be the case except for one massive determining factor. PREPARATION.

Preparation is what helps us overcome any obstacle or difficulty we face. Preparation is what helps us attain our desired outcome. Your upcoming exams will not look so daunting if we prepare for what lies ahead. This exam period is no different, so be prepared for whatever may come your way. You have been working towards this moment since you started your scholastic career, you have worked hard, spent late nights studying, you have attended extra lessons to get to this phase of your lives. Channel. That. Very. Same. Energy. You have what it takes, you are fully capable, you are more than able to overcome this next task and be successful.

Keep pushing forward, keep working hard and prepare yourselves for this next task that you will surely overcome. Above all else, know that you have what it takes to achieve greatness beyond your wildest dreams. We are all rooting for you and the outcome is sure to be success!

Good luck with the upcoming exams.

In the photograph from left: Lana Carls from Wesgro,  Mmamokwena Gaoretelelwe  the South African Ambassador for the Embassy in Lisbon, and  Joan Shaw from George Tourism.

Joan Shaw, Tourism Manager of George Municipality, is attending the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) 2023 at the FIL Feira International Convention Centre from 16 to 19 October 2023, to promote golf tourism for George and the greater Garden Route. In collaboration with Wesgro and the Garden Route District Municipality, and with the support of Fancourt and the George Golf Club, George is represented as a prominent golfing destination on the South Africa pavilion.

Influencing since 1998, IGTM takes place in a different location every year to provide the global golf travel industry with a platform to conduct business and gain valuable industry insights. Combining the top-producing private travel agents and known tour operators with world-leading golf courses, destinations, and resorts, this is where new business opportunities are created. Golf courses and destinations visit the show, primarily to increase golf traveller numbers and drive industry revenue.

George has always been famous for its rich golf offering, and for the past few years, George’s marketing has focussed on the other sixty or so activities that are available in George, Wilderness and Uniondale. However, since golf is such a strong driver for tourism and the return of the traditional UK and German markets has been lagging, it is time to put golf travel back in the spotlight to attract lucrative new markets to the area.

George Tourism is marketing the entire region, with a focus on George and golf, and sharing all the other activities and news from the area with tour operators and media. Participants are attending a long line-up of meetings, informative talks on subjects such as how to attract new markets and how to structure packages that consumers will find attractive. Meetings have been held with various media agencies, and Wesgro is encouraging representatives from new markets to apply for familiarisation trips to the region so they can experience the destination first-hand.

Speaking from Lisbon, Joan Shaw says “It is so exciting to be at a marketing show where many regular golf tour operators from the traditional markets already know the area, and  to meet many new operators who are looking to move into new markets such as South Africa, who also won the Germany’s Pro Golf International Golf Destination of the Year for 2024, at IGTM”.

Complimentary products on the South African pavilion include Fancourt, de Zalze and Arabella golf estates, Sun International, PRO Golf Safari’s, Adore Africa, Globe Travel and Rovos Rail.

Interesting golf-related presentations and workshops taking place at IGTM 2023.

The George Municipality is pleased to announce that the Kaaimans River Pump station upgrade project has begun. The project aims to enhance the mechanical and electrical components of the pump station and contribute to sustained and adequate raw water storage in the Garden Route Dam. The project is scheduled to be completed in June 2024.

According to the George Municipality’s Civil Engineering Department, the project was awarded to the successful contractor for an amount of just over R 16 million and is currently in the construction phase, with the key activities presently being the manufacturing, testing, and shipping of the various pumps, strainers (sieves), valves and electrical control equipment.

“Six (6) new submersible robust pumps will be installed in the sump in the river, which will abstract the water and pump it through strainers(sieves), to supply the six (6) new high-lift pumps. The pump station will operate in fully automated mode through sensing equipment which measures the river flow and adjusts the pumping rate according to the river flow rate, ensuring that at all times the environmental release of 35 l/s is sustained to flow down the river,” said Andre Scheepers, the Project Manager for Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) in the George Municipality’s Civil Engineering Services Department.

The Kaaimans River Pump station was originally constructed in 1972 and pumped raw river water directly to the Old Water Treatment Plant. After the completion of the Garden Route Dam (GRD) in 1980, which receives and stores raw water from the Swart River and Kat River, the Kaaimans Pumpstation fell into disrepair. It has since been upgraded and the pumping main pipeline was changed to discharge into the GRD. Still, due to lack of adequate maintenance, it again deteriorated and is currently in disuse.

According to the Acting Director for George Municipality’s Civil Engineering Department, Lionel Daniels, the Water Use Licence issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation authorises the George Municipality to abstract a maximum of 2,77 million kilolitres per year and is limited to a maximum pumping rate of 405 litres per second at any given time. “This represents approximately 22% of the annual sustainable yield of the Garden Route Dam,” he said. “It is therefore imperative to upgrade the Kaaimans River Pump station to be again able to pump the Kaaimans River water into the GRD in times of good flow in the river and in doing so contribute to the sustained and adequate raw water storage in the dam.”

The project will be completed in June 2024 and includes a three-year maintenance support programme, providing a smooth and successful transfer of operational and maintenance knowledge to the George Municipality personnel.

Mayor’s Newsletter for George Herald of 26 October 2023

The past weekend has been most eventful as George citizens lived through heavy rainfall dealing with the effects of such a deluge along with the Proteas clinically disposing of England at cricket through to the nail-biting experience of willing our rugby Springboks over the English try-line.

Apart from the concerns that stormwater systems are unable to cope with flooding when heavy rain falls in short periods, there is the worry of how vulnerable persons cope with drainage and the consequences of having erected informal settlements on sloping ground. These events require municipal staff to be called in to assist in providing the necessary relief. Pro-active and preventative clearing of stormwater drains has really helped this year except where water volumes are just too high. The streets and stormwater teams resolved 52 of 59 drain blockages and repairs to gravel roads by Sunday night. Often drains get blocked when citizens dump litter in their own neighbourhood streets. Electricity teams have had to deal with numerous outages including electricity poles lost in ground subsidence.

In addition, the municipality immediately reacted to clear a mudslide in Kaaiman’s Pass that closed the N2 on Saturday as well as a fallen tree on Sunday, even though this highway falls under the jurisdiction of SANRAL. It was crucial to clear this highway to minimise disruption to traffic patterns. We are grateful to the district municipality which acts as the agent for the provincial government on the Seven Passes / Saasveld road for speedily clearing that road. However, remedial work will urgently be required to repair damage on the latter road.

We applaud the highly commendable and appreciated work undertaken by our municipal teams. This work links in with the outcomes of Census 2022 which reflects George’s population having grown at 4,1% per annum from 2011 to 294929. This is the fastest growth rate among intermediate cities with George showing an increment of 100000 over the period. Apart from the population growth in the City of Cape Town, well-run municipalities of Mossel Bay, Overstrand and Saldanha Bay have each seen population growth of approximately 50 000.

In recent articles, commentators have contrasted the decline of local and government services in many areas with those areas of the country where standards are maintained. They have noted that well-governed municipalities are proactive in ensuring high service standards. Elsewhere there are examples of support from the private sector and civil society who play active roles to seek and provide practical solutions where the government appears to be failing or unable to provide services. The data from Census 2022 therefore shows how citizens migrate to those municipalities that are high-performing and that ensure that infrastructure is maintained and upgraded, thus resulting in investment.

Alderman Leon van Wyk
Executive Mayor of George

Retaining Wall in process of being rebuilt at Herold’s Bay.

Following high spring tides that hit the coastal areas of George over weekend of 17 September, George Municipality immediately started with clean-up efforts on the Monday.  Municipal infrastructure damaged at the various beaches which included a sewerage pumpstation, water pipelines, stand-by generators, electrical substations and flooded ablution buildings were all either replaced, cleaned or restored and services returned within the week of the damage.

Victoria Bay, Herold’s Bay, Wilderness Leentjiesklip and Wilderness main beach were all closed for a few days while the restoration took place and reopened on Friday 22 September to the public.

Deep sand deposits were cleared off the coastal roads of Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay, Leentjiesklip and the N2 Wilderness bridge as quickly as possible using graders. Damage to beach furniture, signage,  wooden walkways, lifeguard towers, bridges, roadways, sidewalks and retaining walls required detailed assessments for rebuilding or repair.

Our Civil Engineering Services and Community Services: Parks and Recreation directorates have done a sterling job in restoring all of the beaches as quickly as possible in readiness for the launch of the Blue Flag Season, which was held at Wilderness last week Friday, 20 October 2023. The intention is to have all of the damage repaired prior to the start of the festive season for 2023 with the Blue Flag season starting on 1 December 2023 – 31 January 2024.

Repair work to sidewalks at Herold’s Bay and Victoria Bay.

On the photo From left (Front Row): Mickayla Potts (Learner), Shakira Roberts (Learner), Kieron Meyer (Learner), Dantonio Olivier (Learner), Mr C Pots (Educator), Councillor Charlotte Clarke (Portfolio Councillor for Community Safety), Amy Lee Wanie (Learner), Lee-Wayne Spies (Learner), Burnutio Julius (Learner), and Abdul Malik (Learner).

Back Row: Dawie Adonis (Director of Community Services in the George Municipality), Mr M Tait (Educator), Franklin Windwaai (Traffic officer), Chief Superintendent Lafras Boesak, Mr Ruban Lekata and Senior Traffic officer Edwin Felix.

The George Traffic Department hosted a successful scholar patrol competition on Friday, 20 October 2023 at the George Junior Traffic Training and Road Safety Centre, promoting child pedestrian road safety.

The Portfolio Councillor for Community Safety Councillor Charlotte Clarke, and Director of Community Services in the George Municipality, Dawie Adonis attended the prize-giving along with the competition organisers, Chief Superintendent Lafras Boesak and Senior Traffic Officer Edwin Felix. Also in attendance were the educators and learners of the Five participating primary schools from the George Municipal area.

The competition started with a squad inspection by the judges which included a thorough inspection of uniforms as well as a whistle inspection, an inspection by the captain and then a practical test with the teams showing their paces. The five schools that competed are, Delville Park Primary
Pacaltsdorp Primary, Live Academy, Heidedal Primary and New Dawn Park Primary. Pacaltsdorp Primary School emerged as the winner, followed by Life Academy and New Dawn Park Primary School, in the second and third positions.

Congratulating the winners and participants, Cllr Clarke highlighted the significance of the School Patrol Programme, an essential component of road safety education. “Not only does it regulate traffic, improve speed calming and facilitate safe crossing of the road, but also instils in the minds of our young pedestrians an awareness of the importance of road safety,” she said.

Mr Adonis emphasized the importance of cooperation from other road users to ensure the safety of learners served by the scholar patrols. The responsibility of the scholar patrols is huge, and we are thrilled to see how committed these learners are to the safety of other learners.

Proudly holding the Green Coast Flag and Award for Gwaiing Beach and River Mouth are from left Kerry Maclean, WESSA Senior Project Manager; Ald Leon Van Wyk; Janssen Davies, WESSA Chairman; Helena Atkinson, WESSA CEO; Dawie Adonis, Director for Community Services; Ward 4 Councillor Marlene Viljoen and Municipal Manager for George, Dr Michele Gratz.

George Municipality was the proud recipient of three blue flags at the national launch hosted by George Municipality at Salina’s Wilderness today, 20 October 2023. Wilderness and Herold’s Bay beaches retained Blue flag status, Victoria Bay beach was awarded Blue Flag after being a pilot beach for two years and the new pilot blue flag was awarded to Leentjiesklip beach.  Gwaiing Beach and River Mouth has been awarded a Green Coast Award for the 2023/24 festive season. The Green Coast Award, officially launched in 2017, is an annual award programme that recognises inclusive and sustainable management at less developed coastal sites with high biodiversity value.

Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk the keynote speaker for the event, accompanied by Ward 4 Cllr Marlene Viljoen, Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz and Director for Community Services, Dawie Adonis took receipt of the flags and certifications at the launch. Blue Flag is an international coastal management programme that accredits beaches that meet standards of excellence in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and information as well as safety and services. In South Africa the programme is implemented by the Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA).

Dr Gratz said Blue Flag status offered many benefits including improved tourism facilities, enhanced management of coastal ecosystems, increased awareness of the coast and capacity building of coastal municipalities. “Blue Flag status has significant international merit, and the achievement of such accolades is important to stimulate and confirm international and high-end interest in the city and district as a desirable, quality tourism and lifestyle destination. We thank SANParks Garden Route National Park who shares jurisdiction of Wilderness beach with the George Municipality.”

The Blue Flag season runs from 1 December 2023 to 31 January 2024. Compliance includes high standards of water quality monitoring, public safety and lifeguard services, and well-maintained coastal amenities. South Africa has participated in the Blue Flag programme since 2001.

Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz in thanking everyone who attended the event noted that participation in the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards is an honour. She also thanked attending George Municipal officials for the hard work and effort they have put in toward the hosting of the event as well as the preparation of the beaches so soon after the damage caused by the storm surges in early September this year.

ABOUT BLUE FLAG:

• The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators.
• In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
• With over 4500 sites in over 45 countries around the world, Blue Flag is actively contributing to the sustainable development goals. Blue Flag also campaigns against disparity, inequality, unemployment, health threats, depletion of natural resources, environmental threats, pollution and general environmental degradation.
• In South Africa, Blue Flag has been operational since 2001 and has proud municipal, marina and tourism boat partners in 18 coastal municipalities around the country.
• Blue Flag is voluntary, which shows a very strong commitment to environmental sustainability from those municipalities, marinas and tourism boat operators that are awarded annually. All properties and companies that apply for the Blue Flag award are assessed by a South African National Jury as well as by the Blue Flag International Jury in Europe.

ABOUT GREEN COAST:

• Based on the success of the Blue Flag eco-label and the recognition that Blue Flag is only applicable to a limited stretch of urban coastline, WESSA developed a second coastal award for implementation along South Africa’s coastline. The Green Coast Award, officially launched in 2017, is an annual award programme that recognises inclusive and sustainable management at less developed coastal sites with high biodiversity value.
• Green Coast is a platform for collaboration, innovation, and local public participation in coastal management. Successful coastal sites achieve Green Coast status by meeting a set of criteria that are designed to ensure environmental, developmental and participatory standards are continually maintained and improved. Where possible, Green Coast sites aim to include a resident’s association or public group who can mobilise active citizens to participate in the management of the site. The Green Coast criteria include aspects of basic ecological monitoring, encouraging citizen science initiatives that empower communities for civic action and influence localized decision making. Coastal areas with Green Coast status appeal to a specific sector of the tourism market who are looking for experiences in adventure, outdoor living, and nature tourism along our coastline. The Green Coast award assists these sites by putting them on the tourism map and promoting them all under one national eco-label.

Receiving the Blue Flags for Wilderness Beach, Victoria Bay Beach and Herold’s Bay Beach are from left Ald Leon Van Wyk;  Helena Atkinson, WESSA CEO; Dawie Adonis, Director for Community Services; Ward 4 Councillor Marlene Viljoen and Municipal Manager for George, Dr Michele Gratz.

In preparation for the roll-out of the GO GEORGE bus service to Thembalethu, bus drivers will do route training in the area on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 October, and again from Monday to Wednesday next week (23 to 25 October).
Prospective passengers must note that these are only training trips on some routes in preparation for the big day and that buses will not be boarding passengers.

Roll-out in stages
It was announced earlier that the Thembalethu service will be rolled out in three stages. Considering the current traffic congestion on the N2 bridge and Nelson Mandela Boulevard due to roadworks, a more staggered approach will be followed, with a gradual phase-in of more routes as part of a controlled roll-out plan.

The latest plan is to start with one route between Thembalethu and Blanco (R18A) during stage one. The exact roll-out date will be announced soon.

Thembalethu routes
Once the full service to Thembalethu has been rolled out, 10 main routes will transport passengers from Thembalethu to other areas in town and five community routes will crisscross inside Thembalethu, making it easy to travel within the area or to join one of the main routes.

For any enquiries, please phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, or follow the GO GEORGE Facebook page to stay updated with developments.

GO GEORGE bus drivers will start training on certain routes in Thembalethu this week, commencing with Route 18A (Thembalethu – Blanco).

From left: Jandré van Zyl (VE Reticulation – Electrical Contractors), Deon Esterhuysen (Electro-Technical Services: Manager Project Execution), Alderman Leon van Wyk (Executive Mayor of George) Councillor Nosicelo Mbete (Portfolio Councillor for Electrotechnical Services & Fleet Management), Danie Greeff (Electro-Technical Services: Deputy Director – Planning & Design) and Jacques van Zyl (Lyners Consulting Engineers)

The completion date for the commissioning of the 1 MWp solar farm located in the George Industrial area has been set at January 2024. The Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk accompanied by the Portfolio Councillor for Electrotechnical Services and Fleet Management Nosicelo Mbete officially celebrated the start of construction at the 1ha open land in April this year.

The Municipality is investigating various options to get the city and its residents freed of at least one stage, that is two hours of loadshedding. The implementation of this three-pronged operational approach to significantly reduce our reliance on energy supply from Eskom has three focus areas: one being Energy Efficiency, another Own-Build Programme, and finally the procurement of energy from Independent Power Producers (IPPs). George uses at peak times up to 85MVA per day. This 1MWp PV Plant is the first phase of Solar PV plants for George that will feed directly into the Municipal grid.

The Solar plants being installed in George will provide own generation and reduce Eskom energy consumption. This will also serve as large-scale generation to keep future dispatchable Battery Energy Storage Systems charged. This will also assist us in achieving our goal of reducing internal electricity costs and increasing sustainability.

The renewable energy power that will be generated through this plant, will be connected to the grid to reduce the municipal bulk purchases and will only support the immediate George area. The 1MWp PV plant will consist of approximately 1728 PV Panels & 10 x 110kW inverters at a total cost of R 24 843 090.36. The plant is expected to generate in the order of 1780 MWh per year.

George Municipality has embarked on a process to redesign and upgrade the area known as St. Mark’s Square to facilitate the creation of a secure and accessible urban square and public parking area.

According to Delia Power, Deputy Director: Planning, the redesign is aimed at attracting active use, addressing safety and sustainability issues, enabling the transportation related function of the square and integrating the needs of the surrounding landowners and users of the area, where possible.

Power said a service provider has been appointed to manage the re-design and upgrading planning process that promise to reshape how residents interact and navigate this vibrant region. In addition to the transportation- and parking function of the project area, consideration will be given to possible commercial activities, such as food trucks/ deli’s/food kiosks and related seating for patrons, other initiatives such as night markets, infrastructure to support environmental management services, landscaping and greening. Also, enhancing security by implementing measures such as the installation of CCTV cameras, access control measures and improved lighting. Long-term parking solutions, possible charging stations for electric vehicles, inclusion of alternative energy solutions to aid safe and active use of the site will also be considered.

George Municipality values the unique character and heritage of the area and envisages that the site will form part of a future Heritage Precinct. The consultant’s team includes landscape- and heritage specialists to propose ways to adapt and enhance the character of the site in relation to the general area with the view of integrating and complementing the surrounding investments.

The relevant municipal departments will be consulted to establish their requirements. Adjacent property owners and identified users have been duly advised about the process being undertaken and inputs have been invited to ensure the future design of the site addresses the local needs.  The final design and cost estimates for implementation of the proposals are anticipated to be finalised by January 2024, whereupon funding will be sourced toward the implementation.

Power said, the planning, redesign and upgrade of infrastructure in George represents a forward-looking commitment to improving the lives of its residents and visitors. Through community engagement and a holistic approach to infrastructure development, George Municipality aims to create a more prosperous, accessible and environmentally conscious future for all. This initiative underscores the Municipality’s dedication to support regeneration of our investment and trade centres, to instill investor confidence and enhancing the overall quality of life in the George region.

For more information in this regard please email Lynette Groenewald at lgroenewald@george.gov.za or Michelle Lee at Mlee@george.gov.za from the Directorate: Human Settlements, Planning and Development.

Photo above: St Marks Square screenshot: An aerial view of St. Marks Square in the George CBD.

Locality map: A zoning view of the St. Marks Square area.

Alderman Leon Van Wyk, Executive Mayor of George Municipality

In recent weeks the Western Cape has experienced a period of unusual weather events with heavy rainfall causing substantial damage to infrastructure, agricultural crops and other assets particularly across the Overberg region.

In Overstrand, damage to their main water pipelines resulted in no piped water being available for almost a week.

We were requested to provide assistance by making available our large 35000 litre fire tanker and a second tanker to the Hermanus community to transport water to certain areas to fill water tanks that the municipality had to urgently acquire and to assist the local Medi-Clinic hospital. Our deployed teams proudly undertook these tasks working non-stop with very little sleep. We extend our thanks to them for their dedication to serve George and the communities in need.

In the meantime, in George, we have experienced a spate of water pipeline bursts in recent weeks after being fortunate to have a period with relatively few breaks.

It is useful to occasionally reflect on the extent of George. Our tarred road network is 450km with a further 100km of gravel roads and almost 1000km of pipelines for each of the water and sewer networks. To put this in perspective, the operational extent of George is equivalent to roughly the road distance between Plettenberg Bay and Cape Town with water and sewer pipelines on both sides of the road.

On a network of this size, there are pipe breakages and sewer blockages that occur in the respective networks on a daily basis. Over the past two years, increasing efforts have taken place to create zones across the municipality to manage the water network through the inclusion of meters and valves to improve the management of the water network. This process has already yielded positive results. The nature of such a network is that there are different sizes of pipelines, connections and fittings that have been constructed over decades as George has grown.

During a recent pipe burst it was discovered that the breakage occurred on a non-standard size pipe diameter that differed by a few millimeters from the available replacement and fittings. Modifications were needed which then delayed the repair.

The wet weather often delays the repairs that are being undertaken. Potholes on roads materialise during wet weather and can only be effectively repaired during dry and warm weather conditions.

Our electricity repair teams are being kept busy due to the damage to infrastructure that results from loadshedding and the overload of networks when power is being restored.

In closing, we thank all our repair, standby and other municipal teams for regularly being prepared to work long hours as they strive to maintain a high level of services across George.

George Municipality would like to thank resident of Wilderness, Susan Burger and Tree SA: Garden Route who kindly sponsored four Coastal Silver Oak trees for planting at Leentjiesklip Beach parking area. This follows after the original trees were destroyed two weeks ago during the strong storm surge.  The Coastal Oak or Brachylaena discolour is a species of flower plant in the aster family. It is native to Africa where it occurs in South Africa, Mozambique and Eswatini.

Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz expressed her gratitude and thanks to the parties involved for the sponsorship. “ Our municipal teams are hard at work restoring the beaches and parking areas to be ready for Blue Flag season and with Leentjiesklip Beach having applied for Blue Flag Pilot Status, the replacement of the damaged trees is a fantastic gesture! We eagerly await the final announcement on 20 October as to which beaches have retained Blue Flag and which will be Pilot beaches,” said Dr Gratz.

Front: From Left to Right: JP Rossouw (Chief Audit Executive: George Municipality); Dr M Gratz (Municipal Manager: George Municipality); Pamela Lufele (Chief Audit Executive: Garden Route District Municipality); Zareena Gabier (Manager: Manager: Financial Governance: Assurance Services: Provincial Treasury). Back: From Left to Right: Faiz Hoosain (Chief Audit Executive: Stellenbosch Municipality); Lazola Matshanda; Cedric Herrendoerfer; Itumeleng Mofokeng; Lusanda Mbeleki (Provincial Treasury Officials).

The George Municipality was honoured to host the recent Western Cape Provincial Municipal Chief Audit Executive (CAE) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Forums. The forums took place on 19-20 September 2023 in George and were divided into two sessions: the Chief Audit Executive (CAE) Forum for all Heads of Internal Audit in the province and the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Forum for Risk Management Officials.

The Forums aim to promote the implementation of Internal Audit and Risk Management within municipalities in the Western Cape, while also facilitating and sharing best practices and support. Established to provide centres for learning, the forums’ agenda is guided by the most prevalent issues burdening these disciplines.

From left: From Left to Right: Zimasa Bulo (Senior Internal Auditor); Heybré Ellis (Manager: Internal Audit); JP Rossouw (Chief Audit Executive); Jomeila Apollis (Internal Audit Intern); Kloper Mabunda (Internal Auditor). Absent from the Photo Natacha Martins and Xolisile Sotushe (Internal Audit Interns).

The forums have evolved considerably since inception and have become the voice of the local government CROs and CAEs at professional bodies such as the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa, the Public Sector Audit Committee Forum, the Institute of Risk Management South Africa, National Forums, etc. The Forums were well attended by various Provincial Government officials and Internal Audit and Risk Management representatives of the various municipalities in the Western Cape.

The Forums were opened by the Chairperson of the CAE Forum, Mr JP Rossouw, who is also the CAE of the George Municipality; followed by a Keynote Address from the George Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz. The Municipal Manager (MM) shared her insights and expertise on “What Executive Stakeholders expect from a future-fit Internal Audit Function”. This address set the tone for the Forums and contributed significantly to the discussions. The MM’s vision and experience aligned closely with the objectives for the events, and all agreed that the address left a lasting impact on the audience.

Some of the delegates that attended the CAE and CRO Forums

Dr Gratz’s words reminded the attendees that they must be curious, constantly learning, and embracing the exciting future ahead. Her speech covered a number of must-haves which are needed for Internal Audit to be Future-Fit – in summary: “Internal audit must ensure that it is aligned with the organisation, being a key strategic role-player and advisor. Internal Audit needs to add value, streamline operations and be versatile. For example, George is one of the first municipalities to introduce agile auditing. In other words, when an audit starts and an issue is identified, the audit can immediately change course and respond to that issue. Internal Audits must keep up with all the latest legislation and regulations and ensure that they are implemented.

The Forums aim to promote the implementation of Internal Audit and Risk Management within municipality’s

“Internal audit will in the future have to be much more proactive and in the rapidly changing environment within which all municipalities find themselves, the education of officials as to the purpose of Internal Audit is key. With the advent of artificial intelligence and smart city principles, internal audits will have to proactively identify risks and assist with controls finally Internal Audit must have a positive impact on the performance of the organisation and foster a good and trusted relationship with the various stakeholders involved.”

Various speakers presented noteworthy topics addressing burning issues in the audit and risk disciplines. The day was earmarked with interactive discussions and knowledge-sharing initiatives, including Agile Auditing, Combined Assurance, Cyber Security, and Energy Resilience.

Thanks to the George Municipal Internal Audit team for all the hard work and arrangements to have hosted such a successful event.

Alderman Leon Van Wyk, Executive Mayor of George Municipality

Over the past couple of weeks, we have experienced unusual weather conditions ranging from the storm surge to disruptive rain across parts of the Western Cape that have kept disaster management teams at full stretch.

We are thankful for the efforts of our teams dealing with service delivery who have worked like trojans to clear up and restore services. In anticipation of the rain expected over the long weekend, Sanparks and the municipal teams tackled the massive amount of sand that the storm surge deposited under the Touw River bridges and in the lagoon. This has been an attempt by mankind to prevent flooding while dealing with the forces of nature.

It is awesome to note how our proactive citizens have reacted by documenting the work being done for social media while also profiling George and the Garden Route. Their efforts have attracted widespread coverage on social media that will benefit the tourism sector as we start preparations for our summer season.

From a municipal perspective, we also held our scheduled inaugural planning and preparedness meeting for the season where the task lists to deal with the tourism influx are compiled. Now is therefore the time for the broader tourism stakeholders to finalise their proposed activities and to get them listed for inclusion on the George QR code system that will be easily accessible on social media. It is anticipated that many visitors will flock to George and the Garden Route in the coming months.

I believe that our eateries can contribute to a memorable experience if each of them offers their distinctive signature dish that will make the holiday extra special. It is also so important that the tourism sector assists in sharing the message of being safe on our beaches and elsewhere with their guests.

Over the past two weeks, I have had the privilege of meeting with entrepreneurs to talk about business opportunities that they are creating in George that will translate into employment and further economic activity. In local government, it is a key objective to create an enabling environment for businesses to feel comfortable to undertake ventures and to grow them. The ultimate goal is to provide employment.

We are starting to witness the positive effect of providing a high level of services, maintaining infrastructure, upgrading systems and policies, employing skilled staff, and managing our budgets. The range of projects being launched or being planned includes infrastructure and investments in businesses that will benefit sectors such as health, housing, agriculture, tourism, sport, business services and creative arts. It is encouraging to note the passion of entrepreneurs and investors who are eager to drive ventures that will open up prospects and opportunities for our citizens.