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GO GEORGE marks historic fleet handover

In the photo is the official handover of minibuses: A momentous, historic occasion: Wester Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, and George Executive Mayor Browen Johnson (holding the key) officially handed over the 35 minibuses of the GO GEORGE fleet to the vehicle operating company, George Link. From left: Morné Lakay (GO GEORGE Manager), MEC Ricardo Mackenzie (Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, former Minister of Mobility), Duggie Cloete (George Link), John Heathcote (George Link Director), Mayor Johnson, Minister Sileku, MEC Tertuis Simmers (Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure), and Gene Jansen, Hannes Wannenburg, John Ndamani and Lionel Fortuin (all George Link Directors).

35 minibuses officially transferred to George Link – a breakthrough in empowerment and transformation

GO GEORGE is celebrating a significant milestone in its transformation journey with the official handover of 35 minibuses to George Link, the Vehicle Operating Company responsible for running the city’s bus service. The ceremony took place on Saturday, 13 December 2025, marking a proud moment for both the municipality and the operator.

George Link, consisting entirely of individuals previously from the minibus taxi industry, has been at the heart of the GO GEORGE service since its inception 11 years ago. The transfer of ownership of the minibus fleet from George Municipality, the Contracting Authority and initial owner, represents a major step towards the empowerment and formalisation objectives set out in the National Land Transport Act (NLTA).

“The handover is more than a transfer of vehicles – it is a transfer of trust and responsibility,” said Morné Lakay, GO GEORGE Manager. “GO GEORGE was built on the principle of accessible, dignified transport, and today we celebrate the empowerment of George Link as custodians of that vision.”

Executive Mayor, Alderman Browen Johnson, emphasised the broader impact: “The people of George can be proud of this milestone. It demonstrates how local government, working hand in hand with communities, can deliver transformation that is both practical and meaningful. The empowerment of George Link is a shining example of what partnership can achieve.”

Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, highlighted the provincial significance: “The National Land Transport Act set out ambitious goals for transformation, and today we see those goals realised in George. The handover of the fleet is a first of its kind, and it shows how formalisation and empowerment can reshape public transport for the benefit of all.”

For George Link, the moment is deeply personal. Managing Director John Heathcote reflected: “Many of us come from the minibus taxi industry, and to now stand as owners of the GO GEORGE fleet is proof of what transformation means in practice. We are honoured to continue serving the people of George with pride and professionalism.”

With the 35 minibuses now reaching the end of their service life, George Municipality has initiated the transfer process in accordance with the Municipal Finance Management Act and Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations. This handover is the first phase of a broader process that will conclude with the transfer of the remaining standard- and midibus fleet by 7 December 2026.

Minibus fleet: A proud fleet of minibuses against the scenic backdrop of the Outeniqua mountains.
Congratulations after handover: Shaking hands on the deal – role-players in celebratory mood after the handover of the GO GEORGE minibus fleet to George Link.
Minibuses with hoists: GO GEORGE minibuses were the first and still are the only public transport minibuses in South Africa with hydraulic hoists to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
Sileku, Simmers and Johnson at minibus handover

GO GEORGE merk historiese vlootoordrag

In die hoof photo: ‘n Belangrike en historiese geleentheid: Wes-Kaapse Minister van Mobiliteit, Isaac Sileku, en George se uitvoerende burgemeester, raadsheer Browen Johnson (wat die sleutel vashou) het amptelik die 35 minibusse van die GO GEORGE-vloot aan die voertuigbedryfsmaatskappy, George Link, oorhandig. Van links: Morné Lakay (GO GEORGE-bestuurder), LUK Ricardo Mackenzie (Wes-Kaapse Minister van Kultuursake en Sport, voormalige Minister van Mobiliteit), Duggie Cloete (George Link), John Heathcote (George Link-direkteur), burgemeester Johnson, minister Sileku, LUK Tertuis Simmers (Wes-Kaapse Minister van Infrastruktuur), en Gene Jansen, Hannes Wannenburg, John Ndamani en Lionel Fortuin (almal George Link-direkteure).

35 minibusse is amptelik aan George Link oorgedra – ‘n deurbraak in bemagtiging en transformasie

GO GEORGE vier ‘n belangrike mylpaal in sy transformasiereis met die amptelike oorhandiging van 35 minibusse aan George Link, die voertuigbedryfsmaatskappy wat verantwoordelik is vir die bestuur van die stad se busdiens. Die seremonie het op Saterdag, 13 Desember 2025 plaasgevind – ‘n trotse oomblik vir beide die munisipaliteit en die operateur.y

George Link, wat geheel en al bestaan uit individue komende uit die minibus-taxibedryf, is sedert die ontstaan daarvan 11 jaar gelede die kern van die GO GEORGE-diens. Die oordrag van eienaarskap van die minibusvloot van George Munisipaliteit, die kontrakterende owerheid en aanvanklike eienaar, verteenwoordig ‘n groot stap na die bemagtigings- en formaliseringsdoelwitte soos uiteengesit in die Nasionale Landvervoerwet.

“Die oordrag is meer as net ‘n oordrag van voertuie – dit is ‘n oordrag van vertroue en verantwoordelikheid,” het Morné Lakay, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, gesê. “GO GEORGE is gebou op die beginsel van toeganklike, waardige vervoer, en vandag vier ons die bemagtiging van George Link as bewaarders van daardie visie.”

Uitvoerende Burgemeester, Raadsheer Browen Johnson, het die breër impak beklemtoon: “Die mense van George kan trots wees op hierdie mylpaal. Dit demonstreer hoe plaaslike regering wat hand aan hand met gemeenskappe werk, transformasie kan lewer wat beide prakties en betekenisvol is. Die bemagtiging van George Link is ‘n skitterende voorbeeld van wat vennootskap kan bereik.”

Wes-Kaapse Minister van Mobiliteit, Isaac Sileku, het die provinsiale betekenis beklemtoon: “Die Nasionale Landvervoerwet het ambisieuse doelwitte vir transformasie uiteengesit, en vandag sien ons daardie doelwitte in George verwesenlik. Die oordrag van die vloot is die eerste van sy soort, en dit wys hoe formalisering en bemagtiging openbare vervoer tot voordeel van almal kan hervorm.”

Vir George Link is die oomblik diep persoonlik. Direkteur John Heathcote het dit so gestel: “Baie van ons kom uit die minibus-taxibedryf, en om nou as eienaars van die GO GEORGE-vloot te staan, is bewys van wat transformasie in die praktyk beteken. Ons voel geëerd om voort te kan gaan om die mense van George met trots en professionaliteit te dien.”

Met die 35 minibusse wat nou die einde van hul dienslewe bereik, het George Munisipaliteit die oordragproses ooreenkomstig die Wet op Munisipale Finansiële Bestuur en Munisipale Bate-Oordragregulasies begin. Hierdie oordrag is die eerste fase van ‘n breër proses wat sal eindig met die oordrag van die oorblywende standaard- en midibusvloot teen 7 Desember 2026.

‘n Trotse vloot minibusse teen die skilderagtige agtergrond van die Outeniqua-berge.
’n Handdruk om die ooreenkoms te vier – rolspelers in ’n feestelike luim ná die oorhandiging van die GO GEORGE-minibusvloot aan George Link.
GO GEORGE-minibusse was die eerste en is steeds die enigste openbare vervoer-minibusse in Suid-Afrika met hidrouliese hysers om rolstoele en ander mobiliteitstoestelle te akkommodeer.
Sileku, Simmers en Johnson by die minibus oorhandiging