Author: Chantel Edwards

From left to right: George Municipality Chief Financial Officer, IT Manager, Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis,
and Municipal Manager pictured following the recent Council approval of key Smart City upgrades, marking a major milestone
in George’s journey towards becoming a truly smart and connected city.

Over the past five months, George Municipality has been making strong progress towards an exciting goal of becoming a truly smart city. This forward-looking vision is all about using modern technology to improve daily life for all residents—making services faster, more efficient, and more accessible. Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis officially adopted the municipality’s first Smart City Strategy during a Mayoral Committee meeting held on 27 November 2024. This groundbreaking strategy is a a five-year plan which outlines a new way forward for how the municipality governs, builds infrastructure, and delivers services. It puts innovation, digital inclusion, and smarter decision-making at the heart of everything the municipality does.

A major step forward took place on 30 May 2025, when Council unanimously approved a long-overdue upgrade to the municipality’s financial system. This upgrade paves the way for developing a fully functional Management Information System (MIS). The MIS will help the municipality make better, data-driven decisions, improve transparency, and boost overall efficiency. As part of the Smart City journey, George Municipality is working with leading software providers to roll out a range of technology-driven improvements. These include expanding access to affordable internet, streamlining billing systems, and introducing Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

Streamlining billing systems will make it easier and quicker for residents to access and pay their municipal accounts, reduce billing errors, and allow for real-time account updates—helping households better manage their monthly budgets. IoT technologies such as smart water meters, energy-efficient streetlights, bin sensors for efficient waste management, traffic monitors to ease congestion, and air quality sensors will improve public safety, reduce waste, and enhance day-to-day service delivery for all residents.

The municipality is taking a holistic approach—modernising its digital platforms, launching smart utilities, and creating more responsive systems that meet the real needs of the people. Everything is being designed to ensure that technology works for the community, not just behind the scenes.

Citizens are encouraged to stay informed, participate in public engagements, and be part of this exciting transformation. With a shared vision and continued collaboration, George Municipality is confident in its mission to build a smarter, more connected, and inclusive city—one that improves the quality of life for all who call George home.

George Municipality takes note of the recent statements issued by the GOOD Party and Cllr C Kyd. Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis confirmed today that George Municipality will not participate in any practice that may hinder or harm an ongoing investigation that seeks to bring justice to the survivors and the families of the victims. This includes refraining from discussing the merits of the case publicly. The Municipality emphasises that this matter will be treated with the respect and seriousness it warrants, to allow the South African Police Service (SAPS) to conduct their investigation effectively and without interference.

The independent structural investigation report commissioned by George Municipality has been formally submitted to SAPS and now forms part of the official evidence bundle in the ongoing criminal investigation. In accordance with legal protocols, this report will not be made public or tabled to Council.

A legal opinion on the Municipality’s potential delictual liability was tabled in confidence to Council on 30 May 2025, as per the procedures advised by legal counsel. The legal opinion received clearly advised that the matter be handled in a specific and legally compliant manner.