Author: Debra Sauer

In the photo above, mayor Jackie von Brandis with from left clockwise, Frank Tamboer, Manager: Cleansing, Cllr Donovan Gultig, Ward Councillor for Ward 18, Muriel Hau-Yoon and Pauline Lourens.

George Municipality recently held a series of public participation sessions as part of the annual review of the 2024/2025 Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The sessions provided Ward Councillors and Ward Committee members with a platform to update and discuss the progress of their ward priorities across all 28 wards in the municipality.

“These sessions provided an interactive space for Ward Councillors and Committees to discuss their ward priorities and service delivery concerns,” said Whitney Prins, Manager: IDP and Public Participation, one of the session organisers. “It was an opportunity to ensure that municipal planning and budgeting aligned with community needs.”
The focus of the sessions was to provide feedback on the implementation of the ten capital and ten operational priorities for each ward, as elected by the communities outlined in the IDP. Attendees also had the chance to engage with various municipal departments to address service delivery issues beyond the set ward priorities. Each department set up service desks for one-on-one discussions with attendees.
The sessions took place from 4 – 12 November in Rosemoor, Thembalethu, George Civic Centre, Pacaltsdorp and Uniondale.

Alongside the ward-level sessions, the municipality utilised the District Development Model (DDM) to address sector-specific concerns. This process involved submitting feedback from all 28 wards to provincial and national departments through the Inter-Governmental Relations (IGR) process. Despite resource constraints due to budget cuts, the municipality remained confident in its ability to continue collaborating with other levels of government to ensure progress on these issues.

Dr. Kosie Haarhoff, Deputy Director of Strategic Growth and Development, highlighted the importance of regular feedback in maintaining a strong relationship between government and the public. “In South Africa, increasing community protests and unrest have often been fuelled by the lack of timely feedback and meaningful participation in decision-making,” Dr. Haarhoff remarked. “By providing quarterly updates to Ward Councillors and Committees on the status of IDP projects, we hope to foster trust and reduce dissatisfaction among residents.”
He continued, “When municipalities fail to provide updates, it creates a sense of neglect, leaving citizens feeling disempowered. Regular feedback reassures communities that their concerns are being addressed, reinforcing their involvement in governance.”

Ward Councillors are tasked with engaging their committees in discussions about the progress of capital and operational projects, ensuring that all members are aligned with the IDP priorities before the public participation sessions. The municipality encouraged Ward Councillors to involve their constituents and foster discussions that would prepare them for a productive participation process.
Cllr Sean Snyman, Speaker of George Council, also called on residents to take an active role in the process. “As the public representative responsible for public participation, I encourage all residents to contact their committee members and get involved in the IDP process,” said Cllr Snyman. “Together, we can achieve more. Your committee represents you—hold them accountable.”

To ensure smooth proceedings, the Community Services Directorate was requested to deploy law enforcement officers during the sessions to maintain order and prevent disruptions.

The public participation sessions provided an important opportunity for Ward Councillors, Committee members, and residents to actively contribute to the planning and decision-making processes that shaped George Municipality’s development. By fostering transparent, accountable governance, the sessions helped strengthen community engagement, addressed service delivery concerns, and aligned municipal projects with the needs of local communities.
For more information or to get involved, residents were encouraged to contact their Ward Councillor or the IDP office at 044 801 9074.

Photos:

Herman Pienaar, Ald Iona Kritzinger and Henell Nimb for Ward 19.

Ward Committee Member, Siphokazi Ncacha being assisted with a query in Thembalethu by Edward Nqumse from Electrotechnical Services.

Assisting with queries from Electrotechnical Services are from left Danie Greeff, Louise Botha and Edward Nqumse. In front of the table are Speaker Sean Snyman and Ben Redelinghuys from Ward 28.

Arnols Bruiners and Derick Scheepers, Ward Committee Members at the event for Ward 22.

From left are Theresa Malan, Ken Field and Cllr Browen Johnson for Ward 23.

Louis Strumpher from Ward 3 being assisted by Ilané Huyser, Fakazile Vava and Henko Lourens from Planning.

From Law Enforcement, ready to assist are from left, Verona Botha, Maunette Benson, Sinovuyo Robile, Richard von Willingh, Manager: Law Enforcement and Security, Vernique Sparks, Timu-Charlie Peterse at the George Civic Centre.

Dr. Kosie Haarhoff, Deputy Director of Strategic Growth and Development fielding a question from Christa Alaart from Ward 16 in Pacaltsdorp.

Christina Fredericks and Antoinette Fredericks being assisted by Kirwin Joubert and Alphonso Titus.

Aldon Meyer and Catherine Damons from Ward 14 with officials sitting, Sivuyile Mtila, Senior Manager: Environmental Services, Peter Noble, Manager: Area Offices and Thusong Centres and Jonique Claasen-Gozongo.

Roger Solomons and Des Gordon from Ward 27 being assisted by Lionel Daniels, Deputy Director: Streets and Stormwater, Ernest Claassen, Deputy Director: Waste Water and Deon de Jager: Deputy Director: Water Services from Civil Engineering Services.

Simamkele Gweva from IDP, PMS and Public Participation, Kevin Abrahams from Economic Development and Melanie Martins from George Tourism.

The team that organised the IDP feedback sessions are from left, Simamkele Gweva, Paulina Saaiman, Ronél Valla, Dr Kosie Haarhoff, Whitney Prins, Siphokazi Maku and Thomas Mart.

In the photo above a proud Deborah Booysen, a mother of four children, received her home keys from Mayor Jackie von Brandis. From left are Cllr Theresa Jeyi (Chief Whip of Council),Given Masase and Brumilda Kirchner (Official from the Human Settlements Department, George Municipality).

A total of eight houses were handed over last week, bringing the total number of houses completed and occupied at Metrogrounds Housing Project to 89. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address housing shortages in the community.

According to Clinton Petersen, Acting Deputy Director: Human Settlements at George Municipality, the beneficiaries of the Metrogrounds Housing Project were selected based on criteria from the Housing Demand Database. Priority was given to those who have been on the waiting list the longest, as well as individuals aged 60 and older, persons with disabilities, farm workers, and residents of informal settlements and backyards. The houses handed over last week were allocated according to a list provided by the contractor, indicating homes that are ready for occupation.

Mayor Jackie von Brandis said she is ecstatic for the new homeowners. “Most of them have waited a very long time for their homes and I hope even more new doors will be opened soon,” Von Brandis said.

The beneficiaries who received keys to their new homes include, Abraham Claassen (53) and Monica Frances Jonck (57), Koos Prinsloo (53) and Enrika Van Rooyen (36), Frederick Bruiners (52) and Lena Alexander (53), Piet Jafta (53), Deborah Booysen (40),Marike Jonk (37),Victoria Beginsel (51) and Sam Williams (52) as well as

Mogo Matilda Kanie (52) and Johannes Kanie (55).

Deborah Booysen said three of her four children will live with her in her home. She said she feels good to be able to move into her brand-new home. She said she lived at Palana Informal Settlement and have been on the waiting list since 2003.

Frederick Bruiners and Lena Alexander and their son Alfredo (22) will live in their new house after waiting for their new home since 2003. They’ve had their informal house burned down in Borchards and lived in a temporary structure. “Yoh, Frederick exclaimed almost in disbelief as he said he is so happy that they have their own home now.”

Good progress has been made on the project and 347 houses are still to be handed over in the Metrogrounds development.

During a progress meeting held on 30 October 2024, it was confirmed that snagging for the remaining houses in Phase 1, which consists of 236 housing opportunities, will be completed by 29 November 2024.

In addition, Phase 2 of the project, which includes 200 housing opportunities, is advancing with 150 houses in the final stages of completion. Approval was also granted in October 2024 for the construction of 196 top structures for Phase 3, with processes for construction and subsidy administration is set to commence pending the completion of the necessary statutory documentation.

Photo:

Mayor Jackie von Brandis handed the title deed of the home to Frederick Bruiners and Lena Alexander after receiving their new home at Metrogrounds. From left are Cllr Theresa Jeyi (Chief Whip of Council), Mayor Von Brandis, Alexander, Bruiners, Raylene Petrus and Vanessa Brandt from Human Settlements, George Municipality.