Author: Debra Sauer

In the photo above, Mzwabantu Mayekiso (Civil Engineering Graduate), Rual Jacobs (Electrical Graduate) and Jesse America (Electrical Graduate).

The George Municipality received the award for Most Engaging Presentation at the ISDG Integrated Alignment Workshop held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on September 11–12, 2024. The Municipality’s presentation focused on the refurbishment of the Kaaiman’s River Pump Station, showcasing a pivotal infrastructure project that underscores its commitment to sustainable service delivery. Delivered by Candidate Technician Mzwabantu Mayekiso, the presentation highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Infrastructure Skills Development Grant (ISDG) team, comprised of Candidate Technicians and Technologists specializing in Electrical and Civil Engineering. The team’s success reflects the importance of cross-disciplinary teamwork in achieving municipal objectives.

About the Kaaiman’s River Pump Station Refurbishment
Originally constructed in 1972, the Kaaiman’s River Pump Station had experienced significant deterioration due to environmental factors, leading to reduced operational capacity. The Municipality’s Engineering Department spearheaded a comprehensive refurbishment project to restore the pump station to its original capacity of 230 litres per second (l/s).

Key highlights of the refurbishment included:
• Installation of New Pumps: Upgrading the pumping mechanisms to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Pipeline Repairs: Cleaning and replacing critical pipeline components to ensure optimal water flow.
• Electrical and Control System Enhancements: Modernizing the station’s systems for improved performance and ease of operation.
• Structural and Safety Improvements: Constructing a new pump station shelter, installing handrails and fencing, paving reinstatement, and reinforcing structures with gabions.

ISDG Training Program
The George Municipality currently hosts 10 graduates in the ISDG program, offering training in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Town Planning. The award-winning presentation by the ISDG team serves as a testament to the program’s success in preparing graduates for real-world challenges through hands-on projects. The Municipality congratulates Mzwabantu Mayekiso and the entire ISDG team for their outstanding achievement and for representing George Municipality with excellence. Their work not only restored vital infrastructure but also demonstrated the value of collaboration and professional development in the municipal sector.

Photos:

From left Wendy Hannes (George Municipal Acting Senior Manager: Administration & Support / ISDG Champion), Johan Gouws (Civil Engineering Services) and Sikelelwa Gaxa, Chief Clerk Electro-technical Services.

From left Jesse America (Electrical Engineering Graduate), Johan Gouws (Civil Engineering Services Mentor), Simphiwe Lwangaye (Electrical Graduate), Sikelelwa Gaxa, Chief Clerk Electro-technical Services, Mzoxolo Ntabeni (Civil Engineering Graduate), Rual Jacobs (Electrical Graduate), Wendy Hannes (George Municipal Acting Senior Manager: Administration & Support / ISDG Champion) and Amos Mangqwambi (Electrical Graduate) and Mzwabantu Mayekiso (Civil Engineering Graduate).

George Fire Services seen yesterday preparing their fleet and vessels for summer duty. A quick wash and polish before they head off to the beaches for the duration of the season. Spot the two Jetrib’s in the water running daily exercises and drills as part of our Summer Preparedness programme – practicing surf launching and rescue exercises.

The two jetribs will launch from either Wilderness or Herold’s Bay daily, subject to weather conditions. This will enable them to be available for activation for any emergencies on our beautiful Blue Flag beaches, including Wilderness Main Beach, Victoria Bay, Herold’s Bay, and Leentjiesklip, along with Gwaing River Mouth, Wilderness Lagoon, and Wilderness Steps Beach.

If you need assistance or wish to report an issue, contact our Law Enforcement Office at 044 801 6350 during office hours, or 044 801 6300 after hours.
For emergencies, call 044 801 6311, and for disaster-related issues, use the toll-free number 087 152 9999.

Thank you for helping us keep our beaches safe. Together, let’s ensure a safe, fun, and memorable holiday season for all! Enjoy the beach, stay safe, and thank you for your co-operation.

The George Municipality is proud to acknowledge the success of its digitisation initiatives, particularly in the processing of building plan applications. These digital platforms were developed and funded as part of a Provincial initiative to promote Ease of Doing Business. Since the full implementation of the online portal in 2020, the Municipality has had a significant improvement in the number of building plans processed, reflecting both the city’s growth and the effectiveness of the systems in place.

Over the past four financial years, the Municipality has processed a record number of building plans:
• 2020/2021: 1,440 plans were processed, covering 213,842m², with an estimated value of R1.64 billion.
• 2021/2022: 2,244 plans were processed, covering 306,182m², with an estimated value of R2.35 billion.
• 2022/2023: 3,967 plans were processed, covering 859,713m², with an estimated value of R6.39 billion.
• 2023/2024: 4,093 plans were processed, covering 735,420m², with an estimated value of R5.59 billion.
These impressive figures underscore the Municipality’s commitment to efficiency and service excellence. The continuous enhancement of the building control module has enabled faster processing times while meeting service level standards and legislative requirements. The Building Control division has eradicated all backlogs and have maintained this status of no backlogs for the past three years.

The integration of on-premises modules for inspections and certificates of occupancy has further streamlined the process, ensuring compliance and effective monitoring of building projects. Notably, 97.93% of certificates of occupancy were processed within the legislative timeframe during the 2023/2024 financial year.
The digitisation initiatives have delivered substantial benefits, including enhanced transparency and accountability through real-time updates, a significant reduction in paperwork and physical visits that saves time for both applicants and staff, and advanced data analytics capabilities that enable improved performance monitoring and data-driven decision-making.

MMC for Planning and Development, Marlene Barnardt said “These achievements are a testament to George Municipality’s dedication to innovation and excellence in service delivery. By embracing digital transformation, we are positioning George as a leader in efficient governance, ensuring we meet the growing needs of our rapidly developing city.”

The Municipality remains committed to refining its systems, enhancing service delivery, and driving economic growth in George.

For more information on building plan applications or the digitisation initiatives, please contact the George Municipality Planning and Development Department 044 801 9370/9166/9019

In the photo the crowd at the George Lights Festival cheering as the Mayor switched on the Christmas lights.

The George Light Festival was a spectacular success, drawing thousands of attendees to celebrate a day filled with music and community spirit. The event, held at Unity Park, York Street, brought together residents and visitors to mark the festive season with a memorable lineup of entertainment and activities.

The Festive Season was officially kicked off with a special address from Executive Mayor, Ald. Jackie von Brandis, who delivered the keynote speech and switched on the festive lights of George for the first time with a laptop on stage and the help of Electrotechnical Services who worked tirelessly to make sure all the festive lights were in working order.

Mayor Von Brandis introduced Members of her Mayoral Committee on stage with her and thanked them for their consistent work to make George better. She said the Lights Festival is for the residents of George and said, tongue in cheek that hopefully her silly dancing put the residents in a jolly spirit for the festive season and that everyone should remember the reason for the season is God. “We need to stand together as family and friends but most importantly as one community. We have an amazing community united in our differences,” She said we are not only Naturally George but also a naturally a smart city before she switched on by computer. The countdown and switch on was accompanied by loud cheering and clapping of the crowd with Ald Von Brandis wishing the City of George a blessed Festive Season.

Mayor Von Brandis said the festival was amazing. “I would like to thank every resident and visitor for making their way to the festival. She also thanked all the performers who provided the entertainment and George Municipal officials who put the festival together and without them, no festival would be possible.
One of the day’s most anticipated highlights was the kiddies and youth programme, where Danny Cat, the Traffic Mascot and and Georgie from Go George charmed young attendees with their energetic performances. Peter Jaftha, famous local radio presenter at Heartbeat FM and Gregory Noble, a masterful host, kept the audience engaged and entertained throughout the event, with their charisma.

The festival’s entertainment lineup showcased local talent at its best, featuring 22 artists, including crowd favourites like the Pacaltsdorp Primary School Choir and the Curro Choir. The famous Wimpee singing the Blessing while playing the keyboard and a stunning performance of Alistor Oosthuizen on his saxophone.

Adding to the festive atmosphere were 36 vibrant stalls offering an array of food, crafts, and services, creating a lively marketplace that drew enthusiastic crowds. The event also served as an opportunity for local traders to showcase their products, contributing to the festival’s success.

George Municipality Festival organiser, Khanyisile Fortuin, expressed her gratitude to all involved in making the festival a triumph. She extended a special thanks to George law enforcement, including SAPS, neighbourhood watch groups and more who ensured a safe and secure environment for everyone. The Light’s Festival continues to be a cornerstone event in George.

Photos:

An astounding local singer and keyboard player, Wimpee moved the crowd with his rendition of the Blessing. With him on stage is Peter Jaftha, MC at the event.

Families enjoying what the George Lights Festival had to offer.

George Gospel Choir from Thembalethu.

Mayor Jackie von Brandis, elated as she switched on the George Festive Lights for the first time as mayor of George. To her left is Cllr Nosicelo Mbete and to her right is Samuel (Altus) Griessel from Electrotechnical Services with the computer to switch the lights on. To the far right is Cllr Melvin Roelfse, MMC for Community Development and Cllr Brendon Adams, MMC for Community Safety.

George Lights Festival organiser, Khanyisile Fortuin, Cllr Theresa Jeyi, Chief Whip of Council, Executive Mayor of George, Ald Jackie von Brandis, Cllr Nosicelo Mbete, MMC for Human Resources and Cllr Brendon Adams, MMC for Community Safety

Alistor Oosthuizen with his amazing Saxophone notes on stage with his rendition of the Goodness of God. He was a definite crowd favourite.

Praise Singer Lwando on stage entertaining the George Lights Festival crowd.

In the photo above are volunteers for Nutritional Centres and Soup Kitchens in the George area, officials sponsors and councillors who attended the annual thanksgiving in George.

Follow the link to the video:https://youtu.be/-_FaZgioadg

George Municipality’s Community Development Department hosted its annual thanksgiving lunch last week to honour the dedication of soup kitchen volunteers. The event, held at the George Banquet Hall, welcomed 90 volunteers from across the bigger George area, while a separate celebration was organised for approximately 20 volunteers at the Lyonville Community Centre in Uniondale.
Volunteers from various areas, including farms, Noll, and Haarlem, were recognised for their selfless service to the community in Uniondale.
Cllr Melvin Roelfse, MMC for Community Development, delivered the keynote address in George. He expressed gratitude for the volunteers’ hard work across the municipality’s 116 nutritional centres. “I feel so privileged to host this well-deserved annual thanksgiving lunch,” Roelfse said, acknowledging their sacrifices. “You are shining lights in a dark and violent world, a beacon of hope.”
He praised the volunteers for not only providing food to the most vulnerable but also offering emotional support through their smiles, hugs, and words of encouragement. “Despite facing your own challenges, you continue to push forward to assist those in need. We truly appreciate you,” Roelfse said.
Apostle Charlotte Togba, the motivational speaker, saluted the “aunties and uncles” for their unwavering commitment, assuring them that their efforts would be blessed.
The event included performances that uplifted the spirits of those present. Veronique Ferndale from George Municipality’s Soup Kitchens team sang a heartfelt rendition of The Goodness of God which features on the municipal video, while Jonel Kerspuy, Youth Office Coordinator, performed a spiritual dance. Cllr Charlotte Clarke concluded the event with a vote of thanks.
Woolworths, one of the event’s sponsors, treated the volunteers to perfume testing and provided gifts for a lucky draw. The volunteers also enjoyed a warm meal and beverages as part of the celebration.
George Municipality currently supports 116 fully functioning nutritional centres within its service area. These centres, operated by volunteers, provide three meals per week to vulnerable groups, including children, the chronically ill, and the elderly. Each centre receives a monthly food hamper from the municipality, enabling the preparation of over 20,000 meals per month. Some centres serve over 300 beneficiaries daily.
The centres also collaborate with local clinics to assist chronically ill adults, ensuring a holistic approach to care. Regular monitoring of the centres ensures the maintenance of quality service.
For any queries regarding the operation of the nutritional centres, the Community Development Office can be contacted at 044 802 2000.

Photos:

Cllr Charlotte Clarke, Apostle Charlotte Togba (motivational speaker) and Veronique Ferndale at the event.

Volunteers of the Soup kitchens or Nutritional Centres in the Uniondale areas, officials and Cllr Jarques Esau who attended the thanksgiving lunch for Soup Kitchen volunteers in Uniondale.

Some of the volunteers present at the George event.

Some of the volunteers at the George event.

Jonel Kerspuy performing a spiritual dance at the event.

Some of the volunteers and Cllr Melvin Roelfse lit candles in remembrance of soup kitchen volunteers that have passed on. From left are Stella Lottering, Rosie Tose and Jeanette Cornelius. To their right is Veronique Ferndale.

Dawn Folding from Woolworths at the Garden Route Mall hands over the first prize of the lucky draw to Anna Petersen from Protea Park. With them are Veronique Ferndale and Cllr Melvin Roelfse.

The highly anticipated annual Festive Light Festival is this upcoming weekend, promising a spectacular evening of celebration, music, and community spirit. Taking place on Saturday, 7 December 2024, the event will be hosted at Unity Park on York Street.
The festivities kick off at 4:00 pm with a lively line-up featuring light music, church choirs, and children’s choirs. Attendees can look forward to an uplifting segment of gospel and Christmas carols. The Executive Mayor, Alderlady Jackie Von Brandis, will officially switch on the dazzling lights at around 8pm. She encourages the community to join in the celebration, reminding all of the symbolic message that “Jesus is the light of the world.”
Local talents are set to grace the stage, including: Geraldo Lewis, Fernando Fredricks, Zintle Langa, Lorenzo Pretorius,Maxwell Matiwana and Fanatics-SA (Stage Band).
A vibrant array of approximately 40 stalls, coordinated by the municipality’s Community Development division, will offer food, toys, arts, and crafts. Although the application deadline for stalls was Friday, 29 November 2024, late applications will be accepted until Wednesday, 4 December 2024 provided applicants have their certificates of acceptability in order. No late submissions will be considered after this date.

According to Khanyisile Fortuin, Festival Coordinator, to ensure the safety of festival-goers, St Marks Street and a section of York Street will be closed from 12:00 pm to 9:30 pm on the day. Clear directional signage will be provided to assist drivers and pedestrians.
Fortuin said the George Municipality’s Traffic and Law Enforcement teams, supported by SAPS, neighbourhood watches, and private security firms, will be on hand to maintain order. Attendees are reminded that alcohol is strictly prohibited, with a zero-tolerance policy enforced to safeguard the community’s well-being.
The festival concludes at 9:30 pm.
“Residents and visitors are encouraged to come in numbers to support this special event, which celebrates both the season and the community’s unity,” Fortuin said.

In the photo above, Department’s Ms Maggie Sekwati (centre) hands over toilet caring equipment to a resident of Pacaltsdorp after quick education about World Toilet Day. She is with Miss Margo Adonis and Mr David Nazombe.

The Department of Water and Sanitation, in collaboration with the George Municipality, commemorated World Toilet Day today in Pacaltsdorp, a community within the Garden Route District Municipality.

World Toilet Day aims to inspire collective action to address urgent sanitation challenges, urging governments, private sector stakeholders, and civil society to invest in sustainable solutions. It also seeks to raise awareness about the millions of people who still lack access to safe and adequate sanitation facilities.

This year’s theme, “Toilet – A Place for Peace,” highlights the threats to sanitation services posed by conflict, climate change, disasters, and neglect. It emphasises the need for governments to ensure sanitation systems are resilient, effective, sustainable, and accessible to all. More investments and better governance of sanitation systems are critical for achieving equity and building a more peaceful world.

The Department of Water and Sanitation chose George Municipality to host this year’s celebration due to its innovative approach to sanitation. The municipality has introduced a pilot project featuring alternative sanitation technology that addresses the needs of informal settlements, rural, and semi-rural areas.
The innovative, Bio-Separator technology operates independently of sewer reticulation systems, poses no risk to environmental health, and utilises recycled water for flushing. Maintenance costs are minimal, estimated at less than R150 per toilet per year, as it eliminates the need for honey sucker services.

“This technology ticks all the critical boxes for sustainable sanitation solutions,” said Mr Jacob Ngo, Deputy Director for Water and Sanitation Services at the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The George Municipality’s Ms Debra Sauer said this initiative exemplifies the integration of innovative technology with quality service delivery to enhance the quality of life for the residents.
“Sustainable and alternative sanitation solutions are vital for informal settlements tha lack sewer networks. They are also offering a more efficient and environmentally friendly replacement for chemical toilets while reducing the financial strain on the Municipality. It is achievements like these that make the Municipality proud to join in the celebration of World Toilet Day,” said Ms Sauer.

As part of the commemoration, departmental officials conducted a door-to-door campaign in Pacaltsdorp to raise awareness about the importance of sanitation, the need to protect government infrastructure from vandalism, and the critical role of water conservation. The campaign will conclude tomorrow, 20 November 2024.

Bio-separator which stores the human waste, sanitise it and then safely releases it to the environment.

Mr Jacob Ngo