Author: Debra Sauer

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

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.