Author: Debra Sauer

George Municipality has a new business partner, Kathaka RAW Enterprises, on board to combat illegal dumping by providing skips in areas that still need these urgently and to educate communities on how to turn their refuse into money.

Kathaka RAW Enterprises started with a pilot project in Maraiskamp last week as a part of the social responsibility programme, where they used 20 community members and 25 EPWP workers from the Municipality to clean a dumping site on the corner of Kloof and Marlyn Streets. One of the five skips the company made available, was put up at this corner. The company paid each community a small incentive of R5 per bag they filled on the day with recyclables (this arrangement was ONLY for the one day to encourage people to recycle). The other four will be put up at hotspots in Pacaltsdorp, Thembalethu, Conville and Rosemoor.

According to Max Modise, Director of Kathaka RAW Enterprises (PTY)LTD, it was found that 70 % of all South African household waste is recyclable. “People throw money away by dumping electronic waste, plastics, paper, tin, glass bottles and milk cartons.”

Modise thanked the Municipality for agreeing to partner with his company in this endeavour. “As a corporate business citizen of George, we recognise that what we are attempting to do may have been done before, but we would like to do it slightly differently!”

Modise said they are hopeful that they can set the right example and educate the public but also recognise that they will not conquer the scourge of illegal dumping and be able to provide the right alternatives to the communities, if they do not do it as an inclusive partnership.

Executive Mayor of George, Ald Leon van Wyk, said Kathaka RAW is a company who is doing their corporate social responsibility in the communities they are doing business in. The Municipality have entered into a memorandum of understanding from 1 May 2021 for a six month period as part of a corporate social responsibility.

“We commend them for this initiative and encourage other companies to get into business with the Municipality,” Van Wyk said.
Mayor Van Wyk said the community involvement in this project encourages citizens to become active in contributing to making George a better place to live in.

Illegal dumping is still a crime!
What is illegal dumping?
Illegal dumping is anything you throw away in a place where it does not belong.
• If you know who is dumping illegally, report them to 044 801 6350 or sprins@george.gov.za or 044 801 6300 (a/h).
• Information that will help the case for a warning or fine: car description and/or registration number, address of alleged perpetrator, type of waste and address of where it was dumped. A cellphone photo of dumping in action will help, but is not essential.
• Report dumped waste for collection to 044 802 2900 or 044 801 6300 (a/h).
ILLEGAL DUMPING IS EVERYBODY’S PROBLEM
If you throw your junk just anywhere, it will eventually become your problem some way or another. It can make you sick or kill you.

Caption: Max Modise, Director of Kathaka Raw Enterprises, Executive Mayor of George Ald Leon van Wyk and Cllr Sean Snyman, Portfolio Councillor for Community Services during the cleanup at the illegal dumping site in Maraikamp.

Allen Paulse was officially appointed Director: Community Services as from 1 May 2021.
Paulse is a qualified attorney and practiced law during his earlier years. He studied at the University of the Western Cape. Paulse has vast experience in managing public institutions and is well known in local government circles for having a great strategic approach in the workplace. He has been Municipal Manager to Oudtshoorn Municipality, Bitou Municipality and Breede Valley Municipality from 2002 until October 2020. He acted in his current position from January 2021.

Georgians would be glad to hear that George is not at all alien to Paulse. He has worked at George Municipality between February 1999 to December 2001 as Deputy to the Town Clerk.

The Community Services Directorate includes Refuse Removal and Waste Management, Libraries, Parks and Recreation, Sport Development, Community Development (Social), Environmental Services and the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) with a total of 235 staff members.

Paulse says he will be applying strategic functioning to the units and sections in the Directorate, without taking away from core functions of each unit. “My overall approach will be to re-align the directorate strategically along core principles relating to people management, financial management and more.
“I will be output driven by way of training motivating and directing my subordinates to optimise work place productivity.” Some of his financial management planning and planning towards quality outputs are already in use.

Paulse says one of his most important tasks will be to replace the culture of mediocracy and complacency with one of productivity and proudness to be part of the Community Services Directorate, through acknowledging and rewarding excellence.

On a personal note, Paulse is married to wife, Adré, and they have 4 children, Dino (deceased), Curnick, Adlen and Iviwe. He hails from Paarl.

Ten schools, seven Primary Schools and three High Schools have confirmed the that they will be taking part in the George Municipality’s POSTER MAKING COMPETITION on the topic of Energy Sustainability. Primary and High Schools were invited to take part in the competition. The idea is for learners to reflect their understanding of Energy Sustainability in the poster.

Interns from the Electrotechnical Services Directorate, who are spearheading the campaign, delivered stationery for the purposes of making the posters to participating schools.
George Municipality is part of the Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) programme funded by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The Municipality received grant funding of R4.5 million for the solar pv project at the George Municipality Main Building parking area and part of the requirements is to spend 1% of that grant funding on creating an energy awareness campaign.

The rules of the competition are as follows, the poster should be accompanied by a half page paragraph of text, explaining the message conveyed by the poster. The maximum number of learners allowed to take part in making the poster is 10 learners per school with the aid of 2 teachers. Primary Schools will be competing with each other, as will the High Schools, for fairness. A non-response from a school will be interpreted as not interested.

The selection criteria for the winning poster is as follows: (a) does the message conveyed show the learners understanding of the topic, and is it factually correct? (b) is the poster neat, organised and well presented?

The finished poster can be dropped off at the George Municipality Electrotechnical Services Office in 16 Brick Road, George Industria, 6529. Alternatively, the schools can call the judges on the following numbers 044 801 9255 / 044 801 9221 and the poster entries will be collected. Please ensure that each poster is clearly marked on the back with the name of the school, name of the teacher, name of the pupil, age of the pupil and grade as well as the contact details for the school. Unmarked posters will unfortunately not be judged.
The closing date for the competition is the 21st of May 2021.

George Municipality will retain the posters on completion of the competition. Enquiries about the competition can be send to Thabo Yiga on tyiga@george.gov.za

The winning school will receive a prize to the value of R5 000, and the winning poster will be advertised in the George Herald Newspaper. All participating learners will receive goody bags as tokens of appreciation.

Sustainable energy is power which is able to be replenished within a human lifetime and so cause no long-term damage to the environment. Sustainable energy includes all renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectricity, biomass, geothermal, wind, wave, tidal and solar energies.
The schools taking part in the competition are: Mzoxolo Primary School, Parkdene High School, Hibernia Primary School,
Holy Primary School, Dellville Park Primary School, McKinley Reid High School,Thembalethu Primary School, Kretzenshoop Primary School and
Outeniqua Primary School and Outeniqua High School.

Caption Mari Coetzee, teacher at Outeniqua High School receives stationery from Mphielo Ramotsamai (Electrotechnical Services Directorate: George Municipality).

Activities at George Libraries

Captions:
1. World book day: Youngsters enjoyed a story hour at Conville Library on World Book Day on 23 April. With them are George Mayor, Leon van Wyk (in the grey jacket), who popped in after the session to meet and greet everyone and Cllr Sean Snyman, Portfolio Councillor for Community Services (in the white shirt). Some of the library staff members dressed up as book characters. The Mayor had a full programme with the youngsters and read to them himself.

2. Garelene Muller, Children’s Librarian at George Library, demonstrates and reads to children from the Association of Disabled People using a wordless picture book during the demonstration at the Conville Library.

3. George Library obtained a valuable set of reference material when bird enthusiast and author, Peter Ginn, donated his latest glossy, full colour double-volume guide for birding enthusiasts to the library. From left are Peter Ginn, Cllr Sean Snyman, Portfolio Councillor for Community Services and Malibongwe Luyenge, Senior Librarian at George Library, at the handover at Conville Library recently.

4. Staff members of George Library Service completed a Book sharing for Families week training during April 2021 at Pacaltsdorp Library. From left with their Certificates are Anneli Booysen (library assistant), Annidean Kramer (EPWP Worker), Sakhile Zungu (of Mikhulu Trust Foundation) and Petro Ruiters (George Library). At the back are Freddie Rheeder (George Library, library assistant) and the Facilitator of the Training, Rosslyn Damon of the Seven Passes Initiative.

VANDALISED BUS SHELTERS REPAIRED AT HUGE COST

Repair work to vandalised GO GEORGE bus shelters is currently in process all over town after a budget provision of R1,3 million has been made available by the George Municipality for this purpose.
Of the 124 shelters already put up at bus stops, 92% have been damaged structurally by breaking the glass or laminate panels, while vinyl stickers with passenger information inside the shelters need to be replaced continuously when torn down or defaced by graffiti.

The glass side panel of the bus shelters seem to be targeted most by vandals. After extensive research and testing, an even stronger, shatterproof glass is now being used in replacements, as well as in new shelters being erected. The glass panels were chosen for safety reasons to ensure visibility of passengers inside the shelter, as well as passengers’ need to see oncoming buses.

If all goes according to plan, the current repair work will be completed before winter sets in, to provide shelter during cold and wet weather conditions. The budget does not make provision for new damage, which has to be discouraged and curbed at all cost.
Call for public’s help

GO GEORGE Manager, James Robb, says the community’s support is needed to help turn around the habit of destruction. “By vandalising and damaging these structures, the culprits deprive their own communities of the facilities. Investigation, putting out tenders and executing repair work on damaged shelters take time, and until this is concluded, passengers are the victims who are inconvenienced and exposed to the elements,” he said. “The same goes for the senseless stoning of GO GEORGE buses. Taking buses out of service for repairs reduces the level of service we are aiming to provide, when passengers have to wait longer for their bus to arrive or have to use a bus carrying more passengers than they feel safe to join.”

George Acting Municipal Manager, Dr Michelle Gratz, has spoken out strongly against this criminal conduct. “Three men have been arrested recently after being caught red-handed, breaking the rear window of a bus. The Municipality has a zero-tolerance approach to criminality, but we need the public to come forward if they have information that can help us bring these perpetrators to justice. Take a photo if you can, and please phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre at 0800 044 044 with information about what happened, where and when it happened, and who did it.”

CAPTION:
The glass side panel of the bus shelters seem to be targeted most by vandals. Here, workers are replacing glass panels at a bus stop in Knysna Road. After extensive research and testing, a stronger, shatterproof glass is now being used in replacements, as well as in new shelters being erected.

GEVANDALISEERDE BUSSKUILINGS HERSTEL TEEN GROOT KOSTE

Herstelwerk aan gevandaliseerde GO GEORGE-busskuilings is tans oral in die dorp aan die gang nadat ‘n begrotingsvoorsiening van R1,3 miljoen vir dié doel deur die George-munisipaliteit beskikbaar gestel is.
Van die 124 skuilings wat reeds by bushaltes opgerig is, is 92% struktureel beskadig deur die glas of gelamineerde panele te breek, terwyl vinielplakkers met passasiersinligting binne die skuilings voortdurend vervang moet word wanneer dit deur graffiti bederf of afgeskeur word.

Die glas-kantpaneel van die busskuilings blyk die meeste geteiken te word deur vandale. Ná uitgebreide navorsing en toetsing word ‘n nog sterker, breekvaste glas nou in vervangings gebruik, asook in nuwe skuilings wat opgerig word. Die glaspanele is om veiligheidsredes gekies om sigbaarheid van passasiers in die skuiling te verseker, asook om passasiers in staat te stel om aankomende busse te sien.

As alles volgens plan verloop, sal die huidige herstelwerk voltooi word voordat die winter begin om skuiling te verskaf tydens koue en nat weerstoestande. Die begroting maak nie voorsiening vir nuwe skade nie, wat ten alle koste ontmoedig en bekamp moet word.
Oproep vir publiek se hulp

GO GEORGE-bestuurder James Robb sê die gemeenskap se ondersteuning is nodig om te help om die gewoonte van vernietiging en vernielsug om te keer. “Deur hierdie strukture te vandaliseer en te beskadig, ontneem die skuldiges hul eie gemeenskappe van die fasiliteite. Om ondersoeke, die uitgee van tenders en herstelwerk aan beskadigde skuilings uit te voer, neem tyd, en totdat dit afgehandel is, is passasiers die slagoffers wat ongerief verduur en blootgestel word aan die elemente,” het hy gesê. “Dieselfde geld vir die sinnelose klipgooiery na GO GEORGE-busse. Om busse uit diens te neem vir herstelwerk verminder die vlak van diens wat ons poog om te voorsien wanneer passasiers langer moet wag vir hul bus om op te daag, of ‘n bus te moet gebruik wat meer passasiers dra as wat hulle veilig voel om mee saam te ry.”

George se waarnemende munisipale bestuurder, dr Michelle Gratz, het haar sterk uitgespreek teen hierdie kriminele gedrag. “Drie mans is onlangs in hegtenis geneem nadat hulle op heterdaad betrap is terwyl hulle die agterste venster van ‘n bus breek. Die munisipaliteit het ‘n zero-verdraagsaamheidsbeleid teenoor misdaad, maar ons het die publiek nodig om na vore te kom as hulle inligting het wat ons kan help om hierdie oortreders aan die pen te laat ry. Neem ‘n foto as jy kan, en skakel asseblief die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 met inligting oor wat gebeur het, waar en wanneer dit gebeur het, en wie het dit gedoen.”
Byskrif:
Die glas-kantpaneel van die busskuilings blyk die meeste geteiken word deur vandale. Hier vervang werkers glaspanele by ‘n bushalte in Knysnaweg. Ná uitgebreide navorsing en toetsing word ‘n sterker, breekvaste glas nou in vervangings gebruik, asook in nuwe skuilings wat opgerig word.

MEDIA STATEMENT: Live Conferencing Webinar focuses on reigniting local Tourism
Issued 19 April 2021

Over one hundred local entrepreneurs attended George, Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism’s first ever live conferencing webinar, aimed at rejuvenating local tourism. The conference took place on the 13th to the 15th of April. Attendees included hotel, guest house and restaurant owners, as well as activity providers and tour operators. Fourteen speakers representing local, national, and international travel brands delivered up-to-date research, designed to help local tourism operators boost their bookings. Delegates participated in the virtual conference on Zoom and were able to interact with an array of speakers from ATTA, Expedia, South African Tourism, George Municipality, Wesgro and Thompsons Holidays.

The host and moderator for the webinar was Dirk Wessels, the portfolio councillor for Strategic Services. Joan Shaw, Tourism Manager of George Municipality, opened the conference by encouraging local businesses to “take George into a new era, together”. She emphasised the need for collaboration and partnership between local businesses in making the region a strong travel destination.

On Wednesday the 14th of April, award-winning tour operator, Thompsons Holidays, indicated that they are currently looking for tourism product partners in George and Wilderness, affording a rare opportunity for products to go into the consideration pool with the wholesale giant. Trudie Jacobs, Senior Product and Operations Manager with Thompsons, went on to explain what qualities tour operators search for when looking to add local hotels and activities to their Garden Route portfolio. Jacobs provided a wealth of advice to tourism business owners on how to boost their businesses. She recommended collaboration with other local businesses to produce creative package deals that include accommodation and activities.

“Exceptional value-added packages can be created around special holidays, including Mother’s Day, youth packages for school holidays or Women’s Month,” said Jacobs. She further advised business owners to focus on domestic travellers by modifying their pricing and adopting flexible cancellation policies.

“International tourists are dreaming of their next holiday to South Africa,” according to Gillaume Massey, of the Expedia Group in UAE and Africa. The Senior Business Development Manager shared global market research insights to help George grab a larger share of the tourism market. Massey described evidence of a large increase in online searches for flights to South Africa. He further described the major international trend towards ‘last-minute travel’ and had good news for tourism when he revealed that international travellers are starting to trickle back to South Africa, currently booking for July 2021. He added that many travellers are now spending 3 to 4 times more on their international holidays than before lockdown.

Massey advised local tourism operators to inspire potential travellers; “Tourists are seeking rejuvenation,” he said, “there is a huge demand for holidays which offer rest, relaxation and a focus on mental health”. Gil Massey also advised local tourism providers to ensure that their marketing material provides strong reassurance to potential travellers of COVID safety protocols.

On Thursday the 15th of April, Monika Iuel, the new CMO at WESGRO, shared an overview of the Remote Working, Remote Living campaign’s results to date, as well as highlighting the safetravels.capetown website. Ilse van Schalkwyk described the Western Cape’s Tourism Blueprint 2030. The Chief Director of Economic Sector Support for the Department of Economic Development and Tourism said the ten-year strategy is designed to stimulate tourism throughout the region. She advised local tourism providers to focus on branding the Garden Route as an ‘active outdoor region’. Van Schalkwyk had welcome news when she announced that George has been identified as a secondary business hub for the Western Cape. It is set to benefit from a growing business events industry and attract investment for a large conference facility.

Note:
Tourism establishments interested in partnering with Thompsons should email George, Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism to get in touch with Trudie Jacobs, the Senior Product and Operations Manager: marketing@visitgeorge.co.za

George Libraries will celebrate World Book Day, Friday, 23rd April 2021, a symbolic day for the Literature society as they celebrate the enjoyment of books and reading, with a recorded read by local author Michelle Benjamin of her latest book, Its My Horn.

Benjamin is no stranger to the reading society and the recording of her reading her children’s publication will be uploaded to the George Municipality Youtube account and the link will be shared on the George Municipality Facebook page, George Municipal App, George Municipal website, www.george.gov.za as well as on the George Municipality Twitter account. The recording is for the enjoyment of the public on the day and will be available from early 08h00 on the day.

Benjamin lives in George and is a digital artist, and owner of Lime E-publishing. She has made a number of donations (books and cushions for children to be used during story hour) and made donations of her latest book to the George libraries as well.

According to Rachel Williams, Manager of George Libraries, the said book is an amazing children’s book set in the Kruger National Park and deals with rhino conservation.

Caption: Cover of the children’s book It’s My Horn.

No free bus trips when top-up vendors are offline
Issued 20 April 2021

The GO GEORGE Smart Card system allows passengers to manage their travel expenditure and save even more on the already affordable cost of travelling by bus. With good planning, this cashless way of boarding the bus is convenient and in line with Covid-19 safety precautions.

As with any other online business systems such as credit or debit card purchases, technical glitches between the business and the bank do pop up from time to time. GO GEORGE does not have any control over this and strongly advises passengers to top up their cards while they still have trips left. Passengers will not be allowed to board a bus for free only because they could not top up on their way to the bus.

Abuse of system will not be allowed
According to James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, the initial issue of Pacaltsdorp vendors repeatedly being offline has been addressed through various interventions. “This was a major concern, but we are satisfied that the technical shortcomings brought to our attention have been rectified. Unfortunately, some passengers are now abusing the concessions made at the time, by demanding free trips when they have not topped up in time. The only time when free trips might be considered is when all vendors are offline, and only after verification,” Robb said.

Top up before you run out of trips
For passengers’ convenience and as a way of creating business opportunities, independent businesses are being signed up all over town and in residential areas, acting as Smart Card top-up agents in addition to their main business. Passengers are encouraged to support these local businesses, but they can also top up their cards at any of the fixed or mobile GO GEORGE Smart Card kiosks.

Cheaper the more you buy
Smart Card trips bought in bundles of 10 or more cost R10 per trip, bundles of two to eight trips cost R11 per trip and single trips cost R12. A passenger who uses the bus five days per week, could save up to R88 per month by buying bundles of 10 trips and more, instead of loading one trip at a time.
Trips on the Smart Card never expire, so there is no risk of losing trips, even if you don’t travel by bus regularly.
For more information about the bus service, your nearest top-up vendor or the mobile kiosk schedule, please phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044.

CAPTION:
Pacaltsdorp has the highest concentration of top-up vendors with numerous alternatives for passengers wanting to top up when a chosen vendor is offline.

Geen gratis busritte wanneer herlaaipunte van lyn af is nie
Uitgereik 20 April 2021

Die GO GEORGE Slimkaartstelsel laat passasiers toe om hul vervoeruitgawes te bestuur en selfs nog meer te bespaar op die reeds bekostigbare koste om per bus te reis. Met goeie beplanning is hierdie kontantlose manier om op die bus te klim gerieflik én in ooreenstemming met Covid-19-veiligheidsvoorsorgmaatreëls.
Soos met enige ander aanlyn-besigheidstelsels soos krediet- of debietkaartaankope, kom tegniese foute tussen die onderneming en die bank wel van tyd tot tyd voor. GO GEORGE het geen beheer hieroor nie en raai passasiers sterk aan om hul kaarte te herlaai voordat alle ritte opgebruik is. Passasiers sal nie toegelaat word om gratis op ‘n bus te klim net omdat hulle nie op pad na die bus kon herlaai nie.

Misbruik van stelsel sal nie toegelaat word nie
Volgens James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, is die aanvanklike probleem van herlaaipunte in Pacaltsdorp wat herhaaldelik van lyn af was, aangespreek deur verskeie ingrypings. “Dit was ‘n groot bron van kommer, maar ons is tevrede dat die tegniese tekortkominge wat onder ons aandag gebring is, reggestel is. Ongelukkig misbruik sommige passasiers nou die toegewings wat destyds gemaak is deur gratis ritte te eis wanneer hulle nie betyds herlaai het nie. Die enigste keer wanneer gratis ritte oorweeg mag word, is wanneer alle verkopers van lyn af is, en eers ná verifikasie,” het Robb gesê.

Herlaai voordat jou ritte op is
Vir passasiers se gerief en as ‘n manier om sakegeleenthede te skep, word onafhanklike besighede regoor die dorp en in woongebiede geregistreer om as Slimkaartherlaai-agente op te tree, bykomend tot hul hoofbesigheid. Passasiers word aangemoedig om hierdie plaaslike besighede te ondersteun, maar hulle kan ook hul kaarte by enige van die vaste of mobile

GO GEORGE Slimkaartkiosks herlaai.
Goedkoper hoe meer jy koop
Slimkaartritte wat in bondels van 10 of meer gekoop word, kos R10 per rit, bondels van twee tot agt ritte kos R11 per rit en enkelritte kos R12. ‘n Passasier wat die bus vyf dae per week gebruik, kan tot R88 per maand bespaar deur bondels van 10 ritte en meer te koop, in plaas daarvan om een rit op ‘n slag te laai.
Ritte op die Slimkaart verval nooit nie, so daar is geen risiko om ritte te verloor nie, selfs al ry jy nie gereeld bus nie.
Vir meer inligting oor die busdiens, jou naaste herlaaipunt of die mobiele kiosk se skedule, skakel gerus die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044.

Byskrif:
Pacaltsdorp het die hoogste konsentrasie herlaaipunte met talle alternatiewe vir passasiers wat wil herlaai wanneer ‘n gekose onderneming van lyn af is.

GO GEORGE SCHEDULES ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
With two public holidays coming up, GO GEORGE calls on passengers to take note of the schedules that will be followed on these days.
On both Freedom Day (Tuesday 27 April) and Workers’ Day (Saturday 1 May), the Saturday schedule will apply on all routes.
For any enquiries or assistance with trip planning, phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, or visit the GO GEORGE Facebook page for the latest news.

GO GEORGE-SKEDULES OP VAKANSIEDAE
Met twee openbare vakansiedae voor die deur, vestig GO GEORGE passasiers se aandag op die skedules wat op hierdie dae gevolg sal word.
Op Vryheidsdag (Dinsdag 27 April) sowel as Werkersdag (Saterdag 1 Mei) sal die Saterdagskedule geld op alle roetes.
Vir enige navrae of hulp met ritbeplanning, skakel gerus die GO GEORGE-inbelkantoor by 0800 044 044, of besoek die GO GEORGE Facebook-blad vir die jongste nuus.

Local author launch his book in celebrating World Book day

A local blind author, Richard Albertse, will be launching his book “Vision: The story of a seeing blind man” on the 8th of May at George Library as part of World Book Day that is celebrated officially on the 23rd of April. The launch will start at 10h00. The book was recently published by the National Library of South Africa’s Centre for the Book.

According to Rachel Williams, Manager: George Libraries, is the book a novel packed with adventure, comedy, romance and drama. It depicts the life of a person who had to cope with the reality of slowly losing his eyesight. Albertse said about the book, “the reader will discover in the pages of this book inspiration and courage to tackle and better overcome life’s more difficult challenges. The book is a relaxing read. It also makes a fine gift.”

Albertse is a blind and a long-time standing member of the SA Library for the Blind in Grahamstown. “I so enjoy reading books. If I say read, of course I mean listen to. The Grahamstown library has volunteers who read books that are captured in audio on compact disk. The library then lends out these “books” to their members – members that consist of people who cannot read normal print.”

“After winning the follow-up prize in a short story writing competition (Sunbeam in Voices of Disability) in 2015, I embarked on writing a short novel depicting the story of my life (a person who had to learn to cope with gradually losing his sight), he says.

After completing the book, he came to hear of a competition by the National Library of South Africa’s Centre of the Book where one author a year stands a chance of winning a grant to have his/her book published by them. So three years ago he submitted his work and won the grant. First there was a budget problem, then there were the restrictions of Covid-19, but finally his book was published early this year.

Albertse and his wife Riana, moved to George in 1988. He and his wife are both blind and they have a son, a daughter-in-law, and a beautiful granddaughter. He tells of how he and his wife met in school, fell in love and got married in 1981.

Albertse is a telephone switchboard operator at ABSA. “Lord-willing, this year October I will be 40 years at the bank. On my desk at work are 3 computers that are furbished with screen readers. I manage 16 branches’ calls,” explains Albertse. He says his wife cooks, bakes, cleans the house, does the washing, iron and mend clothing. She knits jerseys and looks after their two dogs and three pet birds. Albertse says he keeps the paving clean, he enjoys doing gardening and carpentry, and can fix almost anything. They love to listen to music and they both play different musical instruments. He says they make use of the latest technology to their advantage – technology that’s affordable to them.

If the public wants to attend please RSVP to richard.albertse@absa.africa before 23 April 2021 or contact Elmine Vorster at George Library on evorster@george.gov.za for more information.

Photo: Richard Albertse

George Municipality’s Poster Making Competition for schools on Energy Sustainability – Deadline for application extended

George Municipality has decided to extend the deadline for application for the POSTER MAKING COMPETITION on the topic of Energy Sustainability with schools, to 23 April. Primary and High Schools are invited to take part in the competition. The idea is for learners to reflect their understanding of Energy Sustainability in the poster.

According to Thabo Yiga from the Electrotechnical Services Directorate, who is spearheading the campaign with other interns in the Directorate, they have received interest from schools, during the past week. Although, most schools still needed more time to get ready for the competition, since public schools were busy with exams and other schools have been on an Easter holiday break.

George Municipality is part of the Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) programme funded by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The Municipality received grant funding of R4.5 million for the solar pv project at the George Municipality Main Building parking area and part of the requirements is to spend 1% of that grant funding on creating an energy awareness campaign.

The rules of the competition are as follows, the poster should be accompanied by a half page paragraph of text, explaining the message conveyed by the poster. The maximum number of learners allowed to take part in making the poster is 10 learners per school with the aid of 2 teachers. Primary Schools will be competing with each other, as will the High Schools, for fairness. For planning purposes, all schools wishing to participate must please reply by 23 April 2021. A non-response from a school will be interpreted as not interested.

The selection criteria for the winning poster is as follows: (a) does the message conveyed show the learners understanding of the topic, and is it factually correct? (b) is the poster neat, organised and well presented?

The finished poster can be dropped off at the George Municipality Electrotechnical Services Office in 16 Brick Road, George Industria, 6529. Alternatively, the schools can call the judges on the following numbers 044 801 9255 / 044 801 9221 and the poster entries will be collected. Please ensure that each poster is clearly marked on the back with the name of the school, name of the teacher, name of the pupil, age of the pupil and grade as well as the contact details for the school. Unmarked posters will unfortunately not be judged.
The closing date for the competition is the 21st of May 2021.

George Municipality will retain the posters on completion of the competition. Enquiries about the competition can be send to Thabo Yiga on tyiga@george.gov.za

The Electrotechnical Directorate will provide basic poster making materials to those schools that require it. This will be A3 poster papers, coloured pens and pencils and glues. Schools who already have the materials or want to use any other materials are allowed to do that. The winning school will receive a prize to the value of R5 000, and the winning poster will be advertised in the George Herald Newspaper. All participating learners will receive goody bags as tokens of appreciation.

Sustainable energy is power which is able to be replenished within a human lifetime and so cause no long-term damage to the environment. Sustainable energy includes all renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectricity, biomass, geothermal, wind, wave, tidal and solar energies.

George Municipality invites schools to participate in a POSTER MAKING COMPETITION on the topic of Energy Sustainability.The idea is for learners to reflect their understanding of Energy Sustainability in the poster.

Sustainable energy is power which is able to be replenished within a human lifetime and so cause no long-term damage to the environment. Sustainable energy includes all renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectricity, biomass, geothermal, wind, wave, tidal and solar energies.

George Municipality is part of the Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) programme funded by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The Municipality received grant funding of R4.5 million for the solar pv project at the George Municipality Main Building parking area and part of the requirements is to spend 1% of that grant funding on creating an energy awareness campaign.

According to Thabo Yiga from the Electrotechnical Services Directorate, who is spearheading the campaign, the poster should be accompanied by a half page paragraph of text, explaining the message conveyed by the poster. The maximum number of learners allowed to take part in making the poster is 10 learners per school with the aid of 2 teachers.

The Electrotechnical Directorate will provide basic poster making materials to those schools that require it. This will be A3 poster papers, coloured pens and pencils and glues. Schools who already have the materials or want to use any other materials are allowed to do that. The winning school will receive a prize to the value of R5 000, and the winning poster will be advertised in the George Herald Newspaper. All participating learners will receive goody bags as tokens of appreciation.

According to Yiga, Primary Schools will be competing with each other, as will the High Schools, for fairness. For planning purposes, all schools wishing to participate must please reply within a week from 9 April 2021. A non-response from a school will be interpreted as not interested.

The selection criteria for the winning poster is as follows: (a) does the message conveyed show the learners understanding of the topic, and is it factually correct? (b) is the poster neat, organised and well presented?
The finished poster can be dropped off at the George Municipality Electrotechnical Services Office in 16 Brick Road, George Industria, 6529. Alternatively, the schools can call the judges on the following numbers 044 801 9255 / 044 801 9221 and the poster entries will be collected. Please ensure that each poster is clearly marked on the back with the name of the school, name of the teacher, name of the pupil, age of the pupil and grade as well as the contact details for the school. Unmarked posters will unfortunately not be judged.

The closing date for the competition is the 21st of May 2021.
George Municipality will retain the posters on completion of the competition. Enquiries about the competition can be send to Thabo Yiga on tyiga@george.gov.za

George Libraries celebrating Library Week from 15 – 20 March and World Poetry day

Issued by George Municipality on 15 March 2021 for immediate release

This year Water Week (15 to 22 March) and Human Rights Month will form part of Library Week and the George library will make water and human rights information part of its displays.

The Thembalethu Library will arrange an online story reading for the age group that still may not enter the library and will hold a poetry reading tomorrow, 16 March with local poet, Nkosinathi Meziwa, that launched his poetry book, Lolani izikrwege, at the Thembalethu Library recently. The eclectic poetry book which has a bit of everything is in English and isiXhosa.
Archie Swanson, a local author, will record a discussion on poems from his latest anthology and a podcast of a radio programme and poem readings will be part of a poetry evening tomorrow, Tuesday 16 March  at 18h00.

National Poetry Day on the 21^st of March falls on a weekend this year and activities at the libraries will be held earlier.

Biographical information of local authors in George will be displayed at the George Library in honour of Kippie van Straaten, a senior librarian of George Library, who started the files and who passed away during 2020. The library will have an outreach to the Up with Downs organisation and  have a virtual storytelling of Dr. Seuss.

Blanco Library will be distributing bookmarks and library bags and posters at different community points during the week. The library will be donating books to the friends of the library and focus on promoting the importance of reading as a key to human wellbeing. On the 19^th of March they will be visiting local schools in celebration of Library Week.

At Haarlem Library they will have a digital show and tell activity to make animals out of recycled material for children. The show will be pre-recorded on video and loaded on the George Municipality YouTube channel during the Week.

Pacaltsdorp Librarians will be visiting different institutions to speak about Library Week.

Caption: Annette Kortman of Thembalethu Library.