Author: Debra Sauer

Link to Video GRDM: https://youtu.be/NWlkRB9cGJw

Following an Illegal Dumping Awareness session that was held at Thembalethu Community Hall last Saturday 31 October, it was clear that illegal dumping is a big problem and health hazard in George and without the help of the local communities the Municipalities will not be able to keep up with the cleaning of dumps, as it is not financially viable. The Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk, said in his address to the stakeholders present, “we can only win this war on waste when we have plans in place to sustain our efforts in addressing illegal dumping.
Van Wyk said it became evident during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic that illegal dumping in areas such as Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp was becoming a serious health concern. “We were advised to take action and source funding to undertake the cleaning up of sites. From a George Municipality perspective we appreciate any kind of assistance from government institutions as well as the private sector is highly welcomed and appreciated.” Van Wyk said it is indeed wonderful that the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the George Municipality are working together to clean dumping sites. He said we need to take pride in our homes, properties and areas in which we live. There are many dangers and negative effects that arise from dumping. It becomes a health risk to humans and animals.

Van Wyk said these problems also need to be addressed at national government level in terms of advertising and education. He said municipalities will never have enough funding at any stage to end illegal dumping. “We need to work together to eliminate dumping. The City of Cape Town spends hundreds of millions of rand on addressing illegal dumping. George Municipality struggles to allocate R10 million every financial year. If we didn’t have to spend this money on clearing dumping, it could be spent on other important services such as, playground equipment, sport and assistance to small and micro businesses.

Alderman Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor of the GRDM, said in his address that we will show the rest of South Africa, starting in George, that we can be the safest, cleanest district in the country. Booysen said the project will be rolled out to the rest of the district and he, the Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) pledges his continuous support to this operation.

Radie Loubser, Senior Manager: Environmental Services at George Municipality said he is an advocate to get the communities involved together with the buy-in of councillors. He said people should be made aware of the problem through the help of councillors. Dumping is illegal and a big health hazard.
Loubser said people should be informed and educated on the problem and how to address it and law enforcement should enforce punishment with the issuing of fines.
A presentation was made by Johan Gie, Waste Management at GRDM where the challenges, requirements and costs of the project were explained. A video clip where locals were interviewed, was part of the presentation shown. The video clip showed community members who have started cleaning their own neighbourhoods. It was also clear that many residents are unhappy with the current state their communities are in and they are ready to blow the whistle on illegal dumpers.

REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING
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.
REFUSE REMOVAL: GENERAL
• Households may put out seven black, four green and an unlimited number
of blue bags. Additional tied bundles of branches are allowed if they are
shorter than a metre in length and can be picked up by one person.
• BLUE bags are for non-soiled recyclable materials, including plastic, paper,
cardboard, glass etc.
• GREEN bags are for green waste, including organic kitchen waste such as
fruit and vegetable peels, as well as garden waste, including grass cuttings,
leaves etc. No soil is allowed in green bags.
• BLACK bags are for ‘wet’ waste, things that cannot be recycled.
• All refuse bags must be put out by 7am on removal day. Please don’t put
bags out the day or night before removal.
• Please wrap broken glass in newspaper before placing in bags to prevent
injuries to workers.
• A pack of 26 black bags are distributed to households quarterly.
• Blue and green bags are collected on the same day as black bag refuse
removal but not at the same time. A separate trip is made for the
collection of the blue bags. Participating households will receive two blue
and two green replacement bags.
• Households or businesses that are actively recycling and require additional
green or blue bags, can collect from the municipality Environmental
Services department at 82 Meade Street.

Photo: Stakeholders at the event are in front from left, Cllr Jenny Hartnick (GRDM), Grace Notshokovu (George Municipality), Cllr Khayalethu Lose. At the back are Ethan Stoffels (George Mun), Bonisile Desha (Programme Director), Cllr Joslyn Johnson (GRDM), Cllr Iona Kritzinger (George Mun), Aldm Memory Booysen (GRDM), Aldm Leon van Wyk (George Mun), Cllr Erica Brown ( George Mun), Tanja Botha (George Mun), Karin Stoffels (George Mun) and Radie Loubser (George Mun).

Issued George Municipality, Friday 6 November 2020

While most youth go to the beach over weekends to laze around, members of the George Junior City Council went geared up to clean at Herold’s Bay beach and filled several black bags with rubbish dumped on the beach and sidewalks. The members visited the beach on Saturday, 17 October.

According to Áine Ferreira, member of the George Junior City Council and learner at Outeniqua High School, they went there, not thinking they would find much trash “but little did we know that what visually didn’t look like much, filled up black bags.”
“We were especially amazed by the amount of cigarette butts filling the beach and side walks. It was shocking to see,” Áine said.

She says she did some research and found that 65% of all cigarette butts end up being littered. “The majority of these get washed away into streams and end in the ocean, spreading harmful chemicals and poisoning sea creatures. Not only does cigarette filters contain a plastic called cellulose acetate which can last for 25 years in the environment without breaking down but there are also about 4000 chemicals in a single cigarette filter, including arsenic, formaldehyde, ammonia and lead. The plastic body of the filter can get lodged in the intestines and airways of animals, leading to suffocation or starvation,” she said.

Áine said that like most of our beaches in George and surrounds, Herold’s Bay has been equipped with trash bins, conveniently located every few meters apart to make doing the right thing ,easy. There is even a cigarette butt holder. “We as the Junior City Council of George would like to urge you, the citizens and visitors to think of the consequences of everything you drop to the ground. Next time you leave the beach, remember to bin your trash. It will only make your next visit a more enjoyable one. Even the tiny things you might consider to be insignificant can have a huge negative impact,” she said.

Photo

Áine Ferreira (Outeniqua High School),Haydn Wentzel (York High School), Maya van Zyl (York High School), Talita van Eeden (Outeniqua High School),Lindy Prinsloo (Glenwood House School), Caitlin Potgieter (Outeniqua High School),Precious Xego (Eden Technical High School),Davinicia-Lee London (George High School) on the beach after their clean-up.

Issued 4 Nov 2020

GO GEORGE’s targeted awareness programme on public transport matters annually focuses on both passengers and the public during Public Transport Month in October. This year’s educational programme was concluded at a high note with a visit to the Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre in George last week.

Adhering to strict Covid safety measures, the youngsters at Bethesda had the opportunity to approach the popular GO GEORGE mascot, Georgie, who shared tips with them in a fun manner about the safe use of the bus service. This topic linked in perfectly with a current independent living programme conducted at Bethesda.

Georgie specifically touched on the Covid safety measures that all GO GEORGE passengers need to adhere to such as the proper wearing of masks, hand sanitising, how to safely board the bus, the rules of carriage and behaviour expected of passengers while on the bus, and especially how to safely cross the street in the vicinity of the bus.

The visit was concluded with Georgie’s vivacious rendition of the Jerusalema dance, with the youngsters eagerly participating.

Passenger safety remains priority
Although there was a heightened focus on passenger education and experience during National Transport Month, the recurring theme of passenger safety cannot be emphasised enough, says GO GEORGE Manager, James Robb.

“The Covid-19 safety restrictions prohibited the usual round of educational visits to pre-schools this year and taking the pre-schoolers and primary school classes on bus trips was a safety risk too. We look forward to exposing the learners to public transport as a concept and our local bus service again as soon as the risk level allows,” Robb says.

An ongoing passenger safety programme in collaboration with several stakeholders has been launched during Transport Month. As part of an educational tool kit, a pamphlet focusing on passenger safety while walking to the bus stop, boarding, travelling and disembarking has been developed and will be used to instil good habits amongst passengers, pedestrians and other road users.

Any institution interested in being included in GO GEORGE’s safety programme is invited to send an email to info@gogeorge.org.za or call 0800 044 044.

CAPTION:
The youngsters at the Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre enjoyed Georgie’s visit and participated in his cheerful Jerusalema dance. Each one received a GO GEORGE drawstring bag and sun visor cap.

GO GEORGE sluit Vervoermaand-program by Bethesda af
Uitgereik 4 Nov 2020

GO GEORGE se geteikende bewusmakingsprogram oor openbare vervoersake fokus jaarliks op beide passasiers en die publiek gedurende Openbare Vervoermaand in Oktober. Vanjaar se opvoedkundige program is verlede week op ‘n hoë noot afgesluit met ‘n besoek aan die Bethesda Kinder- en Jeugsorgsentrum in George.

Onder streng nakoming van Covid-veiligheidsmaatreëls het die jongspan by Bethesda die geleentheid gehad om die gewilde GO GEORGE-gelukbringer, Georgie, van nader te beskou terwyl hy op ‘n prettige manier inligting gedeel het oor die veilige gebruik van die busdiens. Hierdie onderwerp het perfek ingeskakel by ‘n program oor hoe om onafhanklik te leef wat Bethesda tans vir hul jong inwoners aanbied.

Georgie het spesifiek gepraat oor die Covid-veiligheidsmaatreëls wat alle GO GEORGE-passasiers moet nakom, soos die behoorlike dra van maskers, handreiniging, hoe om veilig op die bus te klim, die reëls van vervoer en gedrag wat van passasiers verwag word terwyl hulle op die bus is, en veral hoe om die straat in die omgewing van die bus veilig oor te steek.

Die besoek is afgesluit met Georgie se lewenslustige aanbieding van die Jerusalema-dans waaraan die jongmense geesdriftig deelgeneem het.

Passasiersveiligheid bly prioriteit
Hoewel daar ‘n verhoogde fokus op passasiersopvoeding en -ervaring gedurende Nasionale Vervoermaand was, kan die tema van passasiersveiligheid nie genoeg beklemtoon word nie, sê GO GEORGE-bestuurder, James Robb.

“Die Covid-19-veiligheidsbeperkings het vanjaar die gewone ronde opvoedkundige besoeke aan kleuterskole uitgeskakel en om die voorskoolse groepe en laerskoolklasse op busritte te neem, was ook ‘n risiko. Ons sien daarna uit om die leerders weer bloot te stel aan ons plaaslike busdiens en openbare vervoer as ‘n konsep sodra die risikovlak dit moontlik maak,” sê Robb.

‘n Deurlopende passasiersveiligheidsprogram in samewerking met verskeie belanghebbendes is gedurende Vervoermaand van stapel gestuur. As deel van ‘n stel opvoedkundige hulpmiddels is ‘n pamflet ontwikkel wat op passasiersveiligheid fokus terwyl jy na die bushalte loop, op die bus klim, ry en weer afklim, om goeie gewoontes onder passasiers, voetgangers en ander padgebruikers in te skerp.

Enige instelling wat daarin belangstel om by GO GEORGE se veiligheidsprogram ingesluit te word, word uitgenooi om ‘n e-pos aan info@gogeorge.org.za te stuur of 0800 044 044 te skakel.

ONDERSKRIF:

Die jongklomp by die Bethesda Kinder- en Jeugsorgsentrum het Georgie se besoek terdeë geniet en die geesdriftig deelgeneem aan sy vrolike Jerusalema-dans. Elkeen het ‘n GO GEORGE-toerygsakkie en sonskermpet ontvang.

The George Municipality reminds residents and visitors that fireworks, fire crackers, flares, paper lanterns and other such paraphernalia are considered a major fire risk and are not allowed in public or private spaces in the municipal area.

George Acting Fire Chief Neels Barnard said the George Municipality Public Safety and Nuisance bylaws, overall fire safety and disaster management regulations, and ongoing dry and hot conditions of the Western Cape fire season were all reasons why fireworks remained banned in the municipal area.
The selling of fireworks is also illegal, and no such permits have been issued or will be issued by the George Municipality. The illegal trading, possession and/or setting off of fireworks carry fines of R300 and fireworks will be confiscated. Such activities can be reported on the numbers below.

While the current municipal bylaw mentions application for a permit for professional pyrotechnic shows, the George Fire Department reiterates that no such permits have been issued for years and are extremely unlikely to be issued in the foreseeable future.

The George Municipal Disaster Centre stressed that there had not been designated sites for fireworks in the George municipal area for years and was unlikely to be reinstated, despite public tradition to ‘self-designate’ certain areas such as beaches, parks and streets
Paper lanterns hold duel concern. In addition to the risk of blowing and dropping out of sight and catching fire in vegetation or on flammable material before it is extinguished, paper lanterns also waste resources when rescue services are incorrectly alerted to an ‘emergency flare’.

The public must please understand that any kind of spark or heat holds a threat – while fireworks, flares and lanterns are being highlighted, the appeal is for responsible, fire-aware action throughout. Please exercise extreme caution always, make fires only in protected and designated areas, and dispose of cigarette butts safely.

Please report illegal trade and setting off of fireworks in George to Law Enforcement at 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300.
Please report illegal, irresponsible and unsafe fires to the Fire Department on 044 801 6300.

FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311

MEDIA STATEMENT: Tampering leads to fatality
Issued George Municipality, 5 November 2020

George Municipality confirms that an individual was found Wednesday morning (4 November 2020) at Tamsui Substation, fatally wounded after tampering with municipal electrical infrastructure. A large portion of Thembalethu and sections of Rosedale were affected by the subsequent power outage. George Municipality is undertaking an investigation relating to Occupational Health and Safety, which will be submitted to the Department of Labour and SAPS has opened an inquest docket for a general inquiry into the death. In a separate incident, a four year old child from the Asazani Informal settlement, was admitted to hospital, after touching an electrical cable which was illegally connected between houses.

Mr Steven Erasmus, Acting Municipal Manager said that both incidents are regarded in a serious light and that the highly dangerous conditions caused by illegal connections, cannot be emphasized enough. George Municipality remains deeply concerned for the lives of innocent children, adults as well as animals.
Legal consumers should seriously consider how these illegal connections affect them and their families. An illegal connection not only puts the perpetrator in danger of electrocution, risking injury and death but also the rest of the community. These connections lie across pathways and walkways where anyone passing can easily be electrocuted. An additional risk is that illegally connected wires can also make contact with other items such as roofs, gutters and washing lines, making these items live and able to conduct electricity.

The human body can only withstand about 50 milli-ampere (less than 1% of the current drawn by an average kettle) through it, before a medical condition called ventricular fibrillation sets in. To safeguard people against this, each house with legal electricity and a tariff meter is fitted with an earth leakage protection unit.
Children can easily be killed, due to their lower weight, as a result of illegal connections not having earth leakage protection.

An electricity connection is considered illegal when it is connected to the George Municipal network without the organisation’s permission. Wires are connected to a mini-substation or overhead pole. The forms of electricity theft include illegal connections, illegal electrification schemes and meter tampering and bypassing. These illegal electrical thefts are mostly in areas where illegal informal structures are built.

Where people have connected themselves illegally, George Municipality will continue to actively find the perpetrators and lay criminal charges against them. In terms of the Criminal Procedures Act, interference with and the damage to Municipal property, could be regarded as sabotage and should someone be found guilty of such an offence, a maximum term of imprisonment can follow.

Illegal connections should be reported to 044 803 9222 or 044 801 9222 or after hours on 044 801 6300.

GO GEORGE appeals to passengers to stay cautious
Issued 26 Oct 2020

With a 196% increase in Covid-19 cases in the Garden Route in recent weeks, GO GEORGE is making an urgent appeal to bus passengers to adhere to the Covid-19 safety regulations regarding public transport and not to drop their guard at this stage.
Garden Route District Director for Health, Zee Brickles, issued a statement last week announcing the rise in infections, cautioning about a possible second wave.
“It has been seven long months of lockdown and the natural reaction to the easing up of these restrictions are to catch up on all that we have missed out on over the past months but we can’t become complacent now. It has always been feared that when the lockdown restrictions ease up, the infection rate would increase,” Brickles said.
No mask, no entry
According to James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, the relaxed vigilance of bus passengers has also been noticeable ever since Level 1 of the lockdown had been announced. “Passengers either attempt to board the bus without masks, or they take them off once they’re seated. Very few wear the mask over their mouth as well as nose, which is crucial for effective protection,” he said. “We appeal to them to act responsibly, for their own sake as well as that of co-passengers and bus drivers. A passenger without a mask will not be allowed on a GO GEORGE bus and should not reason with our bus drivers about that.”
GO GEORGE has embarked on a campaign to encourage passengers to remain alert and to get their cooperation in keeping to the basic safety measures, emphasising the wearing of a mask in a proper way, sanitising and washing hands, keeping a safe distance, keeping the bus windows open and not travelling on the bus unnecessarily or when sick, and coughing or sneezing into a bent elbow.
GO GEORGE passenger service staff are engaging with passengers at bus stops, the Transport Hub and on the buses to remind them of the importance of continued adherence to the safety measures. Supportive media campaigns have also been employed to enhance the message: The pandemic is not over yet – stay vigilant!
CAPTION:
GO GEORGE champion Dieketseng Mosesane (right) demonstrates to Dorette Salmans how to use the on-board sanitiser pump when she boards the bus. Champions currently also emphasise the importance of wearing a face mask in the proper way, covering the wearer’s nose as well.

GO GEORGE doen ‘n beroep op passasiers om versigtig te bly
Uitgereik 26 Okt 2020

Met ‘n 196%-toename in Covid-19-gevalle in die Tuinroete die afgelope weke, doen GO GEORGE ‘n dringende beroep op buspassasiers om aan die Covid-19-veiligheidsregulasies rakende openbare vervoer gehoor te gee en nie in hierdie stadium hul waaksaamheid te verslap nie.
Die Garden Route-distriksmunisipaliteit se direkteur van gesondheid, Zee Brickles, het verlede week ‘n verklaring uitgereik oor die styging in infeksies met ‘n waarskuwing oor ‘n moontlike tweede golf.
“Dit was sewe lang maande van inperking en die natuurlike reaksie op die verligting van hierdie beperkings is om alles in te haal wat ons die afgelope maande misgeloop het, maar ons kan nie nou gerus word nie. Die vrees was nog altyd daar dat wanneer die inperkings verslap word, die infeksiekoers sal toeneem,” het Brickles gesê.
Geen masker, geen toegang
Volgens James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, is die verslapte waaksaamheid van buspassasiers ook opvallend sedert vlak 1 van die inperking aangekondig is. “Passasiers probeer óf om sonder maskers op die bus te klim, óf hulle haal dit af sodra hulle gaan sit. Baie min dra die masker oor hul mond asook neus, wat noodsaaklik is vir doeltreffende beskerming,” het hy gesê. “Ons doen ‘n beroep op hulle om verantwoordelik op te tree, vir hul eie onthalwe asook dié van medepassasiers en busbestuurders. ‘n Passasier sonder ‘n masker sal nie op ‘n GO GEORGE-bus toegelaat word nie en moenie met ons busbestuurders daaroor redeneer nie.”
GO GEORGE het begin met ‘n veldtog om passasiers aan te moedig om steeds waaksaam te bly en hul samewerking te kry met die basiese veiligheidsmaatreëls: die dra van ‘n masker op die regte manier, ontsmetting en was van hande, ‘n veilige afstand tussen mense, die oophou van busvensters, om nie onnodig of wanneer jy siek is bus te ry nie, en in ‘n gebuigde elmboog te hoes en te nies.
GO GEORGE-passasiersdienspersoneel praat met passasiers by bushaltes, die vervoerkern (Hub) en op die busse om hulle te herinner aan die belangrikheid van voortgesette nakoming van die veiligheidsmaatreëls. Ondersteunende mediaveldtogte word ook gebruik om die boodskap te versterk: Die pandemie is nog nie verby nie – bly waaksaam!
ONDERSKRIF:
GO GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeampte Dieketseng Mosesane (regs) demonstreer aan Dorette Salmans hoe om die reinigerpompie in die bus te gebruik wanneer sy opklim. Passasiersdienspersoneel beklemtoon tans ook die belangrikheid daarvan om ‘n gesigmasker op die regte manier te dra, wat ook die draer se neus bedek.

George Municipality celebrated Global Handwashing Day at Klouter Kabouter

Captions: wash 1 – Willbedine Jordaan from Community Development demonstrates to the children at Klouter Kabouter how to wash their hands.

Wash2: Rub, rub, rub and wash, wash, wash your hands with soap and water to prevent diseases and be healthy.

Text: The George Municipality Community Development section celebrated Global Handwashing Day on 15 October 2020 at Klouter Kabouter creche in New Dawn Park, Pacaltsdorp.
Willbedine Jordaan from the section had a short information session with the children followed by a demonstration on the correct way of washing your hands. Each child of the 75 children, was given the opportunity to wash their hands the correct way and had their own bucket and hand towel. All the children are from two to six years old.
Each child also received a colouring-in picture depicting a boy washing his hands. Afterwards the each child also received a surprise packet to enjoy at home.
Jordaan said they promoted handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
Dinah Maart, the principal at the crèche, were very happy with the initiative of the Municipality and thanked the team for choosing Klouter Kabouter for this significant day.

Ziyawamo Music Workshop is being held in George in collaboration with George Municipality.
According to Jonel Kerspuy from the George Municipality Youth Office, the workshop will concentrate on the business side of the music industry. Musicians, artists are usually very talented but lack the business skill to sell their music or make money with it, she said.
The workshop is meant to help musicians specifically with the ‘business’ of music, she said.
The workshop is FREE but limited to 50 people. We ask interested musicians to whatsapp 067 961 9211 or 062 378 3091 to register.
The workshop is being held at the Market Theatre, Doneraile Square (right next to the George Youth Café) on Friday, 30 October from 09h00 to 13h00.
Ikapa Lodumo Entertainment who will be presenting the Ziyawamo Music Workshop says they are proud to welcome back Redbull energy drink as their official beverage partner. Redbull has been part of #ZMW2020 since the first workshop in January.
Registration is officially open for the George leg of the #ZMW2020.
Mzura Khuse spokesperson for the company said “we are also more than excited with the level of support we have been receiving from George Youth office and have a 24 months partnership agreement, meaning we will bring more Arts programmes into this beautiful town and will do whatever within our power to assist them in developing their youth in creative space, not just music.

GO GEORGE passenger survey to be undertaken during Transport Month

An independent GO GEORGE user survey to measure the socio-economic and funding impact of the public transport system will be conducted all over George from 19 October until 13 November 2020. According to James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, the study will be compared with previous studies to determine the actual impact of the system in George.
“Feedback from our passengers has always been and will remain core to our planning and improvement of the system. We can plan and implement with all the data at our disposal, but we need to know whether we are meeting our communities’ needs and whether the bus service is improving quality of life and access to economic opportunities. That is what the George Integrated Public Transport Network (GIPTN) is all about,” Robb said.
The planned survey is a continuation of an independent socio-economic study undertaken in George in 2018 and 2019 under the joint auspices of the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works and the George Municipality. This was 10 years after a baseline study – including an economic efficiency assessment, macro-economic analysis and a socio-economic survey for the introduction of scheduled public transport services in George – had been undertaken. There was a need to measure it again in 2018, and to compare it with the previous studies to determine actual impact for future evaluation. This was followed up in 2019 and now again in 2020 with user surveys.

Independent trained surveyors with appropriate identification cards will be stationed at bus stops to conduct the survey by using a survey App. More information can be obtained by phoning the GO GEORGE Call Centre at 0800 044 044.

CAPTION:
The independent team of surveyors was deployed at the Blanco terminus on Monday to ask GO GEORGE passengers’ opinion on their use and experience of the bus service. Here Mauchan Koelman (right) works through their questionnaire with Winnie Smith from Parkdene. Left is Zola Bityi, a GO GEORGE champion awaiting her turn to inform Winnie about the new schedule for mobile Smart Card vehicles.

GO GEORGE-passasiers se mening gevra gedurende Vervoermaand

‘n Onafhanklike GO GEORGE-gebruikersopname om die sosio-ekonomiese en befondsingsimpak van die openbare vervoerstelsel te meet, sal van 19 Oktober tot 13 November 2020 regoor George gedoen word. Volgens James Robb, GO GEORGE- bestuurder, sal die studie vergelyk word met vorige studies om die werklike impak van die stelsel in George te bepaal.

“Terugvoer van ons passasiers was nog altyd die kern van ons beplanning en verbetering van die stelsel. Ons kan beplan en implementeer met al die data tot ons beskikking, maar ons moet weet of ons aan ons gemeenskappe se behoeftes voldoen en of die busdiens lewensgehalte en toegang tot ekonomiese geleenthede verbeter. Dit is waaroor die George Geïntegreerde Openbare Vervoernetwerk (GIPTN) gaan,” het Robb gesê.

Die beplande opname is ‘n voortsetting van ‘n onafhanklike sosio-ekonomiese studie wat in 2018 en 2019 in George onderneem is onder die leiding van die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Vervoer en Openbare Werke en die George-munisipaliteit. Dit was 10 jaar nadat ‘n grondstudie – insluitende ‘n ekonomiese doeltreffendheidsbepaling, makro-ekonomiese analise en ‘n sosio-ekonomiese opname vir die instelling van geskeduleerde openbare vervoerdienste in George – onderneem is. Daar was ‘n behoefte om dit weer te meet in 2018 en om dit te vergelyk met die vorige studies om werklike impak vir toekomstige evaluering te bepaal. Dit is in 2019 en nou weer in 2020 opgevolg met gebruikersopnames.

Onafhanklike, opgeleide data-opnemers met toepaslike identifikasiekaarte sal by bushaltes geplaas word om die opname deur middel van ‘n opname-toepassing (app) te doen. Meer inligting kan verkry word deur die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te skakel.

ONDERSKRIF:
Die onafhanklike span data-opnemers is Maandag by die Blanco-terminus ontplooi om GO GEORGE-passasiers se mening te vra oor hul gebruik en belewenis van die busdiens. Hier werk Mauchan Koelman (regs) deur hul vraelys met Winnie Smith van Parkdene. Links is Zola Bityi, ‘n GO GEORGE-passasiersbeampte wat haar beurt afwag om Winnie oor die nuwe skedule vir mobiele Slimkaartvoertuie in te lig.

GO GEORGE refines mobile schedule for Smart Card users
Issued 13 Oct 2020

GO GEORGE has announced refinements to their current Smart Card mobile vehicle schedule to benefit passengers who are not within easy reach of fixed top-up facilities.
The Smart Card is currently the only means of payment for trips since the adoption of a no-cash policy in June this year as one of the bus service’s Covid-19 precautions. Passengers can top up their cards with trips at any of the fixed Smart Card kiosks or businesses/individuals registered as top-up vendors, or at one of the two Smart Card vehicles that travel and park around town on a fixed weekly schedule.
According to James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, the uneven distribution of vendors in the various areas of town has prompted the revision of the mobile vehicle schedule. “We are currently engaged in a vendor recruitment campaign to address the needs of passengers in all areas but in the meantime, we have assessed the sales figures of all mobile locations and balancing that with areas with a low vendor footprint, we have come up with a schedule that we trust will serve passengers better.”
The new schedule will be implemented on Wednesday 21 October 2020.
Robb says passengers frequently ask when and whether the service will be returning to the option of cash as alternative to using the Smart Card. “Research results released just this week, indicate that the virus can survive for as long as 28 days on hard surfaces such as glass and metal as well as paper bank notes. It was previously thought that the survival period was much shorter. Therefore, we would much rather make plans to take the top-up service to our passengers than risking their health as well as that of our bus drivers who would have to handle the cash.”
The GO GEORGE communication champions will be distributing flyers with the new schedule from Wednesday 14 October. The flyers will also be available at all Smart Card kiosks and mobile vehicles, as well as the info kiosk at the Transport Hub. Passengers can also visit the GO GEORGE Facebook page for the mobile schedule and the latest bus-related news, the website www.gogeorge.org.za, write an email to info@gogeorge.org.za, or phone the Call Centre on 0800 044 044 to enquire about their closest mobile spot.

CAPTION:
The Smart Card mobile vehicles are clearly branded and cannot be missed where they park for about three hours at a time to render service to passengers who do not have close access to other top-up points. The vehicles also sell Smart Cards.

GO GEORGE verfyn mobiele skedule vir Slimkaartgebruikers
Uitgereik 13 Okt 2020

GO GEORGE het verfynings aan hul huidige skedule vir mobiele Slimkaartvoertuie aangekondig om passasiers wat nie binne maklike bereik van vaste herlaaifasiliteite is nie, te akkommodeer.
Die Slimkaart is tans die enigste manier van betaling vir ritte sedert die aanvaarding van ‘n geen-kontantbeleid in Junie vanjaar as een van die busdiens se Covid-19-voorsorgmaatreëls. Passasiers kan hul kaarte met ritte herlaai by enige van die vaste Slimkaartkiosks of besighede / individue wat as herlaaipunte geregistreer is, of by een van die twee Slimkaartvoertuie wat deur die dorp rondbeweeg en parkeer volgens ‘n vaste weeklikse skedule.
Volgens James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, het die oneweredige verspreiding van herlaaipunte in die verskillende gebiede van die dorp die hersiening van die mobiele skedule genoodsaak. “Ons is tans besig met ‘n werwingsveldtog vir mense en sakeondernemings wat as herlaaipunte kan registreer, juis om die behoeftes van passasiers in alle gebiede aan te spreek. Intussen het ons die verkoopsyfers van alle mobiele parkeerplekke ontleed en opgeweeg teen gebiede met ‘n lae voetspoor van herlaaipunte, en ‘n nuwe skedule opgestel waarby ons werklik vertrou ons passasiers sal baat vind.”
Die nuwe skedule sal op Woensdag 21 Oktober 2020 geïmplementeer word.
Robb sê passasiers vra gereeld wanneer en of die diens sal terugkeer na die opsie van kontant as alternatief vir die gebruik van die Slimkaart. “Navorsingsresultate wat vandeesweek vrygestel is, dui aan dat die virus vir so lank as 28 dae op harde oppervlakke soos glas en metaal asook papierbanknote kan oorleef. Daar is voorheen gemeen dat die oorlewingstydperk baie korter is. Daarom sal ons eerder planne maak om die herlaaidiens na ons passasiers toe te neem as om hul gesondheid sowel as dié van ons busbestuurders wat die kontant sal moet hanteer, te waag.”
Die GO GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeamptes sal vanaf Woensdag 14 Oktober pamflette met die nuwe skedule versprei. Die pamflette sal ook by alle Slimkaartkiosks en -mobiele voertuie beskikbaar wees, asook die inligtingskiosk by die Vervoerkern (Transport Hub). Passasiers kan ook die GO GEORGE Facebook-blad besoek vir die mobiele skedule en die nuutste busverwante nuus, na die webwerf www.gogeorge.org.za gaan, ‘n e-pos skryf aan info@gogeorge.org.za, of die inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 skakel om navraag te doen oor hul naaste mobiele dienspunt.

ONDERSKRIF:
Die Slimkaartvoertuie is duidelik gebrandmerk en kan nie misgekyk word waar hulle vir omtrent drie ure op ‘n slag parkeer om diens te lewer aan passasiers wat nie nabye toegang tot ander herlaaipunte het nie. Die voertuie verkoop ook Slimkaarte.

Joan Shaw, George Tourism Manager, (front left) with Clinton Petersen (Town Planning), Stephen Saunders (Building Control) and Delia Power (Acting Director: Planning and Development donated and planted a White Stinkwood tree on 18 September in celebration of Arbor Week which was from 1 – 7 September 2020 at the Garden Route Botanical Garden in George. A total of 143 trees were planted in the garden on the day in celebrating Arbor Week in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), as the custodian of forestry in South Africa, that is responsible for the campaign and more organisations.

GO GEORGE REINSTATES LAST OF SUSPENDED ROUTES
Covid safety measures remain in place
Issued 28 Sep 2020

With the recent implementation of Level 1 of the national lockdown, GO GEORGE will reinstate the last two routes that have been suspended during Covid-19 lockdown. From Sunday 4 October 2020, routes 58 Heather Park-Heatherlands and 53B Rosemoor Express will start running according to the normal schedule again.
Covid safety measures still in place
Drivers and passengers are still required to wear masks on the bus and wash or sanitise their hands regularly. Dispensers with sanitiser have been installed on all buses for the convenience and safety of passengers.
At the George Link depot, the rigorous cleaning and sanitising regime stays unchanged with the interior of buses being sanitised before and after every duty.
Proper ventilation reduces risk
Global studies have shown that proper ventilation and short trips can greatly reduce the risk of contracting the Covid-19 virus on buses and trains by mitigating the spread of airborne droplets that carry the virus.
In line with these findings, our government’s Covid directives regarding public transport require the windows of all public transport vehicles to be kept open 5 cm on both sides. All windows are opened when GO GEORGE buses leave the depot, and passengers are requested not to close windows, but rather dress warmly.
For more information, please phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044 where agents are on duty from 05:00 until 20:00, seven days a week. Alternatively, visit the GO GEORGE Facebook page for the latest service updates, or send an email to info@gogeorge.org.za.
CAPTION:
From Sunday 4 October 2020, all GO GEORGE routes will be active again after a reduced service had been implemented at the beginning of the national lockdown.

GO GEORGE BRING LAASTE OPGESKORTE ROETES TERUG
Covid-veiligheidsmaatreëls steeds in plek
Uitgereik 28 September 2020

Met die onlangse implementering van Vlak 1 van die nasionale inperking, sal GO GEORGE die laaste twee roetes wat opgeskort is weens die Covid-19-inperking ook terugstel in diens. Vanaf Sondag 4 Oktober 2020 sal roetes 58 Heather Park-Heatherlands en 53B Rosemoor Express weer volgens die normale skedule begin ry.
Covid-veiligheidsmaatreëls steeds in plek
Bestuurders en passasiers moet steeds maskers dra op die bus en hul hande gereeld was of ontsmet. Houers met ontsmettingsmiddel is vir die gerief en veiligheid van passasiers op alle busse geïnstalleer.
By die George Link-depot bly die streng skoonmaak- en ontsmettingsroetine onveranderd met die binnekant van busse wat voor en ná elke diensrondte ontsmet word.
Behoorlike ventilasie verminder risiko
Wêreldwye studies het getoon dat behoorlike ventilasie en kort ritte die risiko om die Covid-19-virus op busse en treine op te doen deur die verspreiding van virusdraende druppels in die lug, aansienlik kan verminder.
In ooreenstemming met hierdie bevindings vereis ons regering se Covid-riglyne oor openbare vervoer dat die vensters van alle openbare vervoer-voertuie 5 cm oopgehou moet word aan albei kante. Alle vensters word oopgemaak wanneer GO GEORGE-busse die depot verlaat, en passasiers word versoek om nie vensters te sluit nie, maar eerder warm aan te trek.
Vir meer inligting, skakel gerus die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 waar agente van 05:00 tot 20:00, sewe dae per week, aan diens is. Die jongste diensinligting is ook beskikbaar op die GO GEORGE Facebook-blad, of kan verkry word deur ‘n e-pos te stuur aan info@gogeorge.org.za.
Byskrif:
Van Sondag 4 Oktober 2020 sal alle GO GEORGE-roetes weer aktief wees nadat ‘n beperkte diens in werking gestel is aan die begin van die nasionale inperking.

George Municipality and stakeholders clean in Covid-19 hotspots, Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp
Issued 22 September by George Municipality

George Municipality in conjunction with other stakeholders used the International Coastal Cleanup theme day to clean in Covid-19 hotspots, Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp. The Municipality environmental team, in conjunction with the department of Environmental Affairs teamed up with EPWP workers and Pacaltsdorp Primary School on Friday and Saturday to clean up their areas.
The teams did a cleanup in Thembalethu last Friday (18 September) and anther cleanup in Pacaltsdorp on Saturday (19 September). Grace Notshokovu from the George Municipal Environmental section said instead of doing cleaning at beaches, it was decided that the focus would rather shift to cleaning the two communities most affected by illegal dumping and high numbers of infections for Covid-19.

Caption

Clean1: Officials from George Municipality, department of Environmental Affairs and EPWP workers getting ready to clean an illegal dumping site next to the Fire Department in Thembalethu in Nelson Mandela Boulevard.

Issued George Municipality, Monday 21 September 2020

July 2021 marks the Centenary of Wilderness and a public meeting to establish a Centenary Committee to facilitate the festivities leading up to July next year, took place last week with Covid-19 protocols in place. Marlene Barnardt, Ward Councilor with Dirk Wessels, Portfolio Councilor for Finance and Strategic Services and Joan Shaw, Tourism Manager shared ideas with the attendees.

The idea of a Wilderness Centenary was initially suggested by Hugo Leggatt, well known Wildernarian to take place in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic halted all plans in that regard and George Tourism took the opportunity to support the centenary celebrations for 2021 as means to make up for the economic losses experienced by tourism service providers, following the impact of the the bans on domestic and international travel.

Cllr Barnardt noted that a festival will not make up for all of the losses experienced by the tourism industry, but it will go a long way to continue establishing Wilderness as a destination of choice. “I would love to see a strong focus on wellness which could provide the sustainability to lead to ongoing annual events going forward. There are so many experts in the field of wellness living in Wilderness and with the unique and incredible scenic beauty at our disposal, I could not think of a better way to encourage visitors to Wilderness to enjoy the peace and serenity that attracted the residents in the first place. Wellness tourism is a world-wide trend that has grown tremendously and post Covid-19 will certainly peak interest in a wellness experience that embraces local culture, foods and the natural assets of an area such as Wilderness. I am very excited by the enthusiastic response to the proposed celebrations and trust that ongoing sustainable events that will keep Wilderness on the map, become my legacy as ward councilor.”

The concept for the centenary celebrations is to put together several events, possibly as many as 100, that take place over the next few months that lead up to July 2021. All events that form part of the Centenary will be marketed with a Centenary logo and George Tourism will play a supporting role in terms of the marketing with the Wilderness Ratepayers Association (WRRA). An event does not have to be a huge happening, it can be as simple as a beach clean-up, a musician at a restaurant or a wine tasting! Organizations will be responsible for arranging their own events and these events will be coordinated by the Committee to form a part of the overall festivities. Some of the existing events that have been suggested to form a part of the Centenary programme include: the annual SPCA Woof-a-thon; the Hoekwil Open Gardens, sailing regattas and music evenings. Other suggestions from the floor included a Centenary Dinner, a soap box derby, beach yoga classes, an Island Lake swim and much more. One of the highlights of the Centenary will be a launch of Hugo Leggatt’s book on the history of the area which is almost ready to go to print.

Cllr Dirk Wessels highlighted that he would like to see the festivities continuing for the whole of 2021. “The Centenary should lead to sustainable, annual events that will generate an income for local businesses and create jobs, even on a temporary basis,” said Wessels who stressed that what makes Wilderness so special is that it is unique and pristine – a rare offering that few other regions have.

The final committee consisting of volunteers was selected and which included representatives from the community and the Wilderness Ratepayers as members. Chris Boshoff, a local businessman and tourism expert has agreed to act as chair. Regular media releases will keep the public informed of events and activities.
Contact either Lindi Harley on lharley@george.gov.za or 044 877 0045 or Chairman Chris Boshoff on boardwalkadmin@global.co.za

Attached: extract from Wilderness: a history, Author Hugo Leggatt

Wilderness : A History. By Hugo Leggatt
There is increasing evidence that the coastal plains of southern Africa were the early
home to modern man, Homo sapiens. From here some would have moved out of Africa,
ultimately to people the world. Others remained here and their descendants became the
hunter-gatherers known to us as San or Bushmen. Figuratively, they trod lightly on the
earth and the soft sands of the Wilderness soils contains little of their story but the tale is
there to be read in the coastal shell middens, certain caves and the pictorial record in the
rock art of the mountains.

Later still, the Khoekhoe appeared with their sheep and cattle and it is they who first
appear in the written record when Batholomeu Dias rounded the Cape in 1488 and,
sighting land near Mossel Bay, mentioned “the many cows, watched by their herdsmen.”
Even after the Dutch settlement at the Cape in 1652, it would be more than a century
before settlers moved into the area which we call Wilderness. The deep gorges of the
Kaaimans and Touw Rivers were always a difficult obstacle to ox wagons and it was only
the building of a proper road to Knysna in the late 1860s that opened the lakes area to
settlement. This is the road now known as the Seven Passes Route. Although it generally
kept to the heights near the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, it did open the forests and,
more particularly, made it much easier to get wheeled traffic through the river gorges.

In 1877 George Bennett of Liverpool bought land at the mouth of the Touw, built a house
and laid out a farm which he named “The Wilderness”. George and Henrietta Bennett
built up the farm over the next seven years and had a son and twin daughters before
George died in his early thirties. It was a remote spot and Henrietta left to marry her late
husband’s cousin in England. It was to be more than thirty-five years before the property
again had a resident owner.

Until the end of the 19th century Henrietta’s family kept an eye on the property for her,
sometimes letting the farmhouse. After the end of the South African War in 1902, The
Wilderness was bought by a syndicate headed by Montagu White. He did not live there
himself, using his other property “Fancourt”, but he was instrumental in getting the
farmhouse running as a guest house. He built White’s Road at a reasonable gradient up
the hills above the lagoon and, together with the arrival of the motor car, this put the
place on the map.

White’s death in 1916, followed by the end of World War I two years later, brought a
new beginning to The Wilderness. The property was bought by Wilderness (1921) Ltd,
headed by Owen Grant. OG, as he was widely known, settled on the property and
immediately set about developing it as a seaside resort with a name that was soon to be
known worldwide.

It is likely that the romantic legend of the foundation of The Wilderness was circulated at
this time. In this story a young man meets the beautiful orphan Theresa and she, insisting
on being taken away from “the hauntings of memory”, sang to him from Haydn’s
Creation “..In the wilderness build me a nest, let me remain there forever at rest..”. They
finally settled here after various trials, tribulations and adventures which included
difficult and dangerous wagon journeys over the Outeniquas, the clearing of jungle and a
wedding in which Theresa wore “an ancient bridal gown that once had graced her
grandmother in the courts of France”! A great story, much better than much which fills
many publicity brochures. Most who read it would never know that it was a total figment
of the imagination.

By the end of the 1920s, the old farm buildings had been transformed into a proper hotel,
roads had been laid out, plots had been sold and houses were being built. Many of the
thatched rondavels in the village date from that era.

On top of all this, the railway from George to Knysna was opened in 1928 with The
Wilderness as the only station on the line between George and Knysna. As early as 1932,
OG completed negotiations with Union Airways ( the predecessor of SAA ) whereby he
hoped that the Wilderness would receive a tremendous impetus. Arrangements were
made for an inclusive rate for Wilderness Hotel visitors coming by plane.

In some ways much of the basis for the future development of the area was already in
place by this time, but there was one exception. Apart from the three railway bridges,
there was no proper crossing on the Touw, other than the bridge on the Seven Passes
Road. All motor traffic between George and Knysna still travelled on the inland route.
Another World War had to be fought before the necessary machinery and finance could
be directed to building the initial National Road network. By 1952 the N2 was at last
opened and George and Knysna were linked by a tarred coastal road – in a sense the
modern infrastructure was complete.

Until the coming of the new road, the focus of the village had been towards the lagoon,
where the shop, post office and petrol pumps stood at the bottom of the village green.
Now all commercial activity swung round to be accessible to the highway.
More significant than this was the fact that now a vast new area was opened to
development. All the area known as Wilderness East began from this time, to be followed
in due course by Kleinkrans and Die Duine. Fortunately, in the mid-1980s the
proclamation of the Wilderness National Park placed limits on the destruction of the
environment which is the greatest asset of the Wilderness.

Anthony Noble art demonstration
Issued on 10 September 2020 by George Municipality

Anthony Noble busy with an art demonstration and discussion at George Library. His next and last demonstration will be next week Tuesday, 15 September at 15h00 at George Library. The public can attend. Members of the public can phone 044 801 9288 to book a seat. The usual Covid-19 protocol will apply with sanitising hands, taking of temperature and people will not be allowed without wearing a mask.

George Fire Brigade assists with mountain rescue
Issued George Municipality, 10 September 2020

George Fire Brigade was part of a mid-morning rescue yesterday, after a 71 year old female fell and injured her ankle while on a hike in the Outeniqua Mountains. The hiking group called for help around 10h30 and were able to remain in cellphone contact with the rescue team throughout. The Fire Brigade utilized their drone to establish contact and assist with determining the necessary co-ordinates.
The injured person was carried out by the rescuers to the Outeniqua Cross whereafter she was transported to the nearest ambulance using a smaller EMS All Terrain Vehicle(ATV). The rest of the hiking group were able to walk out safely with the rescue team. The patient was transported to hospital by ER24 in a stable condition. Fire Chief , Neels Barnard of George Municipality who attended the rescue, thanked the combined efforts of Metro Rescue, Hikers Network, Outeniqua Trail Search and Rescue group and ER24 Ambulance Services which led to the successful operation.