Author: Debra Sauer

Georgie adds joy to APD celebration

Disability Rights Awareness Month 2020 ended on a high note at the Optima Centre in Pacaltsdorp last Thursday, National Disability Rights Awareness Day. GO GEORGE joined the children and staff in celebrating the end of the Association for People with Disabilities’ annual programme.

The GO GEORGE team presented a fun outdoor programme, sharing appropriate educational information with the 25 children attending on the day. In line with their Covid safety policy, the staff and children attend the centre in accordance with a rotational schedule. The star of the day, however, was the popular mascot Georgie whose appearance evoked loud cheers and applause and soon had most of them dancing, singing and wheeling along.
GO GEORGE drawstring bags containing educational material to engage the children in bus-related games were handed out and received with much excitement. This event marked the culmination of GO GEORGE’s engagements for Disability Rights Awareness Month.

Inspiring video of Carpe Diem dancers on bus
GO GEORGE released a video on the same day, featuring the Hip Hop Dance Crew of the Carpe Diem School for children with special needs. A sterling group of youngsters rising above their individual challenges and motivating others, they performed in and around the GO GEORGE buses that have been designed to be accessible to all. Special effort was made to consider universal design guidelines in the presentation of the video too, which, in addition to the inspiring content, created quite a stir in Disability circles worldwide within hours of being released and shared with South African stakeholders. Watch the video by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/dqsawU3haxo

CAPTION:
Who says we have not been on a GO GEORGE bus yet? The bus banner held up by communication champions proved to be a firm favourite with the youngsters.

Georgie sorg vir vreugde by APD-viering

Die Maand vir die Bewusmaking van die Regte van Mense met Gestremdhede 2020 het verlede Donderdag – Nasionale Bewusmakingsdag Vir Die Regte Van Mense Met Gestremdhede – op ‘n hoë noot by die Optima-sentrum in Pacaltsdorp afgesluit. GO GEORGE het by die kinders en personeel aangesluit om die einde van die Vereniging vir Mense met Gestremdhede se jaarlikse program te vier.

Die GO GEORGE-span het ‘n prettige buitenshuise program aangebied en toepaslike opvoedkundige inligting gedeel met die 25 kinders wat dié dag daar was. In ooreenstemming met hul Covid-veiligheidsbeleid, woon die personeel en kinders die sentrum volgens ‘n rotasieskedule by. Die ster van die dag was egter die gewilde gelukbringer, Georgie, wie se verskyning klipharde gejuig en applous ontlok het en gou die meeste van die kinders aan die dans, sing en ronddraai gehad het.
GO GEORGE-toerygsakke met opvoedkundige materiaal en busverwante speletjies is uitgedeel en met groot opgewondenheid ontvang. Hierdie geleentheid was die laaste uitreiking op GO GEORGE se program vir die Maand vir die Bewusmaking van die Regte van Mense met Gestremdhede.

Inspirerende video van Carpe Diem-dansers op bus
GO GEORGE het op dieselfde dag ‘n video met die Hip Hop-dansgroep van die Carpe Diem Skool vir kinders met spesiale behoeftes vrygestel. Die uitmuntende groep jongmense wat bo hul individuele uitdagings uitstyg en ander motiveer, het hul danspassies uitgevoer in en rondom die GO GEORGE-busse wat ontwerp is om toeganklik te wees vir almal. ‘n Spesiale poging is aangewend om universele-ontwerpriglyne in die aanbieding van die video ook toe te pas. Die eindproduk met inspirerende inhoud het binne ure nadat dit met Suid-Afrikaanse belanghebbendes gedeel is, wêreldwyd ‘n opskudding in Gestremdheidskringe veroorsaak. Kyk na die video deur op hierdie skakel te klik: https://youtu.be/dqsawU3haxo

ONDERSKRIF:

Wie sê ons was nog nie op ‘n GO GEORGE-bus nie? Die busbanier wat deur passasiersdiensbeamptes vasgehou word, was ‘n groot gunsteling by die jongspan.

WELLINGTON STREET PROGRESS AND UPGRADES: STREET WILL BE OPEN FOR TWO WAY TRAFFIC DURING THE DECEMBER HOLIDAYS – Issued 9 December 2020

Caption: Roadworks in Wellington Street, George

Text: The contractor Entsha Henra will complete the Bitumen Treated Base (BTB) course layer, for both directions of Wellington Street which is the structured layer under the final 30mm asphalt layer, which functions as the final smooth rideable surface.
The road will be open for two-way traffic for the duration of the December holidays. The public and road users should note that the BTB layer remains a structure layer and does reduce driver comfort which means the surface is not as smooth as the final road layer. All kerbs have been installed at the final level height and will differ at this stage in 30 mm height to the road surface.
The contractor will lay the final 30mm asphalt surface in January 2021, with the rebuilding of the sidewalks scheduled for completion at April 2021. Please remember that the road remains an active construction site, with the same demarcated construction material on site and as such motorists should still use the road with utmost care. All excavations in Wellington Street will be covered except the corner of the Courtenay/Wellington Street intersection which will be demarcated. Construction will stop on 15 December for the holiday period and start again 11 January 2021.
The George Municipality apologises for the inconvenience and appeals to road users to be patient and exercise caution during the upgrade.
The public can report any related incidents pertaining to Wellington Street to the contractor’s project manager, Herrmann Schlag on 082 570 8330.

PRESS RELEASE: GO GEORGE celebrates 6 years of service to the George community

Issued 8 Dec 2020

Six years have gone by since the first scheduled buses of George’s own public bus service departed from the York Street depot at 05:00 on 8 December 2014. It was a momentous occasion as the first four routes rolled out to Rosemoor, Denneoord and Loerie Park, and to the Garden Route Mall – Phase 1 of the George Integrated Public Transport Network had been launched.

“So much was still to be learned and experienced, but we were immensely proud and excited and still have not lost that first enthusiasm and passion,” says GO GEORGE Manager, James Robb.

Since the latest roll-out to Parkdene, Conville, Borcherds and Lawaaikamp in March this year, 26 active routes covering a network of 142 km are now crisscrossing the streets of George, enabling residents to travel to work, school, medical and community services and shops anywhere in town.

George Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon van Wyk, congratulated GO GEORGE, saying that this birthday should be celebrated with pride. “I will always remember the positive comments made in the early days as residents safely gained mobility and access to retail stores and community events in a way not previously available to them. The management team needs to be congratulated on this birthday as they proudly strive for recognition as an excellent bus system operator,” he said.

According to Robb, rolling out the remaining phases of the service proved to be more challenging than envisioned, “but we are positive and looking forward to continue growing the service.”

“Different kind of birthday”

The usual birthday celebrations with communication champions dressed up in colourful costumes and making a joyful noise all over town and handing out treats could not be executed this year due to Covid-19 safety precautions.

“Our focus is different this year,” says Robb. “We are thinking of those who have lost loved ones, their income, the roof over their heads.

“We want to thank our passengers, our staff, our stakeholders in operating the service, the Government departments that have funded our efforts to curb the pandemic – some for their patience and cooperation, some for their support and long hours of work, others for their courage in performing their duties despite the risk involved. We could not have reached this milestone without people who care.”

Passengers are once again reminded to adhere to the simple but effective Covid-19 safety measures required on the bus: wearing a mask covering both the mouth and nose, sanitising or washing of hands, keeping a safe distance where possible, keeping bus windows open for good ventilation, sneezing or coughing into a bent arm, not travelling on the bus when sick, travelling off-peak if possible, and not to use the bus for non-essential trips.

CAPTION:

George Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon van Wyk (middle back), recently paid a visit to the bus depot and was intrigued to learn from the staff how the canteen was built and established, and is being run by George Link shareholders themselves. “This is the kind of opportunity that GO GEORGE is bringing to our residents,” he said.

PERSVERKLARING: GO GEORGE vier 6 jaar van diens aan die George-gemeenskap

Uitgereik 8 Des 2020

Ses jaar het verbygegaan sedert die eerste geskeduleerde busse van George se eie openbare busdiens op 8 Desember 2014 om 05:00 uit die Yorkstraat-depot vertrek het. Dit was ‘n grootse geleentheid toe die eerste vier roetes na Rosemoor, Denneoord en Loeriepark, en na die Garden Route Mall die strate inry – Fase 1 van die George Geïntegreerde Openbare Vervoernetwerk is uitgerol.

“Ons sou later nog soveel leer en ervaar, maar ons was geweldig trots en opgewonde en het steeds nie daardie eerste entoesiasme en passie verloor nie,” sê GO GEORGE-bestuurder, James Robb.

Sedert die jongste ontplooiing na Parkdene, Conville, Borcherds en Lawaaikamp in Maart vanjaar deurkruis 26 aktiewe roetes – ‘n netwerk van 142 km – nou die strate van George en stel dit inwoners in staat om werk toe, skool toe, na mediese- en gemeenskapsdienste en winkels oral in die dorp te ry.

Die Uitvoerende Burgemeester van George, raadsheer Leon van Wyk, het GO GEORGE gelukgewens en gesê dat hierdie verjaarsdag met trots gevier behoort te word. “Ek sal altyd inwoners se positiewe kommentaar in daardie vroeë dae onthou toe hulle veilige beweeglikheid en toegang tot winkels en gemeenskapsgeleenthede verkry het op ‘n manier wat hulle nie voorheen beskore was nie. Die bestuurspan moet met hierdie verjaarsdag gelukgewens word aangesien hulle met trots streef na erkenning as ‘n uitstekende busstelseloperateur,” het hy gesê.

Volgens Robb was die ontplooiing van die oorblywende fases van die diens meer uitdagend as wat verwag is, “maar ons is positief en sien uit daarna om voort te gaan met die uitbreiding van die diens.”

“’n Ander soort verjaarsdag”

Die gebruiklike verjaarsdagviering met passasiersdiensbeamptes in kleurvolle kostuums wat regoor die dorp ‘n vrolike geraas maak en lekkernye uitdeel, kan weens Covid-19-veiligheidsvoorsorgmaatreëls nie vanjaar plaasvind nie.

“Ons fokus is vanjaar anders,” sê Robb. “Ons dink aan diegene wat geliefdes, hul inkomste, die dak oor hul koppe verloor het.

“Ons wil ons passasiers en ons personeel bedank, ook alle rolspelers in die bedryf van die diens, die staatsdepartemente wat ons pogings om die pandemie te bekamp, befonds – sommige vir hul geduld en samewerking, sommige vir hul ondersteuning en lang ure se werk, ander vir hul moed om hul pligte uit te voer ten spyte van die risiko daaraan verbonde. Ons kon nie hierdie mylpaal bereik het sonder mense wat omgee nie.”

Passasiers word weereens daaraan herinner om te voldoen aan die eenvoudige maar doeltreffende Covid-19-veiligheidsmaatreëls wat op die bus vereis word: die dra van ‘n masker wat beide die mond en neus bedek, ontsmet of was van hande, handhawing van ‘n veilige afstand waar moontlik, oop busvensters vir goeie ventilasie, nies of hoes in ‘n geboë elmboog, om nie bus te ry wanneer jy siek is nie, buite spitstye te ry, en om nie die bus te gebruik vir nie-noodsaaklike ritte nie.

ONDERSKRIF:

George se Uitvoerende Burgemeester, raadsheer Leon van Wyk (middel agter), het onlangs ‘n besoek aan die busdepot gebring en was gefassineerd om by die personeel te hoor hoe die kantien gebou en tot stand gebring is en self deur George Link-aandeelhouers bedryf word. “Hierdie is die soort geleentheid wat GO GEORGE na ons inwoners bring,” het hy gesê.

Burgemeester-feesboodskap 2020

Die jaar 2020 het inderdaad vir ons almal uitdagend uitgedraai. Reeds aan die begin van die jaar het ons as land ekonomiese uitdagings in die gesig gestaar. Die Covid-19-virus het reeds in talle lande voorgekom, voordat dit in Maart 2020 ons oewer bereik het, wat aanleiding gegee het tot die verklaring van die pandemie en die verskillende vlakke van inperkings wat ons almal in George en Suid-Afrika ervaar het. In die nasleep van die pandemie het ons nou die ekonomiese herstelfase betree waar ons ons ekonomie moet herbou en die werk wat ons verloor het, moet herstel.

Al ons burgers het gedurende hierdie jaar swaarkry beleef deur die beperking van beweging en aktiwiteite wat tot gevolg het dat baie kwesbare inwoners honger ervaar, die verlies van werksgeleenthede en waardigheid, asook verhoogde vlakke van veiligheidsprobleme. Die George-munisipaliteit sal steeds ‘n fasiliterende rol speel om te help met die herstel van verlore werksgeleenthede, wat die veiligheid, waardigheid en welstand van ons inwoners sal verbeter.

Ons wil al ons werknemers en burgers bedank vir al hul opofferings en geduld gedurende hierdie jaar, aangesien ons nuwe gedragspatrone aangepak het in die hantering van Covid-19.

Die George-munisipaliteit verwelkom alle besoekers aan George gedurende die somervakansieseisoen en wens hulle uitstekende weer, veiligheid (terwyl hulle op die paaie is en terwyl hulle swem) en goeie tye saam met vriende en familie toe.

Onthou om die Covid-19-voorskrifte veral tydens die vakansietydperk na te kom en aan te hou om maskers te dra, hande te was, sosiale afstand toe te pas en tuis te bly as u siek is.

Ons is almal saam in die pandemie en staar die uitdagings in die gesig. Waar moontlik, moet ons sien hoe ons diegene wat minder bevoorreg is as ons self, kan help.

Goeie wense aan alle inwoners en besoekers.

Mayoral Festive Message 2020

The year 2020 has indeed turned out to be challenging for all of us. At the outset as a country we began the year already facing economic challenges. The Covid-19 virus emerged in numerous countries before reaching our shores during March 2020 resulting in the declaration of the pandemic and the various levels of lockdown that we have all experienced in George and South Africa. In the aftermath of the pandemic we have now entered the Economic Recovery phase where we need to rebuild our economy and recover the jobs that we have lost.

All our citizens have experienced hardship during this year through the restriction of movement and activities resulting in many vulnerable residents experiencing hunger, the loss of jobs and dignity as well as increased levels of safety concerns. The George Municipality will continue to play a facilitating role to assist in the recovery of jobs lost, improving the safety, dignity and wellness of our residents.

We wish to thank all our employees and citizens for all their sacrifices and patience during this year as we have tackled new behavioural patterns in dealing with Covid-19.

The George Municipality welcomes all visitors to George over the summer holiday season and wish them excellent weather, safety (while on the roads and while swimming) and good times enjoyed with friends and family.

Please remember to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations especially during the holiday season and to continue wearing masks, washing hands, applying social distancing and staying home when sick.

We are all in this together as we are facing these challenges. Where possible, we should see how we can assist those less fortunate than ourselves.

Good wishes to all residents and visitors.

Umyalezo kaSodolophu weXesha leMibhiyozo yama-2020

Umnyaka wama-2020 ngenene uye waba ngumceli mngeni kuthi sonke. Ekuqaleni njengelizwe siqale unyaka sele sijongene nemingeni yezoqoqosho. Intsholongwane yeCovid-19 iqhambuke kumazwe amaninzi phambi kokuba ifikelele kumanxweme ethu ngexesha leyoKwindla 2020 ebangele ukubhengezwa kwesifo esikho kumazwe ngamazwe kunye namanqanaba ohlukahlukeneyo okuvalwa esiye sachatshazelwa ngawo sonke eGeorge kunye naseMzantsi Afrika. Emva kwesifo esikho kumazwe ngamazwe ngoku singene kwiNqanaba lokuVuselela uQoqosho apho kumele sakhe kwakhona uqoqosho lwethu kwaye sibuyise imisebenzi esilahlakeleyo.

Bonke abemi bethu abahlangabezene nobunzima ngexesha lalo nyaka ngokuthintelwa kokuhamba kunye nemisebenzi okubangele ukuba abahlali abaninzi abasemngciphekweni bathwaxwe yindlala, ukulahlekelwa yimisebenzi nesidima kunye namaqondo aphezulu eenkxalabo zokhuseleko. uMasipala waseGeorge uya kuqhubeka ngendima yokuququzelela uncedo lokubuyiswa kwemisebenzi elahlekileyo, ukuphucula ukhuseleko, isidima kunye nokuba sempilweni kwabahlali bethu.

Sinqwenela ukubulela bonke abasebenzi kunye nabemi bethu ngokuzenza amadini kunye nomonde wabo ngexesha lalo nyaka kuba siye sajongana nendlela entsha yokuziphatha ukujamelana neCovid -19.

uMasipala waseGeorge wamkela zonke iindwendwe eGeorge ngexesha leeholide zehlobo kwaye uzinqwenelela imo yezulu ebalaseleyo, ukhuseleko (ngexesha zisezindleleni nangexa ziqubha)kunye namaxesha amnandi onwatyelwa nezihlobo kunye nosapho

Please remember to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations especially during the holiday season and to continue wearing masks, washing hands, applying social distancing and staying home when sick.

Ncedani nikhumbule ukuthobela imimiselo yeCovid-19 ingakumbi ngexesha leholide kunye nokuqhubeka ninxiba iimaski, nihlamba izandla, nisebenzisa ukumela kude komnye umntu nokuhlala ekhaya xa ugula. Sonke sikule nto kunye njengoko sijamelene nale mingeni. Apho kunokwenzeka, kumele sijonge ukuba singabanceda njani abo bahlelelekileyo kunathi.

Iminqweno emihle kubo bonke abemi kunye neendwendwe.

George Municipality celebrates Khomanani Day in Herold

The George Municipality annually celebrates Khomanani Day, a national mobilisation campaign focusing on HIV/Aids and its effects and this year it was the community of Herold’s turn to be showed some love by the Municipality.

More than a 100 people affected and infected with HIV/AIDS, with the theme Afrika day, turned up to the event. SHE (Social Health and Empowerment), a non-profit organisation, Bethesda Medical and Relief Services and the department of Health were also part of the day and delivered services to the community.

The Municipality did a wellness programme which included motivational speeches by a political leader, health care professionals and other persons of interest.

Portfolio Councillor for Community Development, Cllr Sean Snyman, gave a motivational speech in which he encouraged people to rise above their circumstances and to support each other.  He said people living with HIV/AIDS does not need sympathy because that does not help them, but they need support and love to carry them through the tough times. Snyman drew from his own experiences, being in an accident and losing the use of his right arm. He inspired the crowd to use their talents and turn them into jobs and start food gardens. “Don’t wait for the Municipality to bring a food parcel or wait on the government for a grant. Don’t keep looking at your problems otherwise you will not see the solution,” Snyman said. He also thanked the health staff and the Municipality officials for their support.

Snyman said HIV/Aids is not a death sentence, with the help of medication and support it is a life change.

“Sell yourself to yourself in the mirror and rest of the world will also want to buy you,” Snyman concluded.

Hester September, a member from the local community also shared a motivational speech about her struggles with regards to health issues she encountered and how she coped through it.

Willbedine Jordaan, Acting HIV/AIDS Coordinator, handed 100 food parcels to all the attendees as a symbol of love and support from the Municipality.

As part of the day’s activities, HIV testing and counselling was also done and each person that tested, received a small gift.

Caption

 Willbedine Jordaan from Community Development(right) handing over a food parcel to Johanna Diedericks

MEDIA RELEASE: Recycling programme continues in-house
Issued George Municipality, 16 November 2020

George Municipality confirms that the collection and delivery of blue and green bags has continued in-house. Blue and green bags are collected on the same day as black bags by our municipal refuse trucks, but not at the same time. A separate trip is made for the collection of the blue bags.
Households or businesses that are actively recycling and require additional green or blue bags or have not received the two blue and two green replacement bags., can either phone in to 044 8022900 with their address to report or collect from the municipality Environmental Services department at 82 Meade Street

The municipality remains committed to waste reduction and recycling, and we acknowledge that the current system is not without flaws but all attempts are being made to resolve issues as they arise. The areas currently serviced by recycling include all suburbs of George as well as the outer areas of Wilderness, Kleinkrantz, Hoekwil, Victoria Bay and Herolds Bay.

CONTACT
George Municipality Environmental Services
82 Meade Street, George. Phone 044 802 2900

Reception/all departments: 044 802 2900 ccunningham@george.gov.za or ykibido@george.gov.za
Uncollected BLACK bags 044 802 2900/20 or ymali@george.gov.za
Uncollected GREEN and BLUE bags: 044 802 2900/ mabotha@george.gov.za

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, card board, 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.

REFUSE REMOVAL DAYS
MONDAY: Blanco, Riverlea, Heatherpark, Heatherlands, Glen Barrie, Kraaibosch, Groenkloof, Blue Mountain Village, Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay, Rondevlei area (George side)
TUESDAY: Levallia, Rosemoor, Conville, Protea Park, Parkdene, Ballotsview, Borchards, Lawaaikamp, Thembalethu, Wilderness, Constantia Kloof, Kleinkrantz
WEDNESDAY: Camphersdrift, Fernridge, Denneoord, Bo-Dorp, Blommekloof, Tweerivieren, Hoogekraal, Hoekwil, Touwsranten farm areas
THURSDAY: Wilderness Heights, Dormehlsdrift, George South, Le Grand, Bos en Dal, Groeneweidepark, Sinksabrug, Herold, Geelhoutboom, Eselsjacht, Hansmoeskraal, Jonkershoek, Rooirivierrif, Pacaltsdorp, Rosedale, Waboomskraal, Touwsranten village
FRIDAY: Glenwood, Loerie Park, Eden George, Genevafontein, Denver Park, Bergsig, Eastern Extension
BUSINESSES: Monday, Wednesday and Friday

11 November 2020

October was National Transport Month as well as the Month of Mental Health Awareness, and with November being Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM), the GO GEORGE mascot Georgie needed no excuse to visit the happy youngsters with different kinds of challenges at Legacy Centre in Denneoord.

Legacy Centre’s awareness campaign, “Special-needs children are different, NOT less!”, links in with GO GEORGE’s mission of being accessible to all passengers, including those with different categories of special needs. GO GEORGE will be reaching out to several local organisations and institutions involved with people with disabilities during November.
The Legacy kids were hugely excited when Georgie came through the door and happily joined him in singing, and of course, doing the popular Jerusalema dance.

According to Mariza van Deventer, co-founder of the non-profit organisation BINAH and owner of Legacy Centre, children with special needs experience sensory discomfort when wearing masks. “Children at Legacy are not forced to wear masks, but with a teacher/child ratio of one to three at the centre, it is fairly easy for the teachers to maintain a safe distance between the children,” she said.

After a fun quiz about the buses and Covid safety precautions, the children were delighted to each receive a GO GEORGE goodie bag and reluctantly said goodbye to Georgie and his team.

CAPTIONS:
Group photo:
Georgie remains a firm favourite with his fans at Legacy Centre who love to be photographed with the friendly mascot. A few wanted to know where Georgie’s “real seeing eyes” are.

Hug photo:
Georgie usually has to pose for photos, but this time around, he was simply on the receiving end of a genuine, caring hug.

Georgie verras kinders by Legacy Centre

Oktober was Nasionale Vervoermaand sowel as die Maand vir Bewusmaking van Geestesgesondheid, en met November wat die Maand vir die Bewusmaking van die Regte van Mense met Gestremdhede is, het die GO GEORGE-gelukbringer Georgie geen verskoning nodig gehad om die vrolike jongspan met verskillende soorte uitdagings by Legacy Centre in Denneoord te besoek nie.
Legacy Centre se bewusmakingsveldtog, “Kinders met spesiale behoeftes is anders, NIE minderwaardig nie!”, skakel in by GO GEORGE se missie om toeganklik te wees vir alle passasiers, insluitend dié met verskillende kategorieë spesiale behoeftes. GO GEORGE reik gedurende November uit na verskeie plaaslike organisasies en instellings wat betrokke is by mense met gestremdhede.

Die Legacy-kinders was baie opgewonde toe Georgie by die deur inkom en het entoesiasties saam met hom gesing en natuurlik, die gewilde Jerusalema-danspassies uitgevoer.
Volgens Mariza van Deventer, medestigter van die niewinsgewende organisasie BINAH en eienaar van Legacy Centre, is dit vir kinders met spesiale behoeftes sensories moeilik om maskers te dra. “Kinders word nie by Legacy Centre gedwing om maskers te dra nie. ‘n Onderwyser/kind-verhouding van een tot drie by die sentrum maak dit egter redelik maklik vir onderwysers om die kinders op ‘n veilige afstand van mekaar te hou,” sê sy.
Ná ‘n prettige vasvra oor die busse en Covid-veiligheidsmaatreëls was die kinders hoogs in hul skik om elkeen ‘n GO GEORGE-geskenksakkie te ontvang en het hulle Georgie en sy span taamlik teësinnig gegroet.

ONDERSKRIFTE:
Groepfoto:
Georgie bly ‘n groot gunsteling by sy aanhangers by Legacy Centre wat nie ‘n geleentheid laat verbygaan om saam met die vriendelike gelukbringer afgeneem te word nie. ‘n Paar wou weet waar Georgie se “regte sien-oë” is.
Drukkie-foto:
Georgie moet gewoonlik vir foto’s poseer, maar hierdie keer was hy bloot aan die ontvangkant van ‘n egte omgeedrukkie.

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.