Author: Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe

In the photo are the Community House Building Learnership programme graduates proudly hold their certificates. The fifth person from the left in the back row is the Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Jackie von Brandis. Also present are Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers; Advocate Chantal Smith, Head of Department in the Department of Infrastructure; Dirk Wessels, a member of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature; and Ms. Ricky Minnie from IETI (far right, wearing a cream jacket).

On Monday, 05 August 2024, Minister Tertius Simmers, the Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure and the Executive Mayor of George, Ald Jackie von Brandis awarded certificates to beneficiaries who successfully participated in and completed the Community House Building Learnership programme. Twenty-seven (27) participants from across the George Municipal area benefited from this initiative.

The learnership programme was launched by the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure in partnership with the Industries Education and Training Institute (IETI), George Municipality, and the Department of Employment and Labour. The theoretical training began in March 2023, followed by practical training at the George Metro site, where learners gained hands-on experience under the guidance of Ruwacon construction supervisors.

This initiative highlights the municipality’s commitment to enhancing skills development and creating employment opportunities within the community.

Democracy Bus visits George…From left: Andre Scheepers (BFI Projects Manager in the George Municipality, Ald Jackie von Brandis (Executive Mayor), Cllr Browen Johnson (MMC for Civil Engineering in the George Municipality), Jethro Grootboom (Regional Communication Coordinator for Garden Route & Overberg Districts and Ndiphiwe Prince Madikizela (Technician for BFI Projects in the George Municipality).

On Thursday, 15 August 2024, the Democracy Bus, which travels across South Africa to celebrate 30 years of democracy, made a significant stop in George. The bus visited one of George Municipality’s key infrastructural projects—the construction of the new Water Treatment Works in Denneoord—to showcase the municipality’s contributions to the nation’s democratic journey.

The Executive Mayor of George, Ald Jackie von Brandis, accompanied by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Civil Engineering Services, Councillor Browen Johnson, boarded the Democracy Bus from the Municipal Headquarters in York Street. The destination was the New Water Treatment Works in Denneoord, where they participated in a walkabout to highlight the Municipality’s achievements over the past 30 years. The event was organised by the Government Communication Information System (GCIS), represented by Jethro Grootboom, Regional Communications Coordinator for the Garden Route & Overberg Districts.

“This afternoon, we had the distinct pleasure of boarding the Democracy Bus alongside our colleagues from GCIS Western Cape,” said Mayor von Brandis. “As we celebrate our country’s 30-year milestone of democracy, we also reflect on the freedoms and progress that have accompanied it.”
Referring to the BFI project, von Brandis added: “This project is a prime example of the benefits that 30 years of democracy have brought us. It’s an absolute privilege to have the Democracy Bus here in George, celebrating 30 years of Democracy. The National Treasury and the Department of Water Affairs (DWS)support ensures that we can continue to provide essential services to all our residents for the next 30 years and beyond.”

MMC Johnson echoed the Mayor’s gratitude for the BFI Projects, emphasising the projects’ significance in light of recent Stats SA data showing an approximate population growth of 100,000 in the City of George. “These projects are vital for accommodating George’s ongoing development and ensuring water security for at least the next 40 years,” said Cllr Johnson.

The Municipality’s Civil Engineering Services Project Manager for BFI, Andre Scheepers, provided an in-depth overview of BFI project consisting of 12 sub-projects and specifically the New Water Treatment Works Project. This project, supported by a grant of up to R1.115 billion, has enabled the Municipality to undertake several critical initiatives, including:

• Improvements to the existing 20 Ml/d Water Treatment Works in Denneoord
• The new 20 Ml/d Water Treatment Works (WTW) and Residuals Treatment Facility
• Refurbishment of the Sludge Discharge System, Phase 1 and 2
• Upgrading of the Garden Route Dam Outlet and Supply
• Installation of 2x 1250 kVA generators at the Garden Route raw water pump station
• Construction of an additional 40-million-litre raw water storage and balancing dam
• The 14.5 Ml Pacaltsdorp West Reservoir and Pump Station
• The new 3 Ml Pacaltsdorp East Reservoir, 300 kl Tower, and Pump Station
• Construction of a new pump station and control valves at the existing Thembalethu West Reservoir and Tower
• A new 8 Ml Thembalethu East Reservoir, 1000 kl Tower, and Pump Station

Jethro Grootboom expressed his gratitude to the George Municipality for its hospitality and commitment to showcasing the progress achieved in the George area.

The George Municipality extends its thanks to the National Treasury and the Department of Water and Sanitation for entrusting it with this grant funding, and to GCIS for organising the visit to our Water Treatment Plant. The event was streamed live on Eden FM’s Facebook page, courtesy of GCIS.

In the photo: Caption 1 – Thembalethu Sportsfield Gym Trim – Executive Mayor Jackie Von Brandis tested out the new Gym Trim equipment together with from left Cllr Thandiswa Qatana, Lynette Groenewald (Senior Spatial Planner), Ward 13 Cllr Simphiwe Toto, MMC for Community Development, Melvin Roelfse, MMC for Community Services: Parks, Refuse and Environment Marchelle Kleynhans, Granville Campher(Manager Sport Development) and Henko Lourens (Spatial Planner).

George Municipality officially opened the fully-fledged gym trims installed at Thembalethu Stadium and the Thusong Centre which form a part of Project 7: Recreation Route, one of the eleven Investment Packages identified to enhance social and economic development in Thembalethu as a part of the Ilisolethu Precinct. The gym equipment, consisting of 10 machines, litter bins and benches were installed at each site as part of this project

The rollout of outdoor gym equipment in George began in 2022 as a pilot project to observe its utilisation and in an effort to provide better health and wellness opportunities to people of all ages, abilities, and socio-economic statuses. Three Outdoor Gym Trim have previously been installed, one on Knysna Road and another one at the Corner of Mission and Fern Streets in Pacaltsdorp, and ERF 80 Van Riebeeck Gardens. Initially, it was anticipated that elderly people would benefit while children enjoyed the playpark equipment. However, it turned out that children also enjoy the gym equipment as it is user-friendly for both children and adults. – “Over the two years, we have noticed that children use the equipment more and we encourage adults to also make use of the equipment for their health and wellness,” said Nosidima Vumindaba, the George Municipality’s Parks and Recreation Manager.

The Neighbourhood Development Project Ilisolethu Framework Project 7: Recreation Route which will include a recreation route that will integrate the area through a 5km recreational route for Park Run events, supporting a weekend market facility, upgrading of the existing Thembalethu sports field and multifunctional public open space. The Gym Trim at the Thusong Centre will be fenced shortly.

Melvin Roelfse, MMC for Community Development noted that the Gym Trims will add value to the youth and contribute towards the wellness and well-being of the community. “Gym and sports bring people together and this will help to build and strengthen our communities. I encourage our community members of Thembalethu to use and enjoy this equipment, “ he said.

The outdoor gym equipment was installed in June at a cost of R453 200 and forms a part of the R74 million committed thus far to the Ilisolethu Precinct by the investment partners of the Municipality – including the Development Bank of South Africa and the National Treasury.

Interested parties can obtain further information on the Ilisolethu Project by following this link: https://www.george.gov.za/planning-development/ilisolethu-precinct/ or contacting George Municipal Directorate Planning and Development, Henko Lourens hlourens@george.gov.za

#ilisolethuGeorge #Letsgrowthembalethu #cityofopportunties

Video Link – Executive Mayor Jackie Von Brandis introduces Ward 13 Simphiwe Toto who explains the Ilisolethu Project and the installation of Gym Trims together with MMC for Community Development Melvin Roelfse. https://youtu.be/ibCO2spwEUc

Editor’s Note: https://www.george.gov.za/planning-development/ilisolethu-precinct/
The Ilisolethu Project aims to promote social, economic, and residential development, and stimulate urban regeneration through investment projects. This initiative seeks to uplift the community of Thembalethu while creating a unique space for residents and visitors alike. Some key benefits of this project include socio-economic opportunity, fostering of human potential, and creating a better, more accessible space for communal interaction and usage. In partnership with the National Treasury, George Municipality has thus initiated the Thembalethu Node 1 Development Project to attract new investments and stimulate economic activity in the area. The appointed service provider, Cadre Connect, drafted an Investment Strategy, an Area Management Strategy and identified 11 Investment Project Packages. The aim is to roll out the project over a 5-year period, subject to the availability of funding and commitment from investment partners, and, once completed, this groundbreaking regeneration initiative will be a valuable asset to the community of Thembalethu and benefit the entire region.

Photographed at the new gate and fence of Thembalethu Sports Stadium are from left: Granville Campher (Manager Sport Development in the George Municipality); Councillor Melvin Roelfse (Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development), Lynette Groenewald (Senior Spatial Planner), Councillor Simphiwe Toto (Ward 13 in Thembalethu); Executive Mayor Jackie Von Brandis, Councillor Thandiswa Qatana (Proportional Representative Councillor in Ward 13); Councillors Marchelle Kleynhans (Member of the Mayor Committee(MMC) for Community Services: Parks, Refuse and Environment) and Henko Lourens (Spatial Planner).

As part of the Ilisolethu Precinct, eleven Investment Packages have been identified to enhance social and economic development in Thembalethu. One of these Investment Packages is known as Project 7: Recreation Route. The project seeks to address the expressed need for more recreation facilities within available vacant land. This includes the development of a 5km recreation route, gym parks, and a future weekend market area.

The Neighbourhood Development Project Ilisolethu Framework identified the upgrading of the sports field (Project 7) as part of the recreation route project. The original solid wall created a security risk as it was not visually permeable. Creating a safer precinct is one of the pillars of the Ilisolethu Project. Measures to screen the site during sports events are being considered. The importance of safety in the general area was echoed by teachers of the adjacent Imizamo Yethu Secondary School as well as the developers of the old clinic site and surrounds. The new fence includes a motorised vehicle access gate and two pedestrian gates to ensure sufficient, controlled sports field access.

This project cost R2.1 m, which forms part of the R74 million committed thus far to the Ilisolethu Precinct by the investment partners of the Municipality – including the Development Bank of South Africa and the National Treasury.

In the future, the sports field will see further upgrades including a pedestrian walkway, the construction of an Astroturf, and additional upgrades to increase functionality and enjoyment for all users.

Interested parties can obtain further information on the Ilisolethu Project by following this link: https://www.george.gov.za/planning-development/ilisolethu-precinct/ or contacting George Municipal Directorate Planning and Development, Henko Lourens hlourens@george.gov.za

#ilisolethuGeorge #Letsgrowthembalethu #cityofopportunties

Editor’s Note: https://www.george.gov.za/planning-development/ilisolethu-precinct/
The Ilisolethu Project aims to promote social, economic, and residential development, and stimulate urban regeneration through investment projects. This initiative seeks to uplift the community of Thembalethu while creating a unique space for residents and visitors alike. Some key benefits of this project include socio-economic opportunity, fostering of human potential, and creating a better, more accessible space for communal interaction and usage. In partnership with the National Treasury, George Municipality has thus initiated the Thembalethu Node 1 Development Project to attract new investments and stimulate economic activity in the area. The appointed service provider, Cadre Connect, drafted an Investment Strategy, an Area Management Strategy and identified 11 Investment Project Packages. The aim is to roll out the project over a 5-year period, subject to the availability of funding and commitment from investment partners, and, once completed, this groundbreaking regeneration initiative will be a valuable asset to the community of Thembalethu and benefit the entire region.

In the photo is the Civic Centre 300 kWp system which has been operational since September 2021

The George Municipality continues to pursue its vision to enhance energy resilience and reduce electricity demand through renewable energy initiatives. The primary goal of these projects is to meet some of the municipality’s energy requirements, thereby decreasing dependence on Eskom. According to the deputy director for Planning and Design in the George Municipality’s Electrotechnical Services, Daniel Greeff, this reduction in electricity purchases from Eskom will lower the municipality’s electricity bill, with the savings ultimately benefiting customers.

Completed Projects:
• Civic Centre: 300 kWp system, operational since September 2021.
• Outeniqua Wastewater Treatment Facility: 400-kilowatt peak (kWp) photovoltaic (PV) system.
• Gwaing Wastewater Treatment Facility: 500 kWp PV system.
• Municipal Land (ERF464): 1 megawatt peak (MWp) solar farm.

Ongoing Renewable Energy Projects:
• Tourism Site: Completed, with some equipment changes necessitated by a fire.
• Battery Storage System: 3 megawatt-hours (MWh) battery storage system spread across three sites (Civic Centre building, Outeniqua, and Gwaing wastewater treatment works), construction is expected to begin in September 2024.

Cancellation of Tender for 12 MW PV with 66kV Substation Grid Connection

The tender for the construction of the 12 MW PV Plant with the 66kV substation Grid connection was cancelled. According to Mr Riaan du Plessis, the Chief Financial Officer of the George Municipality, the bids received in response to the tender process far exceeded the available budget. “In terms of the Local Government Municipal Finance Management Act, 56 of 2003 (MFMA), a municipality may incur expenditure only in terms of an approved budget. Therefore, there was no alternative but to cancel the tender,” du Plessis said.

Future Plans and Initiatives

George Municipality intends to continue exploring alternative electricity supply solutions such as Small-Scale Embedded Energy Generation (SSEG) and Wheeling agreements. The municipality will also focus on procuring electricity from Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

George Municipality will work in collaboration with the Western Cape Premier’s office relating to the appointment of IPP’s, which is already coordinating similar solutions in the province. IPPs will create an effective competitive market space for ESKOM, moving away from the current monopoly. This is seen as the economic solution to the current energy crisis in South Africa, and George Municipality will support the Western Cape government in leading the necessary changes for a stable electricity supply future.
The municipality remains committed to finding sustainable solutions to the current electricity crisis, contributing to both local and national energy resilience.