George Executive Mayor Alderman Leon van Wyk visited the Motor Vehicle Licence Centre in Hibernia Street last week to, among other things, highlight the online vehicle renewal service that residents can use to reduce their time spent in queues.
GO GEORGE female staff juggling work, family and Covid
Issued 23 Aug 2021
Each August, we celebrate women. We point out their strength, their achievements, their invaluable contributions; in the case of GO GEORGE, often in a so-called “man’s world”.
In August 2020, everybody was still in shock and hoping to beat the virus within a few months. This year, women’s voices sound different. Some talk of hope, of caring, of doing what’s got to be done. Others don’t see light at the end of the tunnel; actually, they don’t see the end of the tunnel.
Unlike previous years when it was interesting and enlightening to sit around a table with a number of female bus drivers, for instance, GO GEORGE now requested feedback from female staff members about their experience of womanhood during the Covid-19 pandemic via a short list of questions.
Most of the women who have responded, work shifts, from as early as 04:30 in the morning, only getting home after 20:00 when they start later. Many are single mothers. Most have a support system for their children’s care, be it a grandmother, neighbour or elder siblings, or husbands when their work hours allow. However, many still need to help children with “lockdown schoolwork” after they get home, on top of daily household duties. Noticeable was how many taught their children who couldn’t attend school for long periods of time, how to carry out essential household chores.
“I just find it sad to tell my children they cannot go play with friends. We try to keep them busy indoors, but it’s not easy, and it’s not good,” one mother said. Without exception, they try to answer their children’s many questions and to keep their hopes up, that life will get better and easier again, that “this too shall pass”.
Many remain positive. “I can’t wait for Covid-19 to get over and done with. I can summarise the past year as me being retrenched by a previous employer, employed again, becoming a promoter of good hygiene, a teacher, infected (asymptomatic), but refusing to get tired, and defined by my desire to be even more!”
Those with younger children struggle from time to time: “2021 is a very hard time for me as I have to leave my kids alone at home because they are doing turns at school and the aftercare is closed due to Covid,” says a mother of two children, aged eight and 12.
Depending on their personal circumstances, some struggle to stay positive. “I don’t see any future anymore, no hope and no dreams. I am worried about my child’s future.”
Apart from one young woman, those interviewed are all mothers, some single, some wives or partners, daughters to their parents, and pillars in their communities.
Stanley Fortuin from George Link says the perseverance and courage to face all the challenges of a bus driver is handled with grace and responsibility by their female drivers. “Although they admit that it is some days harder than others, they still find balance between motherhood, being a wife and their profession. You will seldom hear our ladies complain and we really want to thank every one of them this month, for the incredible contribution they make in their personal lives to their families as well as their vital service to our community.”
“The women working for GO GEORGE are specialists in their respective fields, dedicated workers who keep the wheels of the bus service rolling,” says James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager. “We celebrate, salute and applaud our female staff for their contribution to our service, the way in which they carry out their duties under the most difficult and uncertain circumstances, always going the extra mile. Because every step these days, is a marathon.”
Box:
GO GEORGE asked:
What does it feel like to be a woman in 2021?
• Awesome, challenging, protective yet exciting to be alive.
• Wow, a lot of responsibility, but very happy when I see the appreciation and love in my family’s eyes.
• Sometimes anxious and frustrated by the uncertainty, but then I remember that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
• The love for my child and the need to protect her makes me strong.
• I’m scared for the future of our kids.
• I will always be a rock, no matter what the situation is.
CAPTIONS:
Campions early morning:
The GO GEORGE communication champions start work when it’s still dark and work mostly outdoors, engaging with passengers. Here Dieketseng Mosesane (champions’ supervisor) reminds some learners how to stay safe when using the bus service.
Call Centre agent coming home:
Mandie Bayman is a GO GEORGE Call Centre agent whose early shift starts at 04:30. On such days, four-year-old Raynechia sees her mom for the first time when she welcomes her back home after lunch.
GO GEORGE vroulike personeel balanseer werk, familie en Covid
Uitgereik 23 Aug 2021
Elke jaar in Augustus vier ons vroue. Ons wys op hul krag, hul prestasies, hul waardevolle bydraes; in die geval van GO GEORGE, dikwels in ‘n sogenaamde “manswêreld”.
In Augustus 2020 was almal nog in skok en vol hoop om die virus binne ‘n paar maande te klop. Hierdie jaar klink vroue se stemme anders. Sommige praat van hoop, van omgee, van doen wat gedoen moet word. Ander sien nie lig aan die einde van die tonnel nie; eintlik sien hulle nie die einde van die tonnel nie.
Anders as vorige jare toe dit interessant en insiggewend was om saam met ‘n aantal vroulike busbestuurders om ‘n tafel te sit, het GO GEORGE hierdie jaar via ‘n kort vraelys terugvoer van vroulike personeellede versoek oor hul ervaring van vrouwees tydens die Covid-19-pandemie. vrae.
Die meeste van die vroue wat gereageer het, werk skofte, van so vroeg as 04:30 in die oggend, en kom na 20:00 eers tuis wanneer hulle later in die dag begin. Baie van hulle is enkelmoeders. Die meeste het ‘n ondersteuningstelsel wat hom om hul kinders te versorg, hetsy dit ‘n ouma, buurvrou, ouer broers en susters of hul mans is wanneer hul werksure dit toelaat. Baie moet egter steeds kinders help met “inperking-skoolwerk” nadat hulle by die huis kom, en nog daaglikse huishoudelike pligte ook afhandel. Opvallend was hoeveel van die vroue hul kinders wat vir lang tydperke nie skool kon bywoon nie, geleer het hoe om noodsaaklike huishoudelike take uit te voer.
“Ek vind dit net hartseer om vir my kinders te sê hulle kan nie saam met maats gaan speel nie. Ons probeer om hulle in die huis besig te hou, maar dit is nie maklik nie, en dit is nie goed nie,” het een ma gesê. Sonder uitsondering probeer hulle hul kinders se baie vrae beantwoord en om hul hoop dat die lewe weer beter en makliker sal word, dat “dit ook sal verbygaan” aan die gang te hou.
Baie bly positief. “Ek kan nie wag vir Covid-19 om verby te kom en klaar te kry nie. Ek kan die afgelope jaar opsom as ek wat deur ‘n vorige werkgewer afgelê word, weer in diens geneem word, ‘n promotor van goeie higiëne, ‘n onderwyser, en (asimptomaties) siek word met Covid, maar weier om moeg te word, en steeds gedefinieer word deur my begeerte om selfs meer te wees!”
Diegene met jonger kinders sukkel van tyd tot tyd: “2021 is ‘n baie moeilike tyd vir my, want ek moet my kinders alleen by die huis los omdat hulle beurte maak by die skool en die nasorg is gesluit weens Covid,” sê ‘n ma van twee kinders tussen die ouderdomme van agt en 12.
Afhangende van hul persoonlike omstandighede, sukkel party om positief te bly. “Ek sien geen toekoms meer nie, geen hoop en geen drome nie. Ek is bekommerd oor die toekoms van my kind.”
Afgesien van een jong vrou, is diegene met wie onderhoude gevoer is almal moeders, sommige enkellopend, sommige eggenote of lewensmaats, dogters vir hul ouers en pilare in hul gemeenskappe.
Stanley Fortuin van George Link sê die deursettingsvermoë en moed om al die uitdagings van ‘n busbestuurder die hoof te bied, word met grasie en verantwoordelikheid deur hul vroulike bestuurders hanteer. “Hoewel hulle erken dat dit ‘n paar dae moeiliker is as ander, vind hulle steeds balans tussen moederskap, vrouwees en hul beroep. Jy sal ons dames selde hoor kla en ons wil regtig elkeen van hulle vandeesmaand bedank vir die ongelooflike bydrae in hul persoonlike lewens aan hul families, sowel as hul noodsaaklike diens aan ons gemeenskap.”
“Die vroue wat vir GO GEORGE werk, is spesialiste op hul onderskeie gebiede, toegewyde werkers wat die wiele van die busdiens aan die rol hou,” sê James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder. “Ons vier, salueer en loof ons vroulike personeel vir hul bydrae tot ons diens en die manier waarop hulle hul pligte onder die moeilikste en onsekerste omstandighede uitvoer en altyd die ekstra myl loop. Want deesdae is elke tree ‘n maraton.”
Kassie:
GO GEORGE het gevra:
Hoe voel dit om in 2021 ‘n vrou te wees?
• Wonderlik, uitdagend, beskermend, maar tog opwindend om te lewe.
• Sjoe, baie verantwoordelikheid, maar baie gelukkig wanneer ek die waardering en liefde in my familie se oë sien.
• Soms angstig en gefrustreerd weens die onsekerheid, maar dan onthou ek dat ek alles kan doen deur Christus wat my versterk.
• Die liefde vir my kind en die behoefte om haar te beskerm, maak my sterk.
• Ek is bang vir die toekoms van ons kinders.
• Ek sal altyd ‘n rots wees, maak nie saak wat die situasie is nie.
ONDERSKRIFTE:
Campions early morning:
Die GO GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeamptes begin werk wanneer dit nog donker is en werk meestal buitenshuis om met passasiers te skakel. Hier herinner Dieketseng Mosesane (passasiersdienstoesighouer) ‘n paar leerders hoe om veilig te bly wanneer hulle die busdiens gebruik.
Call Centre agent coming home:
Mandie Bayman is ‘n GO GEORGE-oproepsentrumagent wie se vroeë skof om 04:30 begin. Op sulke dae sien die vierjarige Raynechia haar ma vir die eerste keer wanneer sy haar ná middagete terug van die werk af verwelkom.
George Municipality Fleet Manager Manon McDonald, aged 56, this month retires from a lifetime career in a ‘man’s world’. Manon is an electrical engineering technician who in later years took on municipal fleet management as part of her job in Knysna. As fleet manager in George since 2015 she has been responsible for more than 1000 vehicles and associated equipment.
Manon became an electrical engineering student because she wasn’t good at typing. “I didn’t know what to do after school and was looking at courses at the local Klerksdorp Technikon to see if there was anything I could see myself doing for a living. I had a head for administration, so a secretarial course seemed a logical choice, but I was really bad at typing, which was still a major part of office management in the 1980s,” says Manon.
The only other thing that appealed was a qualification as electrical engineering technician, mostly because she liked maths and science that were core subjects in the course. “I was the only woman in a man’s world for most of my career which was unusual for everyone, not just the men, but people got used to me being there and it became less of a thing. Sometimes the men would take the mickey out of me, but it made me stronger, more committed and more determined.”
A decision that would stand her in good stead was pushing through to obtain the advanced NQ6 electrical engineering diploma. “To this day most people will qualify with the NQ4 technician qualification and there are very few women in South Africa with NQ6. The extra two years were much tougher, especially the maths, but it facilitated key career opportunities that became very important when life threw me a few curve balls.”
Good marks and references convinced the electrical engineer at Klerksdorp Municipality to take a chance on Manon, the first female electrical technical assistant to be appointed at the local authority in 1990. Despite irregular hours, extreme weather conditions and the inherent danger of electricity Manon thrived. “I loved that the work was different every day, that much of it was outdoors and very interesting.”
Eight years later when she needed a change, a glowing reference secured Manon the principal technician post at Knysna Municipality. “I arrived in this small town, recently widowed with an 18-month-old baby and no support system at home. It is a great testament to the men in that department at the time who not only accepted a female boss but one who sometimes brought a sleeping baby to after-hours callouts. Everyone would keep an ear out for my son, Rüttger, in case he would wake up and start crying, but he was very good and seldom even stirred while we did our jobs nearby.
“Although I did not strictly have to go out on all the calls at night, it was important for me to do so at least in the beginning while I was getting to know the people and the area. I wanted them to see that I was committed and willing to do what it takes, that I wouldn’t use my child as an excuse to not do my job.”
Knysna’s vehicle fleet was the responsibility of the electrotechnical department, and its management formed part of Manon’s job. “My dad was a motor vehicle mechanic, and I spent most days after school in his workshop, so this felt like familiar territory.”
Her job included buying new vehicles, overseeing the mechanical workshop and petrol and diesel filling station, vehicle licencing, insurance and a whole lot of related administration. Fleet management meant less afterhours work than electrical, which motivated Manon to apply for a position as fleet manager at George Municipality, which she got in 2015.
The George Municipality vehicle fleet consists of more than 1000 items ranging from sedans, bakkies and trailers to roadworks equipment, graders, refuse trucks, water tankers, fire trucks and GO GEORGE busses.
“Vehicles are expensive but essential for service delivery, which makes budgeting challenging in a growing municipality with limited resources. It is frustrating for everyone when an old truck that should really be replaced is in the workshop more than on the road, but it is our reality and we make the best of the circumstances.”
In the six years she has worked here, Manon has facilitated the purchasing of 176 vehicles and trucks, many of which have specialist requirements. Among these is the municipality’s first truck tractor which pulls a 35 000-litre stainless steel water tank as a movable water source during firefighting and South Africa’s first extra-high panel van in red for the Fire Department’s new mobile control centre.
Manon also had the fuel pumps upgraded so both pumps could issue dual product (petrol and diesel), managed renovations in the office to maximise space and facilitated the purchasing of a 31 000-litre above-ground storage tank that will be completed next month.
“Running a municipality’s fleet is not just about the vehicles in the current fleet, but about overall sustainability. For instance, the department may weigh up the pros and cons of buying a recovery vehicle for heavy vehicles versus the costs of a service provider, or whether the benefits of an inhouse workshop outweigh implications such as additional staff, space and equipment costs. A fleet is also about thousands of people who drive and travel in those vehicles every day – their safety and capacity to do their work as efficiently as possible are all inherent to this job.”
No matter the job description, Manon almost always had men reporting to her and some handled this better than others. “Some were quite blatantly disrespectful and adamant that they would not come to me for anything. I made a concerted effort to not take offense or get angry, or to be snide or vengeful when they eventually had no choice but to come to me for help or support. It was important to me to not rub my power and authority in their face and hoped they would eventually realise that I could be an ally.
“I always considered myself a lady and never swore at somebody or about any situation. I instinctively knew that I couldn’t be one of the boys and didn’t think it was necessary for me to try. I am my own person, not defined by my work or my gender.”
Manon and her husband Johan intend moving to Agulhas later this year.
Profile by Athane Scholtz, Communications Officer, George Municipality
Issued George Municipality, 16 August 2021
Caption: Executive Mayor Leon van Wyk visited the site of the Conville “informal” cricket pitch recently together with the Deputy Mayor, Charlotte Clarke and the Portfolio Councillor for Community Services, Sean Snyman to consider how this is dealt with going forward.
George Municipality is aware of the “informal” cricket pitch established recently in Conville on a piece of open municipal ground. The municipality recognizes that cricket is a favoured sport in this area, as well as the need for such amenities for the children of the area. However, the community needs to take cognizance of the due process that is meant to be followed in such matters. A piece of ground belonging to a government entity cannot be appropriated and changed in any way to suit the purposes of a few residents.
The Community Services Directorate has for a while been looking into establishing a multi-terrain sporting ground for the residents in this neighbourhood which would provide a fully functional and safe sporting terrain for the community i.e an all-terrain pitch which will allow for different types of sport to be played including cricket, 5-a-side soccer and so on.
Ald Van Wyk stressed that communities must follow due process in such instances and participate in ward committee meetings, raising their needs during public participation actions. “These processes are the link between the municipality and our residents, and we need the public to participate to be able to identify the best solution for this field and then take into account what the our residents are saying.
Standing on the field, you realise the risk to residents and their homes. This needs due process, so projects such as these, can be functional and address the needs of the community safely. The state this “informal pitch’ is in now, poses a safety threat to those who play on it as well. If a child were to fall and hurt themselves while playing on it, who would be responsible for this? We need community buy in for a sports terrain as well as a play park.”
George Municipality Directorate Planning and Development last week presented its Risk-Aligned Economic Recovery Plan to the municipal mayoral committee.
The plan, which was compiled as a response to the short and long-term socio-economic effects of Covid-19, aligns with and informs several other George Municipality plans and strategies as well as the plans and strategies for the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and Western Cape government.
George Municipality Director Planning and Development Lauren Waring said while the effect of Covid-19 would not be fully understood until the pandemic had passed, various surveys locally and across the world had identified the nature of some key impacts. “Some of the hardest hit sectors such as tourism, hospitality and retail are among our city’s most important sectors. We also expect poverty indicators to rise as the full impact on the informal sector, spaza shops and SMMEs becomes more evident.
“Covid-19 has had a damaging impact on the municipality’s revenue streams and it is expected to continue for the next three to five years. In response the municipality is developing meaningful interventions to stimulate the local economy and facilitate job creation, increase household consumption, and ensure the promotion of a stable and healthy living environment.”
To do this, George Municipality will focus on reigniting the tourism sector, providing sustainable support to the informal sector, developing an online SMME portal to provide access to different business processes and government and other support, using planning and infrastructure tools to ensure spatial transformation, developing tools to optimise resources, and enhancing data and knowledge management.
The municipality also takes into consideration its own systems, procedures, and functions to address Covid-19 impacts internally in addition to its external economic response, which includes social development, finance, and ICT responses.
Financial management responses include credit control, improved debtors management, revenue enhancement, cost containment and expenditure management.
The Social Development section, in ongoing relationships with the relevant mandated provincial and national government departments and other agencies, will promote an inclusive developmental agenda that focuses on issues including early childhood development, an integrated George safety and security network, sustainable food sources, homeless people and gender-based violence.
ICT responses will look into smart systems that maximise operational efficiency via the existing ICT platform, enhanced communication and performance management systems, and research and design capabilities to promote the meeting of targets and deadlines.
Economic Development portfolio councillor Dirk Wessels said the George Municipality Economic Recovery Plan was taking into consideration that Covid-19 was an historic event that would forever change the landscape of decision-making. “While the world is facing this crisis, the reality is that there may be more pandemics and other national and international disasters. The Economic Recovery Plan we have just released is the product of significant information and resource sharing across several agencies and reflects the multipronged approach required to pursue shared solutions for the major impacts on the local and global economy, geopolitics, and our societies.”
The George Municipality Economic Recovery Plan is aligned to current and developing strategies and documents including the National Covid-19 Recovery Plan, Western Cape Business and Economic Recovery Plan, George Economic Development and Tourism, Western Cape Government Tourism Master Plan as well as the GRDM Tourism Strategy, Agricultural Master Plan, Investment Prospectus and Draft Green Energy Master Plan.
The Plan will form part of the George Municipality Integrated Economic Development Strategy that is currently being developed and will serve as a critical informant to several other municipal strategic planning processes being undertaken in the next six to 24 months, including the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), Spatial Development Framework (SDF) and Integrated Economic Growth Strategy (IEGS).
The George Municipality Economic Recovery Plan is available at https://www.george.gov.za/george-documents/policies-strategies-plans-and-guidelines/planning-and-development/
Issued George Municipality, 18 August 2021
First: Leonard Giles Eden Surfriders Coach and Robert Pollock, Team Manager.
Second: Leonard Giles at the Vic Bay Quad in Memory of John Pfaff (his best friend).
Third: Leonard Giles surfing at Vic Bay
George Municipality backs the SA Masters Surfing Championships, held at Victoria Bay for the very first time since its inception, taking place from Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd August 2021.
George Municipality’s Community Services Directorate have been hard at work sprucing up Victoria Bay for this prestigious event and a financial contribution has also been provided by the Tourism department.
Eight teams from across South Africa are participating in the event, where surfers compete in seven divisions, ranging in age groups from Over 35s to Over 60s. With decades of competitive surfing under their wetsuits, competitors are more serious than ever.
Surfers have travelled from Nelson Mandela Bay, Cape Town, Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. Buffalo City Surf Riders are the defending Masters Cup Champions.
The 2021 SA Masters Championships is presented under strict Covid-19 protocols by Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national governing body for the sport, and is hosted by Eden Surf Riders. SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and the International Surfing Association.
Local surfers have been training under experienced coach, 1982 Springbok and legendary Victoria Bay surfer, Leonard Giles. The district with the highest number of points will win this year’s Masters Cup.
“This is a much-needed boost for Tourism and we recognise the Eden Surf Riders hard work in getting this prestigious event to our shores. Victoria Bay is being recognised more and more by surfers nationally and internationally, and we will continue to support messaging that amplifies our destination as ideal for surfing” says Joan Shaw, George Municipality’s Tourism Manager. Shaw adds, “George wishes our local surfers best of luck. We are rooting for you”.
#GeorgeEvents
Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk, along with deputy mayor Charlotte Clarke and a team from the municipality conducted a site visit in Levallia and Lawaaikamp recently where ongoing illegal dumping takes place. During the site visit, the mayor, and the newly appointed Senior Environmental Services manager, Sivuyile Mtila, spoke about ways to reduce or discourage illegal dumping across the municipal area.
The mayor visited the illegal dumping site in Triumph Street, which poses a threat to all residents living in and around the area, according to Mtila. “As a municipality, it is imperative that deterrent or incentivised methods are considered as a means to discourage such behaviour,” Mtila said. Mtila noted that this could assist in alleviating the strain placed on the municipality when it comes to clearing illegal dumping sites. Council will however need to deliberate on this and make a decision on the way forward.
Mayor Van Wyk stated that it is important to have the full cooperation of the entire community when it comes to cleanliness. It is projects like this that require the community and the municipality to join hands so that progress can be made together. One of the illegal dumping site viewed is located just outside the Lawaaikamp Speelgroep ECD in Vuyani Ncamazana Street in Lawaaikamp. This site as with all dumping sites, poses a health risk to all those living in the surrounding areas.
Mtila expressed his frustration as he explained that this is one of the sites that is cleaned on a regular basis, but dumping occurs as often as cleaning does. The mayor addressed those responsible for cleaning this site, thanking them and stressing how important their work is in keeping the residents of these communities all safe.
• ILLEGAL DUMPING
The municipality needs your help to combat illegal dumping:
1. Please spread the news in your community that dumping of waste is dangerous and a health hazard. Waste should be collected in refuse bags and placed for collection on waste removal days. Builders rubble and waste not suitable for bags must be dropped at the municipal refuse site on the R102 (airport road).
2. If you can provide names, vehicle registration details or addresses of alleged perpetrators and are willing to make a statement in this regard, please report it to Law Enforcement at 044 801 6350 or sprins@george.gov.za. You don’t need a photograph of the perpetrator, but it will strengthen the case for a warning or fine to be issued.
3. If you notice dumped waste, please report for collection to 044 802 2900.
Captions:
Vuyani Ncamazana: Mayor Leon van Wyk and Sivuyile Mtila addressing workers at an illegal dumping site in Vuyani Ncamazana Street, Lawaaikamp.
Triumph Street: Ald Leon van Wyk, Councillors and officials from George Municipality during a visit at an illegal dumping site in Triumph Street, Levallia.
Executive Mayor of George, Ald Leon van Wyk, and other councillors visited the Lawaaikamp Speelgroep Early Childhood Development centre in Lawaaikamp recently. The ECD boasts a garden on the premises. Ms. Katriena James, who is a teacher for pupils between the ages of 4 – 5, says they are using this garden to teach skills to the learners and want to possibly getting their parents involved. She says if they can grow their own vegetables, this could also be ploughed back into the ECD.
The ECD also uses leaves as composting materials for the garden.
Even though there are so many positives, Ms. James mentioned that the ECD is not without challenges, the number of pupils in attendance have lessened due to the pandemic. The ECD has also experienced break-ins; in recounting a few incidents, criminals have stolen the swings from the play park and tried to damage the kitchen (this is particularly disturbing as the pupils at this school are fed from the kitchen), cameras have been stolen as well. Another challenge is illegal dumping which occurs just outside of the ECD. Van Wyk said despite the challenges faced, the daily operation of this ECD continue. As a community we need to take our hats off to them.
Garden: The garden at the Lawaaikamp Speelgroep is in the beginning stages.
Visit: Ald Leon van Wyk with councillors and workers from Lawaaikamp Speelgroep during a visit to the early childhood development centre.
Kitchen: Katriena James (with red cap) shows off the kitchen to Cllr Erika Brown (left), Cllr Marlene Barnardt, Mayor Leon van Wyk and employees of George Municipality.
Headline: Traffic officers and administration staff get vaccinated Issued George Municipality, 11 August 2021
Text: George Municipality Traffic officers and administration staff were given the opportunity to get vaccinated at the AFM Church Pacaltsdorp last week Thursday. Two administration officials and 17 traffic officers participated. Vernon Petersen, Acting George Traffic Manager, said that there had been urgent requests from traffic officers across the province to be vaccinated, given that they have to interact with the public on a regular basis, and want to keep themselves as well as the public safe. Petersen said the initiative was taken up on provincial government level and arranged by the local traffic departments.
Traf1: Vernon Petersen, George Acting Traffic Manager, with some of the traffic officers that have been vaccinated.
Traf2: Here Nursing sister, Lucricia Webber from Harry Comay Hospital injects Shelley-Ann Roelfse from George Traffic Services. Vernon Petersen looks on.
Traf3: Here Traffic Officer, Boyisile Baleni, gets his vaccination from Nurse Manager Linda Geweld, Harry Comay Hospital. To the right Vernon Petersen, Traffic Chief, gets his second injection from Micaela Philander, a nursing student from the University of the Western Cape.
The Pophuis Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Parkdene is an essential daycare facility for the children of Parkdene, but unfortunately it suffers severely with constant theft and break-ins. The manager of Pophuis ECD, Anna Solomons, says that despite offering a service to the very children of this community, the centre is constantly targeted.
During the last incident at the centre, fire extinguishers as well as stoves were stolen. The stoves were later returned. The criminals also damaged the water tanks and playground equipment used by the school.
Before COVID–19, the ECD accommodated 105 pupils but since the lockdown measures of the past year, and again this year, the numbers have dwindled to 45 to 60 pupils.
Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk noted that our communities are feeling the effects of COVID–19 which has had a ripple effect. “With the pandemic, comes joblessness which then leads to crime and other social ills rearing its head. Unfortunately, it’s institutions such as these that bear the brunt of crime,” he said.
Van Wyk said ECD facilities play a huge role in the lives of our young ones and one of the biggest challenges to these facilities is COVID–19, which has seen unemployment skyrocket and parents not able to afford to pay the monthly fees any longer.
If any individual and/or business would like to assist the Pophuis ECD, please contact the Community Development Office on 044 802 2000.
Captions:
Pop1: Mayor Leon Van Wyk, Cllr Erika Brown, Pophuis ECD Manager, Anna Solomons, Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clarke, Ward Councillor for Ward 8 (Parkdene area) Cllr Bazil Petrus and Cllr Marlene Barnardt.
Pop2: Anna Solomons, Manager of Pophuis, Mayor Leon Van Wyk and Eva Buffel, teacher with some of the Pophuis pupils.
Pop3: Some of the damaged goods after the break-ins – a water tank, playground slides and other equipment.
Media Release: Cricket SA visits George
Issued George Municipality, 17 August 2021
Back Row: Dr Michele Gratz (Acting Municipal Manager), Alderman van Wyk (Executive Mayor), Graeme Smith (Director of Cricket; Cricket South Africa), Mr Pholetsi Moseki (Interim CEO; Cricket SA), Mr Allen Paulse (Director Community Services; George Municipality) Front Row: Albertus Kennedy (CEO; SWD Cricket), Mr Maurice Ellis (Independent Director; SWD Cricket)
Cricket SA Director and former Protea, Graeme Smith, visited George on Wednesday (11 August 2021) last week to meet with Mayor Leon Van Wyk and Dr Michele Gratz, Acting Municipal Manager, with regard to the possible move of SWD Cricket to George. The outcome of the engagement is that a Multi-Disciplinary Task team will be established together with representatives of SWD Cricket to look at the scope, feasibility and deliverables of such a move including the financial requirements. A report on the findings of the task team will be presented to Council for consideration in due course.
Closer look at Crocodile Farm land for possible social housingProfessional feasibility studies into the suitability of social housing on the old Crocodile Farm property are expected to commence later this year.
George Municipality Acting Director Human Settlements Lauren Waring said the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) had granted R500 000 towards the relevant studies. “Should the project go ahead and depending on what the studies show to be the most suitable housing type for the site, a potential 300 to 400 units could be accommodated on the old Crocodile Farm site and construction is then anticipated to commence by beginning 2023.
George is one of only seven municipalities in the country that were chosen for the first cycle of the newly launched Municipal Social Housing Support Programme (MSHSP) to receive additional support for expediting their social housing projects.
Implemented by the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) in conjunction with the applicable provincial department and municipality, social housing is a unit-based rental programme aimed at low and middle-income households. Depending on the outcome of studies such as those imminent at the Crocodile Farm site, the housing consists of multistorey apartments on one site that is strategically situated near existing business and neighbourhoods to promote economic and social integration.
While the George Municipality remains involved, SHRA is managing the supply chain process and appointment of consultants for the studies. It should take about eight months from commencement for studies to be completed, the results of which are then given to the municipality for further action.
The George Municipality will in due course commence the municipal tender process for an accredited social housing institution to implement and manage social housing projects for the municipality from design and construction to rental and property maintenance.
The Crocodile Farm is the first of several pockets of public land across the municipal area that have been identified, in conjunction with the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements, to be potentially suitable for social housing.
Ms Waring said the municipality hosted an Affordable Housing Beneficiary Readiness open day in February 2019 as part of its mandate to facilitate social housing in its jurisdiction. More than 1200 households attended, 82.4% of whom could potentially qualify for social housing. “As many of these households may neither qualify for an ‘RDP’ house nor an approved home loan, households earning between R1501 and R15 000 per month can access quality rental accommodation at reduced rates based on their household income. In a place such as George, where rental accommodation prices have soared in proportion to a fast-growing city, social housing options are becoming essential,” said Ms Waring.
For more information about social housing visit https://www.shra.org.za/
George Executive Mayor Alderman Leon van Wyk visited Oom Jan Kiewiets at his vegetable garden in Conville as part of a mayoral tour of the municipal area’s community services projects. Oom Jan is one of nearly 700 participants in the municipality’s food garden project which was revived at the end of last year to help families put food on the table following the devastating socio-economic impacts of Covid-19.
The project is run by coordinators who identify possible gardeners in communities, oversee the establishment of backyard gardens, provide seeds and guide the process from soil preparation to harvest. The aim is that the gardens will become sustainable throughout the year according to the seasons and that gardeners will ultimately not only put food on the tables of their own families but also have extra to share, sell or barter with. Most gardens are currently yielding crops to feed 5 to 10 people.
Oom Jan told the mayor you needed ‘green fingers’ to make a food garden work and that he made his own compost. His neighbour is allowing him to grow food on his side of the fence in exchange for produce.
The municipality welcomes involvement and support from business, NGOs and individuals who can assist in the long-term sustainability of the project. Ongoing needs include seeds, compost, pesticides, gardening tools and rainwater tanks.
Food garden queries: Sophie Fanelo 044 802 2000
George Executive Mayor Alderman Leon van Wyk and Deputy Executive Mayor Charlotte Clarke last week visited municipality-supported nutritional centres to honour the selfless work and dedication of the volunteers that feed their communities from their homes.
There are currently 125 nutritional centres in the George municipal area run by volunteers, mostly women, who cook two to five meals a week for vulnerable people including children, the elderly and disabled. While traditionally called ‘soup kitchens’, the centres provide a variety of meals according to the ingredients provided by the municipality and donated by NGOs or private individuals.
The mayoral team’s first stop was at the Conville home of Tannie Joan Jonker who cooks and serves meals to 85 people three times a week. At the height of Covid-19 lockdown, set-ups like Tannie Joan’s supplied two meals a day for up to five days a week. “I am now teaching others my cooking skills so that they can continue helping our people long after I am gone.”
Tannie Joan said the ongoing support from the municipality was wonderful but there were needs beyond food ingredients. “Large pots, utensils, more stoves and prepaid electricity are practical ways in which people can assist.”
They also visited the Parkdene Soup Kitchen, run by superwomen Leoni Witbooi and Amelda Jonker, who feed 250 people five days a week, come rain or shine. The feisty pair starts cooking at 5am every weekday, cooking with up to six 20-litre pots on wood and electrical stoves.
This centre is one of 20 that receive additional support from the national Department of Social Development as well as donations from a local bakery, restaurant and butchery. It is also well-supported by ward councillor Bazil Petrus who has recognised the value of this service and used some of the annual ward allocation funds to buy more pots.
The third stop was in Lawaaikamp at the soup kitchen run by Emma Mehlo and her daughter Sylvia Mateza which serves more than 120 people, mostly children, on weekdays. Sylvia is a trained counsellor and sees to the emotional and mental needs of people in addition to food on the table. The pair would like to expand their service by collecting and handing out clothes and shoes, and appeals to the wider community for especially children’s clothes.
Ald Van Wyk commended the selfless work of all the people across the municipal area who hosted, cooked and served soup kitchens so faithfully in the face of many challenges, including the impacts of Covid-19 and limited resources. “The municipality’s Community Development section continues to work with whomever is available to help and donate, and will facilitate and liaise accordingly to ensure that specific needs of these facilities are being met.
People wanting to support the nutritional centres can contact 044 802 2000.
Caption
Alderman Leon van Wyk and Emma Mehlo keep an eye on the queue outside her soup kitchen in Lawaaikamp.
George Municipality welcomes our new Chief Financial Officer, Mr Riaan Du Plessis who joined us on 1 August 2021.
Mr Du Plessis is a Chartered Accountant and has worked in the private sector financial services as an accountant, auditor and capital project controller(2000 – 2006). He joined the Office of the Auditor-General of South Africa in 2006 as Audit Manager, and left this year as Senior Manager. One of his working highlights was a stint overseas in the Office of the Auditor-General for New Zealand in 2008.
Riaan’s extensive qualifications include a B.Com in Accounting Sciences with Honours and a Post Graduate Diploma in Auditing and he holds membership of the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (SAICA). He is married to Susan and they have a 9 year old son, Christo. The entire family are avid cycling enthusiasts and look forward to enjoying the beautiful mountain bike trails in the George region.
His vision as CFO for the municipality is to establish the Financial Services Directorate as a professional, effective, and accountable partner in order to; support Council, service the needs of the public, partner effectively with service providers and create a fulfilling working environment for the officials of the municipality.
“It is a privilege for me to join George Municipality and to become a part of this experienced administration team at a time when the municipality is facing such growth. George is blessed with phenomenal natural beauty and well deserves to be included in the district named Garden Route. It is the responsibility of us all to contribute to maintaining this treasure and I am both excited and grateful to be a part of that,” he said.
Media Statement: Parking Market Street
Issued George Municipality, 6 August 2021
Following media queries and an article placed in the George Herald this week (5 August 2021), George Municipality would like to clarify the status of parking with regard to the Market Street upgrade.
Section 1 (York Street to Meade Street), Section 2 (Meade Street to Cradock Street) and Section 3 (Cradock Street to Mitchell Street)
Three sections of Market Street are currently under construction. A Public Participation Consultant was appointed by the Municipality to consult with all property owners and businesses prior to the commencement of construction to ensure that directly affected parties were fully informed of the works to be carried out.
The previous on-street municipal public parking in Market Street and on-street parking after construction is as follows:
Number of On-street Parking Bays before re-construction Number of On-street Parking Bays after re-construction
Section 1 (York to Meade) 37 21
Section 2 (Meade to Cradock) 28 13
Section 3 (Cradock to Mitchell) 17 15
No private parking is impacted and provision has been made for the same number of loading bays.
During the consideration of the public onstreet parking in Market Street, the availability of alternate parking was also investigated. During the parking evaluation it was found that the municipal off-street parking in the vicinity of Market street is currently underutilised. The available public parking in two such parking areas, behind the Old Town Hall and Donneraile Square, makes provision for more than those reduced within Market Street. The Municipality will provide improvements to these two parking areas during the upgrading of Market Street. The first improvement will be the realignment of the parking area behind the Old Town Hall followed by improved access to Donneraile Square. This work will also include the resealing of the existing parking area behind the Old Town Hall.
Section 4 (Mitchell Street to Merriman Street) and Section 5 (Merriman Street to Hope Street)
The contracts for these two sections of Market Street have not yet been awarded. Similar to the first three phases, no private parking will be affected, and only municipal public parking may be rationalised to enhance the public transport system and the provision of adequate and compliant pedestrian facilities.
Further Comment on Complaints and Matters Raised
The Municipality takes note of the concern expressed by property and business owners regarding the impact of construction works on their businesses. Pedestrian access to all businesses is maintained, and where special arrangements need to be made this will be done in consultation with the affected business.
Businesses are required to provide onsite parking, alternately to buy out on-street parking where this is permissible. Only municipal public parking has been rationalised in the planned upgrades in the interest of the public transport system as this area of the CBD is a Public Transport 1 (PT1) zone.
Market Street is not only being upgraded to rebuild the structure of the road but to improve pedestrian access and movement and replace aging and or inadequate infrastructure where necessary. Infrastructure upgrades include the replacement of old asbestos cement water pipelines and an upgrading of the stormwater network. The central business district is one of the oldest areas in George, certain infrastructure is old, and the infrastructure was not always installed to accommodate current growth and development and changes in legislative requirements.
Universal Accessibility (UA) is one of the legislative requirements that was not a consideration when the initial road reserve infrastructure was installed, and when the focus was on vehicular movement. George Municipality is committed to ensuring equitable access and focuses on ensuring that sidewalks meet the UA requirements. This will see a significant upgrade to sidewalks in Market Street and allow for improved pedestrian access and mobility.
The upgrades will also eliminate the past practise of illegal parking in pedestrian zones that impeded pedestrian movement and safety.
Impact of Roadworks on GO GEORGE bus service
Issued Thursday 5 August 2021
As part of the Municipality’s series of road maintenance projects, construction work on the section of CJ Langenhoven Street between George Hospital and the Witfontein Road circle will take place from Tuesday 10 August until approximately the end of October 2021. Although no rerouting is foreseen, there will be a significant impact on the GO GEORGE bus service.
All the GO GEORGE bus stops in this section will be closed for the duration of the construction work to ensure traffic flow for all road users while one lane is closed. The buses will still travel along the normal route but will not stop at the affected stops. Posters on the temporarily closed stops will advise passengers regarding alternative bus stops behind the George Hospital and at the beginning of Witfontein Road.
The impact of the roadworks on the bus schedule will be closely monitored to inform possible adjustments if needed, but passengers should make provision for delays when they plan their time of boarding.
Affected stops
The following bus stops will be closed temporarily:
343 Stadium
715 Stadium
341 Myrtle B
342 Myrtle B
585 Hillwood B
586 Hillwood B
338 Heather
339 Heather
The bus routes impacted by the roadworks are Route 2 Blanco – CBD and Route 58 Heatherlands – Heather Park.
For enquiries or assistance with trip planning, please phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044.
IMPAK VAN PADWERK OP GO GEORGE-BUSDIENS
Uitgereik Donderdag 5 Augustus 2021
As deel van die Munisipaliteit se reeks padinstandhoudingsprojekte vind konstruksiewerk aan die gedeelte van CJ Langenhovenstraat tussen die George-hospitaal en die Witfonteinweg-sirkel vanaf Dinsdag 10 Augustus plaas. Die projek sal tot ongeveer einde Oktober 2021 duur. Hoewel geen herleiding van roetes voorsien word nie, sal daar ‘n beduidende impak op die GO GEORGE-busdiens wees.
Al die GO GEORGE-bushaltes in hierdie gedeelte sal vir die duur van die konstruksiewerk gesluit wees om verkeersvloei vir alle padgebruikers te verseker terwyl een baan gesluit is. Die busse sal steeds volgens die normale roete ry, maar sal nie by die geaffekteerde bushaltes stop nie. Plakkate op die tydelik geslote bushaltes sal passasiers adviseer oor alternatiewe bushaltes agter die George-hospitaal en aan die begin van Witfonteinweg.
Die impak van die padwerke op die busskedule sal fyn dopgehou word om aanpassings te maak indien nodig, maar passasiers moet voorsiening maak vir vertragings wanneer hulle beplan hoe laat om ‘n bus te haal.
Geraakte bushaltes
Die volgende bushaltes sal tydelik gesluit word:
343 Stadion
715 Stadion
341 Myrtle B
342 Myrtle B
585 Hillwood B
586 Hillwood B
338 Heather
339 Heather
Die busroetes wat deur die padwerk beïnvloed word, is roete 2 Blanco – CBD en roete 58 Heatherlands – Heather Park.
Vir navrae of bystand met ritbeplanning, skakel asseblief die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044.
GO GEORGE has embarked on a passenger- and pedestrian-safety campaign to remind passengers as well as the general public to be alert and stay safe around buses.
Champions can be seen in York Street at the bus stops in front of the Post Office as well as the stop next to Eden Technical High School where they currently hand out pamphlets. Engaging with passengers and pedestrians, they warn in particular about the unsafe crossing of busy streets in front of or from behind the bus, and especially at these stops in York Street.
“The safety of pedestrians at and near bus stops is as much the concern of GO GEORGE as the safety of passengers on the buses,” says GO GEORGE Manager, James Robb. “It is not safe to cross a roadway right in front of or behind a bus, even if it is stationary. Motorists overtaking the bus may not see you crossing.”
Robb notes that the bus stops have intentionally been placed to be near a zebra pedestrian crossing or an intersection with a pedestrian crossing. “In some instances, crossings are paved or built up to allow a seamless and direct walking experience and force motorists to slow down. This is where you want to cross to be safe. In suburbs or areas where there are no crossings, passengers should wait until after the bus has departed before they cross the road.”
Talking about visibility when people cross the street in front or from behind a bus, he explains that intersections are designed to allow maximum visibility of pedestrians.
“Cars are forced to reduce speed or to come to a complete stop. Please walk the short distance to the nearest crossing and be safe,” Robb urges all pedestrians.
GO GEORGE has compiled a passenger safety pamphlet containing important tips for passenger safety before boarding the bus, on the bus, and after leaving the bus. While adhering to Covid safety precautions such as wearing masks, sanitising their hands regularly and not getting too close to people they engage with, GO GEORGE communication champions use the pamphlets to alert the public to behave safely and responsibly.
For any information or assistance regarding the bus service, please phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, visit www.gogeorge.org.za, send an email to info@gogeorge.org.za or visit the GO GEORGE Facebook page to stay up to date with the latest bus-related news.
CAPTION:
GO GEORGE Community Liaison Officer, Tyron Jeyi, explains to Bradley Claasen how close the pedestrian crossing is to the bus stop, and why it is safest to cross the busy street at that point and not in the vicinity of the bus. Bradley works at Fancourt and travels into town from Rosedale, transferring to the Blanco route at the Post Office.
PERSVERKLARING: GO GEORGE fokus op voetgangerveiligheid rondom busse
Uitgereik 30 Julie 2021
GO GEORGE het begin met ‘n passasier- en voetgangerveiligheidsveldtog om passasiers sowel as die algemene publiek te herinner om waaksaam te wees en veilig te bly in die omgewing van busse.
Passasiersdiensbeamptes is tans in Yorkstraat by die bushaltes voor die poskantoor asook die bushalte langs die Eden Tegniese Hoërskool besig om pamflette uit deel. In hul omgang met passasiers en voetgangers waarsku hulle veral oor die onveilige kruising van besige strate voor of van agter die bus, en veral by hierdie bushaltes in Yorkstraat.
“GO GEORGE is net so besorg oor die veiligheid van voetgangers by en naby bushaltes as oor die veiligheid van passasiers op die busse,” sê GO GEORGE-bestuurder, James Robb. “Dit is nie veilig om ‘n pad reg voor of agter ‘n bus oor te steek nie, al is die bus stilstaande. Motoriste wat die bus verbysteek, gaan jou moeilik raaksien.”
Robb wys daarop dat die bushaltes doelbewus naby ‘n sebravoetgangeroorgang of ‘n kruising met ‘n voetgangeroorgang geplaas is. “In sommige gevalle word kruisings geplavei of opgebou om ‘n naatlose en direkte loopervaring toe te laat en motoriste te dwing om stadiger te ry. Dit is waar jy wil oorstap om veilig te wees. In voorstede of gebiede waar daar geen kruisings is nie, moet passasiers wag tot nadat die bus vertrek het voordat hulle die pad oorsteek.”
Oor sigbaarheid wanneer mense die straat voor of van agter ‘n bus oorsteek, verduidelik hy dat kruisings ontwerp is om maksimum sigbaarheid van voetgangers toe te laat.
“Motors word gedwing om spoed te verminder of om volledig tot stilstand te kom. Stap asseblief die kort afstand na die naaste kruising en wees veilig,” doen Robb ‘n beroep op alle voetgangers.
GO GEORGE het ‘n pamflet saamgestel wat belangrike wenke vir passasiers bevat oor veiligheid voordat hulle op die bus klim, op die bus, en nadat hulle die bus verlaat het. Met inagneming van Covid-voorsorgmaatreëls soos die dra van maskers, gereelde ontsmetting van hande en ‘n veilige afstand van die mense met wie hulle kommunikeer, gebruik GO GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeamptes die pamflette om die publiek te waarsku om veilig en verantwoordelik op te tree.
Vir enige inligting of hulp met betrekking tot die busdiens, skakel asseblief die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044, besoek www.gogeorge.org.za, stuur ‘n e-pos aan info@gogeorge.org.za of besoek die GO GEORGE Facebook-blad om op hoogte te bly van die jongste busverwante nuus.
Onderskrif:
GO GEORGE-gemeenskapskakelbeampte, Tyron Jeyi, verduidelik aan Bradley Claasen hoe naby die voetgangeroorgang aan die bushalte is, en waarom dit die veiligste is om die besige straat daar oor te steek en nie in die omgewing van die bus nie. Bradley werk by Fancourt en ry vanaf Rosedale dorp toe met die bus en klim by die poskantoor oor op die Blanco-roete.
George Municipality is absolutely thrilled at the news that local surfer Bianca Buitendag, has won a Silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The municipality extended financial assistance to Bianca in a bid to support our local sporting talent and to shine a light on Victoria Bay as a premier surfing destination.
Portfolio Councillor for Strategic Services, Dirk Wessels could hardly contain his delight at the news of Bianca’s medal placement today. “I felt as though the whole of South Africa was watching her this morning, I received tons of calls and messages. For George Municipality to have an ambassador of Bianca’s calibre is amazing and proves that world champions are among us. She is very much an inspiration to all of our local surfers and local sports people and it shows what hard work and dedication can do. We are extremely proud as George Municipality to have collaborated with Bianca, and look forward to working with her and creating more local champions, “ he said.
Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk expressed his pride of Bianca’s achievement. “It is a pure testament to her skills and abilities that she has won this Silver medal. We look forward to welcoming her back to George when she arrives. She has been an excellent ambassador for George and will certainly help in placing Victoria Bay, and George on the international surfing map. We certainly need to work towards ensuring that regular surfing events and competitions are held at Victoria Bay, to give it the exposure it deserves.”
“Our backing of Bianca as an athlete was a strategic decision taken to implement a less traditional method of marketing from a tourism perspective for George Municipality. We are thrilled that our assistance played a small part in her Olympic success. Bianca faced excellent opponents in her run up to the finals this morning and her skill and determination shone throughout the competition. Thanks Bianca, we can’t wait to celebrate when you get back to South Africa and George!, “ said Joan Shaw, Tourism Manager.
Buitendag ‘cut her teeth’ surfing at Victoria Bay, known for its high performance waves and right hand break and home to the World Surf League qualifier, the Vic Bay Classic.
Sivuyile Mtila, the new Senior Manager Environmental Services for George Municipality joins us with extensive experience in his field within the Garden Route. He started his career in 2004 as an Environmental Health Practitioner in the Free State. In 2005 he worked for the Inxuba Yethemba Municipality as a Building Inspector. In 2006 he was appointed as an Environmental Health Practitioner by the Garden Route District Municipality. 2010 he was appointed as Chief: Municipal Health Services based in Oudtshoorn. In 2016 he was appointed by the Mossel Bay Municipality as a Senior Manager: Waste Management and Pollution Control until he joined George Municipality on 1 July 2021.
Mr Mtila is a staunch family man, with a B. Tech in Environmental Health and Diploma’s in Project Management and Management. His vision as manager is embedded in Section 24 of the Constitution which promises everyone the right to a cleaner environment which must be protected for our future generations. “I invite our communities to work with the Community Services Directorate in realising this vision.”